The Eagle And The Nightingales

Freehold out of curiosity, or those who only came occasionally.

It may be that what they need is a leader, and one has not stepped forward thus far. I had hoped Tyladen would be that leader, but I fear he is a weak branch to land that eyas on. Harperus would, but he is not physically able. Which leaves_us. I could do with a better prospect.

'I must go,' he said finally. 'I'll probably be staying there tonight again. It's safer than flying back, even after dark. I'll tell Nob to come here and help you, as usual.'

At least Nob would be safer with Harperus than alone in T'fyrr's suite, especially now that Harperus had raided his traveling-wagon for more protective devices. Tyladen had actually ventured out of Freehold to fetch the mechanisms and to set them up in Harperus' room_while Old Owl was well enough in mind and spirit after his ordeal, he needed someone to look after him. So Nob could be useful and protected by staying with the Deliambren. Right now, T'fyrr would be much happier if he were working alone_but since that was impossible, better to get those who were not flying the attack under cover of the trees.

'Thank you,' Harperus said with real gratitude. 'The boy is an endless help. I'm thinking of checking where he came from and offering to purchase his services if he hasn't any parents about. We can use young humans like him in the Fortress-City.'

'What, in your_ah, what did you call it? The 'exchange program'?' T'fyrr asked, getting up from his stool. 'He'd be good there; he has an open mind, and a clever one, and I have to keep restraining him from taking apart your devices to see how they work.'

Harperus held up a hand just as T'fyrr began to walk toward the door. 'Wait a moment, please. You and Nightingale_' he began.

What? Is he going to try to interfere there now? I think not!

T'fyrr shook his head and began an annoyed retort, but Harperus waved his hand before he could begin to form it.

'No, no, I don't mean to tell you to leave her alone_dear Stars, that's the last thing I'd want for either of you!' T'fyrr relaxed a little at that, and Harperus continued, with an expression of concern on his face. 'I just want to know if_if you are weathering these stresses as a couple. I want to know that the two of you are still together and not being torn apart by the situation.'

'Better than we would alone,' T'fyrr said softly. 'Much, much better than we would alone. She is the one unreservedly good thing that has happened to me since I came here. I tell her so, at least twice a day.'

Harperus smiled, his odd eyes warming with the smile. 'Good. Good. I feel rather paternal about both of you, you know. I have known her for most of her life_and if it were not for me, you would not be in the Twenty Kingdoms at all.' He hesitated a moment, as if deciding whether or not to say something, then continued. 'I want you to know that whatever I can do for both of you, I will. You have both been involved in situations you would never have had to deal with if it were not for me. I am very, very pleased that the two of you have found happiness in each other.'

T'fyrr looked down on the Deliambren, sensing nothing there but sincerity. 'I think I knew that,' he said finally. 'But thank you anyway.' He shook himself, rousing all his feathers, and bits of fluff and feather sheath flew through the air. 'Now I must go. Nightingale is waiting, and we have work in the city, even if I have none here.'

Harperus nodded, and T'fyrr took himself out, via Harperus' balcony. It was safer that way; he no longer trusted even the corridors and hallways of the Palace.

He no longer made a target of himself by flying low over the city; he gained altitude while he was still over the Palace grounds, taking himself quickly out of the range of conventional weaponry. He would drop down out of the sky in a stoop, once he was directly over Freehold, landing on the roof, though never twice in exactly the same place. He hoped that this made him less of a target for projectiles from the other roofs, although a skilled hunter could probably track him in and hit him_

He tried not to think about that. He was no longer the only target in this city. He had not wanted to worry Harperus further by giving him details of the troubles in Lyonarie, but it was no longer safe for most nonhumans to walk alone in certain districts even by day_and by night, they must not only go in large groups, but they must go armed with such weapons as the laws permitted them. Some of them had gotten immensely clever with weighted clubs, tough leather jackets, and things that could legitimately be considered their 'tools.'

They were harassed and attacked by pairs and large gangs of bravos armed with clubs. There had been no deaths_yet_but at least a hundred males, two dozen females, and a handful of children of various nonhuman races had wound up with broken bones or concussions. That was not even detailing the beatings that left only bruises, or simple harassment or vandalism.

Nor was Harperus' attacker the only escapee from justice in the King's gaols; even when attackers and vandals were identified and brought to justice, the very next day they would no longer be in the gaol. Some were released 'by accident,' some released when other parties posted bonds, and some simply slipped away.

There were ugly rumors in the streets, making even ordinary folk look angry whenever nonhumans were mentioned. One of those rumors claimed that the Manufactory Guild planned to release all of the human workers and import nonhumans, since they were not subject to the laws of the Church. As miserable as working conditions were inside those buildings, apparently having any job was better than being out of work, and the folk who filled