for Charyn.’
No one spoke for such a time. Fekra’s tardiness each day to reach the sentinel’s tree wasn’t about laziness. He had given up.
They heard a sound at the entrance and Lirah entered with Arjuro, her eyes on the soldier. Gargarin had asked her to be present. Regardless of everything, Fekra knew her.
‘What can you tell us, Fekra?’ Gargarin said.
‘I’ve told you enough.’
‘No. You’ve told us about the past. What can you tell us about what’s taking place over the hill now?’
Fekra’s eyes met Lirah’s. Froi saw his regret and knew Gargarin had made the right choice asking Lirah here.
‘One hears things,’ he said.
‘From who?’
Froi shrugged bitterly. ‘Friends … the surviving riders … those who are in Bestiano’s service.’
They waited.
‘Bestiano is paying low-lifes across the kingdom to keep an eye out for the Princess. At every border, every outpost. There’s an army of scum out there, sir. Made up of men who have lost their souls. Soldiers follow orders. These men don’t. They want the gold in return for …’
‘For what?’ Gargarin asked.
‘For the babe. At all costs. No stone is to be left unturned. If one is even suspected of hiding Quintana of Charyn, the punishment is death.’
Lirah gripped Froi’s arm and her nails sank deep into his flesh.
‘And they just accept this order?’ Gargarin asked. ‘These men?’
Fekra shook his head. ‘You don’t understand. These men are brigands. Murderers. Street lords. You saw firsthand what they did in the palace after the King’s death.’
‘After Bestiano and the riders deserted it, you mean?’ Gargarin asked.
‘These brigands … all of them can be bribed,’ Fekra continued, ignoring the taunt. ‘Whoever delivers Quintana of Charyn’s babe to Bestiano has been promised a … king’s ransom.’
‘Where would you hear that talk?’ Froi asked angrily. ‘I saw how protected Bestiano’s tent was. You’re a sentinel who spends his day in a tree, Fekra. So why would a messenger know about such an order?’
‘Friends … they talk,’ Fekra responded. ‘Friends who work close to Bestiano. They hear the truth.’
‘And this friend?’ Arjuro asked. ‘Can you trust him? Is he merely close to Bestiano, or is he forced to work close to him?’
Fekra shook his head.
‘I don’t know,’ he said, frustration in his voice. ‘The riders no longer talk about trust. Trust is dead. My … friend follows orders. He knows no other way. Sometimes he tells me what he’s heard, but do I trust him? I trust no one!’
‘Dorcas,’ Lirah said.
Fekra didn’t respond.
‘He’s Bestiano’s messenger so he would hear a thing or two. And he told you,’ she said. ‘Because you’ve been palace soldiers together since you were fourteen.’
Fekra went back to his stubborn silence.
‘Your shift will be over soon, Fekra,’ Gargarin said. ‘So here’s what you’re going to do. Return to the sentinel’s tree and when you get replaced, return to camp and find out everything you can and report back to us tomorrow.’
‘And what makes you think you can trust me?’ Fekra asked.
‘Because you were the only person in the palace who made it possible for Quintana to see me,’ Lirah said. ‘That wasn’t just about a bit of extra food and ale, Fekra. That was about compassion. What if you could be the one to keep her safe now?’
‘And the way I see it, there’s no way for you to betray us,’ Gargarin said. ‘We’re in this fortress. There are about one hundred and twenty soldiers here. If you’re going to betray us, Fekra, there’s not much you’ve got. They want me. At the moment, they’re not attacking because they know exactly where I am. In a way we’re already their prisoners. So what are you going to do? Go back and say, “You’ll never believe what happened. Gargarin of Abroi took me hostage, but he let me go.” They’d question why. Rest assured it would not end well for you, Fekra.’
‘Or else you can return to your camp and do something right for Charyn,’ Arjuro said quietly.
‘And what if I choose to stay here a prisoner?’
‘Then I’ll suggest that you’re put into the barracks with Tariq’s kinsmen,’ Dolyn said. ‘I’ll tell them you were once a palace rider and they’ll know exactly what that means.’
After more silence, Fekra looked up at Froi.
‘I need to get back to the post, then,’ he said.
‘Find a way to meet Dorcas tonight,’ Gargarin ordered. ‘See what he can tell you, but whatever you do, don’t tell him the truth.’
Later, Froi climbed the steps up to the wall and watched as Fekra walked back across the field towards the woodlands, as if he had the weight of the kingdom on his shoulders. Perhaps he did.
‘It’s ridiculous, really,’ Gargarin said behind him. ‘We’re all camped in the middle of Charyn waiting to see which direction she appears from and meanwhile we’re all being attacked from north and possibly south by foreigners.’
‘If you’re suggesting we need Bestiano and Nebia’s help, I’ll walk away now,’ Froi threatened.
‘Why would you think I’d suggest that?’ Gargarin asked.
‘Because they’re the sort of deals that get made in desperate times. Someone as base as Bestiano gets spared as a favour. He needs to die,’ Froi said. He hadn’t thought of anything else since catching a glimpse of the man outside his tent. ‘Because he loved sitting at the head of the table in the absence of the King, lording over everyone, while people starved. Nothing worse than a weak man with ambition, who gains power because those before him died rather than because his ideals were grand. Promise me she didn’t suffer for nothing. If men like Bestiano get to live, then Quintana’s pain was for nothing!’
Gargarin settled himself down with his back against the wall. ‘I can’t promise that at all. Not if your life or Lirah’s and Arjuro’s and Quintana’s are there to be bargained with.’
Froi sat with him. It reminded him of the days in the palace at the Citavita when Gargarin would wait for a glimpse of Lirah. It was the first time they had been alone since their time in Sebastabol. Froi missed him. Gargarin seemed to belong to everyone now. Froi studied his features, wondering about all the layers that made up this man. His father.
Gargarin looked at him questioningly. ‘What?’
‘It suits you,’ Froi said quietly. ‘Power.’
‘This isn’t power,’ Gargarin said.
‘Call it what you will,’ Froi said. ‘It suits you. They hang off every word you speak.’
Gargarin didn’t respond. Froi shrugged.
‘It suits you,’ Gargarin said.
‘What?’
‘Idiocy.’
Froi laughed.
Gargarin glanced at him. ‘Courage,’ he continued. ‘You hit the Lasconian lad because you saw his fear and rather than show him up in front of his kin, you made it seem as if you did it for yourself. You’ll probably get a beating from them because of it.’
Froi was overwhelmed and his eyes smarted as he looked away.
‘I did it for myself,’ he said. ‘I can’t breathe at the thought of her being hurt. So I did it for me and her. No one else.’
‘And almost sacrificing yourself for me and Arjuro at the lake? Was that for you and her?’
Froi didn’t respond.
‘Listen,’ Gargarin said gently. ‘I want you to promise me something.’
Froi nodded. He realised that he didn’t even need to ask. That he’d promise Gargarin anything without
