'The only way Cobalt could've lured the manticore pride close enough to turn them loose on us, was if he had Affinity.'
Byren felt the smile slip from his face. Though he'd come to the same conclusion, he hadn't expected Piro to put all the pieces together. He'd underestimated her.
Orrade sent him a wry look. Byren acknowledged it and indicated Piro was to go on.
'As I see it, you have to get back to Rolenhold and discredit Cobalt before Lence can accuse you.' She paused, watching to see if he'd object.
'Keep talking.'
'The manticore chitin is to put Father in a good mood, right?'
'It's worth a small fortune and not even the warlord of Manticore Spar has a whole suit of armour. So, yes, it should impress Father.'
She nodded. 'You'll give it to him, then accuse Cobalt of — '
'Setting the manticores on us? There's no proof.'
'No, of having Affinity. Father will send for the warder and wardess. They'll test him and Father will have to banish him, or send him to the abbey. Either way, he won't be able to cause any more trouble.'
'And what of Lence's accusation?'
Piro tilted her head. Byren waited for her to go on.
'Lence doesn't have a shred of proof and all you've ever done is serve Rolencia loyally. If he arrives to find Cobalt discredited, he may not even accuse you.'
'He could have proof,' Orrade objected. 'Fabricated by Cobalt.'
Of course. Why hadn't he thought of that? No wonder Lence had believed the worst. Relief made Byren laugh.
'What?' Orrade demanded.
He grabbed Orrade and planted a kiss on his cheek. 'Thank you!'
Orrade blinked, stunned.
Byren laughed again, stood up and turned on his skate blades to face his friend. 'I've been walking around feeling sick to my stomach because I couldn't believe Lence would turn on me. Now you've just explained it. Cobalt must have convinced him with a forgery of some kind, or with a servant paid to lie. All I have to do is discredit Cobalt and Lence will see reason!'
Piro clapped her hands in delight. Byren hugged her, lifting her off the ground, spinning her around. She giggled and clung to him.
He set her down and turned to Orrade and Garzik. 'Come on. The sooner we get back, the sooner I clear my name.'
And save his family from Cobalt's machinations. Byren couldn't wait to wipe that satisfied smile off Illien's face.
Chapter Twenty-Five
'This way, mother, Byren's waiting,' Piro urged, hardly able to stand still. Excitement thrummed through her body like a drawn bowstring. She wanted to see Cobalt discredited and Byren safe.
It was mid-afternoon and, as her brother had anticipated, King Rolen was in the great hall. The decorative friezes glinted in the many candles as Piro and her mother weaved through the forest of columns towards the fireside table, where the king sat drinking and talking with his close friends. Like Captain Temor, these lords were the survivors of his generation who had stood by him during the great battle, all that remained of his original noble honour guard. All but Cobalt, who even now was leaning forwards speaking. He looked so confident, so sincere as he described the sea-hounds, a fleet of warriors, which Ostron Isle sanctioned to contain the Utland menace. Piro was not surprised the older men trusted him. Only her Affinity allowed her to see into his hollow soul.
'Piro?' her mother prodded and she realised she had come to a dead stop.
'Myrella?' The king noticed them. His weather-beaten face creased into a smile of pleasure. 'And little Piro. Back already? Where's Byren?'
Piro turned to the main entrance. Garzik must have been watching because, at that moment, the doors parted and Byren entered, dragging a low-wheeled wagon. Canvas covered the fabulous manticore chitin which was piled high as a man. Garzik and Orrade followed.
'What's this?' Captain Temor muttered.
The king's old honour guard fell silent as they waited for Byren to reach them. The few servants stopped their work and watched curiously. Was Cobalt surprised to see Byren? Piro stole a quick look. He had gone very still and his expression was blank, as she watched his features settle into a look of mildly amused surprise. It would have appeared charming, if she hadn't watched him deliberately assume the expression. It was as though he'd selected it, as you might select an outfit for a special occasion.
She shivered.
'King Rolen, Queen Myrella.' Byren greeted their parents formally. He nodded to the others present, his face unusually grim. 'A gift for King Rolen, from your second son.' With a flourish he pulled off the canvas cover. 'Enough manticore chitin to fashion a complete set of armour.'
Everyone gasped.
'Looks like you've killed a whole pride,' Captain Temor marvelled.
Byren nodded. 'A male, two females and five juveniles.'
'Amazing. And you not only live to tell of it, you bring me their chitin!' King Rolen marched over to join him. 'But how is this? I thought you were visiting Dovecote estate, not hunting manticores.'
'The manticores were hunting us.' Byren did not so much as glance at Cobalt. Piro didn't know how he managed it. 'I was unlucky enough to come across a pride, but the goddess smiled on me and, with help…' he nodded to Garzik and Orrade, 'the hunters became the hunted. So here I am.'
Their father beamed. 'You must tell me how you three lads killed a whole pride.'
'We had help,' Byren said.
'And Piro killed one on her own!' Garzik announced.
King Rolen's eyes widened. His honour guard muttered, astounded.
'Eh, my little Piro.' King Rolen chuckled. 'Your mother was right to name you after Pirola the Fierce!'
Piro glanced to her mother, who was looking at her as if she hadn't really seen her before.
'Did you set traps, Byren?' Temor asked.
'In a way. But first, I must bring something important to your attention, Father.' Byren waited until they all fell silent. 'King Rolen, I have reason to believe one of your trusted advisors has been hiding untamed Affinity.'
'What?' the king stiffened. Their father had known these men since they were boys, fought beside them thirty years ago. The only new advisor was… 'Illien? You're accusing your cousin Illien, Byren?'
Her brother nodded.
'Byren!' their mother whispered, shocked.
'Why, Byren?' Illien said sadly. 'What have I ever done to you?'
Piro had to bite her tongue.
'I'm only doing my duty, Illien,' Byren said. 'If you do not have Affinity, then you have nothing to fear.'
'Exactly,' Cobalt agreed. 'Send for the warders, Uncle. I insist!'
Cobalt was not acting like a man about to be exposed. Either he had nerves of steel or… was it possible to fool the warders? A nasty feeling settled in Piro's stomach. Had Illien learnt some technique in Ostron Isle, where Affinity was accepted and put to use? No, that wasn't possible. In her studies she had read of instances when warders exposed foreigners who were renegade Power-workers, disguised as simple merchants.
Both Halcyon and Sylion warders were sent for and there was general muttering while everyone waited. Though the old honour guard moved away from Cobalt, isolating him, the king stayed at his side. The queen edged closer to Piro to whisper, 'What's going on?'
'Does Cobalt have Affinity?'
'Not that I've sensed. He's — '
