He had murder on his mind.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
T he house was an empty shell. From where she stood on the dried-up yard, Josey could see into the interior, gutted and charred. Half the roof had collapsed. A shambles that had once been her home.
The parlor where her foster father had taught her to play the harpsichord was charred and ruined, all the furnishings gone. I wish he was here now. I could use his advice.
Josey touched her stomach through the heavy coat. A life was growing inside her. Soon it would be plain for all to see, and that would bring questions, for which she had no answers. She’d only ever been with two men, but either could have planted this seed within her. No! It is Caim’s child. Please, lords in heaven, let it be so.
A shadow came from around the back of the manor and slowly resolved into Master Hirsch. The adept stopped a score of paces away and turned toward the sagging arbor so he could pretend he wasn’t watching her. Josey leaned against a decorative fountain and squeezed her eyes shut. What kind of world am I delivering a child into? Violence stalks the streets of my city. If the riots can’t be quelled, I may be forced to flee for my life, for the second time. Is this how my mother felt before the revolution?
A horseman rode down the street and stopped at the gate where Captain Drathan kept vigil. The captain had been against her coming out so late, but Josey had overruled him. She needed to get away from the palace, which had begun to feel like a prison. Voices murmured, and then someone entered the yard. She was surprised to see it was Hubert. She’d left him in his office to work out the details of their Akeshian problem.
“Majesty,” he said as he approached. “I’ve just received word from the north.”
Josey’s stomach fluttered. “Word from Caim?”
“No, from the unit that was sent to the border. Colonel Restian reports that his company was attacked near Durenstile by brigands, or men disguised as brigands. There seems to be some uncertainty on the matter. But the colonel has retreated to the town to await reinforcements.”
Another horseman cantered up to the gate. Reinforcements? She didn’t have enough soldiers to keep the peace here in Othir. What could she do for Colonel Restian?
“How long can they hold out?”
“The town is well fortified,” Hubert answered. “But provisions will become a problem unless we establish a supply line.”
“Send a message to Duke Mormaer. Ask what aid he can send.”
“Mormaer may be reluctant to volunteer additional resources, having just sent a levy of troops to quell the problems in the west. Perhaps Count Dervest of Valia could be persuaded to help. I believe his wife is from one of the border provinces.”
“Ask them both. And draw up a list of other lords who have ties to the north. Maybe we can string together a coalition…”
Josey let the words fade away as Captain Drathan rushed across the dead grass, a hand clamped on the pommel of his sword. She couldn’t bear any more bad news. Her insides felt as delicate as spun glass.
The captain made a quick salute. “There is trouble on the Opuline, Majesty. Lord Farthington’s estate is under siege by a mob of rioters.”
Anastasia!
Josey fought to keep her voice from trembling. “Is anyone hurt?”
“Not that we’ve heard, but the crowd is sizable and determined. The estate will fall if something is not done.”
Josey headed for the gate. “Captain, assemble the guardsmen to meet us on the way to Opuline Hill.”
“Majesty, I don’t advise-”
“Do as I ask, or turn in your commission.”
He saluted and sprinted ahead of her, calling his men to arms. Josey was glad she’d worn her riding leathers as she shrugged off her bulky jacket. She thrust it into Hubert’s arms as he jogged to keep up.
“Majesty, this is a matter for the watch.”
“Then why aren’t they handling it?”
He grimaced. “I admit that may be a problem, but your friendship with the Lady Farthington is well known. This attack may be a trap meant to-”
“I’m going, Hubert.”
Hirsch appeared as Josey exited the gate. Her bodyguards waited, their weapons bared. The adept cleared his throat.
“Let me go ahead and check it out, lass. Before you ride out all hot and bothered.”
Josey shot him a look that must have been fierce, because it shut him up without further comment. Hubert opened his mouth.
She held up a finger. “Don’t say it.”
“I’m going with you.”
Josey paused. She could see the vehemence in his gaze. “I-I’m flattered, Lord Chancellor, but perhaps you should return to the palace. I believe Captain Drathan can handle my protection.”
“Majesty, I insist.” He stammered when she arched an eyebrow. “I mean, please allow me to go.”
Josey turned toward the horses. “All right, Hubert. But we must leave at once.”
Captain Drathan waited with a pair of soldiers in battered scale armor.
“We’re ready, Majesty,” the captain said. “I sent word to strip every man-at-arms from their post. These are the men who brought the message. Major Volek and Sergeant Merts. They recently arrived from Mecantia.”
One of the soldiers was quite large, bigger even than Markus had been, while the other was only an inch or two taller than she was. Both had firm, deep-set eyes that reminded her of Caim. Hard men. Not the kind to disintegrate under pressure. Each had a sigil of a jungle cat in red enamel stamped over their hearts.
“I don’t recognize your insignia,” Josey said.
“We’re Crimson Tigers, ma’am,” the sergeant said. “Army special tactics and reconnaissance.”
“We would like to ride with you, Majesty,” the major said. “If you’ll have us.”
“Fine,” Josey said. “Now let’s go.”
A trooper stood ready with her steed. Just the sight of the magnificent gray stallion made her blood quicken. True to his name, Lightning had required every ounce of her skill to manage on their short rides around the palace grounds. Now she would see if she had truly mastered him. Stepping onto the box provided, she slid into the high- cantled saddle. As soon as her toes touched the stirrups, the stallion jerked sideways.
“Easy, big boy,” she whispered. “Don’t make me regret this.”
She settled into the seat as the soldier handed up the reins. The stallion’s ears twitched, but he stopped fidgeting. With the captain leading, they rode down the Esquiline’s broad avenues to the base of the hill, where they met the rest of her bodyguards. Josey looked over them. Three score men, but they looked pitifully few for the task. Major Volek and Sergeant Merts sat apart on tall, broad-chested warhorses.
Captain Drathan approached her. “At your order, Majesty.”
“Ride, Captain. And let nothing stop us.”
At his command, the soldiers filed past the rows of darkened homes. Josey was afforded a place in their center. Hirsch, his face hidden within the hood of his cloak, rode on one side of her, and Hubert on the other. The Crimson Tigers followed behind. When Josey glanced over her shoulder, Major Volek winked through the slit of his lowered visor.
The streets resounded with the noise of the company, the horses’ steel shoes ringing against the hard stones like a continuous peal of thunder. The forward riders galloped ahead to clear a path, even though the streets were empty. Here, where the feet of the five hills of Othir met, the palaces of venerable noble families lined wide boulevards. Beyond the walls surrounding the manors they passed, Josey caught glimpses of expansive gardens and parks. The city has two faces. This one is like a beautiful dream. And the other, torn by violence and pillage, is a nightmare. Can they ever be reconciled? She didn’t know, and that apprehension created a cold lump in her chest.
