'Lord Eon. Come in, come in,' he said, releasing my master's hand and dipping into a low bow. 'Lord Brannon is not asleep. Merely resting.'
My master stirred and opened his eyes, their liquid gleam catching the light. 'I am glad you are here.' His voice was still rough. He glanced across at the physician. 'You may go now.'
I thought I saw the physician's face darken at the dismissal, but perhaps it was just a shadow from the flickering lamp as he bowed again. We watched him leave the room.
'Close the door and come here,' my master said.
He did not speak until I pressed the door home and took the stool next to the bed.
'You have heard that Sethon returns?' he asked softly. The bruising around his throat had deepened into the shape of Lord Ido's grip.
'Rilla told me,' I said, but it was an image of Dillon's frightened face in my mind. Would he keep his word and meet me at the gate tonight?
'Ido has left the city,' my master said. 'There is no doubt that he has gone to meet his master and report on his failure in the Council. We have them on the back foot.'
'What will happen now?' I asked. He was including me in his plans; he knew we had to rely on one another. The knowledge made me sit straighter and focus on his words.
'They'll try and consolidate their influence in the Council,' he said. 'But I am confident that I will hold the vote.' He pushed himself up against the pillows, the determination showing through his fatigue like bones under thin skin. 'Tomorrow is a celebration of Sethon's victory in the east. We must counter his show of military strength with a show of our own strength.
We will appear together, dressed in the red of the Mirror Dragoneye. It will be a symbol of our combined force: your Ascendant power and my experience.'
'Will you be well enough? What does the physician say?'
'Don't worry,' he said, smiling. 'This is only exhaustion. I have not slept more than four hours since you were chosen. The physician has left me a draught. A good night's sleep will see me whole again.'
He tapped my hand, the fleeting touch bringing our gazes together. For a moment something weighted the air between us, and then I looked away from the fullness in his eyes.
'And you?' he said, clearing his damaged throat. 'How was your first Staminata lesson?'
'It went well.'
For all his protestations, he looked more than tired. I did not want to burden him with my worries about Tellon's keen eyes. Nor could I tell him about the folio. Not yet. Not until I had solved the problem of calling my dragon. And maybe not even then — for the danger would be over and he would never need to know. So many secrets to keep. Each one was like lead in my chest.
'Good,' he said. 'Tellon is the best person to help you control your power.'
I leaned forwards, the existence of the folio rising to my lips. How sweet it would be to share the weight. 'Master —'
He shifted irritably. 'Eon, I am not your master,' he said. 'Not any more. You must remember that.' He smiled grimly. 'You are your own man.'
I sat back. He was right. I was no longer a girl peasant or boy candidate. I was Lord Eon. In this new world of royalty and riches, I was a man. My every word was a command to those beneath me. And a man of such power did not lay his problems onto the shoulders of another.
Even when those problems ate at him like maggots in a mess of rotting meat.
'You should rest,' I said. 'I'll send Rilla in to you.'
I stood up and took my leave of Lord Brannon with the small formal nod of equals.
CHAPTER 12
The wait for Ryko had settled into my muscles like a cramp, forcing me to pace my room to ease the tension. Twice I thought I heard his rap on the shutter only to find the garden outside my window still and shadowy in the warm night air.
I wiped my damp hands down the front of my old work tunic — stealthily retrieved from the shabby basket in the dressing room — and sat on the bed. Although I was strung as tight as a lute, I could feel a deep fatigue lying in wait from the day's relentless pace. Looking for a distraction, I pushed myself off the bed again and walked over to the beautiful altar that Rilla had made for my ancestors. She had obviously taken Lady Dela at her word and plundered the royal stores. The death plaques were propped on small gilded stands, and behind them a miniature tri-fold screen painted with peach blossoms created an elegant backdrop, the design carried through to the offering bowls and incense holders. I knew I should kneel in front of it and pray for protection and, perhaps, some much needed tranquillity. Instead, I felt myself drawn to the sword rack set against the wall.
The polished jade and moonstone in the hilts shone like animal eyes in the lamplight. The swords were mine now, until my tenure as Mirror Dragoneye ended. Two swords with rage woven into their steel. And I had absorbed it during the ceremony Had heard their voice in my head. I reached towards the hilt of the top sword. Would I hear it again? Slowly, I laid my fingertips on the cold metal.
Like a scream, the rage flared through me, snatching at my breath.
I jerked my hand away.
Another sound. A soft knock. From the window.
In a few strides I was at the shutters and pushed them open. Ryko was standing to one side, his hand held up to silence my greeting. I saw a glint of a hilt as his sleeve slipped down; he was wearing an arm sheath. No doubt he had a matching knife strapped to his other wrist for a double draw — the weapon choice of a thief not an Imperial guard.
He peered into the gloom, his flattened profile silhouetted against the pale grey of the pebble garden. Seemingly satisfied, he turned and smiled. The sudden curve of teeth was startling against his dark skin.
'Ready?' he breathed. He'd told me that the hiss of whispers carried more than a low tone.
I looked back at the swords. Silent in their rack. I hoisted myself onto the window frame, gently lowering myself over the other side to soften my impact on the pebbles.
'Lightly now,' he murmured. 'These stones are as good as a guard dog.'
I carefully followed him towards the servants' path that ran behind the apartments, holding my breath as pebbles crunched and clinked under our weight. We both sighed when we finally stepped onto the rough dirt track.
'We will go out by the Gate of Good Service,' Ryko said as we hurried along the path. I ignored the ache already starting in my
hip from the speed and uneven surface. 'Two friends are on duty tonight. They will pass us with a little encouragement.'
The Gate of Good Service was used mainly in the day for the delivery of the vast amounts of food that the Imperial kitchens prepared for the royal family and its huge staff. At night, Ryko told me, it was quieter and much sought after by guards wanting an easy watch.
As we approached the gateway, two well-built figures stepped out from their positions, the enthusiastic demand for our names hinting at their boredom.
Ryko identified himself then bowed towards me. 'Here also is Lord Eon.'
The smaller of the two leaned closer, the brim of a stiff leather helmet shadowing his eyes. He studied me then drew back and bowed, obviously satisfied. His partner quickly followed suit.
'I am taking Lord Eon to the Avenue of Blossoms,' Ryko said, and I heard the chink of coins in his hand.
A glance passed between the two guards. The Avenue of Blossoms was in the Ward of Pleasure.
'He would not want his passage through this gate to be common knowledge.' Ryko opened his hand to show the gleam of silver.
The larger guard licked his lips.
'Our discretion is guaranteed, Ryko. You know that,' he said.
Ryko stared at them. 'You know what will happen if I hear this in the guard rooms.'
