Lynn Flewelling - The Oracle's Queen

Caliel snuffed the lamp. Lutha stepped onto the stool and squeezed out the loophole. It was a snug fit even for him, but once his shoulders were through the rest of him fit easily. With Caliel’s arms wrapped tightly around his thighs, he was able to push himself out from the wall and twist himself toward Korin’s window. I must look like a caterpillar on a branch , he thought sourly, straining every muscle.

Korin’s bedroom window was only a few feet away. Twisting himself to the side and grasping the edge of the stonework that framed the loophole there, he got close enough to hear what was going on inside, though the angle was wrong to see anything but a sliver of tapestry-covered wall. The breeze was in his favor. He could hear the voices clearly.

“—word from your cousin, the Princess Royal Tamír, of Ero and Atyion.”

“You are ill informed, Herald. There is no such person as this princess.”

Lutha stifled a grunt of surprise. That was Niryn’s voice, not Korin’s.

“Forgive me, Majesty,” the herald amended hastily, sounding frightened. “I am instructed to say that your cousin sends most loving regards. May I read the missive?”

“Go on.” That was Korin.

Lutha heard the rustle of parchment, then the clear, carrying voice of the herald in his official capacity.

“ ‘ To Prince Korin, Beloved Cousin and Brother. I know you’ve had word of me, and what has happened. I know how hard it must be to believe, but it’s true. I am a girl, but the same cousin you’ve always known. You only have to meet with me to have the proof. The high priest of Afra and most of Atyion witnessed the change and can vouch for me. I write to you now in my true form, as Tamír, daughter of Ariani and Rhius, the scion of Atyion. My seal bears witness.’ ”

Lutha caught his breath. That certainly sounded like Tobin’s manner of speech, and he claimed powerful witnesses.

“ ‘I’m sorry I had to lie to you and the others,’ ” the herald continued. “ ‘ I’ve only known for a few years myself, but it was hard all the same, keeping the secret from my friends. I never meant to betray you when I joined the Companions. I didn’t know then, I swear by the Flame. I never brought harm to you or your father, though he did great harm to my mother and her kin, whether you want to believe it or not. My mother should have been queen, and me after her. It breaks my heart to write this to you, Kor, but your father brought a curse on the land, one it is my burden to lift and heal .

“ ‘I mean you no harm, cousin. I never could. You were always kind to me. I have always loved you as a brother and I always will. Does it matter so much between us, who wears the crown? You are a rightful prince of Skala. I want you at my right hand, in my court and on the battlefield. Your children will be secure in their inheritance .

“ ‘Please, parley with me. I want things to be right between us again.’ ”

The herald paused. “If you’ll forgive me, Majesty, it is signed as follows: ‘ Your loving cousin and sister, Princess Tamír, who was Tobin.’ ”

“I see.” Something in Korin’s voice caught at Lutha’s heart. He sounded sad, not angry.

“Utter nonsense and subterfuge!” Niryn cut in sharply. “Majesty, you cannot possibly—”

Korin said something too softly for Lutha to catch.

“Majesty?”

“I said leave me! Both of you,” Korin shouted with such vehemence that if Caliel hadn’t had still a secure grip on Lutha, he’d probably have fallen. Caliel dragged him back through the window.

Lutha collapsed in a trembling heap on the floor, heart hammering in his chest. Caliel closed the shutter and set the hasp.

“What is it? What did you hear?” he demanded softly.

“It was from Tobin. At least that’s what the herald claims, and they can’t lie, can they? Only he says he really is a girl and—”

“You’re babbling. Slow down. Start from the beginning.”

So Lutha did, repeating as much of what he’d heard as he could remember.

“Niryn was in there?”

“I bet he put some spell on the herald and made him break his vow.”

“Korin, too. And you’re right; that does sound like Tobin. And he offers proofs? Still, it could be a trick. Or a trap.”

“That’s what Niryn said.”

“I don’t like to agree with that bastard, but it makes more sense than the alternative.”

“Come on, Cal! Tobin would never betray us like that, or Ki either. Not of their own free will, anyway. I’ve been thinking and thinking on it. There are wizards at Tobin’s court, too. I wonder if maybe one of them put some kind of spell on them , like Niryn is trying to do with Korin? There was that one old woman who came around. Tobin said she was attached to his family somehow.”

“Mistress Iya? I think she was a friend of his father’s.”

“You couldn’t call Tobin a traitor, could you, if someone was making him do all that?” Lutha was still stubbornly clinging to hope.

“I don’t think that would change the minds of most of the nobles supporting Korin.”

Caliel lit the lamp, then sat down on the bed. “Damn it, Lutha, we’ve got to get this settled once and for all, especially with this latest victory at Ero still fresh in everyone’s minds. I don’t know how much longer Korin can keep his supporters if he won’t fight.” He rubbed absently at the ring Tobin had made. “The only spies we have word from are those sent by Niryn. If only we could go see for ourselves—We’re the damn Companions, for hell’s sake! We’re sworn to protect Korin. We should be the ones to bring him proof one way or the other. I don’t trust Niryn to do that, not the way he hangs on Kor like a red leech.”

“Neither do I, but what can we do?” asked Lutha.

“I think you know that as well as I do, but I want one more chance to reason with Korin. You say he sent Niryn out just now? Good. Then I think I’ll go and see if I can have a quiet chat with him without an audience for once.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

Caliel smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Let me talk to him alone first.”

Lutha nodded and turned to go, but Caliel caught him by the hand. “I’ve been glad of your company here, Lutha. I can still talk with you honestly.”

“You always can,” Lutha assured him. “Barieus, too. We don’t like how things are, but I know it’s been worse for you. You were always so close with him.”

Caliel nodded slowly, looking so sad all of a sudden that Lutha nearly hugged him. If they’d both been a few years younger, he might have.

Lutha lingered a moment, watching as Caliel knocked softly at Korin’s door. To his relief, Korin let him in.

Things just can’t be as bad as they seem , he decided, heading back to his own room. Hadn’t Korin thrown Niryn out, just now, and let Caliel in? That had to be a good sign. If only someone would stick a knife in that red bastard, maybe things could get back to normal .

Rounding the corner, Lutha suddenly found himself face-to-face with the Toad and Niryn himself. He’d have plowed right into them if Niryn hadn’t caught him by the arm. The wizard’s grip was strong, and his hand lingered a moment longer than necessary. Lutha felt a chill run through him, like the onset of a fever. His belly did a queasy roll and he had to swallow hard to keep his wine down.

“Have a care, my lord,” Niryn murmured. He patted Lutha’s arm, then tucked his hands back into his own voluminous silver-and-white sleeves. “Rushing around headlong like that, you’ll do yourself harm.”

“Forgive me, my lord,” Lutha said hastily. “I—I didn’t expect to meet you here.”