Lynn Flewelling - The Oracle's Queen

I’m sorry, Mother. Perhaps another time .

Ki leaned over and touched her arm. “Let it go. You did what you could. Arkoniel’s right. Some things can’t be mended.”

Perhaps he was right, but she still felt she’d failed.

They rode hard that day and slept wrapped in their cloaks that night. Lying there among the others, Tamír touched the bruise on her chin, letting her thoughts stray back to Ki and the way it had felt to kiss him and fall asleep in his arms.

He lay within arm’s reach, but she couldn’t touch him. As she was about to turn over he opened his eyes and smiled.

It was almost as good as a kiss.

She wondered what they’d do when they were in the castle again, under so many watchful eyes.

When they were in half a day’s ride of the town, Tamír sent Lynx and Tyrien ahead with news of her safe return. By the time they came in sight of Atyion early that evening, the city was brightly lit with torches and lanterns, and a great crowd had assembled along the main street, eager to hear the Oracle’s words to their queen. Illardi met her on horseback at the town gate, dressed in the robe and chain of his office. Kaliya, head priestess of the Illioran temple of Atyion, and Imonus were with him.

“Majesty, did the Oracle speak to you?” Imonus inquired.

“Yes, she did,” she replied, loud enough to be heard by those gathered around the small square there.

“If it please Your Majesty, will you share it with us, in the temple square?” asked Kaliya.

Tamír nodded and led her entourage toward the square of the Four. Illardi leaned closer in the saddle. “I have news for you, Majesty. That young fellow of Arkoniel’s—Eyoli—he sent word a few days ago by pigeon from Cirna. Korin is preparing to move against you. It seems he finally got his new wife with child.”

“Is he on the march?” asked Tharin.

“Not by today’s report, but from what your wizards were able to show us of the encampments, they are nearly ready.”

“I’ll speak with Eyoli as soon as we’re finished here,” Arkoniel murmured.

Tamír’s heart sank, though she was hardly surprised. “Give him my thanks. And send word to Gedre and Bôkthersa. The emissaries should be home by now, Lord Chancellor, and I’ll speak with you and my generals—”

“Tomorrow’s soon enough, Majesty. You’re weary, I can tell. Rest tonight. I’ve already begun preparations.”

People thronged the steps of the four temples, and more stood on the roofs, eager to hear the first official prophecy of her reign.

Still in the saddle, she took out the scroll Ralinus had given her. “These are the words of Illior, given to me by the Oracle of Afra.”

She’d been amazed when she’d read it in Afra. She hadn’t told Ralinus what the Oracle had actually said, word for word. Yet what he’d written was nearly the same.

“Hear the words of the Oracle, people of Skala.” Her voice sounded thin and high in the open air, and it was a strain to speak so loudly but she pressed on. “ ‘Hail, Queen Tamír, daughter of Ariani, daughter of Agnalain, trueborn scion of Skala’s royal line. By blood you were protected and by blood will you rule. You are a seed, watered with blood, Tamír of Skala. By blood and trial, you will hold your throne. From the Usurper’s hand you will wrest the Sword. Before you and behind you lies a river of blood, bearing Skala to the west. There will you build a new city, to my honor.’ ”

A stunned silence greeted her words.

“Prince Korin calls himself king in Cirna and is massing an army against me,” she went on. “I’ve sent him messages, asking him to give up his claim and be honored as my kinsman. His only answer has been silence. Now I’m told that he means to march on Atyion with an army at his back. As much as it grieves me, I will heed the words of the Oracle, and the visions given to me. I am your queen, and I will put down this rebellion against the throne. Will you follow me?”

The people cheered and waved swords and colored banners in the air. The acclaim warmed her, lifting some of the darkness from her heart. Korin had made his decision. Now she must act on hers, no matter how painful the outcome.

Her duty done, Tamír gave the scroll to Kaliya to be displayed in the temple and copied and read out across the land by heralds.

“That went well,” Ki noted as they rode on for the castle.

“The people love you, and they’ll fight to keep you,” said Tharin.

Tamír said nothing, thinking of all the blood the Oracle had shown her. She could already feel it staining her hands.

They made their way through the barbican and found Lytia and most of the castle household waiting for her in the castle yard. “Welcome back, Majesty,” Lytia greeted her as Tamír dismounted and stretched her stiffened legs.

“Thank you. I hope you didn’t go to the trouble of a feast. I just want a bath and my bed.”

Some of the other wizards and children were there, as well.

“Where is Mistress Iya?” asked Rala.

Tamír heard, and wondered what Arkoniel would tell them, and if they’d stay. For now, though, he evaded the questions as he drew them away, already asking for reports on Korin.

Tamír left him to it and strode up the steps, anxious to relax in private before the court duties descended on her. She hadn’t missed those at all.

Lytia accompanied her and the Companions upstairs. As Tamír reached her chamber door, Lytia touched her sleeve and murmured, “A word in private, Majesty? It’s rather important.”

Tamír nodded for her to follow, leaving the others outside.

Baldus was curled up in a chair with Ringtail on his lap. He pushed the cat off and jumped up to bow. “Welcome back, Queen Tamír! Shall I light the fire for you?”

“No, go tell the bath servants I want a tub. And make it a hot one!”

Baldus dashed out, happy to have his mistress back. Tamír wondered fleetingly what he did when she wasn’t around to wait on. She unbuckled her sword and tossed it on the abandoned chair, then began struggling with the buckles on her breastplate. The cat wound around her ankles, purring roughly and nearly tripping her.

Lytia shooed him away and took over the task. Tamír pulled off her hauberk and draped it on its rack, then flopped back on the bed, unmindful of her dirty boots. Ringtail leaped onto the bed and curled up on her chest. “Bilairy’s balls, that’s better!” She ruffled his thick fur. “Now, what is it you wanted to tell me?”

“Majesty, some of the other Companions arrived in your absence. They’ve had a hard journey—”

“Una? Is she hurt?” Tamír sat up in alarm. Ringtail hissed and darted away.

“No Majesty. It’s Lord Caliel, Lord Lutha, and his squire. I’ve settled them in one of the guesting chambers in this tower.”

Tamír jumped to her feet again, happy beyond words at the news. “Thank the Four! Why weren’t they down to greet me? The others will be thrilled to see them.”

“I think perhaps you and Lord Ki might wish to see them alone first. There’s someone else with them.”

“Who?” she asked, already at the door.

The other Companions were waiting outside. Lytia glanced their way, then said softly, “I’ll tell you on the way upstairs.”

Puzzled, Tamír nodded. “Ki, you come with me. The rest of you wait here.”

Lytia led the way to another corridor on the far side of the tower. Pausing a moment, she whispered, “The stranger with them? Well, he’s apparently one of the hill folk, Majesty. Lord Lutha claims he’s a witch.”

“A witch?” Tamír exchanged a startled look with Ki.

“That’s why I thought you should come up without too many other eyes,” Lytia hastened to explain. “Please forgive me if I’ve done wrong letting such a creature in, but the others wouldn’t be parted from him. I had to put them all under guard. Fortunately they came in at night, and only a few of the servants and guards saw them. None of them will talk. I have their oaths on it until you’ve had your say.”