Fiona McIntosh - King’s Wrath

Gavriel held both hands up in defence. ‘Look, this is all history and we can’t re-make it. Our parents are dead, may Gar rest their souls. And Freath is gone. There is no point in our rehashing the rights and wrongs of it. But killing Loethar doesn’t solve the problem at hand. Do you agree that alongside his half-brother he is the lesser of the two evils?’ Leo gave him a pained look. ‘I know, Leo, I know. They are both killers. But Loethar has a modicum of control. He seems to kill only with specific reason. In fact, everything he does, everything he says is considered. I’m not condoning his usurping of the throne or the manner in which it was done, I’m simply saying that Stracker has no control, no subtlety … he has no conscience! If you kill Loethar, Stracker will take easy command of the throne and army. Imagine what will happen then.’

Leo walked away and Gavriel gave him some time to let his points sink in. At last Leo turned back, a sly look on his face. ‘We will not kill him,’ he said. ‘But I’m not sure you’ll get him to agree not to kill me. Face it, Gav, he’s been hunting me for too many anni. The first chance he gets — all we have to do is slip up once — and he’ll take that chance and slide a blade into me, or choke me, or poison me.’

‘I agree that he cannot be trusted. But it’s my task to protect you. That’s my problem, not yours.’

Leo smiled and Gavriel didn’t like the cunning in his face. ‘It doesn’t need to be your problem. I am Valisar, so I too have an aegis.’

Gavriel took a breath, frowning. ‘All right, but where does one start hunting down —’

‘There is no need to hunt down mine, not if one I can take is right before us.’

Gavriel stared at Leo uncomprehendingly and then understanding hit him like a thunder crack. ‘You wouldn’t!’

‘Why not?’

‘Faris is … ’

‘An aegis?’

‘I was going to say your friend. A loyal friend.’

‘Yes, and now he can demonstrate the ultimate form of that loyalty; he can become my champion. Gav, don’t you see, he can offer me the most superior form of protection against Loethar, against anyone!’ Gavriel heard glee in his king’s voice. ‘My enemies can try anything they like against me and it will have no effect. I would only be able to die for natural reasons.’ Leo’s eyes were sparkling.

‘You could do that? You can see yourself claiming him? Maiming him?’

‘Oh come on, Gav, don’t be squeamish! We’re talking about my life now. Kilt wouldn’t have to be hurt that badly.’

‘And you’d eat part of him?’

Leo bristled with anger. ‘I will do whatever I have to in order to reclaim my throne.’ He pulled open his shirt. ‘Remember this? We made this scar together. And we took an oath together. It wasn’t the promise of a child. That was the promise of a king. I have been in exile for most of my life. Need I remind you how many lives were given to keep mine safe for this very reason, your own father’s included?’

‘I don’t need reminding,’ Gavriel replied sharply.

‘Then don’t fight me on this. It is the right solution.’

‘It’s the right solution if Kilt agrees but I can’t imagine he will.’

‘He gave his word to my father that he would protect me. Now this is the only way that Kilt can keep that promise.’

‘He hasn’t done a bad job so far.’

Leo opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again, looking frustrated. He appeared to take a steadying breath. His voice was hard when he spoke again. ‘I’m going to trammel him, Gav, and I’ll probably need your help.’

‘I’m not sure I’d —’

‘I’m not asking. I’m telling you that I require your help.’

It was Gavriel’s turn to fall silent. As he regarded Leo he realised his father must have been put into an identically difficult position time and again with Brennus. And Regor de Vis had never failed his king. He nodded. ‘As you wish, your majesty.’

‘Good. Jewd will be the problem rather than Kilt. You may need to disable him, but he is not to be harmed permanently.’

Gavriel didn’t reply.

‘We may also need Elka’s help.’

‘That will be her decision.’

‘Well, she’s hardly going to do it for me, Gav. I’m hoping that you will persuade her.’

‘I can try, but I’ll tell you now she answers to no one.’

Leo gave him a glance and Gavriel wasn’t sure whether to read pity or disdain in it. Either way, it was condescending and he was shocked at how hurt he felt.

‘When do you want to do this?’ he demanded, making sure his voice sounded anything but servile.

‘Immediately. Loethar must not get wind of what we’re planning. We will have to tie him up or drug him.’

‘I saw the look he gave you, Leo. I think you’re underestimating Loethar if you don’t already think his mind has taken him there.’

And Gavriel knew he was right when Leo turned away, unable to meet his gaze.

The youngster caught up. ‘You walk fast.’

‘Sorry,’ the man said, his voice slightly hoarse.

‘How do you feel?’

‘Powerful,’ he replied and they both laughed.

‘I would consider it far more powerful to be a bird.’

‘More freedom perhaps, but not more power. Look how I can swing my arms, notice my long stride, and listen to this.’ He began to sing.

Roddy laughed delightedly and the newly formed man called Ravan stopped singing and swung the boy around in a moment of unfettered pleasure. ‘I like your laugh, Roddy.’

‘I like your voice,’ the boy replied as he was set back down.

‘Anything’s better than that dreadful caw I used to have.’

‘You were a most handsome bird.’

‘Now I’m an even more handsome man.’

‘That you are. Can your long stride get us all the way to where we need to be?’

‘Easily. It’s not so far.’

‘Further on foot than as the crow flies, though,’ Roddy said and they both chuckled. ‘What do you think our real task is?’

Ravan had been thinking about this ever since he had seen Sergius speaking to him from the flames. ‘Our role is to help the princess.’

‘But how?’

‘I don’t know yet, Roddy. We have both been given powers and we have to work out not only what but how to use them.’

‘How will we know her?’

‘I don’t know the answer to that. But we have to push on and hope we’ll discover all that we need to know.’

‘Do you remember what Sergius said when he was dying?’

Ravan smiled. ‘He spoke about several things.’

‘The bit about telling people about Piven.’

Ravan paused again, frowning as he thought back over the conversation with the dying Sergius. ‘He did say that, you’re right. That’s very sharp of you, Roddy. I had overlooked it.’

‘Well, I was just wondering who we had to tell and where they may be.’

‘I think I know exactly who he meant.’

‘You do?’

‘I suspect he meant anyone who is loyal to the Valisars.’

‘Who might that be?’

‘That would be Leonel and his supporters.’

‘The prince? But they say he died in the wars.’

Ravan let Roddy down off his broad shoulders and squatted so that his friend did not have to stare up at him. ‘Leonel did not die in the wars. He survived, escaped Loethar’s clutches, and fled into the forests north of here. He has grown up, tall and strong with a fierce desire to be king in more than name.’

Roddy’s eyes shone. ‘Really?’

Ravan nodded. ‘I think we need to find him and let him know that his sister returns and that his brother is now his enemy.’

‘Will he believe us?’

‘He has to. We must make sure he does.’