Fire and Sword

Chapter 31

Areava started walking two days after the loss of Usharna. She had still been in bed when a carrier bird had brought a message from Daavis. Qrkid had brought it to her immediately. She had said nothing since taking Olio’s Key, and the chancellor hoped the news would elicit some response.

“This is from Queen Charion, your Majesty,” he told her. She turned her head to look at him, which he took as a good sign.

“ ‘I regret to inform you,’ ” he read, “ ‘that your husband, Prince Sendarus, was yesterday slain in battle. He was murdered by your outlaw brother Prince Lynan who was in command of an army of Chetts invading Hume. Before his death, Prince Sendarus guaranteed victory for your army over the Chetts, and in the days before that battle had saved Daavis by forcing King Salokan of Haxus to flee back to his own territory.

“ ‘I know that this must be a grievous burden for you to bear, but take comfort in the knowledge that he sacrificed his life in your service, and in service of the kingdom of Grenda Lear, and in so doing protected those he loved most in this world.’”

“Is that all?” Areava asked.

“That is all, your Majesty.”

She put out her hand and Orkid gave her the note. She read it quickly, and then again, more slowly.

“So it was not a nightmare,” she said at last.

“No, your Majesty.”

“I have lost a husband, a daughter, a third of my capital and, I think, a brother, all in one day. Do you think any ruler of Grenda Lear has ever managed so much?”

“It was for a cause, your Majesty. Your husband—my nephew—died to protect the kingdom. I have been told by Edaytor Fanhow that your brother sacrificed his sanity to save many of the victims of the fire.”

“And what cause was served by the death of my daughter and the deaths of so many of my citizens in the old quarter?”

“I cannot read the mind of God, your Majesty.”

“And I do not want to read his mind, Chancellor. I am sure I would hate him for it.” She threw the bed covers back and tried to swing her legs over the side.

“Areava!” he cried. She glared at him. “Your Majesty, forgive me, I was startled, but please do not move! I will get the doctor—”

“You will do no such thing. I am queen, as you have so constantly reminded me, and have my duties to perform. It is time I went back to them.”

“But so soon?”

“I cannot simply grieve, Orkid. I would go as mad as Olio. Give me your hand.”

He helped her to her feet, and for a moment she stood still, getting her balance and getting used to the pain.

“My gown,” she said curtly.

Orkid rushed to get the gown from the end of the bed and helped her into it.

“Now walk with me.”

Step by step, her arm in Orkid’s, she left her chambers. When word got around that she was abroad, maids and servants and courtiers scurried after her, but she shooed them all away until she was alone again with Orkid.

“I am sorry I have not yet offered you my condolences over the death of Sendarus. I know you loved him, too.”

Orkid could not answer right away, but eventually managed to say, “Thank you.”

“Please make sure that his father and Amemun are made aware of what has happened.”

“I will do that today.”

They came to the entrance of the south gallery. Areava saw Olio standing by himself, looking out over the city. He seemed very small to her.

“What is he doing here?” Areava asked.

“He has been here for the last two days. He is taken away for meals, and at night, but he always returns. Shall I have him taken to his chambers?”

Areava shook her head. “I think I have the mastery of this walking business. Would you stay here, please?”

Orkid reluctantly let her go, and she slowly made her way to her brother. Olio turned his head when she stopped beside him.

“Did you know this is the largest city in the whole wide world?” he asked.

“Yes. Yes, I think I knew that.”

“Berayma told me that. He tells me lots of things.” He smiled at Areava. “But not nearly as much as you tell me. You tell me even more things.”

“Your stutter has gone.”

“Silly sister,” Olio said. “I don’t stutter.”

Areava breathed deeply, holding a hand over her heart. “I forgot,” she said, her voice not much more than a whisper.

Olio breathed deeply, too, and then put a hand over his heart. “Do you think we will see Mother today?”

When Areava started crying, he put his arms around her.

When she came to him, he showed her his presents.

“I have two of them now. I killed my sister’s favorite to get this one.”

She smiled sweetly and touched his cheek.

“And when I have finished destroying this world, I will have four of them. I will give them all to you, then.”

“You are the sweetest of lovers.”

“And you are the most beautiful of women,” he said, and reached out for her. She floated away from him.

“You don’t like my presents?”

“Yes, I like your presents.”

“Why do you move away from me?”

“I want to show you something.”

She seemed to disappear into shadows. He tried to follow her, but she was lost to him.

“I cannot see you.”

“I am here,” she said behind him, laughing.

He laughed, too, and turned around, but what he saw made the laughter die in his throat.

“Am I not the most beautiful of women?” she asked, her fetid breath blowing on his face.

“No,” he said pitifully, and stepped back.

She reached out for him, held him by his arms and brought him closer to her. She kissed him, and her long tongue pierced the back of his throat.

Lynan woke in a cold sweat, panting. He got out of his bed and tripped over something in the dark. He fell onto his knees. The tent flap opened and one of the Red Hands came in.

“Your Majesty, are you all right?” she asked.

Lynan looked up, still disoriented. “Yes. Yes, I think so.”

Someone else came into the tent. “I will see to him,” said the second person, and Lynan recognized Korigan’s voice. He heard the strike of a flint, and a lamp blazoned in the darkness. The Red Hand bowed and left.

“Are you sure you are all right?” Korigan asked. She put the lamp down on the floor and helped him back to his cot.

“Yes.” He grabbed a blanket and put it around him.

“You were dreaming of Silona again?”

He looked at her, startled. “This is the second time you’ve known.”

“I told you she has a presence; I can feel when she is near.”

“She never leaves her forest,” Lynan said, his tone dismissive.

“She does not have to, not with her blood in you. And you are closer to her forest now than you have been since being given her blood.”

Lynan groaned. “They are not dreams, really, are they?”

Korigan sat down beside him. “No. But it does not mean that she controls you, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

Lynan swallowed. “In the battle, when Kumul was killed, I changed.”

“I know. We all saw it. It has happened to you before. When we fought the mercenaries, and when you killed the grass wolf.”

“Does she not control me then?”

“You change to protect or avenge those you love, I think. You have some of her hate and some of her strength, and her invulnerability to normal weapons, but you do not turn on your own, you do not drink the blood of those you kill. You are no vampire, Lynan.”

“Then what am I?”

“You know what you are, I think. Finally, you know what you are. The battle against the Grenda Lear army showed you that. You have a destiny.”

“A destiny for what?” he voiced ruefully. “Killing my own people?”

Korigan shrugged. “I don’t know. But others feel it, too. That is why you are so loved by your companions—Gudon, Jenrosa, Ager...” She hesitated, not wanting to say the name.

“And Kumul,” he said. His eyes brimmed with tears. He turned his face away in shame. “I’m sorry,” he muttered.

Korigan put her arms around him and held him close to her. She could feel his head against her heart, and wondered if he heard it.

“It is all right to cry for those you love,” she said, and after a while the tears came to her eyes as well.