Covenants (40 page)

I sighed. "I don't know.”

Conversation petered out and we sat in silence, watching the shadows grow longer as the afternoon waned. After a while I heard another commotion and I stood. I could see Laurel Faena, accompanied by Chancellor Berle, coming towards us. Behind them was a long line of men pushing carts loaded high. I sat back down facing the water, as I did not want to see.

"Lord Rabbit," Chancellor Berle said from behind me.

In politeness I stood again and turned, keeping my eyes on her face. "Yes, honored chancellor?"

"Have you seen the Lord Commander?”

"He went over there, Chancellor"—I pointed toward the dock offices—"along with Admiral Noal and Captains Suiden and Javes.”

"Thank you." The chancellor bowed and hurried off to the offices.

"Are you all right, Rabbit?" Laurel asked, joining us.

"No." I nodded over to Ryson. "I'm not.”

"Yes, Chancellor Berle told me," the Faena said, also looking at the trooper. "But I am sure that between the captains, honored Jeffen, and me, the Fragrant One will not be able to harm you.”

I shrugged. "I'm not afraid of him. I'm just damn mad that he's free." I focused back on Laurel. "And it doesn't matter if he's on the ship, as I'm not going. Magus Kareste would grab me as soon as I step ashore.”

Laurel turned around and stared at me. So did Jeff and Basel. "You must go, Rabbit," Laurel said. "I need you with me." He waved a paw at the line of carts going past us. "I cannot handle this by myself.

Besides, there's your training."

"But the Magus—”

"Do not worry about the Magus," Laurel interrupted. "I will take care of him."

"Define 'take care of,'" I said.

"So young yet so suspicious." Laurel chuffed. "Kareste will not 'grab' you. My oath on it." He pointed at the red feather in my hair. "The covenant goes both ways, Rabbit. You are obligated to me, but I'm just as obligated to you.”

I sighed, staring at my boots. If I'd known how much trouble the damn pact would turn out to be, I never would have eaten with the Faena. At this moment the back mountains above Freston had strong appeal.

"You're asking me to honor the covenant?"

"Yes, and I will protect you.”

I had opened my mouth to ask him how he was going to manage that, when—for the third time—I heard a commotion coming towards us. I turned and this time I saw King Jusson with an entourage heading our way. Someone must have been on the lookout because at that moment Lord Commander Thadro, Admiral Noal, Captains Suiden and Javes, and Chancellor Berle emerged from the dock offices. They all changed direction to meet where Laurel and I stood.

Jusson stopped and immediately disappeared from view.

"Lord Commander." The king's voice came from behind a wall of King's Own.

"Sire, please," Thadro said. "We just put down a rebellion. If you must come down here, let the guard protect you.”

"I refuse to cower either in my palace or behind my guards," Jusson said. "Move.” The guards reluctantly parted in front and the king came into view again. "Good, everyone is here," Jusson said. He was smiling, but his eyes were gold as he looked around until he found Ryson. "We see that you've had another trooper restored to you, Captain Suiden.”

"Yes, Your Majesty," Suiden said, his own eyes just as bright and hot.

"I have informed Trooper Ryson, Your Majesty, what his fate would be if he were to backslide into old habits," Thadro said. "At length and in great detail.”

"Excellent." The king looked at me. "You should know that Archdoyen Obruesk told the Lord Magistrate that Lord Teram's rebellion grew out of the same fear that infected both Lieutenant Groskin and Trooper Ryson. He was so convincing that he had the Magistrate arguing with me to set Flavan free."

"The attempts on my life don't matter, sire?" I asked.

"No proof that he was involved, cousin. At this point all that can be proved is that Esclaur was poisoned in Flavan's house during a party. Anyone could've done that. Or so says Obruesk." The king shrugged.

"And even if he did try to kill you, who could blame him with the threat of turning into an animal hanging over him? Again, says Obruesk."

"There was no threat—" I began.

"Quite a little temper tantrum the archdoyen has dirown, Your Majesty," Javes said over me, stepping on my foot.

"Yes. I've sent a message to the patriarch, explaining that I'll be attending the next church council meeting, and why. I believe that they will be appointing offices and I've sent His Holiness some suggestions."

Jusson's look encompassed both Laurel and me. "There's something about the two of you that makes normally sane people's wits go fleeing."

"It's a skill, honored king," Laurel said.

Jusson gave a short laugh. "Skill, indeed.”

"So is the Lord Magistrate going to release Teram, Your Majesty?" I asked, moving my foot out from under Javes' boot.

"Oh, no. I explained to him that I didn't care if the fires of hell were coming upon his lordship. Shooting arrows and waving swords at one's king is totally unacceptable—and Teram's hide, animal or human, is mine." He then turned to Chancellor Berle while motioning, and Lord Esclaur stepped forward from the mob that stood behind him. "We have approved your embassy retinue, Chancellor Berle, and have only one addition. We have appointed Lord Esclaur ibn Dhawn e Jas as your aide."

Esclaur smiled faintly at the chancellor.

"Also, we have turned down your request for embassy guards. Captains Suiden and Javes and their men will act in that capacity until a permanent ambassador is chosen.”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chancellor Berle was wearing her high stakes game face. "And servants?”

"Supplied from the royal household," Jusson said. He waited for her bow and murmured thanks before turning to Suiden. "Captain Suiden, the success of this mission rests on you and your men, as much as it does on Chancellor Berle. So it is very important that you put your troop back together so that it functions as a unit again."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Suiden replied, his own face blank.

Jusson sighed. "Did I ever tell you, Captain, that as prince I served in the navy?"

"No, Your Majesty.”

"I found it to be a very enlightening experience. The well-being of the ship depended on all crew members being able to work together as a whole."

"My men aren't sailors, Your Majesty," Suiden said.

"No, but you are, Captain Prince."

Suiden became still.

"You see that ship in the middle?" Jusson pointed to the largest of the three windriders in the harbor.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Suiden whispered, staring out over the water.

"It's yours."

"Mine.”

"For this trip to the Border, you are her captain. Lord Admiral Noal has outfitted her with an experienced crew, but they all answer to you." Jusson paused, and although Suiden said nothing, the king smiled.

"You have approximately three weeks until you reach the Border. Use your time on her wisely.”

I too stared over the water at the middle ship. As both a bribe and a palliative to ease the pain of taking back Groskin and Ryson, she was magnificent, her graceful lines evident even to my ignorant gaze. I glanced at Captain Suiden, who did not take his eyes off the windrider. Sometimes making a virtue out of necessity was a very easy thing.

"Sire," Lord Commander Thadro said softly, looking behind the king.

Jusson quickly turned around. "Oh, blast and rot it! What now?” The troopers and dock workers parted, bowing low in reverence as they hadn't for King Jusson, making way for Patriarch Pietr, his penitent sacking and shaven head covered by his robe and hat of office. Following him were Doyen Allwyn, and bringing up the rear, Archdoyen Obruesk, minus his staff.

The patriarch stopped in front of King Jusson. "Please forgive my intrusion, Your Majesty, but I've been looking for you and was told you were here. I've come to make a request."

"Yes, Your Holiness?" Jusson asked.

The patriarch gestured for the clergy to come forward. "As the Holy Church has been involved, however unwittingly, in the horrors perpetrated against the Border, I would like to send Doyen Allwyn with the emissary so he can speak to the Border High Council about the Church making restitution.”

"Of course, Your Holiness," Jusson said, "But isn't he going through purification?”

"He can fast and pray on the ship just as well as anywhere else," Patriarch Pietr replied. He gestured again, this time harder, and Archdoyen Obruesk, who had hung back, dragged himself forward. "I also ask to include the archdoyen—"

It became very quiet.

"—as he has shown much interest in recent events. This way he can witness them firsthand and gain greater understanding of the consequences of the sin of pride and what happens when one thrusts oneself where he has no authority.” Obruesk's position apparently wasn't as strong as he mought. Or the patriarch's was stronger.

"Of course, Your Holiness," Jusson said again, showing that he had his own game face.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. You are most generous." The patriarch turned to Thadro. "It has come to my attention, Lord Commander, that you do not have a chaplain going with you.”

"No, Your Holiness. There hasn't been time to look for one.”

The patriarch nodded. "I understand. Things have been moving very quickly." He smiled, a baring of his teeth. "May I recommend the archdoyen?"

The patriarch's was a much, much stronger position.

"Uh—" Thadro said as I struggled not to let my mouth fall open. "I'm sure that if he chooses to conduct services—”

"No, Lord Commander," the patriarch said. "This will be another way for him to gain understanding of what it means to—how do you call it? Follow the chain of command. Let him fill the office of chaplain with all its attendant duties."

"Yes, of course," Thadro said, his voice a little faint.

"Thank you." The patriarch raised his brows. "What rank will he have?"

"Has he been in the army at all, Your Holiness?"

"No, Lord Commander."

"Captain, then. But it's a noncommand commission.”

"You mean that no one has to obey him?" More teeth showed in the patriarch's smile.

"No—I mean, yes, that's right."

"But he has to obey the others?"

"In military matters, yes."

"Which are?"

"What the other officers say they are," Thadro replied.

The patriarch's smile was so wide that his eyes were narrow slits. He turned to the archdoyen. "What a wonderful learning experience this will be for you.”

I tried once more to convince Laurel to release me from the covenant and let me stay in Iversterre, but he again swore to me—in front of Jusson—that he would not allow Magus Kareste to take me, and Jusson stated that he couldn't have an unschooled mage running wild in the Royal City.

"I cannot chance it, cousin," the king said. "Every day it seems that something else pops up." His gaze rested a moment on my braid and feather, then dropped to the rune on my palm. "And I cannot like what happens when one comes in contact with that.”

I opened my mouth to explain that I didn't go around touching people on purpose, but Laurel spoke before I did. "It is like getting ambushed, no? But with training, Lord Rabbit will be able to control its, hmm, side effects. Which I hope to be able to do during this trip.”

Jusson grinned at my expression. "Well, I am your king as well as your cousin and I command you to go with the Faena cat." His grin became sharper at my continued expression. "We took Ambassador Laurel's word that he could keep our emissary to the Border safe, and now he's swearing the same for you. Are you saying that his word is no good?"

All of a sudden I was responsible for the peace process.

Captain Suiden walked up at that moment. "What's the matter, Lieutenant?”

"Captain Prince." The king sighed. "Threaten one of your men and you become all teeth and claws.” I smiled at the memory of Slevoic's terror when he defied the captain and found himself facing the dragon.

Then an older memory rose of Dragoness Moraina arguing with a mage, who decided to make his point by hurling a powerful spell right between honored Moraina's eyes. I also remembered his subsequent extreme discomfort when Moraina easily swatted it away. I gave the captain a speculative look.

"All right, Your Majesty. I'll go.”

Laurel gave a short chuff. "I swear on everything I hold sacred that I will keep you safe, and you look at me sideways. The captain's shadow floats by and you're ready to follow it to the moon.”

"It's called loyalty, Sro Cat, and is something you earn," Suiden said.

I quickly stepped between them as the Faena rumbled in his throat. "I trust you, honored Laurel. It's just that—"

"Hah! He said it to someone else," Jusson said.

"—I spent five years hiding from these folk and you're asking me to return with only your say-so as backup. What if the High Council commands you to give me to the Magus?”

"The High Council can take a long walk on a short pier," Suiden said, "along with this wizard. Right now I need you to attend to your duties. Your Majesty." With a bow to the king, he walked off.

"Make a man captain of his own ship and he thinks he rules the world," Jusson remarked. "Captain Prince!" he called out, and Suiden stopped and turned around. "You have our permission to leave our presence.”

It was the third time I'd seen the captain disconcerted. He hesitated, then bowed. "Forgive me, Your Majesty." He gave another bow for good measure, then left.

The king caught sight of my face. "Do not be dismayed, cousin." He shrugged. "I could surround myself with sycophants who'd fawn and swoon over my every utterance. But that would mean they'd fawn and swoon over the next person too." The king gave a wry smile. "Ask Teram where all his supporters are."

"Sucking up to you, sire?" I guessed.

"Pox take them, yes. It's better to have strong men who do the right thing because it's the right thing to do, not because I say do it. And if they argue back or forget the occasional observance"—Jusson's black eyes gleamed—"I am sure I can remind them who's king.”