The Faerion (13 page)

"That's rubbish," said Estes.

"Is it Rapert? Think hard. What went through your mind when minstrels performed for you?"

Estes said nothing; his face reddening. Apal turned and led them out the door to their performance. The cooling air refreshed the prince, but his nerves were still raw.

The attendant waited outside and escorted them wordlessly to the Queen's chambers. Lamps burned brightly; ribbons hung from the ceilings. There was much laughter, floating above the aroma of wine. Servants hurried through the corridors, smiling at the minstrels.

"The Queen is celebrating tonight," Melana whispered to Apal.

"I wonder why," said Apal. He discreetly scanned faces of the guards and those attending the performance. Something seemed out of place, but he did not know what.

The servant bowed and directed them to enter a doorway. Apal led them into the chamber. The Queen sat on a sofa with servants kneeling at her feet. Behind her were two guards, their eyes forward, and hands on sword hilts. The Queen seemed high of spirits despite the rumor than Treteste had returned. Apparently she was going to enjoy her entertainment without thought to his presence. They heard rumors that the king planned his unannounced arrivals to upset the Queen. It was a miscalculation of the king's part. She longed to see his face when he realized she was indifferent to his presence. She could see his eyes widen, mouth agape, blood leaving his face. She savored the thought, and often. Apal privately cheered the Queen's effort to cross her husband.

Apal stopped in front of the Queen and as one, the troupe bowed. She did not seem to notice them, flicking glances under her eyelashes at them.

"I am called Apal, and this is my troupe of minstrels. We humbly thank you, your highness for this honor you do us, unworthy though we are. We shall do nothing less than our best and hope it pleases you." He bowed again and stepped backward.

The jugglers started at once as Melana played her lute. Attendants laughed and clapped at the maneuvers they witnessed. Apal motioned for Estes to join Melana. Estes's stomach tightened as he cleared his throat. Melana smiled and nodded. She changed the song and began to sing, Estes taking the harmony a beat after, then catching up.

The lute ended. Estes felt his clothes sticking to him. He glanced at Melana who grinned. The Queen applauded and the court joined in noisily. Apal stood next to him.

"Excellent. You passed as a professional Estes. Few could have done better."

They played two more songs. One Melana sang solo and not another sound disturbed the room. The jugglers performed again and then Estes sang again. By the time he had finished, his nerves were as taunt as a bowstring and he shook his head when Apal inquired if he would sing the next one. Apal smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

Estes retreated to the back as the jugglers entertained again. He vaguely heard Melana start another song and Apal's voice rose in duet, but Estes did not hear the words. In the back of the room a large figure entered the room, followed by several guards. The room stilled. Melana's fingers sent a chord into the air, music without resolution.

"What is this?" cried Treteste. "I return and my wife does not greet me?"

Richela turned to the king. "Quiet. I am listening to these fine performers. Run along. I'll see you later." She turned back to the minstrels, sipping her wine.

Treteste's face reddened his words unintelligible; spittle sprayed from his mouth. He drew a sword, rushing Apal. Swinging at everyone, he wounded one retainer, killed another, and then looked again for Apal who had vanished. Estes watched in fascination how Treteste lost control, realizing at last that the entire troupe had left. The queen's retainers screamed and ran to evade the mad king. Queen Richela had quickly disappeared behind a sliding panel.

Estes saw his chance and tried to circle around the king, drawing his knife. He nearly reached his objective when Apal grabbed his arm. He pulled him through a doorway before Treteste could see him.

"Not yet, not here," Apal whispered fiercely. "We must prove your worth to rule."

"But I could kill him. I was so close."

"And only prove that you too can kill your enemies. That is not ruling. Come."

Apal led him away, glancing backward to see the eyes of Kirkes upon him and a monk of the Brotherhood watched from an alcove. Apal knew Kirkes would guess the identity of his singer. He hurried.

In the hallways they dodged people, nearly running. A squad of guards came into view and Apal slowed them to a walk. The guard leader watched them, nodding his head. He snapped his fingers; the guards rushed forward. Melana rolled into the legs of one, spilling him on his head. Apal's sword disarmed a second guard. The rest of the minstrels ran, Estes with them, leaving Apal and Melana to deal with the guards.

Outside they split up as prearranged by Apal for such an eventuality, taking circuit routes back to the tavern where they should be safe. They moved with purpose but without haste. Apal had trained them all. It required all of Estes' will power not to bolt. He kept pace with Reber. Estes wondered if they were minstrels truly or an elite fighting team or spies. They seemed too competent, too calm in the turmoil. His heart was pounding.

They returned to the tavern in twos and threes, entering in the rear. Waren saved a private room for them with no windows where they sat in silence waiting for Apal. Estes sat next to Deenie, praying Melana had escaped. Those guards had been looking for them. Apal was known to them, that much he knew by the way the guards bolted for Apal and Melana immediately. What else had Apal kept from him?

Estes sat in the corner, silent, listening to the muttered words of the jugglers, Reber and Deenie. Gora paced the room holding a cloth to his cut forehead. Waren brought them food and drink, leaving them alone. The waiting irritated Estes, but he had nothing else to do. He waited.

He watched Deenie, sitting under the window again, and wondered where she came from, how she joined Apal's troupe. She noticed his attention and smiled. She walked over to him and sat down.

"What were you thinking Rapert?"

"Wondering how you came to join Apal. How does one become a minstrel?"

"In my case, my parents were minstrels, and in time I became part of their troupe. When my mother died, my father went to live with my brother and I decided to carry on. I traveled alone for a while, but it wasn't safe for a woman. I had a rough time until three years ago when I met Apal. He gladly welcomed me into the troupe and we been together ever since. I love to travel and see new places."

He was silent, thinking about what "rough time" had really meant. She smiled at him.

"How did you come to be here?" she asked. "I know Apal has some interest in you, but I didn't think you would fit in so well. That is, once you stop scowling at everything someone says about you or your family. Life is not easy or kind. You must learn that and soon."

"I am learning rather quickly that Landermass is not the world I thought it was. Everything was handed to me as I grew up and I believed, or at times still believe that the world revolves around me."

"Not unexpected for nobility. We see it all the time when we perform. We're just the entertainment; a thing to ooh and ah over and then put us out of mind. We all exist to support the world of the lords and ladies. You'll get used to it."

"I hear no sourness in your voice, yet you are tossed aside as you say."

"Some of us are bitter. Apal tends to frown on that type of thing and only hires certain types of people. Or he used to anyway." She grinned.

"Ouch! I earned that one I suppose."

"Yes, yes you did."

Presently there was a soft tap on the door. Reber lifted the latch and the door was pushed backward driving Reber into the center of the room and allowing a knight to enter; his sword drawn. He glanced around the room, his teeth gleaming in the light.

"So this is where the traitors plot," said Sir Crestan. "Hold your place! I will cut you down where you stand. Now, tell me of your plots and who else is involved."

"Go burn!" said Deenie. She tried to hit him with her boot and Crestan struck her with the flat of his sword knocking her into the wall. Reber rushed to help her. Estes reached for his knife. The knight's sword pointed at his throat and Crestan waited; hopeful the boy would attack. He pushed the point into Estes' neck drawing blood.

"I shall not be so lenient next time," said Crestan. "Who is working with you? There isn't a brain among you. Someone is helping you. Apal is getting beyond himself."

"Did you come alone?" asked Apal, stepping in behind him. Crestan whirled in a panic, and then relaxed when he noticed Apal was unarmed. He directed him to stand with Estes where he could see the entire troupe in front of him.

"You are foolish, Apal. I arrest your troupe as conspirators against the king."

"I will resist," said Apal.

"Then I shall have the pleasure of killing you." Crestan motioned Apal to stand near the others. He watched them fidget, but Apal's calmness bothered him. "Why do you show no fear?"

"What is there to fear?"

"Your death."

"It is not drawing near," laughed Apal. "I have many years ahead of me."

"I beg to differ."

"Ah, but I was not alone when I returned here."

"What are you saying?"

"Put up your sword, Sir Crestan," said the huge man in the doorway, his sword ready. He tapped Crestan on the shoulder with the blade.

"Kirkes!? Here? Not here?"

"I shall not ask again. The men that came with you are waiting in the street for you. Or are they lying in the street? It's one or the other."

Crestan shook with rage, but did not strike at Kirkes. He calculated how many of Apal's people he could kill before Kirkes killed him, but the odds were too great. Crestan sheathed his sword, muttering under his breath, and his face red with anger. Kirkes stood still, his arms folded; smiling slightly as if some small amusement played out in front of him. Crestan threw venomous glances around the room and brushed past Kirkes who watched him go.

"We will hear from him again," said Apal. "He will not forget this humiliation."

"He should not," said Kirkes. "He has much work to do before he is a knight, Treteste's knighting notwithstanding. Now, tell me Apal, what have you gotten into?"

"I do not know. Treteste ran for me directly."

"Yes, I saw that. He must know your identity."

"Who are you?" asked Estes.

"That will remain a secret for now," said Apal.

"As should your identity," said Kirkes to Estes. "I recognized you easily. Your disguise is not good enough for Nantitet. You are too well known. Apal, you should have known he would be recognized."

"He is called Rapert," said Apal. "I wanted a certain number of nobles to know he lives. But I did not anticipate Treteste returning so soon."

Kirkes shook his head.

"'Rapert'? Apal must have thought that one up. I suggest you keep out of sight. I don't know how many others may have recognized you, but I do not doubt that Treteste will be looking for you by tomorrow."

"And you?" asked Apal.

"Me?"

"Yes. You are Treteste's vassal, Sir Kirkes. What will you do with your knowledge of Rapert's identity?"

"I will sleep on it. I promise nothing. Good eve."

"I didn't realize he was so big," said Gora, after Kirkes departed.

"Where is Melana?" asked Estes.

"Ah," said Apal, his face dropping. "She is captive. I couldn't help her. Two guards dragged her away and by the time I could give chase I lost sight of her. I couldn't discover what direction they had gone. I met Sir Kirkes and returned here."

"What can we do?" asked Deenie, holding her face.

"There is a meeting tonight at Gresham's mill. We may find someone to help us get inside the castle."

"What kind of meeting?" asked Estes.

"People who don't want Treteste for king. Some supported Yeates, some did not. You should be there Rapert, just to listen. It will teach you something. You would have never had this chance to hear the voices of rebellion if Yeates was still king. You will learn quite a bit, more than you want I suppose."

They moved under the protection of darkness. There was a breach in the city's walls, hidden by Apal's colleagues, unknown to the Guard. It was the only way to leave the city without being noted by the guards. The patrols were few in that area. The king left the unfortunates to fend for themselves. Apal led them the three blocks to the wall. Estes brought up the rear, nervously turning around, expecting to see the king's soldiers behind him. Finally, they reached the wall. It was in a shadowy alley between the cooper's workshop and the cobbler's shop. The buildings leaned close together and Apal pulled back some boards exposing a crawl space. Reber led them through the hole. They walked swiftly in the darkness, staying to the edge of the road in the tall grass, hurrying across open places. They followed the curve of the river beyond the shadow of Nantitet's towers.