The Rabbit and the Raven: Book Two in the Solas Beir Trilogy (32 page)

Abby looked back down the hallway to see Jon and Marisol rounding the corner. She and the others had stopped just outside the imposing double doors of the court room. Guards were posted on either side
, flanking the entrance.

“Ah, there you are,” Hedeon called, as Jon and Marisol hurried to catch up. “We thought you had gotten lost.” In his black armor and sweeping red cloak, the knight looked broad-shouldered and intimidating. Abby felt tiny standing next to him.

“Apologies,” Marisol smiled sheepishly. “I got distracted by the beauty of the windows in the foyer. Jon had to retrieve me.”

“I see,” the knight replied, his face stern. “Please do stay with the group though—the Eastern Oracle has a strict policy about guests, and the guards can be quite harsh about unaccompanied visitors.”

I bet,
Abby thought, taking in the stony-faced guards flanking the doors.

“Now that we are all here, I must brief you on court protocol.” Hedeon turned to David. “Sire, you and your knights will join me in meeting with the Eastern Oracle.” The knight turned to address Abby and Marisol. He smiled, gesturing to a room on the other side of the corridor. Its doors were open wide and a smell like freshly baked
pastries wafted out into the hallway. “Ladies, across the hall is the hospitality parlor where you will wait until our discussion is finished. As our honored guests, you are welcome to partake in a variety of delightful diversions. The parlor attendant will see to any needs you have. She is an amusing woman—I am sure she will keep you entertained.”

Abby exchanged a panicked look with David. Despite Hedeon’s warm demeanor and reassuring tone, the idea of her and Marisol being separated from the guys filled her with terror, more even than she’d felt in the iron carriage. With Cael’s warnings echoing in her mind, this sounded like a trap. She imagined the doors to the oracle’s court slamming shut and then armored guards dragging her away to be locked up in some windowless tower, never to see David and the others again.

“Abby and Marisol can’t go in with us?” David asked, clutching Abby’s hand tightly.

“My deepest apologies, Your Majesty. Women are not permitted in the court of the Eastern Oracle,” Hedeon said.

“But they are our equals,” David protested, frowning. “Marisol is as skilled in combat as any of my male knights, and Abby is my cai aislingstraid. And my betrothed.”

Hedeon raised his eyebrows in surprise and stared at Abby. “She is a c’aislingaer?”

“Yes. Abby and Marisol are trusted advisors—I need them
both
by my side,” David insisted.

Hedeon sighed. “Well, under certain circumstances, I suppose if the lady Abby is a cai aislingstraid,
she
might be permitted, but there are specific rules…” Abby felt a glimmer of hope for herself, but was frightened for Marisol. They couldn’t leave her alone in this place.

“What rules?” David interrupted.

“She must wear the veil, and she must remain silent,” Hedeon said. “Women are not permitted to speak in the presence of the Eastern Oracle.”

“Not permitted to speak?” David asked, outraged. Abby could hear the anger in his voice, which had dropped an octave. He was choosing his words carefully, trying to control his rage. Anger would not help him win this battle.

“It’s all right, David,” Abby reassured him, placing her hand on his arm. She looked at Hedeon. “I can wear the veil, and I swear I’ll stay quiet.”

“Abby
…” David began.

“No, it’s fine,” she said. She smiled meekly, hoping her own anger was hidden.

So the garment she thought was a shawl was actually a veil. She reverently removed it from her shoulders and placed it over her head, hiding her face. The lace did little to impede her vision, but judging by the look on Hedeon’s face, her features were sufficiently covered.
Actually,
she thought,
this could work to our advantage. Maybe I’ll be able to observe without
being
observed.

“Marisol and I will wait across the hall,” Jon
announced, pulling Marisol toward the other side of the corridor.

Abby nodded in agreement, relieved that Jon would have Sol’s back. She worried for him too, but given the oracle’s bias against women, her main concern was for Marisol.

“Are you sure about that?” Marisol whispered to Jon.

“Solidarity, babe,” he whispered back. “I’m not going in without you, and I’m
not
leaving you out here alone.” Jon’s tone of voice made Abby think something was not being said. And Marisol’s relieved smile confirmed Abby’s suspicions. She just hoped Hedeon hadn’t seen the dark look in Jon’s eyes.

“Yes, we’ll just wait for you together.” Marisol
declared. She took Jon’s hand and led him into the parlor.

Hedeon watched them go, seemingly oblivious. Abby prayed that was the case. The knight turned back to David. “That is settled then. They need not wait long—the Eastern Oracle prefers to keep his appointments brief. Are we ready to enter?”

David looked at Cael, who nodded assent. Cael had been awfully quiet this entire trip. Not that he was normally chatty, but still—Abby wondered what he was thinking. No matter; they would talk freely later. Abby’s attention turned to David as he took her hand.

“Yes, we’re ready,” David replied.

“Very well, Sire.” Hedeon turned to Abby. “And remember, you
must
remain silent.”

Abby nodded in what she hoped was a submissive manner. “I understand.”

“Good,” Hedeon said. “Guards?”

The guards opened the doors. The windowless room was large and square. The wall behind the throne had two sets of double doors, one set on either side of the throne. The doors on the left were closed, but the ones on the right were open to a balcony. A soft breeze from the Eastern Sea drifted in. The smell of the moist air was lovely. Abby imagined that this room could get quite stuffy at times, even without the stiff rules of its chief administrator.

The Eastern Oracle’s empty throne was made of dark, carved wood and sat on a similarly carved wooden dais overlooking the vast, ornate carpet stretching from the front of the dais to the court room’s entry. Just beyond the four walls, the room was punctuated by an inner square made up of a series of carved marble arches supported by pillars. Both the entry and the throne were symmetrically framed by the pillars. It was a lavish room, but one ruled by strict order.

Hedeon gestured for the guards to close the doors and led Abby to stand on one side of the room next to the dark, paneled wall. “You will wait here until the audience with the Eastern Oracle concludes,” he instructed.

She nodded silently. From here, in the shadows under the archway, her form would be obscured from view.
All the better to watch you, my dear,
she thought.

“Solas Beir, you and your knight will stand here.” Hedeon pointed to a spot in the center of the court’s luxurious carpet, then marched over to the open door of the balcony and closed it ceremoniously. “I will inform
the Eastern Oracle of your arrival.” Hedeon walked behind the throne, exiting through the door on the other side, disappearing without another word.

In the silence, David looked over at Abby.
I’m sorry,
he mouthed. She nodded as if to reassure him, but he couldn’t see the expression on her face because of the veil that covered it.

Cael placed his hand on David’s arm. “Do not acknowledge her,” he whispered. “Whether or not you agree with the man’s philosophy, we must play according to his rules if we are to have success here.”

“I know,” David whispered back. “And I
will
play along. For now.”

“Good,” Cael whispered. “Remember what I said—be on your guard.”

The door opened once again, and Hedeon emerged. He stood just in front of the throne and bowed formally to David and Cael. “Greetings to our most honored guests, the Solas Beir Artan, and his knight Cael. May I present my esteemed master, lord of our glorious city, the Eastern Oracle.”

There was a swishing noise—the sound of silken fabric in motion. It almost sounded like the movement of a snake across sand. The Eastern Oracle emerged from his chamber wearing a high-necked scarlet robe that was tight around his thin chest and waist, and then blossomed into a full skirt with a regal train. He was attended by several clerks in long-sleeved black robes who nervously scampered behind him to keep his long train from catching on the carved wood as he mounted the dais.

The Eastern Oracle settled into his throne gracefully, then delicately raised his hands to adjust his headpiece, a matching square cap encircled with a gold diadem. His dark hair and beard were neatly trimmed, framing prominent cheekbones.

He placed his hands in his lap, all but the tips of his fingers disappearing into long, flowing sleeves embroidered with gold thread. It was only after this ritual that he favored David with a glance.

“Greetings, Lightbearer,” the Eastern Oracle said. His voice boomed with authority, a surprise coming from a man so gaunt and pale that he seemed frail, almost sickly. There was something about his eyes that made him seem much older than the monklike young men who served him.

David noted that the Eastern Oracle did not address him using the formal title of Solas Beir, but ignored the possible slight. “Thank you, Eastern Oracle.” He bowed and then
straightened his back to stand tall, holding himself with dignity. He had a feeling this man did not suffer fools lightly and would pounce at the first sign of weakness.

The oracle studied David through narrowed eyes. “I trust your stay has been pleasant, and my servant Hedeon has provided for your needs adequately?”

“Indeed he has. Your hospitality has soared far above all expectations. We offer our utmost gratitude,” David answered.

“And what is it that brings you to our great city?” the oracle asked.

“You may be aware that Tynan Tierney has escaped from the Wasteland, and now builds his army.”

“I have heard whispers and rumors of this,” the oracle replied, waving his hand dismissively. “I also heard that it was the knight Cael who enabled the Kruor um Beir’s escape.”

Out of the corner of his eye, David could see Cael start at this accusation, but he said nothing, covering his initial shock with an impassive expression, his eyes stoically trained on the wall behind the throne. David kept his eyes on the oracle’s.

“That rumor is false.” David took a step toward the oracle. “Cael has ever served the throne of the Solas Beir with excellence and honor. It was because of Cael’s loyalty and
the sacrifices of his warriors that I was able to rebuild the portal and return to my birthplace. Tierney escaped because of an unprovoked attack by the Kruorumbrae on one of my subjects who came to my aid.”

“I see.” The Eastern Oracle settled back into his chair with a sigh, moving his
hands to rest on the wide, wooden arms of the throne. He looked bored, absently drumming his fingers against the armrest. “And what has this to do with us on the eastern shore?”

David ignored the man’s show of apathy. He took another step forward and infused his voice with authority. “
All
of Cai Terenmare would suffer should Tierney succeed in gathering his forces and resume his quest to seize the throne. The Southern, Northern, and Western Oracles have all made pacts promising me their loyalty. I now seek an alliance with you to once and for all put an end to the Kruor um Beir’s evil.”

The oracle’s eyes widened in surprise, and he leaned forward, stilling the drumming of his fingers. Apparently David had finally managed to land on a topic worthy of the man’s attention. “All
three
have pledged thus?”

“They have. May I count on you as well?”

The oracle scowled. “You most certainly may not.”

“No?” David asked.

“No,” he repeated sternly.

The look on the oracle’s face was a mystery to David—was that fear in his eyes? Disgust? Hatred? Maybe a combination of all three?

“It seems to me that those who make a pact with your throne do not fare well,” the oracle accused. “Is it not true that my dear sister, the late Western Oracle, was slain at the hands of the knight who now serves as your right hand? Only to be replaced with a lesser being?”

“Cael acted in self-defense after the former Western Oracle and her sirens murdered his crew and tried to take his life as well. He was on a
diplomatic mission from the Solas Beir, and their aggression toward him was unprovoked,” David countered.

The oracle laughed haughtily. “
Unprovoked?
Ah, Lightbearer, I see a common thread in your excuses, but your reasoning falls short. How could your knight be on a mission from the Solas Beir when the Solas Beir was dead? That order came from your queen,” he scoffed. “It was
not
valid.”

David felt anger blaze in his chest. So much for keeping emotions in check—the time for niceties had long since passed. “In the Solas Beir’s absence, the queen’s order was
equal
to my father’s, particularly where my safety as the heir was concerned. And, with all due respect, Nerine has served more honorably in her short time as Western Oracle than your sister ever did.”