After an absence of six weeks, Almorante had returned to Magrast. He had travelled quickly and had been successful in his quest. Tatrini was very pleased with him. The prince had brought Maycarpe and Sinaclara to the city in utter secrecy, which suited the Grand Queen Mother very well. They were now incarcerated near the old Fire Chamber, where Tayven had begun his residency in the palace. To prolong the time before news of Maycarpe’s taking got out, the prince had taken the precaution of slaughtering any of the governor’s staff who had seen him in Akahana. Tatrini knew that it was virtually impossible for someone to cover their tracks completely, and that eventually it would be known that Almorante had brought Maycarpe to Magrast, but she aimed to keep her own involvement out of it.
Now, she had the Crown of Silence.
Candles burned in her bedroom, and salt lay in a circle upon the carpet. In the middle of it, Tatrini crouched, the Crown in her lap. She sought to conjure forth the spirit of the Crown. All artefacts of power possessed such guardians. So far, despite her potent conjurations, nothing had manifested. Were any of her sons fit to wear it? For just a moment, Tatrini lifted the Crown in her hands. Her fingers tingled as if with currents of subtle energy. She held the artefact out before her, heart beating fast. She raised her hands and the Crown hovered over her head. So easy just to lower it now, claim the power for herself. But no. Such action might bring unwelcome consequences. She put down the Crown. All around her, in the world of the unseen, events were moving towards a specific point. She wasn’t yet sure herself what that would be. The preparatory rituals were almost complete. Tonight, she would conjure all four elemental dragons together. Gastern was moving inexorably away from the centre stage. Perhaps it was simply meant to be. But what was Almorante’s role? In some respects, he would make a better emperor than Bayard, but, if he did take the throne, there was no certainty he would allow his mother to have a prominent role in government.
These boys, Tatrini thought, they are a menace. It should be possible for me, or even Varencienne, to take the throne of the empire. Men, in their fear, have shorn us of temporal power. It must change.
For a moment, she reflected on what it must be like to have a conventional mother’s role. She had watched other women, the way they doted on their children. Tatrini could not share those feelings. She cared for certain of her offspring, and admired those who deserved it, but she could not experience, nor imagine, the fierce tug of love that other women demonstrated. In her position, it would be a weakness, in any case, because any one of her sons would dispose of her should she stand in their way.
Only that afternoon, she had interviewed Darris Maycarpe, who had said, ‘you are the lioness who devours her cubs.’ He was not afraid of her.
‘You would kill to see your own dreams realised,’ she’d said. ‘Climb down from your pious throne, Darris. We are two of a kind.’
He’d affected levity, pretending his interest in the Crown was academic, and that he was merely playing with people when he declared he supported Palindrake as king. ‘You know me, Tatrini,’ he’d said. ‘Wherever the cards fall, there I shall be, waiting to collect my winnings.’
‘You are in a cell deep beneath the palace,’ Tatrini had replied. ‘No one but me, Almorante and his trusted men know you are here. You have little to gamble with now.’ She smiled. ‘Except perhaps for the little sorceress.’
She could only admire Maycarpe’s control of himself. He didn’t betray anything in his expression. ‘Really? What do you mean?’
Tatrini made an airy gesture with one hand. ‘Oh, you know. She is the guardian of the Crown, and is therefore connected with its spiritual protectors. You will persuade her to work with me.’
Maycarpe laughed. ‘You know little of Sinaclara,’ he said. ‘It is beyond my powers to persuade her to do anything she doesn’t want to. We are not allies in the way you think.’
‘I could kill her.’
‘You could,’ Maycarpe said, ‘but that doesn’t seem to be your style. It would be the petulant and pointless act of someone who is afraid. I don’t believe you are.’
‘Then tell me what you think I should do with her. You clearly have your own ideas.’
Maycarpe considered. ‘You have Tayven Hirantel, don’t you? He and Sinaclara are close. Perhaps that relationship could be of benefit to you. Perhaps Tayven has powers of persuasion that I don’t.’
Tatrini stared at Maycarpe for some moments, and he did not flinch beneath her gaze. Eventually, she said, ‘I am glad I am not a person who believes you to be my loyal friend.’
He inclined his head. ‘Likewise, my lady. You flatter me too much.’
Sinaclara had not been as co-operative. She’d had to be physically restrained and gagged and refused to speak when Tatrini visited her. Bayard would probably have advocated torture at that point, but Tatrini could tell that would get her nowhere. She found Sinaclara’s hostility tiresome and kept the visit short. There was plenty of time to devise a strategy.
When Almorante returned to Magrast, Tayven knew he had to find out the results of the prince’s quest to secure the Crown. The work he had put in before Almorante had left now bore fruit. Tayven did not have to do anything to arrange a meeting. A formal invitation to the prince’s apartments arrived only hours after Almorante had come home. Tayven did not tarry in responding to it.
At first, Almorante was cagey. In response to Tayven’s question about whether he’d been successful in Breeland, he replied, ‘I’ve had a long journey and am looking forward to my dinner. Let us enjoy this time together. We can talk later.’
This was not quite what Tayven had hoped for, but he could tell Almorante was full of questions about what Tatrini was planning, and hoped that Tayven would be able to enlighten him. Tayven realised a trade was in order. He must offer enough to generate a useful reward, but not too much that might jeopardise his position. He was now allowed a certain amount of freedom within the palace. It was essential Tatrini believed him to be totally compliant.
After a candlelit meal, which suggested what Almorante had in mind for later in the evening, the prince suggested they should take a few snifters of merlac before the fire in his study. Here, he opened up about his recent trip.
‘The Forest of Bree is an enchanting place,’ he said. ‘I would like a retreat there, similar to the one I have in Recolletine. Perhaps I should appropriate the house of Lady Sinaclara.’
‘The Lady might disagree with your plans.’
‘She is in no position to do so.’
Tayven paused, caressing the stem of his glass. Almorante wanted him to ask the right questions. This was nothing more than a game. ‘Do I take it the Lady opposed your desire to claim the Crown for Magravandias?’
‘When my trackers found her domain, she had fled from it. I found no Crown there.’
‘So you returned empty-handed?’
Almorante smiled. ‘Far from it. I went on to Mewt, to interview your friend, Lord Maycarpe. As fate would have it, I discovered the Lady Sinaclara there. She had taken the Crown to Akahana.’
‘And now you have it?’
‘Yes.’
‘What of Maycarpe and Sinaclara?’
‘At the very least, they were traitors.’
‘Were?’ said Tayven, a chill filling his breast.
‘They are not yet dead,’ Almorante replied. ‘I have brought them to Magrast.’
‘For a public trial? Is that possible? I would have thought your mother wished to keep the Crown a secret.’
‘There will be no public trial,’ Almorante said. ‘You know how the Malagashes operate, don’t you? Did you ever get a public trial?’
‘What will you do with them?’
‘Their fate has yet to be decided. I admire Darris Maycarpe and wish to know his thoughts and desires. I hope there is still an area of accord between us. It would not please me to have him executed.’
‘What of the woman?’
‘She
is a fascinating piece, but I shall leave her future in the hands of my mother. Maycarpe holds more interest for me.’
How blind he is, Tayven thought, but merely nodded, as if in agreement.
Almorante sipped his merlac in silence for some moments, then said, ‘What are your plans, Tayven? I cannot believe you agree with my mother’s. What game are you playing?’
‘That of survival,’ Tayven said. ‘It is the game I have always played.’
‘I have heard that Gastern has adopted peculiar behaviour. This is the prelude to his disposal, of course. Do you know how she’s doing it?’
‘As far as I know, she is not doing anything. Gastern’s demons are entirely his own. It hardly comes as a surprise, does it? Who, in Magrast, ever thought he was the right man to take his father’s place? In my opinion, he is not strong enough to withstand the pressure. He is afraid, and his fear will take his mind.’
‘How convenient that would be,’ Almorante said.
‘Indeed,’ Tayven said.
‘How does she propose to get Bayard on the throne?’
Tayven laughed uneasily. ‘You cannot believe she takes me into her confidence over such matters.’
‘You are astute. You intuit the truth. I think you know the answers I seek. What does she use you for? What service do you perform for her? Think carefully before you prepare to lie to me. There is no certainty my mother will win this contest. One day, you might need my favour.’
‘She wants me to work magic with her, to reinstate the fire drakes and prevent Gastern from eliminating them. She believes the drakes to be essential to Malagash fortune. That is all I can tell you.’
Almorante stared at him intently. ‘You are a snake, Tayven. You have no loyalty to my mother, nor to me. What is the price of your loyalty? Are you prepared to sell it?’
Tayven hesitated before responding. ‘I care about survival, your highness. This you know. As such, it does not have a price.’
Almorante reached out to take his hand. ‘We have a history, Tayven. Is that worth nothing to you?’
Tayven rose and went to stand beside Almorante’s chair. He leaned down, took the prince’s face in his hands and kissed him deeply. When he drew away, he said, ‘Can’t we forget this talk of intrigue, suspicion and betrayal? I’m sick of it to my bones. It tires and bores me. I play your mother’s game, because it keeps me relatively safe. When I’m away from her, her schemes mean nothing to me. I hunger for simple pleasure.’
Almorante was a difficult man to fool, but his desire clearly overcame his misgivings. ‘There is much to catch up with,’ he said. ‘It’s been too long.’
In the morning, Tayven returned to his chamber to find Lady Pimalder waiting for him. ‘The Grand Queen Mother is annoyed,’ she said. ‘She wanted you to take breakfast with her.’
‘Tell her I’ve been working,’ Tayven said dryly. He wanted a bath and some hours of sleep. Almorante’s demands, though inventive and pleasurable, had exhausted him.
‘She will be interested to hear your report,’ Grisette said.
Realising he had no choice, Tayven went to Tatrini’s apartments and there learned she wished him to persuade Sinaclara to work with them. It was not a request but an order. ‘Did Almorante have anything interesting to say?’ she asked.
‘No. He’s concerned only with discovering your true ambitions for him.’
‘I hope you allayed his concerns.’
‘I did my best.’
Tatrini laughed. ‘Your skills are unparalleled, I’m sure.’ Her tone darkened. ‘Talk to the sorceress, Tayven. I want her ready by tonight.’
Tayven accompanied Lady Pimalder to a room near the old Fire Chamber. It was clearly not a cell, for there was no bed in it, simply a bare table, around which was placed a set of ill-matched chairs. Tayven sat down with Lady Pimalder, while they waited for Master Dark to bring Sinaclara to them. ‘You can speak to the sorceress for a few minutes only,’ Lady Pimalder said. ‘So make your request clear. You must use your arts of persuasion to sway her quickly.’
It was clear that Tayven wouldn’t be allowed to speak to Sinaclara in private. This interview would not be easy.
When Sinaclara arrived, she went directly to Tayven and hugged him. ‘I am so glad to see you,’ she said. ‘Darris and I were worried about you.’
‘I’ m fine,’ Tayven said.
She stood back and regarded him, no doubt taking in his fine clothes and groomed appearance. It would be clear he was not a prisoner as she was. ‘I can see that! I presume you know what happened?’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Clara, we don’t have much time, but I need to ask you to do something.’
She sat down wearily on one of the chairs, which rocked dangerously beneath her. ‘Of course.’ She glanced at Dark and Lady Pimalder then back at Tayven, her expression slightly troubled.
‘I am working with the empress,’ Tayven said, gazing directly into her eyes and hoping she would understand the truth behind his words.
She stared at him without expression for some moments, then said, ‘I am surprised to hear that.’
‘It is expedient,’ he said. ‘I am given freedom within the palace. Also, like Tatrini, I would like to see Gastern removed from office.’
‘What do you want me to do?’ Sinaclara asked. There was an edge to her voice, indicating she sensed he could not speak openly because of Dark and Pimalder’s presence, but that she was still not too happy about his choice of action.
‘You must summon the spirit of the Crown for the Grand Queen Mother.’
Sinaclara continued to stare at him. ‘You know I cannot do that, Tayven.’
‘You must,’ he said. ‘I want you to trust me now, more than you’ve ever trusted anyone.’
‘When?’ she asked.
‘Tonight.’
Sinaclara twisted her mouth to the side. ‘You must give me good reason why I should comply with your request.’
Tayven scraped a hand through his hair. ‘You must do it for the world, for the true king.’
‘There are no true kings in Magrast,’ she said coldly.
‘I am the Bard of the King,’ Tayven said. ‘I speak only truth. You know that. Trust me, Clara. I can explain no further.’
‘I shall see,’ she said.
Tayven realised that was the best he could expect from her. ‘Thank you,’ he said.
She nodded shortly. ‘Have you seen Darris?’
‘No. I’m unable to, but I’ll speak to Almorante about it.’
‘Almorante had Nana killed,’ Sinaclara said. ‘He must die for it.’
Master Dark shifted slyly in the corner of the room.
‘I have to go,’ Tayven said, standing up. He felt as if Almorante’s fingerprints were all over him, clearly visible to Sinaclara’s eyes. ‘I’ll see you later, Clara.’
‘I shall look forward to it,’ Sinaclara said without warmth.
Back in his own chambers, Tayven lay down on his bed, fully clothed, conscious of a weight of depression. Even if Sinaclara knew the truth, he was sure she’d disapprove of what he was doing. She would loathe him for the fact he had started another affair with Almorante. He couldn’t help it, though. Part of him still cared for the prince. They’d grown up together as both brothers and lovers. Whatever Almorante might do to other people, he was loyal to Tayven and always would be. It was not a good situation to be in, because one day there would be a conflict of loyalties. But for now, Tayven was prepared to ignore the possible consequences, even though he knew it was unwise. He realised that part of him had rekindled the relationship with Almorante as a form of vengeance on Taropat, which was absurd. When he lay in Almorante’s arms, he wanted Taropat to see it. Sometimes he even tried to project the image across space and time. He pressed his hands against his eyes, aware that his circumstances must only get worse, and there was no guarantee they’d ever get better.
He drifted into an uneasy half-sleep, where dr
eam fragments floated across his mind. From a haze of meaningless images, three figures came soft-footedly towards him: female: sinuous creatures with waving hair and sly reptilian faces.
‘Who are you?’ he asked them.
‘We are the dragon daughters,’ one of them replied. ‘You know of us.’
‘Yes. What do you want?’
‘Your compliance. You are the servant of the Dragon Lord.’
‘Compliance in what?’
‘You must allow us to direct you in certain matters. Our mother, Great Foy, has sent us to guard and guide the heir to Caradore. Tonight, you must allow us to act through you.’
Tayven could tell these creatures were unpredictable and dangerous. He had no desire whatsoever to relinquish control to them. ‘You must tell me why,’ he said.
‘It is not your place to question. You are only a servant of the Light. You must do as we ask. If you refuse, we will act through you in any case, but you may well be lost.’
Tayven became aware of a pounding ache that had started up behind his eyes. He had no choice. The day he had chosen his path and made his covenant with the cosmos had been the day he had made himself a channel for higher powers. The dragon daughters were Valraven’s creatures. He had to trust they would act only on his behalf.
‘You have my compliance,’ he said. ‘Do as you will.’
At once, he was awake, blinking at the ceiling. Afternoon sunlight carved patterns on the walls. All was peaceful. After tonight, Tayven thought, there would be no peace. The battle would commence.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Conjuring Dragons