“Of course. Most wise.” Niryn took the chair by the hearth. Ki stationed himself at the foot of the bed, keeping a surreptitious eye on the wizard. Tobin had always been scared of Niryn, which was reason enough for Ki to distrust him. And now he was, by his own admission, the last person to see Orun and Tobin before they were struck down. Or so he claimed.
Niryn caught him looking and smiled. Another nasty, slithery feeling went through Ki and he hastily averted his eyes.
A moment later Tobin lurched up with a gasp. Ki clambered awkwardly onto the bed and grasped his hand. “Tob, you’re safe. I’m here, and Tharin and Iya.”
Tobin gripped his hand so hard it hurt. “How—how did I get here?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.
“I brought you.” Tharin sat down on the edge of the bed and put an arm around him. “Seems I’m always carrying you somewhere these days. It’s all right now. Can you tell us who hurt you?”
Tobin’s hand flew to his throat. “Orun. He was so angry—He grabbed me and—” He caught sight of Niryn and froze. “It was Orun.”
The wizard rose and came closer. “He offered you violence?”
Tobin nodded. “The king’s message,” he whispered. “He grabbed me and—I must have fainted.”
“I shouldn’t wonder,” said Iya. “It appears he tried to throttle you.”
Tobin nodded.
A brown-robed drysian arrived and ordered everyone but Iya and Niryn out of the room. Ki hovered in the doorway, watching anxiously as the woman examined Tobin. He crept back to the foot of the bed as she mixed a poultice for the bruises and she let him stay.
When she’d finished, she went out and spoke with Iya and Tharin for what seemed like a long time. Tharin came back in looking more concerned than ever.
“Lord Niryn, they’ve got Bisir in the hall and Chancellor Hylus just arrived.”
Tobin struggled up again. “Bisir didn’t do anything!”
“We just want to talk to him,” Tharin assured him. “You rest. Ki will keep you company.”
“Lord Niryn?” croaked Tobin.
The wizard paused in the doorway. “Yes, my prince?”
“That message you had from the king—I didn’t read it. Is Ki still my squire?”
“The king made no mention of the matter. For the time being, it seems your squire’s position is secure. See that you remain worthy of it, Sir Kirothius.”
“Yes, my lord.” Ki waited until the wizards and Tharin were gone, then shut the door and made a luck sign. “He looks like a snake when he smiles. But at least he brought some good news.” He sat down on the bed and tried to look into Tobin’s eyes, but his friend kept turning away. “How are you? Really?”
“I’m fine.” Tobin rubbed at the wet bandage around his neck. “This is helping.”
He was still hoarse, but Ki could hear the fear that Tobin was struggling to hide.
“So Orun finally laid hands on you?” Ki shook his head in wonder.
Tobin let out a shuddering sigh and his chin began to tremble.
Ki leaned closer and took his hand again. “There’s more to it than you let on, isn’t there?”
Tobin cast a frightened look at the door, then brought his lips to Ki’s ear. “It was Brother.”
Ki’s eyes widened. “But he was here. He came to me while you were gone.”
Tobin let out a startled gasp. “What did he do?”
“Nothing! I was in here waiting for you, and suddenly there he was.”
“Did he say anything?”
“Just that I should ask Arkoniel about—” Ki broke off.
“About what?”
Ki hesitated; he’d felt disloyal before, doubting Tobin, and it was worse now. “He wouldn’t say. Is he like that with you, too?”
“Sometimes.”
“But you say he came to Orun’s? Did you call him?”
Tobin shook his head vehemently. “No! No, I swear it by the Four, I didn’t!”
Alarmed, Ki searched his friend’s face. “I believe you, Tob. What’s the matter?”
Tobin gulped hard, then leaned in again. “Brother killed Orun.”
“But—how?”
“I don’t know. Orun was shaking me. Maybe he was going to kill me. I don’t know. Brother got between us and just—just touched him and Orun fell—” Tobin was shaking. Tears spilled down his cheeks. “I didn’t stop him, Ki! What if—What if somehow I did make him do it?”
Ki hugged him close. “You’d never do that. I know you wouldn’t.”
“I don’t remember doing it.” Tobin sobbed. “But I was so scared, and I hated Orun and he said bad things about you and—”
“Did you call for Brother?”
“Nuh—no!”
“Did you tell him to kill Orun?”
“No!”
“Of course you didn’t. So it’s not your fault. Brother was just protecting you.”
Tobin raised his tear-stained face and stared at him. “Do you think so?”
“Yes. He’s spiteful and all, but he is your brother and Orun was hurting you.” He paused, touching a thin, faded scar on his neck. “Remember when the catamount came after you that day? You said Brother got between you and it before I showed up, like he was going to protect you.”
“But it was Lhel who killed it.”
“Yes, but he came. And he came when Orun was hurting you. No one’s ever done that to you before, have they?”
Tobin wiped his face on his sleeve. “No one, except—”
“Who?” Ki demanded, wondering which of the Companions he’d have to deal with.
“My mother,” Tobin whispered. “She tried to kill me. Brother was there, then, too.”
Ki’s outrage drained away, leaving him speechless.
“You can’t tell anyone about this,” Tobin said, wiping his nose. “About Orun, I mean. No one can know about Brother.”
“Niryn himself couldn’t get it out of me. You know that.”
Tobin let out another shuddering sigh and rested his head on Ki’s shoulder. “If that letter said you had to go, I’d run away again.”
“Leaving me to catch up with you like last time?” Ki tried to make light of it, but his throat was suddenly tight. “Don’t even try it. I’m putting you on a tether rein.”
“I told you I won’t. We’d run away together.”
“That’s all right, then. You should rest now.”
Instead, Tobin threw off the blankets and wiggled past him off the bed. “I want to see Bisir. He didn’t have anything to do with this.”
Tobin was almost to the hall when a new thought momentarily blotted out all other concerns. What had Bisir seen? He cursed his own weakness, fainting like some lady in a ballad. Had Brother stayed with him after he killed Orun? If Orun could see the ghost, then surely anyone else could have. Steeling himself, he strode into the hall.
Bisir stood wringing his hands by the hearth, surrounded by Tharin and the others. Chancellor Hylus was the only person seated and he must have come straight from court, for he still wore his robe of state and the flat black velvet hat signifying his office.
“Here is the prince, and looking rather better than I expected, thank the Four!” he exclaimed. “Come sit by me, dear boy. This young man was just telling us of the abominable treatment you’ve suffered.”
“Go on, Bisir. Tell Prince Tobin what you told us,” said Iya.
Bisir gave Tobin an imploring look. “As I was saying to them, my prince, I saw nothing except the two of you lying on the floor when I came in.”
“But you were eavesdropping,” Niryn said sternly.
“No, my lord! That is, there is a chair for me by the door. I always stay there, in case Lord Orun calls for me.”
Hylus raised a frail, age-mottled hand. “Calm yourself, young man. You are not accused of any crime.” He motioned to Ulies to bring the frightened valet a mazer of wine.
“Thank you, my lord.” Bisir took a sip and some color returned to his thin cheeks.
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“Surely you must have heard something?” the old man prompted.
“Yes, Lord Chancellor. I heard my master speaking angrily to the prince. It was wrong of him, speaking to Prince Tobin like that.” He paused and gulped nervously. “Forgive me, my lords. I know I shouldn’t speak ill of my master, but—”
“It’s of no consequence,” Iya said impatiently. “So you heard Orun shouting. Then what?”
“Then came that terrible cry! I ran in at once and found them senseless on the carpet. At least I thought—When I saw my master’s face—” His gaze flickered to Tobin again, and this time there was no mistaking the fact that Bisir was scared. “Lord Orun’s eyes were open, but—By the Four, I’ll never forget the way he looked, with his eyes bulging and his face gone all black—”
“It’s as he says,” Tharin concurred. “I hardly recognized him. It looked like an apoplexy to me.”
“Then Sir Tharin burst in and carried the prince away before I could tell if he—I feared he was dead, too!” He gave Tobin a bobbing bow. “Thank the Four you are well.”
“If I may, my lord?” said Niryn.
Hylus nodded and the wizard approached the quaking man. “Give me your hand, Bisir.”
Niryn seemed to grow larger and the air darkened around him. It made every hair on the back of Tobin’s neck stand up. Ki stepped closer and his hand brushed Tobin’s.
Bisir let out a hiss of pain and sank to his knees, his hand locked in Niryn’s. When Niryn released him at last, Bisir cowered where he was, cradling his hand against his chest as if it had been burned.
Niryn shrugged and sat down on the hearth bench. “He speaks the truth as he knows it. It would seem the only person who knows what really happened in that room is Prince Tobin.”
For one awful moment, Tobin thought the wizard meant to put him to the same test, but Niryn simply stared at him with hard red-brown eyes. Tobin felt no strange sensations this time, but summoned the mind trick Arkoniel had taught him just in case.
“He grabbed me roughly, accused me of trying to turn the king against him—”
“And did you?” Niryn asked.
“What? No! I never wrote anything to my uncle.”
Niryn gave him a sly smile. “Never tried to exercise any influence with him at all? It was no secret that you despised Orun. Not that I blame you in that, of course.”
“I—I don’t have any influence with the king,” Tobin whispered. Was Niryn growing larger again? Was the air growing dark and thick around him?
“It would never have occurred to the prince,” Tharin interjected, and Tobin saw that once again he was holding his anger in check. “He’s only a child. He knows nothing of court ways.”
“Forgive me, I was only thinking how far a noble heart will go for love for a worthy friend.” Niryn glanced at Ki as he bowed to Tobin. “Please accept my most humble apology, my prince, if I in any way gave offense.” His hard gaze slewed back to Tharin. “Perhaps others took it upon themselves to plead the prince’s case?”
Tharin shrugged. “For what reason? Rhius chose Ki as his son’s squire. The king understands that bond.”
Niryn turned to Ki again. “And what about you, Squire Kirothius? Where were you while Prince Tobin was with his guardian?”
“Here, my lord. The steward can vouch for me.”
“No need for that. I was only curious. Well, it seems there’s nothing more to be learned here.”
Lord Hylus nodded gravely. “No doubt your guess is right, Tharin. Strong emotion is a dangerous thing in an old man. I believe it is safe to assume that Lord Orun was the author of his own destruction and brought on a fit of apoplexy.”
“Unless it was some dark magic.”
Everyone stared at Niryn.
“There are spells that could bring on such a death. The man certainly had enemies and there are wizards who can be bought. Don’t you agree, Mistress Iya?”
Iya held out her hand. “If you are accusing me, my lord, by all means put me to the test. I have nothing to fear from you.”
“I assure you, Mistress, if it had been you, I would already know it.”
Tharin cleared his throat. “With all respect, my lords, Prince Tobin has had a difficult day. If there is no more to be learned, perhaps we should give him some peace?”
Hylus rose and patted Tobin on the back. “You are a brave boy, my dear prince; but I think your friend is right. Rest now, and put this unpleasantness behind you. I shall act as your guardian until your uncle declares another, if you have no objection.”
“I’d like that very much!”
“What’s to become of Lord Orun’s household, Lord Hylus?” Bisir asked softly, still crouched on the rushes.
“On your feet, lad. Go home and tell the steward that the house and staff are to be maintained until the estate is settled. Hurry along now, before everyone bolts with the silver!”
“Come along, Prince Tobin. Let’s get you settled,” Iya said, just as if she were Nari.
“Couldn’t Bisir come live here?” he whispered, letting her and Ki lead him away to his own room.
But Iya shook her head. “Forget him. Light a fire, Ki.”
Tobin bridled. “How can you say that? You saw how he was at the keep all those weeks. And he did try to help me today. Ask Tharin—”
“I know. But appearances are very important here and it wouldn’t do.” When Tobin stood his ground she relented a little. “I’ll keep an eye on him for you, then.”
Tobin gave a grudging nod, his old distrust for her resurfacing. He wouldn’t have had to argue with Arkoniel this way.
Chapter 8
Returning to the Companions the following morning, Tobin and Ki found themselves the center of much unwanted attention. Korin and the others would have had the tale told three times over during the morning run if Master Porion hadn’t finally threatened to make them muck out the stables if they didn’t leave Tobin alone.
As the day went on, however, even his threats weren’t enough to stop the whispers and wide-eyed questions. As they stood blowing on their fingers in the archery lists, everyone wanted to know what Orun looked like when he died. What sort of sounds did he make? Was there any blood? Tobin told them what he could and was glad when Ki finally threatened to knock down the next person who pestered him.
Word traveled quickly around the Palatine. For the next few days courtiers and servants alike stared at Tobin, whispering to each other behind raised hands as he passed. He and Ki kept to their rooms as much as possible or retreated to Tobin’s house.
As with most gossip, however, the story was soon sucked dry and within the week the curious had moved on to other scandals. When Caliel challenged him to a game of bakshi at dinner one night, Tobin left Ki to his duties with the other ushers and went to fetch the gaming stones from his room.
He was almost to his door when Lady Una stepped out from the shadows of an empty room across the corridor. Surprise gave way to outright shock when the normally shy girl took him by the hand and pulled him into his chamber. Molay and Baldus were off having their dinner in the kitchen. Tobin was alone with her.
Pushing the door closed, she gazed at him for a moment in silence, brown eyes shining.
“What is it?” he asked, utterly perplexed.
“Is it true?” she demanded.
“Is—is what true?”
“There’s a rumor going around that before he died, Lord Orun tried to make you choose another squire, and that—well—” She blushed furiously, but looked him squarely in the eye. “People are saying that you named me!”
Tobin blinked. He’d only said it to anger Orun, then forgotten all about it. Bisir must have overheard and carried the tale.
He wanted to sink through the floor as she clasped his hand again, pressing his knuckles to her bodice. “Is it true, Prince Tobin? Did you put me forward for the Companions?”
When he managed a nod she clutched his hand even tighter, looking hard into his face. “Did you mean
it?”
“Well …” Tobin hesitated, not liking to lie to her. “I think you’d make a fine squire,” he managed, settling for a half-truth. He wished she’d let go of his hand. “If girls could be squires, you’d be a good one.”
“It’s so unfair!” she cried, eyes flashing with a passion he’d never seen before. “Women have always been warriors in Skala! Ki told me all about his sister. Ahra really is a proper warrior like he says, isn’t she?”
“Oh yes!” Tobin had only met Ahra once, but she’d shown him a thing or two about grappling in a fight. He’d back her against most men in a duel.
“It’s just so unfair!” Releasing his hand, she folded her arms and frowned. “If I wasn’t a noble, I could join the ranks like she did. My grandmother was a general, you know. She died gallantly in battle, defending the queen. And I’ll tell you a secret,” she confided, leaning alarmingly close again. “She comes to me in my dreams sometimes, on a great white charger. I have her sword, too. Mother gave it to me. Father won’t let me train with a proper arms master, though. Not even at light fencing. But one day, if only I could learn …” She broke off, giving him an embarrassed little smile. “I’m sorry. I’m being silly, aren’t I?”
“No! I’ve seen you shooting in the lists. You’re as good as any of us with the bow. And you ride like a soldier. Even Master Porion said so.”
“He did?” Una positively glowed. “But it’s no good unless you can use a sword. I have to make do with treatises and what I can pick up watching you boys train. I get so jealous sometimes. I should have been born a boy instead!”
The words struck Tobin in a way he didn’t fully understand, and without thinking he blurted out, “I could teach you.”
“Really? You’re not just being charming, or teasing me like the other boys do?”
Tobin wanted to take the words back as soon as he’d said them, but he couldn’t, not with her looking at him like that. “No, I’ll teach you. Ki, too. Just so long as no one finds out.”
Without warning Una leaned forward and kissed him square on the mouth. It was an awkward kiss, bruising Tobin’s lip against his teeth. She fled before he could recover, leaving him agape and blushing beside the open door.