“A fair question. Some runners have been caught”—Laurel’s lips drew back, showing his eyeteeth—”and questioned diligently. They were all from Iversterre.”
“Are there Border folk involved too?”
Laurel shrugged. “It’s possible, but so far we’ve found no evidence.”
“I see,” the chancellor said again. She folded her hands in her lap. “Tell me, how does Lieutenant Rabbit fit into this?” I’d been distracted by a particularly nubile mermaid, but my head snapped up at my name.
Laurel’s whiskers swept back again, this time his smile showing fewer teeth. “Honored Two Trees—Lord Rafe ibn Chause—was instrumental in getting the High Council to try diplomacy. He recommended his son as a go-between, due to both Lord Rabbit’s Border ties and his kin in the human kingdom.” Laurel chuffed. “It was either that or send a retinue of Border folk, and we didn’t think Iversterre was ready for that.”
Chancellor Berle nodded. “And Captain Suiden?”
Laurel’s brows drew together as he stared at the unexpected card he had just been dealt. “Captain Suiden?”
“He is the son of the sister of the Amir of Tural.”
I couldn’t help it. I stared—along with Jeff and Laurel—at my captain. And Prince Suiden smiled faintly as he bowed to the fox.
Chapter Twenty-eight
I made a mental note to never gamble with Laurel Faena. Instead of disclaiming any knowledge of Captain Suiden’s royalness, or denying that he was plotting with the Amir of Tural, the cat shrugged.
“I am sure your army commanders knew who he was when they appointed him head of my escort.” Laurel looked at Chancellor Berle, his face calm. “The good captain’s antecedents do not interest me. The illegal running does. The moon season will begin at the full moon, and the blood of the slaughtered will then sing out for vengeance. A most dangerous time, Chancellor Berle, when all will be reminded of friends and family who have been murdered.”
The chancellor’s face was impassive. Another gambler to avoid. “What is it that you wish us to do, Ambassador Laurel?”
“Stop the smuggling. To this end, I wish to meet with the king and the rest of his advisors.”
Chancellor Berle allowed a judicious frown to come over her face. “I can present you at Court—”
“No, honored chancellor,” Laurel interrupted. “Forgive my rudeness, but there’s no time for courtly airs and graces. It must be addressed immediately.” He waved a paw towards the table behind them. “If this doesn’t stop, war will happen.”
Sometimes, no matter how good a player you are, it’s wise to fold your hand and quit the game. The chancellor rang a bell for tea and refreshments, and settled down to an even politer version of Captain Javes’ genteel haggling with the shop owners. Finally, they agreed on Laurel meeting with King Jusson in two days.
“I will send a servant tomorrow with the time, Ambassador Laurel,” Chancellor Berle said, finishing her tea. She smiled. “I will try to have it as early in the day as possible, to avoid any competition from the heat.”
“I am very appreciative, honored chancellor,” Laurel said.
Because I was there as the Faena’s liaison, protocol allowed me to share in the food. But I wasn’t about to eat while my captain and mate had to stand and watch, no matter that I last ate the previous day while they had a full breakfast that morning. However, I was hungry, and I stared at Laurel, willing him to get a move on. And got not only his return stare but one from Suiden too.
“Have patience, Lord Rabbit,” Laurel said, setting his cup down and rising. “As soon as I prepare the staff and dragon skin, we will leave.”
“Uh—”
Laurel smiled. “I’d forgotten that you hadn’t eaten today.” He turned to Chancellor Berle. “Lord Rabbit has been a little under the weather.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, my lord,” the chancellor said, frowning as she realized she’d missed something. “Is it the heat?”
“Yes, Chancellor,” I said. I rubbed my palm against my leg as it started to burn.
After Laurel redrew the wards, I picked up the death staff and dragon skin and joined the rest of the group and waited while Chancellor Berle, who had walked with Laurel Faena to the door, finished the ceremonial small talk. The chancellor then looked at the captain. “It was nice to see you again, Your Highness. Do you have a message for the Turalian ambassador?”
Suiden shook his head. “No, thank you, Chancellor. I am sure I will see my cousin shortly.”
It was still morning when we left the palace wing, the sun having yet to reach its zenith. The servant awaited us with our horses.
“That’s all right,” Suiden said. “We won’t need your escort.”
The servant looked at the captain.
“We’re going to stop by the garrison and I’ll have one of the soldiers take us back.”
There’s nothing to do when a prince tells you—however politely—to bugger off, except to bugger off, and the servant bowed, handing his reins back to a groomer. As we rounded the trees back to the broadway, though, I looked back and saw him talking with someone on the steps. Startled, I first thought it was Slevoic. Then the man turned to go back in the palace, revealing a thicker frame, and the sun glinted on the silver in his light brown hair. Not the Vicious.
Laurel waited until we were hidden by the trees before stopping. “Honored captain—or should I say Your Highness?”
“Captain will do.”
“I do not think it would be wise to take me to the royal barracks.” Suiden’s emerald green eyes glowed down at the Faena and in the bright sun I could once more see the clan markings on his face.
“We aren’t going to the barracks, Sro Laurel.” Suiden urged his horse forward. “Lieutenant Rabbit is going to the mess to eat, I am going to the garrison commander’s office to see if there are any dispatches or instructions, and Trooper Jeffen will attend you while you meditate by one of the many ornamental lakes on the royal grounds.” He looked back down at Laurel. “It should only take a short while.”
Laurel rumbled with annoyance, but my stomach growled even louder and he gave in with a short laugh. “All right. But as soon as Lord Rabbit is finished eating, we return to the embassy.”
The captain nodded. “As you wish, Ambassador.”
Laurel laughed again. “Right.”
We followed the broadway back down towards the gate, until we came to an avenue that branched off. Suiden turned onto it and I could see the purple tiles of the garrison. As we approached, the sound of the breakers grew louder and I wondered what it would be like to always have it in one’s ears.
“I grew up in a city on the sea’s edge,” Captain Suiden said. “My family’s wealth and power comes from it.”
“The trade routes, sir?”
Suiden actually laughed. “Not so naive, Rabbit.” We could see the blue water beyond the promontory edge. The captain looked out over it, his eyes unfocused. “There’s nothing like being at sea. The tide race and that first shuddering jolt as the sails fill and the ship lets you know she’s glad to be back where she’s queen. As she dances before the wind, singing and laughing under your bare feet, riding the waves with the dolphins leaping before her prow. Even the mighty storms where you and she together wrest fate from the ocean’s grip, and then fling it back, defiant and alive.”
“Fiat,” I said, my voice soft.
“Fiat,” Suiden repeated, tasting the word. “Oh, yes. Fiat.”
Laurel had cocked his ears back to listen, while Jeff had pressed forward. Pulling even with me, Jeff took a breath, then asked, “Do you miss it, sir?” I shut my eyes, thinking that Ryson’s stupidity had spread through the entire troop.