Sir James dead? Hannah stood still, as stunned as William.
William snapped at the guard, “Explain yourself.”
“They said he fell ill while on the stairs. He never made it to the dungeon. He was dead when they discovered him, just a short while ago.” The guard spoke so fast his words nearly ran together.
Hannah slumped into a chair. Her new ‘uncle’ and protector dead? As was her father? Who were these people that held power so highly that they would kill any who stood in their way? She wept for Sir James, and her father, as well as the situation she found herself in. I was better off lighting the morning fires.
Then a coldness settled over her, a curtain as solid as iron. They died because someone wished her dead. She glanced at the bowl containing the grapes, and her head snapped up. They had been placed there for her to eat, but anyone could enter and take a handful, and that showed how callous the murderers were. If the grapes were poisoned others were in danger.
She turned to the guard, who still looked stunned and unable to protect himself, let alone others. “He died from eating grapes from that bowl. Poisoned grapes. You need to take them somewhere and dispose of them where nobody and no animals can eat them. Do not touch the grapes with your bare fingers. Do it now.”
The guard reluctantly took the bowl into his shaking hands and carried it away from his body as if what was inside might suddenly spring free and attack him, which it might. Hannah watched him order another guard positioned in the hallway to lead him and open all doors while he kept both hands on the bowl.
William wrung his hands and closed the door to the hallway. He drew in a deep breath and said to her, “I’ve been with Sir James my whole life and his death has not yet hit me. But I know him, and I also recognize the power in a person. You needed the fruit disposed of, but it did not have to be done this instant. It was a means to clear the room, so just you and I remain.”
“I trust you.”
“We are almost related, being an uncle to the King’s Knight.”
“He died because of me.”
“Do not twist things to make yourself feel better. He died because someone murdered him. You are in no way responsible.”
“What will you do now?” Hannah asked.
“I will retire to a small farm I own in the uplands. It is my family home, the place where I was born.”
“You worked for Sir James all these years. How did that happen?”
“He requested my services from the King.”
She considered crying for a time and instead resolved to stand firm. Crying could come later. “The King told me to let him know if there is anything I need. I need you. Will you allow me to make that request of him?”
“To work for you?”
“Yes. It may be dangerous, and has cost the lives of two, already. I’ll understand if you refuse.”
William stood taller and straightened his shirt. He said, “Sir James has taught me to live bravely and with honor. I appreciate your offer and accept it as I know he would expect.”
She shook her head. “No, you don’t do this for him. Or me. You do it for yourself and if you fail you have only yourself to blame.”
William said, “He did mention that you may be thirty-five-years-old instead of twelve.”
“Eleven.”
“In that case, I accept. Do you have a plan?”
“I do. At least I think I do. Sir James told me to run instead of fight until I have the advantage. He said never fight an even battle or where the other has the advantage.”
William nodded. “I’ve heard him say much the same thing.”
“Good. My biggest problems are that I don’t know the rules of the fight we are in, and I don’t know the players. Do you agree with those?”
William nodded again.
He seemed to be reconsidering his agreement to help her, and she talked faster so he would understand. As the only person, she trusted, she needed him. He did not need her, nor the job she offered. “I’m going to hide. I think I know the perfect place and with your help, it will work. Then you can go to your farm until I send for you if I do.”
William rose and placed the bar across the door. He went to the terrace door and made sure there were no ears out there listening. “Speak softer. Tell me your ideas.”
“My father, the Mage, lived here in the palace. He still has his apartment, I heard.”
“He has. . . had, a large suite, mostly filled with his library and work spaces.”
“It is locked; I assume?”
“Most certainly. He has many valuables in there.”
“Is it possible for me to sneak in there and you bring me food in secret? Nobody will know where I am?”
William paced the room, almost talking out loud as he considered the idea, found problems with it and solved them. He said, “People will know someone is living there because of the deliveries and the lights in the windows, but a little misdirection may handle that. What if I sneak you into those rooms and deliver enough food for several days? You can keep from burning candles while dark; the nights are warm, so no fires are needed. We can hide you for many days.”
“I’m talking about longer than that,” Hannah said.
“So am I. That is where our misdirection will come in, and the help of the King.”
“King?”
“This is what we will do. After I take you to his apartment, I’ll send guards searching for you, telling them you ran away. I will also speak to the King and ask him to request another mage to replace your father. He will wish to interview them, and he may ask them to work in your father’s apartment on projects until he decides which of them to appoint as a replacement.”
Hannah placed her hands on her hips and curled her lip. “That will help me, how?”
“There will be no apprentices interviewed for the position of Royal Mage. There will be you, but it gives a story of why there will be food and water delivered, as well as why there is light in the windows.”
“And since everyone will be searching for me they will not think it might be me instead of mages in his rooms?”
William wrung his hands again. “I hate to sound so deceptive, but after you have run off, I intend to have sightings, all in the same direction of the countryside, one or two a day. I’ll offer a reward to be paid by the King. And I will ask the King to bring in several apprentice mages for interviews and tests.”
“The King will agree to all this?”
“Not The King. Your King will. After all, you are nearly sitting on his throne as we speak. However, as a backup plan, if he does not agree with all I’ve said, I suggest we still do as Sir James suggested. I think you should run. And I know the perfect place.”
“Where is that?” Hannah demanded, expecting him to suggest his small farm or some other isolated location.
William lowered his voice. “The sorceress who helped you. I think we should have you pay her a long-term visit at the first opportunity. It would be too dangerous to travel to her now, but soon.”
Hannah found she liked the idea. She liked all of them. First, she would hide in her father’s apartments while everyone searched elsewhere. Then she would make her way back to the tall trees and ask for help. While there she would be safe and learn how to become a sorceress if the woman would have her. She said, “You have the ear of the King.”
William said, “I often speak with the King in private. It has become part of my duties over the last ten or twenty years, and it is expected of me.”
“Have you an idea of how to get me to his apartment?” Hannah wished she had more of the no-see-me spell, but wouldn’t dare ask another sorceress to make one.