“Yes, Amalie,” Valri said, straightening up and pulling free of Cammon. “I think we should head back. And you and I shall walk in front of the others so I can tell you exactly what I think of this little escapade.”
The queen pulled the princess ahead of her and began a low diatribe in a dark voice. The other three followed more slowly, but it was impossible not to realize that Amalie was receiving the tongue-lashing of her life.
“I’ll be off to the barracks,” Coeval said, and parted from them at the first branching of the pathways.
Justin continued alongside Cammon, his grin growing wider. “Damn,” he said a few times. “That took cool nerve, didn’t it? Damn! Senneth will fall down in a faint when she hears the story.”
“Guess we don’t have to worry any more about Toland Storian wanting to marry the princess,” Cammon said. That thought was cheering him up so much that he was quickly overcoming his shock.
“It would tend to dampen your ardor if you thought your wife could loose a wild animal on you,” Justin agreed.
“Ellynor could probably call up a raelynx to maul you,” Cammon scoffed.
Justin nodded. “She probably could. But she hasn’t produced one lately, so I’m just not that worried about it. But damn. I can’t believe she did that.” He cut his eyes over at Cammon. “Makes me wonder what she might try next. I’m thinking the princess might keep surprising all of us.”
Cammon nodded. “She keeps surprising me.”
It was exhilarating and spectacular, but unnerving and terrifying at the same time. Cammon was out of his depth, and he was fairly certain Valri was fast coming to the same conclusion.
Senneth, he thought, sending the message halfway across Gillengaria. I wish you were here now.
CHAPTER 19
THE trip to Carrebos had been quick and free of trouble. Tayse was a most efficient traveler, and Senneth never required any particular amenities on the road. Kirra and Donnal had elected to make the journey in animal shape, although Kirra, at least, always took human form when they stopped for the night. Donnal sometimes joined them as a black dog, sometimes as a white-faced wolf, but never as a man. Senneth wondered if that was because Darryn Rappengrass was present, and Donnal was rarely at ease around any nobility except Kirra and Senneth.
Darryn, as always, was delightful company, humorous and charming. He only turned serious when talk turned to war, and they spent part of every evening running over the same fears and possibilities. Was Halchon Gisseltess still a prisoner on his own lands at Gissel Plain, or had he escaped the king’s men who were guarding him-as he had managed to do more than once in the past? Was Rayson Fortunalt helping him raise an army? Which other marlords had he recruited? If they planned to attack, what signal were they waiting for? Would they send another assassin to Ghosenhall to try to murder the king?
“And what of Coralinda Gisseltess?” Senneth demanded the night before they arrived in Carrebos. “She has been so quiet lately! Surely she is plotting something as well?”
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Darryn agreed. He ran a hand through his chestnut hair and allowed a frown to settle across his pleasant features. “My mother is convinced that Halchon and Rayson are only awaiting the coming of good weather before they launch an assault. Her spies tell her there has been increased activity at all the southern ports as Gisseltess and Fortunalt import supplies to support an army.”
“Makes sense,” Senneth said gloomily. “Does your mother feel prepared to defend her own borders?”
“As prepared as she can be. But I think she lives in constant worry.”
“As do we all.”
Kirra was tired of war talk. “So, Darryn! Why haven’t you abandoned us yet?” she asked. “I thought you would turn toward Rappen Manor at least a day ago.”
He gave her a casual smile. “I thought I would accompany you to Carrebos instead. I find it a most intriguing city.”
“You’ve been there?” Senneth asked.
“Many times.” He dropped his gaze. “She lives there. Sosinetta. The woman you have heard me speak of.”
“Your ladylove!” Kirra crooned. “Oh, Darryn, will you introduce us?”
“I’m afraid she might be overwhelmed. You’re very grand.”
Senneth glanced down at her travel-stained trousers and her long-sleeved shirt, rather the worse for wear. “I don’t think that’s an adjective that applies to me. And Kirra can look like an urchin, you know.”
“Even better. I’ll shift into a friendly little dog,” Kirra offered. “I’ll just frisk around and lick her hand and she won’t be at all intimidated.”
Darryn laughed. “I’ll think about it.”
“There’s no thinking about it,” Kirra said. “Now that we know she lives in Carrebos, we won’t rest until we’ve seen her! Why didn’t you tell us before?”
He groaned and dropped his head in his hands. “For precisely that reason. I’m a fool.”
Senneth grinned at Kirra. “Now I’m even more excited about arriving tomorrow.”
THE weather was nasty as they pulled into the city around noon. Icy droplets were pelting in straight from the roiling sea, so they were not particularly focused on watching for young ladies who might run up to offer Darryn ecstatic greetings. They headed for the nearest inn, gratefully turned over their horses, and gathered in the taproom once they had changed to dry clothes. Kirra, Senneth, and Tayse slid into a booth; Donnal settled under the table at Kirra’s feet.
“Ser Darryn has disappeared,” Tayse observed.
“We’ll find him,” Kirra said. “Don’t worry about that.”
“What we need to find now is a mystic,” Senneth said.
In a town like Carrebos, that task proved simple to accomplish. Their server was a boy of about sixteen, gangly and thin, with unkempt black hair falling into his eyes. He had taken their orders so negligently that Senneth did not repose much faith in receiving the meal she’d requested, but when he returned she saw he had found a novel way of carrying several dinner platters at once. They were levitated in front of him, one stacked above the other, supported by nothing but air and willpower. Three glasses of beer hovered near his shoulder.
Senneth couldn’t look at Kirra, who was clearly on the verge of erupting into laughter. “Thank you,” she said gravely as the boy settled everything on the table without a single spill. “I have to suppose you possess a little magical skill.”
He nodded carelessly. “Makes the job easier, that’s for certain.”
“I know this is a city where many mystics live,” Senneth said. “How do I go about meeting all of them?”
Now his face turned closed and suspicious. So he’d been scarred by fear or malice a time or two, Senneth guessed. “Why would you want to do that?”
She held her hand out, palm up, and allowed fire to dance between her fingers, all the while keeping her eyes on his face. “No need to fear me,” she said quietly. “I am a mystic myself. I am on a mission for the king.”
The boy’s eyes darted from Senneth’s burning hand to the faces of her companions. “You’re all mystics?” he said.
“Not him. He’s a soldier,” Senneth said, because naming Tayse a Rider might create more distrust in this particular community. “The rest of us.” Donnal poked his black nose out from under the table and offered a short bark.
The serving boy seemed reassured. “I’ll ask Ward. He owns the place.” He gave her a quick grin. “He’s a reader, so if you’re lying, he’ll throw you out.”
The boy departed and Kirra said, “He’ll try to throw us out. No one’s ever managed that yet.”