Tinderbox, page 21
Chapter Twenty-Three
“How dare you!” Serval called out. “I am a prince of the under-realm and am no man’s hostage! I came here to warn you—”
“Did I not tell you to be silent?” The Dhar waved a hand and their escort turned and drew their curved swords and advanced.
“Your Majesty, this is not right,” Bram said. “What type of man do you call yourself—”
At the same moment, Captain Maive and her guards positioned themselves facing each direction and drew their own weapons.
“Stay your ground!” Captain Maive said. “You will not hurt His Highness.”
This was moving too fast for Bram. Didn’t the Dhar realize what he would bring upon his people? “Please do not do this.”
Seth wriggled from Bram’s hand and pushed past Isbet and the circle of protection. “You leave Bram alone, you big bully!”
The guard nearest to him stepped up to the child and raised his hand as though to strike him.
“Don’t!” Bram lunged forward.
Isbet got there first.
She swung Gaemyr upward in a violent motion, catching the guard under the chin with such force Bram heard the crack of bone. Never had he seen such a thing. Isbet was a fit and an able fighter but this seemed almost too incredible to believe. Yet there was the guard, on the floor and in obvious pain.
“How dare you attempt to injure my charge?” Isbet stood over Seth, Gaemyr lowered. She seemed intent on spearing the guard with it. “Is this how a man of honor behaves?”
It was the angriest he’d ever seen Isbet. Bram realized she cared for Seth and that only increased his admiration of her.
The other guards, first stunned into immobility by the scene, came back to themselves. Bram tried once more to keep the peace. “Majesty, you claimed an awareness of what Wilhelm is capable of. What will happen if you harm us?”
Isbet now stepped forward, facing the guards. Although nothing had changed about her, he could sense her gathering her Gift. Bram didn’t expect Serval to fight and Serval didn’t disappoint. He moved behind one of their guards.
One of the House guards attacked their right flank, spurring his companions on. Their mistake was ignoring Isbet. The captain moved back to Bram. “Stay behind me, Highness.” They both realized it would do no good. As the guard lunged to attack, Isbet cracked Gaemyr across his skull and he fell flat. Isbet then brought Gaemyr down in one sharp motion, striking the tip on the marble floor. There was stark silence for a moment; even the clang of steel faded.
The floor beneath them trembled. Something hit against what should have been unyielding marble and a crack formed. Bram feared what it was.
“Cease this!” The sorceress stepped down from the dais. Whether she had broken Isbet’s concentration, or she was agreeing, Bram couldn’t tell. Although the trembling had ceased, Isbet kept her stance and her gaze stayed pinned on the sorceress.
“Marjani—” the Dhar began.
Marjani raised one hand and after an annoyed murmur, the Dhar went silent. Bram had to admit the sorceress was beautiful, her skin a warm sugar brown, her eyes deep set and as black as the long braid she wore down her back. She dressed in a halter top and loose-fitting trousers. He realized from her mannerisms that she reminded him of Isbet. “What is your name, Lady Witch?”
Isbet remained on her guard. “Isbet, milady.”
Marjani smiled at that. “May I see your hand, please?”
Isbet extended her right hand, while keeping a tight hold of Gaemyr in her left. Marjani examined the tattoo on Isbet’s wrist for a few moments. Then she turned to the Dhar and spoke in their native tongue.
The Dhar responded, in obvious shock during the exchange, which went on for several minutes. The Dharina, who had been silent to this point, said in land-speak, “Please let them try, my husband.”
The Dhar released a breath. “Very well.” He nodded to Marjani. “My second has informed me that the Vine chose you as its speaker.”
“It did,” Isbet said.
“Then you are a Child of the Vine and to injure you would be sacrilege.”
“And what of my companions?” Isbet said.
“I do not trust them,” the Dhar said, “but because of you I will not injure them. However, while I will treat you with the respect afforded your rank, you are still my prisoners. Your release will depend on whether or not you can help us.”
“What would you have us do?”
“You will know in time.”
Isbet seemed ready to speak further but relaxed her stance and looked to Bram, who said, “Captain, stand down.”
Marjani said, “Set aside your arms. You—” she pointed at one guard, “—take him to the healer.” The second guard helped the injured man to his feet. “I am reducing your rank to Able Guardsman. Lady Isbet is correct. A man of true honor would not attack a defenseless child.” Marjani turned to Seth and smiled. “Although one with the Gift, no matter how small, is not defenseless.”
Seth flushed scarlet at her words and ducked behind Bram’s knee. Bram thought that woman commanded a great deal of power.
“Have rooms prepared for our guests,” the Dhar said, “and food and drink.”
“Sire,” Serval stepped forward, “it is imperative that I speak with you in private.”
Dhar Aman gazed at Serval for a moment. “Yes, we will speak in private. My Dharina and I will join you when it’s convenient.”
Bram had seen the look of desperation on the Dharina’s face before. Now there was some relief. What did they have to do with that?
* * *
A suite of adjoining rooms separated by filmy curtains made their temporary accommodations. Bram was thankful for the curtains as they kept insects out. He wondered how these people bathed without worrying about prying eyes, but he soon found out certain parts of the room had folding screens that opened in a semi-circle. Still, the possibility of becoming an unwilling exhibitionist embarrassed Bram since Seth would share his space.
They had set food out, an assortment of grilled fish and vegetables, and Bram asked that Isbet and the captain join him in his room. The three made themselves comfortable and Seth sat on the floor next to Bram. He’d found a game, or what he’d assumed was one, but the instructions were in the native language, so Seth amused himself with stacking the smooth wood blocks on a marked board.
“So, I am open to opinions or suggestions,” Bram said. “Any thought on what they have in store for us?”
The captain glanced at Isbet before saying, “Only that they wish for us to perform a task. Did you both notice the Dharina’s distress?”
“Yes.” Bram nodded to Isbet, who returned the action. “And how she asked the Dhar to let us try. I can only assume there is something amiss here in the palace.”
“But,” the captain asked, “does it need the force of arms or magic to resolve?”
* * *
They found out soon after. They were summoned to the royal quarters, where they found the Dhar and Marjani sitting on opposite ends of a long couch. The Dharina was absent.
“Please sit,” Marjani said.
Bram allowed Isbet and Captain Maive to sit first, then he and Seth bowed, the boy doing so at Bram’s instruction before they sat.
“I have spoken with Prince Serval,” the Dhar began without preamble. “He has quite a story to tell, which, I am to understand, you refute?”
“It depends on what he said.” Bram knew not to agree to something without all the facts.
The Dhar smiled. “A very sound response. What he said is that you were my enemy. That you instigated a battle to seize control of his sister’s kingdom and that you escaped prosecution in Underneath. He said you also planned to trick me into letting my guard down so that Wilhelm will take my land. He also said Lady Isbet attacked him because she grew jealous that you were – amid coupling.”
Heat rushed to Bram’s face. “That’s. A. Lie.”
“All of it?”
“Yes, gods damn that bastard. It’s all a lie.”
“Then tell me what the truth is.”
Bram did. He told the Dhar all – including Serval’s trying to force him, as embarrassing as it was. He expected the Dhar to laugh, but he did no such thing. In fact, he nodded, keeping his gaze on Bram. And knowing he was risking all, Bram confirmed Wilhelm’s plan and the consequences if the Dhar refused his initial request. A look of anger crossed the Dhar’s features for a moment, but he didn’t respond.
Finally, Bram said, “I leave this to you, Great Dhar of Morwynne, to choose who speaks the truth, but I ask you one favor. Allow the women and young Seth to leave and I will stay.”
The Dhar exchanged a look with Marjani. “You have my faith, Prince Bram Greyward. I believe you.”
Bram released a sigh and let his shoulders drop. “Thank you.” He should have let things be, but curiosity getting the better of him, Bram said, “What made you decide in our favor?”
Both the Dhar and the sorceress grinned. “I am a good judge of character.”
“Stop being immodest.” Marjani shook her head. “I could see the treachery on Serval, eating away at his soul. I saw him to be a deceiver.”
“You’re a diviner,” Bram said.
“I’m not being immodest, wife,” the Dhar grumbled. “Any fool could see he was a liar. A mewling child who thinks the realm owes him some due.”
It didn’t surprise Bram that Marjani was also his wife. What little information they had of Morwynne had told them that they allowed the Dhar three wives and no more.
“So now this situation begs the question, what should we do with Serval?”
Lock him up, was Bram’s first thought, but he knew it wasn’t up to him.
“We should confine him to his rooms for now,” Marjani said. “Although he no longer has his power, he could still cause trouble.”
“He doesn’t?” Bram said.
“Yes,” Marjani said. “Lady Isbet, you will see when you next lay eyes on Serval.”
Isbet nodded.
“And now, we shall ask the favor of you.” The Dhar stood and extended a hand to Marjani. She took it in hers as he helped her to stand. “Please follow us.”
The two led them through an entryway, through additional rooms until they came to a closed door where a single female guard stood. She saluted the Dhar then knocked, stepped aside, and opened the door. It was a bedroom. The Dharina was there, sitting at the bedside of a little girl about Seth’s age. The Dharina went to rise, but the Dhar moved across the room. “No, my dear, you need not get up.”
There was the smell of illness there. Of sweat-soaked covers and bitter medicine. Bram could only watch as the Dhar stood at his wife’s side and rested his hand on her shoulder. “May I present my daughter, the Princess Tiyah.”
It surprised Bram when the child opened her eyes and gave them a hesitant smile. “Greetings.”
Observing that poor child in such a condition made his throat close, but Bram found he didn’t have to say anything. Seth crossed the room and approached the bed. “My lady, I am Prince Seth, once of Avynne.”
She drew an emaciated hand from beneath the covers and Seth took it, kissing it. “You have a fever. Would you like some water?”
“Yes, I would, thank you.”
Bram watched with pride bursting through his chest as Seth crossed the room to a dresser, where there was a cask of water and some tiny crystal cups. He filled one and carried it back to the princess. “Here.” He held the cup as she drank. “Better?”
“Yes, thank you.”
As the scene unfolded, not one adult in the room had moved or spoken. The only signs of the Dhar and Dharina’s devastation were the tears making silent tracks down their faces. She looked up at her husband and nodded. The Dhar left her side and went to Bram. “The princess is ill. I asked Serval this and he refused, but I know you will help.”
“What is it?” Bram said.
“She is a witch,” Isbet replied, not looking at them, fixated on the princess. “It is not an illness. It is poison.”
“It is a taint, a bitter Rot that infected the Vine and cursed her. It is spreading beneath us,” the Dhar said. “All my people are at risk, however—” The Dhar lowered his head for a moment and when he raised it again, his expression was hard but his words desperate, “Please, I beg of you. Please save my daughter.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Majesty, I am uncertain how—?”
“How did this come about?” Isbet stepped forward and grasped the Dhar’s forearm, an action that would have received severe punishment under normal circumstances, but that was the least of the Dhar’s concerns.
“There are many caves on this island where the children play,” he said. “The Vine lives in all of them and protects them, or at least—” The Dhar drew in a ragged breath. “It did. My daughter and some House children were playing in a cave and when they went deeper inside, my daughter sensed the wrongness there. There was darkness where there was light, and out of this came a tendril of the Vine, but it was black with the disease. My daughter warned the others not to come near, but they did and when she called upon her Gift to protect them, the Vine reacted. It took hold—”
“It will be fine, I give you my word.” Bram laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Please continue.”
“It took hold of her with thorns that tore at her flesh. It forced her to use her Gift to sever the hold, but it took so much of her that—”
“How did she escape?”
“The children ran off to get help. They just left her there.” There was a bitterness in the Dhar’s voice. “As fortune would have it, Marjani was nearby and could keep the horrors at bay while other elders carried her out.”
He turned and looked back to the bed where Seth now sat on a little stool and was whispering to the princess. “When I received Queen Aimeli’s message, I wasn’t aware of how far the taint had spread and why.” He turned back to Bram. “My sincere apologies for suspecting you.”
“No apologies are necessary. You spoke true. I will give you the same vow I gave to Chira – I will try to convince Wilhelm that this is more important than his plans for conquest.”
“You are an honorable man, Your Highness.” Now the Dhar turned to Marjani. “Take them to the caves.”
* * *
“We were fortunate,” Marjani said as they walked the path through the palace gardens. “These caves adjoin the royal grounds so no one else may enter. The people are not aware of how ill the princess is.”
“You have sworn the servants to secrecy?” Isbet adjusted her backpack on her shoulders.
“No. We depend on their loyalty. Besides, only those most trusted with the princess know the truth and they will not break a confidence.”
Bram supposed the closeness of this secular people was the reason such loyalty developed. Had they been in Rhyvirand or even his beloved Tamrath, there would not only have been gossip but intrigue upon intrigue, and everyone from close relatives to the lowest servant would have been scheming to take advantage.
There was a short stone staircase descending onto a secluded beach. A group of the guards was there. Two were in a small fishing boat, while one tended a fire. A fourth was chopping at one of the many palm trees that dotted the island, and the two remaining stood at either side of the entrance to the cave.
They acknowledged the group but didn’t leave their tasks. Beside him, Isbet muttered an oath. Marjani stopped, turned to look, and continued.
“What is it, Isbet?”
“You’ll know soon enough,” Isbet said.
It wasn’t, however, until they reached the entrance of the cave that what Isbet had sensed caught him as well and he realized it was the same. Bram would never forget that cold chill and the smell of decayed things.
“Dear Triune,” Bram said. “This is much worse than the Vine growing.”
“The growth only gives this Rot greater power,” Isbet said. “But you are correct, this must take precedence. If this thing infects the Vine to the root….”
“Now you both see,” Marjani said. “Witch or Light-bearer, only you can help us. This thing is immune to sorcery. A Child of the Vine or a Vessel of Gods can stop this.”
“We will do what we can.” Bram couldn’t help but wish he had his sword and vestments.
“Perhaps I should enter alone.”
His gaze went to Isbet. “You’ll do no such damn thing.”
“One moment.” Marjani signaled to the guard tending the fire. He approached and she spoke to him in their native tongue. The guard undid his sword belt and handed it to Bram.
“Take it,” Marjani said. “It is not your Holy Sword, but it should suffice.”
Bram looked up at her while buckling the belt. I keep forgetting, she is a diviner.
“And now this.” Marjani raised her hand as though to reach for something above her and when she lowered it, a light rested in her palm. It coalesced into a shining ball. Marjani repeated the action three times. “These will guide your way.”
They were like the wil-o-wisp in Underneath. Bram went to reach for one but Isbet grasped his hand. “Ball lightning.”
He’d heard of the phenomenon but had never seen it. Bram didn’t fear, for Marjani seemed to have complete control over it.
“Thank you,” Bram told the sorceress.
“Wait!”
All eyes turned to Serval, who was making his way down the path. Bram saw the look on Marjani’s face, part annoyance, and part anger. So much for him remaining in his rooms, Bram thought.
“I’ve decided to assist,” Serval said as he ran up.
“Why?” Marjani didn’t hide the suspicion in her voice.
“Is this not the honorable thing to do?” Serval said. “I realized that I was mistaken before, besides—” he raised his hand and pointed a finger at Bram, “—I’ve warned you about their treachery!”
