“I don’t see why we had to leave the guards, Arista. We don’t know we—there might be other assassins.”
“That’s why you need to talk to him. He says he knows who hired the killers, but he refuses to talk to a woman. He said he will only deal with you, and only if you are alone. Listen, I’m not sure who to trust at this point, and you don’t know either. We can’t be sure who’s responsible and some of the guards could be involved. Don’t worry, he’s an old man and you’re a skilled swordsman. We have to find out what he has to say. Don’t you want to know?”
“Of course, but what makes you think he has any clue?”
“I don’t know anything for certain. But he’s not asking for money, just a fresh start. That reminds me, here are some clothes to give him.” There was a brief pause. “Look, he seems trustworthy to me. I think if he was lying, he would request gold or land.”
“It’s just so … strange. Hilfred’s not even with you. It’s as if you’re walking around without a shadow. It’s unnerving is what it is. Just coming down here with you, it’s—well, you and I, we—you know. We’re brother and sister, yet we hardly see each other. In the last few years, I think I’ve only spoken to you a dozen times, and then only when we visit Drondil Fields on holiday. You always lock yourself up in that tower, doing who knows what, but now—”
“I know, it’s strange,” Arista replied. “I agree. It’s like the night of the fire all over again. I still have nightmares about that evening. I wonder if I’ll have nightmares about tonight.”
Alric’s voice softened. “That’s not really my point. It’s just that we’ve never gotten along, not really. But now, well, you’re the only family I have left. It seems strange to be saying it, but I suddenly find that matters to me.”
“Are you saying you want to be friends?”
“Let’s just say I want to stop being enemies.”
“I didn’t know we were.”
“You’ve been jealous of me ever since Mother told you elder daughters don’t get to be queen as long as little brothers are around to be king.”
“I have not!”
“I don’t want to fight. Maybe I do want to be friends. I’m the king now, and I’ll need your help. You’re smarter than most of the ministers, anyway. Father always said so. And you’ve had university training; that’s more than I’ve had.”
“Trust me, Alric, I’m more than your friend. I’m your big sister, and I’ll look out for you. Now go in there and see what this man has to say.”
As Alric entered the kitchen, Hadrian brought the hilt of his sword down on the back of his head. The prince collapsed to the floor with a dull thud. Arista rushed in.
“I said not to hurt him!” she scolded.
“He would be screaming for the guard right now otherwise,” Hadrian explained. He tied a gag around the prince’s mouth and placed the sack over his head. Royce was already up from his seat and securing Alric’s ankles with twine.
“He’s all right, though?”
“He’ll live,” Hadrian told her as he secured the hands and arms of the unconscious prince.
“Which is a whole lot more than he had in store for us,” Royce added, pulling tight the noose around the prince’s ankles.
“Keep in mind he was certain you killed his father,” the princess said. “How would you react?”
“I never knew my father,” Royce replied indifferently.
“Your mother, then.”
“Royce is an orphan,” Hadrian explained as they continued to wrap the prince in twine. “He never knew either of his parents.”
“I suppose that explains a lot. Well then, imagine how you’ll treat the person who sent you to the chapel tonight, once you find him. I doubt you’ll be very charitable when coming face to face with him. In any case, you gave your word. Please do as I ask, and take good care of my brother. Don’t forget I spared your lives tonight. I’m hoping that fact will keep you to your word.”
She held out the bundle dropped by her brother. “Here is a set of clothes that should fit him. They used to belong to the steward’s son, and I always thought he looked about the same size as Alric. Oh, and remove his ring but keep it safe. It bears the royal seal of Melengar and is proof of his identity. Without it, unless you encounter someone who knows his face, Alric is just another peasant. Return it to him when you reach the prison. He’ll need it to get in.”