The Thief's Daughter (Kingfountain #2)

“Have you met Lady Mortimer before?” Iago asked. “Shall I introduce you?”

“I have not had the pleasure of meeting Lady Mortimer’s daughter until now,” Roux replied with a subtle acknowledgment. “My lady, I bid you greetings from Lady Sinia, Duchess of Brythonica. I noticed, by your lack of a headdress, that you were not from Atabyrion.”

“Indeed no, sir,” Evie replied warily. “I have heard much about you.”

“No doubt from Lord Kiskaddon,” Roux replied with a shrewd look at her. “My compliments to the duke. I came this way, on my lady’s orders, to speak to King Iago.”

“Speak then, man,” Iago said, frowning. “I mean to convince Lady Elysabeth to go hawking with me later. Would you care to join us?”

“I will be returning promptly to Brythonica,” Roux said. “I’ve no time for such frivolity. We’re on the brink of war, my lord. I have come to bid you to reconsider your allegiances.”

Iago’s frown deepened. “As did Lady Mortimer before you,” he said with concern. “I believe I’ve been sufficiently cautioned, my lord. I’m surprised you took the trouble to come so far.”

Roux stepped forward, his voice earnest. “You awaken a sleeping wolf,” he insisted. “And a winter one at that. You know about the wolf in winter, my lord. It’s easy to be brave when it is afar. But when you see its ears and hear its growling, you may feel differently.”

Iago waved in annoyance. “I thought Severn’s badge was a boar, not a wolf. A boar is the prey that fears the hunting dogs. Besides, a beast may howl, snort, or moan, but that does not mean I should fear it.”

Evie’s eyes burned green. “The King of Ceredigion is not a beast. I object to such talk.”

“It’s only a saying,” Iago said calmly.

Owen stared at Lord Roux, his senses heightened to detect any glimmer of the Fountain’s magic. He sensed nothing but the growing tension in the hall.

“I beg your pardon, my lady,” Lord Roux said formally. “A poor choice of words on my part.” He returned his focus to Iago. “If you invade Ceredigion, then you will be facing Brythonica as well. My lady’s recent escape from Chatriyon’s ambitions will not be forgotten so quickly. We stand ready to support King Severn.”

Owen felt a surge of gratitude and respect for the marshal, but it was tempered by lingering wariness.

Iago scowled, his face flushing with anger. “Have a care, sir, about making more enemies. We both know that you won’t leave Brythonica defenseless, not while Chatriyon is still licking his wounds. Kiskaddon may have outmaneuvered the Occitanians once, but when Chatriyon brings the full might of his kingdom to bear, the Duke of Westmarch will find his little tricks to no avail.”

Lord Roux actually smiled. And it was a smile like a wolf’s. “I think you and Chatriyon underestimate the duke’s cunning,” he said. “And his abilities.”

“I know how to kill a Fountain-blessed,” Iago said threateningly. When he heard Evie gasp, he looked at her with mortification. “My lady, that was spoken rashly.”

“Indeed, sir,” Evie said, her voice trembling with anger. She had color in her cheeks. “What is it about men? Cease all this blustering,” she said, shaking her head. “Let me speak the truth here, for none of you will. My lord of Atabyrion. I can see why Lady Sinia sent Lord Roux to speak to you. He is a seasoned battle commander who has experienced the world and has successfully defended Brythonica despite substantial odds against him. You should hearken to his counsel. You are young and you are impetuous. I do not mean to offend you, my lord. You long to prove yourself in battle. The King of Occitania holds that same desire. You seek the glory and honor of the kings of the past, who won great renown on the battlefield. But think of the lives lost. Think of the suffering mothers and children who will lose their sons and their brothers. You play Wizr, but your side only has half of its pieces. You will lose.”

Iago stared at her, his brow knitting with consternation. “What you say is true, my lady,” he said with some emotion in his voice. Owen thought it was defensiveness. “I am impetuous, true, but fortune favors the bold. And you are correct in your reckoning that Atabyrion cannot face the full might of Ceredigion. But you will also recall that the game ends when the king is defeated, no matter how many pieces are left on the board. The true king of Ceredigion is my friend, my companion, and my ally. It is no crime to restore the rightful ruler to his throne. Then all the other pieces will obey him.”

Iago’s lips were trembling with anger as he turned his gaze back to Roux. “I am sorry you came all this way, Lord Marshal, to fail in your mission. I would suggest to the duchess that she reconsider her position. She’s spurned the one man who could have made her a queen. And when Ceredigion is defeated, there will be no one left to protect Brythonica. You may suggest that her alliances are the weaker ones. Now, I intend to go hawking. You may go.”

Lord Roux bowed stiffly, his face impassive. He turned to Evie. “Thank you for your candor, my lady. I would have a moment of your time before I leave?”

“Yes, my lord,” Evie replied.

Iago snorted and turned away to a servant. “Fetch my horse. This hall is stifling.”

In the commotion that followed, Owen noticed that many of the Atabyrions were looking darkly at the foreigners, their eyes full of anger and resentment. They wanted war. They wanted to fight. It would take more than words to dissuade them.

Evie motioned for Owen to join her and Lord Roux in a small alcove to the side.

The marshal’s tone was deliberately low. “You risk a great deal being here, my lord,” he said, though his eyes were still fixed on Evie’s. “You do not lack for courage.”

“Thank you,” Owen said in reply.

“I appreciate you coming to try and help,” Evie said. “I see the minds of the Atabyrions are fixed on conflict.”

“There’s a saying. He who complies against his will is of his own opinion still,” Lord Roux said. “I’ve found that true in mules and men. My lady, I must warn you. And in so doing, warn your king. I fear that dishonorable means will be employed to remove Severn from power. One does not hazard the misfortunes of war without some hope of success. With my fleet, I could burn this city to ashes and still have time to return and defend Brythonica. Iago Llewellyn does not realize how vulnerable he truly is if events turn out badly, as I believe they will. They underestimate Severn and his resources. Do not make the mistake of underestimating their desperation to be rid of him.”

Owen sensed the implied meaning behind his words. “You believe there is a conspiracy to murder the king.”

Lord Roux glanced quickly at Owen. “I do, although I have no proof.”

“You have proven a faithful ally,” Evie said. “I think it is time we departed Atabyrion. My mission here has failed.”