Page 21 of Thorns and Echoes

His stomach grumbled.

The next town had a tavern. A owner accepted the ring for a meal, a room, a bath, and clean clothes. He didn't have time for a bath, and he wasn’t tired yet. He needed to get to Coriante. To her.

Just before dawn, he woke with a dagger in his hand, the sharp tip pressed against his navel. For a moment, he couldn't move. The blade was beautiful, the cross guard etched with roses and embedded with tiny rubies.

He sold the weapon in the next town.

Pleading and rage filled his dreams that night. A voice that begged him to stop. His own voice. There was something wrong with him. Mistress would fix him. Thinking of her quieted the angry voice. Good.

Chapter 9

Vern

“The Consort Tournament and Ceremony are hereby cancelled.”

Disappointment and shock swept the Great Hall. Courtiers and ambassadors crowded the seats today, all eager to witness the violence of the first day's games. Who would die and how – the bets had begun before the sun brightened the sky.

Well, today, the bookmaker won.

Vern continued, “The Queen is indisposed. She has been poisoned. As of this moment, the palace has been secured. All rooms will be searched. Until then, enjoy the feast prepared for the tournament.”

The volume and tone of the room quickly changed. Shouts rang out, demands for answers, refusals to cooperate, fear and anger. The nobles moved away from the ambassadors; the ambassadors glared accusingly at each other.

Some ran for the doors. Guards with naked swords blocked the way. From behind pillars and out of servants’ entrances marched squads of armored soldiers, lining the walls impassionately.

One in five of those soldiers were once-rebels. They would gladly cut down a noble. They might just instigate the violence themselves. Vern didn't spare them a glance. Either they were ready or not, he would deal with events as they occurred.

Weapons had been prohibited from the ambassadors today. It was in their best interest to remain calm. When the roomsettled into an uneasy quiet, Vern lowered himself to the throne. He hated this seat. The wood was uncomfortable, a bit small and short, and instantly made his back ache. He envied Darius lounging to his left. As an Escort, he could laze about and sit on a cushion. But as the steward, Vern needed to watch his every motion. Everyone else was. How Anais managed it every day, how Jana had managed it, he had no idea.

Vern only had a few seconds of peace before an envoy from Akerami called out, “We refused to be held here like common criminals! And for how long? If the tournament is cancelled, then we demand to leave immediately. You can't hold us hostage!”

Their prince himself was silent, tapping a knife against his knuckles as he eyed the soldiers. Plotting an escape, perhaps.

Across the hall, Delia's high priestess snapped, “The guilty flee the fastest. I assume the search will only take an hour or two. We are content to wait that long.”

But no longer, was the threat in her tone. Very well. Holding them all had never been the intent.

From the table beside the cult-followers, Lady Satryani nodded slowly. A thoughtful expression cleared the frown on her brow. She met Vern's eyes with a small smile.

If the Queen died, the duchess was the highest-ranking royal family member currently residing in the palace. She wouldn't be crowned, but she would gain influence. Whatever she was planning, Vern already hated it.

He angled his chin at the high priestess. “The search will be completed shortly.” Pausing, he smiled thinly. “Unless anyone wishes to step forward now. The Queen will draw out your death. I will make it swift.”

Silence blanketed the hall. Of course, he didn't expect anyone to offer themselves up as a sacrifice. It would be meaningless. He knew who the poisoner was.

The traitor.

But there was more to be discovered. Where had the poison come from? Who else was involved? Was anyone else a target?

And above all, why? Motivation could answer all other questions.

Into the silence, Commander Aurora lifted her voice. “Is the Queen alive?”

Aurora had grown into a formidable woman. She had the respect and obedience of her people despite her lack of nobility. Shoni’i soldiers gained rank through ruthless skill, nothing less. The question betrayed her, though.

Vern said, “The Queen only requires a few days’ rest to be restored to perfect health. However, she has decided that such a dark event bodes ill for a Consort, and she won't have her wedding marred by it.”

The Commander evaluated his answer. A girl of fifteen at her last visit, Aurora had little contact with the previous Queen. Even then, she had been strong of both will and body. It remained to be seen how much she had changed.