Page 17 of The King’s Bodyguard (Catkin Trilogy #1)
Corrin
L andis returned to the castle in an open carriage with much pomp and celebration.
Surrounded by two companies of guards, Landis breezily rolled through the main streets of Rimefrost. It was all for appearances, to show his people that not only was he very much alive after the threat on his life, he was also confident with his standing in the country.
As Gareth and Lord Elthorne surmised, the common kinfolk of the capital received the return of the king with much enthusiasm and cheer.
The youthful king of Sumarene was popular.
It was easy to see why. Landis cut a charming figure as he smiled and waved.
Few could recognize the fear and vulnerability that glimmered just beneath the surface.
He had been so frightened that night in the lodge.
It took everything from me not to rush out and slay anyone who so much as coughed in Landis’s general direction.
That was not how the king’s trusted bodyguard behaved.
Certainly not his Munni guards who were held to much higher standards.
It was imperative that Landis be allowed to survey his city and return to the palace as though nothing unremarkable had happened.
As though he had not spent an entire night cradled in my arms.
It had felt so right to remain close by his side.
For hours, I contented myself with watching his chest rise and fall.
Then, I tucked him in with two blankets, stoked the fire, tidied up the lodge as quietly as I could, and checked with the other Munni guards.
They no doubt smelled Landis on my skin, but other than giving me sly winks, they said nothing.
Then came daylight. I wanted to be there for him, but after my shortened sleep the day before, I was exhausted and passed out before I could do anything.
When I woke in the later afternoon, I discovered that a triumphal entrance had been planned complete with an armed entourage.
Landis, according to Gareth who retrieved us, had been sitting and taking notes on scrap bits of paper that he found at the lodge.
His experience had propelled him into action, an energy that was infectious.
I found a place with the returning guard that escorted Landis home. As the son of important Munni kinsfolk, I knew how important appearances were. Thankfully, between Gareth’s management, the guards’ training, and Landis’s cheerful demeanor, we put on a good show.
As soon as we crossed the palace threshold, however, Landis pressed several sheaves of paper into Lord Elthorne’s hand and requested an emergency meeting after a short dinner.
I was told that I was expected to attend.
Bowing to everyone present, I made my way down to the kitchens where I found a small meal for myself.
With that done, I returned to the Munni barracks, combed through my hair, donned a fresh set of leggings, undershirt, and tunic, and made myself presentable for the meeting.
Upon arrival, I discovered that Landis had already seated himself.
To one side sat Gareth. Beside Gareth, Hugh lounged with a chair empty beside him for me.
On Landis’s other side, Lord Elthorne had seated himself and was currently reading through various papers before him.
Lord Berran and Lord Berrymay were also present.
Bowing in greeting, I murmured, “Your Majesty. My lords. Ser.”
With that over, I sat beside Hugh. Landis glanced at me with silent gratitude. Lord Berran and Lord Berrymay frowned as they surveyed me.
“Your Majesty,” Lord Berran said. “A Munni? Is that wise?”
Lord Elthorne moved to say something but stopped as Landis raised his hand.
“Imminently wise,” Landis said. “After all, if it were not for Ser Corrin Stonewarden’s efforts, I would not be here today.”
“Indeed,” Gareth said. “And he delivered to us an opportunity to find out the perpetrators behind the assassination attempt.” He paused as Landis blanched a little at his words. “Forgive me, your majesty.”
“This isn’t a time to mince words, Gareth.
No apologies required.” Landis’s voice sounded a little thin and high-pitched, but he cleared his throat and continued courageously.
“This episode, if anything, ought to remind us all that war may be over in Sumarene, but the opposition to our throne is very much alive and well. The country and the crown owe a debt of gratitude to Corrin Stonewarden... and his Munni tomkin for their stalwart support these past months.”
“That is the truth,” Lord Elthorne nodded. “I notice that you wish to hold some sort of celebratory feast as thanks for the Stonewarden’s actions?”
“More of a citywide festival.” Landis nodded.
“You should see the details on the third page. It would be a celebratory time, thanking all of our armed forces—soldiery and city guards alike. The emphasis would, of course, be on Cor-Stonewarden and his Munni folk, but we would include others. A festival for the common folk.”
“They’d like that,” Hugh said, suddenly very interested. “A bit of fun, some drinking, some entertainment. Should be easy enough to arrange. I’m certain the city folk would jump at the opportunity to take part in the preparations.”
“Would you oversee it, Hugh?” asked Landis.
“Of course.”
“Good.” Landis smiled. “I knew you would be the one I could rely on for the job.”
I chuckled to myself as Hugh grunted, no doubt realizing that he had practically volunteered for more responsibility. Landis was correct though. Hugh would be the perfect candidate for managing such festivities. Landis knew us all through and through.
My heart swelled with pride and respect for the king that Landis had become.
Last night, he’d been so afraid. Today, a new Landis had risen to meet the challenge.
I could see the determination threaded through with fear that drove him.
It only made me love him more. I wished then and there to remain in Rimefrost at his side.
Forever. By his side , I vowed. Is it possible? Only the Goddess of Fate knows, but I will forge my own destiny if I must.
The conversation moved on. Landis asked for a report on the interrogation of the prisoner.
Gareth gave a short spare speech on the matter.
Initial questioning had revealed nothing.
They had remained with the prisoner until the wee hours of the morning.
The prisoner was escorted to an isolated cell for solitary confinement.
When Gareth arose a mere five hours later, he was told that someone had delivered food to the prisoner, who had promptly died of poisoning.
I could see that Gareth was beside himself with rage.
Gareth had hunted down the guards who had a faint memory of a slender, red-headed girl bringing food for them, accompanied by another servant who had carried the prisoner’s food.
The girl was nowhere to be found. A maid?
A spy? An assassin? Who knew? Gareth was committed to continuing his investigations and was arranging for a sketch of the maid and her companion to be made up.
The entire story reeked of suspicious activities within the palace proper. The idea that someone here within the walls was actively attempting to kill Landis and cover their trail sickened me. I understood how Gareth felt. Keenly.
Lord Elthorne promised to send messages to a special unit for such investigations. Lord Berran and Lord Berrymay, however, had little input. They were seemingly at a loss about the whole situation.
“Perhaps we could send the assassin’s body, his vestments, and weapons to Alan,” suggested Hugh after the conversation waffled for a while.
“Alan?” Landis asked. “He is able to divine something from the dead man?”
“As a high mage of the White Tower, Alan is quite clever and gifted,” Hugh noted. “Scrying. Potion making. All sorts of investigations could be made with the aid of his magic. He might be able to make guesses about the catkin from the content of his stomach and the like.”
Vaguely recalling a slender, white-haired young tom with spectacles, I considered the rumors I had heard about the clever, if retiring, high mage.
He was an eccentric, more interested in affairs of the mind with an insatiable appetite for books.
And he hailed from the south, from the White Tower.
I had heard of the White Tower before. During the war, many of the mages died for one flag or another.
The fact that some remained and had pledged loyalty to Landis was a bit encouraging.
“I have heard of such powers before,” I interjected in support. “My mother told me that there are Wise mollies, hedge witches, and wandering mages in Velamere who are similarly gifted. They could indeed uncover something we haven’t seen before.”
Gareth also voiced support. Lord Elthorne nodded in agreement, and he promised to send the items in question along with the body to High Mage Alan.
After that, Lord Berrymay reported on the impact the King’s attack had on the market.
The initial news had caused uncertainty, but Landis’s ride through the streets had stabilized the people in general.
Lord Berran also discussed the wedding at great length.
According to him, whatever happened, it was crucial to cast the entire episode in a positive light.
Landis had saved the princess from an unfortunate accident.
It showed that he was mindful of his marriage and cared for his future queen.
King Norran would be pleased, he hoped, especially since the wedding plans were also going well.
Well, the princess doesn’t need to be protected , I thought. I have a feeling she would have been just as capable as anyone in the circumstances. Landis did well, all things considered, but if the princess had been on Sanson’s back… Well. It might have been a different story.