Page 28 of The Lionheart’s Bond (Bonds of Dusk and Dawn #1)

NEL

I t was the knock on the door that woke him. He grunted, turning on the pallet, his eyes automatically searching for the window as they opened. It was still dark outside.

They knocked at the door again.

‘What?’ he asked, his voice unnaturally low.

‘It’s me.’

Isidore’s voice came soft and gentle through the door, and Nel jumped out of bed pulling a shirt over himself. He had fallen asleep in fox form and must have slept through the transformation. Such was his exhaustion not even the pain had woken him up.

‘Did something happen to Judel?’ he asked, his heart pounding slightly.

Isidore’s eyebrows raised. His red hair falling over his beautiful green eyes, he smiled tenderly.

‘No, don’t worry, Your Highness. He’s well. They sent me to wake you.’

Nel blinked.

‘Why?’ he asked. There was no earthly reason to be awake at this hour. He certainly couldn’t think of anything important enough.

‘The queen was informed we had grown close and felt you would take it better if it was me who came for you.’

‘No, that’s not…’ He was too stunned by such line of thought that he found nothing to say. ‘Fine, then.’

The laces on his trousers proved difficult to tie. Even his shirt resisted his attempts. He was annoyed, hungry and too sleepy to even complain. Isidore led him down the corridor, unable to stop fidgeting, poking at the hem on his tunic, until Nel had about enough.

‘Tell me what’s bothering you.’

‘It’s nothing, Your Highness.’

‘Stop calling me that. Nel is fine.’

‘Right…’

‘Come out with it.’

Isidore stopped dead and turned to him, his mouth set in a line, finding his courage. To think this was the same man who had led their victory a few days ago. If Judel’s accounts of the events was to be trusted, and not the fruit of lovesick exaggeration, he had behaved admirably and taken charge, Judel’s rock during their time in the Quarry. Now here he was, blushing and stuttering.

‘Are you angry at me? At your brother?’

Nel tilted his head, eyes on Isidore. He tried not to smile.

‘Why would I be?’

‘Because he broke the curse. You didn’t seem happy.’

Nel laughed out loud and squeezed Isidore’s arm gently.

‘I’m not angry at him, or at you. I’m ecstatic for him, in fact. Judel deserves all the best in this world, and so do you. Our occasional bickering is just… well, it’s because we’re brothers. Don’t pay it any mind.’

Isidore smiled, relief clearing the worry painted on his face. His eyes suddenly darted around.

‘Wait here,’ Isidore said, running past him.

Surprised, Nel followed him with his gaze and watched him disappear into the kitchen. He was back a minute later with two pork pies in his hands, chased by the falsely outraged screams from the cooks, up early to prepare for the day ahead. As they started on their way again, Isidore handed him one of the pies.

‘Thank you.’ Nel sank his teeth into the hot pastry. It slid down his throat and warmed him, melting away some of his irritability. That really hit the spot. ‘So where are we going?’

‘Count Joceus insisted we meet before dawn, to make sure all of you can attend. He was adamant it couldn’t wait. He seemed agitated.’

‘Any idea why?’

‘That’s all the queen would tell me,’ Isidore replied, his mouth tight. Nahel probably wouldn’t have trusted him with any more information, and he knew it. She’d take some time to warm up to Isidore.

‘She’ll come around when she hears the full story,’ Nel tried to reassure him.

Isidore smiled, unconvinced, and nodded.

There were more people in the hall than he had seen since before his parents passed. His brothers, Nahel, Helge, and Lord Joceus, plus two of the count’s entourage they had also brought back from Kalye, all sitting around the table. Two servants busied lighting the fire.

Nel joined Nahel, while Isidore slipped away to stand by Judel, pushing the other pork pie into his hand. Judel smiled, his eyes still heavy with sleep, and Nel smirked, amused, and even touched by the tenderness of the exchange.

Nahel cleared her throat then, breaking Judel’s and Isidore’s moment, and bringing them back to the present.

‘First of all, let’s all show our brothers our appreciation for bringing our friends back to us safe,’ Nahel opened.

‘And Isidore,’ Judel called, coming closer, and glaring at his sister. Their older brother still had a bone to pick with her. Nel had never been happier to not be the source of an idea. Nahel’s little lie about Judel and his ex might have done its job, but the consequences loomed dark ahead.

Judel would forgive Nahel, of course, but she was about to be on the receiving end of some mighty ‘I’m not angry, I’m disappointed,’ talk which, from Nel’s point of view, was worse. She’d bear it, as she always did, but she would be twice as irritable for the foreseeable future. But that was their own battle to fight and didn’t need involve the rest of the family and visitors, so Nel cut their staring contest short, setting this gathering in motion.

‘What have you called us here at this inhuman hour, Your Majesty?’ he asked.

‘Lord Joceus, I think it is better if you explain,’ Nahel said, extending an arm to the man, who had quietly waited for his turnt.

‘Your Majesty is gracious,’ he bowed his head to her. ‘And I can’t thank the Royal house enough for all the care and attention you gave us last tonight. I fell into a deep, most needed sleep, Your Majesty, almost immediately, but my eyes opened wide in the middle of the night with a terrible certainty. I need to get back to my home and my son as soon as possible. The suspicions of a traitor we discussed earlier made it impossible for me to fall asleep again. Until that matter is resolved, I must be in Aster. The manner in which we were captured—only someone who knew exactly where we were going and how, could have intercepted us. The location they chose to hide, the method, even the number of men they used to attack us. It was all too precise to have been done even with half of the information.’

‘It could be coincidence,’ Nahel replied.

The count gave her an appraising look, probably calculating how much of a bold comeback he could make. If Nel was his advisor he would strongly recommend bringing the boldness level to zero, which is where Nahel worked best, but since he stood where he was, he would enjoy whatever comeback the old man decided to make use of.

Unfortunately, Lord Joceus was exactly as smart and loyal as his reputation implied. He decided to explain instead, depriving Nel from some well-deserved entertainment. The Count of Aster had understood what Nel already knew, that Nahel wasn’t being difficult or naive in thinking he could be wrong, but rather that she needed to make sure the actual evidence was sufficient to justify any action they engaged in. The queen wasn’t about to send her men in any new mission, the physical danger as low as it might be, without being sure it was necessary.

‘There were many signs, Your Majesty. Firstly, the place they ambushed us at. We chose roads, those to the abandoned temples, which are only known to some Ilish Temple Elders. Who else would find them through the years of overgrowth? If one such Elder hadn’t been advisor to my house, I wouldn’t have known where to look for them. The use of magic, while not evidence of a traitor, does make me extremely uneasy. One moment we were in the forest, next we were in the middle of a field. Like coming out of a tunnel we didn’t know we had entered. After that, they moved us to a camp with just enough cages for our numbers. Finally, I overheard one of their men, the captain—’

‘Captain Reiner?’ Isidore asked from the back. By the blush immediately spreading over his cheeks, it was clear the young man hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

‘No, young man, this was a different man. Lord Torell wasn’t the one to apprehend us, but only to keep us prisoner. These men were more refined. The Duke of Stonehollow was a ruffian, a bandit in gold thread,’ Lord Joceus said, his voice loaded with disdain. ‘I’m not sure which of them was worst.’

Nahel looked at Isidore before meeting Nel’s gaze. He nodded. Interrogating Isidore was high on his list of priorities too.

‘As I said, I overheard a conversation between the captain and their master. The words “we were here at the right time,” were the only ones spoken in the Old Tongue.’

Nahel sat back in her chair, her brow tense, staring at lord Joceus and Isidore in turns.

‘Isidore,’ she called.

Nel rolled his eyes. She was about to do something stupid. He had no doubt she’d get some of the answers she expected and wanted, but interrogating someone as shy and introverted as Isidore usually was, while under the scrutiny of so many pairs of eyes couldn’t possibly be efficient. He’d love to tell her that much, but she’d only resent him for confronting her in public. He sighed, wondering how quietly he could leave the room and go back to sleep. With a bit of luck, there might be another couple of hours before dawn.

‘Your Majesty,’ he said, coming forth, his hand slipping out of Judel’s.

‘Do you have any knowledge of this? Do you know who was in charge of the prisoners before the duke?’

‘No, Your Majesty. I was to stay with the animals at all times. I was too far from the main tents to see whose company he kept. If the men the count speaks of were indeed of higher status, they would be from more powerful families, stronger practitioners, than the duke. They’d be closer to the king.’

‘So the king prefers power over, say, riches?’ she asked.

‘Yes, Your Majesty. The least powerful families tend to lose in prestige and reputation. Lord Torell was likely one of the richest Kaletian lords, but he hadn’t been in the King’s presence since he was a young man. Still, the king remained keen to rely on him. Lords with neither strong practitioners nor coin are usually forgotten by Asteah.’

‘You seem very certain,’ she tilted her head.

Isidore winced, and Nel had to pinch the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

‘It’s what happened to my father,’ he said, between gritted teeth.

‘I thought your father had magic,’ Nahel continued. ‘Didn’t you say Lord Torell enchanted the beasts he kept?’

‘I meant my real father,’ Isidore insisted, raising his chin.

Nel smiled despite himself when Judel put his hand on Isidore’s shoulder in support. A nice gesture. That his brother could now trust his lover, that Isidore had his support now… it really must be a nice feeling.

‘I see,’ Nahel said. Or the queen, he should say. His sister was difficult to recognize behind that cold gaze. She wore it like a mask, the icy, terrible queen that would stop at nothing to defend her people. She wore it well. ‘That’s not really useful information, though,’ she concluded, waving him away.

‘It doesn’t seem like it now,’ Nel interrupted, trying to steer the conversation in the right direction. Nahel was letting her concern for Judel blind her, ‘but we might be relieved we had it one day. All information is useful one way or another. In any case, I agree with Lord Joceus’s assessment. They gained the information somehow and an inhouse source is the most efficient way to achieve that. On the points made alone, it is evident the enemy’s actions were not coincidental.’

‘I agree,’ Neisha said. Nods and mutters of agreement went around the room.

‘Even if there was a traitor,’ Nahel said, a frown on her brow, ‘there is no guarantee he or she are still in Aster. Wouldn’t they leave seeing the count return? They’d be anxious to hide, to avoid discovery.’

‘Maybe,’ Nel said, tilting his head. ‘We won’t know until Lord Joceus gets back home. If someone betrayed him, it would be a close advisor or attendant. Few had that information. He’ll surely notice if such a person was missing.’

Nahel, nodded, turning over the information in her head under Nel’s scrutinizing gaze.

Escaping, avoiding discovery, was only one possible behaviour. There were a few more options but there was no point on forcing the issue now. He knew where Nahel was going with that question. If the traitor was gone, there was no point in sending anyone to Aster. There would be nothing to investigate or discover. Nahel was always against any action that involved sending her men away and she was just done with one such mission. Asking her to do it again might be too much for his sister’s fragile heart.

‘I think at least one of us should return with Lord Joceus to Aster and find out for sure,’ Nel offered.

‘And you’re going to tell me the best person for the job is you,’ she said, raising an eyebrow, arms crossed over her chest.

‘You know me only too well, sister,’ he replied with a smirk.

Nel would have preferred to leave immediately, and Lord Joceus was keen to return home as soon as possible, but there were preparations to make, and the Count of Aster required more rest before leaving. Winter was coming to an end by the time they could leave, but at least, they were ready to go. Much to his dismay, he had to get up long before sunset to finalize his preparations. He was paying the price for being so proactive in his plans, he told himself, as he yawned over his luggage.

At least he didn’t need so many traveling clothes. He would be in animal form most of the journey. A box stuffed with a blanket, —for his comfort, —waited for him, loaded into the back of a wagon. Lord Joceus, like every lord in the council, was aware of the curse, and knew Nel preferred to travel like this, unlike his brothers who preferred to go on foot. Luckily, Lord Joceus insisted it was imperative they make it back as soon as possible. He wasn’t nearly awake enough to thank the count, but he definitely would, later. He’d be able to take advantage of the situation and sleep the whole way there.

Nahel had tried to convince him to stay with the promise of sending for daily reports, but Brin already knew she meant he would have to fly back and forth every day and refused before she could even ask. Whether today, tomorrow or in seven years, Brin would not be following Nahel’s insane orders to travel up and down the kingdom every day. Lord Joceus refused to wait longer. Nahel had run out of time to convince Nel. She could have issued an order, but Joceus was also convinced the prince was the best choice for the job. She didn’t dare contradict the count. After what he had gone through, even if there was not a single traitor in his entire estate, they couldn’t have stopped him from returning home as soon as he was even slightly recovered. And the man was so concerned about his son’s wellbeing, she couldn’t delay him any longer either. Joceus had mentioned him several times during their talks. Nel was convinced Joceus only had an adult son, but the count’s urgency to return home was such that he thought he might be wrong and half expected to meet a young boy there.

They were now waiting for dawn and Nel was already by his transport, helping a servant load his belongings into the back of the wagon. He looked at the box and its soft blanket. It was the first time he was looking forward to the transformation since the curse had been cast.

‘Do you have any suspects, Lord Joceus,’ he asked the man, who was close by, ready to step into his carriage. Lord Joceus had recovered enough of his strength to travel, but he wasn’t sure he could ride. His aversion to this mode of transport was written all over the noble’s face.

Respectfully, Nel turned his back to him as they waited for sunrise.

‘No one in particular, but only seven people were aware of our full plans. Much as it pains me—as I would bet my life on their loyalty—it must be one of them.’

He sighed as if the world weighed him down. ‘I shall point them out to you when we arrive. We’ll arrange a feast to celebrate my return. Everyone will come, it will be a perfect opportunity to begin your search,’ he said, as a horse shuffled. ‘Shhh, quiet,’ he whispered gently to the animal. The sun was about to break out through the edge of the world.

‘No one else, my lord?’

Not that seven people wasn’t enough. That was almost seven entire persons more than he would have trusted with those plans.

‘My son Koa. He’s a bit younger than you; I believe. Your Highness is twenty and eight?’

‘Hhhmm-huh,’ Nel answered, gritting his teeth, the tension seizing him. So his son was an adult after all.

‘He’s twenty-six. But as I say, Koa is my son; he’s obviously not a traitor.'

‘We’ll see about that,’ was the last thing Nel thought before the pain was too strong to answer.