Fire Dragon - Katharine Kerr [142]
“She is. Here! How do you know these things?”
Raena flung herself into a chair and scowled at the far wall.
“Tell me, Rae. You did promise an end to secrets.”
“Last summer it were, when I were off about Al-shandra's work, I did meet that mincing scum of a woman. And this wyrm as well—blasphemers, all of them! They would deny that my lady be a true goddess. And one more rode in with them, I'll wager. Rhodry Maelwaedd, he who rides the dragon and be the foulest filth of them all.”
“Who? There be a Rhodry from Aberwyn among them.”
“He be the same.”
“He did seem like a well-spoken man to me.”
“You know him not, then. He too has sworn my death. He does blame me for the death of a friend of his, you see, but it were the will of my goddess, and none of my doing.”
Verrarc felt himself turn cold.
“He'll not slay you here in my town,” he growled. “Shall I call the watch and have him put under lock and chain?”
“You tempt me, my love.” Raena smiled as delicately as if he'd offered her a plate of sweetmeats. “But do that, and the stinking wyrm will ramp and roar through the town.”
Verrarc rubbed his sweaty face with both hands. Aside from Raena the only thing he loved in life was Cerr Cawnen, and now these strangers had brought danger beyond imagining. What should he do? He started to speak, then paused, considering her. She seemed to be suppressing a smile, and he found himself remembering how often she'd lied to him over the years.
“This be a grave thing,” Verrarc said. “I'd best lay it before full council.”
“Nah nah nah!” She rose from the chair. “I—uh—it were best to not have these lies about me told in public.”
“Indeed?”
For a moment her gaze held his, then she looked away.
“The truth of it, Rae!”
“I did tell you the truth! Both Rhodry and the black dragon wish my death.”
“Then why will you not let me call the council and decide what we may do to protect you?”
Raena turned away and walked over to the wooden chest at the foot of the bed, which he'd given her for her clothing and suchlike. She rummaged through it for a moment, then brought out a dagger in a worn leather sheath. When she held it up, he recognized the three silver balls on the pommel.
“Rhodry from Aberwyn does have a dagger like that on his belt,” Verrarc said.
“Just so.” Raena drew the dagger to show him the blade. “That little wyvern graved there? It be the device of his friend, the one who was slain. It were a man in Alshandra's service who did slay him, not me, I swear it!”
On this point Verrarc was inclined to believe her. After all, how could a woman of her stature have killed a fighting man? She sheathed the dagger, laid it back in the chest, then closed the lid.
“Well, then,” Verrarc said, “why not convene the council and have this matter out in open court? If you be innocent, then this Rhodry had best stop laying false charges against you.”
“You forget the wyrm.” Raena laid a dramatic hand at her throat. “I dare not let her see me.”
“It be more than the wyrm. There be somewhat you want hidden, Rae.”
“Ai! You be a cruel man, my love.”
“Not cruel. Sick to my gut of your lies.”
“Oh very well! If we did bring this matter to council, would I not have to tell them where the death did happen?”
“Ah, I do see now! It were at the siege of the Slavers' city, bain't? And you did go there with the Horsekin.”
Verrarc was mostly guessing, but she turned dead-white.
“How did you—” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“I be not blind, Rae. You'd best remember that from now on.”
For a long moment she stood silently, staring down at the floor, until her face regained its normal color.
“Mayhap you'll not believe a word I say,” she said at last. “I'd best have a witness. Let me see if Lord Havoc will answer my call. Do come sit you down, my love.”
Verrarc took the chair. Raena flung both arms into the air and tipped her head back, her eyes shut tight. For a long moment she held silent; then she began to chant in a high tight voice that seemed to vibrate like a plucked harp string. The chant rose and fell, wailed and sobbed. All at once Verrarc