Kushiel's Scion - Jacqueline Carey [284]
The others exchanged glances.
"I'll stay." Deccus Fulvius spoke without hesitation, taking Claudia's hand. "Let the young people go. It's not their battle. You know who to see in Tiberium, who to speak to?"
She nodded, still troubled.
"What about Imriel?" Eamonn asked.
Quentin LeClerc cleared his throat again. "Terre d'Ange will act, of course! Make no mistake. Only I fear it will take time. Our presence in Caerdicca Unitas is thin, and Lady Fleurais will have to rely on diplomacy to raise a sufficient force of allies."
"Hire a condottiere," I suggested.
"Yes." His eyes were a trifle glazed. "One such as Gallus Tadius would be ideal." He gave himself a shake. "We will act," he said firmly.
"But any course we take will take some time. The choice is yours, your highness."
I stood and paced restlessly around the salon, rubbing my left hand. Did I risk the uncertainty of waiting or take certain freedom and the loss of my hand? Not my sword hand, at least, I thought, remembering Gilot. I wished he was here. He always had sensible advice, even if I usually ignored it. I wondered what he would say.
"I'm staying."
"Eamonn," Brigitta breathed. "No!"
"What?" He shrugged. "Imriel's not about to let Valpetra lop his damned hand off. Lucca's got high, strong walls, plenty of water, food enough for weeks, and a mad genius in command of its defense, even if he is a dead man." He grinned at her. "You can help rescue us when the D'Angelines come. We'll be here."
It was the beginning of a lengthy argument. I led Quentin LeClerc and his men quietly out of the villa and escorted them back to the gatehouse. He agreed to report back to Valpetra and return on the morrow. Whatever was decided in the argument, there was still the matter of getting Gallus Tadius to agree to the exchange.
"Your mind's settled?" LeClerc asked me atop the wall.
"Yes." I rubbed my hand. "I'm staying."
Under the watchful eyes of Gallus' guards, the ladder was lowered and they made their precarious, swaying descent. The last to go was the one who had remembered me from the embassy. He laid a hand on my shoulder.
"Have a care, your highness," he said. "Valpetra's up to somewhat over at the river."
I frowned. "What?"
"He's got his men digging a trench." He pointed. "Over on the far side. I don't reckon you can get a good look at it from the wall. But I grew up in Siovale, and unless I miss my guess, he means to try and dam the river."
"Ah, well." I relaxed. "Mayhap no one told him Lucca's got deep wells."
He nodded. "All the same, have a care."
"My thanks." I bade him farewell, then watched as they departed.
The D'Angeline banners still fluttered brightly in the breeze, but they no longer carried any hope with them. The distant Valpetran cavalry began to move and the lieutenant in charge of the wall that afternoon ordered me down.
I went to find Gallus Tadius.
He was in the empty common room of the city guard's barracks, poring over inventory lists and muttering to himself. I gazed at the top of his head, the familiar burst of dark auburn curls. It evoked fond memories of Tiberium. In a strange way, I was glad I wasn't leaving.
"Lucius Tadius da Lucca," I said without thinking. "What's Master Piero got you studying now?"
His head came up with a jerk. "Montrève?"
My heart skipped a beat. "Lucius?"
He blinked. "I don't…" He pressed his fingers to his temples and grimaced. "Sweet Apollo! My head hurts."
"Lucius." I yanked out the chair opposite him and sat. "Listen to me, quickly. You've got to give an order to free the Valpetran prisoners."
His face shifted. "Why?"
Leaning across the table, I grasped his arms, willing him to stay. "Valpetra's agreed to an exchange. Three for three. Claudia, Deccus, and Brigitta." I didn't expect Eamonn to lose that argument. "Safe passage to Tiberium."
"Tiberium," he murmured. "Montrève…" His brow furrowed. Elua, it looked like the lines were cut into his flesh by a chisel. "People have died because of me, haven't they?"