The Blood Knight - J. Gregory Keyes [48]
“Yah,” Aspar said.
“Nere deaf leyent teuf leme,” he told the holter in his native tongue.
“May the saints not weaken your hand.”
“And you keep your eyes open,” Aspar returned.
The slinders’ lack of interest in eating them apparently extended to their mounts, as well, because while they were talking, Ogre quietly led the other horses to the gathering.
Aspar stroked Ogre’s muzzle while the duchess’s men resupplied them, an expression curiously akin to relief on his face. When that was done, he and Winna mounted up. Leading Stephen’s horse, Angel, they departed along the somewhat obvious trail, leaving Neil feeling more unprotected than ever.
As soon as the holter was on his way, the balance of the party started toward Glenchest.
Neil listened in mounting horror as Anne explained what had happened to her: her abduction, her escape, and her second capture in Sevoyne.
“After Wist helped me escape,” she concluded, “we set off on the road to Glenchest, but we ran into Aunt Elyoner straightaway.”
“That certainly was fortunate,” Neil said. “The Faiths must have been watching over you.”
“Don’t give the Faiths more than their due.” Elyoner, who was riding well within earshot, joined the discussion. “Loiyes is my province, and I grew up in this country. There are few places where I have no eyes or ears.
“I had received reports of the men who attacked you. They rode in from the east, pretending to be a company of soldiers detached from service to my cousin Artwair. I also had a report of a girl with red hair and a highborn accent who entered Sevoyne and then mysteriously vanished. I decided that was worth my personal attention.”
She yawned.
“Besides, I’ve had a frightful time entertaining myself lately. No one interesting has come to see me in an age, and I’m not particularly taken with the present court in Eslen.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “Although I’m told there was a rather interesting musical performance there during Yule.”
“You have current news from the court?” Neil asked eagerly, hoping she had more useful information, as well.
“Silly thing,” Elyoner replied. “Of course I do.”
Neil waited, but that seemed to be all the duchess was intending to offer.
“It’s a long ride to Glenchest, Aunt Elyoner,” Anne said finally. “You could fill him in.”
“But dear, I’ve just gone through all of that with you,” Elyoner complained. “You don’t want me to gain a reputation for repeating myself, do you?”
“I could stand to hear it again myself,” Anne replied. “I’m far more awake now.”
“More sober, you mean.”
“Yes, about that,” Neil said. “This Wist fellow. What became of him?”
“We beheaded him, of course,” the duchess said gaily.
“Oh,” Neil replied. “You questioned him first, I hope?”
“Why would I want to do that?” the duchess asked.
“She’s joking with you again, Sir Neil,” Anne said. “He’s just there, under guard—you see?”
Neil looked back and saw a sullen-looking fellow sitting on a dun mare, closely attended by soldiers.
“Ah,” Neil said.
“And now, shall I bore you with the state of the court?” Elyoner asked.
“Please do, metreine.”
She sighed.
“Well, black is the color, they say. Ostensibly because the court is in mourning, but it’s odd that it wasn’t actually observed until Prince Robert reappeared, and him being one of the ones they were mourning for! No, really, I think it’s because the prince wears black. Although I suppose I ought to call him the emperor now.”
“‘Usurper’ will do,” Anne said.
“And Queen Muriele?” Neil asked, trying to keep his voice from straining, afraid to know the answer. “How is my lady? Have you any news of the queen?”
“Muriele?” Elyoner said. “Why, she’s locked in a tower, like that onion girl in the phay story.”
Neil felt his heart slow. “But she lives?”
Elyoner patted his arm. “My reports are a few days old, but no execution has been carried out, nor has one been scheduled. That would be a bad move on Robert’s part. No, I’m certain he has other intentions.”
“How did this happen, exactly?