The Born Queen - J. Gregory Keyes [120]
“It can’t be that bad,” Cazio said.
“You just said she sent you away because you wouldn’t do something she wanted.”
“Well, that’s not what she said. She said she needed someone she could trust in Dunmrogh.”
“What did she ask you to do?”
“Ah, walk the faneway of Mamres.”
Austra’s tear-reddened eyes went bigger. “Oh, saints, Cazio.” She lay back. “You see?” she sighed. “As much as she ought to know you, she doesn’t. How could she think you would sacrifice your art as a dessrator to become one of those—things?”
Cazio blinked and suddenly realized he was on the verge of tears himself.
“Ted amao,” he said, completely lost in emotion. “Edio ted amao. I love you.”
“Ecco,” she said, her voice faint but firm. “I love you too.”
He took her hand.
“Anne loves us, too, in her way,” Austra said. “I think she sent us away because we know her. We remind her that she has been better, could be better.”
The pace of the carriage suddenly picked up, and z’Acatto was shouting something up front.
“A moment,” Cazio said, and kissed Austra on the forehead. He stood and opened the little door in the ceiling and pulled himself up.
“We have friends,” z’Acatto shouted.
Cazio looked behind and saw six mounted knights, all in the colors of Lord Gravio.
Swearing, he drew Acredo, but there was nothing much to be done until the riders caught up with them, which wouldn’t be long. Then there wouldn’t be any time for tricks, just two against six.
Well, that wasn’t so bad. He had beaten more than that below the palace in Eslen. Of course, they hadn’t been as heavily armored, but the odds had been worse.
If he could reach the same state, chiado sivo, they had a chance.
So he paused, clearing his mind, trying not to think about the fight ahead, only about the symmetries of arm, foot, body, point, edge, and grip.
A moment later they passed into a wood, and Cazio began humming, because that was even better: Their horses would be less useful here, their armor more of an encumbrance. He was just about to jump to the ground and start the fight when z’Acatto cursed a saint whose name itself was a curse.
He turned to find out why in time to see footmen pouring into the road from the trees and the trap well and truly closed.
Chiado sivo. Entirely sword.
He leaped from the carriage toward the lead rider, blade straight out like a spear.
CHAPTER SIX
BRINNA
NEIL KNELT to the masked woman.
“Majesty,” he said, trying to keep his mind still.
“Pleased to meet you, Sir Neil,” she said with a slight emphasis on “meet” that he thought he understood.
Neil heard a little gasp behind him and saw that Alis had been brought in. Her eyes were founts of incredulity.
“Ah, Sister Alis,” Brinna said. “Did you know who I was?”
“Lady, I did not know,” Alis said. She seemed completely off her footing, something Neil hadn’t ever seen before. Of course, he was having a hard time keeping his own face composed.
“And now you do,” the woman he had known as both Brinna and Swanmay said. She took a step toward Alis and raised a cup of wine. “Would you like a drink?”
“No, Highness, I would rather not.”
“You admit it, then,” the inquisitor snarled. “You admit the attempt at murder.”
Alis held her head high. “My queen and this knight knew nothing of my intentions. You cannot hold them accountable.”
“Oh, it was all your idea, then?” the masked woman said.
“I’m telling the truth,” Alis said.
“I’m sure you are,” Brinna relied. “You just haven’t mentioned who actually put you up to it.”
Alis didn’t reply, but Brinna’s gaze turned languidly to Neil. “That would be your Queen Anne, Sir Neil.”
“I don’t believe that, Highness,” Neil said.
“Because it is untrue,” Alis added.
“Well, we shall see. Inquisitor, take Lady Berrye to the room of the waters. Don’t do anything permanent to her, do you hear? I want to talk to her myself later.”
“Very good, Highness. And the knight?”
“I wish to converse with him alone,” she replied.
The matron frowned. “That is unwise.”
“I do not think so, inquisitor. Every