The Charnel Prince - J. Gregory Keyes [167]
The prince smiled and scratched his goatee. “She was, and now no one can find her. An attempt was made to kill the lady Gramme and her son when they were in the queen mother’s custody, so we fear the worst.”
Leoff tried to look upset. It wasn’t difficult. “I pray nothing has happened to her,” he said. “She is a wonderful child and a gifted musician.”
The prince nodded. “I had hoped you knew something of her whereabouts.”
“I’m sorry, my Prince.”
The regent shrugged. “How did you escape from the manse? The entrances were well guarded.”
“I don’t remember, Sire,” Leoff said. “I was very confused.”
“Ah,” the prince said. “Ah.” He crossed the room, settled into an armchair, and snapped his fingers. A steward immediately brought him a cup of wine.
“Suppose,” the prince said, “I tell you what happened?”
“Your Highness?”
The regent took a sip of the wine and made a face. “You were taken prisoner,” he said, “by the queen’s Lierish guard, and kept in a dank cell for five days, until report reached me that you were there. I then had you freed.”
Leoff frowned. “My Prince—”
“Because if that isn’t what happened,” the prince went on, examining the fingernails of his right hand, “I might have to accept the report from a nearby village of a man who looked like you and a girl who looked like Mery traveling together. I would then have to conclude that you had lied to me, which would be a capital offense, even if you did it to protect a little girl you rightly thought was in danger from the queen mother.” He looked back up at Leoff. “I should think you would like my story better.”
“I—yes, Your Highness,” Leoff replied, feeling thoroughly miserable.
Robert smiled and clapped his hands together. “We have an understanding then,” he said. “And if you happen to hear from Mery, or learn her whereabouts, her mother misses her, and she is no longer in danger from the queen mother, so let someone know, would you, please?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Very good. Now, I am given to understand that you were commissioned by the queen mother to produce a musical performance of some sort?”
“Yes, Your Highness. For the Yule celebration, in the Candle Grove. There was to be a feast and general invitation to the people of the city and countryside.”
“A wonderful idea,” the prince said. “Please submit the work to His Grace the praifec for review.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Leoff said.
“Fine. I’m done with you now.” He dismissed Leoff with a wave of his hand.
As soon as Leoff was alone, he leaned against a wall, his limbs feeling like water. What was he to do? If he told them where Mery was, what would happen to her? To him? Did they know or suspect that he and the girl had heard their plot? Were they still looking for her?
But he had to do something, and in this he could have only one ally.
He squared his shoulders and continued walking.
“Yes?” the footman said. “How can I help you, Fralet?”
“I must speak to Her Ladyship,” Leoff said. “It is a matter of utmost importance.”
The footman looked irritated, but he nodded and left. He returned a few moments later. “Follow me, please.”
He led Leoff to a sitting room with an immense pastoral tapestry covering one wall. Shepherds and rustically dressed women picnicked beside a pool, entertained by a goat-legged man with a harp and three nymphs playing flute, lute, and sackbut.
Gramme looked drawn and disheveled, but rather than diminishing her beauty, disorder somehow augmented it.
She didn’t waste any time on her usual pleasantries.
“Do you have news of my daughter, Fralet Ackenzal?” she barked.
“She is alive and well, my lady,” Leoff assured her.
“Are you quite out of your mind?” she snapped. “Do you know the penalty for kidnapping?”
“Please, my lady,” Leoff said. “I did not kidnap her—I was only trying to keep her safe. I was afraid for her life.”
“Well,” Gramme said, looking down and ticking her finger on her armchair. She took a deep breath and let it go before meeting his gaze again.
“You are not a father, are you, Fralet Ackenzal?” she asked.
“No, lady, I am not.”
“Do not become one,