Stormseer (Storms in Amethir Book 3) Page 30

  That had been before the Strid war, of course. After the attack on the Kelischad Mines, which had come when he was six, his dreams of kingship had expanded to winning the war, and maybe conquering all of Strid. It had been years before he understood that conquest was not, at least for the Tamnese, an objective of that war.

  He sighed and took another sip of wine. He had come to his kingship too young, but by all the sleeping gods, he felt old and tired. He turned his back on the city and slid down the balcony wall to sit on the stone bench there.

  Until recently, his dreams for his kingship had included the defeat of Strid. Now that he knew they had not murdered his sister and father, he would settle for a cessation of hostilities in the Kreyden. But how to achieve that? Would he live long enough to see it?

  He set the glass aside and buried his face in his hands. He wanted Azmei here. He missed her strength and even her unasked-for advice. They could share the throne if she would return. There was precedent. Some three hundred years ago, the sisters Sylene and Sala had ruled together, their children raised as siblings instead of cousins. The throne had passed peacefully to the eldest of Sylene's daughters. When she died heirless ten years later, Sala's son had inherited.

  "We could have made it work," he whispered. Then he shook himself. "We can. There is still time." He reached for his glass and drained it. "Gods listen, let there be time."

  Footsteps inside the apartments brought him to his feet, one hand dropping to the dagger at his belt. It was probably Gendo, but he shouldn't lower his guard. Not now, not when they knew someone—Arisanat—was trying to kill him.

  It was Gendo. He stopped at the doorway to the balcony and bowed his head. "Majesty, General Kho and Captain Ysdra are here. I have spread lunch in your receiving room, where they await you. I took the liberty of serving them drinks."

  Razem smiled wanly and held out his empty glass. "Good. Fetch me another, would you? I promise not to overindulge, but I needed something to counter all the coffee."

  Gen gave him a reproving look, but took the glass and led the way back to the table.

  Once the greetings were done, Razem and his guests settled at the table. Gen served the first course and withdrew. Razem weighed the idea of eating first, then decided against it.

  "We know there is business to discuss. Well enough, let's get to it."

  Kho nodded to Ysdra, who swallowed the bite he had been chewing. "Majesty, I have been much at Lord Burojan's home this week. He has had many guests. I confess, some of them have...surprised me."

  Razem slowly lowered his spoon. "Is that so."

  "I thought you should hear it, Majesty," Kho put in.

  Razem nodded and gestured for Ysdra to go on. He continued eating as Ysdra spoke, but found his appetite waning as the list went on. Finally he shoved his bowl away and sat back. Gendo took that for his cue to appear with the main course. Razem waited until the plates of meat and bread were set out, then gripped Gendo's wrist.

  "Stay and hear this. Ysdra, what are your thoughts on each of Arisanat's visitors?"

  Ysdra cleared his throat. "Majesty, Lady Talt is too cordial. She is often, ah, overenthusiastic, but this goes beyond that. She has brought her younger daughter Tarra with her on more than one occasion. Lord Burojan is rather...familiar with the girl."

  So Arisanat had finally decided to remarry, Razem thought. And he couldn't have picked more unwisely, in Razem's opinion. He nodded to Ysdra.

  "Lord Birona has visited three times."

  "Three?" Razem pushed down his sorrow at the words. He had respected Birona. He'd never been quite sure if he liked the man, but he knew him for a shrewd thinker, and Birona had a firm hand with the Council. He knew his father had liked Birona, though they clashed on the matter of the war.

  "He does have legitimate cause to visit Lord Burojan, Majesty. Lord Birona may simply be settling Council business with him."

  Razem nodded and gestured for Ysdra to continue.

  "I have only seen Lord Belnat once, and that time he was unhappy. I could have missed him, of course—I cannot spend all day at Lord Burojan's home." He licked his lips. "Lady Riman has not called. Lady Tel has not called. I cannot say who Lord Burojan has visited while he is away from home. His movements here in the palace can be accounted for, but aside from that..."

  He trailed off. The silence stretched. Gendo shifted on his feet and Razem lifted a hand to gesture that he could go. He would ask Gendo's thoughts later. His manservant was shy of speaking up in front of others, and Razem didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

  What now? he wondered as they ate in silence. These are chancy reports, but Ysdra has been one man alone, making observations of his own initiative. And this is not proof. There is still no proof. He almost didn't want to find proof. But a lack of proof wouldn't prevent Aris from plotting. He couldn't afford to ignore this.

  "Very well," he said finally. "Ysdra, I want a watch on Arisanat. Who visits and how often. Where he goes. Everything. Detail a handful of your most trusted men. Tell them they're guarding Aris from further attack, if you think it will help. But leave nothing out." He sighed. "Birona, too. Let us not regret later the safeguards we failed to take."

  Ysdra nodded.

  "Do you have suggestions, either of you?" Razem looked from one to the other. Ysdra's thin, solemn face was thoughtful. Kho was studying his wine glass.

  "We must prepare to defend the palace," Kho said finally.

  There was a long silence. Razem thought of how it would look, if people saw the palace bristling with guards. Then he realized the palace guard postings had been doubled since he returned. Of course. People would merely think it a natural reaction to the assassination of King Marsede. He shook his head faintly, ashamed of his slow thinking.

  "I don't like it. I don't like suspecting the worst from Aris. And I'm not sure there will be an attack on the palace, not the sort you're thinking."

  Kho shrugged. "Better safeguards than regrets," he reminded Razem.

  "Yes," he murmured. "But quietly, Emran. And for now, let the guard believe they are protecting against assassins. If they are watching for people creeping in the corners, they shouldn't be taken by surprise by the army that might march against the palace."

  Chapter 24

  Dinner had been a quiet affair. Arisanat's cook had outdone himself tonight. The meat had been tender, the pastries flaky, and the bread soft with a crunchy crust. Arisanat had ordered his servants to keep the wine flowing freely, but even that had not lifted the mood of this assembly. Finally he signaled to his servers to bring the dessert wine out.

  As soon as his cup was filled, he stood. The guests around his table all raised their gazes to him. He looked around, smiling at Tarra on his left, at Lady Talt to her left, and then Lord Belnat. Tarra had been shy to the point of timidity all night, though her mother's smugness had more than made up for that. Belnat, on the other hand... Arisanat was worried about Belnat. The man still seemed to waver, despite his initial interest in the conspiracy.

  Arisanat let his gaze travel further around the table, to Colonel Urval, head of the city guard, seated across from Lord Belnat. Lissa Daix, the head of the merchant guild, sat between Urval and Lord Birona, who sat opposite Tarra at Arisanat's right hand. Arisanat hoped fervently that this was the right group of people. Of the Nine, he had only four—but he had the First, the Third, the Sixth, and the Seventh. There had never been any hope he would get the Second and Fifth, and if he were honest, even the Seventh was less important. The Eighth and Ninth Families were furthest removed from court; he expected they would care little about a regime change, so long as their houses weren't impacted. Lissa Daix was technically a scion of the Ninth Family, but she had no rank within the family.

  "My friends. I thank you for being with me tonight as we finalize our plans to return Tamnen to her former glory." Arisanat smiled. "I can think of no others I would rather have with me."

  "That's good, since you haven't any others," Birona remar
ked lazily.

  "Yes," Belnat interjected. "I thought you had more than three of the Nine, Arisanat."

  Arisanat raised an eyebrow. "Who says that I do not? Belnat, I have invited my closest supporters, not all of them." He smiled benignly. "Besides, have you forgotten how to count? I myself am one of the Nine. I have four present here tonight."

  Birona's small eyes were focused on Belnat. "You had better hope we are your closest," he said.

  Lady Talt tittered. "Of course Arisanat knows he can trust us all. We have thrown our lot in with his, haven't we?" She smiled and placed a hand on her daughter's. "Haven't we, my dear?"

  Tarra looked unhappy about having the attention of the room on her. "Yes, mother," she murmured. She gave Arisanat a shy smile, but he could tell she was troubled. That would require a careful touch. He lifted his glass.

  "A toast to our glorious future," he said, and waited until the others murmured a response before drinking. "Come. Let us repair to the sitting room. We will have to do without music. I am afraid I have found no bards for our revolution."

  Birona, Talt, and Colonel Urval laughed, as they were supposed to. The others did not. Arisanat led the way to the sitting room, where he flicked a gesture at his servants to keep the wine circulating. He waited until everyone had settled into a spot, then drifted over to Tarra's elbow.

  "My dear, you look lovely this evening," he murmured. "I hope nothing is troubling you."

  She startled and Arisanat winced internally. He hadn't meant to make her more uncomfortable. She was a good deal younger than he, no more than twenty, and he wasn't displeased with her. He wondered whether Tarra were displeased with him.

  "All these plots," she said after a moment. Her voice was faint. "I..." She trailed off, looking at him in confusion.

  "You know, I hope," he ventured, "how much I dislike what I must do." He set down his wine glass and took one of her hands in both of his. She was lovely, with her warm brown skin and the red undertones in her black hair. He couldn't help but remember that Talt had tried to snare Razem with her daughters.

  "I have always liked Prince Razem, my lord," she said hesitantly. She looked down at their hands, a blush rising to her cheeks. "It is very hard."

  "I understand, Tarra," he said quickly. "I love my cousin. We grew up together, and I have always loved him." Gods help him, it was the truth, too. "But he is weak. The best quality of a king is not whether you like him, but if he can rule."

  Arisanat ducked his head, trying to catch her gaze. She let him, tilting her head up to meet his eyes. After a moment, her expression cleared and she nodded slowly. "I...see."

  He squeezed her hand gently. "Your mother has chosen the proper side for you. She is a long-sighted woman. She wishes the best for you." He ventured a smile. "As do I."

  "Yes." She smiled faintly.

  Arisanat smiled back and kissed her forehead. "Good girl. You'll see. With you by my side, we will be able to make Tamnen what she once was."

  Belnat drifted over, a full glass of wine in one hand. "I cannot pretend I didn't overhear what you just said." He darted a glance at Tarra, but she had withdrawn into herself and didn't respond. "Is it true you still love your cousin, Arisanat?"

  Arisanat sighed and raised his voice so everyone could hear. "How can anyone doubt that I love my cousin?" he demanded. "I loved Azmei when I sent her to her death, after all. She might have wedded my little brother, had he returned from the war. But instead she forgot him as soon as he was dead. She went to chase a false hope of peace with a nation entirely unlike ours. She was abandoning us. She could not be permitted to continue." He shook his head. "I loved her, but I could not allow it."

  "So that was you, too." Birona's voice was sardonic. "I had wondered."

  "And how has your trade fared, my Lord Birona, since the princess died?"

  Birona's eyes flashed. "Better than it had since the Push, Arisanat. I am sure you will not be surprised."

  Arisanat nodded. "And Marsede gave the Strid back their Deranged Duke instead of punishing him for his crimes!" he continued, letting his gaze travel from Birona to Belnat. "How does that help the kingdom? He will send the Strid back to their ravening ways."

  Belnat wrinkled his forehead. "Duke Oler was dying. He won't be going back to war."

  "You don't think he would train someone to take up his mantle?" Arisanat demanded, and the venom he felt crept into his voice. "Fool!" He turned his back, trying to regain his composure. "No," he said more quietly. "No, Belnat, Marsede did us no favors by sending Oler home to die."

  Colonel Urval cleared his throat. "My lord Burojan, I thought this was all arranged."

  Arisanat took a long sip of his drink, giving himself a moment to gather his words. "Indeed, Colonel. We are here to finalize our plans, not justify them. Belnat, if you are not with us—"

  "I am," Belnat broke in quickly. His mustache trembled as he pursed his lips. "I only hope we are in the right."

  Arisanat held his gaze, putting every ounce of conviction into his expression. "We are."

  There was a pause. Arisanat needed time to breathe, and he suspected everyone else did. He'd been a fool not to find some bard he could bribe to play without listening to their conversation. If nothing else, he could have found someone who wouldn't be missed if they were held captive in the pantry for a few days. He took a long drink of his wine and sighed.

  The Colonel cleared his throat again. "We have nearly everything ready, Lord Burojan." He stepped closer, his expression hesitant. "I still think we should wait until they've calmed down a bit at the palace. Everyone's a little jumpy still from the assassination. If we only gave it a few more—"

  "We've been over this, Colonel," Arisanat broke in, his voice warm. "If we wait too long, they'll be preparing for the coronation. It is vital that we strike before that." He paused and glanced around at the nobles. "None of us have taken any oaths to Razem yet."

  Birona smirked. "Except lady Riman."

  Arisanat made a dismissive gesture. He'd never expected Riman on his side. She was too closely tied to Marsede. There had been talk, about five years ago, that the king was thinking of taking her as his second wife. Though nothing had come of those rumors, they did underscore the deep regard between the two of them. It would have been foolish to go to Riman.

  Colonel Urval sounded exasperated when he spoke next. "Very well. The odds will be somewhat against us, at least in numbers. We'll have surprise on our side, though, and that's important."

  "I think our numbers will be fine," Birona said. He gave the Colonel an indulgent smile. "I am placing my soldiers at your disposal, Colonel. They won't be in my colors, but they will follow your orders." He seemed to register that Belnat and Talt were staring at him and shrugged. "What? I prefer to bet only on a sure thing." His smile widened. "It's how I've kept my fortune."

  The Colonel nodded approvingly. "Aye, that'll help even things up. With your troops and my Lord Burojan's, we should outnumber the palace guard. We'll have to make sure General Kho hasn't brought in more of the regular army."

  "We're safe on that front," Birona said. "In council yesterday, we ordered the general to station troops a day's ride east of the capital. We wouldn't want to be surprised by an attack from Meekin, would we?" He grinned mirthlessly at Colonel Urval.

  "Well done, my lord," Urval replied.

  "Lady Talt should be able to spare her soldiers for the attack," Arisanat said, directing a hard look at Talt.

  It was unnecessary. She beamed at him. "Of course, my dear Arisanat. I'll rely on you to handle that after I relay the orders to my captain."

  The Colonel was nodding. "That gives us the numbers easily, then. The main thing is that we seize the palace quickly. Once we have the palace closed from the inside, I believe we can hold it indefinitely. By the time reinforcements arrive, we'll have dealt with the prince and my Lord Burojan will be king."

  "How do you know the army will listen?" Belnat asked. He was such a mousy fellow. Arisanat s
uppressed a moue of distaste.

  "Once my cousin is dead," he said, "who else would the army expect to lead the kingdom?"

  Belnat gaped at him. "You're going to kill him?"

  There was a moment of silence and then Lady Talt laughed shrilly. "My dear Belnat, what did you think we would do? Depose him and leave him in a dungeon somewhere? That's just asking for someone to rescue him and place him back on the throne."

  Belnat gasped, staring at Talt in fuddlement. Arisanat didn't break the silence. What was there to say? He'd already made his decision, and it was clear his allies stood behind him—except, perhaps, Belnat, and he could be dealt with, if necessary. There were poisons that would incapacitate him long enough for the coup to go forward. Once Arisanat was king, Belnat would fall in line. He was too ambivalent to do anything else.

  Belnat drew in a long, shuddering breath. "Gods forgive us for what we plot," he whispered.

  Arisanat smiled. Belnat had said 'we.' "I am less concerned with the gods and more concerned with the other Families." He made his voice harsh. "Belnat, your wife was a Restin. I'll expect you to bring them in hand afterwards. Birona. You deal with Tel and Daix; you have nephews in those families, yes?"

  Birona nodded. "And Lissa will be able to help." He raised his glass at the head of the merchant guild, who lifted her glass in response. "The real difficulties will be Riman and Ilzi," he added.

  "Oh, Ilzi!" Talt exclaimed. "She's a child!"

  "Not so much younger than Tarra here," Belnat remarked. "Four years? Five?"

  Arisanat didn't miss the apprehension on Tarra's face. She was a kind girl who hadn't much chance to think for herself. Arisanat hoped she wouldn't falter. "Well," he said, "perhaps Tarra will become friendly with Ilzi and help her understand this is for the best."

  After a moment, Tarra met his gaze and smiled tremulously.