Kellanved's Reach

‘She’s probably not even there any more,’ Tayschrenn sighed. ‘But it’s a place to start.’ He eyed the rising dark silhouette of the palace, thought of the many guards within, and glanced to his two companions. ‘Neither of you know any Mockra or Rashan, do you?’

Hairlock cracked his large knuckles. ‘Not my forte.’

Calot shook his head. ‘Sorry.’

Tayschrenn was beginning to reconsider his haste. This could get very loud and very destructive very quickly. Fortunately, a figure stepped out of the dark ahead and he relaxed, recognizing her from among Surly’s guards – one of her Claws.

This woman inclined her head to him. ‘She said you might show up.’

‘And where is she?’

The woman invited them to follow her. ‘This way.’

The Claw led them to a side entrance – one curiously unguarded – and up narrow stone staircases and back servants’ ways to the main reception halls of the palace proper. All were dark and empty, save one doorway where firelight flickered. The Claw pushed open the door and moved to one side, guarding. Within stood Cartheron, Urko and Tocaras.

Tayschrenn frowned his appreciation. Well, well. Everything seemed to be in hand. And why not? Why should he have doubted Surly? He turned to his two companions. ‘Wait here and stand guard.’

Hairlock peered inside and rolled his eyes. ‘The Inner Circle. I get it.’ He jabbed at Tayschrenn’s chest, ‘Just make sure we get paid for tonight’s work.’

‘Yes,’ Tayschrenn hissed in answer. ‘You will get paid.’ And he pulled the door shut behind him. Within, he asked, ‘Where is she?’

Cartheron glanced to the tall arched stone ceiling far above. ‘Dealing with Tarel.’

Tayschrenn couldn’t keep a frown of disapproval from his face. ‘She’s not going to …’

‘She’s offering him one more chance,’ Urko explained, scowling his disapproval.

‘And Kellanved? Dancer?’ Cartheron asked. ‘What happened?’

‘Still alive last I saw. We shall see what happens.’ He peered round, spotted a comfortable-looking chair, and sat. ‘So I suppose we wait.’

Urko grunted his impatience and paced the room.

*

Despite having specifically chosen a windowless room with one barred and locked door, Tarel slept poorly. He kept thinking he’d heard the door open, and had to glance at it, checking it in the light of his single candle, again and again. It was the spectre of his sister, of course. Haunting him.

But he’d beaten her. Finally. After so many years. And soon she would be a ghost, in a very real headless sense. The thought calmed him, and he lay back once more.

Then he stiffened, unable even to breathe. In the chair, in the shadows, had someone been …?

Very slowly, he raised his head to peer over. Indeed, someone was now occupying the one chair. His sister. Sureth.

His breath left him in an explosive gasp – almost a cry.

‘I gave you every chance,’ she said, sounding her old disappointed self.

‘I beat you,’ he whispered back. ‘Beat you.’

She shook her head. ‘This was inevitable. I’m sorry.’

He managed to swallow. ‘And if I were to call for the guards?’

‘They are my guards.’

‘Damn you! Damn you, damn you! I won!’

She raised a hand, as she always did to silence his tirades. ‘You have one choice.’

‘And what is that choice? Death?’

‘Abdication. Relinquish your authority to the Council of Elders. Retire to the family villa on Rueth Isle.’

‘Relinquish authority to you, you mean!’

She shook her head once more. ‘No. The Council. They can have it. I’m interested in … other things.’

He waved a finger at her. ‘No, no, no. It’s a trick. A trick! You’ll take it.’

She surged from the chair. ‘I have no need for tricks, do I?’

Tarel pulled the covers higher. ‘You’re threatening me. Your own brother! Why can’t I rule?’

Now she rubbed her forehead, sighing. ‘Just abdicate. In the morning. I will have the Council summoned.’

He was thinking ahead now. He could abdicate – for the moment. But on Rueth he could plan anew. Regroup. Try again. Yes! A better plan. ‘Very well,’ he said. ‘I will do as you ask. Devolve power to the Council.’

‘Very good,’ she answered, and headed to the door. Unbarring it, she paused, and turned back to him. ‘By the way. Remember that half the people you will contact to plot with, and half your guards, and half the servants at the villa … will all, secretly, be working for me. You’ll just never know which half.’ She shut the door behind her.

Tarel pressed his face into his pillow and screamed.

*

When Surly entered the hall, Tayschrenn thought that for the very first time he detected emotion upon her features. And strangely enough, she appeared almost sad, or regretful. Cartheron spoke then, asking, ‘Tarel?’ and the mask snapped back into place and she straightened.

‘Retiring to his villa.’ The Napans all nodded at this, perhaps secretly relieved. ‘The Council will rule,’ she added, and Urko’s great bushy brows rose in surprise. ‘We have bigger concerns,’ she finished, looking at Tayschrenn. ‘Kellanved and Dancer?’

‘Both still alive, as far as I know.’

She frowned, a touch perplexed. ‘And Jadeen?’