Chapter 5

The horn resonated through the library, startling Trystan from his seat. The book he’d been focusing on—to drive all troubling thoughts of his father and Alixa from his head—fell from his lap and to the floor unnoticed. The horn faded away, only to be replaced by footsteps pounding along the marble halls. Outside the window shouting erupted, and though he couldn’t make out any words, he knew it wasn’t anything good.

He crossed the library in long strides and jerked the oak doors open, stepping into the hallway and right into the path of a running stable boy. The boy collided with him, but Trystan grabbed his shoulders to keep the slight child from falling on his rear.

“What’s happening?” Trystan demanded, and the boy stared up at him with terrified eyes.

“That’s the warning horn, sire. It means there are enemies at the gate.”

“Enemies? What enemies?” He nearly shook the boy in his impatience.

The child looked like he was about to pass out. “I… I don’t know, Your Majesty. Please… I gotta go find my ma.”

Trystan let the boy go without another word and hurried through the marble hall.

“Your Majesty.” Trystan paused as Lady Yaro appeared at the landing atop the spiral staircase dominating the hallway. Bunching her gown in both hands, she descended the stairs in her typical ladylike manner, the horn seemingly not affecting her poised demeanor at all.

“Do you know what’s happening?” Trystan demanded of as soon as she hit the bottom step. A spark of fear in her eyes belied her calm facade.

“No, but we’re about to find out.”

In his mad rush, the young boy had left the main doors wide open. An icy gust whipped through the hall and the hair on Trystan’s arms stood on end. They hurried outside to the sight of Cullenspire’s guards rushing toward the closed gate. Without another word, Trystan headed in that direction as well; Lady Yaro tight on his heels.

Alixa and Edric appeared from around the stables, hurrying to join them. Trystan gave her a sidelong glance as Alixa fell in step with him. Her worried, light eyes questioned his. “What’s happening?”

“Enemy at the gate, but not certain who. Have you seen Rissa?”

Alixa pointed with her chin and Trystan glanced over his shoulder at his approaching sister and Avery. Rissa’s gaze met his, and he sent her a tiny nod of reassurance. She reciprocated with a hard, emotionless stare.

The Captain of the guard broke off from his men and headed their way, the grim expression on his face foreshadowing the bad news he was about to impart.

“Giles, what’s happening?” Lady Yaro demanded. “Who is at the gate? Is it Dreach-Dhoun soldiers?”

“No, My Lady. Although, I do believe it’s worse. Lord Eisner and his soldiers are here demanding entrance, or they will fight their way in.”

“Eisner,” she spat in cold contempt. “How dare that bastard show his face here again?” She glanced over at Alixa’s slight gasp of fear, even as the young woman’s face turned to stone, hiding any emotions churning inside. Lady Yaro knew who Alixa was, of course. Nothing had been hidden from their benefactor, but she had not informed anyone that Eisner’s own daughter was residing under her roof. The mistress of Cullenspire kept the secret still as she questioned the captain. “Has he said what he wants? Does he know the rest of the royal family is here? Is that what he’s after?”

“I don’t know, my Lady.”

“Then go inquire,” she ordered.

The captain gave a sharp nod, turned on his heel and hurried off. They didn’t have to wait to find out. Before the captain made it to the gate, a much despised voiced echoed through the air. It carried strong on the wind, like Eisner was already standing on this side of the stone walls. He used a speaking trumpet no doubt, but its effect on Alixa was obvious as a slight tremor shook her thin frame.

“Dona Yaro, I am sorely disappointed. I thought you and your family had already learned your lesson about defying me. Now I hear you are helping and harboring fugitives. Open the gate and allow us entrance, and I promise no harm will come to you or your family. I am here merely to converse with your royal guests.”

Lady Yaro’s cool facade finally cracked as her panicked gaze fell on Trystan. “He knows you’re here. How is that possible?”

“Did he manage to track us through Briggs’ magic?” Alixa asked, the slight quiver in her voice detectable only to Trystan.

“I doubt that. I don’t think he has a seer in his grasp, plus Lonara is far too skilled to not have covered our trail successfully.”

“Then how?” Edric questioned as his hand fell on the sword at his hip. Trystan cursed himself under his breath for having not worn his own weapon. A king should be prepared at all times, yet he’d foolishly left his sword in the library.

Trystan’s shrug belied the fear reverberating through his chest. “I’m not sure.”

“Only one way to know,” Rissa interjected as she gripped the sword she carried more firmly. “Open the gate and let them in.”

“No! We can’t do that,” Alixa yelled, before bringing herself back under control. “I mean, no. He can’t be trusted, no matter what he promises.”

“The girl’s right.” Lady Yaro nodded Alixa’s way. “The last time he entered those gates, I lost my husband. I will not lose more today.”

Trystan ignored both women as he turned his focus to the captain of the guards. “How many men do you have here, captain?”

“Just shy of a dozen, sire.”

“And outside the gate?”

“Fifty or more.”

“Then it appears we don’t have a say in the matter. They will enter one way or another. Boy!” He called to the one of the young guards standing on the fringe of soldiers awaiting orders. The young man looked up in fear. “Fetch my sword from the library. The rest of you, prepare for battle. Captain, do you have archers?”

“Aye, your Majesty. I have a couple of men that can handle a bow with decency.”

Trystan’s gaze swept the courtyard. “Good. Get them in position. One atop the stables and one in the guard tower. Rissa, replace that rusted piece of junk in your hand with your own bow and take a position on the top balcony of the manor. You’ll be of more use doing what you do best.”

He recognized the stubborn look that crossed her face, so he added, “That’s an order,” even as he prayed silently, Don’t argue with me, Ri. Now is not the time.

The prayer seemed to work. Even as her brows cinched together in a scowl, and he knew every bone in her body was screaming to disagree with his order, Rissa gave a shrug of resignation and hurried off to take up position. Trystan let out a quiet sigh of relief as he watched her go. At least she would be out of immediate danger.

“Alixa, go with…”

“Don’t even suggest it,” Alixa growled at Trystan as she flicked her cloak and grabbed the base of her own sword. As if suddenly realizing her insolence in front of the others, she bowed her in head in deference and added, “My place is by your side, your Majesty.”

“Are you certain?” Trystan asked, his words low and meant for her ears only. “It won’t be easy facing your father.”

Alixa gave a noncommittal shrug, but Trystan detected determination in her eyes along with fear. He stepped toward her, to give reassurance, but Edric beat him too it as he placed his hand over Alixa’s on the sword.

“I’ll be by your side as well, my lady. I’ll watch your back.”

Trystan stepped back, swallowing his irritation and averting his eyes from the entwined hands as the young guard ran up to him with his sword. Trystan didn’t bother to strap the sheath around his waist. Instead, he pulled the blade and tossed the sheath aside as a resounding volley of thumps on the wooden gates informed them of their enemy’s lack of patience. Eisner’s voice filled the air once more.

“Lady Yaro, this is your last warning. I am a man of honor but even I only have so much patience. Open the gate and allow us in and no one will get hurt. I wish to speak with Trystan Renauld, and I know very well you are hiding him, along with my traitorous daughter.”

Alixa could no longer hide her fear. Her terrified gaze collided with Trystan’s and even from a distance, he could see the effort it was taking for her to keep herself together.

“Alixa,” he began, but she squared her shoulders and waved a dismissive hand his way.

“I’m okay,” she said through clenched teeth. “There’s nothing else he can do to hurt me. It’s good he knows I’m here. I need to do this. I want to face him… and hopefully watch him die.”

Trystan fumbled for an appropriate response, but none was forthcoming. It was hard for him to grasp the hatred she harbored for her father when he had loved his so much. Instead, he met her gaze with a deep, calming breath.

“Okay. If you’re sure. Let them in. Let’s hear what he has to say.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Lady Yaro whispered as she shouted the command, “Open the gate!”

The young guards standing at both sides of the massive wooden doors started in terror at the command, but still they did as told. Silence fell over the courtyard as the heavy bolts were pulled back and dropped, the metal clang echoing in the quiet. Trystan swallowed the lump of dread in his throat and took a deep breath as the gates groaned in protest, like they didn’t want to admit entrance to whoever was waiting on the other side. He drummed his fingers along the sword’s hilt and planted his feet, expecting any moment for Eisner’s army to break their way through and attack.

His dread was unnecessary. Instead, the waiting mob on the other side stayed rooted in place. Even as the opening grew allowing the army easy access, no one made a move. The only movement was from Eisner himself, as the squat man ambled casually into the courtyard, a smile on his face and a hint of laughter in his voice.

“Finally. It was extremely rude to keep us waiting so long.” His eyes skimmed the small crowd waiting in the courtyard, stopping on Alixa. “Hello, daughter. Don’t you at least have a hug for your dear father?”

“What do you want here?” Alixa snarled, showing much more teeth than necessary.

“I see your manners, or lack of, haven’t improved any since we last saw each other. Can’t say that surprises me much.” His eyes flitted from his daughter to Lady Yaro. “Ah, Mistress Dona. You look well. So much better than you did when we last met. When was that again? Oh yes. When I killed your traitorous husband.”

“Trust me, Eisner, I haven’t forgotten a moment of our last meeting.” Lady Yaro’s expression remained unruffled even as her cheeks flushed bright with anger. “It’s all I think of these days. You’d be wise to remember no one escapes the consequences of their actions.”

Eisner’s laughter grated along Trystan’s spine and curdled his gut.

“Why if I didn’t know better, dear lady, I’d say that was a threat.” Eisner’s laughter stopped abruptly as he narrowed his black eyes. “Are you threatening me?”

“Take from it what you will,” Lady Yaro replied.

“So be it. I take it as the ramblings of a soured, old woman whose husband was stupid enough to put his faith in the wrong man and earned himself a traitor’s death.”

“My husband was no traitor. He was loyal to one king and one king only. Marcus Renauld, his friend and rightful king.”

Eisner barked more laughter. He truly seemed to be enjoying himself.

“And please tell me. What did Yaro’s loyalty to Renauld earn him? Death. And a painful one at that. You think you would have learned a lesson from that, Dona. But no. Instead, I find out from an intercepted messenger boy that you not only still serve the Renaulds, but you’ve given them sanctuary in your home along with this treacherous little witch,” he motioned to Alixa.

“Enough,” Trystan growled as he stepped forward and raised his sword, pointing it Eisner’s way. “We all know who the traitor is here, there’s no need to argue the truth. Why are you here, Eisner? I know you’re aware of my father’s murder. Have you come here to gloat about having a hand in my father’s death?”

The swarthy, little man appeared truly surprised. “You think I had a hand in Renauld’s murder? Oh no. I wish. I mean, it would have been an honor to knock that pompous airbag off his pedestal. But sadly, that honor did not go to me. Calis had another do that for him. You should know by now that his people are everywhere.” He enhanced his comment by wiggling his stubby fingers into the air.

“Then why are you here, you turncoat piece of crap? And speak true or else I’ll cut your blasphemous tongue from your mouth.” Trystan ignored the little voice in his head telling him to stay calm and instead allowed the anger to take control.

“Oh my, brave words, boy, for someone far outnumbered.” Eisner laughed again as he rocked back on his heels. “I didn’t think you had that sort of gall. I always thought you a cowardly idiot. A pretty boy, soft little prince too scared to get his hands dirty.”

“How dare you speak to King Trystan that way.” Avery’s voice filled with fury as she drew her sword and aimed it toward Eisner. In retaliation, Eisner’s soldiers drew their own swords in unison, rushing to his aid. Trystan stopped the sword master in her tracks with a restraining hand on her forearm.

“Avery, no.”

“Don’t stop her, boy. Please, let your rabid dog loose. My soldiers are getting bored just standing here.” Eisner stared at Avery in distaste. “You’re as stupid as you are big. King Trystan, indeed. This silly boy is not king. That title has already been claimed.”

Trystan tried hard to cover his confusion, but Eisner noticed and cawed in laughter again.

“Oh my. You don’t even know, do you? Well, I suppose not since I’ve had every messenger on the roads killed of late. Let me fill you in on the news. While you’ve all been hiding out here, licking your wounds and crying over your father’s death, someone else has claimed the title. Marcus Renauld’s body wasn’t even cold when his brother Drake crowned himself king. There is no throne waiting for you, boy. Only a cold dark prison. I’m here to take you all to Calis.”