Return to Alastair (45 page)

There could be little doubt that Benn at least knew of Korin, and therefore of the things he’d claimed. That Saud was a killer? If it were only that, Lionell could have Saud executed and leave the blame with him. But Alastair well knew the baron’s connection. If they believed Korin’s words, they would know the blame was given to Sanlin Dorn by design and Saud was only an agent of the baron’s will.

It seemed an impossible situation to get out of. Benn Trilett probably knew by now about Tahn Dorn. What would he do with the knowledge? When would he act upon it? And hang it all, why hadn’t he left already, Lionell wondered, so the bandits could do their jobs?

It occurred to him that the Trilett lord might simply be waiting here until the wedding. And then, when representatives of all the nobles had gathered, he could present to them his daughter’s suitor with the shocking revelation that he’d found the Trent heir proper! What recourse could he have then? To fight Benn Trilett openly was suicidal. To do nothing would be practically the same.

Ahead of them, the wailers were wailing as they were paid to do, but the endless sound grated at him, and he wished he could order it stopped. Likewise, the droning handbell was an annoyance. He didn’t care that the tears of Korin’s family were heartfelt. He would only be glad when they got the body in the ground and this part was done. Then perhaps he could learn his fate in Benn Trilett’s eyes and begin a counterplan to save the status that he would rather die than lose.

At the graveside, most of the soldiers and townspeople stayed back in a circle. But Benn Trilett made no effort to keep himself back with them. He approached the weeping woman and the rest of Korin’s family boldly with his men to express his condolences. The widow seemed more than a little surprised that another noble would take an interest in her husband’s burial, but to her credit, she accepted his comfort graciously and asked no questions.

The priest spoke at some length, and as soon as he was done, Lord Trilett began to move away. But that action enraged Lionell as much as anything. Of course Benn Trilett had made himself part of this, not for any genuine condolence but because he was wishing Lionell to see his boldness! He wanted a confrontation, curse him! How dare he step back now, to make an empty show of respect to the dead and the grieving family before issuing his inevitable threats!

“Master Trilett,” Lionell called sullenly. “Let us not make haste to part before we have accomplished so much as a greeting.”

“I will greet you, Lionell,” Benn answered. “But let us speak at a good distance. Come with me to the churchyard proper.”

For the first time Lionell began to consider that this circumstance might be meant for a trap. If Benn had surmised that Lionell would be here, he and his men may also have chosen assassination as the easiest way toward their ends. Lionell scanned the churchyard, taking note again of the positions of Benn’s men. Could they really be so foolish?And then he saw a solitary shape upon the church steps. A lean, dark-haired man, watching him. The Dorn. He knew it, as surely as he was born.

“Do you take me for a fool?” he raged. “You would walk me to within yards of a killer? I think not.”

“I know no killers here. But very well,” Benn agreed with a sigh, “if you are uncomfortable near the rest of my men, let us walk a bit among the stones.” He stepped ahead, escorted by two of his men. “I’m pleased to have this opportunity to speak with you.”

“It is mutual,” Lionell said curtly, almost forgetting his customary pleasantries as he motioned his own men to follow. “It has been a long while. I trust I find you in health?”

To his surprise, Benn Trilett laughed. “In health? Yes, Lionell. God is good. And yourself?”

Lionell sighed. “It is with growing anticipation that I look forward to my upcoming marriage. For which ceremony, of course, I would be honored to have your company.”

“Yes,” Benn answered with what seemed like a note of impatience. “And now that we’ve been formally civil, Lionell, I ask you to tell me what you expect to gain by setting your men on the road in wait for me.”

Lionell had to swallow down a sudden lump of bile. “My men? In wait for you? Most certainly not! There are bandits, quite a scourge in this area, but I assure you they are not in my employ.”

“Really? Then I can be assured you’ll make no trouble for me should I wish to depart for Onath this afternoon?”

“Of course not, good sir. I have no reason to trouble you. We are at peace, for which I am truly grateful after the breach my father created. May his memory not come between us.”

Benn turned and looked at him skeptically. “It is not his memory that does that.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s no reason to toy with one another, sir,” Benn said. “You know that the captain of my guardsmen has come to this city. And I know that you tried to kill him. Your father didn’t provide that tension. Even if you build upon his foundation, these new stones are yours.”

Lionell’s heart was pounding heavily. “Master Trilett, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

But Benn would not back down. “We both know that you do.”

Seeing Benn’s stony gaze, Lionell’s temper almost got away from him. “Your guardsman? Why here? Did you send him to test me? To murder me? Or is this a trap you’ve set to win your vengeance just as surely, by giving the other houses cause for my destruction?”

Benn suddenly stopped walking. “By now you should know that I seek no vengeance for your father’s deeds. All of that lies in the hands of God. I came here because Tahn Dorn asked my help. And I find that it is you laying the trap for him. And for me, perhaps, because of him.”

Now they’d come to it, and Lionell trembled inside. It was all about the Dorn, and Benn Trilett knew it. But he still called him his guardsman and nothing more. “My apologies,” Lionell said quickly. “I thought my captain explained to you that the trouble here was a misunderstanding. We were simply trying to contain the ruffians—”

“Don’t toy with me, Lionell,” Benn warned. “You are not a good enough liar.”

“Nor are you!” Lionell fumed. What use pretending ignorance of these things now? Benn knew far too much. “You speak peace. But you don’t admit to all that is in your mind. You have found the perfect way to destroy me.”

“I could,” Benn told him quietly. “There are those who might think that I should. But your cousin is not one of them. He has urged me to keep peace with you, and he wants nothing that is yours. You have no cause against him.”

“Why should I believe you? Tahn Dorn is a murderer.”

“He is sincere. He’s shown that to me beyond doubt. And he’s done nothing against you. You have no reason to wish his death.”

For a moment Lionell considered denying such a desire. But he and Benn Trilett had come down to the straws between them. Denial would do no good. “You know very well,” Lionell answered bitterly, “that he is the greatest threat I shall ever face. Do you expect me to ignore that?”

Benn took a deep breath. “God touch you, Lionell. All we want is your peace.”

“And my title. And my riches.”

“No. I’d not fight you for such things. I’ve never warred against you, or your father. And I swear to you by the God who made us that Tahn Dorn wants no part of what you have.”

Lionell shook his head. “Those are easy words to say now. But what if the nobles were standing about, willing to hear your word over mine?”

“You have my pledge to peace. I wish to God you would hear it.”

“But you’re not the root of this trouble! Why should you let the Dorn be your business? And how can I be faulted if I simply protect myself from reasonable danger?”

Benn folded his arms. The set of his face was hard, immovable. “There is nothing reasonable to this. You’ve hunted a man without cause.”

“Why is it something to you? There must be a thousand better suitors for your daughter. And you have plenty of guards. What do you want with him?”

Lionell’s blood ran cold at Benn’s answer. “The Dorn is my friend. He is soon to be my daughter’s husband. You will leave him alone and let him live his life, or I will see that you lose everything you have.”

“Then you do threaten me?”

“If you give me no choice. I would rather you keep the peace you have promised.”

“I didn’t promise it to a usurping mercenary scoundrel!”

“What will you do, Lionell?” Benn asked wearily. “Fight me for your cousin?”

Lionell shook his head. “The bandits are fierce these days. One can never guarantee safety on the road, but that is not my fault. A shame, if they cause me another funeral.”

“I sent messengers,” Benn said soberly, “before I left Onath, to tell the other nobles I would be here for the sake of a friend. I sent more yesterday, that they might know I can’t be sure if you’ll give us passage to leave or try to slaughter me without cause. If anything happens to my party, Lionell, they will know that you are responsible, bandits or not. And they will come against you for it.”

“You lie! There have been no messengers sent. Especially not from here!”

“I knew you would have men watching. Do you think I’d send them in a group with Trilett insignia so they could be recognized? They are long gone by now, and they may have been robbed, but they weren’t suspected or you would not be so surprised.”

“Curse you!” Lionell shouted. “You tie my hands against you!”

“What can you expect?” Benn demanded. “For God’s mercy, man, should I stand aside and let you kill who you please?”

Lionell turned away. “There is nothing more to be said. If you want to go, then go. You don’t belong on my land. I should bring cause against you for sitting here. Go back to Onath. Go! Curse Tahn Dorn and you with him!”

“May the Lord persuade you,” Benn said solemnly. “And may our future dealings be on better terms.”

Lionell turned abruptly away from such maddening talk, only to see Tahn Dorn and the rest of Benn’s men still watching. A thousand blights to the lot of them! He didn’t know if Benn told the truth about messengers or not. But how could he take such a chance? How could he find himself a solution now?

33

T
ahn was glad when Lionell walked away. The tension of seeing Benn so close to him had been difficult to take. He hated the risk, hated Benn being here when he should be back in Onath in his marble-floored meeting room. He motioned to his men to keep their watch on Lionell’s soldiers, then jumped from the stone rail and moved to Lord Trilett’s side. At a distance he could see that Lionell was watching him.

“You were right,” Benn told him sadly when he drew near. “He’ll hear no plea on your behalf. Only fear of the nobles backs him down from us. Tobas was also right to send the men, though I hated to endanger them.”

“They were willing, lord. And he selected men the soldiers and the bandits have had no opportunity to meet.”

“I pray they got through unhurt.”

“I pray it too.”

Much to Tahn’s surprise, Benn leaned forward to embrace him quickly. Tahn couldn’t help but consider what Lionell might think of such a sight. The young baron was in a circle of his soldiers. Near them, the priest stood alone with Korin’s family. He told them something, and they both looked up toward Tahn and Benn.

“We must go. Soon,” Benn said soberly. “I think the consequences will hold Lionell from trying to stop us now, but you can’t consider yourself safe. He’ll try again if he gets an opportunity. Netta is right that we must get you to Onath. If we linger, he’ll devise some treachery as he did against his own soldier.”

“His treachery might just as likely be against you,” Tahn answered.

“You don’t stop thinking of others first, do you?”

“It’s my job.”

“How deep is the bandits’ quarrel?” Benn asked him. “Lionell cannot sanction their attack now. But can he hold them if they’re determined against you?”

Knowing Burle and the ways of his men, Tahn could be confident in his answer. “Without the baron behind them, they’ll not risk face to face with our numbers, my lord, much as they might like to.”

“Good. I’ll be glad to be away from here. It worries me to see Netta so fearful.”

Tahn glanced toward the church. “Forgive me for saying that you should not have brought her.”

“I didn’t. She followed, against my order.”

Lionell spoke something to the grieving family and then turned with his men to their horses. The priest embraced the widow, and then with a nod he began to lead Korin’s family toward the church.

The woman barely looked up as she came near them. Her grief was such that walking was difficult. But one young man did not take his eyes off Tahn, even as he supported her. “I’m sorry for your loss,” Tahn told them as they passed by. The woman gave barely a nod in recognition, and her son made no acknowledgment at all.

“Do you think it will be safe for them here?” Tahn asked Benn.

“We can pray for their safety. They don’t want to leave with us. Father Bray has already asked them. He will watch for them, at least.”

The church doors opened, and Netta stepped out, anxiously looking in their direction. Tahn was glad to see that Lionell Trent was mounted with his men and beginning to ride away.

“A relief to have him gone,” Benn commented. “Relax, son.”

Tahn nodded.

In an hour’s time, they were ready to leave Alastair. Benn had purchased two wagons. One for the five street children who had chosen to accompany them, and one to carry the remains of Sanlin and Karra Dorn. It was hard for Tahn to say good-bye to Lucas again, especially to leave him behind in Alastair. He embraced his friend, who returned the gesture carefully.

“How is your back, Tahn?”

“Better.” Already Tahn had asked him more than once to change his mind and come with them. But he wouldn’t. So they’d already discussed Benn’s plan to leave two men with him in Alastair until they knew that the baron and the bandits would not trouble him. There was nothing else to be said.

Tahn rode on a horse of Benn’s not so familiar to him as Smoke had been, but it couldn’t be helped. Nothing had been seen of Tahn’s horse since the night the baron’s men first came against them. A crowd of people gathered to watch them leaving Alastair, some sullen and quiet, some more cheerful and even waving. Tahn recognized the son of Jothniel Ovny standing apart from the others, watching Tiarra intently. But Tiarra only looked away.