The Whisperer (25 page)

‘What?’ Griff said, looking up in amazement. ‘Were you there?’

Pilo shook his head. ‘No, but it’s why I was hired. Miralda suspected that the fall which Janko claimed the baby prince had suffered was not so innocent. She had suspicions about Janko from early on. And it was confirmed that there were grounds for her fears when Lute was permitted to join a hunt with his father and had another fall, this time from his horse—also the result of some interference from Duke Janko.’

Tess looked astonished. ‘What happened?’

‘Oh, the detail is not important. The fall occurred and looked like an innocent accident but the boy could have easily died and I was one of the royal trackers then. It was pure coincidence that I happened along at the right time and was able to hasten the injured Prince’s return to the palace. Janko claimed he had ridden as fast as he could back to the palace for help but the physicians arrived long after I’d carried Lute to safety. Curiously, Duke Janko was not seen again for several years—he headed north and continued his heroics on the mountainous borders that are always under threat from King Besler. Once again years clouded everyone’s memories and he rose to near legendary status for the way he kept our realm so safe and Rodin learned to rely heavily on his brother’s might.’

‘But the Queen wasn’t fooled,’ Tess guessed, eyes shining.

‘Correct,’ Pilo said. ‘The truth is that she never liked or trusted the King’s brother and she decided to put in place a permanent bodyguard for the Crown Prince. She chose me and made up a title called Prince’s Aide, but neither I, nor Janko it seems, had any misconceptions about my role. I was there to protect Lute from harm, especially from his conniving uncle.’

‘Why couldn’t the King see his brother for what he is?’

Pilo shrugged. ‘Rodin is a fine king. He loves his family, loves his people, he makes very good decisions. His weakness is his brother. He seems to be blinded by his brother’s strength and
courage. Rodin is no warrior and if you met them you would see an enormous difference between the two men. One is small and really quite gentle, very amusing. The other is tall, broad, handsome, loud and entertaining. Janko impresses most people he meets.’

‘And then he made yet another attempt,’ Griff continued.

‘That’s right, and that was the closest he’s come to succeeding.’

‘Well, he so nearly got Lute again and if not for Bitter Olof, the Duke might have finally realised his wish.’

‘He’s taken the throne anyway,’ Pilo said bitterly, ‘but we have to return it. And your magical skills will help us, Griff.’ He squeezed the boy’s shoulder.

‘What about Davren?’ Tess reminded them.

‘Yes,’ Pilo said, rousing himself from his thoughts. ‘Come on,’ he said. ‘I need to look at Davren’s wound and while I do so, Griff, tell me everything you can about Lute’s whereabouts. He’s going to a beach you say?’

Griff nodded. ‘They’ve been on the move since the early hours and are headed to the sea.’

‘I think I know what Olof’s plan is.’

‘What?’

Pilo actually laughed but it was mirthless. ‘He must be desperate because I think he’s trying to find Calico Grace.’

Griff and Tess shared a glance. It didn’t seem as though Pilo was going to explain, nor did it look like he was especially amused any longer.

They were all in the boat, rowing out to what Lute could now see was a large ship anchored in the distance. In their panic earlier he hadn’t noticed it but obviously Bitter Olof had known exactly where he might find Calico Grace and her men. Lute watched him now, the dwarf’s expression flitting between resentment at being here and relief and concern for Little Thom.

The captain—as her men called her—studied him with a gaze that had narrowed to slits in the morning glare, puffing quietly on the pipe that she had finally lit. Behind the stare though, he had already noticed that Calico Grace had the bluest of eyes and he wondered, if and when he ever saw her smile, whether her plain looks might brighten, because right now she was terrifying.

‘King, eh?’ she said suddenly.

Lute flinched, unprepared for any attack she was intending.

‘Now, Grace. There is no mileage to be gained from him,’ Bitter Olof warned, stabbing a finger towards Lute.

‘You’re jesting with me, dwarf, surely? Perhaps you have finally brought something worthwhile into my life. Do you hear this, men? You are rowing the King.’

There was a murmur from the rowers and Lute didn’t think they looked at all impressed to have a royal on board. Nor did he think Calico Grace had his best interests at heart.

‘Are you listening to me, Grace, I—’

Calico Grace pulled the smouldering pipe angrily from her mouth. ‘No, Olof, you pay close attention to what I’m about to say.’ It was her turn to jab a finger in his direction. ‘You owe me!’

‘But, Gracie—’

‘No. Don’t you dare “Gracie” me, you old rogue. You have an enormous debt to repay me from your previous visit when you were last in trouble. And here you are, in trouble once again, and who do you come running to? Ah yes, good old Calico Grace. And no, dwarf, don’t even think about adopting that innocent expression as though it were pure coincidence that you happened to be at Ghost Beach just when I happened to be anchored off it. You came seeking me. We saw you coming a way off, crashing down through that undergrowth and onto the beach. And you knew I was there, too. You counted on me interfering. I should have let that stupid Duke just kill you and be damned. Now the Crown’s got genuine beef with me, and just to keep it all nice and spicy I’ve got the damn King about to board
Silver Wind.
It’s always trouble with you, Olof.’

Bitter Olof sighed. ‘And still you help me.’

She shook her head helplessly. ‘There’s no accounting for love,’ she said in a scarcely audible voice.

Lute’s ears pricked up but when he glanced around, Calico Grace was staring out to sea, Bitter Olof was studying his drenched boots, Little Thom was groaning softly by their feet and the rest of the men were focused only on rowing to the glittering schooner that appeared closer by the moment. No-one but Lute seemed interested in the turn of the conversation, so he stored it away and fixed his gaze on the ship awaiting them.

She was a beauty. She seemed to shine beneath the kiss of the sun and from the reflection of the glittering ocean.

‘Your schooner is magnificent, Calico Grace. She really suits her name.’

The captain turned to regard him. ‘She can outrun any ship you pitch against her, yer majesty.’

Lute whistled softly and nodded. ‘She looks fast. Where was she built?’

Calico Grace tapped her huge nose. ‘Never you mind, yer highness.’ Now she winked at him.

Lute frowned. It took him a few moments for all of it to fall into place and as they drew up beneath the shadow of the sleek vessel, he noted that her pale colour made her look ghostly this close and where a ship normally had brass, the
Silver Wind
had curious silver fittings, which only added to her strangeness.

‘Calico Grace, may I ask, is this a pirate ship?’

She tapped out her pipe on the side of the boat as she stood. ‘The best on the high seas, majesty,’ she said proudly.

Pilo daubed some salve from a small pot he was carrying onto Davren’s wound. The centaur was grimacing.

‘Sorry, friend, I know that hurt,’ Pilo said.

Tess looked anxious. ‘Will the bleeding stop?’

‘Yes. I know it looks bad and it hurts but it’s not deep or life threatening. I have to tell you that your friend is brave. I couldn’t have gritted my teeth for as long as he did. He should remain still.’

‘Still?’ Griff interrupted. ‘But we need to go and help Lute now.’

‘We?’ Pilo laughed. ‘No, I have to go and help Lute. You are going to continue on your merry way.’

‘You’re leaving us?’ Griff looked at Pilo as though he was a stranger to him again.

Pilo had the grace to look uncomfortable. ‘Well, I have a King whose life might need saving. I’m sorry that—’

‘If you’re right, then that King is my brother. My twin brother, and I’ll be damned if you think you’re going off to find him without me!’

Pilo stared at Griff, breathing heavily, clearly angry. ‘And leave Tess? Is that your plan? Leave Tess, whom you had planned to save from Master Tyren and his Stalkers?’ Griff swallowed. ‘And not just Tess, but Davren, who is wounded, and Helys, who is frightened, and Elph, who is too slow to move with us?’

‘If we stick together, then everyone’s safer,’ Griff tried, looking around at all of them, feeling desperate.

‘No, Griff!’ Pilo said, shaking his head and walking towards his horse. ‘I travel faster alone.’

‘So that’s all we are to you? A burden?’

‘You know that’s not right.’

‘Well it’s obvious you only care for my
brother.
’

‘Griff, he’s the King,’ Pilo said softly, appealing to Griff’s sense of loyalty. ‘And he’s being hunted down by a madman who plans to kill him.’

Griff nodded and turned away. ‘So am I. Come on, Tess, we’ll head this way,’ he said. He glanced at Pilo, his gaze suddenly hard. ‘Farewell, Pilo. Thank you for your help today and good luck with everything.’ He shrugged. ‘Say hello to my brother for me.’

Even Davren scowled at Pilo as the centaur picked up Helys and limped away after Griff.

It left only Tess to be polite. She gave Pilo an embarrassed look. ‘We’ll be going then.’

‘What did Davren say? He looked at me just then as though I shot the arrow.’

She looked down momentarily, then answered. ‘He said to tell you not to bother about saying hello to Lute for Griff. Griff can do it himself using his magic. And then he can tell the King, er…well…about you leaving us.’

‘Look, Tess—’

She shook her head, smiled awkwardly. ‘You don’t have anything to explain to me. At least Griff is the King’s brother. I’m no-one.’ She turned. ‘Take care, Pilo. Thanks for saving us earlier.’ And then she too turned her back on him and walked away. ‘Come on, Elph. We’re moving at your pace now because of Davren.’

They got as far as the edge of the clearing before Griff heard the sound of hooves. He turned. ‘Master Pilo?’

‘Alright, you win. We go together.’ He looked beaten.

Tess glanced at Griff and grinned, then said to Pilo, ‘Davren said you wouldn’t leave us.’

‘Did he, indeed?’

She nodded. ‘He assured me that you would not let us get beyond the fringe of this part of the wood.’

Pilo gave a sound of disgust. ‘That predictable, eh?’

She smiled. ‘Afraid so. He said you are far too honourable to desert us, even though your King needs you.’

Pilo bowed from his saddle to Tess. ‘I’m flattered,’ although Griff noticed the sly look he also threw towards the centaur. Something akin to respect seemed to pass between Pilo and Davren at that moment and it warmed Griff’s heart.

Pilo got off his horse. ‘It occurred to me that if we stitch Davren’s wound, although he’s not going to enjoy the experience I can assure you, then perhaps—’

‘He says yes, Master Pilo. He will bear whatever he has to if it means we stay together.’

‘Right. I wish I could communicate with Davren like that, or anyone.’ He looked awestruck.

‘You can, as a matter of fact,’ Griff said. ‘You just have to ask me and I can allow you to talk to Davren any time you wish.’

‘Truly?’

‘Truly,’ Griff confirmed. ‘But there is a catch. I’ll be blinded. If I’m in the Silvering I’m not aware of anything going on around me.’

‘That sounds dangerous,’ Pilo admitted.

‘It is. But Davren seems to be able to talk to me in the Silvering and keep his five senses working outside of it. It’s another reason why I think we need to stay together. We can help you to reach Lute.’

‘I hadn’t thought of that. It seems once again I must rely on magic.’

Griff shrugged. ‘Lute told me you entrusted his life to your daughter’s magic whistle.’

Pilo looked up sharply. ‘Now I know you’re not lying about your abilities. He is the only person to whom I’ve told that story.’

‘I’m sorry, I don’t mean to—’

‘It’s alright. Ellin’s whistle did save his life.’ He looked suddenly sad. ‘I just wish it could have saved hers.’ He looked
away, clearing his throat. ‘I suggest we stay on the move. Let’s put some distance between ourselves and the Stalkers, though I suspect you will no longer be followed, and if Davren can stand the pace and keep up, then I think by tonight he can have some rest.’

Everyone was in agreement on this plan. Soon they were all focused on the needle and thread that Pilo managed to find in his saddlebags. Neither Griff nor Tess wanted to do the stitching so Pilo asked permission of the centaur and it was granted. Davren bore up bravely, making no sound, simply grimacing now and then. Before long they were saddled up and moving in a northwesterly direction again, with Elph and Helys happily riding with Pilo and Griff. Tess kept Davren close at her side although Griff didn’t believe the centaur needed nursing. He could see the gleam of adventure in his friend’s eye and instinctively knew that, despite the arrow wound, he had never had such fun. In years to come he imagined the centaur would wear that scar as one of honour.

‘How long will it take to reach where Lute is?’ Griff asked.

‘If we ride all day at this pace, I should be able to get us to Ghost Beach by nightfall. It’s one of Calico Grace’s favourite haunts and we just have to hope they’re still there once we arrive. That’s assuming they’ve found her, of course.’

Lute stood aboard the gleaming schooner. This wasn’t how he’d imagined a pirate ship would look. He’d always thought they’d be grubby places with a nasty looking crew and dark timber that creaked and groaned.

‘I know what you are thinking, majesty,’ Grace said, tapping her nose again.

They were watching Little Thom being hauled up the rope ladder from the row-boat. It seemed to require the help of a dozen men that Bitter Olof had taken charge of for the time being. He was calling out orders, fussing and flapping his arms around.

Grace shook her head and pointed at the dwarf. ‘He’s worried they may hurt him.’ She snorted. ‘I can assure you that the giant can’t feel a thing. He’s nearly dead as it is.’

‘Don’t say that, Calico Grace. We have to save his life. We have to.’

‘Take him below,’ she yelled at her men, once she’d seen them finally get him on board. ‘Olof, you go with them and see to it that Dash attends to him.’

She returned her gaze to Lute.

‘What is it that I’m thinking?’ he asked. It was an awkward moment and he was tired of Calico Grace’s scrutiny that felt as though she was plotting and planning as to how to make the best of having a royal at her mercy.

She smiled and he stepped back. It was the first time she’d done that and he could see now that she was missing teeth. Calico Grace really was a most plain woman and yet her clothes were crisply ironed and they didn’t look at all tatty. She was obviously wealthy. ‘You’re wondering how come this schooner looks so shiny and new, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, you are indeed a mind-reader, as well as a successful pirate,’ he said, looking around.

She cackled a laugh, barked an order to pull anchor. ‘No, my King. It’s true I’ve had my wins here and there. But the greatest win of all was my schooner here.’

‘She must have cost a fortune to build.’

‘She didn’t cost me a single copper.’ And Grace laughed again but in it he heard sorrow.

‘Nothing? How…how come?’

‘Ah, well now, that’s a long story, majesty.’

Before he could reply Bitter Olof came running out onto the deck, dragging a man with him.

‘Tell her what you told me,’ Bitter Olof said, his breath coming in short gasps.

‘Yes, Dash?’ Calico Grace responded.

‘Captain, er, well, that wounded man is dying before us. We have but minutes I would say. There’s nothing I can do for him. He’s too far gone.’

‘Gracie, please, I beg you,’ Olof said.

‘What? If Dash can’t save him, there’s nothing more I can do, dwarf. I’ve already done more than I should have by interfering in your matters with the Duke.’

‘You can do more, you know it.’

‘No, I refuse. Why should I?’ She looked away.

Lute looked between them. There was a fresh tension he didn’t understand. Bitter Olof looked desperate.

‘What’s going on? How can Calico Grace help? She’s not a healer.’

Calico Grace turned back, triumph gleaming in her eyes. ‘There, dwarf, even your own King knows it’s a lost cause.’

‘But why does he think you can still do something?’ Lute wondered aloud.

Calico Grace glared at them both before making a sound of disgust and stomping away below deck.

Bitter Olof sighed.

‘Tell me what’s going on,’ Lute implored.

‘It’s not my place,’ the dwarf said sadly. ‘She must tell you.’

‘Right,’ Lute said, tired of all this. There was a man’s life ebbing away as these two bickered. ‘Let’s sort this out now.’

Bitter Olof forlornly followed as Lute marched below deck, asking directions to the captain’s quarters. He knocked on the curious pale wood of her door, the silver doorknob gleaming. ‘Calico Grace, may I come in?’

She pulled the door open. ‘There’s nothing to say!’ she yelled but she stepped aside and let Lute enter. She even allowed Bitter Olof to follow.

The chamber was tastefully furnished in pale silk and velvets and it smelled sweetly of old tobacco from Grace’s pipe. She sat down heavily in a magnificent brocade armchair in the palest of blue fabric.

‘Go on—say it!’ she said.

Lute wasn’t sure what she wanted him to say but he said what was on his mind. ‘How on earth does this chamber manage to look so fresh and clean…and well, beautiful?’

‘Are you saying I’m too dirty for it?’ she accused.

‘Not at all. In fact, you’re so clean and tidy as well. Come to think of it, for pirates, your crew is very smartly kitted out. I don’t think I saw a single stain on any of their shirts or trousers.’

Calico Grace looked indignant. ‘I run a tight ship here, majesty.’

‘Tell the truth, Gracie,’ Bitter Olof growled. ‘Tell him all of it. He’s going to find out one way or another.’

They had to follow the line of the forest so that Davren could remain hidden by a thin veil of trees but their horses were finally out on open road and that would make the going much swifter.

Pilo decided that the creatures made them too noticeable. If Davren cut through the woods and headed north, he reasoned, he would come out on the other side of the river at Tarrow’s Landing where they would also be.

‘He can carry Helys and they’ll both stay safe in the forest. We’ll keep Elph covered under my cloak because he can’t move fast and Davren can’t carry them both.’

‘But you said we’d stick together,’ Tess appealed.

‘We’re parting for very good reasons of safety, Tess, and only for a few hours. We’ll be reunited sooner than you think, I promise. This keeps your creatures safer than if they were out and about in open country. They attract too much attention. You have to trust me. We can’t keep them hidden unless we do it my way.’

Tess was quiet for a moment and then nodded. ‘Davren says you’re right and I have to agree that, much as I don’t want us to split up, I do want them to be safe.’

‘Good girl,’ Pilo said.

He spent several long minutes explaining to Davren how to reach Tarrow’s Landing. The centaur looked confident and Tess checked several times with him that the pain wasn’t too bad at the top of his back leg. He shook his head as though it was merely a scratch. They all knew it was more than that but he certainly looked quite capable of making the journey.

‘It will be around mid-afternoon when we all find each other again. Don’t emerge from the forest until then. Perhaps you and Tess, using your mindlink, can work out exactly where we’ll meet.’

Davren grinned.

‘Go. Be safe. Talk to us constantly so we know you’re alright.’

And then they were gone, bounding off, Davren clearly enjoying the freedom of independence and even Helys was a beautiful warm golden pink as she sat comfortably in his arms.

They rode hard for several hours, no-one talking. It was a few hours later when Griff looked over at Tess.

‘You’re very quiet,’ he said, ‘are you worried about Davren and Helys?’

She shook her head. ‘Davren can actually take very good care of himself so long as he’s in the forest. I think most of the time he’s been taking care of me rather than the other way around.’

‘So why so silent?’

‘Well, I’ve been thinking,’ she said, frowning. ‘I believe I know how you can beat the Duke, Master Pilo.’

Pilo glanced at her. ‘I’m listening.’

‘You say that Griff is the walking image of the real King.’

‘He is. I guess I can tell the difference now but it’s so subtle that someone who doesn’t know Lute as well as I do couldn’t pick them. And frankly, even I was taken in.’

‘Exactly. So, I’m thinking that you could pretend that Griff is the King.’

Pilo stared at her and Griff began to feel uncomfortable as the silence lengthened. Finally he spoke. ‘How do you see that working, Tess?’ There was no disbelief in his tone. Pilo was clearly taking her seriously.

She took a breath and her words came out in a rush.

‘Well, it’s not very nice, I know, but you’ll have to use Griff as bait. You need to swap him with Lute, clothes and all. Get Bitter Olof—is that his name?—anyway, you and the dwarf have to be seen by the Duke or his men. The Duke is hunting Bitter Olof and he knows with him goes the King. Once you’re both spotted, you go on the run. They will give chase, thinking they’re hunting down the King. Meanwhile, you take Lute back to the palace and ensure the army knows that their true King is alive and ready to take command of his realm. The army is loyal, you said. I’m right, aren’t I?’ she asked worried. Pilo nodded, his jaw slack. ‘And then Lute will have his army hunt down Janko and his mercenaries. They won’t know what’s happening back at the palace, so they’re not going to expect an attack from within, if you know what I mean…especially as they are convinced they’re already chasing the King.’

Pilo stared back at her, a smile forming. ‘Inspired, Tess! What are you, some sort of military strategist?’

She laughed. ‘Years of trying to dodge the Stalkers. But they finally caught up with me, so I’m not that clever.’

‘No, truly. That is a cunning plan, young lady. And you know Janko is so blinded by his own cleverness that it wouldn’t even occur to him that he’s being tricked.’

Tess nodded. ‘He doesn’t know about Griff, so it won’t enter his mind I’m sure. The main thing is that you get Lute quickly back to the palace, onto the throne and seen by the army and everyone else who counts.’

Pilo agreed. ‘You’re absolutely right. When I stole this horse from the stables I heard that the Duke was preparing to pronounce himself King but I knew he’d need to await Rodin’s funeral before he produced the body of the Crown Prince.’

‘He’d just lie,’ Tess cut in. ‘He’d place an empty coffin into the royal tomb. No-one would be any wiser.’

Pilo looked crestfallen. ‘Right again. That’s exactly how he’d work. But he hadn’t been crowned King when I left the palace grounds last night and I doubt he’s King yet, especially as he is giving chase himself to Lute. No, he wants to be sure Lute is dead. We still have time to put your plan into action.’

They had been talking around Griff for all of this time, not noticing how quiet he had become. They turned now and regarded him.

‘Of course you would have to agree to being bait for Janko, Griff,’ Tess said, obviously only now realising what they were asking of him.

He didn’t hesitate. ‘I agree. It’s a clever plan.’

Pilo frowned. ‘Griff, it will be incredibly dangerous. Janko is unpredictable.’

‘Lute is the King. That’s what this is all about isn’t it? We’re trying to save the Crown, save the realm from a madman?’ Pilo nodded. ‘And if you’re right, he’s also my brother. I can’t let my brother be killed in cold blood without trying to stop it.’

‘I can’t believe how brave you are, and you’re so young. I’m very sorry I ever doubted you or suggested you would slow me down.’ Griff felt himself blush. ‘You’re quite sure, Griff? I feel
ashamed even asking this of you. It’s putting your own life on the line.’

‘My life’s not worth much. Lute’s is. And I couldn’t live with myself anyway, if I didn’t do this.’

Pilo nodded. ‘I salute you. So now we have to get to Ghost Beach as fast as possible. We have to stop Calico Grace pulling anchor.’

‘Well, that’s easy,’ Griff said, grinning. ‘I’d better have a chat to my brother.’