TheRedKing (14 page)

“Then you should use a workhorse. This one is clearly better
suited to riding.”

“Well clearly it’s the only horse I have,” the man sneered. “I’m
not happy with the scrawny beast, but a man lost a bet to me and couldn’t pay
in coin so I agreed to take the horse instead.”

Areus dismounted and approached the horse.

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” the farmer snapped as
Areus talked softly to the animal. Ignoring the man, he picked up the horse’s
injured foot and shook his head in disgust. He dislodged a sharp rock that had
stuck in the horse’s hoof.

Holding the rock in the man’s face, he said, “You might have
tried checking her foot when you saw her limping.”

“I didn’t notice.”

Areus didn’t try to hide his disgust. “How long have you
been farming?”

“This is my first crack at it. I’m a fisherman, but my boat
sank about a month ago. Couldn’t afford a new one, so I moved here from the
coast to try farming.”

“Take my advice and go back to sea.” Areus moved around the
little mare, checking her for other injuries. He inspected her face and teeth.
Other than some soreness from overwork and the farmer’s whipping, she appeared
in decent health. She was so filthy that Areus wasn’t exactly sure what color
she was, but she had fine lines, a beautifully shaped head and unusual hazel
eyes. It amazed him that someone had given her up as payment for a debt.

“I ask again, what do you think you’re doing?” the man
growled.

Areus motioned for his manservant to join them.

The young man did as his king asked.

“I’ll buy your horse,” Areus said.

“She’s not for sale. I told you I need her to work this
field.”

“You’re destined to fail here. Take my advice. Go back to
the coast and buy another boat.”

“With what? My good looks?” The man grinned wickedly,
revealing a missing front tooth.

“I’ll pay you more than the horse is worth in her present
state.”

“Who do you think you are?”

“Areus, King of Lortia. Unless you’re even more stupid than
I think, you’ll take my offer.”

The peasant’s eyes widened and he didn’t speak as Areus
instructed his manservant to pay for the horse in gold coins. The servant
dropped them into the man’s grubby hands.

After unfastening the mare from the plow, the man placed a
rope around her neck and handed it to Areus’s servant.

Areus swung into Cosmo’s saddle. He and his party continued
for another mile. Before dusk fell, they set up camp for the night. Areus
ordered the mare be cleaned, fed and watered with the other horses. As usual,
he cared for Cosmo himself. He was about to enter his tent for the night when
his servant approached, leading the little mare.

Cleaned, fed and rested, she looked like a completely
different horse. In the firelight, her coat shone the most beautiful pale gold.
She had a flowing mane and tail and her eyes already looked more trusting than
when he’d first examined her. She was lovely and delicate. He couldn’t help thinking
how perfect she would be for Delia.

“She’s a fine piece of horseflesh, sire,” the young man
said. “Cleaned up beautifully.”

“Yes. Lovely.” Areus stroked the horse’s face and neck. She
leaned into him and blew softly. A smile tugged at his lips. “See that she’s
well cared for during our travels. Keep her fed and groomed. Also watch her
bruised hoof and be sure to clean her wounds.”

He ran a hand over her flanks that were marked by several
raised welts from her previous owner’s whip. Areus was glad he had found the
mare before she had been with that man for too long, otherwise there was no
telling what further damage he might have inflicted.

“Yes, sire.”

“I want her healthy when we return to Lortia. I think the
queen will like her very much.”

“I’m sure she will.”

Areus caressed the horse one last time before heading to his
tent for the night.

Stretched out on his back, his arms folded beneath his head,
he stared into the darkness and longed for the warmth of Delia’s body against
his. He imagined the softness of her hair brushing against him and the scent of
her perfume.

He wondered if back in Lortia, she was thinking of him as
well.

Three weeks later, Areus returned leading a sizeable army
that included soldiers from Prem and Drakesglenn. The autumn chill that had
been in the air when he’d left now had a winter bite. This disturbed him since
he knew that Zaltana would attack soon. Winter battles were rare, though Zaltana
had been known to attack during that brutal season. It had been winter when
they had nearly destroyed Tanek. With any luck, this battle would be over
before winter began in earnest.

The king of Fernhill had also agreed to allow Areus to
command his army, however they remained in their kingdom due to the Zaltanian
soldiers massing along their border.

Upon Areus’s return to Lortia, Etor rode out to meet him
before he reached the castle gates. Astride his dark-brown stallion, the
captain of the guard fell into step beside Areus.

“I’ve sent General Cain to assume command of the army in Fernhill,”
Areus said. “We now have enough men to arm the border of both Fernhill and Lortia.”

Drakesglenn and Prem were located behind Lortia. Should the
front lines fall, some warriors had been left behind to defend the two smaller
kingdoms. Still if Zaltana passed the first lines of defense, Drakesglenn and
Prem had little chance of surviving.

“We’ll still be spread a bit thin,” Etor said. “Unless The
Ruby Order sends reinforcements.”

Etor spoke the truth, but Areus was confidant. They had held
off Zaltana before, although not against Hypatios. The man’s reputation
preceded him. He crushed his enemies, showing no mercy to armed men. It was
rumored that he spared women and children, however. King Urion had suggested
arming them, but to Areus, provoking a known madman with armed women and
children wasn’t even a last resort. He didn’t believe for an instant that Hypatios’s
warriors wouldn’t slaughter anyone holding a weapon, and only a fool would
suggest that babes could defend themselves against armed men.

It wasn’t the first time he wondered how Urion had lasted as
king, but the standards in Prem dipped below those of Lortia. Maybe his advisors’
suggestion that he conquer Prem had some merit after all, but Areus’s main
concern at the moment was defending Lortia. He had control of three additional
armies and he would not fall to Zaltana.

“Where is the queen?” Areus asked. “Is she well?”

Etor smiled slightly. “She misses you, I believe.”

Areus wanted to smile, but kept his expression composed. “I
fear I won’t be long at the castle. My men and I must move closer to the border
as soon as possible. As always, I’ll trust our city and the castle to you,
Captain.”

“As always, I’ll defend it with my life, sire.”

Areus nodded, his gaze fixed on the castle gate as they
approached.

“To answer your question, she’s working in the infirmary.”

This time Areus didn’t hide his smile. “I’m not surprised.”

“There is something else that requires your attention,” Etor
said. “I’m holding a woman for questioning. She’s from Zaltana and claims to
have information about Hypatios. She also claims to have known your mother.”

This didn’t surprise Areus. It wasn’t the first time a
crazed commoner had tried to reach him. What concerned him was that Etor had
decided to bring the matter to him. That meant the captain believed there was
some value to Areus speaking to her.

“You’ve questioned her already, of course?”

“Intensely.”

“And what has she told you?”

“Not much, but instinct tells me that we shouldn’t dismiss
her, at least not immediately.”

Areus nodded. “I’ll speak to her at noon. I have other
matters to attend first.”

Etor glanced at the little gold mare prancing alongside
Cosmo.

“What’s this?”

“A new recruit.”

When Etor raised a skeptical eyebrow, Areus smiled and said,
“And people say I’m too serious. It was a jest, Captain. She’s the newest
addition to the royal stables, rescued from a heavy-handed would-be farmer and
an oversized plow.”

Over the past couple of weeks, the mare’s true personality
had emerged beneath the fear inflicted by her previous owner. She was a calm,
gentle horse, but with a high, delicate gait that made her appear regal.

“Interesting,” Etor said.

Areus ordered his servant to bring the mare to the stable
where the riding and coach horses were kept. He wanted her well-groomed and rid
of the dust and dirt from their travels before Delia met her.

While the mare was taken away, Areus brought Cosmo to his
stall, then he went to find his wife. Their time together would be far too
short before he was to leave again, this time for battle. It might be weeks or
even months before he would see her again. That thought saddened him, but his duty
must always come first, especially since that duty included making a safe home
for her and his people.

At the stable, Areus allowed a groom to attend his horse. He
paused at the well to drink, as they had ridden hard to return to Lortia
quickly. Once he’d slaked his thirst, he splashed water on his face to wash
away the grime from the road, then he headed to the infirmary.

When he stepped in, only the wine merchant still lay on a
cot, recovering from his injuries. Delia stood with her back to Areus, taking
inventory of bandages and other supplies. Echo, who stood nearby folding linen,
glanced up at Areus, but before she could speak, he raised a finger to his lips
to silence her and shifted his gaze toward Delia.

The maid smiled and curtsied. Areus approached quietly and
slid his arms around Delia from behind. “Good day, my beaut—” His sentence
ended in a grunt as she gasped, threw all her weight to the side and punched
him between the legs.

“Hell and damnation, woman,” he said in a strained vo
ice, bracing his hand against the wall and trying to ignore the
pain.

“Areus!” Delia placed a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide
in surprise. She embraced him hard and he wrapped an arm around her waist. “I’m
so sorry. Are you hurt?”

“It’s passing.” He held her at arm’s length. “I wanted to surprise
you, but I should have announced myself.”

“I am sorry.”

“Where did you learn to do that?”

“The sisters taught me, in case we were ever attacked by
brigands on the road to the village.”

Areus looked thoughtful. “It’s good for a woman to know how
to defend herself.”

“You think so?” She smiled. “Then you can teach me more?”

He chuckled. “You wish to learn how to fight?”

“I’m not saying I want to ride into battle alongside you—”

“I should say not.” He laughed again and folded his arms
across his chest, his green gaze glistening with amusement.

Delia’s brow furrowed. “Some women do fight. If you know the
Knights of the Ruby Order then you must be familiar with the Dames of the Opal Order.”

“I have heard of them, though I’ve never met them in battle
or otherwise.”

“They’re great warriors and all women.”

“Hence the
Dames
.”

“Do you really think women protecting themselves is so
funny?” She looked annoyed and while Areus didn’t want her wrath—not today at
least—he couldn’t help thinking how beautiful she looked as well.

“I’ve missed this, Delia, sparring with you. It’s even more
invigorating than the sparring I get on the training field.”

“Please, sir.” She blushed a bit, her gaze shifting to Echo
and the wine merchant. “Not now.”

Areus leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Tonight then. I
have duties to attend now, but I wanted to see you first.”

Delia slid her arms around him and held him close. “I’ve
missed you so much.”

Closing his eyes for a moment, he tightened his hold on her,
then brushed her mouth with a kiss.

“Do you have to go this instant?” she asked.

The disappointment in her eyes tugged at his heart, but he
had little time and much to do.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll be with you tonight. You have my word.”
He smiled and trailed his thumb over her lips. “Later.”

She nodded and Areus headed out of the infirmary. Before he
reached the door Delia called, “Wait.”

Pausing, he turned to her as she approached.

“Areus, there’s a woman being held below.”

“Yes. Etor told me. I’m going to question her this
afternoon.”

“I have a strange feeling about her.”

Areus caressed her cheek. “It’s not your worry.”

“You’re my worry. If you would like my opinion about her—”

He nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

This time he left without interruption. If the woman in the
dungeon was either crazy or a messenger from Hypatios, he didn’t want her near
his queen.

Though Captain Etor and the guards defended the castle well,
they were not infallible. If assassins managed to get in once, spies might also
have infiltrated their defenses. He didn’t want to risk their enemy discovering
his affection for his new queen.

Areus’s own mother had been abducted by the king of Zaltana
as a bargaining tool. Everyone knew how deeply the old king of Lortia had loved
his wife. She had been a target because of it. Areus wouldn’t allow the same to
happen with him and Delia.

His father hadn’t been a cruel man, but he had been strict
and with good reason. If only he had followed the rules he’d set for Areus—never
display his emotions or reveal his innermost self to anyone—Queen Cosma might
have been spared a great deal of pain as well as an early death.

Areus wouldn’t repeat his father’s mistakes. He couldn’t
prevent himself from falling in love with Delia—to his surprise it had already
happened, but as king he would show no weakness—not to anyone.

Not ever.

And Lortia would stand for years to come.

* * * * *

Just after noon, Areus and Etor entered the dungeon and
approached the strange woman’s cell. The captain had thought it best to keep
her separate from other prisoners.

When Areus paused outside the bars, she looked up from where
she sat on a stone bench. As Etor had described, she was of average height and
dressed in a simple tunic and a hooded cloak. Her hands and face were covered
with mottled flesh, apparently scarred by fire. Moisture welled in her eyes and
she rose, staring at Areus with such intensity that a strange feeling twisted
through him. Very few people unsettled Areus, but something about her disturbed
him.

Still he was careful to appear unaffected by her emotional
blue eyes. The tears quickly vanished and she curtsied.

“Your Majesty,” she said in a soft voice that was eerily
familiar.

“All right, woman,” Etor said gruffly. “He has honored you
with his presence. Tell him that which you refused to tell me.”

Her gaze shifted toward the captain, then back to Areus.

A faint smile touched her mouth. On one side, her lips were
distorted, as if the flesh had melted, but the other side was untouched,
revealing what had once been a delicate and beautifully shaped mouth.

“I often wondered how you’d look as a man. So handsome.” She
tilted her head slightly to the side. “But I can still see the boy in there
too, in your eyes. As a boy you would often drive Alexa and me insane with
bouts of mischief only to look at us with those guileless eyes and we couldn’t
help but forgive you.”

Areus’s temper flared. “Who are you?”

“A ghost.” She sighed deeply and curled her scarred hands
around the bars. Closing her eyes for a moment, she bowed her head. “I wouldn’t
have come if it wasn’t important, but I couldn’t convince Hypatios, so I had to
come to you.”

“What nonsense is this?” Etor practically growled. “If you’re
wasting our time, old woman—”

Areus held up a hand to silence the captain who glanced at
him in question. “You’re insinuating you knew me, that you knew my mother.”

She smiled sadly. “I didn’t simply know your mother. I am your
mother.”

“Sire, this is utter rubbish,” Etor said with a look of fury.

Areus’s gaze never left the woman. “My mother died in a—”

“Fire. Nearly.”

Areus’s stomach clenched. The way she held his gaze,
unfaltering, proved that she was either an excellent liar or telling the truth.
The latter was almost impossible. After the fire, bodies had been discovered in
the convent, but they were burned beyond recognition. The queen was believed to
be among them since there was no sign of her elsewhere.

“Your scars are convincing, but there’s no way to prove
where or how you received them,” Areus said.

“I don’t blame you for doubting me and I’m glad your captain
was wise enough not to trust me, but I can prove I’m your mother.”

“How?”

“I can tell you things that only you and I know. Things that
not even Alexa or your father knew.”

Areus and Etor exchanged a brief glance.

“Such as?” Areus asked coolly.

“When you were five years old, you sneaked into your father’s
chamber and spilled ink on one of his favorite books of history. He blamed the palace
cats and you held that secret for nearly half a year before you told me. You
wanted to confess, but I told you not to mention it.”

That lie had never sat well with Areus. He had even been
tempted to mention it by his father’s deathbed, but thought better of it.

“Your father was a good man, but often too strict with you,”
she went on. “If you had confessed, the punishment probably would not have fit
the crime.”

Etor raised an eyebrow at Areus who nodded ever so slightly.

“As a child your favorite story was the haunted cathedral,
but you wouldn’t allow anyone but me to tell it to you,” she continued, then
glanced at the captain. “I can tell you why, but if you prefer it remain
between us, I suggest you dismiss your captain.”

“You may speak freely in front of him,” Areus said.

“All right. At the end of the story, when the ghosts of the
children reunited, you always cried, but according to your father, princes aren’t
allowed to cry, in particular a first-born prince sure to inherit the throne.
You never even asked Alexa to tell you that story. Only me.”