Volle (41 page)

“If his lordship would like, it might be more expedient to bring his lordship’s clothes here. That robe is rather risqué, and even though the palace is quiet at this time, his lordship might prefer not to risk an embarrassment.”

“I don’t care…” he started to say, then sighed. “No, you’re right. Can you fetch Welcis, or at least have him pick out clothes for me?”

“Consider it done.” Caresh stepped out and into the hallway before Volle could thank him. He returned to the parlor and sat, brooding, until Caresh returned a few minutes later with a stack of clothes.

“Your lordship.” He bowed, placing them on the side table.

“Thank you, Caresh.”

“It is a pleasure to serve your lordship. Will there be anything else?”

Volle shook his head. “No. But thank Helfer again for his hospitality.”

“Yes, sir.” He turned on his paw and left.

Volle slipped the pants on, then shed the robe and shrugged on the yellow linen shirt Welcis had picked out for him. He folded the robe and laid it on the couch, then slipped out and went downstairs to his own chambers.

Welcis was waiting for him. “Your lordship, Caresh said there was some problem…?”

“Xiller is dead.” Volle had thought himself numb to the words, but he felt a stabbing in his heart and had to stop for a moment before sitting down at his desk.

Welcis maintained a respectful silence for several minutes while Volle got out two pieces of paper and scribbled “Seir” on both. When Volle stood and turned to face him, the skunk spoke. “I am most terribly sorry to hear that, sir.”

Volle was about to retort that Welcis had never liked him, but he saw the genuine pity in the skunk’s eyes, and bit back his tongue. “Thank you.” He walked through the room, and then a thought occurred to him. “Please, Welcis, don’t discuss this with any of the other servants. I would greatly appreciate it.”

“Yes, sir. Again, my deepest sympathies. And, sir?” He cleared his throat as Volle stopped and looked at him. “I would like to…apologize for my behavior during said person’s visit. It is true that I did not approve of his lordship having a guest, but that in no way should be taken to mean that I disliked the guest. I found him charming and …” He stopped. “He will be missed.”

“Yes,” Volle said softly. “Yes, he will.” He took a cloak from near the door, pinned it around his shoulders, and left the room.

He stepped through the gardens, his paws adjusting quickly to the chill of the snow. He went to the nearest drop site and stuffed the note into it, then went to the next one and placed the other note in there, just to be sure. He hoped that no matter how she felt, she would come and meet him.

On his way back to the palace, he realized there was one other person he could talk to. The cathedral stood silent, snow-shrouded in the bright morning light, and he headed towards it as though by instinct. Even if the Felid Cantor weren’t there, someone would be who could give him comfort, if not guidance.

He walked through fresh snow in the front garden and around the side to the door he’d used before. Cautiously, he pushed on it, and found it open. He slipped inside and closed the door behind him.

It was warmer inside--not much, but he wasn’t cold today. His fur and the cloak kept him warm enough. The light through the stained glass was bright, and he felt the familiar sense of comfort mixed with awe that he associated with the cathedral now. There were only a few people praying in the pews, and he didn’t see any Cantors walking around, but after a few minutes, the Felid Cantor was at his side.

“Good morning, son of my brother,” he said softly. “How may we assist you?”

“Brother of my father,” Volle said weakly, “I need comfort. I need an ear and a shoulder.”

“Come this way.” He thought the bobcat was leading him to the chapel they’d used with Xiller, but he turned to the adjacent door and opened it. There was a small room inside with two seats, a copy of the Word of Gaia, and very little else. “This room is quiet,” the bobcat said as he closed the door behind them. “We cannot be heard outside. Now tell me, son of my brother, what trouble weighs on your soul?”

“Brother of my father,” Volle said, “Do you remember the cougar I came with last time?”

“Of course. Something’s happened to him.” The priest looked at him astutely.

“He died. I should have figured out what he was doing and stopped him. He was only seventeen.” He paused to get his voice under control again. “He went on a dangerous mission. He wouldn’t tell me about it. And he wasn’t doing good, as he thought he was, he was being tricked into doing something…something evil. So I have his death and his deed on my conscience, brother of my father. I can’t…” He panted heavily. “How can I make amends?”

The priest put a paw gently on his head, considering. He picked up the Word and flipped through it. “There is a passage from the Story of Canis that I believe you should listen to. But first, I am very sorry for your loss. Your friend is with Felis in Gaia now, as are all called before their time.”

“Is he?” Volle asked roughly. “Even if he killed?”

“If he was pure in heart and believed he was doing the work of Gaia, then perhaps, yes, even that sin can be forgiven. As long as he did not eat of the flesh of another of Gaia’s children, he can be redeemed.” Volle nodded, and the priest opened the book and read.

“Saith Canis to his litter, ‘For so much as you may follow me, I leave you my scent, I show you my tail, I am the Finder and Trailmaker. And you may find the path easy to see or hard to see, and easy to follow or hard to follow. But know this: always it is there, and even though you stray from the path, always you may find it again.

“‘But know, too, that I will not place your paws on the path. Hear my voice, mark my scent, and make your way, but your way is your own. Gaia loves you, and I love you, and even should you leave my path, we will always love you, and it is through that love that you may find the path again. Look for my scent, o my children, and mark it well, and always you will find it if you seek it.’”

Volle remembered that story from the Life of Wolf in his own church, but the words still resonated with him, and he felt tears building behind his eyes as he listened to the priest read them. “Thank you, brother of my father,” he said softly.

“Do you understand?”

“I think so.”

“There are two messages there for you, son of my brother. The first is that your friend chose his own path. You did not place his paws upon it; you failed to see and therefore failed to save. And that is sad, but only he can choose to be saved. It is not your sin to atone for. And for yourself, should you stray from Canis’s path, remember that it is through his love that you can find your way back. You can make your penance by finding the path again if you have lost it.”

Volle nodded. “What penance would you have me say?”

“Say the Devotional to Canis five times, and then if you wish, you may light a candle for your friend.” The priest reached out and took his paw gently, and Volle looked up to see tears shining in the bobcat’s eyes as well. “I share your grief. I saw the joy in his soul, and I hoped I would get to know him better. He shone brightly, though not for long, and if you tell me his name, I will treasure his memory with you.”

Volle swallowed the lump in his throat. “Xiller,” he said hoarsely. “Only I can’t pronounce it right. It was K-ziller.”

“Xiller?” The priest said it flawlessly.

“Yes, that.” Volle met the bobcat’s gaze. “He was so passionate. He wanted to do wonderful things, and he loved and fought fiercely.”

The priest sighed. “Passion is a two-edged sword. It gives us great potential, and also blinds us. In the young, especially, it is dangerous, because they have not the wisdom to temper the passion.” Volle nodded. “And it is a great tragedy to lose a passionate soul to blindness. Come, let us pray for him.”

They bowed their heads. Volle said a quick prayer to Cougar, and then to Felis, praying that Xiller would find peace, and that Prince Gennic would find peace as well, and that the royal family and his country would heal.

When he looked up, the priest placed a paw on his shoulder. “Go now, son of my brother, and say your penance, and light your candle. Canis and Gaia go with you; yes, and Felis too.” He smiled. “The ancestors look after each other’s kin from time to time, when the bond connecting families is a strong one.”

“Thank you, brother of my father,” Volle said softly. “You have been a great help.”

The priest escorted him out of the small room and showed him the rack of candles. Volle thanked him again and knelt down at a pew. He said the Devotional to Fox rather than the Devotional to Canis; it was essentially similar, only closer to his heart.He’d been embracing the Orthodox church since his arrival in Tephos, but now he felt the need to return to something familiar.

When he’d said it five times, he bowed his head, stood, and made his way over to the candles. He lit two: one for each cougar, and he said their names to himself as the flames caught. He said another short prayer, and then left the cathedral.

He felt better, though not healed. He’d hoped for instant healing, but of course that was silly. He would be grieving for a long time, both for his prince and for his lover. The double loss still resonated in his heart, and as he looked at the stark grey walls of the palace, he realized he didn’t feel like returning there yet. He’d been wrenched out of his life, and he wasn’t quite ready to resume it.

So he walked through the city, stopped in a pub for lunch, and didn’t talk to anyone. The clouds had gone and the day remained dazzlingly clear, though cold enough for the snow to stay on the ground. Volle marched through the snow, hardly caring where he went, thinking of Xiller and Prince Gennic. It seemed incredible that two individuals so far away from him could affect his life so much, could make him think that he’d never laugh again. And yet, he didn’t see how he could.

It was only once he found himself across the river from the palace, on the opposite side from the main entrance, that he began to think about who had sent Xiller on his mission. He looked up at the windows of the palace and immediately thought of the Secretary. Prewitt, who had so disingenuously admitted and disavowed knowledge of Xiller. Xiller had definitely met the “golden bear.” And Dereath was tied into it somehow.

Grief was augmented by a sense of urgency. He had to talk to Tish. He didn’t care whether the knowledge was public yet, or if Tish asked him where he’d heard this. It was important, and the feeling that grew in him as he hurried around the palace was that there were people in the palace responsible for Xiller’s death, and Prince Gennic’s, and there might yet be a way to avenge them. Anger impelled his paws to the entrance, and back to his chambers to drop off his cloak, and there he received a nasty shock.

Sitting in his parlor, smirking, was Dereath Talison.

Chapter 18

He looked relaxed, sprawled in a chair with his pink tail laying behind him on the floor. He had been looking out the window and turned to see Volle enter. He was wearing the same outfit he always did: black vest and pants, and a silver belt, though now he also wore a white linen shirt beneath the vest.

“What are you doing here?” Volle spat roughly. He felt his paws clench into fists and forced them to uncurl.

Dereath sneered at him. “What, no ‘welcome back’? No ‘nice to see you again’? Not even curious about where I’ve been?”

“I don’t care. I’m more interested in where you’re going.” He gestured to the open door. “Don’t make me throw you out.”

Welcis appeared at the entrance to the sitting room. “I am sorry, sir. He was most insistent, and he says he has something important to tell you.” He gave the rat a disparaging look. “I did lock your desk, sir.”

“Thank you, Welcis.” Volle folded his arms. “Say your piece and get out.”

“I had a very nice trip,” Dereath said. “Thank you for asking. I decided to see the south, since I’d never been there. You know, the Mittan Forest when the leaves are changing color is beautiful. I highly recommend it.”

“I’ll remember that. Now, out.”

“Oh, I’m not done, silly fox. I had plenty of time, thanks to your interference,” here the first trace of anger appeared on his muzzle, then smoothed over again, “so I decided to visit your people in Vinton. It’s such a lovely little backwater, and the people were very friendly, especially when I told them what good friends we are.”

Volle clenched his teeth and took a step towards the rat, then restrained himself. Dereath gave him an amused look. “Oh, yes. Don’t worry, you came off very well in all of it. I wanted to hear what they had to say about you, so I couldn’t exactly tell them the
truth
about you. Much as I wanted to. Who knows what archaic concepts of loyalty those hicks have down there? In any event, they were very cooperative. They told me, among other things, that you arrived with a hare and a mouse. Which is interesting, because you arrived in the city with a marmot and a hare. What happened to the mouse? Or the badger, who they said drove the carriage? No, no, don’t answer now. I’m sure you have a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of it. But that’s not even the most interesting part.

“I followed the road back over the mountains. It was a cold trip, but your people very thoughtfully equipped me with provisions for the journey. What do you think I found at the other end of the road? Well, of course you know what I found. There’s an inn at the border, with a very friendly bartender. In fact, most of the people down south are very friendly. I may decide to move there.”

He paused, waiting to see if Volle would react to the teasing, and then went on. “The innkeeper remembered a hare and a mouse, driven by a badger, but he didn’t remember them with a red fox. He remembered them with a black fox, and he said they were a merchant group returning from Ferrenis. Now, that is some ways north of where you are supposed to have come from. In fact, it’s almost closer to Caril than it is to Merinland.”

Volle caught a scent, and turned. Two bears stood in the hallway just outside his door. He recognized Prewitt’s scent, and assumed the other was one of his assistants. “I thought it odd,” Dereath went on, “that you would have disguised yourself, and entered the country further north than you claimed you did, in the company of two Ferrenians. And Secretary Prewitt and Minister Fardew thought it odd, too.”

Prewitt stepped into the room. “Lord Vinton, what do you say about all this?”

Volle unclenched his fists again, and relaxed as best he could. Looking at Prewitt, he tried to forget what he’d been thinking about him just an hour ago. “I think the rat here is very clever. He’s trying yet another trick to get back at me, this time taking advantage of my humble origins to cast doubt on my parentage.” The speech became easier as he went on. “I did enter the country from Merinland, and as Dereath would have learned had he followed one of the other paths through the mountains, there is a trail that leads from Merinland to the road. I walked along the road for a while, and the merchants picked me up. They did mention that they’d picked up a black fox but he’d left them. Coincidence, I guess.”

“A very fortunate one,” Dereath sneered. “And what happened to them in Vinton?”

Volle shrugged. “I spent most of my time there going out with the governor. I didn’t ask the merchants their business. The hare wanted to travel with me to Divalia, so we shared the carriage. I suppose he had business here.”

Prewitt addressed the rat. “Did you find a trail to Merinland?”

“No.”

“Did you follow all the trails?”

“Prewitt, he’s lying!”

“That’s not what I asked, Dereath.”

“Why are you interrogating me? No, okay, I didn’t follow all the trails. Do you know how many of them there are?”

“So he could be telling the truth.”

“But he isn’t!”

“All right, that’s enough. Dereath, get back to Minister Fardew’s office.” The rat glared at Volle, not moving. “Now.”

The bear’s tone had enough force in it that it drew Dereath’s gaze away from Volle, back to the bear. Reluctantly, he got up out of the chair, straightened his vest, and walked haughtily past Volle. He turned at the door and looked back at the fox. “So sorry I couldn’t make it back in time for your little tramp’s cotillion. I’d have liked to have you stuck here for it. But maybe while you’re under guard, I’ll go see your little wolf. I imagine he’ll be lonely.”

“Stay away from him!” Volle yelled, but Dereath’s laughter as he walked down the hall was his only answer.

He growled and turned to Prewitt. “What did he mean, stuck here?”

The bear flicked his ears apologetically. “I’m sorry, Lord Vinton, but we are going to have to ask you to stay here in the palace while we check this out.”

“What? But he’s just trying…” Volle broke off, fuming.

“I know, I know,” Prewitt said soothingly. “And I’m sure that’s how it will turn out. But this is a pretty serious allegation, you know. I’d really appreciate it if you’d cooperate with us. I’ll try to make this go as fast as I can.”

Volle tried to relax and slow his breathing. “How long?”

Prewitt shook his head. “A couple weeks? We’d like to send someone down to Vinton to verify your story. If we could find that black fox or the merchant, that would be ideal, but I don’t know how much chance there is of that. Do you have any clues that might help us? Do you remember the merchant’s name?”

“Yes, it was…” Volle paused. “Senom, I think. Marik Senom.” Immediately he regretted giving them the name. He didn’t know what would have happened to Reese’s alias once he arrived in Divalia, and a merchant who’d disappeared would only add credence to Dereath’s story. “But I could be wrong about that.”

“Well, it’s something to go on, anyway. I’m sure we’ll have this resolved quickly.” He held out a paw. “I just need your papers.”

“My…why?”

“Not that we don’t trust you, you understand. Just to be sure.” He flicked his ears again. “I do sincerely regret this inconvenience, Lord Vinton.”

Volle reached into his purse and took his papers out, and placed them in Prewitt’s paws. “Work fast,” he said.

“Thank you, Lord Vinton. We will.”

“Oh, and one more thing.” Prewitt turned in the doorway to listen. “When you’re done, can I skin that rat and hang his hide on my wall?”

Prewitt laughed. “I don’t think it would go with your décor. Take care, Volle.”

“Thanks, Prewitt.” He closed the door and stalked to the window. Welcis, who had watched the whole proceedings from the sitting room doorway, approached him from behind.

“Sir, is there anything I can do?”

Volle considered, then shook his head. “Not unless you can…wait, yes there is. Do you know the Jackal’s Staff?”

“I am familiar with the location of the establishment, yes.”

“Could you take a message to Tally for me? You’ll know him immediately. White cougar, painted some garish color, dressed like a female.”

“The person sounds immediately recognizable, sir. I am sure I will have no trouble. What message would you like me to deliver?”

“I’ll write it down. I just want to warn him not to let Dereath near Ricky. Fox knows what he’d do.” He unlocked the desk with the key Welcis handed him, scrawled the note quickly on a sheet of paper, and folded it around a gold coin. “Here. If you could take that, I’d be very much obliged.”

“I am happy to help, sir.” Welcis pulled a cloak around himself and left.

Volle paced the parlor for several minutes after he left, chewing his claws. Anger was a welcome alternative to the grief he’d been feeling, but he wasn’t sure how long he could sustain it. Before it evaporated, maybe he should go see Tish. At least if he could remain angry, he wouldn’t end up bawling in front of the big wolf.

His stomach growled at the smells in the main hall, and he realized that the palace was having dinner. He didn’t feel like joining the nobles in the main dining hall, so he continued upward to Tish’s chambers. If they’d finished dinner, then he would wait and have his when Welcis returned.

They hadn’t, as it turned out, and welcomed him in. One of the servants set another place while Volle sat there, unable to keep his tail from lashing or his ears from folding back. When the servants had left the room, Tika leaned forward. “What’s the matter, Volle?”

He looked from one wolf to the other, and suddenly couldn’t figure out where to begin. He crammed a bite of food into his muzzle and chewed, to gain some time.

“Come on, it can’t be that bad.” Tika smiled playfully, but Tish’s expression was more wary.

When Volle swallowed, the black wolf put a paw on his and said quietly, “You heard, didn’t you?”

Volle stared back into his eyes, and saw grief and sympathy there. He just nodded.

“I’m sorry. I should have seen.”

“Seen what?” Tika asked, her smile gone, looking from one to the other.

Tish took a breath. “Volle’s friend was killed on his mission.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” She sat back and put a paw to her muzzle. “How terrible.”

“Prewitt,” Volle said. “He’s the one. He sent him off.”

Tish nodded. “I think you’re right. He’s very clever about it. I must say I never thought he was involved in any of that.”

“That’s not all.” Volle briefly told them of Dereath’s visit and his imprisonment inside the palace. He felt his fur bristle with renewed anger as he told the story.

Tish looked sternly at him. “Is it true?”

“Of course not.” Volle felt a bit of uneasiness in his stomach at lying to Tish. He felt as though somehow the wolf would be able to tell, but he just nodded.

“All right. Then I’m sure they’ll find the merchant. That should be enough to clear your name. What did you say his name was?”

“Marik Senom.” He’d given the name out to Prewitt, so Tish might as well have it too.

“I’ll ask around for him and see what we can turn up.”

“Thanks.” Volle felt his fur start to settle down, and he took another bite.

“Worry about eating now,” Tish said with a smile. “Looks like you need it.”

“Mmm.” Volle nodded, and set to his dinner.

“I’m certainly glad this didn’t happen two days ago,” Tika said. “Imagine not being able to go to Ilyana’s cotillion! We couldn’t have moved it here on such short notice.”

“He said he wanted to get back by then,” Volle said around a muzzle full of food.

“Who?”

He swallowed. “Dereath. He said he’d hoped to ruin that for me.” Though actually he’d have been doing me a favor, Volle thought. Even when he screws up, it turns out badly for me.

“He’s certainly making a nuisance of himself.” Tish tapped a claw thoughtfully on the table.

“Nuisance?!” Volle said it louder than he’d intended to, and then lowered his voice. “Sorry. He threatened Richy, too.”

“Richy?” Tika asked.

“Er, a wolf friend of mine.”

Tish nodded. “I can go warn him if you like.”

“I already sent Welcis over. I think he’ll be fine.”

“I didn’t realize you were that attached to him.”

Volle’s ears flicked. “I’d be upset if something happened to him because of me.” He struggled to keep his emotions in check. Picturing the things Dereath might do to Richy, the poor innocent wolf, brought back the grief and anger in force. He picked up his glass and took a drink of wine, and focused on the taste on his tongue, trying to let the emotions subside.

“I see. Very charitable.”

Volle sighed and put down the wine. It wasn’t working. “I should go.”

Tish covered his paw with his own. “We’re always here if you need us.”

“I know,” Volle said. “Thank you both.” He stood, waited awkwardly for a moment, though he wasn’t sure for what, and then walked out.

Welcis greeted him when he returned to his room, telling him that the message had been delivered, and that Tally had thanked him. Volle nodded, told Welcis he’d already had dinner, and dismissed him for the night. Closing the door of his bedroom behind him, he looked at the bed. It looked the same as it had for the last month. So why did it seem so much emptier?