The Squire Read online

  They rode into the city at sunset, red and purple gleaming in a thousand windows. All the buildings looked clean and well cared for, everything about the city screamed wealth. They hadn’t gone far when a patrol of men in blue tabards approached. The commander of what Col assumed was a watch patrol exchanged greetings with Lieutenant Miles and they were soon on their way again.

  They passed several street venders selling food or trinkets. Unlike any other city Col had visited the vendors didn’t shout at them as they passed. Either they knew better than to bother the soldiers or were more polite than the merchants back home.

  An arched stone bridge crossed the river and led up to the palace. Six men in mail carrying halberds stopped them a few feet from a massive set of double doors. “Speak and be recognized,” the guard commander said.

  “Lieutenant Miles, border patrol, escorting refugees to the palace to meet with the king and queen.”

  The guard commander looked at Col, then Rain, then back to Miles. “And why would Their Majesties want to meet with two refugees?”

  “The young lady is Princess Rain of Corinthia and the young man is Squire Col of the Knights of Corinthia. I suspect Their Majesties will wish to speak with them. What about you?”

  The commander looked at Col and Rain again, this time with a good deal more respect. “I suspect you’re right. This has certainly been our week for Corinthian refugees.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Rain tried her best not to goggle at the display of wealth and craftsmanship as the royal guards led them to the throne room. A hall wide enough to accommodate six horses side by side led to a set of doors carved with a scene of angels and monsters battling. Stained glass windows lined the walls above life-like carved statues of all the kings and queens of Celestia since its founding. Had the sun still shone she imagined the lights and colors would take her breath away. As it was she felt like a provincial making her first visit to the capital.

  Beside her Col stared with undisguised pleasure at the rich decorations. It must be nice sometimes to enjoy the beautiful things with open awe instead of having to disguise your admiration for fear of being thought unfamiliar with such wonders. For the first time in her life Rain envied someone of common blood.

  They approached the doors and Rain tried to look bored by the whole event. It took all her training and control to manage it. Col looked at her and frowned.

  “Don’t tell me this isn’t the most wondrous place you’ve even seen.”

  It seemed she couldn’t fool him. “It’s very nice.”

  He looked away, shaking his head and muttering about noble phonies. He had a point; it was ridiculous to pretend the hall didn’t impress her, yet she couldn’t allow herself to show it since it would put her in a weak position when they entered the royal court.

  The doors glowed when they approached and swung open on their own. She smiled despite her best efforts. That was a neat trick. Inside, the royal court held perhaps twenty nobles standing around small tables covered with food and glasses of wine and talking. Everyone fell silent and turned their way. No one seemed impressed as they all returned to their conversations after a few seconds. Some things remained the same no matter the kingdom.

  At the end of the room a man sat in one of two chairs on a raised platform. A simple gold circlet rested on his brow and a purple, fur-trimmed robe surrounded him. He wore a glum expression that said he’d rather be almost anywhere else at that moment. He had to be the king, but where was the queen?

  A hush fell over the court as the most beautiful, elegant woman Rain had ever seen entered from another door at the back of the room. The queen had long blond hair that flowed with a breeze that didn’t exist. Bright gold eyes glittered as she smiled and came toward Rain. She wore a gown of white satin and seemed to glow with an inner light.

  When the queen reached them she took Rain’s hands. “Welcome to Celestia, my dear. Please except my most sincere condolences on the loss of your parents.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Rain was an attractive woman, enough people had told her so, but compared to the queen she felt like a little girl playing at being a princess.

  “No need to be so formal, I’m Tahlia.” The queen turned to Lieutenant Miles. “Thank you, Lieutenant, for bringing our guests here safe and sound.”

  Miles placed a hand over his heart. “Our pleasure, Majesty.” Miles led his men back out of the court and the door closed behind them.

  Queen Tahlia turned her attention to Col and a twinge of jealousy went through Rain; she wanted the queen’s attention all to herself. She dismissed the childish idea the moment she had it. Col wore a funny little frown and she noticed him fiddling with his ring.

  “You must be the squire. It’s amazing that you got the princess here in one piece. The king—my husband—and our generals will wish to speak with you about the beastmen’s movements.”

  “I’m at your disposal, of course.” Col bowed.

  “Come, let me introduce you two to my husband.” Queen Tahlia led them to the thrones, turned, and sat beside her husband. “Princess Rain, Squire Col, this is my husband Jarod.”

  Col bowed again, but Rain only nodded, one monarch to another. A little smile curled at the corner of Jarod’s lip.

  “Welcome Princess, Squire, please be at ease. No harm will come to you here.”

  Col straightened and smiled. “Thank you, Your Majesty. It seems a long time since I’ve felt safe.”

  Rain glanced at him. It seemed strange that he would warm to the king and not the beautiful queen. Before she had time to consider his odd behavior the king continued. “You’re not the first Corinthians to grace our court this week.” He gestured and one of the nobles separated from the group and approached.

  Rain’s heart skipped a beat. It couldn’t be. “Callion? How?”

  Callion smiled his beautiful smile. “My dear Rain. It’s been a harrowing journey, dodging beastmen and running from one side of the kingdom to the other. Only thoughts of you kept me going.”

  Callion held out his arms and Rain leapt into them. It felt so good, the familiar warmth. Callion kissed her cheek.

  She sighed and stepped back. “I thought for certain you’d fallen in the initial attack. When we got separated…”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you, Princess. The chaos of battle kept us apart.” Callion glanced at Col as though noticing him for the first time. The scowl Col wore didn’t surprise Rain; they’d never gotten along.

  “It seems my fellow squire kept you safe.” Callion said.

  “I managed, despite the harrowing circumstances. How did you get here ahead of us, Callion?” Col asked.

  Rain frowned at Col’s tone. Even if he didn’t like Callion, Col should speak to a noble of the realm with more respect. She studied his frown, realizing if Col initially disliked her, he loathed Callion.

  “No doubt superior skill.”

  A sneer curled Col’s lip, as ugly an expression as she’d seen on his face. “No doubt.” He turned his attention to her and his expression softened. “You realize aside from your name every word he’s spoken has been a lie.”

  Before Rain could speak Callion said, “How dare you insult me? What’s a peasant like you even doing here, amongst your betters? Surely they can find a hovel for you to squat in, make you feel at home.”

  A soft chuckle went around the room. If the insult bothered him, Col gave no sign. His gaze locked on her. Rain looked away then back. “It might be best if you gave us some time alone.”

  His expression hardened and she knew whatever respect she’d earned from him, that one sentence had wiped it away. He bowed to her, somehow making the gesture an insult. “As you command, Your Majesty.”

  She flinched from the contempt in his voice. He seemed to hate her more now than when they first left the castle. Col turned to the king and queen, bowed, and walked out one of the side doors.

  “Now that pest is out of the way we can enjoy this fine comp
any. It must have been such a trial for you, Princess, having to spend so much time with such a crude fellow.” Callion said.

  Her gaze turned away from the door. She felt a loss she couldn’t explain. “Yes, a trial.”

  * * *

  Col stalked through the beautiful halls, lit by floating Light globes, without noticing a thing. He’d risked his life, more than once, to get her here alive and the moment she was safe she cast him aside like so much trash. He sighed and shook his head. What had he expected? She was a noble; the idea of gratitude was foreign to them. No doubt she figured he had done his duty as her servant and nothing more.

  He passed a carved door and pushed it open; he needed some air. The door opened out into a garden with a little pond fed by a trickle of a stream. Ivy covered arches shaded a manicured walkway. He strolled along, enjoying the smell of blossoming roses, and let his stress melt away. He’d gotten her here now she was Celestia’s problem.

  At the end of the path he came to a stone bench that offered a view of the moonlit city. His eyes widened at the sight, the garden had to be at least two stories up. He sat down and closed his eyes. Such a beautiful place. It was a pity he’d never be accepted here any more than at Castle Finegold.

  “May I join you?”

  His eyes popped open and he reached for his sword before he realized who spoke. The queen smiled at his reaction. He moved his hand away from his sword, but stayed alert. An aura surrounded her whole body; it reminded him of the one around the hidden sword at the tournament. Combine that with the fact that no woman could look as beautiful as her and he knew something about her was a lie.

  Col slid over and the queen sat beside him. “Forgive my reaction, Majesty. I guess I’m still a little jumpy.”

  “It’s fine, and please, call me Tahlia.”

  Col raised an eyebrow. What sort of queen wanted to be called by her given name? “Majesty?”

  “Is it so strange? I’m a person like any other. Away from court I like to be called by my given name. It’s nice to be a little less formal now and then.”

  “As you wish, Tahlia. I’m confident when I say you are certainly not like any woman I’ve ever met.”

  She gave him a piercing look. “Why do you shy away from me?”

  “I don’t know what it is, but your aura screams that something about you is a lie. I mean no offense.”

  “I don’t understand. What is it you see and how do you see it?”

  Col held up his hand and wiggled the ring on his finger. “Some crazy old Truthseer gave me this along with a line about me being a champion of truth, whatever that means. All I know is I can tell when someone lies to me and a glow surrounds hidden things. It’s a handy trick, but also a nuisance. You wouldn’t believe how often people lie without even thinking about it. I’m not sure what you’re hiding, Majesty, and it’s none of my business, but it’s hard to trust someone who’s deceiving you.”

  Much to his surprise the queen clapped her hands like a delighted child and laughed. “You’re the first to notice! To think that a simple squire should detect it when all the lightcasters and nobles of the realm see nothing. May I examine your ring?”

  Col held out his hand. “It won’t come off.”

  She took his hand in hers, her fingers cool and dry against his. “Of course not. A ring of Truth won’t come off until the chosen bearer is dead. I haven’t seen one of these in ages.” A faint white glow appeared around her fingers and the ring. She gazed at it, lost in thought.

  “Majesty? May I have my hand back?”

  She laughed again and released him. “Tahlia, remember?”

  Col nodded and rubbed his hand where she’d touched it, hoping she’d hold it again sometime. Where the hell did that come from? She was a queen and married as well. “I’ll remember.”

  “Good, now let me tell you a secret so you’ll understand the aura and maybe you can relax with me. How much do you know about Celestia and the Lake Kingdoms?”

  “A little. I know more about Corinthia than any of the others. There have been disagreements among the kingdoms over the years, but never any wars. There’s a legend about a monster-haunted island in the center of the lake.”

  She smiled like a teacher with a student that surprised her. “Well, what you don’t know, what no one outside the royal family of Celestia knows, is that to keep the bloodline strong, every three generations an angel is chosen to marry the heir to the throne of Celestia. The chosen angel must take a physical form so he or she can have a child with the human ruler.”

  “So you’re…”

  “I’m this generation’s mate. This”—she gestured at her flawless body.—“is a lie. Angels are beings of pure Light. To perform my duties I had to take a physical form.”

  “I see.” Either the queen was a raving lunatic, or she’d just shared one of the deepest secrets of the realm with a common squire. She seemed sad, and the ring vouched for her honesty. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why?”

  Why indeed? He wasn’t sure himself. “I can’t imagine being forced to marry a stranger, much less someone not even of my kind. It would be like someone telling me to marry a female saberfang. It doesn’t seem right.”

  “I saw you were special. The moment I saw you in court you stood out.” Tahlia rested her head on his shoulder. Col hesitated a moment then put his arm around her. “I love this spot at night. Looking out over the city, the stars shining overhead, it reminds me of home.”

  “Home?”

  “Humans call it heaven, the realm of angels. The Light is so thick there it’s like you’re swimming in it. In this realm everything feels… thin.”

  “Your home sounds nice. Will you be able to return when your work is done here?”

  “Oh, yes, thoughts of returning home keep me sane. Enough about me, tell me about your home.” Tahlia lifted her head off his shoulder and looked at him, her golden eyes shining in the moonlight.

  Before he could speak, a scream echoed through the night. He knew that voice. It was Rain.

  Chapter Twenty

  Callion held her hand as they walked through the halls toward what he claimed was the most beautiful garden on the palace grounds. Rain doubted they had an ugly garden as she’d seen nothing in the whole place that looked less than flawless. She remembered the look on Col’s face when he walked out of court and amended her thought to almost nothing.

  She held in a sigh. Col had no right to challenge Callion in front of everyone. Now that they’d returned to civilization he’d need to learn his proper place. She’d find him in the morning and explain everything. They couldn’t be informal here like they were on the road. She hoped he wouldn’t be too upset.

  “We’re here.” Callion stopped in front of a door carved with vines and blossoms. “The king was kind enough to offer me the use of their private garden whenever I wanted. I think you’ll like it.”

  Rain smiled and put Col out of her mind. “I’m sure it will be wonderful since we’re together again.”

  Callion squeezed her hand and pushed the door open. The garden spread out before her like a blossoming flower. The scent of fruit trees and roses reached her first. She stepped through and Callion released her hand for a moment. She spun around, eyes closed, and laughed.

  “It’s everything you said it would be.” She opened her eyes in time to see Callion shove a stone bench in front of the door. Her pulse raced. “What are you doing?”

  He smiled. “Wouldn’t want anyone to walk in on us. The door doesn’t have a lock, so I improvised.”

  She relaxed. Her time on the road had made her jumpy. She held out her hand and Callion took it. He led her toward a grove of peach trees. She lay down in the soft grass and looked up at the night sky. She sat up and smiled at Callion. He got down on one knee and her heart skipped a beat. Would he propose right here?

  Callion fumbled with his boot; he must have hidden the ring there. She trembled. She’d been waiting for this moment it seemed half her life. He lo
oked up at her, eyes shining. “Since I saw you walk into court I couldn’t wait to get you alone.”

  This is it.

  She held out her hand. Callion pulled a dagger out of his boot. “After I kill you I’ll be the new king of Corinthia.”

  Rain screamed and scrambled back. “Have you lost your mind?”

  “Not at all.” Callion stalked toward her. “You’ve always been my path to the throne. I admit this isn’t how I intended to go about it at first, but when the darkcaster offered to spare my family’s lands in exchange for your life, well, it wasn’t a difficult decision.”

  Rain rolled to her feet. She wished she’d had Col teach her how to fight. She wished she’d listened to him when he told her Callion was a liar. “He was right about you. Col warned me what a useless liar you were, but I didn’t listen. I thought you loved me.”

  Callion laughed and kept moving toward her. “Love you? You obnoxious brat, do you know what a trial it was to play along with your little fantasy? The attack almost came as a relief. At least I wouldn’t have to put up with you anymore. I pity the peasant having to babysit you for weeks on end. For the life of me I can’t figure out why he didn’t just drown you in the lake and be done with it. Did you sleep with him?”

  Her vision blurred with unshed tears. How could she have loved this monster? “He was kind. Col encouraged me, and protected me from every threat, with more skill than you could have mustered.”

  “And where’s your precious guardian now?” Callion was only a couple of steps away now.

  Rain’s eyes widened and Callion grinned. “Time to die, Princess.”

  * * *

  Col turned to the queen. “You assigned a bodyguard to Rain, didn’t you?”

  Tahlia shook her head. “No, there’s no threat to her in Celestia. She should be safe in the palace.”

  “That scream argues otherwise. Can you tell where it came from?”