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Chapter 5
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Dain jerked around from the ballroom window he looked out and started running, crossing the distance to the stair in a burst of speed. He took the steps three at once, acutely aware of his brother’s fear, heightened by Marc’s growing panic. The image of a dagger came to mind, slashing into sight as he raced up to the Royal quarters. Even as Marc issued a priority alert, making the guard at Dynan’s door jump, Dain was by him, barreling into the room. He slung himself around corners and crashed through the bedroom door an instant later.
He saw the dagger poised and lowering as Dynan’s strength left him. Dain kicked viciously at the medic’s head, connecting with his shoulder instead. The dagger thunked down into hard floor. Dain drew his sword out and used it.
Behind him, the guard gasped, and Dain whirled on him as the medic’s breath hissed from his open, slack mouth. The guard backed out of the room, shaking as he tried to explain how the assailant had been allowed in. Dain didn’t care to listen to his excuses, slamming the door on him.
He dropped his sword and knelt down beside his brother. “Dynan? I’m here. Can you hear me? Dynan?” A brutal crush of pain centered in his shoulder, taking his breath. Dain swore, activating his transmitter. “Geneal, I need you in Dynan’s rooms. He’s been attacked.”
“I know. I’m on my way. Is he conscious?”
“Sort of. It’s his shoulder. He’s not hurt anywhere else.”
“All right. Don’t move him.”
Dain nodded, looking over at the dead medic. The door opened, but this time it was Marc who came in with Ralion on his heels. Both of them were out of breath. He heard Kyle Bairing out in the hall, demanding answers from the now terrified guard. Dain quickly reassured Marc that Dynan wasn’t seriously injured, but saw that really didn’t help to calm him. Marc turned for the door.
“Easy, Marc,” Dain said evenly and rose to meet the smoldering glare in his eyes, even though doing so made him shake. “We’re all right. Dynan is going to be all right. He’s only unconscious because of pain. That guard out there didn’t have anything to do with this.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because of the look on his face when he came in here behind me. You go out there and talk to him right now, and you’re liable to melt his brains without meaning to. Take a minute. Calm down. Go find out what happened later. All right?”
Marc glared at him, but then nodded abruptly, turning from them all. He went over to the view screen and stood there for a few minutes, staring outside at the Wythe Sea. Dain smiled after him, while Ralion looked uncomfortable.
“Go on,” Dain told him softly. “He’ll be all right in a minute. After everything that’s happened, none of us reacts too well to this kind of fear and he got a full dose of it just now. We’re going to have to watch him, Ralion. If you see him start to lose control like that, you’ll have to sit on him.”
“I’d rather keep my brains intact, thanks.”
“He won’t hurt you. He wouldn’t really hurt that guard out there either, just scare him more than necessary. Why don’t you go and get things started.”
Geneal came in and moved to Dynan’s side, glancing only briefly at the dead medic. She swore when she read the biomonitor, shaking her head. “His collarbone is broken again. Shattered this time. Help me get him into bed.”
“Go on, Ralion,” Dain said, moving to assist Geneal. “I want to know who this man is and how he got a medic badge.” Ralion nodded after a brief hesitation that Dain noticed and understood the reasons for. Marc moved from the window and helped them get Dynan into bed while Ralion dealt with removing the body. “You all right now?” Dain asked him, tugging off Dynan’s boots.
Marc nodded. “Thanks.”
“What I’m here for.”
Marc found the dermal injector, and checked the setting before handing it to Geneal. She glanced at it. “Brithox poison,” she said, putting the device in her pocket. “It’s deadly and there’s no antidote to it. I’ll see if I can find out where this came from. It’s Medic Center issue. It’s controlled. Someone had to have the right access to get it.”
Marc nodded. “Stay with him.”
“I plan to,” Dain said, sitting down on the bed across from Geneal.
Marc nodded again and left.
“Is he going to be all right?” Dain asked, watching while Geneal leaned over Dynan with a fuser in hand.
“Maybe. I’m going to try this one more time. I don’t know if it’ll work. Regardless, he’ll be in this brace for a lot longer now.” She shook her head. “When is this going to stop?”
“Maybe never, Geneal. But we’re home, and that’s a huge improvement over the way it has been.”
“What’s the difference where the attack comes? Yes, we’re home, but this isn’t supposed to be happening any more. Not like this.”
Dain smiled at her. “Do you remember when you told me that once we were home I’d have all the time I ever wanted? That this can’t go on forever? I didn’t believe it then, but I do now. We’re going to make it through this. Are you kidding? After the last two years, the past couple of days in particular, this seems like nothing to me.”
“I’ve had enough. It isn’t fair. None of it. So many people dead who shouldn’t be. So many things changed that can’t be changed back.” Dain thought he’d never seen her more unhappy. She shook her head then, forcing a smile. She came around the bed and sat next to him. “I’m sorry. I’m letting it get to me and I shouldn’t. You’re right. We’re home and we’re so much safer than we were.”
He nodded with less conviction. She slipped her arms around him then, and he knew it was a mistake. It was hard to avoid what he felt was automatic though, pulling her close. He didn’t want to let her go. He didn’t want to lose her and knew that he already had.
The door opened, a crack at first, and they heard Ralion talking to Marc. Geneal pulled away, too quickly to go unnoticed. She glanced at him and her sudden discomfort was apparent. Dain shook his head quickly. He didn’t want her to worry. He didn’t want to make the situation more uncomfortable for her and he didn’t want her to feel any worse than she already did. He let her go as Ralion came in all the way, stood, and turned to his brother.
Geneal looked with him. “He’s going to be under for a while. I take it you plan on staying with him. Then I’ll leave the biomonitor and his next injection of cordalin with you. If you need me for anything, call. I’ll be downstairs.”
“All right.”
She stood and walked by Ralion, hesitating briefly before closing the door without speaking. Ralion didn’t do a very good job of disguising his unhappiness either, but he got himself together enough to say why he’d come in. “Marc wants to set up a watch with just us until we can get some guards in here who have a little more experience.”
“Brains, you mean.”
“This was a professional job. The guard on the door got confirmation from the Medic Center, which means an accomplice.”
“Did he get a name?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, that person has disappeared. Marc is working on it though and I don’t doubt he’ll find out who’s behind it all.”
“What’s he doing?”
“Asking a lot of questions right now.”
Dain checked and found that was all Marc was doing without use of anything more than natural perception. “Doing what he’s good at. He’s all right, Ralion. Once he gets himself under control, he manages well enough. It’s the surprise attacks he has trouble with.”
“It’s not so easy on the rest of us either,” Ralion said and picked up Dain’s sword. “I understand though. It’s worse for him because of what Maralt did. We’ll just have to do a better job of keeping this from ever happening again.” He cleaned off the blade using a cloth from the bed stand, then presented it hilts first to Dain. “Don’t take this off. Kyle’s on the front door. Lt. Osseric is at the main door to this wing. The other guards are from the Exile Base, two to one with the regular Palace guard. We’re initiating a sweep of all personnel, lists of names and getting names put to faces. Meg and her husband, Thurmond are coordinating that effort. If they don’t know someone, they’re out. Their Majesties servants have been confined to quarters.”
“Are they being checked too?”
“As diplomatically as possible, yes. Drake is making that an easier project to manage. We’re under an alert until we find who did this.”
Dain nodded. “All right. I’ll be here.”
“Trevan will follow you, then Allie, then Gaden through the night. If he gets up in time for this dinner we’re having tonight...”
“Cancel it.”
“Drake thinks we should go on with it whether Dynan is there or not. Marc agrees. If Dynan is up and insists on attending tonight, we’re all expected to be there, armed. Marc wants to make it clear that if Their Majesties come down here and stay, they do so at risk. He thinks that’ll keep them on board ship for the majority of the time. He hopes so anyway.”
The door opened and Marc entered. “Remember those seven Governors we were talking about? They’re here. Ralion, come with me.” He held up his hand when Dain looked at him. “All I’m going to do is find out what they want. I’m not going to melt their brains, though I feel fairly certain they deserve it.”
Dain sat for a long time after Marc and Ralion had gone, his sword unsheathed across his lap, looking down at Dynan while he slept. He wasn’t thinking about the attack, or those Governors showing up so soon afterward. Geneal’s words kept playing through his mind. So much had changed. He wanted more than anything to change it back, to tell her how the thought of her had kept him sane during so many long, unforgiving days in a dark cell, make her forget about Ralion, and somehow keep the growing ache inside from being real.
Marc kept Dain’s advice constantly in mind as he walked down to the Royal offices and felt he could follow it. Dain alone knew how close he’d come to completely losing control again, but the attack served as a reminder. While their safety had greatly improved with Maralt’s death, there were still others intent on destroying the Telaerins. Now that he’d been reminded, he thought he could manage well enough. Still, he had to remember not to let emotion get the better of him. Fear being the one most difficult to contend with, he thought about ways to ensure that these attacks didn’t continue to happen.
He questioned why anyone would want to see Dynan fail, as doing so would surely destroy Cobalt in the process, particularly with Alexia waiting for such an opportunity. He blinked at that, but dismissed the idea that she could have been involved with this. She didn’t want Dynan destroyed. She wanted to own him. The Cobalt system wouldn’t survive if Dynan wasn’t crowned. Marc’s job, he guessed then, was to see that he was crowned and with Loren at his side in the end. He pulled in a breath, setting that last thought aside for the moment. Seven Governors waited for him. He felt it was too coincidental that those particular men were here so soon after an attempt on Dynan’s life.
He knew that someone from the Medic Center was involved. Maybe more than one. They had to have known that Dynan was in his rooms, but more than that, they knew he was due to have an injection. The medic who had authorized the entry of the assailant was gone. Marc wasn’t so sure he was the same person who had found out so much information about Dynan’s activities. He slowed at the foot of the grand stair, and turned to Ralion.
“I want to question all the medics we have. All of them, whether they’ve been on duty today or not. Ask Geneal if she can set that up for me.”
Ralion nodded, glancing at him, but Marc was already frowning over something else as he continued toward the office. Dynan had been in the Medic Center for an exam. He needed to find out where and who else knew about it. He activated his receiver. “Geneal. While Dynan was down with you, did you tell him that you would send a medic up?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Is it possible someone overheard you?”
“It seems likely someone did. There were medics back and forth the whole time he was in with me.”
“That narrows the list then. We’ll only need to see those with access to that area.” He glanced at Ralion as they reached the office door. “Tell her what I’m talking about, set it up, then join me in my office.”
Ralion nodded silently again and Marc left him. Gray Hildiman came to attention as he entered and Allie came out of the com office. “Is Dynan all right?”
“His shoulder is about ruined, but he can survive that. We were lucky this time. He could just as easily have ended up dead. A reminder that our security is not what it should be. Get a hold of Gemern Taldic. I need to talk to him after I deal with these gentlemen and I want Morlin up here when I’ve finished.”
“How long are you going to keep us under this alert?”
Marc frowned. “I don’t know for sure. Why? Are you getting complaints?”
“A few. You can guess where they’re coming from.”
“Alvuen. I already had a run in with her. She got into Dynan’s rooms of all things, wanting to make sure he was all right. Bitch. She can just sit and stew in her rooms for the time being. Send Ralion back when he comes in.”
Gray handed him a comboard. When Marc looked at it, he saw another update from Commander Morlin on the seven regions whose Governors now sat in his office. He smiled. They were waiting without much patience. He overheard a string of complaints on the lack of guidance from the Palace as he approached the open door. Those stopped when he walked in. One stood, a red-faced man, somewhere in his mid to late fifties, grey and jowly.
“Where is Prince Dynan?”
Marc considered that question, but moved behind his desk instead of answering and sat, letting them all know who he was in case they didn’t notice the seal. He studied the assembled group evenly. Not one of them chose to meet his gaze for more than a moment. “My name is Marc Talryn. And you are?”
“I am Governor Alse of the Nendar region. I demand to see Prince Dynan, as is my right.”
“He’s resting at the moment, Governor, and it isn’t your right to disturb him. Considering that he was just attacked, I wouldn’t presume.”
“And how was he attacked? It seems to me that since you’ve been here no one is in command. The system is in disarray. Every time these attacks occur, that shouldn’t be happening so easily or frequently, rumors spread that Prince Dynan has died. There’s been no official word from the Palace. Why hasn’t the assailant been captured? I demand you answer my questions, my Lord Chancellor.”
Marc smiled slightly. “I never said the attacker hadn’t been apprehended.”
Alse blinked at that and Marc saw a flash of fear cross his face. “Then you know who he is? Why hasn’t this been announced?”
“Yes, we know who he is. We also know he had help. It seems to me that making a general announcement during an on-going investigation could be detrimental to catching all the accomplices. An announcement was made in regard to Prince Dynan’s condition, through Governor Taldic, as is the custom. You must not have heard it since you were here at the time. Dynan’s injuries weren’t severe. I’ll be sure to convey your wishes for his speedy recovery when he wakes.”
“Announcements are one thing. No one has seen either Prince Dynan or Dain in several days. I assure you, my Lord, the only way you’ll alleviate the growing panic among the people of this system is for Prince Dynan to be seen. If he is unable to present himself, then Prince Dain should.”
“I saw both of them just moments ago and I haven’t noticed any signs of panic either. Governor Alse, you’ll have to take my word that they’re both fine.”
“I refuse to leave until I’ve spoken with Prince Dynan, my Lord.”
“I’ll see that quarters are arranged for you,” Marc said easily. He stood. “You’ll be informed when he’s able to see you. At the moment, I’m a little busy. If there’s nothing else?”
Alse looked likely to complain, outwardly shocked at being dismissed so bluntly, but he refrained from speaking. Standing by the door, Marc watched them as they filed out of his office. Isdo, Maldon, Vindal, Messeric, Iatridis, Correll, and Alse. All of them seemed nervous, belligerent, and defiant. He waited while Allie took charge of showing them out.
As the Governors departed, Marc spoke softly into his crest pin. “Gray, send Commander Morlin back please, and Allie, see to it that the Governors are sufficiently housed. They’re staying for dinner.”
Allie shot him a quick glance at the same time Morlin appeared. Governor Alse hesitated. He was also forced to get out of the Commander’s way. Alse glanced back at Marc, but was ignored. Marc greeted Morlin with a purposefully relaxed smile when he felt anything but. A knot of tension centered in his stomach. He really needed to take a minute to collect himself, but wanted to convey a warning with Morlin’s appearance at the Palace.
“Commander, thank you for coming so quickly.”
Morlin nodded. “I’m relieved to hear Prince Dynan is all right.”
“He’ll be up tomorrow, if not sooner. What do our outer patrols report?” Marc stood aside to let Morlin pass, aware that Governor Alse still watched, and then Allie was directing him to the Protocol office to arrange for rooms. Marc closed the door as soon as the hall had cleared.
“I’m ready to send teams to each of their regions,” Morlin said. “We have enough special forces troops to cover this, with support teams lined up.”
“I haven’t had much of a chance to talk to Dynan about specifics, Commander,” Marc said, moving to his desk. Morlin seated himself after Marc had done the same.
“No, I don’t suppose you have. I gave him my report this morning, and at the time, he was hesitant to take any military action without more evidence. Governor Taldic has been endeavoring to obtain more information on the Governors past activities. As of this morning, he was having difficulty in gaining access to the files he wants to see; financial statements, levies paid, transactions, that sort of thing. He expressed the opinion that we won’t gain access unless we go directly to their comterms.”
Marc nodded. “They’ll have encryption codes as well. Allie, are the Governors on their way to quarters?” he asked through the companel.
“Yes, finally. Alse wanted to stay and they really objected to the troop of guards I sent with them, but they should be getting locked in fairly soon. They aren’t happy about that either.”
“Guess I forgot to tell them about the alert. Make sure their companels and comboards don’t work too.”
“Already done.”
“Good. Do you have seven XR-9 technicians you can spare?”
“If I’m included, yes.”
“No. Start training someone else right now, or get Gaden to do it. Is he included in that number?”
“Yes.”
“Make it two then. I want you both here. I need to talk to Kyle. What we’re planning is a small invasion of seven regions. We need the techs to get comterm access.”
“Right, encrypted files. When are you planning to launch this invasion, Marc?”
“I have to talk to Dynan first. I need contingency plans. I’ve got Morlin’s and Taldic’s. Tell me how long it’ll take you to train two men. We don’t have a lot of time to put this together.”
“As usual. I’ll get right on it. Ralion is on his way back. Taldic is coming up the front stairs.”
“Great. Send him right in. Thanks.”
“Sure.”
“Dain.”
“Damn! What?”
Marc smiled a little, aware he’d just startled Dain badly. He was now standing at Dynan’s bedside, instantly on guard. “Nothing that serious. I just wanted to let you know what’s happened.”
“Allie sent me a report a minute ago.”
“Really? All right then. Never mind.” He turned to Ralion as he came in. “I need our best guards to ensure the Governors safety. Get with Kyle on that.”
An interior door stood open between the two offices. Ralion hardly stepped in the room before doing an abrupt about-face, nodding as he went.
Governor Taldic came in through Ralion’s office a moment later. That meeting took him well past the luncheon hour. The consensus they reached was to wait. Marc didn’t think they could much longer and he saw Morlin didn’t care for the idea either. Gemern was persuasive though, certain that any open attack against the Governors would precipitate a schism throughout the system, a political battle that Dynan couldn’t afford to risk. Too many Governors were uneasy about the presence of Alexia and Creal, and many had heard how ill prepared Dynan had been in his attack. While most laid the blame for that on Dain, there was enough uneasiness about Dynan’s ability to maintain order that an attack on the Governors would shatter.
“I suppose they think Dain should have had the decency to stay dead too,” Marc said.
“Not at all. The people of Cobalt love Dain, but well, his reputation is often a considerable hurdle for many to overcome. Most, however, are also commending him on how well he stood in for Dynan while he recovered.”
Marc hardly managed a smile, since it hadn’t been Dain in command. Gemern Taldic didn’t know that though. Marc hadn’t discovered what the official explanation was. Alexia, Creal, and Drake surely had to have been told something. He made a mental note to check on that. He wondered then if Dain had told Dynan about Alexia’s welcome, having come so close to killing her. If she knew that, Dynan would likely be finding himself a new Lord Chancellor at her insistence. He shuddered before he could stop it, and saw Morlin, who also didn’t know about Maralt, and Gemern watching him.
“An unpleasant time we managed to survive,” Morlin said. “Due in large part to your efforts. I’m surprised I didn’t lose my commission. Cobalt is better off with Dynan alive.”
“Dain was under a lot of stress,” Marc said. “No one is more ready than Dain to admit that he isn’t meant to be King. He was overjoyed when I accepted this position.”
Gemern smiled. “Yes, and I heard all about his deception this morning too. Allie actually asked me to go along in case you happened to question me about it. I reinstated Dynan as Heir this morning. He speaks quite highly of you. Deservedly so. You’re to be commended yourself.”
While it was nice to hear, Marc shook his head, thinking that he couldn’t boast about just barely surviving the ordeal, but he accepted Gemern’s intent. “Would you have?”
“Gone along?” Gemern asked, laughing. “I refused. Made me feel quite confident though, that things here were back to normal.”
Morlin grunted, but didn’t comment. Marc worried about that same sort of reaction toward Dain coming from others when he didn’t deserve it. He couldn’t do anything about it though – not without divulging who had really been in control.
“I’ll talk to Dynan as soon as I can,” Marc said, rising. “With this last attack, with the circumstances of the Governors arrival here, he may decide to go ahead. I’m investigating the attack and hopefully, we’ll find what we need to implicate them.”
Marc was certain of their guilt. That they were responsible for the attempt on Dynan’s life sent a chill up his spine. He had to find out who their spy was, and how extensively they infiltrated the Palace, over a hundred servants and other personnel to check. There were too many things to do, and not enough time to do them.
Taldic and Morlin left him, seeing that he had plenty on his mind. Marc followed after them into Ralion’s office. “Does Geneal have those medics lined up?”
“Yes,” Ralion said. “And Kyle has a select guard on Dynan and Dain. The governors are settled and under watch. I have to tell you though, if we stay under this alert much longer, we won’t be ready for dinner tonight. We’ve delayed as long as we can on this. Dinner or not?”
“Dinner,” Marc grumbled. “Cancel the alert, but keep all non-essential personnel confined to quarters. I want to talk to Drake about this.”
Ralion cleared his throat. “I’ll be sure to phrase that as a request.”
“I’ll be down in the Medic Center.” He flashed him a frown as he left.
Kyle joined him, repeating what Ralion had already said about the guard. “They’re from the Exile Base, so there’s no doubt of their trust or skill. I’m putting a few of the others to use in training the rest of the normal guard. It’ll take time, but we’ll have them in better shape by Coronation Day.”
Marc glanced at him doubtfully, the thought of all the details involved in making a Royal Coronation happen immediately occupying a mind already overwhelmed by a myriad of other details. He shook his head. “Do we have a date set for that?”
Kyle’s hesitation forewarned him. “I’m not sure I want to be the one to tell you this. Two and a half weeks from today. Eighteen days to be exact. You’ll want to talk to Lady Loren about all the various events.”
“Eighteen days? Whose idea was that?” he asked. Kyle looked at him strangely. “Oh, right. His Royal Highness himself.”
“It’s customary that these transitions happen quickly, Marc. Some are complaining that we’re delaying too long as it is, all the panic mongers and fretters. The ceremony is being as rushed as it can be, considering what has to happen before it.”
Marc held up one hand while rubbing his temple with the other. “I haven’t gotten that far on my list yet, Kyle.”
“It’s called crisis management. I know. The sooner we aren’t operating that way, the better.”
“I’m beginning to think there won’t ever be a day when there isn’t a crisis.”
Kyle smiled. “After the crowning maybe. Really, today was an important reminder for us to re-evaluate our sense of security with minimal cost, and perhaps a big payoff, if we get these seven Governors.”
“We will,” Marc said. “They made a mistake.”
“Showing up here wouldn’t have been my first choice.”
“They expected to find Dynan dead and their plan successful.”
“Yes, but what is their plan? Who would they have as King? Surely not Dain. Or were they planning to kill all the Telaerins?” Kyle asked.
“You have a guard on Shalis, right?”
“I do, and Lady Loren, and that hellion of a son Dain managed to sire. Exile troops again.”
Marc nodded, thinking of Boral, and wishing he were here. Anyone who could tell him what to do instead of the other way around would suit him. The attack on Dynan took his leadership away when Marc needed him most. Kyle had a point though. If the Governors intended to kill Dynan to take the Throne, they’d also have to do something about Dain and Shalis, maybe even Garan, and have someone ready to step in.
He frowned over it while a guard met them at the entrance to the Medic Center and led them to the room where the medics in question had been gathered. There were twenty-four of them lighting up the room. Marc’s hopes vanished for getting through this quickly. He didn’t really have time for it either. He wanted to talk to Loren about the coronation, to Geneal about the poison used, and to Drake about the evening. Now, it didn’t seem as though he’d have enough time to eat, much less attend their first formal dinner. He had a feeling he’d have to be there anyway. He wanted to talk to Dynan too. If he woke up before dinner insisting he attend, Marc wanted to be on hand to stop him, though, he thought he could count on Dain to do that for him. That made him feel a little better.
Marc looked over the faces turned to him, all of them questioning why they’d been brought here. Many were nervous in an unknowing way. Genuine. Wondering if they were in trouble because their superiors wanted to speak to them. Kamien’s name flashed into his mind. Marc realized that many of these men and women were afraid of him, fearing a return to the tactics Kamien often resorted to. Mass arrests. Torture. The dungeons. Then he realized what he was doing to get that information and saw the bending currents oozing toward him as if summoned.
He turned from them for a moment, trying to block them and their emotions out, fighting the same abhorrent desire to take them inside, steal life-giving energy. Not a lot, he reasoned, not enough to even be noticed, and certainly not enough to harm them. His stomach twisted and he fought down bile that rose to his throat.
Slowly, he became aware that Kyle was speaking. No one seemed to notice his hesitation. Kyle explained what they wanted. While suspicions remained high, the level of tension dropped considerably as relief filled the room. Marc concentrated on the comboard and the list of names he held. His purpose returned, making it easier to think and stay focused. The voices inside his mind dwindled. Light and emotion remained, and he found fear still present. Not more than one. He had only to find that single voice.
Kyle finished his instructions. Marc cleared his throat, turning to the faces now looking to him expectantly. For a second, the thought of speaking in front of so many sent a sharp stab of nervousness through him, but he quickly put that out of mind. Common sense prevailed. He had to say something.
“It’s important that none of you discuss this with anyone, or even amongst yourselves. Prince Dynan’s life is in jeopardy. With your help, and a little luck, we’ll have a better chance to ensure his continued safety. Mielkin, I’ll start with you.”
He nodded to the office across the conference room. Mielkin preceded him in. A desk and chair stood ready for use in this small windowless room. A view screen hung blank against the wall between a set of shelves. Marc moved to activate the screen, feeling closed in, but it didn’t respond. He tried again with the same result.
“Here,” Mielkin said, joining him at the controls. He struck the panel in such a precise way that Marc guessed this was something the medic had done before. “Now try.”
Rianamar appeared, glistening in the distance beside the Wythe Sea that rolled in foaming waves against the shore. A brilliant, unbroken blanket of snow reflected light, harsh on the eyes at first but beautiful to look at.
“Stunning, isn’t it?” Mielkin commented, moving to stand by the chair. Marc nodded, but didn’t go to the desk. He saw something else, suddenly more prominent than the other buildings. A tower pierced the horizon, jutting upward from a slight rise of land at the edge of the city near the shore. The temple sanctuary. He felt himself drawn toward it. He felt the High Bishop, standing before him, looking at him, a room of stone stretching around to enclose him. Abruptly, he reached over to change the setting. A vast expanse of sea opened before him, a mist of frigid water filling his lungs.
“Are you all right?” Mielkin asked, watching him.
Marc turned from the screen and managed a tight smile. “Yes, I am. Really. But I’m beginning to feel like I shouldn’t have gotten out of bed.”
Mielkin surprised him when he produced a biomonitor and used it. “I’m under orders from Geneal.”
“I couldn’t have guessed that. What does it say?”
“You’re a little overtaxed. Elevated levels of relithium. Nerves.”
Marc grunted and sat, glancing at the sea again, relieved the High Bishop’s presence was gone.
“Understandable,” Mielkin said. He remained standing until Marc nodded him into the chair.
“I need to know your activities of today up to now.”
Mielkin nodded easily. “That’s fairly simple. I was tending the dungeon prisoners until I came on duty an hour ago.”
“Makes for a long day. It seems that’s what most other off-duty medics do as well.”
“We rotate in shifts, even though we’re not officially on-call.”
“Which means you don’t get paid.”
“True. That isn’t a problem for me, or anyone else I know doing the same. It is necessary.”
“Did you see anyone this morning who didn’t belong down here?”
“No.”
“Did you see Prince Dynan?”
“No, though I was aware that he was with Geneal.”
“How did you find that out?”
“Geneal told me.”
“Did you repeat that information to anyone else?”
“No. There were others aware of it. It’s not unusual for the Palace staff to know where Dynan is, especially among the medic staff. We’re all keeping an eye on him. You too, for entirely medical reasons.”
“That’s ... good to know. Is there anyone else on that list?”
“Yes. Dain, Garan, Ralion, and Allie. Lady Loren, Princess Shalis, and Geneal too. Everyone who was attacked by Maralt. I learned enough to piece it together, Marc. He’s really dead isn’t he?”
Marc smiled at that. It was about the only thing he could smile about. “Yes. He is.”
“That’s a relief. Of course, Geneal told me before now, but hearing it from you somehow makes it real. An assurance you may find that some of us need.”
“Who else knows?” Marc asked, aware he was straying from the issue at hand.
“Myself, Geneal, and Jaiard.”
Marc knew the latter was also Geneal’s personal assistant from the XR-9, which guaranteed his silence. “We want to keep it that way.”
“Yes,” Mielkin said easily, waiting while Marc thought for a few minutes.
“Did you hear anyone mention they’d seen Dynan?”
“No. While his activities are known, they aren’t discussed. It’s an understanding we have, especially coming off the XR-9. Carryn drilled us constantly on the importance of not talking about Dynan to others, or among ourselves even. A habit I don’t intend to break. These other medics who have access to Dynan have been instructed the same.”
Marc nodded and noticed Mielkin hesitate. “What?”
“It seems obvious that you suspect one of us of doing just that. An unsettling thought, especially if that information aided the attacker.”
“I believe it did, so yes, someone in the other room has been talking when they shouldn’t have. Did you recognize the assailant?”
“Beligran Torell. No.”
“That’s an assumed name. So far the palm scan hasn’t discovered another identity.”
“That he could have gotten into Dynan’s rooms so easily suggests a professional.”
“Yes, it does.”
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t meant as a slight to your security arrangements. You weren’t awake until this morning. Dynan has many talents, but seeing to his own safety has never been one of them. I’m a little surprised Dain didn’t do anything to change that.”
“I think he’s uncomfortable with giving too many orders right now.” Marc thought he might be feeling guilty about it too. Just what he didn’t need.
Mielkin nodded. “Dain must know we don’t hold him responsible. Geneal doesn’t either.”
“He knows it. I’m not so sure he believes it yet.” Marc frowned. “If you hear anything about the attack, let me know, especially if any of these other medics speak of it. They shouldn’t.”
“I will.”
“All right. Thank you, Mielkin. It’s good to see you, even under the circumstances.”
“Take care of yourself, Marc. We can’t afford to have you collapse from exhaustion.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
After Mielkin, Jaiard followed, answering each question easily. The next was a woman and she too answered with little difficulty. With each successive interview, Marc began to feel the culprit wouldn’t be found. Kyle reminded him of the hour, though his stomach had already done that earlier. “Any word from Drake yet?”
“Yes. He said not to worry.”
Marc waited. “That’s all?”
“Yes.”
His face twisted in a flash of anger. Not worrying was like asking him not to breathe. “How many more are out there?”
“Five.”
“I’ll never make it,” he groaned. “All right. Let’s get them in here.”
Neither of the next two medics caused any sense of suspicion and the third likewise. Almost convinced the entire proceeding had been a waste of time, Marc hardly looked up when the next man came in.
“Name?”
“Randel Wills.”
“Where were you this morning?”
“Off duty. I was ... I was helping with the dungeon prisoners.”
Marc saw by his file that, unlike the others, Randel hadn’t spent a lot of his off-duty hours doing that. “Did you see Prince Dynan?”
“No.”
Marc looked up then as a wave of fear shook through him. Not his own, but Randel’s. He leaned back in his chair. “You’re sure about that?”
“No ... I mean, yes. I didn’t talk to him at—”
“I didn’t ask if you talked to him,” Marc said. “You saw him while he was in with Geneal.”
Randel nodded, his nervousness growing by the moment. “The door was open. I glanced in.”
“Did you hear what they were talking about?”
“I would never listen to that sort of conversation, between doctor and patient.”
“I didn’t ask if you listened intentionally,” Marc said evenly. He looked again at the comboard, accessing a few other files on the medic, internalizing a frown at what he saw. “I see you have a younger brother and sister you support. That must be difficult.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Marc looked at him again and thought the man might shake apart where he sat. “Your exchange account has an unusually high balance for a fourth rank medic, especially one supporting two other people.”
“I’ve been saving.”
Marc regarded him, guessing more about Randel’s motives and felt sorry for him. “Are you sure that’s the story you want to stick with? It’ll be investigated. Do you really believe it’ll withstand that scrutiny? I can see at a glance that it won’t. Your personal expense account doesn’t support it already. More going out than coming in. That sort of thing.”
Randel’s defiance withered, taken over by dread. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know.”
“Didn’t know what?”
“You don’t understand,” he said. “He’ll kill me. He’ll find out I talked. If I tell you anything, he’ll know it.”
“Can you believe that I’ll do everything I can to keep that from happening? You have to help me first. I can see how you got mixed up with this, Randel. You’re parents died five years ago and you were left to care for your family somehow. You’d only been working here for a year then. Assistance normally available to people in your situation no longer existed under Kamien’s reign. Someone took advantage of you and asked you to pass along what you heard. You were paid for the information. Things changed. Dynan came back. By this time, there was no way out for you without jeopardizing your family. Sound about right?”
Randel nodded, half-awed and half-petrified that Marc could know so much. “I didn’t know he would try to have Prince Dynan killed. I didn’t—”
“Who, Randel?”
“His-his name is Arlon Drayer. He worked in the Palace.” Marc jerked at the name. One of Maralt’s elite forces and Dain’s old jailer. “All he ever asked for was information on things I heard. Gossip. When Prince Dynan came back ... You have to believe me. I would never do anything to hurt him. It was the happiest day of my life when he came back.”
Marc waited while Randel got himself under control again, continuing with his unhappy story. After Dynan’s return, Arlon disappeared until a few days ago. He’d shown up at his home, threatening his brother and sister if Randel didn’t continue to provide information about Palace activities. He was instructed to inform Arlon immediately of anything to do with Dynan or Dain.
“How did you do that?” Marc asked.
“Usually, I gave my messages to a man named Tylin, who would then deliver them to Arlon. For things about Prince Dynan and Prince Dain, I was given an access code to the medic comterm.” Randel bowed his head with that admission.
“What’s the code?”
“I ... Arlon told me if a trace were ever put on it, he’d kill my family.”
Marc touched his crest pin. “Allie, I need you to track down a Medic Center signal to an unauthorized user. Hold on a second. Where is he?”
“In Rianamar,” Randel stammered.
“He’s in Rianamar somewhere. I’m told that a trace could be detected. Can you get around that?”
“Sure, Marc.”
Randel hesitated briefly then told him the code. “I need the location right away. Careful Allie. It’s Arlon Drayer.”
“I’ll run it right now and he won’t know it either.”
Marc turned back to Randel. “Who is this Tylin person you normally deal with?”
“He’s a Palace servant. He’s been here longer than I have. I don’t know anything else about him.”
“So when you over-heard that Dynan would be in his rooms resting, and that a medic would be sent up to administer to him, you went where to deliver this information to Arlon.”
“In Geneal Elger’s office.”
“It never occurred to you that such information about Dynan’s location could be used to launch an attack against him?”
“I didn’t see how. I mean, by the time he could plan something like that there wouldn’t be any guarantee Prince Dynan had stayed in the same place. He’d have to get here from Rianamar and then get inside the Palace, which is hard to do even with the right ident cards.”
“Unless he happened to have someone inside already,” Marc said. Randel shook his head, staring dumbly at him. “You saw the man killed during the attack. Did you recognize him?”
“I’ve never seen him before. That’s why I thought I didn’t have anything to do with this at first, until you came down here.”
“Do you know who Arlon worked for?” Randel’s confusion gave Marc the answer. He stammered something about Kamien’s staff though he was never certain and hadn’t been told. “He worked for Maralt Adaeryn, Randel. Looks like he still is. Did he ever mention any of Cobalt’s Governors to you? Even in passing?”
Randel couldn’t answer. At the mention of Maralt, he buried his face in his hands, sobs shaking his whole body. Having experienced the same reaction, Marc was more inclined to pity than anger. He rose, moving to the door.
“Kyle, go ahead and interview our last medic here. Then you can let him go.” He turned to the last man. “I want to reiterate the importance of not speaking to anyone about this. Understood?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Good. Kyle, when you’re finished, come in here.”
Randel had recovered himself by then and Marc had a plan. “I want you to send Arlon this message. Would it go through Tylin, or by comterm?”
Randel blinked at the comboard Marc handed him, focused on it, and read for a moment. “Governor Alse?”
“Yes.”
He frowned. “He’s never mentioned Alse. I don’t know—”
“They’re connected. Alse and a few of his colleagues showed up here too soon after the attack. I suspect Arlon will want to warn Governor Alse of my suspicions, and I don’t think he’ll presume to come to the Palace. Do you have a scheduled time to meet Tylin?”
“No. I’ll have to copy this out. We don’t use comboards.”
“Get started then. When you’re finished, you may go. You’ll deliver this message to Tylin, then go about what ever you normally do this time of day. Kyle, we’re going to need a team of men who can track Tylin. Allie’s getting a trace for us now, so we might be able to get ahead of our messenger.”
“You run the risk of having him go to a different location.”
“Right. These men have to know what they’re doing.”
“I have six in mind. I’ll go get them briefed. Tell me when you send him on.” Kyle nodded to Randel.
“Talk to Trevan. They need receivers. How much time do I have before Their Majesties arrive?”
“They’re going to start down in just a few minutes, Marc.”
“Randel. Hurry it up.”
“Y-yes, my Lord.”
Kyle pulled him aside, and lowered his voice. “After he’s done his part should I put him in detention?”
“No.”
“I know you told him he could go, but Marc—”
“His family was threatened. What was he supposed to do? This started under Kamien and Arlon is one of Maralt’s.”
“He didn’t have to accept payment for this.”
“Didn’t he? Your circumstances could have been exactly the same six years ago. I’ll talk to Dynan about it, but I’ve a feeling he’ll agree. We’ll watch him. If he ever does anything wrong again, he’ll pay the price, but I’m not putting him in a cell for this. I want to get his brother and sister in a safe location until this is over too. That needs to happen now. We don’t have a lot of time. Randel?” he asked as Kyle left them.
“I-I’m finished. Here.” He picked up the parchment. The paper fluttered as he handed it to Marc.
“Good. Now, go to your rooms, wait a few minutes, an appropriate amount of time, and then take this to Tylin.”
Randel stared at him for a long moment. “I don’t understand.”
Marc looked at him in question. “Which part?”
“No ... that you’re letting me go. I deserve to be—”
“Consider yourself on probation. We’ve all had our fair share of dealing with Maralt and his men the last few years. What you’re doing now is helping to stop one of the last. Hopefully so, anyway. Go on. And don’t look so stunned either. Everyone will wonder what’s happened to you.”
“Yes, my Lord. Thank you. Nothing like this will ever happen again. Ever.”
“I didn’t think so. We’re going to bring your family here until we have Arlon. You should see the special assistance office in the morning. I think they’ll be able to help you.”
“Yes, my Lord. Thank you.”
Marc pulled in a slow breath after Randel left. The last thing he wanted to do now was deal with a formal dinner. There were too many problems left on his list of things he had to get done, and he was having a hard time remembering them all. He looked down at his clothes, knowing he wouldn’t have time to change.
“Marc.”
“Go ahead, Allie.”
“I’ve got the trace. It’s a house in the middle of town, just off Trubian Square.”
“Tell Kyle. How are you coming with that contingency report?”
“The file has been transferred.”
“Give me an update.”
“No word from Dain on what Dynan intends. He’s awake though. Their Majesties are on their way down now.”
Marc swore and started for the main hall. “Are we ready for them?”
“Don’t worry, Loren has everything under control. She’s in the dining hall parlor. Everyone has assembled for the meet and greet.”
“Alse and the others?”
“They’re there. I’m heading in now with Drake.”
“Security?”
“Ralion’s on that. Let’s see. Here it is. Thirty guards in the hall. Ten in the parlor. It’s going to be crowded in there. The guest list stands at twenty four.”
Marc groaned again. “I’m on my way.”
He trudged up the stairs, wishing that the lift was working. He arrived at the top out of breath and a little dizzy. The low hum of conversations emanated from the parlor next to the dining hall. A long, wide room, the parlor seemed crowded when he glanced in. Alexia spoke to Governor Taldic. Governor Iatridis and Isdo stood with the others. Marc started when he saw Creal speaking with Alse. He didn’t see Drake, wondering briefly where he was.
He turned sharply then, looking up the stair. With four guards preceding and four behind, Dynan and Dain walked toward him, both of them smiling down at him.
“You were supposed to stop him from coming,” he said to Dain. The Prince’s response was a brief sneer and a whisper to his brother.
Dynan looked all right, with a slight pinched look to his eyes. Dain stood protectively at his right shoulder, close, his hand grasping the hilt of his sword. Seeing them together was still a shock to Marc. Except for Dynan’s arm, folded carefully along his middle, and the lack of a weapon, Marc couldn’t tell them apart. They both wore their formal dress uniforms, making him more aware of his inappropriate attire.
“Dynan, wait,” Marc said as they reached the landing. He moved to the stair, but they didn’t slow. All it would take was for one person from inside the parlor to see them and it would be too late. “Alse is here. All of them are. Having you here only complicates the situation. Please, turn around now and go back upstairs.”
“No,” Dynan said, joining him at the foot of the stair.
“Damn it,” he said, keeping his voice low. “One of Maralt’s men is involved with this. Arlon Drayer.”
“Arlon?” Dain asked, turning on him. “Where?”
“There’s an operation underway right now to bring him in, which is another reason I don’t want either of you out in the open.” Quickly, he explained, showing them what he had learned.
“Marc,” Kyle’s voice interrupted over his receiver. “Randel has delivered the message. His brother and sister are on their way over here. They’ll go into one of the back guest rooms.”
“Thanks, Kyle. Keep me informed.”
“You let this Randel person go?” Dain asked.
“No, he’s right,” Dynan said before Marc could explain. “He couldn’t get out of it. Shows you how much trust there was between Kamien and Maralt though.”
“But he was a spy for Maralt,” Dain said.
“An unknowing one,” Marc said. “He didn’t know Arlon was one of Maralt’s men.” He turned to Dynan. “Please, go back upstairs.”
“No, Marc. Not with Alexia and Creal here. Not with Loren in there with them.”
“Marc,” Kyle said. “Tylin has left his quarters. Looks like he’s prepared to leave the Palace. Randel has returned to his rooms.”
“Acknowledged.” He frowned for a moment, looking between them, but nodded finally. “All right, but I don’t want you talking to Alse any more than you have to.” He turned to Dain. “Don’t leave his side.”
“I think I knew that, my Lord Chancellor. Are you sure it was such a good idea to give him this job?”
Marc growled under his breath and turned to follow them.
