Chapter 2

The Baronet had broken rather quickly.

Perhaps it was the dark and grime of the dungeon, the threat of plummeting to the earth, seeing the crimson-fire or Elina’s repressed anger, but Fabiam didn’t seem to have anything worse to answer for than greed. Elina was still going to chase down Jorga, of course, but it didn’t have the feel of anything larger.

“I doubt the Vadiya have the resources or the heart so soon after withdrawing,” Never said from the deep armchair he’d sprawled across. Elina was pacing before her fire, its heat not unwelcome. She stopped to lean against the mantle, toying with a dagger hilt.

“Retribution doesn’t have to come in the form of another attack, Never.”

“Assassination?”

“Why not?” she said. “We were both involved in driving them out.”

“Then how do they get messages in and out? That bronze disc wasn’t hollow.”

“It could be both; we’re searching the carriage and the other men. And remember, this isn’t the first thing he’s stolen.”

Never shifted, flipping a leg over the other arm. “True. But I still don’t know. Fabiam seems rather undermanned for another rebellion or assassination plot.”

“Let’s wait for my men to return before we call the Baronet undermanned.”

As if summoned, a knock came on the door. Elina barely answered before it swung open, revealing an old man dressed in the head steward’s green-striped robe. He was breathing hard, but his expression of concern eased when he saw Elina.

“My Lady, you gave us all a fright,” he said, his papery voice revealing a deep weariness. “Please, you mustn’t be so headstrong anymore. You are too important to the Kingdom.”

“Deyllid, everything is well, as you can see.”

“This time, yes, but you have a personal guard for a reason. We all want you safe and they want a chance to perform their duty. They train most diligently,” he added.

“Very cruel, Deyllid,” Never said. “Guilt is a dangerous emotion to bandy about like that.”

“Good evening, Lord Never,” the man said.

Elina sighed. “Deyllid, it was entirely by chance that we stumbled across Fabiam; there wasn’t time. But I promise, I’ll bring the men along next time.”

He gave a short bow. “My concern is for you firstly. And I know it might seem almost trivial, but I worry about everyone, especially after the manner in which your predecessor operated.”

Elina crossed the room to put a hand on his shoulder. “And I appreciate it. Without you to remind me, I fear much of the good work that happens here would go unacknowledged.”

The steward bowed again, it seemed from Never’s position in the chair, to conceal his smile of gratitude. “There is also the matter of the treasury meeting, Lady Elina,” he said when he rose. “It will be exhaustive.”

Now Elina smiled. “And so I’d best get some sleep is what you’re saying, I presume?”

“Trying not to say, Your Highness. It would be untoward of someone of my station to presume to do so.”

“Well, good advice is good advice,” Elina said as she thanked him. The steward excused himself and then Elina was back to pacing before the flames.

“You don’t seem very tired,” Never said.

“I can’t make a mistake. What if it’s something bigger than it seems?”

“Then you’ll find it and stop it.”

“I appreciate the confidence,” she said but her tone expressed doubt. “But I don’t know, Never. There’s so much to attend to and even though Grandfather and Deyllid help, it’s my responsibility. I didn’t ask for this but if I’m going to lead my nation I want to do it properly.”

“Like this treasury meeting?”

“Rebuilding isn’t cheap, and the money has to come from somewhere.” She shook her head. “I can’t worry about that now. I want to be sure of Fabiam.”

Never stood and stretched. It had been wonderful to fly again, even briefly, but he was feeling a little couped up in the chair. And even if Elina wasn’t tired he couldn’t deny a sluggishness to his own limbs. “Then let him free with some sort of degrading punishment, then watch him. See if he meets with this Jorga again; that way you’ll catch any conspirators,” Never said as he approached with a frown. “You are tired; you wouldn’t usually need me to work this out for you.”

Her shoulders slumped a little. “Perhaps you’re right.”

“Perhaps? I should be insulted; when have I ever been wrong?”

“Plenty of times. Never...” She paused then, meeting his eyes a moment before looking away once more. There’d been something vulnerable there and perhaps only the second time he’d ever seen such a look on her... but it was subtly different to when she’d told the story of her brother’s death. And now she was waiting, as if gathering strength to speak again... and when she met his eyes once more, she was smiling. “Thank you for today. Why don’t we both get some rest.”

“Ah, good idea.” He hesitated a moment then started across the room. At the doorway, he looked over his shoulder. Elina was already gone, the door to the adjoining chamber clicking shut.

In the hall he strode past tranquil paintings and the gleaming silver in the windows until he reached the guest wing. There, he kicked off his boots and lay back on the soft bed. What had Elina wanted to say? And her smile when she thanked him... had it held a trace of sadness? No, regret.

Regret?

Never sat up.

“I am a damn fool.”

Something stopped her, but Elina had been going to ask him to stay... hadn’t she? He lay back down and shook his head. No. It had been something else, surely. And in the end, she’d chosen not to speak whatever had been on her mind.

Never frowned up into the darkness of the room.

By dawn, he’d not come any closer to clarity and when a servant knocked on the door to inform him that Captain Ferne had arrived, Never began to pack his belongings. Whatever Elina had decided, she’d decided last night. Stopping in City-Sedrin had always been part of his plan to reach Kiymako. Take the River Rinsa west and then travel the ocean north toward the giant island, where hopefully he’d find evidence of his father, and more importantly, his sister.

If she still lived.

And if she truly existed in the first place.

All he had was his brother’s certainty – not that Snow had often been wrong. There was the vision too; the one Never had received after drinking the vial mixed with dust from his father’s ground bones. Was it all a little thin? Well, he’d searched after thinner rumours.

Even as he walked through the quiet halls, heading for the exit, he shook his head. It was a strange kind of lie he told – it changed to suit him. In the forest, Elina had told him he was stalling and it had been true, for what if he reached Kiymako and found nothing? No trace, no clue to follow.

Or worse, if he found clues and they led to naught.

Losing the last thread of family...

Yet after last night, he was once more on the trail like a bloodhound, confidence creeping back despite how little he had to go on. “It’s just that Ferne’s finally arrived,” he muttered to himself.

And even that seemed like a lie.

Sacha’s words echoed in his head like a sharp answer.

Running away – what you always think about.

But hadn’t the showdown with Snow broken him of that pattern? Wasn’t that the reason he hoped to check on Luis and Tsolde if he could, why he’d stopped in City-Sedrin in the first place? Never came to a halt, starting down a corridor that would take him back toward Elina’s rooms.

But when he arrived, a servant handed him a folded piece of paper and explained that the Princess was already meeting with her council and could not be disturbed. Never thanked the girl and started back down the hallway, his boots echoing in the morning hush. The palace was still mostly abed.

Once out of sight, he stopped to open the paper.

 

Never,

I know you will find your sister, do not give up.

And don’t get yourself killed!

Elina

 

Quite brief. And no mention of last night.

Relief replaced a flicker of disappointment. Elina was beautiful and strong, exactly the kind of woman he desired but she was a friend. They’d been through enough together, knew each other well enough now... maybe that was why she’d said nothing? Perhaps he was imagining things in any event. Vain fool!

He smiled as he tucked the paper into an inner pocket and started back toward the great entryway. Elina would be fine; she had a nation to rebuild, a still-recovering grandfather to care for, and a bold but non-treasonous thief to deal with. She’d forget last night soon enough.

As he had to, if he wanted to find his sister.

Never checked on his purse, the reassuring clink of coins following. Now, all he had to do was make sure Ferne didn’t try and fleece him. If the big man was as rich as he’d planned to become, surely the captain wouldn’t need to charge too much for what should be an uneventful trip?