“I can’t believe that base-born bastard is making demands of me!” Vance paced up and down in his quarters, and Eden had given up trying to follow his footsteps.
“Call his bluff, sire. Summon the guild and ask them if he’s correct.”
“That’s what he wants Eden! He wants me to embarrass myself. I knew perfectly well he was entitled to having Quinn at that trial, I only sent her away in the hope that Sammah would either forget, or think her dead. It was foolish of me, I know. Now I will have to send someone to Sha’sek to get her back. That’s not going to be easily accomplished.”
“Can’t we just send messages to Lynton?”
“The council won’t accept something so anonymous. Seals can be forged. They won’t release one of their own to my custody just because a letter asks them to.”
“Can’t you send a page? One of your courtiers?”
“Spirits, no! The only reason Quinn and Maertn got into Sha’sek is because of who they are. Ross can work his reputation as a mercenary, but I’ve got no doubt he’ll end up captive or dead within weeks of getting there. Now who have I got to send? I can only hope their new emissary gets here soon enough that I can send them back on a return boat to bring Quinn to me. If one of their own asks, then they can’t really refuse without causing trouble.”
Eden saw his opening, then. It was a slender opportunity, and he knew that it was risky even contemplating it. It might, though, be his only chance of seeing Quinn again before all-out-war was declared.
“What about me?”
Vance stopped pacing. “What about you?”
“Think about it, your highness. Who better to bring her back than me? Quinn doesn’t trust anyone in this city, other than the men you’ve already sent away with her. You don’t want to send anyone common, but think Sha’sek wants war? Well then, why risk any man you care about?”
“I care about your welfare, Eden.”
“That’s not what I mean, sire. I’ve been doing what you asked; listening. Much of the court feels that Sevenspells doesn’t deserve its place any more; that we’re a province of traitors. Well, if that’s what they think, then I’m expendable. It doesn’t matter what happens to me in Sha’sek, your lords won’t think anything of it. My brother is disliked; my father is a traitor. My other brother is an anonymous fop. What’s the life of another Sevenspells son?”
“That’s not what I think of your father, or your brothers.”
“It may not be what you think your highness, but it’s what the rest of the court thinks. You need to make sure you keep playing the strongest hand you have available, and right now, I’m the strongest hand you can play. You need to bring Quinn back here for Sammah, and you know a trial can’t go ahead without her. You can’t be seen to let a man like Sammah having his way, so the best thing to do, is decide that you’re recalling Quinn for the trial. Make it your decision, Vance, not his. Everybody knew that Quinn and I had a relationship, so just makes sense that I am the one to send after her.”
“I understand you, Eden, but there is something unsettling me.”
“What’s that?”
“Two things actually, one is your level of familiarity. There are many men in this court who wouldn’t dare speak to me without using the proper intonations. You called me Vance.” Eden at flinched the realisation, but didn’t interrupt the king. “The other problem I have, is that since even before Sammah was indicted for treason, you’ve been making most of my decisions for me. I didn’t realise until now, but it was you and Ross who convinced me to let him go after Quinn in the first place. As a pair, you asked me to make you chamberlain. Now you’re persuading me that you are the best man in my court to retrieve Quinn. Why? Do you want to get away from your obligations here, so you can stay in Sha’sek with your lover?”
Eden hadn’t thought of that himself, so his natural reaction at such a ridiculous accusation, was to laugh. It was a genuine noise of shock. “Your highness, I can’t think of living anywhere but Everfell. I’ve heard stories about what goes on in the islands, and whether they’re true or not, they are not my people.”
“Quinn isn’t one of our people either, but you seemed happy enough with her?”
“When I fell in love with Quinn I didn’t know what she was.” It wasn’t a lie, though Eden felt ashamed that it was partially true. “My feelings aside, your highness, my loyalties have always been here. I know that you can only get out of this situation with your rule intact, if you bring Quinn back to court. The only sound way for that to happen, for your reputation, is for me to get her. This way you save face in front of all of the lords, and you’re not putting men who are perceived as being more valuable in a position of risk.”
“I agree with you, Eden, though I don’t have to like it. I’m also inclined not to send you on your own. I don’t know who I could send with you that would make a difference.”
“You don’t have to send anyone with me, sire. Just give me enough horses to ride non-stop, and the coin for a passage over the Sighs.”
“Why do you want to take that accursed crossing?”
“Ross told me that, if he found them, he would take them to Farn. The quickest way to get to Farn is over the Sighs. It’s a dangerous journey, but it’s short, and for Everfell’s benefit, I’ll have to take it.”
“Do you already know a ship willing to make that passage for you?”
Eden shrugged. “It’s a risky route, but its reputation draws a certain crowd. With enough coin, I’ll be able to convince someone to take me.”
“I had my doubts before, but letting you make that crossing? I refuse. Take a longer route.”
“And risk open rebellion when you still haven’t pulled Sammah up into trial? I don’t think so, your highness. If you don’t hear a message from me in a week, then you can assume that I’ve been in a wreck. You have that week to think of an alternative plan.”
“You know what, Eden? It’s your complete lack of fear that worries me the most. Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“Yes, your highness. I’m positive. And I’m sure it’s the only way.”
Vance chewed on his lip, hesitating for only a second. “Make the arrangements. Requisition anything you need the journey. Are you sure you can go without a retinue?”
“Your highness, the only lands I have to go through are my own and Port Kahnel. If I need a retinue through those lands, then something is very rotten at the core of Everfell, and nothing either of us can do would ever fix that.”
“Humph. I’m still not sure that I want you going on your own.”
“You can’t trust me, can you sire?”
“I won’t be able to trust anyone anymore, Eden. Don’t take it personally.”
Eden didn’t. He couldn’t begin to understand how Vance felt, cornered in on all sides by enemies, both real and imaginary. Eden didn’t want to bring Quinn back for Vance; he wanted to bring Quinn back for himself. That didn’t make him feel any less pity for his king. “I don’t, your highness, I assure you. Pick whomever you want to accompany me; even guardsmen, if that will make you feel better. I don’t think you should risk anyone of any real standing, though.”
“You don’t consider yourself a man of standing in the court?”
“I barely consider myself a man, sire.”
Vance chuckled. “Then you need to start putting yourself around court a bit more, rather than following me around like a hen. You’re more respected than your father, and I’ve heard more than one lord mention it’s regrettable you weren’t first in the line of succession.”
“Then they flatter me unduly. I’ve not spent my life under the same pressure as Rowan, being the heir to a seat like Sevenspells.”
“Being captain of the guard at such a young age must have come with its own sense of responsibilities?”
“Sevenspells is a peaceful land, in the main. We’re all too busy wondering about who we’re going to be fighting outside our borders to have time for scraps within it.”
“That’s precisely what I’ve been worried about.”
Eden had realised his mistake as soon as the words had left his mouth, but had been hoping Vance wouldn’t notice. Hopefully, the king would just think it a slip of the tongue; Eden hadn’t given him any real reason to distrust in his newest and youngest chamberlain; not yet, anyway.
“Who do you think is going to do your duty, whilst you’re gone?”
Eden had no idea; he didn’t know the court well enough, despite his attempts to listen carefully to everyone that chose to bend his ear—not many, yet—and paying close attention to the manoeuvring of the lords around their king around critical occasions such as court and dinners. There was a definite divide appearing, and his brother and Lord Calvin of Port Kahnel appeared firmly on one side of it. Eden preferred where he was, despite Vance’s unlikeable demeanour. At least, with Vance, he knew where he stood.
“It’s not a necessary position, is it?”
Vance tried to hide his smile, but Eden caught it tugging at the corners of the king’s lips, underneath the greying whiskers of his moustache. “Explain what you mean?”
Eden tugged at his left ear, nervous. “Well, I don’t actually do anything. Nothing of any importance, anyway. I do a lot of listening, and pointing people in the direction of various rooms, but by in large, Ross was right. This place runs itself. The maids all know what they’re doing; Renner rules the kitchens without my interference—and I’d really rather not interfere. Without any special occasion, like the Spring Ball, there’s nothing for me to do but sit and listen.”
“That’s an important role too, you know. Critical, in fact, when it comes to your king asking you advice. Ross won’t be around forever, Eden, and I need loyal men aware of what it means to be a part of this court. You’re never going to inherit Sevenspells, even if I don’t let Shiver rule again. You’re still a third son, and I’m already setting up matches for Rowan, with the help of your mother. River, too. They’ll both beget heirs before you even get a sniff of that title, so think carefully about where you want to be in the future.
“I will allocate five of my own guardsmen to you. They will escort you to the port, and will wait in Kahnel for you to come back with the empath…and Maertn.”
Eden bowed, hiding his scowl at having to bring back Quinn’s best friend. “Yes, sire.”
* * *
Eden rode out of Everfell the next day with two spare horses, an armed escort, and enough supplies for them all to get to Port Kahnel without stopping for anything but sleep. The king had even given Eden enough gold to seek passage across the Sea of Sighs four times over, though he was anticipating the return fare for Maertn and Quinn would be included in that purse. As Eden began his journey south, and Sammah waited for the circles to close around him, Quinn was beginning new lessons of her own.