Eden was blindfolded. His temple throbbed. He was alone, and that could only mean his men were dead. His face burned with shame and he felt eyes on him, a feeling affirmed by a silence that was only formed by people holding back noise. This wasn’t the way he was meant to come into Farn. This wasn’t the way he wanted to be reunited with Quinn. Would he even be reunited? Were they sparing him a death on the beach to hang him in the square? Would Eden be the symbol of a public declaration of war? Despite his upbringing, Eden began to tremble. He wished Ross was there. Suddenly he was dragged to a stop. He was forced to his knees.
“We are having a celebration here! What is the meaning of this intrusion?”
“We found this man on our shores. There were eight dead bodies; four of his, and four of our own. It’s not enough Everfell have one of our own; they’re already spilling blood on our shores! We had to bring him straight to the council, baron.”
That wasn’t right. That was a lie! If there were only eight bodies… Eden groaned, and not just because of the pain arching through his head. Elias wouldn’t be one of the dead on that shore, Eden was certain of it. Chatter erupted around him, and Eden could barely think. This had to be Sammah. He was being set-up.
He closed his eyes, waiting for the order to come for his execution, when another voice ripped through the crowd. “Eden!”
Eden’s heart stopped. Quinn was here. She couldn’t see him like this. Please, don’t let them take off my blindfold. But then it was ripped from his face, and Quinn was already there, standing before him. Eden blinked, dazed.
Quinn was gut-wrenchingly beautiful. A blood-red gown clung to Quinn’s body, and a passionate anger stirred in her eyes. Sha’sek suited her. Eden gave a strangled cough. He could never compete with this land for the hand of this lady.
A man came to stand next to her, and given the familial likeness, Eden knew without asking that this was the Baron Pax. “What’s going on here?” the man demanded.
“We found him, on the beach! The only survivor of a slaughter of our men. You know him?” The guardsman pointed at Quinn, who didn’t recoil.
“Yes. He’s the son of a lord. If you want to avoid immediate war, I suggest you undo his bonds and let him to his feet.”
The guardsman ignored Quinn, looking instead to the baron.
“This is no place for politics. Take him to my chambers.”
Eden was roughly pulled to his feet, and Quinn cried out. “He needs a healer. Where’s Maertn?”
Maertn stumbled over then, unsteady on his feet.
“Have you been drinking?” Quinn asked, sounding disgusted.
“Haven’t you?” Maertn slurred. Quinn groaned, but relented. This wasn’t Maertn’s fault, and this time, he wasn’t the only skilled healer in the city.
“Fetch a healer. Quinn, come with me. You know this man, and I want to know what’s going on here. He might have an excuse for the shoreline, but why is he in Farn at all? Everyone else, please, resume your evening. You—bring Rhi back. Promise her twice as much as she was paid for the first song. Just ask her to bring some life back into this place.”
The baron clapped and, as if it was a magical signal, the chatter of the party resumed. Quinn shook her head in disbelief. How could these people just ignore what was going on? Was this kind of thing normal?
The crowds parted for the baron as he made his way to his offices. He waved his guardsmen away. “Leave us.”
“Baron, that man is dangerous.”
“He looked half dead when you brought him in. If you have to hold him up whilst he stands, then he’s not a danger to me. Leave. Us.”
“As you wish.”
Pax waited until the room was emptied and turned to Quinn. “Is there anyone prying outside the rooms?”
Quinn tilted her head, confused for only a second as to why the baron had asked her. “No. There’s no one there.”
“Good.” He turned to Eden, who was slumped in a plain wooden chair. “Do you need water, boy?”
Eden could only nod, and the baron filled a glass from a jug on his desk. He thrust it at Eden, who quaffed it greedily.
“Quinn, I don’t want you to talk. I do want you to use your ability. You more than know this boy—I’m not blind. Still, you’re Sha’sekian now, and one of us. You will tell me if he’s telling the truth. I may not be an empath, but I’ll know if you’re lying to me. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, baron.”
The baron grunted. “Good. What’s your name?”
“Eden. Third son of the House of Sevenspells.”
“Why are you here?”
“To bring Quinn back to Everfell.”
Quinn’s heart skipped a beat. He was here to bring her back? Why?
“For yourself?”
“The king wants to recall her.”
Quinn couldn’t sense a lie, but she couldn’t believe it was the truth. She had wanted it to be Eden, here to bring her back. The baron believed it about as much as Quinn. “So soon after threatening her with death? Why?”
“Baron Sammah has demanded her as a witness at his trial. You…you know about the trial?”
Eden must have been hit hard. His words were slow, and his voice thick with fatigue. Quinn wanted to ask where the healers were, but didn’t dare open her mouth. Pax waggled his hands in response to Eden’s question. “I am aware my brother is implicated in some kind of plot against your king. I’m frankly surprised he didn’t get away with it; he’s been trying for years. A blind lot you all are. You’re Sevenspells, you say?”
“Yes, baron.”
“I get many messages about your father, Eden.”
“Why would your messengers be speaking about my father?”
“Because he’s my brother’s ally. Didn’t you know?”
Despite his injuries, Eden found both his feet in his voice. He thrust himself out of his chair, hissing at the baron. “Lies! My father wouldn’t make pact with that monster.”
The baron pushed Eden gently back in his seat. “They’re allies and you know it, otherwise you wouldn’t have reacted so. Where one son sees an opportunity, another one sees shame. So, Sammah wants a witness? That’s interesting.”
“Why?” Eden’s words were getting heavier. Can’t the baron see? He’ll pass out soon. Quinn felt like jamming her fist into her mouth to keep quiet.
“Sammah isn’t imprisoned any more.”
Eden and Quinn were stunned into silence. The baron chuckled, “What, you expected the king to be able to keep Sammah subjugated? I kept telling you what was coming Quinn, we all have. Your father, Eden, allied himself with Sammah not long after the war. He might not like us, or agree with our customs, but he knew a winning side when he saw one.”
“I don’t understand. What do you mean?”
“Exactly what he said,” Quinn whispered, feeling sick to her stomach.
“I think you’d better sit down too, Quinn. Neither of you are going to like what I have to say. Before I begin, should we get a healer? Do you need one, Eden?”
Eden shook his head and Quinn protested. “Please, baron. Fetch one. He’s barely awake, let alone able to make decisions.”
Pax left the room, and Quinn dashed to Eden. Tears fell; she couldn’t hold them back.
“Eden, spirits I’ve missed you. What happened?”
“I was ambushed, Quinn. It was Elias. It must be Sammah.”
“We can tell Pax. He’s a reasonable man. He’ll understand.”
Eden placed a shaking finger on Quinn’s lips. “I don’t trust him, Quinn. He’s too calm. Quinn was puzzled, but she didn’t have the chance to answer. Pax returned, with Rall in tow. Quinn’s hackles rose at seeing Maertn’s master, but he was there to help Eden.”
“Step back, girl. You think your boy is a skilled healer? You know nothing.”
Quinn was swept out of the way. Rall squatted in front of Eden, grabbing his head in both hands and twisting it back and forth. Quinn heard bones crack and she bit back a scream of fright. Eden moaned, but didn’t protest. After a swift examination, Rall stood. “A blow to the head, baron, is all this boy has suffered. His hands show no signs of fight. I can sense no other ills in his body. His mind is dull; that is to be expected.”
“Fix him.” Pax stated.
Rall’s hands went back to Eden’s head. Quinn held her breath. She had been the recipient of Maertn’s healing enough times, but she had never seen it happen. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting; lights; noise—something. What she got was nothing. After a few minutes Eden moaned softly. Rall pulled his hands back and Eden shook his head.
“My head…it feels…fine.”
“So it should. It was a solid blow, but nothing that would have given you any lasting damage. Baron? Is there anything else you need?”
“No, thank you, Rall. Please, return to the party.”
“If you think I’m spending my night with that cavorting lot, then you’re truly mistaken. My loyalty to you, baron.”
Rall left as Eden came around. He looked confused.
“What just happened?”
“You were healed by a Sha’sekian, Lord Eden. Does that frighten you?”
Eden frowned. “Why would it frighten me? I’m glad—thankful, even.”
“You don’t think like the other nobles. Perhaps that’s why Sammah took an interest in you.”
Quinn placed her hands on Eden’s shoulders, wrapping her arms around his neck. She squeezed him tight, and he brought his hands up to her arms, returning the gesture.
“No, baron. Eden is nothing like his kin. Don’t hold his birth against him; it would be hypocritical, given the lecture you’ve given me about the Everfell opinion of Sha’sek.”
“So sweet. Reunited lovers, is it? I bet this was fascinating for Sammah.”
“Did…did you say before that he’d escaped? He was in the gaols, the same as my father. There’s no way he escaped.”
The baron chuckled. “Sammah was always going to escape, though knowing my brother, your father is still probably right where you left him. You see whilst Shiver is a useful man to a point, he is also a very dangerous one. He orchestrated the deaths of many of my men back in the wars. Keep your enemies close, as the saying goes.”
“How do you know this? I crossed the Sighs, and I only just arrived in Farn. When I left, Sammah was in custody.”
“Have you never heard of messenger birds, boy? Or spies? Spirits, do you think all we do is sit around drinking wine and gossiping? Nothing important happens in Everfell without my finding out.”
“You didn’t want to fight Everfell! What is Sammah doing?”
“Quinn, please, calm down. You’re sensitive and over-emotional. By your own admission, you’re not stable here. I didn’t feel I could completely confide in you. Still, whilst I knew that Sammah would be escaping. This unexpected twist,” Pax waved at Eden, “has forced my hand somewhat. I also wasn’t expecting Sammah to escape so swiftly. Still, I’ll be honouring Sammah’s request, whether Vance is there to see it fulfilled or not.”
“Why? If he’s escaped, he doesn’t need me. I don’t want to go back to him.”
“You’ll be able to keep Sammah in check, Quinn.”
“How do you expect me to do that?”
“If I send you back to Everfell, Sammah will think I’m still his ally. Sammah is still after Everfell, and as long as he’s alive, he won’t stop even when he gets it. He is dangerous, and a liability. And I need to mention again that he is an apath? You can’t have a man like that on any throne.”
“You’re saying it like Vance is dead. Is Sammah the king?”
The baron shrugged. “I don’t know that. I just know that he’s escaped.”
“So, you admit openly that Sha’sek wants war with Everfell again?” Eden spat, repulsed.
“Of course. We never hid that. Eventually we will be at war with Everfell again. We just need to wait for things to calm down. Sammah has started the fire; I expect your father to try to put it out. Once he’s spent himself…well, then I may consider our position.”
“And in the meantime, you want Quinn to go back to Everfell to subjugate her tyrannical father?”
“Not at all. I just need her to appease him. Think of yourself as a peace offering, Quinn.”
“I thought you said I was free.” Quinn couldn’t bite back her frustration. Eden reached for her. She gripped his hand tight. They both felt helpless.
“And you are. You are free to choose, and like any adult, you will face the consequences of incorrect choices. If you do not choose to go back to Baron Sammah, then I will execute Maertn. If you still refuse, Ross will be next. If you deny me a third time, it will be Lord Eden’s head on my block.”
“You were right, Baron Pax,” Quinn said stiffly through her tears.
“Oh?”
“I shouldn’t trust anyone.”