"Give me his name, and I'll set up a meeting."
Just when I thought I'd cleared a mountain, another popped up to block my path.
It was ingenious, really. The person who was leading the rebellion had been careful not to let his name slip except to those he trusted. And only those he trusted got a meeting with him. Ergo, I would have to prove I could be trusted in order to get his name to get a meeting.
Chicken, meet egg.
Back at the castle, Ilara was reveling in her decision to close the gates. She blissfully ignored reports that food imports had grown scarce; in fact, she cared very little about anything except showing off her wealth and status. But my blood pounded in my ears whenever I received that small card signaling she wanted to see me.
"Felix, dear. It seems like forever since we've spoken," she said, offering me a warm smile that I knew was completely fake. "Have you made any progress on the one thing I've asked you to do?"
"Unfortunately, no," I said, forcing myself not to see the look of pity on Katarine's face and girding myself for the fury that would radiate from Ilara at my failure.
"Oh, well," she said, pushing herself to stand. She wasn't angry. But why? Had Coyle told her he suspected me? Was she about to put me in irons? I couldn't believe I was hoping for her mood to snap, but at least I'd know where I stood with her.
What in the Mother's name are you playing at? She looked like the docile princess who'd come on bended knee to ask for help, not the raging monarch she'd been over the past few months. I didn't trust this new-old version of her, so I kept my thoughts short.
"I'm frustrated with my lack of progress," I said to the silence. "And I don't want to disappoint you."
To that, she chuckled. "I daresay this challenge has flummoxed you. You know, Brynna spoke very highly of you, which was why I'd allowed you to stay on."
I couldn't help the hitch in my breath, and I struggled to come up with a response that wasn't to scold her for using Brynna's name.
My silence was met with a coy smile. "I think you're still distracted, Felix. You say you're loyal, but I don't see it. Not in your eyes, not in your actions. For Brynna, you followed her around as a masked vigilante. But for me, you won't even try to find who's responsible for hurting your own people."
My heart was beating faster now. Was she testing me to see my reaction or was she merely making conversation? Ilara may have had irrational tendencies, but she wasn't idiotic.
"Indeed," I said, after a long pause. "But I'll redouble my efforts and bring them to justice."
"See that you do," she said with a smile.
I pressed my fist to my chest and bowed. "Of course, Your Majesty. Was that all you needed today?" Please, Mother, let it be all.
"No, actually, Lieutenant Coyle informs me that we've got a new crop of graduates ready," she said, offering her arm. "I'd love it if you'd accompany me."
"G-graduation?" I couldn't help my surprise. "But we just graduated a class less than a month ago."
"Yes, but we've had some…newer recruits?" She offered me her arm. "Come, let's see what Lieutenant Coyle has done with his men."
I had no idea what I might find during this graduation, but I readied myself to offer words of support to my cadets. I hadn't seen any of them in weeks. They were probably scared, confused, and the more I could show a unified front, the less chance they might make a wrong move and end up in Ilara's crosshairs.
What was left of the cadets stood at attention against the back wall. They wore their dress uniforms, a dark blue jacket and white pants with brown boots. The oldest ones—only sixteen—had small rapiers at their hips.
As we drew closer, their gazes swept toward me, and I saw relief reflected on several of their faces. Ilara made sure to walk the length of them, smiling and holding my arm as if she owned me. Which, I supposed, she did.
Coyle stood at the front of the green. He bowed low to Ilara and nodded slightly to me.
"Your Majesty, I think you'll be happy with what's been going on out here. These cadets are truly ready to take their next steps."
I couldn't resist a small jab. "You must truly be impressive if these kids have been under your care for a matter of days."
His smile widened. "Happily, they were under Captain Maarit's control. I merely continued what she had started."
My unease grew but I didn't respond. Instead, I kept my eyes on the green where the doors had opened and another squad of cadets exited, walking two-by-two. All Severian, all with a steely-eyed focus. I counted nearly sixty—more than had just graduated.
"Who are they?" I asked.
"It's as I said," Coyle said. "The cadets that have been under Captain Maarit's tutelage. I think they'll make a fine addition to the forces already in the city. I'm sure they'll do their best to quell the brewing rebellion."
I wasn't sure why these young kids made me nervous—perhaps it was that there was nothing kind in their faces. And perhaps they wouldn't have the same love of country that my cadets did. I chanced a look at my former charges; the oldest ones hadn't flinched. The younger ones, though, had gone pale. Did they see their future here slipping away, as I did?
"They are quite obedient," Coyle said, raising his sword to signal them to begin their sparring match. The Severians faced each other with unflinching ferocity, and it made my stomach turn to think about what might happen if those kids were set on mine. How Coyle could stand there and be their leader was beyond me.
"Very well done," Ilara said, clapping her hands together. "Coyle, I must say, I wasn't convinced you were the right man for the job. But seeing how quickly these children have taken to you, well…" She grinned, and for a moment, she wasn't a cruel mistress. "I'm pleased I picked you for this job." Her gaze left him, and her cruelty returned. "Wouldn't you say, Felix?"
"I can hardly tell the difference between Forcadelian and Severian." I should have held my tongue more, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from my youngest cadets, pale with terror.
"You look put out, my dear," Ilara said, turning to me with a pout. "It appears Coyle can handle things from here. Why don't you escort me back?"
Despite the rising disgust in my mouth, I allowed her to take my arm and I walked her back to the castle. She said nothing, but wore a look of superiority on her face, which told me she was plotting something.
When we reached her throne room, she pressed a hand lightly on my arm. "Katarine has been asking for someone to go speak to Lord Garwood. I wonder if you could go down there today?"
I couldn't hide my surprise. The former Councilor had been stuck in the dungeons since Ilara had taken over, and no one had been allowed to speak with him. Was she truly in a generous mood, or was there something else going on?
"I would be happy to," I said.
"I can be merciful," she said, almost as an afterthought. "If he accepts me as queen. See if you can convince him."
Even though I had the queen's permission, I was still leery about walking down to the dungeons. Ilara might've been warning me about what would happen if I continued defying her. Especially with this new crop of Severian soldiers. I couldn't be sure, but I feared the Severians outnumbered the Forcadelians. It would be that much harder to break Ilara's iron grip when Brynna returned.
I continued into the depths of the dungeons, assaulted by the scent of death and decay. I came to the front guard and he narrowed his eyes at me.
"Do you have permission to be down here, Captain?"
I could've had him court-martialed, but I nodded. "From the queen herself."
He hesitated for a moment, but when I showed him I had no weapons, he allowed me to pass. I continued down the dark hallway of the dungeon, inwardly flinching as the cries of the prisoners reached my ears. There were more innocents in here than criminals, of that I was certain, including the man I was sent to speak with.
The guard at the other end of the hall questioned me as his partner had, but eventually turned to unlock the cell door behind him. I stepped into the darkness, my gaze adjusting to the form of a man sitting against the wall.
"Lord Garwood?" I called.
He chuckled. "I'm not a lord anymore, Felix."
I knelt beside him, noting the gauntness of his dirty cheeks and how the spark had left his gaze.
"You'll always be a lord," I said softly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Here to seal my fate, finally?"
"Ilara won't have you hanged," I said. "Optics look bad."
"She could just poison me, the way she did Maurice and August." He kicked the bowl at his feet. "I'm surprised she hasn't already."
"She's keeping you alive in case she needs you," I replied then shook my head. "You know why I'm here, and I'm sorry to have to ask it. But are you ready to swear fealty to Ilara?"
"I'm loyal to the crown of Forcadel," he said, closing his eyes. "And those who share the Lonsdale blood. Even if they no longer exist."
I sighed, closing my hand over his. "Don't be so sure of that."
He cracked open an eye, then smiled. "My sister has come to visit me in my dreams, warning me not to give up hope yet. Perhaps she knew something about her daughter."
"I don't know what other hope I can offer you," I whispered. "But I know she would be very disappointed if you were to pass before she saw you again."
The corners of his cracked lips turned upward. "How is my husband?"
"Safe in Niemen," I replied. "Katarine corresponds with him regularly with updates on your health."
"Hope she's lying to him," Garwood said with a weak, wet cough. "He'll never forgive me for putting the crown above all else."
"I can understand his frustration," I replied. "Ilara isn't going to let up any time soon. But I wanted to let you know…well, to give you a little hope that things might be changing soon."
"I have all the hope I need. The Mother protects me," he whispered, more a prayer than a statement. "And my niece is alive and on her way to reclaim her kingdom…"
If he had something else to say, it was lost as he slipped into unconsciousness. I straightened, wishing I had the power to do more for him—or to at least send a healer to his aid. Brynna would've figured out a way to do it.
Unfortunately, I wasn't Brynna, and so I left him and carried my guilt with me.
"How was Garwood?"
Ilara was waiting for me at the top of the dungeons; clearly she'd had me followed down here.
"Unwilling to submit," I said. "Although it doesn't appear he has much time left."
She cast me a look. "Perhaps not. But I would remember what happens to people who disappoint me. My patience is running thin, and when it wears out," she met my gaze, "you will be disposed of. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."