Page 107 of Shadows of Winter

“We did find a half-empty bottle of kerosene and some matches at the dock. Also another crate of munitions. Targon used the supplies to burn down the dock, though that will only inconvenience the Virts slightly. He took off to gather some men to flush the catacombs completely. Or as completely as one can. Between all the levels down there, there are probably more miles of tunnels than there are roads in the city.” Vlerion cocked his head. “You told Targon the Virts are planning to assassinate the king tomorrow night?”

“The girl—Milzy—told me something big is going to happen then—a regime change. I think your captain already knew they were planning an assassination. Milzy wanted me to use my vast powers of befriending animals with honey to let all the taybarri out of the stable and distract you rangers.”

“So Targon said.” Vlerion’s tone was neutral, and he gazed down at her. “Did you know he was listening in on the conversation? Did she?”

“I had a hunch, a feeling that someone was watching me. I don’t know if Milzy did or not. I’m not sure why she would have expected the ranger captain to be skulking in my kitchen.”

“It depends on how much the Virts know about our relationship with you and the castle. We haven’t done a good job of staying away, and you told Targon some other woman has been spying on you?”

“Jana. A mead maker. My competition.”

“I know who she is. She’s not known to have a connection to the Virts, but it may only be that we haven’t discovered it yet. If the information this Milzy told you is accurate and the Virts don’t know you’ve been working with us… it’s invaluable. We’ve known they’re preparing for an attack, and that they want to overthrow the existing regime, but we haven’t been able to find out when they’re going to strike. Tomorrow night, we can have men watching the harbor and lying in wait in the royal castle.”

Kaylina raised the mug again in a salute. “Then I’ll hope it’s accurate information and you’re able to save the king.”

“Yes, though they must plan to do more than assassinate him. Otherwise, Prince Enrikon will take over, and that might be even worse for what they want.”

“Maybe they’re going after both.”

“That’s possible, but there are dozens of people with blood ties to the crown who would be available to step up. The Virts want a whole new system of government. Though I suppose they could have ties to some of the potential heirs. Maybe they’ve got someone in mind who will agree to make changes if they’re put in power. I don’t know. I’m away on the border a lot and am not as in the loop on government matters as I should be.”

The discussion was giving Kaylina a headache. In all her years, she’d never had to pay attention to the monarchy or care who was in charge. Keeping the Spitting Gull in the black and fending off pirates were her family’s primary concerns.

“The Virts must be the ones who stole my mead. Bastards.” She took another sip. The back of her mind spoke up again, suggesting she shouldn’t let herself get drunk around Vlerion. She might do something foolish.

“Naturally. Planning assassinations and insurrections is thirsty work.”

“Try some?” She held the mug up toward him.

“No. Do you wish to visit your brother and spend the night in the barracks? I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

“What about my friends?” Kaylina patted the nearest carboy.

“I can get a wagon so you can bring them. Or did you mean to imply the alcohol would keep you safe if you stay here tonight?”

“It’s not that wondrous.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wall. “Sorry. Am I being exasperating?”

She didn’t know why she asked. If the answer was yes, she would feel stung. After the day’s events, her emotions floated near the surface, raw and abraded.

“No. You’re exhausted.” Vlerion spotted someone in a uniform crossing the bridge a block away, held a finger up to Kaylina, and trotted off to talk to the man.

She couldn’t hear what he said, but he soon returned and settled next to her on the ground, his back to the wall, his shoulder brushing hers. That was nice. Too bad he didn’t want to join her in a drink.

“A wagon will come soon,” he said.

“Thanks. You’re right. I am tired.” She let herself lean against his shoulder.

At first, he stiffened, and she thought he would shift away. But he looked at her and must have reconsidered. He draped an arm around her shoulders.

Oh, that was more than nice. She slumped more fully against him.

“Everything is screwed up,” Kaylina whispered. “If I’d known we were coming north into the middle of a rebellion… Oh, I don’t know. I might still have left. I lost my temper with my family and stuck my foot in my mouth, said some things I regret—you’ve seen that I’m good at that. I think I fled because I was too proud to stay after my defiant blathering. It wasn’t that premeditated. If Frayvar hadn’t come along and brought some funds, I would have starved by now. In my dreams, I always have these grand ideas, but in reality, I’m…” She swallowed, aware that the drink was making her overshare, much as she had under the influence of that drug. But it was hard to stop speaking. She needed to confess to someone, and Vlerion was here. “I’m a screwup who can’t get her act together.”

“You have the potential to be many things.” Vlerion pushed back his hood to reveal his short hair and face. “A mead maker, certainly, but during the brief time we spent together training, I saw your athleticism. You were also smart enough to realize you couldn’t take a huge swing at me with the staff without upending yourself and falling in the water. You’d be surprised how many recruits don’t have the foresight to understand that before they try. Then there’s your marksmanship ability. And your knack with the animals… It may not matter what my mother says, however influential she is, to Targon. He wants you in the rangers. He sees your potential too.”

“Potential isn’t the problem, though I appreciate you thinking I’ve got some. It’s keeping from sabotaging myself. I don’t know why that’s so hard.”

“I know all about self-sabotage,” he said dryly.

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