Page 57 of Among the Burning Flowers
‘As all faiths can in the wrong hands.’
‘Yes.’ She watched his face. ‘Who is this Cupbearer?’
‘I still do not know.’
‘My lady mother came upon the evidence. She realised my father was behind it,’ Marosa said. Fynch looked at her. ‘She tried to flee to Rauca, to protect us both from his madness. He killed her and tarnished her legacy, but she dealt him justice first, Your Grace.’
‘How?’
‘She ensured that I will be his only heir.’
‘You mean that she … damaged him?’
Marosa nodded once. Fynch released his breath.
‘I always did wonder why your father never took another bride,’ he said. ‘Queen Sahar was a brave woman. I am sorry for her death, but I am not surprised to learn her last act was in your defence. A dove is a bird of peace, in the main, but it will protect its young to the last.’
Her vision blurred. She pressed a hand to her partlet, where the pendant was concealed.
‘I still do not quite understand why he married her,’ she admitted. ‘There was no love between them.’
‘To spite Rosarian, I imagine. She wounded his pride, so he forged an alliance with a country that did not acknowledge her divine authority. Clearly it was not enough to sate him in the end.’ Fynch rubbed his face. ‘Still, I do believe that fear of discovery – or the wrath of the Saint – has gnawed your father ever since. For years, he could not face my daughter. He avoided me. He knows that if King Jantar learned the truth, he would declare war on Yscalin.’
‘My father believed he would steal me away. It is absurd,’ Marosa said bitterly. ‘Without proof of murder, why would King Jantar go so far to save a niece he never met?’
‘Surely you know.’ When she frowned, Fynch did the same. ‘Your Radiance, King Jantar and Queen Saiyma do not yet have a child. It has been speculated that they never will. Unless they do,youare heir presumptive to the Ersyr.’ She stared at him. ‘I suspect King Sigoso has kept you close as surety, so your uncle can never move against him, nor take you to Rauca.’
Marosa hardly knew how to digest the revelation. She had never learned the politics of the Ersyri court, but not once had the idea occurred to her that she could be next in line to the throne.
‘No doubt,’ Fynch said, ‘it also ensures that King Sigoso shapes you in a way he likes.’
‘I am not clay to be moulded, my lord.’
‘No, indeed.’ Fynch sighed. ‘Sabran knows what I suspected. As more and more Yscals succumb to despair – as they submit to the wyrms, knowing they will die if they do not – I fear that Virtudom will lose faith in this country. My daughter will have to declare holy war.’
‘I mean to prevent that.’
‘I recall that the Knight of Courage is your patron. If anyone can save Yscalin, I believe it is you.’
Marosa could feel the press of her patron brooch, hidden in the lining of her gown. Shaped like a shield, for courage was not only necessary for the clash of blades. It was also for defending those with no defences of their own.
Aubrecht
BRYGSTAD
FREE STATE OF MENTENDON
CE 1004
Aubrecht looked at the human skull on the table. It had been charred so badly that it was black all the way through. A grizzled Inysh mercenary stood before him, ashen and wayworn.
‘I am sorry for our failure, Your Highness,’ she said. ‘We found the Pass of the Imperator. It was a hard climb, but we entered Yscalin and proceeded towards Cárscaro. Before we could reach it, we came under attack by all manner of unholy beasts. I was the only survivor.’
The skull seemed to stare in accusation.
‘How?’ Aubrecht asked the mercenary. ‘How did you live?’
‘I killed Draconic sleepers for a living before I came here. I knew their weak points,’ she said, ‘but there were so many. They overwhelmed us. It felt … like stepping into the Grief.’
