Assassin 3 - Royal Assassin (56 page)

Father, I demand to know what goes on here!
Regal very nearly stomped his foot. Behind Shrewd, the Fool
mimicked Regal's facial expression. At this, Verity's page finally
smiled, but then his eyes widened and he straightened his
face.

King Shrewd addressed Verity instead. Is there a
reason that you wished Prince Regal excluded from this
discussion?

I did not see that it concerned him. He paused.
And I wished to be sure the decision reached was exclusively your
own. Verity, faithful to his name.

Regal hackled, his nostrils pinching white, but
Shrewd held up a hand to quell him. Again he spoke only to Verity.
Does not concern him? But on whom would fall the mantle of
authority while you were gone?

Verity's eyes went icy. My queen-in-waiting
would represent my reign, of course. You wear the mantle of
authority still, my king.

But if you did not return ... ?

I am sure my brother could adapt to that
situation at a moment's notice. Verity did not bother to mask the
dislike in his voice. I knew then how deep the poison of Regal's
treacheries had worked into him. Whatever bond they had ever shared
as brothers was eaten away by it. Solely rivals, now. Shrewd heard
it, too, I did not doubt. I wondered if he was surprised at all by
it. If he was, he covered it well.

As for Regal, his ears had pricked up at the
mention of Verity leaving. He now stood as avariciously alert as a
dog begging at table. He spoke just a moment too soon to have any
ring of sincerity to his voice. If someone would explain to me
where Verity is going, perhaps I could speak for myself as to what
I might be ready to assume.

Verity kept his tongue. Clear-browed and silent,
he looked at his father.

Your brother
–
the
phrase sounded a bit heavy to my ears
-
 
wishes me to grant him leave
for a quest. He wishes to go, and soon, to the Rain Wilds beyond
the Mountain Kingdom. To seek out the Elderlings and obtain from
them the help once promised us.

Regal's eyes went owly. I don't know if he could
not believe in the notion of Elderlings, or if he could not believe
the quantity of good fortune he had suddenly been dealt. He licked
his lips.

I, of course, have forbidden it. Shrewd watched
Regal as he said it.

But why? Regal demanded. Surely all courses must
be considered ....

The expense is prohibitive. Did not you report
to me, just a short time ago, that the building of the warships and
the manning and provisioning of them have all but drained our
reserves?

Regal's eyes flickered as swiftly as a snake's
tongue. But I have had the rest of the harvest reports since then,
Father. I had not known they would be so good. Funds could be
found. Provided he was willing to travel simply.

Verity breathed out through his nose. I thank
you for your consideration, Regal. I had not realized such
decisions were your province.

I but advise the King, just as you do, Regal
pointed out hastily.

You do not think sending an emissary would be
the more sensible thing to do? Shrewd probed. What would the people
think of their king-in-waiting leaving Buckkeep at such a time, and
on such an errand?

An emissary? Regal appeared to consider it. I
think not. Not for all we must ask. Do not the legends say that
King Wisdom went himself? What do we know of these Elderlings? Do
we dare take a chance of sending an underling to offend them? In
this, no, I believe the son of the King at least is called for. As
for his leaving Buckkeep ... well, you are the King, and you are
still here. As would his wife be.

My queen, Verity growled, but Regal continued
speaking.

And I. Buckkeep would hardly be abandoned. And
the errand itself? It might capture the people's imagination. Or,
if you choose, the reason for his going might be kept quiet. It
could be seen as a simple visit to our allies the Mountain folk.
Especially if his wife went along.

My queen remains here. Verity used her title
pointedly. To represent my reign. And to protect my
interests.

Do not you trust our father to do that? Regal
asked blandly.

Verity held his tongue, and looked at the old
man in his chair by the fire. The question in his look was plain to
anyone with eyes. Can I trust you? it asked him. But Shrewd, true
to his name, replied only with a question of his own.

You have heard Prince Regal's thoughts on this
undertaking. And mine. You know your own. Given these counsels,
what do you now wish to do?

I blessed Verity then, for he now turned and
looked only at Kettricken. No nod, no whisper passed between them.
But he turned back to his father with their accord. I wish to go to
the Rain Wilds beyond the Mountain Kingdom. And I wish to leave as
soon as possible.

As King Shrewd slowly nodded, my heart fell into
the pit of my belly. But behind his chair, the Fool turned back
flips across the room, and then cartwheeled back, to stand as
attentively behind him as if he had never moved. Regal was
unsettled by this. But as Verity knelt to kiss King Shrewd's hand
and thank him for his permission, the smile that spread across
Regal's face was wide enough to engulf a shark.

There was little more to the council. Verity
wished to leave in seven days. Shrewd accepted it. He wished to
choose his own entourage. Shrewd accepted that, though Regal looked
thoughtful. I was not pleased, when the King finally dismissed all
of us, to note how Regal dawdled behind, to converse with Wallace
in the sitting room as we filed out. I found myself wondering if
Chade would allow me to kill Wallace. He had already forbidden my
solving Regal that way, and I had since promised to my king I would
not. But Wallace had no such immunity.

In the hallway, Verity briefly thanked me. I
dared to ask him why he had wanted me present.

To witness, he said heavily. Witnessing
something is much more than hearing about it afterward. To keep in
your memory all the words that were said ... so they may not be
forgotten.

I knew then to expect a summons from Chade that
night.

But I could not resist going to Molly. Seeing
the King as a King again had fanned my failing hope. I promised
myself my visit would be brief, just to talk to her, to let her
know I appreciated all she did. I would be in my chambers before
the small hours Chade favored for our conversations.

I knocked on her door furtively; she let me in
quickly. She must have seen how driven I was, for she came
immediately into my arms, without questions or qualms. I stroked
her shining hair, I looked down into her eyes. The passion that
came over me suddenly was like a spring flood that bursts suddenly
down a creek, flinging all winter's debris out of its way. My
intentions of quietly talking were swept away. Molly gasped as I
held her to me fiercely, then surrendered herself to me.

It seemed months rather than days since we had
last been together. When she kissed me hungrily, I felt suddenly
awkward, uncertain as to why she would desire me. She was so young
and so beautiful. It seemed vanity to believe she could want
someone as battered and worn down as I. She did not allow me to
keep my doubts, but drew me down atop her without hesitation. Deep
in that sharing, I finally recognized the reality of the love in
her blue eyes. I gloried in the passionate way she pulled me to her
and clasped me in her strong pale arms. Later I would recall
glimpses of golden hair spread across a pillow, the scents of
honeywood and mountainsweet on her skin, even the way she threw
back her head and gave soft voice to her fervor.

Afterward, Molly whispered in amazement that my
intensity made me seem a different man. Her head was pillowed on my
chest. I kept silent, and stroked the dark hair that smelled always
of her herbs. Thyme and lavender. I closed my eyes. I knew I had
warded well my thoughts. It had long ago become a habit when I was
with Molly.

Verity, then, had not.

I had not willed what had happened. I doubted
that anyone had. Perhaps, I hoped, I was the only one who had
sensed it fully. Then there might be no real harm done, as long as
I never spoke of it. As long as I could blot forever from my mind
the sweetness of Kettricken's mouth, and the softness of her white,
white skin.

CHAPTER
NINETEEN

Messages

KING-IN-WAITING Verity departed Buckkeep at the
beginning of the third winter of the Red-Ship Wars. He took with
him a small group of handpicked followers who would accompany him
on his quest, as well as his personal guard, who would travel with
him as far as the Mountain Kingdom and remain there to await his
return. His reasoning was that a smaller expedition needed a
smaller baggage train, and traveling through the Mountains in
winter demanded that all food supplies be carried with him. He had
also decided that he did not wish to convey a martial aspect to the
Elderlings. His real mission was disclosed to few except his
companions. Ostensibly he went to the Mountain Kingdom to treat
with his queen's father, King Eyod, about possible military support
against the Red-Ships.

Of those he asked to accompany him, there are
several worth noting. Hod, arms master for Buckkeep, was one of the
first he selected. Her grasp of tactics was not exceeded by any
within the realm and her prowess with weapons was still remarkable
despite her years. Charim, Verity's body servant, had been with him
so long and accompanied him on so many campaigns, it was
unthinkable to either of them that he be left behind. Chestnut,
brown as his name, had been a member of Verity's military guard for
over a decade of years. He was missing an eye and most of an ear,
but despite that seemed twice as alert as any other man. Keef and
Kef, born twins, and like Chestnut, members of Verity's honor guard
for years, went also. One other, Burrich, the master of stables at
Buckkeep, joined the party of his own accord. When his leaving
Buckkeep was protested, he pointed out that he left an able man in
charge of Buckkeep's stables, and that the party would need a man
who was knowledgeable of animals in order to get the beasts alive
through the Mountains in midwinter. His abilities as a healer and
his experience as a King's Man to Prince Chivalry were also
qualifications he pointed out, but this last one was known to but a
few.

The night before Verity was to leave, he
summoned me to his study. You don't approve of this, do you? You
think it's a fool's errand, he greeted me.

I had to smile. Inadvertently, he had exactly
stated what I thought. I am afraid I have serious doubts, I agreed
cautiously.

As do I. But what else is left to me? This, at
least, is a chance for me to actually do something myself. Other
than sit in that bedamned tower and Skill myself to
death.

He had painstakingly recopied Kettricken's map
over the last few days. As I watched he rolled it carefully and
slid it into a leather case. The difference the last week had made
in the man amazed me. He was still gray, his body still worn and
sadly dwindled from too many months of sitting. But he moved with
energy, and both he and Kettricken had graced the Great Hall every
evening since the decision had been made. It had been a pleasure to
watch him eat with an appetite, and once more linger over a glass
of wine while Mellow or another of the minstrels entertained us
all. The renewed warmth between Kettricken and him was another
appetite he had recovered. Her eyes seldom left her lord's
countenance when they were at table. While the minstrels
entertained, her fingers were always resting on the back of his
forearm. She glowed in his presence like a burning candle. Shield
myself as I might, I was all too aware of how much they enjoyed
their nights. I had attempted to hide from their passions by
immersing myself in Molly. I ended up feeling guilty that Molly was
so pleased with my renewed ardor. How would she feel if she knew my
appetites were not entirely my own?

The Skill. I had been warned of its powers and
pitfalls, of how it might call to a man and drain him of everything
except a hunger for its use. This was one trap I had never been
warned about. In some ways, I was looking forward to Verity leaving
so I could call my soul my own again.

What you do in that tower is not a lesser task.
If folk could but understand how you burn yourself for them
...

As you understand only too well. We've grown
close this summer, boy. Closer than I'd ever have thought possible.
Closer than any man has been to me since your father
died.

Closer even than you might suspect, my prince.
But I did not utter those words. We have.

I've a favor to ask you. Two,
actually.

You know that I won't refuse you.

Never say that so easily. The first is that you
look after my lady. She has grown wiser in Buckkeep ways, but she
is still far too trusting. Keep her safe until I return.

That is always yours without asking, my
prince.

And the other. He took a breath, sighed it out.
I wish to try to stay here as well. In your mind. For as long as I
can.