Assassin 3 - Royal Assassin (72 page)

The Fool himself looked little better than the
King. On so colorless a creature as the Fool, the dark circles
under his eyes looked painted on. His tongue had grown as still as
the clappers in his bells. When King Shrewd died, nothing would
stand between the Fool and Regal. I wondered if there was any way I
could aid him.

As if I could aid myself, I reflected
sourly.

In the solitude of my room that evening, I drank
more than I should of the cheap blackberry brandy that Burrich
despised. I knew I would be sick from it tomorrow. I didn't care.
Then I lay on my bed, listening to the distant sounds of merriment
from the Great Hall. I wished Molly were there to scold me for
being drunk. The bed was too large, the linens glacier white and
cold. I closed my eyes and sought comfort in the company of a wolf.
Confined as I was to ,the Keep, I had begun to seek his dream
company on a nightly basis, just to have an illusion of
freedom.

I came awake just before Chade seized me and
shook me. It was good I had recognized him in that split instant,
for otherwise I am sure I would have tried to kill him. Up! he
whispered hoarsely. Get up, you sodden fool, you idiot! Neatbay is
under siege. Five Red-Ships. I wager they'll leave nothing standing
if we delay. Get up, damn you!

I staggered to my feet, the muzziness of drink
giving way before the shock of his words.

What can we do? I asked stupidly.

Tell the King. Tell Kettricken, tell Regal.
Surely not even Regal can ignore this, it is at our very doorstep.
If the Red-Ships take and hold Neatbay, they will have us
bracketed. No ships will get out of Buck Harbor. Even Regal will
see that. Now go! Go!

I dragged on trousers and a tunic, ran for the
door barefoot with my hair draggling about my face. I halted there.
How do I know this? Whence do I say this warning comes?

Chade hopped up and down in frustration. Damn
and damn! Tell them anything! Tell Shrewd you had a dream of the
Pocked Man scrying it in a pool of water! He at least should
understand that! Tell them an Elderling brought you the news! Say
anything, but get them to act and now!

Right! I raced off down the hallway, skidded
down the steps, and raced down the corridor to King Shrewd's
chambers. I hammered on Shrewd's door. At the far end of the hall,
Burrich stood beside his chair outside Kettricken's door. He looked
at me, drew his short sword, and took a ready stance, eyes darting
everywhere. Raiders! I called down the hall to him, not caring who
overheard or how they reacted. Five Red-Ships in Neatbay! Rouse Her
Majesty, tell her they need our aid now!

Burrich turned without a question to tap on
Kettricken's door and be immediately admitted. It did not go so
easily for me. Wallace finally opened the door a grudging crack,
but would not budge until I suggested he should be the one to race
down the stairs and inform Regal of my tidings. I believe it was
the prospect of making a dramatic entrance and conferring with the
Prince before all the merrymakers that decided him. He left the
door unguarded as he hurried to his small antechamber to make
himself presentable.

The King's bedchamber was in total darkness and
heavy with the reek of Smoke. I took a candle from his sitting
room, kindled it at the dwindling fire, and hastened in. In the
darkness, I nearly trod upon the Fool, who was curled up like a cur
at the King's bedside. I gaped in astonishment. He had not so much
as a blanket or cushion for comfort, but huddled on the rug beside
the King's bed. He uncurled stiffly, coming awake, and then alarmed
in an instant. What is it? What's happened? he demanded.

Raiders in Neatbay. Five Red-Ships. I have to
rouse the King. What are you doing, sleeping here? Are you afraid
to go back to your own room anymore?

He laughed bitterly. More like I fear to leave
this one, lest I never be allowed in again. The last time Wallace
locked me out, it took me an hour of yammering and hammering before
the King realized I was missing and demanded to know where I was.
The time before that, I slipped in with the breakfast things. The
time before that-

They seek to separate you from the
King?

He nodded. With honey or a whip. This night,
Regal offered me a purse with five bits of gold in it, if I would
make myself presentable and come down to entertain them. Oh, how he
did go on after you had left, over how badly I was missed at the
court below, and what a shame it was for me to waste my youth shut
away up here. And when I said I found King Shrewd's company more
congenial than that of other fools, he flung the teapot at me. Put
Wallace in a fair bit of a huff, for he had just brewed up as nasty
a mess of herb tea as would make one long for the perfume of
farts.

The Fool had been kindling candles and poking up
the fire on the King's hearth as we spoke. Now he drew back one of
the heavy bed curtains. My liege? he said as gently as one might
speak to a sleeping child. FitzChivalry is here with important
tidings for you. Will you awaken and hear him?

At first the King made no response. Your
Majesty? the Fool called to him again. He damped a cloth in a bit
of cool water and patted the King's face with it. King
Shrewd?

My king, your folk have need of you. The words
tumbled from me in desperation. Neatbay is besieged by Red-Ships.
Five of them. We must send aid now, or all is lost. Once they have
a toehold there-

They could close Buck Harbor. The King's eyes
opened as he spoke. He did not move from his prone position, but he
squeezed his eyes more tightly shut as if clenching them against
pain. Fool. A bit of the red wine. Please. His voice was soft,
scarce more than a breath, but it was the voice of my king. My
heart surged as if I were an old dog hearing the voice of a
returning master.

What must we do? I begged of him.

Every ship we have, down the coast to them. Not
just the warships. Roust out the fishing fleet. We fight for our
lives now. How dare they come this close, how came they to such
boldness! Send horse overland. On their way tonight, within the
hour, I say. They may not get there until day after tomorrow, but
send them all the same. Put Keen in charge of it.

My heart flip-flopped in my chest. Your Majesty,
I broke in gently. Keen is dead. Coming back from the mountains,
with Burrich. They were attacked by highwaymen.

The Fool glared at me, and I instantly regretted
my interruption. The command faded from King Shrewd s voice.
Uncertainly, he said, Keen is dead?

I took a breath. Yes, Your Majesty. But there is
Red. Kerf is also a good man.

The King took the wine the Fool proffered. He
sipped, and seemed to draw strength with it. Kerf. Give it to Kerf,
then. A shade of the confidence came back. I bit my tongue against
saying that what horse we had left was not worth sending. Doubtless
the folk of Neatbay would welcome whoever came to reinforce
them.

King Shrewd considered. What is the word from
South Cove? Have they sent out warriors and ships?

Your Majesty, there is no word from there as
yet. This was not a lie.

What goes on here? The shouting began before he
even reached the bedchamber. It was Regal, puffy with drink and
fury. Wallace! He pointed an accusing finger at me. Get him out of
here. Get help to do it if you need it. You needn't be
gentle!

Wallace had not far to look. Two of Regal's
brawny inland guardsmen had followed him up from the feasting. I
was lifted off my feet; Regal had chosen burly men for this duty. I
looked about for the Fool, for any ally, but the Fool had vanished.
I caught a glimpse of a pale hand vanishing under the bed and
resolutely looked away. I did not blame him. There was nothing he
could do for me by staying except be thrown out with me.

My father, has he disturbed your rest with his
wild tales? And you so ill? Regal bent solicitously over the
bed.

They had me almost to the door when the King
spoke. His voice was not loud, but command was in it. Stand where
you are, King Shrewd ordered the guards. He still was prone in his
bed, but he turned his eyes to Regal. Neatbay is besieged, King
Shrewd said firmly. We must send aid.

Regal shook his head sadly. It is just another
of the Bastard's ploys, to upset you and steal rest from you. There
has been no call for help, no message of any kind.

One of the guards was very professional in his
grip. The other seemed intent on dislocating my shoulder even if I
refused to struggle against him. I carefully memorized his face
while trying not to show the pain.

You need not have troubled yourself, Regal. I
will discover the truth or the lie here. Queen Kettricken had
paused to dress. Short white fur jacket, purple trousers and boots.
Her long Mountain sword was at her side and Burrich stood in the
door, holding a heavy-hooded riding cloak and gloves. She spoke as
one would to a spoiled child. Go back to your guests. I will ride
to Neatbay.

I forbid it! Regal's voice rang out strangely
shrill. Stillness suddenly flooded the room.

Queen Kettricken pointed out quietly what
everyone in the room already knew. A Prince does not forbid the
Queen-in-Waiting. I ride tonight.

Regal's face purpled. This is a hoax, a plot of
the Bastard's to throw Buckkeep into an uproar, and instill fear in
the folk. There has been no word of an attack on
Neatbay.

Silence! The King spat out the word. Everyone in
the room froze. FitzChivalry? Damn it, release that man.
FitzChivalry, stand before me. Report. Whence came your
news?

I tugged my jerkin square again and smoothed my
hair back. As I went to stand before my king I was painfully aware
of my bare feet and tousled hair. I took a breath and threw it all
away. In my sleep I had a vision, sire. Of the Pocked Man, scrying
in a pool of water. He showed me the Red-Ships at
Neatbay.

I dared emphasize no word. I stood firm before
them. One of the guardsmen snorted in disbelief. Burrich's jaw
dropped open and his eyes widened. Kettricken merely looked
confused. On the bed, King Shrewd closed his eyes and breathed out
slowly.

He's drunk, Regal declared. Get him out of here.
I had never heard so much satisfaction in Regal's voice. His guards
reacted swiftly to seize me again.

As ... --the King drew a deep breath in,
obviously fighting pain-- I commanded. He found a bit of strength.
As I commanded. Go now. NOW!

I jerked my arms free from the astonished
guards. Yes, Your Majesty, I said into the silence. I spoke clearly
for the benefit of all. That is, all warships dispatched to
Neatbay, and as many of the fishing fleet as can be rallied. And
all available horse to be sent overland, under Kerf's
command.

Yes. The King sighed the word. He swallowed,
took a breath, opened his eyes. Yes, I order it so. Now
go.

Some wine, my liege? The Fool had materialized
on the other side of the bed. I was the only one who startled. The
Fool smiled a secret smile over that. Then he bent over the King,
helping him to raise his head and sip at the wine. I bowed deeply,
deeply, to my king. I straightened and turned to leave the
room.

You may ride with my guard, if you wish, Queen
Kettricken told me.

Regal's face was scarlet. The King did not tell
you to go! he sputtered at her.

Nor did he `forbid' it. The Queen looked at him
flatly.

My queen! One of her guard announced herself at
the door. We are ready to ride. I looked at her in astonishment.
Kettricken merely nodded.

She glanced at me. You'd best make haste, Fitz.
Unless you plan to ride like that.

Burrich shook out the Queen's cloak for her. Is
my horse ready? Kettricken asked her guard.

Hands promised it at the door by the time you
descended.

I will need but a moment or two to ready myself,
Burrich said quietly. I noticed he did not phrase it as a
request.

Go then. Both of you. Plan on catching up with
us as quickly as you can.

Burrich nodded. He followed me to my room, where
he helped himself to winter garb from my clothing chest while I got
dressed. Brush your hair back and wash your face, he ordered me
tersely. Warriors have more confidence in a man who looks like he
expected to be awake at this hour.

I did as he advised and then we hastened down
the stairs. His lame leg seemed forgotten tonight. Once we were in
the courtyard, he started bellowing for stable boys to bring up
Sooty and Rud. He sent another boy scrambling to find Kerf and pass
on the orders, and another to ready every available horse in the
stables. Four men he dispatched to town, one to the warships, three
others to make the rounds of the taverns and rally the fleet. I
envied his efficiency. He did not realize he had taken command away
from me until we were mounting. He looked suddenly uncomfortable. I
smiled at him. Experience counts, I told him.

We rode for the gates. We should be able to
catch up with Queen Kettricken before she reaches the coast road,
Burrich was saying just as a guardsman stepped out to bar our
way.

Hold! he commanded, his voice breaking on the
word.