Shadows: Book One of the Eligia Shala (37 page)

“You can’t blame her for that. Exactly where do you stand with my sister anyway, Captain?” Richard said, turning to look at him. Everyone knew of the mutual irritation the princess and the captain caused each other and, mostly, they were amused by it. Captain Tessier’s tawny good looks and slyly suggestive smile made him very popular with the ladies of the Court, most of who were the polar opposite of the unvarnished, unpolished and unkempt Imperial Princess. Jenevra regarded the Captain as the worst sort of womanizer, and had only succeeded in misunderstanding any friendly overture he had made.

Tessier shrugged. “I wish I knew, Your Highness,” he sighed. “I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone else quite like her.”

“She is unique,” Richard agreed dryly.

“She’s incredibly annoying. I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who irritates me quite as much as your sister does. Then you catch a glimpse of vulnerability in her … or at least you think you do. She’s a bundle of contradictions, but it’s strangely addictive. Of course, there’re the eyes too. I don’t know how anyone could look into those eyes and not be caught by them.”

“That’s very true. The Couressime eyes are totally irresistible,” Mikyle Manvi nodded sagely, patting Tessier on the back of the shoulder, an unfathomable smile lighting his own dark eyes.

Tessier leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he gazed intently at the sleeping Princess. “She looks so fragile, and then she goes and puts most of us to shame with what she can do with a sword. Her Flight are so besotted with her it’s positively nauseating. But, as I haven’t thought about another woman since we left Salanova, it’s possible I’m becoming equally obsessed,” he admitted, with a sigh.

“You think?” Blaise missed Mikyle Manvi’s eyes rolling at this point.

Tessier’s face closed a little. “But she’s in love with that idiot Dhorani. Even though he tried to take the Protectorship from her and tried to kill her: Even though he wasn’t willing to stand up to his father and refuse to marry anyone else.” He shook his head in disbelief.

“Well, Tessier, I actually think that any man in his right mind would be running screaming in the opposite direction.” Richard reached across and refilled all their cups. “She’s not what you could call easy to live with.” He put a foot up on the table, tilting his chair backward. “But I don’t think she’s in love with Mikhail Dhorani.”

Tessier’s head came up in sudden interest. “You don’t?”

Richard shook his head. “She’s the most stubborn person I know. D’you really think she’d have just walked away if she was in love with him? I don’t think she’d know love if it jumped up and bit her, anyway.”

A look of hope dawned on Tessier’s face as he resumed his intense observation of Jenevra. “Why don’t you get some sleep?” he suggested to Richard and Mikyle. “I’ll watch her.”

Richard smiled. “I can see that. I think we’ll go grab something else to eat, though. Should we bring you something back?”

“Whatever …” Tessier waved vaguely at him, more concerned with the shadow of a frown he thought he saw on Jenevra’s face. As the tent closed again behind them, Tessier moved the candle closer to the edge of the table, throwing the tiniest quantity more light into the corner. He was sure he hadn’t imagined it; the princess’s sleep was becoming more fitful; her hands clenching into fists.

Within moments it was obvious that the princess was in the middle of a nightmare. Tessier called hoarsely for Richard, trying not to wake Jenevra; everyone said you shouldn’t wake someone in a nightmare, or was that sleepwalkers? Cold as winter on a battlefield, here in the princess’s tent Captain Tessier began to panic. It was one thing to be near the princess when her brother was there, but another entirely when they were alone: and he knew she wouldn’t be happy to find him there. Sticking his head out of the tent he told the nearest sentry to go find Prince Richard. But, as Jenevra threw one arm across her face as if warding off a blow, Tessier couldn’t stand it. He moved across to the camp bed, perching right on the edge of it, his hands hovering over her, unsure of whether or not to touch her, as Jenevra muttered softly in her sleep. “Princess!” he whispered desperately. “Princess! Wake up. It’s alright.” His heart nearly jumped straight out of his chest as Jenevra sat bolt upright, unseeing eyes searching around her blindly.

Tessier did the only thing he could think of; putting his arms around her, holding held her tightly to him feeling her trembling; uncertain as to whose heart was beating the more erratically. Pulling her head to his shoulder, he stroked her hair gently: closing his own eyes as he rested his cheek against her hair and hoped Richard would get back quickly.

Jenevra’s nightmare had plumbed new depths. Amongst the grieving families she had been used to seeing, now she found the disembodied heads of the Order calling for her to stop Jai-Nimh; to put everything else aside to stop him. The body she cradled in her arms wore variously the faces of her family, her Flight, Misha; even faces she didn’t recognize. The image had changed slowly, flowed into a vision of Jai-Nimh with a figure she recognized. Not believing what she was seeing, Jenevra’s mind struggled against the dream; against the knowledge Dai-Nimh had made sure she would have. How the old man could have known she would read his mind the way she had, she didn’t know; but she understood exactly what he had been trying to tell her from beyond this world. Understanding, and hating them all for it, she screamed her hatred at Jai-Nimh as she pulled herself up and out of the darkness.

Slowly gaining awareness of where she was Jenevra allowed the strong arms to hold her, relaxing little by little as she remembered Richard in the tent with her. Rubbing her face against his shoulder, she moved closer with a deep sigh. Her heart was still pounding and her breathing ragged. Somewhere outside of her she could hear a voice murmuring, as the embrace clasped her safely closer again; now she was aware of one hand on her hair, stroking down the back of her neck. Drowsily, her senses registered the smell of dust and horses, a faint hint of lemon or mint; the unexpected softness of the long hair her face was nestling into; the soft scratch of an unshaven face against her neck. Except that Richard didn’t have long hair …

Faint stirrings of unease were threading through her consciousness as Captain Tessier lost his personal battle and kissed the base of her neck. Pushing her thick braid to one side, he began nibbling his way up the side of her throat, encouraged by the slight gasp he heard, and feeling her quiver as he hit a sensitive spot.

Warned by some preternatural sibling connection, Jenevra pushed Tessier away from her slightly just as Richard and Mikyle came back into the tent, eyes widening rapidly as they saw Blaise Tessier sitting on the side of Jenevra’s bed, arms around her.

“I’ll thank you to remove your hands from my sister, Tessier.” Richard actually sounded more amused than annoyed as he watched Tessier back away from the princess rather self-consciously. “Well?” He turned a sardonic gaze on Jenevra, now sitting cross-legged on the bed.

She shrugged. “I guess I must have had a nightmare again. I have them all the time. I suppose Captain Tessier was trying to stop me panicking, or something. I don’t know. I thought it was you. You were the only one here last time I looked.”

“Actually, I was trying to wake her up. She was dreaming—a bad one. She didn’t seem to know where she was, so I was just holding on to her … until she woke up.” Tessier’s explanation didn’t even sound convincing to himself, although it was, more or less, the truth.

“Really?” There was no mistaking the sarcasm. “I think I can take it from here.” Richard held the tent open. “Good night, Captain Tessier.”

Blaise turned and bowed to Jenevra. “Good night, Princess.”

“Good night, Captain. And, thank you.” Her face was hidden in shadows, but he could have sworn it sounded like she was smiling.

 CHAPTER THIRTY

By the time Jenevra had roused a startled Flight the next morning and run them through a highly unexpected few miles of undulating coastline, she was starting to feel a little more like herself again. The Flight wasn’t entirely thrilled about her sudden return to form, being quite satisfied with the lethargic Captain they’d experienced for the last few days. But recent events had seriously curtailed their routine and it was obvious that the Captain had decided to remedy that fact.

Richard Couressime had also been treated to a further shocking development in his sister as she had dragged him from his bed to go with them. “You can run some of that ale off,” she had told him, poking one sharp finger into his stomach.

Focused on what the day might bring, Jenevra bounded into Commander Rabenaldt’s tent shortly after the Flight’s return to camp. “Morning, Commander. Are the scouts back? Any news of Misha? When do we move out?”

Raik gave her a brief smile. “You’re feeling better then? Good. You’ll just have to wait for everyone else to get here. We’ll discuss the situation then and decide our plans from there.” As she opened her mouth to object, he pointed to a chair. “Sit down and be quiet.” He continued to inspect the equipment that was laid out ready for him. “Did you take your Flight out running?”

Jenevra nodded, accepting the cup of water Raik’s steward had brought her, knowing of her preference. “I took Richard too.” She grinned wickedly. “I’m sure he’ll join us as soon as he’s finished throwing up.”

Taking in her outfit, Raik pursed his lips. “Expecting trouble? You seem to have enough weaponry to invade a small kingdom on your own.”

“It never hurts to be prepared for all eventualities, Commander.” Jumping to her feet, Jenevra began pacing around the tent in her habitual impatience. “Well, where are they all? Great Tore, you’d think they could all move when there’s the chance of a fight wouldn’t you?” She swung round, leaning forward onto the table. “Why don’t I just run on ahead with my Flight, Raik? We can look out for anything—” She broke off as Raik’s glare gave her the answer she didn’t want.

It took almost an hour for everyone else to gather at the command tent. The front was tied back, allowing their meeting to spill outside of the tent. Captain Manvi had all ten of his lieutenants with him, Captain Tessier had only brought one squadron down from Bortka, so he just had the one Lieutenant present and Raik had his officers from the Border Patrol. Brogan and Spider Baudoin represented the Shadow Flight, and Richard made a late entrance glaring balefully at Jenevra. Admiral Massili had stayed, too, although he had no plans to become involved in any land action.

As Commander Rabenaldt laid out the current situation for everyone present, Blaise Tessier wended his way through the gathering to stand just behind Jenevra’s right shoulder. “Morning Captain Couressime,” he murmured into her ear, one hand sliding gently to the small of her back. “Sleep well?”

“Not after you appeared in my nightmare.” She kept her gaze focused on Raik.

“Don’t blame me. You thought I was your brother, remember? Although that would suggest a strangely close relationship…ow!” He yelped as she brought her heel down hard on the top of his foot.

“Problem, Captain Tessier?” Raik frowned at them both.

“Thanks, Princess.” Tessier’s moustache tickled her ear.

“You deserved it.”

“For what?”

“Last night.”

“What? I thought you were enjoying yourself.” He blew softly down the side of her neck, smirking as she shivered. “See?”

“Stop that!” She flashed him a glance of bright blue lightning. “I’m trying to listen.” She folded her arms determinedly.

“You really should dismiss your tailors, Captain. They seem to be having all sorts of problems making your clothes the right size.” Tessier whispered, leaning closer to her again, his hand sliding lower onto her hip. “Although it does make me want to put you over the front of my saddle again.” He noted the tension building in her with a perverse satisfaction.

“Sorry I don’t meet with your approval, Captain Tessier. I thought these would be just perfect for distracting the enemy—and there’s always the look on all of your faces that’s an added bonus.” She smoothed down the front of yet another of the outfits Christiana had ordered made; a meticulously fitted short jacket with skin tight pants, all in black. With her silver swords crossed over her back, the ruby hilted Spirit Sword belted around her waist and blue eyes glinting dangerously Tessier thought back to her Investiture when she had worn the gleaming white uniform. The current clothing molded to her skin made her look more like a fallen angel than the vision of innocence from several weeks ago and took his thoughts in directions he had little control over.

Dragging his attention back to the meeting, Tessier realized that Jenevra was leaning forward, listening avidly to a scout’s breathless report to Commander Rabenaldt. Two forces had been spotted moving towards each other less than a day’s ride to the south of their current position; one had been identified as flying the banner of Aleksander of Abalos-Colles, the other was not identified but was by far the larger force. The scout gave the opinion that they would not necessarily meet today, but would certainly be in position for the next morning.

“Jai-Nimh won’t wait until morning.” Jenevra spoke out. “If he meets them tonight, he’ll attack tonight.”

“And you’re assuming that the other force belongs to this Jai-Nimh,” Tessier countered. “We have no evidence of that. Where would he have found this army if he’s just one of your Order?”

“Diruthia. The evidence would be the button we found on the Island.”

“Oh come on, Captain, you’re just obsessed with Diruthia. Where’s the real evidence? What possible connection could there be between a member of your Order and Diruthia?”

“Jai-Nimh is the uncle of Corros, the current King of Diruthia. He’s the younger brother of Corros’ father.” Kian Menzetti spoke up quietly. “He had to resign his claim to the throne when he became a Master within the Order.”

There was a deep silence.

“And you didn’t think this was important enough to tell us?” Raik’s tone was incredulous and angry. “You,” he pointed at Jenevra. “You had a duty to tell us!”

“She didn’t know.” Kian said. “Only the highest Masters know everyone’s background.” He turned and slipped quietly out of the tent, heading towards the Flight.

“Surely the point now is that there are two opposing groups about to meet on Empire territory and we should be there—not standing around here arguing about who should have done what?” Jenevra’s voice rose above the whispered conversations that had broken out. “My Flight is ready, Commander. We could be there before they meet.” Her hand clenched open and closed on the hilt of the Spirit Sword as her eyes met Raik’s, pleading with him to let her go.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Tessier said, next to her. “You won’t be going anywhere near it all.”

“I beg your pardon?” Jenevra’s fury was sheathed in ice. “I thought we’d settled all those doubts a few weeks ago outside Salanova,” she argued. “Do I have your permission to take my Flight out Commander?”

Raik hesitated, and Captain Tessier took his life in his hands again. “Your Flight is a joke, Princess. Nobody ever expected them to go into battle; they’re just there to keep you busy. I’ve told you before. And especially now, you’re not going to go running after that fool Dhorani. You are remembering he’s married now, aren’t you?”

Jenevra’s fist sent Captain Tessier sprawling across the tent as her anger flared in total frustration at not being on her way to save Misha. “Your problem, Blaise Tessier, is that you have no idea of who you are dealing with. I’m not some flighty simpering court idiot whose only waking thought is how to find a husband. I’m a Couressime, an Imperial Princess, a Nimhin and Imperial Protector. Every duty I was born into is combined in what I am doing today, and you aren’t going to stop me!” She stalked across to Raik, standing in front of him hands on her hips. “Permission?”

As Raik frowned, she blazed at him, “This is what my Flight was formed for Commander—and the Border Patrol come to that.”

He nodded a grudging acceptance of the point. “Alright, Captain; take your Flight out. Find them. Identify them if you can but do not get involved unless there’s fighting, and that’s an order, Captain. If it comes to it then help protect the talisman, but only if there’s any danger of it being taken, understand? Everyone else, get your Flights ready. We leave as soon as we can.”

Brogan, Spider and Jenevra were already outside. The Shadow Flight had been watching and waiting; sure enough of their Captain to know that when Kian told them she would be leaving soon they would need to be ready. As the three emerged into the daylight, the flight galloped towards them, three horses free on the outside column. Swinging smoothly up into their saddles on the run, they thundered impressively out of the encampment in one tight formation heading south for battle.

Richard and Mikyle Manvi were helping Captain Tessier to his feet as Jenevra’s Flight left.

“What on earth possessed you?” Richard couldn’t help admiring the large bruise already appearing on Tessier’s face.

“Well, someone had to say something to try to stop her.” Tessier rubbed gingerly at his jaw. “Tore, she’s got some arm on her,” he noted, smiling to himself.

“But why do it, Tessier?” Richard prodded. “I mean, why make her that mad? I thought you wanted her to actually like you? I’ve got to tell you, you’re really going about it all the wrong way.”

Tessier beamed crookedly. “If she’s that mad at me, at least she won’t be thinking about Dhorani. In fact, I’ll bet she’s so angry right now that she can’t get me out of her mind. And she’ll be too mad to focus herself to use that damned talisman if she tries to. Won’t that stop the contact: stop this Jai-whatsit fellow getting to her? That’s what Kian was talking about last night wasn’t it?”

Richard and Mikyle stared at him.

“You came up with that all on your own?” Manvi asked.

“I can’t help it if you all underestimate me,” Tessier sighed piously, tying his hair back as they walked along. “It’s a curse you know, being this gorgeous. People never think you’ve got a brain.” A huge grin spread over his face. “She called me Blaise,” he noted with satisfaction to no-one in particular.