The Assassin's Destiny (Isle of Dreams) (29 page)

A fist hammered loudly on the
door.  Leo’s voice shouted Fabian’s name and he was gone, leaving her
blinking dazedly at the closing door.

A soft knock snapped Mistral out
of her daze.

‘Mistral?  Do you need a
hand getting out of your dress?’  Phantasm’s voice called through the
door.

 ‘Um, no.  I’ll be out
in a minute!’ she called back quickly.

There was a brief silence then Phantasm’s
muffled voice called through the door again, this time with a slight edge to
it.

‘Are you alone?’

‘Well, Prospero is with me,’ she
replied, casting a rueful glance at her dog sprawled across the bed.

The door opened suddenly and
Phantasm’s blonde head poked around the door, his eyes raking the room
suspiciously.

‘Phantasm!’  she cried,
grabbing at the top of her dress.

‘Just checking.’  he looked
the room around again.  ‘Mage De Winter looked like he was going to eat
you earlier.’

Mistral glowered at him but
didn’t reply.  She was rapidly becoming sick of people insisting on
keeping her and Fabian apart for the sake of some gift she seemed completely
unable to master.

He looked at her accusingly, ‘So
how did you undo your dress then?’

Mistral glowered at him, ‘None of
your business!’

‘He was here wasn’t he?’

‘We are married damn it!’

‘So where is he now?  I
can’t believe he had the will power to stop.’

Mistral’s temper snapped, ‘What
are you?  My father?  Yes he was here and yes he undid my dress and
he would damned well still be here if it wasn’t for that interfering,
over-ambitious tyrant –’

‘That’s no way to talk about your
new brother in law.’  Phantasm chided softly.  He stepped into the
room and began to move around, quickly gathering up items and throwing them
into her saddlebag.

‘Oh!  Please, no!  I’m
related to him now!’  Mistral wailed, sinking onto the bed and collapsing
against Prospero.  ‘I’ll never be free of him!’

‘Come on, I’ve packed for you,
now all you need to do is get dressed.’

Mistral looked at Phantasm, her
expression abruptly miserable, ‘I’m never going to have a life with him am
I?  It’s always going to be like this … interrupted moments and endless
longing.’

Phantasm placed her saddlebag
carefully by the door and propped her swords up against it before turning to
face her.

‘I know this is hard for you and
all I can say is if Sight was that easy to master then the Isle would be
overrun with Seers all happily selling their services to the highest
bidder.  But nothing that is worth having is easy to obtain Mistral, you
know that.’

Mistral stared at him.  She
knew he was talking about more than her achieving Sight.  He was talking
about her and Fabian.

 ‘Brother?’

‘Yes?’  he asked, his
emerald green eyes meeting hers.

‘Er, can you sort my hair
out?  Only I’m not sure it’s an entirely appropriate hairstyle to wear
into battle.’

‘Of course.’  Phantasm
walked over to sit beside her and began to pull pins from her hair, letting it
fall loosely around her shoulders.

‘Phantasm?’

‘Yes Mistral?’

‘Thank you.  It was the
happiest day ... well, couple of hours, of my life.’

‘You are welcome.’

Phantasm left her to change into
her familiar black trousers and shirt.  Adding a jerkin for extra
protection and then her armour, Mistral finally tightened her knife belt around
her waist then whistled Prospero and opened the door.  It was time to
go. 

Striding down the corridor
towards the stairs, Mistral heard a voice behind her.

‘So how’s it feel to be tied down
Mistral?’  Xerxes called, emerging from one of the rooms.

Images of gold satin ribbons
instantly filled Mistral’s mind.

‘Frustrating.’

Ignoring Xerxes’ burst of
laughter she ran lightly down the stairs to the Entrance Hall, joining the flow
of warriors hurrying down the path towards the stables.  She arrived to
find Fabian, dressed in black again, waiting for her in the stableyard holding
Cirrus and Spirit; both horses looking fearsome in full battle armour.

She reached out to take her reins
and paused with one foot in the stirrup, speaking in a voice only he could
hear, ‘I want you to know Fabian, that one fateful day someone isn’t going to
interrupt us.’

‘I willingly accept my fate.’
 Fabian smiled and leaned across to kiss her.

She accepted his kiss then threw
him a look and dug her heels into Cirrus’ sides.  Together they joined the
stream of horses being ridden out into the village square to await Leo’s
arrival.  The horses picked up on the tension emanating from their riders
and milled nervously in the square, filling the silence with stamping hooves
and champing bits. 

‘There’s something I don’t
understand.’  Mistral hissed while she fought to control Cirrus. 
‘How has Leo received word of the Rochforte’s intentions if Mage Grapple isn’t
back yet?’

‘The Divinus hears Eximius’
thoughts.’

Mistral looked shocked, ‘Does
Mage Grapple know he’s being spied on by the Divinus?’ 

Fabian laughed quietly, ‘Of
course he does Mistral!  Eximius knows that the Divinus will listen to his
thoughts whether he permits it or not.  It is easier for him to willingly
accept the intrusion and in return he simply asks the Divinus to inform the
Council of any important events when he is away from the Isle – situations
exactly like this one to be precise.’

Mistral fell silent while she absorbed
this startling piece of news.  She was impressed by the power of the
Divinus’ ability to be able to hear the thoughts of anyone he chose despite the
fact that they could be hundreds of miles away.  With a sudden burst of
dismay she wondered if that would be expected of her when – if – she ever
achieved Sight.  Mistral grimaced.  She didn’t particularly fancy
being some kind of remote receptor for Mage Grapple’s thoughts.  He didn’t
look like he had many amusing ones.

‘Warriors!  We ride
overnight to the port of Holdridge!  We should arrive by dawn. 
Expect to enter battle immediately.’

Leo addressed the teeming Square
from the back of a huge bay warhorse.  Sunlight glinted off the shining
chestplate of his armour as his horse wheeled excitedly.  Checking it
easily with one gloved hand he raised his sword with the other, his icy blue
gaze sweeping the mass of silent warriors.

‘We will be fighting for the
Isle!  For the right to live without persecution!  For
freedom!’ 

The warriors roared their response. 
With his sword still raised high, Leo dug his heels into his horse’s side and
galloped from the square.

Mistral rolled her eyes and
muttered to herself under her breath, ‘Drama queen.’

Fabian held Spirit back tightly
as horses surged past them, galloping after Leo up the path to the North Gate.

‘You know, of course, that he is
now your brother-in-law.’

Mistral nodded wearily, ‘Well,
you know what they say.  You can’t choose your family.’

Fabian smiled, ‘I think I just
chose my latest member.’

Mistral and Fabian let the other
warriors gallop on ahead then rode out the Valley together.  Leo was
setting a hard pace, leading the Ri across the meadows at a gallop to head for
the trail that would lead to the cliffside path skirting around the west of The
Velvet Forests and take them on towards the Port of Holdridge.  The mood
of the Ri army was one of urgency.  For them to enter a battle against an
army of Mages already in position would be tantamount to suicide.  To
stand the smallest chance of winning, or even survival, they must reach the
Port before the Rochfortes docked. 

Mistral had never fought against
sorcerers before and couldn’t help but be apprehensive about how powerful the
Craft was as a weapon.  Would their armour offer enough protection to
fight?  Mage Grapple’s spell had knocked her flat and she had been wearing
her armour then.  She turned to voice her fears to Fabian and saw with
displeasure that Leo had let his place at the front to fall back and ride with
them.

‘There is much we need to discuss.’

 ‘I can go ride with my
brothers.’  Mistral offered and quickly pulled Cirrus back.

‘No.’  Fabian halted her
escape with a  frown.  ‘I think I would prefer you to stay near to
me.  There is nothing you cannot hear.’

Mistral caught Leo giving Fabian a
look that clearly said he felt differently.  In any event he didn’t argue
and pulled his horse closer to Spirit.

‘The timing of this is highly
suspect.’  Leo began quietly.

‘I agree.  Eximius could barely
have reached France before the Rochforte army set sail.’

‘It is far more likely that the
whole business was pre-arranged.’  Leo muttered darkly.  ‘Antoine was
sent like a lamb to the slaughter to give the rest of the Rochfortes a reason
to attack the Isle when they knew Eximius would be absent.’  

Fabian scowled, ‘There’s only one
person I know with enough paying influence to do that.’

‘Putreo?’

‘Who else?’

‘Did he know you were taking
Mistral to the Rochforte meeting?’  Leo asked sharply.

Fabian shook his head, his face
abruptly suffusing with hatred, ‘I think framing Mistral for Antoine’s murder
was just a bonus to him.’

‘I agree.  It seems to me
that it was all planned anyway.  Even if Antoine’s murderer had remained
anonymous protocol would still have forced Eximius to accompany Antoine’s body
back to the Rochfortes, leaving the Isle unprotected against their attack.’

Mistral stole a glance at Fabian
to see his face set in hard lines of loathing.  His hatred of Count Putreo
was so deeply ingrained that it was almost a part of his nature.  Mistral
couldn’t help but feel something of that hatred too, given her recent
experience.

‘Will Putreo be at
Holdridge?’  she suddenly asked, still keeping her gaze fixed firmly on
the horse in front.

Fabian and Leo both turned to
stare at her.  She felt two pairs of eyes boring into the side of her
head; one jet-black the other ice-blue.  She turned to meet them with what
she hoped was a look of indifference.

‘As a Council official he will be
obliged to defend the Isle.’  Leo snapped, irritated by her interruption.

‘Defend the Isle?’  Fabian’s
lip curled with anger.  ‘Putreo would fail to fight his way out of a silk
purse!  No doubt his new bodyguard will be there to do his dirty work for
him again.’

Mistral nodded, hiding her smile
of grim satisfaction.  So, she would have a chance to get even with
Columbine.

‘We will be fighting on the same
side as the Council, Mistral.’  Fabian reminded her sharply.  ‘This
is not the time for revenge.’

‘Of course not.’  Mistral
said quickly, imagining exactly the opposite.

‘Excuse me please Mistral.
 I must speak with Mage De Winter and Master Sphinx.’

Mistral was jolted out of her
blood-soaked reverie by the curt tones of Gleacher Shacklock.  She
obligingly pulled Cirrus away to allow Gleacher to ride alongside Fabian,
instantly engaging him and Leo in a long discussion about tactics for the
battle.

Mistral listened for a few
minutes but quickly became bored and returned to her daydream of putting an
arrow in Columbine.  She suddenly heard her name being mentioned then the
twins’ and quickly switched her attention back to their murmured
conversation.  It didn’t take her long to realise that Leo wanted her and
the twins placed at the back of the battle formation, no doubt to protect his
investment.  Mistral listened, clenching the reins angrily.  Leo had
already interfered too much in her wedding day for her liking.  She would
be damned if he was going to prevent her from fighting ... and the chance to
get Columbine –

‘Nice expression for a new bride
to be wearing.’

Mistral jumped and turned to see
Phantom riding on her left.

‘What’s upset you?’ 
Phantasm murmured, riding up on her right to add.  ‘Well, apart from
having your wedding hijacked by a marauding horde of Rochfortes.’

‘Leo wants to put us three at the
back, tucked away nice and safe where we won’t have a chance of doing anything
with our swords other than hold them and look pretty!’

Phantom gave a low laugh, ‘I
sometimes wonder whether Master Sphinx knows you at all.’

‘I know.  Does he actually
imagine I’ll obey an order just because he’s deigned to issue it?’ 
Mistral muttered and glowered at their Training Captain, now talking seriously
with Fabian and Gleacher about how best to deploy their elven-blooded archers. 
‘D’you think he’s just pompous or terminally deluded?’

‘I couldn’t possibly answer
that.’

‘Let’s go with both then.’ 
Mistral scowled and looked across the sea of armour-clad riders.  ‘Where
are the others?’

‘Behind us.’  Phantasm
tilted his head to indicate where he meant.  ‘Xerxes is running taking
bets on who will kill the most Rochfortes.’

‘Tell him five for me, and I want
a bonus if I get Columbine into the bargain.’

Phantom shot her a reproving look,
‘I know it’s personal between you two, but this fight is not the time to be
settling scores!  We’re meant to be on the same side.’

‘You think that matters to
Columbine?’  Mistral hissed scathingly. 

Phantom pursed his lips, ‘Much as
I hate saying this, you’re probably right on this one occasion.  We’ll
just have to keep an eye out for her.’

‘That might be difficult since
Leo’s positioned us about a mile away from the battle!’  Mistral muttered
sourly.

They rode in silence for a few
minutes.  Mistral’s mood was not improved by the twins obviously trying to
listen in on Gleacher’s conversation with Leo and Fabian.