The Saints of the Sword (65 page)

“Change of plans,” replied the woman. “You can get back to work. I’ll look after our guest.”

The man nodded then led the horse away. When she was sure none of the servants would overhear, Breena said to Biagio, “I didn’t expect to see you here. Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to go riding?”

“Because I wanted to be alone. No offense, girl, but I had hoped not to see you or your brother this morning.”

Breena was not offended. “Well, you’ll need my permission to get a horse, and I was going riding anyway. You can come with me.”

“Thank you, but no.”

“Why not?” asked Breena. “Nervous?”

“Should I be?”

“I know these hills better than anyone. You might get lost if you go off on your own. Why not let me come with you?”

“You’re very keen on guiding me, Lady Breena,” observed Biagio. “Why?”

Breena merely grinned. “Come along,” she said, turning back toward the stalls. Biagio hesitated. He
did
want to be alone, but there was something compelling about the Highland woman. She was bold and ruthlessly honest. And he didn’t think she would take no for an answer, so he
followed her into the stall, promptly coming face to face with a huge latapi.

“Oh, no,” he said quickly. “We’re riding horses, or not at all.”

Breena patted the elk’s stout neck. “Don’t be afraid. He looks more frightening than he is.”

“I doubt that,” said Biagio dryly. The creature’s antlers were wider than a man was tall, and its sloped back had been fitted with an odd-looking saddle, belted around its body with a stout leather strap. It had an off-white coat the color of dirty snow, and two moist brown eyes that regarded the emperor mistrustfully. “Lord, what a monster he is.”

“They’re more gentle than horses if you treat them right,” said Breena. “They may look mean, but they’re loyal and good company, too.”

“Fine,” said Biagio. “Then you and your friend have a nice time together.”

He turned to go but Breena called after him. “Wait,” she pleaded. “Why don’t you try it before making up your mind so quickly?”

“I don’t have to try it. I know I won’t like it.” He waved at her. “Good-bye.”

“That figures,” she muttered. “You imperial fops turn up your nose at everything.”

Biagio paused in mid-step. Then he changed his mind and kept on walking, expecting to hear more slurs. When Breena was silent, he stopped again. Turning to look at her, he saw a hurt expression behind the smoldering anger. For some reason, it reeled him back.

“I will ride a horse and you will ride that creature. Good enough?”

“No,” said Breena flatly. “You will ride with me, and I will teach you something about the Highlands.”

Biagio sighed. “Can’t I learn this lesson without climbing atop that monster?”

Breena beckoned him closer with a finger.

“God’s death,” said Biagio. “All right, then.” Cautiously he went back to the stall avoiding the elk as best he could,
and stood beside Breena. The young woman’s mood changed entirely. She urged him closer, taking his arm.

“Just climb on his back the way you would a horse. I’ll do everything else. You can ride a horse, can’t you?”

“Of course I can!”

“Sorry,” offered Breena. “You just look kind of soft. Never mind.” She coaxed his foot into one of the elk’s stirrups. Biagio shrugged her off.

“I can do it,” he snapped. The elk turned its head to look at him. Biagio gave it an uneasy smile. “Good boy,” he said. “Just take it easy.” He took hold of the cantle, made sure Breena had a grip on the reins, then hoisted himself into the saddle, eventually getting his leg over the elk’s side. He sat up triumphantly, laughing down at Breena.

“You see? Nothing to it!”

“Very good,” said Breena. “Now sit back. I’ll be in front.”

“Put your arms around me,” she said, as she climbed onto the mount.

“Around you? Oh, no. That wouldn’t be proper.”

“If you don’t hold on you’ll fall off and crack your skull.”

Biagio shook his head. What the hell was he doing up here? He put his arms around her reluctantly, doing his best to avoid her breasts, and held her tight. His nose touched her hair, and the scent wasn’t unpleasant. She wore a perfume from the Black City. Biagio recognized it and knew it was expensive.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“I was going to inspect the Silverknife, the border with Talistan. But since you’re with me …”

“I don’t think that would be a very good idea,” Biagio finished. “One of Gayle’s men might recognize me, and that would be catastrophic.” He looked around from his tall perch, sighting the green mountains to the west. “What about those hills?” he asked. “I was hoping to explore them.”

“Ah, those are Morn’s Twins,” said Breena. “You see those two big mountains? They are named after the children of a tribal sun god, very ancient. It’s pretty there.”

“Morn’s Twins,” said Biagio. “I like the sound of that. Take me there.”

“I’m not your driver,” Breena shot back. “But all right.” She gave the reins a snap, and suddenly the beast lurched forward, trotting out of its stall and letting Breena steer it toward the high hills in the east. Biagio held on, jostled by the rough ride. The latapi bounced violently beneath him, taking great bounds with each step. Soon they were in a bone-rattling gallop, leaving the castle and courtyard for the sun god’s twins.

With his arms encircling the girl’s waist, Biagio sat rigidly against her, gritting his teeth. Breena’s long hair blew in the breeze tickling his face, but he didn’t dare let go to swat the strands away. He was embarrassed and uncomfortable, and the young woman’s boldness reminded him of his former wife, but there was something peculiar about the sensation, something free and youthful. As they rode on, crossing a grassy plain and leaving Elkhorn Castle behind, Biagio began to relax. He looked around, admiring the Highlands’ majesty, and felt like a different person.

This is what I wanted
, he realized.

With only Breena and the trees for company, he was no longer an emperor; he had no responsibilities. The crushing pressures of the last few months fell away with the elk’s hoofprints. He tossed back his head and laughed.

Immediately, Breena brought the latapi to a halt. She looked over her shoulder in shock.

“Are you all right?”

“Of course I am,” said Biagio indignantly. “Why did you stop? Ride, woman, ride!”

“You were laughing.”

“I was happy for a moment.”

“Oh.” Breena grinned. “Uhm, would you like to do the steering now?”

“Yes,” said Biagio without hesitation. He reached across Breena and took the reins from her hands. She leaned back into him. “Is it like a horse?” he asked.

“Similar. To make him go, squeeze your legs together; not too tightly.”

Biagio did so, putting a little pressure between his thighs. The latapi responded like a seasoned gelding, trotting forward. The emperor sat up straight, enjoying the sensation of Breena against him, feeling like a man again. It wasn’t right for a woman to steer a man, he decided. Even on one of these weird beasts, it felt uncomfortable.

“I will take you to those hills,” he said, and urged the elk toward Morn’s Twins. His skills improved rapidly, and soon he had the elk at a gallop. Breena held tight to his arms, staying low in the saddle against the beast’s neck, and through the maze of antlers Biagio watched as the twin mountains towered before them. They were in a meadow of tall grass dotted with wildflowers. He brought the latapi to a halt, pleased to see how easily the mount obeyed him. Breena expelled a breath, shaking out her hair.

“You are a better rider than I thought!” she chuckled. “He seems to like you.”

“On Crote I trained with horses,” replied Biagio. He dropped down off the elk’s back, then offered Breena a hand. Ever independent, she refused his offer and slid down next to him.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked, glancing around. Morn’s Twins stood like sentries over them, dominating the sky. “You wanted to be away. Well, this is away, I’d say.”

Biagio drifted away from the woman, brushing his palms over the tops of the knee-high grass. Honey bees bounced between blossoms, and a light breeze stirred through the plain, bending the grass like an ocean of wheat. Over the hills, the rising sun glowed amber.

“Beautiful.”

Soundlessly, he dropped to the ground, lying down on his back. He stared up at the sky, admiring its blueness until Breena’s perplexed face appeared.

“Lord Emperor?” she asked. “Are you all right?”

“That’s the second time you’ve asked me that.”

“This is the second time you’ve given me cause.”

“Can’t a man be happy without you hounding him?”

“You’re happy?”

Biagio thought for a moment. “Content would be a
better word, perhaps.” He gestured for her to step aside. “I can’t see the sky, girl. Move, please.”

“What are you doing?”

“Being alone. Being someone else. Not being emperor for a change. Pick one—you’re bound to get it right.” Breena slipped down next to him, studying his face. She had pretty eyes, Biagio decided, full of mirth. He didn’t mind her presence, suddenly, or her constant questions. If he couldn’t be alone, then he couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather have irritating him.

“You are right about the latapi,” he told her. “I could feel its power beneath me. Lord, if only I could bring those monsters into battle against Talistan!”

“Please, don’t,” said Breena. “I don’t want to talk about that anymore.”

“Then I will grant you a respite for the day. But tomorrow I will talk to Redburn again. I must convince him, Lady Breena.”

“No, not tomorrow either,” said Breena. “Tomorrow is a celebration. My brother will not talk about it then.”

“Celebration? What for?”

Breena hesitated. “It’s my brother’s birthday.”

“Birthday?” Biagio turned his head to regard her. “Then it is your birthday too.”

“It is.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Or am I not invited?”

“Of course you’re invited. But it’s a Highland celebration, Lord Emperor. I’m not sure it will be to your tastes.”

“Beer and dancing girls, is it?”

Breena smiled. “Something like that.”

“Well, I am a peerless dancer and can hold my share of liquor, I assure you. I will be there.”

“Really?”

Biagio frowned. “Why so surprised?”

“No reason,” evaded Breena. “But no talk of Talistan, please.”

Without agreeing to her terms, Biagio said, “It is very beautiful here. I would think Redburn would be eager to defend it. He has so much to lose …”

“Yes, he does,” agreed Breena. “That’s why he’s afraid.

He has told me what a war with Talistan would cost. It would be ruinous.”

“Would it not be ruinous if Talistan galloped in here with horsemen? What would happen to your prosperous Highlands then, do you think? What do you think would happen to you? You forget, Lady Breena, I know the Talistanians well. They have an appetite for pretty things.”

“Do not try to frighten me,” Breena said.

“I do not have to try. I see it every time I look at you, and your stubborn brother. You’re both terrified. You both know I’m right. Yet what vexes me is why you won’t help me.”

Breena began to rise, but Biagio seized her hand.

“Don’t go,” he ordered. Then, softening, he added, “Please.”

So Breena stayed with him. She didn’t say a word for a long time, a silence that Biagio appreciated, but when she finally spoke it was to ask one of her annoyingly direct questions.

“Why do you like it here?”

“Because it is peaceful,” Biagio replied. “I can think.”

“Is the Black City not peaceful?”

“Obviously you have never been to the Black City.”

“So you do not wish to return?”

“Oh, no, that’s not it at all.” Biagio sat up and looked at her. “I adore the Black City. She is my mistress. Even now, I long for her.”

“I don’t understand.”

“No,” said Biagio gently, “you could not. The Black City is either part of your blood, or she is not. For me, she is a disease. She is incurable.” He picked a blade of grass and rolled it contemplatively between his fingers. “I love the capital the way a man loves a woman. I love her with all my heart. And she is a great seductress.” He flicked the blade of grass away. “Sometimes, she asks too much of me.”

“So you are weary.”

“Yes,” sighed Biagio. He closed his eyes. “So very tired. So very far to go. The Black City needs me. Only I can change it; only I can save it from itself. Like the Empire.”

Breena gave a little laugh. “That sounds like too much for one man, Lord Emperor. Too much even for you.”

To this Biagio had no reply, for he knew it was true. But he also knew that no one would take the mantle from him. Saving the Empire was his responsibility. It was he who had craved the Iron Throne. And it was he who had loaded the imperial powder keg. Now he needed to diffuse it.

“Lady Breena?” he asked.

“Uhm?”

“This celebration tomorrow; it is for you as well, yes?”

“Yes. Why?”

“No reason,” replied Biagio. “I will be there.”

“You do not have to come, Lord Emperor. I know how abrasive you find us all. This isn’t Nar City, after all.”

“No, it isn’t,” said Biagio flatly. Suddenly the only thing he wanted was to be like her and the other Highlanders—isolated from the evil of Nar. “I will be there,” he repeated. “And I will show you how a Crotan dances.”

The next day, Biagio watched as Elkhorn Castle was transformed. What had always been a place of laughter was now a riotous beer hall, filled to capacity with blond and redheaded Highlanders and musicians, singers and dancers, curly-haired terriers, and exotic birds perched on the shoulders of plaid-covered travellers, all of whom had come to celebrate the birthday of the royal twins. Clan Redburn was well represented in the throng, for the party had attracted relatives like rodents. As Biagio sat at the end of a long table sipping a beer, he noticed a family resemblance in the men and women pouring into the keep. Even their children looked like Redburn and his sister.

They were in the main hall, the only chamber wide enough to accommodate the gathering, though it had already spilled out into other rooms and the courtyard, which was filled with merrymakers, as well. Breena and her brother sat together at the center table, a huge, round structure swarming with cousins. To Biagio’s surprise, there were other clan leaders at the gathering, as well. He recognized the lion crest of Clan Kellen, and studied the
clan leader over his beer. He was impressive, much older than Redburn, but he showed the twins the proper deference, keeping his hands circumspect while he danced with Breena. Olly Glynn of the bear-crested clan had also come, but he kept mostly to the corners, leering at the pretty girls. Biagio knew he would need them all against Talistan—if he could ever convince Redburn to join him.