Lord Levy’s manor seemed to hover before them like a mountain cliff. It stood at least ten levels tall. Only the curtain wall separated them from being inside the fortress now. Three towers divided the southern wall, each twice the width of a redpine and built from a different color: yellow, grey, and brown. The jagged orange parapet that edged the curtain wall was slightly familiar, though Vrell had never entered Mahanaim by this route. A few boats were out, but none were headed into the manor itself.
“What day is it?” Khai asked with a yawn.
“I don’t know,” Jax said. “It’s taken us much longer than expected. They may be gone.”
“Who?” Vrell asked.
“Lord Levy and his family,” Jax said. “Prince Gidon’s coming-of-age celebration was due around this time. I’m not certain of today’s date, but it could be that Lord Levy is still in Sitna for the event.”
Vrell considered what this meant for her. She had visited this fortress many times. The Council of Seven meetings were held here, and her mother was on the Council, so Vrell had often accompanied her. Even so, she had never been formally introduced to Lord Levy, the master of this stronghold and chairman of the Council. She had played with his spoiled daughters years ago but doubted they would recognize her now.
Jax stopped the boat before another portcullis gate and the guards cheerfully let them enter. It seemed that Jax was well-liked wherever he went. Vrell wasn’t surprised that no one spoke to Khai. Jax paddled the boat a bit farther and coasted to a stop beside a stone pathway. Khai hopped out and looped a rope around a peg on the path. Vrell looked up to the jagged orange parapet of Lord Levy’s manor. They had arrived.
They exited the boat. Jax led her to a narrow stone stairway that climbed three flights along the curtain wall before exiting at the back of the gatehouse, just inside the Mahanaim stronghold. Jax and Khai went inside to speak with one of the guards. Vrell waited outside in the humid air and looked across the fortress.
Voices, squawking fowl, and the sounds of animals met her ears. The smell of the canals was not as strong up here — or else it was overpowered by the scents of animals, roasting meat, and incense.
This fortress was unlike most castles. Here, the inner bailey and keep were contained all under one roof. The outer bailey consisted of a cobblestone courtyard that stretched out from the gatehouse to the castle on all four sides. Vendors and traders sold their wares from tents or wagons during the day. Vrell remembered shopping here with her mother.
In the center of the courtyard, a grand fountain circled a bronze statue of the Mahanaim justice scales. The scales were the symbol of the Council of Seven, which had been started to rule Er’Rets until Prince Gidon came of age and took the throne.
A little girl with a filthy face and bare feet approached carrying a basket of orchids. “A flower for your love?” she said, holding out a purple bloom.
Vrell smiled and took the flower. “Thank you.” She reached for the velveteen bag of coins Lord Orthrop had given her, but it was not on her belt. Her heart thumped in a panic. She had had the bag when she had left Peripaso. Perhaps she had dropped it in the boat.
She handed the flower back to the girl. “I’m sorry, beautiful one. It seems as though I have lost my coin purse.”
The child took the blossom back and threaded it under the handle of her basket. She batted her eyes at Vrell and padded away.
Vrell’s heart raced. There was a great deal of money in that pouch, and she wanted it. She inched toward the gatehouse, hoping to catch Jax’s eye without interrupting. She stopped under his elbow.
“Hello, Vrell. Sorry we’ve kept you waiting. I’m sure you’re anxious to get settled.”
“It seems I have lost my coin purse. I wanted to run down and see if I left it in the boat.”
Jax frowned then turned to Khai. Had he taken it? Since he had not been able to sell her secret, would he steal her money?
Jax seemed to think so. He pulled Khai away from his conversation by the shoulder.
“What?” Khai asked, struggling to free himself.
“Give up Vrell’s coin purse. Now.”
Khai snorted. “I don’t have his coin purse. Why ever would you think such a thing?”
Jax gripped Khai by the hair and lifted.
Khai squealed. “Okay! Okay. I’ll give it back. Let go.”
Jax put Khai down and the scrawny Kingsguard jerked back and smoothed his oily hair flat again. He reached into his shirt, pulled Vrell’s velveteen pouch out, and tossed it to her feet.
“I was only testing him to see how bright he was. Took him long enough to find it missing.” Khai scurried back into the gatehouse.
Vrell picked up her coin purse and tied it to her belt.
“He’s not a thief,” Jax said. “Or at least not primarily a thief.” He bent closer to her ear. “It’s easier to reach into someone’s mind if you have a personal belonging.”
“You think because he had my coin purse he could have succeeded?”
“Probably not, but Khai isn’t one to give up easily.” Jax settled one beefy hand onto Vrell’s shoulder. She stiffened under the weight. “Let’s get you inside before he can do you any more harm.”
Vrell smiled and followed the giant across the courtyard. Anxiety fought with her excitement. Mahanaim was a wonderful place to visit, but she did not look forward to meeting Macoun Hadar, especially after Jax’s warnings. They passed a vendor selling golden cups, which caused Vrell to look over her shoulder to where she remembered the temple was.
A circular colonnade filled the northeastern corner of the courtyard. Black and white banners draped around the roof. Mahanaim worshipped Dâthos, the god of justice. Vrell recalled how suspicious the people of Mahanaim could be, attributing good fortune to the amount of good deeds done and decreeing that those who suffered bad times had brought them upon themselves by doing too many bad deeds.
Vrell turned back and followed Jax around a fur trader’s wagon. On the other side, she had a clear view of the entrance to Lord Levy’s manor. Two doors as tall as those in Xulon marked the entrance to the grand building. They were propped open and guarded by two New Kingsguard soldiers. Jax nodded at them and passed through without stopping.
They walked into a vast foyer. Decorative limestone columns painted bright yellow held up the high ceiling every ten feet. The floor was covered in a mosaic of multicolored bits of stone. At the far end, a grand staircase spilled out into the foyer. Around the back of the staircase, the steps continued down.
Halfway across the foyer, along the right wall, they passed the golden doors that led to the Council of Seven’s meeting chambers, where Lord Levy presided as chairman. Vrell remembered that the room was round and filled with grandstands that sat five hundred spectators. Her favorite part of going inside had always been the hallway that led up to the auditorium. It was decorated with displays and statuary commemorating the great warriors and leaders in Er’Retian history.
A red-haired servant girl met them at the foot of the staircase. “Ah, yes,” she said after Jax introduced them. The girl’s name was Mags. “Master Hadar’s been s’pecting you,” Mags said. “I’ll fetch him.”
Vrell and Jax waited in the vacant foyer. Several minutes passed before another servant came down the stairway and continued down to the lower levels. Perhaps Lord Levy and his family were still at Sitna. It did not seem that Mahanaim was very busy at the moment.
A long wait later, the serving girl walked down the steps beside an old man wearing a grey satin tunic and black leggings. The man reminded Vrell of a white jackrabbit. He had lots of thick, white hair tied in a low ponytail, large ears, and small brown eyes. Vrell reached out and sensed his excitement. His thoughts came easily.