“Good lads or not,” Jenrosa said evenly, “they’ll still kill you.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, girl—”
“Think for a moment, Kumul,” she said sharply. “Who did Orkid and Dejanus blame for the king’s death?”
“She’s right, Kumul,” Grapnel said. “They’ll not ask questions. They’ll kill you to make up for failing to protect Berayma.”
“I can’t let the king’s death go unavenged,” Kumul said bitterly.
“But what better way to revenge him than ensuring their plot fails?” Grapnel said urgently. “Keep Prince Lynan out of their hands!”
“And help me reclaim my rights,” Lynan said.
Olio had been roused by a servant, and told that Areava wanted to see him urgently in Berayma’s study. Olio dismissed the servant and dressed quickly, wondering what all the fuss was about. Probably something to do with Lynan again. He wished his sister would let the matter go; she was becoming obsessed with Lynan and his inheritance of the Key of Union.
The palace was awash with guards and officials, each hurrying on some task. Olio’s curiosity gave way to a feeling of dread. Something was wrong for so many to be out and about at this time of night.
It must be Haxus, he thought. Its ruler has decided to take advantage of Usharna’s passing and invaded the north of the kingdom again.
There were several people milling about the entrance to the king’s rooms. Most stood as silent and white as marble statues. God, it is war, then.
He entered the dark chamber and saw his sister and Orkid deep in discussion in front of a large desk. Areava, noticing him, moved forward to greet him. Her golden hair was drawn back in a tight ponytail, and she was wearing linen breeches, leather jerkin, and riding boots; this was the way she dressed when she was at weapons training. Her brown eyes were deep and red rimmed.
Olio caught a glimpse of a body slumped behind the desk. At first nothing registered, and then he recognized the long, blue cloak that fell from the corpse’s broad shoulders. He took a step forward and saw the floor was covered in blood.
“Olio—” Areava began, but he turned away from her, gagging. Areava waited for him to finish, came closer and put an arm around him.
“M-m-my God!” he wheezed. “It can’t b-b-be…”
“I need you, Olio,” she said calmly. “Stand straight.”
He did as she ordered. He saw how pale her own face was. “When? Who?”
Areava turned to Orkid, who came to them. The chancellor’s coat and hands were encrusted with blood. His fingernails were black. Olio could not help retreating a step.
“Who did this?” Olio asked.
Orkid cast down his gaze. “We have reason to believe it was Prince Lynan, your Highness.”
“No!” Olio shouted automatically. “That’s not p-p-possible. Lynan would not have done this.” He faced his sister. “Areava, you know this isn’t p-p-possible—”
“Olio, listen to me. I didn’t want to believe it at first either, but the evidence is overwhelming. Listen to the chancellor.” She nodded for Orkid to continue.
“We believe it was a conspiracy between Lynan and the Constable of the Royal Guard.”
“Kumul, too!”
“And Lynan’s servant, and that crookback captain our mother healed,” Areava said. “Others were undoubtedly involved, but we don’t know who at this stage. What we do know is that Kumul, Lynan, and the crookback were seen escaping from the palace in the company of a young woman.”
“A young woman?”
“We don’t know her name yet, but her clothes identified her as a magicker,” Orkid continued. “They killed four guards, Your Highness. I have a witness to the fact. Lynan’s servant was also killed in the struggle.”
“None of this m-m-makes sense,” Olio said to himself.
Orkid placed a hand on his shoulder. “It is a terrible crime, and made worse by the station of its perpetrators. We are all in shock, but your sister is now Queen of Kendra. She will need your support, your steady hand. Let Dejanus and me take care of apprehending the murderers.”
Areava took Olio’s face in her hands, made him look at her. “Oho, the world has turned upside down for us. First our mother’s death, and now this. But I will not shirk from my new responsibilities, and neither must you. You possess the Key of the Heart, and the kingdom will need healing.”
He glanced again at his brother’s corpse, still trying to comprehend what had happened, and nodded uncertainly. “What… what do you want m-m—me to do?”
“Stay by me, brother,” Areava said. “Just stay by me.” He felt her lean against him then, and understood what she herself must have been through. He put his arms around her.
“I am always at your side, sister,” he said softly.
All eyes were on Lynan. He realized what he had just said, and although he knew it was his fear and anger and frustration speaking, he also realized it expressed his heart’s desire. He was as surprised as his companions.
“I intend to claim what is mine by right,” he said forcefully. He glanced at Kumul. “And when I do, I’ll give you Dejanus to do with as you wish.”
Kumul studied the prince’s young face for a second, then nodded slowly. “And Orkid?”
“He’s mine,” Lynan replied.
Kumul smiled approvingly. Lynan felt his hopes flicker for the first time that night.
“Excuse me,” Jenrosa said mildly, “but how do you intend to reclaim what is rightfully yours when the Royal Guard is probably scouring the city for your hide? And while you two are planning the downfall of the conspirators, what am I to do?”
“The first thing all of you will have to do is escape Kendra,” Grapnel said.
Lynan saw the grief and horror in Jenrosa’s expression. “I’m sorry,” he said to her. “It’s my fault this has happened—”
“Oh, enough,” she snapped. “I know it isn’t your fault, but I had a good life as a student and I don’t fancy spending the rest of it on the run with three outlaws, one a prince of the blood possessing a head certain people want to cut off, and two others as inconspicuous as a pair of beached whales.”
Grapnel laughed and slapped the table with a large hand, spilling beer from mugs. “What a jolly team we’ll make!”
“We?” Kumul asked.
“Of course. You’re going to need my help to get clear of Kendra. One of my ships is in port, so I can smuggle you out of the city.”
“You’ve done enough for us already by giving us shelter tonight. I have no wish to place you in any danger, my friend,” Kumul said.
“You’ve already done that by coming here. It’s in my interest to make sure you get clear away.”
“But get clear away to where?” Jenrosa demanded.
“Where can Lynan—any of us—safely go?”
“Safely?” Grapnel said. “Probably nowhere for any length of time. But there must be some place you can stay until the immediate danger is over.”
Lynan sighed, then pulled the Key of Union from out of his tunic. He looked at it sullenly, his earlier bravado gone now. I wish now that I’d never seen this thing, he thought glumly.
“What will Areava’s position be?” Grapnel asked Lynan. Lynan looked up in surprise, overwhelmed by sudden guilt. He had been so involved in his own plight he hadn’t given a thought to Areava’s situation, or Olio’s. Had the assassins been after them as well? If so, surely they’d be dead by now. A groan escaped from his lips.
“I fear… I fear that they must be dead with Berayma. I only escaped through good fortune and the courage of my servant…” His voice faltered. He could still hear Pirem’s cry as he fell beneath the swords of his attackers.
“You may be wrong about your siblings,” Grapnel said. “The conspirators must know the kingdom, not to mention the Twenty Houses, would not tolerate one of them ascending the throne. They need a Rosetheme, one of the royal successors. There are no other claimants that I know of.”