They spoke long into the afternoon about his uncle, Duke of Cinnis. A distant relative of Prince Sebastian’s, he seemed out for his nephew’s blood. Before Prince Sebastian had to leave, they agreed to meet at a local tavern later in the week, as traveling to the Aether Realm was magically taxing. The bracelet she wore on her ankle had limitations and, as far as Prince Sebatian could tell, could only be used once a week before it went inactive.
When Ciardis returned to the Companions’ Archive, she decided she needed to do some snooping of her own. This Duke of Cinnis was trouble. Regardless of the fact that he was Sebastian’s family, he was clearly not feeling familial enough to avoid trying to kill him. Deciding to take matters into her own hands, she slipped on a cloak and strode out into the rainy mist. Slipping through the outer gates which barred entrance to the Companions’ Guild in the mid-afternoon wasn’t hard.
The flurries of snow had given way to a light, icy rain that made the guards less likely to venture outside of their gatehouse to interrogate individuals who were seeking to leave the Companions’ Guild. They’d reserve their treks in the bitterly cold rain for those who wanted to obtain entrance to the castle grounds.
This worked in Ciardis’s favor as she headed for the nearest available conveyance that would take her to the Imperial Courts. She had some friends she needed to talk to. As she descended from the carrier she’d taken, she made sure to walk to one of the palace side gates instead of the main one. She didn’t want to attract attention. She just wanted to get inside.
She flashed a sunny grin at the guard on duty, whom she knew from weapons training, she said, “Hello, Morris. Cold afternoon, isn’t it?”
“Aye, it is. Bloody cold weather.”
She nodded, “I’m here to see Varis Turnfeather.” No sign of recognition crossed his face.
“Lord Varis?” she clarified.
“Have an invitation?”
“No,” she said slowly, trying to think of a way to get entrance, “but it’s just a quick visit.”
“Lass, you know I can’t let you on palace grounds without a palace invitation. Not with all the deaths and whatnot within the past three months.”
“Oh, I know,” she said quickly. “But perhaps you could summon him for me?”
“That I could do.” He turned aside quickly and put two fingers in his mouth, whistling sharply. The earsplitting screech was directed at the gate barracks just around the corner. Ciardis couldn’t see it from her vantage point, but she certainly heard the crash of metal upon metal that rang out.
Morris cursed and shook his head in disgust. “Boy was probably napping on the job. Was supposed to be hammering nails.”
That last bit was said loudly enough for the spindly boy rushing around the corner to hear. His red hair stuck up every which way as he hurried over, and a red flush spread from his neck to the tips of his ears.
“Sorry, Morris,” he said hurriedly. “I just knocked some pails over. Nothing big.”
The glare Morris leveled at the bony boy said it was a problem if he said it was problem. The boy hunched his shoulders like a whipped dog and ducked his head.
“You’ll be cleaning that up,” Morris advised. The boy immediately turned to rush back to the barracks and pick up the scattered nails.
“Not now, numbskull.”
“Right.”
Morris sighed in irritation. “Go and get Lord Varis. Tell him Mistress Weathervane is waiting at the gate.”
As the name emerged from Morris’s lips, the boy turned toward Ciardis in awe.
“The Weathervane?” he said.
“Get GOING!”
Ciardis giggled into her hand as she watched the boy scramble away.
Within minutes, Varis Turnfeather was escorted to the gate. Smiling as he wiped his hands on a handkerchief, he said to Ciardis, “Well, what an unexpected pleasure it is to see you today, Mistress Weathervane.”
Ciardis looped a companionable hand into the crook of his elbow as they proceeded to walk across the main street in front of the Imperial palace.
“I know, but I’m glad it’s a pleasant one,” she said as they reached the other side of the street and walked into the city’s public gardens. It was the only green area maintained by the Imperial household, a gift from the emperor to the city’s inhabitants.
“Well?” he said, tapping an occasional rock in their path with his long cane.
“Haven’t you ever heard that patience is a virtue, Milord?”
“Yes, but it’s not one of the virtues that I’ve known you to be even passable at.”
“That’s true,” said Ciardis as a rueful smile graced her lips. Looking up towards the sky she couldn’t help but admire the wits of the tall, but gangly man who towered above her with long gray hair falling to his shoulders.
“I need your help, Lord Varis,” she admitted. “Just with information.”
“There’s nothing just about seeking information, Ciardis Weathervane. Particularly in the Imperial Courts. What is that you wish to know?”
“Why is the Duke of Cinnis trying to kill Prince Sebastian?”
“He’s not.”
“But...”
“He’s trying to kill you.”
“That’s impossible. There have not been any attacks on me...not recently, anyway.”
“That you know of,” he pointed out.
Varis looked down at her thoughtfully and then said, “That information was free, Ciardis. Ask me another question.”
She stood flummoxed for a moment, but decided there was only one question that was pertinent now. “What can I do about it?”
“Not why? Very good. You can run...”
Her stiff expression told him what she thought of that idea.
“Or you can fight,” he said.
Ciardis nodded. “The latter will be more to my style.”
“And the most likely to get you in trouble,” he said dryly. “Well, my dear, according to the ears I have on the ground, no one has made direct moves against you yet.”
“And indirectly?”
“Rumors circling around. Some courtiers of the Duke have been whispering unpleasant things about you to receptive Imperial ears. Not the Prince Heir’s mind you, but the ears of those he must pay attention to if you catch my meaning.”
She did. If the Duke had enough clout to poison the Emperor’s thoughts against her it was no wonder that Prince Sebastian had been avoiding her for months.
“But it doesn’t seem to have the desired effect. Prince Sebastian has closed his ranks, has begun relying only on trusted advisors,” Varis said in a lower voice. “And he hasn’t renounced his intention to make you his Companion. Despite significant pressure.”
Ciardis nodded, trying to keep her face impassive. To be honest, she hadn’t been aware that was even a consideration.
“The duke is not appreciative of your influence on Prince Sebastian.”
“Well, I’m not appreciative of his butting into my personal affairs.”
Vardis sighed and cautioned her, “Be careful. You aren’t protected by Imperial forces. And the duke is quite sure the Prince Heir’s bold endeavors in the matters of the Imperial Courts are a direct result of your whispers in his ear.”
“Impossible.”
“Why? One would think the rumors are true. You are practically his unofficial Companion and it’s said that he invites you to the Aether Realm for private consultations.”
Ciardis frowned, while partly true she didn’t feel like opening up about her relationship with Sebastian. They’d just gotten back on friendly terms. “It’s not relevant.”
As they headed back to the palace, Varis left her with whispered warnings.
“Most of all, Ciardis, keep your head down. The duke shouldn’t attack if you don’t strike first. And stay out of trouble. Your court escapades over the summer have angered quite a few, the Duke not least among them.”