Raising my head I saw Cyhan standing beside and slightly behind our monarch and as our eyes met he saw the look in my eyes. An imperceptible shake of his head cautioned me to hold my tongue. Taking a deep breath I knew he was right, the wrong words now could start a civil war, and that was precisely what I was here to prevent.
I wondered at his calm. His last words to me had cautioned me that our next meeting would be an unpleasant one, yet now he stood calmly by the king, acting as his bodyguard. I could only surmise that his oath to our monarch superseded his oath to execute unbound wizards. I bet it keeps him up at night, I thought. I gave Cyhan a polite smile when the king took his eyes from me, letting him know I appreciated his tolerance… and his advice.
“Perhaps our hero would like to say a few words to the crowd?” asked the king graciously.
“Certainly, your Majesty,” I answered quickly. He stepped back and I turned to face the people. The sun was no longer in my face so I could see them more clearly now. “Our king has honored me today, but I want you to know that the honor is not just my own. The defense of Lothion is not something any one man could accomplish alone; it was done with the aid of hundreds, nay thousands of men and women. People just like those here today. I did no more, and no less, than I would have expected any loyal citizen of our nation would do.” I stopped there.
I was tempted to continue, to tell them that they should prepare to do the same, should fate again threaten our nation, but I withheld those words. I knew they would be badly received by Edward. I had already given him a slight insult by insisting that the honor was not my own, by sharing it with those who served me. Despite Cyhan’s unspoken warning I could feel my temper flare, but I went cold when I saw a young man staring at me in the crowd.
It was a surreal moment, when the world slows down and everything becomes crystalline. Though there were hundreds of people before me, for those few seconds the only other person I was aware of was the young sandy haired man whose eyes burned into me. It was a look of utter hatred, the look of someone who saw in me the personification of all the ills in the world. In that timeless moment of focus my mind saw him clearly, even to the knife he held clutched at his side, hidden under a ragged cloth. This man, who seemed to be even younger than I was, had come today with no other reason, than the hope that he might get close enough to kill me.
It was a shocking thought, but I knew it was true, with a surety that pure logic can never provide. Whatever his reason, this fellow desired nothing more than to end my life. A woman’s voice rang out through the crowd. It was but one voice among many, but he knew it and he turned his head to see the girl who called for him. I followed his gaze, and when his eyes settled upon her I saw her as well.
She was young, and she resembled him, probably his younger sister, I thought. She struggled to get through the crowd, to reach him, and her face bore a look of profound fear and worry. She’s come to stop him, I realized. The crowd went on cheering while the king put his hand on my shoulder. Unnoticed by everyone a tiny drama played out within the crowd, and yet I saw them.
The king began speaking again but I did not hear him, all my attention was upon the young man and his sister. She had reached him now and they argued with one another in the midst of the crowded square. Realizing his chance had vanished with her arrival his shoulders slumped and he turned away, letting her lead him toward home. As he did she cast her eyes toward me and I found myself transfixed by her gaze. I had hoped my expression would convey my thanks to her, but face was lit with a fury and hatred every bit as intense as his had been.
What could I have done to make these two young strangers despise me so? I wondered. Sir Harold jostled my elbow again, alerting me to the fact that the king had left the platform. We were supposed to follow. I got myself moving but I kept a portion of my mind on the young man and his sister. They were leaving now, dispersing with the crowd, and heading in the opposite direction.
I felt sure I could follow them, mentally, so long as I wasn’t too distracted and they didn’t travel too far away, but I worried the king would want to discuss matters once we had gotten free of the crowds.
I needn’t have worried. As soon as we got within the palace Edward turned to me, “We have more business to tend to this afternoon so we won’t keep you. Our steward will send someone around later with the documents you need to sign.”
“Documents?” I said questioningly.
“Deeds and letters, relating to the late Baron’s estate… now yours,” he smiled, though the effect his smile produced was more unnerving than reassuring.
“Of course your Majesty,” I said, giving him a deferential bow. My mind was still distracted, trying to follow the young man and his sister, steadily drawing further away. Thankfully the king merely nodded at that and soon enough I was on my own again. I waited a long minute until Edward had gone from my sight.
I started walking briskly in the direction of the man I was still tracking, much to Harold’s dismay. “Your Excellency!” he said, trying to get my attention.
“What,” I said gruffly.
“Would you mind telling me where we are heading?” he asked.
“I have something to take care of… I’ll meet you back at the house in a short while,” I informed him.
“I’m coming with you, your lordship,” he said firmly.
“No, I’m afraid you are not,” I replied.
“Lord Dorian’s orders were very clear sir,” he explained, almost apologetically, “my duty is to protect you, no matter what the circumstances.”
“Who is your liege-lord?” I asked him.
“You my lord,” he said promptly.
“I’m ordering you to return to my house and wait for me there,” I said sternly.
“I cannot obey that order your Lordship,” he replied.
I laughed, “Be glad I am tolerant.” I started walking back through the crowd. “Most lords would have you cut into pieces for that sort of impertinence.” Before he could reply I reached out and touched a stranger and spoke a phrase in Lycian. My appearance changed instantly to match that of the man I had just touched. Poor Harold was confused immediately.
Before he could sort things out I moved further away and touched someone else, trading appearances as easily as some people might change shirts. Soon enough I had lost my guards, and more specifically Harold, completely. I almost felt bad about it. I knew he would be sick with worry until I returned later. Sorry Harold, I thought.
I still had my mind fixed on that young man and his sister. They were heading steadily away, close to the limit of my range now as they made their way toward the city gates. I jogged when possible to close the distance and soon I had caught up enough that I didn’t have to worry about the range anymore. I followed at a fast pace then, to avoid attracting attention or running into someone, since the streets were still crowded.
I thought they might perhaps pass through the gates but they turned aside before they reached them, heading into one of the poorest districts of the city… a ramshackle collection of houses built near the walls. I followed them, making note of the street names until at last they entered a small dilapidated cottage. They stopped there, which allowed me to catch up.
I dawdled in the street near their house for a short while before I finally decided to simply knock on the door. I was still wearing a stranger’s appearance so I didn’t think it could hurt. I gave the door a few sharp raps and waited. After a minute it opened slightly and I saw the young woman peering at me from one side. “Can I help you sir?” she asked.
“Yes miss, I hope you can. Could you tell me what address this is?” I replied politely. I did in fact have no idea what the address was, and I needed the information for the next part of my ruse.