Piro clapped her hands in delight. Byren hugged her, lifting her off the ground, spinning her around. She giggled and clung to him.
He set her down and turned to Orrade and Garzik. 'Come on. The sooner we get back, the sooner I clear my name.'
And save his family from Cobalt's machinations. Byren couldn't wait to wipe that satisfied smile off Illien's face.
Chapter Twenty-Five
'This way, mother, Byren's waiting,' Piro urged, hardly able to stand still. Excitement thrummed through her body like a drawn bowstring. She wanted to see Cobalt discredited and Byren safe.
It was mid-afternoon and, as her brother had anticipated, King Rolen was in the great hall. The decorative friezes glinted in the many candles as Piro and her mother weaved through the forest of columns towards the fireside table, where the king sat drinking and talking with his close friends. Like Captain Temor, these lords were the survivors of his generation who had stood by him during the great battle, all that remained of his original noble honour guard. All but Cobalt, who even now was leaning forwards speaking. He looked so confident, so sincere as he described the sea-hounds, a fleet of warriors, which Ostron Isle sanctioned to contain the Utland menace. Piro was not surprised the older men trusted him. Only her Affinity allowed her to see into his hollow soul.
'Piro?' her mother prodded and she realised she had come to a dead stop.
'Myrella?' The king noticed them. His weather-beaten face creased into a smile of pleasure. 'And little Piro. Back already? Where's Byren?'
Piro turned to the main entrance. Garzik must have been watching because, at that moment, the doors parted and Byren entered, dragging a low-wheeled wagon. Canvas covered the fabulous manticore chitin which was piled high as a man. Garzik and Orrade followed.
'What's this?' Captain Temor muttered.
The king's old honour guard fell silent as they waited for Byren to reach them. The few servants stopped their work and watched curiously. Was Cobalt surprised to see Byren? Piro stole a quick look. He had gone very still and his expression was blank, as she watched his features settle into a look of mildly amused surprise. It would have appeared charming, if she hadn't watched him deliberately assume the expression. It was as though he'd selected it, as you might select an outfit for a special occasion.
She shivered.
'King Rolen, Queen Myrella.' Byren greeted their parents formally. He nodded to the others present, his face unusually grim. 'A gift for King Rolen, from your second son.' With a flourish he pulled off the canvas cover. 'Enough manticore chitin to fashion a complete set of armour.'
Everyone gasped.
'Looks like you've killed a whole pride,' Captain Temor marvelled.
Byren nodded. 'A male, two females and five juveniles.'
'Amazing. And you not only live to tell of it, you bring me their chitin!' King Rolen marched over to join him. 'But how is this? I thought you were visiting Dovecote estate, not hunting manticores.'
'The manticores were hunting us.' Byren did not so much as glance at Cobalt. Piro didn't know how he managed it. 'I was unlucky enough to come across a pride, but the goddess smiled on me and, with help…' he nodded to Garzik and Orrade, 'the hunters became the hunted. So here I am.'
Their father beamed. 'You must tell me how you three lads killed a whole pride.'
'We had help,' Byren said.
'And Piro killed one on her own!' Garzik announced.
King Rolen's eyes widened. His honour guard muttered, astounded.
'Eh, my little Piro.' King Rolen chuckled. 'Your mother was right to name you after Pirola the Fierce!'
Piro glanced to her mother, who was looking at her as if she hadn't really seen her before.
'Did you set traps, Byren?' Temor asked.
'In a way. But first, I must bring something important to your attention, Father.' Byren waited until they all fell silent. 'King Rolen, I have reason to believe one of your trusted advisors has been hiding untamed Affinity.'
'What?' the king stiffened. Their father had known these men since they were boys, fought beside them thirty years ago. The only new advisor was… 'Illien? You're accusing your cousin Illien, Byren?'
Her brother nodded.
'Byren!' their mother whispered, shocked.
'Why, Byren?' Illien said sadly. 'What have I ever done to you?'
Piro had to bite her tongue.
'I'm only doing my duty, Illien,' Byren said. 'If you do not have Affinity, then you have nothing to fear.'
'Exactly,' Cobalt agreed. 'Send for the warders, Uncle. I insist!'
Cobalt was not acting like a man about to be exposed. Either he had nerves of steel or… was it possible to fool the warders? A nasty feeling settled in Piro's stomach. Had Illien learnt some technique in Ostron Isle, where Affinity was accepted and put to use? No, that wasn't possible. In her studies she had read of instances when warders exposed foreigners who were renegade Power-workers, disguised as simple merchants.
Both Halcyon and Sylion warders were sent for and there was general muttering while everyone waited. Though the old honour guard moved away from Cobalt, isolating him, the king stayed at his side. The queen edged closer to Piro to whisper, 'What's going on?'
'Does Cobalt have Affinity?'
'Not that I've sensed. He's — '
'Walled. I know. Perhaps that's because he's been cloaking it all this time.'
The queen shook her head. 'I'd know. I can't believe he could hide this from me. Why is Byren attacking him?'
'If you can't look into Cobalt's heart, look into Byren's,' Piro urged.
Her mother crossed to Byren. Taking his hand in hers she asked something softly. Piro followed, curious. As Byren went to answer, he frowned and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The queen made a soft noise of pain in her throat. She swayed.
'What's wrong, mother?' Byren asked.
She shook her head and reached out to steady herself. Piro caught her hand, helping as Byren led her to a chair.
'Do you need a drink, mother? Is it one of your Turns?' Byren asked gently. 'Should I send for Seela?'
The queen shook her head. Byren squeezed her shoulder then rejoined the others.
'Well, mother?' Piro whispered.
The queen looked up, eyes swimming with dread. 'I have always sensed Lence's shadow beside Byren. It's missing. I fear Lence — '
'He's fine. Or he was when we left him at Dovecote,' Piro said. They were a good body length from the men and it seemed the right time to explain about the manticore attack, but just then Byren spoke up.
'Why don't you ask why I accuse you, Illien?'
'I imagine you have your reasons. When I am cleared of this ridiculous accusation, I will — '
Nun Springdawn arrived, with Monk Autumnwind on her heels. They crossed the great hall, their slippers making no sound on the flag stones, then dropped to one knee in front of her father.
'You sent for us, King Rolen,' they spoke in unison, one voice high and clear, the other deep and aged.
'Yes, Warder Autumnwind, Wardess Springdawn,' the king greeted them formally. 'Byren Kingson has made a serious accusation. I want you to test Illien of Cobalt for Affinity.'
The two warders exchanged startled looks.
The queen rose and rejoined the group. Piro followed, certain whatever her mother might feel for Cobalt, this would be outweighed by her feelings for Byren.
'As you wish, King Rolen,' the monk said. They both came to their feet and turned to Cobalt.
'Beware,' Piro spoke up.
All eyes turned to her.
'He may be hiding his Affinity. I've heard it can be hidden behind walls.' She kept her voice firm while inside she quailed, wary of revealing knowledge which might lead to her own exposure.
'It is good to know my many hours of tutoring have not been wasted,' Springdawn said proudly and Piro had the grace to blush. When she had been the nun's pupil Springdawn was more often frustrated than pleased with her diligence. 'But it takes years of training to develop a wall. He may have some natural shielding. Some minds are born with it.'