The king, Trian and Gorim were already waiting for them. The heir's face showed disappointment, even anger, so Sigra could find out easily that they didn't have any evidence from the prisoner that pointed towards Bhelen. Gorim stood there with a calm expression, barely looking at his lady.
King Endrin addressed his younger children as they stepped in together.
'Where have you been?'
'Father' Bhelen bent his knee before him. 'I apologize for not coming here at once. I followed Trian's orders to stay in my rooms first, but then I received some good news. You all should be informed that I've sired a son. Little Ansgar is in my quarters with his mother and uncle right now.'
'Some casteless scum, I presume' Trian murmured. Bhelen looked at him with a dignity he rarely showed before.
'You are speaking of my concubine, big brother. They are family to us now. Not that you have sired any children yourself…'
Trian, who hated women in general and hadn't allowed anyone in his bed for decades, stared at him with open hatred. The king had to interrupt:
'It is good news indeed, my son. You'll inform Harrowmont that they are going to live with us from now on. But now I want you to swear that you had nothing to do with the treachery in the Deep Roads and that you haven't left the palace since we arrived back.'
'I swear upon the Ancestors. May the Paragon Aeducan curse me himself if I'm lying.'
Sigra was horrified to hear his brother forswear himself so easily. Trian seemed angrier than ever, but he didn't object. They must have come to an agreement before with the king, the princess realized. She didn't know then, what was going to happen. Dear Ancestors, had she known…
'Very well then. I believe you.' The king smiled upon his youngest child. 'And as a father, you shouldn't be seconding your brother anymore.'
So they are at least removing him from Trian's service, Sigra thought. Good decision. He'll have less ways to move against him from the distance… He should be closely watched, of course, but that won't be my problem.
'Thank you, father. I won't disappoint you.' Bhelen looked like the winner of the day. 'I guess it means both Trian and I will have to choose a new second…'
'I have already chosen mine' Trian said. 'I'll take Gorim.'
Blood froze into Sigra's veins. Gorim seemed also shocked. It clearly showed that he had no idea about this change, but it wasn't his place to object. It was Sigra's place.
'Nonsense. Gorim belongs to me.' She tried to look firm and strong, but she couldn't look at his elder brother's eyes for very long.
'No doubt you'll soon find another warrior to fornicate with' Trian's words were like a slap in the face. 'Gorim's with me and that's final.'
'You have no right…'
'As your elder, I command and you obey, it's simple as that.'
Sigra looked at his father for help. Endrin seemed to be embarrassed.
'I'm sorry, my daughter. It's well within your brother's rights.'
'I should have killed you, Trian' Sigra whispered.
The heir turned away from her with an arrogant smile.
'Gorim, go and fetch your belongings. I expect you to come to my quarters within an hour. And you are strictly forbidden to touch my sister once again. It's your head if you disobey.'
'Aye, my lord.' Gorim's face was like stone but it was not only Sigra who could still read it. There was no use in denying anything: their relationship was written in their eyes. They were fools to ever think they could deceive anyone.
Gorim left an awkward silence after himself. Sigra looked at the door where he left and considered running after him, no matter what. But she was a soldier who knew obedience, so she remained still.
'Looks like it's us in need, then' Bhelen winked to her with his eye. 'For me, it's a sudden thing, so I'd like to consider the person of my second… unless you have some advice for me, father.'
'You both are free to choose your men' the king said. He could not look at his daughter.
'If you'll excuse me then, father, my family is waiting for me.'
'You are dismissed, Bhelen.'
'I have to go, too.' Trian left without saying goodbye. Sigra remained there with their father.
'So it was true all along…' the king sighed.
'You mean Bhelen, father?' she had to ask.
'I mean you and Gorim.'
'Gorim is a knight!' Sigra burst out. 'Bhelen just brought a whole family of casteless into the palace, and everybody's full of joy!'
'Knight or not, Gorim is a man. If Bhelen's new concubine had given birth to a daughter, we wouldn't have even heard of her. But if you'd get pregnant and have a son, belonging to the warrior caste just like his father – what would you do, my daughter? Ask Gorim to search for a new mother for him?'
There was no good answer to that question. Sigra felt tears in her eyes.
'I shouldn't have said anything about Bhelen's plan' she said. 'He is a hero now, Trian took Gorim away from me, and I lost everything.'
'Don't forget the shield you recovered, commander. You are the hero of the day. Try to find satisfaction in it. It might be a great resolve.'
He is right. I'm not just a hurt little girl. And even if I feel like one, it's my own business. Sigra squared her shoulders.
'Very well, father. May I ask what you have heard from Frandlin Ivo?
'Several names. I've sent the guards for those people but all of them died before they could have been brought into the dungeons.'
'So that's why you asked if Bhelen left his quarters…'
'Yes, but it seems he could have no part in it.'
'He might have sent word…' Sigra remembered Faren Brosca. He could have delivered a message. 'Or he planned to silence these people long ago.'
The king nodded.
'I know. I also know he forswore himself before me and the Ancestors. He'll be watched. He won't get a second chance to hurt you or Trian. And he'll be quite busy with his new family anyway…'
Sigra had her doubts, but she didn't speak them. Part of her wished Bhelen hurt Trian where it pained him the most.
'May I leave now?'
'You may.'
'Atrast nal tunsha, father.'
'Atrast nal tunsha.'
Sigra left as fast as she could. She hoped to catch Gorim while packing his belongings. They indeed met in one of the corridors; Gorim was pale as death, but he didn't avoid her gaze.
'Gorim…'
Gorim looked around but there were no guards in their line of sight. He stopped and held her hand.
'I'm so sorry, my heart' he murmured. 'I doubt we'll get a chance to talk too often. Your brother will take care of it.'
'I won't put up with losing you, Gorim. I won't.'
'Nor will I, my heart. But there is little we can do now.'
They heard footsteps and Gorim let go of her hand.
'We cannot be seen like this. Neither now, nor anytime. But don't forget that I love you, my lady. And I always will.'
He left without waiting for her response. Sigra stood there and felt a pain that was almost too much to bear. But then determination started to shine from her eyes, making her almost beautiful. She'll keep her promise and won't accept losing Gorim – either as a second or as the man she loved. She will fight for him, for themselves. They just lost a battle, their very first one for their love… but it was only the beginning of the war she intended to win.
