- Chapter 29: Handling Spontaneous Diplomatic Visits -
The day's trek was hard, harder than the Lady Sarah's statement of her plan had prepared them for. For the whole of the day, each of the Cypress guards alternated between endless tramping on swiftly wearying feet and jarring rides in the wagon, each bump in the path rocking their bodies and knocking the hard wood of the seats in repeated blows against their hindquarters.
The centaurs were the partial exception, of course, though even they eventually tired of the hard pace. Varmo noted this during his rounds outside. He almost wished he could stay outside himself, despite the fact that such forced, tiresome trudging seemed an insult to his dignity. The fact was, things were still more uncomfortable inside.
This had mainly to do with Binuto. For the first time, the lot of them had the displeasure of his company on the wagon ride, and that alone was enough for Varmo to yearn a bit for walking the thrice-damned road. To make things worse, Binuto now had a disfigured face, and made absolutely no effort to cover up the injured half, or even keep it in the shadows. Not even the way Lana cringed in disgust and horror at the sight fazed him in the least.
Even when Binuto was outside the wagon, Varmo kept silent. Though the plan Halron had suggested(an apology, followed by a gentle appeal for mutual trust) seemed to have worked well enough on the others, Varmo still had his doubts about being a leader. Even as far as his plan to deal with Binuto went, he wasn't confident. While the others didn't trust Binuto, they no longer actually distrusted him. Varmo could read the attitudes of a mob, and this one was no longer against Binuto. That meant they might greet supposed evidence of wrongdoing on the callous human's part with suspicion. Certainly Lana and Theo would. A frame-up was therefore out of the question, which meant that by the time Binuto's evil intentions were confirmed, it might well be too late.
This was especially troubling when he began to consider it from Binuto's position. He had no opportunity to do anything while they were on the road, with the other guards constantly on the watch. But once within Emild's castle walls, they would all inevitably lower their guards a bit. Even Varmo himself would probably be too relieved at seeing a proper bed again to remain constantly wary. That gave Binuto opportunity.
If I were in his shoes, I'd see if this King Ian is as paranoid as His Majesty suspects, and if he is, kill off an Emild guard and set up Halron for the blame. ...Except, of course, that that might result in Emild declaring war on Cypress. And of course, given that Binuto seems to have deserted his post at Castle Cypress to exact revenge on a fellow soldier of Cypress, I think it's safe to say that Binuto's sense of duty is at least somewhat less binding than mine.
Once we step into those castle walls, it's not just Halron's life that's at stake. It's all of Cypress.
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Dawn had to admit, Grawler was already proving his usefulness. No doubt due to his experience as a bandit, Grawler seemed every bit as adept a scout as Halron. Perhaps more so; Dawn wasn't one to judge. More importantly, he knew the lands of Emild, and was able to set a much easier path for them than they would have been able to figure out on their own. He stayed focused on his task, as well, which was a relief. Perhaps it was vain to even think it, but she had been a bit worried that he might spend most of his time furthering his advances towards her.
Most likely he was just playing around yesterday, she reflected. I shouldn't have paid any attention to Theo's remark. That young man doesn't even realize when he's being mocked a healthy percentage of the time.
She turned those thoughts aside. Their mission was more important.
She felt confident that Natasha would have done no differently with regard to Binuto than she had; it was natural to be suspicious of the human's forcing his way into their party, and she could not allow her teammates to be at risk.
Then again, Natasha probably would have dealt with the problem differently. Didn't Lana call it "conspiring"? She's not totally wrong about that. Not the sort of thing Natasha would have done. Especially since it's so passive... I've been thinking, and I'm sure Varmo has too, that Binuto might get his revenge by betraying us to King Ian. If all of us are in danger, there has to be something better than watching and waiting for Binuto to make his move.
Being betrayed to Emild is unlikely, though. Binuto has committed desertion, and if our suspicions are at all justified, he plans murder as well. But there's a massive difference between those things and high treason. We have no reason to think Binuto would go that far.
Still, she knew Natasha would be ashamed of her. If not of the plan itself, at least of the way she had treated Theo and Lana. It was her right as commanding officer to have their unquestioning obedience, but a good commander won obedience in other ways. Natasha would have...
Enough about Natasha. I'll never measure up to her, so what's the use? Besides, she was so emotional. It's what made her strong, what made her a great leader, but it would make me weak.
Maybe I should try asking Varmo for advice again. He seems to have his emotions under control; he can speak with great passion, but he doesn't let his personal feelings take hold of him.
"A coin for your thoughts, fair lady?"
Dawn started. She had neither seen nor heard any sign of Grawler's approach, yet he was now walking right by her side. "Shouldn't you be scouting the area for enemies?" she asked sharply.
"Your friend Halron is taking a turn at that for an hour or so. I think I deserve a little break, don't you?"
"I suppose." She turned to face ahead, hoping her lack of interest might discourage him. Natasha would reprimand her for her unfriendliness, of course, but Natasha wasn't around.
"You seemed rather lost in thought just now," Grawler said.
"I am, at least by my official rank, the leader of this escort. There are many responsibilities on my head."
"That's admirable."
"What?"
"It's admirable. That you're so dedicated to your responsibilities, I mean."
Dawn sighed. Maybe Theo's remark wasn't so far off after all. "Grawler, forgive me for being so blunt, but... Don't you think you're a little old for me?" She would gauge the raider as being in his mid-to-late twenties.
He chuckled. "Forgive you? If you ask me, some bluntness is pretty refreshing. I'm sick of lies and double talk."
Given his background, I suppose he would be. Perhaps he wants to turn his back on that path? I hope so.
"As for your question... My father was a whole two decades older than my mother. Makes our age difference look puny, doesn't it?"
"No," Dawn retorted. "It just makes your father look like a disgusting predator."
Grawler laughed loudly at that. It wasn't an annoying laugh, though; he clearly wasn't forcing it in a misguided effort to get her to lighten up, nor was he taking undue hilarity from the image she had presented. It was more like he was simply laughing at himself, seeing himself in his humble measurements.
"I reckon he may have been one, at that, fair lady," Grawler yielded. "You don't think I'm the same, do you?"
She hesitated. "I don't know. Either way, I'm sorry, but I'm just not interested."
"Oh. There's someone else, isn't there?"
"Can't I simply not be interested in someone nearly old enough to be my father?" she snapped.
He shrugged. "I'd think that if you weren't already involved with anyone, you wouldn't totally dismiss someone before you even know them."
"This may surprise you, but I'm over a year short of the age where most centaurs are married. Your last years of life in which you can be considered attractive to the opposite sex may be slipping away like the last grains of an hourglass, but mine are not. I'm in no hurry for a suitor."
"Again, love the bluntness." He smiled, but weakly. "I'm sorry to hear what you're saying, though."
Dawn felt she should say something to that, but couldn't think of anything. In truth, she was a bit flattered, if only because it was rare that any man showed that sort of interest in her, but she certainly didn't want Grawler to know that. She didn't want to chastise him any further, either, given that his romantic advances had to all appearances been made with honorable intent.
The sound of wings flapping made them both look up. Claude was coming in for a landing in front of them.
"Pardon me for interrupting whatever discussion you two might be having," the birdman said. "Sergeant Dawn, I just thought I should inform you directly that I'm heading back to Castle Cypress."
"What?" she exclaimed, actually rearing back. "Just like that?"
"Not at all," he replied. "I've already discussed this with the Lady Sarah. Not counting myself, this escort force has grown from six soldiers to eight, with the additions of Binuto and Grawler. You're not shorthanded any more. This was always a temporary assignment for me, anyway. King Nicholas has another mission for me."
"What kind of mission?"
"Sorry - it's secret." He smiled. "It was good working with you and Jaha again, even for such a short time."
"I... Likewise," she said, almost hiccuping the latter word. It surprised her, but she felt actually aggrieved at Claude's leaving. Perhaps it was just that he was a very likeable person, and that she had been unconsciously looking forward to Lady Sarah, Claude, Jaha, and herself being reunited with May and Chester in Emild. Why, she couldn't imagine... but that campaign somehow felt like a happier time in her life, in a way.
Claude bowed his head. "I wish you well, until your return to Cypress." His wings beat the air, carrying him away.
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They arrived the morning of the next day, as planned. An elf met them at the gate; to Dawn's disappointment, it was not Chester.
"We didn't expect anyone from Cypress," the elf replied to her introduction.
"His Most Glorious Majesty, King Nicholas II, extended the offer of a proper diplomatic meeting to Emild on several occassions," she returned. "His Majesty King Ian did not deign to reply, so we have come here for the sake of both our nations."
"I think I understand. Please wait here."
"Wait," Dawn said as the elf turned to go. "Your king... do you think he's... all right? If you understand what I mean..."
He considered. "His Majesty is dealing with some very difficult situations, right after suffering the death of his father. And he is young. That is all."
"It is good to hear that."
They waited, her and Halron, while the four other Emild guards watched them silently. "Do you think he spoke the truth?" the beastman asked.
"I don't think he lied. However... the number of guards at the gate has nearly doubled since my last time here. That might mean something. Or it might not."
Halron grunted in acknowledgement. A minute passed in silence. It wasn't unpleasant, but she could feel an unsettling aura of danger before them, and judging by his manner, Halron felt it as well. Not for the first time on the trip, she wished that Jane or Vyra were there to boost her spirits. Or Natasha. Though probably none of them would be happy with her for supporting Varmo. Jane would be furious.
"Back when I was in prison..." Halron spoke up. "You were the one who defended me in front of Binuto."
She waited a moment, not immediately realizing that was all he had to say. "I wish I could say I did it for you," she replied. "The truth is, I just hated Binuto's behavior. That sort of thing shouldn't be tolerated."
"Still, you said that I didn't deserve that kind of treatment." He nodded his head. "Thank you."
"I..." She was about to reiterate that it hadn't been for him, but with thoughts of her three friends fresh in her mind, she could hear them laughing in gentle reprimand of her foolish preciseness. So she corrected herself, "You're welcome. I didn't do it to make you feel less alone, but I'm glad that's what it did."
Before their conversation could proceed any further, a dwarf dressed in surprisingly fine clothing approached. "Welcome to Emild," he said, smiling with enthusiasm. "I am King Ian's advisor, Akron. His esteemed Majesty was not expecting you, but we are quite ready to serve all of you lunch, and His Majesty has extended an invitation for you to join him."
"All of us?" Dawn echoed. "Not just the Lady Sarah, but her attendants, and all her guards?"
"That is correct. His Majesty dines in roughly two hours. Do you accept?"
It was a surprisingly generous offer, even for the most benevolent of kings. "His Majesty is most gracious," she replied. "But, if there is time before we are to eat with him, I would hope for a chance to speak with one of the Emildians whom I met in my first visit to Emild, either May or Chester. We would like to be brought up to date on the recent doings in your country, and I'm sure that would be most easily done by someone who knows us and knows how far our knowledge of Emild extends."
"And it would be good to see a familiar face, wouldn't it?" Akron happily agreed. "Certainly, I can arrange that. May is most likely free at this hour; I'll have her sent for, and inform His Majesty and the cooks to expect her for lunch as well. Anything else?"
"Thank you. I'll speak to Lady Sarah to see if she accepts."
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"All has been going well in Emild, then?" Lady Sarah asked May as they walked through the castle halls, Dawn and Varmo on either side of the noblewoman, the other six guards and the two attendants following behind.
"I wouldn't say that," May answered with a grimace.
The Lady Sarah had given them permission to speak freely while they were with May, so Dawn asked, "Why, what's wrong?"
May gave a wary glance around. "Please don't tell anyone I discussed this with you, or even alluded to it, but... Chester has been imprisoned."
"Chester! Why?"
"He was caught digging through His Majesty's papers. Included among them was a seditious letter from a noble, Lord Albert, so Chester's actions looked suspicious indeed."
"That's troubling news," Lady Sarah said, while Dawn pondered why May didn't sound more upset over it. "How certain is it that he committed the deed?"
"There's a trustworthy eyewitness. It's not a perfectly solid case, but believe me, Chester is guilty." She frowned to herself. "What's troubling is that he was so conveniently caught in the act."
"How do you know he is gui-"
"Ah, here we are." May turned and opened a set of double doors with a key, leading them inside to a modest-sized gallery. "Ian's picture is the one farthest to the right in order... in other words, the only one on the right wall."
Still following, but increasingly puzzled by May's apparent contentment, Dawn prodded, "Aren't you upset about Chester?"
"Of course, but I'm confident that he'll be punished fairly for his crime. Besides, it's best that you're not able to see him. You see, Chester is... is the only Emildian to claim that King Ian's father was killed and then impersonated by an Iom worshipper. If you told me the truth about the king's death, then you should avoid seeming to be in conspiracy with Chester. And if you lied, then I'm glad that Chester won't be able to pass his ill-gotten information on to you."
Dawn looked behind her, worried that the others would be outraged at May's cold lack of trust. Most of them had only quizzical looks, however. Which made sense, she supposed, since the only one who knew May at all was Jaha. Who, apparently bored of listening to all their big words, had wandered off to peer at and prod every corner of the gallery. Only the Lady Sarah, Varmo, and herself seemed to comprehend what May was doing: speaking carefully in case of spying ears, while subtly warning them of the suspicion they were under. After all, May had trusted their story of Gordon's impersonation before, and there was no reason why she would suddenly distrust it now.
"It really is a very good likeness of him," May said, looking up at the painting of King Ian.
Guessing that May was probably making that remark for a purpose, she took a look. The man in the painting was handsome, tall, imposing, with a broad sword held at rest in one hand. She glanced to the left, at the portrait of his father. They were both handsome, but Ian was certainly the taller and more imposing, in spite of the fact that King Ian was a youth, while his then newly-crowned father was well into adulthood.
For the first time, Varmo spoke up, "What... exactly... do you mean by 'a very good likeness'?"
May smiled with quiet fondness(tarnished by a subtle touch of regret) at the painting. "Well, His Majesty was very pleased with it when he saw it."
"I see." A faint smile curled Varmo's lips. Dawn found it oddly disturbing. "I suppose he enjoys the thought of foreign visitors seeing it."
"Indeed. I think you understand."
"Whoa!" They all jumped at Jaha's rude exclamation. "Who the heck is this bloated royal?"
"Jaha!" the Lady Sarah snapped, making him start. "Come here. You will speak with respect in the presence of our hosts or not at all. I don't know what you're doing over there in the first place."
"Sorry," Jaha said ashamedly, looking up at Dawn rather than Lady Sarah. "I just got carried away." His voice fell to a whisper. "And really, it's weird! All the other kings are so slim; it's just this one guy who's enormous!"
"Interesting," Dawn said dryly. In truth, though, she was thankful for Jaha's enthusiasm and carefree attitude; they lightened her spirits. May's subtle hints of danger and Varmo's strange behavior had both been unnerving her.
As they filed out of the room, May said, "I assume you've all met Sir Akron?"
"Indeed we have," the Lady Sarah answered. "I don't recall him from my first visit to Emild, years ago, and Dawn and Jaha tell me that he indeed was never advisor to His Majesty's late father. That would make him new to the position, I gather?"
"Very new," May confirmed. "Not just as advisor, but to the high court of Emild as a whole. Yet he rose quickly in His Majesty's esteem. Our dear King Ian relies on him for advice on every sort of matter." Her face twitched. "Well, 'relies' is too strong a word, perhaps. King Ian is too wise to place complete trust in anyone, save his siblings of course, and Helen."
"Helen?"
"His old nurse. King Ian has the strength and wisdom of an adult, but in some ways he is still a child. He clings to people and things from his childhood. They give him the emotional support to continue his... very difficult work."
Varmo spoke up again, "And the difficulty of this work is why he hasn't consented to discuss trade agreements and such before now? Because he has been too busy with internal affairs?"
"I cannot speak for His Majesty; you'll have to ask him that yourself. It does seem the most likely explanation, though."
"Yes. And yet..." Varmo paused, as though considering, but even her relatively brief acquaintance with him was enough for Dawn to recognize his hesitation as staged. "...yet despite his focus on internal affairs, His Majesty doesn't seem to have had much success in getting rid of the bandits."
May's whole expression broke into one of shock. "What do you mean, bandits?"
"Oh, you didn't know that your country has several bands of merciless raiders?"
"Yes, of course I knew that, but..." May stammered. "You don't mean that you actually ran into one of these bands, do you?"
"Verily."
"Two of them, actually," Lady Sarah added. "They are the reason Binuto is using a hood to shade over the right side of his face."
May paused. "It's odd that you would run afoul of them on such a short journey. Unless, of course, they targeted you. Then it's odd that they would target a small diplomatic party. Did you bring valuable gifts for His Majesty?"
"No. The most gracious Nicholas II believes that the terms we have come to offer King Ian are gift enough for Emild." It was easy to guess why; Emild was not yet an ally, and was comparatively small in importance to mighty Cypress.
"Of course. Then as I said, it's odd that they would target you." She stopped at a door. "Now, I assume you all would like to meet Kailena, our minister of foreign affairs."
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Their meeting with the minister was fairly uninteresting; Kailena seemed cordial, and good at her job, as far as Theo could tell. Varmo was still behaving in a manner that made his flesh crawl, though. With anyone else, Theo would have counted the vote of Dawn's trust as proof enough to ease his worries; she was hardly the gullible sort, or even the trusting sort. But with Varmo, he just found it hard to believe that her trust wasn't in the wrong place.
After bidding farewell to the minister, they made their way to the dining room, and the twelve of them(May, the Lady Sarah, Lady Sarah's two attendants, and the eight guards) stood before their assigned places at the table until the king arrived.
There was also Akron following behind, but King Ian caught Theo's attention far more. He had handsome features, the gentle mop of brown hair on his head belying how dangerous they all seemed to think he was. But he seemed vaguely weary, dropping himself into his chair rather than carefully sitting. He was not even half the imposing man in the painting. The rest of the room followed his example and sat down.
The king frowned. "Why did you all wait until I was seated to seat yourselves?"
"We know that Emild doesn't believe in strict formality, Your Majesty," the Lady Sarah said. "But given that this is Cypress's first meeting with you, I thought it appropriate to begin with a demonstration of our respect for your regal personage. It is my understanding that you had not been prepared to assume the throne at the time that it fell to you, and the dedication to your people that you showed by accepting that burden is noteworthy all by itself."
"I see..." Ian said with obvious hesitation, looking at her oddly. "Well, you may all consider yourselves welcome to Emild. It is... an unexpected pleasure." He began eating.
"Surely you must have somewhat expected this, Your Majesty. The emissaries you sent us were completely unprepared to make trade negotiations, a matter which should be settled as soon as possible in light of the recent changes in power in both our respective nations."
Ian started. "You... mean to settle that matter now, then? Over our meal?"
"Of course not, Your Majesty. This is an informal lunch. I am available at Your Majesty's convenience for the whole of the afternoon."
"This afternoon," the king said flatly, and gave a weak smile. "I'm afraid that I already have far too many pieces of business demanding my intention this afternoon, Lady Sarah. Ordinarily I would have arranged to attend to you as soon as possible, but given your unexpected arrival... unexpected in its timing, at least... I'm afraid it's not possible. Perhaps tomorrow."
"I am quite willing to speak with a group of your ministers who are qualified to work out a trade agreement instead, Your Majesty."
"No. This is altogether too important a matter for me to not oversee it myself."
"Understood." Lady Sarah paused to tend to her meal. Theo fidgeted, already uncomfortable with the king's excuses for delay, even as he told himself that they were all perfectly reasonable. Nearly as unnerving was the way Varmo kept nodding at King Ian and smiling. There was a certain sickening smugness in the smile, but mainly, it reminded him of the smile one sometimes sees on the face of a warrior just as he realizes that he has left himself open to a painful blow.
Theo was keeping his fidgety hands under the table for the most part, bringing them out only to quickly stuff mouthfuls of food in. He nearly flinched in shock when another hand touched his under the table, but then he recognized it as Lana's. Sensing her anxiety, and wanting to ease his own, he clasped her hand in his.
"Allow me to remind Your Majesty," Lady Sarah resumed, "...that there is also the lesser matter that our military alliance is still awaiting your final approval. Since it should take no time at all to deal with, I propose that matter also be addressed immediately following the trade agreements. You have, of course, reviewed the military alliance?"
"Ah..." the king began.
"Because I would assume that, given the serious troubles your nation is facing in this time of change, Your Majesty would at least have the common sense to secure a military alliance with a neighboring nation as soon as possible," she pressed on. "The people of Emild must be protected, must they not?"
Akron sharply nudged King Ian with his elbow. "Yes, of course," the king answered, planting a clenched fist on the table. "Yes, I have reviewed the alliance your chief general drew up. We can certainly settle that in our first formal meeting."
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The Cypress expedition was provided a comfortable set of rooms to spend the night in. Lady Sarah had her own room, while the boys were split between two other rooms, and the three girls shared a fourth. A pair of guards were posted by Lady Sarah's room, each of the eight guards being assigned one of four watches. Dawn and Jaha took the first watch.
This left Varmo to announce his plan to his two roommates, Halron and Grawler.
"We've got to get out of here. Immediately."
Grawler stretched his limbs, accompanying it with a half-yawn. "What's your hurry?"
"King Ian means to get rid of us," he said, pacing around the room. "At his first opportunity, he'll make it look as though we've done something terrible, snooping around for sensitive information or something like that, and that will give him all the excuse he needs to hang us."
"What makes you so sure?" Halron said.
"Because that's what I'd do in his position," Varmo answered, fighting the lump in his throat. Get a grip on yourself. Halron is your friend, and Grawler is a bandit. Neither one is going to be bothered by your... your moral weakness.
Halron sighed. "What makes you think King Ian would make the same choices as you?"
"Everything. The ludicrously inaccurate painting with its clear attempt to... to intimidate. The care he took with answers to the easiest of questions. The delaying tactics. Though we only seek advantage over him through normal diplomatic means, and offer far more benefit than harm, he fears us. And he's not secure enough in his own power to let us be, to play the game the way..." He took a moment, struggling for the right words. "...the way decent society has decreed it should be. It's just like with Yeesha, my friend."
"Yeesha?" Grawler echoed, scratching his head.
"A long story," Halron assured him. "Varmo... why this revelation all of the sudden? How are you suddenly seeing this negative perspective of yourself?"
"I don't know. I took a look at that painting of King Ian, and it all started to click, I... I see myself in him. And I must admit, I'm anything but impressed." He sighed. "I could never see it before. This whole experience, being forced to work with you all as just a common fighter, it... it's made me step back from myself for the first time." He shook his head. "That doesn't matter right now. We have to convince Lady Sarah of the danger and get out of here immediately, before King Ian makes his move."
"Look, I'm not the brightest egg of the bunch," Grawler put in. "...but isn't that a bit hasty? King Ian didn't look all that unhinged to me."
Halron nodded. "And assuming we can manage an escape, fleeing right in the middle of negotiations will cause an international incident. It's a slight chance of saving our lives against a certainty of damaging Cypress's diplomatic clout."
"Weren't either of you paying attention to May?" Varmo said impatiently. "She was trying to warn us. King Ian is that paranoid, and we already know he hired bandits to kill us."
"No, we don't. Lady Sarah suspects that, but -"
"Lady Sarah suspects, and May suspects, and it fits the whole deal with the Blue Dragons dragging their asses across this stinking country just so that they can slam a lone wagon filled with Cypress soldiers!"
"Varmo, calm down."
Grawler raised an eyebrow. "Does he always change the whole way he talks when he gets upset?"
"Damn it, I'm scared!" Varmo burst out in a near yelp. "I know we have a duty to Cypress here, but they're going to kill us! All King Ian needs is the right excuse."
"Look, pal, maybe King Ian learned his lesson after the Blue Dragons failed. Your Lady Sarah was doing a pretty good job of intimidating him, and he has to realize you're suspicious of him now and will be watching for him to do wrong again."
"Wait a second," Halron mused. "The right excuse..."
"Halron?"
"I just realized something. Right now, Jaha is on duty. That means Binuto is in a room with just Theo and Lady Sarah's attendant... neither of whom is particularly suspicious of him." His fist clenched. "They'll go peacefully to sleep. Giving Binuto the perfect opportunity to betray us all."
Varmo sat down on a bed. "I knew I should have found a way to frame him before we reached Emild castle."
"Did you? And how would that have been different from what you did to Yeesha?"
Varmo tried to think up an important difference for a moment, then simply flopped face down on the bed. "...Dammit."
Gods, why can't I be a strong leader, like King Nicholas? Why do I always bend to fear and malice?
The sound of the door opening made him lift his head. "Halron, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to check on what Binuto is up to."
"By yourself? Don't be ridiculous. If you catch him in the act, how will it look to the others when you're the only witness?"
"It'll look pretty good to Lady Sarah, I think. So far as she knows, the only difference between the two of us is that Binuto abandoned his post at Castle Cypress. Besides, it might work out that I can call some of you to get a look. The point is, neither of you have my stalking skills. If either of you come along, Binuto will hear us and we'll be back where we started."
"But..." It was a solo enterprise. After working with the rest of the group, Varmo knew how intrinsically risky that was. He would have been killed if it weren't for Grawler killing his "mount" in the last battle, or Jaha shielding him from arrows, or Dawn fighting off attackers... He didn't like the idea in general. And he specifically feared the prospect of Halron getting into a fight with Binuto alone. Yet he couldn't think of a better idea.
"Stay here. If anything goes wrong, check on Lady Sarah first, then get Dawn."
The door closed behind Halron.
"Is he trustworthy? Halron, I mean?" Grawler said.
That was a thought. Varmo still had little reason to trust Halron, and this was a good enough excuse to rub out Binuto...
"No," Varmo said with resolve. Then, remembering what Grawler's question had been, he amended, "I mean, yes! Yes, he told me in as many words that he wanted nothing from Binuto but to teach him a lesson and turn him over to Lady Sarah. He wouldn't have lied to me about that." With a sigh, he lay back down on the bed. "What I wouldn't give for a good bottle of wine and a nice glass to pour it in right now."
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Footsteps.
Halron had confirmed that there was no one awake in the room shared by the other men. Listening at the door was enough to tell him that much, and he wasn't willing to raise an alarm by either knocking or breaking the lock. That left him to wander the corridors in search of Binuto.
He had been doing that for a few minutes when he heard them. Very soft, very subtle, so much so that it was doubtful even his trained ears would have caught the sound if he hadn't been listening for it. Whoever the footsteps belonged to, it was someone who wanted, above all else, to avoid discovery.
Halron didn't stop walking. Whoever the footsteps belonged to could be watching; he had to act normal. Moving along, he heard...
...Yes. Definitely. I'm being followed.
A game that two could play. Halron had already been stepping softly, in case there happened to be an Emild soldier nearby. His follower shouldn't find it amiss if those steps went from soft to silent. He took a side-step, placing each foot with care not to make the slightest noise.
Proceeding in similarly silent manner, he worked his way around a large pillar. His ears picked up the sound of his stalker's footsteps, and determined that they were still proceeding in a straight line, right towards where he had been.
As the footsteps passed by the pillar he was hiding behind, Halron took a peek.
Binuto. Perfect. Almost perfect; it would have been good if I could summon the others as actual witnesses. But Varmo will vouch for me anyway, and the word of one who abandoned his post is meaningless.
He reached forward and seized Binuto by the arms. "Sur-"
He nearly screamed as Binuto leapt backward into him, pulling a dagger out almost by sleight of hand and driving it into his shin. Before he could retaliate, Binuto sprang forward, the sudden reverse in momentum allowing him to slip out of Halron's grasp.
"Thought I might find you up to no good tonight," the human said, stashing his dagger and drawing a sword instead.
"You took the words right out of my mouth," Halron snarled, assuming a battle stance. "I think you know I've been looking forward to crushing you for a long time. But this isn't the place. We're liable to get the attention of the Emild guards, which won't be good for diplomatic relations. So I'll give you one chance to go back to your room and stay there."
"And leave you to your business? I don't think so. Besides, why draw this feud out any longer?" He hefted his sword. "Let's finish it, Dantom's nephew."
