Passion Play (River of Souls 1)

He drilled every day, Ilse reminded herself, as she and Ault helped Kosenmark arm himself. He knew knife and sword and unarmed combat, and he was taking a squad of guards. Whatever danger he faced, he was not going unprepared. Still she had a sick feeling as Kosenmark gave her a cheerful wave and departed.

As though he guessed her thoughts, Ault set Ilse to learning a new and complicated sequence of knife strikes and blocks. It took them another hour before she could go through the pattern without reminders, and another hour before she felt comfortable with the moves. “You have it,” Ault told her. “Now practice it slowly.”

She was tired and hungry and far sweatier before Benedikt Ault dismissed her. “You’re quick but you think too much.”

“How can I remember the patterns unless I think?”

“Practice, Mistress Ilse. Practice until your body remembers for you.”

They agreed to meet again in two hours, after supper. By then, the sun would have set and the air would be cooler. Torches would give them enough light, Ault claimed, and if not, well, it was good practice for her.

She was halfway to the baths when a runner intercepted her. “Mistress Ilse.”

Lord Kosenmark was her first thought. “What happened?”

The runner shook his head. “Nothing. That is, Lord Dedrick came for Lord Kosenmark. They told me you would know where to find him.”

“He’s not here. He had an important visit to make.”

But at her answer, the runner glanced around nervously. “Could you speak with him? He seemed rather anxious.”

He should be anxious, Ilse thought as she followed the runner up to the second-floor parlor, where Lord Dedrick waited. She had no idea what she might tell him, other than Lord Kosenmark had gone on an errand. Saying “a curious matter” would provoke him.

Dedrick stood with his back to the door, hands clasped behind him, while he examined a painting on the wall. Ilse paused and knocked softly. The moment she did, Dedrick spun around. “Where is Raul?” he demanded.

She took a deep breath. “Lord Dedrick, I’m sorry, but Lord Kosenmark is not at home.”

“Did he say where he’d gone?”

Ilse glanced at the door. The next room appeared empty, but a vent by the fireplace doubled as a listening pipe, and there were peepholes as well. “To investigate a curious matter, my lord. He should be back by dinner. Will you wait for him, or would you prefer to leave a message?”

Dedrick turned pale. “What curious matter? And where did he go? I have important news.”

“I’m sorry, Lord Dedrick, but Lord Kosenmark didn’t tell me.”

“He did. I can see by your face.”

Ilse bit back the angry retort that came to her lips. Dedrick was clever and stubborn. Soothe the man and he might go away. Provoke him and he would probably lash himself to the doorpost until Raul returned. “Can you tell me the news?” she said in a soft voice.

Now it was Dedrick who peered into the next room. Ilse closed the door and led him away from the fireplace. He bent close and in a soft voice said, “The watch found one of Lord Kosenmark’s couriers dead in the harbor. His throat was cut.”

Her stomach lurched at the news. “Who?” she whispered. “When?”

“I don’t know his name. Faulk wouldn’t tell me. All I know is that the watch discovered the man’s body this morning. Faulk heard of it … however Faulk hears these things.”

Khandarr’s agents, she thought. Or someone in alliance with Khandarr. They must have intercepted one of Lady Theysson’s messages and used it to create their own false message. He suspected that. He’s not going into the trap unaware.

“I have more news,” Dedrick said.

“More?”

“Armand has summoned Lord Iani to court. Benno left Tiralien yesterday. He and Emma didn’t want to be so obvious as to come directly here, so they sent word through the usual channels.” He paused and ran his hands through his hair. “Raul didn’t answer. And he always answers. T

hat’s another one of his tests. Send word, wait for a reasonable reply. Benno couldn’t wait. He left for Tiralien by sundown, but Emma set Faulk to investigate. That’s when he discovered what happened to the courier. Now will you tell me where he’s gone?”

Ilse hesitated. Dedrick had the look of someone who would not leave unless dragged out by six of Lord Kosenmark’s strongest guards. She spun around and marched out the door, Dedrick followed close behind. “You cannot walk faster than me,” he told her.

Ilse ignored him. She skimmed down the corridor to the nearest runner. “Fetch the guard captain,” she said. “Have him bring a squad. Hurry!”