Allegiance (River of Souls 3)

Of course. The cells would have listening devices. They could talk but only with great care.

“Two of your company died,” his father said. “Kappel and Theiss. We nearly lost Ault as well, but the king sent his own physician. He will mend, though slowly.”

“What of…” He dared not mention the names of those other guards, the ones he had relied upon to carry word back to Tiralien, in case his plans failed.

“The rest of your company is safe,” his father said.

“And my friends?”

His shadow court. Emma and Benno. Eckard. Ilse.

His father shook his head. “We can talk about them later. Are you hungry?”

An obvious deflection, but he found he was not ready to hear more bad news. “Starving.”

“So I suspected.”

His father signaled. The attendants came forward with a tray of meat pastries, a flask of broth, and a vast dish of noodles seasoned with bits of spiced lamb. At the duke’s command, they set a tray on the cell floor next to Raul and withdrew. Raul ate slowly, savoring each mouthful, as he listened to his father’s report of the past three weeks.

News of Dzavek’s death had arrived, as expected. Károví was in turmoil, with various factions maneuvering for control. The most disturbing detail was a rumor that Dzavek’s senior general and commander of the armies, Duke Miro Karasek, had vanished days after he received a summons from the council. There were further reports of two women who had attached themselves to Karasek’s household. They, too, had disappeared.

Ilse. Ilse and Valara Baussay. I was right.

“As for you,” his father said. “The king agreed to a public trial.”

Raul paused in devouring the noodles. “He does? He believes me innocent?”

“Oh, no. I had to threaten him before he would agree.” Duke Kosenmark’s lips drew back from his teeth in a feral grin. “Lord Khandarr wants you dead. He’s presented evidence, or so he claims, of your treason. Armand might believe him, but he cannot afford to divide his court or his kingdom. So. The trial starts in ten days. I have insisted on a proper examination of the evidence. Witnesses to your character, and your activities these past six years.” The grin faded. “We have some difficulties, however. We … We cannot act as freely as I would wish. Letters, for example, must be reviewed by Lord Khandarr. All interviews are subject to his approval. And he has rejected several witnesses as unsuitable or unreliable.”

Raul finished off the wine and set the flagon aside. “That is not good. What else?”

“There is not much more to tell. Lord Khandarr, on the king’s authority, has sent out warrants for the arrest of various … how did he phrase it … persons suspected of consorting with the enemy. He intends to hold them until the outcome of your trial. Then there are those such as Lord Joannis in Fortezzien, who deny having had any dealings with you.”

Raul drew a sharp breath. He ought to have expected betrayal. But Joannis. Someone who had written so frequently and so passionately about peace.

Ah, Nicol. I should have guessed you were afraid. You told me as much a year ago. I only hope you have not betrayed anyone else.

“Have any others died because of me?” he asked.

“Many of your friends have seemingly vanished.”

“How many?” Raul repeated. “Three? Five? A hundred?”

His father closed his eyes. His mouth settled in thin unhappy lines, sending a cascade of folds and wrinkles over his face. It gave Raul a sudden shock to see, clearly see, how his father had aged in the past six years.

“No word from Tiralien,” his father said softly. “Khandarr has set a watch on both cities, but I believe all your friends there are safe. I cannot say the same for Melnek or Fortezzien. The king insists there will be no secret murders, but you and I know better. My guess, since you ask, is more than a dozen, less than a hundred.”

Raul bent over his knees, weeping softly for the dead.

His father laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I am sorry.”

“So am I. I am sorry I led my people into death.”

“The legacy of the commander,” his father said softly. “I know it well.”

They were silent a moment.

Then, Raul asked, “What of our family? I thought I saw—”