“I already told you. That war is coming.” I held out my injured arm. “And this is your proof.”
But Gregor saw it differently. “The pirates must be open to negotiation. Otherwise, they’d have just killed you when they had the chance.”
“It seems their king wants to handle that part personally.” I didn’t dare to think of what that might involve, but it probably wouldn’t end up being my best day ever.
Walking again, I angled toward a rear entrance of the castle, used mostly for the transport of prisoners, their visiting families, and dungeon vigils.
“Where are we going?” Gregor asked.
“I want to speak with Bevin Conner.”
Gregor’s eyes widened. “Right now? In your condition?”
“He’s seen me in worse shape.”
“What could you possibly want with him?”
“Does the king need his servant’s permission now?” I asked.
“Of course not. It’s just —”
“What?”
“Jaron, you destroyed everything that man wanted.” Gregor’s tone had softened now. “You know what he’ll do if you see him.”
I set my jaw forward. “After what I’ve been through tonight, do you really think he can hurt me any worse?”
“Oh yes,” Gregor said solemnly. “He can and he will. Tell me what you want from him. I’ll get it while you rest.”
The idea that I might find any rest tonight was becoming increasingly absurd. I asked Gregor, “Do you know why the pirates tried to kill me four years ago?”
“Conner confessed it all, sire. He hired them, hoping to force your father into a war to protect our borders.”
“Clearly, the pirates haven’t forgotten their agreement.”
Gregor clicked his tongue. “Then tonight wasn’t about war. They intend to kill you.”
I picked up the pace and muttered, “Everything started with Conner. And if there’s any hope of ending this, I need his help now.”
Since I’d had him arrested on the night I was crowned, I hadn’t seen Conner face-to-face, and I wasn’t looking forward to this reunion. Neither was he, apparently. For no matter how much I dreaded having to look at him again, at least I disguised my anxiety. Conner wasn’t even trying. He looked absolutely terrified when he saw me enter.
As it was, I had felt no sympathy when he was convicted for his crimes. After the trial he had been granted his request to be held separately from the other castle prisoners. Now, he remained in isolation in a locked tower room where I was told he spent most of his time looking out over the land through a small and filthy window.
Conner had a chain around his ankle and was thinner than when I last saw him, although I’d made sure he was fed and allowed the basics of hygiene. Yet his beard was ragged, and in the dim light of flickering torches, I was sure I could see gray hairs. I’d never noticed them when we were at Farthenwood.
Conner gave me a slight bow. “King Jaron. I’d ask if you are well, but frankly, I’ve seen you look better. And drier, for that matter.”
“I’m perfectly well, thanks for asking.”
“To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”
“It smells like a sewer in here so I’ll be brief.” Looking directly at him, I said, “Was King Vargan ever part of the plot to kill me four years ago?”
The fear melted away, leaving a wide sneer on his face. “No. The pirates didn’t want Avenia involved. They don’t like working with Vargan unless they have to, and they figured Avenia wouldn’t want a part of my plan anyway.”
Avenia was certainly involved now. According to Vargan, it suited their mutual purposes.
“Tell me again about the night you killed my family.”