In the Ruins (Crown of Stars 6)

“And her mother?”

“A daimone of the upper spheres. I am surprised to hear you ask.”

“It was once a closely guarded secret.”

“Yes, once it was. Back when we still held some measure of control over her. Anne took you into the Seven Sleepers. I am not surprised that you lived, when others died, but I am surprised you ask me questions you must already have heard the answers to.”

“Folk may lie.”

“I am shocked to hear it.”

Lord Hugh chuckled. “Is it safe to let you live, Eagle?”

“Oh, indeed it is. I would even call it necessary.”

“Think you so?”

“Of course I must. Leave us be, Lord Hugh. We have nothing you want.”

“No, no,” said the other man musingly. “I’m not sure you do have anything I want.”

She felt warm breath on her neck and heard the merest croak of the step just above the one she stood on, where it had a wobble.

o;It’s true I do not like to see such bright creatures imprisoned by cruel masters.” Wolfhere sounded bored beyond measure, tired of the game. “What do you want, Lord Hugh?”

“Where did you come from? How did you get here?”

Wolfhere sighed.

“You were seen last in the company of Brother Marcus and Sister Meriam. You ran from them. Yet now you appear here, with Meriam’s granddaughter in your care. Where were you? How did you escape the cataclysm?”

“Fortune favored us,” said the old man dryly.

“You were least among the Seven Sleepers. Cauda draconis, the tail of the dragon. They told me that you were too ignorant to weave the crowns. Is that true?”

“Yes, it’s true. I was never taught the art of the mathematici. Mine was the gift of Eagle’s Sight, and of the skills necessary to a messenger who spends his life on the road. Thus, I am peculiarly situated to survive long journeys through hostile lands.”

“Why should I believe you?”

“It matters little to me if you believe me or not, Lord Hugh. Why should it? The battle is lost, and Anne is dead.”

“Thus your purpose for being.”

“Thus my purpose for being,” said Wolfhere in a flat voice. “What is it you want? Or are you merely here to gloat?”

“It’s true I have no liking for you, Eagle. You stole from me the thing that is rightly mine. I mean to have it back.”

“How will you accomplish that? Liath is dead, is she not? Like the others.”

She heard the other man take in a raggedly drawn breath, sharp and sweet. “Not dead. Not dead.”

Abruptly, the old man’s tone became edged. “Where have you seen her? How do you know?”

“Where have I seen her? In Wendar, my friend. Standing beside the bastard who calls himself king.”

“I have heard the tale of Henry’s passing. I wasn’t sure it was true.”

“Oh, true it is, and the prince of dogs crowned and anointed by Mother Scholastica herself, although I think she was not best pleased in the doing.”