Free Fey 02 - Changeling by Kristine Kathryn Rusch Page B

clothing resilient to stains and wear and water.   "I'm asking how the country responds when a king dies."
    Adrian let out his breath.   He suddenly wanted to sit very badly.   He had been in his early twenties when the last king died, and it had affected him not at all.
    "They'll send criers from the palace all over the country and announce the death.   The new king will be crowned, and life will continue."
    Rugar placed his hands behind his head.   "No one will mourn?"
    Adrian shrugged.   "I think that's personal.   There is an official period of mourning, but I suspect very few will mourn Good King Alexander."
    Rugar tilted his head toward Adrian, still looking relaxed, but tension filled his body.   "And why is that?"
    "Because —" Adrian took a deep breath.   It was at moments like these he most resented the order to tell the truth.   "Because he allowed the Fey on Blue Isle.   Because so many died under his reign."
    "But I have been told by many Islanders that he was a good king."
    "He was," Adrian said, "until he was tested."
    A slow smile crossed Rugar's face.   "Is this common opinion or your opinion?"
    "Mine, obviously," Adrian snapped.   "I haven't exactly had a chance to canvas the countryside."
    Rugar didn't seem to notice the sarcasm.   He, like Jewel before him, seemed to believe that it was acceptable, even necessary for Adrian to express himself that way.   "Your opinion is based on what?"
    "My situation," Adrian said.   "If Good King Alexander had defended us as was his duty, I would still be at home with my family."
    "Or dead," Rugar said.
    "Sir?"
    Rugar stood so quickly Adrian took a step back.   "I think Alexander did his job.   The Fey have always taken countries.   Your king prevented us from conquering you.   If he hadn't stood in our way, you would probably be dead."
    "He didn't stand in your way.   That was the Rocaan and his magic holy water."
    "So the people will think that the religion saved them and their government failed them."
    "Yes, sir."
    "And they will not mourn."
    "No, sir."
    Rugar nodded.   He clasped his hands behind his back and paced in front of the door.   "What of his son?"
    "What of him?"
    "How will the populace accept him?"
    "They have no choice, sir.   He is the next king."
    "Are you saying they'll be reluctant?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "Because he is Alexander's son?"
    "Because he married a Fey."   Adrian bit his lower lip.   Married Rugar's daughter.   "Sir."
    Rugar stopped pacing and looked over his shoulder at Adrian.   "So the government will be unstable."
    A log popped in the fire.   Adrian jumped.   He made himself take a deep breath before answering Rugar.   "Not unstable.   Unpopular.   There is a difference."
    "Unpopular governments lead to overthrows," Rugar said.
    Adrian shook his head.   "Not here.   The King is a direct descendent of the Roca.   The line has been unbroken for hundreds upon hundreds of years."
    "And what of your Peasant Uprising?   It was an attempt at an overthrow, was it not?"
    Adrian licked his lips.   He never completely understood the Uprising.   "It was, as I understand, a group of peasants from the Marshes who tried to get the government's help, couldn't, and took matters into their own hands."
    "An Uprising, you call it."
    "It was not an overthrow."
    "It didn't succeed."   Rugar leaned on the door, all grace and easy movement.   Adrian always felt stiff and awkward compared to the Fey.   "And what if there were a new Uprising?   What if it succeeded?"
    Adrian felt cold despite the heat of the fire.   A heavy ball lodged at the pit of his stomach.   "What did you do?" he whispered.
    Rugar smiled slowly.   The smile did not soften his face; instead it made him look fierce.   "What do you care?   You live in Shadowlands."
    "My son lives outside them.   What did you do?"
    "Such a rude way for a servant to speak to his master."
    Adrian took a deep breath.   That was a warning from Rugar.   And warnings were