Free Lady Warhawk by Michelle L. Levigne Page A

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each other in an effort to maintain their control. Meghianna toyed with what her sister had said,
all the long ride to Welcairn Castle and from there to the coast. She had plenty of time to think,
because the boys were in their element, surrounded by soldiers who made a valiant effort to
entertain the sons of two such royal ladies. Mrillis rode between Pirkin and Markas, talking, and
though Meghianna tried to listen, she couldn't pick up one word. That meant Mrillis employed a
shield so that no one could hear what he told the two kings.
    Markas plans to travel back to Lygroes with us, Mrillis reported. That will
nicely cover the convoy of ships crossing the sea. It's time for his annual visit with Glyssani and
Efrin. He's looking forward to Athrar meeting his niece and nephew.
    Poor Athrar, having nephews and a niece close to his own age. I've caught the boys
teasing each other a few times already. When Athrar wants to lord it over Lycen, he insists he's
his uncle. When Lycen wants an advantage, he insists he's the older brother.
    I'm glad they can tease each other, he said after a moment. Athrar will
need both his brothers when he stands before the Warhawk's court.

Chapter Four
    Meghianna ached for Mrillis. Though Pirkin and his three sons had come to greet the
travelers and help escort them from Welcairn to the seaport, Ynessa and little Ynfara had not
joined them. She knew how much Mrillis had looked forward to seeing the little girl, and Ynfara
had been heartbroken at not being able to see her great-grandfather as well.
    "It's Lynzette," Pirkin confessed, speaking in low tones to Meghianna.
    They sat in a shadowy corner of the harbor inn's main room, which had been taken over
by their entire traveling party. It was crowded and too warm, and noisy enough to make her head
ache--meaning it was perfect for a private conversation. Pirkin watched his sons, who had made
themselves honor guards for Athrar, Lycen, and Megassa's four boys, and had already fallen into
the role of older brothers to all six boys. He leaned close, so his shoulder pressed against
Meghianna's, and weariness colored his tone and face.
    She noted that Pirkin no longer referred to his stepmother as "Mother". She wondered
how long that had been going on. Probably since all three sons had shown strong imbrose , and Lynzette had flown into a rage that had been gossiped about for
moons.
    "Ynessa isn't feeling well, and she decided to stay in Goarlotte, much as she wanted to
see you and Grandfather again. Ynfara cried herself sick when Lynzette announced that a little
girl couldn't go on such a long trip without her mother." Pirkin shuddered. "Sometimes I wonder
if Ynessa's illnesses aren't a little too convenient. To keep us from...breeding more half-bloods,
as some relatives have said far too loudly in my hearing."
    "And as King of Goarlotte, you can't react to such filthy talk without causing more talk,"
Meghianna said, shaking her head. "Is there any way of getting her out of your castle, sending
her back to her relatives, without causing a scandal?"
    "Short of finding evidence of our suspicions? We try to keep her away from Ynfara and
the boys as much as possible, but it's hard. She puts on such a sweet, grandmotherly mask. The
boys know she's a fraud, but Ynfara... A girl needs a grandmother," he added with a shrug and a
weary smile, meeting her eyes for a moment.
    It was common knowledge that Pirkin's stepmother hated Mrillis, as the symbol for all
things magical. She had blamed the enchanter when King Pyris had died, though she had refused
to send for Mrillis to try to heal his former son-by-law. Her family was proud of their pure
Noveni blood, viciously anti-Rey'kil, and they had never forgiven Pirkin for accepting his imbrose and the fact that he was related to Mrillis. Meghianna imagined Lynzette did
everything she could to keep Mrillis away from her grandchildren.
    "I wish I could have hosted you all at Goarlotte, openly," Pirkin said,