Free Sanctuary by Rowena Cory Daniells Page B

pale light of dawn. He sat up slowly as he tried to work out what was going on. They were less than a day’s ride from the Celestial City and his dozen king’s guard were surrounded by at least forty of the baron’s men.
    ‘Your sentries need to be more alert,’ Jaraile’s kinsman told Sorne. At Kerminzto’s signal, the two sentries were sent to join the rest of the king’s palace guard and one of Kerminzto’s men built up the fire.
    The baron sat opposite Sorne, perching on a fallen tree trunk. The sword tip did not waver. ‘I’m going to ask some questions and I want honest answers, Warrior’s-voice, or whatever you’re calling yourself now.’
    ‘Sorne will do.’
    ‘Sorne, then.’
    Kerminzto was around forty years of age, and he had come to the barony within the last two years, when Jaraile’s father dropped dead unexpectedly. Sorne didn’t know much about him. During the Wyrd Campaign, Kerminzto had kept quiet, not drinking to excess and not presuming on his relationship to the queen to claim favours. He’d struck Sorne as a sensible man. It was precisely because he did not presume on his relationship with the queen that Sorne had recommended Charald name him one of the five people to guide Prince Cedon in the event of the king’s death or, as appeared more likely now, if the king became incapable of ruling.
    ‘Are you King Charald’s unwanted half-blood son?’ Kerminzto asked.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Was the king born with a half-blood twin?’
    ‘So his enemies claim. I can’t vouch for the truth of it.’
    ‘Is Prince Cedon dead?’
    ‘No. The Wyrds returned him with his club foot healed. He’s fit to take the throne.’
    ‘Has King Charald lost his mind?’
    Sorne hesitated.
    The sword tip dug into his throat.
    ‘His wits come and go. When his piss turns the colour of port-wine, he raves.’
    Kerminzto nodded. ‘Can the saw-bones –’
    ‘He refuses to see one, and the apothecaries offer cures based on arsenic, purges and blood-letting, all of which leave his pockets lighter and him worse off than when they started.’ Sorne thought he saw a glimmer of amusement in the baron’s grey-blue eyes. ‘Why –’
    ‘I ask the questions, half-blood. What are you doing on the road to the Wyrd city?’
    ‘Nitzane sent me to summon the barons in King Charald’s name. He’s leading a strike against Eskarnor’s estate...’
    Kerminzto laughed bitterly. ‘You’re too late. Eskarnor didn’t ride north to his estate. He took Jaraile to the Wyrd city. He invited all the barons to a feast and killed off any who would not give their oath of allegiance.’
    ‘How many joined him?’
    ‘How would I know? I was fighting for my life.’ Kerminzto spat in disgust. ‘I imagine that by now Eskarnor will have given our men-at-arms a choice – swear loyalty to him or die. I’m expecting many will desert, when they get the chance.’
    ‘How many escaped?’
    ‘Again, I can only speak for myself. I’d sent the majority of my men home to bring in the harvest.’ Kerminzto gestured to himself and his men. ‘There’s us, and I have several watching the road. I only escaped with this many because we left the city via my palace’s lake gate and swam for it. A few of my men couldn’t swim. They’ll be spying for me, if they get the chance to send word of Eskarnor’s movements.’
    Sorne’s head spun. ‘Do you know his plans?’
    ‘I know his plans for me.’ Kerminzto gave another bitter laugh. ‘There’s a spike on the causeway gate waiting for my head. And Jaraile believes her son is dead.’
    ‘Poor Jaraile.’ Sorne had promised the queen Prince Cedon would be returned whole and healthy. Now she’d think he’d failed her. Which he had. Sorne should have anticipated that Eskarnor would take her. ‘But Eskarnor won’t hurt her as long as she’s useful –’
    ‘Oh, she’s useful, all right. She carries his child. But I know Jaraile, she’s a good girl. She’d never let Eskarnor into her