Free Finder: First Ordinance, Book One by Connie Suttle Page A

escaped on fleeing mounts, so Rath sent some of his guards out to track them.
    The horses told the tale better than clothing or other items—they were bred for speed and endurance in the south. Runner was of that stock, although not a purebred.
    "No surprise," Amlis growled. "Yevil would kill me on his own, even without Father's goading."
    "He is a dangerous man; Tamblin has no idea how much evil stands at his elbow every day," Rath sighed. "You shouldn't have survived this attack—weren't meant to survive it," Rath eyed Amlis and Rodrik. Rodrik turned away from his father's bald statement. Neither he nor the Prince spoke of Finder's warning. "Six good men lost, too," Rath's voice accused. Rodrik stalked out of Amlis' room.
    "Any reply to the message?" Amlis asked quietly after Rodrik's abrupt departure.
    "Not yet. But we may not get one."
    "You think they'll ignore it completely?"
    "It's possible," Rath lifted the wine bottle and poured a cup, sipping from it thoughtfully. "Who knows what might have come after the slaughter? If Tamblin received any message, he never shared it with anyone and truly, not many know who was in Tandelis' chamber that day. Only a few of us are left—the others are dead as you well know."
    "Yes. Mother buys many lives with her silence," Amlis agreed, flopping onto the chair before the fire. "But Father still seeks to take mine anyway."
    "Your father, boy, is a fool, as is your brother for following at his heel. What can he hope to gain with your death? I cannot see it." Rath drained his wine cup and set it down with a thump. "Your mother won't say it, but you can bet that whatever happened that day, Yevil's arms were bloodied to the armpits with it. They don't die easy, Amlis. At least that's what I've always heard."
    "The old physician in Lironis says that Finder may be Lady Rinda's child, and that Father sent her to the kitchens out of spite."
    "The child was in Tandelis' chamber?" Rath stared at Amlis.
    "Along with a second child, but the physician didn't know who that one belonged to. Likely dead with the others, too."
    "Didn't know, or didn't say? Damn, I wish your mother would speak. Anyone else who might know who had babes at the time is dead. Except for that old sawbones. What made you go and ask him?"
    "I didn't. Rodrik did."
    "So, your page may be royal born, but no way to get Tamblin to admit it. Doesn't matter, the girl is mute and illiterate. No chance of finding a decent match for her, now. She has nothing to offer any prospects."
    Except her gifts, which are astounding , Amlis silently added. He wasn't about to inform Rath of Vhoorth that had he listened to Finder, things might have turned out quite differently on the road. And, if she hadn't leapt in front of an assassin's dagger, he might not have lived to regret his actions. "You'll have to give her up, you know, when you wed Mirisa," Rath added thoughtfully.
    "I know. I was hoping Mother would keep her." Amlis heaved a regretful sigh.
    "If I know Omina, and I do, she'll take the girl in. If for some odd reason she won't have her, I think I can find a place with my cook or housekeeper. The girl's not hard to look at and can't carry tales, after all."
    Rath poured another cup of wine while Amlis carefully hid his distaste. Amlis was more than aware of Rodrik's hesitation around his father, and he knew the reasons. Rath's wandering eye upset Rodrik's mother regularly and Rodrik despised his father for it. He'd convince his mother somehow, to take Finder in. After all, the girl was more than useful, and she'd saved his life twice.
    * * *
    Rath of Vhoorth saw us off the following morning, after I'd eaten a little and had my right arm tied securely to my side. Irvin, who'd frowned the whole time he'd explained to Rodrik how to change my dressings if he were forced while on the road, provided extra strips of linen.
    The physician also handed over a skin filled with willow bark tea and told Rodrik how much to give and when. Rodrik