Iain’s mind had once overflowed with knowledge.He taught me everything, but now it was like he was just – gone.
‘Did he teach you how to make fine-looking swords too?’
‘Yes, his father was a blacksmith, and we had a forge by the Red River.’
Lord Warwick became quiet.I felt like he was trying to decide if he should trust me.
‘I had thought that one of my captains’ soldiers would win,’ he admitted.‘I wanted to connect with the people of Murus, so I invited them to send their champions to the tournament.We, of course, never expected someone of your skill to compete.’Lord Warwick tugged at the neatly trimmed bristles on his chin.He was weighing his words carefully.
‘How much do you know about why I’m here?’he asked cautiously.‘Did you know an unknown assassin killed my wife?’
I shook my head, a little shocked by his admission.
‘She was Princess Hera, daughter to the old king and sister to the queen who has been unwell for many years,’ he said, then hesitated.
Princesses?Queens and kings?I tried to remember what little my father had taught me about Pedion royalty, but I came up short.
‘I’m an excellent judge of character, and I believe you to be honourable, Caris.I witnessed you show mercy to your opponents, and you fought with courage.I also trust my captains, who have been with me since my wife died.They were the ones who suggested my family and I take refuge in my ancestral home.They also believe you would not harm me or my family, but they are unsure of why you are here.What I’m trying to say is – can I trust you?’
‘I swear to honour the oath I made to you,’ I assured him.‘I would never hurt your children or you, my lord, who I believe to be a good man trying to protect his family,’ I said, not breaking eye contact with him so he could see the truth in my words.‘Yes, I entered the tournament for reasons I do not wish to disclose, but I swear those reasons have nothing to do with you or your family.’
‘If your reasons are of no consequence to me or my children, then I will not demand you to reveal them.They are your own to keep.’
Lord Warwick leaned forward in his chair before he spoke again.‘What I’m about to tell you, only Captain Torgrin and Captain Atlas know, and now I tell you so you may better understand your role here.’
I nodded to show that I understood and that I would be discreet.
‘It is believed that King Goa of Ephemeros sent an assassin to kill the queen, but that he made a mistake and killed my wife instead,’ he said.‘I do not believe this to be the truth,’ he stated, anger seeping into his words.‘Queen Yaris did not produce any living heirs, and my brother-in-law, King Hared, has a precarious hold on the throne because of it.If the unwell queen dies, the throne will go to the next male descendent – my son, Wolfe.’
I realised how little I knew about the kingdom I grew up in, and swore I would rectify this as soon as possible.
‘King Hared has a son, but he is illegitimate.When we had only two daughters, I agreed our eldest daughter, Bethel, would marry his illegitimate son.This would ensure the throne was secure witha descendent of the old king.My daughter would eventually be queen, and Goodwin, King Hared’s illegitimate son, would become Pedion’s next king.’He leaned back in his chair before continuing.‘There was some tension when we were blessed unexpectedly late in life with our son,’ Lord Warwick sighed.‘Neither my wife nor I had wanted to undermine the throne.We assured King Hared we would honour our deal, and Bethel would still marry Goodwin.We did not intend to claim the throne in our infant son’s name.But things have changed in recent years.Certain members of the Order of Men have heavily influenced the king.They have resurrected the hunt and persecution of the Cursed.’
My heart was beating faster.‘The Cursed?’I asked, gripping the arms of my chair.
‘You are likely too young to know much of this nonsense, but hundreds of years ago, many people supposedly possessed powers,’ he explained as I tried to relax my grip on the chair’s arms.
‘When men stopped being born with such power, they grew jealous and afraid of their powerful wives and daughters.Soon, any girl who was born Cursed was pruned.’He sounded bitter.
‘A century later, very few Cursed women existed, and those left were harmless.Decades ago, my wife and her sister convinced their father, the old king, to reverse the laws that persecuted those who may be Cursed.No Cursed had existed for a long time, and they were afraid any woman could be persecuted under the old laws.’Lord Warwick sighed.‘But a few years ago, with the support of King Hared, the Order of Men began imprisoning women again.Some for having gardens that flourished too well, or for having a sick child who recovered from illness too quickly.’
I thought about Cillian’s wife who had been caught, and Millie who only escaped the hangman’s noose thanks to Torgrin.TheCursed existed, but most were harmless.My abilities were dangerous, but Cillian’s wife was simply trying to save a life, and they killed her for it.
‘My wife and I were planning to talk to King Hared.We were going to demand that he rid himself of his Order of Men advisors.If not, we would no longer allow our daughter to marry his son.’
‘You think the king, or the Order of Men, are guilty of your wife’s murder?’There was so much to take in, but I could see why he was fearful for his children.
‘I have no proof, but yes.’
‘So, where do I come into this?’I asked, wanting to help but feeling unsure of my role.
‘We expect that there will be a command from the king any day now.A command that Bethel return to Capita and marry Goodwin.If she does not go, I fear for my son’s life.’
He was losing a child either way.How did Bethel feel about having to marry this Goodwin?
‘I will not let my daughter go into the wolf’s den alone, so I need someone to protect her.You’ll be by her side until she is married to Goodwin, and the throne is theirs as promised.I can only hope Goodwin is a better king than his father, and that things in Capita will improve in time.I know this is beyond what you might have imagined.’He surprised me by giving me a small smile.‘It was because you’re a woman that I realised I could trust you.There is no way that the king or the Order of Men would send a woman assassin.’
‘If they are that hostile towards women, how will they receive me as your daughter’s guard in Capita?’
