“I think Consort Blake was exaggerating or maybe trying to be funny. But if you really can’t eat what they brought you, I’ll tell someone to go to the kitchen and find you something else. Maybe some bread and cheese? Could you eat that?”
“Oh yes, would you do that? I’m kind of hungry. And something to drink too. Not that awful tea stuff, though.”
I shook my head but smiled and pulled out my communicator to send a message. He did need to keep up his strength. And if today went as I thought it would, he’d have a long day ahead of him.
“How are you feeling this morning?” I asked.
“Better. Just a little weak. The doctors said it was because I lost a lot of blood in the attack, but that medicine they gave me is great. My wound is almost healed over. I’ve never seen anything like that before. They’re going to let me leave in a while if I still keep improving.”
“What do you remember about the attack? Did you see who it was?”
He shook his head. “It was too dark.”
“Describe to me what happened. Everything exactly as you remember it.”
“I warn you, it’s not too much. I was just sitting there, listening to Larz argue with his family. The storm outside wasgetting worse, and I could hear Larz getting angry. Everything was pretty intense, especially when he got in the fight with Mikos. Then the lights just flickered off and the whole place was so dark, you could barely see anything. I heard Larz make a funny sound, like he was hurt, so I stood up to try and see him better, but I couldn’t see anything. Somebody was in the way, and I realized it was Majesty when I touched his back and felt the long braids. I grabbed him by the shoulders, pushed him back down in his chair for his own safety and stepped over him to get to Larz.”
“Who are you are referring to as His Majesty?”
“No, just…Majesty. It’s a name I call Consort Janos. It’s like a nickname. He was the king when we first met, and I was young.”
“As opposed to your vast age now.”
“I’m in my twenties.”
“All right. I stand corrected. Go ahead with your story.”
“Somebody was still moving between me and Larz. I thought Larz was in danger, so I kept shoving at whoever it was and trying to get over to Larz to help him. Suddenly, the way was clear, and I managed to get my arms around Larz. He was moaning and trying to sit up. I turned to get help and that’s when I felt a sharp jab in my back. It hurt so much that I cried out and turned to push with both my hands to get whoever it was off me. But just that fast, I started getting dizzy, and I felt like I was going to pass out. So I sat down in the nearest chair to me and—I don’t know what came next. After that, the pain was bad, and I felt dizzy.” He glanced up at me. “Then you were there, and I-I don’t remember much after that.”
“You have no idea who knifed you? You never saw his face?”
He shook his head. “No, I didn’t see anything. Not really.”
“You said you heard Prince Larz moaning and somebody got in the way…was it Janos?”
“Yes, at first, but I pushed him back down. Then I tried to go help Larz.”
“Any distinctive sounds or smells you recall?”
“Smells? No, I don’t think so. I’m not sure, though. It-it all happened so fast.”
“All right,” I said, standing up. I was a little surprised at how much I didn’t want to leave him. I pushed the feeling back down and turned toward the door. “I’ll see about getting you more food. But eat whatever they bring you in the meantime, Taran. You need to rebuild your strength.”
“I don’t have much appetite.”
“Force yourself.”
He gave me a surprised look but finally nodded.
“Good. I hear the guards outside. I’ll send one of them up to find you some food. I imagine your parents will stop by too.”
“Wait,” he said, as I made it to the door. “Will there be another meeting today? I’d like to be there.”
“I think the king may talk to Prince Larz privately today at some point. But you’re in no shape to be there. You need to rest.”
“Yes, that’s right,” came Larz’s voice from behind me. I had been focused on Taran and hadn’t heard him come in.
“You need to stay in bed today, according to what your doctors just told me,” Larz said. “And my father sent word to me this morning that he wants to see me privately. Do you have any idea what that’s about?”
