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“Where are we going?” Jalissa trotted at his side, though she didn’t complain about the pace he was setting. “Should we not be heading for a door or a window or something?”
“We will soon, but we need to make a stop first.” Edmund glanced around before he took a corner and headed into another wing of the castle. “It’s risky, but I think it will be worth it.”
Jalissa’s eyebrows scrunched, but she quickened her pace.
A few more turns, and Edmund halted and knocked on a door. At this point, he really hoped this gamble would pay off. He didn’t want to admit it to Jalissa yet, but he felt…off. Not in pain or sick just yet. But an off feeling spread through his stomach, though that could be his imagination playing tricks on him.
King Solan had consumed far more of the poison, and at over seventy years old, he would likely feel the effects more quickly. They didn’t have much time to get out of the castle before it was locked down due to the king’s “illness.”
The door opened, and a guard stood there. He blinked, only a slight lift to his eyebrows betraying his surprise to see Edmund and Jalissa standing there at this hour. “Can I help you, Your Highnesses?”
“We need to speak with your lord immediately. It’s urgent. May we step in?” Edmund resisted the urge to push his way into the room.
The guard hesitated for a moment before he nodded and stepped aside, letting them in.
Edmund, Jalissa, and Sarya stepped into the sitting room, and the guard closed the door after them. “If you will please have a seat, I will wake my lord.”
With a nod, Edmund sank onto the couch, Jalissa at his side. Sarya took up a position at the door, ready to protect them from whatever came.
After a few minutes, the door to the bedchamber opened, and Lord Crest stepped into the sitting room, tying the belt of his dressing gown. “Your Highnesses, you wished to speak with me?”
“Were you sincere about your wish to improve relations with Escarland?” Edmund held Lord Crest’s gaze.
“Yes.” Lord Crest drew out the word as he sank into the chair across from them.
“I have information you might find interesting. In exchange, I would like your promise that you will work with Escarland when I contact you once I return to my kingdom.” Edmund relaxed against the couch as much as he could with his pack on his back, trying to pretend he was nonchalant instead of tense.
Lord Crest’s eyebrows shot up, though the expression seemed more feigned than true surprise. The man was canny, that was for sure. “What is this information? And why would it be worth something that could possibly be considered treason?”
Edmund continued to hold Lord Crest’s gaze. “My information could give you and the Consular Prime the means to wield power over the king, if you have the chance to be prepared.”
Lord Crest studied him for yet another moment before he motioned to his guard. “Please, step outside.”
The guard nodded, spun on his heel, and stepped outside, clicking the door shut behind him. Sarya took up her post in front of the door once again.
Edmund leaned his elbows on his knees. “Crown Prince Jimson poisoned his father with ricin tonight. In a few hours, your king will fall ill. Depending on his strength and how much poison was in the brandy, your king will be dead in a day or two.”
Lord Crest’s eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise this time. “That is…unexpected.”
“I suspect that King Solan was attempting to rein in his son’s schemes after the debacles of the assassination attempts and the mass poisoning in Kostaria, and the crown prince decided that is was simpler just to dispatch his father than continue to seek his permission.” Edmund shrugged, his tone light as if he wasn’t talking about murder and assassination.
“Do you have any proof?” Lord Crest crossed his arms, his gaze steady. “It will be your word against the crown prince’s that he poisoned his father.”
“No, I don’t have proof.” He wasn’t about to mention that he had been poisoned as well. He didn’t trust Lord Crest that much. “But why would I poison your king? Escarland has defended herself, but we have not been the aggressors. If you will look at your kingdom’s recent history, you will see that assassination and poisoning is more your thing than Escarland’s.”
Lord Crest hesitated, as if unwilling to admit that fact to an Escarlish prince. Finally, he gave a short nod. “Jimson will try to pin the poisoning on you. Running off in the middle of the night won’t look good.”
Then Lord Crest had guessed they were in the process of fleeing the castle. The packs and traveling clothes they were all wearing were a rather obvious giveaway, even if Edmund hadn’t said anything about leaving.
“It can’t be helped. We can’t risk staying here. As you said, it is my word against his, and I’ve seen what your kingdom does to those it labels as Escarlish spies.” Edmund couldn’t help the angry note that crept into his voice.
Besides, even if he thought he could bluster his way out of the crown prince’s allegations, there was the poison currently coursing through his blood. Unless he wanted to end up as dead as King Solan, he needed to get to an elven healer as soon as possible.
Lord Crest studied Edmund for another long moment. “This is, indeed, important information. But what you ask in return puts me at great risk. If I am caught conspiring with Escarland against my king, then I will be accused of treason. That would greatly impact my ability to capitalize on the changes in the kingdom.”
“True.” Edmund had known this would be the sticking point. “Once I return home, I will send you a message to set up a meeting between your king and mine. At that time, I will provide the proof you will need to keep your new king’s power in check. All I ask is that you aid with setting up that meeting on your end, nothing more.”
Lord Crest eyed him, as if trying to decide if he could have Edmund searched and get the proof now, rather than later.
