AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know, I could always simply cast a spell and then we’d both have plenty of fish for dinner.” Kilron stood beside him, fumbling to get his hook tied to the line.
“No magic.”
His friend sighed, finally getting it tied off with the bait attached. He rose and cast his own line into the water. Kilron knew the rules of their outings, but he always attempted to speed things along at least once.
Rothbart shut his eyes as he listened to the warbling of birds and the wind blowing through the rushes.
His father had taught him the joy of fishing, taking him out on weekend long trips, only him and his father, to spend time together and to get away from the pressures and demands of sorcerer life. An ache built in his chest. Damn he missed his father.
Kilron had offered to take up the side trips after his parents had passed. His friend made the loneliness and memories less daunting. Rothbart was grateful for this small kindness.
And so they stood there, two men, with their lines in the water.
“I’m curious, have you perchance spoke to Lady Gertrude yet? I saw her on your list,” Kilron said.
Rothbart frowned. She was the queen’s foremost lady-in-waiting. Perhaps Kilron thought there was something wrong with suspecting her. “Not yet.”
Kilron’s eyebrows raised. “I thought she’d be the first you’d go for. What with her being Alecta’s cousin and all.”
Rothbart’s line jerked as he spun to look at his friend. “She’s what?”
Now Kilron looked even more surprised. “You didn’t know? I thought for sure Alecta would have told you back when you were, you know, together. They are quite close, after all.”
Kilron knew of Rothbart’s past interludes with Alecta. One of the few who did. Rothbart frowned. Why had Alecta kept that hidden from him?
“Alecta wouldn’t…” What was he saying? Of course she would.
“We all know that Alecta likes to hurt others.” Kilron cast him a side glance. “In any way she can. And while she may not have the means to hurt you, her cousin definitely does.”
Rothbart’s heart pounded in his chest. Could this be true? If he thought back, could he trace Lady Gertrude’s dislike for him to the time when he had stopped seeing Alecta? Perhaps. Though he wasn’t certain.
He’d thought Alecta wasn’t the vindictive kind, but then again, Kilron was right. Shedidlike to hurt. And she especially liked to hurt Rothbart.
He pulled his rod from the water, the line still empty.
“Is something wrong?” Kilron asked.
“I have an interview I must prepare for.”
He found Lady Gertrude standing on the veranda that jutted out off of the royal throne room.
“Stepping out for some air?” Rothbart asked, while tugging on his robes to smooth them.
Lady Gertrude turned, the feathers protruding from the top of her head wiggling in surprise. When she saw Rothbart, immediately her expression became wary. “Rothbart, I hope you’re not here on one of your little interrogations.”
He knew he couldn’t schedule an interview with Gertrude. She never would have agreed to meeting. The palace guard however had been more than accommodating in pointing out her whereabouts.
“I’m afraid I am.”
She reached up straightening her large bun, the fabric of her dress completely covered her hands, making it appear as if she had none at all. She lifted her chin displaying her long neck. If there was anyone on the court that resembled a peacock the most, it was Gertrude.
“What motive would I have to kill your family?” she scoffed.
At least he didn’t have to dance around it like with the others on the court. “Perhaps none. Then again, I hear you have quite the close relationship with your cousin.”
She froze, her mouth falling open slightly, then it snapped shut and she straightened. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Rothbart stepped forward, drawing closer to the woman. “You're cousins with Alecta, are you not?”
