Arrows of Promise (Kingmakers Book 2) (35 page)

“Ah, that. Well, it’s actually quite true, unfortunately.
You see, we had a fake priest come in a few months ago and was performing all
sorts of marriages and ceremonies without us realizing he was an imposter.”

Ellora looked up at him, eyes growing round as the
implications hit. “No! When did you find out?”

“Four days ago.” Edvard grimaced, the expression not just
for show. “The hard way, unfortunately. But now I have all of these young
couples who are living together thinking they’re married, children who aren’t
properly registered or blessed, baptisms that didn’t actually have the proper
authority…the list goes on. You see why I had to call for you.”

“Yes. Yes, I do.” Ellora took a determined bite out of her
eggs. “Miss Haley does as good of a job as always, I see. Edvard, I want a
complete list of what was done. I’ll straighten this mess out myself.”

“You’ll have all the help you need, I promise you that,” he
soothed. “Do you remember Troi? Good, he’s the one that’s got the list for you.
He’s been spreading the word since yesterday so you should have a line going
out the door by noon tomorrow. Request of him whatever you need and if it’s
possible to get, he’ll fetch it.”

Broden truly did feel sorry for Troi some days. It seemed
like all the man did was run around finding either information or resources for
everyone else. Did Edvard even remember that the man was a provost and had his
own section of the city to oversee?

“I’ll need a great deal of paper, an official to re-record
everything, and more holy oil than is likely stocked in that church.” Ellora
looked overwhelmed just thinking about what she would need to do. “Proper
ceremonies for all of them?”

“
Legal
ceremonies for all of them,” Edvard corrected.
“Quick, dirty, and efficient, those are the words for today.”

“That, I can manage. I think. Although I certainly can’t
manage all of it in one day, not if this has been carrying on for months. Did
the unveiling of this false priest have anything to do with your injuries?”

Edvard winced. “Yes. Everything to do with it.”

“We have ten minutes before I finish my dinner. Talk fast,”
she commanded.

Promptly, the King of Estole did just that.

Broden shared a glance with Riana and she mouthed to him, ‘I
like her.’ He grinned. He did too. She had spunk and Broden admired that
quality in people.

“Glad to hear those three are dealt with,” Ellora stated
when the story wound down. “You’re healing? Good. Now, who are these two people
at the table?”

Edvard smacked his forehead with an open palm. “Where are my
manners? I’m so used to you knowing everything that I forgot you haven’t met
them yet. Ellora, this is Broden Ravenscroft and his daughter, Riana. Riana is
Ash’s partner, Broden is Ashlynn’s.”

Ellora gave them a half-bow at the table. “I greet you,
Riana, Broden. I’ve often prayed that Ash and Ashlynn would each find a partner,
and I’m glad to see the pair of you.”

“My thanks, Priestess,” Broden responded politely.

She shushed him with a wave of the hand. “Ellora will do,
young man. Now, what are your skills? Swords?”

‘Young man’? Well, he was thirty years younger than she, so
in her eyes he must be. Broden’s smile became more genuine as he had not been
given such a nice compliment in a while. “We be archers, Ellora.”

“Archers. My. Good ones, if the twins took you as partners.”

“We’ve never seen their equal,” Ashlynn confirmed. “In fact,
in their minimal spare time, they train the guard and the students.”

Ellora gave her a blank expression. “What students?”

“Ah.” Ash put his fork aside and regarded her with a canted
head. “Ellora, what was the last thing you heard about events here in Estole?”

“You won against the second army that came against you earlier
this year,” she stated promptly. “What else have I missed?”

Edvard gave a laugh that was half groan. “A great deal.
Mercy, where to even begin?”

“I’ll catch her up,” Bria promised. “In fact, I’ll show her
about the city today so she knows where to go.”

The priestess regarded her with bemusement. “Child, I’ve
lived in this city longer than you’ve been alive. I think I know the way.”

“You don’t,” at least three people assured her in chorus.

“The city has changed a great deal in the past year,” Bria
explained. “Even we get lost sometimes. Trust me, you want me to guide you. As
we go, I’ll catch you up.”

“You might well need an extra pair of hands, too,” Edvard
tacked on.

“Well, I won’t argue, I’m out of touch with Estole after
all. Bria, are you done eating? Good. Let’s go, then.” Like a woman of forty,
the priestess was up and gone, the cane more carried than used.

Riana watching her go, couldn’t help but ask, “Why does she
carry the cane?”

“To whack people that aggravate her,” Edvard answered
promptly. “Well, that problem’s solved. On to the next one.”

Two weeks went by without any other turmoil occurring. Well,
no more than usual. Broden and Ashlynn dealt with the usual problems of
overflowing garbage, petty thefts, and discontent refugees, but other than that
it was relatively peaceful. Just as well, considering that they were still
dealing with the aftermath of the fake priests.

Ellora was a force to be reckoned with. She had declared she
would get the marriages done first, as that was the thing she was most worried
about, and she had them all redone in that first week. Broden was not quite
sure if the woman believed in sleep or not, the way she worked. And why had the
twins protested her coming in, again? She certainly did not act like a woman of
her age.

The weather had finally turned colder, enough to make people
reach for their coats, although it stayed mild enough to make it comfortable to
work out of doors. Broden did not know how these more southern climes fared for
winter but he judged they had maybe a mite more than a month before snow hit.
Ash was breaking his back trying to make sure the food warehouses were in place
quickly enough that they could be stocked. Riana assured them that they had
three fields of potatoes and two others of different winter vegetables that
should carry them through early spring. They now had three teams of hunters
that went through various parts of Ganforth and were bringing back a goodly
amount of game. Gerrard taught his students preservation spells and they took
shifts stocking away all of the food. The greenhouses—both in Ganforth and in
Estole—were built and already in use, the seeds planted and in a few cases,
sprouts already shooting up. In between all of their efforts, the trade from
Cloud’s Rest, and the small box gardens, the food shortage was diminishing.  

Not for the first time, Broden thanked all heavens they had
Gerrard’s whole academy here. It might have been a treacherous journey to move
them to Estole, but they were certainly worth every second of trouble.

Ashlynn must have been thinking the same as they did their
usual patrol down the main streets, as she mentioned to him, “Master talked to
me a little this morning. He had extra building supplies that he wasn’t sure
what to do with, which I told him we could use for a few projects over here.
Anyway, he said that the structure of the academy was finished this morning.
They’re now starting on the interior.”

Broden let out a low whistle, impressed. “Man be ahead of
schedule.”

“By a few days,” she confirmed, obviously relieved. “I think
Ash has been sneaking over and helping out after dinner.”

“Overworking himself again, eh?”

Ashlynn rolled her eyes. “He’s a born martyr, I swear he is.
But I’m not worried about him overdoing it this time. For one thing, Riana is
watching him like a hawk. For another, he doesn’t dare while around Master. He
wouldn’t survive it if he collapsed again in front of those two.”

Truly. Riana alone would skin him.

“SHERIFF!”

Broden recognized that tone. It spoke of absolute panic. He
whirled around, one hand already reaching for his bow. Marissa sprinted up to
them, skidding to a halt, then had to bend over for several seconds and catch
her breath.

“Breathe, Marissa,” Ashlynn ordered, voice level. After being
sheriff for so many months, nothing really surprised her much anymore. “Deep
breaths. Good. Now, what is it?”

“Why aren’t you answering your caller?” the guard demanded.

Ashlynn lifted a hand to her throat, then fumbled, peering
down and shifting her collar back and forth. “Rats. The chain broke, I think. I
don’t have it on me.”

They had been scuffling with more than a few criminals this
morning. It could have been dropped anywhere. “Should I look for it?”

Ashlynn negated the need with a shake of the head. “It has a
locating spell on it, I can find it later. Now, Marissa, what has you so
flustered?”

“Prince Hendrix is at the gate.”

“Who?!”

Marissa still looked more than a little shocked but her
voice was steady as she repeated, “Prince Hendrix is at the gate. He’s
demanding to be let in.”

Broden felt it prudent to ask, “Be that with or without an
army?”

“Without. In fact, he only has two retainers with him. Other
than that he’s unaccompanied.”

He shared a speaking look with his partner. Ashlynn could not
make heads or tails of this and neither could Broden. Why would the third
prince of Iysh come to Estole, with only two people, and demand to be let in?
Was he here to offer some truce? It was the only logical explanation that
Broden could think of.

Either that or his father had sent him on a suicide mission.

Ashlynn wasted no time. She spun around so quickly that she
almost lost her balance, then sprinted toward the gates, Broden at her heels.
He did not doubt she could handle what was at the gate but curiosity alone
compelled him to keep up.

Some sort of word must have spread as there were more people
on the streets than usual, most of them gossiping, and it took considerable
effort to push past them and reach the gate. When they came even with the guard
house, an agitated young man spun about and made a beeline directly for them,
leaving a man and a woman in uniform scrambling to keep up with him. This,
then, was the third prince of Iysh.

Broden had a vague idea of what a prince should look like.
This man did not fit his mental image at all. Young, perhaps of an age to match
his Riana, light brown hair that looked slept on, tanned skin from many hours
outdoors, steel grey eyes that seemed to look right through a man. He looked
tired, agitated, worried, and some other emotion that Broden could not put his
finger on.

“Wizard Fallbright,” he greeted in a light tenor, giving her
a quick bow of courtesy and greeting. “Well met.”

“Prince Hendrix,” Ashlynn responded, returning the courtesy
of a bow but with more caution. “To what do we owe the honor of this visit?”

His lips kicked up in humor. “Honor. You have a dry sense of
humor, I see. This isn’t a visit but an urgent investigation. I’m looking for
someone.”

Broden blinked. He was what?

“Who?” Ashlynn queried, just as taken aback.

“Bria.”

The way he said her name, it was obvious to Broden in that
split second. The prince was thoroughly in love with her. Bria’s name was an
endearment and an entreaty all at once.

When he did not get an immediate response, Hendrix’s hands
shot out and grabbed Ashlynn by the upper arms, almost shaking her.
“Fallbright. Where is Bria?”

Ashlynn was still too surprised to get her mouth to work
properly, so Broden answered in her stead, “Safe, princeling. I brought her
here meself.” He reached out and gently retrieved Ashlynn from that frantic
grip. “Yer da had her locked up in an abbey well south of here, but we fetched
her back again, her and all the rest of Edvard’s sisters.”

Hendrix nearly swayed on his feet. “Thank all the gods. I
need to see her.”

Broden looked to Ashlynn and saw the wheels turning in her
mind. He was not quite sure what to make of this sudden development either, but
he saw the moment for what it was: an amazing opportunity.

Hendrix, becoming more agitated, shifted from foot to foot.
“
Please.
”

Ashlynn made a decision in a split second and ordered him,
“Follow me.”

Only too willing to do so, he went right at her heels.
Broden, more prudent, stayed close to Ashlynn’s side just in case they thought
to try some shenanigans. He did not think they would—in fact the odds of it
were extremely low—but he had not survived this long by leaving things up to
chance.

They had quite the crowd of onlookers as they walked swiftly
back to the castle. But the reputation of Sherriff Fallbright and her partner
was such that no one dared to interfere with them. Broden bent an evil eye on
anyone that got too foolishly close and it kept people in line.

On reaching the main castle gate, Ashlynn asked the young
guard there, “Do you know where Bria is?”

“Saw her heading for the back garden, Miss Ashlynn,” the
guard—Carrick?—responded promptly although his eyes took in her entourage with
a doubtful look. “Ah, who should I report is coming?”

“Prince Hendrix and his retainers,” Ashlynn answered in a
painfully neutral voice. “Go and inform Edvard for me, tell him to meet us in
his study.”

At the word ‘prince’ Carrick’s eyes shot wide. He seemed
only too happy to run off and find his king, and after a quick nod and salute,
he ran full out back into the city.

Ashlynn seemed to take a breath before striding forward.
Broden had been basically in this woman’s pocket for several months now and it
was obvious to him that she was deliberately keeping her chin up, a coat of
confidence wrapped around her shoulders. Inside, she was trembling, as she was
not sure if this was the right thing to do or not. He did not either but his
instincts said it was a risk they had to take to let the enemy into their
country like this.

They were halfway across the front courtyard when a feminine
voice called out in a squeal of delight, “HENDRIX!”

The prince snapped around, caught sight of Bria running to
him, and bolted in her direction. He had his arms outstretched before they were
even close to each other and caught her up in a firm grip, Bria’s feet not
touching the ground, and held her there for several moments without any sign of
letting her go again in the near future.

Ashlynn let out a low breath. “So it was the truth.”

“Aye.” Broden grinned from ear to ear, watching the two
lovers. “Aye, it be that. Why did the lass no’ say as much before?”

“That is a very good question.” The way Ashlynn said this,
it promised that she would ream her sister out later for omitting this bit of
news.

One of the two retainers stepped forward, clearing his
throat. “My name is Fitzpatrick. This is Avis.”

Broden took true note of them for the first time. They
looked as road-weary as the prince did, uniforms the worse for wear and dirt.
The black and navy blue was not a uniform color he recognized so it must be one
exclusive to Prince Hendrix. Fitzpatrick was a rather tall man, fair headed,
although that hair was going thin on top, dark brown eyes steady. His partner,
Avis, could have been Amber Bragdon’s cousin. She had the same tall, muscular
stature to her although her chin was more square, dark hair almost pitch black.
She too had that steady countenance to her as if she had seen odder things than
her prince hugging a king’s sister in enemy territory.

Broden, taking things in stride, held out a hand. “Broden
Ravenscroft. I be Ashlynn’s partner. I greet ye.”

He seemed to sigh a breath of relief before Fitzpatrick
accepted the hand in a firm grip. “Well met, Master Ravenscroft.”

Avis took Broden’s hand in almost as firm a grip, the callouses
speaking of swordplay. Broden had no doubt this woman was a formidable fighter.
“Well met, Broden Ravenscroft, and harmony find you.”

Ashlynn, taking his cue, greeted them properly as well
before jerking a head to the two lovebirds. “How long has that been going on?”

“Ah. That.” Fitzpatrick rubbed at the back of his neck,
looking at the pair ruefully. They were firmly stuck in each other’s arms,
although Bria’s feet were finally on the ground again, and they were conversing
quietly. Bria was likely explaining just what had happened to her and how she
came to be here. “Um. Officially, they started courting about nine months ago.”

“Before that, they’d known each other almost a year and a
half,” Avis inserted. “Miss Bria’s been very helpful ever since their first
introduction, helping to get things done and supplying us with what information
she knew. Hendrix became rather besotted with her quite quickly.”

“If we hadn’t had two other messes to untangle, he would
have stayed with her longer, and I think they would have started courting each
other sooner.” Fitzpatrick shrugged, the motion saying that it did not matter
much in the long run. “We normally stop by if we’re anywhere near Miss Bria’s
home, but this time when we did, her mother met us with this story of how she’d
been taken. She wouldn’t say another word beyond that.”

Broden knew why. Edvard had impressed it upon the woman to
not give up her daughter’s whereabouts to anyone. At the time, it had been
vital to keep that under wraps. Now, of course, every informant and spy knew
that Edvard had gathered up all of his siblings in Estole. Well, all except
Tierone of course.

Rubbing at a temple, Avis picked up the thread of the story
again. “Considering who Hendrix is, and who took off with Miss Bria, I can’t
say I blame her. But it still left us with no hint of where she might have
gone. We’ve been searching for her frantically about two months. Finally, we
found an informant who told us that he had heard all of Edvard Knolton’s family
was now in Estole. So we came directly here.”

Broden heard a pair of loud, fast footsteps charging into
the courtyard behind him. He turned to look and saw Edvard burst outside, eyes
wild. Upon seeing his sister in an ironclad clutch with another man, a dark
expression swept over his face. He stopped running, but headed straight for the
two with an angry stomp.

Ashlynn swore under her breath and dove towards him,
catching him by the elbow and dragging him to a halt. Broden was over ten feet
away and could not hear what she said but he had a good guess. To the two
retainers, who looked worried by this reaction, he explained, “Edvard be a mite
over protective where his sisters be concerned. And Bria has mentioned naught
of this to us.”

Fitzpatrick and Avis shared a startled look before asking in
tandem, “Why?”

“Now that be a good question we need an answer to.”

Whatever Ashlynn had said, it did not leave much of a dent,
as Edvard growled, “
BRIAAAAAA.”