King Callie: Callie's Saga, Book One (34 page)

“I - Patta, where did you hear -” Cait was flustered, and confused. She left the fabrics as they were, and turned towards Patta with a quizzical expression. “Who told you?”

“It’s being said all about town,” Patta replied, as a worried look crossed her face.
It had better be a rumor
, she thought. “Has Talwyck come back from the castle yet?”

“Not yet,” Cait said, unsure. “He was there for the meeting about the escaped Kersikki prince. Apparently, he and Lady Eliya left in the night, and have not been caught since.”

“Yom’s knees,” Patta muttered. “Can those damn guards do
anything
properly?”

“Apparently not,” Cait replied, as she returned to sorting the fabrics. “Help me with this, will you?”

“I can’t. I’ll go find Talwyck at the castle. I have to know,” Patta said.

“Please, Patta. Stay, and help me.” Cait said, her voice soft and all but pleading. “He’ll be along soon enough.” Patta sighed in frustration; her brother’s wife was right.

“Very well,” Patta replied, as she busied herself with the linens. “I just wish he’d said something.”

“You would have helped him?” Cait asked, shocked.

“No! Not at all. But if I knew what risks he was taking, I…” It was then that she realized there was little she could have done. She could not have insulated herself any better by knowing about the treason, than by not knowing. Only the affair was something she could have stopped.

Patta soon felt Cait’s hand on her shoulder. It was then that she realized Cait had noticed her silence, and her hopelessness. “Are you all right?” Cait asked.

“No,” Patta said, shaking her head. She couldn’t control the sadness she felt, which only magnified it; it made her feel helpless. “He… he had an affair,” Patta said, as she felt tears welling in her eyes.

“Oh, Yom,” Cait muttered. Patta felt Cait’s arms wrap around her, and hug her tight. “I’m so sorry, Patta.”

“I knew,” Patta said, as she began to sob. “I knew, and I didn’t stop him. I wanted to - I wanted to hurt him. And now…”

“If it’s true, he’s hung himself by his own rope,” Cait said, grimly.

“And me,” Patta replied, as she sniffled, and wiped away tears. “And me. I’m the wife of a traitor - who can’t even keep, her own husband, in her bed,” she said, her voice halting between sobs.

“No, no, no, no,” Cait said. Her hands stroked Patta’s hair, and her voice was soft - worried, yes, but soft. “You don’t need to worry. You have us. We’re here for you.” Patta heard footsteps at the door, and turned her head; Talwyck was there, animated by a dread seriousness. “Tal,” Cait said, “Is it true what they’re saying about Marrol?”

“I’m sorry,” Talwyck said, to Patta. “But it is.” Everything seemed as if it gave way beneath Patta; her legs grew weak, and she fell into Cait. The tears flowed more readily than before, and all she could think of was that word,
traitor
, over and over, as she slowly fell to the floor.

“They’re going to kill him,” she sobbed. “They’re taking everything away from me.”

“You’ll have your house,” Talwyck replied. “You’ll not want for money.”

“Who cares about money!?” Patta snapped. “Nobody will listen to a traitor’s wife. My influence will be gone.”

“They’ll listen to me,” Talwyck replied, as he knelt on the ground. “Patta.
Patta
. This isn’t over. If we petition the King, she might be lenient to him. It’s not a promise, but if they gave Royth a stay of execution, I see no reason why we shouldn’t try.”

Patta couldn’t stop the tears, but she nodded, regardless. It was a good a plan as anything. “Please wait… I can’t go in looking like this,” she said. “My makeup is ruined, and my clothes -” Cait gently brushed a tear from Patta’s cheek, and stared at the spot for several seconds. “What is it?” Patta asked.

“Perhaps it should be ruined… or not present at all.” She looked over to Talwyck. “Do we still have some of the simple cotton dresses I’d been making, for the farmer’s wives?

“Yes, in back,” Talwyck said.

“Can you fetch one that will fit her?” Cait said. “If she’s going to beseech the King, perhaps she shouldn’t look proud, or composed.” Talwyck got up, and walked towards the back, leaving Patta with Cait. Cait helped Patta stand up, and as a customer entered, she shooed them away. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I cannot help you now. Please come back tomorrow. Family troubles.”

“Thank you,” Patta whispered.

“Do you want me to tell him?” Cait said. Patta shook her head. “Alright,” she said. “He’ll hear nothing from me.”

“I just… I don’t want to
lose
Marrol,” Patta said. “He wronged me, but…”

“Not another word,” Cait said, gently. “Save it for the King. You’ll need every last tear.” Patta hugged her, with as much strength as she had to offer. Cait hugged back. “Come now,” she said, as she went to the door to lock it. “We must make you look penitent.”

CHAPTER
SIXTY-ONE

“Absolutely not,” Caliandra replied; she felt almost insulted by the prospect that Marrol’s wife had suggested - let him
live? After what Marrol had done?
Did Patta not see the throne that Caliandra sat in, the clothes she wore - the Peacebringer axe that balanced in her hand? Caliandra had no crown yet, but all the same, it was an impossible request. Patta had approached the King for a private audience, and asked for mercy for the very man who sought to keep the King from her throne.

“I realize I am in the position to demand nothing,” Patta said, with eyes lowered, “But I would like to see him, and I wish for you to consider granting him a stay of execution.” She came dressed in plainer clothes than Caliandra had known her for; she wore only a minimum of powder and makeup, to ensure the effect of humility. Her brother, Talwyck, the Minister of Trade, stood at her side, and said nothing. It was a subtle combination of influences, all meant to open Caliandra to the possibility the offer. Yet, Caliandra refused; she knew she was being pressured by Patta, in very subtle ways. And she knew it would not work.

“Lady Patta,” Caliandra said, as she shifted forward in her throne, “Your husband attempted an insurrection. He stole Peacebringer, ordered castle guards murdered, and tried to unlawfully take the crown for himself. This cannot go unpunished.”

“He was afraid for the kingdom,” Patta said; her tone was uneasy, and her calm was fading. “He thought it would be best not to take a chance with an unprepared king. Please understand, Caliandra, if he had known it would have been
you
who took the throne…” She stopped, as Caliandra’s expression darkened. Caliandra thought to lash out, immediately; instead, she held her tongue.

“Go on,” she said, glaring at Patta; she could not restrain the hostility that seeped through.

“He would have never tried to stop you, Your Majesty. Marrol holds your family in the highest regard. Your father was one of his closest friends,” Patta said; her words were full of pleading, and her eyes begged for mercy. “If he had known you would be King, he would never have stood in your way.”

“He didn’t have
faith
in the axe, and as a result, showed no faith in the King it would choose. What if it chose another man - a peasant, perhaps? Would Marrol have followed him?” Caliandra asked; Patta made no reply. “If he did not have faith in the axe, he does not have faith in me,” Caliandra said. “And his actions were those of a man seeking power, not one who feared for our safety.”

“Please, consider clemency, Your Majesty,” Talwyck said, with his certain, slow phrases. “Mercy towards the former Minister Marrol would show how
willing
you are to put this behind you, and move forward. It would show trust in our soldiers, where now, you plan to have almost thirty executed… Surely, you don’t wish to start your reign soaked in blood?” he said, his tone gentle, yet questioning.

“I do not,” Caliandra said, “But Marrol has left me no choice. Clemency will be given to those who cooperated with us, and the fate befalling the arrested traitors will be death.”

“Surely, there is something you want,” Patta said. “Something that being King alone cannot give you. Your mother spared Royth, after all.” The words infuriated Caliandra at the mention of his name.

“Another misery your husband visited on me,” Caliandra said, sourly.

Patta was quiet, for a moment. She glanced over at Talwyck, as if to note an opportunity. “You want him dead, then?” Patta asked.

“He sent my brother to his death. I mean to send Royth to his own,” Caliandra said, as her grip tightened on the axe. Her eyes narrowed. “That is the only price I would begin consider for your husband’s life.”

“What if,” Patta began, as she stood up a little straighter - a bit more confident - and addressed Caliandra, “We could give that to you?”

“If you have hidden him away somewhere,” Caliandra said, gritting her teeth, “You will tell me, or there will be consequences.”

“No, no, no,” Patta said, with her hands up defensively. “I do not know where he is. But if he is with the Nest, they will take him to Silenia, and back to Amaniren, or to Odryg, and you will never see him again… or,” she said, “My brother and I could make inquiries with… less desirable contacts we have made over the years, and perhaps, they could arrange to handle the matter for you.”

“The Merchant’s Guild does not always do business in the light,” Talwyck said. “Sometimes, it is our friends in the shadows who can accomplish far, far more.”

“No,” Caliandra replied, with such force and immediacy that it took Patta off guard. “I want him captured, and alive. His life is mine to take.”

“That would be difficult,” Talwyck said; seeing Caliandra’s face twist with anger, he quickly added, “But not impossible.”

“And what assurance do I have that Marrol will not try to take my throne again, if I let him live?” Caliandra asked; that was the question that weighed most on her heart. She was already ill at ease, knowing that not all of the men loyal to Marrol had been captured; some of them still held rank within her army, and he would not tell whom.

“I swear on our family’s honor, that he will do you no harm,” Patta said. “Please consider our offer, your Majesty.”

Caliandra’s face grew cold. “You may leave,” she replied. “I will let you know what my decision is within the week.” Patta wisely said nothing; Minister Talwyck bowed, and left with her.

“You aren’t actually entertaining her offer, are you?” Fenwyn asked, as Caliandra explained what had transpired in the private meeting. “Calia - Your Majesty,
no
. He’s a criminal. He betrayed the country. If you let him live, he’ll only do it again. And what guarantee do you have that she can actually deliver Royth to you?” Fenwyn seemed shocked that Caliandra would even consider it; but Caliandra dismissed his concerns.

“I have no guarantee,” Caliandra replied, “And my decision was already made. Rest easy, Minister. Marrol will pay for his crimes.”

“A wise choice,” Fenwyn said. “They may be well-connected, but you can’t trust her word. It’s far safer to assume that she and her husband have been part of the conspiracy against you since the first day - and knowing her, it’d be impossible if she didn’t.”

Caliandra propped her elbow up on the armrest, and leaned her chin into a thoughtful hand as she considered his words. “But he was found with Kells’ wife. Why would she defend him, even then?” she asked. “If Iaen had betrayed me for another woman, I should have cut him from my life.”

Fenwyn shrugged, and sighed. “Some people cling all the tighter to those they love, even after they know them to be wicked traitors. She also stands to lose a great deal of status when he dies,” Fenwyn added. “What sad business,” Caliandra said. Her mind turned to Kells. “Has he returned?” she asked.

“No,” Fenwyn said. “Kells left the city, and took his children with him. Josske is staying with Ostre, to watch the house, and keep her company. Her sister visits, but Josske is a friend of hers, and he’s made it very clear that he wants her to feel safe.” Fenwyn sighed. “My sympathies are with Kells, but for
her
sake, though, you should consider what you could give them. Not immediately, of course, but… make it a primary concern.”

“A
divorce
?” Caliandra asked. “The Arch-Priest isn’t very fond of allowing those.”

“She lay with a traitor,” Fenwyn said, “Who defied the divine authority of Yom, and who sought to keep Peacebringer from its rightful bearer. If she is made to look the victim of Marrol’s seduction, I think the Arch-Priest will easily make an exception for them… especially since her husband’s run off with their children. The more pity on her side, the easier it will be for her to attain a divorce, and remarry to a sympathetic man that can provide for her.”

“Yes,” Caliandra replied, saddened. “Yom knows if she’ll ever see those children again. What a shame.”

“It’s the way of the world,” Fenwyn said, “And remember, even though our pity is with her, it is not always only the man who seeks adultery out.” He shook his head. Caliandra knew it to be true enough; there were a fair amount of stories of unhappy women straying from their men, as there were the other way around.
The heart is a capricious thing
, she thought.
As unknown to us as the thoughts of Yom, and our long dead.