Steel and Sorrow (11 page)

He is too intelligent to fall all at once.
She stood. “I wish to hear no more about murmurings, whisperings, gossip, hearsay, or anything else unsubstantiated. This meeting is adjourned.”

The sound of Gauge’s gavel reverberated on the chamber’s walls.

* * *

“What did
he
want?” Elyse stared daggers through Illyan’s back as he left the chambers.

Trying to smooth things over with Vulira after the meeting, Elyse had watched as Illyan pulled Kaz away to speak in private. By the time she pried herself away from Vulira, Illyan had scurried off.

“He wanted to discuss the logistics involving the army’s supplies for the coming campaign,” said Kaz.

“Is that all? It seemed more important than that. Couldn’t that snake have waited until later?”

Kaz scowled. “Why do you hate him so much?”

“I don’t hate him.” She suddenly felt embarrassed by Kaz’s choice of words.
The One Above teaches us to hate no man. I must be in better control of my emotions.
“I just don’t trust him.”

“Why?”

“Because he is constantly looking to serve his own agenda.”

“Name me someone here who isn’t?” said Kaz, folding his arms.

Elyse frowned. “Gauge isn’t.”

Kaz raised his eyebrows and gestured with a nod. “Then what do you think he’s doing now?”

Elyse looked over and several of the council members who had been in support of Illyan clamored for Gauge’s attention. Her most trusted advisor smiled as he accepted each compliment for a job well done today. She found herself angered by the scene. She shook her head. “He’s only being polite. It comes with a position of power.”

“Perhaps you’ve given him too much power,” said Kaz, his voice low.

Elyse whispered. “What? He’s served me well since my father’s death.”

“I’m sure he has.”

“That’s ridiculous. You tell me I should watch out for Gauge, but you want me to consider the ramblings of a weasel like Illyan.”

“Jonrell trusted Illyan. Without him supplying the army, we wouldn’t have been nearly as successful against Tomalt,” said Kaz.

Elyse’s anger grew. “Jonrell also trusted Mal and Glacar. Look where that got him.” She regretted her tone immediately, but could not take back the words.

Kaz scratched his goatee. “And he also trusted us.”

The remark stung. Before she could apologize, Crusher ducked inside and called Kaz.

“Your Majesty, if you don’t need me here any longer, I have other duties,” said Kaz.

She nodded. He took a step away and Elyse grabbed his arm, solid as the marble in the room, thick as the branch of a tree. “I did not mean to . . .”

“I know,” he whispered.

Kaz hurried from the room. The Ghal followed him.

Elyse stared after Kaz until Gauge came up beside her. “Is everything alright, Your Majesty?”

Elyse blinked. “I was just thinking.” She paused for a moment, recalling what Kaz said. “What were you talking about with the others?”

Gauge gestured toward the door and the two started to leave. “Oh, just some gossip. Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Your Majesty.”

“I see,” said Elyse. His carefree tone reminded her of her earlier thought. “There is something that does concern me.”

Gauge inclined his head. “Your Majesty?”

“The way you took over the council meeting in the midst of my discussion with Illyan.”

He blinked and sputtered. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do so. I promise that my intentions were—”

“I know you didn’t mean any harm by it, but the fact remains that I can’t have that happen again. I’m still trying to erase the impression everyone has of the bewildered queen I was when I took the throne. What you did today makes that harder.”

Gauge worked his jaw and frowned. “I understand. I’ll be more mindful of my actions in the future.”

Elyse touched his arm as they walked. “Thank you. I knew you would understand.”

Chapter 7

“Will that be all?”

Odala scanned the lavish room she shared with Tobin. Two dresses she selected from the tailor rested on her bed and the third, she wore. An assortment of fruit and fresh bread lay on the table next to her.

“Yes.” She responded without looking at the servant, too busy admiring her new dress in the mirror. She loved the turquoise color and the way the fabric accentuated her curves.

The door closed.

Odala broke her fast on a piece of warm bread as she strode to the window and gazed out over Juanoq.

Even in the early hours, the city bustled with life. Wagons rolled down the main thoroughfare and disappeared into side streets. Most people moved in one of two directions—toward the market or the waterfront.

Odala relished the view she knew no other woman enjoyed. She finished her meal, and took one last look over the space and smiled. Tobin took care of all her wants without her ever having to ask.

She left the room, not wanting to waste the beautiful day indoors. Watching people scurry toward the market had enticed her. Though she and Soyjid technically remained captives of the Blue Island Clan, they essentially had the freedom to go where they pleased so long as they took a personal guard along for their protection. The contradiction in freedom no longer bothered her as much as it once did. She understood from the way Tobin treated her that the restriction was more to keep up appearances with his men rather than a lack of trust in her.

Perhaps while I’m at the market I can pick something out for Tobin. He rarely does anything for himself.

Odala made her way through the palace’s winding corridors and looping hallways, lost in thought about what to buy Tobin when she heard her name.

Two approached her from the opposite direction. The woman wore a smile. Lucia did her best to dress conservatively, but even the full-length garment could not conceal the woman’s shape. Jober flanked her. The stocky man’s eyes remained ever alert.

“Where are you off to so early?” asked Lucia.

Odala narrowed her eyes. Though she no longer doubted Tobin’s feelings for her, she knew that at one time the Blue Island Clan warleader had eyes for his brother’s wife.

“I’m on my way to the market, if you must know.”

“Oh, we just came from there,” said Lucia. “I’m afraid the selection is rather poor today and most of the best deals are probably gone by now. You need to rise before the sun if you hope to snatch the best wares. I hope you weren’t going for anything important.”

Odala tightened her jaw.

She talks down to me like I’m a child.

Odala forced a smile. “Actually, I was going to buy a gift for Tobin.”

“Oh. How has he been?”

“Wonderful. He told me just the other day that he’s never been happier.”

Lucia frowned. “I rarely see him anymore.”

Because I’m the woman he cares for.

“Well, he’s a busy man. If he isn’t running his growing empire, then he’s showering me with attention.” Odala shrugged. “I guess he makes time for what’s important to him.” She smiled wider at Lucia’s wounded expression. “Sorry I can’t stay to talk any longer, but if I want to find something in those remaining goods, I need to be on my way.”

Odala whisked past Lucia and Jober, feeling proud of herself.

“Odala?” Lucia called her name after less than half a dozen steps.

Odala turned. “Yes?”

“A word of advice. Don’t buy anything in turquoise.” Her eyes moved up and down Odala’s dress. “I guess you didn’t know, but Tobin hates that color.” She smiled and left.

Odala fumed.

How does she know what Tobin does and does not like?

Odala looked down at her dress and suppressed a scream. She stormed back to her room to change.

* * *

Walking at a brisk pace down the twisting hall, Jober waited until Odala could no longer hear them. “That was very unlike you.”

“I know. She brings out the worst in me,” said Lucia.

“She’s just a girl.”

“That’s just it. You saw that gaudy dress. She practically looked like a woman working a bathhouse.”

“She’s not unlike most her age.”

“Perhaps it wouldn’t bother me so much if I knew she wasn’t manipulating Tobin.”

Jober sighed. “How do you know she’s doing that?”

And who cares if she is. It’s not like he doesn’t deserve to be taken advantage of after what he’s done.

“Intuition. Something just doesn’t seem right.”

“Well, there’s no sense in worrying about it. Tobin is his own man with an ever-expanding set of headaches to deal with. I’m sure he can handle her.”

Lucia shook her head. “No. I need to talk to him about it.”

He did not understand how she could be so oblivious to who Tobin really was. “He has Nachun to look out for him.”

Lucia gave him an odd look. His tone had been more bitter than he intended. “The shaman isn’t here. Besides, I’ve never liked nor trusted him. Kaz never did either.”

And for good reason considering what he did to your husband, and what he threatened to do to my family.

“Jober?”

He blinked. “Sorry, I was just thinking on what you said about Kaz.”

“You miss him too, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Lucia’s hand went to her face and Jober saw her wipe away a tear. “Is it crazy that more than a year after his disappearance, I still hold out hope that he will return to me?”

“No. I hope for the same thing.”

Maybe then I can be free of my lies.

Lucia reached out and touched his arm. She gestured with her head toward a side corridor. “Come. I’ve made up my mind. I want to speak with Tobin.”

“Now? But he’s probably at the training ground.”

“I know.”

“You can’t go there.”

“Why not? I’ve been there before.”

“Never at this time of the day.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.”

* * *

Odala left her room for a second time that morning after hurriedly changing into a violet dress. She quickened her pace. Lucia’s comments about the market not having much to offer ate at her mind.

She sighed when her brother appeared from around a corner.

“Ah, just the person I wanted to see.”

“I don’t have time to talk. I’m on my way to the market.”

“Of course. Very important stuff.” His voice thickened with sarcasm. “Don’t worry, I’ll walk with you as we talk.”

“Fine. What is it?”

“Well, I wanted to thank you for getting me into Tobin’s meetings. It’s been invaluable. I see now that you missed a great deal of information before.” He eyed her warily.

“You’re welcome.” Odala chose to ignore his other remark. She did not want him to know that she had purposefully held back information. She was torn between knowing where her loyalties should be and what she feared Soyjid’s true intentions were. She stopped. “Why are you here? Tobin should be at the training ground.”

“Now is the best time to get word back to Father. Besides, rarely is anything of importance discussed on the training ground and I already know how crazy their methods are.”

“How is Father?” asked Odala. She missed him. Her brother said he sent her regards to him, but she didn’t know if her father ever got them. Soyjid would not allow her to read their communications.

Soyjid shrugged. “He’s growing old and I wonder how much longer he will be able to lead our clan. It’s good that he sees the wisdom in my plans.”

“Your plans?”

Soyjid chuckled. “Don’t look surprised, Sister. Since Mother’s passing, Father has relied on me more and more. I’d say I’ve been quite successful too.” He touched the fabric of her dress and then the necklace she had thrown on to match it. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

* * *

Tobin dipped his shoulder slightly and then relaxed his front leg. The Kifzo ignored Tobin’s first feint, but fell for the second. He lunged. Tobin deflected the attack and disarmed the warrior in one fluid motion. He touched the point of his practice sword against the man’s chest.

“Dead.”

The warrior bowed. “Well fought, Warleader.”

Tobin nodded. “You’ve improved.” He glanced at the three warriors he had already defeated. “You all have.” Though Tobin had begun to offer brief bits of encouragement since becoming warleader, many still wore confused expressions when he did so. “Now, pair off and complete the rest of your drills.”

They bowed in unison.

Tobin left the practice circle, one of many on the training grounds, and headed toward Walor. Warriors paid their respect to him as he passed, bowing or pounding their chest.

“Well?” asked Tobin.

Walor cracked his neck. “Well what?”

“What did you think?”

“I’d say your improvement has been amazing. You dispatched four seasoned Kifzo in less than a minute. I doubt any other Kifzo could do that, including Guwan.”

“Is that enough?”

Walor shook his head. “I know what you’re getting at. Let it go.”

Tobin lowered his voice. “I need to know. Am I better than Kaz?”

Walor leaned in and whispered. “Who cares? Your brother is gone. You’re warleader now, And since you took Bazraki’s place, things have never been better. Forget about Kaz.”

I can’t help it. I have to know if I could best him.

“Just answer the question.”

“I can’t. Kaz was amazing, but I’ve seen you do amazing things yourself. I don’t think I could say who is better than the other. It would be too close to call now.”

Tobin clenched his jaw.
Sometimes I wish he would return just so I can prove myself against him. My ankle is healed and my training has never been sharper.

Walor used the lull in conversation to change the subject. “Are we still on schedule to leave in three days?”

Tobin gestured toward the barracks and they began walking. “Yes. Today’s the last day of training. I’m giving everyone the next two days off to be with family.”

“They’ll be pleased with that, though I’m sure none will admit it openly.”

Tobin sighed. “The old ways of my father are hard to break.”

Walor grunted. “It takes time. You’ve done wonders already without sacrificing the skills we learned under your Uncle Cef. I can’t imagine anyone else working so hard to do the same.”