The Dragon of Despair (20 page)

Shad muttered, “If that is at all possible.”

“Citrine apparently kept the pirates at a distance by invoking the specter of her mother’s sorcery. Early in her days in the Smuggler’s Light, someone tried to steal her gemstone headband. Her reaction was so extreme that most kept at a distance after that. Their cruelties were verbal rather than physical.

“Still, it was enough. Some of the time, Citrine is quite herself. Others she is smothered in a terror so acute that she cannot bear any companionship; others she clings to whoever she trusts. Yet others, more disturbing still, she babbles oddly, saying things that contain some kernel of truth but strangely twisted. There are those among the servants who say her mind has been pushed so hard that she now sees the future mingled with the past and present.

“I think,” the king continued, “that Citrine merely hears more than people think and in these moods sends it out again. I am continually astonished by what people will say in front of the ill.”

Sapphire, seeing the king was looking a bit drawn and coughing again after his long recital, poured him more tea and, as she spooned in a generous amount of honey, took up the story.

“You may believe that we have tried everything we could imagine. We have summoned healers and physicians—even Sir Jared Surcliffe from the North Woods. All concur, the damage is not organic. It is to Citrine’s mind.”

Elise tried not to color when Sir Jared’s name was mentioned. She knew perfectly well that Sapphire knew of their mutual attraction and thought sometimes that the princess was trying to make a match—an unusual and uncomfortable thought, for Elise had had it repeatedly drummed into her that she must think of the Archer Barony as much as herself when considering marriage. The idea that the future monarchs of Hawk Haven might consider Jared suitable was very tempting indeed.

She found it easy to push such thoughts from her mind, however. Citrine was one of her favorite cousins and the idea that the once cheerful child was so tormented was almost more than she could bear.

“Can I help?” she asked.

Sapphire gave a thin-lipped, worried smile.

“We hope so, but let me finish.”

Elise nodded.

“As you can imagine, we tried everything. When Hazel Healer was here…”

Sapphire shrugged at Elise’s small exclamation of surprise. Hazel lived far south of Eagle’s Nest, in the border town of Hope.

“I told you we tried everyone. Perhaps we should say everyone proven both skilled and discreet. Hazel is certainly both of those.”

“I’m sorry,” Elise said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. Please go on.”

“When Hazel was here, we tried a similar ceremony to the one that freed me of the bond Melina put on me. We had no success. There are so many reasons why this might have been the case that I can hardly offer a single guess. Perhaps Citrine depended on her mother’s protection for so long that she could not bear to break the thread, even when it was proven untrustworthy. Perhaps she, like me, had come to equate herself with the stone she wears. For whatever reason, nothing we did sufficed. Citrine remains bound.”

“Hazel believes,” Shad added, “and as she is as much of an expert as we know in such matters, we must place some weight on her words, that even if we did succeed in removing the stone from Citrine, it would not cure her. Citrine has been driven mad by her mother’s betrayal and by the cruelties done to her in that mother’s cause. Hazel thinks that the only chance there is of returning Citrine to herself is to allow her to confront Melina. The girl may not even need to speak with her mother, just see her, transform her from a powerful specter into a living woman once more.”

“I wish,” the king said, “I thought it would be so easy.”

He sounded hoarse and he looked tired. Elise realized how grueling today had been for him and felt suddenly frightened. A year ago—less than a year ago—King Tedric had been strong enough to travel to Hope in order to negotiate with his nephew Allister. Only this past autumn he had been strong enough to travel to Silver Whale Cove for Sapphire and Shad’s wedding. Today she knew that if she were one of his doctors she wouldn’t let him travel beyond the castle.

With a sudden burst of insight, Elise realized that if either King Tedric or Queen Elexa were to die, their deaths would be blamed on Sapphire, used as proof of her mother’s evil influence on her.

And never mind that a year ago every noble in the land was after the king to name an heir lest he die and leave the kingdom in confusion. They’ll forget that easily enough—at least the ambitious will.

Elise could not see her parents acting to undermine Sapphire and Shad, but then they had little to gain if the crown heirs fell from grace and much to gain if they did well. But there were others, in both Bright Bay and Hawk Haven, who would all too much enjoy a new scramble for the throne. And there were neighboring countries who would do anything to halt the projected union of Hawk Haven and Bright Bay.

Suddenly, Elise was very glad for the silent, hovering figure of Sir Dirkin Eastbranch, for her knowledge that the Royal Physician was a very good, very skilled healer—even if he lacked Sir Jared’s talent.

“Don’t take King Tedric and Queen Elexa quite yet,”
she silently pleaded with the ancestors.
“We still need them.”

Sapphire had risen and tended to the king, for all the world as if he really were her father, not merely an honored and often distant great-uncle. Now she returned her attention to Elise.

“We want you to take charge of a group that will escort Citrine into New Kelvin, somehow get access to her mother, and do whatever you can to heal her. If we can break Melina’s hold on Citrine and heal her madness, then we will be able to answer those who claim I am under her influence.”

Elise wanted very much to yelp “Me?” but she swallowed the word and managed a serious nod. Shad gave a tired grin.

“And, Lady Archer,” he said, “as if that isn’t enough, we want you and your companions to find out exactly what is Melina’s position within the New Kelvinese government. We need to know how much influence she has. Moreover, we need to know how much truth there is to these rumors about increased trade in slaves with Waterland. If it is true, we need to know why New Kelvin needs more slaves. Is it merely for increased industrial capacity or is there any truth to the rumors that they are wanted for their blood?”

Elise stared at her rulers.

“And you want
me
to do this,” she said.

“You and a few others,” Sapphire replied. “Elise, except for a few diplomats mostly interested in trade concessions and keeping New Kelvin sweet while we fought with Bright Bay, Hawk Haven really hasn’t bothered with New Kelvin. They were a small power with no real military strength, though able to offer unique and interesting trade. New Kelvin wasn’t interested in us except for sending the occasional tattooed, pointy-shoe-wearing representative to some major event.

“We don’t just want you for your knowledge of foreign languages and customs—though I’ll admit right out and up front that those are rare enough. We want you because you are one of about a dozen people who know the truth about what my mother did to me and to Citrine. Do you want the full list?”

Elise said nothing, but Sapphire continued on, nearly raging.

“There’s you, Ninette, Derian Carter, Firekeeper, Sir Jared, Hazel Healer, King Tedric, Queen Elexa, King Allister, and Queen Pearl. Sir Dirkin probably has guessed, but he’s as trustworthy as an oak. Then, of course, there are my esteemed birth-siblings who cannot speak of the matter and would not do anything if they could.”

Elise wondered if perhaps Sapphire was being too harsh on her siblings, but knowing what she did of Jet and thinking of the apparently frivolous young ladies Opal and Ruby were becoming, she could not be certain.

“Now,” Shad said, laying a settling hand on his wife’s arm, “you see why we need you—and some of those others—so much. This would be the absolutely worst time I can imagine for taking someone else into the secret. A wink or a nod from the wrong person—and diplomats who make their living trading secrets are very much the wrong people—and suddenly there would be confirmation.”

“But,” Elise burst out, “Melina no longer has any hold on Sapphire!”

The look of pure gratitude Sapphire turned on her made Elise color.

“Well, it’s true,” Elise repeated, “and you defied her when she could have done terrible things to you. I have not forgotten your courage.”

“And I haven’t forgotten your part in setting me free,” Sapphire replied. “The sad thing is, the only reward I can offer you is asking you to put your hand in the mad dog’s mouth again.”

Elise nodded, thinking that this sounded very much like something she had heard her father say once.

“Can I guess,” she said, “who you suggest my companions should be?”

Sapphire grinned. “Try.”

“Firekeeper, Derian, Doc—that is, Sir Jared. Essentially, the people you mentioned already, those who are in on your secret. I don’t know if I could ask Ninette. She’s a good woman and I trust her with my life, but the road to Dragon’s Breath is a hard one and she isn’t up to it.”

“That is true,” Sapphire said, “and while my secret does matter, we don’t want to put you in too much danger. Even with Firekeeper and Blind Seer accompanying you—trusting that they will go, which we are not yet certain about since we haven’t had a chance to ask them—that is a very small group. Why not take the other two who went with you into New Kelvin? Take this Wendee Jay about whom we’ve heard such good things. See if Earl Kestrel will let Edlin go with you. Both of them learned something of the language and customs of New Kelvin before. They could be useful now.”

Elise nodded. “That’s a good idea. I’m certain that House Kestrel could be easily convinced. Edlin would be harder to stop from coming than to get to join us. Wendee…Well, we’ll have to see. Maybe I can convince her to come by appealing to her good heart. She’s a mother, you know, and Citrine will need care.”

“Wendee Jay can also act as a chaperon for you and Firekeeper,” Sapphire said. “In reality, Firekeeper’s honor may be beyond saving—though oddly enough, she’s probably a virgin. I’ve certainly never seen her look at a man in anything but friendship. You, however, still have a reputation to guard.”

King Tedric spoke. “That’s what Elexa wanted me to remind you, Elise. She was very unhappy at the thought that you would sacrifice your reputation—not your honor, mind, we know you’ll guard that as you see fit—but your reputation to our needs. Traveling about with a group of unmarried men—one of whom anyone with two eyes can see is in love with you—will make some people talk, no matter how many chaperons you take.”

Elise took a deep breath. “Sire, given what is at stake here—Citrine’s sanity, my future queen’s reputation, maybe my homeland’s safety—I don’t see how I could refuse and still respect myself. I’m certain my parents will understand, especially if you and your heirs explain at least a little.”

“Very well,” the king said with a dry cough. “Consider that we will.”

Elise turned to face Sapphire and Shad.

“Now I’ve agreed and you’ve agreed. Edlin will be no problem, nor Sir Jared. But Derian and Firekeeper? Holly Gardener told me that they have gone west.”

The king interrupted. “I expect to see them back before the end of Bear Moon.”

Elise wheeled to stare at him. She noticed that Sapphire and Shad looked equally surprised.

“Both?”

“Both,” the king said. “Trust an old man a few secrets. Not even that—a hunch. I think they will be back and I think that the first thing Firekeeper will do is come here and request an interview with me. But speak on, Lady Elise. I believe you had another matter to raise.”

Elise returned to her original thoughts with an effort.

“Yes,” she said, “I wanted to know how you thought we should handle our return to New Kelvin. You see, the last time we were there we left as hunted fugitives with soldiers at our heels.”

VIII

HAVING EXPECTED AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER
to the question she put to the king, Elise was almost shocked when King Tedric replied.

“I don’t have an answer for you, Lady Archer, but I do agree that this will prove a problem. Moreover, it is a problem we have anticipated, and we are working on solutions. Are you still willing to undertake the task?”

“Yes,” she agreed a touch hesitantly.

After all, it was one thing to agree that something needed to be done while in the back of your head you expect that someone else will have come up with the brilliant plan that will make the task possible. It was quite another to find that the plan was still under development.

King Tedric leaned forward and patted Elise’s hand.

“My dear, none of us would sacrifice you or your comrades lightly. We hope not to sacrifice you at all. Finding an excuse to send you into New Kelvin may be quite simple. We are not at war. Indeed, our lands are actively trading. That may provide excuse enough. Baron Archer is known to have ambitions for his family. Perhaps he will seek to exploit his daughter’s fascination with strange lands and cultures in a venture into trade.”