They sat there for a moment, uninterrupted, each steeping in their thoughts as a warm breeze rustled the branches.
Finally, Cecily gave him a probing look. “Would you listen to some advice?”
“I’d welcome it.”
“You aren’t the only one who feels that way, Ransom. There are beasts within us all. I’ve seen monsters of many shapes and sizes among the Espion. And the knights as well. Yours is an especially powerful one because you are such a good person. You won’t defeat it like you would an enemy with a lance or a sword. It’s real, a part of you. The only way you can fight it is by walking away. When it rears its head and flashes its fangs, do nothing. Just walk away. It will weaken it. It will starve it. That part of you will not die, fully, until you do.” She gave him a sad smile. “Great men have great challenges. Sorry there isn’t an easier way.”
As she spoke, he felt a feeling of peace settle over him. There was wisdom in her words. He’d always thought of it as a battle to be won, but it was a battle that never ended.
In the past, he’d controlled his monster by devoting himself to a greater cause, to someone more powerful than himself. The difference was that he’d respected the others. He’d trusted them more. And yet, they’d been flawed too, hadn’t they? Emiloh had seen it, even if they had not.
“Thank you, Cecily,” he told her. “I needed that.”
“Well, it’s small comfort in comparison to what I have to tell you next.”
“What?”
“I heard from some Espion who just returned from Beestone that the king lied to you. He tried one last time to provoke you into rebellion and failed. Claire won the battle. Faulkes has been captured, his army routed and imprisoned. She’s written, demanding the release of you and your sons. I don’t think the king will send the boys home. He wants more hostages, not less. But I think it’s become clear to him that he knows he needs to let you go.” She reached out and patted his hand. “Please act surprised when you find out.”
He was so startled by her words that he nearly unbalanced and fell into the well.
“What of Dearley? Is he truly dead?”
“No! He was the hero of the day. He led your army to victory in your name. Everything Jon-Landon told you at Beestone was a lie.”
He thought of the way he’d looked at the knife by Jon-Landon’s plate, tempted to kill the king right then and there. It made him shudder at what he’d nearly done. Although he was disgusted by the king’s vicious lie, that dark feeling couldn’t gain traction amidst the cascade of gratitude and relief. He hung his head, stunned.
Hearing voices in the distance, Ransom lifted his head.
“I hear the others coming,” Cecily said. “Better give them something to find.”
With a mischievous grin, she dropped the key into the well.
Stubbornness, thy name is Jon. I had hoped Ransom would be home already, but the haggling over the hostages has taken longer than anticipated. Securing Ransom’s freedom was the easy part, but the king has tried a number of tricks to keep my sons behind at Kingfountain. He’s tried flattery, saying that his daughter, the princess Léanore, would be heartbroken if they were to both go. He’s tried bribery, offering lands to the younger twin, Devon, since he will not inherit Ransom’s title of duke. He’s tried selfishness, claiming he’s fond of the lads himself and suggesting I should want to appease a king in his wretched misery.
Ransom and I have corresponded, and he feels the boys are in no danger, and the king’s declarations of affection for them may have some merit. A speck. The boys themselves consider it a grand lark and would like to stay for the time being. The king has also demanded hostages of his other nobles because many have turned on him and stopped defending the borders of the realm. I would like at least one son to return to me, but Ransom feels they are safer together. He says the king will release all the hostages, eventually, in order to appease his nobles.
After what the king did to the Occitanian hostages, we cannot trust his word.
The king’s final attempt to sweeten his request to keep my boys was to suggest that I send Sir Dawson to be the boys’ chaperone and trainer. I asked Dawson if he would be willing to accept an exile, and he said he would go to the ends of the earth if we commanded it. So he has been sent, along with Faulkes and the ransomed prisoners, to Glosstyr. If the king holds up his end of the bargain, pays for the ransoms we’ve negotiated, and releases my husband as promised, then this will finally be over . . . for the time being.
Faulkes asked if Orla could be sent to Kingfountain with him. He seems to sincerely want her to be with him, even though he married her against the customs of our people. I asked for her voice in that decision, and she shrank in horror. She will not go with him, not if given a choice.
Legault has proven to be the Fair Isle once more. But it will be made all the fairer if Ransom returns safely.
Still. I shall have no rest until my sons are safe at home too.
—Claire de Murrow, Queen of Legault
Atha Kleah
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Go in Peace
The negotiations between Jon-Landon and Claire had dragged on for weeks and then months. Finally, an accord was struck, one that would allow Ransom to go home to his wife and daughters without fearing for his boys’ safety. Although he had no great trust for Jon-Landon, who had never apologized for the bald-faced lie he’d told Ransom at Beestone castle, he could trust Dawson with his boys.
On the day the agreement was finalized, Ransom was asked to join the king, queen, and their family in the great hall. He had already learned the terms from Cecily, so he wasn’t concerned.
When he reached the hall, he found Willem and Devon playing with wooden soldiers on the floor. The princess was on her stomach, her amber eyes glowing with interest as she watched the battle. Her brother, the prince, was also observing the game.
“I blow the horn and summon the reserves!” Devon said eagerly. He grabbed several other miniatures and brought them to the battle.
Léanore squealed with delight and started to laugh. “Will they get there in time?”
“Of course!” Devon insisted. “They all have desert horses. They’re the fastest.”
“But he can block them still if he moves right,” the prince observed.
Ransom quelled a little smile as he approached the dais. The queen gave him a welcoming nod, although the occasion lacked formality, and she sat slouched in her throne. Jon-Landon was watching the game between the children fixedly and didn’t seem to notice his arrival until the queen poked his arm.
“Ah, Lord Ransom!” said Jon-Landon, straightening.
The prince was sitting by his father’s footstool. The boy looked up at Ransom and smiled and nodded in a friendly manner.
The king rose from his throne and stepped down the dais steps. “The negotiations are complete. I’ll be sending you to Glosstyr on the morrow with the agreed-upon treasure. Claire is an able negotiator. She represented you well. Your knight, Sir Dawson, will take your place of honor here at the palace.”
From the corner of his eye, Ransom saw his sons knock their fists together in celebration. He would have preferred to bring them both home, but he understood that the king’s position was growing more untenable by the day. He’d demanded more hostages to secure loyalty, including James and Maeg’s son. Ransom had hoped to see his nephew before leaving, but it wasn’t to be.