Part 43 (1/2)
him the morning before and made a decision. ”I need to speak with the queen as early as she is able. Tell her it is about the matter we discussed yesterday.”
A communication monitor lowered in the main room a half hour later. The
screen once again remained dark, but the queen's voice emanated from it, her voice clearly weak. ”I have meetings with several Parliamentarians and a long session with a host of physicians this morning, Mr. Archer. This had better be important.”
”Physicians?”
There was a pause and Archer could feel the chill of the royal frost, but she did finally respond. ”Pain management and a progress report on my son.”
Archer bowed his head, uneasy with her unexpected confidence. But at least she spoke of her child now with the absolute confidence of one who expected his existence to continue. He only wished she had more of that optimism for herself. He was the sort who was unwilling to give up, but then he'd never faced the enemy she was dealing with.
”I need to go into the city,” he said. ”To obtain the information you requested.”
”That can be arranged. You wish to go this morning?
”Yes. And I want to take Talia with me.”
”Absolutely not.” Her tone wasn't nearly as weak as it had been the moment
before.
”She needs to get out of here for a bit.”
”She needs to remain under my protection. I a.s.sume she told you.”
'Yes. Just as I a.s.sume this matter is still private knowledge.”
There was a long pause, then, ”Regardless, she is in danger and until you can
get me the information I require, I must insist she stay here.”
”Then it is impossible for me to get you that information. Because I refuse to leave her here.”
”You do not think I can maintain her safety?”
”You do not think I can?”
”I have far greater numbers to watch over her.”
”Many of whom you cannot trust. You know you can trust me. Your guard has
performed well so far, but if even one person knows of Talia's real connection
to you, she will be in danger.”
There was another long pause. Archer knew he had a strong bargaining position. Catriona urgently needed to know what Emrys's role was. Was it
more than a game to him? Only Baleweg could give them the answer.
Archer tried another tack, gentling his tone. ”Talia is overwhelmed, Your Highness. If she can leave the castle even for several hours, she will have a chance to get her bearings and put things in perspective. We will be with Baleweg. You know he is committed to her safety. If he feels she is threatened
in any way, we will return here at once. And he is best equipped to determine the danger she is in.”
This time the pause was shorter and Archer sensed that he'd gained ground.
Finally there was an audible sigh and he released the breath he'd been holding.
”I insist on sending a guard escort to and from the Old One's residence. ”
”Not if you expect him to be there when I arrive.”
The queen swore and didn't bother to lower her voice. Archer smiled. He'd
won.
”I do not like the position you have put me in, Mr. Archer. More stress I do not need.”
”Neither does Talia and she's far more unaccustomed to dealing with it.”
The frost returned. More like a deep freeze. ”This is an extremely undesirable