Part 16 (1/2)
”No. Beyond.” He gestured vaguely.
”Ah, on Sidraigh-hal” Sidraigh-hal” she said, remembering what he had said earlier. ”What were you doing there? Plotting treason against the emperor? Was that how the two of you were caught by the demons which protect the mountain?” she said, remembering what he had said earlier. ”What were you doing there? Plotting treason against the emperor? Was that how the two of you were caught by the demons which protect the mountain?”
Caelan's mouth opened.
She went on. ”The mountain was active last night. We felt tremors, even here in the city.”
As she spoke, she thought, Yes, even a tremor that broke the ruby throne. Did Beloth plan that? Can the shadow G.o.d reach so far now into our world? Yes, even a tremor that broke the ruby throne. Did Beloth plan that? Can the shadow G.o.d reach so far now into our world?
Driving such thoughts away, she continued.
”Yes, you were there by your own admission. That is how you got your burns. And you carried his highness back?
All that way? That indicates deep devotion to your master. Why are you now so eager to denounce him?”
He frowned. ”I-”
”Are you guilty as his accomplice? Have you also committed treasonous acts? By his order or by your own free will? Have you listened to treasonous talk and not reported it? Today is not the first time surely that Prince Tirhin has acted against his emperor, yet why haven't you spoken up before now? Why wait? Is it for revenge against your master that you speak now? Why did you not come forward at the first incident? Do you understand that if you speak, you will come under blame?”
His chin lifted. ”I am prepared for that.”
”How proudly you say it. Have you realized that if you lay such a charge, you must be questioned? Do you understand that slaves are questioned by torture, and must make confessions in order for their evidence to be admissible in court?”
Her scorn was coming out into her words. How big and foolish he was, standing there with his mouth open. He looked at her as though he could not imagine a woman would know about such matters, much less understand them. He was like an ox, too big and docile to comprehend that he was being led to slaughter. She wished she could tell him that Kostimon knew his son was plotting, but that was privileged information, not for disclosure.
Caelan sighed. ”I would not be risking this if I did not believe the emperor should be warned without delay. Will you now keep your promise, Majesty, and tell him?”
”I made no promise.”
He scowled. ”You-”
Her hand flashed up to silence him. ”I said I would judge your message and then decide whether I could help you. It is quite impossible.”
His shoulders sagged, and despair filled his face. It was as though he was too weary to be angry anymore.
”The emperor grants few audiences,” she found herself explaining out of pity. ”Those are set weeks in advance. He will see no one on whim or demand.”
”But for this-”
”No. It is by his will,” she said. ”It cannot be changed.”
”But how-”
”There is another way,” she said.
Hope dawned in his face. Eagerly he nodded. ”Tell me, and I shall do it.”
”You offered to write your message. Do that, and I will see that it reaches the hands of Lord Sien.”
Everything in his face crashed. He drew back, shaking his head. ”No.”
”Why?”
”It is impossible.”
Elandra's patience crumbled. She had made more explanations and offers of a.s.sistance than he had any right to expect. Suggesting Lord Sien's help was the only avenue of seeing that his message got to the emperor, for the high priest alone had unlimited access to the emperor's ear. But this man was indeed an ignorant knave. If he did not understand how far she had been willing to go on his behalf, then she would not explain further.
”Very well,” she said coldly, and walked to the door.
Caelan came after her. ”Majesty, please!”
”I must go.”
He reached around her and held the door shut with his palm when she would have opened it.
Outraged, she whirled to face him and found him far too close. ”How dare you keep me here against my will!”
”What is one more offense among so many?” he retorted. ”Will you help me if I tell you the Madruns are coming?”
”The Madruns are always coming,” she said, unimpressed. ”It is a threat spoken to frighten children. They cannot break through our defenses.”
His face was intense. ”But if they could?”
”They cannot!”
”But if they could!”
She stared at him, wondering for a moment if it could be true. The very idea chilled her. ”Is this the terrible warning you bring?” she asked, putting a slight hint of laughter in her voice.
He met her gaze, emotions at war in his face. Finally he took his hand from the door and stepped back.
”It is impossible for them to reach Imperia,” she went on derisively. ”Our defenses are very strong.”
He said nothing. His eyes held defeat, and it was as though he refused to plead or argue further.
She watched him a moment, wanting to believe him, but unable to. With a sigh, she replaced her veil and straightened her cloak. Her obligations could not be put off any longer. She had tarried here too long already. Elandra's curiosity was stronger than ever regarding what Tirhin had been up to. But if the slave would not talk openly, she could waste no more time trying to draw it from him.
”My advice for you is that you run,” she said. ”The healer will tell Prince Tirhin what you have done here. You are lost. No one at the palace will grant you sanctuary, and you cannot return to your master with any hope of his mercy now that you have attempted to denounce him. Run. It is your only hope.”
”I can't live with bounty hunters on my trail,” he said quietly.
It was not the answer she expected from him. She cast him one final look of amazement, then gathered her potion from the table and left the small study, taking care to close the door after her.
In the pa.s.sageway the guards snapped to attention and fell into step behind her. Elandra walked quickly, moving with purpose but not unseemly haste. She was late; she had been gone too long. There would be an uproar to face in her chamber.
It did not matter. She had much to think about regarding this chance encounter.