Part 44 (1/2)
Alighting from Cormery's carriage at Swanholm, Celestine was surprised to see that one whole wing was covered with scaffolding and swarming with builders. As she crossed the wide gravel drive, the extent of the damage became clear; the roof must have caved in, taking much of the upper floors with it. She turned to Roget de Cormery, asking, ”Do you know what happened? Was there a fire?”
”The official story is that insurgents kidnapped Princess Karila and in the fight to get her back, the wing was. .h.i.t by cannonfire. But I heard a rumor,” said Cormery confidentially, ”that Swanholm was attacked by a Drakhaoul.”
Celestine looked at him in astonishment.
Then they were met by the majordomo and ushered into the palace, to an antechamber to await their imperial majesties' pleasure.
Celestine, too agitated to stay sitting down, paced the parquet flooring, stopping from time to time to gaze out of the windows at the parkland. When she had last seen the view, the trees had been hung with soft-colored lanterns and the dusky summer air had been filled with music.
”Do take a gla.s.s of this excellent amber aquavit,” said Cormery, taking a sip. A tray of refreshments had been brought in by a maid: a crystal decanter of aquavit and a silver dish filled with little almond macaroons. ”It will help calm your nerves.”
”Is it so very obvious?” Celestine forced a smile. ”No spirits, thank you; they're bad for the vocal cords. I came here to sing for her imperial majesty, and if that is what she wishes...”
”Just don't ask me to be your accompanist!” said Cormery with a laugh. ”I never managed more than 'Good night, little star.' 'Good night, little star.' I almost drove my music teacher insane.” I almost drove my music teacher insane.”
The door opened and the majordomo appeared, announcing, ”Demoiselle de Joyeuse is requested to attend upon her imperial highness in the Willow Salon.”
”My dear Celestine,” exclaimed Astasia, holding out her hands to her, ”I'm so relieved to see that you're safe.” And to Celestine's confusion, the Empress embraced her, kissing her on both cheeks. ”There's someone here I want you to meet.” She led her over to the fireplace, where a young man was sitting, with a red-haired girl beside him. Celestine let out a little cry.
”S-sire?” she whispered. ”You're alive?” She was so surprised that she forgot all about court etiquette, unable to do anything but stare. Then, remembering where she was, she sank into a deep curtsy.
”Please rise, Demoiselle,” said King Enguerrand. He looked thin and frail, as though he had been ill for a long while, but he was smiling at her, and the warmth of his smile made her feel as if there might still be hope for Jagu. ”I know we can trust you to keep this a secret.”
”But of course!”
”We cannot even risk telling Cormery yet. I owe my life to the Emperor; he sent Kaspar Linnaius to search for me and the others in my party.”
”The Magus brought us all the way back from Serindher in his sky craft!” put in the girl, her brown eyes radiant with excitement.
”My cousin Aude found the journey rather more agreeable than I,” Enguerrand said ruefully.
”But my stubborn brother has chosen to stay in Serindher,” said Astasia with a little sniff, ”to help the priests rebuild their mission. Andrei, doing good works? Whatever next?”
”I am glad to hear that the prince is in good health.” Celestine could not hide an affectionate little smile as she spoke. ”I owe him my life. He rescued me from the Inquisition in Smarna.”
Enguerrand's expression became grave. ”I've been hearing disturbing rumors about the Inquisition. They seem to have fallen under the influence of the Rosecoeurs and Girim nel Ghislain.”
Celestine could not hold back any longer. ”They've arrested my partner, Lieutenant de Rustephan, sire,” she cried, ”and they're threatening to execute him unless I give myself up too. Is there any way you can help us?”
”Rustephan?” repeated Enguerrand. ”But you were the ones who saved my sister's life in Bel'Esstar! Why would Ilsevir seek to destroy two such loyal Guerriers?”
”Because,” and Celestine hesitated, knowing that she was taking a terrible risk in revealing her secret to the king, ”I am the daughter of a magus. I have mage blood in my veins.”
Enguerrand was staring at her. I've said too much. I've said too much. She lowered her gaze. But then he held out his hand to her, beckoning her close. She knelt before him and felt his fingers gently touching her head, raising her face to his. She lowered her gaze. But then he held out his hand to her, beckoning her close. She knelt before him and felt his fingers gently touching her head, raising her face to his.
”You're truly blessed,” he said, gazing deeply into her eyes, ”because the blood of angels flows in your veins.”
”A-angels?”
”The priest who saved our lives, Abbe Laorans, showed me the lost Holy Texts, the ones that tell the true story of Azilis and her father, Prince Nagazdiel. Now I understand that the magi are not to be feared and persecuted because of their powers; they should be honored and respected.”
Celestine could hardly begin to comprehend what the king was telling her. But the one thing she understood was that he was her friend and ally.
”We have been in discussion with the Emperor,” Enguerrand went on, ”and we have a plan. But are you prepared to risk your life?”
”I'll risk anything,” she said without hesitating, ”if it will save Jagu.”
A secret meeting was convened late that night. Cormery had already departed for Muscobar, bearing a dispatch box with sealed, encrypted instructions inside for Fabien d'Abrissard.
Celestine looked around the candlelit table. Enguerrand of Francia and Eugene of Tielen were sitting, talking quietly together over gla.s.ses of red wine from Vasconie. Francia and Tielen in harmony, after so many years of bitter conflict?
”Isn't this exciting?” Aude said to her. ”A midnight conspiracy- just like in The Secret Kingdom!” The Secret Kingdom!” When Celestine looked at her blankly, she said, ”Haven't you ever read it? The Empress lent it to me; she has a fine collection of novels-” When Celestine looked at her blankly, she said, ”Haven't you ever read it? The Empress lent it to me; she has a fine collection of novels-”
The door opened and Kaspar Linnaius appeared.
”Welcome, Kaspar!” cried Eugene, gesturing to the chair beside his. Celestine was astonished to see the Magus break into a smile. She had never realized before how strong the friends.h.i.+p must be between the two men.
”I don't think the Magus is much used to smiling,” whispered Aude in her ear.
”Now that we're all here,” said the Emperor, ”let's not delay any further. Demoiselle de Joyeuse, we have to ensure that you return to Lutece as soon as possible.”
”My plan is to try to gain an audience with Princess Adele, and beg her to intercede on Jagu's behalf,” said Celestine.
”Kaspar”-and Eugene turned to the Magus- ”are you willing to transport the demoiselle right into the heart of Lutece? It's asking a great deal of you to take such a risk...”
”If the demoiselle is willing to trust me,” said Linnaius, gazing steadily at Celestine through the s.h.i.+mmer of candleflames. Celestine could not hold his gaze and, confused, glanced away.
”If you see my sister, I'd like you to give her this message,” said Enguerrand, pa.s.sing her a little folded paper across the table.
”And I'm coming too, to create a little distraction,” declared Aude.
”Good,” said the Emperor briskly. ”Then here's our plan. Enguerrand and I will set out with the Northern Fleet from Holborg, making for Fenez-Tyr.”
A doubtful look appeared on Enguerrand's face.
”If this is going to succeed, we need to keep you out of sight for as long as possible. We need to start rumors that you've been seen alive. If we've judged the mood of the people of Lutece correctly, they'll be overjoyed when you return. We must increase the uncertainty for Ilsevir and his Rosecoeurs and keep them guessing. That way we can catch them off guard.”
One by one, the others left the chamber until only Celestine and Linnaius remained.
If the demoiselle is willing to trust me, he had said. She felt deeply ashamed that she did not know how to begin to apologize for attacking him. But she knew that at least she must make the attempt. he had said. She felt deeply ashamed that she did not know how to begin to apologize for attacking him. But she knew that at least she must make the attempt.
”All my life,” she began haltingly, ”I've believed that you betrayed my father.” She stared at her hands, which were folded together in her lap, unable to meet his gaze. ”Now I see that...I misjudged you.” At last she found the courage to look up into his eyes. ”'Here I am, condemned to die, and where is Linnaius?' Those were my father's last words to me. Can you understand me now, Magus?”
There was a long pause. ”Yes,” he said at last. His eyes no longer seemed to be looking at her, but through her at some far-distant point. ”It was mere chance that I was away from Karantec when the Inquisition struck. But I was ailing, so Maistre Gonery sent me to be healed in Khitari. If I had known that you were alive, I would have done all I could to find you and bring you to safety in Tielen. But the only news that I could gather when I returned was that the magi and all their kin were dead.”
Celestine was feeling more uncomfortable with every word that he spoke. ”I was convinced that you had wronged my father. To be sitting here, in Tielen, talking with you, when the last time we were in Swan-holm, you were my prisoner...” She shook her head, still trying to come to terms with the situation. ”I did a terrible thing to you, Magus. And you nearly died...” Her voice faded away. ”Can you ever forgive me?”
”You were influenced by the teachings of the Inquisition,” he said gravely. ”Celestine, I want you to reflect a moment and ask yourself who your true enemy is.”