House of Shadows(105)
“Oh, come.” In contrast to the young sorcerer, Ankennes sounded simply matter-of-fact. “You have already demonstrated your willingness. What difference if you do away with the young prince for Miennes or for me?”
Prince Tepres said steadily, “Lord Chontas Taudde ser Omientes, I swear I will forgive any previous acts of yours in Lirionne if you will work on my behalf tonight.”
“Play, and I will see to it that no one suspects your hand,” said the mage. “Or do not, as you please, and I’ll play that flute myself, and then give it to the Dragon of Lirionne as evidence of your guilt. What do you suppose the Dragon will do,” he asked impatiently, “when he believes Kalches sent a sorcerer here, despite the Brenedde Treaty, to murder his last legitimate son? Kalches will look back on the war Geriodde Nerenne ken Seriantes ended fifteen years ago as on the mere breeze that precedes the storm.”
There was a silence. The Kalchesene straightened his shoulders and began, “You may be surprised at what the Dragon will believe—”
“He’s going to play it,” Karah whispered, with an agonized glance at the prince.
Nemienne wasn’t so sure. She thought that the foreigner might be proud enough that he would continue to refuse, no matter what threat Ankennes might make. As the pause lengthened, she found herself becoming more and more sure of it. But she also thought it would all go wrong if he did—Mage Ankennes was prepared for that refusal. “Look,” she whispered back, “If he does—if he does play that flute—Karah, you be ready to hold the prince in this world. We’ll get you into that circle, and whatever you do, don’t let go of the prince! You have to be his anchor—you have to hold hard to what you love, but remember I’m here, too! I’ll try to hold you, but you have to hold onto me, too! And be sure you give that kitten to the prince, all right?”
“What? Nemienne—”
“Just be ready to hold the prince! And don’t forget about the kitten!” As the foreigner drew a breath to speak, Nemienne caught her sister’s hand, scooped up the kitten herself, and pulled a startled Karah after her into the light. Enkea curled her tail around her feet and sat behind them like a statue in the dimness.
Their sudden appearance got everyone’s attention. The young Kalchesene looked mostly at Karah, and he seemed furious. Leilis looked momentarily horrified, then went expressionless, as though she’d donned a mask. Prince Tepres, drawing a shocked breath, took a step toward the edge of his prisoning circle and put out his hands as though he meant to try to push through the light. But he stopped without touching it.
Mage Ankennes was not pleased to see the girls. “What is this?” he demanded of Nemienne, visibly trying to decide whether to be furious or merely annoyed.
“I had to, to come. To see,” Nemienne explained awkwardly, trying to sound young and ignorant. This was not at all difficult.
“How did you come?” Ankennes asked next.
“From Cloisonné House,” Nemienne explained, glad to have a ready excuse for bringing Karah. “Cloisonné House just, just echoes—all through—with ties to these caverns, you know. You can walk out of Cloisonné House right into shadow. Didn’t you know?”
Ankennes frowned at her, but now he seemed more interested than angry.
Karah, behind Nemienne, had tried at first to shrink into Nemienne’s shadow. But now she abruptly straightened her shoulders and stepped out in front of her sister, looking outraged, but in a surprisingly adult, elegant, keiso sort of way. “How dare you!” she exclaimed. “Don’t you have any shame? Trying to make somebody else do your murder for you!”
Mage Ankennes snorted, a rough sound that was almost a laugh. “Ignorant child! You would do better to be silent until you know whereof you speak.” He turned away dismissively, back toward Nemienne. “Come over here,” he commanded her.
Nemienne hesitated. “And Karah? She wants to be with the prince, she says—”
“Your sister’s presence doesn’t matter. She can’t interfere,” the mage said shortly, and added to Karah, “You may certainly join Prince Tepres, if you wish.”
Nemienne put the kitten into her sister’s hands and gave her a little shove toward the prince’s prison. Karah lifted her chin, gave Ankennes a scornful look, and walked gracefully across the uneven floor of the cavern toward Prince Tepres. Her kitten climbed to a perch on her shoulder.
“No!” the prince said sharply, lifting a warding hand toward her. “Ankennes—”