He noted the lady knight take a few respectful steps backwards when Suāda took up a defensive position behind him, though honestly, Malik could have sighed. It would be the height of folly for these people to attempt to assassinate him, and he knew the knightly sorts werenāt the kind to bother with something like that. If this Lyanna had any intention of slaying him, she would have challenged him to open-field combat in that quaint little way Merdervans had. As if honor had a place in matters of life and death. Malik had his own code, but it was strange and obscure to most, and it did not treat in too many of the chivalric principles as such.
Honestly, he rather wished his manservant would just
eat, but he wasnāt going to demand thatāheād have food sent up later, perhaps, when he settled into his chambers. Until then, he supposed it would be like this. The absence of company was honestly a bit dreary, at least until two new people entered the room.
He recognized both on sight, though heād only ever met one of them. Heād heard a little rumor that King James of Effemagne was present, but he hadnāt expected to run into him so soon. āAh, James! It looks like being king agrees with you!ā Malik grinned and reached up to slap the man across the back in a friendly gesture. James was a fellow who knew how to have a little fun now and then, something that was doubtless sorely needed in such a chill place as this.
The lady with him was also recognizable. Princess Isabelle Marcot, preceded by her reputation for manipulation and wiles. He glanced back and forth between the two and raised an eyebrow, his smile growing fractionally larger across his face as his eyes glittered with mirth. āAnd her Highness Isabelle. My, my, it seems that Merderva really
is playing host to half the worldās royalty. I do wonder what has possessed you all to come to this little mixer of the high-and-mighty, but of course, I shall not pry.ā His tone remained light, jocular, but there was a keen edge to it, as though he didnāt really need to ask to understand. And who did? A castle this bigāthe number of spies was simply outrageous. It always would be; there was simply no avoiding it. He would never deny having a few well-placed ones of his own, for why should he need to deny that? It was a practice that everyone knew about, and
almost everyone used. He revealed some things so that what was kept hidden remained so.
Better to tell a small secret, so that people never went looking for the big one.
āPlease, both of you, do join me. I simply
must share a meal with such illustrious company.ā Malik gestured widely, as if to encompass the otherwise empty table and all the freshened food that sat upon it. If none of the Merdervan royals was interested in holding court over breakfast, he certainly wouldnāt balk at the chance. Not when it was bound to be so much
fun.
Ephraim debated the merits of this for a moment, but the waterfall was far enough away from the border of the Western Provinces that it would not be an issue. Not with the armies still caped where they were. So it was with a subtle nod that he agreed, picking up the pace until Sable matched Wen in stride, a stride which increased until both were galloping rather rapidly over the terrain. He didnāt travel too far ahead, of courseāthe simple fact of the matter was that a horse bred for war could last longer than one for leisure, but he chose to remain at his friendās side, his own inborn sense of caution demanding it.
They had not quite yet reached the waterfall when Ephraim spotted something curious in the distance. A rider, from the look of it, pushing his horse far beyond the bounds of safe pace. The animal, as it drew closer, was obviously in a lather, a dangerous state if they had much further to go. The workmanlike quality of the armor and it plainness indicated a sword rider of some kind, and not a member of the nobility, but that did not invalidate the importance of what the person was doing.
āHold here,ā he told Giselle, his station settling over him like a shroud. That was the voice of Ephraim the General, not Ephraim the childhood friend, and he spurred Sable to intercept the rider, holding up a hand to call a halt to the manās forward progress. āHold, in the name of Merderva,ā he said formally, drawing up when the other did.
āGods save Merderva,ā the man replied, his voice leaden with weight of weariness. āI bring a message for their Highnesses. Please, it is most urgent.ā As if for proof, the man fished a folded parchment out of his cloak somewhere.
Ephraim blinked. āThat is a title that I hold,ā he said mildly, and the messenger did a double-take, scrutinizing him for a moment before he dipped his head in embarrassment. It was the color of his eyes that made him recognizable, he knew, for he did not wear the more ostentatious regalia he was allowed.
āB-begging your pardon, Highness,ā the man stammered, reminding him faintly of Lyanna, who was like as not having a rough time of it trying to keep up with the boundless energy and verve of the Shahari prince. Replacing the parchment, he pulled out another, and a light of amusement crept into Ephraimās eyes. It was good to know he wouldnāt actually brandish a missive for Royal eyes only to just anyone.
The second paper, he took, reading over the words and resisting the urge to curse under his breath. āAll right,ā he said calmly, handing the paper back. āCarry this same message to my brother Elijah, and let no one else see it, do you understand?ā The man nodded, tucking the message away again, and Ephraim dismissed him. Lashing his horse with his reins, the messenger took up a full-tilt gallop again, making a beeline for the palace. Ephraim returned to Giselle, shaking his head.
āIām sorry,ā he said, and the guilt was obviously genuine, ābut I must return. I have to make arrangements to house the Iron Duke and his party. It seems my request to treat for peace is to be answered in person, long before I had anticipated.ā Perhaps the worthiest of all the things he could be doing with his time, but one he dreaded. The lord he was to treat with was not known for his mercy, and it would take more than a few parties and a pleasant stay in Merderva to forge a treaty between these two nations. Ephraim was going into this at a steep disadvantage, and just for one small moment, he cursed the legacy of his uncle for that. But it was no good berating a dead man for his lack of foresight, and he had too much to do to waste any time in so unworthy a fashion.
āWe must head back. Iāll have to host him at one of the mansesāweāre running out of room in the royal wing.ā He would inform the stablemistress to send whomever she trusted the most to supervise that part of it, and the same for the kitchenmaster, the head maid, and several other people. They were going to have to split castle staff to augment the capabilities of the manse. Perhaps he would have to send Laurent as well, to manage everything else. It was going to be a delicate balancing act, but by the time Duke Hastenback arrived, they
would be ready.
They would have to be.