Too Many Princes (76 page)

“
To you, loyal servant,
”
Oskar intoned,
“
I entrust my most precious loved ones, the flower of my realm. I leave them in your hands.
”

“
I shall protect them with my life!
”
Garican vowed.

“
Of that I am certain,
”
Oskar responded.
“
Now we ride, men of Crutham. You know what we must do. Forward, my brothers. For Crutham, and victory!
”

Oskar urged his horse forward, though he moved slowly enough that he wouldn't leave anyone behind. Habrok and the others were also mounting. The soldiers were surging to their feet. Therula watched with helpless rage as the impostor led her brothers away. How brave they all were, how strangely beautiful. Her heart ached for them, deceived into following a traitor's orders. Most of them didn't even like Oskar, yet they stood at his side in this crisis. They would do what was right for Crutham, and the likely reward of their loyalty was death.

“
Are they really going?
”
A quavering voice startled Therula. She spun, to find Cliodora at her elbow. The youngest princess shivered in her nightgown. Her flaxen hair was unbound for sleep. Behind Cliodora were other shadowy figures. Unferth's daughters crowded the doorway with terrified curiosity.

“
Yes, they're going.
”
Therula extended her cloak to cover Cliodora, drawing her into a kind of embrace. Then she stepped back under the arch. The young women formed a circle around her.

“
It seems the fighting has reached Harburg,
”
Therula said. She did her best to sound calm about it.
“
The soldiers will go to defend us. Our own brothers lead them, so try not to be afraid. Now, all of you, go find your mothers. Get dressed and get into the keep. You'll be safe there.
”

“
Can we bring a few things with us?
”
Orlyse asked. From her expression, Therula was certain she meant jewelry.

“
A
few
things.
”
Therula stressed the qualifier.
“
Then go to my mother. She will know what to do next.
”

The girls began to disperse, whispering among themselves. It was a sign of the crisis that they didn't argue about reporting to the queen. At any other time, this instruction would have brought a storm of protests.

“
What about you?
”
Cliodora whimpered.

Therula turned deftly, so that her cloak was left on Cliodora's shoulders. The girl clutched it to her, still shivering.

“
Don't worry, apple blossom,
”
Therula assured her.
“
I'll be there, too. But first, can you do something for me?
”

“
Of course!
”
Cliodora straightened slightly.

“
The queen wasn't here, I noticed,
”
Therula said. She could understand why Alustra would stay away, but she wished she hadn't. Alustra's failure to bid her own son farewell was sure to raise questions—and not the right ones.
“
When you get inside, you must tell my mother what the king said. Give her his exact words.
”

“
I can do that.
”
Cliodora seemed relieved to have a job to do.

“
I know you can. Hurry now.
”
Therula gave her little sister a gentle push. Cliodora hurried inside.

Therula turned back to the courtyard. She stared after the departing soldiers, with the banner of Crutham floating so bravely above their heads. She thought again about Oskar's speech.

 
“
I leave them in your hands,
”
he had said, meaning the royal women—Alustra, Therula, and all the others. In Therula's experience that phrase,
“
I leave it in your hands,
”
was a kind of code. The lords in council used it when they wished to be absolved of blame afterward. Oskar might as well have said,
“
If anything happens to them, it will be your fault, not mine.
”

Which implied that something was going to happen. Maybe the false king counted on Garican being too inexperienced to lead an effective defense, or maybe it was something else, but Therula knew in her gut he had some kind of surprise planned. After putting up with these intuitions for the past few weeks, she found she was coming to trust them.

Under the circumstances, then, Therula thought she had better undertake a precaution of her own. She just hoped Captain Garican would be as easy to browbeat as he looked.