Too Many Princes (80 page)

Tangles and Ties

“
Let go of me!
”

Both Therula and her mother turned sharply as Oskar's strained voice cut through the babble in Alustra's chamber. The two women had been standing near Alustra's fireplace, trying to look calm and in control while surrounded by the tumult of evacuation.

“
I tell you, I can walk!
”
Oskar insisted irritably. His voice came from the corridor just outside the queen's chambers.

Heads turned all over the room, now. Alustra abruptly strode away, leaving Therula flat-footed. Therula couldn't see her brother through the crowd of courtiers and servants. Still, her heart thudded in her chest. If Oskar was back, then...

“
Your majesty, please let us help you,
”
Pikarus said.

“
I'm not an invalid,
”
Oskar snapped.

Therula sank down on the warmth of the hearth, ignoring a serving maid who was trying to put wood on the fire. She had been standing stiff all day, as if that could really make her stronger. Now Pikarus was back. He sounded so like himself that she knew he wasn’t injured. Relief left Therula weak. Her heart pounded with the force of panic she had been holding at bay.

“
Sister, what's wrong?
”
Cliodora, who had been holding hands with her mother in a girlish gesture of dependence, rushed to Therula's side. Casiana was dragged behind, barely able to keep pace. Questions tumbled from Cliodora's lips:
“
Is that Oskar? Is he hurt? Are they already fighting outside?
”

“
Shush!
”
Casiana said.
“
It's too soon for that.
”
Casiana was fair and delicate, pretty as a flower and about as sturdy. In this crisis she looked little older than her daughter, and nearly as fearful.

Therula opened her mouth, but then closed it, no word spoken. Faces all around her were pinched with worry. Princesses, concubines and servants, looked to her for reassurance, and she didn't know what to say. Alustra wouldn't want her to burst out with news of the imposter in Oskar's place, yet it would be hard to avoid questions. Oskar had just left to fight at the city walls. Now he was back again. How was Therula supposed to explain it?

Meanwhile, everyone interpreted her relief as a terrified swoon. That, at least, she couldn't allow. Therula stood up.

“
I'll have to ask Mother,
”
she announced. Truth to tell, she couldn't bear another moment without seeing Pikarus.

Therula made her way toward the door, though the crowd made swift movement impossible. Servants were bringing in furniture and baggage for the six princesses who had gathered in the queen's chambers. In addition to Casiana, Jenne and Tioma were there with their daughters. These were the last of Unferth's paramours who hadn't married and still lived in Harburg.

It had always been difficult for Alustra to accept her rivals, yet she tolerated their presence thus far. Perhaps Unferth's death made their rivalry meaningless. Whatever the reason, Therula was glad. She had no heart for her usual responsibility of pacifying jealous tempers.

Therula arrived in the doorway to see Alustra and Oskar in the hallway. Oskar stood between two soldiers, wobbling as he resisted their efforts to support him. Pikarus stood behind them. Shaelen was with him, but Therula hardly noticed. Her eyes were fixed on her beloved.

“
Oskar.
”
Alustra's voice, choked with emotion, drew Therula back to the drama before her. The queen had her hands on Oskar's shoulders. She stared into his face, as if she could see that he was who he seemed.

“
Mother, please.
”
Oskar's face was pale, almost grayish. His eyes burned a fevered blue. Only they seemed truly alive.

“
My son.
”
Alustra's hands trembled as she drew Oskar to her, kissed him briefly.

Just for a moment, Oskar leaned on her. The faintest tremor was in his voice.
“
I'm fine, Mother, but please, I've got to sit down.
”

“
Of course. We have much to talk about.
”
Alustra drew Oskar down the corridor, gesturing for someone to open the door ahead of them.

Therula stood aside, letting the soldiers pass, before she edged her way to Pikarus's side. She embraced her beloved, not caring any more who saw or what they thought.

“
Javes found you?
”
she murmured.

“
It's good you sent him,
”
Pikarus said.
“
We ran into some problems. Once the king is comfortable, I will make good on your word and prepare to defend these chambers. Lady Shaelen has agreed to aid us.
”

He clasped Therula's hand briefly and stepped away. Reluctantly, she allowed him to go. For the moment, Therula was satisfied to know Pikarus was alive. Of future perils she would not think too deeply. Therula turned to Shaelen.

“
We appreciate your help,
”
she said.
“
We have gathered in my mother's chambers. Please join us.
”

“
Very well.
”
Shaelen's dark eyes darted, taking in her surroundings. Princesses and paramours crowded the doorway. Among them, Therula saw Margura.

“
Was that... the king?
”
Margura asked. Ever the hopeful sycophant, Therula thought.

“
Yes,
”
Therula said. She spoke clearly, for all to hear.
“
So far as I could see, my brother isn't wounded. However, the queen is with him to give her counsel. I am sure she will advise us when the king can take visitors.
”

The anxious crowd pushed back slowly. Margura went with them, wearing a petulant expression. Since Oskar's chamber was adjacent to Alustra's, Therula had no doubt Margura would contrive to slip away. Remembering Pikarus's suspicions, Therula resolved to find the queen's brazen attendant some pressing duty.

Unexpectedly, Shaelen leaned closer to murmur,
“
You cannot trust that one.
”

Therula nodded, trying to conceal her surprise. She gestured toward the doorway.
“
Will you please join us?
”

There was a lot of worried chatter about Oskar's haggard appearance, but Shaelen's entrance created a further scandal. With so much happening, Therula had almost forgotten the Urulai woman's unkempt hair, her barbaric leathers and weapons. The courtiers gawked. Some curled their lips in disgust. Margura, who had the least reason for pride, edged away as if the brush of Shaelen's arm might soil her clothing.

Recalling her own first reaction, Therula didn't blame anyone for their shock. Nevertheless, it was wrong to scorn somebody who had come to help them.

“
This is Lady Shaelen, from Hawkwing House,
”
Therula announced. Her throat felt tight with loud speech and emotion.
“
She has come to aid us in our time of need.
”

A few of the bystanders made scanty curtseys toward Shaelen. Others looked ashamed of their staring, or merely returned to their fretful conversations. For her part, Shaelen's stiff shoulders showed her discomfort at being the center of attention. After a moment's hesitation, she crossed the room to sit on the hearth where Therula had been just moments ago.

More serving women entered the room, carrying trays of rolls, sliced fruits and cheeses. Therula stood aside to let them pass. This would be all the breakfast most of them had, until an emergency kitchen could be set up. Therula accepted a bit of cheese and nibbled without tasting it. She glanced behind her, making certain Margura was accounted for. Then she strolled slowly back toward the hearth.

Shaelen ignored the food offered by a passing servant. Her hands, cupped before her, held something small that Therula couldn't see. Whatever it was, Shaelen was concentrating hard on it. Nearby, Therula noticed Cliodora edging over toward the hearth. The youngest princess still held her mother's hand, but her face was alight with curiosity.

Therula moved to intercept her little sister, but Shaelen looked up. Her dark eyes warily examined the intruder.

“
Excuse us,
”
Casiana murmured. She tried without success to pull her daughter away. Rather than being abashed, Cliodora took Shaelen's notice as an invitation.

“
Are you going to fight?
”
the girl asked, leaning still closer.

“
If the battle comes here, I will,
”
Shaelen answered.

“
Why?
”
Casiana burst out, appalled.
“
Let the men do it. It's their job!
”

“
They will do it,
”
Therula interrupted, aware of those who lingered nearby, listening.
“
Captain Garican will do his duty. Sergeant Pikarus is here, too. You need have no fear.
”

Shaelen glanced between Therula and Cliodora, who regarded her with great admiration. She seemed to weigh her words carefully.

“
Cruthan ships once carried the exiles from Urland after its fall,
”
Shaelen finally said.
“
Honor demands that we help you now.
”

“
And we appreciate it,
”
Therula reiterated, in case anyone was in doubt of Shaelen's welcome.

Casiana seemed little mollified, but Cliodora continued leaning forward as far as their linked hands would permit.

“
What is that?
”
she asked, nodding to whatever Shaelen held in her two hands.

“
There is magic in it,
”
Shaelen replied. She pitched her voice lower, though Therula doubted she was hiding anything. The room was too small, too crowded.
“
If I can undo the knot and break the spell, that would be of great help.
”