War of Shadows (28 page)

Blaine knew the others were waiting for his reaction. As much as he felt like throttling Carr, the prisoner’s information could be valuable. And Carr had already made his point, disrupting the wedding and putting a damper on the festivities. Blaine resolved to curtail the damage.

“Let’s get him downstairs and locked up—keep two guards on him until we can get back to him,” Blaine said to Niklas, who signaled for soldiers to do what Blaine ordered.

“I wouldn’t wait too long,” Carr called after them. “The potion’s effective, but toxic. I’ve had to dose him a couple of times on the way here. It’ll wear off in another candlemark or so, and he’ll be dead by morning.”

Blaine and Niklas looked at each other with a glance that said they knew Carr had maneuvered them into a corner. “All right,” Blaine said. “Let’s get him downstairs and get this over with.”

“I’m coming with you,” Kestel said. “Verran and the twins can keep the music going. We’ll come back when we’re finished.”

“I’ll be glad to lend assistance,” Geir volunteered. He looked to Carr. “What did you drug him with?” Carr named several plants. Geir shrugged before picking up the prisoner. “None of those should harm a
talishte
. I can read his blood once you’re through with the interrogation.”

“I would also join you, if you allow?” Penhallow asked.

Blaine gave a nod, knowing without a word through the
kruvgaldur
that Penhallow wanted to protect him.
This bond takes some getting used to
, he thought to himself.

Blaine doubted that after the interrogation and the prisoner’s execution, he or Kestel would feel much like rejoining the party.

Judith slipped up beside Blaine and laid a hand on his arm. “Go on. I’ll make sure your guests have a good evening.” Blaine took Kestel’s hand and followed the others to the cellar.

The new manor house had no need of a dungeon. But it did have windowless storage rooms with solid wooden doors, and it was to one of those rooms that Niklas directed Geir to take the prisoner. They found a nearly empty room and a chair and unloaded the groggy prisoner, tying his arms to the chair before cutting the bonds at his wrists. Perhaps the prisoner thought they had shown mercy, but Blaine knew it was to make it easier for Geir to find an artery when the interrogation came to an end.

“Ask him your questions,” Carr prompted. “Between the drugs and the amulet, he’ll tell you anything.”

Blaine glared at Carr. Niklas moved between them and faced the prisoner.

“What’s your name, soldier?”

“Lieutenant Runi Melkir.”

“What lord do you serve?”

“Lord Hennoch, and his liege, Lord Reese and Lord Pollard,” Melkir replied.

Niklas nodded. “What are your orders?”

“We’re to harry Blaine McFadden and block him from accomplishing his objectives,” the man replied in a slurred voice.

“What are those objectives?” Niklas pressed.

Melkir was silent for a moment. “Doesn’t matter,” he answered finally. “We’re to get in the way. Find out what his men are doing
at Mirdalur, block supplies from going into Castle Reach, burn out villages loyal to him. Whatever it takes.”

Niklas looked at Blaine. “Pretty much what we expected,” he murmured. He turned his attention back to Melkir. “How did you know about Mirdalur?”

The drugged man gave a sluggish chuckle. “Lord Pollard hears things,” he said. “He has spies.”

“Who are your spies? Who gives you information?” Kestel asked.

The prisoner gave Kestel a puzzled look. “You’re a pretty lady,” he slurred.

Kestel gave him a warm smile that did not reach her eyes. “Tell me who gives you information,” she repeated, using a flicker of her own magic to encourage him to answer.

“Steen the tinker,” he said finally, in a drunken mutter. “Teodor—he’s a thief. And Vinsi, the peddler.”

“That’s very good,” Kestel praised, with a glance to make sure that Niklas had committed the names to memory.

“How many men are in Hennoch’s army?” Niklas asked, nodding as Melkir replied with a number. If Melkir was correct, Hennoch’s forces were smaller than those Niklas commanded.

“And then there are the mages,” Melkir muttered.

“What about the mages?” Blaine pressed.

Melkir was fading fast. His voice had dropped to a whisper, and his skin was ashen. “
Talishte
… turn the mages they find… makes them loyal to Reese and Pollard. Find where they’re hiding.” His last words were almost too quiet to hear.

“Get your questions in fast, he doesn’t have much longer,” Carr prodded. Kestel gave him a murderous look.

“Perhaps this is where I come in?” Geir said, looking to Penhallow, then Blaine, for confirmation. “I don’t think the man
can tell us more than he has, but I may read things from his blood that he has forgotten he knew—or that he overlooked.”

“You’ll see that he sleeps?” Kestel said, knowing that Geir took her meaning.

“Aye,” Geir replied with a nod. “And he won’t wake.”

The prisoner hung limply against the ropes that held him, and would have fallen had he not been bound. Geir knelt beside him and raised the man’s left forearm in his hands.

“It’s time for you to rest,” he said in a low, smooth voice that Blaine knew would be heavy with compulsion, glamouring Melkir to Geir’s will. Melkir took a deep breath and slumped, eyes closed.

Geir looked to Carr with an expression that made his opinion of the situation clear. “If you ever put us in this position again, I will read
your
blood once I’m finished with the prisoner’s.” Carr had the good sense not to speak, but anger was clear in his gaze.

Blaine swallowed hard as he watched Geir drink from the prisoner. Geir paused after a few moments, and Blaine guessed it was to process the images the blood had revealed. After a moment, Geir bent his head once more and did not stop until Melkir was dead.

“I can sketch out what I saw later,” Geir said, rising without a fleck of blood on his mouth. “There was more about troop strength, outposts, supply lines that could be helpful.” He shook his head. “I saw his memories. Pollard has Reese’s
talishte
looking for any mages who haven’t already sworn fealty to a warlord. Once they’re turned, they owe Reese allegiance for several lifetimes, and their magic is guaranteed to be in support of whatever he wants.”

“Lovely,” Kestel said drily.

Geir looked to Blaine and Niklas. “There was one more
thing, something that Melkir didn’t understand, so he didn’t realize what it meant. He overheard Pollard assure Hennoch that Reese would be rejoining him very soon.”

“I thought Reese had been sentenced by some
talishte
tribunal,” Blaine countered, frowning.

Penhallow nodded. “He was. The Elders passed judgment on him, and he’s to be imprisoned in an oubliette for fifty years. No small punishment, even for an immortal.” He paused. “The imprisonment should be secure, even against other
talishte
.”

“Maybe Pollard was lying,” Kestel said. “Trying to make Hennoch think Pollard still had Reese’s backing.”

Geir shook his head. “Remember—I saw what Melkir saw. It didn’t look like Pollard was spinning a tale.” He met Blaine’s gaze. “I think we have to face the very real possibility that Pollard—and some of Reese’s
talishte
supporters—believe they can free him.” He gave Penhallow a grim look. “I know this doesn’t make you happy—and it certainly won’t please the Wraith Lord.”

“What about him?” Niklas said, gesturing toward Melkir.

“He’s dead, but most assuredly not turned,” Geir replied. “You can deal with the body as you wish.”

“I should make you bury him,” Niklas said, glowering at Carr.

“He had valuable information,” Carr countered. “And this is war. People die.”

Niklas bit back a retort and turned to the soldiers. “Take the body to the refuse trench, and cover it with rocks. It will do.” He looked back at the others. “I can’t justify putting soldiers at risk to bury him outside the fence.”

Blaine eyed Carr. Anger at the disruption of the wedding mingled with repulsion at the prisoner’s treatment, and concern over Carr’s sanity.

“You didn’t have to come.” Blaine knew that the sharp tone
in his own voice masked his disappointment. Long ago, he and Carr had been close.

“I make it a point never to miss food,” Carr said. He took a swig of whiskey from a flask he withdrew from a pouch on his belt.

Carr had made it clear that he would have preferred Blaine stayed in Edgeland. Judith and Mari had welcomed Blaine and his friends back to Glenreith.
Carr doesn’t seem to realize that without the army, Glenreith would be easy prey for Pollard’s troops
.

Carr tipped his flask in salute. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get some of that venison, if there’s any left.” While Niklas was talking quietly with the soldiers, Carr slipped up the steps.

Niklas shot him a glance that gave Blaine to know that his old friend had guessed his thoughts. “Quit blaming yourself for Carr’s bad decisions,” Niklas said. “He’s not a child.”

Blaine sighed. “I know. I just wish he weren’t so out of control. And short of chaining him up in the cellar, I’m not sure how to stop him. We don’t have the extra guards to assign him a jailer.”

“Even Judith can see that Carr hasn’t fully recovered. I’m not sure he ever will.” Niklas shook his head. “Fortunately, he’s only putting himself at risk—at least so far. I’ve tried confining him to quarters, setting him to hard labor, cutting his rations, and he pulls the same kind of fool stunt as soon as he’s free. I have no desire to flog him, and I doubt it would work anyhow,” Niklas added. “The only time he isn’t disruptive is when he goes out on a scouting mission, but it’s always a toss-up as to whether or not he’ll come back again. He seems to up the stakes every time he leaves.” When Blaine said nothing, Niklas paused, then went on. “And you’ll be happy to know,” he added, “Folville’s men are holding their own in Castle Reach.
They’ve had some problems with the Tingur, but nothing they can’t handle. I guess Lysander’s had his sights set on other targets.” Before Blaine could answer, Niklas gave him a pointed glance. “This is your wedding day. Let me worry about Carr. Your bride is waiting.”

Blaine nodded. “Thanks,” he said, though Kestel looked as concerned over the situation as he felt. Niklas headed up the steps, but Penhallow laid a hand on Blaine’s shoulder.

“Stay a moment,” he said. Kestel hung back, making it clear by her stance that whatever was to be discussed would include her as well.

“I feel your strain,” Penhallow said quietly, meeting Blaine’s gaze. “The anchoring is taking a toll.”

Blaine nodded. “Not sure yet what to do about it, so I just keep fighting. But we’ll have to figure it out before too long.”

Penhallow nodded. “Dolan and Nidhud are working out the ritual to anchor the magic, but the way magic is right now makes it difficult.” Penhallow looked as if he had been under a great deal of stress, something unusual for a
talishte
.

“Connor is different,” Blaine said, and he thought that for a second, he saw a flash of guilt in Penhallow’s eyes.

“It was necessary to save his life,” Penhallow replied. “Connor came very close to death.” He grimaced. “I fear Bevin is still coming to terms with the situation.” They fell silent for a moment, and then Penhallow spoke again. “Nidhud spoke with you of the Knights’ proposal?”

“Yes. It was actually what I had hoped would happen anyway,” Blaine responded.

“Nidhud and Dolan are certain Mirdalur is the place where the ritual will be most effective,” Penhallow said.

“I’ll be heading back there with Niklas after the wedding, at least until I’m needed elsewhere,” Geir added.

“Once Dolan is ready, and the mages here feel like they’ve got it worked out, I’m willing to give it a try,” Blaine said. “I’ll be very happy to have the anchoring resolved.”

Penhallow nodded. “I think we all will.” He grinned. “But for now, go back to your wedding and forget all this. You’re on home territory, and for the moment, no one’s attacking. The storm should keep it that way for a day or two, at least. Geir and I will stay on watch.”

“And if the information the prisoner provided is valid, it might give us an edge the next time we face off against Hennoch. That’s more than we’ve been able to say for the last several months,” Geir said as he clapped Blaine on the shoulder. “Enjoy it while it lasts. The winds will shift soon enough.”

Geir and Penhallow headed back upstairs, leaving Blaine and Kestel alone on the steps. “Someday, when all this is over, I’ll take you on a proper wedding trip,” Blaine promised.

Kestel chuckled. “Where is there to go? We’ve already been to the edge of the world.”

“There is that,” he admitted. “Maybe we’ll find out that there’s somewhere that didn’t fall to pieces in the Cataclysm.”

At the top of the steps, Blaine took Kestel in his arms and kissed her. “Maybe someday, we can create a place where you’ll be able to really relax without worrying,” he murmured.

Kestel squeezed him tight and leaned into him for a moment. “I can’t say that I’ve ever known what that feels like. But it’s a nice thing to imagine.”

Blaine took Kestel’s hand as they walked toward the great room, where Verran and the others were still playing music. “I wish I could have seen Glenreith before the Great Fire,” Kestel said, looking at her surroundings. “It would have been nice to see it in its heyday.”

Blaine made a face. “Assuming you could have come on a
day when my father wasn’t at home,” he replied with a sigh. “And to be honest, though Carr doesn’t remember it this way, Glenreith had seen its best days before Father’s time. Merrill tolerated father because of his military service, but no one liked him.”

“At least your aunt was able to keep the servants on,” Kestel added. “It would have been impossible for Judith and Edward to hold things together with just Carr and Mari.”

Blaine nodded. “Really, where was there to go? A few of the servants went to look for family after the Great Fire, but most of those came back. Judith did her best to make sure everyone was fed and sheltered. And since the Cataclysm, there are precious few supplies to be had even for a pile of gold.”