Secrets & Swords Read online

  Gaillart, Liam, and Henndo were ranged next to Roguelyn as they approached the king’s dais. They all bowed and she curtsied until the king motioned for them to stand. A hush fell over the crowd, as the nobles, dressed in their finery, waited for the king to speak. He eyed them for a moment, making Roguelyn’s stomach twist into knots in anticipation.

  “Henndo Anson, the Bard, please step forward.” The king’s voice boomed out across the room. Henndo stepped forward, bowing low once again. Then he folded his hands before him, politely waiting for the king to speak further. “You are not from our country but you have showed great courage in service to us. Is there anything you desire in return for your service?” Roguelyn assumed her father or Liam would have reported directly to the king about their adventures in Gadel. She wondered if the king knew her version of things. Henndo bowed for a third time.

  “Your Majesty, I desire nothing in return except the freedom to roam your country and ply my trade. Your country is lovely and I’d love the opportunity to learn about it and then share that with the rest of the world.” Henndo stopped talking and waited respectfully. The king nodded.

  “I think that’s reasonable. We will grant this request.” The king reached into his pocket and removed a large gold coin stamped with a seal of house Fairburn. “Take this, and wherever you show it, be it inn or castle, you will be allowed safe passage and harbor.” Henndo took it reverently, bowed and took a few steps back into their line. Roguelyn’s stomach did flip flops and she nervously fidgeted with the hem of her sleeves while she waited her turn. Next it was Liam’s turn. The king scowled at Liam.

  “Liam Ward. You failed to complete your mission. What do you have to say for yourself?” The king’s tone was stern. Roguelyn looked up sharply. Maybe the king didn’t know every side of the story. Liam kept his eyes down but she could see his jaw clenching before he spoke.

  “Your Majesty, respectfully I must object. I was sabotaged in my efforts to carry out my mission. Someone lied to me, tricked me, and then took my mission from me.” His voice was bitter and Roguelyn flinched at his obvious anger. Guilt she had worked hard to let go of flooded through her. All she wanted was for this man to forgive her and go back to being her friend. But once again it was looking increasingly unlikely. The king stayed silent for a moment, his hands steepled in front of his face.

  “We have heard the other side of the story from the duke, and we are inclined to believe you. You will lose your posting in Gadel and instead will be confined to the capital city until further notice.” Liam’s shoulders fell, and he bowed low, disappointment clearly etched on his face. Roguelyn felt the clock ticking down, only her father and her left.

  “Duke Gaillart Ashdown, please step forward.” Roguelyn’s father smiled sideways at her in a reassuring manner before stepping forward. Roguelyn did not feel reassured.

  “You have done a great service to this throne. We commend you on your bravery on the battlefield as well as while in captivity. We offer you a medal of honor, for you already have our highest esteem.” Gaillart bowed his head as a servant offered a pillow to the king upon which lay a golden medal in the shape of a star. The king picked up the medal as Gaillart walked forward and knelt on one knee before the throne. The king pinned the medal on Gaillart’s chest.

  Roguelyn was so very proud of her father and she did her best not to let her own fear color this moment of pride. Her father stood, his back straight, and a tear of joy slid down his cheek to nestle in his beard. The king’s eyes were kind and proud as he dismissed the duke. The crowd cheered and clapped as the Duke returned to his spot in line but fell silent when the king was seated again. He raised a hand for silence and then said loudly.

  “Lady Roguelyn Ashdown.” Roguelyn took a deep breath and stepped forward, the eyes of the many nobles boring into her head. She glanced sideways to see Liam studying his feet. She curtsied low before the king and stayed there. “I have heard your story from your father, the duke.” Roguelyn continued to stay in a low curtsey, her legs burning. “You defied your family’s wishes, you defied our laws and joined the military. Once there, you killed a fellow soldier and then fled the country, taking refuge in the country of our enemy. There, you lied about your identity some more, pretending to be a maid for a duchess and you lied to Liam, claiming to be a spy. Once you had infiltrated the castle, you lied to King Hargrave and pretended to be a member of his court. Then you proceeded to kill King Hargrave and rescue your father,” he paused and Roguelyn looked up, searching his serious face for any compassion. “Do I have that accounting correct?” Roguelyn nodded.

  “You are mostly correct, your Majesty. The only piece you have wrong is that I never lied to Liam about being a spy. He inferred it, and I just never denied it.” The king finally broke a smile at these words.

  “Oh really? But the rest of the story sounds correct?”

  “Yes, your Majesty.” The king chuckled and the nobles around the room began to chuckle as well. “Rise, Lady Roguelyn.” Roguelyn stood awkwardly, wobbling a bit as her cramped leg muscles straightened. She stood with her hands clasped before her waiting. “My lady, you have been braver than us all. Despite your crimes, you have single-handedly ended a decades long war. And for that, I forgive you of all crimes. I grant you the title of Spy Master and wish for you to remain in my castle to work alongside me. Your wits and fortitude will serve this kingdom well, I think.” At that, a cheer went up from the gathered crowd, and Roguelyn almost collapsed with relief and unexpected astonishment. Her father was suddenly at her side, holding her up. Henndo was there a moment later hugging her in congratulations. Liam was nowhere to be found as the crowd pressed in. Roguelyn looked for him as the dawning realization that she was effectively now his boss hit her. No wonder he was so angry.

  Roguelyn’s mother, Isa, was suddenly before her. Her hazel eyes were filled with unshed tears and her full lips that were so like Roguelyn’s were quivering. She restrained herself though and instead of catching Roguelyn up in a hug as Roguelyn so desperately wanted, she instead grasped Roguelyn’s hands and squeezed. Roguelyn’s heart sank even further. Her mother had never been overly affectionate with her, but of all the times it would have been appropriate, it was now. Roguelyn smiled a sad smile.

  “I’m very proud of you, Roguelyn.” Her mother’s voice wavered but held strong.

  “Thank you, Mother.” Roguelyn felt oddly formal, especially here in court surrounded by her peers. Her mother was replaced by many faces and hands wanting to shake hers. She lost count of who was who and what they all said to her. Her mother and father stood behind her, graciously accepting the praise their daughter received. Finally, the nobles wanted to talk and rehash her story as servants brought out drinks and carried platters of food around. It had turned into a party and Roguelyn had no interest in being further paraded around. She made an excuse about being tired from her journey and slipped out the door. Once out in the hall she moved towards the large windows that looked out onto the castle grounds. She stood there, leaning up against the cold glass and watching the snow softly fall outside, covering all the world in white.

  Chapter 29

  A footstep behind her made her turn away from the whitening world outside. Liam stood in the hallway, his hands balled into tight fists by his sides. Roguelyn nervously smoothed down her dress as she watched him warily.

  “I’m sorry, Liam. I hope you know that.” She didn’t want to beg, but this man, who had become so dear to her, was pulling farther and farther away and all she wanted to do was pull him back in. Liam ran a hand through his hair and began pacing in front of the huge oak doors of the throne room.

  Roguelyn’s eyes tracked him, watching emotions chase each other across his handsome face. Finally, he stopped a few feet from her, a hand on the back of his neck. He looked sideways at her.

  “I guess I report to you now, don’t I?” Roguelyn held her hands out helplessly.

  “I had no idea about all of that. I didn’t know the king would
offer me that position. If I had known, I would have declined.”

  “And yet, you didn’t. You just accepted it.” Roguelyn’s hands dropped. He was right of course.

  “I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say and she sank dejectedly into a window seat padded with velvet cushions. Liam sighed and dropped his hand, sitting down beside her.

  “I know you didn’t ask for this.” Roguelyn shook her head, tears coming to her eyes unbidden as Liam’s smell washed over her. All she wanted was to reach out and bury her face in his chest, to let him comfort her and hold her up now that the stress and strain and fear were slowly draining out of her. But she couldn’t, and it made her immensely sad.

  Liam reached out a hand and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek. Roguelyn’s eyes searched for his and they froze for a moment, his warm hand against her cool cheek. The doors to the throne room groaned open and Liam dropped his hand as if she was a hot pan and stood up. He bowed to whoever was exiting the ballroom and turned to leave, walking briskly down the hall. Roguelyn watched him leave before turning in her seat to see King Fairburn walking across the hall to greet her. She stood and curtsied and the king waved a large hand.

  “No, please, sit.” She did and the king came to sit beside her. For a moment they sat in silence, watching the giant snowflakes fall outside. Roguelyn took deep breaths, letting the peaceful scene calm her insides. “I’d like to hear your side of the story.” Roguelyn looked to the king. “The whole story,” he raised an eyebrow, “the one you wouldn’t tell your father.” Roguelyn smiled and looked down at her lap. She knew what he meant. He meant about King Hargrave and his crimes. She nodded. The king sat back and listened in silence as she told him. All of it, without leaving out a detail.

  When she finished, the king sat in quiet contemplation. He finally turned to look at her.

  “Your father told me his version. He also told me that he’d been training you to be smart and cunning and brave since you were born. We both agreed that any woman brave enough to enlist in the army, hide as a man, go into battle, kill a man for assaulting her, run headlong into another kingdom to save her father, and then endure what you did while there deserves more than just a pardon. We both believed your skills and experience would make you an asset to this kingdom and that’s why your father suggested the post of Spymaster.” Roguelyn took a deep breath, ready to deny her own experiences. The king held up a hand. “You are perfectly suited to the position and will be a breath of fresh air on my counsel.”

  He winked at her. Roguelyn shut her mouth.

  “I’m honored, your Majesty.”

  “Now, tell me about this cult. I hear you suspected King Hargrave of being the Excellent Magistrate.” She nodded. “Some of my spies and even just people in the community and in my own court have been whispering to me of them. It seems they’ve infiltrated our own country, thanks to us being distracted by the war.”

  “Your own court?” He nodded.

  “I believe some of my own court may be members themselves. And it’s been putting a strain on not only families, but also the counsel. I have many merchants coming and complaining, captains of major ships saying their young seamen are jumping ship so to speak and joining the cult. They are hurting for people to help run their ships.” Roguelyn frowned. How had they gotten such a foothold here in her own country? A year ago, she had never heard of them, and now they were everywhere, spreading like wildfire. A thought occurred to her and she smiled.

  “I think I can help you figure out who in your court is a member.” Then she told the king her plan.

  Roguelyn went to bed that night feeling better. She and Liam may not have been on the best of terms, but the king had done much to ease her own fears and she was suddenly excited for her future.

  The first council meeting she was to attend was the following afternoon. She dressed carefully for it, picking a high-necked dress with long sleeves and a modest shape. She pulled her hair back and up rather severely from her face before joining her father in the corridor. He looked at her quizzically.

  “You look, different.” She smiled at him, winking.

  “You’ll see.” He nodded and together they entered the king’s council chamber. There was a long, rectangular table with chairs along its length. Gaillart motioned to the second seat from the right of the head chair.

  “You’ll sit there, beside me.” Roguelyn nodded. The other members of the council filed into the chamber. There was one other woman but the rest were men. Each council member eyed Roguelyn as she stood next to her father, sipping on some warm cider that had been left out on a side table for them. She kept her back straight as they filed in and began mingling. There were twelve in total including herself and her father.

  Finally, King Fairburn entered and called for them to join him at the table. Gaillart pulled out Roguelyn’s chair and she sat on the edge of the seat as she watched the other council members. She looked at their hands, noting their jewelry. The council meeting was primarily about the war and what they should do if Queen Rohesia were to declare another war, or if she offered a peace treaty. Many of the council members were against peace, arguing that now was the time to strike Gadel, when it was weakest. But Roguelyn, her father, the exchequer, the minister of trade, the other woman at the table and the king were for peace. They were at a stalemate, and the king’s vote counted double.

  Roguelyn was asked to weigh in, giving bits and pieces of her story, which she did, strategically, playing up herself as a victim. Otherwise, she stayed quiet, trying not to make eye contact with a few of the male council members. The king asked her and her father to stay behind when the council members filed out two hours later. Roguelyn then reported her observations.

  “Your council has three members high up within the Eternal Ministry.” The king raised an eyebrow and her father stared at her.

  “How do you figure?” her father asked. Roguelyn smiled.

  “At least three of them attempted to draw me in to conversation during our break, asking if I was married or if I was religious. And those three members all had black and gold rings on their fingers. While I was in Gadel I noticed that those who claimed to be or I suspected were in the cult had black and gold rings. Even Hargrave had one.” King Fairburn nodded sagely, stroking his chin in thought.

  “I’ll have you present your evidence to my private council and to our network of spies. In the meantime, the city and the library are yours.” Roguelyn smiled. She had requested that she have free rein to enact her plan as best she could and research would be her best weapon.

  “Thank you, your Majesty.” She curtsied and left the council chamber.

  Chapter 30

  Roguelyn spent the next week answering to the king’s summons, spending time with her parents, and Henndo. But finally, it was time for Henndo to leave. He came to her rooms to say goodbye.

  “I’m going to miss you,” Roguelyn said as they sat across from one another having tea. Henndo smiled and reached down to pull his lyre from its case.

  “I’m writing a song for you; would you like to hear what I have so far?” Roguelyn nodded eagerly. He made sure the lyre was in tune and then began to strum. Soon, his voice filled the room.

  She was fierce, she was brave,

  she had fire in her gaze.

  Roguelyn,

  Roguelyn.

  She fought against the odds,

  No one knew who she was,

  Roguelyn,

  Roguelyn.

  She was the spear, she was the axe,

  she knew there was no turning back.

  Roguelyn,

  Roguelyn.

  She fought for those she loved,

  She fought for life,

  Roguelyn,

  Roguelyn.

  Her sword was sharp, her feet were swift,

  She was the hero we needed,

  Roguelyn,

  Roguelyn.

  She fought injustice,

  She fought for peace,<
br />
  Roguelyn,

  Roguelyn.

  His voice went silent and Roguelyn realized there were tears in her eyes. She had never thought anyone would ever write songs about her, and before she’d left for the military, she never thought she would ever do anything worthy of any recognition in her life. Henndo’s song made the realization that she was somebody settle into her bones. Roguelyn hugged Henndo as he stood to leave.

  “You have been a brave and true friend. And I hope that wherever you go, you always find an open door, good food to eat, and a warm place to stay,” she said this, choking on her tears. Henndo squeezed her tight.

  “Roguelyn, thank you. I will see you again soon.” He was sincere and she walked him out the door and out of the castle. She waved from the steps of the castle as he mounted the horse that had been saddled and waiting for him. He waved back as he rode out of the gates, just as another rider rode in accompanied by a group of armed men. Roguelyn’s hand dropped and she frowned. The rider in the center was wearing Gadel colors, the men around him wearing the telltale yellow as well. Roguelyn turned to find the steward of the castle behind her.

  “Excuse me, my Lady, but his Majesty requests your presence.”

  “Thank you, Ian.” She turned and strode into the castle, making for the throne room. When she entered, the king and queen and her father were already in conference around the dais. Roguelyn joined them.

  “Ahh, Roguelyn, glad you are here. We are expecting a party from Gadel in a few minutes,” the king started.

  “I just saw them ride up actually,” Roguelyn commented as she came to stand by her father.

  “Perfect! We are hoping they are here to present a peace treaty to officially end the war.” At that moment, the huge double doors to the throne room opened. The king had seated himself on the throne once again and Roguelyn stepped to the side with her father. The representative bowed low to the king as he approached the throne. He was flanked by the armed Gadel guards and behind them a contingent of Rayaven house guards stood, hands on their swords, ready for trouble. Once the king had released them from their bows, the representative looked around and upon seeing Roguelyn, started briefly.