Page 29 of Winter Queen
I nod and wave at Jonathan to clear the hall. The Lord Chamberlain looks like he’s about to argue, but then does as he asks. He’s never liked me – I don’t think he likes anyone – but he’s very aware that I’m well in my rights to give him orders.
He’s the last to leave, but not before Arc slips into the room. The messenger is about to protest when my Guardian joins me at my side, but I quickly silence him.
“Arc will stay, he’s trustworthy.”
Arc pulls up an eyebrow as if he’s questioning that statement, but says nothing.
“Now, what’s your message?”
“I was sent by Flora and…”
Arc is suddenly in front of me, taking on a protective stance.
I’m confused. Who exactly is Flora? My knowledge of the Gods is still sketchy.
“Why are ye here?” Arc growls. “Everybody ken that the Spring Goddess is allied with Angus.”
The messenger shrinks back a little. “That’s why I’m here. She wants to talk about a switch of allegiances.”
Arc doesn’t change his stance. “Flora has been Angus’s ally fer centuries. Why would she change that now?”
“You’ve not heard?” the messenger asks in confusion. “About Favonius?”
Another name I’m not familiar with. The problem is that I concentrated on learning more about the Celtic Gods. These two sound more like they’re Roman. That’s the problem with so many Gods that suddenly turn out to be real. There are far too many of them, but I never know which ones actually exist and which ones don’t. It doesn’t help that a lot of them go by several names, depending on what culture they’re talked about. Thor for example is also known as Donar, Taranis, Indra and Perun. Yes, exactly, confusing.
“What’s wrong with Fav?” Arc asks, his voice less aggressive now. It seems like he knows this Favonius guy, if he even has a nickname for him.
“He’s dead,” the messenger sighs. “Assassinated. There was a raven feather left on his body.”
“Could someone please explain to me what’s going on?” I push Arc out of the way and glare at him.
He clears his throat. “Favonius is… was the God of Wind. Flora is his wife, and the Goddess of Spring. Fav was a minor God who was once on our side, but when he fell in love with Flora, he started to support Angus like his wife. I’d not heard from him in a while.”
“How was he killed?” I ask the messenger.
“Poison. One I’ve not seen before, but our healer said something about dragons.”
“The poison of a black dragon?” I ask in shock and an ominous feeling sinks into my stomach when he nods.
“That’s the same they tried to kill me with. It seems we have the same enemy.”
The messenger is staring at me wide-eyed. He clearly didn’t expect this.
“The raven feather is new though…” I mutter.
“The Morrigan,” Arc replies darkly. “It’s her sign. But why would she kill Fav? Did he do something ta oppose her?”
The messenger shakes his head. “I wouldn’t know, but the Lady Flora wants to talk to you, I’m sure she can explain. I’m just the messenger.”
“Will she come here? You can assure her that she’ll have safe passage.”
Arc grimaces and looks like he’s about to say something, but then thinks better of it.
“I will let her know. She’s waiting close to your Realm’s border, so she could be here tomorrow, if that suits Your Highness.”
“Yes, tell her to come. If we are to form an alliance, we better do it quickly.”
The messenger bows deeply, visibly relieved that he can return to his mistress with good news. He turns to leave, but bows again before he exits through the large doors.
