Page 31 of Aubade Rising
“Excuse us – you have the wrong people.” Eskar attempts to pass the official but he’s surprisingly nimble and side-steps him. Eskar turns, furious to see the official has weaselled his way between us. I look at him in alarm. How did the Governor find out about our visit? The expedition is meant to be secret. I haven’t even reached out to the Academy’s Principal yet.
“I’m certain, I don’t. The Governor was quite specific: The King’s Verax and the King’s Alchemist will be travelling together and will be the last passengers to disembark. I’ve been waiting a while.”
Eskar tenses, looking to see if anyone else is paying attention to the official’s loud voice.
There goes keeping a low profile.
“If you’ll kindly follow me, I’ll take you to the Governor’s house now. There’s a long list of people who are looking forward to meeting you.” Anxiety tightens my throat, as any of these people could be a threat. I don’t want to play any political game with more entitled Mordros when I need to get to the Haag. I don’t have the time.
He offers his arm and, before I can accept it, I find Eskar at my side, linking us firmly together.
“Lead on then.” Eskar’s disinterested tone perfectly playsthe bored aristocratic member of the Concord, dismissing the official as not worth his notice. I attempt to copy his expression, mimicking the look of haughty distain I’ve seen Dervla adopt when she doesn’t get her way.
The official huffs and reluctantly walks ahead, turning back every few steps to check we are following. I risk a glance at Eskar whilst the official’s back is turned and recognise the steely set of his jaw, eyes darting back and forth, assessing our path.
Even so close to the harbour the streets are immaculately clean, and every house has window boxes with neatly pruned and well-watered flowers. I scrape my fingers through my windswept hair as we pass, feeling out of place. Despite it being close to the end of the day, a time where I would expect a city to be busy and bustling with people jostling to get home quickly, it’s quiet and serene. No one rushes, voices are muted and people take the time to point out a newly flowering plant or interesting shop display to their companions.The affluence in this city is clear: children are well-dressed for the spring winds, hats neatly tied under their chins and, unlike me, not a hair out of place.
We leave the harbour, climbing the valley slopes and the houses become larger, each building secluded in its own private plot, ice-white stone walls and wrought iron railings separate each from its neighbours. Eskar pauses in front of one and I note the large brass nameplate on the gate front which says Devath. The sheer scale and opulence of it puts even Howl’s mansion in Pentargon to shame.
“The Governor must allow us time to freshen up after such a long journey. We will attend his dinner once we have settled in.”
I tense, expecting the official to argue, but he is at ease with the suggestion, smiling obsequiously and attempting a half bow towards Eskar.
“Of course, Verax. A carriage will be sent to collect you.”
“No need, I prefer to travel in my own.”
“Very well, I look forward to seeing you both later.” He backs away awkwardly and, once at a respectable distance, turns and scuttles up the hill.
Eskar watches until he is safely out of sight before steering me away.
“Quick. We don’t have much time.” He tugs my hood farther over my head so my face is obscured. He does the same to himself and takes my hand, leading me back into the city.
In confusion, I follow without question as we twist and turn through the quiet streets, I assume the reason we double back several times is to make sure we’re not being followed. By now, the bright moonlight illuminates the stone; soft reflections cast off the buildings, chasing away the shadows. I try to count the turns but the feel of his strong hand covering mine and taking charge has my brain faltering.
Between a closed music shop and what looks to be a patisserie is a narrow, bland doorway. No adornments or name plate. Eskar checks the street, confirming we are alone. He slips a small silver key from his pocket, opens the door on creaky hinges and ushers me inside.
In the crowded hallway I can smell the salty ocean clinging to his coat. I resist climbing the dusty stairs in front of me until I know what I’m walking into.
“Welcome to my home.” He shrugs off his coat and leaves his bag by the doorway, gesturing for me to go upstairs.
Chapter 30
“We can’t stay in my family townhouse. It will be the first place they will look when we don’t show up to dinner,” Eskar explains as we climb the stairs, my bag banging my shins as I heave it up with me. “Someone at Chi An Mor told the Governor we were coming. And that is not a good thing. No one should even know we are here.” He tugs hard at the wind-tangled strands of his hair. “We’ll stay here tonight and leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
At the top of the stairs, I open a second door to find a cosy, bookcase-filled front room, dusty from lack of use.
“I need to keep you safe. Nobody knows I own this place. If the traitor is part of the Concord, then they will be relying on their connections here. Staying here tonight means they can’t find us.”
“Part of the Concord?” My throat catches and my back stiffens. I’m alarmed one of the most powerful people in Trevesiga could be working to destabilise the court right under the King’s nose.
“We’re not ruling anything out at the moment.” He walks around the open-plan apartment, pulling back curtains and adjusting shutters to let in what little light remains.
“Who’s we?” I’m on edge; it occurs to me perhaps I’ve trusted the wrong person. None of my friends or family back in Pentargon will know where I am either. If something happens to me, Eskar is my sole connection. Panic rises and sweat collects on the back of my neck.
“None of your business.” He’s rooting through the cupboards, assessing their contents.
I edge back towards the staircase. “Well, it is my business if I’m going to trust you here. Who’s to say you’re not the traitor?”If I make a run for it now, I’d have my rucksack and very little money. I don’t even know how much the passage back to Pentargon will cost, let alone food on top. What if I’m not safe there either? I have nowhere to go, nowhere to stay.
