Page 163 of Prize for the King
They may see him as a common foe and unite against him. Dangerous.
My suspicion doesn’t mar my enjoyment. We pass lively streets teeming with shops and selling stands. Since the Citadel has the largest port, much of the foreign trade goes through here. Luxurious, exotic items are sold right in the streets by people dressed in colorful clothes, wearing audacious jewelry and bright headscarves.
When we pass the market square, there’s some sort of performance happening. Quick, cheerful music comes from a dozen instruments, and a group of women wearing festive dresses with many petticoats in various colors dance to the tune, their high-heeled boots hitting the cobbles with merry tapping.
A wide road leads to the palace up on the cliffs. Magnar falls back to ride next to us, his eyes vigilant and bright, lined by purple shadows.
“The man by the gate said you and I are invited to the apartments designated for the ruler of Farneer in the central part of the palace,” he murmurs, glancing at me. “While everyone in our retinue will stay in a building for personal servants in the east wing. We’re encouraged to take a guard no bigger than five when exploring the city. Is all that normal?”
I nod. “As far as I know. The apartments for rulers are large, though, at least three rooms. I don’t think it will be a problem if our knights stay with us. If anything, it might give them something to gossip about instead of plotting.”
“Plotting?” his voice is harsh with tension. “Do you know something?”
I shake my head. “Just a hunch. This is too easy, but maybe they plan to humiliate us in the palace, where it’s more private.”
Magnar sighs, rubbing the back of his neck that I know is hard with strain. “I want you with me at all times. Watch and draw conclusions. I trust your hunches more than mine here.”
The gates of the palace are made of wrought iron painted gold, ornamental rather than defensive. They are wide open, and a small party of courtiers wait in the middle of the enormous, bright courtyard with welcoming smiles on their faces.
“Greetings, King Magnar, Queen Caliane!”
The best dressed of the men opens his arms wide in welcome. He wears a blue vest embroidered with silver thread and a billowing, silver cloak. His moustache is thin and carefully curled.
Magnar dismounts and helps me off Raduna’s horse, motioning at the knights to follow while a gaggle of stable hands descend upon us, ready to take care of our horses. I see their quickly hidden hesitation and awe when they stare at the enormous Agnidari mounts.
Magnar grips my elbow and walks over to the man who welcomed us, extending his arm with a stiff smile. They shake hands, then the man gives me a deep, formal bow.
“I am Duke Sidonius, at your service. The Citadel’s palace is in my care, and it is my pleasure to welcome you here for the first time! If you have any needs or requests, any at all, please, don’t hesitate to let me know. Here are Dahlia, Cyril, and Sebastian. They will help your people get settled while I’ll personally lead you to your apartment.”
“Thank you,” Magnar says tersely.
His reticent manner doesn’t seem to upset our host. If anything, his smile brightens—at least until he sees our knights approaching behind us while the rest of our party follow their three guides.
“We do not allow warriors to house with the royalty, my king, my queen,” he says with affected regret. “It would upset the Kings’ Peace. I am sure you understand.”
My heart sinks. Magnar’s already on edge, and if we lose ourknights, I don’t think he’ll manage. When his fingers squeeze mine, I understand he wants me to do something. I step forward, giving Sidonius my best simpering smile.
“Thank you so much for welcoming us in person, Sidonius, it’s highly appreciated. I am certain our stay with you will be delightful. However, I must ask that these three are allowed to accompany us. They are not warriors. Our relationship is of a personal nature.”
His eyes grow big as his lips form an exaggerated ‘O’ of understanding. Sidonius smiles brightly, taking in our knights with a new kind of appreciation, his eyes lingering first on Arvi, then Raduna. He leans in, voice growing low and conspiratorial.
“Might I enquire if they are the king’s or the queen’s special guests?”
I remember what I said about gossip being helpful and smile. Caliane the Princess would have never come up with this idea, but Caliane the Queen feels much less shame these days.
“Why, of course, my dear friend. The answer is both of us,” I say with a wink.
Sidonius rolls his lips to hide a thrilled smile as his eyes grow huge and delighted. He positively vibrates with eagerness, almost bouncing on his feet, and I know he can’t wait to set the gossip mill in motion.
“Ah, then follow me, please! My pleasure, Your Highness, my pleasure!”
Magnar gives me a hard look, and I reassure him with a smile as we set out behind Sidonius, our knights in tow. The palace is spacious and airy, the walls decorated with exotic art, lanterns made of amber glowing in the few dim nooks. Most spaces are flooded with daylight falling in through tall windows. Sidonius gives us a short tour, indicating the feast hall, the ballroom, the separate sitting rooms for the ladies and gentlemen.
Finally, we ascend a wide, comfortable staircase, and from there, it’s a short walk to our apartment. A set of gilded doors flies open at our approach, a pair of pretty, young maids bowing low when we enter.
“Hortencia and Agnes will be available at any hour of day and night to make your stay more pleasant,” Sidonius says with a wink. “Whatever you need, my king, my queen, simply ask.”
“Thank you very much,” I say, dropping Magnar’s hand to clasp Sidonius’ briefly. “You have been most kind. We’ll let you go back to your duties. You are the Master of Peace, aren’t you? The most important person in the Eleven.”
