'This way, mother, Byren's waiting,' Piro urged, hardly able to stand still. Excitement thrummed through her body like a drawn bowstring. She wanted to see Cobalt discredited and Byren safe.
It was mid-afternoon and, as her brother had anticipated, King Rolen was in the great hall. The decorative friezes glinted in the many candles as Piro and her mother weaved through the forest of columns towards the fireside table, where the king sat drinking and talking with his close friends. Like Captain Temor, these lords were the survivors of his generation who had stood by him during the great battle, all that remained of his original noble honour guard. All but Cobalt, who even now was leaning forwards speaking. He looked so confident, so sincere as he described the sea-hounds, a fleet of warriors, which Ostron Isle sanctioned to contain the Utland menace. Piro was not surprised the older men trusted him. Only her Affinity allowed her to see into his hollow soul.
'Piro?' her mother prodded and she realised she had come to a dead stop.
'Myrella?' The king noticed them. His weather-beaten face creased into a smile of pleasure. 'And little Piro. Back already? Where's Byren?'
Piro turned to the main entrance. Garzik must have been watching because, at that moment, the doors parted and Byren entered, dragging a low-wheeled wagon. Canvas covered the fabulous manticore chitin which was piled high as a man. Garzik and Orrade followed.
'What's this?' Captain Temor muttered.
The king's old honour guard fell silent as they waited for Byren to reach them. The few servants stopped their work and watched curiously. Was Cobalt surprised to see Byren? Piro stole a quick look. He had gone very still and his expression was blank, as she watched his features settle into a look of mildly amused surprise. It would have appeared charming, if she hadn't watched him deliberately assume the expression. It was as though he'd selected it, as you might select an outfit for a special occasion.
She shivered.
'King Rolen, Queen Myrella.' Byren greeted their parents formally. He nodded to the others present, his face unusually grim. 'A gift for King Rolen, from your second son.' With a flourish he pulled off the canvas cover. 'Enough manticore chitin to fashion a complete set of armour.'
Everyone gasped.
'Looks like you've killed a whole pride,' Captain Temor marvelled.
Byren nodded. 'A male, two females and five juveniles.'
'Amazing. And you not only live to tell of it, you bring me their chitin!' King Rolen marched over to join him. 'But how is this? I thought you were visiting Dovecote estate, not hunting manticores.'
'The manticores were hunting us.' Byren did not so much as glance at Cobalt. Piro didn't know how he managed it. 'I was unlucky enough to come across a pride, but the goddess smiled on me and, with help…' he nodded to Garzik and Orrade, 'the hunters became the hunted. So here I am.'
Their father beamed. 'You must tell me how you three lads killed a whole pride.'
'We had help,' Byren said.
'And Piro killed one on her own!' Garzik announced.
King Rolen's eyes widened. His honour guard muttered, astounded.
'Eh, my little Piro.' King Rolen chuckled. 'Your mother was right to name you after Pirola the Fierce!'
Piro glanced to her mother, who was looking at her as if she hadn't really seen her before.
'Did you set traps, Byren?' Temor asked.
'In a way. But first, I must bring something important to your attention, Father.' Byren waited until they all fell silent. 'King Rolen, I have reason to believe one of your trusted advisors has been hiding untamed Affinity.'
'What?' the king stiffened. Their father had known these men since they were boys, fought beside them thirty years ago. The only new advisor was… 'Illien? You're accusing your cousin Illien, Byren?'
Her brother nodded.
'Byren!' their mother whispered, shocked.
'Why, Byren?' Illien said sadly. 'What have I ever done to you?'
Piro had to bite her tongue.
'I'm only doing my duty, Illien,' Byren said. 'If you do not have Affinity, then you have nothing to fear.'
'Exactly,' Cobalt agreed. 'Send for the warders, Uncle. I insist!'
Cobalt was not acting like a man about to be exposed. Either he had nerves of steel or… was it possible to fool the warders? A nasty feeling settled in Piro's stomach. Had Illien learnt some technique in Ostron Isle, where Affinity was accepted and put to use? No, that wasn't possible. In her studies she had read of instances when warders exposed foreigners who were renegade Power-workers, disguised as simple merchants.
Both Halcyon and Sylion warders were sent for and there was general muttering while everyone waited. Though the old honour guard moved away from Cobalt, isolating him, the king stayed at his side. The queen edged closer to Piro to whisper, 'What's going on?'
'Does Cobalt have Affinity?'
'Not that I've sensed. He's — '
'Walled. I know. Perhaps that's because he's been cloaking it all this time.'
The queen shook her head. 'I'd know. I can't believe he could hide this from me. Why is Byren attacking him?'
'If you can't look into Cobalt's heart, look into Byren's,' Piro urged.
Her mother crossed to Byren. Taking his hand in hers she asked something softly. Piro followed, curious. As Byren went to answer, he frowned and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The queen made a soft noise of pain in her throat. She swayed.
'What's wrong, mother?' Byren asked.
She shook her head and reached out to steady herself. Piro caught her hand, helping as Byren led her to a chair.
'Do you need a drink, mother? Is it one of your Turns?' Byren asked gently. 'Should I send for Seela?'
The queen shook her head. Byren squeezed her shoulder then rejoined the others.
'Well, mother?' Piro whispered.
The queen looked up, eyes swimming with dread. 'I have always sensed Lence's shadow beside Byren. It's missing. I fear Lence — '
'He's fine. Or he was when we left him at Dovecote,' Piro said. They were a good body length from the men and it seemed the right time to explain about the manticore attack, but just then Byren spoke up.
'Why don't you ask why I accuse you, Illien?'
'I imagine you have your reasons. When I am cleared of this ridiculous accusation, I will — '
Nun Springdawn arrived, with Monk Autumnwind on her heels. They crossed the great hall, their slippers making no sound on the flag stones, then dropped to one knee in front of her father.
'You sent for us, King Rolen,' they spoke in unison, one voice high and clear, the other deep and aged.
'Yes, Warder Autumnwind, Wardess Springdawn,' the king greeted them formally. 'Byren Kingson has made a serious accusation. I want you to test Illien of Cobalt for Affinity.'
The two warders exchanged startled looks.
The queen rose and rejoined the group. Piro followed, certain whatever her mother might feel for Cobalt, this would be outweighed by her feelings for Byren.
'As you wish, King Rolen,' the monk said. They both came to their feet and turned to Cobalt.
'Beware,' Piro spoke up.
All eyes turned to her.
'He may be hiding his Affinity. I've heard it can be hidden behind walls.' She kept her voice firm while inside she quailed, wary of revealing knowledge which might lead to her own exposure.
'It is good to know my many hours of tutoring have not been wasted,' Springdawn said proudly and Piro had the grace to blush. When she had been the nun's pupil Springdawn was more often frustrated than pleased with her diligence. 'But it takes years of training to develop a wall. He may have some natural shielding. Some minds are born with it.'
'I am ready,' Cobalt announced, stepping forwards. 'What would you have me do?'
Springdawn took a slight step backs indicating Autumnwind should speak.
'Normally one of us would lay our hands on a child's head and skim the surface of their mind,' the Affinity warder said. 'With children it is very simple, they have no defences.'
'And with adults?' King Rolen asked.
Springdawn leant closer to Autumnwind to whisper.
'Speak up. I would know everything,' King Rolen urged.
Springdawn bobbed her head in apology. 'I was suggesting my colleague is better suited to this task. Affinity affects men differently from women.'
Piro hadn't known that, though she supposed it made sense. She watched as Springdawn stepped back. Why did the nun look pleased?
'King Rolen, I am honour-bound to speak the truth,' Autumnwind warned.
'Of course, of course.' Her father waved him on. Piro realised if the Affinity warder had to condemn Cobalt, he would do it, even though it would not please the king. No wonder Springdawn looked satisfied.
'Proceed,' the king said.
'Very well. Will someone restrain the candidate?'
'You do not need to hold me.' Cobalt lifted his hands palm up. With his handsome features, he looked noble and wronged. 'I will not struggle.'
Autumnwind grimaced. 'You may collapse. It can be — '
'Then I'll sit.' Cobalt beckoned a servant who hurried over with a straight-backed chair.
After this was adjusted to Autumnwind's satisfaction Cobalt sat, hands resting on his thighs. 'I'm ready.'
Everyone else seemed more uncomfortable with the proceedings than he.
'Will it hurt?' Piro asked the question that seemed to be on everyone's mind.
'Only if he resists,' Autumnwind explained.
Cobalt blinked once and inhaled deeply, as though preparing for the worst. Despite herself, Piro felt a tug of admiration and sympathy.
She gave herself a mental shake. If this hurt Cobalt — and she was certain it would — it was his own fault for using Affinity to manipulate her family.
Springdawn stepped closer to Piro, hemming her in, so that the nun was on one side and the queen on the other.
'This natural shielding, Piro,' Springdawn's soft voice fell into the rhythm of lecture, 'you have it too.'
Piro went very still.
Unaware of her reaction, Springdawn raised her voice. 'I am here if you need support, warder.'
The monk sent her a sharp look that held an undercurrent of dislike.
Then Autumnwind, Halcyon Affinity warder, stepped around behind Cobalt, placed both hands on the larger man's temples and closed his eyes.
Piro desperately wanted to observe Autumnwind's technique. She longed to open her senses so that she could see with her Unseen sight but she didn't dare, not with the wardess at her side.
'Do not fear, Piro.' Springdawn took her hand and squeezed it. 'Affinity rarely turns nasty. Though I did read of one occasion when the warder died before they could disengage his senses from the candidate, who turned out to be a renegade Power-worker in disguise.'
Autumnwind's eyes flew open and the look he sent her this time was definitely unfriendly. Then he lowered his lids again and spoke the words to clear his mind and open his senses.
Piro looked away, controlling her instinct to observe. She felt Springdawn do the same thing, distancing herself from the procedure. Why would she do that? Was the Sylion nun leaving her colleague to sink or swim?
At least a dozen people were present, but no one fidgeted or spoke as the silence stretched. Piro heard servants going about their tasks. Voices echoed down the halls, distorted by distance, while, in the great hall, there was only the sound of the fire crackling in the hearth, which was big enough to burn a trunk as thick as a man was tall.
Despite her best intentions, Piro's gaze was drawn back to Autumnwind and Cobalt. The monk frowned and Cobalt grimaced, lips white as if in pain. Sweat beads collected on the monk's forehead. Cobalt groaned and ground his teeth.
Piro had to fight the instinct to reach for her Affinity. The effort made her sway.
Springdawn noticed. 'Are you unwell, Piro?'
'She's upset,' her mother said and gently led her away from the others over to the table where their wine sat forgotten. She pressed Piro into a chair and put her head forwards. The nun followed them.
'Breath deeply, Piro. It will pass,' her mother said.
'I know it is not a pretty sight, this Affinity seeking,' Springdawn said softly. 'The smell of blood affects me the same way.'
'I'm all right now,' Piro whispered. She lifted her head, feeling her cheeks grow warm as the colour returned. 'What… what happens if he can't get past Cobalt's natural shielding?'
'Then sorbt stones are the final proof. We strap a stone to the Candidate's naked skin and leave it there. At some point his concentration must falter, he has to let down his guard to sleep, you see. The moment his walls drop the stone will sense the Affinity and naturally try to absorb it. Any trained warder can detect if the stone is activated. The danger is, that once activated the stone can drain an untrained person to death within heartbeats. Sorbt stones are very powerful.'
Piro shuddered and glanced towards Cobalt and Byren. Despite her fear of detection she wanted to see what was happening. 'How long will this take?'
'As long as it needs to,' Springdawn said.
'Are you feeling better now, Piro?' her mother asked.
She nodded and stood up. They headed towards the others but had not even reached Garzik and Orrade, who were on the outer circle, when the smell hit Piro. Sweat and vomit.
'Ugh.' Her nose wrinkled then she froze, afraid that this smell was something only those with Affinity would be aware of.
'Yes.' Springdawn shuddered. 'It's a bad one. Trust Autumnwind to force his way through.'
'What is that smell?' Piro whispered.
'It's the smell of battle,' Orrade muttered. 'Only battle's worse.'
'How could it be worse?'
He just looked at her. She glimpsed a window to horror before he shielded his mind. And she thought she knew Orrade. He was a blade, sharp and merciless. She shuddered. Damn her Affinity. Had Springdawn noticed?
'Catch them!' King Rolen yelled.
The queen thrust through the others, with Piro on her heels. They were in time to see Cobalt sway and tumble forwards off the chair. Her father caught Cobalt's arm before he could hit the ground. Autumnwind struggled to a seat, visibly shaken. No one had actually thrown up, the smell came through their skin.
Piro had never come across anything like it. The smell hit her at a primal level. Fear, it said. Danger.
Instinct triggered her Affinity and her sight shifted to the Unseen. The monk pulsed, his outline hazy as if he was only partly there. She could tell he had exhausted himself.
'Wine!' The king's words reached her as if they came down a deep tunnel, reverberating oddly. He held out his hand and a goblet was refilled then placed in his grasp. He handed it to Cobalt, who drained it in one go, hands trembling.
He hardly registered on Piro's vision. No power radiated from him. But then no power radiated from her mother either as she poured Autumnwind a drink and gave it to him.
Springdawn shifted and Piro glanced to her, not surprised to see that she also pulsed like the monk, but much more strongly. The nun had not exhausted her store of Affinity.
Made aware that she was exposing herself needlessly, Piro tried to rein in her Affinity, backing up until she hit someone.
'Piro, you're trembling.' Garzik steadied her.
'Don't feel so good.'
'I know. The smell's almost too much for me too.' He tried to lead her back to the chair but she planted her feet. She didn't want to miss a thing.
'And what did you learn, Warder Autumnwind?' King Rolen asked formally.
The monk moved off the chair, sinking to one knee before his king. 'I could detect no Affinity.'
It was as Piro had feared.
'What?' Byren unfolded his arms. 'You jest!'
'If the warder could detect no Affinity that's good enough for me,' the king said. He put a hand on Cobalt's shoulder and squeezed. The younger man reached up to return the pressure.
Piro waited for Springdawn to tell them about the sorbt stones but she didn't.
Piro thrust free of Garzik's supporting hand and darted through the others until she was in the ranks of the inner circle, where she could see the nun. Springdawn met her eyes, but didn't seem to get her message. Why didn't the nun speak up?
Piro glanced to her mother, who seemed to hesitate. Did she still harbour feelings for Cobalt?
'It's settled then,' the king said.
'No, it isn't.' Piro insisted. 'There is still the sorbt stone test.'
The monk looked startled.
'What's Piro talking about, Autumnwind?' her father asked.
He used the sleeve of his monk's robe to wipe his forehead. 'Your daughter is remarkably well educated, King Rolen. She's speaking of the final test which will either kill or clear the accused.'
Springdawn stepped forwards. 'I will send to Sylion Abbey for a pair of sorbt stones. Once we have them we can conduct the test. If that is your wish, my king.'
'I want my name cleared.' Cobalt lurched upright. He swayed and let the king press him back into his chair. 'I must clear my name.'
The old honour guard nodded sympathetically. Piro wanted to shake them but she wasn't surprised they were taken in, when Cobalt played the injured party so well.
'A man has a right to clear his name,' the king agreed. 'Send for the stones, Springdawn.'
'I must know, Uncle, am I a prisoner?' Cobalt asked.
'Of course not.' The king looked uncomfortable.
Byren muttered under his breath, radiating impatience and Piro winced for him. Instead of discrediting Cobalt before everyone, his ploy had won Cobalt their sympathy.
'I'm sorry it has come to this, Illien,' King Rolen said. 'I don't know why Byren — '
'I do.' Cobalt paused and everyone waited for him to go on. 'When I was at Dovecote estate he wasn't there. Ask him why he didn't go to Dovecote.'
The silence stretched.
'Byren?' Queen Myrella asked. 'What is he talking about?'
Byren let his breath out slowly, then lifted his hands. 'Lord Dovecote told me never again to set foot on his estate.'
There was a hushed intake of breath. Byren's cheeks flushed but Piro couldn't tell whether it was with anger or discomfort.
'Why would the Old Dove do such a thing?' the king demanded.
Byren drew breath to explain.
'Why, Uncle?' Cobalt said softly. 'Because your son and his friend are Servants of Palos. And, like all loyal Rolencians, Lord Dovecote despises them. Discrediting me was part of their plan to usurp the throne.'
Their father took a step back, visibly shaken.
Their mother lifted a hand to her chest as if in pain, her black eyes going to Byren's face. 'That's why Lence — '
'It's not true,' Piro cried. 'It's — '
'A wicked lie!' Garzik insisted, his voice cracking so he sounded like a boy and not a man.
Cobalt gestured to Orrade. 'Do you deny you two are lovers?'
'I do,' Orrade said stoutly. 'And may I face the Trial of Truth to prove it.'
The king looked impressed. The Trial of Truth was not invoked lightly.
'Answer me this if you can, Orrade the Nameless,' Cobalt countered. 'Why were you disinherited?'
'Because my father leapt to the wrong conclusion.'
'And what conclusion was that?' Cobalt persisted.
Orrade hesitated, glancing to Byren.
'What is this? What does he mean?' King Rolen demanded of Byren.
'Orrade is a true and loyal friend, who has saved my life on more than one occasion,' Byren said. 'He is not my lover, never has been. But he is — '
'…a Servant of Palos,' Cobalt finished for him.
'There is no secret society serving Palos.' Byren rounded on Cobalt, glaring. But with Cobalt slumped exhausted in the chair and Byren towering over him, Byren appeared the aggressor.
Her brother seemed to realise this and took a step back, looking around the group. 'It is all wicked rumour spread by an evil schemer for his own advancement.'
Cobalt shook his head sadly. 'You accuse me of what you are doing. It is ever the way.'
Byren's mouth dropped open, then he turned to their father in a silent plea for understanding. But King Rolen's usually bluff, good-natured face had grown hard with suspicion.
Piro glanced to their mother who looked from Cobalt to Byren, obviously horrified by what was unfolding. If only Piro hadn't asked her mother to look into Byren's heart. Instead of convincing her of his honesty, it had convicted him in her eyes. It was Lence who had, unconsciously, severed the twin-link, not Byren.
'Byren?' the queen whispered.
He dropped to his knees in front of the king. 'I swear by the love I have for Rolencia, I have never sought to be more than your second son, Father. I have served the kingsheir — '
'As long as it suited you,' Cobalt inserted.
There was a low murmur from the old guard.
Byren shifted with annoyance. 'Out of love, I have served my twin and will always do so.'
But Piro noticed even Captain Temor had averted his face from Byren. There was only one way to prove Byren spoke the truth.
She darted in front of the queen. 'Please, mother, tell them Byren speaks the truth. You know he does. You can — '
'No. I can only see with a mother's heart,' the queen whispered, denying her Affinity.
Piro's gaze flew to Byren, who had resumed his feet. She turned back to the queen and, in a flash of insight, Piro realised that if her mother revealed her Affinity now her marriage would be annulled and her children declared bastards. Cobalt would have as much right to the throne as Lence.
Piro fixed on Springdawn. 'You are an Affinity wardess, you can look into people's hearts and tell if they speak the truth. Look into Byren's.'
But Springdawn was already shaking her head. 'I don't have that skill. It is a very specialised talent.'
'Autumnwind?' Piro pleaded.
'I can't and even if I could, I'm exhausted,' he apologised.
'Then send for someone who can,' Piro insisted.
'Enough, Pirola!' the king snapped, using the voice he reserved for hearings. 'These are very serious accusations.'
'But Father — '
He silenced her with a look. 'The Servants of Palos caused the civil war that weakened Rolencia and this was the reason Merofynia attacked us thirty years ago. It might seem like history to you, but I was there. I saw the destruction — '
'But Father, Byren is innocent!' Piro ran to him and clutched his arm. 'If anyone is guilty of deceit it is Cobalt.' She rounded on him. 'Why did you leave Dovecote before we did? It was to lead the manticore pride to our camp site, wasn't it?'
Seated, Cobalt was almost as tall as her. His handsome lips twitched. 'You must think I am a wondrous person, little Piro, if you think I could lead a pride of manticores anywhere. Why, it would take a renegade Power-worker…' his eyes widened. 'So that is why you thought I had Affinity!'
He turned an astounded face towards Byren. But Piro was close enough to see past his expression, into his heart and it was as hard as stone. She faltered. Her sight shifted to the Unseen and she recognised a predator in Cobalt's eyes, a predator in human form.
She gasped, backing up until she reached Byren, who steadied her. It seemed to take forever, but by the time her vision returned to normal Cobalt had only just drawn his next breath. Startled by her slip, she glanced quickly to Autumnwind. He was rubbing his face wearily. Then she glanced over her shoulder. Springdawn was whispering to her mother. No one had noticed her use of Affinity.
'Byren.' Cobalt shook his head sadly. 'Don't blame your misfortune on me. There is a perfectly simple explanation for my presence here at court. Lence sent me to tell the king and queen that he will be staying at Dovecote for a few days on the way home.' His face hardened. 'I am not the one who has been lying.'
Frustration welled up in Piro. Cobalt managed to turn everything to his advantage. She glanced to her father. Surely he did not believe Byren meant to depose his brother?
But King Rolen sagged as if from a blow. 'That my own son should turn out to be a — '
'He should be disinherited,' old Lord Steadfast muttered.
'Banished,' another insisted.
Byren undid the shoulder clasp of his cloak and flung it aside, lifting his hands palm up. 'I demand the right to a Trial of Truth to clear my name.'
'He has the right,' Captain Temor began. 'He — '
'How can he even suggest a Trial by Truth when no man of ordinary size can stand against him?' Cobalt demanded, astounded. 'None but his twin, the kingsheir, can match him for size and strength!'
The truth of it made everyone draw back.
'Freezing Sylion, I don't want to fight Lence. You would twist the very goddess's words, Cobalt!' Byren hissed with frustration. 'You were the one I wanted to stand against to prove my innocence. You have accused me of treason, I challenge you!'
'Me?' Cobalt repeated, pale and frightened, for once not quick enough to hide his honest reaction. Piro smiled.
'The Trial of Truth is a barbarous custom and proves nothing but that one man is a better killer than the other,' Queen Myrella snapped.
Cobalt cleared his throat. 'I'll meet you, Byren. But I must warn you, I have been tutored by the best swordmaster in Ostron Isle.' He went to rise, still shaky. 'Send for my sword.'
'No. This is ridiculous,' the king muttered. 'Illien can hardly stand. This will prove nothing!'
'Father!' Byren appealed, searching the king's grey face.
'I can show no favour,' he whispered as he took a step back from Byren.
Piro gasped. He couldn't mean it.
'Wait.' Captain Temor leant closer to the king. 'Little Piro had the right idea, Rolen. Send for the mystics, they — '
'Yes,' Byren insisted. He cast Cobalt a furious glance. 'I do not hide behind walls and half-truths. I will bare my soul to both the mystics. Let the master and the mistress look into my heart. They will see I bear my twin no malice!'
That impressed the old warriors, who had an instinctive fear of the great mystics. Piro waited for her father to agree.
'Rolen.' The queen took the king's arm. 'Byren deserves a chance to prove his honesty.'
'I have proof of his deceit,' Cobalt announced with a heavy sigh. 'I did not want to do this…' He felt inside his vest to pull out a small velvet bag with a drawstring top. Piro recognised it as the one Lence had given him, back at Dovecote.
Cobalt held it out to the queen. 'I'm sorry, Myrella.'
Piro sent a questioning look to Byren. Her brother gave a slight shake of his head. He had no idea.
The queen opened the bag, tipping two rings into her hand and a small roll of paper tied with ribbon.
'Matching lincurium rings,' King Rolen whispered. 'Worth a small fortune.'
'They are mine!' Byren bristled. 'I found the lincurium and had them set onto rings.'
Piro frowned. Then how did Lence get them and why had he given them to Cobalt?
'Read the note,' Cobalt suggested.
The queen unrolled the scrap, read it, blanched then handed it to King Rolen. 'Byren!'
'I don't know what that paper says, mother. But I had the rings made up for you and father, for your Jubilee.'
'What does the paper say?' Captain Temor asked.
The king shook his head, unable to bring himself to read it aloud.
'It is a love poem from Byren to Orrade, asking him to share his life,' Cobalt said. 'He calls Orrade his Dove.'
'That's not — ' Byren began.
'It is your writing.' The king turned the paper over so that everyone could see it.
'It is,' the queen agreed.
'Show me.' Byren held out his hand.
Piro waited for him to deny it.
When Byren took the piece of paper, his expression cleared. He waved it for all to see. 'This is a poem I wrote to Elina, not Orrie. It was Elina that I…' He ran down, seeing they did not believe him. Furious he scrunched up the love poem casting it aside. Byren fixed on Cobalt, fury choking his voice. 'You twist everything. You've been into my room, into my private things!' Byren strode the two steps to Cobalt, grabbed his shoulders and pulled him upright. 'Where's the pendant? Did you steal that too?'
Cobalt made no attempt to defend himself, instead he plucked weakly at Byren's hands and trembled as if he was too exhausted to stand upright.
'Unhand him!' Old Steadfast protested. 'Can't you see he's — '
Disgusted, Byren shoved Cobalt away, so that he staggered several steps and collapsed, leaning on the table.
Piro looked around. In everyone's eyes, Cobalt was the victim of the encounter, not the perpetrator. In that instant she realised how very dangerous he was.
Lence had not been giving the velvet bag to Cobalt, he had been returning it. This was the trick Cobalt had used to convince Lence he could not trust his twin. She did not doubt that Cobalt or one of his spies had slipped into Byren's room to steal the rings. And Piro had no trouble believing Byren had written a poem to his Dove. Unfortunately for him, that poem could be interpreted two ways.
'Where is the lincurium pendant, Illien?' Byren asked. 'Did you steal that too?'
Cobalt shook his head. 'I don't know what you mean.'
Byren radiated fury.
'Here. Enough of that.' Captain Temor stepped in to prevent Byren from attacking Cobalt again. Piro was close enough to hear Temor whisper, 'You're only making it worse, lad.'
Her brother spun away from Temor, striding a couple of steps towards Orrade. She saw Orrade's anguish and winced. For a heartbeat, his feelings for Byren were written on his face, then he recollected himself. But others had seen his facade slip.
Byren pivoted on his heel to confront the king and queen. 'Father, Mother, I swear the rings are a Jubilee gift for you both. The poem was meant for Elina. I had a lincurium pendant made to give Lence for his bride. You can ask the jewel-smith. He'll vouch for the truth of my words. You can't — '
The ring of a sword being drawn silenced him. Piro spun around. No one carried a sword in King Rolen's court.
Cobalt approached, almost too weak to hold the sword tip steady. She recognised King Rolence the First's ceremonial sword, which had hung on display above the family's coat of arms.
'Let me defend you, Uncle,' Illien offered.
Byren swore softly. 'Get your hands off that. You dishonour King Rolence's memory.'
'Only the king should wield that sword,' Rolen said, and Cobalt handed it over, feeling for the table to support himself.
King Rolen faced Byren, lifting the sword between them.
Piro turned to the queen. 'Mother!'
She went white, closed her eyes and seemed to reach a decision. Stepping between Byren and the king she said, 'Rolen, you can't.'
'Out of the way, Myrella,' the king warned.
The queen caught his sword arm. 'Rolen, listen to me. You can't believe Illien over your own son — '
'Why not? I've seen the evidence. I should have listened to Illien back at midwinter. If I had, Lence wouldn't be betrothed to a cunning vixen whose father laughs at me behind my back!' He pushed the queen aside, not roughly, but without remorse. 'Instead I listened to you. I insisted Lence marry the girl and lost his love and respect. Well, now it's time to mend my mistakes.'
'Oh, Rolen. You haven't — '
'Enough!' he snapped. 'My second son is a traitor, but I will not kill him. Too many of my kinsmen have died on the altar of power.' The king lowered the sword point, his massive fist shaking. 'I cannot order my own son's execution, but I can banish a traitor. Before everyone here today, Byren formerly known as Rolen Kingson, I disinherit you, I disinherit you — '
The hall's great doors swung back on their hinges, reverberating as they hit the walls. A single pair of boots sounded on the polished wood.
'Where's Byren Kingson?' a rough contralto demanded.