Chapter 22
“Robin,” Ilida called from outside the small weapon shed.
Robin placed her papers in the drawer of the small desk she used there when she needed to work in solitude. She met Ilida at the door.
“You are needed in the study,” the steward said.
Robin tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at the woman.
Ilida threw up her hands. “It is not an ambush this time. Lord Cabril just arrived.”
“You know you can tell me anything,” Robin said, closing the shed door behind her. “You do not need to ambush me.”
Walking briskly ahead of her, Ilida shrugged. “You are always busy. Sometimes I need to lock you in a room to get your full attention.”
Robin had no response to that. As they walked past the Lockwood cottages, however, she saw Ian sparring with Ulli.
The two were going at each other in hand-to-hand combat.
A skill that Ulli had perfected and the prince had not.
Robin was pleased—and no longer surprised—to see that Ian was learning how to participate in her work.
She was still impressed that Ulli was willingly teaching the prince. Ian certainly gained trust easily.
Just . . . she was not sure that she was ready to give him her trust as well.
“Ian!” she called, waiting for a moment when the two had stepped apart. “Peter Cabril is here. Join me.”
Ian nodded to Ulli, wiping his brow as he walked toward Robin.
“Why is he here?” Ian asked as he fell into step beside her.
“I do not know,” Robin said, suddenly realizing that she had no idea why she had invited Ian to join her. “I just . . . thought you might like to hear whatever news he has from the city.”
Ian nodded.
Lord Cabril was Ashlin’s father. He had also been a member of River’s Talon for longer than Robin herself had been. He had actually been caught and imprisoned by Gareth for several years while his entire family thought he had died in a shipwreck.
This was not his first visit to Lockwood, though he did not travel often. Robin assumed he had news for her concerning Talon matters, but with his connection to Ashlin, he probably also had news of Ian’s family that would be difficult to get elsewhere.
So she had invited Ian to join her.
Ilida led them into the manor and down the hall to Bernard’s study. When she pushed open the door, Robin entered the room to see a gaunt, older man sitting on a chair with a small, red-haired girl on his knee.
Ian entered behind Robin but quickly moved past her.
He dropped to his knees in front of the girl, a smile on his face.
“Celesta,” he said. At the same time, he lifted his hands over his head and made a large arcing motion.
Robin knew that Celesta could not hear, and she assumed the gesture was synonymous with the girl’s name.
Celesta smiled shyly at Ian, clearly recognizing him but still timid.
Ian stood, addressing his next word to the seated man. “Aizel?”
“She is staying with me,” Peter replied. His drooping shoulders and thin frame made him look far older than his actual years, but his bright eyes were sharp. “She wants to remain close to Erich.”
“It is not safe,” Ian said, his voice filled with a frustration that Robin was surprised to hear. “She should have come here as well.”
Robin wondered if Ian was angry over Aizel’s safety or jealous that he himself was not staying closer to the castle.
“It was her choice to make,” Peter said gently. “But we did need to get Celesta somewhere safe and far away from Gareth.”
“She is welcome here,” Robin said, stepping forward to join the conversation.
“And Meena will be delighted to see her again,” Ian added.
“Aizel said the same, knowing that Meena would help Celesta feel at ease,” Peter said.
Robin noticed the young girl’s eyes light up at the sight of someone at the door behind her.
Celesta slid from Peter’s knee and ran across the room as Robin turned to look at the door, where Meena stood with a wide grin on her face.
The princess scooped the small girl off the floor for a swinging hug before setting her back down. They instantly began communicating in a mixture of spoken words, lip reading, and hand gestures.
Robin smiled at the joyful reunion. Celesta would find more than safety here.
Meena took Celesta’s hand. “I want to hear about Father,” she said, looking back up at Peter and Ian, “but she should not have to sit through that. You can fill me in later. I’ll get Celesta settled.”
Smiling down at her young friend, Meena disappeared out the door.
Robin closed the door behind them, then turned back into the room. “What is the news?” she asked.
“Bleak,” Peter replied. He gestured to a small wooden crate on Bernard’s desk. “But first, I come with gifts.”
“Gifts?” Robin asked.
“For the crown prince,” Peter said.
“Ian,” the prince in question corrected the old man as he stepped forward to open the crate. “We are family in more ways than one at this point.”
Ian opened the box to reveal several small pouches that jingled suspiciously like coin.
“Thank you for bringing this,” Ian said, smiling at Peter.
Robin saw Bernard’s eyes light up from behind the desk.
Ian tossed one of the bags to her treasurer, who caught it quite adeptly for someone with a snow-white beard.
“What is this?” Robin asked, though she thought she could deduce the answer for herself.
“A deposit into your loan program,” Ian said, shuffling through the bags. “From myself—and it looks like Onric and Erich have contributed as well.”
“And a little more from me,” Peter said. “But it is not much.”
“Thank you,” Robin said. She wanted to feel a sense of shame at accepting such a gift, but she knew too well how badly the coin was needed and how much good she could accomplish with it. “The local farmers and businesses will benefit greatly from this.”
Bernard needed no further invitation to immediately open the pouch and begin counting its contents.
“You will put it to far better use than I can,” Ian said. He turned to Peter. “But now for the news?”
Instead of responding, Peter reached into the inner pocket of his thick jacket and produced a letter, which he held out to Ian. “From Onric.”
Robin noted how Ashlin’s father referred to Onric without the royal title.
Ian opened the letter. His eyes scanned it quickly before he handed it to her.
Brother,
We kept up the facade that you were sick for nearly six days before Gareth found out the truth. He is spreading word that you have abandoned your family, your responsibility, and your people. He has encouraged anyone who sees you to apprehend you and bring you back to the castle.
Stay where you are. Watch your back.
O.S.
“This is not unexpected,” Ian said when Robin looked up, indicating she had finished reading the letter. “How is my father?”
“The same,” Peter answered. “The physicians are perplexed. And he is never left unattended.”
Ian nodded his understanding, but Robin saw the way he looked down, hiding his pain at the news.
“Gareth has been pressuring the council,” Peter said, still addressing Ian.
“He is asking them to strip you of your name and title so that he can assume full leadership of Iseldis before the Majis return. Onric has been able to hold their sway as they are loyal to you, Prince Ian, but they are not immune to fear, and Gareth knows that.”
Ian pressed his hand to his forehead. “I need to return to the castle. If he continues to spread these rumors, the people will have no choice but to believe I have abandoned them.”
“That is exactly what he wants,” Robin said, stepping forward, a sensation of panic rising in her chest. “Are you going to so easily hand your life over to him?”
“But if I do nothing, then the councilors give Gareth complete control and it does not matter if I am alive or not,” Ian said. “Besides, I cannot leave Onric to face this alone.”
“Onric told you to remain here,” Robin said, surprised by the adamant tone of her own voice. “Do you truly think he is not up to the task at hand?” Robin did not know Onric well, but from everything she did know, he was calm and diplomatic.
Ian thought for a moment before answering. “I trust Onric implicitly. In fact, he might be better suited to speaking to the council than I am. He is blunt, but honest.”
“Then trust him to do his part,” Robin said.
“And continue to do nothing?” Ian asked, his face twisted in despair.
“I would not refer to the work you have done here as nothing.” Robin raised her eyebrows.
Ian’s face softened. “I did not mean to insinuate anything about your work,” he said. “But I am out of time. I must do something.”
Robin crossed her arms, considering her next words carefully. “The harvestreign festival is in two days,” she said. “We go each year to gather information. Come with us. You can see for yourself how the city is faring. Perhaps even find a way to speak with Onric directly.”
A knock sounded on the door behind her, and Robin looked back to see Ilida entering the room. “I found a place for Lord Cabril to rest for the night,” Ilida said.
Robin stepped back. “Please,” she said, “take your leave. We will talk again before you go.”
Peter nodded, the exhaustion evident on his face as he slowly stood from the chair. He began to follow Ilida toward the door but stopped, turning back to Ian. “I nearly forgot.” He reached into his pocket. “My daughter sent this.” He held out an intricate silver case that rested easily in his palm.