LXV
"The way we live isn't normal. You realise that, right?"
?James didn't grace his mentor with a response.
He let one of his legs dangle off the end of the wagon, watching the ground move below his foot.
On a hot day like this, it was a relief that a merchant had allowed them to catch a lift in the back.
With his eyes closed, he basked in the feeling of the sun warming his face, the birds chirping happily.
?"Drifting from place to place..." his mentor continued. "People aren't supposed to live like that. It's not good for the soul."
?James snorted. "I don't think either of us have one of those at this point. You feeling old, gramps?"
?When James looked back, tucking his shoulder-length hair behind his ear, his mentor had a sour twist to his lips.
It only just dawned upon James that his mentor wouldn't stay the same forever.
His ageing face appeared haggard and weary, whilst grey hairs peppered around his temples, and his knuckles were knurled and knobbly. Time was punishing him.
?"Sometimes I think I've done you a grave disservice," he said.
?James frowned, a panicked annoyance rising in his throat. The words had struck him heavily. "Don't say that. How can you say that? You saved me."
?His mentor lowered his gaze.
?James pulled his leg back up, bowing his head in an attempt to regain eye contact. The man didn't grant him even that much.
?"You saved me," James repeated.
?His mentor huffed in bitter laughter. "Did I?"
?"Yes."
?His mentor's smile was no less contrite. "I've ruined you. I'm sorry for that. You might not understand now, but one day you'll realise how much I've wronged you. Don't ever forgive me, boy."
?Holding his sharp-edged tongue, James kept on glaring. His mentor's sentiments had offended him deeply. They were wounding.
?The carriage creaked and swayed over bumps in the dirt road, the merchant's goods rattling inside crates.
Even though it hurt, his tense body thudding into hard wood with each jolt, he liked being there, drifting with his mentor.
His aching bones were fine. Something like a townhouse bodying one place wouldn't suit him.
His home was the entire country, the company he kept.
?"You should sleep some more," James finally said. "The fatigue is making you talk nonsense."
?His mentor didn't do so. They didn't speak. The rest of their journey was spent in silence.
? ? ? ?
Mererid lingered close to Riley as they gathered in the duke's office. Thomas was already there, breathing down the duke's shoulder at his desk. Fletcher was still absent, sulking, and they'd sent Yufus up to the guest room to take care of him.
?"I'm insulted that you're treating me like I'm some sort of child," Riley was saying, his arms crossed. "You're acting like I have no self-control."
?Alex rubbed his forehead. "Riley—"
?"No. Might I remind everyone that I was the one who stopped James from killing him back in Korcaster. Me, of all people. I did that."
?"That was under different circumstances," Alex argued. "Don't pretend otherwise. The consequences of doing so have now been reduced."
?Riley smiled. "And, if that's the case, what would be so wrong about going through with it?"
?Alex levelled him with a grave look.
?Riley held his palms up. "Okay, okay. I'm just saying— I haven't done it all these years when I had numerous opportunities. I won't go mental like James does. Give me some credit."
?By the duke's shoulder, Thomas looked no more convinced than Alex felt. Even if Riley tried to assure them he'd remain calm and measured, his behaviour had recently demonstrated otherwise.
?As if trying to escape their scrutiny and judgement, Riley casually turned around and began to drag a finger over the books that lined the side wall.
?"Duke Straton," Alex said, moving on. "Were you aware that Prince Maurice was going to attend?"
?Mererid was listening to the conversation keenly.
?The duke scoffed. "Of course I was. He follows Lady Nora around like a guard." The duke held up a hand, curbing Alex's interruption. "And, before you say it. I didn't tell you because it was the last thing on my mind. I already know what you're going to say, and that's not something I plan to do."
?"Forgive me for being doubtful," Alex remarked.
?"I'm no idiot, Alexander. It wasn't until yesterday that I thought you lot were the ones on Maurice's side. I know that man would kill me if he thought of me as a danger. Ratting myself out would be suicide. Maurice wouldn't take the risk, even if I insisted I wasn't going to do it."
?Alex continued scrutinising him.
?"Have I told the guards?" Duke Straton asked.
?"No. You haven't."
?The duke nodded once, emphasising that point.
?"So it's true," Mererid stated, her voice hollow. "Your life is in danger. And Maurice is the one who is threatening it."
?The duke sighed, his stern face crumbling slightly, unable to retain the act in the face of his daughter's pain. "It's true," he admitted.
?Mererid covered her lips with her hand, her eyes becoming glassy. "Why would Maurice do this? You're his uncle, the cousin of his dead father." They widened suddenly. "Then, what Alexander said about Wulfwynn and Edric..."
?The duke flicked a glace Alex's way. "I don't know about that."
?"I do," Riley flippantly volunteered, still inspecting random books. "Maurice murdered them. As you know, King Godfrey is unwell. But, it seems he'll die soon. Maurice is going for the crown."
?Alex nodded. "Out of everyone in this game, Prince Maurice's motives are the clearest to us."
?"I did have my suspicions," the duke quietly admitted.
?Mererid swallowed roughly, hesitating. She went to say something, then stopped, breathed in deeply, then tried again. "Then... Llwyd's disappearance, was that Maurice's doing also?"
?The duke quickly lowered his gaze from them and slowly shook his head.
?Riley chuckled. "You haven't told her?"
?"Riley!" Alex snapped, his tone brutal and sharp, like the thud of a blade suddenly stabbing the flesh of the air.
?Some of them flinched, others tensed and stared at him with wide eyes. The shock was evident. Alex may get nasty, but his tone was never that violent, that bullying.
?Riley slowly blinked out of his stunned state.
?Mererid's grieving was not a thing to take lightly and Alex would not tolerate Riley stirring up trouble with this issue. Her brother's assumed death was not something he'd let be dangled over her head so cruelly.
?The options of telling Mererid and not telling Mererid both carried their own risks and pains. In a dubious situation like that, Alex and Riley had no business interfering. This was between her and her father.
?"I'm sorry," Riley mumbled.
?Alex continued before Mererid could attempt to ask for clarification.
?"We're not going to let you open the Royal Hitchleigh," Alex stated. "You are going to stay here with us because you are not feeling very well."
?The duke sneered but didn't argue, as if he'd already predicted such a thing.
It was promising. If the duke had wanted to, he could easily overpower their small team with his abundance of guards at his disposal.
The fact that he hadn't indicated he truly knew the danger any wind of his dissent would cause.
Perhaps he may even want their success. The dethroning of King Fabian would almost certainly put his family in a safer position.
?"Alex," Thomas said. "If I may... That might draw unwanted attention."
?Alex had already considered such a thing. He looked the duke dead in the eye. "Someone has to represent the duchy, though."
?The duke was already shaking his head. "You are not putting Mererid up there."
?Alex spoke over the duke's firm and continuous protests. "She will have your guards, and us, as escorts. No harm will befall her."
?"I will not have it," he lashed out.
?"It'll be safer for the both of you this way."
?What Alex didn't mention was the security it brought their team too.
With the duke and his daughter separated, it made them both more controllable.
Alex had James to thank for planting that anxiety, even if his methods were morally questionable.
Since it had happened, Alex would take advantage of it.
?"All I have to do is give a speech, right?" Mererid asked.
?The duke immediately took issue. "You'll do no such thing."
?Mererid cut him off. "They're right. If both of us suddenly disappeared, it would look strange." She turned to Alex. "What's the end game here?"
?Alex regarded her calmly. "Your father going to testify to their crimes in a few days."
?"Then, I understand why he has to remain here. Dad, you're too valuable to be in public. I will represent the duchy in your place. I was supposed to meet with Nora soon, anyway. Maurice would hear immediately if I didn't show up."
?"You shouldn't have to do that."
?"I am your daughter. I will do everything to protect this family, just as you do."
?It wasn't that Mererid spoke out of a place of fearlessness. Her fists were clenched anxiously, her brows low with uncertainly. Instead, she was brave. There was a fiery conviction in her eye. She was truly a duke's daughter if Alex had ever seen one.
?"I'll escort her," Riley offered. "We're cousins, it won't look strange."
?The scepticism must've been evident on both Alex and Thomas' faces because Riley hurriedly added: "I'll behave. I promise. I know how important this is."
?A quiet moment passed and Alex finally nodded in confirmation.
?Thomas shot him a dubious look, but Alex silently disagreed. They needed to put more faith in Riley. He'd lasted this long without murdering the prince. He could last a day more.
?"I'll watch you two from a distance. I need to look for the widows, in case they're here. Thomas, Yufus and Fletcher will all remain here."
?It was frustrating to leave the duke with only three men; one of which was non-combat and another was easily bribable. But, Alex had no other choice. They'd have to ensure their control through their proximity with Mererid.
?"And what is... James doing?" the duke asked.
?Alex masterfully kept his face neutral. "That's no concern of yours. Riley, Mererid, we ought to get ready."
?"Be careful out there," Thomas warned.
?Alex tried to smile, holding the door open as the other two filtered out. "We will."