Chapter 21 Aleksis
21
Aleksis
The rain set in with a vengeance, punctuated by rolling thunder and sharp bright shocks of lightning. Water cascaded from rooftops; it pooled in the courtyard; it rendered stone steps perilous and made the lighting of lamps imperative, even by day. The wind got up, gusting in, driving the birds away and whipping the lake into whitecaps.
Perhaps it was just as well, Aleksis told himself. Karolis had won the fight against his much heavier opponent but had strained his right calf in doing so. He could hardly have been expected to undertake the long ride without another night’s rest beforehand. Riding on rain-soaked tracks would be bad enough. The last thing they wanted was to be stranded somewhere along the way, unable to go on. So, another day, another night, and he must hope the storm would be over soon. Anxiety gnawed at him. The Ruler was unpredictable. Growing increasingly wayward in her decisions, apt to resort to unpalatable measures if folk did not do as she wished. If this continued, she might be incapable of presiding over the Grand Council when the time came. Which made his own mission especially pressing.
He considered what might have developed at Dragon’s Keep in his absence. None of the other advisers would be prepared to intervene in the matter of Stasya and her companions, or the outcome of Rihard’s disastrous actions at Heartwood. Not one of them was prepared to challenge Elisabeta. His imagination supplied various scenarios, each of them more troubling than the last. Was he getting this out of proportion? Was he losing his grasp?
‘Aleks?’
He started. He’d been so deep in thought, he’d almost forgotten that Matiss was with him in the guest quarters. Karolis was resting in the adjoining chamber after Brother Evald, the infirmarian, had rubbed salve into his leg and supplied a draught to help dull the pain.
‘You were miles away. Troubled?’
‘You could say that.’ Aleksis kept his voice down. Even here, in private quarters with the door closed, one had to be careful what was said aloud. ‘What if this weather keeps up for days? What if Karolis isn’t ready to undertake the ride tomorrow, or the next day?’
‘One step at a time,’ Matiss said. ‘And remember, you can’t save the world, only do your best. Karolis is tough. He can do it. And …’ He paused.
‘And what? I’m a fool to let this bother me?’
‘You? A fool? Nothing could be further from the truth, my friend. But it’s not like you to let something disturb you this way. Chances are we’ll arrive back at court and all will be well. And if not, you’ll deal with it as capably as you always do. We’ll deal with it.’
‘I wish I had your confidence.’ Aleksis peered out the window again. ‘And the ability to conjure fair weather.’
Matiss put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. ‘A little more silver in the hand of a certain ferryman might make a difference. I’ll have a talk to him, see if he’s prepared to go in the rain, provided it’s not too heavy.’
Aleksis managed a smile. ‘Do it without any fuss. Best if our eagerness to depart doesn’t arouse suspicions.’
‘The man in question knows me. I made a point of having a chat about boats and sailing. Complimented him on his fine control of the vessel, which was no lie.’
‘What would I do without you?’
‘You’d cope. You always do.’
Maybe this is the one time I don’t. ‘It feels precarious,’ Aleksis murmured. ‘One false step …’
‘Your planning is faultless. You know that, Aleks. We move on. What other choice is there?’ Matiss, too, kept his voice down.
‘None, my friend. Absolutely none. But …’
‘But it depends on her? And you hold back?’
‘I wish this had not unfolded as it did. But it is what it is, and we’ll deal with it as best we can.’
Matiss grinned. ‘Ah. You’re saying we now. That gives me some heart.’
‘You’re all heart, my friend.’ Aleksis moved to the window. ‘Is it wishful thinking on my part, or is the rain starting to ease?’ Perhaps, after all, they might be back at Dragon’s Keep by tomorrow night.