Chapter 21 #3
Astrophel replies, his tone cautious. ‘We tethered our horses a moonsrising’s walk from the city gates – five beautiful Lulanian greys. They couldn’t manage the last of the climb. Perhaps riders could be sent to see them safely returned to the nearest village?’
The Arx Magnum turns to him. ‘You take a keen interest in their welfare, then? Your name, sir?’
‘Astrophel. Lord Astrophel Vesparion.’
‘Ah – betrothed to the Princess.’
‘Perhaps you knew my father? He was stationed here at one time.’
‘Vesparion…’ The Arx Magnum steeples his brows.
A moment later he sucks in a breath. ‘Ah yes, Caelum Vesparion. Sent to quell the last mountain rebellion. A decent swordsman – met a sorry end though, if I’m not mistaken.
Flamefever, wasn’t it?’ The Arx Magnum shakes his head.
‘Water under the bridge now. Long sunrings have passed…’
A mountain rebellion? He must be mistaken. Astrophel’s father was posted to Galtair to gather troops to rout an Oralian rebellion. He contracted Flamefever fighting the menace of the Fire Clans.
I turn to my betrothed. His jaw’s clenched, but his face shows no other expression. This isn’t news to him? Clearly, my father doesn’t keep secrets from his silver-eyed boy.
‘You must visit my stables while you’re here.’ The Arx Magnum flashes that slippery grin again. ‘Rare breeds are a hobby of mine; I’ve amassed quite the collection. Good, strong specimens. Even reared some to withstand peak altitudes for short periods.’
Astrophel bows. ‘It would be an honour.’
We arrive at a thick door, banded with metal.
The Arx Magnum pushes it open to reveal a large rectangular room.
It reeks of sweet incense and bears a passing resemblance to Izarius’ chambers in terms of clutter, but instead of astronomical apparatus and books, this room is littered with hunting trophies: hoarclaw tusks, iskselk pelts, frostfang claws, and preserved body parts from species I can’t identify.
Tansy’s face crumples and Briar refuses to cross the threshold. Even Serafine is hesitant. She swoops down from Blayze’s shoulder and perches on the chair nearest the door as we file towards a richly carved desk.
Astrophel runs his finger over a jawbone containing long, curved teeth, which lies atop it. ‘Cragstalker?’
The Arx Magnum lowers himself into a high-backed chair and licks his upper lip. ‘Indeed. A rare specimen, one of my favourites.’
‘I thought I saw one as we approached the city, but it must have been a trick of the light. At the Asteum, we were taught the species is extinct…’
‘A handful still roam these parts, though most now comprise my personal collection.’ The Arx Magnum waves towards the snowy skins that line the floor.
Tansy shudders. ‘More likely you saw a frostfang. They look similar from a distance, and desperation is making the vermin bold. The dogs range further and further south to hunt.’
Delphine leans more heavily on Maris.
The Arx Magnum’s eyes narrow. ‘I’m curious to learn what brings you to these parts. Orthriel mentioned you plan to gather information about the Sickening? A fascinating enterprise.’
I knew we’d face questions. Now to recite the script I committed to memory back in Meissa.
‘It’s a cross-realm study, the first of its kind. We’re charting conditions in Estelia first, and hope to pool our knowledge and resources to slow the advance of the curse.’
The Arx Magnum nods.
I must be getting better at lying. My father would be proud.
‘Wonderful news. Most expedient. Time to let bygones be bygones – we have more important things to worry about than petty squabbles. I’m sure I speak on behalf of all Highlanders when I wish you the very best of luck in your endeavour.’
Blayze’s shoulders, rigid since we entered Galtair, relax by a degree and Maris loosens her grip on her spear.
‘I’ve gathered the supplies requested in the King’s letters of introduction, plus extra furs besides.
You’ll have need of them if you intend to journey north, though I urge you to reconsider.
It’s impossible to survive for more than a few nights on the peaks.
Even for those of us who’ve lived at altitude, the air is too thin now.
Too foul. And we wouldn’t want anything to happen to you, would we? ’
Again, he flashes that greasy smile. A smile that barely grazes his eyes.
I look at the other members of the Quaternity. They’re nodding along, lapping up his words. All except Astrophel who stands behind the others, his expression pinched. Pensive.
Beside me, my Guardian’s face is a perfect picture of stillness, though their corporeal form is still hazy. ‘Not everything’s a conspiracy, Leilani.’
I think back to my encounter with Blayze on the hillside, how I threw that rock at him thinking him the monster from my dreams. Perhaps Orthriel’s right.
But seeds of doubt, once sown, are not easily tilled.
With leadership comes responsibility. With responsibility: consequences.
My choices led us here. It remains to be seen what manner of place I’ve brought us to.
The Arx Magnum stands. ‘I could happily keep you here for hours, learning more about you, and your plans. But all in good time. You’ll be housed at Viklari, my family seat.
It isn’t far, and I trust you’ll find it comfortable.
Provision shall, of course, be made for your Guardians too.
We’ll leave you to rest tonight. But I hope you’ll join me and my ministry for dinner tomorrow evening, share a cup of friendship. We have much to discuss.’
I force my lips into a smile. ‘We’d be delighted.’
The Arx Magnum returns the gesture, only his smile is broader, contains too many teeth.
The image of a frostfang flashes into my mind.