Flight Into Darkness Part 30

"More air!" Jagu called down to the two bellows boys and heard them groan in response as he attacked the final pa.s.sage yet again. Only when he tackled a task as challenging as that could he try to lose himself in the music and forget about Celestine. Though Saint Meriadec's was filled with memories; the first time they had ever met was here on a wet autumn afternoon. He had been seventeen, daring to play this prelude with all the brash confidence of youth... and she had been in the choir, a novice from the Sisters of Charity. He had never heard a voice so sweet, so clear as hers. From up in the organ loft, it had sounded to him as if a young angel were singing in the dim recesses of the old church...

His fingers slipped again and lost the momentum of the sequence of cascading runs.

"d.a.m.n!"

"Swearing in church, Lieutenant?" came a mocking voice from down below. "You'll have to do penance to atone for your sin."

"Kilian?" Jagu swung his legs over the narrow bench and peered down into the church to see Kilian's pale green eyes glinting up at him from the gloom. He heard sn.i.g.g.e.ring from the bellows boys.

"Practice time's over," Kilian called up. "Friard's summoned us to the Forteresse. Urgently."

"Urgently?" Jagu pushed in the stops and pulled the wooden cover over the manuals. He wasn't due back until six o'clock. He hurried down the spiral stair and tossed the bellows boys a coin each. "You're off duty early today, boys." As they scampered away, he hurried after Kilian, who was already halfway down the nave. "So what's this all about?"

"We're to be sent back to Ondhessar." Kilian set off down the avenue at a brisk pace, his military greatcoat swinging open as he walked.

"What?" For a brief second, Jagu took the bait. For a brief second, Jagu took the bait.

Kilian stopped, turning to face him. "Ah, you're still so much fun to tease, Jagu."

These days, it seemed to Jagu that Kilian's little jokes were forced, and that when he smiled, only the corners of his lips crinkled upward, while his eyes remained distant, even cold. But then it was hardly surprising, given what had happened on the day of the great darkness. Kilian had revealed his innermost feelings-and what had Jagu done? He had rejected him. He had done it as gently, as honestly, as he could. But there was a new awkwardness between them. Kilian had laughed the incident away as they hurried to the drill hall. "I really had you worried there, didn't I, Jagu? You should have seen the look on your face. You really thought I was going to jump your bones then and there! Well, at least my little diversion distracted you from worrying about the end of the world." Tacitly, Jagu had played along with this, bursting into stupefied laughter. "Oh, you really had me fooled, Kilian. d.a.m.n you, you'd even joke on the edge of the Abyss." But he had seen the earlier look in Kilian's eyes, both hurt and shamed. It must have cost him dear to reveal so much of his inner feelings-and dearer still to be rejected.

"I haven't a clue what all this is about," Kilian flung back over his shoulder, "but I don't think they're going to give us a raise in pay and a day off."

Jagu glanced uneasily at his fellow officers who had been summoned to the Grand Maistre's study. Of Ruaud de Lanvaux's elite squad only he, Viaud, Friard, and Kilian remained. Pere Judicael was too frail to leave his rooms these days. There were others here he recognized from his cadet days, but while he had been a.s.signed to special duties overseas, he had lost touch with many of his contemporaries.

The inner door opened and three men emerged from the Grand Maistre's private chapel. All the Commanderie officers turned to stare as Captain Friard ushered in Haute Inquisitor Visant-and Hugues Donatien.

"Gentlemen," said Donatien, smiling at them, "I have just come from her majesty and I have the honor to inform you that she has appointed me Grand Maistre of the order."

Jagu felt a sharp nudge in the ribs. "Your mouth's open," Kilian whispered to him.

"The western quadrant is still unstable. And so her majesty has asked me to do all I can to protect the safety of the realm." Donatien's smile faded. "We live in difficult times, gentlemen, and it is our duty to set an example to the people of Francia. We must be seen to be above suspicion, upholders of the Sergian Code. If there is corruption in our ranks, we must weed it out."

Jagu caught Alain Friard's eye; the captain looked utterly dumbfounded. By rights, he should have been promoted to lead the Commanderie. But Queen Alienor had marked him as Ruaud de Lanvaux's right-hand man and confidant. Perhaps Kilian's quip about being sent back to Ondhessar was more accurate than he could have imagined; we're all four marked as Lanvaux's followers. And Celestine... Perhaps Kilian's quip about being sent back to Ondhessar was more accurate than he could have imagined; we're all four marked as Lanvaux's followers. And Celestine...

His heart felt chilled.

Celestine has never been in greater danger.

"You've served the order with distinction, Lieutenant." Maistre Donatien looked up from an open dossier, fixing Jagu with a benign and approving look. This only increased Jagu's sense of unease. "You were commended for your bravery at Ondhessar. You and your partner saved the lives of Prince Ilsevir and Princess Adele. And you arrested Kaspar Linnaius together. You've worked as a team for six years. So, where is she now?"

Here it comes. "I don't know, Maistre Donatien," Jagu said. It was the truth, after all. Celestine had chosen to disappear. Her behavior had become more and more secretive on their mission in Smarna. It still hurt him to think that she no longer trusted him enough to confide in him-unless she had been trying to save him from just such an interrogation. If he knew nothing, then he couldn't be accused of withholding essential information from the Inquisition. "I don't know, Maistre Donatien," Jagu said. It was the truth, after all. Celestine had chosen to disappear. Her behavior had become more and more secretive on their mission in Smarna. It still hurt him to think that she no longer trusted him enough to confide in him-unless she had been trying to save him from just such an interrogation. If he knew nothing, then he couldn't be accused of withholding essential information from the Inquisition.

"Listen, Lieutenant." Donatien's tone was still benign but Jagu detected a steely will beneath. "The Commanderie's reputation is at stake. Your partner has been using the Forbidden Arts. Were you aware that she poisoned the two Inquisition agents sent to arrest her? They nearly died and neither man will ever be fit for active service again."

"Poison?" Jagu took a step back. Had Celestine intended to kill them? Or had she become careless in her use of the potions and spells in her father's grimoire? She had promised him never to resort to magic again after the incident in Azhkendir, and yet in Smarna he had discovered her using another potion to charm secrets from Lord Nagarian's mother, Elysia. It was as if she had begun to lose control. Having employed one spell, she could not resist trying another, then another...

"She must be stopped, Lieutenant." Donatien's voice penetrated his worried reverie. "She is a danger to herself, as well as to others. Above all-and this is the tragedy of the situation-she has brought the Commanderie's name into disrepute."

Jagu found himself nodding in helpless agreement.

"You know her better than anyone. I want you to go after her and bring her back before she loses all self-control."

"But I don't even know where to start my search."

"She was last seen in Muscobar. She may have friends there who are sheltering her."

Jagu felt as if a constricting hand had begun to tighten about his throat. He swallowed hard. One day he had feared it would come to this. Had the spirit in her father's grimoire taken control of her, compelling her to do its will? Celestine had seemed so... different different in Smarna-willful, devious, even cruel. If he could exorcise the spirit, would she revert to her true sweet-natured self? And would that be enough to placate the new Grand Maistre of the Commanderie? Or would Donatien hand her over to Visant and put her through the ordeal of a trial for heresy? in Smarna-willful, devious, even cruel. If he could exorcise the spirit, would she revert to her true sweet-natured self? And would that be enough to placate the new Grand Maistre of the Commanderie? Or would Donatien hand her over to Visant and put her through the ordeal of a trial for heresy?

"Well, Lieutenant?" Donatien was regarding him with a penetrating look quite different from his earlier kindly expression.

"You're asking me to betray my partner?"

"I'm merely reminding you of the oath you took when you became a Guerrier. She has quite obviously forgotten hers. I'm talking about integrity, Lieutenant. I want the people of Francia to look to the Commanderie as a small but steadfast flame burning in the darkness of an uncertain world."

Then Donatien's tone softened. "The demoiselle has served Francia faithfully," he said. "We must help and support our own if they stray and help them to find their way back to the light."

The intensity of Donatien's words took Jagu by surprise. He had to admit to himself that the Maistre was right. If the Guerriers were to be trusted in such troubled times, if they were to maintain their spotless reputation as the upholders of truth, they must be seen to punish anyone who betrayed the order.

"Well, Lieutenant?" Donatien held out his hand; his ring of office glinted dully. Jagu hesitated. Then, trying to ignore the heaviness about his heart, he knelt before the Grand Maistre and kissed his ring. When he stood up, Donatien was smiling at him but it was a triumphant smile, as if the Maistre had just won a significant victory.

Jagu shouldered his knapsack and began to descend the steep stone steps that led down to the river. Seagoing barques lay at anchor beside the quay, taking on their first pa.s.sengers of the day for the journey to the port of Fenez-Tyr.

"Hey, Jagu!"

He turned and, gazing upward, saw Kilian hurrying along the busy quay, pushing through the crowd, greatcoat flapping open as he ran, the rising sun turning his pale hair from ginger to gold.

"Wait!" Kilian reached him and had to lean against the mossy quay wall to catch his breath.

"Is there a change in my orders?" Jagu asked warily. He was not in the mood for one of Kilian's practical jokes.

"d.a.m.n you," Kilian said, wheezing. "Trying to slip away without saying good-bye as usual? I really don't understand you."

Jagu shrugged. Why did Kilian always read him so accurately?

"I hope you've packed a fur coat."

Jagu shot Kilian a baffled look.

"Won't Muscobar be blanketed in snow by the time you get there? Doesn't the Nieva ice over in winter? You'll be traveling to Mirom by sleigh!" Kilian said, giving him a punch on the shoulder. "But are you really the right man for this mission?" The playfulness had gone; Kilian's voice dropped to a low, intense tone. "She's not the innocent young woman you remember. She's been corrupted by the Forbidden Arts."

"I know."

"Let me go in your stead."

"But you don't know Muscobar as I do-"

"Ask yourself; do you really have the detachment to arrest her and bring her back to stand trial?" Kilian gripped him by the shoulder, gazing searchingly into his eyes.

Jagu had been asking himself the same question throughout a long and sleepless night. He pulled away from Kilian's grip and walked off without answering.

"Be careful," Kilian called after him. "She's dangerous, Jagu."

The sound of many voices shouting in unison penetrated the council chamber.

"What is that racket?" demanded Alienor.

"It is a crowd of citizens, majesty," said Aiguillon. He looked anxious. "They are protesting about the high price of bread."

"This is Francia, not Muscobar. Francians do not revolt when life gets hard!" she said severely. "Increase the guard around the palace and find out who the ringleaders are. I want them arrested."

"They want to see the king."

"Then I'll speak to them!"

"The harvest has been poor this year, majesty. And with this severe winter, we have reports of severe food shortages in several regions."

"So what are you going to do about it, Chancellor?" Alienor fixed him with one of her most penetrating stares.

"We spent a great deal of our revenue on the invasion of Tielen. Ships, munitions, wages..." Aiguillon's voice died away as the queen continued to stare at him.

"Francia needs a king," Alienor said severely. "Why is there still no word of my son?"

CHAPTER 7.

Bouts of fever racked Enguerrand's body. He lay in the village chief's hut, out of the glare of the sun, drifting between disordered dreams and lucidity.

Time and again, he relived the moment when Ruaud had turned to him, his eyes filled with disbelief, and he had hurled the spear, pinning him to the chapel door like a b.u.t.terfly to a collector's tray.

"Enguerrand."

Someone was calling his name. He came back to himself to find Aude staring anxiously down at him, her heart-shaped face a blur of sun-browned freckles. She leaned closer and touched his damp cheek.

"Tears?" she said uncertainly. "Enguerrand, were you crying in your sleep?"

"I-I killed him." Enguerrand choked on the words. "I killed Ruaud. And h-he was more a father to me than my own flesh-and-blood father ever was." Hot tears leaked from his eyes and he was so weak with fever that he could not hold them back. "How could I have done such a terrible thing?"

"I don't believe that you're capable of killing anyone," Aude said. She took hold of his hand and squeezed it between her own. Outside he could hear the faint lapping of the incoming tide. But in his mind he was half a world away, locked in the bloodstained church, with Ruaud's fast-glazing eyes still staring accusingly at him...

"He was trying to cast the daemon out of my body. He was trying to save me. But it was too strong. And now... now my only friend is gone, and his blood is on my conscience."

"You didn't kill him, the daemon did. The same daemon that made you abduct me."

"Aude, Aude, I'm so sorry I got you involved in all this..." Sunlight filtered down through the loosely woven roof of palm leaves, making checkered patterns on his face. It hurt his eyes.

"It's an adventure," she said, sponging his face with a cool, damp rag. "And so much more interesting than having to do embroidery with Maman!"

Andrei was sitting on the white sands, lifting his hot face to the first cool breezes of evening. He was idly wondering how often spice ships came past the islands. He was even wondering if he wanted to go back to the pressures of court life in Muscobar. Life seemed so much simpler here.

"Prince Andrei?" Aude came to sit beside him, wriggling her bare toes in the soft sand. "I'm worried about Enguerrand."

"Is his fever still high?"

Aude nodded. "What can we do? None of the islanders' remedies seem to be working. He's never been strong. He was often sick when he was a child, or so my mother told me. What shall I do if he... if he dies? It's my duty to my country to protect him."

"Why bother?" Oskar Alvborg's voice, dry and cynical, cut in before Andrei could reply. He came out from beneath the shade of the palm trees and flopped down on the sand beside Andrei. "You're deluding yourselves if you think Eugene's going to send anyone to rescue us."

"Take that back, Alvborg!" Andrei found Oskar's abrasive manner was becoming harder to ignore.

"I can just imagine the crocodile tears that Eugene will shed as he breaks the news of our absence." Oskar continued to embroider his theme with flamboyant gestures. "The rivals for his throne, all tragically lost at sea, or whatever plausible reason he invents to explain our sudden disappearances. How extraordinarily convenient for him!"

"You should have gone on the stage," muttered Andrei.

"h.e.l.lo, there!"

Andrei started awake. He had fallen into a doze when he was supposed to be watching over Enguerrand.

"We've come to help!"

Aude appeared. "Did you hear? Someone called out in the common tongue."

"I'll go; you stay here. It could be slavers, pirates..."

She gazed at him with apprehensive eyes and shrank back to crouch defensively beside Enguerrand's pallet.

Andrei pushed open the woven curtain of palm leaves that covered the doorway, blinking in the blinding brightness of the midday sun. He wished he had a weapon on hand to defend himself.

All the time he had been Adramelech's host, he had had no need of swords or pistols; the Drakhaoul had given him unimaginable power. Without that dark energy flowing through his veins, he felt pitifully weak and vulnerable.

Two men, their white robes dazzling in the noonday heat, stood outside beneath the palm trees.

"Who are you?" Andrei challenged them.

One walked toward him, his arms open, as if to embrace him. "Thank G.o.d, you're well enough to come to greet us. The islanders told us you were all very sick." In spite of his white hair, the newcomer's grey eyes were bright in his sunburned face and his tone was brisk and lively. "My name is Laorans, Abbe Laorans. I'm in charge of the Francian mission in Serindher. My companion is Blaize, Pere Blaize."

"Priests?" Andrei was still suspicious.

"Missionaries." Pere Blaize came over, carrying a small wooden casket, and Andrei saw that he was much younger than the abbe, although the sun had bleached his golden hair almost as white as Oskar's. "News travels slowly from island to island, but as soon as we heard of shipwrecked travelers from the western quadrant, we set out to see if we could help." He gave Andrei a broad, friendly smile that almost disarmed the last of his suspicions.

"You're Francians!" Aude appeared at the door of the hut, her wan face suddenly bright with hope. She lapsed into her native tongue, speaking so rapidly that Andrei had trouble keeping up with her. "You must help my cousin. He's very sick."

"Don't worry, Demoiselle," said Pere Blaize, smiling rea.s.suringly at her, "I've spent years studying the local diseases."