From Darkness Won Part 56

She bit her bottom lip. "Do you truly believe Arman is the One G.o.d?"

"Aye, and Caan His Son, who saved me from myself."

Sparrow's lips parted. "When did you come to believe?"

"The day you left Mitspah." He smirked. "I should thank you for leaving, I suppose, for if you hadn't, I might not have figured all that out."

Sparrow broke into tears then, weeping openly.

"Please don't cry, Sparrow. I promise to be a man worthy of your love."

"Oh, Achan. You already are such a man. As if my behavior has made me worthy of such devotion. I punished you for crimes you had not yet committed while I stood by, blinded by fear and lying like a rogue. But my lies never kept my heart safe. Please, do not believe your weakness is worse than mine. Arman does not put one transgression higher than another. All are disdained by him."

He took her hands. "We can help each other be strong."

"And you still wish to marry me?"

"Very much." He set one half of the coin on her palm and closed her fingers around it. "A token of my promise, from a stray boy named Achan to a stray girl named Vrell."

She looked at the coin. "I'd rather have the half with your face on it."

"It's my father's face, not mine. Though Sir Gavin swears they'll make coins bearing my likeness someday."

Her eyes flitted over his face. "What happened to your hair? Your ear?"

"During the Battle of Reshon Gate. A black knight-"

She reached up and ran her fingers over his ear. The sound of her skin on his magnified in his eardrum, like listening to the sea inside a sh.e.l.l. Her touch fl.u.s.tered him, excited him, and kind of hurt the blister that was forming there. The intensity of her green eyes weakened his knees.

"Please let me kiss you."

Her eyes widened. "Here? With our chaperones watching?"

Achan glanced at the doorway. Shung and Esper were still talking, about what he could not begin to guess. Achan bet Shung had never talked so long in his life. "They're not watching."

She inched back a step.

Achan had a sudden urge to wrestle her. But she was a girl-which perhaps explained why she'd never beaten him. "Meet me tonight?"

"Where?"

"In here." Achan pointed to two oversized doors on the far wall of the solar. "Those lead to a balcony that is said to have a magnificent view."

"Good thing we do not need a view, what with Darkness and all."

He stared at her for one long, stunned moment, then laughed. "Why do I feel as if you will always be jerking the mat out from under my boots?"

She picked up his ring from the table, hung it back around her neck, and tucked in into her neckline. A coy smile curled her lips. "Because I always will." She curtsied. "Until this evening, Your Highness. And do not forget my sleeve."

He bowed, and she swept from the room.

"Good day." Esper curtsied to Achan and Shung, then followed Sparrow.

Shung raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

What could he say of that conversation? He replayed it in his mind, though it had gone by like a lightning flash. "Only one thing is certain, Shung. She didn't say no."

When dinner ended that evening, Sir Caleb would not leave Achan's side, first insisting he visit the tombs of kings-which Achan did find fascinating-then demanding Achan get fitted for new clothes.

Achan sensed the man was distracting him on purpose and hoped honesty might work best. "Sir Caleb, must we fit new clothing now? I promised to meet Sparrow in the solar."

"Esper did not mention any such meeting."

"We did not invite Esper."

"Your Highness, I realize you and Lady Averella took many liberties whilst we all believed her to be a boy. But she is not one. And you cannot sneak off together without a chaperone. Knowing what I do about your experiences together, I am tempted to speak with d.u.c.h.ess Amal."

Achan frowned. "About what?"

"To either expedite this marriage or break the betrothal entirely."

Achan did not understand this man. Never would. "In case you've forgotten, we are no longer officially betrothed. d.u.c.h.ess Amal released me from my obligation when Lady Averella asked to be freed from it."

"But she had lost her memory." Sir Caleb tugged on the sleeve Achan now wore proudly on his left arm. "It's clear to my eyes that you both have moved past that."

"Then why would you ask to expedite the marriage?"

The look on Sir Caleb's face could smelt iron. "The last thing you need is a distraction. We are at war. I need you alert and focused on the task at hand, which is not sneaking off to steal kisses with Lady Averella."

Achan checked the shields around his mind, wondering how Sir Caleb could have known his plans so entirely without having read his thoughts.

Sir Caleb chuckled. "I was a young man once, Your Highness. I don't need to read your thoughts to know them. Now, if you promise to pay attention, you may invite Lady Averella to join us in the solar for a meeting. Sir Gavin would like to talk with all of us."

Not an hour later, a dozen or more men-and Sparrow and Esper-sat around the table in the solar. Sparrow had changed into a red gown that made her look like a flower in a garden. You look lovely, Sparrow.

Thank you. How unfortunate that all these people invited themselves to our meeting.

He matched her smile with one of his own. Sir Caleb insisted. Esper and Shung are not chaperone enough to please him.

Then he is a smart man, for I could disarm your Sir Shung with a leg sweep and Esper with hopps tea.

Might she be suspicious if you take down Shung then offer her tea?

Truly you are wise, Your Highness. I shall give them both tea and save my energy for you.

Achan laughed aloud, earning a glare from Sir Caleb. You're a bold woman, Sparrow.

If my thoughts offend you I shall keep them to myself.

By all means, I long to hear how you will spend your energy on me.

Why, by dancing, of course.

Dancing? Couldn't Shung and Esper be present for dancing?

Why, no, Your Highness, because you are so poor at it. I would hate to see you embarra.s.sed in public.

We would do nothing more than dance?

Certainly not. You do not think I intended something sordid by my words? Really, Your Highness. I am a lady, well-bred and disciplined in such matters.

Well, I planned to kiss you as I did in Mitspah, until you grabbed hold of my hair for fear of the joy sending you straight to Shamayim.

How she kept a straight face after that comment, Achan would never know. Now that would be entirely improper, Your Highness. Sir Caleb would definitely not approve.

Which is why we are here and not on the balcony.

Yes. And you no longer have enough hair to grab hold of.

He ran a hand over his short hair and grinned.

Straight to Shamayim... Sparrow smirked. You think very highly of your kisses. You believe they hold such power?

At least that much. I am a cham bear, after all.

Little Cham, so Sir Shung calls you. But how would he know the power of your kisses?

Ha ha, my lady jester.

Sir Gavin Lukos.

Achan jumped so fast his chair sc.r.a.ped against the floor. He opened his mind to Sir Gavin. Lo, Sir Gavin. How do you fare with the Marad?

Well, thank you, Your Highness. Sir Caleb tells me that Vrell Sparrow has made her way back to you.

She has. Achan met her eyes, and his stomach waged war within him. But as you well know she is really Lady Averella Amal. No need to deceive me any longer. She has confessed.

I am glad of that. Now that you know all, have you two reconciled?

Somewhat. Though Sir Caleb is careful not to leave us alone for even a moment.

I daresay he has his reasons.

Achan frowned. The men appear restless, Sir Gavin. Might we start this meeting?

I'm ready, if you will call it to order and be my voice.

One moment. Achan stood. "Could I have silence, please, as I offer this meeting to Arman for His guidance and glory?"

The men quieted, and Achan closed his eyes. "Arman, we come together to fulfill Your plans for Er'Rets. Thank You for bringing us this far. Guide us the rest of the way. Provide a plan to take Armonguard as peaceably as possible. So may it be as You decree."

"So be it," everyone said.

"Sir Gavin is watching through my eyes," Achan said. "I will speak for him." Achan raised a hand to command silence. Speak, Sir Gavin. What have you to say?

Captain Chantry's ships are currently anch.o.r.ed off the coast of Arman Duchy. They will wait for my order to time their attack with ours. We will march south toward Armonguard. Depending on Esek's army and how long it takes to defeat them, we will need to breach the fortress itself to open the gates so our men and Captain Chantry's men can get inside. This is no easy task.

Achan repeated Sir Gavin's words to the men.

"If we could get New Kingsguard cloaks, we could send a squadron down the Gadowl Wall," Sir Jax said. "They could join the enemy army and find a way inside."

"It leaves too much to chance," Captain Demry said. "First and foremost, the uniforms. Do you have the resources to create uniforms quickly, Bodwin?"

Bodwin shook his head. "I'm having seamstresses in the village, but not the cloth. We are having plenty of red..."

"Could we dye the red fabric black?" Sir Rigil asked.

"Possibly. I would have to be asking my weavers."

"Any other ideas?" Achan asked.

"What if we managed a dozen New Kingsguard uniforms, then took another dozen of our men down as if they were prisoners?" Sir Rigil said. "We get inside and-"

"Too risky," Captain Demry said. "They may not allow us to escort the prisoners inside. We might end up surrendering our men."

"May I speak?" Sparrow said.

Achan nodded to her. "Of course. For those of you who have not met her, this is Lady Averella Amal of Carmine."

She addressed the men in a confident voice. "Our group made it to Noiz due to the direction of a man named Peripaso. He knows the tunnels underground better than anyone. Years ago he took a tunnel out of Armonguard. With his help we might enter the castle from underground."

Bodwin laughed. "I've been serving Noiz as warden for thirteen years. Never have I been hearing of any tunnels."

"Nor had I until I met Peripaso," Jax said. "We would be wise to ask him, at least."

I've heard of tunnels under the fortress, Sir Gavin said.

Achan repeated Sir Gavin's claim, then said, "Send a man to fetch Peripaso, then."

Bodwin groaned and folded his arms, but Manu darted out the door.

"Thank you for your suggestion, Lady Averella," Achan said.

She bowed her head. Bodwin son of Inko seems to have inherited his father's paranoia.

I've noticed that as well. Have you thought any more about my offer?

Which offer do you mean, Your Highness? Your offer of a secret meeting no longer applies. And the offer of a dance was actually my offer to you. You could not mean that scandalous offer of kisses? Surely you were only teasing.