He tilted his head in a way predator birds do. The movement was eerie and Orry suppressed another shudder.
Orry did not reply. He knew High Cleric Christos well enough—well, through what others have said, at any rate—to know his questions were usually rhetorical. Orry unclenched his hands to clasp them at his back instead. Nothing good ever came of anyone standing before this man showing weakness.
“I knewofyou, of course,” High Cleric Christos said with a sigh. “I shook your hand at graduation. And yet, before that day,” the cleric shrugged. “The day of Luca’s execution, I wouldn’t have been able to pick you apart from the baker.”
The cleric crossed his arms and Orry almost fainted at the abrupt movement.
Breathe, Orry. He’s just a man. A very scary, powerful man. But a man. I bet he, too, used a shit bucket once. Maybe. Gods, please spare me from?—
“You will tell me everything about the god, Terena Luca. If you fail in any detail, you will wish you’d never caught my notice.”
Orry shook. He couldn’t help it. An image of Ren in the dungeons flashed in his mind. Her swollen eye and bruised body. Orry did not doubt this man planned the same and worse for him if he didn’t comply. And yet, he could not betray his friend.
Stiffening his spine, Orry lifted his chin an inch and met the cleric’s gaze.
“Oh,” the man said with a worrying smile. “You wish to play the hero? Very well. Let us begin.”
Rydon pacedthe small pantry at the back of the Boar’s Head Inn. His friend and the innkeep of this establishment, Eden, had let him in through the back entrance. He’d had the man send a note to Xoran earlier.
Sighing, Rydon turned and eyed the shelves, leaning in to sniff at a bunch of herbs hanging from a hook above the shelves.
“A little late to be out shopping.”
Rydon’s head swiveled around and he grinned at the speaker.
“Never know when you might need some rosemary.”
Gabriol grinned back as they clasped arms. “Rosemary, huh? You plan on making some savory pies or something?”
Rydon shrugged as he tucked his thumbs into his sword belt. “Not a bad profession. Might look to switch soon.”
Gabriol snorted. “Come. They’re expecting you.”
“What news?” Rydon asked as they walked. Huddled beneath his cloak, Rydon kept his head down whenever they passed others walking about. Daris and his men were not far behind. Once the City Watch caught sight of the Liodari, Rydon knew the city would be locked up tighter than a priestess’s legs.
“The usual. One step away from discovery and execution.”
Rydon snorted. “How many times have you clobbered some sense into Croak while I’ve been gone?”
Gabriol’s steps faltered, and Rydon frowned.
“Croak’s been captured,” Gabriol said with a quick glance at Rydon.
Rydon’s breath caught. “What?”
Gabriol nodded with a grim smile. “Aye. I’m not surprised it happened; the fool insisted on going to the cleric’s old rooms and the Watch found them both. Ren is… beside herself. But the prince and Xoran came up with a plan to rescue him. Oh, and there’s a fancy to-do tomorrow night so a bunch of royal pricks are at the castle.”
“No wonder there was more security at the gates,” Rydon mumbled. “I thought it was because of our victory in Ravos.”
Gabriol laughed darkly. “It is both. The guests were already on their way but when General Peleon brought back word of their defeat, Emperor Solon had him and Xoran triple the guards within the palace and the city. I’m surprised no one snatched you up to conscript you.”
Rydon ran his hand down his face and looked about. “Fuck that. I’d love to have been tested. So, who’s attending this celebration? All the dukes and their wives?”
“And more besides,” Gabe replied. “Terena said there are foreign dignitaries as well. I’ve seen a few uniforms I don’t recognize. Also saw someone wearing Roison colors and a few from Offeni.”
“What’s going on?”
“Apparently, a month ago, the emperor named his youngest boy as his successor. Now that Prince Lerek’s back from the dead, he wanted to have a big dinner to reinstate him as the crown prince and his heir.”
