“The manor was under the crown’s purview for the past twenty-five years,” Alyss reported as if she was already a shadow falling into line. “It had been donated to the crown following the death of its previous owner—a Lady Yewin Cortova.”
“Cortova?” Deneya looked to Lorn. “What do we know about Cortova?”
Lorn crossed to the back of the room, where several large safes lined the wall. At the same time, Rebec went to the only entrance and exit to the Specter’s hall, barring the door. Lorn shielded the safe lock from view with his body, and a soft clicking and rattling filled the air. There was a flash of light, and then he stepped back, swinging open the door. Lorn reached in, fished around, and produced a leather folio.
“What’s back there?” Noelle asked.
“All the secrets ever whispered in Risen,” Deneya answered.
Alyss’s eyes darted to Eira. She wore an enthusiastic grin, as though she was barely holding back saying,How exciting is this?Eira pursed her lips slightly and Alyss picked up on the severity of their situation, her expression shifting into something more solemn.
Lorn settled the folio on the back table. Noelle took a step forward as Deneya did and Rebec grabbed her shoulder.
“They’re not for your eyes,” Rebec said with a note of warning.
“Here she is.” Lorn held up a sheet of parchment to Deneya. “Lady Yewin Cortova…yes, now I remember her. Sad case indeed.”
“Tell me,” Deneya demanded as her eyes skimmed the paper.
“Mother died in childbirth. Father was a wealthy merchant, lost at sea. Pirate activity suspected…but never confirmed.”
“As is too often the case,” Deneya muttered. “Pirates can move too easily before we even know they’re there.”
Like Adela.Eira’s heart thrummed. When she dropped me off in Oparium, a place where she knew I’d be safe and hidden as theStormfrost’sheir.
“Yewin was raised in the care of the Faithful, as is customary. They managed her estate until she was of age. She seemed to be a pious young woman, full of opportunity, until she became pregnant out of wedlock and was shunned by the antiquated notions of the then ‘polite’ society. She met her ultimate demise in childbirth like her mother.”
“What happened to the child?” Deneya asked.
“Stillborn.” Lorn passed another sheet of parchment. “According to the reports of the Lark healers who delivered.”
“For people who supposedly uphold truth, the Pillars are certainly good at lying,” Deneya growled.
“They like making us chase them.” Rebec sighed. “Have us jumping at rumors all across Risen.”
They certainly had Eira looking twice at every turn.
Deneya’s gaze turned to her. “You were reckless once, and we forgave you, but this time—”
“When was the baby born?” Eira asked hastily. “Wait, don’t tell me.” She looked to Lorn, trying to find some kind of ally in the keeper of secrets. “Was the baby born the day after the Night-Noon Day?”
“Yes, how did you…”
“It’s Ferro.” The pieces were beginning to slot together for her so completely that Eira was shocked no one else had seen the whole picture yet. The suspicions she’d had in the Archives—all the way back to the first time she’d seen Mistress Harrot—were beginning to solidify. What had felt scattered and distorted was suddenly coming into view. “The child she had was Ferro.”
“Did you not hear what the Larks reported—”
“The Larks have been infiltrated by the Pillars, clearly,” Eira countered before Rebec could finish. “Moreover, this was twenty-five years ago. Was it before Ulvarth was taken captive?”
Lorn glanced down at the paper he was holding and then looked back at her. His lips were pursed so tightly that it was a wonder he managed to say, “Yes.”
“Meaning, Ferro was born right before Ulvarth was arrested. He was born to a woman who grew up in the care of the Larks—under the protection of the Swords of Light and all the Faithful, groups that Ulvarth was the ultimate head of at that time. He would have had access to her, and she to him.”
“You’re claiming that Ferro is the bastard son of Ulvarth and Yewin…that they kept his birth a secret?” Deneya arched her eyebrows. “Why? What would their motives be?”
“There could be any possibility. You know Ulvarth far better than I. If I can imagine a few uses for a secret child, I’m certain you can as well.”
All eyes were on Deneya. She tapped the table next to her, staring accusatorially at the papers spread on it, as if they dared to keep this secret from her for so long. Eira wouldn’t be shocked if, before all this was over, Deneya demanded copies of the documents just so she could burn some in frustration.
