To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson Page B

chairs. It creaked under his weight. "I've never witnessed such a display of arrogance and ignorance in the same man."
    "I have." Achan crossed the wool rug, thinking of Esek. Riga Hoff held both traits as well. Achan paused at the bed and stroked the silk bedspread.
    "'Tis no matter," Sir Gavin said. "If we mean to promote Achan as king, he'll need to be seen, and often. We must form a plan for his presentation."
    "But not until we have an army to protect him," Sir Caleb said. "As is, we're elk in a barren field. I don't trust Septon Eli. And I certainly don't trust Jaelport."
    "Nor I, but we've little choice but to play along for now."
    Achan sank onto the edge of the feather mattress. "Do I get to sleep in this bed?"
    "Lord Eli does present a good point," Sir Caleb said. "Esek has obviously aligned with Jaelport. We should find a bride for the prince, as well."
    Warmth tingled up the back of Achan's neck. "What?"
    Sparrow nudged Achan's foot with his boot. "Lady Jaira would bring a powerful ally in Jaelport."
    Achan snapped out of the daze Sir Caleb's comment had evoked. "That's not funny."
    "If Hamartano would truly be marrying one daughter to Esek and the other to Achan," Inko said, "he's not really being our ally. By his pledging one daughter to each man, he's securing himself a queen. That's being his only agenda."
    Sir Caleb snorted. "Don't assume Lord Hamartano has an agenda. He simply does his wife's will."
    "And no woman I ever met would be more capable of assassination than Lady Jaira," Achan said. "I'd be dead in a week. She's hated me from first glance."
    Sparrow nudged his foot again. "Only when she believed you were a lowly stray. Give the lady a chance to redeem herself now that she knows your true birthright."
    Achan spoke through clenched teeth. "Enough jesting."
    Sparrow shrugged. "I am only pointing out that Lady Jaira is known to fancy high-born, wealthy men."
    Achan's tone lightened. "Well, I'm not wealthy. Am I, Sir Gavin?"
    Sir Gavin stroked his beard braid. "Achan, don't worry--"
    "I am sure we could raise enough to turn Lady Jaira's regal head," Sparrow said.
    Achan stood up so he could tower over the boy. "Then why don't you marry her?"
    Sparrow propped his fists on his hips. "We both know how she feels about strays, Your Highness."
    "Hush, lads!" Sir Gavin said.
    "And don't even joke about an alliance with Jaelport, Vrell." Sir Caleb's bushy eyebrows pinched. "You cannot trust them. Ever."
    Achan fell back onto the cushy bed. "I don't want to marry anyone. I just want to lie low for a while."
    "People swore fealty to you at Council," Sir Caleb said. "The people want you as their king. You cannot hide. And you should choose a bride soon. Align with a powerful ally. If Esek is sworn in as king and takes up residence in Armonguard, the people will likely protest, possibly revolt. We need to gather supporters who'll rally the people in our favor when the timing is right. We need organization. A bride is a necessary step."
    "But not the first one and nothing we must decide tonight." Sir Gavin fell onto one of the white chairs and groaned. "Put it out of your mind for now."
    "But I...why should I..." Achan stammered. "You're really going to force me to marry?"
    "Every king must have a queen, Your Highness." Sir Caleb pulled his cloak off over his head, causing his short blond hair to frizz out. "Er'Rets has been without a king for too long. Even now, if Esek or even you were to take the throne, many won't follow. They've been following their own agendas for so long, they don't want a king. We must convince them they need one.
    "Most Kinsmen, true Kinsmen, will follow you. But the Kinsman population alone won't give us enough allies to take the throne. The majority--Poroo, Otherling, Giants, Chuma, Wildermen, Cela--will follow the coin. We have little funds. A bride can rectify that."
    Achan's stomach churned. "I won't marry someone for money nor will I bribe people to follow me. Esek will always offer