rh.royalassassin-第88章

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　　　　　　　There　was　a　knock　at　my　door。　I　went　to　answer　it；　and　found　Kettricken　standing　there；　with　Rosemary　at　her　elbow。　〃One　of　my　ladies　told　me　there　was　a　rumor　Burrich　had　returned；〃　she　began。　Then　she　looked　past　me　into　the　room。　〃It's　true；　then。　And　he's　hurt？　What　of　my　lord；　oh；　what　of　Verity？〃　She　went　suddenly　paler　than　I　thought　she　could　be。
　　　　　　　〃He's　fine；〃　I　reassured　her。　〃e　in。〃　I　cursed　myself　for　my　thoughtlessness。　I　should　have　sent　word　to　her　immediately　of　Burrich's　return　and　of　the　tidings　he　carried。　I　should　have　known　that　otherwise　she　would　not　be　told。　As　she　entered；　Patience　and　Lacey　looked　up　from　the　devil's…club　root　they　were　steaming　to　wele　her　with　quick　curtsies　and　murmurs　of　greeting。
　　　　　　　〃What's　happened　to　him？〃　Kettricken　demanded。　And　so　I　told　her；　reporting　all　that　Burrich　had　told　King　Shrewd；　for　I　thought　she　had　as　much　right　to　word　of　her　husband　as　Shrewd　had　to　word　of　his　son。　She　blanched　again　at　mention　of　the　attack　on　Verity；　but　kept　silent　until　my　telling　was　done。　〃Thank　all　our　gods　that　he　draws　closer　to　my　Mountains。　There　he　will　be　safe；　from　men　at　least。〃　That　said；　she　drew　closer　to　where　Patience　and　Lacey　were　preparing　the　root。　It　had　been　steamed　soft　enough　to　crush　into　a　pliable　mass；　and　they　were　letting　it　cool　before　applying　it　to　the　infection。
　　　　　　　〃Mountain　ash　berry　makes　an　excellent　wash　for　such　an　injury；〃　she　suggested　aloud。
　　　　　　　Patience　looked　up　at　her　shyly。　〃I　have　heard　of　that。　But　this　warmed　root　will　do　much　to　draw　the　infection　from　the　wound。　Another　good　wash　for　proud　flesh　such　as　this　is　raspberry　leaf　and　slippery　elm。　Or　as　a　poultice。〃
　　　　　　　〃We　have　no　raspberry　leaf；〃　Lacey　reminded　Patience。　〃The　damp　got　into　it　somehow　and　it　molded。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　have　raspberry　leaf　if　you　are　in　need　of　it；〃　Kettricken　said　softly。　〃I　had　prepared　it　for　a　morning　tea。　It　was　a　remedy　my　aunt　taught　me。〃　She　looked　down　and　smiled　oddly。
　　　　　　　〃Oh？〃　Lacey　asked　in　sudden　interest。
　　　　　　　〃Oh　my　dear；〃　Patience　suddenly　exclaimed。　She　reached　to　take　Kettricken's　hand　with　a　sudden；　strange　familiarity。　〃Are　you　sure？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　am。　At　first　I　thought　it　was　just　。。。　But　then　I　began　to　have　the　other　signs。　Some　mornings；　even　the　smell　of　the　sea　can　make　me　so　miserable。　And　all　I　want　to　do　is　sleep。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　you　should；〃　Lacey　exclaimed　with　a　laugh。　〃As　for　the　queasiness；　it　passes；　after　the　first　few　months。〃
　　　　　　　I　stood　very　still；　foreign；　excluded；　forgotten。　All　three　women　suddenly　laughed　together。　〃No　wonder　you　were　so　anxious　to　have　word　of　him。　Did　he　know；　before　he　left？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　did　not　even　suspect　it　then。　I　so　long　to　tell　him；　to　watch　his　face。〃
　　　　　　　〃You're　with　child；〃　I　said　stupidly。　They　all　turned　to　look　at　me；　and　then　burst　out　laughing　anew。
　　　　　　　〃It's　a　secret；　still；〃　Kettricken　cautioned　me。　〃I　want　no　rumors　before　the　King　has　been　told。　I　want　to　be　the　one　to　tell　him。〃
　　　　　　　〃Of　course　not；〃　I　assured　her。　I　did　not　tell　her　that　the　Fool　already　knew；　and　had　known　for　days。　Verity's　child；　I　thought　to　myself。　A　sudden　strange　shivering　raced　over　me。　The　branching　of　the　path　that　the　Fool　had　seen；　the　sudden　multiplying　of　possibilities。　One　factor　emerged　above　all　others：　the　sudden　removal　of　Regal；　pushed　one　more　step　away　from　the　throne。　One　more　small　life　standing　between　him　and　the　power　he　craved。　How　little　he　would　care　for　that。
　　　　　　　〃Of　course　not；〃　I　repeated　more　heartily。　〃This　news　is　best　kept　an　absolute　secret。〃　For　once　it　was　out；　I　had　no　doubt　that　Kettricken　would　be　in　as　much　danger　as　her　husband。
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　CHAPTER　TWENTY…THREE
　　　　　　　Threats
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　THAT　WINTER　SAW　Bearns　devoured　slowly；　as　a　cliff　is　eaten　by　storm　tides。　At　first；　Duke　Brawndy　sent　tidings　to　Kettricken　on　a　regular　basis。　Word　came　to　her　by　liveried　messengers　ing　on　horseback　directly　from　the　Duke。　At　first　the　tidings　they　brought　were　optimistic。　Her　opals　rebuilt　Ferry。　The　folk　there　sent　her　not　only　their　thanks；　but　a　small　chest　of　the　very　tiny　pearls　so　prized　by　them。　Odd。　What　had　been　too　treasured　to　be　sacrificed　even　to　rebuild　their　own　village　was　freely　offered　in　thanks　to　a　Queen　who　had　surrendered　her　jewels　that　they　might　have　shelter。　I　doubt　that　the　significance　of　their　sacrifice　would　have　meant　as　much　to　any　other。　Kettricken　wept　over　the　tiny　chest。
　　　　　　　Later　messengers　brought　grimmer　tidings。　Between　storms；　the　Red…Ships　struck　again　and　again。　The　messengers　reported　to　Kettricken　that　Duke　Brawndy　wondered　why　the　coterie　member　had　left　the　Red　Tower。　When　Kettricken　boldly　questioned　Serene　as　to　whether　this　was　so；　she　said　it　had　bee　too　dangerous　to　keep　Will　there；　for　his　Skill　was　too　precious　to　be　risked　to　the　Red…Ships。　The　irony　was　lost　on　few　folk。　With　each　arriving　messenger；　the　news　worsened。　The　Outislanders　had　established　footholds　on　Hook　and　Besham　islands。　Duke　Brawndy　assembled　fishing　vessels　and　warriors　and　boldly　attacked　on　his　own；　but　found　the　Red…Ships　too　well　entrenched　there。　Ships　and　warriors　perished；　and　Bearns　reported　gravely　that　there　were　no　funds　for　another　expedition。　At　that　juncture；　Verity's　emeralds　were　turned　over　to　Kettricken。　She　sent　them　off　without　a　qualm。　If　they　did　any　good；　we　did　not　hear　of　it。　We　were　not　even　certain　they　were　ever　received。　Messages　from　Bearns　became　more　erratic；　and　it　was　soon　obvious　that　there　had　been　tidings　sent　that　we　had　not　received。　munication　with　Brawndy　broke　down　entirely。　After　two　of　her　own　messengers　had　been　sent　forth　from　Buckkeep；　never　to　return；　Kettricken　vowed　she　would　risk　no　more　lives。　By　then；　the　Raiders　from　Hook　and　Besham　had　begun　to　harry　farther　down　the　coast；　avoiding　the　immediate　vicinity　of　Buckkeep；　but　making　feints　and　challenges　to　both　the　north　and　south　of　us。　To　all　these　raids；　Regal　remained　staunchly　indifferent。　He　claimed　he　was　conserving　resources　until　Verity　could　return　with　the　Elderlings　to　drive　the　Raiders　away　once　and　for　all。　But　the　merriment　and　entertainments　at　Buckkeep　became　ever　more　lavish　and　frequent；　and　his　gifts　to　his　Inland　dukes　and　nobles　ever　more　generous。
　　　　　　　By　midafternoon；　Burrich　was　back　in　his　own　chambers。　I　had　wanted　to　keep　him　where　I　could　watch　over　him；　but　he　had　scoffed　at　the　idea。　Lacey　herself　had　seen　to　getting　his　chamber　ready；　and　Burrich　had　grumbled　enough　about　that。　All　she　had　done　was　to　build　up　the　fire；　see　water　brought　fresh；　the　bedding　aired　and　shaken；　and　the　floors　swept　and　fresh　rushes　strewn。　One　of　Molly's　candles　burned　in　the　center　of　his　table；　putting　a　fresh　piney　scent　into　the　musty　room。　But　Burrich　had　growled　that　it　scarcely　felt　like　his　own　room。　I　had　left　him　there；　well　propped　up　in　bed　and　with　a　bottle　of　brandy　close　to　hand。
　　　　　　　I　had　understood　the　bottle　only　too　well。　As　I　had　helped　him　through　the　stables　and　up　to　his　loft；　we　had　passed　one　empty　stall　after　another。　Not　only　horses　were　missing；　prime　hunting　dogs　were　gone。　I　had　no　heart　to　go　look　in　the　mews；　I　was　sure　I　would　find　them　likewise　plundered。　Hands　had　walked　beside　us；　silent　but　stricken。　His　efforts　were　plain。
　　　　　　　The　stables　themselves　were　immaculate；　the　remaining　horses　groomed　until　they　shone。　Even　the　empty　stalls　were　scrubbed　and　whitewashed。　But　an　empty　cupboard；　no　matter　how　clean；　is　no　fort　to　a　starving　man。　I　understood　that　the　stables　were　Burrich's　treasure　and　home。　He　had　e　back　to　find　both　looted。
　　　　　　　After　I　left　Burrich；　I　took　a　walk　down　to　the　barns　and　pens。　Here　the　best　of　the　breeding　stock　were　wintered　over。　I　found　them　as　depleted　as　the　stables。　Prize　bulls　were　gone。　Of　the　curly…backed　black　sheep　that　used　to　fill　one　pen；　there　were　only　six　ewes　and　one　runty　ram　left。　I　was　not　as　aware　of　what　other　stock　had　once　been　there；　but　too　many　pens　and　stalls　were　empty　at　a　time　of　year　when　all　were　usually　full。
　　　　　　　From　the　barns；　I　wandered　through　the　storage　houses　and　outbuildings。　Outside　of　one；　some　men　were　loading　sacks　of　grain　into　a　wagon。　Two　other　wagons；　already　loaded；　stood　nearby。　I　stood　a　bit；　watching　them；　and　then　offered　to　help　as　the　wagon's　load　grew　higher　and　the　sacks　harder　to　load。　They　accepted　my　help　readily；　and　we　talked　as　we　worked。　I　waved　them　a　cheery　good…bye　when　the　work　was　done；　and　walked　slowly　back　to　the　Keep；　wondering　why　a　full　warehouse　of　grain　was　being　loaded　onto　a　barge　and　sent　upriver　to　Turlake。
　　　　　　　I　decided　I　would　check　on　Burrich　before　going　back　to　my　own　chambers。　I　climbed　the　steps　to　his　chambers　and　was　unsettled　to　find　the　door　ajar。　Fearing　some　sort　of　treachery；　I　pushed　in；　startling　Molly；　who　was　setting　out　dishes　on　a　small　table　beside　Burrich's　chair。　The　sight　of　her　there　rattled　me；　and　I　stared　at　her。　When　I　turned　to　Burrich；　I　found　him　watching　me。
　　　　　　　〃I　thought　you　were　alone；〃　I　said　lamely。
　　　　　　　Burrich　regarded　me　owlishly。　He　had　made　inroads　on　his　bottle　of　brandy。　〃I　thought　I　would　be；〃　he　said　gravely。　As　ever；　he　held　his　spirits　well；　but　Molly　was　not　deceived。　Her　lips　were　set　in　a　thin　line。　She　continued　with　her　duties；　ignoring　me。　Instead　she　spoke　to　Burrich。
　　　　　　　〃I　shall　not　disturb　you　long。　Lady　Patience　sent　me　to　see　that　you　had　hot　food；　for　you　ate　little　this　morning。　I　shall　be　leaving　as　soon　as　I　have　set　out　his　meal。〃
　　　　　　　〃And　taking　my　thanks　with　you；〃　Burrich　added。　His　eyes　went　from　me　to　Molly；　sensing　the　awkwardness；　and　also　her　displeasure　with　him。　He　attempted　an　apology。　〃I　have　had　a　harsh　journey；　mistress；　and　my　injury　gives　me　some　pain。　I　hope　I　have　not　given　offense。〃
　　　　　　　〃It　is　not　my　place　to　take　offense　at　anything　you　wish　to　do；　sir；〃　she　replied。　She　finished　setting　out　the　food　she　had　brought。　〃Is　there　anything　else　I　can　do　for　you　to　make　you　fortable？〃　she　asked。　There　was　courtesy　in　her　voice；　no　more　than　that。　She　did　not　look　at　me　at　all。
　　　　　　　〃You　could　accept　my　thanks。　Not　just　for　the　food；　but　also　for　the　candles　that　freshened　my　chamber。　I　understand　they　are　your　handiwork。〃
　　　　　　　I　saw　her　thaw　slightly。　〃Lady　Patience　asked　me　to　bring　them　here。　I　was　happy　to　oblige　her。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　see。〃　The　next　words　he　spoke　cost　him　more。　〃Then　please　extend　my　thanks　to　her。　And　to　Lacey　as　well；　I　am　sure。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　shall。　There　is　nothing　more　that　you　need；　then？　I　have　errands　in　Buckkeep　Town　for　Lady　Patience。　She　told　me　that　if　there　was　anything　you　required　from　town；　I　should　fetch　it　for　you。〃
　　　　　　　〃Nothing。　But　it　was　kind　of　her　to　think　of　it。　Thank　you。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　are　wele；　sir。〃　And　Molly；　empty　basket　on　her　arm；　marched　out　past　me　as　if　I　were　not　even　there。
　　　　　　　Burrich　and　I　were　left　regarding　one　another。　I　glanced　after　Molly；　then　tried　to　put　her　out　of　my　mind。　〃It's　not　just　the　stables；〃　I　told　him；　and　briefly　reported　what　I　had　seen　in　the　barns　and　warehouses。
　　　　　　　〃I　could　have　told　you　a　bit　of　that；〃　he　said　gruffly。　He　looked　at　the　food　Molly　had　brought；　then　poured　himself　more　brandy。　〃As　we　came　down　the　Buck　River　road　there　were　rumo