rh.royalassassin-第89章

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the　Buck　River　road　there　were　rumors　and　tidings。　Some　said　Regal　sold　the　beasts　and　grain　off　to　fund　the　defense　of　the　coasts。　Others　that　he　sent　the　breeding　stock　inland　to　safer　pastures　in　Tilth。〃　He　drank　his　brandy　down。　〃The　best　of　the　horses　are　gone。　I　saw　that　at　a　glance　when　I　came　back。　In　ten　years；　I　might　breed　stock　up　again　to　the　quality　of　what　we　had。　But；　I　doubt　it。〃　He　poured　again。　〃There's　my　life's　work　gone；　Fitz。　A　man　likes　to　think　he'll　leave　his　touch　on　the　world　somewhere。　The　horses　I　had　brought　together　here；　the　bloodlines　I　was　establishing　…　gone　now；　scattered　throughout　the　Six　Duchies。　Oh；　not　that　they　won't　improve　anything　they're　bred　to。　But　I'll　never　see　what　would　have　e　if　I'd　been　allowed　to　continue。　Steady　will　be　studding　rangy　Tilth　mares；　no　doubt。　And　when　Ember　drops　her　next　foal；　whoever　rubs　it　off　will　think　it　just　another　horse。　For　six　generations；　I've　been　waiting　for　just　that　foal。　They'll　take　the　finest　coursing　horse　that's　ever　been　foaled　and　hook　it　to　a　plow。〃
　　　　　　　There　was　nothing　to　say　about　that。　I　feared　it　was　all　true。　〃Eat　something；〃　I　suggested。　〃How's　your　leg　now？〃
　　　　　　　He　lifted　the　blanket　to　inspect　it　casually。　〃Still　there；　anyway。　I　suppose　I　should　be　grateful　for　that。　And　better　than　it　was　this　morning。　The　devil's…club　did　draw　out　the　infection。　Chicken…brained　as　she　is；　the　woman　still　knows　her　herbs。〃
　　　　　　　I　did　not　need　to　ask　to　whom　he　referred。　〃Are　you　going　to　eat？〃　I　prodded。
　　　　　　　He　set　down　his　cup　and　took　up　a　spoon。　He　tasted　the　soup　Molly　had　set　out；　grudgingly　nodded　his　approval。　〃So；〃　he　observed　between　bites；　〃that　was　the　girl。　Molly。〃
　　　　　　　I　nodded。
　　　　　　　〃Seemed　a　bit　cool　with　you　today。〃
　　　　　　　〃A　bit；〃　I　said　dryly。
　　　　　　　Burrich　grinned。　〃You're　as　testy　as　she　was。　I　imagine　Patience　did　not　speak　well　of　me　to　her。〃
　　　　　　　〃She　doesn't　like　drunks；〃　I　told　him　bluntly。　〃Her　father　drank　himself　to　death。　But　before　he　finished　the　job；　he　managed　to　make　her　life　unpleasant　for　years。　Beating　her　when　she　was　smaller。　Railing　and　berating　her　when　she　got　too　big　to　beat。〃
　　　　　　　〃Oh。〃　Burrich　carefully　refilled　his　cup。　〃I'm　sorry　to　hear　that。〃
　　　　　　　〃She　was　sorry　to　live　it。〃
　　　　　　　He　looked　at　me　levelly。　〃I　did　not　do　it；　Fitz。　Nor　was　I　rude　to　her　when　she　was　here。　I'm　not　even　drunk。　Not　yet。　So　stuff　your　disapproval；　and　tell　me　what's　been　going　on　at　Buckkeep　while　I　was　away。〃
　　　　　　　So　I　stood　and　reported　to　Burrich；　just　as　if　he　had　a　right　to　demand　it。　In　a　way；　I　suppose　he　did。　He　ate　as　I　spoke。　When　I　was　finished；　he　poured　himself　more　brandy　and　leaned　back　in　his　chair；　holding　it。　He　swirled　the　brandy　in　the　cup；　looked　down　at　it；　then　up　at　me。　〃And　Kettricken　is　with　child；　but　neither　the　King　nor　Regal　know　of　it　yet。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　thought　you　were　asleep。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　was。　I　half　thought　I'd　dreamed　that　conversation。　Well。〃　He　downed　the　brandy。　He　sat　up；　swept　the　blanket　off　his　leg。　As　I　watched　he　deliberately　bent　his　knee　until　the　pulling　flesh　began　to　gap　the　wound　open。　I　winced　at　the　sight　of　it；　but　Burrich　only　looked　thoughtful。　He　poured　more　brandy；　drank　it　off。　The　bottle　was　half…gone。　〃So。　I'm　going　to　have　to　splint　the　leg　straight；　if　I'm　going　to　keep　that　closed。〃　He　glanced　up　at　me。　〃You　know　what　I'll　need。　Will　you　fetch　it　for　me？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　think　you　should　stay　off　it　for　a　day　or　so。　Give　it　a　chance　to　rest。　You　don't　need　a　splint　if　you're　in　bed。〃
　　　　　　　He　gave　me　a　long　look。　〃Who　guards　Kettricken's　door？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　don't　think　。。。　I　assume　she　has　women　who　sleep　in　the　outer　chamber　of　her　apartments。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　know　he'll　try　to　kill　her　and　the　unborn　child；　as　soon　as　he　finds　out。〃
　　　　　　　〃It's　a　secret　still。　If　you　start　guarding　her　door；　all　will　know。〃
　　　　　　　〃By　my　count；　five　of　us　know。　That's　no　secret；　Fitz。〃
　　　　　　　〃Six；〃　I　admitted　ruefully。　〃The　Fool　surmised　it　some　days　ago。〃
　　　　　　　〃Oh！〃　I　had　the　satisfaction　of　seeing　Burrich　look　shocked。　〃Well；　at　least　that's　one　tongue　that　won't　go　wagging。　Still；　as　you　see；　it　won't　be　secret　long。　Rumors　will　fly　before　the　day's　out；　mark　my　words。　I　guard　her　door　this　night。〃
　　　　　　　〃Must　it　be　you？　Can't　you　rest；　and　I　will…〃
　　　　　　　〃A　man　can　die　of　failure；　Fitz。　Do　you　know　that？　Once；　I　told　you；　the　fight　isn't　over　until　you've　won。　This〃…and　he　gestured　at　his　leg　in　disgust　〃this　will　not　be　my　excuse　for　giving　up。　Shame　enough　for　me　that　my　prince　went　on　without　me。　I　shall　not　fail　him　here。　Besides〃　…　he　　gave　a　bark　of　sour　laughter　…　〃there's　　not　enough　in　the　stables　now　to　keep　both　Hands　and　me　busy。　And　the　heart　for　it　has　gone　out　of　me。　Now。　Will　you　go　get　the　splint　works？〃
　　　　　　　So　I　did；　and　took　them　back　to　him；　and　helped　him　smear　the　wound　with　his　salve　before　we　wrapped　it　well　and　splinted　it。　He　cut　a　pair　of　old　trousers　to　go　over　the　splint；　and　I　helped　him　down　the　stairs。　Then；　despite　his　words；　he　went　to　Ruddy's　stall　to　see　if　his　horse's　arrow　wound　had　been　cleaned　and　doctored。　I　left　him　there　and　went　back　up　to　the　Keep。　I　wanted　to　speak　to　Kettricken；　to　let　her　know　there　would　be　a　man　on　guard　on　her　door　that　night；　and　why。
　　　　　　　I　knocked　at　her　chamber　door　and　was　admitted　by　Rosemary。　The　Queen　was　indeed　there；　and　a　selection　of　her　ladies。　Most　were　working　embroidery　or　small　lap　looms　as　they　talked。　The　Queen　herself　had　her　window　opened　to　the　mild　winter　day　and　was　looking　out　over　the　calm　sea　with　a　frown。　She　reminded　me　of　Verity　when　he　Skilled；　and　I　suspected　that　much　the　same　worries　plagued　her。　I　followed　her　gaze；　and　wondered；　like　her；　where　the　Red…Ships　would　strike　today；　and　what　was　going　on　up　in　Bearns。　Useless　to　wonder。　Officially；　there　was　no　word　at　all　from　Bearns。　The　rumors　were　that　the　coasts　ran　red　with　blood。
　　　　　　　〃Rosemary。　I　wish　a　quiet　word　with　Her　Majesty。〃
　　　　　　　Rosemary　nodded　gravely　and　went　over　to　curtsy　to　her　queen。　In　a　moment　the　Queen　looked　up；　and　with　a　nod　and　a　gesture　invited　me　to　join　her　in　her　window　seat。　I　greeted　her　quietly　and　gestured　smilingly　out　over　the　water　as　if　we　chatted　of　the　fine　weather。　But　softly　I　said；　〃Burrich　wishes　to　guard　your　door；　beginning　this　night。　He　fears　that　when　others　discover　you　are　with　child；　your　life　will　be　in　danger。〃
　　　　　　　Another　woman　might　have　blanched　or　at　least　seemed　surprised。　Instead；　Kettricken　lightly　touched　the　very　serviceable　knife　she　always　wore　beside　her　keys。　〃Almost；　I　would　wele　so　direct　an　attack。〃　She　considered。　〃I　suppose　it　is　wise。　What　harm　can　e　of　letting　them　know　we　suspect。　Nay；　that　we　know。　Why　should　I　be　circumspect　and　tactful？
　　　　　　　Burrich　has　already　received　their　greetings；　in　the　form　of　an　arrow　through　the　leg。〃　The　bitterness　in　her　voice；　and　the　ferocity　beneath　it；　shocked　me。　〃He　may　take　the　guard　post；　and　with　it　my　thanks。　I　could　choose　a　sounder　man；　but　I　would　not　have　the　trust　in　him　that　I　have　in　Burrich。　Will　his　leg　injury　permit　him　to　do　this　duty？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　do　not　think　his　pride　would　permit　any　other　to　do　it。〃
　　　　　　　〃Fine；　then。〃　She　paused。　〃I　will　have　a　chair　placed　for　him。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　doubt　he　will　use　it。〃
　　　　　　　She　sighed。　〃We　all　have　our　own　ways　of　offering　sacrifice。　It　shall　be　there；　nonetheless。〃
　　　　　　　I　bowed　my　head　in　acceptance　and　she　dismissed　me。　I　went　back　up　to　my　room　intending　to　tidy　away　all　that　had　been　dragged　out　for　Burrich's　use。　But　as　I　walked　softly　down　the　hall　I　was　startled　to　see　the　door　of　my　room　open　slowly。　I　eased　to　another　doorway　and　flattened　myself　inside　it。　After　a　moment　Justin　and　Serene　emerged　from　my　room。　I　stepped　out　to　confront　them。
　　　　　　　〃Still　looking　for　a　spot　for　your　tryst？〃　I　asked　acidly。
　　　　　　　They　both　froze。　Justin　stepped　back；　stood　almost　behind　Serene。　Serene　glared　at　him；　then　stood　firm　before　me。　〃We　don't　have　to　answer　to　you　for　anything。〃
　　　　　　　〃Not　even　for　being　in　my　room？　Did　you　find　anything　interesting　there？〃
　　　　　　　Justin　was　breathing　as　if　he'd　just　run　a　race。　I　deliberately　met　his　eyes。　He　was　speechless。　I　smiled　at　him。
　　　　　　　〃We　need　not　speak　to　you　at　all；〃　Serene　announced。　〃We　know　what　you　are。　e；　Justin。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　know　what　I　am？　Interesting。　Rest　assured　that　I　know　what　you　are。　And　that　I　am　not　the　only　one　who　knows。〃
　　　　　　　〃Beast　man！〃　Justin　hissed。　〃You　wallow　in　the　filthiest　of　magics。　Did　you　think　you　could　go　undetected　amongst　us？　No　wonder　Galen　found　you　unfit　to　Skill！〃
　　　　　　　His　arrow　had　struck　home　and　quivered　in　my　most　secret　fear。　I　tried　not　to　let　it　show。　〃I　am　loyal　to　King　Shrewd。〃　Face　posed；　I　gazed　at　them　steadily。　I　said　no　more　than　that。　Not　in　words。　But　I　looked　them　up　and　down；　measuring　them　against　what　they　should　be；　and　found　them　lacking。　In　the　minute　shifting　of　their　feet；　in　their　quick　glances　at　one　another；　I　decided　that　they　knew　they　were　traitors。　They　reported　to　Regal；　they　knew　they　should　report　to　the　King。　They　were　not　deceived　as　to　what　they　were；　they　understood。　Perhaps　Galen　had　burned　a　loyalty　to　Regal　into　their　minds；　perhaps　they　could　not　conceive　of　turning　against　him。　But　parts　of　them　still　knew　that　Shrewd　was　king；　and　that　they　were　disloyal　to　a　King　they　had　sworn　to。　I　tucked　away　that　bit　of　knowledge；　it　was　a　crack　that　might　someday　hold　a　wedge。
　　　　　　　I　stepped　forward；　and　enjoyed　watching　Serene　shrink　away　from　me　while　Justin　cowered　between　her　and　the　wall。　But　I　made　no　attack。　I　turned　my　back　to　them　and　opened　my　door。　As　I　entered　my　room　I　felt　a　sneaky　little　wisp　of　Skill　grope　at　the　edges　of　my　mind。　Without　thinking；　I　blocked　as　Verity　had　taught　me　to。　〃Keep　your　thoughts　to　yourself；〃　I　warned　them；　and　did　not　dignify　them　by　looking　back　at　them。　I　shut　the　door。
　　　　　　　For　a　moment　I　stood　breathing。　Calm。　Calm。　I　did　not　relax　my　mind　guards。　Then　quietly；　carefully；　I　worked　my　latches。　Once　the　door　was　secured；　I　moved　cautiously　through　my　room。　Chade　had　once　told　me　that　assassins　must　always　believe　the　other　person　has　more　skill　than　they　do。　It　is　the　only　way　to　remain　alive　and　keep　sharp。　So　I　touched　nothing　lest　it　had　been　coated　with　poison。　Instead；　I　stood　in　the　center　of　my　room；　closed　my　eyes；　and　tried　to　recall　exactly　how　it　had　looked　when　I　last　left　it。　Then　I　opened　my　eyes　and　looked　for　changes　in　the　room。
　　　　　　　The　small　tray　of　herbs　was　squarely　atop　my　clothing　chest。　I　had　left　it　to　one　end；　within　easy　reach　of　Burrich。　So　they　had　been　through　my　clothing　chest。　The　tapestry　of　King　Wisdom；　that　had　been　slightly　askew　for　months；　now　hung　straight。　That　was　all　I　could　see。　It　puzzled　me。　I　had　no　idea　what　they　had　been　looking　for。　That　they　had　dug　through　my　clothing　chest　seemed　to　suggest　it　was　a　small　enough　item　to　fit　in　there。　But　why　lift　a　tapestry　and　look　behind　it？　I　stood　still；　thinking　a　moment。　This　had　not　been　a　random　search。　I　was　not　sure　what　they　had　been　hoping　to　find。　But　I　suspected　they　had　been　told　to　look　for　a　secret　passageway　in　my　room。　That　meant　that　Regal　had　concluded　that　killing　Lady　Thyme　had　not　been　enough。　His　suspic