‘Here’s my problem, Loethar,’ she had said as they struggled to slowly descend into Francham via difficult terrain, far from what she believed might be an area that Faris’s people would scour. ‘Everything I’ve come to believe about you is suddenly challenged.’
He had not replied immediately, his silence compelling her to explain her remark.
‘As you know we Davarigons keep to ourselves but news obviously finds its way through. Initially we heard such terrible stories that you became almost larger than life itself.’
‘The rampaging monster from the east who eats babies,’ he finished for her.
‘No, who eats kings!’
He had had the grace not to smile but she sensed he wanted to. ‘The stories were true.’
‘What was in your head? The person I accompany now does not match up with that madman. I walk with a sane, insightful …’
‘Handsome?’ he offered.
She ignored the comment. ‘I was going to say calm individual, who shows no sign of the cruelty he was famed for.’
He nodded. ‘The notion of imbibing the magic by drinking the blood of the Valisar king and eating his flesh had haunted me since childhood, since my mother had first whispered the truth of my lineage.’
‘What in Lo’s name would possess her to do that?’
‘Anger. She was a woman used and scorned by King Darros. She raised me to have a burning hate for the Valisars. She insisted I was not a Steppes child. She said I looked different, I was royal, I was from the west. Over and over she taught me that one day I would fight to rule my people, that I would lead an army towards the sunset and take revenge against the throne that ignored my existence.’
‘And you think King Brennus knew about you?’
‘I know he knew,’ Loethar had growled. ‘If he’d only tried to reach out to me, recognise me, I think we might have behaved as brothers and I would have accepted that it was no fault of his that he wore the crown of Penraven.’
‘Why didn’t you extend that generosity to Leo? It is not his fault that he is the son of Brennus, born a prince and raised to be king.’
Loethar had regarded her with a rueful gaze. ‘Because I was a man obsessed ten anni ago. I wanted to punish Penraven for ignoring me. I wanted all the Set to know that it was Penraven’s arrogance that had brought such destruction to their lands.’
‘And now you feel differently?’
He had sighed. ‘The obsession has passed. Now I’m more than just an angry, headstrong leader; I’ve become a good ruler with the respect of the people of this empire. I can make our empire the most powerful region of our world.’
‘And Leo cannot?’
‘Leo is where I was ten anni ago. He’s angry, confused, capable of trying anything to get his hands on that crown because he believes it is his right. That’s how I felt. Except in contrast to me Leo is still a very young man and his youth makes his outlook even more narrow, even more desperate than mine was. I’d already ruled a nation. Leo has been answerable to Faris for all this time.’
‘Not any more, I’d guess.’
‘You’re probably right.’ Loethar had paused, and then said, ‘You know, Faris has been my nemesis for this last decade. He hasn’t been able to outwit me for so long by being a dolt. He’s cunning, wise, patient … I have no doubt that it’s because of him that Leo has had the time to grow up and feel safe, begin to believe in himself as a king. Faris has given him a great gift.’
‘And now Leo wants to take Faris’s life.’
‘So do I.’
‘You know I won’t permit you to trammel anyone.’
‘Not yet.’
‘Never.’
‘Never say never, Elka. Who knows what decisions lie ahead?’ he had said, and smiled at her without guile. She had sensed sadness behind his charm, though, as if he knew something she didn’t.
So, having left Loethar in hiding, she now found herself entering Francham. It was still early and Francham tended to be busiest by night. The smell of baking bread was fresh in the air, though, and too seductive to resist. She followed her nose to the baker, who turned at her early entrance into his shop, just hauling a steaming loaf from his oven.
‘Lo, but that smells good,’ she said, smiling.
‘Stars save me, woman, but you’re big,’ he commented. ‘I nearly dropped the damn bread.’
Elka didn’t take offence. ‘Let me buy it then, if it has my name on it.’
He grinned, reaching for a cloth to wipe at his damp forehead, leaving a trail through the flour that had gathered in a light dusting across his face. Nearby his wife and a youth, perhaps his son, were banging and kneading dough. Behind them she could see two neat rows of small loaves, uniform in size and appearance.
‘I won’t give you this one. It’s too hot and you look like you might want to eat it straight away.’
‘You’re right. You’d better give me another small loaf too for later.’ She dug in her pocket for a couple of coins.
‘What brings you here from Davarigon?’ he said, turning to sort through some money on a plate to find change for her.
‘Nothing important. I felt like a journey.’
‘Are you travelling alone?’
She shook her head and then decided to add some detail just in case. ‘I’m joining a trading caravan later today.’
‘Oh yes, headed where?’
‘They’re going south, I’m told, heading in an easterly direction to Camlet, and then into Vorgaven if I feel like staying with them.’
‘I’ve always promised myself I’d go to Vorgaven one day,’ he said, handing back coins. ‘I hear Port Merivale is a lively spot.’
She gave a soft laugh. ‘I would have thought Francham was lively enough.’
‘Have a drink for me if you make it there,’ he said, giving her a wink.
‘I’ll do that,’ she said, ripping off a small knuckle of the bread, enjoying the crack of its crust and the warmth that it was still protecting. ‘Mmm, delicious,’ she said, chewing off a piece as she turned to leave.
‘Best in the empire,’ the youth remarked and she smiled, noting that he blushed.
‘Oh, by the way, who is a good healer in the town?’ When the baker frowned, she rubbed her belly. ‘Women’s troubles.’ She glanced hopefully at the wife.
The wife nodded. ‘There’s Physic Alpert on main street, although he’s hard to see. There’s always a queue.’
‘Physic Orlem over the town square, by the statue,’ their son offered.
Elka nodded.
‘Wait,’ the baker said. ‘There’s also Janus. He lives on the eastern fringe of town, in a small hut behind the trees that line the roadside.’ Elka noticed the scowl that his wife threw at her husband. ‘Granted, he’s not very popular, but he’s always available. Keeps himself to himself.’ He returned his wife’s glare with a helpless shrug. ‘He could use some business.’
The wife turned to Elka. ‘Just get there early if you decide on him.’
‘Thank