0739265001354065463 fiona mcintosh - the quickening - 02 by blood; memory

Author:blood; memory
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-11-28T01:17:26.067000+00:00

Chapter 22

The family and their guests shared a meal during which Elspyth shared her impressions of Cailech’s fortress and answered their questions about the daring escape. It was accompanied by much muttering and shaking of his head by the Duke. Only Ylena’s eyes shone and Elspyth guessed this was with pride for Gueryn’s steadfastness and ultimate sacrifice, but also for Wyl. She did not enlighten them on her feelings for Lothryn; that was her secret and was of no consequence to anyone in the room.

The Duchess had suggested their food be kept simple. No one’s appetite was keen anyway. Duke Jeryb would not be drawn out about his plans, not even by his patient wife. Inevitably a bleakness settled once again across the household, sucking Elspyth into its maw too, driving the last of the conversation toward the inconsequential and ultimately to quiet.

It was no wonder then that when the sound of horses’ hooves echoed into the still night, the men leapt to their feet. Jeryb quietened the alarmed women and motioned for Crys to find out from the duty guards who had just arrived at Tenterdyn. Swords were drawn in the dining chamber—just in case—and Aleda muttered at her husband that they should have taken the precaution of raising more men at arms when Ylena had first arrived.

They waited, the other brothers watching through the windows as Crys strode across the main courtyard just ahead of his father. His path was lit by torches. The Duchess had earlier considered it a shame that Tenterdyn’s gates had been locked for the first time in the family’s history but now thanked Shar’s wisdom for suggesting to her husband that he do just that.

“He’s coming back,” one of the boys said over his shoulder, and everyone held their breath.

Crys reentered the chamber, a blast of cool air whirling about him. He looked flushed and appeared startled. His attention was riveted on Elspyth. “You’re not going to believe this, but I think that the Hildyth you spoke of is at the gate literally begging to be admitted.” Elspyth could see he was not making a jest.

Crys qualified his claim. “Golden-brown hair. Tall. Dressed like a man. Eyes unmistakably like a cat. It’s her all right.”

Elspyth shuddered and was not the only one to do so in the room. Ylena fairly blazed with a still, silent anger.

“Alone?” the Duke demanded.

“No, sir,” his son replied. “She is accompanied by a very big man…just short of a giant, he looks. He goes by the name of Aremys.”

“And their reason for coming here?” Aleda joined in.

“She says she wants to see Ylena.”

“Of course she does!” Elspyth said, heart pounding. “She’ll have orders to kill her too! Are we safe? Are there enough guards?”

“No one can enter Tenterdyn, child, who doesn’t win my permission. We are safe and well guarded,” the Duke replied with calm. “My love,” he said, looking toward his wife now, “I did take the precaution you spoke of. We have fifty men riding toward us now.

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