Saint's Blood by Sebastien de Castell

Author:Sebastien de Castell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
Published: 2016-04-06T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

The Favour

I made my way up the long winding stairs from the death house and along the back hallway to the grand foyer of the Palace of Luth. Bright marble floors clacked under the heels of noblemen and commoners busily striding to their respective destinations. I counted a dozen soldiers in yellow and gold livery guarding the huge double doors that opened out into the courtyard. Anyone seeking entry was briefly interrogated and their papers checked to confirm they had business in the palace.

A dozen more guards stood just outside the doors, keeping watchful eyes on the two hundred pilgrims who were milling about and muttering prayers to their Gods. I wondered what they were praying for.

I was on my way back to the diplomatic chamber and Valiana when I was – very politely – accosted by Pastien, Ducal Protector of Luth, who was doing a fair impersonation of a more majestic figure in his long gold coat trimmed in black. Three guardsmen accompanied him, along with Quentis Maren. Already weaselling your way into power, Inquisitor?

‘First Cantor,’ Pastien said, grabbing my shoulder earnestly. ‘I’m so glad to find you here.’

I didn’t share the sentiment. ‘My Lord,’ I said, and sidestepped him before pushing past his men.

‘Falcio, please.’

People rarely say please to me. I stopped and turned.

‘I . . .’ Pastien stumbled over his own tongue for a few seconds, then he managed, ‘How is the Realm’s Protector?’

I suppressed the urge to give him directions to the diplomatic chamber and tell him to ask her himself. If you did, my Lord, you’d find her trapped in an iron mask, unable to see or speak. I might have said as much, but I was keeping an eye on Quentis Maren. ‘The Realm’s Protector is well, my Lord,’ I replied. ‘I’ll be sure to tell her you asked.’

Pastien nodded, and it was as if his shoulders sagged under an invisible weight. ‘In the chamber, when it happened, I was . . . unhelpful.’ He was taller than me, and yet it felt like he were gazing up at me like a scolded puppy. ‘It’s just that . . . Valiana is so strong, so commanding . . .’

He let the words hang there, but I didn’t reply. If you’re looking for absolution, pray to a Saint. If you can find any left.

After a few seconds, Pastien straightened himself. ‘I realise this is a difficult time, First Cantor, but I wish to ask a favour of you.’

A favour. Absurdly, I found myself glancing at the guardsmen’s swords and the holster at Quentis’ right side where he kept his wheellock pistol. It’ll be tricky, I thought, but I swear, if Pastien asks my permission to court Valiana again I’m going to kill him. ‘How can I be of service, my Lord?’

‘A delegation of clerics from around the Duchy is arriving in the morning.’ He glanced back briefly at Quentis Maren. ‘I believe they are coming to demand that I present to them my plan for protecting our churches.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.