The Duke's Handmaid (Book 1 of the Ascendancy Trilogy) by Caprice Hokstad

Author:Caprice Hokstad
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: fantasy, ascendancy trilogy, adventure, sword opera
Publisher: Splashdown Books
Published: 2010-06-28T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 54

Vahn felt odd in the mess hall, looking out over a sea of purple and gold uniforms. It was almost like addressing someone else’s army. Their serious mood gave Vahn hope. “I’m sorry to keep you all from your homes,” he said in his most commanding voice.

“When my property is returned, you may go.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Surely no one here has done this despicable deed. But maybe one of you saw something that can help us.” A young man with white hair and crooked teeth raised his hand. Vahn nodded at him.

“I saw Fendonis with a hooded slave, and I said something about her being a handful, but she wasn’t struggling, now I think about it. I just assumed she was a problem or he wouldn’t have used a hood.”

The sea of purple and gold rippled with a soft murmur while everyone looked about for Fendonis. Vahn motioned the crooked-toothed man forward. “What did this hooded slave look like?”

“She wore a tunic, her feet were small, and she had long black hair.” He frowned and shook his head. “I’m sorry, your highness, she was hooded and I only saw her a moment in the halls.”

“Short or tall?” Vahn asked.

“Well, she had to be Elva if she had black hair,” he reasoned, “but yes, I remember now, her head came up to Fendonis’ chin.”

“That fits my kee,” Vahn said. “I want to see this Fendonis immediately.” He thought for a moment, and then readdressed the crowd. “Look for a tall, hooded female with long, dark hair.”

“Lord Blackthorn believes she’s still here somewhere. Think like a thief. Where would you hide a slave? If anyone sees Fendonis, bring him to me immediately.” No one moved. Vahn smiled to himself. “You’re dismissed.” The sea of purple and gold receded while rivers gushed out the doors.

A few held back: the man who’d brought up Fendonis’ name and another with curly hair. They shifted their weight and looked around nervously.

“What is on your mind?” he asked both of them.

“Fendonis could have been transporting one of his regular trainees,” the crooked-toothed man said.

“If he was, then he has nothing to worry about.”

“And if he does have your slave...?” the other man asked.

“It would be in his best interest to return her to her rightful owner,” Vahn said with just a hint of threat.

“What would he be charged with?”

Vahn pondered a moment. Kidnapping was his first instinct, but since kee wore bands and registered as a slave, he couldn’t use that. “Thievery,” he decided. “On the level of ten horses.”

The curly-haired man looked at him with wide eyes then quickly averted his gaze. “What’s to stop him from killing her? None of us saw enough to condemn Fendonis, but she can sentence him to death.”

Vahn studied the man. He was probably a friend of Fendonis, if not his accomplice. Making the penalty high would endanger kee, as he’d pointed out. “I swear by my mother’s memory that I’ll treat him as he treated her.

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