The Widow's Fate by Jeff Wheeler

Author:Jeff Wheeler [Wheeler, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

We captured Queen Morvared following the Battle of Hawk Moor. Her son was slain in the battle. I threw a dagger at her arm to prevent her from murdering Isybelle and Nanette out of revenge. Since that time, King Lewis has tried to negotiate a ransom for her release.

I think he’s grown tired of negotiations.

ANKARETTE TRYNEOWY

Chapter

Nineteen

THE CISTERN

Sir Thomas had tried to root out traitors from among the Espion. Following the war, most of Warrewik’s chosen had been easily pruned away. But it was impossible to notice all the weeds growing in a cloistered garden. Krupp had managed to get through somehow.

Now that she knew the truth, Ankarette’s mind conjured a way to turn the situation to her advantage. She had no doubt that Lord Hux was involved in the plot, but he wouldn’t risk himself. The last time he’d entered Kingfountain, he had escaped through one of the palace fountains. She did not know how he’d managed it, but it was something to do with Fountain magic and the interconnectedness of the shrines of worship. He knew that she could sense his presence, just as he could sense hers. So it made sense that he wasn’t coming for Morvared himself. He’d arranged for someone else to free her from Holistern Tower.

If she had to guess, and that’s all she could really do at this point, he would use someone who looked like Ankarette. Someone who could convince the guards to let her past. That someone could then trade places with Morvared—and Morvared could walk away disguised in a cloak and gown and wig.

Therefore, Ankarette needed to be removed from the situation.

“Did you work for Lord Kiskaddon?” Ankarette asked the young man innocuously.

“Pardon, mum?”

“Lord Kiskaddon. Did you work for him?”

“No. I was recruited by the Espion at Beestone.”

“Oh? For what skills?”

She sensed her questioning was making him nervous. He hadn’t anticipated she’d be so chatty.

“I was. . . you know. . . I was good at listening in on conversations. Noticing things.”

“Those are helpful skills for any Espion. So just to be clear, we’re going to the Star Chamber?”

“Aye, mum. That’s where Master Nichols is.”

“And where is Bidigen Grimmer waiting?” she asked offhandedly.

He started in surprise, his eyes widening with recognition and shock. Ankarette seized him by the tunic and slammed him into the corridor wall. In a trice, her dagger was in hand and a hair’s breadth from his neck.

“I see you know that name,” she said in a low, dangerous voice.

“Gorm,” he gasped, pupils dancing.

“You were taking me to Nichols, then what?” she demanded. “Where were you going next?”

“D-don’t kill me,” he burbled. “I d-didn’t have a choice!”

“It’s the choice you make right now that will save or condemn you. What were you to do next? If I have to force the information from you, it’ll become unpleasant.”

He pressed himself against the wall, trembling with fear. He was scared out of his wits. She didn’t feel endangered by him or his meager skills. He was young in the Espion. She’d known more at fifteen than he did now.

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