Lucine frowned as Lord Belix again approach the closed door.

  ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I will inform you when the lady is finished with her meeting.’

  ‘Yes, certainly. You know, I find it rather odd. In Walmon, women attend pregnant women, male physicians do not get involved in such matters.’

  ‘Well they do here.’

  ‘Yes, it is curious, that is all.’

  ‘Sir, if you would perhaps wait in the garden? I will come get you when she is finished.’

  Belix hesitated.

  ‘Sir,’ and she lowered her voice, ‘it is unseemly.’

  Lord Belix’s eyes widened. For a moment a small smile seemed to curve his lips, as if he relished the thought. And then it vanished and in a very proper tone he said, ‘quite right, I will be in the library if Lady Emerré needs me.’ and he turned and left.

  Some time later Lady Emerré emerged from the room with Doctor Delane. Lucine caught the little sigh of relief at seeing that Lucine was the only one waiting for her.

  ‘Everything is in order, my lady, if you have need of me you need only to call.’

  ‘Thank you, Doctor.’ Emerré replied.

  The two parted and Lucine escorted Lady Emerré back to her rooms. She could not help a flare of dislike for Lord Belix. Lady Emerré was an exceedingly patient woman. Lucine had been initially wary about working for her, despite the advice of her predecessor. She came across as so cold and stern. Really though, she was very patient about mistakes, and did not mind so long as they were rectified. Lucine had worked for women who would immediately explode at the littlest mistake, as if it was intentional sabotage. Lady Emerré was an easy woman to work for. She was kind, understanding and generous.

  The change in her after the departure of her husband worried Lucine. It was as if she retreated into herself. She went through the same routines, ensured she was perfectly presented at all times, but had no interest in any of it. It was like it was a struggle for her to get through the day, and her only joy came from her child and letters from her husband.

  Lately though, Lord Belix’s attitude had begun to wear on Emerré’s patience. Lucine had noticed over the days and weeks as his smiles and touches, his longing gazes and the implication behind his words, began to wear upon Lady Emerré. She was a patient person, but such attention from a man she had no interest in, and a friend of her husband no less, was beginning to show. Her indifference had given way to irritation and ill humour.

  But it was not Lucine’s place to say anything about it, and surely Lady Emerré’s veiled hints of displeasure ought to be enough. Even if he was just unforgivably obtuse, the lady’s hints were becoming increasingly obvious. Soon, they would cross the border into outright rudeness.

  ‘Lucine, I think I will retire for the day.’ Lady Emerré said as they arrived at her room. She looked across at the large bed sadly.

  ‘My lady, you have not eaten.’

  Surprise flashed across her face. ‘My, you are quite correct, Lucine, and I must eat.’

  ‘I will fetch something for you right away.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Perhaps when I return you can tell me more about how you and Cadel met, I mean when you arrived in Walmon. I do so love hearing that story, it’s so romantic!’

  A brief smile lit her features. ‘I think I would like that.’

  Belix was not surprised when Emerré’s maid found him in the library some hours later and told him the Lady was asleep.

  ‘Did you tell her I waited for her?’

  ‘I did not.’ she replied, in a cold manner, and gave him a dark look before striding from the room.

  Bemused at the maid’s attitude, Belix stood to arrange his own dinner. He was not surprised he had been barred from the meeting with the Doctor. It was only appropriate, she wasn’t his wife. Since Cadel’s departure she had often gone to bed early, as if she wanted to race through the days as quickly as possible. He would have been more troubled if it wasn’t for the child; she wouldn’t use her shadow magic while she was pregnant.

  The next morning after breakfast, he found her in her sitting room. He was surprised to see a thoughtful, rather than annoyed, look on her face.

  ‘Emerré?’ he said. ‘What is it?’

  She held a letter in her hands and folded it carefully. ‘I see politics in Manus are as complicated as ever...’ she murmured. ‘Perhaps I should have opened this letter earlier, but as it was not from Cadel I did not feel any rush...’

  ‘What did it say?’

  ‘It came by fast messenger a few days ago, why, I believe it reached me before my uncle did.’

  ‘What is it about?’

  ‘Hmm.’ she put the letter away. ‘I remember Prince Alexandre...’

  ‘The King’s eldest son?’

  ‘Yes. The younger is Silvain, an annoying boy, always talking, but with nothing to say.’

  Emerré was not usually so uncharitable, and Belix couldn’t hide his surprise at her comment.

  ‘Belix, would you tell the guards my brother leant me to be on alert?’

  ‘Alert? Why? Has something happened?’

  ‘I have no other information for you, Belix, only that you should be aware.’ she sighed. ‘I suppose I must go for my morning walk now.’

  ‘Yes, shall I join you?’

  ‘No, I’ve already given you a task, Belix. The Lord of Miolles is throwing a ball for his youngest daughter tomorrow night. I think you should attend.’

  ‘Attend, on my own?’

  ‘I will write an introduction for you, Belix. You will likely be one of the only young men there, most have gone off to Dartham to fight the King’s war.’

  ‘I see...’ Belix replied, and couldn’t help being hurt that she was once again suggesting he meet other young ladies. ‘I’m sure it is a fine idea. If you will be alright alone?’ He wondered if she had told him so late to prevent him from coming up with an excuse not to attend.

  ‘Cadel is not here. I am already alone.’

  ‘Emerré, that is rather harsh!’

  ‘No, it is not. You have never experienced shadow magic, and so you cannot understand, Belix. Any other way of knowing someone is...superficial.’

  ‘How unfortunate for the rest of us.’

  ‘It is.’

  ‘I suppose I will always be alone then.’

  ‘Better to be alone with someone who is not waiting for another.’ she said firmly, and Belix looked away from her gaze.

  Emerré stood and took her leave. Belix stayed for a few moments considering everything she’d said. With a sigh, he decided he would go to the ball and meet the young ladies, not that anything would come of it. He decided he would have to tell Emerré his mother would find a wife for him that would suit the family and that she need not worry about it.

  He returned from the Lord of Miolles castle late. The windows were dark, and everyone was already in bed.

  ‘Lord Belix?’ The guard at the gate greeted him.

  ‘Yes, it is I! Returned from the hell my beloved exiled me too!’

  ‘I see the Lord of Miolles is as free with his wine as always.’

  ‘How do you know him and his ugly daughters?’

  ‘Do you not recognize me in the dark? Come in, and be quiet, lest you wake the lady.’

  ‘Oh, it is you, the captain!’

  ‘Yes,’ he sighed, guiding Belix through the front door and towards the stairs.

  ‘A friend of Lord Alain, and his most trusted guard!’

  ‘Indeed, please, my lord, be quiet.’

  ‘If she wakes I will tell her I love her and her husband is an ass.’

  ‘I think perhaps you can sleep in the guard’s quarters tonight.’ and the man began directing him away from the stairs.

  ‘Why?’ he demanded belligerently. ‘What’s wrong with me?’

  ‘Besides being very drunk?’

  ‘Wine has given me courage!’

  Before Belix could say anymore he found himself being pushed into a bed.

  ‘Now go to sleep.’ the captain said firmly. ‘And stay here.’

  ‘I must go wake the lady!’

  ‘The lady does not wish to be woken! Do I have to lock the door?’

  Belix found that idea very funny and burst out laughing. He heard a door close, and then all he thought of was the softness of the pillow and the bed beneath him...

  He was awoken by someone shaking him. He opened his eyes and blinked them shut again as bright candlelight hurt his eyes. When he opened them again he saw the face of the captain.

  ‘Why are you waking me?’ he moaned. His head ached and he still felt strange, as if he was still a bit drunk.

  ‘Shh, get up quietly.’

  ‘Why?’ he murmured as the man helped him sit up.

  He froze as he saw the other person in the room. Emerré stood by the door, a robe pulled firmly closed around her nightgown, her dark hair unbound and tumbling down around her shoulders. He wondered briefly if this was some wonderful dream. But why would the captain be here?

  ‘Belix, get up and stay quiet.’ Emerré said softly. ‘Follow me.’

  ‘Emerré? What’s happening?’

  ‘He drank too much last night, my lady, are you sure?’

  ‘He is a wizard, Gervais, I may need him more than I need you.’

  ‘What’s going on?’ Belix asked, suddenly alert at Emerré’s tone.

  ‘Something is here, Belix. I’m surprised you did not feel it, you are a wizard.’

  ‘A drunk one, unfortunately.’ Gervais murmured. ‘Very well, my lady. My lord, get up. Shall I wake the others?’

  ‘No...they might panic, it is better to involve as few as possible.’

  Belix stumbled to his feet. He was clothed in his crumpled suit from the party and did not need to get changed. Emerré, a ghostly figure in her white robe, the lace of her nightgown peeking out from under the hem, opened the door and disappeared outside.

  Belix followed after Gervais, and the two men found her outside. She paused in the cool night air and slowly looked around. Then she turned and headed for the stables.

  The smell of horses and hay was strong in the night. The horses snuffled and snorted, but did not seem distressed.

  ‘Gervais,’ Emerré said quietly, ‘hand me your sword.’

  Gervais handed her the weapon and said nothing. She held it confidently as she slowly paced the length of the stable. She turned at the end and started walking back. Suddenly she froze. Then she flung out the sword. There was a wet sound.

  ‘Emerré!’ Belix called, summoning light.

  The light of his magic revealed Emerré, the sword in the air, a giant black thing impaled upon the end. As he watched spindly legs unfolded from a hairy body and began slowly pulling itself along the blade of the sword, leaving a dark smear behind.

  Gervais swore mightly. ‘Hand me the sword!’

  Emerré slowly and calmly lowered the sword until it was pointed at the ground. ‘Gervais, please kill it before it finishes climbing the sword.’

  ‘What is it trying to do?’ The captain demanded, pulling out a dagger. ‘Wizard, can you help?’

  ‘I imagine it is trying to eat me.’ Emerré replied calmly.

  As the words left her mouth Belix felt the spider summoning magic. It was an odd feeling, creepy and crawling, not like any magic he’d felt before. Alarmed, Belix chanted, weaving protections around Emerré. ‘Kill it!’ he called to Gervais. ‘The thing has magic!’

  The spider was near the hilt of the sword. Belix felt the spider direct its magic at the sword, as if it was trying to melt it. Emerré dropped the sword. It clattered to the ground, squashing some of the spider’s legs beneath it. The spider’s magic stuttered out, as if in surprise. Belix let out a breath of relief that it had not attacked Emerré; the thing was stronger than he cared to admit.

  Emerré turned and picked up a rake from beside one of the stalls. Meanwhile, Belix sent a blast of fire at the spider to finish it off. It glowed blackly, his magic not hurting it at all.

  ‘What is that thing?!’ he breathed as Gervais set to it with the dagger. While he did Belix suddenly had to summon more magic to keep the creature from attacking Gervais. Sweat rolled down his forehead and he gritted his teeth. Gervais kept hacking at the spider, unaware of the struggle Belix was in. Less than ten seconds had passed, yet it felt like an eternity to Belix.

  Belix let out a strangled gasp and fell to his knees. Unable to resist the spider any longer, he deflected the spider’s magic away from Gervais.

  Gervais let out a sudden scream.

  ‘Gervais, are you alright?’ Emerré said.

  ‘I... It is dead...’ he panted and let out a moan. ‘My arm...’

  Belix was too exhausted to respond. At least I deflected the magic away from his heart, only his arm... The force assaulting his magical protections around Gervais were extinguished. He had killed the spider. Belix saw Emerré with the rake, impaling another spider as it scuttled along the ground.

  ‘Can you stand? There is one more.’ Emerré said to Gervais.

  Gervais moaned and got to his feet. His movements regained strength as he approached the spider Emerré had impaled.

  ‘I can’t...’ Belix murmured, his voice weak, ‘I can’t protect you anymore...’

  He didn’t think anyone heard him. But it didn’t seem to matter, as Gervais dispatched the second spider with much less difficulty. The second spider didn’t appear to have magic.

  ‘Gervais, are you alright?’ Emerré asked once the second was dead.

  ‘My arm... the thing burnt it all the way up to my shoulder.’

  ‘A magical injury may pose a problem. I will send to Monbier for a sorcerer.’

  ‘Thank you, my lady.’ He let out a long sigh. ‘Damn, it hurts like hell. Lord Belix, are you alright?’

  Belix lay on the floor, his breathing coming in long, heavy gasps. His body felt too heavy, and the effort to breathe in terrified him. His stomach roiled and though he was flat on his back, the room felt like it was spinning.

  ‘I...’ he gasped, ‘used all my... magic...’

  ‘He will need to rest for several days to recover.’ Emerré said. ‘Gervais, you may go and rest. I will send someone to carry Lord Belix back to his room.’

  ‘Yes, my lady...’ Gervais said. ‘But what of the bodies?’

  ‘Destroying them may be difficult. I will send these creatures back to where they came from.’

  ‘Where did they come from?’

  ‘Manus.’

  ‘Manus? That can’t be! Surely the King is not aware of this!’

  ‘I’m afraid it is a distinct possibility. Now, Gervais, you must go rest. I must think how I will respond.’ anger flashed across her face for a moment. She pressed a hand to her belly. ‘The King may consider himself lucky I am pregnant.’ and Belix was surprised at the anger in her voice.

  She walked past them, out into the night air. Belix groaned and tried to roll onto his side, but the movement sent his head pounding.

  ‘Let me help you, wizard.’ Gervais said and knelt down next to him.

  ‘Your arm-’

  ‘I have one good arm. Come on.’ Gervais awkwardly helped Belix to his feet and the two staggered after Emerré. Belix couldn’t help wondering how she had sensed the spiders. Surely she hadn’t used her magic?

  Emerré was standing outside in the driveway, looking up at the stars.

  ‘Emerré, are you alright?’ he whispered, his voice weak. ‘You didn’t... you didn’t use your shadow magic did you?’

  ‘No.’ she said quietly, her back to him. ‘I would not put my child in danger.’

  ‘Then how did you...?’

  ‘My senses are sharp, using shadow magic for so long has left an indelible mark on me.’

  ‘Are you alright? What are you going to do? Will you tell Cadel?’ Still, he wondered. She had sensed the creatures in the dark, had impaled one of them while it leapt through the air. He remembered what Alain said about her; was she even now using her shadow magic without being aware of it, like when she was a child?

  ‘Cadel...’ she said, her voice tight with grief. ‘Cadel...,’ her voice firmed, ‘if the prince wants my cooperation, I will require something from him.’

  ‘The prince?’

  ‘He was nice enough to warn me of these creatures, sent with the blessing of his father.’

  ‘That is horrendous! The High King of Walmon would never do such a thing!’

  ‘I care not for kings and empires. I care only for my husband, and he is not here. He is not here...’

  CHAPTER 57

  5 Jevin, 1353

  ‘Muresh, are you alright?’

  The boy looked up as his Gramma entered his room. ‘Would you like to go outside for a walk?’

  Muresh slid from the bed, his spindly legs barely holding him up. His Gramma smiled and took his hand. She led him out to the courtyard, where the sun shone down and warmed the paving stones.

  ‘You have been quiet of late... will you tell me what’s bothering you? Perhaps if I know, I won’t worry so much.’

  ‘That man...’

  ‘The one who chased you out of Allonce?’

  Muresh nodded.

  The old woman sighed, ‘he has upset many of the children.’

  ‘He was very angry, even more so the second time.’

  ‘He was. But you did well, did you not?’

  ‘I made them burn down part of the city.’

  ‘Manus.’

  ‘It was not hard... I just had to find one man and make him start a fire.’

  ‘It was good, better than their attack.’

  ‘Was it?’

  ‘You killed many more of them than they did.’

  ‘I suppose so, but perhaps...’ the others, the enemy, had blocked the path up to Iskerashdo. Muresh didn’t know how exactly, but they must have made someone do it, a rockslide, magic, something. It had taken days for the mountain path to be cleared. And they were doing something, he knew, something in Iskerashdo. They hadn’t killed many people, not since that first time. Muresh frowned. He didn’t think they’d killed anyone since then, but he could feel them floating around.