Sky’s exceedingly intense gaze remained locked with his. She obviously expected an answer to her unexpected marriage proposal, and the longer he took to give one, the more annoyed he suspected she might be. Was she... really?
“Lord Skybreak,” Viktoria said quietly, “now may not be the time—”
“No,” Drake said. “I’m not ready to marry anyone, at least not right now.”
Sky’s intense posture incrementally relaxed. It seemed he had chosen the correct answer, though... damn. He had also spoken honestly, no matter how much sense Samuel and Lydia and probably Viktoria thought a marriage between them might make. He wasn’t ready, she wasn’t ready, and there was no need to rush into anything.
“Obviously, I understand the strategic advantage of such an arrangement,” Drake continued cautiously. “Both Samuel and Lydia have briefed me on all the benefits.”
“As my mother has with me,” Sky said. “As if I wasn’t already well aware.”
Was a marriage what they’d been arguing about? It might be. Yet it also simply didn’t feel big enough. Perhaps this had only been one part of their argument and there were others they were still trying to resolve. Drake would focus on the prospective marriage first.
“So, Lord Skybreak—”
“Sky,” she interrupted. “We’ve faced both battle and a cabal together, so we’re past the formalities. Unless you wish to remain formal over meals?”
Drake smiled again. “No. And if we’re just going to discuss this possibility of marriage openly, I’ll also say I haven’t ruled out the possibility. I would be a fool to discount the benefits to our manors. After we have a better understanding of how we each run things and have both taken time to consider what we believe we should do, we may speak of it again.”
Sky eyed him with obvious approval. “So you believe now is a time for new ideas?” It was obvious what she was talking about. Changing or removing all the blood pacts.
“I do.” Drake then glanced at Viktoria. “Not that I will ever discount your council, Viktoria. I am very grateful I have your experiences to rely upon, just as I appreciate the counsel from my steward, my spymaster, and my thralls. Even Val there.”
Valentia glanced at him and raised an eyebrow.
“We don’t even agree on who to kill half the time, but I still value everything she says.”
His battle maid offered a small smile before returning her gaze to the doors.
“To be clear,” Viktoria said, “we were only discussing a marriage abstractly.”
“No you weren’t,” Sky said crossly. “Anyway, you have heard Lord Gloomwood’s answer. The noble court’s ink is barely dry on our alliance. This is a first step and a good one, but I plan to proceed cautiously until matters have settled. Do you agree?”
Drake nodded. “I do.”
“Then is there anything else we have to talk about? Because otherwise, I’m inclined to take a nap before the afternoon cabal. The Judge might take exception to me falling asleep.”
“Rough night?” Drake asked sympathetically.
Sky shrugged. “It will be better once I can name a new steward. I have it handled.”
“I’m not worried,” Drake assured her. “Though, if we’re done talking marriage, there is one more important matter I wanted to discuss. An attack on our enemies.”
Sky leaned forward. “An attack?” She sounded absolutely hungry for one.
“One that will come with a big cost,” Drake said. “Actually, I’m not even sure how expensive it’s going to be for us, which is why I wanted to consult with you both before launching it.” Drake winced. “Oh, and also, I need to borrow your magic mirror for tonight.”
Sky smiled a predatory smile. “You gave yours to Lydia.”
Drake grinned back. “Why in the realm would I do that?”
She now looked amused, which was better than annoyed. “Even if you can’t defy the will of the Eidolons, you certainly tweak their noses well enough.”
It was dangerous to ask her more about this topic, but he decided now was the best time to risk it. “So you don’t believe Lord Redbow’s ridiculous claim?”
“Why would I? No one can defy the Eidolons.”
Drake hid his relief. “Of course not. Still... why do you suppose he brought it up?” He paused. “And why do you think he really wanted to interrogate Lydia and Samuel?”
“Any number of reasons,” Sky said. “Mother? Now is the time to offer your counsel.”
Viktoria visibly held back her sigh. “As Sky has already said, there are any number of reasons Lord Redbow might have wished to interrogate your steward and spymaster. The simplest is that he was shooting into a stream hoping to spear a fish.”
“I understood that metaphor!” Drake said excitedly.
“So you know what it means.” Viktoria watched him calmly. “While I wish I could believe that’s all there was to it, Lord Redbow rarely acts so carelessly. While he expends his lower-level assassins recklessly, his own hunts are usually far more methodical.”
“So what was he fishing for?”
“That is what I must ask you. What was he fishing for?”
Drake sat back and considered what to say. “It’s possible that how I defeated Captain Ro may not be the only time I gave him the impression I could speak things I don’t believe.”
“So what else might have led to this... belief?” Viktoria asked.
Drake then explained the ploy he’d used to prove that someone was spying on him with Robby. Except this time, he left out the fact that he’d berated Samuel about not following his orders to change their route the next morning. Instead, he suggested he and Samuel had come up with the ploy together once Samuel raised his suspicions about the doll.
“Clever,” Viktoria agreed. “I would expect no less from the Rope Tree.”
“That’s such a cool name,” Drake said enviously. “When can I get one?”
Sky eyed him with new interest. “You wish us to give you a nickname?”
“Only if it sounds fucking metal.”
Her brow furrowed. “Your world’s slang really is odd.”
“Still, if you come up with a cool nickname for me, run it by me before you start spreading it around. Now. Shall we discuss my attack strategy for this afternoon?”
Viktoria took another, much longer sip of her mead. Then, she set down an empty cup. “What is this attack, and why are you so worried about its cost?”
“I’ll start with my understanding of this morning,” Drake said. “Feel free to tell me if I’m wrong. First, while I’m pleased I managed to get Lord Brightwater to abstain from today’s vote to remove me as a manor lord, I can’t believe that was Lord Proudglade’s only play. He’s been at this too long to rely on any one vote, even one he thought he’d rigged.”
“With Lord Ashwind,” Viktoria agreed. “Rest assured, my spies will now be fervently researching whatever leverage Lord Proudglade has found on him.”
“As will mine,” Sky added. “And you are right about something else, Clint. He’ll come at us again this afternoon, as might the others. So your suggestion is to hit them first?”
“And we hit them so hard we knock them out before they can throw another punch,” Drake agreed. “To do that... both our manors may have to pay a rather large tithe.”
Viktoria frowned. “For what?”
He told them.
Sky eyed him cautiously. “How is that an attack?”
“Viktoria, tell me if I’m wrong here.” Drake looked to her. “This morning, watching the other manor lords, I got the impression they don’t fully trust each other. They’re obviously all in on their alliance, and they’re willing to accept Lord Proudglade as its leader. But it also seems like they aren’t sharing information as much as they could.”
“What gave you that impression?” Viktoria asked.
“Lord Frostlight,” Drake said. “When I revealed I tore through Captain Ro and twenty of his men, I’m fairly certain I watched her opinion of me change from dismissive to impressed in real time. I’d bet good money she didn’t know I’d taken out Ro and his crew of not-so-merry men, which means Lord Redbow didn’t tell her. Even though I’m a possible threat to her.”
“Interesting,” Viktoria said. “And what else did you observe this morning?”
“Lord Proudglade’s eye twitched when I pulled out Robby,” Drake said. “At first, I thought it was because I’d shoved his prize doll in front of him. But now... I wonder if it was something else. Would you both agree Lord Proudglade despises deception?”
“He may claim to,” Viktoria said. “That doesn’t mean he won’t use it.”
“I agree, and ever since I learned Lord Proudglade sent the bloodsucking assassin after me, I assumed he was the one watching through Robby’s eyes as well. But what if he wasn’t?” Drake paused to let them get there with him. “What if Lord Redbow was watching instead?”
“Why does it matter who was spying on you?” Sky asked curiously.
“Because it’s possible Lord Proudglade may have been relying on Lord Redbow for intelligence, but not have been aware of how Redbow was gathering it,” Drake said. “In fact, given how much I’ve seen those manor lords rely on plausible deniability, it would make more sense for Lord Proudglade to stay intentionally ignorant of the plots of his subordinates.”
“I agree,” Viktoria said. “By specifying their target but keeping their methods and attacks isolated to their own manors, they minimize the risk that blood thralls they cannot swear to silence may reveal their plans. Lord Frostlight’s thralls may be of particular concern to the other manor lords, since they are not forbidden to speak of plots besides hers.”
“Because many of them still hate the woman who assassinated the old lord,” Drake said. “I never want that to happen to my people.”
“Nor I,” Sky said fervently. “I will never let that happen to my manor.”
Sky didn’t mention that she had already solved that little problem. Did her mother not know? Of course she did. Viktoria had to know. Sky was simply being cautious about saying anything regarding her decision in Korhaurbauten, where the noble court had ears everywhere.
Drake would remember to do the same. “Anyway, to sum up my impressions from this morning, I got the feeling that while the big four are allied, they’re working independently. Maybe not even as closely as you and me, Sky.”
“That would make sense,” Sky agreed. “The interests of Lords Proudglade and Mistvale have always remained aligned, but Lord Redbow’s allegiance has forever remained to himself. Moreover, the former Lord Frostlight had no interest in an alliance with the others. It was only once the new one took over that this changed.”
“That implies they might even have sent the current Lord Frostlight to kill him,” Drake said. “Or Lord Redbow did that on his own. As hard as it is to admit, I also get the impression Lord Proudglade may not be fully comfortable with Lord Redbow or Lord Frostlight as allies. That suggests he’s selectively sharing intelligence with them. As you said, he’ll use any advantage available, but I swear he looked pained when I spoke about Anna’s conditions.”
“Lord Proudglade does have a soft spot for children,” Viktoria agreed. “He makes a fierce enemy and is rigid in his ways, but his people also benefit from his strong rule and most in his territory consider him fair. He also takes matters of manor debt more seriously than any lord I know, which is why he remains so intensely set against you, Clint.”
“Because of the bad breakup,” Drake agreed. “Zuri told me all about it.”
“What did she tell you?” Sky asked. She sounded genuinely curious.
“I’d say about... twenty-five years ago?... a former Lord Proudglade and a former Lord Gloomwood planned to get married and join houses. Then Lord Gloomwood cheated on Lord Proudglade with one of her battle maids, who was a dude, and shortly after that, the blood thrall killed Lord Proudglade. That’s a longstanding grudge if I’ve ever heard one.”
“We’ve all heard the story,” Sky agreed. “Such a debt is heavy indeed.”
“You’ve set the stage,” Viktoria said. “I understand why you wish to hit them before they hit us again. But why does it require revealing what you suggest?”
“It’s because they don’t trust each other that this attack may work,” Drake said. “Viktoria, you should really scoot down here. We need to talk quietly.”
She rose and walked over to sit beside her daughter without a word. Sky also seemed to have no objection. He leaned close to both women, lowered his voice, and explained his plan.
Sky thumped her fist on the table. “So we turn them against each other.”
“That’s right.” Of course she’d immediately see his goal. “If they aren’t sharing information, this might be just enough to damage their alliance or at least weaken it.”
“We should do it,” Sky said. “No matter what it costs, it is time for us to hit back.” She looked to Viktoria. “So, mother? Just how much will this cost?”
Viktoria sat back and rubbed her temples. “More than I care to think about.”
“But we’re still doing it,” Drake pressed.
She nodded... reluctantly. “Given the case you have just made, I think we must.”
Sky’s exceedingly intense gaze remained locked with his. She obviously expected an answer to her unexpected marriage proposal, and the longer he took to give one, the more annoyed he suspected she might be. Was she... really?
“Lord Skybreak,” Viktoria said quietly, “now may not be the time—”
“No,” Drake said. “I’m not ready to marry anyone, at least not right now.”
Sky’s intense posture incrementally relaxed. It seemed he had chosen the correct answer, though... damn. He had also spoken honestly, no matter how much sense Samuel and Lydia and probably Viktoria thought a marriage between them might make. He wasn’t ready, she wasn’t ready, and there was no need to rush into anything.
“Obviously, I understand the strategic advantage of such an arrangement,” Drake continued cautiously. “Both Samuel and Lydia have briefed me on all the benefits.”
“As my mother has with me,” Sky said. “As if I wasn’t already well aware.”
Was a marriage what they’d been arguing about? It might be. Yet it also simply didn’t feel big enough. Perhaps this had only been one part of their argument and there were others they were still trying to resolve. Drake would focus on the prospective marriage first.
“So, Lord Skybreak—”
“Sky,” she interrupted. “We’ve faced both battle and a cabal together, so we’re past the formalities. Unless you wish to remain formal over meals?”
Drake smiled again. “No. And if we’re just going to discuss this possibility of marriage openly, I’ll also say I haven’t ruled out the possibility. I would be a fool to discount the benefits to our manors. After we have a better understanding of how we each run things and have both taken time to consider what we believe we should do, we may speak of it again.”
Sky eyed him with obvious approval. “So you believe now is a time for new ideas?” It was obvious what she was talking about. Changing or removing all the blood pacts.
“I do.” Drake then glanced at Viktoria. “Not that I will ever discount your council, Viktoria. I am very grateful I have your experiences to rely upon, just as I appreciate the counsel from my steward, my spymaster, and my thralls. Even Val there.”
Valentia glanced at him and raised an eyebrow.
“We don’t even agree on who to kill half the time, but I still value everything she says.”
His battle maid offered a small smile before returning her gaze to the doors.
“To be clear,” Viktoria said, “we were only discussing a marriage abstractly.”
“No you weren’t,” Sky said crossly. “Anyway, you have heard Lord Gloomwood’s answer. The noble court’s ink is barely dry on our alliance. This is a first step and a good one, but I plan to proceed cautiously until matters have settled. Do you agree?”
Drake nodded. “I do.”
“Then is there anything else we have to talk about? Because otherwise, I’m inclined to take a nap before the afternoon cabal. The Judge might take exception to me falling asleep.”
“Rough night?” Drake asked sympathetically.
Sky shrugged. “It will be better once I can name a new steward. I have it handled.”
“I’m not worried,” Drake assured her. “Though, if we’re done talking marriage, there is one more important matter I wanted to discuss. An attack on our enemies.”
Sky leaned forward. “An attack?” She sounded absolutely hungry for one.
“One that will come with a big cost,” Drake said. “Actually, I’m not even sure how expensive it’s going to be for us, which is why I wanted to consult with you both before launching it.” Drake winced. “Oh, and also, I need to borrow your magic mirror for tonight.”
Sky smiled a predatory smile. “You gave yours to Lydia.”
Drake grinned back. “Why in the realm would I do that?”
She now looked amused, which was better than annoyed. “Even if you can’t defy the will of the Eidolons, you certainly tweak their noses well enough.”
It was dangerous to ask her more about this topic, but he decided now was the best time to risk it. “So you don’t believe Lord Redbow’s ridiculous claim?”
“Why would I? No one can defy the Eidolons.”
Drake hid his relief. “Of course not. Still... why do you suppose he brought it up?” He paused. “And why do you think he really wanted to interrogate Lydia and Samuel?”
“Any number of reasons,” Sky said. “Mother? Now is the time to offer your counsel.”
Viktoria visibly held back her sigh. “As Sky has already said, there are any number of reasons Lord Redbow might have wished to interrogate your steward and spymaster. The simplest is that he was shooting into a stream hoping to spear a fish.”
“I understood that metaphor!” Drake said excitedly.
“So you know what it means.” Viktoria watched him calmly. “While I wish I could believe that’s all there was to it, Lord Redbow rarely acts so carelessly. While he expends his lower-level assassins recklessly, his own hunts are usually far more methodical.”
“So what was he fishing for?”
“That is what I must ask you. What was he fishing for?”
Drake sat back and considered what to say. “It’s possible that how I defeated Captain Ro may not be the only time I gave him the impression I could speak things I don’t believe.”
“So what else might have led to this... belief?” Viktoria asked.
Drake then explained the ploy he’d used to prove that someone was spying on him with Robby. Except this time, he left out the fact that he’d berated Samuel about not following his orders to change their route the next morning. Instead, he suggested he and Samuel had come up with the ploy together once Samuel raised his suspicions about the doll.
“Clever,” Viktoria agreed. “I would expect no less from the Rope Tree.”
“That’s such a cool name,” Drake said enviously. “When can I get one?”
Sky eyed him with new interest. “You wish us to give you a nickname?”
“Only if it sounds fucking metal.”
Her brow furrowed. “Your world’s slang really is odd.”
“Still, if you come up with a cool nickname for me, run it by me before you start spreading it around. Now. Shall we discuss my attack strategy for this afternoon?”
Viktoria took another, much longer sip of her mead. Then, she set down an empty cup. “What is this attack, and why are you so worried about its cost?”
“I’ll start with my understanding of this morning,” Drake said. “Feel free to tell me if I’m wrong. First, while I’m pleased I managed to get Lord Brightwater to abstain from today’s vote to remove me as a manor lord, I can’t believe that was Lord Proudglade’s only play. He’s been at this too long to rely on any one vote, even one he thought he’d rigged.”
“With Lord Ashwind,” Viktoria agreed. “Rest assured, my spies will now be fervently researching whatever leverage Lord Proudglade has found on him.”
“As will mine,” Sky added. “And you are right about something else, Clint. He’ll come at us again this afternoon, as might the others. So your suggestion is to hit them first?”
“And we hit them so hard we knock them out before they can throw another punch,” Drake agreed. “To do that... both our manors may have to pay a rather large tithe.”
Viktoria frowned. “For what?”
He told them.
Sky eyed him cautiously. “How is that an attack?”
“Viktoria, tell me if I’m wrong here.” Drake looked to her. “This morning, watching the other manor lords, I got the impression they don’t fully trust each other. They’re obviously all in on their alliance, and they’re willing to accept Lord Proudglade as its leader. But it also seems like they aren’t sharing information as much as they could.”
“What gave you that impression?” Viktoria asked.
“Lord Frostlight,” Drake said. “When I revealed I tore through Captain Ro and twenty of his men, I’m fairly certain I watched her opinion of me change from dismissive to impressed in real time. I’d bet good money she didn’t know I’d taken out Ro and his crew of not-so-merry men, which means Lord Redbow didn’t tell her. Even though I’m a possible threat to her.”
“Interesting,” Viktoria said. “And what else did you observe this morning?”
“Lord Proudglade’s eye twitched when I pulled out Robby,” Drake said. “At first, I thought it was because I’d shoved his prize doll in front of him. But now... I wonder if it was something else. Would you both agree Lord Proudglade despises deception?”
“He may claim to,” Viktoria said. “That doesn’t mean he won’t use it.”
“I agree, and ever since I learned Lord Proudglade sent the bloodsucking assassin after me, I assumed he was the one watching through Robby’s eyes as well. But what if he wasn’t?” Drake paused to let them get there with him. “What if Lord Redbow was watching instead?”
“Why does it matter who was spying on you?” Sky asked curiously.
“Because it’s possible Lord Proudglade may have been relying on Lord Redbow for intelligence, but not have been aware of how Redbow was gathering it,” Drake said. “In fact, given how much I’ve seen those manor lords rely on plausible deniability, it would make more sense for Lord Proudglade to stay intentionally ignorant of the plots of his subordinates.”
“I agree,” Viktoria said. “By specifying their target but keeping their methods and attacks isolated to their own manors, they minimize the risk that blood thralls they cannot swear to silence may reveal their plans. Lord Frostlight’s thralls may be of particular concern to the other manor lords, since they are not forbidden to speak of plots besides hers.”
“Because many of them still hate the woman who assassinated the old lord,” Drake said. “I never want that to happen to my people.”
“Nor I,” Sky said fervently. “I will never let that happen to my manor.”
Sky didn’t mention that she had already solved that little problem. Did her mother not know? Of course she did. Viktoria had to know. Sky was simply being cautious about saying anything regarding her decision in Korhaurbauten, where the noble court had ears everywhere.
Drake would remember to do the same. “Anyway, to sum up my impressions from this morning, I got the feeling that while the big four are allied, they’re working independently. Maybe not even as closely as you and me, Sky.”
“That would make sense,” Sky agreed. “The interests of Lords Proudglade and Mistvale have always remained aligned, but Lord Redbow’s allegiance has forever remained to himself. Moreover, the former Lord Frostlight had no interest in an alliance with the others. It was only once the new one took over that this changed.”
“That implies they might even have sent the current Lord Frostlight to kill him,” Drake said. “Or Lord Redbow did that on his own. As hard as it is to admit, I also get the impression Lord Proudglade may not be fully comfortable with Lord Redbow or Lord Frostlight as allies. That suggests he’s selectively sharing intelligence with them. As you said, he’ll use any advantage available, but I swear he looked pained when I spoke about Anna’s conditions.”
“Lord Proudglade does have a soft spot for children,” Viktoria agreed. “He makes a fierce enemy and is rigid in his ways, but his people also benefit from his strong rule and most in his territory consider him fair. He also takes matters of manor debt more seriously than any lord I know, which is why he remains so intensely set against you, Clint.”
“Because of the bad breakup,” Drake agreed. “Zuri told me all about it.”
“What did she tell you?” Sky asked. She sounded genuinely curious.
“I’d say about... twenty-five years ago?... a former Lord Proudglade and a former Lord Gloomwood planned to get married and join houses. Then Lord Gloomwood cheated on Lord Proudglade with one of her battle maids, who was a dude, and shortly after that, the blood thrall killed Lord Proudglade. That’s a longstanding grudge if I’ve ever heard one.”
“We’ve all heard the story,” Sky agreed. “Such a debt is heavy indeed.”
“You’ve set the stage,” Viktoria said. “I understand why you wish to hit them before they hit us again. But why does it require revealing what you suggest?”
“It’s because they don’t trust each other that this attack may work,” Drake said. “Viktoria, you should really scoot down here. We need to talk quietly.”
She rose and walked over to sit beside her daughter without a word. Sky also seemed to have no objection. He leaned close to both women, lowered his voice, and explained his plan.
Sky thumped her fist on the table. “So we turn them against each other.”
“That’s right.” Of course she’d immediately see his goal. “If they aren’t sharing information, this might be just enough to damage their alliance or at least weaken it.”
“We should do it,” Sky said. “No matter what it costs, it is time for us to hit back.” She looked to Viktoria. “So, mother? Just how much will this cost?”
Viktoria sat back and rubbed her temples. “More than I care to think about.”
“But we’re still doing it,” Drake pressed.
She nodded... reluctantly. “Given the case you have just made, I think we must.”
