Page 142 of The Ragpicker King
“How vile,” said Ji-An.
“I knew the monarchy was not to be trusted,” muttered Merren.
Lin said, “Conor would never hurt Kel. Never. Kel is one of the only people he cares for in the world.”
“Which is why the idea of his betrayal is so destructive,” Mayesh said. “And I agree that Conor would not hurt Kel. But the Prince of Castellane might have to. Two nobles lie dead. The alliance with Kutani is hopelessly broken. Conor cannot be seen to have lost control of the situation. Kel is the one who will have to pay the price.”
“Then we’ll rescue him,” said Ji-An. “We can get anyone out of anywhere. We’ll get him out of the Trick. We’ll need some force to back us up—”
“No,” Andreyen said.
Every one of them, save Mayesh, looked at him in surprise.
“No,” Andreyen said again. “We cannot enter Marivent.Icannot enter Marivent, nor can any under my instruction or command.”
“Kel did,” pointed out Merren. “But— I suppose he wasn’t in your employ, was he?”
“He was not,” said Andreyen. “And he has paid a great price for working with us as much as he did.”
“The King on the Hill is likewise forbidden from coming here,” said Mayesh, “so the Black Mansion is protected. It has been thisway for a long time. The Ragpicker King must stay away from Marivent, and Marivent from the Ragpicker King. I am here only because I no longer represent the Palace.”
“That’s ridiculous, Andreyen,” said Merren. “You expect us to just sit here while they feed Kel to the crocodiles?”
“I don’t like it, either,” said Andreyen. “But you are asking me to do what only the King on the Hill can do, and I am the King in the City.”
“But weknowthings,” Ji-An said. “Surely our knowledge must weigh something in balance with Kel’s life—”
“Stop.” Lin’s voice rung out harshly. “Iwill go to the Palace.” It was now night, of course, and the Ashkar were not supposed to travel through the city after dark. But she was no longer Ashkar. “I will tell Conor that Kel has never acted against him. I will make him understand who his true friends are.” She looked around the room; her gaze lit on Andreyen, who was regarding her with a small, sideways smile. “I will not be acting on the orders of the Ragpicker King. I am making this choice myself.”
Mayesh did not seem surprised. All he said was, “I suppose you have a way to enter the Palace?”
“The guards at the North Gate know me,” Lin said. “They will let me in.” She looked at her grandfather. “Will you accompany me to the door? I know it is forbidden for you even to walk with me, but—”
“Some Laws are foolish,” Mayesh said roughly, and joined her on her way out.
As they paced through the corridors of the Black Mansion, Lin could not help but cast a covert sideways glance at Mayesh; his hawkish face seemed hollowed out, lines of sorrow cut like grooves at the sides of his mouth, the edges of his eyes.
“Grandfather.” Impulsively, she reached for his hand. “I am sorry. So sorry.”
“For what?” he said roughly, though he did not take his hand away. “For getting yourself exiled? I suppose I helped with that. The Maharam was not at all pleased with the way I spoke to him.”
“And what of Aron?” Lin asked. “He told me so many times this was a mistake. He must be pleased at how this has turned out.”
“I do not think so,” Mayesh said. “Not at all.”
“But what will you do now?” Lin said. “Now that you are no longer Counselor? Will you be all right?”
For the first time in a long time, he smiled. “I’ll be fine,” he said. “I will sit on my porch and smoke my pipe and throwsabrafruit at the children who try to pick my flowers. In fact, perhaps it is better I have been dismissed.” He searched her face with his eyes. “It means I do not have to ask you why you call Conor by his Gods-given name, and do not use his title.”
Lin tensed. “I—”
“I knew Conor was not suddenly asking me all these questions about the Ashkar because he was curious about my life,” said Mayesh. “I ought to have guessed he was curious about yours.” He hesitated. “You truly think he will listen to you?”
“He does,” said Lin, “sometimes.”
Mayesh nodded slowly. “Then it must be tried.”
Kel lay awake, tracking the progress of the rising moon through his single window. He had only just started to doze off when he heard footsteps in the corridor.
