Broken Veil (Harbinger #5)(17)

Like your husband, a voice whispered in her head.

She focused her wandering thoughts on the matter at hand and reached through the Leering to connect with Admiral Grant’s hurricane, the Pleasance.

The high admiral’s personal secretary greeted her from the Leering. He would provide the conduit for Sera to communicate with Kasdan. Her field of vision expanded, giving her a panoramic view of the admiral’s private quarters, which were untidy and full of heaps of correspondence. The dim light was a reminder that when it was morning at home, it was dark in Kingfountain. Her view changed suddenly, and she saw Kasdan and his wife, Marie Elysabeth Penthievre. Kasdan was quite tall and striking and his wife more diminutive, which had always made Sera, who was small in stature herself, partial to her. A little boy raced past them, waving at the couple as he left the room. They gave him a fond look as they approached the Leering hand in hand.

“You look well, Kasdan,” Sera said by way of greeting. “If a bit tired. You both are overdue some rest, I think. I’ll try to keep this brief. Who was that little boy?”

“That was my nephew, Curtis, the little scamp. No need to apologize, Sera,” said Marie Elysabeth with a bright smile. “Your time is precious to us as well. We have some news.” She stroked Kasdan’s arm, looking up at him with a glimmer in her eyes, and Sera knew.

“When is the baby due?” she said. She knew, from her own experience with communication between the realms, that the magic worked differently in Kingfountain. Whereas she could see them plainly, as if they stood opposite her, the Leering on their end rendered her visible to them through a sheen of fine mist, a peculiarity that came of Fountain magic interacting with the Mysteries.

“We’re not sure,” Kasdan said. “The midwife thinks seven more months? It’s difficult to predict. But we are pleased and grateful.”

“I’m happy for you both. We need more good news these days.”

“I agree,” said Marie Elysabeth. “Unfortunately, that is all the good news we bring today.” Her smile faded, just slightly.

Sera respected how close they were, how neither dominated the conversation. She knew that Kasdan and Marie Elysabeth were full partners in every way. The Penthievres had been ruling Brythonica for several generations, and while the duke led his forces in the front, his daughter and son-in-law ruled the duchy in his absence.

“What news, then?” Sera asked, preparing herself to be disappointed.

“We had word that Trevon was seen in Leoneyis, hidden in a farmhouse. We dispatched men immediately to raid it, only to find he’d been smuggled out the night before. The farmer didn’t know who the prisoner was, only that he was bearded, dressed in soiled clothes, and looked feverish. But upon further inquiry, and after he was shown a painting of my brother, the farmer confirmed it was him.”

“The night before?” Sera said, her voice breaking. How many times had it happened? How many times had they come so close to rescuing her husband, only to fail?

Marie Elysabeth reached out to touch the Leering as if she could transmit her tenderness through the stone.

“I’m so sorry, Sera,” Kasdan said wretchedly. “We acted as soon as we could. I think Montpensier has to move him constantly and only among his most trusted men. The reward offered for his rescue would tempt any ordinary man. There are hunters scouring the woods for signs of their trail. I had so hoped to give you good news tonight.” He shook his head in muted frustration. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, Kasdan,” Sera said, mustering her resolve. “That he’s still alive is hope enough. That blackguard has already done enough damage to your family. I know you are doing your best to find him.”

“We won’t stop trying, Sera,” said Marie Elysabeth.

“I know. Any other news? Has there been any sign of Cettie Pratt? How fares the war from your perspective?”

“Of your friend, nothing. I’m sorry. As to the war . . . bloody and bloody difficult,” said Kasdan with a sigh. “We have brought the fight to Montpensier, but that comes at a price. Leoneyis is his homeland, and he knows every river and every hill. And he’s paying pirates to ambush our sky ships. I fear he’s also convinced some of the other rulers to pull back from supporting us and look to defend their own borders. Legault has withdrawn fully. Occitania continues to increase its demands in return for its cooperation.”

That concerned Sera greatly. “How so?”

“The Prince of Occitania recently withdrew one of his regiments from the front to attack Montpensier’s lands in La Marche. The general is not there to defend them, so the prince decided to carve up a portion for himself while we continue the attack. He’s demanding we ratify his conquest.”

“Selfish man,” Sera said disdainfully.

“I agree,” Marie Elysabeth said, her eyes darkening. “Ancient squabbles bubble up during times of uncertainty. Long ago, Brythonica used to be part of Occitania. I think the good prince sees this as an opportunity to increase his own power at the expense of others’.”

Sera let out her breath. “This alliance we have with Occitania is precarious. We all agree in the adage that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. But that does not make us friends for long. Surely the prince realizes that if we fail to overthrow Montpensier now, the general will wreak havoc on Occitania later.”