Defend the Dawn (Defy the Night #2)(22)

They might not have been involved in the last rebellion, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t plotting their own.

I sometimes find the thought a bit disappointing. Arella often challenges me, but I know it’s done out of a desire to make things better. And Roydan is the only consul who ever showed us a glimmer of kindness after our parents died.

Arella has a hand on Roydan’s arm, though I’m sure it’s more for his benefit than for hers. He’s three times her age, and he walks with a trembling step.

“Consuls,” I say.

Arella offers a brief curtsy, and Roydan gives me a nod. He’s too old to bow.

“Your Highness,” Roydan says. He gives Tessa a kind smile. “Miss Cade.”

His warmth tugs at me. I just can’t imagine him doing something nefarious.

“Consuls,” Tessa says, her tone a bit shy. I can tell she’s deliberating whether she should move away and give us some privacy, but I want to keep this conversation social, so I rest a hand over hers.

“I didn’t know you were joining us for dinner,” I say to the others.

“We’re not,” Roydan says. “Arella and I will eat in the salon. I was hoping to catch a minute of your time, Corrick. I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You’re not a bother.”

He pats me on the shoulder as if I’m ten years old and I’ve been a good boy. “Harristan asked me if I remembered sending warships to Ostriary. He was concerned about this new captain.”

My eyebrows go up. “I am, too. Do you?”

“I do. Just a bit—though I don’t remember many of them reaching Ostriary.” He gives Tessa a smile. “That said, I’m an old man and my memory isn’t what it used to be.” He pauses. “But I do remember there were squabbles between Steel City and Trader’s Landing. Arella and I have been reviewing the shipping logs, because it seems there have been some inaccuracies going back for decades. Maybe even a century. And it does look as though we were sending tons of steel on a fairly regular basis to half a dozen unfamiliar cities. Not just steel either. Explosives and lumber. Arella and I have been trying to piece it together for weeks, and we’d started to think they were code names for secret destinations, because we couldn’t find those on any maps we have. But then Harristan mentioned that this man claims there are islands on the western side of Ostriary.”

“Yes,” I say. “He does.”

“These shipping records stop,” Roydan says. “Thirty or forty years ago. There’s no further mention of the cities—but I thought perhaps they could refer to the islands this sea captain mentions.” He pauses, then reaches into his coat to withdraw a folded piece of parchment. “I wrote down the names of the cities for you.”

I unfold the paper and look down at Roydan’s shaky handwriting.

IRIS

KAISA

ROSHAN

ESTAR

SILVESSE

FAIRDE

“Do you know how many islands he mentioned?” Roydan says.

Six. This could be a coincidence—or it could be evidence to support the captain’s story. But I don’t want to feed a rumor mill. “I don’t quite recall,” I lie. “Why did the shipments stop?”

“I don’t know.” He gives a little shrug. “And there’s been no one in Trader’s Landing to ask since … well.” His gaze turns a little sad, and he pats me on the shoulder again.

Since our parents were killed by the consul from Trader’s Landing.

I blink away emotion before it can form. I look at Arella because I can’t be icy with Roydan. “Why were you investigating shipping logs to begin with?”

“The longer Trader’s Landing goes without a consul, the more opportunity for corruption,” she says coolly. Her brown eyes don’t flinch from mine. “For example, the explosives used on the palace came right out of that sector.”

I can’t tell if she’s making an accusation or a declaration. “So I’ve heard. Do you know anything about it, Arella?”

“I know desperate people will take drastic measures to survive.”

“Now, now.” Roydan pats her hand. “The prince has business to attend to.”

Anyone else, and she’d smack his hand away. Like me, she has a fondness for Roydan, so she sighs. “We should head for the salon before it becomes too crowded.”

But she doesn’t move, and I know she’s expecting an invitation to join our meal. There’s no disguising the curiosity in her eyes. I’m sure everyone is desperate to meet the emissary from Ostriary.

But if she’s not going to be forthcoming, I’m not going to be either.

“Don’t let me delay you,” I say.

She accepts the defeat and offers another brief curtsy, and they turn away.

I drain half my glass of wine.

Tessa is gazing up at me. “Is that true? Was Kandala sending steel to Ostriary?”

I fold up the parchment and tuck it into my jacket. “Steel and explosives. I can’t tell if that’s friendly or hostile.”

“Maybe both.” She takes a sip of wine, then slowly lowers her glass. “Now Consul Sallister is here.”

I frown and turn to follow her gaze. She’s right. Allisander has slipped into the room. He has a girl on his arm, a young woman I’ve not seen at court before. Much like my brother, he rarely has a companion at his side, but Allisander’s issue isn’t one of trust. Or … not the same kind. He always worries someone is after his money.