Stormcaster (Shattered Realms #3)(70)

Hal fingered his chin, still thickly forested with a black stubble. “Enjoy it while you can. What are you up to these days?”

Bellamy rolled his eyes. “I’ve been working with my da over the winter, trying to teach new recruits from the down-realms which end of a horse is the front. When I’m not doing that, my mother is trotting me around to parties, hoping I’ll meet some rich widow. There’s a shortage of dance partners at court, since so many of the thanes have taken the field against the king. Those that haven’t are staying away, for fear of being here when the thanes sack the city.”

“Could be your golden ticket,” Hal said drily.

“Ha,” Bellamy said. “The widows I fall for are always penniless.”

“To penniless widows,” Hal said, raising his glass in a toast.

Bellamy laughed, but quickly sobered. “If fortune finds me, it’ll be because I’ve been a good soldier.”

Hal nodded toward Bellamy’s new signia. “You’ve done well, Captain.”

“I’m up for colonel now,” Bellamy said, then colored. “You’re the one who’s earned it. I just don’t get why—”

Hal raised his hand. “Congratulations, Colonel. Guess I’ll have to get used to calling you ‘sir.’”

“I may have reason to regret this promotion,” Bellamy said. “Now that it’s looking to be a two-front war, they’re in need of more sacrificial officers. Rumor has it that I may lead our forces in the north while General Karn deals with the thanes.” He stopped, then, as if realizing that he might be giving away tactics to the enemy. “Everybody says the rebels are going to march on the city any day now. But maybe they won’t, since you’re here.” He looked sideways at Hal, as if hoping he’d confirm or deny.

“I haven’t seen my father since I came back,” Hal lied. “I leave the politics to him.”

Bellamy sighed. “I hate this, sir. I’m glad to go north, so I don’t have to take the field against my friends.”

“We’re soldiers, Bellamy,” Hal said, shrugging. “We follow orders. Listen, the reason I asked to meet with you is that I’m looking for my brother, Robert. We were together at Delphi, but he left for Temple Church before the city fell. I’m hoping he’s all right. Have you seen him? Do you know where he’s posted?”

“Robert? Haven’t seen him,” Bellamy said, shifting his eyes away, staring down into his glass. “You sure he’s not with your father?”

“He’s not at White Oaks,” Hal said. “I know that for a fact.” He waited one heartbeat, then two, for Bellamy to speak up; then he planted his hands on the table. “Now—be straight with me. What have you heard?”

Bellamy began picking at a scab on his wrist. “I told the truth when I said I haven’t seen him. But I’ve heard he’s been in and out of taverns and barracks houses for the past few days, asking a lot of questions about where the king might be holding prisoners. I went looking for him—I was going to sit him down and tell him to quit that foolishness and go home. But it always seems like I’m a few steps behind. One thing I’ll say for him, he moves quick and he doesn’t lay his head down in the same place twice.”

Hal swore. Robert was as subtle and stealthy as any charging bull. It wouldn’t take long for the blackbirds to catch wind of this. But if Robert found out Hal was here looking for him, he’d go deeper underground than ever. The city was too big and the situation too dangerous to be playing hounds and hares.

But he had to try.

“Tell me he’s using a fake name, at least?”

Bellamy laughed. “He’s calling himself Cordray.”

That was the name of their old tutor.

“Could I ask for a favor?”

“You can ask,” Bellamy said, with a sigh. “Just remember, I’m not the hero you are. King Gerard was a cold, ruthless bastard, but at least there was a purpose to most of what he did. King Jarat—he’s a monster.”

Great, Hal thought. My mother and sister are held prisoner by a monster, and my brother seems determined to join them.

Hal ripped a page from his journal and scribbled a note on it.

Mr. Cordray—

I may have the information you are looking for. I’ll be at the Golden Horn each evening between six and nine.

—A friend

It was a laughably transparent ruse, but it might make Robert curious enough to show up.

He handed it to Bellamy. “If you could leave this with the duty officer at the garrison house, I’d appreciate it. I’ll cover some of the taverns around here and we’ll see if I can lure him out of hiding.”

Bellamy nodded, tucking the note away. “I’ll do that, Captain. I just want to say—I’m glad you’re not dead.”

Hal laughed. “Not yet.”

“Be careful, all right? I hope we both live to see the day that I can fight under your command again.”

“Or I can fight under your command.” Hal stood and embraced his friend. “I hope there will come a day that we can quit fighting and share a beer without looking over our shoulders.”





28


TAKING THE BAIT


For the next two nights, Hal had his dinner in the common room of the Golden Horn, watching the comings and goings through the door. He’d chosen that place because it was a busy taproom, the food was good, and it wasn’t where he was staying. The only downside was that it did seem to attract a lot of blackbirds, who dined and drank in noisy flocks all evening long. It was hard to sit there nursing a drink when his father was at White Oaks preparing to march on the capital, Alyssa Gray was on her way across the Indio, and who knew how far the enemy had advanced in the north. He couldn’t even distract himself by reading because he had to keep his eye out for his quarry.