Stormcaster (Shattered Realms #3)(75)

“Hello, Captain Matelon and Corporal Matelon,” he said, sounding amused.

That answered one question—the spymaster knew who they were.

“You’re a long way from Delphi. Wait—isn’t one of you supposed to be dead?” He rubbed his chin, then pointed at Hal. “You, I think.”

Robert said, “My brother has nothing to do with this. He just came to fetch me home. Let him go, and I’ll tell you everything I know.”

“Corporal, that is a brave thing to say, and exceedingly generous, but it’s no way to begin a negotiation, much less a conversation. For one thing, between the two of you, your brother is the more valuable prisoner, being more dangerous to the crown. For another, I have no doubt that if I asked you properly, you would tell me everything you know anyway, and wish that you had more to say.”

“You mean to torture us, then?” Robert folded his arms. “I don’t care what you do to me, I won’t tell you anything.”

“You would do well not to issue me a challenge,” Karn said, tilting his head back as if he were just a little bored by the situation. “You don’t want to arouse my . . . competitive spirit.”

“Lieutenant,” Hal said, “could I speak with my brother a moment?”

Karn waved his assent, and Hal pulled Robert into the far corner. “Did you mean it when you said you were sorry you got me into this?”

“Of course I am. But—”

“Then could you shut up before you get us into more trouble than we’re already in?”

Robert shot a look at Karn, then leaned in close and whispered, “Hal, listen, we can take him, I know we can. And then—”

“He’s a mage, Robert. We wouldn’t get within ten feet of him. If he questions us, he’ll use magic on us. I’d like to think I could resist it somehow, but I have no idea if that’s possible. Why don’t we find out what he wants? Don’t say no before he asks the question. When it comes to answers, I’ll speak for both of us. Is that clear, Corporal?”

“Yes, sir.” Robert stared straight ahead.

I’m so damned glad I’m not fourteen anymore, Hal thought, looking back from the high ground of seven—no, eighteen. He led the way back and sat on the edge of his bunk, his hands resting on his knees. “What is it you want to know, Lieutenant?” he said.

Karn gazed at Hal a moment, as if he could penetrate all the way to the bone. “You seem to be very hard to kill, Captain,” he said. “My father has some skill at killing, and yet he has tried and failed four or five times that I know of, maybe some others that I missed. I’m wondering if you can explain it.”

Hal couldn’t have said what he’d expected, but it certainly wasn’t that. He could feel the pressure of Robert’s stare. “Can I explain why he’s trying to kill me or why he’s failed?”

“My father has never needed much of an excuse to kill people, and I can think of several reasons he’d want to kill you.” Karn shook his head. “No, I’m wondering how you’ve managed to survive this long.”

Hal shrugged. “My luck can’t hold forever.” He gestured, taking in their prison cell. “Obviously.”

“That’s just it,” Karn said. “I think it’s more than luck. For instance, any reasonable person would say that your situation now is hopeless. Yet I have no doubt that you will find a way to survive this, too. I think you must be more clever and resilient than I ever gave you credit for.”

It was an odd sort of compliment. Should I be thanking him? Hal wondered. Or is he flattering me, suggesting that if I turn traitor, he’ll stay the executioner?

When Hal didn’t respond, the spymaster sat up and planted his feet firmly on the floor. “You survived the fall of Delphi, when few of your fellow soldiers did. And now you’ve miraculously escaped and come back to us. Either you are favored by the gods or you have an extraordinary talent. Or is there another explanation?”

Hal was ambushed by a rush of anger. What was he suggesting? That he’d given the city up?

“Is that what this is about? Does the king think I betrayed Delphi to the Fells? Is that the excuse your father is using?” He snorted. “No. I’ve been fighting under the red hawk since I was eleven years old. I’ve been nothing but loyal, and this is how I’m repaid—with suicide missions, assassination attempts, and accusations of treason. No, Lieutenant, I’m not proud of surviving, and I’m not proud of losing. I have been a good soldier—the best I could be—and that is all.” Hal clenched his fists. “So, you tell me—why is your father, my commanding officer, out to get me?”

By now, Robert was staring at him with a mixture of admiration and alarm.

Hal sat back, breathing hard, thinking, This mage is good at what he does. After lecturing Robert, I’ve already said more than I’d planned on.

Karn didn’t seem at all put off by Hal’s heated response. If anything, he seemed amused, almost delighted. “Exactly. I always saw you as more of a hero type than a traitor type.” He leaned in close and said, “My father despises heroes. He thinks that honor is a sign of weakness, and treachery is just another tactic. That’s where you made your mistake.”

Hal and Robert exchanged glances. What was this? Was Karn playing good lieutenant against bad general?