The King's Traitor (Kingfountain #3)(28)
Captain Ashby saluted and started to pace. “We’ve scoured the castle grounds and taken note of the number of knights protecting it. The cliffs are especially rugged and steep. It would be difficult to lay siege to this place.”
“I saw that myself on the ride up here yesterday,” Owen said wryly. “What else?”
“I took some of the men down to Ploemeur last night. It can’t really be called a city. There are manors on the hilltops all around, but very little down in the valleys. Mostly smaller shops that line the thoroughfares connecting the hills. They carry a variety of things to trade. What surprised me was how many of the merchants are from other kingdoms. There are many from Genevar, Legault, and Atabyrion. Truly a hodgepodge. I don’t think I’ve seen a place like this before. Every few blocks the culture and language changes. This is a major trading hub, my lord. I even bought a few trinkets for my wife and children, little necklaces made of glass beads.”
Owen set his leg down and then began tugging on his other boot. “I wasn’t aware of that. How far is the harbor from here?”
Ashby shook his head. “Not far at all. The tide comes and goes regularly, bringing with it ships from every port. I heard many languages last night.”
Owen continued tightening the buckles. “How were your men treated?”
Ashby shrugged. “There were so many from so many different countries, I don’t think we stood out. When we got back, the palace staff looked like they wanted to spit on us, but the people down below knew nothing of our arrival. Nary a word about it.”
“Thank you, Ashby,” Owen said, finishing his work. He stood and buckled his scabbard around his waist. “So what you’re saying is the kingdom is vulnerable. Especially by sea. It seems they’d probably try to use the woods to block us from getting this far.”
“Aye,” the captain responded. “If you don’t mind, my lord, I’ll get some sleep now myself. We were out a bit late last night, but I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”
Owen nodded, dismissing him. He turned to Etayne, who was dressed and coiffed in the Brythonican fashion.
“So they really hate us now?” he asked her with the quirk of a smile.
She gave him a knowing look. “I think the sentiment is more directed at you right now. The people here are very generous and they care about their duchess. There is an almost reverential feeling when they speak of her. By insulting her, you’ve offended them deeply. There is much gossiping and backbiting about you throughout the castle. They’re suggesting you won’t be the Duke of Brythonica. Only the duchess’s consort.”
Owen started to laugh. “Oh really? I’m not worthy to be a duke outside of Ceredigion? As if Westmarch isn’t three times the size of Brythonica.”
“I thought you didn’t want to become the duke here?” she reminded him.
“I don’t,” he said, frowning. “But I also don’t like being told what I can or can’t have. They’re insulted, though, so that makes good sense. It also gives me a good way to goad the duchess. When I talk to her, I’ll ask about the history of consorts and dukes. Her father was a duke, and she holds rank in her own right. I will definitely insist that the marriage terms include the title. Hopefully, she’ll balk and withdraw her acceptance.” He fidgeted with his belt and smoothed his tunic front. “I received some news from Kevan. Drew is being sent to the palace as a playmate for Genevieve.” He tried to keep from frowning but failed. “I need to get there before events unravel.”
Etayne smiled knowingly and bowed. “Then you should be on your way. She metes out judgment at a place a bit lower than the palace called the House of Pillars. That’s where I would look for her.”
“I will. Thank you, Etayne. Are you going to get some sleep now?”
“I’ve rested enough,” she said. “I’m going to learn more about that patch of woods we passed if I can. The one where we felt the Fountain so strongly.”
He gave her a wary look. “See what you can learn, but we should go there together on our way out. Be careful.”
“I always am,” she answered and turned away.
Owen did not find Lady Sinia at the House of Pillars. The building was comprised of a center main tower with a dome and spire basilica and two lower-level wings jutting from angles on either side of the tower. As Owen approached the beautiful structure, full of windows and arches, it occurred to him that the tower in the middle resembled a piece from a Wizr board. The first floor of the tower and the wings were made of brick. The second and third levels were made of plaster and wood. The roofs were slanted and steep, and there was symmetry in the windows and arches throughout, each one lining up perfectly with the ones above and below. The basilica was made of iron or bronze, a darker color than the rest of the structure. He was intrigued by the design and felt the stirrings of the Fountain emanate from the structure itself.
The duchess had already heard cases and moved to the docks, so he ventured there next, only to find that he had just missed her. Owen was feeling impatient and thwarted after spending several hours trying to catch up to her. Her servants answered him obediently, but he could see the scolding looks in their eyes. After another delay, he was led away from the docks. He had an escort of ten with him, and he could sense their eagerness to explore the trading stalls Ashby had described. He dismissed half of his guard after arranging for them to switch out with the others in an hour. His soldiers gratefully accepted the short furlough.