Read Online Ice Forged (The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga) by Gail Z. Martin - Free Book Online
Authors: Gail Z. Martin
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until summer, when life begins again. Torven’s constellation, the Conjuror, rises for the winter.” Garnoc sipped his brandy and cast a glance at Conner to assure his attention.
“You know of the planets in their courses?’
“Yes, m’lord. They move about our sun, like bees in a hive.”
Garnoc nodded, pleased at Connor’s answer. “You’ve been paying attention.”
“Aye, m’lord.”
“Atriella says that once every seventy years, the outermost planets, Veo and Iderban, form a perfect line. If they align when Esthrane’s constellation is high, it augurs for prosperity and good harvest. But if they align when Torven’s stars are ascendant, it is a dark omen, full of changes and of things not being what they seem.”
Connor nodded, though he was unsure that he trusted in the star-seers as much as his lord. “Veo, the Thief. And Iderban, the Assassin,” he mused. Garnoc had told him once that the most remote planets were so named because they were faint to the eye without a spying glass, with shadowy, elusive shapes.
“Atriella believes that the omen bodes badly for the war, and for Donderath’s part in the fighting.” Lord Garnoc shook his head. “Given the news that we’re privy to, I fear she is right. If Vellanaj is able to maintain its blockade, we’ll be forced to feed our people and provision our army without the benefit of trade from abroad.” He paused for a moment, lost in thought.
“It’s a bad business, with winter coming. Likely to stir up all kinds of unrest. Hungry people at home make it difficult for a king to focus on the warfront.” He met Connor’s gaze. “It’slikely to create other problems as well if the folks in the ginnels start looking for someone to blame. I believe Lanyon will want to know what we’ve learned.”
Connor nodded. “When do you want me to take the message?”
“Go now. It’ll be a few days before the king has more news. This has potential to affect Lanyon and his people. He needs to be warned.”
“Shall I wait until after you’re finished with your meal?”
Garnoc smiled. “You can take care of the table when you get back. Millicent and I have some catching up to do.”
CHAPTER FOUR
C ONNOR MADE SURE NO ONE SAW HIM LEAVING Lord Garnoc’s rooms. He took the servants’ stairs down to the first floor, pausing only long enough to retrieve his cloak from his own room. Quillarth Castle had dozens of back stairways and at this hour, long after supper, the passageways were quiet.
Even the stables were empty of groomsmen and hired hands as Connor saddled his horse and led it from its stall. He encountered no one until he reached the gate, when a bored guard asked only if he intended to return that night.
Connor had not gone far beyond the walls of Quillarth Castle before he turned from the main road. There was a full moon, and it lit the way as he urged his horse along the meandering streets that would lead him out of the city and into the countryside.
He had been careful to hide his feelings when Garnoc sent him on the errand, but inside, Connor felt his stomach twist.
How long until Garnoc realizes I may have betrayed him?
Connor wondered. The question was rarely far from his mind. Garnoc had already noticed something was wrong. He had admonishedConnor more than once for allowing his attention to stray. But the fact that Garnoc still kept Connor in his service told him that he had not yet been found out.
I should confess
, Connor thought for the hundredth time.
Even though I don’t quite know what I’m confessing about.
He had been down this line of reasoning before, and it always led him in circles.
What do I tell him? That twice I’ve been waylaid on the way back from carrying a message, but that I’ve got no clue about who attacked me? That they left me unconscious in a ditch, and I awoke with no memory of where I’d been for the past few candlemarks?
Connor shook his head.
Who would believe me? I hadn’t been drinking, but
“You know of the planets in their courses?’
“Yes, m’lord. They move about our sun, like bees in a hive.”
Garnoc nodded, pleased at Connor’s answer. “You’ve been paying attention.”
“Aye, m’lord.”
“Atriella says that once every seventy years, the outermost planets, Veo and Iderban, form a perfect line. If they align when Esthrane’s constellation is high, it augurs for prosperity and good harvest. But if they align when Torven’s stars are ascendant, it is a dark omen, full of changes and of things not being what they seem.”
Connor nodded, though he was unsure that he trusted in the star-seers as much as his lord. “Veo, the Thief. And Iderban, the Assassin,” he mused. Garnoc had told him once that the most remote planets were so named because they were faint to the eye without a spying glass, with shadowy, elusive shapes.
“Atriella believes that the omen bodes badly for the war, and for Donderath’s part in the fighting.” Lord Garnoc shook his head. “Given the news that we’re privy to, I fear she is right. If Vellanaj is able to maintain its blockade, we’ll be forced to feed our people and provision our army without the benefit of trade from abroad.” He paused for a moment, lost in thought.
“It’s a bad business, with winter coming. Likely to stir up all kinds of unrest. Hungry people at home make it difficult for a king to focus on the warfront.” He met Connor’s gaze. “It’slikely to create other problems as well if the folks in the ginnels start looking for someone to blame. I believe Lanyon will want to know what we’ve learned.”
Connor nodded. “When do you want me to take the message?”
“Go now. It’ll be a few days before the king has more news. This has potential to affect Lanyon and his people. He needs to be warned.”
“Shall I wait until after you’re finished with your meal?”
Garnoc smiled. “You can take care of the table when you get back. Millicent and I have some catching up to do.”
CHAPTER FOUR
C ONNOR MADE SURE NO ONE SAW HIM LEAVING Lord Garnoc’s rooms. He took the servants’ stairs down to the first floor, pausing only long enough to retrieve his cloak from his own room. Quillarth Castle had dozens of back stairways and at this hour, long after supper, the passageways were quiet.
Even the stables were empty of groomsmen and hired hands as Connor saddled his horse and led it from its stall. He encountered no one until he reached the gate, when a bored guard asked only if he intended to return that night.
Connor had not gone far beyond the walls of Quillarth Castle before he turned from the main road. There was a full moon, and it lit the way as he urged his horse along the meandering streets that would lead him out of the city and into the countryside.
He had been careful to hide his feelings when Garnoc sent him on the errand, but inside, Connor felt his stomach twist.
How long until Garnoc realizes I may have betrayed him?
Connor wondered. The question was rarely far from his mind. Garnoc had already noticed something was wrong. He had admonishedConnor more than once for allowing his attention to stray. But the fact that Garnoc still kept Connor in his service told him that he had not yet been found out.
I should confess
, Connor thought for the hundredth time.
Even though I don’t quite know what I’m confessing about.
He had been down this line of reasoning before, and it always led him in circles.
What do I tell him? That twice I’ve been waylaid on the way back from carrying a message, but that I’ve got no clue about who attacked me? That they left me unconscious in a ditch, and I awoke with no memory of where I’d been for the past few candlemarks?
Connor shook his head.
Who would believe me? I hadn’t been drinking, but
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