Read Online Stormseer (Storms in Amethir Book 3) by Stephanie A. Cain - Free Book Online
Authors: Stephanie A. Cain
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princess in cold blood does not exactly strike me as an act of peace."
"A good point."
Razem sighed. "I have gone round and round in my mind over this matter, Aris. I cannot believe it was anyone other than the prince of Strid."
"There are those in our kingdom who do not wish for peace." Arisanat made a wry face. "For that matter, I am among them, as you must know."
"You've made no secret of that! But anyone who would commit such a heinous act might not speak out openly against the peace." Razem shook his head. "And what would killing Azmei accomplish, anyway? The peace might be halted temporarily. Or permanently, I suppose, if the killer convinced us Strid was responsible for the attack. But there has never been any evidence that Strid was behind it."
"Isn't it odd that Strid wouldn't claim the kill?" Arisanat asked.
"I don't know. Perhaps they realized that they had crossed a line." Razem rubbed his thumb across his fist. "Perhaps it was Anderlin acting alone, rather than on King Harkai's orders. They would have kept that quiet, were it the case."
"Perhaps." Arisanat didn't sound convinced.
"Azmei was loved by everyone. Even if someone didn't approve of the peace, most of the common folk wouldn't have the resources."
"And the nobility? The Nine may have open access to your father, but the lesser nobles have no such recourse. They would have to file a petition to see your father, and even then he would have the power to deny their request. Perhaps one of them grew impatient."
"It can't be inexpensive to have a princess assassinated," Razem objected. "No, I cannot believe it of any of ours."
From the corner of his eye, he saw Arisanat's shoulders relax. "I am glad to hear it. I would hate to think any of us had lost your confidence."
Razem smiled. "You never could, Aris. You know I love you. For your own sake, as well as for Venra's. We have had many pleasant times together, have we not? Of all the places I have seen in our great kingdom, the hill region around Burojan Manor is my favorite."
Arisanat smiled back and reached over to clap a hand against Razem's shoulder. Though they rode in silence the rest of the morning, Razem felt a weight lifted that he had not realized he carried.
By lunch time, Kho had given all the orders necessary to separate their force in two. He explained it as they ate. When they set out again, the force that was to ride with the prince has separated itself from the merchant caravan. Razem, Kho, and Arisanat joined them, along with Duke Oler's medical wagon. They traveled at a much faster pace that afternoon. As the sun was setting, they could see the squat walls of Salishok in the distance.
Razem gave the messenger letters to carry to both the military and civilian authorities, as well as one for her superior that commended her for her service. Razem and Kho had questioned her during the afternoon about the mood in Salishok, and the prince had found her informed and well-spoken.
The next morning they rose early. Razem had his usual morning status report on Duke Oler's health--he was in good spirits now that they were within a day of their destination, but he had weakened considerably over the course of the journey. They ate breakfast on the march. Razem wanted to arrive at the city by noon. He had given orders that the Strid party should be allowed to arrive in Salishok once the prince's party was inside the gates. There would be rooms prepared for them, though they would be required to leave the majority of their soldiers outside the walls.
The first thing they did when they arrived in Salishok was endure an official welcome from the city leaders. Razem put on his most cordial expression and did his best to convey that he was pleased to be in Salishok again, and that he was looking forward to enjoying all the delights the city had to offer. It was partly true, at least. He enjoyed the dry heat of the Kreyden District, and he was looking forward to the unique fruits that grew in
"A good point."
Razem sighed. "I have gone round and round in my mind over this matter, Aris. I cannot believe it was anyone other than the prince of Strid."
"There are those in our kingdom who do not wish for peace." Arisanat made a wry face. "For that matter, I am among them, as you must know."
"You've made no secret of that! But anyone who would commit such a heinous act might not speak out openly against the peace." Razem shook his head. "And what would killing Azmei accomplish, anyway? The peace might be halted temporarily. Or permanently, I suppose, if the killer convinced us Strid was responsible for the attack. But there has never been any evidence that Strid was behind it."
"Isn't it odd that Strid wouldn't claim the kill?" Arisanat asked.
"I don't know. Perhaps they realized that they had crossed a line." Razem rubbed his thumb across his fist. "Perhaps it was Anderlin acting alone, rather than on King Harkai's orders. They would have kept that quiet, were it the case."
"Perhaps." Arisanat didn't sound convinced.
"Azmei was loved by everyone. Even if someone didn't approve of the peace, most of the common folk wouldn't have the resources."
"And the nobility? The Nine may have open access to your father, but the lesser nobles have no such recourse. They would have to file a petition to see your father, and even then he would have the power to deny their request. Perhaps one of them grew impatient."
"It can't be inexpensive to have a princess assassinated," Razem objected. "No, I cannot believe it of any of ours."
From the corner of his eye, he saw Arisanat's shoulders relax. "I am glad to hear it. I would hate to think any of us had lost your confidence."
Razem smiled. "You never could, Aris. You know I love you. For your own sake, as well as for Venra's. We have had many pleasant times together, have we not? Of all the places I have seen in our great kingdom, the hill region around Burojan Manor is my favorite."
Arisanat smiled back and reached over to clap a hand against Razem's shoulder. Though they rode in silence the rest of the morning, Razem felt a weight lifted that he had not realized he carried.
By lunch time, Kho had given all the orders necessary to separate their force in two. He explained it as they ate. When they set out again, the force that was to ride with the prince has separated itself from the merchant caravan. Razem, Kho, and Arisanat joined them, along with Duke Oler's medical wagon. They traveled at a much faster pace that afternoon. As the sun was setting, they could see the squat walls of Salishok in the distance.
Razem gave the messenger letters to carry to both the military and civilian authorities, as well as one for her superior that commended her for her service. Razem and Kho had questioned her during the afternoon about the mood in Salishok, and the prince had found her informed and well-spoken.
The next morning they rose early. Razem had his usual morning status report on Duke Oler's health--he was in good spirits now that they were within a day of their destination, but he had weakened considerably over the course of the journey. They ate breakfast on the march. Razem wanted to arrive at the city by noon. He had given orders that the Strid party should be allowed to arrive in Salishok once the prince's party was inside the gates. There would be rooms prepared for them, though they would be required to leave the majority of their soldiers outside the walls.
The first thing they did when they arrived in Salishok was endure an official welcome from the city leaders. Razem put on his most cordial expression and did his best to convey that he was pleased to be in Salishok again, and that he was looking forward to enjoying all the delights the city had to offer. It was partly true, at least. He enjoyed the dry heat of the Kreyden District, and he was looking forward to the unique fruits that grew in
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