Read Online Tyrant's Blood by Fiona McIntosh - Free Book Online Page A

at each other. They were frightened, Greven realised. That made him feel more assured than he’d felt since the moment he’d first received word ofbeing asked after. And Piven was safe in the woods, where no one would find him.
    The pot of dinch was served. ‘Can I get you anything else?’ the girl asked his hosts.
    They both shook their heads and she smiled sweetly and left. Greven poured from the pot, more for something to do than from a desire to drink. When the couple remained silent, he spoke up boldly.
    ‘Master Clovis, Reuth, I don’t know either of you but I’ve had to pretend I do in order not to confuse the folk I live alongside each day. Now whether you’re from Medhaven or as far flung as Percheron I could not care, but I require an explanation for why you are here, masquerading as old friends.’ He sighed. ‘I don’t care for secrets,’ he lied.
    Reuth nodded. ‘Tell him everything, Clovis.’
    Clovis cleared his throat and Greven gave the man his full attention, surprised to see the couple give a surreptitious glance around.
    ‘We are alone,’ he assured. ‘Whatever you have to say will not be overheard.’
    ‘I was at Brighthelm soon after the invasion of Penraven—so was my wife. We had been rounded up and taken with other Vested to learn our fate. Some of us they wanted, others they killed. There was no way of knowing which we’d be. It was a terrible time,’ Clovis said and Reuth placed a hand on his arm. ‘Anyway,’ he continued. ‘That’s all history. We were saved by a man called Freath—one of the close aides to the Valisars. We never fully appreciated his perilous position and how he endangered his life daily to keep us safe and to protect the Valisar sons.’
    ‘Forgive me. While tragic though it all was, I have to wonder at this point why I’m here…what your story has to do with me,’ Greven said, as politely but firmly as he could.
    Reuth smiled. ‘Clovis is always one to tell a story.’
    Clovis cleared his throat. ‘I shall finish it quickly then,’ he said but without any offence in his voice. ‘While Reuth was fortunate to be given an escape route by Freath, I was kept behind and became privy to some of Freath’s plans. I know not only did the heir, Leonel, escape the palace but I also know that the other adopted son who was simple of mind, also somehow got away. He was lost, in fact, for want of a better word. Freath was inconsolable and as I did not have the stomach for his intrigues and what they required, I agreed to leave the relative safety of the palace to find Piven. I found Reuth first but I have never stopped looking for the boy.’
    ‘This is all fascinating, I’ll admit,’ Greven said, eyeing the couple, masking his despair with an ingenuous smile and a soft shake of the head. It seemed his fears had finally come home to roost this bright Blossomtide day. ‘But I fail to see how—’
    ‘The boy you live with is the son of the Valisar royals, isn’t he?’ Reuth pressed, leaning forward.
    Greven didn’t know how to answer. He froze, searching for the right response that did not incriminate him or Piven.
    Clovis sighed. ‘Master Lark, you should know that as a Master Diviner, my inherent skills have assisted in finding you. But, more importantly, my wife has visions. It was her magic that, after years of me searching, led me to you.’
    Greven regarded them both, his face deliberately devoid of expression but his insides churning with anxiety.
    ‘You have nothing to fear from us, Master Lark,’ Clovis repeated. ‘As I explained, it has been my mission for the last decade to find the boy.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Do you admit that the child you call Petor is Piven, the invalid adopted son of the Valisars?’
    ‘Absolutely not,’ Greven replied, his throat threatening to close on the lie. He filled his lungs with indignation and continued, ‘This is an outrageous claim and I’ll ask you not to levy such accusations publicly.’
    Clovis shook his