Kumaryn tried. They know that if the Goeren-yai ever got worked up, the lords’ heads would be the first on the block—most Goeren-yai respect the king, but we've got no time for lords.
“So we kept feeding them all this nonsense about Krayliss, and how he was so popular. I did it myself a few times, just made up some pile of manure about the brave deeds of Lord Krayliss to tell some traveller when he was near facedown in his ale. He spreads it to the next town, and people talk, and the next thing you know, Prince Koenyg's hearing talk of great, heroic stories about Lord Krayliss spreading through Valhanan. Better yet, Lord Krayliss hears them too, and like any fool who thinks the stars circle his arse, he believes the people love him. Soon enough, he believes it so much he picks a fight with Hadryn, kills Great Lord Rashyd, and threatens the king with Goeren-yai rebellion. So while all the nobility's got their frilly lace knickers in a twist over Krayliss, they ignore you completely…or almost. Worked a treat, huh?”
Sasha stared at him incredulously. “They ignore me? You…you make it sound as if…as if I'm some kind of…I don't know…”
“Goeren-yai hero?” Teriyan peered down the dark alley into which the figure had entered. Within, there were only shadows. He shrugged. “Maybe. All I knew was better you than Krayliss. Some of us saw this day coming, Sasha. A day when we'd need someone the Goeren-yai could look up to. Prince Koenyg never really believed it could be you, not truly…Goeren-yai never had women leaders before, it seemed a stretch. And who knows, he might yet be right. We'll see.”
“I'm not a damn leader!” Sasha hissed at him. “I'm not some piece on your board game to be moved about at your leisure…”
“Kessligh didn't teach you nothing, did he?” Teriyan gave her a contemptuous stare. “We're all just pieces on some damn board game, girl. Either you play, or you get played. You choose. You're my friend, and I'm sorry you feel betrayed. But my first loyalty is to my people. I was hoping that'd be your first loyalty too.”
“M'Lady,” said another man moving up on her side as they rounded a tight bend between stone walls. From a high window, a baby squalled. “I have some men moving to recover the Udalyn children. The Princess Sofy assisted us in finding them in the palace. Should we bring them?”
Sasha looked up at him—way up, for this man was even taller than Teriyan. Goeren-yai, despite lacking the spirit-mask, like Teriyan. And recently familiar, somehow…her eyes widened, recalling the Royal Guard lieutenant who had let her into the Saint Ambellion Temple with Daryd.
“Is it a good idea to bring children?” she asked warily. “Surely they'll be safe enough here?”
“There's no telling that,” Teriyan said darkly. They were approaching the Soros Library now, its archways looming on the left above dark, clustered rooftops. “They're proof of bad things happening in the valley, someone might decide them more conveniently disposed of. Besides, we may have use of someone who knows Udalyn lands from the inside—the boy may not speak Lenay, but he can draw maps. In an assault, that could save lives.”
“They are Udalyn children, M'Lady,” the lieutenant added. “The hardship shall not trouble them.”
Sasha did not like the idea of taking children on such a ride. This, she realised, was one of those command decisions that she had always wondered if she would have the strength to make for herself. Many more would surely follow. She was no longer poised upon the point of no return. That point was now behind her. The realisation made her dizzy, with fear, excitement and a dozen other things that she had no name for.
“See to the children,” she told the lieutenant. “Perhaps try to find the pony they arrived on, it shall make the journey easier for them.”
“Aye, M'Lady,” said the lieutenant, and made straight for the side road past the library, vanishing quickly in the night.
“His name's Alyn, Koenyg tossed him from the guard,” Teriyan said in a low voice. “Koenyg's done that quite a bit lately. Gained us a whole bag of recruits, he has.”
Cut from the Royal Guard for letting someone into the temple to visit the king. The disgrace would lie heavily on the man's shoulders, Sasha knew, whatever the circumstances. A man so desperate to reclaim his honour might do crazy, reckless things. And she wondered how many more