bell tower. Their father would just have to make the announcement without Piro, not that it mattered. It was Lence's big moment.
But halfway up the steps, he met his twin, headed down.
'Hey, you're going the wrong way. The balcony's up there!' Byren protested.
Lence grinned. He'd been drinking with his honour guard and Byren could smell the fine Rolencian wine on his breath. As usual, his spirits had improved for being just a little bit drunk.
'But I'm headed for the back stairs, Byren. That's where I'm meeting the prettiest little serving maid you ever saw.'
Byren frowned. There wasn't time for dalliance. Their parents would make the announcement as soon as the Merofynian ambassador joined them. Even now, he was being greeted by merchants on the front steps. They would probably delay him for a few minutes as they invited him to dinner with the intention of setting up trade deals with Merofynia. 'But -'
Lence shook off his hand. 'They've lined me up with the Merofynian king's daughter, Byren. She's probably got buck teeth and bad breath. I think I deserve a bit of fun!' He took off down the steps. 'Don't worry, I won't miss the announcement of my own betrothal. I'll arrange to meet this maid later, but first I'll collect a kiss.'
'What of Elina?'
'What the eyes don't see the heart doesn't grieve!' He called over his shoulder.
Byren hesitated. Lence wouldn't want his company, but if the maid was as pretty as he said, he might get distracted and keep their father waiting. King Rolen's temper was legendary. Better follow and keep an eye on him.
Just as he started down, Byren heard the thump of a body hitting the wall and the scrape of a sword being drawn. His heart missed a beat and his hand went to his belt, reaching for his missing sword hilt.
Cursing, Byren took the stairs four at a time, barrelling into the dark little foyer at the base. There was no sign of the serving maid, only three swordsmen, none of whom could be called pretty.
Despite his slightly inebriated state, Lence had disarmed one man. Now he swung this attacker around, using his body as a shield to protect himself from the remaining two. The man's cockatrice cloak impeded his struggles. Byren drew his ceremonial dagger and threw. Though it wasn't designed for throwing, it took the nearest attacker in the back. He fell to his knees with a cry. The other spun around, sword lifting.
Byren had nothing, not even a cloak to wrap around his arm as a shield.
Lence shoved his man forwards. He collided with Byren's attacker, knocking them both off balance while the cloak remained in Lence's hands. Seizing this chance, Byren kicked the attacker's sword arm and the weapon flew from his fingers. Byren drove his fist into the man's jaw. The swordsman staggered back, knocking his companion to the ground.
The man scrambled for the sword and sprang to his feet. Lence backed into the corner. The men advanced on him.
Piro huddled, shivering in her hiding place while she waited for Fyn and his friends' voices to fade as they moved off. Fyn was right, she should not have come here. If she was discovered, the abbot could order her execution. Not that she thought he would, but she couldn't be certain, for no kingsdaughter had ever insulted the goddess of Halcyon before.
She felt sick to her stomach.
This was worse than the time she'd climbed onto Byren's hunter and been thrown.
If she was caught on Ruin Isle today she would disgrace her family. If only she'd thought before she acted, instead of looking forward to pleasing Fyn. That had proved a disaster. Now he was furious with her.
Hot tears stung her eyes. Blinking them away fiercely, she hugged her knees and waited until she heard the horn which meant the acolytes were safely back in Rolenton. Then she crawled out.
Slinging her skates over her shoulder, Piro rubbed her arms and legs to get her circulation back. She had meant to help Fyn become a mystic. Now which branch of the monks would he join?
He wasn't like most men.
Last midsummer, Fyn had taken her into a deserted stable where the straw was thick on the ground, and had shown her how to escape if someone tried to grab her, how to throw her attacker and where to kick to do the most damage.
It had been a wonderful midsummer. They'd rowed out to Ruin Isle so he could teach her how to use