It does, Maddyn said at last. Perhaps the doors been walled up.
The princesss pages, however, gave up less easily. The two boys began poking at the mortar and pushing rather randomly on the stones. All at once the wall groaned, or so it sounded, a long sigh of pain. The boys yelped and jumped back.
So! Bellyra said. Ill wager we have a spys hole or suchlike here. The royal council chamber, the one on the second floor of the main broch, should be right near here.
The pages set to again. Dark-haired and hazel-eyed, they were Gwerbret Ammerwdds sons, and apparently they had inherited that great lords stubbornness. They pushed, prodded, laid their backs against the wall and shoved until, all at once, a section of wall swung inward with an alarming collection of squeaks, groans, and rumbles.
Look, Your Highness! said Vertyc, the elder of the pair. Heres the door!
Not a very secret one, I must say, with a noise like that. Bellyra took a few steps forward to peer through the opening. It wants oiling, most like.
Maddyn joined her and peered through the opening.
Its more a passageway than a room inside, Maddyn said.
It might lead to the council chamber. I wonder if the kings had this made to eavesdrop on their councillors. There was a hidden chamber like this in Dun Cerrmor. By the end my father didnt trust anyone, and so he had one built.
Shall we find out? Maddyn said.
By all means! Bellyra gestured at the pages. You two stay out here. If that door swings shut, we could be trapped. Dont look so disappointed! You can explore it once we come out again, and well watch the door for you.
The narrow passage smelled heavily of mice. Some twenty feet along they heard voices: Nevyn and Councillor Oggyn. Grinning, Bellyra held a finger to her lips. When they stopped to listen, the sound came clearly.
The springs upon us, Oggyn was saying. We need to requisition mules and suchlike.
Ive no idea how many well need, Nevyn said. It depends upon the muster.
Bellyra could just make out Maryns voice. Apparently he was sitting at some distance from the wall. As the two councillors continued talking about provisions and transport, Bellyra felt on the edge of tears. The army would ride out soon, leaving her and the other women behind with only the familiar summer terrors for company.
When she glanced at Maddyn, she found him leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. It never ceased to amaze her how fighting men would sleep whenever they could, no matter how precarious their balance. Grey streaked Maddyns dark curly hair, and he was weather-beaten and gaunt from his soldiers life, but it was his kindness that had snared her. This summer she would worry doubly, she realized, both for her husband and for the man upon whose devotion she had come to rely when dark moods overtook her. For a moment she found herself tempted to kiss him awake. The feeling brought a cold panic with it. As the queen of all Deverry, she would have to keep her honour as pure as a priest of Bel. She took a sharp step back, kicked a rattling stone, and woke him.
Its stuffy in here, she whispered. Lets leave.
Out in the cleaner air of the chamber Maddyn took a few deep breaths and rubbed his eyes. Bellyra sent the boys in for their look around, then watched him while he studied the fragment of map.
Truly interesting, Maddyn said at last. So kings eavesdrop like commoners, do they?
It looks as if the ones here did. The next time Maryn holds a full council Ill remember this. I always wonder what hes like when there are no women around. He must be quite different.
One would hope.
Bellyra laughed, and not very decorously, either. There was a time when that jest would have wounded her to the heart, she realized. Maddyn grinned at her.
Now the real question, she went on, is when this passage was built. Ive not found a thing about it in the records, which makes sense, of course. They could hardly keep it secret if they talked about it. But then, I wonder who did the building?
Perhaps the king had them slain afterwards.
Ych! I hope not. Although Bellyra paused, thinking. Nevyn has an ancient book called TALES OF THE DAWNTIME. According to that, the earliest brochs in Deverry werent built with proper floors and chambers and suchlike. They had double walls, with a good-sized space between them, you see, and they were empty like a chimney in the centre, because there would only be one big fire at the bottom to keep everyone warm. And in those double walls were little rooms and some sort of corridor called galleries.
I see. This passage could be a remnant of a gallery, then. The heart of Dun Deverrys very old, after all.
Just so, and then the only thing the later king would have had to add would have been this door. And he might have been able to have that made secretly, if he paid the mason enough.
True-spoken. And especially if the mason were as close-mouthed as Otho, say.
Quite so. I wonder if our pages have had enough exploring in there? I hate to admit this, Maddo, but Im tired and I want to sit down.
Maddyn called to the boys, and in a few moments they hurried out. Cobwebs glistened in their hair.
Theres a little staircase at the end, your highness, Vertyc said. But it doesnt go up to anything.
Unless its a false floor, his brother, Tanno, joined in, but it would make ever so much noise to find out.
Wed best wait till the princes council isnt in session, then, Bellyra said. But dont worry, well come back to look at it.
They all hurried down the staircase and outside to find the sunlight leaving them. From the south, white clouds were gliding in, billowing up into the sky with the promise of a storm. Servants trotted back and forth, fetching firewood for the great hall while they kept an eye out for the rain. Bellyra picked her way slowly over the uneven cobblestones with Vertyc at her elbow to steady her. She was so intent on not falling that they were halfway across before she realized that she was hearing the sound of a man screaming in rage. She stopped walking and looked up, glancing around.
Across the ward by the main gate, two men had faced off. Their white shirts, embroidered with a grey dagger down the sleeves, marked them as silver daggers, members of the princes personal guard. They were both of them blond and burly, but one was a good head taller than the other Branoic, she realized, and facing him Owaen, captain of the troop, pacing back and forth and shouting so angrily that his words made no sense.
Maddo, whats that all about? Bellyra said.
Oh ye gods! Maddyn said. I dont know, my lady, but Id best attend to it.
By all means. Lets go over. If Im there Owaen will have to stop screaming like that.
Truly, and my thanks.
Indeed the royal presence did bring Owaen to his senses. He fell silent and bowed to the princess, but he trembled all over, and his face had gone dead-white. Branoic was smiling, Bellyra suddenly realized, a wicked tight curve of his mouth, as if he were enjoying each and every moment of Owaens rage.
Your highness. Branoic bowed low. Your husband has given me a splendid boon, and Ill thank you for it as well. I know you must have spoken with him about bestowing land upon me.
Your highness. Branoic bowed low. Your husband has given me a splendid boon, and Ill thank you for it as well. I know you must have spoken with him about bestowing land upon me.
I did, and youre most welcome. She turned to Owaen with as pleasant a smile as she could muster. But whats so wrong, captain?
Forgive me, your highness, but is your husband going to make him a lord as well.
Of course.
But the blazon forgive me you wouldnt understand, your highness.
Oh ye gods! Maddyn broke in. He didnt give Branno the eagles back?
He did. Owaen could barely force the words out. Just that.
Branoic tossed back his head and howled with laughter. With one smooth curve of his body Owaen turned and hit him so hard in the stomach that Branoic doubled over. Maddyn grabbed Owaens arm, but he could hold him for only a brief moment just long enough for Branoic to get his wind back.
You bastard! Branoic snarled.
Owaen shook Maddyn off and charged. Branoic met him with the slap of one huge hand, then swung on him with the other. Screaming curses Owaen grabbed his shirt with both hands and shook him like a rat whilst Branoic pounded on his enemys back. For a moment they swayed back and forth like drunken men; then Owaen tripped, and they both fell. Clasped in each others arms they rolled around on the cobbles while they swore and kicked and punched each other. All Maddyn could do was dance around them and try to make himself heard.
Stop it! Maddyn was screaming. Not in front of the princess! You cursed hounds, stop it!
Here! It was Nevyn, running with all the speed and grace of a young man. What by Lord of Hell!
Nevyn flung up one hand, then snapped it down with the gesture of a man throwing dice. Silvery-blue flames shot from his fingers and struck the cobbles with a crack like thunder and a burst of light. With a yelp the two wrestlers broke their holds and rolled a little way apart. Owaen sat up, rubbing his right eye which was swelling shut. Maddyn darted forward and grabbed Branoic to keep him off his prey, but Branoic made no objection. He sat up, rested briefly, then got up and stood rubbing his bloody, bruised knuckles while he panted for breath. Owaen scrambled up after him. Dirt and muck smeared their white shirts and the rest of them as well.
There, Nevyn said mildly. Thats better. Now whats all this?
Prince Maryn gave Branoic his grant of land and letters patent today, Maddyn said. He gave Branoic the right to use eagles for his blazon.
And? Nevyn said. Oh wait. The feud. Ye gods, lads! When did it start? Over ten years ago at least!
Branoic nodded, staring at the ground. Owaen started to speak, then suddenly turned to Bellyra and knelt. Blood ran down his cheeks. His face was so pale that it reminded her of a fishs belly.
My apologies, your highness, Owaen stammered. For losing my temper like this in front of you. I meant no insult. Ye gods, can you find it in your heart to forgive me?
If she didnt, Bellyra realized, Prince Maryn would have him flogged.
Of course I forgive you, she said hastily. Do get up, Owaen! Branoic, I forgive you too. But Id much prefer to never see such again.
My lady is too generous. Branoic ducked his head in her direction. Ill do my best not to shame myself in front of her again.
Good. Dont. And now you owe me an explanation. What eagles?
It was my fathers blazon, your highness, Branoic said. Not that I was ever a legitimate son of his. But when I joined the silver daggers, Owaen had me take it off my gear. It looked like his mark, says he that falcon he puts on everything he owns.
Owaen crossed his arms over his chest and glowered at the cobbles.
And now my husbands given you an eagle blazon? Bellyra thought for a moment. Well, make them a different colour. Thats what the heralds did with the wyvern device, isnt it? The usurpers clan used green for theirs, and so we took the same wyvern but made it red.
My lady is as clever as she is beautiful. Nevyn said. Branoic?
A wise thought, your highness, and do it I will. Here. Owaens falcon is red. What if I have a silver eagle? And I can have the heralds turn its head in the opposite direction, too.
Owaen? Nevyn turned to the captain.
That will suit, my lord. Owaen looked up at last. My apologies to you again, your highness.
Bellyra collected her pages with a wave and turned to go. In the doorway to the main broch Lilli stood shading her eyes with one hand while she watched the scene in the ward. Yet when she saw Bellyra looking her way, she spun around and ran, disappearing into the shadows inside. Poor child! the princess thought. Shes still terrified of me, and here I would have liked her so much if only she werent Maryns mistress.
Youve both had a silver daggers luck, Maddyn said. The prince could have had you both flogged for this, fighting out in the ward like a pair of drunken bondmen.
True-spoken, Owaen mumbled. He was gingerly exploring his injured eye with dirty fingers. I didnt know the princess would be right there.
You might have looked. Maddyn turned to Branoic. You, too.
Branoic shrugged and refused to look at him.
Owaen? Nevyn put in. Youd better stop poking at that eye. Let the chirurgeon look at it. Tell him I said to make you up a poultice to draw the swelling off.
I will. Owaen hesitated, then turned on his heel and strode off.
Very well, lads, Nevyn said. Id best be getting back to my chamber. I He stopped at the sight of Lilli, trotting across the cobblestones towards them. So youve come down? No doubt youre worried about your betrothed.
I am, my lord, Lilli said, if youll forgive me.
Of course. The memory work can wait till later.
Nevyn left Branoic in Lillis care and strode across the ward to the side broch that housed his tower room. He wondered if Lilli realized that Branoic had as much of a gift for dweomer as she did. Once the wars were done, and they married, he was planning on teaching both of them. Normally a dweomermaster could take only one apprentice at a time, but the circumstances were hardly normal. He owed Branoic a deep debt from an earlier life, when the person who was a burly silver dagger now had been not only a woman, but Nevyns betrothed, Brangwen. I failed her so badly then, he thought. May the Great Ones grant that I may redeem myself now! Yet even though the thought carried the force of a prayer, no omen came to him, as if the matter lay beyond the power of the Great Ones to control.
Up in the big half-round room of the womens hall, warmth and comfort reigned. When Bellyra walked in, her maidservant took her cloak, curtsied, and hurried off to the bedchamber. Near the hearth, where a fire crackled, the princesss serving women rose to greet her. Through the wickerwork partition that separated the hall from the sleeping rooms, she could hear the nursemaids voice, singing the two little princes to sleep for their nap.
Your highness, you look exhausted, Degwa said. Do you think its wise, the way you climb around the towers and suchlike?
Most unwise, Im sure, Bellyra said. But its better than brooding about the baby and wondering whats going to happen to me once its born.