Inker and Crown

Chapter 18

18

Allora

The sweeping lawns had changed much in the early weeks of spring. Flowers bloomed brightly in every garden bed. Lush indigos, pinks, and violets burst through the emerald leaves. Even knowing the sorcerers had a hand in the gardens didn’t pale their beauty.

Fruit trees grew along the walls, their branches pressed flat against the stone, feeding the trees extra warmth from the sun. It was still too early in the season for fruit to drip from their branches, but leaves had appeared, giving a promise of pleasant things to come.

“It’s more a matter of what Ilbrea needs.”

Allora continued to studiously ignore the King’s words, focusing instead on the sculpted hedges. The groundskeeper claimed he did the work himself, but staring at the perfect replica of the Ilbrean Star, Allora suspected sorcerer involvement.

“Ilbrea needs the southern islands,” Lord Karron said. “I know we’ve suffered heavy losses sailing that far into the storms before, but there are whole stretches of islands that lay beyond. I’ve seen a few of them from the decks of the ships.”

“And have only been able to land on one.” The King waved a flippant hand through the air.

Allora closed her eyes, willing herself to be strong enough not to listen. She was there as an ornament, not as a thinking being.

Father won’t blame you for listening. But the King will. Do not displease your King, Allora.

“And that one island brought us knowledge and riches beyond what the dozen journeys to the Barrens have given,” Lord Karron said. “That is why I have chosen to lead the journey myself.”

Allora clenched her fists, digging her nails painfully into her palms. Knowing her father planned on leading the dangerous expedition and hearing him speak of it to the King were two entirely different matters.

“No.”

Allora’s eyes flew open at the King’s pronouncement.

“Your Highness,” Lord Karron said. “The journey needs to be made―”

“Lady Allora”―the King bowed to her―“please do join us as we walk.”

Allora smoothed her green skirt and stood, leaving the safety of the carved stone bench to take the King’s arm.

“Lady Allora, I assume you heard your father volunteering to lead a year-long journey attempting to break through the southern storms to explore the islands and whatever might lie beyond.”

Allora glanced at her father for a split second, just long enough to see his tiny nod.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Allora said.

“Do you think your father is a good man?” the King asked.

Allora’s breath caught in her throat. “My father is the best of all men.”

“A daring thing to say while walking on the arm of your King.” The King raised an eyebrow at her, though his teal eyes twinkled with mocking, not anger.

“I might call you an exquisitely close second.” Allora held her breath until the King laughed heartily, shaking her arm in his. “I do hope you’ll forgive the bias of a daughter.”

“Were I ever blessed with a child, I would hope for nothing less from them. You’ve raised her well all on your own, Lord Karron.” The King led them down a path of tall shrubs that blocked the views of both the high wall that surrounded them and the palace.

“I would say she did most of the work on her own,” Lord Karron said. “I was so often gone.”

“And was it a detriment when your father was gone?” The King stopped to examine a bush of crimson flowers.

“A detriment?” Allora smiled, the expression tight on her lips.

“If your father is the best of all men, is Ilara not a better city for having him within its limits?” The King let go of Allora’s arm.

“To me, of course,” Allora said as the King picked the largest of the red blooms. “But my father is the best Map Maker Ilbrea has seen since Aximander himself. He has brought knowledge and riches to this country. It would be a waste of his gifts to beg him to stay by his daughter’s side.”

Allora froze as the King took the end of her blond braid in his hand and slipped the stem of the flower between its folds.

“But what if it were not for his daughter’s sake?” The King looped Allora’s arm back through his and continued down the path as though he’d done nothing strange. “What if it were for the good of the kingdom that he stay?”

“The good of the kingdom?” Allora said.

The high hedges gave way to white-barked trees. The sunlight glimmered down through the bright green leaves that fluttered with the afternoon breeze.

“Who is your second, Lord Karron?” the King asked.

“Seamus Traim,” Lord Karron said. “You’ve met him.”

“He’s experienced and ambitious, I remember.” The King stopped at a bench carved of white wood. He sat and drew Allora down to sit beside him. “But he’s not a very stately figure. He’s not particularly pleasant. And he has yet to bring in enough bounty to build himself a fine house, let alone a palace fit for entertaining guests from Wyrain.”

“If you would like to impress guests with my home, I think Allora would be a better host than an old man who’s more suited to the wild than a ballroom,” Lord Karron said. “I am known for my accomplishments in journeying, not charming dignitaries.”

“And you, Lady Allora?” the King turned to her, the bright teal of his eyes more startling than beautiful. There was a keen intensity behind his gaze, a power that often made Allora forget the King still had a few years before he’d reach his thirtieth birthday. “Would you be willing to leave behind your hours of leisure to entertain the dignitaries Wyrain is sending to inspect our fine city?”

“I have never been one for leisure, Your Highness.” Allora gave a small bow of her head, grateful for a reason to look away from the King’s piercing eyes. “If you think I am fit to take my father’s place as host so he might travel to the southern islands, then I would be honored to do my duty for Ilbrea.”

Fool. You could have kept him safe.

It was a childish thought. Even if she had told the King foreigners terrified her and then vomited on his shoes, her father still would have found a way to go to the southern islands. Neither King nor daughter could keep Lord Karron from a journey once his course was set. That power lay with Dudia alone.

“I am glad to see I will have a Karron by my side when the masses from over the mountains descend upon us.” The King took Allora’s hand in his, pressing his lips to her fingers. “It brings me great comfort.”

Allora froze, a pleasant smile locked upon her face, waiting for her father to say something. To take her by the arm and lead her away. To tell the King there was a pressing matter that required his attention. But no help came.

“You do understand why the truce with Wyrain is so important?” the King asked, with no hint he had done anything embarrassing or intimate.

“We need a better route to the Golden Sea,” Allora said, grateful when the King stood, again looping her arm through his and leading her down the white-wooded path. “The Spice Trail is the only road we have right now, and Wyrain taxes everything that crosses through their side of the eastern mountains. If we could use the road freely or form a shorter path to the Golden Sea, goods could be brought in with less expense.”

“Very good,” the King said. “You are as clever as I had hoped.”

Clever, like a child reciting a rhyme.

“And Wyrain has no magic within its borders,” Allora continued, not needing to look at her father to feel his disapproval stinging the back of her neck. “Those with the gift of sorcery have only ever been born within the borders of Ilbrea. No other country has been blessed with the magical gifts Dudia nurtured within the Sorcerers Guild. We want gold and spices. Wyrain wants magic. But magic can’t be shared with enemies. The result could be disastrous. Giving them an advantage if their men should ever pour over the eastern mountains to burn our country.”

“Really?” the King said.

“The only solution is to lock the countries together so closely war could no longer be considered.” Allora stopped, turning to face the King. “And to make sure if the truce ever did crumble, Ilbrea would be strong enough to push Wyrain’s army off the eastern mountains. To move the mountains themselves should the time come.”

The King examined Allora, looking from her eyes to the red flower in her hair.

“You are far brighter than I have ever given you credit for, Lady Allora.” The King smiled. “I think you will stand up very well to the Wyrain delegation. Lord Karron, if you wish to journey to the southern islands, so be it. But do be sure your affairs are in order so Lady Allora can represent the Map Makers Guild and manage your estate in your stead.”

“Represent the Guild?” The words tumbled from Allora’s mouth.

“Things are changing in Ilbrea.” The King kissed Allora’s hand again. “We cannot behave as we have in the past. A strong leader while tramping in the dirt will do us no good with diplomacy. Traim may be a fine hand at plotting a river, but Allora will have the seat at the table in front of Wyrain.”

“In ceremony only.” Allora forced air into her lungs.

“In whatever capacity best serves Ilbrea,” the King said. “I do hope I can always count on you for that.”

“Of course, Your Highness.” Allora bowed.

“Safe journey, Lord Karron.” The King strode away, leaving Lord Karron and Allora in the trees.

“Allora.” Lord Karron seized his daughter’s arm, dragging her down the path. “Allora.”

“What?” Allora asked as they passed back into the high hedges.

“For once in your life, could you not have remained silent?” Lord Karron growled with anger in his voice that sounded foreign to Allora’s ears.

“He asked me to speak,” Allora whispered. “He asked you to bring me here. You want to go to the southern islands. You’ve been saying as much since you returned from your last journey. I made sure you could go. How was I wrong?”

“You don’t understand. The last thing we need is for you to attract the King’s attention.” The anger disappeared from her father’s face, replaced with lines of fatigue and worry that seemed just as foreign. “You think you’re normal, Allora. You see yourself as a pretty girl who’s been left behind to keep our home and our secrets safe. But you are so much more than that.” Lord Karron took his daughter’s face in his hands. “And you’ve just shown the King exactly how valuable you are.”