"If I wrote it down, would you give the paper to him?"
"Stop it!" Agel said before she could reply. "Leave her alone. She is no one you may address, much less command."
The stranger glared at him. "In this matter, I would crawl on my belly if it would get me to the throne room. I have asked you, begged you. But you cannot dismiss the past long enough to think of the empire. Now I ask this woman. I beg her."
"Stop!" Agel cried.
"For once, will you not listen to me? I must speak to the emperor, and as soon as possible. It is vital-"
"Vital for the preservation of your own hide," Agel said spitefully. "You have finally gone too far. I know how you are. You have ruined your relationship with your master- defied him, insulted him, or attacked him. And now you think you will run to the emperor for clemency. As though the emperor cares one jot for who you are."
"You"re wrong," the stranger said. "It isn"t like that. It isn"t-" Breaking off, he put out his hand and braced himself against the wall. He looked suddenly white and spent.
Agel hesitated long enough to make Elandra angry again, but before she could urge him he took the stranger by the arm and steadied him. Gently he probed here and there, checking pulse points, examining more burn marks beneath the mud and soot.
"What has happened?" he asked, his voice softer now.
The stranger winced. "Trouble. Terrible trouble. He brought it on himself."
"You were with him?" the healer asked cautiously. "At his side, as usual?"
Wearily the stranger nodded. He dropped onto the stool and sat there with his head down. "Sidraigh-hal," he muttered. "Brought him back. I carried him ... I don"t know how many miles. We lost the horses."
Agel gripped his arm. "Where is he now? Is he hurt?"
"Yes."
"Then I must attend him at once. Where is he? Did you bring him here?"
"Gault, no," the stranger said, horrified. "I left him on the doorstep of his house, for his d.a.m.ned servants to find. He can rot in his bed, for all I care. I"ve done enough-"
"No, you haven"t done enough," Agel said. He strode to his cabinet and began filling a leather pouch with items. "Why didn"t you inform me of this immediately? To what extent is he injured?"
The stranger glanced at Elandra, and his face grew tight and distrustful. He said nothing.
Agel sighed and came hurrying over to her. "My lady, please," he said softly. "I think it best if you go."
She stood her ground. "And I think it better if I understand more of this intrigue, healer. Who is this man who has come to you for help? And who is his master?"
Agel might have a stony face, but his eyes flinched at her questions. Seeing that, she knew she was right to be suspicious.
"Answer me," she commanded.
"Lady, I dare not." Frowning, he glanced at the man who had come to him for help. "Until I understand what has happened, I can give you no-"
"Who are these men?" she demanded more loudly.
The blond man rose to his feet and advanced on her. "Put her out, Agel. Already she has heard too much."
"I cannot put her out, you fool!" Agel said to him. "Have a care."
"A simpering courtier"s wife? She"s in the way. Already she knows more than is good for her."
Elandra glared at him and let her veil fall. She"d had enough of this overgrown lout who was clearly up to no good. "You will tell me now who you are," she said in a voice of steel. "I command it."
The man glared back, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. His face was mulish with defiance. "Go to-"
"Caelan, don"t! don"t!" Agel said with a gasp. "If you value your miserable life ... if you value mine ... go no further."
The man named Caelan turned white, then a dull shade of red. He turned on the healer with unmistakable menace and gripped him by the front of his robe.
"You fool!" he snarled. "You had courage once. Now you quail and quiver even before a woman-"
"She"s not just a woman," Agel retorted, pulling free. "She is the empress!"
Caelan jerked back from him, and looked from the healer to her and back again in plain disbelief. Then his gaze returned to her, standing there haughty, angry, and unafraid. Consternation filled his face.
He went to one knee, bowing low, and said nothing.
The instant obeisance and humility in a man so fierce, so masculine, so rough absurdly pleased her. She hid that, however, and turned her gaze on the healer.
He looked as though he wished the floor would swallow him whole.
For her part, Elandra was busy thinking. The name Caelan sounded familiar to her. She had heard it before, in pa.s.sing, perhaps from the guards or some of the servants. A wager ... ah, that was it. He was a gladiator, the champion of the seasonal games. A partic.i.p.ant in a hideous, bloodthirsty sport she was not permitted to view. He belonged to Prince Tirhin.
Both men were watching her. They read her face as she reached her conclusions, and they exchanged a swift glance of dismay. Caelan, unbidden, rose to his feet once more.
"I see," she said coldly, putting it all together. She turned her gaze on Caelan. "You are known to me, by reputation and through my knowledge of your master. Tell me now, with no evasion, of what has occurred."
He swallowed, his throat working convulsively, but he met her gaze steadily enough. "Forgive me, my lady, but I can speak only to the emperor."
The refusal, mild though it was, was like a slap. She realized again that she had no real authority. Even a slave such as this-arena meat, her guards would call him-knew that.
"Mind your stupid tongue," Agel said to him sharply. "You have done enough harm to yourself already without adding defiance to it." He turned to Elandra with a bow.
"Your Majesty, I ask forgiveness on his behalf. My cousin is a coa.r.s.e knave, untrained in-"
Caelan tipped back his head and laughed. Only then did the healer seem to realize what he had said. Looking confused and embarra.s.sed, he broke off his sentence and stood there.
"Agel of the big mouth," Caelan said, his face still alight with derision. "First you betrayed who I was, then you betrayed who she was, and now you have betrayed yourself. As an intriguer, you are hopeless."
Agel pushed away from him in outrage. "I am not not an intriguer!" he said vehemently, glancing at Elandra as though to see if she believed his denial. an intriguer!" he said vehemently, glancing at Elandra as though to see if she believed his denial.
She gazed at him with disgust. He had pretty manners for her, but question his authority even the slightest, or even thwart him, and he grew petty and arrogant. He was a toady, ready to flatter but equally quick to check everyone"s reaction before he committed himself to any opinion. If she ever acquired any influence at court, he would not rise far.
He stepped toward Elandra, his face filled with consternation. "I swear to you that I had no knowledge of these events. Our relationship is a coincidence. Whatever has occurred-"
"Yes, healer," she said without interest in his continued denials. "Why don"t you confine yourself to your duties?"
"Yes, Majesty," he said in visible relief. "If I may be permitted to excuse myself, I think I should go to his highness and attend him if he will receive me."
She looked at this man, so eager to rush to the aid of the emperor"s son while remaining impervious to his own kinsman who stood here injured and pushed to the limits of his strength.
She could not resist saying "But the prince has not sent for you."
Agel"s eager expression faltered.
Did he not realize the mistake he made before her? Suddenly she was weary of the man.
She made a gesture of dismissal. "Go. Do what you feel is necessary. Certainly the prince must stand in need of your skill at this time."
The healer smiled. "Majesty, forgive my haste," he said. "Is there any other way in which I can serve you?"
"No."
"May I have leave to attend you later, Majesty? To inquire about your headache?"
"Yes."
He bowed to her, frowned dreadfully at Caelan, and vanished, closing the door with a Firm snap.
She found herself alone with the gladiator. He eyed her like a predator, wary and dangerous. For a moment she felt afraid again, but she refused to show it.
"As for you-"
"My lady, let me speak," he said urgently. "What I have asked from my cousin, now do I ask you. Have mercy and help me reach the emperor. This is important."
"I"m sure you think it is, but I cannot do as you ask."
His face hardened. "You mean you will not."
"Do not censure me!" she snapped. "There are protocols and procedures. I cannot rush up to the emperor and demand he give you audience."
"Not even when the safety of the empire is at stake?"
She refused to be fl.u.s.tered and eyed him coolly. "How would a slave know whether the empire is in jeopardy?"
He went pale, and for the first time his eyes seemed to show realization of what he faced.
"You have pushed your way into the palace in a clandestine manner, like a thief. That is a grave offense," she said, making her voice curt and harsh. "You have come here without the permission of your master. That is another offense. You have dared attack my person. Now you make demands that cannot be met. How do you answer for yourself?"
"My lady-"
"Address me as Majesty," she snapped.
He bowed his head, chastened. "Majesty," he said in a low voice.
She did not like his deplorable manners. He had been too much indulged. It often happened to slaves who acquired fame. They found it difficult to remember how unimportant they really were. Yet he was an uncommon man, with uncommon qualities. It must be hard for him to mute that with deference and humility.
"What was your master doing on the Forbidden Mountain?" she asked.
Caelan"s head snapped up, his eyes wary once again.
"Answer me!" she commanded. "What was he doing there?"
"Indeed, my lady-Majesty"-he corrected himself- "I cannot say without betraying him."
"Is that not your purpose? Haven"t you come seeking audience with the emperor in order to betray and denounce your master?"
Again his eyes widened. She felt her irritation rise. Did he think her incapable of guessing the truth?"
"Majesty, I stand before you a condemned man," he said finally, his voice low with pleading. "I have attacked you, insulted you, acted in all ways wrong. I will die for it. I have no defense to offer, save these circ.u.mstances."
She stared at him. This was a man of rare courage, far more pragmatic than she"d expected. His qualities had held her from calling her guards. They intrigued her enough now to give him a nod.
"Speak," she said. "And tell me the truth of this matter."
His blue eyes were grave. He hesitated.
"If I judge it sufficiently serious, then perhaps I will go to the emperor on your behalf," she said. "Mind, I make no promise. But in the interests of the empire, I will listen to what you know."
"No," he said wearily and turned away.
She stared at him in disbelief, unable to comprehend that he was refusing the opportunity she had just granted him. Was he mad?
"Will you die in silence?" she asked him in open exasperation.
In return he shot her a look that made her flush. "Majesty, if I may speak freely, to denounce the prince is a punishable offense. Why should I confide my knowledge in you, expecting you to then denounce him for me? Why should I request that you endanger yourself on my behalf? Can a slave ask this of his ... queen?"
She felt both hot and cold. Her feet were rooted in place. Her heart was suddenly pounding in embarra.s.sment. She had completely misjudged this man, from his first appearance at her throat, to the brutal accusations Agel had hurled at him, to his stubbornness in not obeying her commands.
Only now did she understand that he was trying to protect her. Not to gain her favor, but because doing so was natural to him. What kind of man was this, to think of others beyond his own terrible predicament? It was obvious that Tirhin had been plotting treason, and that this man, this gladiator champion in his possession, had witnessed everything. Was Caelan so honorable that he could not withdraw into the blindness and deafness that every slave acquired for self-protection? Was he truly willing to risk his life in order to carry a warning to the emperor?
She saw that he was, and understood his frustration all too well. Here was a man trying to help, and hindered at every turn.
"I am sorry," he said now, spreading out his hands. "I am a man of action and the sword, not of polished words. I cannot go back to my master"s service, even if he orders me killed for my disobedience. I cannot take back what I have done and said in this room. I can only ask for pardon, and your help."
His appeal moved her deeply. She believed his sincerity now.
"If you truly want my help, you must be forthright in your answers," she said. "Speak to me about your master. Is he badly hurt?"
"Yes."
"Is he dying?"
"He could be. I do not know." Caelan hesitated. "The shyrieas shyrieas got to him." got to him."
"Shyrieas?" she echoed amazed and fearful. "In the city?" she echoed amazed and fearful. "In the city?"