“Lord Kurr?” she asked.
“He lives. Barely.”
“I apologize if I caused any offense.”
“You didn’t. Your conduct was exemplary. You exhibited remarkable self-control, my lady. House Krahr is fortunate to have the benefit of your service.”
Nope, he hadn’t read her message.
They entered a long breezeway leading to a tower which, in turn, allowed passage to another small mesa rising on their left. According to her harbinger, the picnic was being held there. Even without the harbinger, the clumps of vampires spread across the green lawn would’ve been a dead giveaway. Once they reached the mesa, they would be in public and she’d have to kiss any chance at a private conversation goodbye. She had to clear this up now.
“Is something the matter, my lord?”
“Everything is well,” he said.
Okay, that was all she was willing to tolerate. “Then why are you impersonating an icicle?”
He glared at her. She matched his stare. She was reasonably sure they were being watched from the mesa, but she didn’t care.
The look in his eyes got to her and she slipped into English despite herself. “Did a cat get your tongue?”
His face iced over. “No. Lions didn’t injure my mouth. You and I have a complex relationship, my lady. These complications notwithstanding, in public you must conduct yourself in accordance with your place in the chain of command.”
“Are you pulling rank?”
“Yes.”
She laughed and walked off. They were almost to the tower.
“My lady.” Unmistakable command suffused his voice.
“You should read your messages, Lord Marshal.”
She made it another three steps before he snarled, “Maud!”
Maud pivoted on her foot. “Is something the matter?”
He bore down on her. “You resigned. Why?”
“What do you mean, why?” It was painfully obvious. Maybe he really did have second thoughts.
“You should have at least given me the courtesy of telling me face to face,” his voice was quiet and icy.
“I tried but you were busy. The message was my only option.”
“When?” he asked, his eyes dark.
“I don’t follow.”
They definitely had an audience now. Their voices didn’t carry that far, but just about everyone on the lawn was looking their way.
He forced the words out. “When are you leaving?”
It stabbed at her. “Do you want me to leave?”
“Do you think this is funny? Because I fail to see the humor. I’ve given you a place in House Krahr. You’re throwing it in my face. That can mean only one thing. You’re leaving.”
He thought that she resigned because she wanted to quit him and his House. He’d honored her with trust and a position within the House and he thought she was throwing it back in his face.
Oh, you idiot.
Arland kept going. “You almost married Betin Cagnat on Karhari. You were in negotiations, with the contracts being drawn, and you haven’t even entertained my proposal.”
I wonder when he learned that tidbit.
“I told you that I’m content to await your decision. But if you have feelings for another from your past, it is only fair that you tell me.”
Oh. He thought she was having second thoughts because last night she’d talked to Renouard. Maud almost laughed.
“Being a knight of Krahr would have allowed you time to make your decision. It was the best option available under the circumstances.”
“Is that why you offered it to me?” she asked, keeping her voice mild.
“No. I offered it to you because you were in a dangerous situation without any authority to intervene. But after you accepted it, it felt like the best solution.”
He was trying to keep her close any way he could. He must’ve been worried she would leave and offering her an in-House position was his way to ensure she stayed.
Behind Arland, Knight Ruin stepped out of the doors, a tablet in his hands. He saw Arland and broke into a run, heading toward them.
“Now you’re leaving,” Arland ground out. “I just want to know why. What is it about me you find lacking? What is it?”
“Are you done?” she asked.
“Lord Arland!” Knight Ruin called out. “I have an urgent message from Lord Soren.”
“I deserve an answer. Surely, you can give me that much.”
“The Writ of Command, Part Seven.”
He frowned. “Prohibition of fraternization between knights separated by more than three ranks? What does that have to do with anything?”
She stepped closer to him, raised her hand, and gently popped him on the forehead.
The young knight reached them and thrust a tablet at Arland.
Maud turned around and walked away.
“Maud, wait!”
The change in his tone told her he finally got it.
She sped up. He couldn’t outright run after her. He would look like an idiot to the audience below.
“Get this infernal tablet out of my face! Maud, wait!”
The moment she entered the tower, she sprinted down the stairs. As soon as he untangled himself from Knight Ruin, he would chase her to inquire about the exact nature of fraternization she had in mind, and she didn’t want to have this conversation in the tower. She wanted to have it in her quarters or his, after they had been swept clear of Nuan Cee’s bugs. She needed to get down to that lawn as fast as she could.
Maud emerged from the tower into the sunshine. Directly in front of her, a stone path led to a wide-open lawn ringed by trees. She strode forward to where stone benches and small tables had been placed to accommodate small groups, offering a clear view of the lawn. Many of the benches were occupied; vampires in full armor lounged, snacked on finger foods presented on large platters, and drank refreshments. The air smelled of charred meat, fresh bread, and honey. A banner marked each sitting area, announcing the allegiance of its occupants. Most of the seats directly in front of her, spread out in a crescent, were taken by House Krahr, the line of black and red pennants familiar and almost welcoming. House Kozor curved to the right, its colors red and green. House Serak lined the left side. Their banners, blue and yellow, waved in the breeze.
On the lawn, two teams, one red and black, the other comprised of both Kozor and Serak, clashed with practice weapons. Krim, Maud realized, the Holy Anocracy’s favorite sport. One team had drawn a circle roughly fifty feet wide. In the middle of the circle a fifteen-foot pillar about eighteen inches across supported a white flag. The defenders positioned themselves around the pillar, guarding it, while the attackers tried to break through and grab the flag. It wasn’t a complicated game, but what it lacked in complexity, it more than made up for in sheer brutality. This time, Krahr defended. Everyone wore full armor, carried practice weapons, and sported headbands equipped with sensors. The headbands analyzed input from the armor and flashed when the wearer sustained enough damage to die.
“Lady Maud!” a familiar voice called.
Well, look at that. She managed not to cringe. “My Lady Ilemina?”
The Preceptor of House Krahr sat at a table to her right. The Lord Consort loomed in the chair next to her like an immovable mountain of vampire knighthood.
“Join us,” Lady Ilemina said. It didn’t sound like a request.
Great, just what she wanted, to be on display next to her possible future mother-in-law.
Behind her the door of the tower slid open and Arland stepped onto the path.
On second thought, joining Lady Ilemina was an excellent idea. Maud walked over and took a seat on Ilemina’s left. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Arland stalking down the path toward them.
Yes, yes. Stalk all you want. There was no way he would be discussing any kind of fraternization in front of his mother and stepfather. She’d outmaneuvered him. For some odd reason, it made her feel ridiculously accomplished.
On the lawn, House Krahr, led by Karat, formed a dense ring of bodies around the pillar. Houses Kozor and Serak split their forces, preparing to attack from opposite sides. A familiar blond mane caught Maud’s eye on Kozor’s side. Seveline was leading their assault.
“They’re using the Pincher attack,” Ilemina said.
“Seems badly thought out,” Lord Otubar said. “There aren’t enough of them to effectively break through, and she knows they’re coming. Too crude.”
The maneuver seemed painfully blatant. Karat was shifting her forces to compensate, but she was doing it slowly, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Arland strode over. The only open seat was next to Otubar. Arland picked it up, moved it next to her, and sat down.
“Opinion?” Ilemina asked him.
He studied the field. “Nothing in either Kozor’s or Serak’s tactics up until now indicates a preference for direct assault.”
“It’s a feint,” Otubar said.
“The question is, where are they going with this?” Ilemina murmured. “Did you finish the comparative analysis?”
Arland grimaced. “There was not enough data for a definitive conclusion. What data we have from the known pirate assaults is consistent with the known tactical patterns of our cherished guests. Similarity isn’t proof, however.”
“What about the lees’ data?” Otubar asked.
“Nuan Cee is stalling,” Arland said.
“Perhaps something can be done to persuade him to share.” Lady Ilemina glanced at Maud.
They were speaking in front of her as if she was already part of the House, and more, they were asking for her advice. She wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or upset that everyone at the table viewed her joining House Krahr as a foregone conclusion.
“Give me something to trade,” she said. “It is a common misconception that the lees love money above all else. That’s not exactly true. They love a bargain; they love getting a good deal. Getting more for less is the foundation of their society. Let me take something to them they will find irresistible.”