Daughter of Ice and Fire

Forty-One

Averit studied the myriad parchments, texts, and pictures littering the table. Sliding them around, he pulled another rolled scroll and opened it, using various objects to keep it from rolling back up. Frowning, he used one finger to trace the road from Westhyl, stopping at the blank space.

"Just like the others," he muttered, peering closer. He went to lift it, then noticed the fire was nothing more than embers. Rising, he threw several logs at it, poking them until the flames leaped up and the room became brighter. Returning to his seat, he held the scroll in front of him, using the firelight to illuminate it from behind.

"Removed," he said, placing it on the table but letting it roll into a cylinder. Pushing it to the side, he hefted an ancient text and carefully flipped the brittle pages, stopping when he found the one he was looking for. "And again, it's been removed."

He sat back and took a sip of the wine, staring into the fire thoughtfully. What Gauthier had told him appeared to be true. Before he left, his friend had taken him to the Royal Library and pointed to the map of Crusseria that hung on the wall. But it wasn't until he had pointed to the blank spot that Averit understood what his friend was telling him. He had started to ask a question and Gauthier hauled him out of the library and back to his quarters. Dragging him into the bath, he had held a finger to his lips while he tore apart the small closet that held the towels and other toiletries. Averit had watched, both amused and concerned, wondering what was so important that Gauthier was taking such pains to make sure they weren't overheard. When Gauthier finally crooked a finger after rapping on all the walls and even getting on his hands and knees to inspect the floor, he joined him, closing the door tightly. It was a tight squeeze, and he made a crude joke but Gauthier, usually quick with a snappy comeback, had only shushed him and told him to listen closely.

What his friend told him seemed unbelievable, even with what he had seen in the Royal Library. Gauthier had explained he had seen two of the King's guards hauling a third one into the King's throne room. The two men had then come out, closed the doors tightly, and stood guard, refusing anyone entry. Gauthier had sauntered past, idly asking what was happening, only to be told it was King's business. He had ambled down the hall, then slipped into the small room behind the Throne room. Not wanting to open the door and alert the King to his presence, he had placed an ear to the wall and listened.

The voices were muffled, although he told Averit he heard someone pleading for their life and promising not to tell. But the voice was cut off mid-sentence and he had seen enough executions to know the guard had been beheaded. Frowning, he had continued listening and when he heard the King approaching, talking in hushed whispers to someone else, he had retreated to the window, standing behind the thick heavy drapes and trying not to sneeze.

The King had been accompanied by Sir Rillson and had been covered in blood. Sir Rillson was as impeccably dressed as usual, although he showed no signs of distaste while helping the King change.

"I'll take care of it," he had assured the King. "But you may want to find another way. Too many of your guards are already murmuring about how many of their comrades are being accused of treason."

"Yes, yes," the King said testily. "Unfortunately, there are thousands of maps across Crusseria. If I confiscate them all, it will cause more talk. This way, my men can sneak in, obliterate all records of Swanhaven, and then leave. If anyone tries to bring it up, we can always deny it ever existed."

"May I make another suggestion? One that may be more readily believed?"

The King had given him leave to do so and Gauthier said Sir Rillson had dropped his voice, making it impossible for him to hear anything more. Gauthier had expected the King to agree and was surprised when he told Sir Rillson the idea was unacceptable. Instead, he had suggested they try and come up with something else, something much more plausible. One that made sure nobody ever went near Swanhaven again.