Ten Arrows

Chapter 23

I studied Borshank through the dark, heavy bars of the metal gate that separated us. Their presence reminded me strongly of the last time we'd had bars between us... the time he'd arranged for Talia to be-

A surge of familiar anger clawed its way up through my memories, but I forced it back down so that I could calmly evaluate the situation.

There were four guardsmen in armor standing there with him, two on either side. I briefly inspected each guardsman's face. Very angry.

Turning to look behind me, I likewise inspected the faces of the guardsmen that were in the room with me, standing by the vault. Angry as well, though one appeared to be smirking a little bit. All four on my side had their swords drawn, as though daring me to make a sudden move for the woefully inadequate dagger at my hip.

Well then... four guards on the other side of the metal gate, four on my side of it. Nine bodies in total, if you included Borshank.

Nobody was saying anything, and the quiet was getting a little unnerving.

I took a deep breath in through my nose and let it out slowly, at which point I began peering around the room as though inspecting my surroundings, wearing my very best expression of innocent confusion.

"Wait, this isn't the lavatory!" I said, turning back around and acknowledging Borshank as though I were noticing him for the very first time. "Preceptor? Why... this is certainly a surprise."

"I thought something like this might come as a surprise," he said with a chuckle. "Never saw this coming, did you?"

"What? Oh, no... I was referring to the fact that you're still a preceptor. That's very surprising. I'd have bet even money that you would have been sacked by now."

Borshank gave me a dark look, and all traces of good cheer fled his face.

"I've been informed I have an appointment with Prince Tenarreau, scheduled for this afternoon. The message was delivered by herald, who brought a witness to confirm I'd received it." He took a deep breath of his own and exhaled through his nose. "I can guess what it's about - I've seen a few preceptors come and go in the time I've manned this post. Still, I'm fairly certain Tenarreau will be changing his mind about all that very shortly. Especially now that I've thwarted the infamous Lord Tucat's attempt to end his reign as Prince of Harael."

"What? Nonsense... I've just gotten myself turned around a bit or something. See, the thing is, I've lost my cane just recently. Without it, I'm afraid I tend to walk in circles when I'm not paying attention. Have you perhaps seen it? Teak, silver handle, smart-looking... about so high?" I held my hand at hip-height.

"You're here because you were attempting to burgle something of Tenarreau's from the vault just now. You have failed."

I looked around briefly and gave a shrug of resignation. "Okay, you've got me there. Guess you saw through my clever subterfuge with the whole lavatory thing."

"I saw through much more than that, Tucat. Guards... take Lord Tucat into custody."

"What? Why? It's not illegal to try to break into this place!"

"Very true. Every citizen in Harael is free to attempt that - to test their skills, wit, and cunning against that of the reigning prince... prove themselves worthy of the title. Honestly, I had trouble believing you could even make it this far, but when all is said and done, this is where it all ends." Borshank gave me an oily smile. "Lord Vincent Tucat, I am placing you under arrest for the assassination of Lord Hartman."

I did my best to look surprised. "Lord Hartman is dead?"

"Do you think me simple? Wait, of course you do... which is why I was able to trap you like this in the first place. Always thinking you're so very, very clever." Borshank chuckled yet again, shaking his head slightly. "You see, some time ago I happened upon these remarkable gemstones. Truly amazing things, really. They're cut from the same gem, and sold in pairs... identical in just about every way possible. All it takes is for the magic crafters to give them a bit of a gentle nudge, and they become linked in a very unusual way." He pointed to his ear. "Simply put one gemstone in your ear, or next to it, and you can hear things being spoken within earshot of its twin as though you were right there. Presently there's a good half-dozen such gems located inside of Tucat Keep, and they've allowed several members of my staff to overhear certain things that you'll probably end up wishing they hadn't."