The Cursewright's Vow

Chapter 17: The Way to Autumnsgrove, Part 3

 Ammas stared at him. Vos flushed, but at least found the wherewithal to look him in the eye. "Were you," the cursewright said at last, flatly, though his eyes blazed. "And were you there when my cousin was put to the sword? When Silenio killed my uncle in his famous duel?"

"I was," Vos said softly. "It was no duel. Silenio killed Lady Hyrsith first, while the Lord Mourthia was engaged with resisting the siege. A small force of soldiers broke into Shattercrown. Before we could even think to take her prisoner, the Prince struck her down. The Lord Mourthia came down with his personal guard and lunged for the Prince. Silenio claims the killing blow, but his was not the only sword that struck your uncle."

"Was yours one of them too, Vos?"

Vos shook his head. "I was attending to Lady Hyrsith. The Prince's behavior had unnerved me for a while. He cowered in his quarters on the siege vessel while our Captain led the landing at the harbor, dying as she did so. I suppose he thought killing the Lord Mourthia and his wife would make up for that disgrace, and so had no compunction as to how he went about it."

"I see." Still Ammas's voice was neutral, his face unreadable. "And my cousin Jan? How did he go about that?"

"Ammas -- "

"You came to confess to me, Vos. Confess all."

Vos swallowed hard. "The boy was overcome with grief, kneeling over his mother. Silenio slit his throat."

Such was the story Ammas had heard for many years. The rest of it he had guessed or heard other rumors, but having it confirmed by an eyewitness didn't make him feel much better about it. "How pleased the Emperor must have been," he said.

"He was not pleased at all."

Ammas quirked his head, frowning.

"Your name is an ancient one, Ammas. The Emperor hated to see it extinguished. The Kerrells are loyal but unimaginative and bring little to the Malachite Throne. I believe his Majesty would have much preferred to send Jan to be raised by another family, or even in the Chalcedony Palace itself, and emerge as a grown man loyal to the Throne."

Ammas pondered that for a while, wondering if that would have been more or less tolerable to bear. A Jan who despised him as a traitor would still be a Jan who was alive and who might someday be open to reconciliation. Shaking his head Ammas bent down and plucked up a scatter of pebbles and grass, tossing them over the side of the hill, not looking at Vos. "So what is it you want? My forgiveness? Absolution from the gods?"

"I only want you to know my history. It's not a secret, and I would rather you hear it from me if we're to travel the roads together."

"All right, you've told me. And?"

"I have not told you all."

Ammas said nothing but waved for Vos to continue, his gesture none too patient.

"I have tried to conduct myself honorably, Ammas. I have not always succeeded, gods know. What I saw from the Prince was anything but. I requested a transfer when we left Losris Nadak."

At that, Ammas could not hide his surprise. Anything but a promotion or a transfer to one of Perseun's commands would have been seen as a step down -- and a slap in Silenio's face. "I'm shocked that you were given such leeway."

"Under normal circumstances, I would agree. But I was far from the only veteran of Losris Nadak to request such a thing. I'm sure you hate the Emperor and for good reasons, but he has not held power for forty years by treating his soldiers poorly, and he knew Silenio had tarnished his own honor and those of his men. It's why he keeps him close to Talinara now, I think. He has his father's brutality but none of his other gifts."