The King's Wife

9

The morning was cool and crisp as Ismay followed Gabriel into the carriage. "Nervous," he asked as the carriage jolted into motion, through the city, and to the borders.

"Nervous? What do I have to be nervous about?" Ismay asked and Gabriel grinned as if he knew something she didn't. At that moment, Ismay was suddenly nervous. How was it possible for a simple gesture, grin, or look from him could affect her in such a way? No one had ever unnerved Ismay like Gabriel could.

"I apologize my queen. Of course, you are right. You have nothing to be nervous about," he replied. Yet, he sounded more amused than apologetic. Again, Ismay suspected he knew his effects on her. She took a breath steady herself and kept her attention on anything outside of the carriage.

"I've been thinking about your questions," Gabriel said after a moment and Ismay was forced to return her attention to him.

"Questions?"

"The ones about Darug's past and my family."

"Oh, that," Ismay said and waved her hand. "Forget them, it's not my place to ask such things. My duty —"

"Is to the kingdom and me," Gabriel told her. "I can't exactly expect you to perform said duties if you know nothing of either, now can I?" The fortune favored smile spread across his face. Again, he looked very pleased himself and perhaps slightly amused at her expense.

Ismay stared at him for a moment. What was he planning? Because he was planning something. It was the smile, she thought. There was some cunning there that wasn't there before. "That does seem rational," she replied, not sure how to discover what he was up to except play along.

His grin grew. "I'm glad you think so. We could speak of them when we return the castle, if it is acceptable to you, of course."

Yes, he was definitely scheming, Ismay told herself, watching him still. "All right, when we return we'll discuss the questions." She returned to watching the scenery and swore she heard him chuckle. She lifted her chin and refused to acknowledge it. If he thought he could fool her, Gabriel was going to find himself very, very mistaken.

Ismay wrinkled her nose as she looked at the inn where they stopped. It was apparently on the edge of Darug and Amika and no other building or home could be found in several miles around. The two-story building was in obvious need of repair and she might have thought it abandoned if not for the smoke coming from a small chimney. More so, with so little travel, Ismay couldn't believe there'd be an inn there, to begin with.

A squat man came rushing out of the inn. He attempted to bow as he rushed over to them and several times he nearly tripped over his feet which would no doubt send him on an unstoppable roll. Somehow he managed to stay on his feet until he reached them. "Welcome my king and queen," he said with a final low bow that Ismay found surprising considering his girth. "Come, I have just the room to serve your needs."

He led them to a plain room with a long oval table in the center surrounded by chairs. The room smelled of dust and old air. "Will this do, my king?"

Ismay walked around the room, worried what kind of message this would be sending to the emissaries. There had to be a better room, even the common room at this point would be an improvement but before she could speak, Gabriel nodded to him. "This will do fine."

The inn keep seemed overjoyed, grinning and rosy-cheeked. He bowed several more times before rushing out of the room. Gabriel took one of the seats, apparently not at all bothered by dust or old air. She, however, was bothered by it all. How were the emissaries going to take them seriously here? Ismay took a moment to master herself and her irritation before sitting next to him. She smoothed her skirt, laid out the sheets of parchment she'd prepared for today, and waited for the first of the emissaries to join them.