between the pair. The man was, he was sure, deferring to the child. ‘In a way, your majesty, it does involve the question of an aegis.’
‘What?’ Gavriel and Leo said together, both astonished.
Ravan took a moment to gather his thoughts. ‘Actually, it’s Roddy who should tell this.’ He glanced again at the child and nodded. ‘He was there from the beginning. But he doesn’t look to be in any shape to talk right now.’
‘What’s wrong with him?’ Leo demanded.
‘He’s been through a great deal. I suppose he’s tired, relieved, frightened. Perhaps I should tell you what I know.’
‘Go ahead,’ Leo suggested.
Ravan nodded. ‘After Clovis and Roddy were saved from the fire, returned from death, both Roddy and I witnessed a man being bonded. That’s one of the reasons that Clovis is dead.’
Leo sat down again. Gavriel remained standing but stepped a little closer, not sure where Ravan was going.
‘The man who was bonded is called Greven,’ Ravan continued.
‘Wait! Was this man a leper?’ Leo interrupted.
Ravan nodded. ‘It is the same Greven you know, even though he no longer shows any sign of his sickness. The leprosy was the sign, you see.’
‘I can’t believe it,’ Leo finally said, his voice tight. ‘We were with him in the forest. Lily doesn’t know, I’m sure of it.’
‘More to the point,’ Gavriel continued, suddenly feeling chilled, ‘who bonded him?’
Leo’s eyes blazed with a new fire. ‘Indeed, that is the most important question. If not me or Loethar, who?’
‘Loethar?’ Ravan replied, taken aback.
‘Is Valisar,’ Leo answered, the words coming out as though they were dirty in his mouth.
Ravan said nothing but Gavriel could all but see the wheels turning in the strange man’s mind. The silence lengthened between them and finally Ravan nodded, as though accepting the logic of the incredible claim. ‘There is another Valisar on the loose, you could say, your majesty,’ Ravan began quietly. ‘In my former guise I kept an eye on him these last ten anni.’
Gavriel watched Leo’s expression droop. In the lamplight he looked even more grey. It took no more than a heartbeat for him to work it out, far quicker than Gavriel could. ‘Piven?’ Leo whispered and Gavriel felt like a blade had been stuck in his gut. Surely not?
But Ravan nodded.
‘You’re sure,’ Leo insisted, his voice hoarse. ‘He’s mute, he’s lost in his mind, he’s … ’
‘He is whole, your majesty,’ Ravan insisted. ‘You must forget the little boy you knew. He is now a strapping youth with anger in his soul. According to Roddy, he had both Clovis and Sergius killed.’
At the mention of the second name Gavriel saw Ravan’s composure slip for the first time.
‘Sergius?’ Gavriel asked. ‘Should we know him?’
‘Perhaps not, my lord,’ Ravan replied. ‘But Sergius was not only my friend, he was also the most loyal of servants to the Crown. He was dedicated to the cause of the Valisars.’
‘And yet I don’t even know his name,’ Leo challenged.
‘You would have, had he survived. He lived as a hermit on the western coast but he was known to both your fathers. He was a wielder of magic. He made me.’
‘Made you?’ Gavriel exclaimed. ‘What? So your presence in the palace was contrived?’
The man shook his head. ‘I am yet to discover what my role is. I was Loethar’s companion and I loved him. I knew nothing else. But I loved Sergius more. He was my true friend and he gave me to Loethar. I reported back to Sergius on the palace intrigues.’
‘You were a spy?’ Leo asked, incredulous.
‘Of sorts, yes. With Valisar interests at heart. I didn’t know Loethar was Valisar, of course.’
‘Incredible!’ Gavriel remarked. ‘You were Freath in bird form.’
The set of Leo’s mouth told him the king didn’t appreciate the mention of the old manservant. ‘Piven …’ he murmured. ‘Piven was supposed to be an orphan that my parents took pity on. It was true they doted upon him but —’
‘Another purposeful secret, no doubt,’ Gavriel interrupted bitterly.
‘They doted on him, your majesty, because he was their true son, as you were. The Legate is right. Piven’s lack of genuine royal status as far as the barbarians were concerned is what saved him — that and Loethar’s genuine fondness for the boy.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘About what, highness? Piven’s legality or Loethar’s fondness?’ He shrugged. ‘Loethar liked Piven but if he’d known his true heritage, he would have been put to the sword, I can assure you ofthat. And Piven is Valisar. Don’t doubt it. He has successfully trammelled Greven. He hacked off Greven’s hand, cooked it and ate some and instantly Greven fell under his control.’
Gavriel listened in silent revulsion. But while Leo’s mouth twisted at the mention of the brutality, Gavriel could see the king’s fascination had only deepened.
‘And you know it worked?’
Ravan shrugged. ‘All too well. Greven is being commanded against his will. He slaughtered Clovis, who was unarmed, and he threw Sergius off a cliff.’
‘But Greven is an old man,’ Gavriel said, desperate to discredit the tale.
Ravan shook his head. ‘The Valisar Legacy has made him incredibly strong. Piven is untouchable, and his arrogance and confidence continue to heighten.’
‘Where is he?’
‘We dared not give chase. We needed to find you, your highness, to warn you that he wants to kill you.’
‘Why?’ Leo looked aghast. ‘I’m his brother. We are both Valisar.’
‘He hates you for leaving him at the palace.’
‘Leaving him?’ Leo sounded shocked. ‘I … but I had no choice.’
‘He doesn’t care,’ Ravan said. ‘He is suffused by a madness — revenge. He plans to kill both you and Loethar.’
‘Where do you think he’ll go first?’ Gavriel asked. ‘Does he know where Leo is?’
Ravan shook his head. ‘I don’t believe so, although I’m guessing, my lord. The palace, I imagine, will lure him. He intends to rule.’
Gavriel sighed. ‘Well,’ he said into the tense silence, ‘he’s not going to find us here tonight. I don’t know about everyone else but I need to sleep and ponder all of today’s events. You are both welcome to stay here — in safety — and tomorrow morning wecan discuss the best course of action. Is that all right, your majesty?’
Leo’s lips thinned but he nodded. ‘Fine. I suppose we can’t achieve much right now anyway. And I do feel strangely exhausted. Too much to think about probably.’
‘Well, you get some rest. I’ll take first watch.’
Leo stood and stretched. ‘There are things I want to think over. I will want to speak with you at first light, Ravan. You and the boy.’
‘I’m up with the birds, highness,’ Ravan quipped, but no one smiled.
Ravan and Roddy