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Very odd, she thought. Only not entirely unexpected. Raul must have hoped to revive the story that his shadow court no longer existed. “Then I go to Tiralien, as planned. Can you help me?”
“Of course. I shall have to make arrangements with my people. You will have whatever you require tomorrow morning. Is that soon enough?”
“This very moment is not soon enough,” she said. “But unless the gods transport me themselves, I will have to make do with tomorrow.”
His answer was a rueful smile. “I’ve often made the same wish myself. At least I can provide you with a room for tonight, and the rest by morning. Come with me. I shall have the servants prepare a bed and fire. A meal, too, if you wish…”
Eckard continue to speak as they left the parlor and entered yet another corridor, with stairs at the end. Doors lined its length, most of them closed, but one or two opened into darkened sitting rooms.
“My people are quiet,” Eckard was saying. “Quiet and discreet…”
“As discreet as I am, my friend.”
Baron Mann emerged from behind one of the open doors.
Ilse’s hand went to the knife at her wrist. Eckard eyed his friend with disfavor. “I am quite certain I saw you to the door, Josef. How is it that you are here? And without any notice from the servants?” he added under his breath.
Mann waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Do not blame your servants. I returned the moment I discovered I had left my gloves behind. There was no need to bother you, I told them. They were quite helpful, and went in search of my mythical gloves, leaving me unattended for a short interval. My dear and dishonest friend, did you truly think I never noticed the connection between you and Lord Kosenmark? You are very discreet, your servants as well, but the strange coincidence of Maester Ehren Zhalina’s visit, and on such an unpleasant evening, together with that almost unobtrusive message delivered to you shortly after his arrival did make me suspicious. And I was right to be.”
“What do you want?” Ilse asked him.
His mouth twisted into a smile. “Oh, what I would propose is very improper. So much that you would surely take offense and stab me with those knives you carry at your belt and beneath your sleeves.”
She suppressed a flinch at his observations.
Mann noticed that as well, and smirked. “Mistress Therez, who is now Mistress Ilse, let me confess what I do know, from which you can decide whether to trust me. You have come to the baron’s house by secret ways. You would return to your beloved, Lord Kosenmark. I do not need to know the reasons for that particular conversation. I would like, however, to know what you intend for Veraene.”
Ilse expelled a breath. This, this was not the demand she had expected from a man like Baron Mann.
“You appear surprised,” Mann said.
“Surprised by the unexpected,” she replied. “What do you care about Veraene?”
“She is my home,” he said. “I want her kept whole and sound.”
“That is my wish as well.”
“Then you will not dispute my motives.”
“No. But I might dispute your definition of what is best for the kingdom.”
He laughed. “Very well argued. I should expect as much from the girl I met three years ago. Do you wish me to pretend ignorance, or will you accept my help?”
“This is no game, Josef,” Eckard said sharply. “You do not understand the danger.”
“I understand very well.”
Ilse pressed her lips together, watching Mann’s face. He had known about Eckard’s connection to Lord Kosenmark’s shadow court, and said nothing. He had suspected her break with Raul to be false. Again, he had not betrayed her.
“What do you want?” she asked.
He regarded her with a long amused look. “You would not believe me if I said the truth. Therefore, let us pretend my wishes and motivations are unimportant, and that only yours count. What do you want, Mistress Ilse?”
She did not mistake his easy manner for disinterest. He cared, and did not dare to admit it.
“I want peace,” she said. “I want my home secure.”
He nodded, as though he had expected such an answer.
