Hidden Fire (The FIRE series Book 1) Read online

  “Yes, that's what I'm worried about. Oh! Has anyone told Phil?”

  Sarah patted her hand, “The Duke is telling him today, and the Dowager. Were you two ever?”

  “Lovers? No, not really. I haven't slept with all my friends you know.”

  “Well, Beth isn’t interested in women, and neither is Henry, so I suppose that's the pair of them discounted. But the others?”

  “On odd occasions. We got drunk a lot when we were younger. Growing up has made us boring, except on rare days when we get to not be adults once in a while.” It wasn't really as simple as that but Lizzy found it hard to articulate her feelings; she loved her friends, some of their friendships had a physical aspect, but it wasn't the most important part of those friendships. Love was.

  “You sound sad.”

  “I am; life has been too serious these last few years. I miss my friends, I miss the twins, I miss not having so many responsibilities. Or so many enemies.”

  “You have a total of one enemy.”

  “But she has so many friends.”

  “Not as many as you'd think.”

  “Here, no of course not, except a very few fundamentalist curates and their flocks, but in Sumoast? I'd have thought she would have a few.”

  “The Holmgards are only popular among the Tarjani, their own tribe. The rest of the Sumoasti can't stand them.”

  “Of course, the three tribes. But haven't there been alliances and such for centuries?”

  “We've had alliances and such for centuries with different nations; does that mean we actually trust each other?”

  “Politically? No, of course not, everyone is out to get the best for themselves.”

  “Something like that. I'm glad you've been listening to my politics lectures. It's only taken six years.”

  “I listen, I don't always understand, but I listen.”

  “That's good, it'll help when we're in Belenos; especially if we want to find Lord Val quickly.”

  “Oh poor Gos!” Lizzy despaired, the chances of finding him alive were small. It would take two weeks to sail to the Imperial capital, after so long could there possibly be any chance of finding him alive? “How far has the investigation in Belenos got?”

  “Other than finding his horse and servant? Nothing much. He was heading out of the city but we don't know where to, he'd been in contact with our agent but their communications haven't been found in the Embassy.”

  “So we contact the agent.”

  “Tried, she's been out of touch for almost as long as Lord Val has been missing, her last message arrived two days after he left, asking why he hadn't met her yet.”

  “Damn. Do we know where she's based?”

  “She isn't based anywhere.”

  “I didn't think uncle approved of using itinerants?”

  “She's reliable, and a former Officer.”

  “I see.”

  “Our Officers already in Belenos are tracing her movements but she's good at her job.”

  “Have I ever met her?”

  “Once, long ago. You remember the indenture case?

  “Yes, of course.”

  “The junior Officer who met you at the notary's office?”

  “I see; I didn't take all that much notice of her at the time.” Lizzy remembered sharp eyes and not much else about the woman.

  “No one ever does, it's why she's so good at her job. If we lose her as well as Lord Val our network in the Empire will be in ruins.”

  “Why are we reliant on two Officers for the whole of the Empire?”

  “They’re the only two who know who everyone in the network is.”

  Lizzy dropped her head in her hands as the enormity of the situation became obvious to her. Albon relied on the network of Officers and their informants to pre-empt their enemies' actions. The Empire wasn't much of a problem, they were too busy focusing on their own intrigues to be a threat, but everyone had embassies in Belenos. The current situation in the Isles made their network in the Empire essential; diplomats that wouldn't talk to each other in the islands mixed freely in the Empire.

  “We are screwed.” Lizzy looked up, staring at her bodyguard/Lady-in-Waiting.

  “Not yet. We don't know what the Commanders will find when they get to the Rocks, and by the time we get to Belenos there might be news about Lord Val and our Officer.”

  “That's a hell of a thin thread to hang the nation by.”

  “Yes, well it's the only one we've got. The Umari can't send us any more help and the Calmani are keeping out of things.”

  “How many more ships do we have in the yards?”

  “Three being made in the north and there's one almost finished in the Marsh. Your step-father has been overseeing it himself.”

  “Really? I'm surprised he's prised himself away from his dogs and his crops.”

  “I think your mother might have had something to do with that.” Sarah laughed briefly, then became serious again, “We can keep the Sumoasti at bay if we have to, but I think everyone would prefer it if we didn't have to go to war at all.”

  Lizzy nodded, her features grave. “So, are we leaving early for the Empire?”

  “No, it would look like we were panicking if we did; whomever has Lord Val will be watching us for a reaction.”

  “It has to be Holmgard.” Lizzy pushed her empty plate away from her, leaning back to think, “They're the only ones with any reason to start a fight with us at the moment.”

  “Not necessarily; it could just be a coincidence.”

  “It's not a ransom abduction, we'd have had a demand by now. The Calmani won't let anything interfere with their trade routes, same goes for the Belenosians.” She ticked off their neighbours and rivals on her fingers, “The Camari don't have a presence in the Empire, and the Umari have no reason to hurt Gos, or their links with us.”

  “Leaving only our 'friends' in Tarjan. The Duke has come to the same conclusion but we have no proof.”

  “That's why we're really going to the Empire? To get proof?”

  “Yes. I know you and Charley were looking forward to a holiday, but we have work to do.”

  “What does uncle want me to do?” Lizzy was resigned to her path now; there would be no holiday, no sightseeing. The road she had started on before her legitimation had returned beneath her feet. She'd lost six years though, being a Princess.

  “You are going to flirt and dance, and act the flighty fine lady.”

  “Won't people find that a bit suspicious? My friend has just disappeared.”

  “No-one knows that yet, as far as we know, except those responsible.”

  “And what is the purpose of my acting?”

  “Distraction. We need the Empress and her court to be looking at you while we investigate. Flirt with her sons, and ambassadors. Pretend to be ignorant and silly.”

  “I'm not sure I can do that.”

  “Spend a bit of time around other court ladies and you'll work it out.”

  “But they're so dull.”

  “Then be dull.”

  “No.”

  “Lizzy, you have a job to do, just like everyone else; don't be a brat about this.”

  “Sarah, I'm not being a brat. I can't be what I'm not. You and uncle have done a fine job of teaching me to be serious; how can I act like my only education is in dancing and embroidery?”

  “Don't shout Lizzy.”

  “I apologise; I can't do this Sarah. Why can't I just be myself? That usually distracts people enough.”

  Sarah laughed, the tension easing slightly. “Yes, I suppose it does. But, we still need you to at least dress like a court lady.”

  “Not the corsets, please?”

  “I'm afraid so, and three petticoats.”

  “Make it one and I'll agree.”

  “No. You can wear your normal clothes except when we're at the Empress's court or attending official events. Your father has already ordered five full outfits, in variations of our colours.”

  “
Oh dear, please tell me Caro is making them? She knows my sizes and has some taste.”

  “Don't worry, I approved the designs myself.”

  Lizzy looked Sarah up and down, assessing her dress for the first time. She nodded, accepting Sarah's expertise; you'd never notice the knives and hidden pockets unless you knew they were there.

  “Well, what next?” The day was passing; despite the news there was nothing much they could do from King's Ford.

  “You have a meeting with the Decency Committee this afternoon.”

  Lizzy groaned; she’d met them a couple of times, and each time she had laughed at their proposal for reforms meant to bully people into conforming with their ideas of ‘decency’. She wondered what they wanted this time.

  Chapter 22

  “Your Highness, it is very kind to see us at such short notice. We know you must be busy, especially as you are leaving for a pleasure cruise soon.” The committee chairman said 'pleasure cruise' as though it meant 'orgy'.

  Lizzy smiled, “Well, we do have other commitments in the Empire but as you say, it will also be a holiday. We anticipate many pleasures. Now, what can we do for you today?”

  “Our members have collected a petition; we'd like to present it to the King's Council for their consideration.” The chairman, a Curate from one of the small villages to the south of the capital presented a small roll. Sarah swooped into take it from him and unrolled it.

  “To what does the petition pertain?” Lizzy looked at the committee but asked Sarah.

  “The extraordinary sexual licentiousness of the Court and the deleterious effect it is having on public morals.” Sarah read the heading on the petition gravely.

  “Really?” Lizzy nodded, her eyes widening slightly in innocent interest. She was really quite good at this acting lark. The committee members seemed to think she was taking them seriously, if their earnest nodding was anything to go by. Lizzy lay back on her couch, lifted her feet from the floor. She reclined as waved for the committee to continue, sipping from a glass of wine.

  The chairman seemed a little distracted; Lizzy put it down to her dress riding up slightly, revealing a pair of black trousers and riding boots. She hitched the dress up around her knees for a little more comfort, and if Sarah hadn't coughed discretely would have removed it entirely.

  “It's getting rather warm this early in the summer isn't it? I must talk to my dress maker about some lighter clothes. Now, you were saying something about a petition.”

  “Well, yes, but I'm not sure you're the right person we should be speaking to.” The Chairman made to rise, his committee members following suit.

  Lizzy watched with polite interest as they collected their papers, no doubt evidence of the corruption of public morals, until Sarah prodded her in the shoulder. Lizzy rolled her eyes at her Lady-in-Waiting and sat up straight.

  “I really am interested in your petition; is that your evidence?” Lizzy gestured to one of the women, a mature merchant's wife in a black dress and coif.

  The woman coughed and reddened, looking at the Princess suddenly addressing her and the committee chairman determined to leave.

  “Mistress?”

  Sarah leaned down and whispered the woman's name in her ear, “Mistress Launston, please, answer me.”

  “Of course Your Highness. Yes, this is a list of the courtiers attending a late theatre.”

  “A late theatre?”

  “Yes, they are open until midnight, playing most scandalous plays.”

  “Ah yes,” Lizzy looked through the list, “I see my cousins the FitzAlboni twins are on your list. When was this made?”

  “Last Sixthday, Your Highness. We were most shocked to see Duke Alboni's sons there, though I don't know why, they are well known dilettantes.”

  “They do enjoy life don't they? Last Sixthday, now let me think.” Lizzy tapped her lips with the paper, “Sarah, didn't the twins invite us out to the theatre that night?”

  “Yes, Your Highness, to see 'The Maid of Umar', an historical tragedy I believe.”

  “That's right. We couldn't go because I had a meeting with the Fleet Board about rations. Such a long dull meeting, and we could have made the second half if we'd rushed.”

  “You didn't attend, surely, Your Highness?”

  “No, not at all. By the time I got out of the ration meeting it was far too late to be gallivanting across town to see half a play.”

  “And you had a visit to the School early the next morning.” Sarah added.

  “Of course, the uniform meeting.” Lizzy smiled at Mistress Launston, “Those poor children, their parents can barely afford shoes, but we supply the uniform, so that helps a little I suppose. Sarah, that reminds me, have a note sent to Matron would you, I want a report of the needs of our students.”

  “Of course Your Highness, I'll send it immediately.”

  “Thank you dear. Now, this play, I understand is an historical work. How is it lewd?”

  “The acts of murder and adultery are glorified.”

  “Yes? How odd, as I understand it the real Maid of Umar was forced into a marriage with an abusive chieftain; she was in love with another. One night she fought back and killed her husband. After her husband's death she married her love and united the tribes of Umar into the present kingdom. I don't see the adultery there. Is the play somehow different?”

  “No, Your Highness, I've read the script, as has Duchess Alboni, we both agree it is as accurate as possible after a thousand years.”

  “Thank you Sarah. You see, there is nothing scandalous in this play that I, or my aunt, can see. What precisely do you find offensive about it?”

  “She murdered her husband and married her lover, how can that not be immoral?” The chairman blustered while Mistress Launston gasped for an answer.

  “In the context of the time and place, and in her position, it was perfectly moral.”

  “There is also the nature of her lover.”

  “You mean that she was a woman?”

  “Of course, it's unnatural!”

  “How so? How is love unnatural?”

  The Curate and his committee seemed taken aback, his mouth flapping in the air. Lizzy gave them a few minutes to recover and then waited for a counter argument. When one wasn't forthcoming she stood and bowed to her visitors.

  “Well? You have yet to present a reasonable argument, so I don't think I'll help you put this before the King's Council. Maybe you should try the Curate's Council, trying to regulate individual freedoms is more their area of expertise. Good afternoon. Sarah be so kind as to have my guards show our guests out, please.”

  Lizzy smiled, turned her back on the committee and left the room.

  Back at her desk and running through final arrangements for the trip to Belenos, Lizzy barely looked up when she heard her study door open and close.

  “Sarah, get me a glass of wine would you, I need it after dealing with those bigots.”

  A loud click disturbed the flow of her writing. Lizzy looked up, and quickly rolled off the chair and under her desk as the wine bottle flew. The angry matron, Mistress Launston, red faced and breathing hard, screamed incoherent slurs. Outside, Sarah wrestled with the door, which Launston had locked quietly as she entered the room.

  Lizzy assessed her situation. She could probably stay under her desk for a minute or two while the older woman found other things to hurl, and Sarah was outside. She'd be in in no time. But on the other hand, the woman was clearly unbalanced and would probably try to get at Lizzy under the desk. She would have to move, do something. More glass smashed above her head, and wine dribbled down the legs to the floor. The woman was getting more accurate.

  Rolling out from under her desk, Lizzy sheepishly raised her head above her temporary parapet to survey the scene. Mistress Launston was closer, riffling through the books on her shelves, pulling them off and discarding some but keeping others. Lizzy slid the draw open, silently thanking her conscientious servants for their attention to minor
details. She kept a letter knife in the draw that looked more dangerous than it was. Lizzy looked again, the woman's arms were burdened with books now.

  Thus armed, the Princess rose to her feet and spoke, knife behind her back,

  “Mistress, if you wanted to borrow a book, you should have asked first. Please tidy up the mess before you leave.”

  “Bitch. Whore. The Queen should have made certain you were dead. You're spreading filth and corruption all through the kingdom. This is why the One has cursed us with a surfeit of enemies. He demands your blood.”

  Lizzy yawned; the Queen's pet Curates used to say something similar, but blamed it on her accepted and acknowledged bastardy.

  “Oh dear, you're one of those sorts of religious, are you? How unfortunate. I was going to try reasoning with you, if only for the sake of my books. Do put them down, you ridiculous creature. But now I shan't bother.”

  There was a clink from the door as Sarah finally succeeded in pushing the key out from her side of the door and inserted her own key. Sarah stepped into the room moments later, an armed guard waiting behind her.

  “Bitch! Do you fuck your maid as well? Corrupter of youth! These filthy books should be burnt!”

  “No, no, they really should not. Sarah, be so kind as to remove this woman, to the Hospital would be most appropriate I think. She's clearly suffering some sort of religious mania.”

  Sarah smiled and advanced on Mistress Launston, who smirked, her arms still clutching the stack of books.

  “You trifling whore, let me by.” She barged into Sarah, who gripped Mistress Launston's arm as she fell backwards, taking the over-balanced woman with her to the ground. Lizzy followed up the move as the two women wrestled for dominance by picking up a heavy book of plays and slamming it down on Launston's head. It was a victory for literature everywhere, as the impact dazed her attacker for a while and Sarah took control of the fight.

  Finally, subdued, the guards entered to remove the intruder from the royal study. Lizzy looked at the dishevelled Mistress Launston as should stood between two guards – the other five were busy re-shelving books – and smiled.