The Traitor by A. Lombardo (novels for beginners txt) 📗

room smelled stale, and months of dust covered everything. Good, he thought. We should not be disturbed. From the rack, he pulled a few of the old quilted tunics. He placed them under her head and hid her behind the shield rack. “Riome, I have to leave you here. I need to get help.”

She moaned. Her eyes fluttered.

Kai used the inside of his thin overcoat to scrub the dirt from his face. He removed his disguise and grabbed the clean shirt and pants he’d left on the rack. While the change was a visual improvement, he still smelled foul.

On his way up the eastern spire, he contemplated whom he could trust. Riome needed Sigry’s knowledge and medicines, but could the old man be trusted? His cousin was the only person who could help—Riome’s father, Adrian Cazier. Utilizing the secret tunnels, Kai worked his way to the master general’s tower and the second-floor bedchamber.

Adrian was asleep atop his covers; a book lay on his chest. Kai jostled his cousin. “Wake up.”

Adrian woke, grabbing for the blade he kept at his side. Moonlight trickled into the room and revealed Kai’s face. “Looking for this?” Kai handed Cazier his weapon.

Cazier turned his nose away. “You stink. What have you been doing?”

“Cousin, I found Riome,” Kai whispered, unsure anywhere was safe. “Do you always sleep fully dressed?” He asked helping ease Cazier upright.

Adrian’s eyes bulged. He swung his feet to the floor. “I did not mean to do more than rest my eyes for a moment. Where is she?” He pulled on his boots. “Take me to her.”

“She is safe for now, but she is sick. She has two broken ribs, gashes on her head and thigh, and many bruises. The cut on her leg looks infected. I found her in the tunnel for the dungeons' access point. So much has changed in Diu, I did not know where to take her. I left her in the eastern spire in the old armory.”

“We need to move her before dawn. Get her to my tower. I can have Sigry tend to her here in my room. I trust him. He is loyal to your father. Loyal to me. Retrieve my daughter, and I will get Sigry. But do not be here when we return—I cannot have you mixed up in this. Your reputation is tarnished enough; I cannot have the lost Prince of Diu caught in a spy scandal.”

Kai nodded. “I can use the secret tunnels, but I need to move fast before the maids start their day. Send me a note through Kendra when I can visit. I will send her to help bathe Riome.”

♦ ♦ ♦

When Riome was safe in Adrian’s room, not wanting to track filth through the palace, Kai stopped by the laundry to drop off his mud-caked boots. Before he could get through the kitchen, Lizzie spotted him. Her expression demonstrated fear and caution. “Kai, is it really you, my dear boy?” Lizzie touched his arm as if unsure he was not a ghost. “My, my, you are a sight for sore eyes. I feared I would never see you again, but do not dally here. The Queen must not find you here; things have changed in the palace. The kitchen is no place for a prince.” She bowed ever so slightly and grabbed him around the waist for a quick hug.

“Dear Lizzie, how I have missed you. I hope to ease the worries around Diu, but right now, could you do me a favor? Please send food to the master general’s room. Could you also send food to my room? I would appreciate the help.” He hated to beg and run, but she was right—the kitchen was no place for the supposedly ill prince.

“Certainly, Prince Kai.” She waved his smell from her nose. Her eyes pinned him with a look of concern, but she mustered a smile. “Now, go take a bath.”

♦ ♦ ♦

An hour later, Kai found himself eating from a bountiful tray of food in his room provided by Kendra. “I need to tell you something,” she started.

He swallowed his food and wiped the corner of his mouth. “Later Kendra, I need your help first. I found Riome. She is in the master general’s quarters. I need you to help bathe her and provide fresh clothes; Cazier is expecting you. Sigry will tend her wounds, but if you know any Kodama healers in the city who could help her, I would appreciate it.”

“I am happy to help.” Kendra turned to go. “And I will try to inform Riome’s mother, Yulia. She will want to know her daughter has returned. But I must tell what I heard about Rayna.”

Half chocking on his water he read the concern in Kendra’s eyes. “What? Tell me, is she alright?”

“I overheard the lavender girls in the laundry gossiping about how Rayna tried to see you, twice. The first time the guards turned her away and during her second attempt with different men, they manhandled her, one instructed she should understand her place while another soldier threatened a night in prison by order of the Queen. I do not want you to leave, but this is not a safe place for either of you.”

Her concerns sank in, Kai was playing a dangerous game with Nola and if he did not do something, Rayna would pay the consequences. “I will get her out of the city, thank you for telling me.”

Chapter 9

Free Your Mind

When Kai slipped into the tower through the secret passageway to check Riome’s condition, the hour was late. He was pleased to see Sigry had wrapped her ribs, tended her wounds, and given her medicine to help with the infection. Although her complexion had improved, she only woke