Limits of Power Read Online Free Page A

salle carrying frames of branch and vine. Though Amrothlin said the elvenhome had passed away, a similar silvery light brightened around them as they lifted the bodies onto these biers and then the biers onto their shoulders. Four each carried Dameroth and Silwarthin, and eight carried the Lady, with more elves before and behind. Kieri and Arian followed this procession out of the salle and across the palace courtyard to the gates and there halted, seeing the glow of it vanish into the trees across the way.
    Now only Tolmaric’s body remained in the salle, a single King’s Squire keeping watch. “Now,” Arian said, facing him, “you will take off that mail and let us see if indeed you have no wound.”
    â€œIt’s only a bruise—”
    â€œWe do not know that, and you have looked more exhausted every moment. I insist.”
    Kieri looked at the King’s Squire watching over Tolmaric’s body. “I will send another to relieve you,” he said. “I must go.” The stench of blood on his clothes sickened him suddenly.
    â€œOf course, sir king.”
    He gave orders on the way through the palace for the nightlong vigil by Tolmaric’s body and asked after his Squires. The physicians and Kuakkgani were still with them, he was told.
    â€œSend one to the king’s quarters,” Arian said to the steward.
    â€œArian—”
    â€œNo, Kieri. We have had treachery and mortal danger in this palace; I take no chances with the king’s life.”
    â€œYour baths are ready,” the steward said. “And a hot meal will be sent to your chamber, sir king—or would the queen wish to eat in her own?”
    â€œWith the king,” Arian said. She leaned a little on his arm as they went.
    Upstairs, Kieri found Aliam and more Squires waiting for him.
    â€œEstil will be with the queen,” Aliam said. “And we have plenty of Squires; no assassin will get past all of us.”
    Kieri grinned in spite of his fatigue. He hung his sword on its rack beside the bed, then Squires helped him off with the blood-stiffened clothes and the mail. He could feel that his arming shirt had stuck to his shoulder.
    â€œThat’s a notable bruise,” Aliam said. “And you’ve bled, too. Might have cracked a bone as well. I’m surprised the padding didn’t protect you better.”
    â€œI could fight, once I caught my breath.” Kieri frowned, trying to remember every detail of the day, but his head felt stuffed with old wool.
    Aliam chuckled. “Kieri, you could fight if you were half dead. Go take your bath; it’ll need a poultice and bandage after.”
    When he was finally bathed, bandaged, and clothed again, he found a meal laid on the table. Arian came across from the queen’s chamber. “So you were wounded after all,” she said. She looked pale, violet shadows around her eyes, and Kieri wondered if she’d also been hit. “I didn’t have any breaks in my skin,” she said. “But you—are you sure that poultice is enough? Remember what the Kuakgan said.”
    Kieri nodded without speaking, though he didn’t remember; his concerns about the Lady’s death, about Amrothlin, filled his mind now. He felt almost too weary to eat. As often with injuries, his shoulder hurt more now than it had when it was hit; the poultice stung, and the bandage itched.
    â€œAt least we found out about the poison,” Arian said after her first swallows of soup. “That pin-pig—”
    Kieri put down his fork. “The Kuakkgani,” he said.
    â€œWhat about them?”
    Kieri told her about his conversation with the Kuakgan. “I was supposed to meet with them—I forgot. You know what I told you about Midwinter. I think they should visit the ossuary and perhaps the mound in the King’s Grove as well.”
    â€œPerhaps. But not tonight. Tonight they need to see to your wound; I’m