"We trained together."
"He's very good."
Gavril grunted. "Decent enough. We used to spar."
"Until you weren't enough of a challenge?"
He gave her a look. When she resumed watching the fight, Gavril tried to nudge her from the fence. She ignored him. This was a distraction and she was happy for it. Also, admittedly, she was enjoying it. There was something to be said for watching an expert swordsman in training, particularly if he was young and, at least from this distance, well formed.
When Tyrus wheeled to avoid a blow, he noticed that he had an audience and gave a small bow. His instructor's sword flashed, nicking the youth's cheek to get his attention. Moria would have expected a prince--even a bastard prince--to take the rebuke badly, but she heard Tyrus laugh as he called something to his instructor. Then he resumed the fight.
"Keeper," Gavril said.
She was about to brush him off again when she saw what he meant--the court Keeper and Seeker were coming down the walk.
Fifty-one
The Seeker--Ellyn--came first, walking with a warrior's haughty stride, despite her age. The Keeper--Thea--followed behind, her hands folded in front of her. It was said that when a Keeper and Seeker were chosen, the beasts determined which would be which. Then the babies were quickly given bracelets. Moria was convinced that some early nursemaid had switched Thea's and Ellyn's bracelets.
Even their beasts didn't seem as bonded to them as Tova and Daigo. When Ashyn was little, she'd say it was because Thea and Ellyn hadn't named their beasts. They were simply the Hound and the Wildcat. That was, however, the tradition. It was their father who had let the girls break it--one of his small, quiet rebellions.
"Moria," Ellyn said as she strode through the gate. "What is the meaning of this, summoning us?"
"She didn't," Ashyn said softly. "I did."
The old Seeker turned a disdainful look on her student. "Don't take the blame for your sister, Ashyn. I know which of you is the impetuous one." She turned to Moria. "And the disrespectful one."
"I'm sure Moria meant no disrespect, sister," Thea said as she caught up.
"No, she didn't," Ellyn said. "She's simply thoughtless. As demonstrated by coming here, knowing the danger it puts our city in, having two Keepers and two Seekers."
"We haven't even passed our seventeenth summer," Moria said. "Our combined powers should barely add to one of yours." She paused. "Unless you're concerned that we're more powerful than we ought to be. Or that you're weaker."
Ashyn elbowed her to silence. "We've had a long journey. My sister is tired and even more impatient than usual. However, we bring an urgent missive--"
"Which you will give to us. Then you will leave the city."
Moria stepped up to the old woman. "Edgewood is gone. Our village has been massacred by shadow stalkers--"
"Shadow stalkers?" Ellyn laughed. "Your village was massacred by figments of your imagination?"
Moria gripped her blade, and it took everything in her not to draw it. "No, my father was killed by shadow stalkers, as Ashyn and Gavril will attest--"
"Your sister and a traitor's son? Those are your witnesses?"
"My witnesses are the dead of Edgewood. My father and the governor and the commander--"
"This will be investigated. In the meantime, you shall not--"
"I will pass!" Moria roared, Daigo snarling beside her. "My village is gone and its children are held prisoner, and you will let me pass, old woman, or I swear by my ancestors--"
Thea drew her blade, lunging forward, still spry for her age.
Gavril stepped between them. "This is unreasonable. They ask only to see the emperor. It is their right to do so. If you will allow us to explain . . ."
"Yes, ladies," said a voice behind the women. "Please let them explain."
It was the young prince, Tyrus. He'd sheathed his sword and was walking toward them from the palace gardens.