Fourth Vector Ch. 29

Kat arched an eyebrow and smiled. "Sounds like it didn't quite stop with a foot rub."

Ciara turned red. "No, most nights it didn't. But then again, I think a foot rub might have been the reason I got pregnant in the first place. I used to ask for them long before Davin came along."

Kat let out a soft laugh. "With Jack, it was always when he put his fingers on my bare skin. It didn't even have to be rubbing or anything, but when he touched my back at night or slid his fingers along my arm, something about it would always make me shiver. We had a similar outcome to what you described."

Ciara smiled. "Isn't it funny the things that we respond to? The ironic thing about it was that Aedan hated foot rubs at first. But he grew to love them, no doubt because of what happened after we finished them. Men are funny like that."

Kat nodded but the smile dropped from her face. Thinking about Jack brought her incredibly mixed feelings right now. On one hand, there was never anyone who made her as happy as he did. On the other, his absence made her feel incomplete—like part of her was missing. It was starting to take its toll.

Kat held back the tears even though they wanted to flow. She blamed the pregnancy for making them rise so easily to the surface. The only problem was that they didn't go back down fast enough for her liking. She wiped her eye with one hand quickly and resumed her attention to the correspondence in front of her.

It wasn't quick enough to escape Ciara's notice.

The queen pushed to her feet and wrapped herself around Kat's side. She rested her head against Kat's shoulder.

"It will be all right. We'll find him. I know we will," said Ciara soothingly.

Kat held back the tears. "I really hope so."

*****

Later on that evening, Kat finished her dinner and went to find a quiet spot outside her room. Normally, she could only be found in her room at such a late hour, but with both Jack and Abigail not being there, it was the last place she wanted to be.

She didn't want another reminder that she was alone.

Since the weather was finally starting to warm up, she decided to spend some time on an enclosed portico that was off the residential wing of the palace. It was a place that she'd found with Vera on their last visit to Daban, and it was a secluded spot that afforded a small view out over the rest of the city.

It was ironic that she wasn't the only one to have the same idea.

"Oh, it's just you," said Vera as she looked up from her seated position to see Kat arriving on the portico. "You almost scared me for a minute."

Kat smiled. "I didn't feel like being in my room. Is it all right if I join you? Or were you hoping for some privacy?"

"Of course you can join me," said Vera as she waved her forward. "Especially if it's you. I still feel like we have much of that six months to make up for!"

That was true. Even with all the time that Kat had been back in Daban, her chances for catching up with Vera had been few and far between. It wasn't because Kat didn't want to but more because the search for Jack took up most of her time.

Kat scrunched down next to Vera and placed her legs under the railing, letting them dangle a few feet off the ground. The night air was incredibly refreshing. The palace was so large that the air could be stale in spots so getting a chance to sit out on the portico was exactly the kind of thing she needed to recharge.

"Do you think he's still out there somewhere?" asked Vera after a few moments of silence. "Where do you think he is, Kat?"

Kat let out a small sigh before she answered. "I really wished I knew. I have no doubt that Abigail will command the entire task force to go find him the instant we know where he is."

"I just hope he's not in Swabia," said Vera with a quiet voice. "If he is, I don't think we'll get to see him again."

Kat swallowed the lump in her throat. She reached out and rubbed a spot on Vera's back. The other woman looked over at her.

"I'm sorry, Kat," said Vera finally as she sniffled. "I should know better than to say that out loud but I just can't help it. It's what I'm thinking and I couldn't hold it back anymore."

"It's what we're all thinking," said Kat. "And I think we're all afraid to admit that he might be out of our reach."

"So what do we do then? What happens to the war? Jack is supposed to lead this fight, is he not?"

Kat nodded. "The entire prophecy centers around the Galician king as the standard-bearer for us. Without him, the prophecy says we have no chance."

"No chance," repeated Vera. She turned to Kat with a weak smile. "That's what I figured. So this could all be for naught right now. If something's happened to Jack, our position would be hopeless."

Kat nodded, finding actual words too heavy for the moment.

"You know, it reminds me of when I was younger," said Vera after a moment of quiet. "Back when I used to travel with my adoptive father when he was a merchant. I remember he used to tell me how important it was to keep the boat clean. He would frequently use a rope to dangle off the side, scrubbing away anything that had built up on the side of the hull. There were times he would do it while we were still out in the middle of the sea without any land in sight."

"I remember thinking to myself that if something happened to him—if he fell into the water or got hurt somehow where he couldn't get back on the boat, I'd be helpless without him. I was too young to know what to do if something happened. I remember how useless it made me feel, that my fate was out of my own hands." Vera turned to look at Kat. "It's the same feeling that I have right now."

Kat nodded. "I used to get the same feeling during one of my father's lessons. He was never a warm man by any stretch of the imagination. But I remember thinking to myself that he knew how to rule. He always had a firm grasp on power. I used to fear that I'd never be able to replace him when he died. In a way, my fear came true."

Vera reached out and touched her hand. "This is one fear that won't come true. I promise you that, Kat."

Just like that, the dam burst. Kat wasn't sure if it was just the act of keeping things bottled up too long or whether it was the hormones from the pregnancy but she just broke down. She leaned into Vera and sobbed uncontrollably.

"I c-can't take this being apart from him," said Kat as her tears soaked into the fabric of Vera's blouse. "I can't find him, and after all this time, I'm still no closer to f-figuring out where he is!"

Vera wrapped a protective arm around her. "It's okay. Let it out. Let it all out."

"What scares me the most is bringing this baby into the world without him, Vera. I want this baby to know who his father is. Right now, it's the only link to Jack that I have and it just k-kills me."

Kat pulled back to look at Vera. "I wouldn't feel nearly as bad if the bond wasn't completely gone either. He's so far away that I can't even feel him."

Vera nodded. "I noticed that too. When you were in Java, I got used to being without it again. It wasn't until you were on your way back that the sensation started once more. I was just getting used to it again and now it's gone."

"I haven't been without it since the moment he came to the West. I still remember the way it pulsed when he touched me that first time in Sorella. What I wouldn't give to feel that again right now."

"You will, Kat. There's still hope out there for us. I just know it."

Kat put her head back against Vera's shoulder. "I miss him so much, Vera."

"I do too, Kat. I do too."

*****

Eric Rosdahl was conflicted.

It was about half an hour before he was due to meet with the emperor for dinner that evening, a prearranged event to celebrate their partnership and to confirm plans for the future. Before he arrived in Dagobern, he'd planned to use the dinner to ask for more gold—the price that was to be paid for Galicia sitting on the sidelines for the current conflict.

But after his meeting with Jack Easterbrook, he knew his plan had to change.

He needed to figure out how to get the king out of Swabia and bring him back to Galicia. It was the easiest way to make sure that Easterbrook died on his terms. Eric's fear was that the Swabians would let him linger in the dungeons for years. As long as he was alive, there could be hope for his escape, and Eric couldn't have that.

The man had to die.

A part of him also wanted the pride that could be gained from doing the deed himself. So many of his ancestors had searched for that family and tried to extinguish them. Now, the king was within his very grasp. All he had to do was reach out and take him.

The question was how to get the Swabians to agree to such a proposition? They knew Jack's worth, and even if they didn't know he was the king, they still saw him as a meddlesome foreigner who needed to be neutralized so that their strategic plans could continue. Getting him released into Eric's custody would be a tall order indeed, and it was a conversation that he wasn't looking forward to having.

Eric knew there was one trump card still on the table. There was one possible deal he could offer to the emperor that might just get Easterbrook released to him. He just didn't know if he wanted to play that card too early in this conflict.

Those troubles were on his mind as he was escorted to the main dining hall just a short while later. That hall was just as garish as the rest of the palace. The main room was made of a brilliant orange and white stonework that gave the whole room an ominous feeling from the start. The dining table itself was a black wood that was inlaid with gold around the edges. The same could be said for the silverware, and overall, the ostentatious made Eric uncomfortable at what was to follow.

To his luck though, Emperor Avila was in a jovial mood. The man was wearing his regal robes and seated at the head of the table. After Eric's arrival, he was shown to the other end of the table, which was only a short distance from the emperor.

"It's fortunate that you arrived when you did," said Avila with a charming smile. "I was about to get started eating anyway. The task of ruling makes me famished more quickly than usual."

Eric raised his glass so one of the servants could fill it with a wine. He tasted it once they were done, smacking his lips together in appreciation of the fine Apulian red.

"I find that a good drink at the end of the day makes the task of ruling more bearable," said Eric quite honestly.

"That's one area where we're in complete agreement," replied Avila. "Apulian wine makes everything more palatable. In any event, I trust you're finding your accommodations well? Is there anything my people can do to make it more comfortable for you?"

"None at all, we are completely satisfied," said Eric before he carried on with a lie. "This palace does an excellent job of being a home away from home."

Avila nodded. "That it does. There's still nothing like the coziness of my manor back on Cormfeld but in terms of raw elegance, this palace does nicely."

In the next moment, the servants brought out their plates and set them on the table. Eric could see that roasted duck was the main course. He took the first bite and then decided to broach the subject on hand.

"If I might, I thought I would ask you about the foreigner in your dungeons," started Eric as he began to carve a second piece for his fork. "Might I ask you a little more about your plans for him? Especially his punishment or fate?"

Avila nodded while he chewed. "I don't think I've given it much thought beyond the coronation if I'm being truthful. Yes, my plan is to have him paraded through Dagobern as a subdued enemy to gain prestige with the people of the city. After that, I'm of two minds. Part of me wants to kill him, but the more that I think about it, the more I want to let him suffer. Prison time always works well for those with excessive pride, like Easterbrook. It would be just as satisfying to watch him rot over the period of a few years while the insolence slowly drains from his spirit."

"So you don't intend to execute him right away?" asked Eric, finding his fears justified already.

Avila shrugged. "Like I said, I haven't made up my mind. I've been letting the old Nax king languish about in Millpond for several years now. Why shouldn't I do the same with Easterbrook?"

"It might be better off to know that he is truly dead," said Eric. "A quick death will be better for our cause than a lengthy sentence in the dungeons where he'll still be alive."

"The dungeons is a death sentence one way or another, my friend," said Avila, leveling a heavy gaze on Eric. "He'll die eventually. Why shouldn't we squeeze all the pride out of him first to make it that much sweeter? The threat of Jack Easterbrook is now over if you ask me. Let's let him suffer a little for all the trouble he's caused us."

Eric took a deep breath, trying to pick his words wisely for the upcoming request. He took a long drink of the wine before setting it back down.

"Say, for example, that I had another fate in mind for Easterbrook. What would you say to that?"

Avila stared back at him. "I'd ask you to speak it so we can get it out in the open."

"I'd only ask you to consider this in the spirit of our current alliance," began Eric. "But I'd like to take him back to Galicia to be dealt with swiftly. A public execution, no doubt, but I'd like to put a quick end to Jack Easterbrook and all the trouble he's caused."

Avila set his fork down and put his hands together. He stared back with noticeable confusion which made Eric uneasy.

"I find that request more than a little odd," said the emperor finally. "What motivation could you have for doing that? Why is my dungeon not good enough for him?"

Eric cleared his throat before he started his rehearsed speech.

"This man is a clear threat to both of us, is he not? I can see how he's disturbed your operations in both Andalucia and Sorella. Surely the lack of gold from both countries has put a noticeable dent in your bottom line. Picardy is the obvious elephant in the room, so you have more than your fair share in the claim for his life."

Eric raised his hand slightly above the table. "On the other hand, this man is gallivanting with my own cousin, someone who has been convicted of misrule and removed from power. She's also been condemned to death in Galicia. Not only did he consort with her, but they've played an active role in all these wars that have faced our united partnership. They do so in order to restore Katherine to her place as the regent. I will not allow that to happen, and anyone that aids her can meet her same fate."

Avila raised an eyebrow. "Do you think this man cares a fig for who rules in Galicia?"

"I think thatshe does. And if they are lovers then he'll care if she cares. Besides, I have proof of their malfeasance," said Eric. "I've had to place one of my own lords under arrest just for plotting to restore her to the throne. I already knew she was guilty but now he's been tarred by the same brush. I want to execute him in Galicia as a warning to her on what fate she'll share once I finally get my hands on her."

Avila seemed to regard his words carefully for a moment. Eric found himself anxiously awaiting a response—so much so that he couldn't stand to look at the emperor any further. He lowered his head and took another bite of his meal as he waited.

When he chanced another look at Avila, he was surprised to see an amused look on his face.

"My dear friend, please don't treat me like I'm an idiot," said Avila as he shook his head. "I know the real reason that you want this man to be taken to Galicia."

Eric wanted to melt into his seat. How could the man possibly know of Easterbrook's true identity? Had his own men broken him? Did they torture him until the information came out? Was he warned by someone else about the man he had in his possession?

Eric began to sweat as the emperor took a long swig of his wine before he started to speak again.

"You only want him back because the man is Galician," said Avila finally, breaking a small smile in the process. "It's not hard to figure out by looking at him. He certainly has the features. I don't know how he sails for a foreign flag but all of you Galicians are quite easy to distinguish by looks alone. Since he's your countryman, you want to be the one to dole out justice to him. Is that not the main issue in requesting his extradition back to Galicia?"

The longer the emperor talked, the more relieved Eric became.

So he doesn't know who he really is, thought Eric as he took another sip of wine.Thank the gods for that small and fortunate blessing.

By the time Avila was finished speaking, Eric latched onto the explanation and ran with it.

"I think it's only proper that a Galician that's condemned to death dies by the hand of the Galician government," he replied. "Especially when he's consorting with a known Galician criminal."

"I can understand your reasoning," said Avila. "But what I have the most issue with is that he's been a thorn inboth our sides. He's not just a Galician criminal but an international one, and one that's cost me personally a lot of money. I rather like the idea of him suffering for years on end in my dungeon."

"And it's a very good idea," said Eric. "But I think for the sake of propriety, it's best he meets judgment at the hand of Galician laws. Since I'm the final executor of Galician law, I will make sure he receives a swift and fatal punishment."

Avila reached up to rub his beard. "I still don't like it much. I like you, Eric, but I don't like your plan. My feelings on this subject are that he'll have to stay in Swabia. I'm not ready to release him to you on those pretenses."

Eric nodded as he took another bite of his duck. By this point, he'd peeled off all the meat to the bone, almost finishing his meal. It was a suitable metaphor for what needed to happen next.

He needed to throw a juicy piece of meat to sway the emperor.

"What if I offer you something in return?" he asked, piquing Avila's attention. "Something that you want? Something important in exchange for Easterbrook?"

The emperor regarded him with curiosity and coolness. "I'm listening."

"Which country has been the one bone of contention between us?" asked Eric. "What is the one country I've asked you to leave off the table?"

"Apulia," interrupted Avila, no doubt remembering their earlier conversation. "It's always the Apulians."

"Indeed, the Apulians," confirmed Eric. "So how about it? Apulia for Easterbrook? Sounds like a fair trade, no?"

That certainly got the emperor thinking. Eric watched as his wheels turned as he digested it. Apulia was a lofty gift, well worth giving over Easterbrook in exchange. It was also the one country that Eric had asked Avila to leave alone. Apulia was sacrosanct to him for several reasons. For one, it straddled all the trade routes throughout the West, being located in the center of the entire hemisphere and having easily navigable routes that ran east-west and north-south.

It was also a rich country, the home away from home for many international merchants. It was one that was peaceful too. The Apulians were far more focused on trade than they were on warfare, so much so that they abolished their army centuries ago after the last Swabian War.

It also meant that anyone who picked a fight against the Apulians would run the wrath of the entire western community. It would shut down trade for everyone, causing shockwaves that would be long-lasting and crippling economically. It would cause any aggressor against Apulia to look like a bully due to their lack of an army, no doubt drawing in a coalition to try to save the country and the riches to be had from her wares.