Forest Kingdom Trilogy 2 - Blood and Honor

hell before I apologise to you,' said Lewis. 'I won't forget this, William.' He turned and walked out of the Court. The Monk and Ironheart followed him, and his guards brought up the rear, still with their swords drawn. Jordan thought for a moment that William would actually order his bowmen
    to open fire, but he didn't. Instead he turned to
    Dominic, who smiled with half his face and inclined his head slightly to the Regent.
    'Make the most of your position, William. While it lasts.'
    He turned and left the Court, accompanied by his guards. They didn't sheath their swords either. Jordan noticed they were careful to leave in a different direction from Lewis. Apparently Dominic didn't feel ready for a direct conflict just yet. The Regent stood by the empty throne, and for a moment looked very tired and very old. Jordan sympathised with him. Count William was in an impossible situation. No matter who finally claimed the throne, he wouldn't get any thanks for his Regency. In fact, he'd be lucky to come out of it alive. Apart from his own elemental magic, his only power lay in the Castle troops he commanded as Regent. He could of course protect himself by making a deal with one of the Princes, but William wouldn't do that. He was, after all, an honest man. That was why King Malcolm had made him Regent.
    Count William raised his head, forcing the tiredness out of His face and stance until he looked once again the calm, efficient Regent. It was a good performance, and Jordan appreciated it as such. The Lady Gabrielle watched her husband silently, pride and support for him burning in her steady gaze. The Regent formally dismissed the Court, his voice firm and steady. The nobles and the courtiers began to drift away in small clumps, quietly discussing the implications of what they'd witnessed. Jordan gathered his people around him and made a grand exit, bowing and smiling as he went. It was important to keep up appearances, even if everything else was falling apart around him.
    Jordan hadn't said anything to anyone yet, but he was beginning to feel somewhat depressed. For all his time in the Castle, he hadn't really accomplished anything. All right, he'd helped Geordie find his mother, and he'd helped stop an outbreak of the Unreal, but that wasn't what he was here for. He was supposed to be taking the pressure off Prince Viktor and his conspirators so that they could get on with searching for the missing crown and seal. Instead, all he'd done was attract unwelcome attention, while the crown and seal remained as elusive as ever. Jordan strode ahead of his people, his head bowed and his brow furrowed in thought. He was so distracted he didn't react at all when someone hailed him as Prince Viktor, and Sir Gawaine had to elbow him smartly in the ribs. Jordan jerked his head up, and smiled belatedly at Catriona Taggert, who stood before him waiting to be noticed.
    'Sorry, Steward. I was miles away.'
    'I understand,' said Taggert. 'I'm sure you've got a lot on your mind at the moment. Look, I need to talk to you, Viktor. Right now, in private. It's very important, I promise you.'
    Jordan glanced at Sir Gawaine, who shrugged imperceptibly. Jordan knew what he meant. Of all the people he'd met at Castle Midnight, Taggert was the only one who'd struck him as being at all trustworthy, but he couldn't honestly say he knew her well enough to be sure of it. She could be bait for a trap set by Lewis or Dominic. They'd love to get him on his own, away from his protectors. But after all the intrigues and mixed loyalties, Jordan felt an overwhelming need to trust someone, and it might as well be the Steward.
    'All right,' he said crisply. 'Where did you have in mind?'
    Count Roderik coughed loudly, to get his attention. Jordan ignored him. Roderik coughed again, louder.
    'Nasty cold you've got there, Roderik,' said Jordan. 'I'd take something for that, if I was you.'
    Gawaine stifled something that might have been a chuckle, and Taggert's mouth twitched.
    'If I might remind your highness,' said Roderik tightly, 'there are urgent matters awaiting your attention.
    Whatever the Steward has to say, I'm sure it can wait.'
    'No, it can't,' said Taggert, her eyes locked on Jordan's. 'There's a room just down the corridor where we can talk, Viktor.'
    'Very well,' said Jordan. 'Gawaine, you come with me. You can stand guard outside the door while the Steward and I are talking. The rest of you stay here and block off both ends of this corridor. No