Kushiel's Mercy

while she wept, her body shaking with an anguish she’d not let herself feel until now. My heart ached for her and I wished there were words I could say that would ease the pain, but there weren’t. That was one truth I knew all too well. Hurting was part of the healing.
    “It gets better, love,” I said. “That, I promise.”
    She laughed through her tears, sniffling. “Good. Because I hate this.”
    I smiled against her hair. “I know.”
    Afterward, Sidonie slept. I stayed awake for a time, watching her and thinking a thousand thoughts. But at length, I slept, too.
    In the morning there was word.
    The Euskerri wished to meet with us in the hall of the guesthouse.

Sixty-Two

    “What?” Sidonie’s voice cracked with outrage when she heard the Euskerri’s terms. A few of them flinched. There was no sign of last night’s wounded young woman in her.
    This was Ysandre de la Courcel’s heir in a rare fury. “Why in Blessed Elua’s name would you insist on such a thing?”
    The Euskerri were demanding that she accompany them to Amílcar.
    And that I join them in battle.
    “You said you would ensure that the Aragonians keep their word,” Janpier Iturralde reminded her. “We do not trust them. If we are victorious over Carthage, the agreement with Aragonia must be witnessed. As the arbiter of this accord, it is your duty.”
    She struggled for control. “I pledged my word, not my person. I have a duty to my country. And Terre d’Ange’s role in this will be meaningless if we’re not able to free her from the spell that binds it.”
    Janpier translated her words. There was a rapid spate of argumentative Euskerri, resulting eventually in nods. “Terre d’Ange’s role may be meaningless anyway,” Janpier said calmly. “We do not believe that you have the authority to speak on behalf of Terre d’Ange, not with your country divided against itself. It is Aragonia that concerns us.
    What passes for leadership in Aragonia has granted you authority on their behalf. Your presence is our surety.”
    “My presence,” Sidonie said. “As your hostage.”
    He colored slightly. “I would not use that word.”
    “I would,” I said grimly.
    There was another long exchange in Euskerri. “It is not so simple,” Janpier said.
    “Aragonia seeks this bargain because they are desperate, but they have betrayed us in the past. We long for our freedom, but the price is very high.” There was sympathy in his face. “It will take a very great gesture of good faith for us to accept this offer. That is what is required of you. Without it, we must decline.”
    I rose from the table. “Then decline. We will be on our way and wish you well.” A pair of brawny men moved to block the door to the hall. I stared at Janpier. “You would refuse to grant us passage to Terre d’Ange?”
    He shrugged in apology. “We do long for freedom.”
    Sidonie made a strangled sound. “Ah, gods! Do I understand this aright? If we agree to accompany you, the Euskerri will take arms against Carthage’s army? And if we refuse, you will turn us away in spite? Despite the fact that it’s in your own best interests to let us pass?”
    “Yes.” Janpier’s face hardened. “Who are you to tell us what is in our best interests? You led an army to our doorstep, highness. In the minds of my people, if you are not willing to do this thing, you have acted in bad faith and we would rather take our chances with Carthage.”
    “Astegal will never grant you sovereignty,” she said. “Never.”
    Janpier offered another stoic shrug. “Then we will fight him here in the mountains.
    Nothing will have changed but the enemy’s face.”
    She raised her gaze to the rafters. “I begin to understand why Aragonia has been so reluctant to deal with the Euskerri.”
    He nodded. “We are a proud and stubborn folk. Those are our terms.”
    “There are other passes through the mountains,” I observed.
    “Yes.” Janpier glanced at me. “All of which we hold, Prince Imriel.”
    Sidonie steepled her fingers and bowed her head. I saw her chest rise and fall as she took a deep breath and composed herself. When she spoke, her voice was quiet and even.
    “ Etxekojaun , I understand. Please understand that I, too, love my country. Imriel and I hold the key to her freedom. Grant us this compromise. I will accompany you willingly.
    But I pray you let Imriel continue onward to Terre d’Ange.”
    “Sidonie . . .” I murmured.
    She shook her head at me.