Chapter 6
The Palace

Hadrian drew the drapes and lit a candle on the small table before asking Albert, “What have you discovered?” In the past Royce had always run the meetings, and Hadrian found himself trying to remember all the little things his partner would do to ensure secrecy.

They were in Hadrian’s room at the Bailey, and this was their first meeting since Royce left. Albert was staying at the palace now, and Hadrian wanted to keep Albert’s visits infrequent. A guest of the empress might patronize a seedy inn for entertainment, but too many visits could appear suspicious.

“Genny introduced me to the empress’s secretary,” Albert said. He was dressed in a heavy cloak, which hid his lavish attire beneath simple wool. “The girl cried tears of joy when Genny told her the news about her family. I think it’s safe to say that Lady Amilia loves the duchess and at least trusts me. You should have seen Genny. She was marvelous. And her chambers are exquisite!”

“What about Leo?” Hadrian asked.

“He’s quiet as always but playing along. If Genny is all right with it, so is he. Besides, he’s always hated Ethelred.”

The two sat at the table. The dim, flickering light revealed not much more than their faces. For over a week Hadrian had tried to find out what he could in town, but he was not getting very far. He did not have the head for planning that Royce did.

“And you know how Genny loves intrigue,” Albert added. “Anyway, she got me appointed as the official wedding planner.”

“That’s perfect. Have you learned anything useful?”

“I asked Lady Amilia about places that could be used to temporarily house performers. I told her it’s common practice to utilize empty cells since tavern space is hard to come by.”

“Nice.”

“Thanks, but it didn’t help. According to her, the palace doesn’t have a dungeon, just a prison tower.”

“Prison tower sounds good.”

“It’s empty.”

“Empty? Are you sure? Have you checked?”

Albert shook his head. “Off limits.”

“Why would it be off limits if it’s empty?”

The viscount shrugged. “No idea, but Lady Amilia assures me it is. Said she was up there herself. Besides, I’ve watched it the last few nights, and I’m pretty sure she’s right. I’ve never seen a light. Although, I did see a seret knight go in once.”

“Any other ideas?”

Albert drummed his fingers on the tabletop, thinking for a moment. “The only other restricted area is the fifth floor, which I’ve determined is where the empress resides.”

“Have you seen her?” Hadrian leaned forward. “Have you managed to speak with her?”

“No. As far as I can tell, Modina never leaves her room. She has all her meals brought to her. Amilia insists the empress is busy administrating the Empire and is still weak. Apparently, the combination leaves her unable to receive guests. This has been a source of irritation recently. All the visiting dignitaries want an audience with the empress—but all are denied.”

“Someone has to see her.”

“Lady Amilia certainly does. There is also a chambermaid…” Albert fished inside his tunic pulling out a wadded bundle of parchments, which he unfolded on the table. “Yes, here it is. The chambermaid is named Anne, and the door guard is…” He shuffled through his notes. “Gerald. Anne is the daughter of a mercer from Colnora. As for Gerald, his full name is Gerald Baniff. He’s from Chadwick. Family friend of the Belstrads.” Albert took a moment to flip through a few more pages. “Was once personal aide to Sir Breckton. A commendation for bravery won him the position of honor guard to the empress.”

“What about the regents?”

“I assume they could see her, but as far as I can tell, they don’t. At least no one I’ve talked to reports ever having seen them on the fifth floor.”

“How can she govern if she never takes a meeting with Ethelred or Saldur?” Hadrian asked.

“I think it’s obvious. The regents are running the Empire.”

Hadrian slumped back in his seat with a scowl. “So she’s a puppet.”

Albert shrugged. “Maybe. Is this significant?”

“Royce and I knew her—before she became the empress. I thought maybe she might help us.”

“Doesn’t look like she has any real power.”

“Does anyone know this?”

“Some of the nobles may suspect, although most appear colossally unaware.”

“They can’t all be that gullible.”

“You have to keep in mind that many of these people are extremely religious and dedicated Imperialists. They accept the story of her being the heir descended from Maribor. From what I’ve determined, the vast majority of the peasant class feels the same way. The servants and even palace guards view her with a kind of awe. The rarity of her appearances has only reinforced this notion. It’s a politician’s dream. Since she’s hardly seen, no one attaches any mistake to her and instead blame the regents.”

“So no one other than Amilia, the guard, and the chambermaid see her?”

“Looks that way. Oh, wait.” Albert paused. “Nimbus also apparently has access.”

“Nimbus?” Hadrian asked.

“Yes, he is a courtier from Vernes. I met him several years ago at some gala or ball. No one of account as I remember but generally a decent fellow. He’s actually the one that introduced Lord Daref and me to Ballentyne, which led to that pair of stolen letter jobs you did for the Earl of Chadwick and Alenda Lanaklin. Nimbus is a thin, funny guy, prone to wearing loud clothes and a powdered wig. Always carries a little leather satchel over his shoulder—rumor is he carries make-up in it. Smarter than he appears certainly. Very alert—he listens to everything. He was hired by Lady Amilia and works as her assistant.”

“So, what is the likelihood you could see the empress?”

“Slim, I suspect. Why? I just told you there’s not much chance she can help, or do you think they’re keeping Gaunt in Modina’s room?”

“No.” Hadrian rubbed a hand over the surface of the table amidst the flickering shadows. “I’d just like to—I don’t know—to see if she’s all right, I guess. I sort of promised her father I’d watch out for her—make sure she was okay, you know?”

“She’s the empress,” Albert stated. “Or hasn’t he heard?”

“He’s dead.”

“Oh.” Albert paused.

“I just would feel better if I could talk to her.”

“Are we after Gaunt or the empress?”

Hadrian scowled. “Well, it doesn’t look like we’re very close to finding where Gaunt is being held.”

“I think I’ve pushed things about as far as I can. I’m a wedding planner, not a guard, and people get suspicious if I start asking about prisoners.”

“I really didn’t think it would be this hard to find him.”

Albert sighed. “I’ll try again,” he said, standing and pulling the drawstrings on his cloak.

“Hold on a second. When we first arrived, didn’t you mention that the palace was recruiting new guards?”

“Yeah, they’re expecting huge crowds. Why?”

Hadrian didn’t reply right away, staring into the single candle and massaging his calloused palms. “I thought I might try my hand at being a man-at-arms again.”

Albert smiled. “I think you’re a tad overqualified.”

“Then I ought to get the job.”