Royal Assassin

He sighed. "I saw the child with you. Saw them fighting over her. Then you were suddenly gone. We lost our joining, and I couldn't find you again, not even with all my strength. I knew you were in trouble and set out to reach you as soon as I could. I'm sorry I wasn't faster."

I longed to open myself up and tell Verity everything. But it might be too revealing. To possess a Prince's secrets does not give one the right to divulge them. I glanced at Burrich. He was studying the wall. I spoke formally. "Thank you, my prince. You could not have come faster. And even if you had, it would have been too late. She died at almost the same instant I saw her."

Verity looked down at his hands. "I knew that. Knew it better than you did. My concern was for you." He looked up at me and tried for a smile. "The most distinctive part of your fighting style is the incredible way you have of surviving it."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Burrich shift, open his mouth to speak, then close it again. Cold dread uncoiled in me. He had seen the bodies of the Forged ones, seen the tracks. He knew I hadn't fought alone against them. It was the only thing that could have made the day worse. I felt as if my heart were suddenly caught in a cold stillness. That Burrich had not spoken of it yet, that he was reserving his accusations for a private time only made it worse.

"FitzChivalry?" Verity called my attention back to him.

I started. "I beg your pardon, my prince."

He laughed, almost, a brief snort. "Enough of `my prince.' Rest assured that I do not expect it of you just now, and neither does Burrich. He and I know each other well enough; he did not `my prince' my brother at moments like this. Recall that he was king's man to my brother. Chivalry drew on his strength, and oftentimes not gently. I am sure Burrich knows that I have used you likewise. And knows also that I rode with your eyes today, at least as far as the top of that ridge. "

I looked to Burrich, who nodded slowly. Neither of us was certain why he was being included here.

"I lost touch with you when you went into a battle frenzy. If I am to use you as I wish, that cannot happen." Verity drummed his fingers lightly on his thighs for a moment, in thought. "The only way I can see for you to learn this thing is to practice it. Burrich. Chivalry once told me that in a tight spot, you were better with an ax than a sword."

Burrich looked startled. Plainly he had not expected Verity to know this about him. He nodded again, slowly. "He used to mock me about it. Said it was a brawler's tool, not a gentleman's weapon."

Verity permitted himself a tight smile. "Appropriate for Fitz's style, then. You will teach him to use one. I don't believe it's something Hod teaches as a general rule. Though no doubt she could if I asked her. But I'd rather it was you. Because I want Fitz to practice keeping me with him while he learns it. If we can tie the two lessons together, perhaps he can master them both at once. And if you are teaching him, then he'll not be too distracted about keeping my presence a secret. Can you do it?"

Burrich could not completely disguise the dismay that crept over him. "I can, my prince."

"Then do so, please. Beginning tomorrow. Earlier is better for me. I know you have other duties as well, and few enough hours to yourself. Don't hesitate to pass some of your duties on to Hands while you are busy with this. He seems a very capable man."

"He is," Burrich agreed. Guardedly. Another tidbit of information that Verity had at his fingertips.

"Fine, then." Verity leaned back in his chair. He surveyed us both as if he were briefing a whole roomful of men. "Does anyone have any difficulties with any of this?"

I saw the question as a polite closing.

"Sir?" Burrich asked. His deep voice had gone very soft and uncertain, "If I may ... I have ... I do not intend to question my prince's judgment, but ..."

I held my breath. Here it came. The Wit.

"Speak it out, Burrich. I thought I had made it clear that the `my princing' was to be suspended here. What worries you?"

Burrich stood up straight, and met the King-in-Waiting's eyes. "Is this ... fitting? Bastard or no, he is Chivalry's son. What I saw up there, today ..." Once started, the words spilled out of Burrich. He was fighting to keep anger from his voice. "You sent him ... He went into a slaughterhouse situation, alone. Most any other boy of his age would be dead now. I ... try not to pry into what is not my area. I know there are many ways to serve my king, and that some are not as pretty as others. But up in the Mountains ... and then what I saw today. Could not you find someone besides your brother's child for this?"