Shadowguard

"I have half a mind to slap some sense into you," Evelina said, though Everna could tell by the tone of her voice she was more relieved than angry.

Ducking her head, to avoid her mother's pointed glare, she turned to observe the aftermath. Andryll, whom she hadn't seen during the conflict, stood in the entryway, peering into the street. Near the bar, Banor climbed to his feet, wiping at his bloodied nose with the back of his hand, a satisfied grin half-hidden beneath his beard. Leah, ever the picture of poise and perfection, gracefully picked her way through the wreckage, stopping every so often to examine a guard before she continued on in favor of the more heavily wounded.

Among them, Everna counted eight dead and many more injured.

"When did Leah get here?" she asked, turning to look at Wil over her mother's shoulder.

Before he could answer, her mother said, "She came with Corden, and thank the gods for it. I doubt I'd have survived another night, otherwise."

Unease pitted in her stomach. Corden hadn't explicitly said how dire the situation was, but he'd insisted it was enough for concern. Yet, with that unease, came an abundance of relief. If Leah had been the one to tend to her mother and Pala, then she had nothing to fear. Her mother was awake, and Pala likely would be as well.

"Guess that explains how he found the safe house," Lisette muttered as she pushed a soaked chunk of hair from her face, glass shards falling onto her shoulders. "I don't get why he couldn't just say that."

"The joys of dealing with my family," Everna said. "They don't ask for things; they cut straight to intimidation. You learn to get used to it."

Her mother eyed Wil and Lisette, her upper lip pulled back in a sneer. "So this is all Shadowguard has to boast about these days? A bunch of third-rate runts?"

Lisette startled. "How did you—"

"I'm aware of the situation, even if my daughter lied about it. You didn't truly believe I wouldn't notice a couple of flea-infested rats sniffing about my tavern, did you?”

"And yet, you missed the ones who killed the mayor," Wil argued.

The look she gave him could've stopped a raging boar in its tracks. "Don't test my patience, you little shit. I know you're the one who dragged my daughter into the post that night, and the only reason you don't have a dagger in your throat is because she's alive. And you better hope it stays that way or your Overseer will be the least of your worries."

Wil held his ground, though she could tell from the way he shifted on his feet that it was fear that stayed his tongue. Her mother would take his head off before he could draw his sword if the display she witnessed moments ago was anything to go by.

Everna heaved a sigh and climbed to her feet, her ankle aching. "Mom, let it go. Please. I've had enough fighting for one day."

"Fortunately for you then, I believe the excitement is over," Andryll said, slinging his bow over his shoulder. "It seems Corden and Ronan have successfully apprehended Windmore. Or, should I say, Corden has successfully prevented Ronan from beheading him."

"Let him," Everna hissed. "It's no less than he deserves."

Her mother pursed her lips, then shook her head. "I know you're upset, dear, and as much as I would love to agree, it may be best they take him alive. The Courts aren't exactly in your favor."

"The Courts can bite me," she spat. "If even a prince can't convince them to see reason, there is nothing Windmore can offer them. Don't forget they sided with him!"

"She has a point," Wil said. "Even after I told them Windmore admitted to his part, they refused to drop their suspicions. They're still convinced Everna had some part in it, and it'll take a confession under a truth spell before they'll let it go."

"And they could've just had a cleric interrogate me and call it a day." Everna said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "I don't even think that will save me at this point. It's like they're doing everything in their power to avoid resolving this."

Her mother snorted. "It's the Courts. You didn't truly expect anything less, did you?"

Everna had hoped that if they were as intent on stopping whatever was brewing in Inverness, they'd have exhausted every means at their disposal. Yet it seemed to be the opposite. They waived her rights and blew past all steps between her arrest and the trial — as if they wanted her guilty and hanged as quickly as possible.

"Shroud is notorious for throwing their agents to the wolves," Lisette said. "Remember what I said about someone tipping us off? We still don't know who it was, and until we confirm it wasn't Shroud and that you aren't acting as a double agent, the Courts won't take any chances."

"They hang you or release you and it's over," Wil reminded her. "They have to keep the case open on the off chance their suspicions are correct."

She raised a brow. "I still don't see why you can't do anything about it. They're treason charges. You should have some authority over that."

"Division of powers, Everna. The Crown has limited power over the Courts as it is, and I'm not the king. The only power I have is over the High Knights. I couldn't do anything until Corden arrived, and I wasn’t sure when he’d get here. The Courts vetoed the transfer request twice. I had to give him the order directly because they refused to deliver it, and find someone to take over his post.”

"But the Steward has authority over the Courts?" Everna asked, dubious.

"Windmore undoubtedly lied about that," her mother snarled.

"I don't know," Wil admitted. "Inverness has never had a steward before and even the Courts aren't sure what the extent of his power is."

Lisette chimed in, "We know that at least two of the Arbiters have been a problem. Osain suspects Shroud may have slipped one or two of their agents into the Courts to stir the pot."

Her mother scoffed, "I can assure you there aren't just one or two, and it's been going on longer than you think. I had hoped the legitimate ones outnumbered Shroud's imposters, but it seems not to be the case."

Everna shifted on her feet, leaning against a toppled table to take the weight off her bad ankle. "Is that why they agreed to the ploy?"

If Shroud had agents in the capital — in the Courts themselves — it would explain how Windmore bypassed all levels of authority and charged her with treason. Where the interpretation of the law and judgment was concerned, the Arbiters were the ultimate authority. If they deemed the case worthy of treason and Windmore's actions justifiable, there would be no further argument.

"That very well could be the case, now that I think about it," Wil said. "I told you, the Courts believed you were as good as dead anyway. Shroud might have figured it'd be better to let you put yourself in the grave they dug. They may pressured you into doing something stupid while the uncompromised ones hoped you'd draw Shroud out of their hole."

Everna pinched the bridge of her nose. "And neither have succeeded."

Her mother pursed her lips. "No, you drew them out, and that's the problem. They're exposed, and it's only going to get worse from here."

"I guess I'm heading back to the safe house, then."

She'd hoped that with Corden now in control of the Guard, Osain would allow her to return home. She had nothing against them (Vina aside), but the safe house lacked what she so desperately needed at the moment: comfort and familiarity. She'd grown tired of wearing the same dress for days and having to borrow necessities from Lisette. Never mind the washroom; she needed a proper bath. She hadn't had more than a quick scrub down in well over a month.

Her mother made a sound of disapproval at the back of her throat. "You're staying here."

Lisette protested, but a sharp look from Evelina stopped her short.

"She's staying here," she said with finality. Then she jabbed her finger into Wil's shoulder and said, "As are you. You got her into this mess and you're getting her out of it. I meant what I said; anything happens to my daughter and you'll wish it was your Overseer you were dealing with. I don't give a shit what the consequences are. You won't be the first prince I've taken out, but I have no problem making you the last."

He looked as if he wanted to protest further, but Everna shook her head. There was no arguing with her mother. Nothing short of divine intervention could change her mind. If Everna went back to the safe house, her mother would weasel the location from Corden and drag her home by the ear.

"Now," her mother said, her hand returning to her side. "Everna, once Leah tends to your ankle, go take a bath. You look awful. And you reek." She turned to Wil and Lisette again, the scowl returning to her face. "As for you two, clean up my tavern."