Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 539
minimize the numbers here, but he had never dreamed it would
work so well.
He revised his plans. They might be able to smuggle the
queen out of here after all.
A scout eased the door open a crack and peered through.
"I see no one... wait, there’s one man."
"What’s he doing?"
"Walking. Must have just gone up the stairs ahead of us
and paused here for a second or something."
"Let me see." Lavin motioned him aside. They had
agreed on how to deal with simple soldiers: they would walk
right by them. Lavin might be recognizable to some officers
and the generals, but to few others. And they were all dressed
in the queen’s livery.
So this man should present no problem...
Lavin cursed under his breath when he saw who it was.
General Armiger walked slowly, his head down as if musing,
hands clasped behind his back. He wore scrolled black armor,
with a commander’s flag jutting over his shoulder. He would
notice any commotion, and Lavin had no doubt he knew where
all his troops were supposed to be. They would have to kill
him now, and as quietly as possible.
"Your invincible queen has tried to kill herself."
For an instant Lavin felt the words had been spoken to
him; his heart almost stopped. Then he spotted the woman
who had spoken. She stepped from the shadows of the
doorway to the antechamber where Lavin had dined with
Galas.
General Armiger took her in his arms, and she rested her
cheek against his breastplate. "It is my fault," he said.
"What?" She drew back a little, looking up at him.
"I told her the truth. I took away her hope."