***
It was late afternoon when the couple returned to the castle. Nevin asked to visit the Central Garden again, where they sat on the circular stone bench and talked for a long time. Corissa seemed more at ease and willingly made a few personal references to her husband and her Gilsum heritage. She even laughed when they talked about Nevin’s blackout and how well that had put the arrogant Chancellor in his place. She admitted to having her own problems with this man, but King Lucan regarded him as a good administrator and tolerated him otherwise. Best of all, Corissa listened intently as Nevin recounted his life as a teacher at Hempstead college. He was pleased that she tried to understand his references to a world she could barely imagine, and her questions confirmed that she was highly perceptive and intelligent. If Nevin was a little homesick, he favored the cure offered by their pleasant conversation. He greatly enjoyed her company.
As dusk arrived, Corissa announced she had to leave and it was time to show him back to his room. This time, when she left him at his door, she did not leave so curtly. She made a gracious nod as she left but still took off rather quickly. Nevin watched her pass down the corridor until she disappeared around a corner, noticing that she walked like a person who was late for an important appointment.
Inside, Anson was finishing his supper. “I was starting to worry about you, Sir Nevin. You have been out all day, and so has Orris, and I have heard nothing of either of you. Have you learned of a way for us to see the King again?”
Nevin shook his head, keeping to himself the truth that he had completely forgotten about seeking an audience with the King.
Anson sighed. “I hope Orris has met with success in arranging it.”
About an hour later, Orris arrived with more disappointing news. He had not succeeded in arranging a meeting with the King, despite valiant attempts to bring it about. “Everyone thinks we should not pursue our cause, Anson. They feel the King has spoken and the matter is over. And all agree that the King was correct in refusing surrender.”
“But it is not surrender we propose! You must know that, Orris. I was certain that Lucan would see the need to act. I felt that he understood. I am not surprised that others would fail to understand their plight, but Lucan should see that his people are distressed and that the natural order has come unraveled.” Anson paced the floor. “Sir Nevin, what should we do?”
“We should keep our heads and not act impulsively. We have to wait for an opportunity to—”There was a sharp knock at the door.
Orris opened the door to reveal a young soldier clad in a crisp blue uniform, unarmed, standing nervously at attention. The soldier announced his mission, “I have been ordered to escort you to a meeting with the King’s physician.”
“For what purpose?” asked Anson.
“I believe it is to care for the eye and bruises on the face of the Tall One.”
Orris looked at his comrades and shrugged his shoulders. He walked to the door and signaled to the guard, “Come on, Pup. I think I should see what this is about.”
“No, Sir. You do not understand. My orders were to escort all three.”
This request puzzled them until Nevin said, “Maybe this is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. Let’s go find out.”
They followed the guard down a series of hallways and descended a narrow stairway until they arrived at a door, which Nevin calculated was below the reception room. The guard spoke as they stopped, “I am to leave you here and other arrangements will be made to guide you back to your quarters.” The young soldier then hustled off, grateful that his mission was complete without experiencing any of the spellwork that befell his comrades the day before.
Orris knocked on the door. It was opened by Corissa, who beckoned them to enter. Nevin noted that the room did resemble a physician’s office with bound books, medical-looking implements, bowls and bottles of liquids and powders on shelves. There was a long table in the center of the room with several chairs around it. Seated at the head of the table was King Lucan. He told Corissa to close the door. “Please be seated and do nothing to attract attention. This is a private meeting that none must know of. Corissa, be sure that no one lurks about who might hear our discussion, then join us at the table.”
The three men looked at each other and sat down. Corissa rechecked the hallway for any potential listeners, then took a seat to the right of the King, who spoke quietly, “We do not have much time before someone will look for me. Before we talk, I must be assured of two things. First, that you are sincere in your commitment to save Antrim as you stated to me yesterday. Second, you must swear on your honor not to speak of this meeting to anyone beyond the five of us. With the very survival of Antrim and its good people at stake, you must honor these terms. Do you swear this?”
Orris responded first, “I swear on my oath of service, Your Majesty.”
“I so swear,” followed Anson.
Nevin nodded his head but did not fully understand the protocol. When his comrades gave him a stern look, he blurted, “Yes, of course. I do, too. I mean, I swear as well.”
The King seemed to find Nevin’s discount of courtly protocol amusing, then turned his eyes to Corissa. She nodded her head in affirmation but did not speak.
“Good,” said Lucan. “You must now listen carefully. First, to Anson: I know that your fears for Antrim are well-founded. There are many signs that the land is on the edge of ruin. I see them. The war does not go well for us, nor for Gilsum for that matter. But the war has gone on for so long and become so bitter. . .and for reasons that have lost their meaning and left us with no foundation to discuss peace. Sadly, the people of both lands, especially those connected with the armies, will not hear any talk of peace for its own sake. For this reason, I would have appeared weak to my subjects if I agreed with you yesterday. My army would turn on me, as would Meire’s if we spoke of anything that hinted at surrender, and the kingdom would meet ruin that much sooner.”
Lucan looked over each man. He was still profoundly regal in demeanor, but his eyes reflected undeniable deep concern and a resolute sadness.
Nevin was impressed by the King’s sincerity. Just as Anson had won him over, he was inspired by Lucan’s plea. The peril of this new land was becoming more real to him, and he better understood the sense of urgency which obsessed Anson.
“The people of Antrim are good subjects,” the King continued. “Loyal and proud. Yet they do not have the insight to see that their future forebodes barbarism and treachery. As you said, bands of brigands now loot and harm the innocent. I cannot adequately protect my people from themselves. That is the greatest shame and sadness—seeing some of my subjects, formerly good, hard-working people, now turning on their own neighbors. This must be stopped if we are to survive as a civilized people. When our greatest dangers are posed by our fellows in acts of crime and deceit, then we are doomed.”
No one in the room could disagree.
“Now to Sir Nevin: I am not so taken with myself as the King to forget that there must be other lands and different races of beings. You are proof of that. And there could be times when we will be threatened by visitors with wondrous devices who appear to have great powers, like the tragedies pictured in your hiroshima. That will happen as it may, but now I fear for today’s tragedies. Though we have a history that wends back many generations, we are a young people only beginning to flower. Aside from this war, we have been healthy in mind and spirit. But the war consumes us—in loss of life, in our diversion from more productive pursuits, and in our loss of humanity. If we do not end this enmity, we will not survive as a healthy nation but sink to barbarism. Now, good Sirs, I need your help. Tell me your plan to save our land.”
Orris and Anson bowed their heads in deep sadness, stifling tears, at the truth of their King’s words.
Corissa sat erect, avoiding eye contact with anyone. She did not react as the others to these grave words from their esteemed sovereign, at least overtly, but Nevin detected an almost imperceptible
tremor to her mouth. They briefly made eye contact, and her face revealed her feelings of anguish. He understood. She was a person of both lands, widowed by the war and committed to her king and his failing land. How difficult this must be for her.
For an instant, she stole another look at Nevin. Her eyes conveyed a plea for help but the look was quickly gone as she averted her gaze again. Nevin was moved by the deep emotional responses showed by each person in the room, but he surprised everyone when he spoke directly to the King. “We think we should meet with King Meire and try to convince him of the need to settle this war without further bloodshed and without the arrogance of conquest.”
Lucan studied the outsider before replying, “That will be difficult, for Meire is a doughty adversary who is supported by a strong military caste in his court. Do you plan to do this by magery?”
“That is not our intention, Your Majesty” Anson interposed.
“You think you can persuade Meire with words and these ‘pictures’ you showed me?”Lucan pointed at the library pictures.
“Your Majesty,” said Nevin. “I saw you look at these pictures. You reacted the same as Anson and Orris, and myself, for that matter. You understand, as we do, the futility of war for war’s sake. Despite the differences among us, we all agree on that. You said as much when you described the signs of decay in your society. Is this other King less aware of what war has done to his people? Is he less caring about their plight?”
“Meire is no less a king than I. He cares for his people and he would not willingly lead them to a baser life.”
“Then we will use the power of persuasion, or any other powers available to win him over. Does anyone have a better plan?” Nevin suddenly became conscious of their attention, uncomfortable that he had taken the lead in this dialogue.
Lucan surveyed them, studying each face, knowing the next move was his. He spoke with an air of finality. “Do you all agree that this is what must be done?”
Each in turn nodded in agreement. Corissa seemed more hesitant than the others, but with a single nod of her head she assented to the plan.
“Then I sanction you to go forward with this mission, but it must be carried out in absolute secrecy. Orris, you must not go dressed as my Armsman, though in your heart you must still live up to your oath of fealty to me and protect these members of your alliance with your life.”
Orris nodded resolutely.
“Anson, you must use your wit and skills in magery, though it is your love of Antrim and its good people that will serve you best. We have not met before, but I know in my heart you are the base on which this alliance is forged.”
Anson’s look of anguish melted into humility.
“Sir Nevin, I have no doubt you are a man of great learning and powers, but you are a stranger to our land and it asks much that you should risk your life and limb for our cause. I am certain, though, that this mission will not succeed without your resources.”
Nevin shrugged slightly.
“Corissa, you are my most loyal subject and I know you would lay down your life for me. It is with you that I have entrusted my deepest secrets, and that knowledge will be necessary to convince Meire of my sincerity. Go with these men and guide them with the same care you would have if I were with you.”
They were shocked by the King’s pronouncement that Corissa would accompany them. Nevin’s reaction was bit more complex; he felt excitement at the prospect of her company, but disappointment at discovering the closeness of her relationship with Lucan. She was the most normal person he had met since his he got here, but how should he treat her if she was the King’s consort?
Lucan saw the shocked reactions. “Corissa will not hinder your travel. Her knowledge of Gilsum is something none of you have, and without her you will be lost as soon as you reach the border. As I said, she is my most loyal subject and I have given her a special trust. She was here by my side before you appeared, and she would choose to be at my side when all is done—no matter what the outcome. So you should see why she must be part of this alliance.”
Corissa showed neither surprise nor pleasure at Lucan’s words of support. She waited to speak until she saw that her new companions would not contradict her King. “Your Highness, we should depart before dawn. I will discreetly make the arrangements for horses and provisions.” Turning to the others, she added, “The three of you must meet me at the front gate an hour before dawn. A storesman will supply us with ample clothing and food, and you need only bring any personal articles you will need. Keep your packs modest so we will not be weighted down.” She rose and faced the King. “Your Highness, you must return to your chambers before we are discovered. Orris can show them back to their rooms where they can prepare and get a short night’s sleep.”
The King agreed and the meeting was over.
***
Who could hope to get much sleep after they returned to their rooms? Anson nervously prated about last minute details.
“Anson, you need to relax a little. Corissa said she will take care of the provisions. You should try to get some sleep before we leave in a few hours.”
“You are right, Sir Nevin. I must try to calm myself.”Anson went to the bedroom to lie down.
Nevin tried to rest as well, but managed only a few short interludes of sleep amid his own excitement at their pending departure. Against high odds, they had won over the King. Now the adventure had taken a new turn—their alliance now numbered four.
Orris quietly arrived at the appointed hour and had little trouble spurring Nevin and Anson to action. In a blur, they gathered their parcels and left to meet Corissa at the front gate. The only people they encountered were a few sleepy guards who recognized Orris, even though he was not dressed in uniform, who let them pass without further questions. When they reached the front gate, they found Corissa already there with the gate partially opened. She motioned for them to remain quiet as they slipped out.
Corissa was the last through the gate because she would trust no one to make sure it was closed behind them. An open gate would raise suspicion and probably punishment for those on duty. She later told them she had offered the two gate guards a pleasant tasting tea made with vervain and blue pimpernel, which pleased Anson because he knew it was a non-lethal sleep tonic. Anson appreciated that she chose to use a mild concoction, as he would have done. The guards would not suffer harm and assume they simply dozed off from the tedium of night duty.
In the darkness of the last hour before dawn, the four walked silently to the arched bridge where Nevin first viewed Sartell. Four horses were tied and waiting, two of which had packs secured behind the saddles. One of the horses was larger than the others, obviously intended for Nevin.
Orris was an experienced rider, as was Corissa, and they had no difficulty mounting their horses. Nevin had only ridden a few times before and had difficulty steadying his larger mount. Corissa exhorted Nevin to get aboard his the horse, but he could not manage his animal. Anson took the halter and tried to calm Nevin’s fractious horse, speaking softly to it while stroking its muzzle. Anson, who had no experience with horses, was a little surprised that the horse settled down immediately. Nevin mounted easily and Anson followed suit.
Four shadows rode off to the west with the first rays of the sun.
END OF BOOK 1
Alliance for Antrim Page 36
