“Have you forgotten Bas-Tyra? Should you dither, he’ll be in Rillanon with his army a month before you. Then you’ll have bitter civil war, boy. As soon as you agree to keep your mouth shut, I’m ordering my own trusted troops to Krondor, under royal seal, to arrest Black Guy. They’ll toss Bas-Tyra into the dungeon before his own men can stop them— there’ll be enough loyal Krondorians around to ensure that. You can have him held until you reach Krondor, then cart him off to Rillanon for the coronation, either your own or Martin’s. But you must act, or by the gods, we’ll have Guy’s lackeys brewing civil war within a day of your naming Martin the true Heir. Do you understand?”
Lyam nodded silently. With a sigh he said, “But will Guy’s men let him be taken?”
“Even the captain of his own guard will not stand against a royal warrant, especially countersigned by the representatives of the Congress of Lords I shall guarantee signatures on the warrant,” he said, clenching his gloved fist before his face.
Lyam was quiet for some time, then said, “You are right. I have no wish to visit trouble upon the Kingdom. I will do as you say.”
The two men returned to the King’s side and waited. Nearly another two hours passed before the priest listened at the King’s chest and said, “The King is dead.”
Brucal and Lyam joined the priest in a silent prayer for Rodric. Then the Duke of Yabon took a ring from Rodric’s hand and turned to Lyam.
“Come, it is time.”
He held aside the tent flap, and Lyam looked out. The sun had set, and the night sky glittered with stars. Fires had been lit and torches brought, so that now the multitude appeared to be an ocean of firelight. Not one man in twenty had left, though they were all tired and hungry after the victory.
Brucal and Lyam appeared before the tent, and the old Duke said, “The King is dead.” His face was stony, but his eyes were red-rimmed. Lyam looked pale but stood erect, his head high.
Brucal held something above his head. A glint of deep red fire reflected off the small object as it caught the torchlight. The nobles who stood close nodded in understanding, for it was the royal signet, worn by all the conDoin kings since Delong the Great had crossed the water from Rillanon to plant the banner of the Kingdom of the Isles upon the mainland shore.
Brucal took Lyam’s hand and placed the ring upon his finger. Lyam studied the old and worn ring, with its device cut into the ruby, still undimmed by age. As he raised his eyes to behold the crowd, a noble stepped forward. It was the Duke of Rodez, and he knelt before Lyam. “Your Highness,” he said. One by one the others before the tent, nobles of both East and West, knelt in homage, and like a wave rippling, all those assembled knelt, until Lyam alone was standing.
Lyam looked at those before him, overcome with emotion and unable to speak. He placed his hand upon Brucal’s shoulder and motioned for them all to stand.
Suddenly the multitude was upon its feet, and the cheer went up, “Hail, Lyam! Long live the Heir!” The soldiers of the Kingdom roared their approval, doubly so, for many knew that hours ago the threat of civil war had hung over their heads. Men of both East and West embraced and celebrated, for a terrible future had been avoided.
Lyam raised his hands, and soon all were silent. His voice rang out over their heads, and all could hear him say, “Let no man rejoice this night. Let the drums be muffled and the trumpets blown low, for tonight we mourn a King.”
Brucal pointed at the map. “The salient is surrounded, and each attempt to break through to the main body has been turned back. We have isolated nearly four thousand of their soldiers there.” It was late night. Rodric had been buried with what honor could be afforded in the camp.
There had been none of the trappings common to a royal funeral, but the business of war made it necessary. He had been quickly embalmed and buried in his armor next to Borric, on a hillside overlooking the camp. When the war was over, they would be returned to the tombs of their ancestors in Rillanon.
Now the young Heir looked over the map, gauging the situation in light of the latest communique from the front. The Tsurani held in the North Pass, at the entrance to the valley. The infantry had dug in before them, bottling up those in the valley, and isolating both the forces along the river Crydee and what was left of the salient.
“We have broken their offensive,” said Lyam, “but it is a two-edged sword. We cannot attempt to fight on two fronts. We must also be ready should the Tsurani try to move against us from the south. I see no quick ending yet, in spite of our gains.”
Brucal said, “But surely those in the salient will surrender soon. They are cut off, with little food or water, and cannot expect to be resupplied In a matter of days they will be starving.”
Pug interrupted. “Forgive me, Lord Brucal, but they will not.”
“What can they gain by resisting? Their position is hopeless.”
“They tie up your forces that would otherwise be attacking the main camp. Soon the situation in Tsuranuanni will be resolved enough for magicians to return from the Assembly. Then food and water can be transported in without interference. And each day they hold strengthens the Tsurani as reinforcements arrive from Kelewan. They are Tsurani and will gladly die rather than be taken captive.”
Lyam asked, “Are they so honor bound to die, then?”
“Yes. On Kelewan they know only that captives become slaves. The idea of a prisoner exchange is unknown to them.”
“Then we must bring all our weight to bear upon the salient at once,” said Brucal. “We must crush them and free our soldiers to deal with other threats.”
“It will prove costly,” Lyam observed. “This time there will be no element of surprise, and they are dug in like moles. We could lose two men for each of theirs.”
Kulgan had been sitting off to one side with Laurie and Meecham. “It is a tragedy that we have gained only a broadening of the fighting. And so soon after the Emperor’s offer of peace.”
Pug said, “Perhaps it is still not too late.”
Lyam looked at Pug. “What do you mean? Kasumi must have already sent word that the peace was refused.”
“Yes, but there may still be time to send word that there will be a new king who is willing to talk peace.”
“Who will carry the message?” asked Kulgan. “Your life might be forfeit if you return to the Empire.”
“We may be able to solve two problems at once. Your Highness, may I have your leave to promise the Tsurani in the salient safe passage to their lines?”
Lyam considered this. “I will, if I have their parole not to return for a year’s time.”
“I will go to them, then,” said Pug. “Perhaps we can still end this war in spite of the calamities that have befallen us.”
The Tsurani guards, nervous and alert, tensed at the sound of an approaching rider. “They come!” one shouted, and men seized weapons and hurried to the barricades. The southern earthworks were still intact, but here at the western edge of the former salient the pickets had thrown up a hasty barrier of felled trees and shallow trenches.
Bowmen stood ready, arrows notched, but the expected charge did not come. A single figure on horseback came into view. His hands were raised overhead, palms together in the sign for parley. And more, he wore the black robe.
The rider walked his horse to the edge of the barricade and asked, in perfect Tsurani, “Who commands here?”
A startled officer said, “Commander Wataun.”
The rider snapped, “You forget your manners, Strike Leader.” He took note of the colors and devices on the man’s breastplate and helm. “Are the Chilapaningo so lacking in civility?”
The officer came to attention. “Your pardon, Great One,” the man stammered. “It is only that you were unexpected.”
“Bring Commander Wataun here.”
“Your will, Great One.”
The commander of the Tsurani salient came a short time later. He was a bandy-legged, barrel-chested old fighter, and Great One or not, his first c
oncern was for the welfare of his troops. He looked at the magician suspiciously. “I am here, Great One.”
“I have come to order you and your soldiers back to the valley.”
Commander Wataun smiled ruefully and shook his head. “I regret, Great One, that I may not. Word of your exploits has been carried to us here, and that the Assembly has called your status into question. You may be no longer outside the law by now. If you had not come under a sign of parley, I would have you taken, though it would cost us dearly.”
Pug felt a hot flush come to his cheeks. He had known it was likely the Assembly would cast him out, but to hear this still caused him pain. Ruefully, he knew that because of the training he had undergone, he would still feel a sense of loyalty to that alien place and would never fully feel at home in his native land.
With a sigh Pug said, “What then will you do?”
The Force Commander shrugged “Hold our position. Die if we must.”
“Then I will make you an offer, Commander. You must decide if it is a trick or not. Kasumi of the Shinzawai carried an offer from the Light of Heaven to the Midkemian King. It was an offer of peace. The King rejected it, but now there is to be a new king who is willing to make peace. I would ask you to carry word to the Holy City, to the Emperor, that Prince Lyam will accept peace. Will you do so?”
The commander considered. “If what you say is true, then I would be a fool to waste my men. What guarantees are you willing to make?”
“I give you my word, as a Great One—if that means anything still— that what I say is true. I also promise that your men will be given safe conduct back to the valley, on promise they return to the Empire for a year’s time. And I will ride to the valley entrance, to your lines, as hostage. Is that enough?”
The commander thought it over for a moment as he surveyed his tired, thirsty troops. “I will agree, Great One. If it is the Light of Heaven’s will that the war end, who am I to prolong it?”
“The Oaxatucan have long been known for their bravery. Let it be said they are also worthy of honor for their wisdom.”
The commander bowed, then turned to his soldiers. “Pass the word. We march home.”
Word that the Emperor would agree to peace reached the camp four days later. Pug had given a message to Wataun to be carried through the rift. It bore the black seal of the Assembly, and no one would impede its swift delivery. It had been addressed to Fumita, asking him to carry word to the Holy City that the new King of the Realm would not require retribution but would accept peace.
Lyam had shown visible emotion when Pug had read the message. The Emperor himself would come through the rift in a month’s time and would sign formal treaties with the Kingdom. Pug had felt close to tears when he read the news, which soon spread through the camp that the war was over. A great cheering could be heard.
Pug and Kulgan sat in the older magician’s tent. For the first time in years they had been feeling something like their old relationship. Pug was finishing up a long explanation of the Tsurani system of instructing novices.
“Pug,” said Kulgan around a long pull on his pipe. “It seems that now the war is over, we can return to the business of magicians. Only now it is you who are master, and I who would be student.”
“There is much we may learn from each other, Kulgan. But I fear old habits die hard I don’t think I could ever get used to the idea of your being a student. And there are many things you are capable of that I still cannot do.”
Kulgan seemed surprised. “Really? I would have thought my simple arts beneath your greatness.”
Pug felt the old embarrassment from when he had been Kulgan’s student. “You make sport of me yet.”
Kulgan laughed. “Only a little, boy. And you are still a boy to one of my advancing years. It is not easy for me to see an indifferent apprentice become the most powerful magician of another world.”
“Indifferent was the proper word for it. At first I only wanted to be a soldier. I think you knew that. Then when I had finally decided to devote myself to study, the invasion began.” Pug smiled. “I think you felt sorry for me that day when I stood alone before the Duke’s court, the only boy not called.”
“That is partly true, though I was the first to sense the power in you. And the judgment was borne out, no matter the amazing events required to bring your ability to fruition.”
Pug sighed. “Well, the Assembly is nothing if not complete in its training. Once the power is detected, there are but two options, success or death. With all other thoughts banished, there is little to concern the student but the study of magic. Without that, I doubt I would ever have amounted to much.”
Kulgan said, “I think not. Had the Tsurani never come, there would still have been a path to greatness for you to follow.”
They sat and talked and were comforted by each other’s presence. After a while they lit fires, for darkness was falling. Katala came to the tent to see if her husband was to join her and the boy at the celebration feast being given by King Lyam. She looked inside and saw the two of them lost in conversation.
She backed out and, with a faint smile on her lips, returned to her son.
THIRTY-ONE - Deceptions
Tomas awoke with a start.
In the predawn darkness something strange called to him. He sat up, every sense extended, trying to recapture what had awakened him.
Aglaranna stirred next to him. Since his return from the confrontation with Martin over the Tsurani prisoners, he had been free of the alien dreams and the blind rages. He was no longer the boy from Crydee or the ancient Dragon Lord, but a new being possessing qualities of both.
She came awake and slowly reached out to touch his shoulder. The muscles were relaxed, free of the tension that marked his grappling with an ancient dream. She breathed a long sigh, then said, “Tomas, what is it?”
He reached up to cover her hand with his own. “I don’t know. Something odd occurred a moment ago.” He sat with his head slightly turned, as if listening to something distant. “A change . . . a shift in the pattern of things, perhaps.”
The Elf Queen said nothing. Since becoming his lover she had grown used to his uncanny ability to sense events elsewhere, an ability unmatched by even the most gifted of the ancient Spellweavers. A remnant of his Valheru heritage, this awareness had come fully into bloom since he recovered his humanity. She thought it strange, yet reassuring, that his Valheru powers had become more pronounced and acute only since regaining his humanity. It was as if some force had conspired to keep them blunted until he possessed the wisdom to use them.
Tomas stopped listening. “It is something to the east, a mixture of rejoicing and a great sadness.” His voice sounded thick with emotion. “An age is dying.”
He rolled off the sleeping pallet and stood, powerful muscles revealed to Aglaranna’s elven eyes in the dim light. He stood at the door of their sleeping chamber, looking out over Elvandar, listening to the sounds of the night. Everything appeared calm.
The scent of the forest, thick, sweet, and heady, was overlaid with the faint hints of aromas from last night’s supper, and the smell of bread fresh from the oven for this morning’s meal. Night birds sang, while day birds began their predawn warbling, and the sun prepared to rise in the east. The touch of cool air upon his naked skin was a caress to Tomas, and he felt more complete and at peace than he had ever been in his young life.
Aglaranna’s arms went around his waist, and he felt her press tight against him. He could feel the beat of her heart as she held him close. “My lord, my love,” she said, “return to our bed.”
He turned within the circle of her arms and felt the warmth of her body against his. “There is something . . . “He gripped her close, but gently. “There is a feeling of hope.”
She could feel his heat as his desire answered hers. “Hope. Would that it is true.”
He looked down at her face, his senses as acute in the gloom as hers, drinking in the sight of her. “Never lose hope,
my Queen.”
He kissed her deeply, and whatever awakened him was quickly forgotten.
Lyam sat quietly in his tent. He was composing the message he would send to Crydee when a guard entered and announced the arrival of Pug and Kulgan. Lyam rose and greeted them, and when the guards left, indicated they should sit. “I am sorely in need of your wisdom.” He sat back and waved at the parchments before him. “If Arutha is to reach us in time for the peace conference, these must leave today. But I have never been much for letters, and I also confess to great difficulty in sharing the events of the last week.”
Kulgan said, “May I?” pointing to the letter.
Lyam waved consent, and the magician picked up the parchment and began to read. “ ‘To my beloved brother and sister: It is with the deepest sorrow I must tell you of our father’s death. He was injured mortally in the great Tsurani offensive, leading a counterattack to rescue surrounded soldiers, mainly Hadati hillmen, auxiliaries to the garrison of Yabon. The Hadati sing his name and make sagas in his honor, such was his bravery. He passed thinking of his children, and his love for us all was undiminished.
“ ‘The King has also passed, and it has fallen to me to lead our armies. Arutha, I would have you here, for we now are at the war’s end. The Emperor is willing to make peace. We shall meet in the north valley of the Grey Towers in twenty-nine days time, at noon. Carline, I would have you take ship to Krondor with Anita, for there is much to be done there, and Princess Alicia will have need of her daughter. I will join you with Arutha once peace has been made. With love, and sharing in your sorrow, I am, your most loving brother, Lyam.’ ”
Kulgan was quiet for a moment, and Lyam said, “I thought you might be able to add something or other, to lend elegance to it.”
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