“M’lord,” Bock said quietly. “You have enough people grappling for your thoughts. It was a pleasure meeting you.”
Marc stood and shook hands with Lonogan, confused by the sudden turn of events. He liked the Massi General, and was troubled that he was obviously going away empty and unhappy.
Jess and her father stood as one, taking their cue from Lonogan, though Jess still did not look happy about the decision. Her father however, was studying General Bock closely, immensely impressed by Lonogan’s quick insight into the politics of Cassinni.
“Should we continue your hand-walking lessons?” Bock heard Admiral Criswell ask as they turned and began to walk from the room.
“M’lord I think…” Lonogan heard General Keadle begin, until Jess pulled even with him.
“I cannot believe you are going to give up this easily,” she said harshly, touching his arm lightly to soften her words and let him know that she was still very much on his side.
“Your King should not be making war decisions,” Bock answered her simply as they left the room. King Marc watched them as they left, ignoring the acrobats and jugglers and especially his advisors who now surrounded him.
“But he has to, he is King after all, no matter the depth of his intelligence,” Jess argued back as she slipped her hand into his and gave a little squeeze. She slowed her walk, hoping to reverse his course, but he pulled her along easily and appeared not to notice her attempt to impede his progress. “Father, tell him.”
“I think your friend understands the Cassinni quiet well…remarkably so in fact,” Clark na Gall answered as he followed along behind. “I can only hope he understands my daughter as well,” he mumbled under his breath.
“What was that?” Jess asked, but her father just shook his head and smiled.
She remained quiet for the rest of the trip out of the palace.
“What will you tell Gwaynn?” she asked as the three of them waited for the carriage at the bottom of the palace stairs. The night was cool and clear with the moon shining brightly down on them.
Lonogan looked down at Jess, who still stood at his side, her long hair blowing softly about in the night breeze. His breath caught in his throat; she looked so damned beautiful, and he wondered secretly if Gwaynn felt the same when he looked down at Samantha in the moonlight.
He shrugged. “I’ll think of something,”
“Well you’d better. Gwaynn was counting on me to bring the Cassi….” She stopped as footsteps sounded on the stairs behind them. They turned and spotted General Keadle hurrying toward them. He saluted General na Gall.
“Sir,” he said but then immediately turned his attention to Lonogan. “The King is troubled…but he has not made his decision yet.” The General paused for a moment then continued. “It will be a few days.”
“But Admiral Criswell…” Lonogan began.
“The Admiral has influence and a good deal of power, but our King makes up his own mind,” Keadle answered as if insulted.
“I told you,” Jess said softly, but Lonogan poked her with his elbow, silencing her.
The Cassinni General shook her words off in any case. “But that is not why I’ve come to you. I would suggest you leave Cassinni as soon as possible…tonight if you can,” he finished with a glance as Jess.
“Why?” Clark said loudly with a frown. His daughter had just arrived.
“I believe the High King has his spies in the cabinet.”
“Criswell?” Lonogan asked.
Keadle frowned for a moment then shook his head. “I don’t believe so. But I don’t think it’s safe for you to stay now that your presence is widely known.”
“Will you help us?” Jess asked. “With the King I mean.”
The General paused. “Criswell has too much influence and might even fancy herself as ruler of Cassinni by proxy. I counter her advice whenever I disagree…but to openly challenge the High King? It’s not a very healthy decision.”
Bock frowned. “It was not our decision, nor was it the Toranado’s. You will need to hope and pray that the Cassinni are afforded such a choice when we are gone. But by not supporting the High King openly…I have my doubts,” he finished just as their carriage pulled in front of them.
“Thanks for the warning General,” Bock added, shaking his hand then he turned and opened the carriage door for Jess and her father.
They rode off, leaving a confused and troubled Cassinni General behind them.
ǂ
Gwaynn waited nervously on the arena floor of the Grand hall. Rows upon rows of chairs were added to the main level since there would be no sparring demonstration this evening. The place was packed with Tars, Weapons Masters, students and many other of the island’s inhabitants. Gwaynn found it hard to believe that nearly two years had passed since his last audience in this very chamber. If anything he felt more nervous on this occasion, so much more depended on his success.
“You’ll do fine,” High Zarina Monde encouraged. She leaned over close to whisper in his ear, even though the noise of the crowd would have easily drowned out her normal voice. Gwaynn nodded as the ten Council members strode in from a side door and took their places on the dais. The crowd fell quiet but there was a rumble of moving chairs and shuffling feet as everyone took their seats.
Just before Tar Kostek called the meeting to order, Gwaynn turned and glanced behind him. Vio was sitting three rows back with the rest of Mele quarter. Gwaynn thought that she must have been watching him because she immediately caught his eye and beamed brightly at him. He’d hoped for more time with her and the rest of the students he knew, but as it was, they only had a moment for a quick ‘hello’ before each had to take their respective places. He smiled back at her then quickly turned around to face the front as Kostek pounded heavily on the tabletop.
“Greetings to one and all from Noble Island,” the High Tar began, his face very serious. “We’ve called you all here due to the dire situation which currently resides across the lands of the Inland Sea. Noble Island has received a petition from the Massi Family for military help against the High King.” Tar Kostek nodded curtly to Gwaynn, who sat in the very front row alongside most of the Tars of Noble Island.
“The petition requires us…” Kostek continued but was cut off as Tar Ethelridge stood and spoke without prompting.
“With all respect Tar Kostek, I believe a majority of the Council fails to recognize the request as a petition,” she said, speaking in a high clear voice, a voice full of strength and confidence.
High Tar Kostek stood stunned for a moment. He had not anticipated such a tactic but instantly knew what Ethelridge and her core supporters were attempting to do. Kostek remained silent for a long time, flustered and unable to think how to thwart Ethelridge, so in the end he attempted just to ignore her. He turned back to the waiting assembly and immediately noticed the frown on Gwaynn Massi’s face.
“The petition…” Kostek began in a low, faltering voice.
“It is not a petition,” Ethelridge interrupted again. “Gwaynn Massi is not the recognized leader of the Massi Family; he has not been crowned by the High King and therefore the petition is not valid and should not be recognized.”
A low murmur swept the crowd and gradually grew louder as the import of the statement struck home.
“But Gwaynn is the recognized leader of the Massi people,” Kostek replied addressing Ethelridge and thereby validating her argument for many in the audience.
Ethelridge shook her head sadly as if the facts, though not to her personal liking, were irrefutable.
“Not by the High King, therefore he has no legal claim over the land of Massi,” she said and glanced at Gwaynn with a look of insincere apology.
High Zarina Monde could take no more and quickly stood. “The High King attacked the Massi people, helping the Deutzani to overthrow their legitimate rule,” she said loudly then added, “just as he attacked the Travelers…without provocation.”
Again a loud murmur swept
the crowd.
“The claim that the High King was involved in the internal conflict between the Massi and the Deutzani has never been substantiated,” Ethelridge countered quickly and Gwaynn’s face flushed with anger, but before he could express his outrage the High Tar spoke once more.
“Internal conflict?” Kostek asked with disbelief.
“Nor has the High King been implicated in any way for the attack on the Travelers.”
The grumbles that moved through the audience grew louder. Many of those present witnessed the original flight of the Travelers from Light; many saw the Temple Knights through the large bridge created between the two Islands.
“I saw Temple Knights…” someone from the crowd shouted but Tar Ethelridge seemed nonplussed.
“Yes…there were men dressed as Temple Knights, but I believe the attack truly came from Sinis,” she said. “Regardless, it does not change the fact that we have gathered to hear a request for aid which is without merit. The Massi lost their rights to the land around the finger to the Deutzani. The High King has only stepped in recently to quell the rebellion and to put a halt to the naked aggression of the Toranado.”
The crowd sat in stunned silence as Tar Kostek blustered. He could not comprehend such a position. It flew against logic; it flew against reality, but before he could marshal his thoughts against such an improbable turn of events, Tar Ethelridge continued.
“I place a motion before the Council that we dismiss the petition at once to show our loyalty and support of the High King.” It fell so quiet in the Hall that the blind might think it empty. Not a sound escaped the crowd, not a murmur, not a cough.
“Those in favor of dismissal,” Ethelridge’s high clear voice rang out in the silence. There was only a moment of hesitation.
“Aye!” Called Tar Conrad from his position directly next to Ethelridge.
“Aye!” Ethelridge echoed.
“Nay!” Called Tar Brooks, a very old man and staunch supporter of the late Tar Amon and therefore Tar Kostek.
“Aye.”
“Aye.”
“Nay,” said Tar Kostek, his loss of control weighing heavy on his heart.
“Nay,” said Tar Nystrom flipping her long brown hair but only glancing very briefly at Prince Gwaynn.
“Aye.”
“Aye.”
“Nay.”
“The votes are cast. The petition is unrecognized. The Council has spoken,” Ethelridge announced, unable to hide the slight smile that appeared on her face. Gwaynn, in his anger, saw only the delight in her eyes. He stood, suddenly sick of the Hall, sick of the Council of Noble Island.
“It’s politics nothing more,” Monde whispered.
“Please!” Ethelridge called out once more. “There is one additional matter before the Council,” she said and crowd settled down again almost instantly.
“The petition has gone unrecognized…” she began and glanced first at Gwaynn and Zarina Monde and then her gaze moved to a few of the surrounding Tars. “Those issuing the petition are therefore in open rebellion against the High King.”
A great roar swelled in the crowd and Gwaynn’s heart thumped in his chest and his left hand flinched slightly toward the hilt of his kali.
Ethelridge raised her hand asking for quiet. “Peace, Prince Gwaynn Massi. We will not be handing you over to the High King, but your presence will be made known to his Highness and for the time being you will remain, here on Noble, as our honored guest.”
Gwaynn stared at her in shock as several Tars stood and moved close to his position. Zarina Monde made to stand, but Gwaynn placed a hand on her arm holding her still. Ethelridge noticed the movement and nodded and a few more Tars stood and moved toward the Traveler.
“Zarina Monde…I’m afraid you must remain on Noble as well, but you will be here as our prisoner.”
“Tarina Ethelridge!” Kostek shouted loudly, finally in his anger, finding his voice and his path. “You have no authority to make such rash decisions. You are not High Tar.” He yelled and the crowd grew quiet again.
Ethelridge smiled. “Am I not,” she said simply. “The Council is mine…the Tars are mine. The vote that placed you at the head of the Council was flawed following the emotional loss of Tar Amon. That decision will soon be rectified,” she said calmly, confidently. “Your support has waned,” she added then turned back to Gwaynn, who slowly stood.
“Prince Gwaynn…Zarina Monde if you will go with Tar Cowell and Tarina Zabino.”
Gwaynn said nothing but slowly drew his kali as Zabino approached. She paused as he pulled his weapons out and glanced at Ethelridge, whose eyes went wide.
“Prince Gwaynn…” Ethelridge continued, clearly surprised. “Your courage is well documented but please do not force the issue. Tar Kostek’s support of your cause is admirable, but it is not shared by many…”
“I share it,” a familiar voice came from behind Gwaynn. Without turning he knew his friend Vio had stood.
“As do I,” said Tar Endid also standing. He moved slowly past Tar Cowell, and stopped at Gwaynn’s side, a slight smile on his face.
“And I,” said the Tarina’s Grace and Nystrom at the very same time.
“And I” said William. “And I,” said Tam but then those willing to support Gwaynn faltered.
Ethelridge smiled. “Admirable…but I’m afraid….”
A small pop sounded and then a bridge expanded almost directly in front of Gwaynn. The entire hall went quiet again as Lonogan Bock and Zarina Jess na Gall stepped through it and into the Grand Hall.
A gasp of surprise ran through the crowd and the smile that resided on Lonogan’s face disappeared immediately. The tension in the Hall was palpable and the hairs on Bock’s neck stood on end.
“Bad time?” he asked Gwaynn, who nodded without smiling.
“Arrest them…arrest them all,” Ethelridge shouted and even drew her own kali. Gwaynn pulled Lonogan closer, his eyes wide with concentration. They were going to have to flee; he only hoped that Monde would be equal to the task when he managed to slow time. He would be of little help and he doubted na Gall would have much strength after just Traveling from Cassinni.
He saw Tar Endid draw his kali and move to face Tar Cowell who hesitated, but even so, Tarina Zabino inched forward a step, pulling her own kali free. She looked into Gwaynn’s eyes and took another step forward. Three more Tars stood and moved along behind her, clearly coming to her aid. Zabino nodded to them then turned back to Gwaynn.
“Please young prince,” she said quietly. “You have no chance against us all. Your death would be unfortunate.”
Gwaynn’s heart pounded. He knew what she said was the truth. He was skilled, trained by the best, but against a dozen Tars he would not last very long.
“As would yours,” he answered and crouched then he moved forward slightly. Her eyes widened slightly at his aggressive stance, but then she and the others began to slowly circle around Gwaynn, surrounding him.
“This was not what I had in mind,” Bock quipped nervously, but he drew his own kali and stood back to back with his Prince.
“Please stop this!” Kostek yelled loudly but the Tars surrounding Gwaynn and the Travelers paid him no mind. They continued to circle and advance. Gwaynn was reluctant to strike against Noble and desperately racked his brain for a solution, wanting to avoid a conflict at all costs. But then Zabino tensed and he knew an attack was eminent. He grew calm and waited. Just as the Tarina moved forward to engage Gwaynn another bridge exploded directly in her path. The bridge was powerful and appeared instantly. It was much, much larger than the bridge conjured by na Gall. The force of its expansion created a shock wave that knocked Zabino and the Weapons Masters directly behind her from their feet. They hit the floor of the Hall hard. Zabino’s legs flew up and her robe slipped a little, revealing long, white legs. She struggled to a sitting position and the surprised look on her face turned to shock as Tar Nev and nine other Solitaries stepped into the Grand Hall, their weapons dr
awn.
The ten new arrivals fanned out and the bridge disappeared with a loud bang, and many in the hall jumped as the sound reverberated off the walls. But no one moved as the Solitaries took up defensive positions around Gwaynn, Bock and the two Travelers.
Tar Cowell and Piros gingerly retreated from the nearest Solitaries, unnerved more by their smiles than their aggressive actions.
“Is there a problem Hyla?” Tar Nev asked Tarina Ethelridge, his face, as always, filled with good humor.
As it turned out, there wasn’t.
ǂ
Captain Tanner waited just inside the tree line of the small grove. He waited with a dozen other horseman and Speaker Wynth, who arrived in the latest group from Light with the High Zarina Monde. Wynth joined the cavalry because he was a much better rider than the large Zebo Sorbello. They also recruited another Speaker, a young woman named Sarbeth, who was currently with a group of scouts shadowing the Temple Knights and reporting their movements back to Manse. Sarbeth was an expert rider and would have made a fine knight herself if that was her only talent, but she was far more valuable as a Speaker. If they lost this fight, it would not be for the want of information. The Speakers and the Travelers were going to give them a distinct advantage in the coming fight. Despite this fact Tanner was nervous. He was nervous even though he believed the strategy being employed by Gwaynn was sound, sound but bold to the point of recklessness. The Captain was sure it was a strategy that Gwaynn’s father would never have considered; he would not have rejected such a strategy because Tanner was sure such a wildly aggressive plan would never have entered his thoughts in the first place. To abandon a highly defensible position seemed…Tanner grunted.
“Sir?” Gaston asked, but Tanner just shook his head and continued to watch the eastern exit to the Scar Gap, the exit that led into Massi. They were waiting for the Rhondono to appear. Prince Phillip and the Toranado abandoned the Gap the previous night before making their way to Manse. They would ultimately be heading up to the Aleria Pass to face the approaching Palmerrio army.
‘They have their work cut out for them,’ Tanner thought. ‘The Palmerrio were already far to the north, but of course they would still have to make their way through the mountains…not easy marching…pass or no.
Elsewhere ti-3 Page 11
