“You’ll get faster,” said Paks firmly. “When I was a recruit, Siger thumped my ribs and yelled ’faster, faster’ at me every day—and finally I got faster. You will too, unless your ribs are tougher than mine were.” They laughed, a little nervously.
From across the yard came a shout: “Hey—Saben. Come here.” Paks stiffened, her head swinging automatically to look before she caught herself. She felt tears sting her eyes, and blinked fiercely. Saben was a common enough name; she’d have to get used to it.
“Paks?” They all looked concerned. Volya went on. “Did you know him before? Saben, I mean?”
Paks shook her head, and took a deep steadying breath. “No. A different Saben—a good friend. We’d been together since we came in, and he was with me on—on the trip you heard about. But he died.”
“Oh.”
“Well, it happens. We’re soldiers, after all. It’s just—there wasn’t another Saben in the Company, so when I hear the name, I think—I’ll get used to it. I suppose. Now, let’s get back to work. Sim, you and Jenits this time, and Keri and Volya.” They started again and Paks kept after them until time for the midday meal.
Within a week, Paks lost Sim to Cracolnya’s cohort. She was glad; a slow archer might live longer than a slow swordsman. Less welcome was the change in cohort position resulting from the number of recruits. Normally, recruits were kept to the rear, except for a few who had showed promise. But Arcolin decided that they should be close to their veteran instructors, which meant that Paks ended up as file sixth. She understood the reasons, but didn’t like it even so.
There were other changes. Horse-faced Pont was now Arcolin’s junior captain, and Valichi took Font’s place with Cracolnya. The Duke had hired a captain to replace Sejek: Peska, a dark, dour man who had been a watch captain at court in Pargun. He spoke Common with a curious accent that Paks had never heard; she was glad her cohort had Pont instead, though Barra had no complaints about him.
This year Paks could not ask Donag for advance information—and no one in the cohort seemed to know what the Duke planned, except trouble for Siniava. When they marched out of Valdaire on the southern road, the one to Czardas that Paks remembered, she expected to see Halverics—but instead they met the Golden Company a few miles from the city. Aesil M’dierra, mounted on a chestnut horse and armored in gold-washed mail, rode beside the Duke; her company fell in behind. Paks eyed her: the only woman in Aarenis to command her own mercenary company. What would that be like? What could she be like?
But the next day they turned aside, through Baron Kodaly’s lands, and Golden Company stayed on the road south. Through a steady rain they marched easily, guided by a wiry dark man who had come with the Baron. Paks thought he looked like a juggler, but Stammel laughed when she said it.
“Juggler! Tir, no. I’ll admit the jugglers you see in Valdaire are his subjects, more than likely. That’s one of the woods tribes—their king, or prince, or whatever.”
“But why—?”
Stammel shrugged. “I don’t know. They have a lot of power in the forests of Aarenis, I’ve heard. The Duke’s always made friends with them. Maybe he wants safe passage through some forest.”
Whatever he was, he led them by ways that avoided all hazards of bog and mud. Three days later he was gone, but they marched easily beside a larger stream with a village in sight.
They were met, in the fields above the village, by an old man in a long robe and a fat man in helmet and breastplate commanding ten unarmored youths with scythes and pikes. Paks could not hear what the Duke said to them, but the youths suddenly trailed their weapons in the mud and turned away. The village had a cobbled square, and a group of taller buildings around it. Paks looked for an inn, hoping for ale. She saw a battered sign with a picture of a tower by a river; the sign read Inzing Paksnor. The inn yard was large, but part of the building had been torn down to build a stable. They marched through, to camp on the far side where one stream joined another.
Across the stream was a rising slope of farmland, and on the southern horizon a long stony escarpment running roughly west to east. It reminded Paks of the high moors behind Three Firs, and looked like nothing else she had seen in the south.
“That’s the Middle Marches,” said Devlin to a curious recruit. “Once you’re up on those heights, it’s sheepfarming land. And downstream maybe a day’s march from here is Ifoss.”
“Who claims the Middle Marches?” asked someone else.
“Whoever can.” Devlin turned to look at the fire. “There’s petty barons enough, near the river—like Kodaly. Ifoss claims some of it. More barons downstream until Vonja. Up on the high ground it’s hard to say. There was a Count Somebody, when I first came south, but he died. I heard he left no heir of the body—a nephew or something in Pliuni. The Honeycat tries to claim it, as he claims everything else. I think—I think when he took Pliuni, he captured the nephew, or married him to a daughter or niece. Or maybe that was another place.”
“What’s beyond it?” asked Paks.
“Straight south?” She nodded. “Well, Andressat. That’s ruled by a count, if I remember. An old family, anyway, and very powerful. I think the Duke hired to Andressat once, before I joined. They’ve got only one city: Cortes Andres. They say its inner fortifications have never been broken.”
“Does the Honeycat control Andressat?”
“Tir, no! The count—Jeddrin, I think his name is—he hates him. Then south of Andressat are the South Marches. The Honeycat claims that, and for all I know he may have a right to it. He also claims the cities along the Chaloquay, and the Horn Bay ports on the Immerhoft. That’s Sibili and Cha, on the river, and Confaer, Korran, and Sul, on the coast.”
“How did he ever claim Pliuni?” asked Paks.
“Just took it. Waited until the Sier of Westland was fighting up in the western mountains, and marched up and took it. Pliuni was a free city, but had always looked to the Sier for protection.”
“What about the rest of the port cities?” asked Arñe.
“I don’t know. I’ve heard the names, but I don’t know exactly where they are or who controls them. Seafang, that’s a pirate city, and Immerdzan, at the mouth of the Immer. Let’s see: Zith, Aliuna, Sur-vret, Anzal, and Immer-something. No, Ka-Immer. Some are pirate cities, and some are legitimate traders—so they say.”
Ifoss, when they came to it the next day, seemed small and dingy after Valdaire. A walled city of no more than eight or nine thousand, surrounded by plowland and orchards, it was bleak in winter. They camped outside the city on a long field sloping to the river, and wagons rolled out with provisions. With the wagons came Guildmasters to confer with the Duke; recruits and veterans alike gaped at their distinctive dress, the short-pointed, fur-edged hats, long pointed sleeves, and oddly cut jackets trimmed in elaborate braid.
They stayed at Ifoss several days. On the second night, Paks took advantage of her seniority to enter the city. Stammel had told them of a good new inn near the east gate, The Laughing Fox, so they ignored The Falcon, The Golden Ladder, and The Juggler to work their way across town to Stammel’s choice.
It was new, clean, and the landlord seemed friendly. The ale was good, too, and not expensive. Paks ordered a fried fruit pie, and Vik decided on a slab of spicebread; soon they were enjoying an impromptu party. When Paks decided to leave, two of the group weren’t ready to come and stayed behind—“just to finish the jug,” they said.
“Don’t come back too late,” teased Vik, “and expect us to take your slot on guard, because I’m going to get my beauty sleep.”
“Beauty sleep, or sleep with a beauty?” asked a townsman at the next table, emboldened by his flask of wine as he eyed Paks.
“Sleep,” replied Vik cheerfully. “She’s on guard before I am.” Which was not true, but made a good exit. Paks had already turned away, trusting Vik to find a good answer. He always did, with everyone. They got back to camp shortly before the watch change; Stammel was not pleased to find that t
wo had stayed behind.
“Do you think they’ll be back on time, or had I better go roust ’em out?”
“Sif’s not on until late watch,” said Paks. “He’s got a strong head, and I don’t think he’ll be late. I don’t know Tarn that well—he’s Dorrin’s—but surely Sif will keep an eye on him.”
“I hope. It seems a clean enough place, but it is on the far side of town. If they’re not back by midwatch, let me know; I’ll want to find ’em.”
The guard assignment had Paks partnered with Jenits; they had a short stretch on the east side of camp, from the horse lines to the entrance. It was nearly midwatch when she heard a wavering song from the lane that led to Ifoss. As the noise came closer, she could hear two voices. The guards at the camp entrance snickered. Paks hoped it was Sif and Tarn, but they did sound drunk.
“Like the bee-e-e, so swift to anger… but her honey’s… rich and swee-eet—” one of the two stopped to cough, then picked up the song again. “I don’t fe-ear her painful stinger… but the honey-y… I will—”
“Quiet, there!” Dorrin, the watch captain, had heard the noise. Paks heard a hiccup and indistinct mutters from the pair. “Come up to the light,” said Dorrin, “and give the password.” Paks saw two shadowy figures approach the torches at the camp entrance, and heard them stumble over the password.
“You’re a disgrace,” snapped Dorrin. “Veterans who don’t know their limit—why do you think we didn’t let the others into town, eh? This is no campaign for getting drunk and blabbing in taverns. And what happened to your cloak, Tarn?” Paks could not hear the answer, if he made any. Dorrin cleared her throat and spat. “Your sergeants will see to you,” she said. “Wait here.” She strode off.
“Is it that bad to get drunk?” asked Jenits softly. “I used to—”
“It depends,” said Paks. They turned back toward the horse lines. “Anything you say in a tavern will travel—if you get drunk and talk about the Company, where we’re marching, or when—that’s bad.”
“I see,” said Jenits.
“And then if you’re drunk,” said Paks, “you’re more likely to be taken by slavers, or attacked by thieves. Or if it makes you mean, you might brawl, and that makes trouble for the Company. Of course if it’s a cohort or Company banquet, that’s different.”
Next day Paks saw Sif grooming mules under the sarcastic guidance of the muleskinner. She was sure that Dorrin’s sergeant had found something equally unpleasant for Tarn.
* * *
When they left Ifoss, they angled across pastures toward the Middle Marches. By nightfall they were camped under the ridge. Sheep trails led up it. The next day they spent climbing, winding back and forth along the face of the slope. To the north their view broadened: they could see Ifoss with its wall, and downstream another wall and tower that Stammel said was Foss Fort. A cold wind scoured the height. They passed outcrops of gray stone splashed with orange and brown lichens. The outcrops grew rougher, formed into long lines like low walls. They passed through a gap in one, shoulder high on either side; it ran along the slope as far as Paks could see. Above it, the rocks disappeared once more under thick turf, still winter-tawny. The slope eased. They camped that night near that natural stone wall.
They reached the broad top of the ridge in less than an hour of marching the next morning. Paks looked at the vast and empty land to the south. The great ridge seemed to fall slightly to the southwest, cleft here and there by steep watercourses furred with trees. The sky arched blue and nearly cloudless; they could see for miles—could see, for instance, a galloping horseman far ahead. None of the officers seemed concerned, so Paks thought it must be one of their own messengers.
Although they crossed many winding sheep trails, they saw neither sheep nor shepherds. Paks realized that they were more visible than a flock of stone-gray sheep—of course any shepherd would move out of their path. That afternoon they camped where a pool had formed below several springs; a small clear stream ran away from the low end of the pool and dropped into a narrow cleft in the rock.
It was just after lunch on the next day when Paks heard horns blowing in the south; the sound trembled in the still air. She peered south, trying to see something. Far down the slope was a knot of horsemen, but the horn calls had come from farther away than that. The thunder of hooves began to shake the ground. Stammel called them into fighting formation; other sergeants were yelling. They unslung shields, and drew their swords. Paks watched her recruits. Volya looked pale, but eager. Keri was frowning, and waggling his blade a little as if reminding himself of the drill. The back of Jenits’s neck had reddened. She eased her own shoulders and took a deep breath as the riders neared. They wore brown and gray tunics, oddly loose and flapping, and carried lances with no decoration.
The leading horses slowed, and the foremost rider hailed the Duke. Arcolin rode forward with him. Once more, Paks could not hear what was said. She looked at her recruits again; they were too stiff.
“Easy,” she said. “Breathe slowly.” Keri’s eyes slid toward hers, and he drew a shaky breath. Arcolin turned to the column and signalled the sergeants.
“Sheathe your blades,” said Stammel; Paks eased her sword back in place. Some of the recruits were so tense it took them two tries. They waited. Paks glanced down and saw a fresh green blade poking up through the mat of frost-burned turf. Ahead, almost under Jenits’s left foot, was a flat rosette of leaves with two tiny white flowers on top. Almost spring, thought Paks. She looked around for other flowers, but saw none. The riders were turning their horses away. The captains came back to their commands, but the Duke and his squires moved up beside the leading rider.
“We’ve a fast march to make,” said Arcolin, “with a fight at the end of it. Take a drink now, and re-sling your shields but be ready to shift position at any time.” No one had much to say as they started south again at a faster pace. An arc of riders went before them, and others rode on their flanks. Paks looked hard at the drab tunics; when one rider bent to untwist a rein, she caught a glimpse of rose through the loose sleeve. So. They were Clarts after all.
As they went they heard horns again: deep and high, long note and sharp staccato signals. It was hard to keep the pace even; the horns and the steepening downhill slope pulled them forward, ever faster. Paks could see, now, that they were coming to a broad saddle between the high ground behind them and a similar rise ahead. To left and right the land fell steeply into deep gorges. Beyond the saddle, shining in the late afternoon sun, rose a tower; around it writhed a dark mass that Paks realized must be an army. They marched on; Paks wondered if they would make that distance by dark. And whose side were they on?
As they started across the saddle, more drab-clad riders came up from the broken ground to either side. The slope rose under their feet toward the tower. Paks could not see, now, for the riders ahead, but the crash and roar of battle came clearly. Rising excitement swamped the fatigue of the day’s march. The riders pulled their baggy tunics over their heads, and Clart Cavalry rose and white glowed in the slanting sun.
Arcolin leaned to speak to Stammel. He nodded, turning to the cohort. “Shields,” he said; Paks took her own shield, and made sure her recruits had theirs secure. They drew swords. As they advanced, shifting from marching column to battle order, Cracolnya’s cohort moved off to their right flank.
“Slow advance—keep in line, there!” yelled Stammel. Paks heard the Clarts yipping as they spurred to the attack. Dust rose in clouds. A great yell from before them; more horn signals. The Duke appeared out of the dust to ride beside them. His squires clustered around him; Paks wondered if they could see any better from the saddle.
The Duke pointed ahead; one of the squires took off at a gallop. Arcolin jogged up from the rear of the cohort, and rode beside the Duke. Paks could hear nothing but battle sounds. Arcolin dropped back, and in a few moments Dorrin’s cohort came alongside on their left. Paks saw the Duke’s head turn. She looked ahead. Through the swirling dust she co
uld see struggling figures—even the colors. Green, there—black and yellow—and more green. The tower loomed higher as they neared, its parapet above the dust, and Paks saw blue-clad archers.
The Duke put a light hunting horn to his lips and blew a rapid five-note signal. At once it was answered by a call that Paks recognized as Halveric; the battle surged toward them as the green-clad soldiers retreated. Their opponents roared in triumph—a sound that stopped abruptly as they saw behind the fleeing Halverics the solid ranks of Phelani. Another horn-call, and the Halverics slipped left. The enemy fighters crashed into the Phelan’s lines. Arcolin’s cohort, nearly in the center of the arc formed by Clarts, Phelani, and Halverics, took the brunt of that charge. Paks had no time for a last encouraging word to her recruits; she was tightly engaged.
Despite the hours of practice, Paks found the curved blade strokes of the enemy hard to counter. She took several minor cuts before killing her first opponent, and was just in time to help Keri with the one who had shattered his shield. She fought on, trying to keep an eye on her recruits when she could. The cohort had nearly halted under the enemy rush, but they had not faltered, and the front ranks still held a good line.
“Arcolin’s cohort! Drive ’em!” It was the Duke’s voice, from behind them; the cohort surged forward, flattening the arc as they came. The enemy softened, rolling left away from their pressure. Still the fighting raged; Paks had no time to wonder how the battle was going. Jenits went down in front of her; she lunged across him to strike the enemy who was about to kill him. Jenits screamed as she stepped on his arm; she shifted a pace and hoped someone would get him away safely. His attacker fought wildly; she finally dropped him with a thrust to the neck. She spared a glance for Jenits and didn’t see him. Good, she thought, and thrust at the oncoming soldiers.
The enemy in front melted away, though by the noise the left flank was busy enough. Paks looked around and spotted Volya and Keri. Volya was bleeding from a bad slash to her right arm; Keri’s shield had fallen apart, though he still clutched the grip.
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