Geras looked at me sharply. After a moment, he said, “That’s true.” Then he added, much more in his usual manner, “Much more patient than I am, so don’t give me any trouble when I tell you to get off your horse and get in the litter. I expect it’ll happen about midnight. Come on. Suyet’ll have your horse ready.”
-17-
We rode south and east through rolling hills, by the last ruddy light of the Sun and the silvery light of the Moon and the pale, flickering light of the uncounted stars. I was glad to see the Moon’s face, though she had turned her face partly away.
Geras and Laraut rode together not far from me, but Suyet, happy to see me in the saddle, rode so close our knees almost touched. Plainly he feared he might have to catch me if I fell off my horse again. I told him I was perfectly well, and he said, “Of course you are, Ryo,” in a completely sincere tone of voice and continued to ride at exactly the same distance. I made him say all the taksu words and phrases I had taught him, but he did not retreat even then.
Talon Commander Ianan rode near us for a little while. Twice he corrected Suyet’s pronunciation. Suyet mimed a wide-eyed stare of complete astonishment at the talon commander’s back when he rode away. But he said to me, “I’m glad you and Ianan are all right now. Did he sort it out, or was that you?”
I was not surprised Suyet had seen there was trouble or that he noticed now that it was gone. He paid attention to everything of that kind. I told him, “He corrected a mistake I had made. He should not have needed to.”
“Good.” Suyet nodded in satisfaction. “I’m not surprised. He’s a good talon commander.” We rode on in companionable silence until Suyet asked me to teach him more taksu.
There were few farms in this part of the country, but we passed pastures where cattle grazed. The cattle were a kind I did not know, mouse-grey, with short horns and very high shoulders, very different from the small, shaggy cattle of the winter country, or even the borderlands. Everywhere else, the wide oak savannah stretched out beneath the clear and endless sky, and ahead of us the mountains rose up.
I did not have to ask to ride in the litter until nearly dawn. Geras and Laraut unfolded the litter and slung it between their horses. I endured the uneven rocking and felt completely stupid and pathetic.
Before the morning was far advanced, Talon Commander Ianan came and cooled the air in the litter for me. I thanked him for it, trying to hide my dislike of the magic, and he nodded briskly and said, “I am pleased to do it,” in taksu before leaving again.
We halted at noon. I moved directly from the litter to my tent, still feeling very sullen and useless, though I tried not to show my bad temper. I slept a little. Geras brought me food, and more of the bitter medicine. I drank it without comment and lay down again.
The next day was exactly the same, except I did not have to ask for the litter. I was only a little weak now. We rode through the short night of the summer country and into the bright dawn. The land sloped ever more steeply, until no one could have denied we rode through hills. As the Sun sent his first light over the world, I saw that the grasses had become sparse over the red soil, and the trees were small and scrubby, not the great spreading oaks. The soil was rocky and poor, and in many places huge stone outcroppings broke through the earth. There were more of these outcroppings ahead of us and to either side, many taller than a man and some longer than a bowshot. I could see we would have to turn and turn again to get through them.
“We’ll pick up a decent road right through there,” Geras told me, nodding ahead, the way we were going, where the hills came together, some bowshots ahead. He went on. “Then we’ll pick up a faster pace. The road runs north to south, mainly. We’ll turn north, toward Tamaudan, and ... see what we find, I guess.”
I looked at him. He did not seem to be worried, but there had been that pause. I said, “Lord Aras has faced sorcerers before.”
“I know. But ...”
That pause drew out. I said, “I am nervous of what might happen. Anyone might be, even a Lau, who is perhaps almost accustomed to the idea of facing sorcery.” Then I said, which was as near as I thought I could come to the problem I suspected was actually on his mind, “But I am not nervous of anything Lord Aras might do.”
“No one’s that accustomed to facing sorcery,” he said shortly. “Do you need the litter?”
I told him I did not. The day had grown warmer as the Sun stepped higher in the sky, but we would stop soon. I thought I could go on riding. My head only ached a very little, and I was not dizzy at all.
Then we did halt, the column slowing and closing up. It seemed a little early for that and I hoped no one thought they needed to halt for my sake, but then I saw how Geras stood up in his stirrups and stared ahead, the way we had been going. I followed the direction of his gaze. At first I could not see anything, though I shaded my eyes and peered ahead as far as I could. My eyes were not as good in bright light as the eyes of a Lau, but at last I made out movement, far ahead, at the place where the hills came together. Men moved there. I could not see anything about them, except there must be more of those men than we had in our company. My stomach tightened. I tried not to let that show on my face. I looked for Lord Aras. He was not far, gazing straight up the slope toward the other riders. His eyes were narrowed and his face was still.
Ianan came up beside him then and said, “Aras ... he knew we were coming.”
“Yes,” agreed Lord Aras. He continued to look toward the other men. He said, “I didn’t realize he was there. That many men ... I should have. I think he’s a good deal more powerful than I had hoped. I suspect he may be more powerful than my worst fears ... what would you say, Nikolas? Three hundred or so?”
“Probably close to that. But I’d be surprised if there aren’t more behind the curve of the hill. Do you think he’s got them all enthralled?”
“I don’t think so. I hope not.” Lord Aras paused. “Possibly.”
“If I were guessing, I’d say they’re going to advance on a broad front, curve around, and surround us. Then if that sorcerer can’t break us, his men will crush us with numbers. I recommend we advance to where those rocks up there can stiffen our lines.”
“They’ll still crush us with numbers, if he can’t break us.”
“Not as fast. We can’t run; our horses are tired. We can’t surrender; there’s every chance he’d enthrall us all and throw us against Karoles.” He added in the same level tone, “Unless you’ve got the strength to protect us against that with your own sorcery?”
There was a stir at this, but not the kind of horror I might have expected. Either everyone had guessed already that Lord Aras was a powerful sorcerer, or they trusted him that much. Talon Commander Ianan’s calm question probably made them realize they should be glad he was a sorcerer. I was certainly glad of it. That was a very strange thought.
Lord Aras said quietly, “I probably can’t protect you for long, unfortunately. Not if he’s got the strength to enthrall that many men.”
“Then we’ll have to fight,” Talon Commander Ianan said, unmovably calm. “Every moment we buy you will give you time to ... do whatever you can think of to do. This may be a disaster, but I know you’ll find a way to recover something from it.” His voice was so level that I might have believed him indifferent, except I did not believe that at all.
“Thank you; I’ll certainly try.” Lord Aras looked around at our people. Then he beckoned to Geras. When Geras nudged his horse forward through the press of soldiers, he said to him, “I’d like to put a sorcerous memory into your mind. There’s no time to do this any other way. I would appreciate your consent. If you refuse, I will ask Suyet.”
I looked quickly at Suyet, who had flinched, but now began to say he would agree. Geras also knew what Suyet meant to say. Naturally, as the older man and the higher in rank, he immediately said, “Yes, all right! All right. You can do it.”
“Thank you.” Lord Aras looked at him steadily for a long, long moment. No one sho
uted or exclaimed or even drew away, though I heard one or two men shift their weight.
Geras blinked. His eyes widened. He blinked again, drew a hard breath and nodded. “Yes, my lord,” he said.
“Good man,” Lord Aras said. “Explain everything to Suyet, or someone, as soon as you’re clear. Then you’ll remember even after your mind rejects the false memory.” He took a leather envelope out of his saddlebag and gave it to Geras.
Then he handed him his scepter.
All around us, there was a startled, disturbed reaction, as there had not been until that moment. Not even the open revelation of his curse had matched that. He did not appear to notice. Nor did Geras, who took the scepter without a word.
“Good,” Lord Aras said again. “Now. Suyet. Laraut’s file, Madrau’s file, Darosan’s file.” He beckoned to the men he had named and said to them all, “Back the way we came, get out of view, cut across country. Geras knows what he needs to do. You’ll be pursued. You must not permit Geras to be taken by our enemy. Your horses are tired; don’t permit this to turn into direct pursuit or you’ll be lost. Use your heads. This is good country for traps and ambushes. Put that to use. Go.”
Geras sent me one fast look, saluted Lord Aras, wheeled his horse, and rode away. Suyet touched my arm quickly and then followed with the other men.
I watched them go, but Lord Aras did not. He said, “Lakan, Inates, Soyen. Most likely, once he gets past us, our enemy will send a fast detachment ahead of his main force to try to come up on Geras and his company. Your specific task is to set up an ambush for that detachment. You’re unlikely to be able to destroy it, but do your best to cut it to pieces.”
The file leaders named all saluted and another group of our soldiers galloped back the way we had come.
Lord Aras said to Ianan, “You’ll take the rest of our men straight forward. If you happen to cut down the sorcerer, that would be excellent, but I don’t expect he’ll give you the chance. If you force his people to stand and fight, that will do. Please slow that advance to the greatest extent possible. You are perfectly correct that every minute you can win here will give me time to work and Geras time to get clear.” He paused. Then he said, in the same even tone, “You have been of inestimable value to me, Nikoles. I will be extremely sorry to lose you, but please don’t allow our enemy to take you alive. When you enter the land of the shades, I pray the gods will receive you kindly.”
Ianan answered in a clear, firm voice. “If the gods judge me half as kindly as you do, that will be more generosity than I deserve. I’m deeply grateful to have had the honor of serving you, my lord.” He touched his hand to his heart.
Lord Aras bowed his head. Then he looked around at all the men and raised his voice. “I have valued you all, and I thank you for your service. The delay you purchase now may well prove crucial, and if I cannot remember the courage you show here today, the gods will make note of it.”
There was a low murmur, but Ianan cut that off with a brisk gesture that made everyone look at him. He said, his voice pitched to carry but as unhurried and calm as ever, “You all see that place up there where the outcropping comes down sharply. They won’t get around us easily if we set ourselves there. Lord Gaur will protect us against sorcery, but that probably won’t last. My lord?”
“Probably not much more than an hour. Possibly less.”
Ianan nodded, not showing the least sign of dismay. He said to the soldiers, in the same cool manner, “So we’ll make use of Lord Gaur’s protection while we have it. If we’re taken alive, we’ll most likely be enthralled and forced to fight our own people. Living through the day is not the aim. The aim is to drive the spear into our enemy so hard the blow is felt right down in the land of the shades.” He paused to let that thought stand in the air for a moment. Then he gave the order, and they all rode forward.
I thought, too late, that I should go with them. But they were already moving, and Lord Aras lifted a hand, forbidding me. I would have gone anyway if Geras and Suyet had been among those soldiers, but as they were not, I checked my horse at his gesture. But I could not stop myself from asking, “There is no other way?”
Lord Aras shook his head. “Our horses are tired, and Geras must get clear, or we’ll face disaster. Worse disaster. How I missed this possibility—I think he must have—” he cut that off and sat his horse in silence, watching.
In a little while, the fighting began. The cries of men and the ringing of metal came clearly to my ears despite the distance. I could not estimate the number of enemy soldiers, but anyone could see it was far too many. Lord Aras had deliberately sent his men to their deaths, and they had gone. I was deeply ashamed I had ever thought the Lau a cowardly people. I could not stop myself from saying, “You should not hold me here. You should have sent me as well. I know I could not have gone with Geras,” I added, because obviously I would not be able to keep up with any Lau in a cross-country ride, not in the thundering heat of full day. “But with Talon Commander Ianan. I could go now. I could kill many enemies.”
He did not even look at me. “You wouldn’t last ten minutes. A day ago, you could hardly stand up. I don’t suppose it would be possible for you to ride away, find shade for the day—”
I was so angry at what was happening that I answered, unpardonably, “Nothing of the kind is remotely possible. Give me your sword and I will stay here to delay them while you ride away and find a place to hide!”
He smiled. It was not at all an amused expression. “If I could possibly do that, I might be required to try. I agree it would be entirely disgraceful, so I’m just as glad it’s impossible. If I ceased working against him, he would overwhelm Ianan immediately. He’s definitely a considerably more powerful sorcerer than I am.”
“Oh.” I considered this. My heart was still hot, but my mind was beginning to work again. I said, “I am sorry.”
“You’re angry with me for letting this happen. That’s perfectly reasonable. I’m extremely angry with myself. Ah. There he is. How very . . .” his voice trailed off. Then he said, “You’d never get away now. He’s noticed you, and he’s curious.”
I knew from this that the enemy sorcerer must be looking into my mind. My stomach clenched tighter. I shied from one thought to another and another, but there seemed nothing safe to think of. “You cannot prevent him?”
“I’m sorry, Ryo. I can’t. He’s too strong for me.”
I could not bear the knowledge that an enemy could reach into my mind. Drawing my knife, I said, “Give me permission to kill myself. Or if you command me to kill you, I will do it, and then myself. I swear to you, I will not flinch.”
He glanced at the knife and then met my eyes. “I forbid you to kill yourself,” he said flatly. “And if you kill me, I can’t—” he stopped. He said instead, “Put it away. Or throw it down. You’ll be surrendering it fairly soon in any case.”
I sheathed the knife. After a little while, the sounds of fighting became much less. I asked, “Are they all dead? Is Talon Commander Ianan dead?”
He answered without expression, “Nikoles is dead. I pray the gods judge him kindly. If they don’t, there’s no hope for most of us; I’ve seldom known a better man.” He paused. “A handful of our people are still fighting. Five ... two . . .” his mouth tightened. “No. Now it’s over.” He looked at the height of the sun. “They did well. Very well, against such odds. Thirteen of our people are alive. I don’t know whether he’ll kill them outright or question them or take them in thrall. My wife would ransom them, but I doubt very much he’s interested in ransoms.” He blinked and drew a breath. “Now only twelve are alive.”
“How many died?”
“A hundred sixty men rode out to force that delay.” He didn’t look at me. “That’s forty, four times.”
His voice was entirely level. I wished I had not made him count the dead. I looked away, at the approaching men. They wore a badge with a blue-and-gold sign on it. Other than that, they looked exactly like any other Lau to m
e. Except they were enemies, either in thrall or in willing service to a sorcerer. I doubted very much this sorcerer’s nature was generous. This one would be the kind of sorcerer I knew from the tales. Dread ran through me.
“Lorellan’s badge,” Lord Aras told me.
The name meant nothing to me. I wanted to ask many questions, but all of them were really one question. I wanted to ask, Am I going to die here? It was not even a question at all, but a child’s plea for reassurance, unworthy for many reasons. I said nothing. I was glad Lord Aras pretended not to see it in my mind.
Lord Aras swung off his horse and dropped the reins. He made no gesture to me, but I did the same. I thought he would kneel, but of course he did not. He stood with his back straight and his chin up. I put myself at his shoulder and stood in the same way. I left my knife lying at the side of the road. Lord Aras had left his sword in its sheath, hooked to the saddle of his horse.
The first of the enemy soldiers came up to us then. They did not stop or speak, but rode past and on, the way Geras and the others had gone. There were many of them, but I thought perhaps not so many that our people would not be able to deal with them as they deserved.
More of the enemy soldiers came, and with them at last the man I knew must be the sorcerer. I had forgotten the name Lord Aras had said. My mind felt slow and heavy. This might have been sorcery, but probably it was only fear.
He was a younger man than Lord Aras, but not young. I could not put his number of summers more clearly than that. I could not guess whether a Lau would find him well or ill to look upon. To me, he looked like any Lau. He was dressed in black. His horse was also black, an uncut stallion. The animal had good shoulders and a fine, pretty head, but his ears were laid back hard and he carried his nose in the air and fidgeted sideways. I am not by any means a horseman such as my second- and third-elder brothers would admire, but I thought the bit was too severe and that if the sorcerer could not handle a stallion, he should ride a mare or a gelding.
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