Relief flooded through her. “Thank you, Mother,” she sighed. Prodded by a wave from Mother Catherine, Amber ran to find the Sister. She had to resist the urge to jump with joy.
Mother Catherine shuffled out to find Sister Nalani waiting anxiously by the door. The good Sister had only one fault--gossip. Trying to sound forlorn, she asked, “Has any Sister ever been so bold? Perhaps we should pray for her.”
Mother Catherine nodded. “It is always proper to pray for your fellow Sisters. Now, to your duties!” She gave a whisk of her hand. She knew the answer to the good Sister’s question. In the history of the church, only two other sisters had stiffened themselves to face the seemingly impossible. Sister Frieda had given up the chance at a family with the man she loved dearly to give Leighna’s light to heathen druids. Her converts were not many, but she did get the druids to acknowledge Leighna as Goddess of the home and family, as well as bring a formal marriage ceremony into their world. For these deeds, she had been raised to Motherhood. The other Sister had nearly been defrocked numerous times and had the audacity to demand, even of kings, that they follow Leighna’s word. It wasn’t until after her death that Maria had been raised to the most holy recognition as Prophet.
***
The mounted elf charged the target, face set in concentration as he tried to keep the lance even with the dummy’s chest. As he closed on his objective, the thundering gallop of the horse bounced the tip in circles despite the elf’s attempt to keep it level. He met the target, striking the hard brace of the sawhorse the dummy was mounted on. The lance flexed and catapulted him through the air as his horse ran on.
Watching from his second-floor balcony, Tayan grinned as the elf got up and hobbled after his horse. At least this one had made it to the target and not launched himself earlier or tripped up his own mount. He had never before seen elven cavalry with lances, and he was beginning to see why.
“Tayan, is there anything I can get you?”
He turned to see Ellie standing in the doorway, hair still wet from her bath. “I thought you were going to rest.”
“I am fine, Tayan,” she assured him with a smile. “One of the servants told me the kitchen is ready if you would like something to eat.”
“Ellie, come sit down,” he said, waving toward the chair by him.
Scurrying over, she squatted down by his chair, looking at him expectantly.
“Sit in the chair,” he sighed.
Casting a nervous glance to see if anyone was watching, she asked, “In the chair?”
“Yes.”
She got up and slid slowly onto the seat bolt upright, ready to drop back to the floor at any second. Once again, she flicked her eyes towards the door.
“You can relax,” he told her.
“It this going to be confusing again?” she asked nervously.
He nodded. Sliding his chair so he was facing her, he leaned his elbows on his knees. “The trip you made from Spring Valley must have been very hard.”
“Oh, yes!” she breathed. “Other men thought I was alone, and one tried to steal me. I got away, and after that I stayed in the coach. The driver told me it was safe to go get a room, but I knew it wasn’t. He was kind enough to bring me food and lock the doors at night so no one could get to me while I was sleeping.”
Although her tone made it sound like it was no big deal, he figured she had spent weeks of hell getting him here. He had to free her anyway but making it look like her freedom was earned would give her pride.
Sincerely, he told her, “Ellie, what you did was very brave. I can say that you have, indeed, done your part to save not only Elrad, but quite possibly the world as we know it. To say you did very well is an understatement.”
“Thank you, Master!” she beamed.
He smiled back at her. “And for how well you served, I am going to give you anything you want. Don’t tell me now what it is--I want you to think about it. Take the night and come up with the one thing you want more that anything else in the world.”
Ellie’s face was pure rapture. “Anything at all?”
“Anything.”
With a squeal of delight, she dove into him, wrapping her arms tightly around him. Half a heartbeat later, she released him and stepped back, hand over her mouth trying to hide her grin. “I’m sorry, I just...”
“I know, you’re happy.”
She nodded vigorously. “I knew that if I was a good slave I would be rewarded! I have done my very best to serve well.”
To see her smiling so broadly made him feel good. He had the idea that, on her own, she would do very well.
“And you have served very well. Now, run back to your room. Relax and think about it. I don’t want to see you for the rest of the day.”
Bouncing in place, she gave him a departing “Yes, Master.” She ran back through his room, leaping over a footstool with a shout of glee on her way out.
Pleased with himself, he turned back to watch a pair of elves charging the dummy. One lance went wide and tripped the horse of the elf beside him. The other elf jerked back, trying to keep from being rolled on by his horse and barely missed impaling the first one as he went down. Tayan winced as they crashed to the ground in a jumble of hooves and broken pieces of lance. This was no longer funny; someone was going to get killed. Tayan decided to go down and talk to the knight in charge.
On the back terrace, he found Lord Parnal watching the display, looking quite vexed. Lord Parnal covered his face with one hand as another elf lost his lance before he got to his target.
“Not doing very well, are they?” Tayan commented as he stepped up beside him.
Lord Parnal turned to scowl at him, his face quickly melting into surprise. “Lord Tayan!” he gasped. Recovering, he composed himself and said more formally, “We have been expecting you, M’lord. As you can see, we have been...attempting to train an army to help you save Elrad.”
“I have always wondered why Elradian cavalry use bows and spears,” Tayan mussed. “Now I know. Lances are too long for them to control properly.”
The elf lord quickly picked up on his hint. “Excuse me for a moment, M’lord,” Signaling a nearby squire, he told him to have the practice stopped, and all knights and regiment captains gather. Once the boy had gone off on his mission, Lord Parnal returned to Tayan.
“M’lord, it would be a great honor if you would explain to our men how to form an effective cavalry force.”
Tayan gave him a brief bow. “It would be my pleasure. I understand that Lord Tolham is also training men at his estate.”
“Yes, M’lord. He is in charge of the infantry. With the thousand horsemen here, and the forty-seven-hundred foot soldiers Elder Lord Tolham has, we should prove to be of some help to King Alderlan,” he said proudly.
Tayan nodded absently as he looked over the elves, gathering in bunches that were supposed to be ranks. “The enemy we’ll be facing has new, horrible weapons. We will need to develop new tactics to deal with them.” Shifting his gaze to the elf lord, he said, “They have long-range spears that detonate on impact. The explosion has a kill diameter of about thirty feet. Beyond that, men may survive but will be badly wounded.”
Lord Parnal’s face opened up in shock. “Dear Odin! As if vlaks were not enough!”
“You can be assured we’ll be facing those, as well as dragons, hoarcs and anything else their evil minds can come up with. Before these boys are led into the abyss of battle, they need to know what they’ll be up against.”
Straightening up, Lord Parnal spoke with conviction. “We will stand firm against whatever horrors await us.”
Although it had been two years ago, Tayan could still see the large balls of fire ripping apart the caravan as men tried to flee. He hadn’t stood firm. He had grabbed Lucinthia and run for his life. “Every man who goes must know he will probably die. Whoever decides not to join our army will not have it held against them or be thought less of.”
“Understood, M’lord.”
“And every man who does go must follow his orders to the letter. Any who do not will be sent back.”
Lord Parnal shifted in place. “Yes, M’lord. You do know that your order may reduce the size of our army.”
“I know. When I crossed the fields south of Krundle with Lord Zodiac’s Company, we were only sixty-two. Working together, we drove back the entire hoarc army. It was not self-sacrifice, gallantry or the desire to become heroes that let us win. It was teamwork, each one knowing the job and watching out for their comrades. We helped each other survive the day. That is how we won then...” He waved an arm at the men on the fields. “...and that is the only way they will win now.”
“Forgive me for doubting you, M’lord,” Lord Parnal said quietly. “We will ensure only those suited will join us in battle.”
“Good, let’s get started.”
Tayan gave the first speech to the assembled leaders, stressing they each pass the word on to their men. As he expected, a few had families and asked to be relieved. He had them first go to their regiments and explain the situation before they returned to their lives. By late afternoon, the numbers on the fields had dwindled to just under six hundred.
Gathering the remaining men together, Tayan reformed them into six regiments then started running them through formation and attack drills. Not one was armed--he concentrated on group horse handling. It was dark by the time they led tired horses to the stables. They weren’t cavalry yet, but the regiment captains now had a place to start.
Heading for dinner, Tayan was beset by a mob. The first gauntlet was a group of noblemen greeting him, eager for him to know they were doing their part to help Elrad. He thanked each one, promising that King Alderlan would know their names. He had no more than gotten through them when he was faced with a dozen more, offering him aides and messengers. Making his way through this group, he now had a pack following him, eager to do his bidding. Then came Jeni and Lady Salinthia. Harried by all these people, he barely had time to digest what Jeni was telling him. He held his baby half-sister and promised he would talk to her later on about General Cooper’s wagons.
Lady Salinthia did have important news. It seemed that Duke Jordan had already asked King Gunthar about the war in Elrad. The king had refused any assistance for the beleaguered elves. Duke Jordan, knowing a large section of his population was elven, followed the King’s decree that no official help would come but added that anyone “visiting” Elrad could not leave the city unless they were heavily armed and traveled in large groups. Jeni had tried to talk to Duke Jordan about sending people to the plains, but he specifically banned anyone from going north.
Slowly, the crowd around Tayan grew. Lady Salinthia set aside the large study for his use and posted guards at the doors to help constrict the flow. By the time he’d settled behind the desk, he was already passing out stacks of reports to his aides to help him absorb the details of his army. He pored over figures of fighting men, nurses, priests, craftsmen, wagons and supplies. As the night wore on, he sent his aides away after he noticed their heads bobbing as they fell asleep sitting up.
Finally alone, he slid back in the chair and rubbed his eyes. The masses were gone for now, but as soon as the sun rose he would be plunged back into the fray. The time of rest was over; all he would have now would be a few hours of semi-peaceful sleep.
Hearing the door open, he groaned. “It can wait until morning!”
“No, Master, it can’t,” Ellie said as she brought in a tray of food. Walking over, she set it down in front of him and arranged the silverware. “I know you didn’t want to see me until tomorrow, but I had to bring you your dinner.”
He was too tired to argue. “Thanks,” he said with a small grin.
“That is my job,” she told him briskly. “I remembered you do not know how to be a good Master. I watched you outside earlier--I think I know why Duke Toma wanted to stop you,” As he opened his mouth, she raised a finger at him. “Before you speak! I must tell you a few things. First, such a powerful man as yourself must have enemies. Do not eat or drink anything unless I tell you it is safe. Second, keep me near you at all times--you never know when someone might try to assassinate you. Lastly, I thank you for rewarding me. It is not often a slave hears such kind words from a Master. I enjoyed being in my own room, but I can no longer ignore my duties.” She took a breath and gave him a nod. “Enjoy your meal, Master.”
“Please, don’t call me Master.”
Lowering her head, she replied, “Forgive me, Tayan.”
“Will you just sit down? In the chair,” he quickly added.
She did, taking her stiff pose. “You should not treat me so kindly all the time. I might become spoiled.”
If her definition of “spoiled” was to be able to sit in a chair, he’d make sure she was spoiled rotten. The food smelled wonderful. Picking up his fork, he asked, “Have you thought about what you want?”
She smiled sheepishly. “Yes, but it may be too much to ask.”
“Believe me, it won’t be,” he told her. He started to rip a chunk off the baked chicken leg then noticed a small bite had been taken out of it. One of the carrots also had a nibble missing, as did the sweet potato. Looking at her, he asked, “Are you hungry?”
“No, Tayan, a servant brought me dinner hours ago,” Seeing he was looking at the plate funny, she added, “Don’t worry, I tasted everything, it’s safe to eat.”
“That’s how you test for poison?” If there were poison, she would be killed.
“That is the only way to be sure. If I let you die then I am disgraced,” she explained.
“At least you’ll be alive.”
She shook her head. “I could not live. I would have to die with you.”
“Ellie...” He wanted to tell her that was ridiculous. Whoever had brainwashed her into being a slave had done a thorough job. Instead of trying to convince her she didn’t have to ensure his safety, he got to the point. “So, what is it you want?”
Shrugging slightly, her cheeks turning a slightly darker green, she blushed. “You did tell me anything, but very few slaves actually earn...”
She let her voice fall off, glancing away from him. By the way she acted, she was afraid to ask for her freedom.
“I said anything, and I mean anything,” he told her in a soothing tone.
Squirming in place, she asked, “Really?”
“Yes, I give my word.”
Smiling brightly, she said tentatively, “Well, it is actually two things.”
He started eating, figuring she’d get to the point sooner or later. He ate a few mouthfuls then decided to prod her along. “I can’t give it to you unless you ask,” he told her.
“Well, I like having my own room, when you don’t need me...”
He was tempted to tell her she’d have her own life, but just nodded and let her finish.
She was bouncing slightly in excitement. “And I want a tattoo, nice and big.”
He swallowed the meat he was chewing and stared at her. “A tattoo?”
“Yes!” Slipping her left arm from her sleeve, she brought it out the bottom of her shirt then shoved her shirt up over her shoulder. Pointing to the top of her left breast, she said, “Right here--your coat of arms, or whatever symbol you have. That marks me as yours for life. It means I am too valuable to be sold, it’s what every slave wishes for.”
He sat back in his seat with a groan. “Ellie! Isn’t there something you want more than that?”
“What else is there?” Her face dimmed as he frowned at her. “I understand--it is too much to ask for.”
All she knew was how to be a slave, so she only asked for things a slave could get. He would have to guide her into thinking differently. He put the plate to one side and clasped his hands.
“You deserve better. What you did shows you can be your own master. You can go and do as you like; you do not have to answer to anyone any longer. Ellie, I am giving you your freedom.”
Her mouth hung open as her
face paled. “What?”
“Don’t you want to be free?”
She fidgeted, wringing her fingers as she gazed around the room at nothing. Roughly, she pulled her shirt down, leaving her arm hanging out the bottom. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she finally looked at him.
“No,” she said in a small voice.
“Why not?”
Her lip quivered. “No,” she said a little louder.
“Ellie, you don’t understand...”
“You don’t understand!” she said, pounding her thigh. Her words became shouts. “I am a slave...I am a good slave!” Her whole body was quaking now, shaking the tears from her eyes. “And...I am a good slave!”
Tayan hadn’t expected this. The poor girl wanted to be tattooed as property but not freed. This was insanity at its finest.
“I am not...garbage...to be thrown away!” she shouted between her tears. “I am a good slave!”
Looking at her kindly, he tried to explain. “I’m not throwing you away. I want...”
“You tricked me!” she wailed. Shoving a fist in her mouth, she slipped to the floor and cried.
Tayan got up and went around the table to help her up. At his touch, she slapped his hands away.
“Ellie, will you please listen!”
Hugging herself, she said to the floor, “Kill me.”
Irritated at her behavior, he planted his hands on his hips. “I’m not going to kill you.”
“Then give me away!” she cried. “I am not garbage!”
“I never said you were.”
Quieter, she choked out, “I...am...a...good slave!”
He tried to get her attention again. Not succeeding, he became angry. It was too late, and he was too tired for this nonsense. Grabbing her arm, he hauled her up to face him.
“Stop it!” he barked.
She gave him a pleading look. “Please, don’t throw me away. I have seen slaves who were. I do not want to starve to death in some alley, and I deserve better than to be hunted for sport. Please, I am a good slave!”
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