Sword and Illusion

by Nancy S. Brandt

  "But if I'm not mistaken," he said, turning in his saddle so she could see him better, "you didn't grow up here. How can it be your home?"

  Moonrazer stared at the glacier. "This is where my people lived for almost four hundred generations. When I became Exalted Warrior, it was my duty to do what I could to bring them back here. So I stopped traveling."

  "Caring for your people is a worthy goal, as well. Are you happy here?"

  "Why would I not be?" She didn't meet his eyes.

  He smiled. "You are a warrior, and your people are at peace. Are you happy with that?"

  "To be honest, I am not completely happy, but I believe my people are. Many of them have families and do not wish to spend time away from their children." She shook her head. "I do not believe I was meant for the peaceful life, but my time as a warrior is growing short. I have few battles left to fight."

  Silence fell between them. The air grew colder as the sun began to slip behind a faraway mountain.

  Lucan said, "Shall we turn back?"

  Moonrazer looked at him. "That is probably a good idea. It is getting close to the time of the evening meal."

  ****

  They began riding back toward the Tower. She watched him and realized that he rode better than most Sarl men, even better than those who worked in the stable. His posture was excellent, and he was clearly relaxed. He and Smokey Traveler seemed to work together as one creature, and Lucan did little she could see in the way of guiding the animal.

  "Have you been around horses all your life?" she asked, as a means of breaking the silence between them as much as for her curiosity.

  To her surprise, he sat up straighter and looked pleased.

  "My people are known for their horses," he said. "A man's worth is determined by how many horses he owns and how many foals are produced every year. My father is considered to be the king because he has the most and the fastest horses." He laughed. "This year anyway. He has a rival and the crown—such as it is—passes between them regularly."

  "Now I am more confused. Why would you leave that?"

  "I am the sixth son of the ruler of a poor and insignificant world," he said, as though that explained it all. "When I was young I didn't see the advantage and satisfaction of working hard for something. I saw my older brothers being given pregnant mares and breeding colts."

  He shook his head. "That's when I felt the call of adventure. I wanted to ride the trails of all the Known Worlds. I left home as soon as I reached the age of adulthood. It's not an uncommon sentiment among our people. I don't know if you can understand."

  Moonrazer nodded. "I do. Bringing my people back to Carrick has been an adventure so far. It is a beautiful and untamed world. You can ride for days in any direction here and not see civilization."

  "Perhaps, if I am chosen, we could work out a way to breed some of your fine animals with those of my people. We could raise a magnificent herd."

  She chuckled.

  "What's so funny?" he said.

  "You, having the boldness to tell me that you want to raise a magnificent herd with me."

  He sputtered. "I didn't mean… you have to forgive me. I wasn't…"

  She was pleased to see a tinge of red creep over his face.

  They had reached the outer gatehouse of the Tower, so Moonrazer knew the conversation was at an end.

  They dismounted and led their horses back to the stable.

  ****

  "She will be back to normal in another moon cycle or so," the healer, a man named Micolai, told Varian as he wiped his hands on a towel. "Her leg will take some time to mend, but the wound in her side is not deep. She did not injure anything seriously."

  "Thank you." Varian sat on a crude wooden chair while Anthelme worked in the kitchen.

  "Saberbreaker has you to thank," Micolai said, taking a seat on the other side of the table. "If you had not stopped, she and Moonwhisper would both have frozen to death before morning."

  Varian looked at the little girl sleeping peacefully, her thumb in her mouth, on a pile of furs near the fire. "Will there be someone to help her?"

  "I will speak to some of the families in the village," Micolai said. "They will make sure Moonwhisper and her mother are cared for."

  "What about Saberbreaker's husband?"

  The healer brushed hair out of his eyes. "Otrygg was killed several months ago while on a hunt with other men from the village."

  "So she is all alone, then?" The Prince looked at the woman, who appeared to be resting comfortably. "How is she able to manage this farm and care for her child?"

  "The village is some distance away," Micolai said, "but Saberbreaker is loved by everyone. She is a very kind and giving woman." He patted Varian's arm. "Do not worry about her. She will be up on her feet in no time, and she has many friends who will help her until she is well."

  Anthelme came into the room. "Sire, we should go."

  Varian looked at the window. The sun was dipping low in the sky. "Can you tell me how far it is to where the Exalted Warrior lives?" he asked.

  Micolai raised his eyebrows. "You are here for the Choosing Rituals?"

  The Prince nodded. "I am also here to seek my lost daughter. I am hoping the Exalted Warrior will be able to help. The child was left in the wilderness by a stream in the southern region on World Lireek. We think it's possible she was rescued by Sarl."

  "Sarl warriors often do take in children abandoned by war or some kind of disaster," Micolai said. "Do you have any evidence that the Sarl were on Lireek when your daughter was abandoned?"

  "Our only clue is this Borromean thistle." Prince Varian took the thistle out of a pouch hanging from his belt. He'd wrapped it in a thin cloth to protect it.

  "This is the symbol of the Exalted Warrior and the Sarl people," Micolai said, reaching for the thistle. "Where did this come from?"

  "My daughter's mother had this in her prayer book when she died."

  Micolai nodded and looked at the thistle. "She must have loved your daughter very much."

  "How could Violetta have loved the child?" Anthelme said. "She left her to die."

  The Sarl healer looked at the valet with his tired, wise eyes. "Unless you live in the skin of another person, you cannot know what was in her heart. Only the Holy One can judge. This is why He gave the Exalted Warrior the Sword of Justice to help her administer His will."

  Anthelme looked skeptical of the older man's words, but he said nothing.

  Micolai spoke to the Prince. "If she found this, it is a good sign that the Sarl were nearby. It only grows on this world."

  Varian took a deep breath. The healer had confirmed what he thought, and this gave him hope. "I don't suppose you would know which Sarl families lived there at the appropriate time?"

  "I am sorry I do not have the knowledge you seek. However, the Exalted Warrior should be able to help you."

  "That is my prayer," Varian said.

  "Of course, if you were to win the Choosing Ritual, she would certainly help you." Micolai smiled at the Prince. "She is an attractive woman, our Exalted Warrior."

  "That is not of concern to me."

  Micolai studied Varian. "You do not seem enthusiastic about this ritual, sir."

  Varian spoke carefully, not wanting to get into the Dragon situation more than necessary. "There are problems on Tellan that might be solved if I were to find a new wife. However, I've recently buried two wives and a son. My heart is wounded."

  "I see," Micolai said. "You have been through much pain, but your people need an heir. Your duty calls you, even though you are not done grieving."

  "Yes, as you say," Varian said, nodding.

  The healer seemed to consider this. "I have something for you," he said finally. "You have done a good deed here, my friend."

  He pulled a golden chain out from under his tunic. A coin hung from it. "One of my ancestors saved the life of Exalted Warrior Goldenaxe." Micolai took the chain from around his neck and handed it to Varian.

 
"Thank you," the Prince said, "but I need no reward for what I did. It is enough that the child and her mother will live."

  "This is not mere gold," Micolai said. "Coins like this one were given in times of old to anyone who saved the life of an Exalted Warrior. It has been in my family since before the Sword of Justice went missing."

  Varian shook his head. "I can't take this. Surely it is a treasured heirloom for you."

  "Yes. Families who have such a coin in their possession revere them, but they are always freely given to another who has done the family a heroic deed. I believe you should have it."

  "While I appreciate the gesture, it is not necessary." Varian handed the coin back to the healer.

  "You misunderstand my gesture. The coin is not just a gift in thanks; it is something that can help you in your quest to find your daughter." He held the coin up. "During any of the high feasts of the Sarl, when all citizens are called to celebrate, this coin may be presented to the Exalted Warrior for redemption."

  Micolai placed the coin into Varian's hand. "Give it to the Exalted Warrior. Even if she should choose one of your competitors, she will send the whole of her kingdom out in search of your lost child."

  Varian looked down at the coin, staring at the intricate gold markings. "Thank you." His voice broke as he closed his fist over the token. "I will treat this gift with the honor and dignity it deserves."

  "I know you will." Micolai bowed slightly.

  "What is the fastest way to Cool Trails?"

  "The road on the other side of the forest will lead you directly there," the healer said. "You should reach the Tower by nightfall if you hurry."

  ****

  Whiteshadow slipped into one of the empty stalls of Moonrazer's precious stable. Even though the barn was well-built and insulated against the constant cold, a frigid breeze still blew through tiny gaps between the boards, and the warmth from the horses did little to abate it.

  The Mother Prioress shivered and watched through the door of the stall, keeping a hood over her head and staying hidden as much as possible. Only one person knew she was here, and he didn't want to be spotted any more than she did.

  Finally, she heard quick footsteps and the door to the stall opened only enough for another person to slip through and immediately closed again.

  She was in his arms before he had a chance to latch the door behind him.

  "Wait," he whispered. "You don't want us to be caught, do you?"

  Reluctantly, she stepped back and let him make sure the door was firmly closed.

  "The other suitors will meet Moonrazer tomorrow," she said as they settled down in a pile of hay, snuggling together for warmth. "What did you and my sister talk about on your ride?"

  Lucan grinned at her. "You saw us?"

  She hated the feeling of jealousy that rose in her chest and hesitated, so she could be sure that her voice would not betray her. "I happened to be looking out a window in my chambers, when I saw the two of you ride off."

  He picked up a piece of straw and began to twirl it between his fingers. "We just talked. Not about anything, really."

  "Is she interested in you?" Whiteshadow bit her lip as soon as the words left her mouth, but she wanted to hear the answer.

  "Are you worried?" Lucan tossed the straw away and began removing the pins from her hair. "Do you think I would find her more appealing?"

  "Moonrazer is older." Whiteshadow knew her words sounded like those of a petulant child, but couldn't help herself. "Her skin is softening, and her body is changing from one of a warrior to a woman ready for childbearing."

  "All designed to attract a man." He grinned at her.

  Whiteshadow didn't trust herself to speak, so she only nodded.

  "Well, don't fear, my little flower." He kissed her forehead. "I know why I am here and what I need to do. I must make sure your sister chooses me above all the kings, princes, and warriors that may be coming here. In order to do that, I need to make sure she finds me appealing. I'm just doing my job."

  He took the Mother Prioress in his arms and kissed her, driving her doubts away. She allowed herself to succumb to his caresses and attention, but somewhere in the back of her mind, the doubts remained.

  She feared telling him all of her plans. Would his feelings for her continue when he knew she planned to kill her sister?

  ****

  By the time the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, Varian and Anthelme were settled into the barracks with the other Candidates for the Choosing Ritual. Fortunately, they had their own rooms.

  Varian was tired and not interested in idle conversation with strangers.

  "I've brought you some meat porridge, Your Highness," the valet said, "and some hot drink called lavinar. From the aroma, I would guess it has lemon, silverweed, and some kind of alcohol in it."

  "Thank you." Varian reached for the steaming stoneware mug. He looked at the cup before raising it to his lips and saw a stylized drawing of the same flower Violetta had in her prayer book. "The symbol for the Sarl," he said, almost speaking to himself.

  "Yes, Sire," Anthelme said.

  "The Borromean thistle. It feels like I'm closer to her—my daughter, I mean." Varian took a sip of the drink, then stood up to look out the window. The liquid warmed him as he considered the festival atmosphere surrounding the Tower.

  Torches flared all around the courtyard. Several flags fluttered in the cold breeze. In the center, on the tallest pole, was a blue flag with the same lavender thistle as on the mug.

  The valet set the rest of the food out on the rough-hewn table that stood, wobbling on its uneven legs, in the corner of the room.

  "Did you see those guards?" Anthelme asked.

  "They certainly are different than the kind of women we see on Tellan," Varian said, not turning from the window. "I can't imagine any of the ladies of the court taking up a weapon."

  Warriors, all female, milled around the courtyard. He saw few males, except servants.

  "It baffles me how they can get lemons here," Anthelme said as he worked. "Of course, I'm baffled by many things about this world. Ruling it would be a challenge. Very different from home."

  Varian looked at his friend, who glanced at him, eyebrows raised.

  "What? I'm not suggesting you will rule it or anything."

  "You know," Varian said, "now that I have this coin, maybe I don't need to enter the Choosing after all. I can just say I'm a guest, here to watch."

  "Sire, even with the coin and all of Carrick on your side, you may not find your daughter."

  Varian had no answer. His daughter might not have been rescued. It was only a theory, after all.

  However, recent events had engendered in him a sense of hope.

  Carrick presented two opportunities for Tellan: the prospect of a new Dragonmarked queen and a chance to locate his missing daughter. He could not afford to throw away either one.

  Just then, Varian heard a knock on the door.

  When Anthelme answered it, one of the religious sisters who Varian had seen when they arrived stood there.

  She wore a simple, long white tunic which was gathered at the waist by a thin leather belt from which hung a set of prayer beads. In the center of her chest, she had a red embroidered Star of Janico.

  Anthelme stepped back when he saw her, and Varian stifled a grin at seeing his friend intimidated by a woman.

  "Your presence is required at a Gathering of the Ritual Candidates, to meet the Exalted Warrior on the date of her birth and attend a performance of the famous Sarl History Cycle. This will take place tomorrow after the midday meal." She glared at them. "You arrived after all the other Candidates, half a candlemark before the setting of the sun. This kind of tardiness will not serve you in the Rituals."

  Anthelme glanced at Varian, before turning back to the woman.

  "The Prince stopped to help a child who had fallen down a well shortly after we came through the Portal," the valet said. "We were just—"

  The religio
us sister interrupted him. "This does not concern me. The Gathering is not optional. Candidates are required to attend to indicate their desire to participate in the Ritual. Mother Whiteshadow has instructed all of the other men of this. You did not hear her talk because of the lateness of your arrival. All Candidates were expected to arrive by the evening meal."

  "The child—"

  Again, she interrupted him. "It is of no matter to this situation. You are here now, but if you or the Prince intends to present the required Offering, you must attend the Gathering."