by Roger Taylor
‘Forgive me, Loman,’ he said gently. ‘But set your questions aside. You’re not truly familiar with our ways. What you’ve just heard is all that her Majesty knows.’ He looked at the Queen, who bowed in acknowledge-ment. ‘If you ponder a little you’ll see.’
Loman gazed at him intently, the Queen’s few words echoing through his mind. He knew that the four Lords must be as bewildered as he about such a strange tale, but he knew too that they would be asking their own endless probing questions if they thought the Queen would be able to answer them. They were as fine craftsmen in such matters as he was with iron, or Isloman with stone. He must accept their judgement; it would be sound.
As he reached that decision, small fragments tum-bled into position. By now, whatever route Hawklan had taken, he would be in Narsindal. And now the Queen seemingly at the horse’s behest, had released Serian too into Narsindal.
It was a portentous event and more than sufficient to remind him that forces were at work in this conflict which were beyond even his discovering, let alone his understanding. It reminded him too that he must commit himself totally to what lay within his ability to affect.
‘Thank you, Lord,’ he replied. ‘I won’t pretend it’s easy, but I do understand and accept what you say. This is some happening which is beyond us and we’ll waste our time pursuing it. All we can do now is be happy that the Queen and her son have arrived safely, and concern ourselves with how we can have them escorted back to Narsindalvak.’
‘We’ll make a Gatherer of you yet, Loman,’ Darek said with a chuckle.
‘There’ll be no need to consider my return, gentle-men,’ Sylvriss said, cutting across this slight levity. ‘I fear the way back will be too dangerous. I read your reports at Narsindalvak and have to tell you that matters to the rear were deteriorating even as we rode. The forts are hard pressed each night and twice we were attacked by Mandrocs on the road and saw bands of them in the mist, keeping station with us.’ The men exchanged concerned glances. ‘We suffered no serious casualties,’ she added reassuringly. ‘But we were a large force. I’d send no lightly escorted messengers back to the forts now. Nor look for any aid from that quarter. They seem confident that they can hold, but I suspect that any force plying between them will be assailed. The way is only forward now, for all of us.’ Sylvriss looked down at the crib by her side. ‘It isn’t what I’d intended or hoped for, but I’d no alternative than to do what I did. The horse demanded it. And now we’re both trapped here.’
The Queen’s news and her conclusion were chilling. A sudden commotion outside, however, forestalled any discussion, and suddenly the entrance to the tent was thrown open to reveal Urthryn. Bobbing in his wake came Oslang.
The Ffyrst made no ceremony, but ploughed across the tent until he reached the crib. There, with an almost incongruous delicacy, he peered into it and, with a gentle finger, eased back a sheet to examine the face of his sleeping grandson. He smiled and nodded, then transferred his wide-eyed gaze to his daughter. ‘Well, well,’ he said slowly. ‘Who’s a clever girl then?’
Sylvriss stood up, and father and daughter em-braced each other warmly. Urthryn shook his head reflectively as they parted. ‘I can’t tell you how happy I am,’ he said. ‘Your mother would’ve been… ’ The remark faded, and his eyes became momentarily distant. Then he was businesslike.
‘But what in the world possessed you to come here, child?’ he demanded. ‘We’ll have to get you both back out of danger as soon as possible.’ He looked round at the others for confirmation of this intention.
‘Sit down, father,’ Sylvriss said, laying a hand on his arm and indicating a nearby chair.
Though gentle, something in her manner brooked no argument and Urthryn did as he was bidden without comment.
Sylvriss told her tale again. Urthryn listened in si-lence. He took the news about Serian with scarcely a flicker of surprise, nodding understandingly, but he turned to Loman in disbelief when he heard about the daylight Mandroc attacks on the escort.
‘Let me send a few squadrons back,’ he said clench-ing his fist. ‘We’ll teach them to show their dog faces in daylight. My people are raring to go. They’re weary of fighting these creatures from behind a fence.’
‘No!’ Loman said brusquely. ‘The Mandrocs don’t care whether they live or die, and whoever’s organizing them cares even less. You could lose any number of squadrons against such an enemy to gain nothing but two piles of dead.’
Urthryn opened his mouth to rebut this claim but Loman stopped him. ‘You know it’s true, Ffyrst,’ he went on. ‘They’re possessed by some unholy force. You’ve seen them fight. As have your people. That’s one of the reasons I’ve given them such a liberal share of the night duties. There’s no defence against an enemy so reckless and uncaring for their own lives, except to kill them before they get too close… ’
‘Or to kill whoever’s leading them,’ Oslang inter-rupted.
Loman nodded in acknowledgement. ‘We’ll do both,’ Loman said. ‘And I intend to lose no one in the process.’
‘You may well fall short of that intention,’ Eldric said, anxious at this extravagant ambition.
‘I know,’ Loman said quietly. ‘But nonetheless, that’s what we’ll all aspire to. To aspire to save a few, is to lose more, and I refuse to be cavalier with the lives of our people just for the want of our strong will.’
Loman’s presence seemed to fill the tent and no one spoke as he looked round at his listeners.
‘We have bows, pikes, and above all discipline,’ he went on. ‘We’ll use all three to their maximum effect to try to avoid the need to use our swords and sinews against these creatures in close combat.’
‘I don’t dispute any of that, Loman,’ Urthryn said. ‘We’ve discussed it before at some length. But we can’t afford to let the enemy cut off our supply lines and take possession of the rear.’
Loman leaned forward. ‘So goes the tradition,’ he said. ‘But my feeling-my growing feeling-is that we’ll best husband our resources by staying together and pressing on to strike at the heart of all this, than by draining ourselves trying to defend an ever-lengthening supply line. I think the more forces we commit to such a strategy, the more He’ll harry us until we’re spread out like a shaft with no spearhead. Very soon, I suspect, He’ll look to meet us in the field, and we must be at our full strength then. When we defeat Him, I suspect the opposition to our withdrawal will be minimal.’
‘It’s not what we intended at the outset,’ Eldric said. ‘But I agree, we hadn’t envisaged such continuing and reckless assaults. It goes against the grain not to defend a supply line, but I fear you’re right.’
‘There will be another advantage,’ Loman said.
‘Everyone will know that there’s no chance of retreat except through total victory.’ Hreldar’s voice was cold.
Loman nodded. ‘If we allow Sumeral to cut us off then we limit all our options and He’ll find out only too clearly just how well we’ve learned His lessons.’
The tent fell silent at this grim remark.
The baby stirred, then it opened its eyes and began to cry. Sylvriss picked it up. The child’s innocent helplessness contrasted vividly with the stern faces of the gathered adults. Sylvriss smiled. ‘You’re very young to be mixing with such bad company,’ she said, cradling it comfortingly in her arms. Alter a while it fell silent.
Urthryn looked from his grandchild back to Loman, his face anxious but controlled. ‘I suppose you’re right,’ he said, unconsciously resting his hand on his sword hilt. ‘But being cut off is one thing, having a force come up behind us is another.’
Loman nodded. ‘The Queen and her baby will have a special bodyguard,’ he said, answering Urthryn’s unspoken concern. ‘And the Goraidin and Helyadin will watch for any major gathering of forces behind us. Depending on what they report we’ll arrange our battle order accordingly when He finally takes to the field. A rear attack is only dangerous when you don’t expect it.’
> A trumpet call interrupted their discussion. Sylvriss started slightly. ‘Just the night guards being set, Lady,’ Loman said reassuringly. Then to the others, ‘Duty calls, gentlemen. To your rounds.’
When Urthryn and the Lords had left, Loman turned to Oslang. ‘What do you feel in the air, Cadwanwr?’ he asked.
‘Him,’ Oslang replied. ‘His presence pervades every-thing increasingly. Those dank forests we passed through, the rivers we crossed, this damp, wretched wilderness we’ve reached.’
‘But He doesn’t assail us,’ Loman said.
Oslang shook his head. ‘Nor do the Uhriel,’ he said. ‘But they’re merely waiting. We think as you do. He’ll look to crush us all with one blow.’
Unexpectedly, Loman smiled. ‘That, at least, is not a matter of His choosing,’ he said. ‘That much, we determine, by not responding to his harrying of our lines and by moving inexorably towards His lair. If He chooses not to stand there, then we’ll take it down stone by stone.’
Oslang waved an anxious hand. ‘That rhetoric’s fine for the troops, Loman,’ he said. ‘But don’t begin to believe it yourself. I agree with what you’re doing. If we dawdle and fumble about here, of all places, He’ll destroy us piecemeal just with His army, but if we threaten Derras Ustramel, be under no illusions, He’ll set forth His power and if Ethriss isn’t there to shield us, then we’ll die-or worse.’
Loman dropped into a chair. ‘Yes, I know,’ he said. ‘But it’s as I said about the casualties. What we aspire to we tend to fall short of. I must have this image in my heart of Him under my sword, and His castle being tumbled into that lake. That way we’ll go further than if I see us just fighting His army, and waiting for Hawklan to… ’ He faltered. He had almost blurted out the truth about Hawklan’s mission. ‘… to waken Ethriss and save us all.’
Oslang caught the stumble. ‘I haven’t asked before,’ he said. ‘But just where have Hawklan and Andawyr gone on this search for Ethriss?’
‘You know as much as I do,’ Loman lied. ‘They told no one of their intentions so that no one would inadvertently betray them.’
Oslang seemed doubtful. ‘If we knew, it’s possible that we could help them in some way.’
Loman looked at him squarely. ‘Your task is to pro-tect the army against the Uhriel,’ he said. ‘Concentrate on that and that alone. I suspect it’ll take your every resource in due time-you lost one man facing Creost, as I recall. Let me attend to the fighting, and Hawklan and Andawyr to their tasks, wherever they are. I know nothing of the Power you wield, but I suspect you’ll do more harm than good if you go using it indiscriminately in His land.’
Oslang bowed. ‘I accept the rebuke,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry. It’s just that I… we… seem to be doing so little. And His presence is so strong. I’m… ’ He paused.
‘You’re afraid,’ Loman said, not unkindly.
Oslang blinked owlishly. ‘Yes,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘Yes, I am afraid.’
Loman smiled and reached up to pat the Cad-wanwr’s arm. ‘Let me tell you what you already know, Oslang,’ he said. ‘Say it out loud to yourself every now and then. It won’t make you less afraid, but it’ll make you less afraid of your fear.’
Oslang’s brow furrowed. ‘I’m suppose to be the wise one around here, soldier,’ he said.
‘Sorry,’ Loman said unapologetically. ‘Go and talk with your friends. They’re probably all feeling the same way. This place is depressing enough for us so I shudder to think what it feels like to you. Tell them to sharpen whatever it is you people use for swords; it won’t be long now.’
‘I see I chose a good Commander,’ Sylvriss said to Loman after Oslang had left.
Loman looked at her. ‘Just tell me if you find I’m enjoying the work,’ he said.
Sylvriss returned his gaze. ‘Let me tell you what you already know then, wise one,’ she said, her tone half serious, half mocking. ‘You do, and should, enjoy the work, grim though it is and worse though it’s going to be. You have the opportunity to use your considerable skills to protect the less fortunate and the weak and defenceless from a foe who would not only destroy them, but every precious thing that exists in our three countries, and beyond. Take it and relish it, man.’
Loman just managed to stop his mouth dropping open. ‘Yes, Lady,’ he said awkwardly.
‘Good,’ Sylvriss said. ‘Now, where’s Gulda?’
A messenger entered. His eyes flickered from Lo-man to the Queen and back again. Loman nodded.
‘The horse has wandered off from the stables, Maj-esty,’ the man said.
Unexpectedly, Sylvriss turned away quickly and began putting her baby into its carrying sling. Loman watched her. It came to him suddenly that she did not want her face to be seen.
‘See that my orders are clearly understood,’ she said, her hands toying busily but ineffectually with the straps to the sling. ‘The horse is to be allowed to wander as it wishes, unhindered. If it seeks to leave then the gates are to be opened. Is that clear?’
‘Yes, Majesty,’ the messenger said, and with a bow, he left.
Sylvriss turned round, her eyes shining wet in the torchlight. Loman looked at her helplessly, taken aback by this unexpected display of distress.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small stone disc. ‘Your brother carved this for me when we were in Eldric’s stronghold,’ she said. Loman looked at it. It was Hawklan riding Serian and it was unmistakably Isloman’s handiwork. Sylvriss’s hand was trembling. ‘Crude, he called it. But tell me, Loman,’ she said. ‘How does an Orthlundyn carver know more about the true nature of a horse than the Riddinvolk do?’
She wanted no answer, however, and waited for none. She took back the small carving. ‘Where’s Gulda?’ she asked again, before Loman could speak. ‘Why isn’t she here, keeping you all in order?’
Loman floundered slightly then cleared his throat. ‘She’ll be in her tent,’ he said. ‘She’s become… strange… lately. Withdrawn. As if she wasn’t needed anymore. I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had time… ’
‘I’ll go and see her,’ Sylvriss said, carefully position-ing the baby’s sling around her neck. ‘Just show me the way, I need no escort.’
Following Loman’s directions, Sylvriss made her way through the hectic, darkening camp. Despite the lights about her and the familiar Fyordyn and Riddin accents that she could hear, it was an oddly unpleasant place. There was an unhealthy dampness in the air which made her hold her baby tightly to her, and even the ground she walked on seemed to cling lingeringly to her feet.
After a few minutes she came to a small tent, stand-ing slightly apart from the others. As she approached it, the entrance opened and the characteristic silhouette of Gulda stood back against the torchlight.
‘Come in, my dear,’ she said.
It seemed to Sylvriss that as she entered the tent the aura of Narsindal fell away, and was replaced by one which she realized after a moment was like that she had felt around the sleeping Hawklan.
She took in the neat, simple quarters, with a single glance and sat down on the offered chair. Gulda sat opposite her and immediately reached out to take the baby. Sylvriss smiled and carefully handed the infant to her.
Gulda’s arms enfolded it protectively and Sylvriss felt a strange, reassuring peace as she looked at the tiny form swaddled in its white sheets against the deep blackness of Gulda’s robe.
Its eyes opened and it looked up at Gulda curiously. Then its mouth wrinkled into a smile and it released an indelicate belch. Sylvriss moued guiltily and Gulda laughed softly. She lifted her hand to chuck the child’s chin gently.
Sylvriss looked at Gulda’s hands. They were quite large, but very feminine-more like the hands of a young woman than an old one, Sylvriss thought. And yet despite their gentleness they seemed also to be muscular and powerful.
‘So the line of the Lords of the Iron Ring runs still,’ Gulda said, significantly.
Sylvriss raised a wry eyebrow. ‘This is Rgoric�
��s son, without a doubt,’ she said. ‘But before him, who can say who got in amongst the mares.’
The two women chuckled conspiratorially.
‘Why are you here, and not helping guide this army, Memsa?’ Sylvriss asked.
Gulda did not look up from the child. ‘My help isn’t needed for that any more,’ she said. ‘The Lords and your father are more than capable of doing what’s necessary with Loman’s Orthlundyn sight to guide them. I just potter about the hospital tent helping Tirilen and lusting after the young men.’
Sylvriss burst out laughing and for a moment could not reply. ‘You’ve obviously got too little to do,’ she said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. ‘But you don’t deceive me, Memsa Gulda, you’re hiding from me and I can see you, whoever you are.’
The tears were suddenly a mixture of laughter and bewildered sadness.
‘Why are you here, Queen?’ Gulda asked blandly, ignoring the comment. ‘In this awful land, and with Fyorlund’s heir?’
‘I don’t know,’ Sylvriss answered. ‘Hawklan’s horse needed to be here. Why I brought… ’
Gulda looked up. ‘Serian brought you?’ she said without waiting for Sylvriss to finish.
Sylvriss nodded and briefly volunteered the story of the horse’s mysterious appearance at the Palace and their subsequent journey into Narsindal.
‘Well, well,’ Gulda said incuriously when she had finished. ‘How odd.’
She handed the baby back to Sylvriss with a smile. ‘He’s a fine child,’ she said. ‘I’m truly happy for you.’ Then, abruptly, she began ushering Sylvriss gently towards the entrance of the tent. ‘I’ll have to ask you to excuse me now, my dear, I’m afraid all this marching has made me rather tired, and I’ll need to catch some sleep. We’ll be breaking camp early tomorrow as usual.’
As she held open the entrance, she looked intently at Sylvriss. ‘You did well to trust the horse, girl!’ she said. ‘But have the armourer fit mail around this.’ She fingered the sling. ‘And sleep in your boots and riding clothes, and with your sword by your side, until this is over. We’re nearly there, but we’ve all got harsh and dangerous times ahead.’
