by D. L. Kramer
"South to where?" Tosia asked.
"The southern villages," Nahtan answered. "I'm going to wipe out the slave trade and turn a church officer by the name of Thorvald inside out."
"His sword makes that really easy to do, too," Bear added. "I've gotten to pick through what's left after he's spent some time hacking his way through a battlefield."
Tosia smiled at Bear's statement. "We cannot both be away from our family's herds for that long," she said to Nahtan. "Thy southern villages are many months travel."
"I'll settle for one of you," he said, looking from one to the other.
"If it would help," Mo'ani interjected. "I'm also requesting at least one of you go with him."
"Why art thou taking such a personal interest?" Jaron asked Mo'ani.
"Because he's insisting on taking Valry with him," Mo'ani answered.
"Thou would take thy daughter?" Tosia asked Nahtan.
Nahtan looked around the room at each of them. "You all realize I'm about two steps away from making a royal decree that you can't argue with me about this, don't you?" he asked, then looked at Tosia. "Yes, I'm taking her with me. I am not going to leave her where I can't watch her grow up."
"He's being awfully selfish, isn't he?" Jerai asked Bear.
"Yes," Bear shrugged. "But I can't say I blame him. I wouldn't want to leave my son or daughter behind either."
"Valry is a little different though," Adie said from her place beside the window. "If something happens to him," she motioned to Nahtan. "She's all we have for a ruler."
Tosia met Nahtan's eyes as he sighed.
"Thy young princess has the incredibly adept and strong Captain of the Guard as her protector," she noted quietly, looking away from Nahtan and around the room at the others. "But it seems to me thou all should be more worried about keeping her father safe so she is not burdened with the weight of the crown at such a tender age." Her gaze stopped on Nahtan. "I shall go with thee," she said. "And offer whatever protection to thee personally that I may."
Nahtan raised an eyebrow again. Had it been anyone else, he would not have been able to keep from laughing. He could just imagine what the slavers would think of a personal guard who stood not even as tall as his shoulder and could hide behind him as easily as his daughter. That thought alone made him smile as he nodded to her.
"That's another," he said to Mo'ani.
"And I still think you need a dozen more," Mo'ani returned.
"I still have at least one more week," Nahtan pointed out. "I'm sure there will be other volunteers as soon as all the Mo'ani here have had a chance to read the post in the barracks."
"Your faith in your men is astounding," Mo'ani commented.
"And you know that better than any of us," he returned.
Nahtan ran Renato's brush down his shoulder one last time before giving the tall horse a firm pat. He latched the stall door behind him as he left, then set the brush back in the tack room and swung his cloak over one shoulder. Outside the stables, the stars were bright against the clear sky. Nahtan paused to lean against an ivy-covered trellis to look up at them. It was moments like this that he felt things were moving as they were supposed to. Valry was safe, spending her night in the barracks with Bear and--he was sure--Brijade. The mute boy was growing accustomed to them all, and was even exhibiting a sense of mischief. Even Rial had been cooperative the last few days.
"So do they look like your stars?" Yenene appeared beside him, seeming to come from nowhere.
Nahtan glanced at her. "Some of them," he replied. "Others are completely new." Without knowing why, he held out a hand to her. She accepted it and stood beside him, also looking at the night sky. His friends rarely broached the subject of his previous life, willing to accept him as he was in this one.
"The boy and I decided on a name for him," Yenene said after a moment.
Nahtan looked at her. "Jensina couldn't tell you what it was?"
Yenene shook her head slightly. "I think it was more that the boy has reached a point where he needs a new name," she said. "He refused to give me any clue what his name was, and we have to call him something." Nahtan nodded and waited for her to continue. The boy was reminding him more and more of himself. "He seems to have taken a liking to the name Tion," Yenene finished.
Nahtan considered the name. "'From the gods'," he translated, remembering it from one of the numerous books Meda had 'highly suggested' he read. It had taken him years to discover her suggestions weren't orders, but he decided he had learned more than he might have if he'd figured it out sooner.
"Yes," Yenene said. "And considering his gifts, I find it rather appropriate."
"I don't suppose Jensina has told you anything about our journey yet?" he asked, looking at her hopefully.
"Not yet," Yenene answered. "But the outcome might still depend on other--more immediate--matters."
"Like how many Mo'ani will go with me and whether or not Gahrit, Mehlis and Bredyn can handle things here," he sighed, knowing what she was referring to.
"Yes," Yenene said. "The future isn't set, we're all just working to fulfill our personal destinies that Halona wrote for us. Some of us fulfill those destinies sooner than others and aren't limited by them any longer."
"I'd have to question so much trust in fate," Nahtan admitted. "If the future truly isn't set, then how can they know if we'll fulfill our destinies?"
Yenene smiled. "I think this is one of those debates Sewati likes to save for when we're snowed into the city," she said wryly.
Nahtan shrugged and fell silent. He felt there was more to it than the blind faith most scholars and priests spoke of. Halona had written a fate for him, but he had come to know that they could not keep him to it if he chose otherwise. Regardless of the origin of his friends' souls, he believed they could make likewise decisions. The only difference was, Zakris and his daughters could see the outcome of their decisions while they could not see those connected to his. They could only try to steer him where they wanted him and hope he made the decisions that were best.
He and Yenene stood, silently watching the stars for several more minutes until the heavy sound of approaching boot steps and hooves drew Nahtan's attention. He turned to see a broad shouldered, cloaked figure approaching the stables from the north gates. When the Mo'ani came closer, Nahtan could make out his dark blonde hair and the standard longsword buckled at his waist as the courtyard lamps flickered in the slight breeze.
"I thought you weren't due back for another week," he called, recognizing Aralt immediately. When Nahtan's training as a Mo'ani warrior began, Aralt had confronted him with a problem of seeing someone so much younger learning from Mo'ani himself. Their fight had left Nahtan with a deep cut on his arm, and Aralt with a new respect for him. Yenene turned as Nahtan spoke, tilting her head as the man paused, then turned in their direction.
"I heard you got some damned fool idea to go start another war," Aralt responded, stopping a few yards from them to pull off his gloves and tuck them into his sword belt. His stallion pawed the ground and tossed his mane. "Liyol thought maybe I could talk some sense into you."
"Not likely," Nahtan returned. "Mo'ani hasn't been able to, so I doubt anyone else can."
"Then I guess I'd better offer my sword so we don't have to go through that last war again to put someone else on the throne," Aralt said. He sighed and shook his head as he turned toward the stables. "You give some kid a cloak with gold embroidery and let him win a couple of battles and all of a sudden he thinks he can do anything." His voice trailed off as he disappeared into the stable.
Nahtan couldn't help but smile. He was glad someone had gotten word to Aralt about going south with them. "That should alleviate some more of Mo'ani's concern," he mentioned.
Yenene nodded. "He--worries that you won't consider all the probable outcomes and will find yourself in trouble," she said quietly. "That's why he volunteered to go with you, too."
"I'd guessed as much," Nahtan said. "Which is why I went over
my plans with him and Lord Bavol. That's also why I didn't argue when he volunteered to come with. I know he's done what Zakris wanted him to do, but he still knows things that I don't."
"At least you can still admit that you don't know everything," she said.
"I readily admit that there are a lot of things I don't know," Nahtan told her. "But there are also a lot of things I do know." He paused for a moment. "Speaking of what I don't know, how is the falcon?" Yenene had spent well over an hour at Jensina's altar with the huge bird and in the days since, hadn't spoken of it to anyone that Nahtan knew of.
"I--think he'll survive," she answered, her voice hesitant. "He's so old, though, that I can't be positive. I guess if one of the gods wants him here for a reason, they'll arrange something."
Nahtan nodded, then stopped when Yenene suddenly lifted his hand up so she could see it better.
"Where's your brace?" she asked, meeting his eyes.
Nahtan hid his smile. "It didn't hurt tonight and I wasn't planning on lifting anything heavier than Renato's brush," he explained.
"That's not the idea," she scolded. "You know you have to wear it all the time if the liniment is going to help it any."
"Yenene, please," he said. "I can take care of myself. If I were doing anything tonight that would have aggravated it, then I'd be wearing it."
Yenene stared at him for a moment, then pulled her hand from his. "It's not for if you need it now," she pointed out. "It's for if you need it in the future." Giving him a deliberate look, she turned and disappeared into the dark.
Nahtan sighed as he saw her pull open the door to the castle and slip inside. There were times he wanted to march into the Grand Cathedral and tell Jensina not to worry about him so much. Likewise with her priestess.
Ten - "He will not change"
Zakris couldn't help but smile as his daughter's priestess scolded Nahtan before leaving him standing alone in the dark. Although he couldn't know or even feel the young man's thoughts, he could see the overconfidence of youth in him. Nahtan had accomplished a great many things in his life, and the confidence was understandable. Zakris was even willing to admit that it might help Nahtan in this task he had decided to undertake.
The slave trade saddened him that his mortals would see a way to profit from the misery of others. Knowing it was Zared who encouraged it only made the pain worse. Zakris could only support that Nahtan wanted to see it ended, and would help the young man any way he could. Halona had once again been ahead of him and had managed to put one of her servants in Nahtan's company before he knew it--before he'd even known to suggest she do so. He suspected his daughter of manipulating Nahtan's emotions since she, too, wanted to see the slave trade ended--almost as much as she wanted to see Zared cast out.
As for what help he could offer, he already knew. The Wardsman had listened to his request before manifesting himself in what he termed Zakris' 'sense of reality'. Once told of the conflicts that lay ahead of his warrior friend, he had readily agreed to leave his chosen home and enter Nahtan's company. Despite reassurances from the Wardsman, Zakris couldn't help but wonder how these two rogue spirits would change the fates of his mortals.
"I'd reprimand you for eavesdropping, but it seems to be the only way to find out what's going on with him." Halona appeared beside her father.
"And what were you and Jensina doing when Zared tried to take Valry d'Herridon's soul in her sleep?" His eyes were questioning as he met her gaze.
"We were discussing Kile d'Olorun's dislike for his ancestor," Halona returned easily. "Besides, I did say it's the only way to know what he's thinking." She sighed as she turned her steady gaze onto Nahtan as he bowed his head and shook it after Yenene's departure. "I just wish he were given to talking to himself."
"But then Zared would know his thoughts as well," Zakris reminded.
Halona considered her father for a moment. "Give me three days with that hellspawn and we'll see if he's able to hear anything from any mortal again."
"No," Zakris shook his head. "He may be many things, but he is also my brother, and capable of creating good. His twisted love for Jensina is what set him on this path of jealousy and hatred."
"He will not change," Halona pointed out. "He has pursued Nahtan from the day he came to Jensina, and blames him for Jensina not returning his love. You have already taken the first step to casting him out by destroying his form in all but a conscience state."
"I will not cast my brother out," Zakris' voice remained calm. "Just as I would not cast either of my daughters out."
Halona shook her head, not continuing the argument. "What of the Wardsman?" she asked after a moment. Nahtan stepped away from the trellis and they fell in step behind him as he walked to the castle doors.
"He assured me he would be fine in the form he chose," Zakris answered. "And I must trust that he knows what he is doing."
"Does Nahtan know him?"
Zakris shrugged. "The Wardsman did not know for certain if he would," he said. "But thought there might be a chance." They followed Nahtan to his office, not seeming to notice the few other mortals they passed along the way.
Halona nodded and watched Nahtan pull out several maps to study. "I have taken my nephew's lead and rewritten someone's fate," she said after a moment.
"Rial d'Valin's?" Zakris asked, giving her a surprised look.
"I cannot change that--though I wish I could," she returned. "I have rewritten Brijade d'Takis' fate some," she continued after a moment. "Not entirely, but I have given her more freedom in some choices." She didn't tell her father she hoped this act would allow the young noblewoman the ability to help her return misguided fates to their original paths.
Zakris nodded his head without commenting. Since giving her the duty of writing the mortals' fates, he had never questioned her decisions.
Eleven - "Find out anything you can"
The sun only shone for so long each day, and Nahtan was discovering it wasn't nearly long enough to finish what he needed to. He and Bear had spent the last several days making sure the supply wagons got out of Herridon and headed up to Mo'ani's Stronghold to equip the army of Mo'ani and reserves massing there for the trip south.
Since catching him without his archer's brace on, Yenene had made it a point to wrap and brace his wrist herself every morning. His arguments went unheard, and he often had to loosen the brace some after she'd left him, just to get feeling back in his fingers.
Nahtan finished checking the barrels in the back of yet another wagon to make certain there was no unauthorized ale being smuggled into the army's rations, then motioned the driver on his way. He knew he couldn't stop his soldiers from drinking, but he demanded they refrain from excess while on the move or in any situation where there might be trouble.
"You've got three more wagons coming in," Brijade said, walking towards him from the east gates. "Two of surplus fresh fruits and vegetables and one of grain."
"The fresh stuff can't go," Bear said to her over his shoulder as he tied an oiled canvas over bundles of cloaks and tents in the bed of a wagon.
"Tell them that," Brijade responded, not bothering to look over at him. "I suggested they just dry them for the winter, but the young man leading them insisted they come to you," she added to Nahtan.
Nahtan sighed. "I'll just tell them the same thing," he pointed out.
"Yes," Brijade agreed, her eyes glinting. "But it means something coming from you."
Nahtan spared her a glance as he turned toward the approaching wagons. "Remind me you said that when I have some time to kill and the training yard's empty," he returned.
Brijade patted his shoulder as she chuckled and turned to help Bear.
The lead wagon pulled to a stop several yards from him, and it took Nahtan a moment to recognize the driver. The young man wiped the sweat from his forehead with one arm as he jumped down.
"Greetings, Majesty," he greeted, walking over. "I have several bushels of surplus for your storehouse."
; "Doesn't do me much good fresh, Gaurel," Nahtan said, finally placing the boy from the marketplace. "And I don't think the townspeople want to eat it rotten in six months."
"Nor do they want to buy it rotten after falling to the ground," the boy returned with a cheerful smile. "I've been told your storehouse is clean and dry--something that will help keep them good until there's enough honey to preserve those that won't be dried."
Nahtan stopped, feeling as though someone had just slapped him. The people of Herridon didn't preserve their fruits in honey--the last time he heard of that was when Rena told him what life in Jensina's mansion was like.
"Is there a problem?" Bear asked, appearing at Nahtan's side.
"Just delivering supplies, Captain," the boy said, not moving his gaze from Nahtan's.
"I don't think we--"
"No, it's all right," Nahtan interrupted his friend. After a moment, he turned and motioned to one of the stable hands. "Show them to the storehouse," he instructed the young man who came running. "Make sure they have help to unload everything."
The young man nodded his head and motioned for Gaurel and the other two drivers to follow him. Gaurel nodded to Nahtan, then turned to climb back onto the seat of his wagon.
"Did someone hit you in the head?" Bear asked as the wagons started forward. "I mean since the last time I did."
Nahtan shook his head, then looked at his friend. "His name's Gaurel," he said. "Find out anything and everything you can about him. I don't care if you have to go through the Cathedral and bribe the soul of the Archbishop."
Bear raised his eyebrows. "I don't think you have that much money," he said evenly. "He was a greedy bastard, if you'll recall."
Nahtan sighed, not wanting the hassle of Bear's comments right now. "Just do it," he ordered, turning toward the castle.
He debated going to talk to Meda, but in the end decided to check with Yenene first. Meda would only want to lecture him on his appearance and he didn't want to go through that before she'd talk to him about what he wanted. He paused outside Yenene's door to make sure his brace was still tight before knocking. A moment passed before Valry pulled the heavy door open. Nahtan quickly caught it and braced it for her as she smiled at him.
