by Kal Spriggs
“No,” Xavien said, “Not yet. She's more dangerous than you might realize and the last thing I want right now is for Hector to begin to suspect you, especially in regards to her.” He gave Covle a level look, “She'll be here in a few weeks, maybe longer. Offer her every courtesy, be helpful, do not let her suspect you are disloyal. Above all, preserve your forces and do not allow her to turn them against you, else she'll hear far more than I want.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Covle said. “What about Grel?”
“Grel... serves my purpose for now,” Xavien said softly, “though he doesn't realize it.” He grimaced again, “A flawed tool, but one that might still accomplish the goals I set to it. Allow him to follow his 'impulses' which he takes from my will. That is all for now, Darkbit.”
“Very well, my Lord,” Covle said. He held up his bottle and pulled a spare crystal goblet from his desk drawer. “While you're here, can I offer you some wine? It's an excellent vintage...”
“Why would I want any of that swill?” Grel snarled. His dark eyes were back to the beady, suspicious ones that were so familiar. “Do I look like a limp-wristed girly-boy for you to seduce? Real men don't drink fruit, fermented or otherwise.”
Covle just sighed slightly.
***
Commander Kerrel Flamehair
Castle Emberhill, Duchy of Masov
28th of Agmat, Cycle 1000 Post Sundering
The Flamebrands crested the last hill to put Castle Ember before them just as the sun had begun to sink behind it. The quartz-flecked stone caught the light and seemed to catch fire in a fashion that took Kerrel's breath away. Lord Hector's ancestors built it with the labor of their hands and the power of their muscle and little else, she thought with no little wonder.
The castle rose well above the plain, backed up against the Ember Hills and fronted by a broad, flat plain with only a few slight rises, the nearest of which her company had just crested. To the west, that plain was bordered by the looming, dark presence of the Eastwood, the primeval forest a better defense than any mountain range. According to their tales here, she remembered, entire armies have vanished in the darkness under its outstretched branches. She shivered a bit at the thought of the Wold. She'd served with a few Viani and all of them had mentioned the savagery and bloodlust of the mysterious Wold.
Still, even the thought of the Wold couldn't dampen the wonder she felt on the sight of Castle Ember. Like the Ryftguard and a handful of other locations, it was a relic of another time, with a sense of history that few places could match and a beauty that shocked her every time she saw it.
As they rode closer, she heard conversation from the men in the column and she smiled a bit as she caught snippets here and there. The old hands bragged to the younger men how they had seen sights more impressive, even as they had tones of awe in their voices.
The sun had just settled past the Ember Hills behind the castle as they rode up to the gate, leaving the world in a state of twilight. She heard the challenge and reply from her vanguard and a moment later, the gates opened and her company rode through the outer defences. The sprawling castle had over a dozen courtyards and from what she had seen before, the main courtyard was broad enough to marshal entire battalions of troops while others were far more small and secluded.
A half dozen people were ready to greet them as her company formed up. Kerrel gave the tall woman at their head a nod, “One moment, my Lady.” She didn't recognize her, but she had the smell of wealth and nobility around her and she doubted that Hector had put a nobody in charge of the cultural heart of his lands.
She wheeled Nightwhisper to face her company. “It's been a hard ride. I know many of you are tired. I know that won't stop you from seeing what you can of this place.” She ranged her gaze over her men and saw grins here and there along with mischievous smirks. “Some of you will want to see more of this place and some of you will want to see more of the women.” There were chuckles at that, but Kerrel's next words cut them off, “Any one of you that causes trouble here will face me in the morning. Any one of you who can't stay in the saddle because you've been up all night or you drank too much will face me in the morning. We are guests here, not an invading army. Am I understood?”
Her men called out their assent, somewhat raggedly, but loud enough to satisfy her. That was all mostly for her newer recruits, but she always had a few troopers who would push the boundaries if they thought they could get away with it. Here in the shadows of the oldest fortress in the Five Duchies, she didn't want her people embarrassing themselves or her.
She finally dismounted and a stable boy came forward to take Nightwhisper's reins. “He likes to bite,” she warned as he led the stallion away. She saw Nightwhisper's ears go flat with irritation at the warning and she bit back a chuckle and slapped him on the flank as he tried to stomp on her foot as he passed.
“Commander Flamehair,” the noblewoman said, “Welcome to Ember Castle, though I understand this isn't your first visit.”
“No,” Kerrel said and gave the other woman a polite bow. “Though I haven't spent as much time here as I'd like, I stayed here once in the company of Lord Hector and again on my way north.” She paused and gave the other woman a smile, “I can't say I've had the pleasure of your introduction, my Lady?”
The other woman gave her a smile. She had a white, even smile and a smooth complexion that suggested she spent most of her time indoors and out of the weather. Her perfectly coifed hair and well-tailored dress were modest but trim enough to show her figure. She had the poise to pull off the smile with just a touch of amusement without condescension in a fashion that still managed to irritate Kerrel. “My apologies, Commander, we have met, though only in passing, I'm afraid. I actually spent some time in your mother's lands while you were still a girl. I remember the hospitality of your mother quite fondly.” She waited, expectantly, as if Kerrel must surely remember some random noblewoman so easily. As the pause grew awkward, she finally spoke, “I'm Halyna Kail, Hector's mother.”
Kerrel flushed a bit as she realized why she should have recognized the woman. Her resemblance to Hector was obvious now that she looked. They had the same curly brown hair and the same dark eyes. And the more she looked, the more she saw the same iron in those eyes. “Miss Kail, a pleasure to meet you, formally.” She wasn't, if Kerrel remembered, really a noblewoman. However, being the mother of the current Duke gave her a weight of authority all of its own and from what Kerrel understood, she had been raised among the nobility.
“The pleasure is mine, Commander,” she responded. “Now, I took the liberty of having the servants prepare meals for you and your men. I wonder, though if you might share your meal with me, I feel there is much we could discuss,” the suggestion was as much an order as one snapped out by a sergeant to a recruit.
“Of course, that would be lovely,” Kerrel answered. Nothing I would like better than to spend the evening being grilled by the mother of my lover, she thought dryly.
“Excellent,” Halyna Kail said, her voice pleasant. “I'll have a servant lead you to the bath house so you can clean yourself up and I'll meet you upstairs in my quarters when you're ready.”
***
Kerrel's hair was still damp, but the loaned maid had helped her to put it back and she was dressed in one of her better gowns after only a half hour. She restrained a bit of a sigh, however, as the maid led her into the room which Hector's mother called her own. The wide, floor-to-ceiling windows that curved along one wall would offer a stunning view in the daylight and the heavy bookshelves along the opposite wall suggested how Halyna spent much of her free time.
“Please, come in, take a seat,” Halyna said with a smile. She waved at the maid, who closed the door behind her as she left. “My apologies that I've already eaten, but I wasn't sure how late you would be arriving this evening.”
“I don't mind at all,” Kerrel said with a smile that felt a little brittle. The woman had shown a level of graciousness and thoughtfulness which s
he was not used to in her current role as a mercenary. That suggested either a desire to put her on a favorable footing to make her more amenable to something or that she wanted to win her over for some other reason.
Or else she just wants to put me off balance so that I'm blindsided when she drops the other boot, Kerrel thought. Even so, Halyna waited patiently as Kerrel dug into her food. She would have liked some more time to savor the good food, but she wanted to learn what Hector's mother wanted more than she intended to enjoy the flavor combinations.
At last, Kerrel pushed the plate back and gave her host a polite smile, “Thank you, Miss Kail, that hit the spot.”
“Excellent, I'll be sure to tell Piotr, my cook, that you enjoyed it,” Halyna said. She sat back and smiled a bit, “You know, I have to admit some level of trepidation about finally meeting you.”
“Oh?” Kerrel asked.
“You have quite the... formidable reputation, especially amongst the well-born noblewomen here in Masov,” Halyna said. “They are both aghast at your behavior and your success in a field that is almost wholly the realm of men in these lands. Your well born status is considerably less well known, though being the daughter and heir to Baroness Ingail is quite impressive, if somewhat overshadowed by your exile from your homeland for political reasons. Politics in Asador being ever so much more complicated than anywhere else and very likely to lead to bloodshed. If all that weren't enough to give me a bit of anxiety... well, you are my son's lover.”
Kerrel was glad she had finished eating, else she might have choked to death upon hearing that last comment. She felt her face flush at Halyna's directness even as she coughed in surprise, “I, uh, hadn't realized that was public knowledge.”
“Not quite, but it is rumored in certain circles and I managed to confirm that even before you went to join his army in the north,” Halyna said calmly. “Which was interesting to me, on certain levels. You are very different from his last mistress, I must say.”
Kerrel didn't, quite choke at that. So much for graciousness and courtesy, she thought. “I'm not sure I follow?” Hector hadn't mentioned anyone in his life and what rumors she had heard was that there had been no one else since well before his rise to power.
“Oh, I mean more in appearance than personality, of course, Tiara was a lovely woman: intelligent, personable, and beautiful. I often wonder what would have happened if she still lived. Terrible business that...” she cocked her head and Kerrel saw a look of calculation come to her eyes. “Interesting. He hasn't told you about her, then?”
“No,” Kerrel said. “Tiara sounds like an Armen name, perhaps?”
“Yes,” Halyna said. “She was sent south as a hostage from one of the Armen chieftains. Duke Peter allowed her to stay at the court and she and my son were of similar age. Friendship became something more.” Her polite smile suggested that she perhaps had some involvement with that. “When her father was killed, she remained here in the south. Hector took some leave from his service of Duke Peter and he and Tiara built a home, even had a boy...” She paused and Kerrel saw a look of minor surprise, “You know, I think he would be your age, now.”
Kerrel ground her teeth at that. She knew that Hector was older than her by a wide margin, but the reminder, and in such a form, grated on her. “What happened?”
“Hector never spoke of it,” Halyna said softly and her eyes went distant. “But the Duke's Hound... the real Duke's Hound, not that pathetic brute Grel, brought my son and grandson back, both injured. Since then, Hector has been death on the Armen.”
“That's not what he...” Kerrel frowned, “That's not what I heard.”
Halyna nodded, “I can't say that I'm surprised. Hector has always had a tendency to bury his emotions and those that cause him pain are the ones he buries deepest. As you might realize, he has difficulty speaking of such things.” Her voice was matter of fact, but there was an old pain in her eyes, as if it were something she had come to terms with, but never really accepted.
Kerrel chewed on her lip. Clearly the history lesson was meant to tell her several things. Outwardly it was a warning against getting too involved with her son and in some ways it did have an impact. Kerrel felt more than a little betrayed by the fact that Hector hadn't told her those details of his past. She also realized that his emotions had twisted his own logic... perhaps to a dangerous point. There could be a myriad of other reasons for the discussion and Kerrel would just have to wait to see what they were, “You mentioned his son, was he too killed in the attack?”
“No,” Halyna said. “Hector trained my grandson to serve as a scout and spy amongst the Armen, a task he was particularly suited for with his mixed blood and his own hatred for them.” She shrugged, “They had a falling out, though. I tried to mend that particular relationship, but that would take more effort on Hector's part than he was willing to make.” She shrugged, “I'm not sure exactly where he is now.”
Which isn't to say you don't know what has become of him, Kerrel thought. The woman was frighteningly well informed and Kerrel doubted that she would lose track of her only grandson. “Well,” she said. “Thank you for that information, it is good to know more about Lord Hector.” Kerrel put just enough of an edge to her voice that the other woman would know she had taken the warning... and that she wasn't dissuaded.
“I must say that I'm eager to learn more about you,” Halyna said softly. “Thankfully, it looks as if we'll have that time. My son and I talked earlier this afternoon, by mirror. He wants me to accompany you to the south and to participate in any discussions. I've had my carriage prepared and I'll leave with you in the morning.”
Kerrel's eyes narrowed. She couldn't very well call the woman a liar, but this came as a shock and surprise. Hector must know that her company would be slowed by the need to coddle her. Whatever benefit she brought, she would cost them in precious time, time that could be spent preventing the civil war that Kerrel feared. “A carriage must keep to the roads and will slow my company,” Kerrel said as politely as she could manage, “perhaps I could detail a section...”
“My son's directions were quite specific, you may contact him directly,” Halyna said calmly. “Trust me, I'll not slow you down too much and I think that you will see the benefit of my presence on our passage south.” There was the same note of iron in her voice as Hector carried when he would not be challenged and Kerrel restrained a sigh.
“Miss Kail,” Kerrel said after a moment's thought, “I realize that you have organized this discussion with care and attention, so I hesitate to be rude, but can we cut through all the theater and just speak openly? I promise I won't tell anyone that we didn't spend three hours polite discussion of half-truths, veiled warnings, and polite insinuations.”
Halyna Kail stared at her for a long moment without expression, before she finally smiled and nodded. It was the first real smile that she'd given Kerrel, it seemed. “I think that might be.. refreshing.”
“Good,” Kerrel said. “I think we come from very different worlds and all this hinting can become tiresome and lead to confusion.” The other woman snorted a bit at that and Kerrel gave her a smile in return. “To answer one of your questions, yes, I am loyal to Lord Hector, your son. That goes beyond my service to him as a mercenary... and in my relationship to him. I respect him and I do not see our relationship as some political ploy to get his backing for me or my family in Asador's civil war.” That didn't mention anything about the Luciel Order, but that was far more than politics, that was an attempt to bring peace to the entire Five Duchies and Kerrel wasn't about to broach that subject just now.
She saw the other woman nod at that and Kerrel continued, “I knew that Hector didn't tell me everything. He's a complicated man. I can accept that, though it is evident that I'll need to do a bit more research if he's kept so much hidden from me so far.” She would, in fact, put Baran and Jonal on that task when she finished with this meeting. “My goals as his Ducal Investigator are to deal with the southern nobles and t
o settle any grievances with the general population in order to prevent a full out civil war. My fear is that in slowing my company to escort you south, I might well lose the precious bit of time that I have gained in driving my company so hard to this point.”
“Thank you,” Halyna nodded. “I understand that fear... but I think that I will be greater benefit than burden to you. Yes, I will slow your company, but I'll also give it a bit of weight that you don't bring, even with your relationship to my son and the weight of a company of your, no doubt, matchless heavy cavalry.” The other woman gave a predatory smile, “I know those southern nobles. I lived here in the shadows of Castle Ember for over thirty cycles. I've listened to their whispers and their words. I've seen their petty adulteries and their schemes. I know where the bodies are buried, where the secrets are hidden, and where their power and alliances are based. I can break those nobles too stubborn to bend and be the velvet glove to your steel gauntlet.” She shrugged after a moment, “If all that isn't enough, my son, who you have sworn to serve, has ordered you to escort me.”
“Well,” Kerrel said, “I guess that doesn't leave me much choice now, does it?” She sighed, “Very well, is there anything else you care to tell me before we leave?” Kerrel asked.
“No, my dear, I think that would be everything,” Halyna said sweetly. “Now, since I know you've something of a fascination with the old and and historical, might I recommend a tour of our library? It has a large collection of Starborn books as well as a number of unique histories I think you may enjoy.”
