Artesans of Albia

by Cas Peace

  “How do you feel?” she asked.

  “Sore.” He winced and she laid her hand on him to lend him some strength.

  Almid and Kester were already busy by the fire, heating fellan and preparing breakfast. With a final caress of his cheek, she left Robin and crossed to where Ki-en lay. He was still unconscious. Carefully, she reached into him with her senses, finding a little fever and much weakness due to blood loss. By expending more power, she was able to damp down the fever, but could do little else. He was a fit and healthy young man apart from the wound, and his chance of survival was good.

  Once more she did her rounds, telling the men they would rest that day. At Marik’s campfire she gratefully accepted his offer to supply guards and sentries for the day and night. She acknowledged Nazir as he thanked her for her part in their liberation. When she returned to Robin, Kester had helped him sit. She folded herself down beside him and he suddenly noticed the dried blood on her jacket sleeve.

  “You didn’t tell me you were injured too!”

  “Easy, Robin, it is only a minor wound. It has been tended and will heal well. I am much more concerned for you. I could not bear it if you became trapped here too.”

  There was a sudden movement behind her and Ky-shan stepped into view. “Trapped here, Lady? What do you mean by that?”

  She frowned, annoyed he had overheard. The last thing she wanted was to explain her situation. She decided to give him a half-truth. “I have an … affliction, Ky-shan, which prevents me from travelling the Veils and returning to Albia. Hence my decision to join the Hierarch’s forces.”

  He looked unconvinced. “And the Skip? I take it he doesn’t share this affliction, so why is he here?”

  Robin chuckled weakly and took up Sullyan’s hand. “Why do you think?”

  Ky-shan’s face cleared and he gave his rumbling laugh. “Ah, you are spliced! Yes, we had wondered.” He winked suggestively at Robin, who smiled.

  Silently, Sullyan thanked her lover for diverting the pirate’s attention. His hand tightened briefly on hers. They sat companionably, eating breakfast and drinking fellan. Robin’s mouth fell open when Sullyan accepted Ky-shan’s offer of a tot of brine rum in her drink, and watched in amazement as she savored every drop.

  When the pirate surged abruptly to his feet, Sullyan glanced up, noting his thunderous expression. She followed his gaze to where Jay’el stood fidgeting a few feet away, his head hanging, his face ashen, his sword held naked in his hands. Beside her, she felt Robin go tense.

  Refusing to meet the young pirate’s gaze, she said coldly, “What do you want?”

  He jumped as if struck. His father stirred, but Sullyan raised a hand to stay him. Slowly, Ky-shan sat.

  Jay’el hovered a moment longer to gather his courage. Finally, he came forward and kneeled at her feet. He placed his sword on the ground between them, and then sat back with his eyes downcast. The surrendered sword sent a clear message to Sullyan, yet she made no move toward it. She stared at the boy with hard, emotionless eyes.

  “I ask again. What do you want?”

  His head came up. He had obviously expected another tongue lashing, not a question. His voice was hoarse as he spoke. “Lady?”

  She remained silent, offering no help. He licked dry lips in confusion, and after a few more awkward moments managed, “Lady, I want to apologize.”

  She looked away. “I am not the one you should apologize to.”

  His clasped hands trembled. “But I shouldn’t have disobeyed your orders, Lady. I shouldn’t have endangered your life, or those of the men. I was wrong to force Is-kel and Sh’iye to follow me.”

  Her reply was hard, unforgiving. “Your apology comes too late for Is-kel and Sh’iye. It may not be too late for Ki-en, I cannot say for sure. I ask you one more time, Jay’el. What do you want?”

  He stared at her expressionless face. His eyes were full of shameful tears and his face flushed bright red. With shaking hands he slowly reached out, taking up his sword by the blade. He raised it and held it out to her, bowing his head. His voice was a choked whisper.

  “I want to pledge to you, Lady. I want to atone for my willfulness. I want to serve you and the Skip. That is, if you’ll have me after what I’ve done against you. I’ll pay for my mutiny, Lady. I’ll take whatever punishment you think I deserve.”

  He fell silent, still holding the sword out while tears rolled down his cheeks. Sullyan regarded him, gauging his sincerity. She ignored the pleading look on Robin’s face, begging her to forgive the young man’s rashness. Ky-shan’s face was closed, holding no clue to his feelings. He was obviously content to leave his son’s fate in her hands.

  She sighed and grasped the sword, which Jay’el released to her. She spoke his name, forcing him to look her in the eye before she would continue.

  “Jay’el. I hear your words. My Captain has forgiven your disobedience and asks that I do the same. I cannot deny that my heart argues against it. What I said yesterday still stands, but today I will grant Robin’s wish. You are pardoned. I cannot speak for Ki-en, and no one can speak for Is-kel or Sh’iye. Your heart will bear that burden forever.”

  His head dropped and he nodded, tears still welling from his eyes.

  “Take back your sword.” She held the blade out and his hand closed on the hilt. When she didn’t immediately release it, he started, his eyes leaping fearfully to hers. Her voice was low and menacing as she held his frightened gaze. “Let me warn you, boy. If you ever do anything so damaging again, you will find no forgiveness left in me. Greater men than you have crossed me and learned to regret it. Now, I suggest you devote your time to your friend there. If he survives—and only if—I might reconsider your place under my command.”

  She released the sword so abruptly he almost dropped it. Ignoring his stammered thanks, she rose. His father rose to follow her and she heard him growl to his son.

  “That was more merciful than you deserve, you worthless chunk of shark-bait. I’d have strapped you to the mast and flogged you.”

  + + + + +

  Despite the healing Sullyan had given him earlier, as the morning wore on it became clear that Ki-en was going to need more intensive care. His fever had lessened due to Sullyan’s touch, yet he showed no sign of waking. Jay’el sat beside him, talking to him, holding his hand, keeping the wound clean and his skin cool. The younger lad’s face remained bloodless and unresponsive, and Sullyan grew concerned for his survival.

  Robin spent the morning using his metaforce to heal. By midday he had gained enough strength to sit his horse without going grey, so Sullyan made the decision to move Ki-en to the field medics’ camp. The pirates made him a litter, which they slung between Almid’s and Kester’s horses. Jay’el rode close behind.

  By late evening they arrived at the field medics’ camp and Sullyan conferred at length with the elderly Master Healer. Linking together, they probed the young man, dismayed when they found that the shock of his wound and the blow to his head had caused a blockage in his brain. When Sullyan gave him the news, Jay’el reacted with anguish and reeled away from the tent where Ki-en lay. Sullyan let him go. Through the cold night hours, she and the Master Healer labored over the young lad. By dawn they had managed to disperse much of the clotted blood and swelling that was pressing on Ki-en’s brain. Sullyan returned to her fire exhausted and immediately sank into sleep.

  Ky-shan and Marik took charge of the camp. Robin concentrated on healing and gaining strength, as he was desperate to avoid being left behind when she and the pirates rode out again. He also spent time with the distraught Jay’el, who was convinced that Ki-en’s condition meant he would be sent away in disgrace.

  It was mid-afternoon before Sullyan woke. She smiled over at Kester, who crouched beside the fire brewing fellan. His sheer bulk, coupled with the fellan’s distinctive aroma, reminded her forcefully of Bull and she had to fight down a sudden lump in her throat.

  A commotion on the edge of their camp caught her attention and s
he looked up in surprise as General Ephan rode in. She watched him dismount and ask a question of one of Marik’s sentries. The man pointed her way, and Ephan strode over to her. She was about to rise when he gestured at her to remain seated. Foregoing the usual formalities, he seated himself by her fire, wordlessly accepting Kester’s offer of fellan.

  While he drank he glanced appraisingly round her well-ordered camp, noting the men who were resting, seeing to the horses, or cleaning gear. He studied Robin, who was moving more fluidly now that the soreness of his side had eased, and he watched Marik, who was doing his rounds of the sentries with Nazir.

  Finally, he turned to Sullyan. “So, Major, I see that the tales of your military expertise were correct. The Lord General was right to trust in you. I received the Captain’s reports of your success, but I wanted to see for myself.”

  Pleased with his praise, Sullyan inclined her head. “What is the position of Rykan’s main force now, General?”

  Ephan gazed at her. “That is the other reason for my visit, Major. In the light of yours and other units’ successes, and the arrival of more of the Hierarch’s reserves, Anjer has called a war council. You are required to attend.”

  She nodded.

  “Leave your men to continue their strikes, and present yourself to the Lord General at dawn tomorrow. He has set up a field command … here.”

  Anjer’s location appeared in Sullyan’s mind. Then she noticed Ephan regarding her narrowly and sharpened her attention.

  “Bring an honor guard, Major, and also … Count Marik.”

  She raised her brows. “So he can pledge his allegiance?”

  Ephan nodded.

  “I will bring him, General.”

  The tall man rose and returned his cup to Kester. “I must congratulate you, Major. You have done well so far. Anjer is impressed. His Majesty is also pleased, though I know he will be concerned to hear of your injuries. He charged me to tell you to be careful.”

  She smiled at him. “They were only minor wounds, General. I would contact his Majesty myself and reassure him, but I dare not risk alerting Lord Rykan to my presence. That could be disastrous.”

  “Of course,” said Ephan. “Never fear, Major, I will be your messenger. I will see you at dawn tomorrow. Don’t be late.” Turning, he strode back to his escort.

  Sullyan spent the rest of the day organizing the men and planning more raids. Ky-shan would lead in her absence, although he surprised her by being torn between the desire to kill more of Rykan’s men and what he saw as his duty to her. At his request, she accepted Almid, Kester, and Xeer as an honor guard, along with Robin. Unable to refuse her Captain’s whispered plea, she also reluctantly accepted Jay’el. The young seaman had been intensely relieved to hear that Ki-en should eventually make a full recovery and hadn’t left his friend’s side since. He was nervous when he learned he was to be a part of the Major’s honor guard, but he left Ki-en’s side in a happier mood.

  Marik was also nervous, but he understood the necessity of making the trip. He hadn’t yet formally pledged allegiance to the Hierarch and was a loose horse in Anjer’s eyes. His men cheered when they learned why he was going, each one eager to take revenge for their involuntary conscription into Rykan’s forces. They knew they would ultimately gain by Marik’s declaration of loyalty, and readily accepted Nazir as second-in-command while Marik was away.

  Sullyan led the small group out before dawn and they arrived at the command camp, along with many others, just as daylight broke. Jay’el and Xeer were left to care for the horses and Marik to await his summons. She and Robin, with the twins flanking them as ostentatious bodyguards, made their way to the Lord General’s tent. Ephan and Kryp were already there and both greeted Sullyan, although the portly General’s nod was grudging. Sullyan honored them both with a respectful salute, as did Robin. Almid and Kester waited outside.

  As soon as Anjer arrived with the commanders of the other field units, the council was convened. Sullyan and Robin were regarded with unveiled curiosity, but the Major was relieved to see no obvious resentment. Anjer afforded her a smile of greeting as she and Robin participated in the general salute, and Sullyan returned the grin.

  They spent a long morning discussing the state of the war. The Duke had been prevented from spreading out to throw a ring of men around the Citadel, and his orderly columns were now scattered and disorganized. The Hierarch had called in all his reserves, most of which were now mobilized. They were only missing around two thousand men, and these would arrive within two days.

  Anjer proposed that they now begin moves to ensure that Rykan had to fight the Hierarch’s forces on equal terms. All the generals and commanders had their own ideas as to where the decisive battle should take place, and these were put forward with their relative merits.

  Sullyan sat quietly throughout the discussions, not contributing, merely listening. Anjer glanced her way more than once, inviting comment, but she held her peace. As they began chewing over the merits of the various sites, he addressed her directly.

  “Major Sullyan, have you no comment to make?”

  All heads turned her way. She met Anjer’s black gaze calmly.

  “My Lord General, the plans for the next phase of the battle are well enough. My command will play its part as before. However, this discussion over where the final meeting of the two forces should take place is irrelevant.”

  There was a restless stir. Few of the men in that tent would care to use the word ‘irrelevant’ to Anjer. Yet the huge man merely raised his brows and gestured for her to continue. “Why irrelevant, Major?”

  “Because, my Lord, there is only one place where the Hierarch’s challenge may be made, and that is on the Plains before the Citadel gates.”

  Voices were raised in protest, Kryp being loudest. Anjer sat back with folded arms, studying her calm face while he waited for the noise to die down. When he finally had silence, he said, “Would you care to explain to us why, having spent the last week preventing Rykan’s men from approaching the Citadel, we should now invite them onto the Plains like guests?”

  She smiled faintly. “We will not ‘invite’ them, my Lord. In fact, we should do just the opposite. As we all know, the purpose of our tactics over the last few days was first to prevent the Duke from besieging the Caer, and second to allow the Hierarch’s reserves time to deploy. In this, we have succeeded. Our next task is to convince Rykan that the Plains are his choice for the final confrontation, not ours.”

  Anjer frowned. “Please explain, Major.”

  “What we must not do is let Rykan realize he is being manipulated. If he does, he will pull back, retreat to a place of safety, and formulate another strategy. He must continue to believe that he has the superior force, as he would have were we not aware of his numbers. This means concealing his Majesty’s reserve troops and feigning a withdrawal. Retreat before Rykan’s supposedly superior numbers so that he pursues us right to the Citadel gates.”

  “That’s unnecessarily dangerous, Major! Why on earth should we allow Rykan that close to the Caer?”

  Her voice dropped as she held Anjer’s gaze. “Because the Hierarch must make his challenge in person.”

  Protesting voices rose once more, and even the Lord General reacted angrily. The commanders were clearly horrified at the thought of exposing their ruler to such danger, and Kryp appeared to be on the verge of drawing on her. Robin rose to his feet, his hand on his own sword hilt, but Sullyan touched his arm and he relaxed. He still kept a wary eye on Kryp, though. Sullyan sat calmly through the storm of outrage, and eventually Anjer regained control. He rose to his feet, his huge frame towering over her.

  “Does his Majesty know of this ridiculous plan, Major?”

  She kept her tone mild. “Of course, my Lord, but it was no idea of mine. I believe it was Baron Gaslek who unearthed the protocol. His Majesty is fully aware and prepared to fulfill the terms of the challenge. It is vital that the proper customs be observed in order to bind the Duke
to acceptance. This has to be definitive, my Lord. If we are to remove Rykan’s threat to the throne, we cannot allow the plan to fail because of concerns for his Majesty’s safety.”

  Anjer gave an exasperated sigh. “I wish his Majesty had seen fit to inform me of the plan!” He threw Sullyan an irritated glance, but she didn’t react. He subsided. Resuming his seat, he began issuing orders to initiate first a push on Rykan’s troops, and then a staged retreat which would bring them all to the Plains below the Citadel walls.

  Sullyan took no further part in the discussions, merely accepted her orders as they were handed out. When the meeting broke up and the other commanders departed, leaving only Anjer, Ephan, and Kryp, the Lord General called to her as she was about to leave.

  “Major Sullyan, would you do us the courtesy of remaining to witness Count Marik’s Oath of Allegiance?”

  She was both flattered and surprised by the invitation. “Certainly, my Lord, if you wish.”

  “This is your doing, after all,” said Anjer. “It is only right that you witness it.” He turned to Robin. “Captain, would you ask Count Marik to attend us?”

  + + + + +

  Robin found the Count waiting nervously with Jay’el and Xeer and relayed Anjer’s request.

  “Don’t look so worried, Ty! Anjer’s not so bad. It’s the fat one you have to watch out for. If he takes a dislike to you, you’ll know all about it.”

  Marik grimaced. “Thanks for the optimism. It’s alright for you two. You’re heroes of the hour. Everyone’s talking about you and the Major.” He suddenly lowered his voice, making Robin frown. “I’ll tell you now, though, I’ve heard some ugly stories circulating concerning what Rykan did to her. I don’t know how it got out, but you might want to warn her.”

  Robin’s heart fell as he watched Marik stalk toward the tent where he would pledge his allegiance to Andaryon’s Crown. He knew how adamant Sullyan was that the true reason for her being here should remain concealed. She would be furious if someone had let the information slip. In uneasy contemplation, he strolled back to the giants, who were sitting with Xeer and Jay’el. Kester was brewing fellan while Jay’el polished Sullyan’s sword. None of them commented, but Robin thought he caught a glimpse of something in Kester’s eyes as the man passed him a steaming mug.