Artesans of Albia

by Cas Peace

  The Major appeared after half an hour and told them that Marik was in talks with Anjer. They would leave now, and the Count would follow later. By mid-afternoon they were back in the field medics’ camp, but Robin still hadn’t mentioned Marik’s concerns. Sullyan was preoccupied with her orders and he let her be. They wouldn’t meet up with Ky-shan and the rest of their company until tomorrow, so he hoped there would be time to broach the subject later that night.

  + + + + +

  As soon as they arrived at the medics’ camp, Sullyan went to check on Ki-en. Jay’el trailed her like a whipped puppy, convinced she would leave him behind. When she entered the tent, she saw the injured lad was fully conscious and drinking from a mug of spice-tea. His face lit up when he saw them both, and he turned adoring eyes on Sullyan.

  She sat on the edge of his bunk and took his hand. “How are you feeling, Ki-en?”

  He grinned, a lopsided look full of pleading. “I am very well, Lady. My leg is a little sore, but nothing that won’t come right after a bit of exercise.”

  She frowned and his young face paled.

  “Lady,” he begged, leaning forward and clasping at her hand, “please don’t leave me behind. I am well enough to ride a short way. I can sit double behind Almid or Kester. They said I could. Even if I can’t join the fighting for a couple of days I can still be useful round the camp. I can look after the horses. I’ll look after your horses, Lady! You and the Skipper saved my life. I want to thank you by serving you. Please, please don’t leave me here!”

  She studied his face in silence, her eyes dilating as she verified the truth of his words. Satisfied, she gave him a small smile. “Very well, Ki-en. When we leave tomorrow morning you can ride with one of the twins. Jay here will look after you and see that you take no further harm.”

  She gave Jay’el a hard look. Ky-shan’s son looked relieved, and her familiar use of his name gave the lie to the firmness of her tone. Grinning at Ki-en, he remained behind as Sullyan left the tent.

  It was nearly dark by the time Marik returned from his swearing, and he immediately sought Sullyan out. She and Robin were sitting with the twins and Xeer, but she rose to embrace the Count as he approached. He was smiling, exuding a new air of confidence, and she was glad to see it replace his former gloom.

  “I take it all went well with Anjer?” she asked, releasing Marik and settling back down beside Robin.

  Marik sat too and exchanged a brief look with Robin that Sullyan didn’t understand. Robin made no remark, and Marik launched into an account of his meeting with Anjer, so she soon forgot the odd look.

  “He wants me and my men to form a separate company,” finished Marik, his eyes intent on Sullyan’s face. “One of Kryp’s commanders was badly injured and has had to return to the Citadel. Anjer’s asked me to take the leaderless men and incorporate them into my own command.”

  Sullyan smiled in genuine pleasure. “That is exceptionally good news, my friend. Anjer is showing his trust in you and giving you the opportunity to win the people’s respect.”

  Marik nodded, yet his long face didn’t reflect the pride she expected him to display. In fact, his melancholia suddenly returned.

  “What is it, Count? Surely you do not doubt your ability to lead these men?”

  He shook his head and raised clouded eyes to hers. “I’ve been ordered to take my command over to the southeastern flank, if I can work them between Rykan’s lines. I won’t be able to guard your back any more.”

  There was naked emotion in his gaze, and Sullyan felt her heart contract. “Oh, Ty.”

  Marik clasped his hands together and took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage. “Sullyan, I’ve been meaning to say this for a long time now. Your faith in me and your support have meant so much over these past few weeks. After what happened at my mansion—after I betrayed you to Rykan—”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but the Count rushed on.

  “No, don’t say it. I should never have let him intimidate me like that. I should have stood firm and resisted him. I did betray you, no matter what the circumstances. But you didn’t hold it against me, and I’ve never really told you how grateful I am. Now you’ve been the means of me regaining not just my self-respect, but also my future. I’ve won the chance to impress Anjer, and if I can lead my company even half as well as you’ve led yours, then maybe I’ll also get the chance to repay Rykan for all his years of oppression. Maybe I’ll even get Cardon back! I owe all this to you, Sullyan, and I couldn’t begin to express the depth of my gratitude.”

  Sullyan reached out and gripped his hands, too choked to speak. Marik’s eyes filled with tears and he smiled at her. Then he rose, looking embarrassed, and held out his hand to Robin.

  “I thank you too, Captain, for not running me through when you found me in Rykan’s palace.”

  Robin stood and clasped the Count’s hand. “We’d never have got Sullyan out without you. And I never really apologized for doubting you, and behaving so stupidly at the drovers’ hut.”

  There was a brief and awkward silence, both men thoroughly embarrassed by the show of emotion. Then they dropped each other’s hands and Marik stepped away. He faced Sullyan, saying formally, “I wish you good hunting, Major. I’m sure we’ll meet again once Rykan’s forces are defeated.”

  He inclined his head and walked briskly away.

  Sullyan watched him go, pride and fear warring in her heart. She didn’t want to part with him, but she knew that his destiny lay apart from hers now. He had his loyalty and skills to prove, and she would never deny him that chance. She sat in introspective silence after Marik had left, and twice rebuffed Robin’s weak attempts to engage her in conversation. Xeer and the twins showed no signs of wanting to talk either, and she was thankful when Robin eventually gave up, leaving her to her thoughts.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The haunting sound of Cal’s longwhistle always had the power to soothe Rienne’s soul. She smiled to see him lost in his music, the silver instrument held lightly to his lips. His eyes were half closed and his fingers moved almost of their own volition, the notes like threads of silk weaving into a rich and wonderful tapestry of sound.

  The tune was one she had always loved and she could not resist its allure. Her hand moved, caressing the wood of the guitar she held, her long fingers finding the strings. Her other hand formed the first chord of the song and she strummed, softly at first, and then with more confidence as Cal played the melody over the guitar’s rich thrum. She almost held her breath, half expecting to hear Sullyan’s sweet tones. Her vision blurred and her throat stung, but the guitar sang on.

  Taran sat opposite her in their shared apartment, and she saw his eyes close as he immersed himself in the music. It was a balm to them all, soothing hearts and souls worn out by worry and care. Rienne could almost imagine a time when their spirits would be free of sadness and they could laugh and sing once more.

  The apartment door crashed open and the guitar strings twanged harshly as Rienne jerked with shock. Bull burst into the room, his face white and pinched and his forehead damp with sweat. Rienne felt her heart shrink and thought it would stop with fright.

  “Gods, Bull, what is it? What on earth’s happened?”

  The big man didn’t answer. He was staring at them strangely, as if he had never seen them before. Then his normally florid face regained its color and even flushed a deeper red, causing Rienne to fear for his heart. She propped the guitar against the settle and rose to take his arm.

  “Come on, sit down. Please tell us what’s wrong.”

  Bull allowed her to lead him to the settle and collapsed onto it, shaking his head.

  “Rienne, I’m so sorry. It’s nothing. It was just hearing you play that guitar. It has such a distinctive tone, I thought for a moment Sully was—”

  He broke off and gulped a breath, composing himself with difficulty.

  “I just didn’t think. I’m sorry. It was an instinctive reaction. I know damne
d well she’s not here. I shouldn’t have burst in like that.”

  Rienne felt the tension rush from her body, leaving her weak. She laid a trembling hand on his arm.

  “It’s alright, Bull, we know how you feel. Cal, get the man some fellan.”

  Bull drank one large mug straight off and Cal poured him another, rolling his eyes at Rienne. Then he refilled hers and Taran’s mugs, finally pouring one for himself. He sat down opposite the settle, while Taran leaned back in his chair by the fire.

  “I’ve rarely felt as helpless as I have these past few days.” Bull’s voice was rough with emotion and Rienne patted his arm. “When it became obvious a few years ago that I wouldn’t be able to stand for Sully much longer, I made myself a promise. I vowed that no matter what, I’d always be there for her. I’ve been a part of her command ever since she won it under Major Anton, but our relationship began earlier than that, the first day she arrived at the Manor, a tiny bit of a thing sitting on Blaine’s saddlebow. That’s thirteen years ago now.”

  He stared at his mug, absently swirling its contents.

  “She’s gone on campaigns without me before, but she’s never been beyond the Veils without me there guarding her back. She’s so far away, Rienne! The thought that I’ll never see her again—never speak to her, or feel her warm and generous spirit—is slowly destroying me.”

  Rienne felt tears sting her eyes and her throat closed tightly.

  Bull glanced at her. “Now that I know what’s been happening these past few days and what she’s planning next, the knowledge that I can’t help her is getting too much to bear.”

  “You’ve heard from her?” Rienne’s voice was a harsh croak.

  “From Robin.”

  “And they’re both alright? Is Brynne … alright?”

  Bull nodded. “They are now.” Seeing Rienne’s look of anguish, he took a steadying breath. “I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me tell it from the beginning, as Robin told me.”

  Cal once more refreshed their mugs and Bull launched into Robin’s account of their initial meeting with the Hierarch’s generals and Sullyan’s method of persuading the pirates to follow her. Even Rienne managed to smile at some of Robin’s descriptions—especially those concerning General Kryp—but her amusement faded when she heard the account of the duel with Ky-shan.

  “Was it really necessary to take such a risk? She’d already been warned against dueling by the Hierarch.”

  Bull shrugged. “I’ve never known her to take an unnecessary risk. I think the Hierarch was probably aware she’d have to do something drastic. He wasn’t warning her against dueling so much as telling her to be careful how she went about it.”

  “Oh.” Rienne frowned.

  “If only I’d been there instead of Robin. He’s never heard the full story of her travels as a young girl. She’s done far riskier things than sail with a bunch of pirates! I’d have known what to expect, but poor Robin probably thought she was mad.”

  He went on to relate the rest of Robin’s news, ending with the Captain’s account of the recent field council. Rienne’s face went white when she heard about the injuries he and Sullyan had sustained. What frightened her more, though, was the fast-approaching confrontation with Rykan.

  “How long do you think it’ll be before they entice him onto the Plains, Bull?”

  “I don’t know the terrain, so I only have Robin’s guess to go on. He thinks a week, maybe less. Depends on how quickly they draw him—that is, if they can get him to take the bait.”

  Rienne gasped. “As soon as that? Brynne must be feeling very nervous. I’d be terrified.”

  Bull snorted. “If she is, she’ll not be showing it.”

  Rienne sat in silence while they finished the fellan, leaving Cal and Taran to quiz Bull further. The big man was obviously feeling much better by the time he rose to return to his quarters, but his lighter mood hadn’t transferred to Rienne. She closed the door behind him with a trembling hand, careful to conceal it from both Taran and Cal.

  + + + + +

  The next afternoon, Taran went looking for Bull. The big man wasn’t always easy to find, for although he had no fixed duties now that the Major wasn’t running her office, he still took care of applications from young hopefuls who wanted to join the King’s forces. Part of the Major’s duties was to screen cadets for latent powers. She had always been hopeful of finding more untrained Artesans and convincing them to develop their talents. According to Bull, she hadn’t had much success. The current prejudice against the craft meant that any youngsters showing even the slightest hint of ‘unnatural powers’ were likely to be forcefully dissuaded from using them by their parents. Yet Sullyan had still considered the process worthwhile. Some people didn’t show signs of the gift until their late teens.

  Robin had often helped with this task, but with the two of them gone, it now fell to Bull. He had also resumed his training of the youngest cadets, the job he had done before retiring. Blaine had apparently recognized Bull’s need to keep busy, and the various masters at the Manor appreciated any help they could get. So during the day, Taran knew, Bull could be almost anywhere within the Manor house or grounds.

  This time, though, Taran found him in his rooms, the last place he had expected Bull to be.

  He knocked on the door, and after a moment’s silence he heard the big man’s footfall. The door opened only slightly and Bull peered round it, a decidedly shifty look in his eye. When he saw who his visitor was he ushered Taran inside, closing the door swiftly behind him. Taran immediately noticed the two full packs lying on the floor and stared at his friend in suspicion.

  “What’s going on, Bull?” The big man had the grace to color slightly and Taran rounded on him. “I hope you weren’t planning to go off alone!”

  Bull walked over to the table, where he sat and picked up a mug of fellan. He gestured toward the fire. “There’s more in the pot.”

  Taran pursed his lips but played along, pouring a mugful and sitting down opposite his friend. “Well? Rienne’s been going out of her mind with worry for Sullyan and fretting to go back. It would destroy her, you know, if you went off without telling us.”

  “What do you take me for, Taran? Of course I was going to tell you. It’s Blaine I haven’t told. My guilty conscience must be pricking me. I thought it was him at the door just now.” Bull stared down into his mug. “I know I’m not strictly answerable to him now—not in a military sense, anyway—but I do want to return here … after. I’ve been with him for more years than I care to remember, Taran, and old habits die slowly. I still jump when I see him.”

  Taran had to chuckle, remembering his own urge to salute when meeting Blaine the other morning. “He does have that effect, doesn’t he?”

  Bull gave a lopsided grin. “It’s been very carefully cultivated. He does it to cover up his sensitive side.”

  Taran snorted. “So what’s the plan? Does Robin know you’re intending to go back? Does the Major?”

  “Hell, no!” Bull’s face flushed a deeper red. “If I tell her, she’ll only curse and order me back. I might tell Robin once we’ve gotten as close as we can, but it’ll be up to him whether or not he tells Sully. Personally, I don’t think he will.” The big man closed his eyes and sighed deeply. “She ordered me not to follow her, Taran. I hate disobeying her, but I need to know I’ve done everything I can. Even if it’s only to be there at the end ….” He swallowed painfully. “I can’t just abandon her now. I’ve known her for thirteen years, since she was a tiny girl of ten. I’ve trained her, helped her, worked with her, fought by her, nursed her, healed her, and learned from her. How can I let her down now?” He fell silent, memories blurring his eyes.

  “Rienne feels the same,” said Taran. “She’s eating herself up with guilt thinking she could still be of some use. It’s not like her, and Cal’s been quite concerned. What worries me, though, is the possibility we’ll get in the way, or be attacked, or even end up being taken hostage if Rykan’s men di
scovered us. Think what would happen if he found out who we were.”

  Bull nodded. “You’re right to consider that, of course, but I don’t think it’s a risk. Rykan will be fully committed to fighting the Hierarch’s troops, and I don’t propose to go looking for his men. According to Robin, they’ve been contained within the forests to the east of the Plains, and we’d be coming at the Citadel from the northwest. We would be well away from the fighting. I simply have to go, Taran. I need to know I’m near her if she needs me at the end.”

  That evening, Taran told Cal and Rienne what Bull was proposing. Both were keen to go, although Cal’s reasons leaned more toward giving Rienne something to ease her aching soul.

  Taran smiled at them. “That’s settled, then. Bull’s going to see Blaine tomorrow to let him know. You’d better inform Chief Healer Hanan, Rienne. They’re going to miss you in the infirmary.”

  “I’ll miss them too,” she said. “It’s been wonderful working with them all, and I’ve learned so much. But this is more important, Taran. There’ll be time enough after … to resume our lives. Mine’s been at a standstill these last few weeks, and it’ll never be the same again. At least let’s see this through to the end and decide where we go after that.”

  The next morning, Taran woke to a knock on his door. He was surprised to see Bull standing there, smiling sheepishly at him.

  “I thought you were going to see the General this morning, Bull?”

  “I am, Taran, and I’m sorry if I woke you, it’s just … oh gods, look, would you mind coming with me? I know it sounds feeble, but I’m dreading facing him. If he gets difficult and starts arguing with me, you can stop me from losing my nerve.”

  Taran smiled. “Of course I’ll come. Sound military principle, eh? Safety in numbers.”

  Half an hour later, the General’s valet, Hyram, ushered them back out of Blaine’s office. Taran turned to Bull, seeing his own amazement mirrored on the big man’s face.