The Devil's armour eog-2

by John Marco

  ‘Really,’ drawled Lorn.

  The stranger took a pull of cider. ‘It’s true. Breck and Lukien are old comrades. The Bronze Knight is in Jador now, across the Desert of Tears.’

  Was that interesting? Lorn didn’t know. He had heard of the Bronze Knight’s legend, but that was so long ago it hardly seemed to matter now. He was far more interested in Breck.

  ‘So Breck, your commander,’ he continued. ‘He has a lot of volunteers like you?’

  ‘As many as he can get. He calls all of us his Royal Chargers so we don’t forget the old days, the way it was before the wars. He and the real Chargers train us. We’re the defenders of Koth.’

  ‘The old days, eh?’ Unable to stop himself, Lorn’s eyes flicked toward Van, who remained still, seated with his back to them. ‘And you’re keeping the city safe,’ he told the young man, loudly enough for Van to hear. ‘That’s admirable. Loyalty is a good thing. A man should defend his home.’

  The stranger frowned. ‘So why’d you leave Norvor?’

  ‘Because,’ said Lorn crossly, ‘there was nothing left for me. Jazana Carr took over my country.’

  The soldier nodded and leaned back, his expression miserable. ‘I know. And now she’s got her eyes on Liiria.’

  Lorn sat forward. ‘Oh?’

  ‘She’s on her way,’ said the young man. ‘I was just out on patrol with some others, riding the Norvan border. I was gone for days, around Andola mostly. Jazana Carr is massing near the city.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Lorn asked. ‘You saw them?’

  ‘Hard to miss them! She’s got an army five times the size of Ravel’s at least, and more on the way. Baron Ravel’s forces are rallying to stop her, but they won’t be enough. Neither will we.’ The soldier’s face tightened with dread. ‘Ravel’s got a stronghold in Andola, a castle that should be able to hold Carr’s forces for a while. And he’s been building defences along the border. Still, it won’t matter for long.’

  It was stunning news, and it had come sooner than Lorn had expected. For a moment he was speechless, his mind racing with possibilities. At last Jazana Carr had come. Was he ready? Could he make this fellow Breck believe him? He glanced over at Van. The former mercenary had put down his drink, sitting with slumped shoulders. His silence and defeated posture angered Lorn.

  ‘Van, come here,’ he commanded. Van heard him but took his time answering.

  ‘What is it?’ Van replied without turning around.

  ‘I want you to hear this,’ said Lorn.

  ‘I heard already.’

  ‘Did you? And you’re just going to sit there ignoring it?’

  It was enough of a jibe to get Vanlandinghale out of his chair. He stood and regarded Lorn with a peculiar expression.

  ‘We had a deal, Akan,’ he said evenly. ‘No more talk about politics, remember?’

  ‘I remember. But this young fellow has news even you should care about — news about Jazana Carr.’ Lorn gestured to the stranger, who was obviously confused, and asked him his name.

  ‘My name is Aric,’ he answered. ‘Aric Glass.’

  ‘Glass?’ Lorn reared with surprise. ‘There’s only one Liirian I know of with that surname.’

  ‘Aye, Baron Glass is my father,’ admitted Aric, none too keenly. ‘Or he was, before he abandoned us. Captain Breck told me about him.’ A shadow darkened young Aric’s face. ‘My father was in Norvor with Jazana Carr. All those years the rest of the world thought he was dead, he was in bed with that whore. Now he’s in Jador with the Bronze Knight.’

  ‘I know about your father,’ said Lorn. He struggled to keep the bitterness from his tone. ‘I know about him helping Jazana Carr.’ He turned to Van, asking, ‘Did you know him? When you worked for Carr?’

  Van shook his head. ‘That was before my time with her.’

  Aric didn’t seem interested. ‘Don’t expect me to defend him, sir. My father left me and my family to rot here in Liiria, all the while living in luxury with the Diamond Queen. Breck says he’s a good man. I say he’s a bastard.’ The young soldier laughed mirthlessly. ‘And now he’s safe again in Jador, while the rest of us have to fight off his old lover! Fate above, what a father!’

  ‘Some say he’s a hero,’ said Van. ‘Some say he left Jazana Carr to help defend Liiria.’

  ‘Yeah, well you would say that, wouldn’t you?’ hissed Aric. ‘You worked for that bitch Jazana Carr?’

  Van nodded. ‘That’s right.’

  ‘Then you’re a traitor.’ Aric looked at Van fearlessly. ‘Just like my father, you ran away.’

  Lorn expected Van to erupt, but he did not. He merely took the insults, strangely mute.

  ‘Van, you heard what the boy said,’ Lorn continued. ‘Jazana Carr is on the move, just like you said she’d be.’

  ‘So I was right,’ said Van. ‘It doesn’t matter.’

  ‘She’s heading for Koth,’ Lorn reminded him.

  ‘Oh, don’t waste your time,’ spat Aric. ‘This man’s a dog, a mercenary. He doesn’t care about anything but money.’

  ‘This dog is my friend,’ snapped Lorn. ‘And he’s not one of the bitch-queen’s freelances any more. Or hadn’t you noticed?’

  Just then Foric returned with a plate of hot food. Stepping between them, he laid down the plate with a smile, took the silver coin from the table, and left without a word. The tension in his wake was palpable. Young Aric spied the food but didn’t eat. He ground his jaw grudgingly.

  ‘All right,’ he said. ‘I talked out of turn.’

  There would be no better apology. Lorn got out of his chair.

  ‘Eat,’ he told Aric. ‘But don’t leave. I want to talk to you before you go.’

  Aric shrugged, more interested in his food than any conversation. He picked up his plate while Lorn led Van away, back to the table where he’d been playing cards. Still within earshot of Baron Glass’ son, he kept his voice low as he told Van to sit down. Van did so reluctantly. Lorn sat across from him, pulling his chair as close as possible.

  ‘Before you lecture me let me say something,’ Van insisted.

  Lorn grimaced. ‘Go ahead.’

  ‘Nothing has changed. Remember what I told you when we met, about how the men at Library Hill were fools?’

  ‘Shh, keep your voice down. .’

  ‘Well it’s true,’ Van whispered. ‘That boy, that so-called Royal Charger — he as much admitted it. They don’t have a chance, Akan. Now, you, me, and your daughter have to get out of this city. Fast, before things really get bad.’

  Lorn was incredulous. ‘You’d leave, just like that?’

  ‘Damn right! And if you have any brains you’ll come with me.’

  ‘No,’ said Lorn. ‘No, I’m not going with you. I’m going to Library Hill, Van.’

  Van blinked in disbelief. ‘What?’

  ‘I have a chance to defend against Jazana Carr, and I’m going to take it. You’re not from Norvor. Maybe you can’t understand that, but-’

  ‘What’s to understand, you idiot? You go to the library, you get killed. Don’t tell me you’re that stupid.’

  Lorn tried staying calm. He glanced over at Aric Glass and saw the boy staring at them, dumbfounded while he chewed.

  ‘Van, I can’t explain it all to you here. You just have to believe me. I must go to the library. I must defend against Jazana Carr. It’s more important than you realise.’

  ‘I know one thing, Akan,’ said Van sharply. ‘Norvans are crazy. Some of them — like you — are willing to die for no reason. I’m not.’

  ‘Great Fate, man, look into your heart for once! Dig deep enough and maybe you’ll remember something about honour and loyalty. That’s what brought you here, I know it. You didn’t want to help Jazana Carr conquer your homeland. Well, walking away now is the same damn thing.’

  Angry, Lorn rose and walked toward Aric, who still seemed stunned. Halfway between the two soldiers, Lorn stopped. ‘Aric Glass,’ he said, ‘your cause needs volunteers, yes?’


  The young man nodded as he swallowed. He put his plate aside and stood up. ‘That’s right.’

  ‘Then I’m coming with you,’ announced Lorn. ‘I have news for your Captain Breck.’

  Aric was stunned, but no more so than Van, who looked at Lorn as if he’d heard the most bizarre declaration.

  ‘Van, you have a choice to make,’ said Lorn. ‘You can come with me and help defend your city, or you can stand there with your mouth hanging open. Which’ll it be?’

  ‘Akan, you don’t know what you’re doing. .’

  ‘This is not a time for apathy, my friend. This is a time for men — real men — to stand up and defend themselves.’ Lorn smiled wickedly. ‘You’re a man, aren’t you?’

  The question left Van bemused. At last he laughed, shaking his shaggy head. ‘Maybe a madman,’ he said. ‘But a Liirian, certainly.’

  ‘So you’ll come with me?’

  Van gave a loud sigh. ‘Yes, you mad bastard. I’ll come with you.’

  Heartened, Lorn grinned and rubbed his hands together. He turned to Aric and said, ‘You see? It is a time for men, Aric Glass! Now be quick with your food. I want you to take us to your captain — tonight. I’m anxious to have my vengeance on Jazana Carr.’

  14

  The Defenders of Koth

  While Aric Glass rested and finished his meal, Lorn and Vanlandinghale gathered their things and prepared to leave the Red Stallion. They hardly spoke while they packed their meagre belongings, preferring not to disturb the others. They had no intention of explaining themselves, or of even saying goodbye. Unsure of the reception they would get at the library, Lorn thought it best not to say too much. In the morning he might still need his job washing dishes. So he and Van collected their things, once again dressed Poppy for the road, and quietly told Aric to meet them at a stable down the street where they boarded their horses, the only real thing of value either of them owned. It had been a hardship for Lorn, keeping the horse and paying for its housing and food, but his paranoia over being discovered had made a quick escape from the city a necessary contingency.

  The lateness of the hour saw the stable empty when they arrived. Rain pelted the street, gathering in pools among the cobblestones. A boy of around fourteen had been hired to guard the horses. When Lorn and Van arrived, the boy was asleep in a stall full of hay. Van rattled the tack along the wall, frightening the boy awake, then demanded he ready their mounts. The boy did so at once. While Lorn remained inside the stable to keep Poppy from the rain, Van brought their mounts into the empty street and waited for Aric Glass to arrive. Within a few moments the young soldier trotted into view, looking miserable and confused. Van waved to him, then helped Poppy onto Lorn’s back, hoisting her into the leather harness. With care he fixed the blanket around her head. It was not a long way to Library Hill, thankfully. Lorn could see it through the gloomy night, looming over the outskirts of the city.

  ‘So?’ Aric called to them. ‘Who are you two?’

  In his haste to leave the inn, Lorn had told the soldier very little. He waited until Aric rode up beside them before answering.

  ‘My name is Akan,’ he said. ‘This is Vanlandinghale.’

  ‘I know your names,’ said young Aric. ‘I picked up that much on my own. I mean who are you really? Criminals? Because if you are Breck won’t welcome you.’

  ‘I am not a criminal,’ spat Van.

  ‘Then why’d you leave Jazana Carr?’ Aric grinned. ‘Maybe you stole from her, maybe a few gems that didn’t belong to you?’

  ‘Nothing of the sort,’ said Lorn. ‘We both have a bone to pick with Jazana Carr, you might say. I’ll explain it all to your commander when we reach the library.’

  Aric pointed at Poppy. ‘Do you really think it’s a good idea to bring that child to the library? Isn’t there someone else you can leave her with, like a woman?’

  ‘I don’t have a woman,’ grumbled Lorn, spurring his horse forward. Van went quickly after him. Reluctantly, Aric followed.

  The clip-clop of the horses echoed musically through the empty streets. Blessedly, the rain began to slacken. Lorn looked skyward and saw the moon struggling through the clouds. The dismal weather did nothing to dampen his mood, which was soaring as they rode toward the library. The great Cathedral of Knowledge, broken dream of a mad king, ruled the skyline of Koth. Not even Lionkeep, the former royal residence, had such a commanding view of the city. It had taken King Akeela years to construct the library, filling it with books from around the world. When it finally opened it quickly became a beacon for scholars and a light of hope for the poor. A grand dream, certainly, and one that Lorn understood.

  If only Norvor had been like that, he thought to himself as he rode. If not for war, what might Norvor have become?

  But war had devoured Norvor, just as it was now consuming Liiria, and he had never had the chance to be a true king or to build anything like the library. Instead, his legacy was deception and endless gravestones. Even Akeela wasn’t spoken of with the same derision as King Lorn the Wicked. It was just one more unfairness heaped upon him by Jazana Carr.

  None of them spoke as they rode through the night. Aric had taken the lead, letting Lorn and Van fall in behind him. Lorn was careful as he rode, mindful of Poppy, who surprised him by not minding the rain. He was proud of his daughter, proud of the way she had endured so much. There was still much ahead of her, but she was like her mother, and so she would prevail.

  When they reached the outskirts of the city, Lorn spied the road leading up Library Hill. It was a good, wide avenue built of paving stones and lined with grey brick. Weeds had sprung up along the sides of the road, but the way itself seemed well-travelled. The various structures on the hill came quickly into view, including hastily constructed storage houses and stables, all probably built by Breck and his men. The great library itself soared above the other structures. From the base of the hill, Lorn craned his neck to see it all, marvelling at its grace. At the tip of its highest turret flew the flag of Liiria, blue and tattered, defying the rain. It was said that the library held all the knowledge of the world, and that no human mind could count the number of books and scrolls kept within its walls. It was said, too, that a great thinking machine had been built to contain all the ideas, built by the genius librarian Figgis to catalogue the massive collection. Was there really such a thinking machine, Lorn wondered? And if there was, what else could such a thing do?

  But these were questions for another day, and would never be answered unless his velvet tongue persuaded Breck to help him. For the first time since coming to Koth, Lorn felt afraid. He followed young Aric up toward the waiting library. The road wound its way around the hillside, giving different vistas of the horizon and highlighting the remarkable architecture of the place. As they drew nearer the pinnacle, Lorn saw for the first time the outlines of guardians posted near the entrance and pacing along the grounds. The library’s transformation into a fortress included arrow slits carved into the towers and a huge clearing near the large oak doors, which looked as if the hand of a giant had scooped away the trees and rocks to give the defenders of Koth a greater killing field. The doors themselves had been fortified with additional timbers which criss-crossed the portals, held in place by a cagelike mesh of stout metal. Iron bars covered the windows, while stacks of logs braced the lower portions of the walls. Men with pikes milled near the gatelike doors. Other men, similarly dressed in the garb of Royal Chargers, stood watch on high, newly made battlements and catwalks. The sight made Van give a low whistle.

  ‘Amazing,’ he murmured as he surveyed the work. ‘I’m impressed.’

  So too was Lorn, who hadn’t imagined the library so well defended. There was no doubt that its high perch gave it a great advantage, but Breck and his men had dedicated themselves to making the place impregnable.

  ‘It needs to be like this,’ said Aric. ‘There are only a couple of hundred of us, plus some others from the city who help with the chores and such. We take i
n as many people as we can. Just about anyone willing to help is welcome.’

  Tonight, the welcome included a call from the guards up ahead. Aric replied with a shout. The men with the pikes kept position near the doors while another of their party hurried forward.

  ‘Aric,’ he greeted. ‘It’s good that you’re back.’ He frowned at Lorn and Van. ‘Who are they?’

  ‘They’ve come to help,’ Aric explained. He reined in his horse and let his fellow Charger take the steed’s bridle. ‘This is Akan and his daughter. They’re from Norvor. He fought Jazana Carr.’

  The man nodded at Lorn. ‘You are welcome here, sir. Anyone accustomed to fighting that witch can surely lend us a hand.’ He peered through the rain at Van, started to smile, then groaned, ‘Great Fate Almighty. Vanlandinghale.’

  Lorn looked at Van. ‘You know this man?’

  Van’s face tightened as he said, ‘I do. Hello, Murdon. It’s been a while.’

  ‘Maybe not long enough,’ said the soldier. He was about Van’s age and carried himself with the same swagger. ‘I never thought you’d come back. What happened? Did Jazana Carr run out of gold?’

  ‘Call it a change of heart,’ said Van.

  ‘I should call it treason.’

  ‘Murdon, he wants to help us,’ said Aric. ‘We could use him. He was a Royal Charger.’

  ‘I know what he was,’ said Murdon. He continued to eye Van. ‘Where’s your uniform? Did you sell it?’

  Van patted his saddlebag. ‘Right here. I’m still a Royal Charger, Murdon. You heard the boy — we’re here to help.’

  ‘The old man and the baby, too?’ asked Murdon. Then he laughed and loosed a smile. ‘All right, no grudges. You’re welcome here, Van. We could use you. But Breck will want to see you first.’

  Lorn carefully got down from his horse. ‘Good, because I need to see him right away.’

  ‘Were you a colonel in Norvor, sir?’ joked Murdon. ‘Because you give orders like one.’