“How would the daughters prove their ability?”
“I have an idea about that.”
“I thought you might.” Maeldyn’s voice was dry.
Yet Saryn could not sense either anger or dissatisfaction behind the dour-looking lord’s words. “I would have them all trained at arms in the Westwind style, and none who could not be guards would be allowed to become lady-holders.”
“You seem to have that ability to train women.”
Saryn shook her head. “I can, but Captain Hryessa has done all the training in Lornth. I’ve had little enough time.”
“Except to teach my daughters more in an afternoon than I could have in an eightday. Your captain is also most adept at recruiting. In your name.”
Saryn smiled wryly. Already, more than a score of local women had appeared outside the holding walls, begging to be trained as guards.
“Before we reach Lornth, you will have more than two companies under arms. That is twice, perhaps four times what any other lord-holder now has available for men at arms. Even your head ostler was able to kill two men.”
Two? Saryn hadn’t realized that, but she hadn’t asked, either.
“Oh, one other matter. Spalkyn, Lady Zeldyan, and I all agree that, should you agree to become overlord, you will also receive Duevek as your holding, as well as Lornth. With two holdings, you will have enough in income, in addition to tariffs, to support the forces required of an overlord.”
“And the others? Will they agree?”
“The ones who are no longer with us and have no heirs certainly cannot object. From what Lady Zeldyan has indicated, neither Jharyk nor Barcauyn will object, and that would suggest a majority will support you.”
“Or not oppose me openly,” said Saryn.
“They will all know that the alternatives are far worse.”
“What about Lord Spalkyn?”
“He cannot state so openly, but he would be most relieved if one of his daughters could succeed him.”
“They do show promise,” Saryn admitted.
Maeldyn glanced toward the study door. “If you would excuse me, Commander, I believe Lady Zeldyan would like a word with you.”
“You all have talked this over, haven’t you?”
Maeldyn stood, then shrugged. “Like you, we wish the fighting and the bloodshed to end. I especially agree with your point about Lornth needing a tyrant—a benevolent and intelligent tyrant, but one who will not hesitate to destroy a rebellious lord. Times have changed, and if we do not change with them, we will perish. I would preserve what we can, rather than lose all.”
Saryn stood. “I would like to talk to Zeldyan before I make a final decision.” As if you already haven’t, but there is the business of being political.
“That is most reasonable and right.” Maeldyn smiled knowingly.
Saryn almost shook her head ruefully. She definitely needed Maeldyn as one of her advisors.
The stern-faced lord opened the door, holding it for Zeldyan, who entered quietly. Maeldyn stepped out and closed the door behind himself. Saryn gestured to the table, but only reseated herself as Zeldyan sat down.
“You are going to become overlord, aren’t you?” said Zeldyan, although her tone made clear that she was not really asking the question.
“Lord Maeldyn requested that I consider it. I told him that I would not decide until after I talked with you.”
“You don’t need my approval.”
“But your advice and support I do need,” said Saryn as warmly as she could. “You will be one of the most influential holders if I so decide.”
“You are kind.”
“I’m trying to be practical. You deserve to hold your family’s lands. You deserve to be the overlord…” Saryn hoped Zeldyan would reply.
“The other lord-holders would not agree, and I do not have the power or the ability at arms that you have shown. You have bested everyone who has come against you.” Zeldyan smiled. “Besides…does either of us have a choice?”
Saryn laughed softly. “You have me, Lady. For everyone’s sake, including my own…what choice do I have? I cannot return to Westwind. Westwind cannot support another two companies of guards at present.” Nor could I deal with Ryba any longer. “There is no lord-holder powerful enough to hold Lornth together or to stand against the Suthyans or the Jeranyi.” Saryn stopped.
“And what of me, now that I have served your purpose, Saryn?”
“You did not serve my purpose.” Saryn smiled sadly. “I came to Lornth with only the goal of preserving your regency. The problem was—”
“That to preserve me, you ended up destroying the Lornth that was, just as the other angels began that destruction in order to save me. Now, what of me?”
“I would still be your friend and your supporter. You hold The Groves, Lady, in your own right, and you may consort as you like, if that is your choice, or not. One way or another, you will determine your family’s holdings. I will stand behind you, as I always have. You know, as do Lord Maeldyn and Lord Spalkyn, that the time has come for change.” Saryn shook her head. “You may not believe me, but I never left the Roof of the World with this, or anything like it, in mind.”
Zeldyan smiled wanly. “That I do know, and that makes it all the sadder, that we could not resolve our differences, and that an angel from beyond the Rational Stars must descend to set things right. You will create a legend, you know, and generations of girls will look to you.”
And if that is so, generations of men will curse me. “Only if I am successful, and that will be so only if you and others support me.”
“How could I not? You saved my life, and you are the only one who will grant me my due as my father’s daughter.”
“For your sake,” Saryn said gently, “I wish it had not come to this.”
“I thank you for those words.” Zeldyan offered another sad smile.
Saryn could sense the mixture of sadness, acceptance, and appreciation…and the grief beneath, which the former regent might bear all the rest of her days. “I would also be your friend…Zeldyan.”
“I would be yours…also.”
“I would like that very much.” And that, also, was truth, Saryn knew, for, if matters did work out, Zeldyan might well be the only woman in all Lornth who would understand a fraction of what Saryn felt.
XCV
Immediately after breakfast on fiveday—prepared and served in a cheery breakfast room by a kitchen staff that seemed exceedingly happy to welcome Saryn as the new lady-holder, Saryn made her way down the main corridor to the small guest chamber where Dealdron lay on the wide bed, propped up at a slight angle.
“Good morning,” she offered as she stepped into the room.
“Good morning, Commander.” His brow furrowed. “I dreamed you were here earlier. So was Lady Zeldyan…before my chest was bound.”
“We were.” And I have been several times when you didn’t recognize me. “You didn’t dream it. She came to thank you for saving her life. She and the other lord-holders have returned to their holdings for the present.” Maeldyn and Spalkyn had actually provided an escort for Zeldyan, and half of Maeldyn’s armsmen would remain at The Groves, along with what remained of Zeldyan’s armsmen, to keep order and control over the prisoners rebuilding and repairing the villa and its outbuildings.
Saryn concentrated on sensing Dealdron’s ribs and chest, as she had done two days earlier, when he had been slightly feverish and disoriented. There was still some wound chaos in places, but far less than what she had removed or neutralized before.
The younger man shifted his weight on the pillows supporting him.
“Hold still, if you will.”
Dealdron opened, then closed his mouth.
This time, it took only a few moments to remove the chaos, and she could sense that he was beginning to heal. She straightened slightly, then smiled. “You’ll be fine, but not all that soon.”
“You’re a healer, too, aren’t you?”
“I can do some healing. I’m not a healer.”
“I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
“Probably not,” she replied with a smile, “but I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t attacked those Lornians.”
“I only got two of them.”
“That was enough. I blocked one other and dived free. Klarisa and fourth squad killed the rest of them. You also saved Lady Zeldyan. She was most grateful.”
“The girls who brought me food, they said you were the new lord-holder here.”
“For now, perhaps for longer. All the lord-holders will be meeting in Lornth an eightday from next oneday. That will decide who will be the Overlord of Lornth.”
“You should be the overlord,” Dealdron said. “You have defeated all who came against you, and you are fair and just. Most of them are not.”
“I try to be fair,” Saryn acknowledged. “Being just is harder.”
“You see that. Most do not.”
Saryn could sense the warmth and the affection. Had Dealdron not still been so weak and injured, she suspected she might well have sensed a great deal more, and for a moment, and behind a pleasant smile, she had to struggle to maintain her composure. She did bend forward and take his hand for a moment. “You see in me what you would like to see.”
“No, Angel, I see what you are and will be.”
Saryn swallowed, taken aback by the faith and affection in and behind his words. Could she ever live up to that faith? Yet…
She managed another smile as she withdrew her hand. “You need to get well. Then we’ll talk about what happens.”
“What will happen is what will happen, but what ever happens, you are my angel.”
One way or another you will be his angel, but what do you say? She managed a grin. “What kind of angel, we’ll have to see.”
She did not quite flee his chamber, but she did take several deep breaths once she was back in the corridor alone for a moment. What ever might be, living up to his faith might be even harder than what has come before.
After a time, she headed out of the villa and toward the barracks area to find Hryessa.
The guard captain was watching as Klarisa directed the newer guards and even some recruits, it looked like, through the morning warm-up exercises. When Hryessa saw Saryn, the captain immediately turned and walked toward her commander.
“More new faces, I see,” observed Saryn.
“There are a few more every day. Some days, more than a few. You have inspired many.”
“Will they stay inspired?” Saryn had her doubts.
“Very few have left. Very few, even after seeing battles and other guards dying.”
It was hard for Saryn to accept that life for women in Lornth had been that hard, but it must have been. Otherwise, why would they remain so cheerfully? “We need to think about forming and training a full second company. Who would you suggest as the undercaptains for the two companies? The squad leaders of first and fourth squads?”
“They have been acting as such…at times.”
“You’ll have to watch over them closely.” Saryn grinned. “Not that you haven’t been.”
“I have, but they know what to do. They have watched us both.”
Saryn shook her head with a wry expression. I just hope they’ve watched you more. They shouldn’t be trying some of what I’ve done.
“They need to see that a woman can be fearless and successful, Commander.”
Saryn didn’t want to get into that. “How many should we take to Lornth?”
“I will take a full company with you. If you are to be overlord, we must be prepared. But we must leave some guards here.”
“What do you plan?” asked Saryn.
“Second company will be what remains of fourth squad and the newer trainees and the new recruits. Klarisa can be most forceful. We will even have enough for a third company before long. For now, they should certainly be able to hold Duevek.”
Saryn winced. Every time she heard the name Duevek, it grated on her. The holding name needed to change as well. “How are those of the holding staff taking matters?”
Hryessa raised her eyebrows, as if to ask why Saryn would even ask.
“Because everyone is so respectful around me. I’d like to know how they feel when I’m not around.”
“The women who know how to do things are most happy. Those who try to get others to do their work are not. Most of the men were either armsmen or have left. Those who remain seem pleased. We have had a score of women arrive here who have inquired about work at the holding, and even a few men.”
“I take it that you are working on the complainers?”
Hryessa laughed. “I do not have to. The other women are taking care of that. Within a few more days, everything will be close to what it should be.”
Saryn nodded. For a time, she was silent, wondering if she should ask the next question.
Hryessa looked at her inquiringly.
Saryn decided to go ahead. “I’ve just seen Dealdron.” Again. “What do you think of him?”
“He is a good man. He loves you.” Hryessa shrugged. “What else is there to say?”
“What else?” There are a million other things to say.
“If you were a poor and powerless woman, other things might matter. You are not poor or powerless. He will never harm you, and he adores you. He is also not dumb. He is good with coins, and has saved much for you and for us.”
In short…exactly where are you going to do better? The problem was that Hryessa was clearly right, at least from what Saryn had seen of the men in Lornth and elsewhere in Candar. And she couldn’t deny that she definitely felt something for him. More than just something.
“Oh…a messenger just delivered this, Commander,” Hryessa said with a smile, extending an envelope. “He wore green and cream.”
“Lord Shartyr…no doubt a missive of congratulations and support.”
“He is not to be trusted.”
“No…but he’s been most careful not to offend or provoke us.”
“Those men are the most dangerous.”
“Women can be exactly the same if they have power long enough,” replied Saryn dryly, thinking about Ryba. “Let’s see what he has to say.” She broke the seal and opened the envelope, taking out the single sheet and scanning the beautifully written lines.
My dear Commander,
I have just received word about the treacherous attack by some of the southern lord-holders on The Groves and learned of the tragic deaths of Lord Deolyn, Lord Gethen, and young Lord Nesslek. I have conveyed my sympathy in a separate letter to Lady Zeldyan, but I wanted to express my appreciation for your efforts and success in bringing the malefactors to justice effectively and quickly.
I would also like to assure you that I will support you and Lady Zeldyan and the northern lord-holders in what ever you recommend to the assembled lord-holders when we meet in Lornth, and I commend you for your forbearance and trust that you understand that you have my utmost respect.
The signature and seal were those of Shartyr, Lord-Holder of Masengyl.
Saryn nodded. As she had suspected, Lord Shartyr was extremely astute, and not to be trusted in the slightest. Especially not when your back is turned. At the same time, the letter did reinforce what Maeldyn had told her.
“He offers you congratulations and support,” suggested Hryessa.
“Of course,” replied Saryn with a laugh. “You said he was not to be trusted.”
The meeting in Lornth was going to be most interesting, especially when she told them what she expected of them. Yet…if she wanted to change things, she couldn’t leave matters as she had found them. And if she didn’t change things, what was the point of all the deaths?
XCVI
Late on threeday afternoon, Saryn sat in the small study, looking at the missives stacked to one side. She picked up the top one, from Lord Whethryn of Tharnya, and scanned the lines.
…have discussed our sad situation wi
th Lord Maeldyn and find, I must say, unhappily, that I agree with his proposal…would never have hoped for such…all other alternatives…impractical and worse…
The next, from the widow of Lord Rherhn, was even less palatable.
…understand that you, as Arms-Commander of Westwind, will play a role in determining my future and that of my sons and daughters…as one woman to another…can only plead that you will not destroy all that our family has held dear for generations…
Saryn wanted to snort at the widow’s plea. While the lord-holders had certainly been the prime players, and while the poor women of the towns and hamlets had little say, if even a few of the consorts of the lord-holders had been more forceful, the situation wouldn’t have been nearly so bad. Or would it? How would she ever know?
Finally, she stood and walked to the bookcase set in the middle of the inside wall, pressing on one of the corner bosses, one that was at the edge of the second shelf and ever so slightly more worn than the others. Then she swung the bookcase away from the wall, revealing a closet—or small room, really, since she’d not yet seen a true closet in any palace or villa anywhere in Lornth. Although she’d sensed the hidden space once she’d started to look for such, it had taken her a while to figure out the trick.
She studied the seven strongboxes on the shelves, then shook her head. She had been required to employ considerable effort with her order-chaos-abilities to open the heavy padlocks without destroying them, since she had yet to find the keys. The number of golds and silvers was considerable, more than enough to pay for the costs of operating the villa and paying the guard companies she would be supporting, possibly for several years. But having that much coin worried her, first because it suggested that the costs were far higher than she thought they were, and second because it revealed, again, that Lornth had nothing even approximating a banking system, another problem that she would need to address—assuming that she could pull off becoming and remaining overlord.
The other thing that she had noticed was the coins themselves. She’d observed earlier that the golds, silvers, and coppers were a mixed lot, some clearly Cyadoran, others Suthyan, or Gallosian, and even a few from Hamor and from someplace called Lydiar. None bore marks of having been coined in Lornth, yet another difficulty ahead. The other thing was that, what ever the source, the golds were all identical in weight and size, as were the silvers, but the size of the coppers varied a great deal, although the weights seemed to be the same.
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