He came and knelt before Robby who stiffened in surprise at this gesture.
"I swear this oath to you: I will purchase time for you," Lord Tallin stated with fire in his eyes. "I can give you three months that you did not have, and perhaps more if we are favored."
"Sir, I don't understand. What do you mean?"
Ullin touched Robby's elbow, interrupting him, and he said to Lord Tallin.
"No one can know, Grandfather. Even Robby does not fully comprehend what has come upon him."
"Indeed," Tallin said, rising. "What greater shock can there be? I have reason enough to do what I must," he held out his hand for the letter, and Ullin gave it back to him. Tallin took it, smiling, and threw it into the fireplace. Dargul stepped forward in surprise, and Tallin laughed at him.
"Consider it delivered, Dargul! Hard questions are now before me, and they must be answered. Tallinvale must go one way or the other. Balance is no longer possible. No, old friend, do not at this moment ask my meaning. I speak more to myself than to you."
He turned back to Robby and Ullin.
"Pray tell Ashlord that I wish to see him, once he has rested, and that I desire that he call upon me as soon as he may. Please excuse me for now, my lord."
With that, Tallin bowed low to Robby, and strode from the room. Dargul remained, staring at the door through which Tallin had departed.
"I beg your pardon," he said to Ullin and Robby, "but what has just happened here?"
"I cannot...," Robby began, then faltered.
"It is not for us to say," Ullin said. "Let Lord Tallin say to you what he will and in his own time and way. And, I beg of you, do not press him too much on these matters."
"Well," Dargul stepped to the door and glanced down the hall, "can you tell me why he knelt? Why he addressed you so?"
"By his gesture, he does me a great honor," said Robby. "One of greater affection than could ever be expected, under the circumstances."
"I see. Well, then," Dargul said, unsatisfied. He looked at the two, from one to the other, with a slight frown.
"I believe I should accompany you to your rooms," he said at last. "This way if you please."
"I know the way to my own," Ullin said, "but perhaps you may ask one of the household to lead Robby to his. I'm sure you wish to wait upon Lord Tallin."
Dargul nodded and tugged a bell rope.
"How does he mean to buy us time?" Robby asked. "What does he mean by that?"
"I am not sure," Ullin said.
"He is a close one, your grandfather," said Dargul to Robby. "And though I have been with him for many years, I hardly know his thoughts." As they passed out into the hallway, Dargul said to Ullin, "I was very sorry about your rather cool reception earlier. But now, well, perhaps his heart thaws somewhat. My hopes have always been that time would heal some of the pain between you two."
"It has, kind sir. Somewhat." Ullin took Dargul's hand. "I am most happy to know you are still at his side. He will need your counsel now more than ever before. And if I know my grandfather, a plan is already forming in his mind."
"I will do my utmost to help him in all he asks of me," Dargul said, "even though he does not confide in me as much as I would wish. He is a stern man, and cool, but I knew him from an early age and know some part of his past. For all his hardness and distance, there is no man better with compassion and care for his own people when it comes to it. That may be difficult for members of his family to believe, since all are estranged from him. Perhaps he makes up for the love he has lost from his family by giving it to his duty, to his people and their lands. Still, it's a great shame such misunderstandings of passion have come between you and him, and between him and his daughter. But this conversation just now...it is a riddle to me."
Ullin sighed, taking Dargul by the elbow, saying, "I am sworn to say nothing. That we mean to go to Duinnor is no secret. However, we mean to take an unusual route, and by going the long way, to accomplish sooner what might not otherwise be accomplished by taking the short way."
"More riddles!"
Ullin shook his head.
"I am sorry if it sounds so. But if ever my grandfather asks for your advice, give it as you always have, with honesty and wisdom. And if ever he utters a strange command, I beg that you carry it out without question. He may indeed be stern and cool, even secretive, but he is the most cunning man I have ever known, and wise in his own close way."
Ullin looked down the hall where Lord Tallin had disappeared around a corner.
"Yet I fear for him. Now he faces a grave decision, upon which all our fates may rest. I do not fear the wisdom of the choice he will make, only its price. You should be with him. And this I will tell you: He may seem to have lost his love of family, what is left of it, and their love in return, but I know better. And I, for one, will forever love my grandfather."
"I am glad to hear it," said Dargul as a young girl appeared and curtseyed. "Ah, will you please see our guest to his room? I hope to see you later, Lord Robby."
"Thank you, sir. Ullin?"
"Oh, I'm sure Windard has your rooms already prepared for you," Dargul said to Ullin.
"I'm sure. Thank you," Ullin replied as Dargul walked on down the hall. "And I'll see you after a while, Robby."
They all parted their own ways, with Robby following the girl to a narrow winding staircase that descended steeply. Ullin watched him disappear downward, and then he walked away, smiling at the thought of sleeping in his old bed. And he was surprised that he already felt so at home in a place he had not even seen for many, many years.
Chapter 6
A Grand Place, But Somewhat Dour
Soon after parting company with Robby and Ullin, Dargul looked for his master in the meeting chambers, where the two were to review the inventories of the harvests, the disposition of the armed forces, and various other matters at hand. But Lord Tallin was not there. He looked, too, in the Lord's chambers and did not find him there, either. At last, hearing a sound from the library, Dargul entered and saw Tallin pulling old manuscripts from their shelves and unrolling them. Tallin had been spending more and more time here, often taking his meals at the table where he read and studied, but usually only in the evenings, after the day's work had been accomplished. He had for the past several months been studying all of the manuscripts, books, scrolls, and even a few stone tablets pertaining to the ancient days, the lineage of the various houses of Men and those of the Elifaen. Also, of particular interest to him, were the works of two or three of the so-called Fate-Seers of old, legendary, and some said nonexistent foretellers of future events. Some of the things they foretold, such as the coming of Men to the shores of the Faere and the rise of the Dragon Peoples, had come to pass.
Dargul thought Tallin's interest in such things was mild and was not much alarmed at first. After all, Tallin was a hard-nosed, practical man at heart, not much given to spiritual things or superstitions. And Dargul had never heard the Lord of Tallinvale speak of the well-known lore that surrounded his wife's family. According to that lore, if the Elifaen House of Fairoak was ever to join with Newcomers, as the Elifaen sometimes called Men, a new and subtle power on earth would emerge from the union, one which would overtake all realms and all empires. Although some of the serving staff bandied the tale about from time to time, it had never been a topic of interest to the Tallin family as far as Dargul knew. But then, Dargul did not know Lord Tallin from the "old lands," as Vanara was called, and only came into his service some years after Lord Tallin had brought his family back east to Tallinvale. Dargul was at first employed only as a sort of general manager of various construction projects. After a few years, however, he became Tallin's chief and most valued advisor on all matters, including those involving their delicate political relationships with the powerful neighbors directly to the west and to the southeast, meaning the Damar and the Redvests. As the years passed, the old man became more concerned, if not alarmed, as Tallin occupied himself more and more with the old tale
s and legends.
But Dargul had to admit that Tallin remained as busy as he ever was, mindful of his responsibilities at all times, in spite of the long hours at night spent with his books and scrolls. Tallin sometimes consulted Dargul concerning some point of history or other, and several times even arranged through Dargul's contacts the purchase of more manuscripts from the south or from Glareth or even from faraway Duinnor. What worried Dargul was that his master never explained what it was that he was looking for. It was as if part of Lord Tallin's mind was always working on a secret problem, or some nagging concern. Now, seeing Tallin standing at the table, with one hand holding open a book and in the other a letter recently received, he knew that something specific was definitely on Tallin's mind—something that pertained to real events, real choices, and real decisions, not mere superstitions or old wives' tales. Something that had to do with the visitors that had just arrived and those who were coming. But these mysterious matters would have to wait until Tallin revealed his thoughts, if he ever did. Though he was protective of his employer, Dargul would not presume to intrude unless the utmost need required it. He cleared his throat. When that did not arouse Tallin's attention, he ventured to speak.
"My lord?"
"Dargul. Yes, what is it?"
"Sir, do you wish to go over the tallies and the accounts? Also, I know Brennig returned late last night from his tour of the south, and he awaits to give you his report."
"Yes," Tallin said absently. He put the letter within the book and closed it thoughtfully. Turning to Dargul, he snapped out of his thoughts. "Yes, of course. Have Brennig come into the meeting chambers as soon as is convenient for him."
"He has been waiting this past hour."
"Then by all means let us go to him."
The two quickly made their way to the meeting chambers, just off from the great hall, and Brennig was shown in. Tallin's chief military aide, Brennig held the highest military rank in Tallin's service, a tall man, clean shaven with the tan face of one who spent a great deal of time out of doors, and smartly dressed in his best light armor. He was in his early forties and with gray around the temples of his black close-cut hair. These three were completely comfortable with each other, but Tallin and Dargul could see that Brennig was anxious the moment he was shown in.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting," Tallin shook Brennig's hand. "I had company that needed attending, and, frankly, I became distracted. Though I was aware that you had arrived, I did not wish to hear you until Toolant had departed from us. He would have insisted on hearing your report, too. And, knowing him, he would have thrown a fit to know why he wasn't told of your mission. I hope you have had some rest?"
"Yes, my lord. I understand. Yes, I am quite rested. I hope the situation with Toolant is quite in hand?"
"You may rest your mind at that," Dargul put in, offering Brennig a seat. "Toolant is today traveling to Damar. He carries with him a fairly accurate assessment of the strength of our forces. Officially, he is to tell the Damar that we are far stronger than we are. If he betrays our true strength, which I fear he will, it will be his death warrant. We have a man in the Damar court who will hear Toolant's report. This man is aware of our suspicions concerning Toolant. It is all very complicated, but it boils down to this: We think Toolant will use his information to seal a pact between Tracia and the Damar. The Damar are too weak to threaten us outright, unless they are supported by an overt Redvest threat from the south. They have been reluctant to join with Tracia, yet they, too, fear Tracia's strength to their south. Since the Damar and Tallinvale currently have a treaty, permitting trade and travel between our lands, the first sign of a new alliance on their part with the Triumvirate who rule Tracia will be the closing of trade with us. Our man will carefully watch the movements at court and will report to us any actions. If he suspects a treaty has been reached between the two, he is under orders to immediately deliver a trade order from us for arms from Damar. Their refusal of the order will be confirmation enough. Our man also carries papers with him that, when they are found on the person of Toolant, will see him to the block."
"Papers?"
"Yes, papers in code, easily broken, addressed to Duinnor, confirming that the assassination attempt on the Damar warlord will take place as planned."
"What assassination attempt?" asked the soldier.
"One that will be carried out shortly after those papers are found and the cipher broken," said Tallin.
"All this seems a bit far to go to implicate one spy!" said Brennig. "Why not just cut his throat here, when you had him at hand."
"Because," said Dargul, "we know that Tracia and the Damar will soon reach an understanding. But we do not know when. If we can force that inevitable pact, and have it confirmed, we will at least know where we stand even though they will try to make it a secret from us. Until they form an alliance, we are forced to diplomacy alone. But should the Damar attempt any more incursions, we will know it for what it is, and not some playing with us."
"I'm not sure I see," said Brennig. "Nor do I think it matters. All that I have seen in the south points to conflict. Word is that the Damar are now even waylaying riders of the King's Post, and sending all dispatches they capture to Tracia."
"That explains why no word has been heard from our contacts in Duinnor. What else did you learn?" Tallin said.
The southern portion of the valley that made up most of Tallinvale lands opened broadly from around Tallin City through gentle hills between the Thunder Mountain range to the west and the lower but still rugged Greensward Hills to the east. It was just outside Tallinvale territory that the Redvests were massing their armies, south of the convergence of the Fengal and Saerdulin Rivers, near the town of Kalbrith. It was a land long in dispute, being the southwesternmost reaches of the old Eastlands Realm. Both realms claimed the territory, but the Redvests had occupied it many years ago, even though most of its inhabitants felt more kinship to Tallinvale than to Tracia. From that region, it would be an easy march northward to River Lerse that was at the southern boundary of Tallinvale lands. In those parts, Tallin had established checkpoints and keeps, in a line along the north banks of the Lerse, manned with enough soldiers to challenge any crossings the Redvests might attempt. Along the western side of Tallinvale, in the foothills of the Thunder Mountains, a similar line of encampments had been established for patrolling against incursions by the Damar. During the past three weeks, Brennig had toured all these encampments, moving quickly on horseback southward along the Thunder Mountain line, then going eastward along the River Lerse. The last leg of his journey brought him up along the Old South Road that ran along the River Saerdulin before reaching the confluence of the Bentwide.
"I found our men all in good spirits all along the way, but spread thin, it seems, given the areas they patrol. The local people support them well, and, as you know, many are serving as regulars and have therefore more knowledge of the nooks and crannies, as it were. However," Brennig took a deep breath, "all reports are that the enemy means to move west come spring. They are building storehouses all around Kalbrith, and each day more rafts and boats come down the Saerdulin with provisions. Wagons are beginning to move along the road, too, laden with grain and supplies. Our scouts, who cross the Fengal with ease, tell me that new roads are built and more troops and supplies are being brought across the Saerdulin every day. At present, we estimate the Redvest strength at somewhere around one hundred and eighty to one hundred and ninety thousand men, in sixty or so encampments. And their numbers are growing rapidly. By month's end, they will number over three hundred thousand. Virtually all of the towns and villages south of the Lerse are taken over by them, and the folk there are pressed into the army or made to work as slaves. Small groups of Redvests move across the Lerse, sometimes at night, to test our guard, but all have been turned back without much bloodshed so far. I don't know how long that will stand, though, for our people grow weary of their arrogance. I made my way back by the Old South Road, passing
more troops and many people pressed into their service, moving stores and provisions. The lower Eastlands are being emptied of food, fodder, and livestock and taken southwards to feed the army. I was challenged all along the way, but was allowed to pass without too much in the way of argument. Apparently, there have been some attacks made on the Redvest wagon trains. They claim that a few hundred of their soldiers have been killed. Ambushes, traps. Night raids."
"Attacks? Who is behind them?" Dargul asked.
"Dunno. The Redvests don't seem to know, either, but they're very suspicious that Tallinvale is behind them. Seems to be the work of bandits, or some such loose-knit groups. I saw no sign of them, though, and I'm not sure the Redvests aren't making up tales. It might be the work of the Thunder Mountain folk, from around Hill Town, though that's quite far from their territory."
Brennig went on to describe in more detail the disposition of the troops, and Dargul, with one eye on Tallin, asked many questions. At first, Tallin was very interested, but then he slouched in his chair and said little, seeming more remote as the meeting progressed. He nodded as Brennig touched upon some important point, and Dargul saw Tallin's face grow stern, his eyes narrow distantly, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Pardon me?" Lord Tallin asked suddenly, looking from Brennig to Dargul.
"I was just wondering if we should continue rotating the units as we have been, my lord," said Brennig.
Tallin stood up and the other two did, too. "Until further notice, all is to remain exactly the same. A change in our ways may come soon enough, but let the relief companies be on their way today as planned. I'm sure it will be appreciated by those who have not had sight of home for this month past."
"Yes, my lord. Yes, it will."
"You have done well, Brennig," Tallin said as he walked out. "I would like for you to be nearby these next few days. Keep yourself in readiness, please."
The Nature of a Curse (Volume 2 of the Year of the Red Door) Page 16
