The Nature of a Curse (Volume 2 of the Year of the Red Door)

by William Timothy Murray

  "We were all of us shocked," Weylan said, pointing to a side hallway and gesturing for Robby to go that way. "Dismayed, concerned. Surprised that the Redvests managed to cut through the long way 'round, north through the Boggy Wood."

  "I don't mean to sound ungrateful for your hospitality, but was there no talk of sending aid?"

  "Certainly there was talk! Some mighty loud talk, indeed! And none too sparse of language, either. But Lord Tallin forbade any action, saying we were not prepared to break our treaty with Tracia, and that if we sent men to oppose Tracia in Barley, we could only do so by weakening our southern and western flanks."

  "But now Tracia has your eastern flank as well. Surely they mean to move from Barley southwards along the Old Road."

  "Certainly. Well, that is my opinion, anyway. And rumors have it that much activity of horsemen, messengers and the like, move from the Redvests in Barley to their main forces in the south. Let us turn here and go along these steps."

  Weylan led on through the brick-lined corridor, still well lit and not as damp or close as one might imagine.

  "Where are we going?"

  "You'll see. And be surprised, I think."

  "What do you think Lord Tallin will do?"

  Weylan shrugged.

  "I do not know. Many of his most loyal grumble that he does nothing. Many are unhappy that Lord Tallin refuses to engage the Tracian Redvests, or even the Damar unless pressed by their forays. There are many here who once lived in Tracia, and we have commerce with those of Hill Town, too. It is well known here that honor means nothing to those who now rule Tracia, though their army is professional and for the most part are a credit to the sense of the word most of us know. But their leaders are not military men, and they are ruthless. Their orders are most despicable, even against their own people. They give their word on paper and then toss it aside when it suits them. They have mismanaged their commerce. Their farms, which were failing even before the great summer storm, have collapsed. Those who have escaped or been driven away say that most common folk go hungry while the army and those in power eat well enough, indeed. It is rumored that some sickness of mind has gripped the new Tracian leaders and that, after having murdered most of those loyal to the Prince, they now are filled with fear and mistrust lest their own ways are used against them. Meanwhile, Lord Tallin tolerates the fact that the Redvests to the south encroach, forcing tribute from those nearby to our lands. Many of those people have left their homes and farms to escape such abuse, and they add to the resentment that grows. And to the discontent with Lord Tallin's treaties and such. It is a balancing act, some say, that must fall one way or the other."

  "So now they go to war, attacking the Eastlands," commented Robby as they came to a long upward slope.

  "It seems so, though we have heard of no fighting yet, outside Barley, that is. And they probably move first in the Eastlands to gather food and such for their armies."

  "Hm. This is an extraordinarily long tunnel!"

  "Yes, the city is crisscrossed with them. It makes for easy movement by our soldiers. We take the straight-ahead fork this way."

  "And Lord Tallin built all this? Years and years ago?"

  "Aye," Weylan nodded. "Or, rather, those he hired to do so. From what I've heard, it was some Masurthia folk that did the work."

  "Masurthia? From the south?" Robby looked at Weylan as the Captain nodded. "I heard Endeweir folk made the city."

  "Endeweir? Look at these joints. Not a speck of mortar, and dry as a bone, too. Smooth. Some say it is some kind of glass. The Endeweir are fisher-folk, I heard tell. And that's a far place, indeed, up where the snows don't even melt, they say."

  "Oh."

  They marched on, sometimes turning aside so that soldiers could pass, until Robby could hear noise of activity coming from ahead, and as they neared a bright exit, several soldiers appeared.

  "Who goes?"

  "Weylan of the Guard! With Lord Ribbon! Open!"

  "Why do you call me lord?"

  "Why? Er, well, I reckon there's no other term. I mean we all know you're not the Lord. But in these parts, any descendant of Tallin is called lord or lady."

  The pair neared a gate of iron bars that groaned as two men pushed it open for them to pass. The way continued upward, curved sharply to the left, and bright daylight poured through an open arched portal. Before they reached it, Weylan turned and led Robby through a side opening and up a steep staircase, dimly lit at first but growing brighter as they climbed. When they walked out blinking into brilliant daylight, Robby was surprised to find himself at the very top of one of the outer walls of the city. He could clearly see the road he had traveled along earlier that morning and well beyond it to the forest. The air was cool and refreshing, and the handsome pennants snapped in the breeze.

  "Captain on the Gate!" cried a soldier nearby, and, as quick as you like, several soldiers lined themselves up as their leader approached.

  "All correct, sir. Little traffic today. A fine morning."

  "Thank you, Eglan. Very good. Yes, fine."

  Then, as the soldier stepped aside, Weylan turned to Robby, grinning.

  "Welcome to the North Gate of Tallin City! Are you not amazed?"

  "Indeed I am! Never would I have guessed! A most impressive passage, and one that no doubt may serve an important military purpose, should the need arise."

  "It is so. The passage, but one of five like it, each from the outer walls to the Hall. They permit the movement of arms whichever way is needed. Should the walls ever be breached, which is not likely, the underground corridors are made to collapse, if need be, blocking the enemy's use of them. Along the way, there are many upward-leading egresses to sally ports and such, to let us come up behind any force in the streets above. Should any enemy make it through our walls, that is."

  "Ullin said your defenses are based on a design of Heneil, and that none of his defenses ever fell by arms."

  "That is so, but there are secrets to these walls that only Lord Tallin himself knows, for only he among us was here at their construction."

  Robby started to ask more questions about that when Weylan's face lit up. Turning around, Robby saw Ullin coming up the stairs.

  "You are something of a wanderer!" Ullin said to Robby.

  "Just a little tour of the place," put in Weylan. "Perhaps you would like to accompany us?"

  "I'd be delighted! I must confess I was looking for Robby with the same thought in mind. That is, to show him around."

  "Weren't you going to teach Ibin how to play the mandolin?" Robby asked.

  "Oh, yes. And I did, sort of," Ullin laughed. "But after a couple of lessons, I realized he would be the teacher and I the pupil. He seems to have an uncanny gift and is already plucking out tunes far beyond my meager ability. I left him still playing, Billy nodding away, and Sheila being given a tour by Windard, who has taken a keen liking to her. Very uncharacteristic of him to take such a liking to anyone. He is formal of a nature, and no less so with her to a point, but I found them chatting away about keeping house, of all things. Windard, who rarely has more than a word or two for anyone, was telling her all about the workings of Tallin Hall with an enthusiasm I have never seen in him."

  "She has a way of bringing that out, sometimes."

  Chapter 7

  Puzzles

  "I wanted to speak to you about several matters," Tallin told Ashlord as the two entered the library. It was a large room, Ashlord's favorite in all of Tallin Hall, with rows of shelves for bound manuscripts in abundance as well as racks for scrolls and rolled maps. It was well lit, day or night, by south windows and doors, and by ingenious lamps at the tables that burned highly refined oil beneath polished hoods. Ashlord had been here several times before, the last time some years ago, and as a figure of some status with both Men and Elifaen, he was allowed the use of the place. It held not only copies of all of the greatest works of literature and lore, but also many materials devoted to the early ages, some even in the hand o
f the original chroniclers of the First Age before Men came. Upon locating Tallin, Ashlord immediately asked if he could spend the afternoon reading and studying, especially the accounts of the early Kings of Duinnor. Tallin was proud of his library and glad to have it used by such a scholar as Ashlord, and he escorted him there personally, saying they could talk there as well as any other place.

  "But," he went on, waving Ashlord to a chair, "much of what I wanted to confer with you on is now moot, I find."

  "Oh?"

  "Yes. I must say that my interview with my grandsons has affected me in a peculiar way. I find, through no slip on the part of Robby or Ullin, that Duinnor may soon have a new king."

  Ashlord stiffened in his chair.

  "Oh? And how did you come to that conclusion?"

  "Come, Collandoth! I am not as old or as wise as you, but it only takes a fair observer who has studied the chronicles and lore to see the signs. My House has long been foretold to play some role in the changing of the world and the coming of the new age. That is certainly why we were banished, in a manner of speaking, from the West. It is also why Duinnor has ignored our messages of warning and has sent our sons to almost certain death in battle time and again. Ullin survives only due to your intervention, I am convinced, having him reassigned to the King's Post. Evidently, your contacts in Duinnor are still loyal to you."

  "It is not to me they are loyal, but to the doing of right things," Ashlord said. "I am not opposed to Duinnor. Indeed, I am united with many loyal servants of the Realms in wanting the wrongs suffered by many to be righted, and for an end to the continued abuse of power. Ullin was guided to me by a friend not to protect him from battle, which he has seen plenty of, but from those who would read the signs as we have, and think he might be the One."

  "I opposed Ullin when he left for Duinnor."

  "I know. But that was unwise. Your opposition was apparent to all close to this House, and word of your dislike of the King was widely spread. As a result, while you may have the sympathy of many, you have little open support. Few will respond to any petitions you may send, even when your interests and those of Duinnor's are the same."

  "Ah, you speak of the present situation," said Tallin.

  "Yes."

  "But why was Ullin thought a threat? Why was he deemed to be the One?"

  "Many made the same mistake. Even I very nearly came to that conclusion. But, in fact, it is here in this room that the key piece of knowledge came to me a few years ago. The last time I was here, in fact. You have the original manuscripts of Uden of Selacia, who was among the First Men on these shores. Those writings have not been widely translated or copied, and Duinnor knows nothing about their contents. But Uden referred to Heneil's wife, Lyrium, who had the gift of Sight. She foresaw the fall of Tulith Attis in a dream, and she warned her husband, Uden tells, and so Heneil constructed the bell room to catch the traitor. Everyone knows the stories of that battle and how Heneil constructed the Bell so that only one of the Elifaen who could speak the First Tongue could open the Iron Door and set the Bell ringing out its warning. But Uden was writing before the battle at Tulith Attis and did not know the outcome."

  Ashlord had gotten up from his chair and was searching among the manuscripts as he spoke. He tucked one under his arm and kept searching for another.

  "How is that a clue about Ullin?"

  "Aha!" Ashlord cried. "Here it is! The Aldergiest Toll, an account of the battle by one of the survivors."

  "But that was not written by Uden."

  "I know. I have Uden's manuscript here, too. The Aldergiest Toll was written by a Dragonkind soldier who was at Tulith Attis and who managed to return to his homeland. I am still amazed that you have a copy of it."

  "It was a present of Gurasa," Tallin stated as Ashlord put the books on a nearby table. "Apparently he is somehow related to the author."

  Ashlord opened one of the books, located a passage, and, keeping his hand on the open page, opened the second one with his other hand and rapidly flipped through it. It took some looking to find the passage he desired, but at last he stood straight and looked at Lord Tallin.

  "One of the peculiar things about the battle of Tulith Attis was the wolves."

  "Wolves? What do you mean?"

  "I mean, according to this account of the battle, let me read: 'Our legions swept easily up the south bank of the Saerdulin, crossing to both sides to cut off any escape. We came as a shadow over the land, driving wolves and all manner of beasts before us and into the ranks of our enemy as a prelude to battle. The wolves upon the ground before us, and the carrion birds following in the wake of our destruction.' "

  "Yes, I remember that passage. But I still do not see—"

  "That is one piece of the puzzle. Here is another: From Uden's accounts of Lyrium's vision I now read, please forgive my coarse translation: 'And so Lyrium, much disturbed by her dream went unto her husband, and, finding him, said unto him, 'Dear one, listen to me. I have had a dream that foretells of the fall of this place in days to come. In my dream I saw a young Elifaen. A great battle raged and the very clouds strove to overturn one another, amidst fire and thunder, and from this came a devastation of water upon the land. I saw the young Elifaen coming up through the river passage of our fortress, bearing a fiery brand. I saw this Elifaen enter our stronghold, coming into the very midst of our fortress, and behind him came an army of wolves. And wolves came from all sides. There was a great struggle, and my vision failed me. But I saw him again, in another age to come, bearing in one hand the crown of Duinnor, and in his other hand he held seven golden rods. I saw a Prince of the Dragon people bow down before him, and great ladies of ancient Elifaen Houses do the same. I saw a nobleman lying dead upon the street, and others taken away in chains. Tell me, oh husband, what can this mean?' And, considering, Heneil said unto Lyrium his wife, 'A warning, no more, though a powerful one. Your dream foretells of a traitor who may conquer the Seven Realms and unite them under his servants, the Dragon People. But I will thwart this traitor by my skills. I will construct within the passage from the river a chamber to hold a great bell. An iron door, too, I will make. And I will have a charm laid upon it so that it will open only to one of the Firstborn who can still speak the First Tongue. Beside the door, I will set great sentinels watching, and about the chamber, too. Moreover, I will raise a wall to block the River Saerdulin so that it may shrivel and no boats may bring enemies against us. And if any but I open the Iron Door, the great bell will toll and the sentinels will awake. The traitor will pass unharmed, so that we may capture him, but his army of wolves will be slaughtered behind him. And the great wall that I shall make will then tumble so that, returning violently to its course, the Saerdulin may sweep away any enemies upon the riverbed. And if any reach within our castle, I will set upon them my personal guard as well, who, by incantation, shall wait patiently howsoever long as is required, protected by stone such as the kind that Alonair might fashion. They, too, the great bell will arouse, to repel any intruders within.' "

  Ashlord closed the books slowly and looked at Tallin.

  "Although I suspect it did not happen precisely as it is recorded here, the rendition of Lyrium's dream is, I think, fairly accurate. For me, this was my proof that Ullin was not the One, and that Robby is, though I was too long in seeing it."

  "Then you have guessed who it is that comes tonight?"

  "Yes."

  "But how is that passage proof that Ullin is not the One?"

  "Because young Robby, seeking to escape a storm and beset by packs of ravenous wolves, entered the bell room, and his only escape was by means of the Iron Door, which he opened, being Faere Blessed and able to do so, thereby setting off the Great Bell, destroying the dam that blocked the flow of the ancient Saerdulin, and awakening the stone sentinels."

  Tallin crossed his arms, looking away in thought as Ashlord put the manuscripts away.

  "I remember hearing," he said to Ashlord, "that he was sick once. As a very young child
. Almost unto death. Strange folk from far away came to him, was what I was told. Those that are Faere Blessed, so they say, can only become so during a great trial of their life, or else be born to the blessing. If his visitors were..." His voice trailed off, but he resumed with another thought, "But he is not one of the Firstborn. And, besides, the Elifaen do not become sick, except perhaps of heart."

  "That is true," Ashlord nodded. "But Robby has not yet been Scathed, so is not yet Elifaen. To be Faere Blessed is another matter. It is still a mystery to me, and we may never know the answer. It happened some years before I took up in the region, so I knew nothing of it. But I was led to take up a place of watching at Tulith Attis by my reading of events and signs, some so vague that I cannot explain them in words."

  "It seems you are not the only one who has been watching," Tallin said. "For this evening there comes one, so I am told, that particularly wants to meet my grandson. A messenger, Tyrillick, came to me this last spring. You saw him. Like you have probably guessed, I, too, knew from his livery who sent him. And he confirmed it to me when I asked who it was that wished to use Tallinvale as a place of rendezvous, and with whom they wished to meet. He told me that I should take from him a twig about two feet long and a finger thick, but it was heavy, as if made of lead. I was to cast the twig from my window and watch the place where it fell. I was told that if ever I did not wish to have Tallin Hall as the meeting place of these parties, I only need cut down anything that might grow up from where the twig fell, and the appointment would take place elsewhere. So I took the twig and, standing at my tower balcony, I threw it as far out as I could."

  Tallin rose from his seat and walked to the outside doors, and flung them open.

  "It landed there."

  Ashlord stood, and his eyes widened as he went to the door and saw the breadth of the massive tree that grew some forty yards away. Its great roots curled over a bench of newly cut stone, its dark gray trunk was over two yards thick, straight and tall, it was crowned by strangely symmetrical limbs bearing silvery-green leaves, and it stretched up higher than any other tree in the gardens.