"I think you know a great deal about honor," Robby replied softly. "Others, even great kingdoms, might learn a lesson or two from your people. Though beset with misfortune and damned with curses, you took them upon yourselves as a task, a challenge. I have seen and heard enough to know a little of how you have managed. And you have done rather well, I would say."
"Those are kind words, an' might be a comfort to some. But, still, I suppose I am not so easily soothed." Eldwin shrugged. "Suppose the curses are lifted. We, of a sudden, would not fit into our houses or clothes. Our crops would not sustain our bellies. If we were no longer barred from leavin' this land, would our community be broken? Many desire to leave an' to seek out the home of the Elders. Even if we found that place again, how might it have changed? Who lives there now? Would there be a place for us? An' if we lost our power of movement, how would we protect those who wished to stay? Do ye see? Our curses have become blessings to us. They have made us into the people that we now are. These things trouble me. An' I am mindful of the words said to us by the Elfin lady, sayin' she would come again after an accountin' was made. It was she who foretold that the sting of our curses might be blunted an' the burden of our sentence turned to bounty for our children. What would she say to me worries? Would she be angry? Might she deem us ungrateful an' perhaps lay some worse hex upon us?"
"I don't know how to answer you, Eldwin." Robby shook his head, looking down and absently noticing the dust that covered his shoes. "I suppose I have not thought these things out as you have. Everyone seems eager for me to accomplish this work, yet I sense that you do not."
"No. I do not rightly know me own heart about these things. I only speak them because ye bid me do so."
"Are there others who feel as you do?"
"I keep me own counsel, for the most part. But surely among us Elders there must be some who have thought about these things. An' I've heard some words expressed that must have come from such worries as I have."
Robby drummed his fingers on the desk, wondering what to do. His eyes went first to the new ledgers and then to the passageway that led to the Great Treasure.
"I have in mind," he said slowly, uncertain whether he should say anything at all, "a way to lift the first and the second curses. The first depends on work that your people must do. The second depends on the value of the Hoard and how to return the treasure to its rightful heirs. But now, given what you have said, I'm not sure it is right to go ahead with these ideas of mine."
"Hm. What of the third curse?"
"I have no notion concerning that one. Yet, surely long life has not been such a bad thing, so far. Added to that, your way of popping about is an enviable skill."
"Perhaps. An' who would have it otherwise? Do ye think yer ideas, whatever they are, might truly work to lift the other two?"
"They might or might not. I don't want to say too much, especially if it all seems pointless or against what you and your people want. Perhaps these things are for you and the other Elders to decide. I suppose you would want to prepare yourselves, if the curses are lifted. But, as I said, if your people don't wish for the curses to be lifted, I don't see any point in trying. In fact, all of this seems pointless in that case." Robby waved his arm about.
Eldwin nodded. "Yes. Well, perhaps I should speak to others an' see how they truly feel about things. While the Elders meet."
"That might be a good idea. And you'd probably best be off to them before they begin without you."
"I shall see to yer friends in the mornin'. Is there any message for them?"
"I don't think so. Only that I hope to rejoin them soon and that I am well. Good-night, then. And good luck!"
"Thank ye, sir. Good-night!"
• • •
Robby sat in thought for a long while before at last opening the nearest ledger and resuming his work, albeit with less enthusiasm than before. It was slow going, as his mind kept wandering back to Eldwin's concerns. Naturally, his thoughts turned to home and his own people's plight, now in Janhaven, their lands overrun by invaders, and he wondered if his actions here in Nowhere might bring a similar fate on these people. It was like a story he was told as a child about a woodcutter's son who fell so much in love with the forest that he could no longer bear to fell the trees. Going to his king, he asked for a different service. The king granted the woodcutter's wish and made him executioner, since he was strong and swung the axe with precision. As fate would have it, the first victim brought to the block was the forest queen herself, who put her realm above that of the king and would not obey his commands. "If I slay her," the woodcutter thought to himself, "then surely the forest will also die." And so he turned and struck off the king's head. "Fool!" cried the woodland queen. "Do you know that every winter I must die, so that my realm may in spring be reborn? And that my blood nourishes the streams that feed my trees? Do you not know your king is my husband, who ever longs for my youthfulness when the snows melt and the sun once again brings green fire to the buds? Only by his order may this happen, and may I return. Now what is to be?" And so, aghast, the woodcutter saw her fade away and the forest did, too, and soon all his own family and all his people were gone from the earth as well, and that land was remembered only in tale.
Maybe not the most apt story, Robby thought, and he had never been sure of its meaning or moral, if it had one. But the idea rankled him that his efforts would be the undoing of these people, rather than as he intended, an aid to them. It was then that he realized that it was no longer about getting back the things taken as a fine so that he and his companions could continue their journey. It had become something more. Eldwin's words of worry hit home.
"If only I could talk with Ashlord," he said aloud. "He would know what to do. But I suppose it is for me to figure out."
After a moment, he picked up paper and quill and began writing a note to Ullin. He wrote quickly, sometimes scratching out a word, sometimes pausing for a moment to think, the nib hovering a hair's-breadth from the paper. When he reached the end of the page, he blew on it to dry the ink and flipped it over to continue. He described the situation as fully as he could, along with some estimates of value. Several sheets later, he repeated the story of the three curses laid against the Nowhereans, somewhat shortened, and he described Eldwin's worries. He wrote about his own ideas about breaking the curses, saying that he had no clue about how to undo the last one.
"It seems to me," he then wrote, "that there may be a way to release the Nowhereans from the ill consequences of the curses without taking away too much of their safety. But only if my plan works and if you would agree to it."
He went on to put his thoughts before Ullin, and concluded by saying, " Please consider what I have said. I hope you and the rest of my companions are well and that we may see each other very soon. Please assure Sheila that I am well."
He folded the papers together and folded another sheet around them and wrote Ullin's name on the outside, and sealed it with candle wax.
"Now! I must find Eldwin."
Rising from his seat, he picked up his coat and threw it on, making for the path that led to town.
"You should probably come along," he said to the bushes just by the path. After he passed, two small figures emerged, shrugged at each other, and followed at a respectable distance, nearly at a trot to keep up with Robby's quick stride. When he emerged from the woods and headed down the slopes toward town, he could see the lamps along the lanes were already lit even though the sky was not yet fully dark. He could also see a great many lamps and torches were lit about the town square. He lost sight of it as he descended among the shops and houses, most not much higher than he, and he saw few people about, though some doors slammed shut as he approached and a few shutters were pulled in. One of the two that followed darted past and around the corner just ahead. As he made the turn, Robby saw the boy running into a throng of people, waving and crying, "He comes! The big one comes!"
Robby could see over their heads to the center of th
e square where there was a large circle of chairs set out, upon which sat the Elders, all sixty-one of them, Robby supposed. One currently stood in the middle of the circle and was speaking. A low murmur went up from the crowd and spread, causing the speaker to pause and look toward the crowd that was parting to allow Robby to pass through. But Robby stopped at the edge of the crowd and leaned over to speak to a lady who stood nearest to him.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt. I only want to speak with Eldwin, if I might."
She bowed and motioned with her arm. "He is in his place, there, with the Elders."
"Please come forward, Lord Robby," called the one who had been speaking. He made a friendly gesture. "Please, sir."
Robby was nervous and a little embarrassed, and he swallowed and cleared his throat as he stepped into the way made for him through the crowd. As he passed through, the people bowed, adding to his discomfort. He awkwardly proceeded, looking for Eldwin, and saw Millithorpe seated across the circle, appearing surprised and worried. Those in the chairs nearest to him rose and faced Robby as he stopped at the edge of the Elder's circle. There was a moment when the murmuring died down expectantly, and Robby could hear the flicker of a nearby torch and a far off thrush singing its night song. Robby bowed to the speaker.
"Please pardon my intrusion," he said, trying to pick his words carefully, even though he had little to say. "I only wanted to speak for a moment to Eldwin, if I might."
By this time, all of the Elders had risen from their chairs, and he saw Eldwin step out from the right side.
"With the Council's permission," he said as he approached Robby.
"I'm very sorry, Eldwin," Robby told him in a quiet tone when he was close enough. "I only wanted to ask if you could carry this letter to Ullin when you go in the morning."
"Certainly, I will. Is there anything else that ye may need? Would ye like for me to wait for a reply?"
"No. I don't think that will be needed."
"Very well," Eldwin took the letter and put it into his pocket. "I will see to it that he receives it in the mornin'."
"Thank you. I'll leave you now. But can you tell me how it goes?"
"We only began not long ago. Each is free to speak. I went first an' put all questions before the council. Whether to give ye permission to enter the Great Treasure room, whether to grant ye the means to do so, an' whether to permit yer companion to come an' give aid with the reckonin' of things. It was decided to take the last question first."
"Well. Thank you. I'll return to the cave, then."
Robby turned to go, but the one who had been speaking called to him.
"Lord Robby, perhaps you would indulge a few questions before you depart?"
"Of course."
Eldwin motioned Robby into the circle and chairs were pushed aside to make a way for him to do so. About a quarter of the way into the circle, Eldwin gestured for Robby to stay, then Eldwin returned to his own place.
"Perhaps you may explain to us why your companion would place a different value on the weapons than you would? And why his opinion would be of more importance than your own?"
"Certainly," Robby bowed. "I will try to explain."
The rest of the Elders sat down, awaiting his answer.
"Eldwin and Millithorpe both told me," he began, "that you collect for your Hoard all things that may be of value in the world beyond your lands, but you do so without having the means to know or to estimate such value. I agreed to make a reckoning, to the best of my ability, in exchange for the return of my company's things that were taken as a fine and a punishment against my party on the Toll Road due to an unfortunate misunderstanding. I have experience at placing values on things as I was raised and trained by a master trader and store's clerk, my father. However, my experience is mostly in trade goods, dry goods, sundries, grain, fabric, house wares, and tools. I have very little experience as a soldier. I have never even seen battle, save once, a skirmish only. My companion, who is also my cousin, called Ullin Saheed Tallin, is a Kingsman of Duinnor. He has seen great battles against the Dragonkind, as did his father and his grandfather. And he is an expert in the use of weapons and a wise judge of quality. He also knows how those weapons may be ordered in the hands of soldiers on the field of battle and how each weapon, in use with others of its kind, may increase its power against an enemy. While I may judge steel and wood and somewhat of workmanship, I am ignorant of how well they may be handled or how they may withstand the hard wear of fighting. Ullin knows these things and may heft a sword and say, 'This is made well and will swing true,' or 'This is too heavy,' or 'too short.' I may place a value on so many pounds of metal, but he measures how the flesh may wield the objects of war and the blood they may draw. Such is war and the considerations of war-making and weapon-making. It is something, alas, about which I know less than I should, and my kinsman Ullin knows more than he desires to."
The Elders' expressions had gone from uncomfortable indulgence to grim, and Robby wondered if he had misspoken.
"Tell us, then," said a voice behind Robby. He turned and saw Makewine standing to address him. "As one may need firewood when it is winter and very little during the summer, does not the value of such things vary according to the need of them?"
"Yes, of course, as with all things. But a season of war is upon us. Marauding armies move in the south and send their forces northward against nearby realms. There are many small places being overrun, not for the lack of will to resist, but for the lack of arms and the training to use them. Those who do not wish to be taken must have the means to resist, and they may pay a great price to have it."
Robby realized that he may have hit a sore spot with this remark, and he quickly moved on.
"So I would say that the need is greater now than it has been in recent years, though I regret that it is so."
Again there was a thoughtful silence and after a moment Robby turned to go.
"Might I ask you of another matter?"
Robby heard a different voice and, turning back, saw an older woman, not at all frail, but leaning on a walking stick and dressed in plain working clothes.
"Yes, ma'am," Robby bowed.
"We address the question of the weapons!" Herbert said harshly to the woman as he stood from his chair. From all around, his statement was met by cries of "Sit down!" and "Let Miladora speak!"
"Very well!" he told the crowd. "Go ahead, then!" And he sat back down with an gesture of exasperation.
"Thank you!" said the woman to the crowd. Turning to Robby, she asked, "Do you have the power to break our curses?"
Robby saw that there was no expression of hope, nor any tone of doubt or skepticism in her voice. He understood it was an open and honest question, and, just as Eldwin had indicated, it was on the minds of some.
"Honestly, I do not," he stated bluntly. "But if I understand things, and have been told the story truthfully, that power does not rest with anyone but you and your people. Surely, that is what your people have believed all these years, is it not? That if you strive to fulfill the conditions of the curses, they could be lifted? If that is so, then it is a matter of will and knowledge. If you have the will, I think I have the knowledge, and I am willing to share that with you."
"What condition or price of trade will you ask in exchange?" she asked.
"Out of order! This is not the concern before us tonight!" called out an Elder nearby to Herbert, standing angrily.
"We are here to discuss the Hoard!" shouted another from across the circle. These two were seconded by a few in the crowd, but most of the villagers cried out in dismay, saying "Let Miladora ask her questions!" and "Let the stranger answer!" and "Sit down, old fools!" and a few other insults besides. Those two who objected angrily retook their seats, and when the uproar died down, and Robby could hear again the unperturbed thrush, Miladora nodded to him with a smile.
"Your friendship, only, will I ask," answered Robby. "And a regard in friendship of your people toward mine."
; At first, this statement was met with silence, but then an agreeable murmur spread among the people. Arldewain, who sat near to Eldwin, then stood and, first bowing to Miladora, asked Robby, "Then will you not share with us now your knowledge?"
"With respect, sir, I will not. Your people must first decide the questions before you, since all else depends upon that. Then, should the accounting of the Hoard take place, you may then decide whether you have the will to live without the curses. Only then might my knowledge be of any use; otherwise, I will not unnecessarily delay my journey with idle notions that are bound to be fruitless."
Another Elder stood, bowing to Arldewain, and asked, "Whichever way we decide, would you and your companions share news and lore of the world with us? For reasonable compensation, of course."
"We may be inclined to do so, once these other matters are settled. But we can only stay a very short time since we are already much delayed from our journey."
After a long moment, Eldwin stood.
"Thank ye, Lord Robby. I think now we have decisions to make."
"Very well," Robby bowed and departed.
Chapter 18
The Heir of the Hoard
Day 97
148 Days Remaining
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!"
The Nature of a Curse (Volume 2 of the Year of the Red Door) Page 46
