"I am very honored, my lady," Ullin bowed deeply as he took the ring and slipped it onto his little finger. "I shall wear it proudly!"
Gaiyelneth handed the Queen a small wooden box. She held it and turned to Robby, opening the box so that he could see into it. Inside was a short coil of rope, reddish-brown in color, much like the barley-snake, about an inch thick, and capped at each end by age-blued steel.
"I have asked Thurdun to give you this," she said, "for it is his heirloom, passed down from father to child from the First Age of this world."
Thurdun took the rope and held it out reverently with both hands.
"It is called Swyncraff," Thurdun said, "and was made by the first smithies of our race from the first tree seeded. It is the last of its kind, and the art of its making is long lost. It is stronger than the iron chains of Gorcastle and will break only when the foundations of the world are torn asunder. No knot tied by its owner may ever be untied except by he. No knife or blade will cut it, and it will never fray. Whatsoever shape is formed by it will stay until released. Behold!"
Thurdun stretched it out straight, extending about five feet long, and it stayed that way when he cast it down, end first, upon a stone. It rang metallically and bounced as if it were solid steel. Snatching it up on the bounce, Thurdun swung it around like a sword, and it whistled lightly through the air. Holding it by one end, he shaped a hook into the other end and it stayed, though he swung it around mightily. He straightened it again and held it out to Robby, who reluctantly took it with both hands. It was as light and as hard as the finest steel, and it was warm to the touch.
"I, Thurdun, of the House of Fairlinden, by the right of my fathers, give to thee Swyncraff to bear and to command, as a token of our gratitude and favor. Take it now, Robby Ribbon, Bellringer. By all rights I relinquish it to thee!"
Immediately, Swyncraff drooped and dangled from Robby's hands as limp and soft as silk.
"You are now its master," Serith Ellyn said. "It will teach you its ways and its secrets, and it will never fail you. And let it be a sign to those who have the eyes to see that you are a great friend of Vanara."
Robby looked at Ashlord, who was nodding back and beaming as proudly as could be. Robby then turned to Serith Ellyn and Thurdun and bowed.
"I promise I will do whatever I may to honor our friendship and this gift."
"We know that you will," Thurdun said.
"Here," Serith Ellyn said. "Allow me to bind Swyncraff about your waist. There! Now go with our blessing and our thanks!"
Robby bowed again, then turned to his horse and took its reins.
"And here," Gaiyelneth said to Robby, stepping up to him as he put one foot in the stirrup. "I have only this to give thee with my own thanks."
She kissed him on the cheek. Surprised, he said nothing as he looked deep into her eyes. For a moment he felt as if he saw all the way to the bottom of her homesick heart, and he was deeply touched. He dipped his head in thanks, then climbed into his saddle.
Soon they were waving farewell and were moving up the road back to Passdale, climbing back into the forest and up the hills. They rode in silence for the most part, each to his own thoughts. When they topped the ridge, Ashlord halted and turned in his saddle, pointing toward a break in the trees behind them where they could see the lake not too distant away. Eight bright sails bent to the wind far out from shore.
"They go quickly," Robby said.
"Yes," Ullin commented, dismounting. "Someone with longer legs has been riding you," he said to Anerath as he adjusted the stirrups.
"He seems glad to have his old traveling partner back with him," Ashlord chuckled. "Though he has been a blessing to me this past month."
"How did Anerath get from you, Ullin, to you, Ashlord?" Robby asked.
"I left him near Colleton, to cross a footbridge that would not bear his weight," Ullin explained, getting back into the saddle. They all set out again as he continued. "An adventure all of itself due to the storms. I knew he could find his way back to Ashlord, perhaps with the guidance of a little bird."
"I knew Ullin would do so," Ashlord took up. "And so Anerath kindly consented to carry me on some errands."
Robby shook his head, looking at Ullin's mount. As if noticing Robby's amazement, Anerath snorted and whinnied gleefully, tossing his mane.
"From the bits and pieces that I've been able to pick up," Ullin said to Robby, "you had some adventure of your own the day we last saw each other."
"I suppose I did."
"Will you tell me about it?"
"If he does not, then I must," said Ashlord, "for that is much in the way of getting to our new business."
"So it was you who rang the Bell?" Ullin said. "I surmised as much from the conversation at the breakfast table earlier and by the words of the Queen and her brother. I did not want to pry too much with others about."
"That was thoughtful of you. And wise. I asked Robby to be quiet about his experience," Ashlord said. "We will tell you what happened."
As Ashlord and Robby described what had happened on the errand, Ullin was much concerned, asking a few pointed questions here and there concerning certain details. He knew of the Great Bell, of course, and about Heneil who made it and the terrible battle that took place at Tulith Attis, and of its fall. So it did not take long for him to grasp the predicament that Robby was in.
"If the traitor of Tulith Attis finds out about this," Ullin said most urgently, "Robby will be in peril. The traitor may think that his secret, his identity, was discovered."
"I know," said Ashlord. "And there's more. A Dragonkind man was killed in Barley, along with other men, on the day Robby returned to Passdale from Tulith Attis. Robby was there when it happened. The Dragonkind and two others were killed as they made their way toward the Hill. The fourth, I was forced to slay in combat later that night."
"Dragonkind? This far east?" Ullin stammered. "Why?"
"That is something that I made every effort to learn," Ashlord said. "They were headed for Tulith Attis, apparently, and the one that confronted me wanted to know about the Bell and who had rung it. I, in turn, wanted to know who sent him. I knew of his coming, by Certina, and laid a trap for him and cornered him within the fortress walls. He was a Westerner, from Duinnor, judging by his accent. He was cunning and wily. We fought a fight such as I have not fought in many years, and we plied each other with steel against steel for three hours along the ramparts of the old fortress. All the while he taunted me with his questions, and I peppered him with my own. In the end, he surmised, I believe, that I was not the one who rang the Bell. I wore him down but learned nothing, except what his retorts implied. Namely, that he was already nearby when the Bell rang. He made haste for Tulith Attis to find some explanation, and, presumably, then to make a report of it to his master. However, I did not learn his master's name, for he then came at me with aimed deathblows, knowing I would not give in to his escape. He would not concede the fight and came at me again and again, until I slew him. I learned nothing else from his clothes, weapons, or his saddlebags."
"Undoubtedly, sent by the traitor of Tulith Attis," Ullin said.
"More likely, he was sent by an agent of the traitor," Ashlord mused.
"So the traitor, or the agent, may not be that far away," Robby suggested.
"I don't know. But I do not think the traitor himself is very close at hand," Ashlord said. "If he was so close, then why did he not come himself to Tulith Attis?"
"So there must be others, an agent, as you say."
"And whoever sent the Dragonkind and the others must know by now that his first attempt to find out who rang the Great Bell has failed," Ullin said. "He will try again."
"Yes, certainly, and by more crafty means, I'm thinking," Ashlord agreed.
"Meanwhile, Robby's role has been kept secret?"
"Besides us, there are only four in Barley and Passdale who know. And all are trustworthy."
They rode along in silence for a mile or s
o while Ullin thought about all of this.
"Then where do I come in?" he asked.
"I need to find an excuse to have you near Robby," Ashlord said. "At least until we learn more. Idleness makes me nervous, even if it is sometimes required."
"Me, too," Robby said. "And I have an idea about how Ullin can help me."
"Oh?"
"Yes," Robby said enthusiastically. "It is quite simple. A militia is going to be raised. I was there during part of the discussions last night. I think the idea is to have part of it made up of Boskmen who will cover their side of the county and another militia to cover the other side around Passdale. Mr. Bosk will head the Boskmen, as is his place, but we need someone to head up the Passdale militia."
"And who better than an experienced Kingsman?" Ashlord caught on.
"Right! And I would join the militia, to be trained along with the rest," Robby looked eagerly over at Ullin. "I need to learn to defend myself. If someone is going to come looking for me, I'd rather be in with a bunch of armed people that I know and trust than alone."
"I see," Ullin said. "I see."
As Ullin considered the idea, Robby looked at Ashlord who nodded and winked back at him, obviously pleased with the idea.
"We'll need a signal," Ullin said. "To gather the militiamen rapidly from all parts."
"Of course," Ashlord said.
"Yes," agreed Robby. "I suppose that would be needed."
"I have in mind to have the blacksmith fashion a device, say, a bell," Ullin said. "And to designate Robby, here, as Company Bellringer."
"Ha-ha-ha! Splendid cover!" Ashlord laughed. "Then, if accidental references leak out, it may be assumed that they are about one bell and not about the other!"
"Then you'll do it?" Robby asked.
"I will present myself to the authorities for the commission," Ullin said. "But let me warn you: If you serve under my command, I will be no easier on you than anyone else."
"That is only right," said Robby, grinning.
Chapter 15
Esildre at Middlemount
Esildre and her two great-nephews traveled north from Duinnor City to Whitefall, then along the river of the same name toward its confluence with the Osterflo. Her intent was to make for Glareth by the Sea, taking boats down river on the Osterflo. But when the trio arrived at Blueshoals, they found no boats capable of taking them and their buckmarls, too, so they continued on, following the river road eastward. As they progressed, Tulleg and Kranneg remained as silent as they always were, and Esildre had little to say. But if her two taciturn escorts noticed that their pace seemed to slow with each passing day, they commented not at all upon it. And by the time they were half way between Blueshoals and the village of Montgate, Esildre seemed even more distracted than ever by her thoughts. On the afternoon of the twenty-fifth day of their trek, she drew her buckmarl to a halt, and so did her escorts. They watched as she looked down the sharp bank to the river where a heavily laden flatboat made its way down stream. She turned her head to the south and gazed for a long time at the rising hills that were the northern rim of Middlemount Plateau. After an hour, she turned her buckmarl in that direction, and her two escorts followed into a sparse wood along a steeply winding path. Near sunset, she halted and dismounted. When they saw her remove her bedroll from her saddle, the two brothers did the same. When night fell, they had eaten, and Esildre sat crosslegged before the fire while Tulleg stretched out nearby and Kranneg lounged beside him smoking his pipe.
"I must thank you two for coming along with me," she said, not taking her eyes from the flames. Tulleg shrugged, and Kranneg tilted his head with interest. "I have taken you away from your studies, and for all I know I am leading you toward danger. My path is paved with uncertainties. I mean to change course. Whereas before I was determined to go to Glareth by the Sea, I now find myself yearning for other parts. I cannot say why. And the region that urges me does not hold pleasant memories for me."
She glanced at them, but their expressions were entirely inscrutable, as if it did not matter one way or the other where they went.
"I mean to go into the Thunder Mountains, to retrace my past somewhat to see what has happened since I was last there. Since you agreed to escort me to Glareth, I release you as my escorts. I am indebted to you for seeing me this far, but I am certain that I will be safe for the remainder of my journey. You have been good companions, wholly suitable to the disposition of my spirit, and I wish you no further inconvenience."
The fire crackled as she paused. She did not expect them to respond, and they did not.
"Indeed, I can think of but one other whom may have served as well as you two have done," she continued. "He served as my escort some while back, and I came to know and to trust him in ways I cannot explain. But that was while I was blind. With my sight restored, I would not trust myself with him because I might wish—"
She stopped herself, glancing again at the silent pair nearby. Through the veil that she wore, she could see their eyes fixed upon her, and the flickering light played upon their expressions in a manner that made Esildre feel as if they were intensely interested in what she had almost let slip out.
Saying no more, she wrapped her blanket around herself and lay down, putting her head on her saddle. She watched the fire burn itself down to embers, then watched the embers slowly dull from yellow to red. When the last dark red coal flicked its last spark and faded to black, she continued to stare. But it was the blackness of her own soul that had her attention, made all the more stark by the memory of Tyrin's kind voice. She absently reached up and touched her cheek, the very spot he had kissed on the day he said goodbye to her. A smile broke across her face.
• • •
The next morning, they saddled their buckmarls and made ready for their departure. Nothing had been said one way or the other about whether Esildre's escorts would turn back, but they were in their saddles first, watching her complete her preparations for the day. She tied the last of her gear onto her saddle, then she mounted, tossing her cloak to drape over her buckmarl behind her. She stood in her stirrups, then sat in her saddle and shifted her weight to settle the cinches. Reining southward, she made off up the steep trail toward the top of Middlemount, and Tulleg and Kranneg followed a short distance behind. Her pace, they noticed, was somewhat faster than it had been for many days.
Chapter 16
Ullin's Militia
It was a very busy time for all of Barley and Passdale. Everyone was occupied with harvest, the preparations for the fall festival, or with the forming of the new militias; many with all three. Ullin had been gladly granted a commission by the town leaders to head up the militia based in Passdale, and he quickly worked out the details with Mr. Bosk, who would head up the militia in and around Boskland. The two militias would work together on training and duties, and the Boskland and Passdale units would be commanded by Mr. Bosk and Ullin respectively. Within days, Ullin had sent an order to the blacksmith for certain items and another to Mr. Furaman to supply from his stockade or other sources. Arrangements were made for barracks to be established in the cellar of the Common House, and for a bell tower to be erected in the yard for calling together the militia. The blacksmith, Clingdon, and his helpers worked all of five days, while the tower was being built, enthusiastically smelting, hammering, welding, shaping, and forging the bell, which was somewhat squarish in appearance, made of iron plates welded and riveted together. So diligent was Clingdon, and so masterful of his craft, that within a week it was being proudly hoisted into place on the same day that its tower was completed.
"Best thing I ever made!" Mr. Clingdon said, beaming.
Ullin named Robby his aide and asked that he be relieved of all store duties until further notice. Robby's father and mother agreed to this, a bit reluctantly, but they understood the need for it, in different ways. Mr. Ribbon thought it hardly appropriate to ask for volunteers for the militia if he forbade is own son to join. Mirabella agreed, not sharing her own reason
s for supporting the decision.
Word was sent out that any man hearing the bell toll, and who appeared at the Common House within one hour of its sounding, would be considered for the militia. Details of service would be given at that time. Three days later, at dawn, when Ullin was satisfied that the word was well spread, he gave Robby the order to summon the volunteers. Robby pulled the bellrope, swinging a hammer within the bell atop the tower. Several men stood around, with the blacksmith Mr. Clingdon among them, and when the bell clanged out loudly, they all shook hands and nodded, satisfied and proud of their hard work. Soon men and boys began to arrive, some on horseback and others walking or even running so as not to be late. After a few minutes, Ullin asked Robby to stop ringing the bell and to turn his attention to recording the names of the arrivals. Within an hour, he had more than a hundred names of those who had gathered. Ullin stood before them on the front steps of the Common House.
"I am Captain Ullin Saheed Tallin, King's Ranks, First Kingsman, First Army, Third Engineer Battalion, detached to the King's Post as Special Courier. While not serving in an active Kingsman unit, I hold the field rank of commander. I am now commissioned by your people to be commander of the Passdale Militia. You will address me as Commander Tallin, Commander, or Sir. I have appointed Mr. Robby Ribbon to act as my aide and second-in-command until further notice. You will address him as Mr. Ribbon or Sir. Any of you who can follow me this day on foot until I release you may serve in our militia. Any who cannot keep up, or who is not present whenever I take the roll count cannot serve. Those who have horses, hitch them here. Those of you who brought weapons, leave them; this is not a day for weapons, it is one for speed and endurance! Mr. Ribbon, bring the list of names."
Ullin strode down the steps and through the gathering.
"Let us go!" he cried.
"Where are we going?" asked one man.
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