I would also ask the coercer-knights to note any rumor of a couple of runaway children in the high country. Seely had been sure no one knew where they were, but in my experience, someone always noticed what you did not want seen.
Zarak came out of the kitchen carrying two large, steaming apple puddings in a basket. Catching sight of me, he came over. “Guildmistress, I did not get the chance to thank you for…for the wardship,” he said. “I know I did not deserve it, truly, but I will strive to become worthy of it.”
I smiled. “I’m sure you will bring pride to us all in your new role.” I nodded to the basket. “You are taking those to the farms?”
“They’re for the nightmeal. I’m going with some of the other farseekers to help with some planting, but I’ll be back before our guild meeting,” he said earnestly.
He went, leaving me feeling glad that I had changed my mind about promoting him. It seemed that already he had matured with his new position.
Then Maryon entered the dining halls, looking pale and stern. Her eyes settled on me, and as she came across the room, a cold hand closed around my heart.
“What is it? Is it Rushton?” I babbled, half rising to meet her.
“I fell into a trance this mornin’. I have foreseen a time of great upheaval an’ strife.”
I sat back heavily. “Is Obernewtyn in danger?”
“Trouble comes to th’ mountains, to th’ highlands, an’ th’ lowlands. I have seen fightin’ an’ bands of riders warrin’ throughout th’ Land. I have seen death an’ blood an’ tears.” Maryon’s voice was a fey monotone.
“It must be the rebels,” I whispered. “They have decided to rise. Can you say when the strife will begin?”
“Three sevendays, perhaps sooner,” the futureteller said. “I wish I could have had some earlier warnin’, but I suspect Dragon’s mind got in th’ way.”
Knowing sooner would alter nothing, I thought. After all, the rebellion itself no longer had anything to do with us. It was the aftermath we must concern ourselves with, and Maryon’s words about strife coming to the mountains suggested we did have something to worry about.
I took a deep breath and looked at Maryon. “Is there anything more?”
She inclined her head gravely, and my heart sank. “I saw treachery, but I dinna ken how or by whom or when. Only that it is connected to th’ strife.”
I swallowed welling terror at the thought that Rushton’s failure to return meant he had been betrayed. What if the rebels had kept him prisoner in Sutrium since he had refused our help? Brydda would never participate in any treachery against us, and I did not believe Dardelan or his father would harm us, but Malik certainly might.
“If what you have foreseen is the rebellion, we’ll know about it soon enough,” I said grimly. “I’ll call a full guildmerge for this evening, and you can tell the others what you have just told me. Do not mention it before that. The last thing we need is a panicked wave of rumor.”
She nodded and withdrew, but I barely noticed her departure, for my mind was already flying, farsending the news to the other guildleaders.
16
“LET’S TRY TO have some quiet,” I said with enough of a coercive snap to stop the many conversations that had erupted following our announcement of Maryon’s futuretelling. “Now, the first thing to remember is that we don’t know for sure if Maryon’s futuretelling refers to the rebellion.”
“What else could it refer to?” Gevan demanded. “Are we to sit and wait for confirmation when danger is coming for us at a gallop?”
“I don’t say we should sit and twiddle our thumbs,” I said crossly. “There is much that can be done. But we need information if we are to make effective plans. I agree that it is almost certainly the rebellion Maryon has foreseen, but it troubles me that we have had no news of it from Brydda.”
“Maybe the rebels don’t know yet themselves,” Alad said. “Maybe whatever will spark the rebellion off has yet to take place.”
“Perhaps. The thing is, we are not only assuming a rebellion, but also that it will be successful and that Malik will then lead his people up to attack us. But what if it is not his people who win?”
“After seeing them in the Battlegames, who can doubt it?” Miryum asked in a low, flat voice. “Most of the soldierguards are lazy mercenaries who have never been in a battle in their miserable lives. All they do is torment defenseless farmers and merchants.”
I sensed the anger she was repressing but knew it had more to do with Straaka’s decision to wait at Obernewtyn until she was free to come with him to Sador then with the matter at hand.
“I do not doubt they have the ability to win,” I said coolly. “But if you recall, when we entered the Battlegames, we did not doubt our ability to win either. Yet we failed.” I let my eyes rove around the table. “What I am trying to say is, what if the threat is not what we are expecting?”
“Information is needed, you are right, Elspeth, and the magi will be in the perfect position to gather it,” Gevan announced briskly. “As some of you know, we have been invited to Sawlney to play at Councilman Alum’s bonding celebration for his daughter in ten days. There will be both Herders and Councilmen from all the Land in attendance and a great swell of ordinary folk drawn by the fair and the promise of a good feast. In such diverse company, we ought to be able to get the flavor of whatever is brewing.”
There were nods from most seated round the table. “Very well,” I said. “The magi will go to Sawlney. What else can you suggest?”
Miryum stood. “I should like to ride out with the knights and see if we can learn anything,” she said.
“Where’s the need if Gevan is going with the magi?” Roland demanded gruffly. “Besides, your knights are unlikely to be discreet enough for our purposes.”
Miryum gave him a long, measuring look. “We were not indiscreet by mistake, Guildmaster, but because it fit our purpose. If we are to gather information now, obviously we will act in a manner that best serves the defense of Obernewtyn.”
I rose, waving Miryum to sit before the pair of them got into another argument. “I don’t see why the knights can’t go out as well. After all, it will be some days before the magi will be ready to move, and they will be focusing on Sawlney. Miryum‘s knights can ride at once and make inquiries in the highlands and upper lowlands. They will not be clad as gypsies, so they may be able to mingle less conspicuously than Gevan’s people. Furthermore, they can be back here before the magi depart, enabling Gevan to set off with some knowledge of what he and his people are likely to encounter.”
“It would be useful to know if there are any places we ought to avoid,” Gevan admitted.
“In that case, with your approval, Gevan, I will command the knights for the time being?”
His eyes flashed with understanding that I was offering him a way out of his guild difficulties with the knights. “I formally release them from my guild to the Master of Obernewtyn.”
I nodded. “Your magi should travel directly through the high country and make your initial camp at Arandelft. Spend a day there and learn what you can about why they have neither cloister nor Councilman. You’d best take some birds. Send one every twoday or so with reports. All messages sent must be in the code devised by the Teknoguild, so everyone should familiarize themselves with it. Garth, can one of your people give extra lessons to anyone who needs them?”
He nodded and scratched a note on a piece of paper at his elbow. “Someone ought to go into Sutrium,” he said.
“Someone will,” I answered. “Kella will travel with the magi to Sawlney and then on to Sutrium to see Domick. She will remain there for several days and learn what she can of the rebellion before returning to Obernewtyn.” I looked at the healer. “Kella, the only condition I would put on your trip is that you return within the three sevendays Maryon allows us. The last thing we need is to have you stranded there alone.”
She nodded, but I clearly heard her behindthought that she would not be alone because she w
ould be with Domick. I resolved to speak to her again before she left and get her promise that she would return as I had bidden her, whether or not she managed to convince Domick to accompany her.
I shifted my eyes to Alad. “In the meantime, I want the Beastspeaking guild to look at provisioning two possible journeys: one overland to Sador and another higher into the valley. The Teknoguild will examine the logistics of moving us in either instance. Garth, your people should look at those caves you located higher in the mountains and decide what needs to be done to ready them for a long stay.”
“What about the planting program?” Alad asked worriedly. “There’s still quite a bit to go, and it will be difficult to last through the next wintertime unless I have enough workers to plant all we’ll need.”
“I’m afraid you must try to fit it in as best you can around these other preparations. The other guildleaders will assign whomever they can spare to help you. But remember, we may not be here to harvest what you plant.”
“It’s sheer madness to think of us going to Sador,” Garth declared. “It would be an immense undertaking, and we would be leaving behind everything we have fought for. Have you even spoken to the Sadorians about the possibility?”
“No decision has been made yet about what we will do, and when it is, we will all be making it. I just want us to have all courses covered when we do decide. Now, I want you to figure out roughly how long it might take to reach Sador in laden wagons. Alad’s people will need some sort of time frame to work out supplies.”
Jak stirred in his seat beside Garth. “If we do go to Sador, it will mean moving while the rebellion is in progress. That could be difficult.”
“Truespoken,” I said.
“Between Radost’s sons, the Herders in Guanette, and the presence of Malik’s people, gannin’ to th’ coast road with a line of wagons will be difficult even without a rebellion,” Ceirwan pointed out.
“What about beasts?” Alad demanded, scowling. “Ordinary Landfolk and Councilmen alike are notorious for sequestering beasts from halfbreeds, claiming they must have been stolen. Since a good many of the animals that live with us are runaways, a strong case could be made against us.”
Angina said, “Maybe it would be best to evacuate smaller groups, some with wagons and some without, taking different routes. If we travel at night, we might manage to escape notice altogether.”
“We could make sure no one remembers any of us going by,” Miryum said.
“I think we will not need to worry about Councilmen or soldierguards or rebels stopping us from leaving,” Aras said rather shyly, for this was her first guildmerge. “Isn’t it more likely that they will all take their forces to the lowlands for the rebellion?”
“You’re right, of course,” Gevan grunted thoughtfully. “The rebellion will certainly start in the lowlands, and that will give us a free run up here for some time.”
“Maybe they won’t care about us going anyway,” Miky said. “They want us to, after all.”
“Malik wants us dead,” Miryum said flatly. “He wants us wiped out as abominations against nature. If it’s known we’re leaving the Land, he will come after us.”
There was a silence across which her harsh words skipped like a stone.
“What about Rushton?” Zarak asked. Of course he would ask what no one else dared.
I felt their eyes on me and fought to remain cool. “He has been delayed, obviously. We cannot wait until he comes to decide how to act. He would not want it. Until we hear from Jakoby or Brydda, we will not waste time speculating. Leave worrying about what will come to the futuretellers, who will be doing their own delving for information.”
I glanced at Maryon and Dell, who nodded as one.
The guildmerge broke up soon after that. Many of us lingered, but Garth and his people left in a huddle, their expressions serious. I had no doubt they were already worrying about how to continue their work if we were forced to leave Obernewtyn.
“Couldn’t we try again to reach some sort of agreement with the rebels once the rebellion is over?” Miky asked me. “I do not want to leave Obernewtyn.”
“Nor I, and with luck, it might not come to that,” I said. “But I doubt Malik will agree to leave us in peace. Miryum is right about his hatred of us.”
Alad said, “Maybe Malik won’t rule the rebels. After all, the Sadorians said they had been having second thoughts about him after the ruthlessness he showed in the Battlegames. Perhaps other rebels won’t wish to appoint him to lead in the end.”
I was aware that Alad’s thoughts were more on the beasts than on the rebels. And he was right to be troubled. So many would be unfit for the hardship of moving, particularly on the grueling, treacherous road to Sador, and once there, some would find it difficult to adapt to the arid land. Yet those that could not travel with us would inevitably become prey to wild animals or die of exposure, unless they were gathered up and sold or returned to former masters. If we were to move higher in the valley, most could follow, but what cave would hold all of us and food enough for the wintertime?
I touched Alad’s arm. “We must not make the mistake of thinking it is our place to decide how to care for the beasts who have made their home with us. You will let Avra know what has been foreseen, and doubtless she will call a beastmerge. Ask her if you can attend, and let me know what happens. And ask her to send representatives to our next guildmerge.”
Miryum approached as we left the chamber. “I have been wondering if the rebellion might only be part of the strife Maryon has foreseen, Elspeth,” she said. “If the rebels win, and the others refuse to take Malik as their leader afterward, I doubt he will tamely accept their decision. They would resist any attempt of his to dominate them all the more, because they have only just thrown off one yoke…. What I am trying to say is that there could well be war between rebels, after the rebellion.”
“It did occur to me Malik might try to force himself on the rebels as their leader, but I had not thought of their resisting,” I said. “It may even be that Brydda called Rushton down to Sutrium not to take part in the rebellion but to aid in a civil war that might follow.”
Miryum shrugged. “Either way, he refused.”
“I just wish we knew exactly what went on at that meeting,” I muttered.
Later that night, Miryum came to my chamber to tell me that her knights were ready to ride if I would give them leave. She looked fiercely determined in the orange fire glow.
“What does Gevan say?”
“He says that the knights are now commanded by the Master of Obernewtyn.”
“Very well. Did Gevan have any idea when the magi will be ready to leave?”
“A threeday. We can be back before then even if we wait until morning to leave, but going now will give us a few more hours.” Miryum went on to say the knights would ride as a group rather than in pairs and would claim to be a band of mercenaries hired by a Councilman. “Of course, we will not name him, and we will create enough unease coercively to stop anyone inquiring too much.”
“What of Straaka?”
Frustration showed in the stocky coercer’s eyes, but she merely answered that the Sadorian had insisted upon riding with them. “I told him that his appearance would draw too much attention. He said he would ride into the towns separate from us but that he must be close to protect me.” Irritation flitted across her face. “It is useless to tell him that I do not need protecting.”
I said mildly that he would learn that soon enough. “But I wouldn’t worry about him standing out. There are enough Sadorians in the Land these days for him not to look out of place. The Council welcomes the Sadorians for the sake of the spice trade, so it is unlikely anyone will start trouble.”
Miryum conceded grudgingly. “We also plan to look for Rushton, if you are agreed,” she said.
My heart lurched, but I only suggested that if they had to ask questions, they should not align themselves with Rushton, in case he had been arrested.
; “I thought of that. We mean to say that we are searching for the jack who seduced our master’s daughter, and then describe him….”
“Seduced?!”
Miryum shrugged. “Most folk will have a bit of a laugh at the thought of a common jack dallying with a Councilman’s lass. We thought it would be safer that way for Rushton, in case he rides up after we have been through. And it will explain why the Councilman would hire mercenaries rather than simply calling in soldierguards.”
She was right, though I disliked the idea of spreading such a scurrilous rumor and suspected this was her mild revenge over the business with Straaka. “You might as well go tonight, then,” I said. “But be careful, Miryum. The last thing we want is to find we have set into motion the very strife Maryon has foreseen. It seems to me that is a very real danger when you act upon futuretellings.”
“We will be careful,” she promised. She strode to the door, then hesitated and looked over her shoulder. “I would take it as a favor if you would let Linnet sit in on any meeting that takes place in my absence.”
I lifted my eyebrows, for it was known that the coercer Linnet was considered by the knights to be Miryum’s second. But it was too late now to be worrying about the knights splitting away from the coercers.
After she had gone, I stared into the fire, feeling drained. Angina had gone straight to Dragon after guildmerge, so there was nothing to stop me from climbing into my bed and sleeping, but I was too unsettled. Besides, Maruman had curled up in my lap, and I did not want to disturb him.
I had not had the chance to tell him yet about Maryon’s visions, for though he had awakened to eat, he had been groggy and hard to reach. He would hate to leave Obernewtyn. Much as I was loath to admit it, he was getting old and sleeping rough griped his bones and ached his scars.
Pondering the cat’s ills, I eventually drowsed off in my seat.
I dreamed of walking alone along a road. I did not know where I was, but I had a feeling of urgency. I noticed someone a little way ahead perched on a rock. My footsteps slowed to a stop as I recognized Ariel. He gave me a dazzling smile.
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