Tarkyn gave a short laugh at Autumn Leaves’ discomfort. “I have not been cowed into silence. I didn’t want to have yet another public conversation while everyone sits round, listening and judging. If other people had been talking, I would have talked too… I can’t help it if they haven’t enough courtesy not to whisper in front of one, so to speak.”
“What if they keep it up?” asked Ancient Oak.
The prince frowned. “I can’t imagine they all will. A lot of those people wouldn’t endorse a conspiracy against me. Raging Water, you people, the rest of the home guard…”
“The what?” demanded Waterstone.
Tarkyn cheeks darkened. “Oops. That’s my own private name for the woodfolk who have stood by me from the time of the accident.”
Autumn Leaves smiled. “It’s all right. I quite like it.” He looked at Ancient Oak and Rainstorm. “You two, of course, will have to earn your way into the home guard.”
Rainstorm’s eyes narrowed. “If we want to be in it.”
“And if I want you to be,” retorted the prince.
“Now you two, no fighting,” intervened Autumn Leaves who had spent a week watching them indulge in friendly bickering. “So what are we going to do about the mixed feelings of the woodfolk gathered out there?”
With a glance at Ancient Oak, Tarkyn gave a resigned sigh. “Tell me what the upshot of the discussion was.”
“Unfortunately,” put in Waterston somewhat bitterly, “those of us who have sworn the oath are not accorded much credibility… especially the home guard,” he added with a quirk of his mouth. “So our influence on the overall feeling has been minimal. Added to that, the harvesters, Ancient Oak’s lot, are still unreconciled to the oath, so most of them are agitating against you. With the exception of the woodfolk you have already mentioned and a couple of dried up old dears you were sitting next to yesterday, the rest of them are still worried you’re planning to stage some sort of a take-over.”
“Well, blast the lot of them!” exclaimed the prince angrily, throwing his arms up in frustration. “They can go and sort out their own problems, for all I care. If it weren’t for that bloody oath!” He scowled at them. “What’s the point of becoming a woodman, if no-one is going to trust me anyway?”
“The point is that we can tell you everything you want to know about woodfolk now and you can trust us again,” answered Autumn Leaves succinctly. He swept his arm around. “Anyway, all of us trust you.”
Tarkyn raised his eyebrows at Rainstorm who nodded in response and said, “He’s right. I trust you too. I mightn’t do what you tell me but I trust you.” The young woodman cleared his throat. “Trouble is, Tarkyn, you are quite forceful. The way you speak and act, well, you just assume that what you’re going to say is important. Even if you listen to other people’s ideas, you still lead the discussion.”
For a fraught moment, Tarkyn stared at him. Everyone else held their breath. Then the prince gave a twisted smile, “I told you I was no good at being equal.” He frowned around at the others. “And when were the rest of you going to get around to telling me this?”
“I didn’t know you didn’t know,” answered Ancient Oak quickly.
Waterstone smiled at the prince. “We already told you. Remember last night when we were trying to show Rainstorm how much you negotiate and basically couldn’t find a situation where you weren’t running the show? Even during the last week when you were unsure of your position. But now, becoming a woodman has restored your self assurance, and you’re a force to be reckoned with.”
Tarkyn rolled his eyes. “Fine then. So we know where we stand. I am so used to leading, that there is little hope that these egalitarian woodfolk are going to be able to stomach me as I am.”
Rainstorm nodded without hesitation. “That about sums it up.”
The prince gave a rueful smile. “And there is little hope that I will change because I thought I had already; and obviously I have failed dismally.”
“I think you’ve changed,” said Ancient Oak, “But maybe that’s because you’re now in my family.”
Autumn Leaves snorted. “Of course you’ve changed. Only two weeks ago, we were debating whether we should all stand up when you arrive and wait to be spoken to and what else was there? …not bend over you and… I’ve forgotten the other ones.”
“Bow. Not raise our voices to you,” filled in Waterstone dryly.
For a moment, as the prince raised his eyebrows, he looked quite disdainful. “And there are many more, that I didn’t even bother mentioning.”
Ancient Oak and Rainstorm both watched this interchange round-eyed.
Rainstorm shook his head a little to clear it. “So. Given where you’ve come from, you’ve probably come as far as you can, for the time being.”
Tarkyn nodded abstractedly in response, as he thought. Suddenly he sat up and smiled. “Aha. I know what I’ll do. I’ll just go back in there and read them the riot act. Then tomorrow morning, I’ll go off to find Falling Rain as we originally planned. Anyone who wants to come with me can. The rest can go hang.”
“What about your part of the oath?” asked Rainstorm, frowning.
“No problem at all. Ask Autumn Leaves. It’s dangerous and logistically too difficult for woodfolk to congregate together for too long, isn’t it? So, I have achieved what I set out to do which was to stop the threat of woodfolk killing each other over me. We’re never going to attack those huntsmen by main force anyway.” The prince beamed around at them all and concluded, “So, all we have to do is sort out what each group of woodfolk is doing about the threat. Then they can keep us informed so that I will know if, and how, I am needed as guardian of the forest.”
“So you’re going to breeze back in there, are you, and tell them all what they have to do?” asked Rainstorm in some amusement.
Tarkyn’s eyes gleamed with laughter. “Yes. I think that sums it up. I’ll do what I do best and lord it over them. If they hate me at the end of it, it won’t matter particularly, because I’m leaving in the morning anyway.”
34
The woodfolk did not continue their silent treatment during the afternoon and evening but Tarkyn made sure that he did not speak to anyone unless there were other conversations to cover the sound of his voice. There was an undercurrent of tension, and the resentment from many woodfolk was palpable. Tree Wind could often be seen at the centre of a discontented group. She seemed to spread dissention wherever she went.
Raging Water and Falling Branch were determined to ignore the general unpleasantness and spent a lot of the afternoon talking to the forest guardian about his powers and what the dangers ahead might be. If they noticed that he spoke quietly and did not try to engage others, they said nothing about it.
The prince didn’t make his move until after the evening meal. When he was ready, Tarkyn asked his home guard to stay together. Waterstone did not know why and was a little concerned at the reason for the request, but complied nevertheless.
The woodfolk were seated comfortably around the firesite as the guardian of the forest rose to his feet. A hush fell. Tarkyn towered over them and let his gaze sweep across them.
“My friends, many of you have been dreading this moment, the moment when I decide to take control.” His voice resonated uncannily around the dark edges of the firelight. With some satisfaction, he watched the woodfolk freeze with shock. “It will not be for long, I promise you. Do not reach for your arrows. I will only put up a shield. If I choose to use it, with or without the oath, my power is far greater than your combined force.” Looks of consternation swept through his audience. “I have not tricked you or misled you. I have no intention of ruling you or making anyone else take the oath. I came here in good faith and I have had no greater joy in my life than being accepted as a member of the woodfolk.”
Tarkyn put up a hand to quell the mutterings of confusion that broke out. “This morning, I tried to work with you to prepare for the coming dangers. I tried to be accommodating and
diplomatic but it hasn’t worked. Too many of you are unwilling to accept what I have to offer you as forest guardian. Those of you who know me, will know that I am a man of little patience. I have no intention of spending precious days and weeks winning over the doubters. So tomorrow morning, I will be leaving to continue on my trek to find Falling Rain. Anyone who cares to accompany me, may do so.”
“What about your oath to protect us?” growled Raging Water.
The forest guardian began to pace slowly around the firesite. “I have not forgotten; and I will do everything I can whenever I am needed. However, I do not see the value of staying here, watching my presence sow seeds of dissension among you.” He paused, “Before I go, there are some things I need to say.”
The prince turned to Tree Wind and her cohort. “Firstly, you people have sworn an oath to honour, serve and protect me. Nothing I have seen today has honoured or served me. I have no doubt that somewhere the forest will be suffering for your efforts to undermine me.” As he spoke, woodfolk were looking surreptitiously around the clearing and realising that leaves had fallen from the nearby trees, well in advance of the end of autumn, and blotches of unhealthy fungi were marring many of their branches. He stopped before them and glared down at them. “More than that, you dishonour yourselves and all woodfolk when you betray your oath.”
Watching him, Waterstone was shocked. Never before had Tarkyn used the oath as a weapon of control. If anything, in the past, he had abhorred its existence.
The prince paused, “One more thing, and this applies to everyone. If something important is being discussed, I wish to be included. I was deeply offended by being excluded from all conversations at lunchtime. In a time of crisis, you play games like that at your own peril.” Without letting his gaze linger on any one group, he swept his eyes around the assembled woodfolk. “I know it is hard to include one who does not mind talk. But if the legends of the forest guardians are true, then my actions may determine your people’s future. If I act in ignorance, you place your future in jeopardy.”
Tarkyn continued his pacing until he stood before his own group of woodfolk. Waterstone shifted a little uneasily, wondering what was coming. Tarkyn made sure he had the full attention of his audience then indicated his home guard. “I would like you all to take a careful note of these people. These are the woodfolk who, alone out of those who took the oath, have had the courage to stand by me when they did not know how I would treat them. They are the people you can thank for still having a forest guardian. And in the coming times of conflict, they are the people who will be the lynchpin of any action that the woodfolk may need to take. They will be the line of communication between all of you, and me.” Tarkyn’s eyes glinted in the firelight. “I would not like to hear again that their opinions were not being respected by their fellow woodfolk.”
Tarkyn moved on around the fire until he was standing before the oathless woodfolk.
“Although you have not sworn the oath, if you care for your future as woodfolk and for the future of the forest, then you owe me allegiance as your guardian of the forest. I do not know what lies ahead of us but whatever happens, I would expect your support as you can expect mine. I know I already have it from many of you.”
The prince began his slow circuit of the fire again. “In general, I am assuming that you will organise you own actions. However, because I am not prepared to enter into a debate that will be based more on whether I should order you around rather than on the issues themselves, I will stipulate some basic guidelines.”
He ticked them off on his fingers as he talked. “Firstly, I think you should increase the number of lookouts you have and rotate them more often so that they don’t tire. Secondly, some woodfolk need to keep a constant guard on the encampment of sorcerers and make regular reports. Make sure you stay downwind of the wolves. If the encampment is too far away for mind talking, you will need to station people along the route to transmit information. Thirdly, we need a group to keep surveillance on the people travelling through the woods to find out what is happening to them and if there is any connection between the brigand attacks and the encampment. Fourthly, all woodfolk should make sure they can contact all other woodfolk. So you may need to set up other communication routes. Finally, make sure that there is a minimum number of woodfolk together at all times in case there are more wolf attacks.”
The guardian of the forest spread his hands and gave a courtly bow and a smile. “Thank you for your attention. That is all I have to say. I am now relinquishing control.”
Tarkyn walked back over to where he had left his wine glass sitting on a stump. Ignoring everyone, he retrieved it and refilled it from an earthen jug. Then he made his way back to his home guard and sat down among them. For a few long minutes there was a stunned silence. Tarkyn buried his face in his glass and smothered a smile.
Slowly, around the firesite, the odd conversation started up and soon the air was filled with animated chatter as the woodfolk digested what had just happened. Once there were other conversations to mask their own, the prince’s home guard finally regained the power of speech.
“Stars above, Tarkyn,” breathed Waterstone, “You really have been hiding your light under a bushel, haven’t you? No wonder you’re used to people standing up when you walk into a room. That was awe-inspiring.”
“Thanks.” Tarkyn finally let his grin take over. “I’m glad the silence didn’t go on for too much longer. I might have started laughing.”
“Your Highness, that would have ruined the effect,” rumbled Thunder Storm with mock severity.
“I know,” said the prince, grinning broadly. “That’s why I managed to control myself.”
Summer Rain frowned at him reprovingly, “Sire, I do not think your levity shows respect for these woodfolk.”
“That’s why I hid it, Summer Rain.” He explained patiently. “And if they had shown me respect in the first place, I wouldn’t have had to make that speech.”
It was not long before they were joined by Rainstorm and Ancient Oak.
“I think I’ll revert to my first impressions of you and then some,” said Ancient Oak as he sat down. “Stars, if I hadn’t spent the day with you, I’d be quaking in my boots by now.”
Rainstorm was jubilant. “I can’t believe you actually did it. Every last one of them shut up and listened to you from start to finish. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.”
“Why thank you, my friend,” said Tarkyn laconically. “It’s a pity I didn’t make a bet with you. I never doubted for a second I could do it.”
As the night wore on, more and more people plucked up the courage to come and speak to the prince. Gone were the mutterings of the afternoon. Tree Wind’s oath-bound woodfolk had been effectively silenced, since no one wanted to be a party to damaging the forest or betraying the oath. All the other woodfolk realised their worst fears had already been and gone, and they were still free.
“Sometimes people just need to know where they stand,” said Tarkyn, in an aside to Waterstone.
“Spoken like a true despot, my lord,” replied the woodman with a grin.
Tarkyn laughed.
“Young man,” came a scratchy old voice. Tarkyn turned to find Ancient Elm addressing him, “You have a very persuasive turn of phrase.”
“Why thank you, Ancient Elm.”
“I also wanted to thank you for showing us your journeys with the birds,” the old lady continued, “although I now have a nasty bruise on my hip which I suspect was really owed to Tree Wind.”
Tarkyn was instantly contrite. “I’m sorry. You’re right of course. That was thoughtless of me. I didn’t think of anyone getting hurt. Is Dry Berry all right?”
“I think so. She hurt her wrist a bit but she’ll get over it.”
The forest guardian shook his head. “No. That’s not good enough. Where is she? I will have to sort this out.”
“Hello young man. Looking for me?” cackled another familiar dried up old voice. “What do you have
to sort out?”
“Your wrist.”
Dry Berry lifted her scrawny arm and waggled her hand. She gave a slight wince but said stoically, “It’s just a slight sprain. I’ve had a lot worse in the past. It’ll heal in time.”
Tarkyn looked at them both. “Would you let me heal you please? After all, you wanted to see a forest guardian at work…and I really don’t want you going around telling everyone that I hurt you and then did nothing about it.”
The two old women looked at each other, then back at him. “Go right ahead,” said Ancient Elm.
“I’m fairly new at this. So we’ll just have to see how it goes,” said Tarkyn, belatedly realising he hadn’t actually tried to heal anyone but himself before. “Now, close your eyes and focus on the injured part. I will send you a little of my esse and you must direct it to the part you want to repair.”
The forest guardian placed a hand on each of their shoulders, closed his eyes and focused down inside himself to the seat of his power. He drew it up and out along his arms, through his hands and into the two bony shoulders. After a minute, Tarkyn opened his eyes and took his hands away.
“How’s that?” he asked hopefully. “Any better?”
The two old woodwomen opened their eyes and experimentally rubbed the relevant parts of their anatomies. Then their faces became wreathed in smiles.
“Well done, young man.” Ancient Elm stood up. “I appreciate that. I have a long way to travel tomorrow and I’ll be more comfortable now on the journey. It has been a pleasure to meet you and I hope we keep in touch.”
Dry Berry frowned at him. “For a minute there, I thought you were going to go back on your word and make us all take the oath. But I have now realised you can get exactly what you want without the oath. You’re a dangerous young man but I think you’re honest. I’m glad I met you…and I’m glad you are one of us now.” She gave a little cackle. “To be frank, I wouldn’t want you with the opposition.”
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