by Jo Walton
“Things were very confused then,” said Duke Galba, frowning at the memory. “In any case, if it was a royal gift, if it had belonged to someone from the land of giants before, perhaps Emrys took it back. I never knew her well, but wasn’t she from Caer Segant? Maybe they gave it back to her family instead of to Nuden.”
“I think she was a Vincan, but she’d certainly lived in Caer Segant, it’s marked as her place of residence in the register when she married my father,” said Gwien. “I don’t know her father’s name, she’s just written down as Laris.”
“Laris?” I said. I must have heard the name at some time because it was familiar, but it hadn’t stayed in my mind. “Urdo said the giant was called Larr. She wasn’t a giant, was she?”
Duke Galba laughed and looked deliberately upwards at me. “Your height on a woman would be enough to get called one, by sailors and farmers. Not a giant like in those Tanagan legends, big enough to wade the sea between here and Tir Isarnagiri, but maybe a giant like the ones Sextus Aquila mentions who live at the back of the North Wind. I can see why they said that in Caer Segant if the Emperor Emrys did indeed bring her back with the horses. Nuden married her when I was a child, and I don’t remember any stories about who she was then, but then it wasn’t the sort of story I listened to very closely in those days.” The old man smiled.
“Well I never knew it if she was,” said Gwien, smoothing a crease from the leather sleeve of my armor. “I thought you looked like my mother when I saw you riding up, and it’s good to see her armor again.”
“Giant’s blood in my line, well,” said Duke Galba, looking at Galba and Aurien, who were looking into each other’s eyes. “I thought it was a magnificent gift when I first saw it, but this makes it even more special.”
“Oh no,” said Gwien, in a different tone. I looked at him. “Veniva’s bringing out the musicians already.” He sighed. “There will be dancing, I’m afraid, before we eat, and I shall have to stand with her.” He limped off across the hall. I felt for him. He had loved dancing when I was a child.
“And now Sulien,” said Duke Galba, “tell me what Urdo is going to do in Tinala?”
“You’ll have to ask your son, I’m afraid,” I said. “I’ll have to change my clothes right away if there’s going to be dancing.”
It was an hour before I managed to get young Galba on his own, and then only in the middle of the dance floor. He had the dazed look of the newly in love, and he had hardly been three feet away from Aurien since we came inside. I had made my way through several dances already. I was pleased to see that people were more polite in how they issued invitations than they used to be when last I danced in my father’s house.
“What’s so important,” Galba hissed as the line brought us together. “If there was an attack they’d have called.”
“What’s Urdo going to do about Tinala?” I asked him. He laughed, swinging me and catching me again.
“Who’s asked you?”
“Your father and my mother and Duncan. I told them to ask you.”
“Oh,” He looked surprised and almost stopped backing. “It was your father and my aunt and Emlin who asked me.”
“Well, what’s the answer?” I called, catching Kerys ap Uthbad’s hands, and spinning with her. She was wearing a very splendid overdress of red and gold.
“I told them to ask you,” he said, and laughed again as we danced towards each other. “I told your father that Urdo isn’t an idiot, and he said in that case he’d throw Flavien ap Borthas out and replace him with someone loyal. If it wasn’t for that I thought they were worried about the Jarns.” I had thought that myself.
“I didn’t see any sign he was going to throw him out when we were there,” I said, dancing away again. “And he hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“I don’t know.” He laughed again.
“Are you drunk, Galba?”
“Two beakers of hot cider, you can’t call that drunk!” he said defensively. But I’d seen it before. He was drunk on the thought of Aurien. He was intoxicated over an arranged marriage that was just right for the families that he’d told me seriously only a month before that he was intending to make the best job he could of. I looked questioningly at him as we danced up to each other for the last time and touched hands. “If Urdo wants someone to reassure people politically down here, he should have sent Raul,” he said, frowning. Then he bowed to me. The dance was over, and Aurien was waiting for him.
Duke Galba and Veniva both made for me as soon as I was alone. My mother reached me first, bearing down on me like a raider ship in full sail.
“Will the food be soon, Mother?” I asked. I was starting to feel really hungry. I also felt the need of a diversion. I looked for my father, but he was talking intently with Idrien of Talgarth. The light fell on her face from the side, and she looked much like Enid, except she had no scar.
“It won’t be long, but never mind now,” she said. “And I haven’t come to ask you what you’re doing dressing up as a Vincan senator—I suppose you have a right to those folds through my great-great-uncle, but I don’t think you know it.” She smiled a little grimly at my drape, which was folded the way I had been wearing it ever since Amala had shown me how. “I don’t suppose anyone else recognizes it or cares. Quickly. Gwien tells me Galba said Urdo will depose Flavien ap Borthas, is it true?” We were standing near the musicians, and the sound of the lyres and horns shielded us from eavesdroppers.
Duke Galba reached us before I could speak, coming up very like a Vincan senator himself though he was wearing a usual tunic and leggings. “Tinala, child,” he said, “my sister Idrien says my son doesn’t know the High King’s intentions, and it’s important.”
Looking from one face to the other, both so aristocratic in the Vincan model, I had no idea what to say. “Urdo’s no fool, sir, Mother,” I said, hoping it would work.
“Then he won’t offend all the kings by throwing Flavien ap Borthas out?” said Duke Galba.
“Why would he?” I asked. Then I took a deep breath. If Urdo had wanted diplomacy, he’d have sent Raul. Very well, but I didn’t think Urdo knew diplomacy was needed. “Look, to tell you both the plain truth, I have no idea what Urdo plans to do either. He told Galba to cooperate with both of you and with Uthbad One-Hand.” Uthbad was dancing with Kerys now. His hair was still cut short for mourning. Seeing them together I saw the great resemblance between them; she was much more like him than either Cinvar or Enid. “He expects all-out complete war in the east with a chance to really win, to beat the Jarns, to make the peace.”
“We all want peace for trade to flourish,” said Veniva. “But more war first?” Behind her the servants were beginning to light the lamps. They were real Vincan oil lamps, not candles. I wondered in the back of my mind where they were getting the oil from. We were rarely so grand in Caer Tanaga.
“What news have you had of what happened in the north?” I asked.
“Very little,” said Duke Galba. “That a great Jarnish army had invaded and Urdo has made a marriage and an Isarnagan alliance to beat them, and that he has beaten them indeed but allowed Borthas to be killed. That he has troops all over Caer Avroc.”
“Beaten them would be a great exaggeration,” I said ruefully. “We had a victory, but their army is still for the most part whole. As for Borthas, he was killed, yes, but it was not really our fault and most certainly not our design.” I could see how it could be made to seem so. “We made a wrong guess, but we thought he was heading back to safety. We were almost killed, too. Our captain, Osvran, was killed. It’s a long story. When I get back I will see to it that messengers send news regularly to all the kingdoms about how the war is going.”
“That is a very good idea indeed,” said Duke Galba. “Veniva raised her chin.”
“There will be worse war than there has been, but mostly in the east, I think is what Urdo expects. The Jarns are a long way from beaten yet,” I said.
“And what about Flavien ap Borthas?”
asked Duke Galba.
“I don’t know for sure, but I think if Urdo had been thinking about doing anything about Flavien ap Borthas or about Tinala other than defending it against the Jarns as well as he might, he’d have told us so we could reassure you. Why are you worried about it?” I was looking at Duke Galba, but it was Veniva who answered.
“He sent asking for help against Urdo,” she said. “He sent to all the kings and all the lords, everywhere. He asked us to be ready to help him.” The implication of this hit me rather thoroughly at once in the pit of my stomach.
“They’ll think it’s war.” I realized I was reaching for my sword only when my hand jarred at my empty belt. Had Urdo possibly planned to remove Flavien? His father had been a traitor, but Borthas was dead. I thought of Urdo’s table piled up with urgent things that needed doing. I thought of what he and Raul had been shouting at each other. “I am sure that is not what’s in Urdo’s mind,” I said, as firmly as I could. “I spoke to Urdo just before we left, and everything he said was to do with moving troops to be ready when the truce ends with the Jarns. They are allied now, Sweyn and Ayl and Ohtar Bearsson of Bereich. Urdo’s planning to go back down to Caer Tanaga soon, to be there by the time I get there. I don’t think Tinala’s in any danger from Urdo at all. But gods help us, Mother, he asked me to bring three pennons from here, and he is gathering in pennons from elsewhere to swell his alae. If Flavien has written to all the kings and then they see Urdo gathering in troops, what will they think? Will they take up arms against us?”
“Some will,” said Veniva. “And whether Urdo fights them or not, then the Jarns will have us. It will all be the same as when Avren died.”
“Only worse,” said Duke Galba, looking grim. “I will send to all who trust me to tell them Urdo is no fool and will not do it, on your word Sulien. I would have sent Flavien no help in any event, but there are many who would.”
“What gods do they want to rule in this land!” I said, forgetting to be quiet. People turned and looked, and then looked away. Galba and Emlin took a step towards me, then stopped as I waved them away. “Yes, what gods?” I asked again, quieter, a thought coming to me. “Who benefits most from this? Maybe it was not Flavien who sent the message. He may be a fool and afraid, and surely his sister is angry with Urdo, but would he be such a fool as to do that unprovoked? Maybe. But maybe it was Sweyn who sent. Did you know the messenger?” Duke Galba shook his head.
“She was a woman of the north,” he said. “She had the accent and the look of Tinala.”
“Or Tevin?” I asked. He drew in a sudden breath.
“When we have eaten, let us all sit down and talk and see exactly what we know,” said Veniva, decisively. “After that there will be time for sending messengers when we know exactly what we want to say and who to say it to. It must be half a month since you left Caer Avroc. Who knows what might have happened.”
“I have got to get back to Urdo. I have to take the ala to him. You can do better than I can to calm fears of allied kings.”
“As you say,” said Duke Galba. Then he put his hand on mine. Behind him I could see Galba and Aurien, their heads bent together in the lamp-light. “We are allies, Sulien, we are one family already. We will stand together, and we will stand by your word as the High King’s.” This was the first real trust that had been given me as praefecto, and I drew myself up to be worthy of it. I realized suddenly how much Urdo’s trust in me meant—not just that the near three hundred people of an ala were within my command, but that I could sway the great events of the island. My position made me an equal to Galba, and to my mother, and between us we could stop this new civil war before it was begun.
“You can leave immediately after the wedding,” Veniva said. “Some of the messengers can set out tonight. Whether or not it was Sweyn who sent, we can say that it was. Everyone fears the Jarns. Most people will be uncertain what to do, and decisive action now will catch them if we are in time.”
She caught a signal from a servant and raised her hand to signal dinner. Duke Galba took my arm to lead me in. Gwien and Veniva led the way, then Galba and Aurien, Duke Galba and I, Uthbad and Idrien, then Morien and Kerys ap Uthbad. Cinvar ap Uthbad came last, alone, looking a little sourly at me. We went into the family alcove, the others followed, and Daldaf fussed around seating them in other alcoves. I saw Duncan and Emlin and others I knew, mixed with strangers. The dining hall looked splendid, hung about with pennon banners like the one at Caer Tanaga. Veniva smiled at me as she sat beside Gwien. I realized that she was dealing with a crisis without suggesting sending to ask anyone for help. Show your mother that you’ve grown up, Urdo had said. It seemed to me that she had grown up a great deal, too.
18
I have been a prize in a game
I have been a queen on a hill
From far and far they flocked to see me.
White am I, among the shadows,
My shoulder is noted for its fairness
The two best men in all the world have loved me.
My crown is of apple, bough and blossom.
They wear my favor but my arms are empty.
The boat drifts heedless down the dark stream.
—“The Three Great Queens of the Island of Tir Tanagiri”
As I came up to the shining citadel of Caer Tanaga my heart rose. It always did at the sight of those gleaming walls and rising towers. They seemed graceful and airy even in the last of the light in a day made darker by icy rain. We had made very good time. The banner of the ala of Caer Gloran was flying under the flag of the kingdom, but no other ala banners. We were here before Urdo. Emlin looked at me inquiringly as I drew Beauty to a halt and called the decurios up.
“Find everyone barracks. Sort it out with ap Rhun. The place is going to be crowded, and I don’t doubt lots of us will be sleeping in tents, but not tonight. Let them get to the baths, they’ve earned it.” They smiled at me. They looked tired. We had come half the breadth of Tir Tanagiri in six days. We had taken the ferry crossing at Aberhavren and ridden as fast as we could without hurting the horses. We were here. We had done what we could. Galba and Uthbad and my father had sent out messengers to all those who trusted them, or might trust them, to keep the country calm. I had written to the commanders, though I did not know them well and did not know what weight my words might have with such as ap Mardol and Luth of the Breastplate. I did not know yet if this had done any good.
The decurios led the troops off to see to the horses. I took Beauty myself into his familiar stable. Sorrow for Apple swept over me in a great wave and almost bore me down as I went inside. Tears came into my eyes. This had been his home for so long. It still seemed to smell of him. I chased off the grooms and cleaned and settled Beauty myself. Then I went to say hello to Starlight, who was outside in the near field. She was grown now, and trained. She came to me at once, protesting that she had missed me, she was desolate, though it was clear she had been very well looked after and regularly exercised. I had to make my mind up soon whether to ride her or breed her this year. I had been intending to breed her. Now she was grown she was one of the most beautiful greathorses I had ever seen, with perfect coloring and clear markings. She looked like her mother, the High King’s Twilight, except for the star she had on her head. But now, without Apple, I would need another mount if there was war, and there would be war. I could not decide. I was telling her Garah would be home soon and promising her a ride as soon as day came, when Marchel came out into the field towards me.
“Ap Gwien?” she called.
“Here!” I said.
“I might have thought to look here first,” she said. “I mean, greetings and welcome to Caer Tanaga, and can you please come in right now because you’re needed urgently.”
I left Starlight and walked towards her. I looked at her in surprise. “Urgently? But Urdo isn’t here yet—”
“Just come on.” I followed her out and into the streets. The night was closing in already. “Urdo isn’t here, no. Th
e Queen is here, and I am here, and we have a Jarnish visitor who came with half a company of infantry and assorted followers, including a couple of wellborn Jarnish women, one of them young and veiled, which means unmarried among their people. And he won’t talk to foreigners, as he so politely puts it.” She snorted.
“A Jarnish visitor?” I followed her up the street. “What are you talking about? From Guthrum of Cennet?”
“Nobody I know. A stranger. He has a herald’s branch, but he has not given his name nor accepted the peace of the hall. Why would Guthrum send like that? With women? You know how much that is against their custom.”
“I thought he might send word if he has heard of civil war brewing among the Tanagan kings. Flavien ap Borthas, or possibly Sweyn, is trying to stir up trouble among them. That’s why I rushed back. Or he might want to tell us if Sweyn is offering him an alliance.”
“This man came from the east, not the southeast, but he might have come from Cennet through Aylsfa. I hadn’t thought of that. He came from across the river. He is clearly a person of some consequence, and he has the troops with him. He has given up his weapons in accordance with the herald-peace. He said he wanted to see the king. He was disappointed that he wasn’t here yet, and demanded to see the war-leader.” Marchel was almost running, and I lengthened my stride to keep up. “When I got there he took one look at at me and refused to talk. He has spoken inconsequentialities about the weather with the Queen and asked politely if she is increasing, but he demands to speak with the king or a high-ranking Tanagan officer. He is here under a herald’s peace, and he cannot eat or drink and make himself our guest-friend until he explains himself.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I said. “Anyway, he might break bread with the Queen and give his business, he’s unlikely to find himself across a spear from her. Or surely there are some strict priests here?” Priests of the White God swore to do no more harm to creatures of the world than they must. There were different schools of thought as to what was meant by must, some even going to the ridiculous length of saying that they should forego killing animals to eat. There were a number who considered that it precluded them from taking up arms except in immediate and personal self-defense. Such people were often used as heralds.