Analise nodded. “Julia’s War.”
“Yes of course, but if those books are as old as people say, they are history in themselves.”
Strange way to put it, but Analise could see the fascination. To hold something in her hands, something older than even Deva itself. She would like to visit Athione, but her destiny was unlikely to include visiting the fortress. Her future was marriage to a lord she did not love—a lord in his dotage most likely—as a brood mare.
Atherton Keep was situated in a particularly unlikely spot. It had always seemed strange that any lord would choose to build his home not on the heights like Chaidren, but in the Chelmer valley itself. The keep was small as befitted a lord with few guardsmen, but perhaps there was logic to its location that had escaped Analise previously—it commanded the river, which was a major waterway. The town itself bestrode the Chelmer. She noted a great many ships tied up at the dockside.
Analise stared at the bare masts of over a dozen ships and wondered under whose banner they sailed. “You say lord Eldin left for Devarr?”
“So Lady Anah informed me,” Gydrid said as they began the descent. The road wound its way down into the valley and through the town before continuing toward Devarr. “Why do you ask?”
“There are a lot of ships.”
Gydrid stood in his stirrups to see better. “You’re right. Maybe Anah has visitors.”
That was possible. “Can you see the banners?”
“Not clearly. Mostly white I think,” Gydrid said, straining his eyes to see the banners atop the masts.
“Who uses a white banner? Might it be Lethbridge?”
Gydrid frowned. “Too far to tell, but it could be.”
Lord Owain of Lethbridge’s banner was a golden dragon on a field of white. The story went that the Founders fought the mythical dragons when they first came to Deva. The first Lethbridge claimed the banner as his due after defeating one of the beasts in battle. No one really knew where the banners came from. Every lord had fanciful tales and legends about how they came to be. The banner of Chaidren Ridge featured a shield with three swords crossed over it. The story went that the first Lord Chaidren had three brothers. He was the shield, and they were the swords to smite the enemy. It was a good story, and probably true. Where such things often became outrageously fanciful, Analise’ ancestors had not bothered. The story was straightforward and honest, like all of Chaidren’s lords.
Analise looked back at her banner where it fluttered next to Gydrid’s hawk. “What is the story behind Meilan’s banner?”
Gydrid grinned and drew himself even straighter in his saddle. “My great ancestor could fly like a bird,” he began and Analise snorted. “No it’s true! I have it on the best authority. He would often throw himself from the north tower and fly around the battlements scaring the guards out of their wits.”
Analise grinned. “And you believe that?”
Gydrid looked at her wide-eyed. “Why, don’t you?” They laughed. “It might be possible if he were a mage, but…” he shrugged. “I have not read anything that mentions it.”
Analise rode into the city, for city it was. The buildings were made of good stone and all had tile roofs unlike most towns or villages. The roads and lanes were cobbled and had good gutters. They were free of the worst refuse and had been sluiced recently. Gydrid approved of such precautions, and so did she. No one could be complacent after seeing Devarr last year.
“Lethbridge it is,” Gydrid said as they left the docks behind and approached the keep. “What could be amiss I wonder.”
“Why amiss?”
“Lethbridge should be in Devarr, yet he is here. Why?”
“We are here.”
“Exactly. We are here for important reasons. Lethbridge is here. Something must be wrong.”
Analise nodded, but the Lethbridge banner did not mean lord Owain himself was here. It could be his brother, or his son, though she seemed to recall that Owain’s son was young yet.
They trotted their mounts through the open portal in the curtain wall and found the stable court a hive of activity. It seemed that Atherton Keep was a popular stopping place today. There were grooms and stable hands rushing to take charge of a goodly number of horses, though not as many as Analise and Gydrid had with them.
Gydrid dismounted and lifted Analise down. He quickly released her as was proper and Analise handed her reins to one of his men who had already taken charge of his lord’s horse. Ballard came to stand beside her.
Gydrid turned to one of his men. “I want you and Garvan to accompany me, Will. Tell the others not to unsaddle the horses. We have to be ready to leave as soon as may be.”
“Aye, lord,” Will said and went in search of his friend.
Gydrid kept his eyes moving. “I think we should visit with Lady Anah and learn what is happening here. I like this not.”
Ballard nodded. “This feels wrong.”
Analise could find nothing to give the feeling substance, yet she too thought there was something amiss. “The guardsmen look worried.”
“Yet there appears nothing to fear,” Gylaren said and offered Analise his arm. “Lady?”
Analise shook her head and Gydrid’s eyes darkened as he lowered his arm.
“Please, I mean you no insult this time.” She blushed as Gydrid’s lips twitched at her admission of her earlier insult. “I just think we should enter as if we came to call separately.”
Gydrid’s eyes brightened. “A good thought. Two noble families—three including Atherton—to oppose our good Lord Lethbridge.”
“And do you think we are opposing him, my lord?” Ballard said.
“I don’t know, but it seems a possibility.”
“Then, with your permission, my lady,” Ballard inclined his head to Analise. “I will send a man back to our camp with word of this. If we do not return in reasonable time, perhaps something may be done from there.”
“A good thought. I will send one of my best scouts along.” Gydrid nodded at Will to arrange it.
Analise waited for Ballard to finish giving his instructions then took his arm to enter the keep. “Well this is a fine welcome,” she said when they found the hall empty of people. There wasn’t even a servant let alone a guardsman in evidence.
Gydrid nodded as if he had expected this very thing. “Hold here, my lady. I shall investigate. Will, Garvan, guard the lady.”
“Aye lord,” Gydrid’s men chorused.
Analise would have argued, but what was the point? Gydrid was a man who did what he wanted when he wanted to do it. She could wish the same freedom for herself. She watched Gydrid stride away and disappear through a door. While he was gone, she busied herself with study. The portraits on the walls, the ornamentation of the tapestries, even the marble of the floor gave her the impression of a prosperous lord. What Atherton lacked in military might, it made up for in monetary wealth. Atherton controlled much of the trade that the Chelmer brought into the region. The mosaic in the centre of the hall’s floor depicted a scene showing Atherton keep alone in the valley as if seen from a high point—some hill or other high place. Even standing upon it, she could see that it was fine work. The little marble tiles had been cunningly laid and the entire thing smoothed to a high finish. She had heard that the floors of the fortresses were of marble like the palace in Devarr, but she couldn’t imagine them being more lovely than this one.
“He comes, lady,” Ballard whispered.
Gydrid looked disgusted. “Lethbridge has dispute with Lord Eldin, but Eldin is with the King’s army at Devarr. Lethbridge has been reduced to carping at Lady Anah in his absence.”
“What dispute?” Analise said.
“The usual thing—money of course. Lethbridge would dispute the tax levied on his vessels here.”
“If he doesn’t wish to pay, there are many other destinations on the river.”
“Exactly so, my lady. Lady Anah has said as much, but Lethbridge has a great many factors here. Much of his income
is gained from their business conducted at Atherton.”
The Chelmer was a deep waterway. It wasn’t surprising that Lethbridge relied heavily upon it and the docks in the city. Lethbridge Castle did not have direct access to the Chelmer. Although Owain did have access via a minor waterway, the River Leth, he had nothing direct. That meant he must use shallow draft vessels to reach his own city. Rather than do that and lose trade, his ships operated out of Atherton. Lady Anah knew that as well as anyone of course.
“You spoke with lady Anah?”
Gydrid nodded. “I did. She asks your indulgence, Analise.”
“My indulgence?”
“Anah asks that you visit with her, and lend your support. I have offered mine,” Gydrid shrugged, “but I believe another woman would do her more good.”
“What of the prisoners?” Ballard asked.
“They are still held below. You may see them first if you wish.”
Analise wanted to stare her father’s murderers in the eyes more than she wanted to help Lady Anah with a trade dispute, but Gydrid was watching her—judging her. His scrutiny made her feel… awkward, like a little girl trying to answer a trick question posed by her tutor.
“I shall visit with Lady Anah, but I want Ballard to inspect the prisoners while I do. He can recognise the leader.”
Gydrid nodded. “He will view them and report to you.”
“By your leave, lady?” Ballard asked eagerly.
Analise nodded. “By my leave, Captain. Inform me the moment you are certain.”
Ballard bowed and hurried away on his errand. Gydrid held his arm out to Analise and this time there was no one else to escort her. Gydrid’s smile said he knew it too. Analise took his arm, but she was determined to enter the grand hall without escort. She was Lady of Chaidren Ridge here today. Those of Chaidren Ridge gave aid, they did not require it of others. She would not have it appear as if she needed Gydrid.
Gydrid escorted her through the keep and stopped outside the doors to the great hall. He was not surprised when she released his arm. He understood her reasoning and allowed her to enter without him. A count of five passed, and Gydrid entered at her back.
The hall was smaller than Analise was used to, but this might have been an illusion created by the number of people standing within it. There were guardsmen spaced around the walls throughout the hall, and quite a number of people standing in small groups listening to the debate between Lady Anah and Lord Lethbridge. Analise assumed them to be interested parties, perhaps merchants or factors from the city. Standing close by, but not with Lord Lethbridge, were a group of men. Analise was unable to decide just what they were. They were not guardsmen, and they did not have the bearing of nobles. She gave up trying to understand them and turned her attention to the discussion.
Lethbridge was speaking, “…totally unreasonable, Lady Anah. We have known each other a long time. I must insist that you allow my ships equal rights at the dock.”
“You mean at my lord husband’s dock. No other finds the tax burdensome, Lord Owain. On the contrary, the King’s reduction of taxes has increased trade substantially. The docks are again busy with trading vessels.”
“The King’s tax is not the issue. We are speaking of your docking fees and the tax on them.”
Lady Anah nodded. “That is true. I think a fee in proportion to the size of the vessel and the cargo is most fair.”
Lethbridge would have spoken, but he had just then become aware of Analise and Gydrid approaching. He and his two guardsmen watched them come without expression.
Lady Anah on the other hand was very pleased, even relieved to see them. She rose out of her husband’s chair and held out a hand to Analise. “Welcome Lady of Chaidren Ridge. You are welcome indeed. Come, sit beside me.”
Analise climbed the steps of the dais and clasped the hand warmly. Anah held on very tight and Analise could feel the woman’s hand trembling. “Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Anah, and thank you for aiding Lord Gydrid in the capture of my father’s killers.”
“I did nothing. I simply allowed him the use of my lord husband’s dungeons.”
Analise sat upon the chair Anah indicated, conscious of the impropriety. Anah had every right to sit in her lord husband’s chair while he was away. She was his consort and ruled in his absence by his order. Analise however, was not even distantly related to Atherton, yet she was sitting in the consort’s chair. That Anah had asked her to do so did not make it feel right.
Gydrid stopped near the lowest step of the dais flanked by his guard. It was not an accident that he placed himself between Lethbridge and the dais. At least Analise thought not. Gydrid did not seem to have any motive for doing so. He had acted instinctively.
“You were saying, Lord Owain?” Lady Anah said with a steady voice at odds with what Analise had felt when they clasped hands.
Lethbridge was eying Gydrid and Analise as if unsure what this development meant for his dispute. “Perhaps we should speak privately, Lady Anah.”
Analise leaned her head toward Anah and whispered, “What’s going on?”
“He’s been here for days. He won’t stop pressing me to let his ships dock for half the normal fee. If I do that, I’ll have to do it for the others. Eldin will throw a fit.” Anah turned her attention to Lethbridge. “I think this is best kept in the open, Lord Owain. There are others here with as much to gain or lose by our discussions.”
Analise noted the pleased faces among the groups in the hall. She had been right then. They were traders and factors in competition with Lethbridge and those working for him. That still left the unknown group near Lethbridge himself.
“Who are they?” Analise said keeping her voice low.
“Captains of Lethbridge ships.”
Ah, that made sense.
“Might I ask why you have not yet journeyed to Devarr, lord Owain?” Gydrid said mildly.
His words seemed almost to land with a thud. The hall fell so silent that Analise could hear people breathing. Lethbridge licked his lips and glanced at her then away. He was trying to make up a good excuse. Analise was certain.
“I… my captains are assembling my men as we speak,” Lethbridge said more on balance. “I shall join them soon. I took ship when I heard the latest outrage perpetrated by Lord and Lady Atherton.”
Anah drew a sharp breath, but it was Gydrid who spoke. “My father, the King, will be most pleased to hear that. I have heard it said that some few lords have failed to raise their levies. My father, the King, has made it plain to them that should they break faith with him, they will rue it. I am happy that you are not one of these, Lord Owain.”
Lethbridge glared. “Are you threatening me, boy?”
“Why sir, not at all. You have announced before all here present that your men are assembling. I am sure that I speak for my father when I say that he will welcome you as you deserve. All know you to be an honourable lord.”
Analise nodded to herself. “Just so. I shall meet with the King personally upon my arrival at Devarr. I shall speak with him of your current dispute with Lord Atherton and ask him to look into the matter. I am sure the three of you together will solve this little dispute very quickly—at Devarr.”
“I cannot wait that long,” Lethbridge protested. “I’m here now and will have this settled.”
Anah spoke into the silence, “I believe that Lady Analise’s idea has merit. My lord husband must ratify any decisions that I make here today. That being true, I believe I shall defer the matter to him. I shall write letters, sir, and with Lady Analise’s indulgence, I shall send them with her to my lord husband at Devarr.”
“Most fair,” Gydrid said into the silence. “Do you not think so, Lord Owain?” The way Gydrid spoke, it was apparent that Lethbridge had better think it was fair.
Lethbridge glared. “As you say, Lady Anah. It shall be solved at Devarr,” he said and bowed before spinning on his heel and storming out of the hall.
Analise and Gydrid watched
the herd of Lethbridge captains leave on mass. A few moments later, his factors did the same. Gydrid turned back to Anah expectantly.
Anah sighed in relief then addressed those who had not left with Lethbridge. “Thank you all for attending. I believe we can leave this matter to my lord. Thank you all, and a good day to you.”
Analise and Gydrid remained behind with Anah as the merchants and factors shuffled out of the hall.
“Thank you both,” Anah said. “I was almost ready to lower the fees just to be rid of the man.”
Analise laughed and descended the dais with Anah. “It was our pleasure. Why has this suddenly become an issue for him?”
Anah led them from the hall. “Poor Owain, I do feel for him, but there are others within my own lands that have first call upon me. While Pergann was on the throne, trade of any kind ceased almost completely. It was men such as Owain that kept trade alive—a pittance though it was. The lords could not afford to maintain their trading fleets. They sat unmanned and rotting in the harbours. Some were even broken up for fire wood by desperate people, but Owain realised that bigger ships could replace the fleets of smaller vessels and that they would cost less to man.”
Analise frowned. “I would have thought the opposite.”
Gydrid explained. “Bigger ships cost more to build, but they cost less to crew because their cargoes are larger and bring a greater profit. It’s a matter of overhead, Analise. A smaller vessel might need a crew of thirty, yet one of Lethbridge’s ships might need forty but be four times bigger.”
“So his profits are four times greater while he pays only slightly more for the crew,” Analise said. “Clever man.”
Anah nodded. “Yes, but times have changed. The smaller ships are becoming profitable again because although they are small they are also fast. Perishable cargoes are again being shipped using the fast trading vessels that survived Pergann. Owain has fewer cargoes now than he once did, and those that he has are less profitable. He carries bulk ore a lot more now, and he has begun carrying passengers to make up for lost profit.
Gydrid shook his head. “Passengers have never liked slow journeys.”
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