Light in the Darkness

by CJ Brightley

  Our party started again on the trail, the drivers mounted on the extra horses. We were nearly out of earshot around a bend in the road when I heard shouts and the clash of metal behind us. In a moment the suvari and I were galloping back.

  The Rikutans had still been on the little plateau when they were attacked by a party of Tarvil raiders, descended from the north. We threw ourselves into battle as well on the side of the Rikutans, though the irony of that did not escape me even at the time.

  I realized later that Hakan didn’t even have a blade, only the wooden practice sword that I had made for him. I told him to stay back, but a skirmish is never predictable, and he was in the thick of battle before either of us knew it, swinging that stupid sword gamely. He was a hairsbreadth from being gutted by the time I reached his side again.

  The skirmish wasn’t long, for though the Tarvil had mustered quite a sizable raiding party, the addition of Hayato’s thirty men had firmly tipped the balance in the Rikutans’ favor. Hakan had a bleeding gash on one arm, but it wasn’t serious. He gritted his teeth but did not complain when I cut a strip of cloth from the bottom of my tunic to bandage it. My ribs ached so badly that I felt dizzy in the middle of binding Hakan’s arm and had to stop and lean over, rest my hands on my knees and steady my breathing.

  Only one other of Hayato’s men was even injured. Though his wound was a little more serious than Hakan’s, it hardly looked life-threatening, though of course any wound can kill if it becomes infected. Some of his fellows were attending him, and Hakan and I made our way to Tafari.

  “What happened?” I spoke before Hakan did, though I probably should have let him lead.

  Tafari bit back a curse. “Attacked again. I should have known as much. They love this road. I lost several good men today. Many thanks for coming back. Without you we were outnumbered.”

  Aye, but they had acquitted themselves admirably, if the Tarvil bodies lying around were any indication.

  Hakan’s voice broke into my thoughts. “Have you been attacked here before?”

  Tafari nodded. “Aye, we have, several times. That’s why we had so many men to guard a few carts of grain. I’m surprised you don’t know that, since your country has suffered the raids as well. You brought suvari too.” His eyes were sharp on Hakan’s face, but the boy did not flinch.

  “Not so far south. ‘Tis odd. Our men were more for protection against Vidar and Taisto than Tarvil raiders. I will question one of them, if there are any left alive.” He hesitated, but asked Tafari again. “You’ve had convoys of grain here before then, do I understand correctly?”

  Tafari nodded. “Aye, we’ve been buying grain from Stonehaven for months. I assumed you knew that.”

  Hakan shook his head.

  “First from your father, then from Vidar. The prices are bleeding us dry, but we have little choice. This spring was the fourth of drought and already promises a scanty harvest in autumn. Raids cannot bring in all we need, and my brother is honest. He would prefer not to steal food, but he will if necessary. He will not watch the women and children of his kingdom starve to death.”

  Hakan looked as though he would say more, but suddenly turned away and began to walk among the bodies, kneeling to check the pulse of each one that wore Tarvil clothing. I followed him, wondering what he wanted with a Tarvil barbarian.

  Finally we found one yet living, one of the leaders by the sashes about his arm and waist. He was lying on his back blinking dazedly, still stunned from a heavy blow which had left a growing lump over his left eye. He was bleeding from a deep wound in one leg, which he did not appear to have noticed yet.

  Hakan knelt down to speak to him face to face. The man’s face tightened and his right hand twitched toward his hip, where he no doubt had a knife, but I stepped on his wrist and pressed the point of my sword to his throat none too gently. His eyes flicked to me in naked fear. Hakan should have been more careful, but he was staring at the man intently.

  “You’ve attacked the Rikutans before, haven’t you?”

  The Tarvil hesitated, glancing up at me again. I pressed the point into his throat a little harder, letting it prick the skin. A tiny drop of bright red blood welled up.

  “Aye.” He probably would have nodded but thought better of it.

  “Why? What do you want?”

  His eyes flicked about in panic, trying no doubt to figure out which answer would most satisfy the frightening Dari with the sword pressed close to the great blood vessels in his neck. Finally he settled on something relatively easy. “Grain.”

  “Why?”

  I could not figure out what Hakan was thinking. Of course they would want grain, it made sense. So did we, and so did the Rikutans. But the Tarvil seemed even more nervous now, and Hakan repeated his question. “Why do you want grain? The Tarvil have never wanted grain before.”

  I knew little enough about the Tarvil, but I would ask Hakan about this later.

  “We were hired for it. Can’t blame me for following through on my word.”

  Hakan understood it before I did, for I heard his sudden sharp intake of breath.

  “Who hired you?”

  He shrugged as well as he could. “You should know. You’re Erdemen. Ryuu Taisto. Paid good money for it too.” Apparently the man had decided there was nothing to be gained by hiding information.

  Hakan’s jaw clenched, but his voice was very even. “What do you do with the grain after you take it?”

  The man glanced at me again. “Take it back to Birchmere or Vettea. Taisto’s men pay us then.”

  Hakan’s eyes narrowed. “And what do they do with it?”

  Again he shrugged, making a ghastly attempt at an ingratiating smile. “Don’t know. I just do what I’m paid to do.”

  I balanced on my right foot, which was grinding his wrist into the dirt, and lifted my left foot to place the heel on the wound in his leg. He paled and gasped in pain. Hakan looked up at me in surprise, but I pushed my heel a little harder into the man’s leg until his breath was quick and shallow, sweat beading on his forehead. His words came out in choking gasps, and I let up a little.

  “I think they sell it. I don’t know. I just do what I’m told. I get paid and I go back home. It’s easy work.”

  I removed my foot from the wound on his leg, though I kept the sword point firmly against his throat.

  Hakan stared at him in silence a moment. “What else do you know about grain convoys?”

  His eyes flicked up at me. “Nothing much. But,” he spoke quickly, his eyes on me all the while, “my brother’s group burned a granary in Cherkasyo last week. Taisto paid them for it too. And last year he was in a group that burned the fields up by Vastilyo.” He was pale with fear, and I tried to control my contempt for him.

  Hakan stood, his face equally pale but with an absolute, cold fury that I had never seen in him. He walked away without a backward glance, stepping over the prone body of another raider on his way back to Tafari, who was speaking to one of his men quietly.

  I looked back at the Tarvil and wondered if I should say something intimidating and fearsome, but settled for glowering at him before I followed Hakan. I was at his side when he called Tafari away from his men with an imperious tone that startled everyone but Hakan himself.

  “You may inform your king Ashmu Tafari that it is due to the treachery of Ryuu Taisto that you have been so desperate for grain. He paid them to ruin your crops so that you would be desperate for any succor, and then he sold you grain at prices designed to bankrupt Rikuto. He paid the Tarvil to steal it back from you and then sold the grain he stole to my own people at exorbitant prices as well. All of this, to line his own pockets at the expense of both your people and mine.”

  His voice was clipped and cold, and Tafari’s jaw set with anger when he heard the words. But Hakan was not finished. “If you doubt my words, go question the Tarvil over there, if Kemen hasn’t killed him yet.”

  I shook my head.

  “More’s the pity. I hope
that this changes your king’s view of Taisto. Despite his pretenses, he is no friend of Rikuto.”

  Tafari nodded.

  “By your leave, we will depart again. I hope we meet again in better circumstances.” He inclined his head with regal dignity, and in a few moments we were again mounted and on our way.

  17

  We made good time back on the road back to Vettea. The suvari sang cheerily, and I raised my voice with them sometimes. Other times I rode in silence with Hakan, whose face remained set with grim cold fury. He scarcely spoke for some hours, but he questioned me in the afternoon.

  “The suvari is more or less with me, is it not?”

  “Aye, that’s what Hayato said.”

  “Does Katsu Itxaro command the entire kedani?”

  “No, just the division out of Rivensworth. It’s roughly a third of the kedani. The others are commanded by Berk Havard and Yoshiro Kepa. They all receive orders from Taisto directly, but Kepa is stationed on the northern border and Havard on the southern border.”

  “Berk Havard and Yoshiro Kepa. Do you think they will follow Itxaro or Taisto in a conflict?”

  Taisto was their commanding officer, but if they heard that Itxaro was serving the prince, they might defy Taisto. I waved Hayato forward, because he knew more about them than I did.

  “Itxaro, most likely. Havard is a good friend of Itxaro, they were in training together. Kepa is a bit older, but has no love for Taisto. Taisto was promoted against his recommendations. He thought six years ago that Taisto was dangerously ambitious and possibly corrupt. He was the one who helped Usoa find the information about the betrayal of your scouting party.”

  I nodded. No love there.

  “Good. The assassination parties that were sent after me. Who are they?”

  I had no idea. No doubt some had been suvari, for Taisto’s orders had not seemed so vile at first. But the others? Where they Tarvil barbarians? Erdemen rogues bought by Taisto’s blood money? For blood money it was, gained by the starvation of innocents in Rikuto and the blood of good Rikutan and Erdemen soldiers and civilians trying to protect their crops.

  Hayato spoke quietly. “Mostly suvari, but only a few of them really looked. Taisto has a few friends, snakes like himself, who can be bought.”

  Hakan glanced at me sideways. “We’ll need men to remove Taisto from power. The kedani is mostly dispersed about Erdem, and there aren’t many in Stonehaven now.”

  His voice had a slight question in it, and I nodded.

  “Then we’ll take the suvari. They are still available to us, right?”

  Again I nodded.

  “Much of the suvari is in Rivensworth now. We will go there immediately and take every man we can. Then we will march on Stonehaven before Taisto knows we are coming. Once we reach the gates, we will trumpet our arrival. You’re popular there, Kemen, and that will help us. With luck, Taisto won’t oppose us openly. The entire city will be on our side and he will be isolated.”

  He hesitated, as if he would say more, but subsided again into silence. The plan seemed so simple, so optimistic. I wondered if anything would actually go as we hoped it would. Surely Taisto would not be so agreeably easy to defeat, but given our lack of information I could suggest nothing else to do.

  From Vettea, Hakan wanted to head directly toward Rivensworth, but I believed that it was a good opportunity to meet Itxaro, who had already cast his support for Hakan despite the difficulties among his men. His main camp was only half a day’s ride north, and in truth, it had surprised me that we had not seen any soldiers patrolling the Lobar Road.

  Hakan acquiesced, and so we paid and released the drivers and sold their horses before heading directly north. The headquarters of the kedani on the eastern border is located a bit north of the middle of the border since the roads in the south are faster to traverse. Here too we made good time, and in some hours were welcomed into the compound.

  Itxaro himself came to greet us. He bowed low before Hakan and before me, perhaps lower than he should have toward me, but the men were watching and he wanted to make a point of his respect and honor. The men saluted respectfully as we were conducted to his offices. Hakan looked very young in comparison to the kedani, but he carried himself well, and I believe that no man there faulted him for his youth. Perhaps for his inexperience, but his regal bearing helped him somewhat.

  I liked Itxaro on sight. He had the characteristic erect bearing of a soldier, but there was not too much pride in his stance. His face was very thoughtful, more than that of most soldiers. My profession does not permit a man to be stupid for long, but neither does it encourage deep thought and introspection, which raise questions not easily answered. He was of average height for a Tuyet and a thick build, but not soft or fat. His eyes were of a clear grey rather than the more common blue.

  Hakan thanked him for his service and asked him what the men thought.

  “Many are yet undecided, but word of Sendoa’s support of you has tipped the balance. He has much respect among the men. Many remember him, and many more know his reputation.” He turned to me with a smile. “I am honored to meet you at last. Everyone thought you dead. You are something of a legend, especially after that battle with Tafari’s men.”

  I shook my head. “It was only a raiding party, despite what the rumors might say.” I could only ride because I tightened the strap around my ribs every morning. It had been little over a month, and any healer would have said I shouldn’t be riding at all. But Hakan, and Erdem, needed me then, not in two months when my ribs would be healed.

  Itxaro echoed Desta’s words. “Be that as it may, you are a hero both among the common people and the soldiers. If you would address the men and take the evening meal with us tonight, I think you could do much to sway some of the undecided.”

  I glanced at Hakan before nodding. “If the prince Hakan Ithel wishes, I will.”

  I wondered whether Hakan resented the respect and honor that everyone seemed to be according to me. After all, it was his throne, not mine, that was under contention. But Hakan smiled easily and nodded, and after a few more minutes we were back out into the brilliant spring sunset.

  Red and gold light flooded the simple exercise ground and gave it a glow no king’s chamber could ever equal. Itxaro assembled the men in formation to await my words. There were some three thousand men here, and they formed neat squads as Itxaro commanded, with a man at the head of each group to repeat my words back for those who could not hear them clearly.

  My stomach churned with nerves as I stood before them. I hate speaking in front of people with a passion I cannot describe. Their eyes on me make my gut boil. Sounds seem to come unevenly, voices fading in and out so conversations are hard to follow. I feel like vomiting, and my voice sounds squeaky and awkward in my ears.

  This was the most difficult thing I faced for Hakan, though he did not seem aware of it at the time. Nevertheless, I realized my fear was foolish, and I faced it, for a man does not acquire more courage except by acting on what little he has. I stood on a small platform so that everyone could see me easily, and I clasped my hands behind my back to hide their shaking.

  “Your commander Katsu Itxaro has asked me to speak to you in support of the prince Hakan Ithel. If you do not know me, my name is Kemen Sendoa.” I waited my words to be repeated for the men in the back. My voice would have been stronger if it hadn’t hurt so much to breathe, but at least it wasn’t shaking.

  “I served under Commander Ake Tallak in the suvari for four years, then I was transferred to the kedani under Commander Jetil Serhato during the campaigns against the Ophrani and then against the Tarvil. I served as an officer for eleven years until I was retired some four and a half years ago for injury. I have much experience with leaders, both good and bad. I’ve heard that some respect me, and that some of you might heed my voice. I have no call to command you; I’m no longer in active service. But I can say this. I’ve traveled with the prince Hakan Ithel for several months now. I vouch for his
ability to lead Erdem.”

  I licked my lips and tried to look above the crowd rather than directly into the many pairs of staring eyes. “He’s well educated, of course, and well prepared for his role as king. He knows much about the leadership of a country that neither Vidar nor Taisto can boast, despite their other qualifications. Things like economics and trade, diplomacy and philosophy. Things necessary for a king that both Vidar and Taisto are sorely lacking.

  “He will not be quick to risk your lives in foolish wars, but neither will he allow the honor of Erdem to falter. He is well aware of the problems you face in the army and those that face civilians, especially in the border areas. Much better than his father was, and he has the knowledge and will to address those problems as his father did not.

  “You served under his father honorably, despite his many flaws. I did as well. The prince Hakan Ithel is not only a friend I trust but a man I am proud to serve. I hope you will make the same choice, and pledge him your devoted service and your life’s blood for as long as he serves the people of Erdem.”

  With that I was finished, for I could come up with no more words. I stepped down from the platform and tried to hide the relief that flooded me.

  The kedani were silent. I had expected as much, but I wished I had some indication of whether my words had served Hakan as I wanted them to.

  Hakan stepped up and spoke, at least as far as I could tell, with total confidence and complete poise.

  “I’m honored by Kemen Sendoa’s trust in me. I realize that I’m young and untried. You’re justified in your mistrust of me. In truth, I doubted at first whether I ought to try to regain the throne. Does that surprise you?” A few of the men in the first rows glanced at each other.

  Hakan’s voice rose. “I know that being a king, a good one, is a difficult task, and I feared it. I would not be the only one to suffer if I were to fall short of what it demands. I love the people of Erdem, and I would rather set aside the throne to someone better qualified than keep it for myself, if that person could better guard this country I love. You have heard some of the things I studied in my education as a prince, and they’re good things, necessary things. But they’re not the only things a king needs, and I still doubted.