Dahren stood in silence a long moment then said, "If I am to command this force, I will have things to do." He spun and left.
Kaila slid the sword that Kreg had not noticed she had drawn back into its sheath. "I had forgotten your skill without arms."
Kreg shrugged.
The crisis over, Bertan broke his silence. "I've never seen anyone fight like that, Sir Kreg. Will you teach me?"
Kreg reached down to grasp his shoulder. "Let's get the two of us healed fully first. All right?"
Bertan nodded eagerly.
"If teaching you will be doing," Kaila said. "May I count myself your student as well?"
"You?" Kreg looked at her in surprise.
"Aye," she said. "I own no peer with sword, but I have come to see that there are times when a sword avails not."
Kreg grinned at her. "Sure. Why not? The more the merrier."
As they turned away, Kreg looked back. “I think I may have made a mistake,” he said. “Dahren is going to cost us, cost us dear.”
#
The army receded behind them as Kreg, Kaila, and Bertan descended from the mountain pass. Besides themselves and their saddle horses, they had one packhorse. For riding, Kaila had picked smaller horses, about 15 hands high at the shoulder with stocky bodies and short legs. The gait did not jar like some of the horses Kreg had ridden, but was smooth and gentle.
A light dusting of snow covered the ground, making footing treacherous on the rocky ground. Kreg let the horse pick his own way, trusting to it to choose the safest route. Despite their slow pace, the army camp was soon lost in the mountains behind them.
Kreg glanced over at Kaila. She did not look pleased. Despite all they knew, all their arguments, she still did not want to turn her back on an army facing combat. Kreg more than half agreed with her. Somehow, it felt wrong to be leaving.
Behind them, Bertan sat his horse erect, almost squirming in his saddle and his lips twisting with the effort not to grin.
"You look chipper," Kreg said to Bertan. "What happened? You win a bet from the pages?"
Bertan shook his head as the grin broke free of his control. He nodded down the hill in the direction they were traveling. "In about a day or two we'll be going through my father’s province. Depending on the road, we may even pass close to my family's estates."
"This is no pleasure journey, Bertan," Kaila said. "We have not time to stop while you make merry."
Bertan's grin vanished.
Kaila smiled. "And yet it seems me that we might make an overnighting at your father's manor. While we reside there, you will without doubt wish to inform your family of your new status, will you not, Squire Bertan?"
Kreg watched Bertan's grin escape again to vanish in a serious expression. "As you wish, Your Grace."
Kreg watched the two with their serious expressions for a moment, then burst into laughter. A moment later, Bertan joined him. Finally, Kaila added her voice to theirs.
"Marry!" Kaila wiped a laughter-induced tear from her eye. "But I needed that. It is said that while healing magic restores the body, a laugh restores the soul."
Kreg nodded. "I know what you mean."
As they descended the mountain pass, the air warmed slightly. Nevertheless, the day remained chill and Kreg was grateful for the heavy wool of his cloak.
When they stopped for the night, Kaila examined Bertan and pronounced him not yet fit enough for many of the camp chores. Kreg took the horses while Kaila set about pitching the small tent they would share. Bertan could light and tend the fire.
Kreg's horse leaned eagerly into the currycomb while Kreg groomed it. Kreg smiled at it. "You like that, do you?" The horse whickered and turned its head to nuzzle him. Kreg reached up to scratch it between the ears.
Kreg paused for a moment before turning his attention to Kaila's horse. He could hear a bird singing in the distance, a birdsong he had never heard before.
"Bertan," he called, "you know this area?"
"Yes, Sir Kreg."
"What's that birdsong?" Kreg asked.
Bertan cocked his head to listen. "That's the vortrill," he said. "You never see them; they're very shy, but whenever you're near woods--“ Bertan nodded at a stand close at hand. "--you can hear them singing." He waved, indicating the different stand, the edge of which they had chosen for their campsite. “But when you enter the woods, they stop. As I said, they’re very shy.”
Kreg paused for a moment longer to listen, then turned back to Kaila's horse. He finished about the same time as Kaila pounded the last stake around the tent. She had gathered huge armloads of grass and piled them atop the tent, finally covering the whole with an oiled cloth tarpaulin. Kreg nodded at her preparations. Winter was approaching and even in the lowlands the nights were becoming cold.
The tent would barely contain the three of them, but that was to the good as well. Their body heat would keep it warm.
Soon they sat around the campfire, gnawing on dried meat while a porridge of grain and dried fruit boiled in a pot hung over the fire.
"Do you think we need watches tonight?" Kreg asked.
"I think not," Kaila said. "We all need to rest. The horses are scout-trained and sleep lightly. Should anyone approach, they will wake and alert us."
"What are you worried for?" Bertan asked. "We're in Aerioch with an army between us and any enemies."
Kreg snorted at that.
Kaila said, "Bertan, you would do well to remember that Keven was in the midst of that army, with guards about his very tent, when he was spirited away. And in the east, King Marek was in his own tent with Dahren, one of his own knights, to protect him. If they found not safety, do we not have cause for concern?"
"Oh," Bertan said. "I'm sorry. I didn't think."
"Don't worry about it," Kreg said. "You're no worse than I was when I first showed up here and I didn't have the excuse of youth." He grinned. "Did you know I questioned the wisdom of learning how to use a sword? I thought I was just humoring Kaila."
Bertan's eyes grew wide. "Really?"
"You told me not of this," Kaila said.
Kreg chuckled. "It's late. I don't know about you two, but I'm bushed." He wiped his hands and crawled into the tent.
#
Late the next afternoon, Kaila led them up a path to a small estate. A wooden palisade surrounded the main compound. In the center of the compound stood a two-story wooden house. The windows in the house were small, with heavy shutters. Smoke rose from the multiple chimneys in the house.
Kreg heard Bertan gasp beside him. He looked over and noted the eager expression on his face. "Your home?"
"Yes, Sir Kreg," Bertan said. "I have not seen my family since the last Midsummer Festival."
"Come," Kaila said from slightly ahead of them. "We tarry overmuch. A hot meal and a warm bed will do me well this night."
Kreg grinned as he followed her up the hill.
"My father is one of the lesser knights," Bertan said as he rode beside Kreg. "He is with Faron in the south. I don't know if he fares well or not."
Kreg nodded.
As they neared the stockade, a grizzled, gray-haired head poked over the wall. It disappeared a moment later to shout inside. The huge wooden gate swung open almost as they reached it.
Inside the compound, a garden and empty sheep pens took up most of the space. A number of women gathered around a well in the center of the compound. Storage sheds ran along one outer wall.
"Welcome, welcome." A woman in her mid-forties greeted them. She approached from the house with arms outstretched.
"Greetings, Lady Brethon," Kaila said. "I am Kaila. I ask the hospitality of your house this night."
"Indeed you are right welcome," she said. "and..." Her eyes fell on Bertan.
Bertan slithered off his horse to stand before her. "Hello, Mother."
"Bertan!" She gathered him into her arms.
When he had disentangled himself, Bertan beamed up at her. "I am squire now." He indicated Kreg.
"This is my Lord, Sir Kreg, knight and hero."
Kreg found himself blushing under Lady Brethon's scrutiny. "Bertan overstates cases," Kreg said. "I'm just..."
"Please, Kreg," Kaila said, "not again."
Kreg stopped for a moment and stared at her, then broke into a laugh. "All right, Kaila. For you, I'll shut up."
When they dismounted, grooms came to take their horses. They followed Lady Brethon into the manor house.
#
"How goes the war?" Lady Brethon asked as they settled into the parlor. She had sent a servant for mulled wine and cakes.
They gathered around the fireplace. The fireplace and candles on an iron chandelier provided dim illumination for the room. Tapestries covered the walls, moving occasionally as wind leaked through the walls.
"I cannot lie to you, Lady,” Kaila said. “It goes badly. The numbers of our foes seem endless. Kreg has taught us much of the art of war and that allow us to destroy large hosts, even much larger than our own, but still more come. I know not how much longer we can endure."
Lady Brethon nodded. "Is the estate in any danger?"
"I know not," Kaila said. "You are small and not on the main road. Perhaps they will pass you by, seeking more to follow our armies. But perhaps not. I cannot say. If you wish to take your household to Norveth, we will make you welcome and provide what sanctuary we may."
"I was in Merona and saw what they did in conquered territories,” Kreg said, “I, for one, would not want to be behind their lines."
"I see," Lady Brethon said. "And you, my son? Would you also want me to come to the capital?" Lady Brethon chuckled and reached out a hand for Bertan’s head, a hand that Bertan dodged agilely. "All right," she said, returning to seriousness. "I'll need a few days to prepare."
"We cannot wait," Kaila said, "or we would offer you escort." She shrugged. "But we must hasten on come the morning. We have urgent business with my father in Norveth which may yet grant us victory."
Lady Brethon nodded. "We'll follow then, as soon as we can."
"Make haste," Kaila said. "The army cannot hold for long. Once the attack begins they will hold a day, perhaps two, not much longer. You will have to move swiftly to remain before them."
"I'll remember," Lady Brethon said. "Thank you for your advice."
“I wish we could do more,” Kreg said.
“I have one more piece of advice,” Kaila said. “If you cannot come to Norveth before the Schahi arrive, take your household and flee to the hills to the south. It will be hard, but better that than to be slaughtered by the Schahi demons.”
“This too, I will remember,” Lady Brethon said.
The servants arrived bearing trays that they set on small tables between the chairs. One of the servants--an older man, his hair a gray bordering on white--poured a cup of wine for Kreg and handed him a small cake wrapped in linen. “I pray our humble fare pleases you, Lord.” Kreg saw others serving Lady Brethon, Kaila, and Bertan.
“Thank you,” Kreg said, drawing a wide-eyed stare from the servant. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
“My lord is gracious,” the servant said and bowed, backing away.
“So tell me,” Lady Brethon said, “what trouble has this scamp been getting into at court?”
#
They left early the next morning. Once out of sight of the estate they broke into a trot, but soon had to slow to a walk as the jarring irritated Bertan's still not completely healed wound.
Toward noon, Kaila called a halt. They were descending a low hill and could see where the road wound into a stand of woods below them.
"Something is wrong," she said.
Kreg pulled up alongside her and nodded. "I agree, but I don't know what."
"The vortrill," Bertan said.
"What?" Kreg asked him.
"Listen," Bertan said. "Where are the vortrill?" He pointed at the woods below. "We should be able to hear them."
Kreg looked at the woods for a moment and nodded. "An ambush you think, Kaila?"
"Aye. Belike."
"Should we try to go around?"
"I think not." Kaila stared at the woods. "Should we do so, like as not, we will find them further along the road when we are not forewarned."
“If there are too many, or too strong, for us to take even with warning?”
“Then they will do so whether we ride in now or no,” Kaila said.
“Good point.” Kreg nodded. "All right." He removed his bow from its case and strung it. Then he loosened his sword in its sheath. "Let's do it."
He waited while Kaila mimicked him. She then took an arrow from her quiver and placed it against the string. Her left index finger, looped over the shaft, held it in place. Kreg nodded in approval as he mimicked her.
Kaila kicked her horse into a walk, then a trot. Kreg and Bertan followed her.
The attack came just inside the edge of the woods. Ten men sprang from the underbrush, attacking them with clubs and swords.
Kreg and Kaila moved as one. Their bow arms came up while they drew and loosed. Two arrows sped to targets, embedding themselves in two bandit chests.
While Kreg fumbled for another arrow, Kaila loosed her second. Another bandit died, Kaila's arrow through his throat.
As two of the bandits closed on him, Kreg abandoned his attempts to draw an arrow. Instead he grabbed for his sword. Ducking a wild swing by one bandit's club, he parried the other's sword. His riposte bit into the bandit's sword arm. The slash bled heavily, not immediately debilitating, but dangerous if not swiftly tended. The bandit fell back, clutching at his arm, blood leaking from between his fingers.
Kreg turned his attention back to the other who was starting to bring his club back around in a backhand strike. Kreg jerked his foot free of his stirrup and kicked, catching the club just above where the bandit grasped it and sending it flying. An instant later, he slashed the bandit across the base of his neck.
For a moment Kreg was free, facing no opponents. A glance showed Kaila in control of her own situation. Two bandits lay dead near her feet, another fenced with her but he backpedaled and parried, not attacking.
A glance in the other direction brought Bertan into his sight. Bertan had fallen from his horse and faced two bandits. The two had split, working to the sides in an attempt to get Bertan between them. Bertan was backing quickly, trying to keep them both in front of him but he could not keep that up for long.
With a yell, Kreg dropped his sword and snatched an arrow from his quiver. Almost surprised to find his bow still in hand, he nocked the arrow, sighted and loosed. One of the bandits fell. An instant later, Kreg had sent another arrow after the first to strike the other bandit. Kreg slid his third arrow back into the quiver, unneeded, sparing a moment to wonder at how easily he had managed after the first frantic moments of clumsiness.
As he looked up, he saw a glint of silver in the surrounding woods. For an instant, Kreg saw an armored figure on horseback, with the breastplates and tassets over chain that the Schahi had worn in Merona. Before Kreg could raise and draw his bow, the armored figure turned and vanished into the underbrush.
When Kreg turned back, Kaila had finished her opponent. "I think I see why you travel in armor," he said. His horse carried him back to where he had dropped his sword. Kreg dismounted to retrieve it. "Are you all right, Bertan?" he asked.
"Aye, Sir Kreg."
"Kaila?"
"I am well, Kreg. These bandits are poor fighters."
Kreg placed a foot under one of the bandits and lifted, flipping him face up. "I don't think they were bandits, exactly."
"What say you?" Kaila dismounted to retrieve her arrows.
"At the end of the fighting," Kreg said, "I saw a man in armor." He started to go after his own arrows but saw that Bertan was already tending to that chore.
"It may be," Kaila said, "that some renegade knight leads them."
Kreg carefully wiped his sword on the clothing of one of the dead bandits. "I don't think so. He was
wearing Schahi armor."
"So." After wiping her own sword clean, Kaila slipped it back into its scabbard and mounted her horse. "A trap. But to what end. Did they seek merely to cause terror within the kingdom as you did with your commando units, or did they seek to kill or capture you and me?"
"I don't know," Kreg said, remounting his own horse. "I don't like it either way and, frankly, I think we'd better be more careful from here on out."
"You speak wisdom," Kaila said.
Bertan approached Kreg's horse to return his arrows. "Sir Kreg, I know it's noon, about time to stop, but..."
"But not here, right?" Kreg’s wave took in the bodies around them. At Bertan's nod, he smiled, "Well, I feel the same way. Let's move down the road a ways, but be ready for more attacks."
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A week later, they rode into Norveth. The river valley was warmer than the highlands to the west but frost still dusted the ground in the mornings. As they entered the gate, the garrison sent a dispatch rider ahead of them. Shillond met them at the entrance to the palace.
The wizard led them to a small parlor where they sat at the fire and Kreg and Kaila reported all that had happened since he had left the army to return to Norveth.
"And so, Keven, too, has been spirited away. We know not how," Kaila said in conclusion as she finished. "It liked me not to leave Dahren in command, but I saw no other way."
"In Kaila's defense," Kreg said before Shillond could answer, "I agreed with her. Dahren could easily lose us that entire army, but--" He shrugged. "--what other choice did we have? We had to get back here. If we can’t do something about these changeling armies then before long it won’t matter anyway. "
Shillond nodded. "I agree with both of you." He frowned at them. "And you've both been beating yourselves with whips over the decision. Stop it, now. You did the only thing you could."
He stood up and began to pace. "I have not done nearly as well. Since returning to Norveth, I have faced difficulty after difficulty, problems that only a peer of the realm could address. I have been unable to make even the first preparations for our attempt to find an answer."
"So what do we do now?" Kreg asked.
Shillond returned to his seat. "You say we cannot hold the west?"
The Hordes of Chanakra (Knights of Aerioch) Page 26