by M. S. Brook
“No. What happened?”
“About two weeks ago a large band of Blackcoats attacked. They burned the village and collapsed the tunnels leading into the mines.”
“What? That must have been just after our battle across the border.”
“Yes,” Uncle Leo said. “We had word of your defeat, and then shortly after, we learned of the attack on River Forge. Many of the villagers escaped, but the men in the mines were trapped. They put up a fight, but of course, they were not armed. If Saduk meant to punish us for crossing the border, he chose well. It will be a while before the mines are working again. There’s a stockpile of ore they left untouched, but the furnace will need to be repaired, and the boats docked there were holed and sunk.”
“But that’s our iron supply.”
“Yes. It’s hard to see this as anything other than retaliation. It’s almost as if Saduk was prepared for it.”
“He was!” I told them about the spy at Evergreen. “He had weeks to plan this. He knows that some in the council would fear retaliation. This will make our task that much harder!”
“What task is that?” asked Mama.
“I’m here to speak to the council. To persuade them to march on Bal Zor.” The three of them looked at me, Uncle Leo raising his left eyebrow.
I was off to a good start again.
“I know it may seem mad to you, but I’ve come to believe that Saduk is afraid of us. He is afraid of losing power over his people. This latest attack proves it. Saduk does not want to fight us directly. He wants us to stay on this side of the river so he can send his war bands to attack us when and how he chooses. We must lure him into meeting us face to face, in a battle that we are prepared for. It’s the only way we can win, and he knows it.”
“Saduk, afraid of us?” Mama said. “Why, I’ve never thought of such a thing!”
“We’re too busy being afraid ourselves,” Papa said.
There was a quiet knock at the door, and Papa got up to answer. I heard Rowland’s deep voice in the entryway. “Sorry to disturb, but I’ve a brief message for Aidriana.”
“Come in, come in,” Papa said. “It’s good to see you, Rowland.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ve just come to say that I spoke with my father.” Rowland turned to me. “I assume they’ve told you about River Forge?”
“Yes. That must be why the war band never followed us. They came here instead.”
Rowland’s face was sober. “I agree. I’ve spoken at length with my father. We will meet with the council in the morning. And by the way, he is favorable to your ideas, as I knew he would be. He says the mood has changed here at Highfield. The calls to invade Domaine are becoming louder. The Guardians from highest to lowest rank are ready. It’s only some on the council who would hold back.”
“Thank you, Rowland. That’s good to hear. Especially in the light of our losses.”
We exchanged a brief look, and Mama said to Rowland, “Would you sit with us and have something to eat?”
“Thank you. You look very snug here.” Rowland’s eyes flickered in my direction and then away. “But I’ve matters I must attend to. I will see you in the morning, Aidriana.”
I saw him to the door, wishing I could say something that would make him want to stay. “Thank you again for speaking to Lord Kempton.”
“My pleasure,” he said, bowing. “A good night to you.”
“And to you.”
I went back for another current cake, and Mama poured more tea for all of us.
Uncle Leo said, “This idea is going to shake up the regents.”
I nodded. “I expect you’re right about that, but I think I remember someone suggesting that it might not hurt to shake things up a bit.”
Uncle Leo chuckled, and Mama said, “But won’t it be terribly dangerous? Bal Zor is so far away.”
I could tell from the way Mama was biting her lower lip that she was trying not to worry. “I’ll be one of many Guardians, Mama. We wouldn’t go without a strong force. I know you’re frightened for me, but the worse danger is to go on as we are. We cannot allow Saduk to dictate to us from behind the walls of Bal Zor. It will take a bold move to stop him, but we must take action.” I stopped, feeling my face flush. “Well, that’s what I plan to say to the council.”
“I believe you’ll persuade them,” Papa said.
“I would go slowly with the idea that Saduk is afraid,” said Uncle Leo. “Let them take it in small bites.”
“Good advice. I’m sure your Uncle Fergal will be with you,” Papa said, “and Lord Kempton, of course. It’s the other two you’ll have to convince.”
Mama gave me a teary smile. “We’re so proud of you, Aidriana.”
“Yes,” Papa said. “We’ll never let you forget that—and we know of someone else who would be very proud of you too if he were here to see you.”
I stared into the fire and sipped my tea.
My sleeping room was just as I’d left it. The rich linens and polished furniture still seemed a great change from the homey cottage where I grew up. All the same, I would have gone back to our little cottage with no regrets, because that would mean that Mama and Papa were safe, and the war was over.
There was a scratching at the door followed by Mama’s voice. “Someone’s here to see you!” The door opened a crack, and in slipped Gwyn. She jumped up on my bed as if she owned it and turned round and round until she found just the right spot in the soft covers. She plopped down and stretched out her neck, graciously allowing me the honor of scratching under her chin.
I lay beside her, stroking her soft fur. “Thanks for coming, little Gwyn. I was missing my companions tonight.” Gwyn touched my nose with hers and made a soft mewing sound.
My mind wandered back to the awkwardness with Rowland. Why did I feel so confused? Rowland deserved better from me. He’d been his usual courteous self today, but there was a tension between us that had not been present since the day we’d reconciled our childhood war. Now, when I so needed his friendship and council, everything seemed strained and difficult between us.
I washed and dressed for bed and then laid out my best Red and Blues for the morning. As was my habit when on patrol, I slipped the much-creased letter into my left breast pocket.
Chapter 30
In the morning we gathered in the council room, taking our seats around the long, oaken table. Constables Carlin and Hill sat on my right side, and Rowland, more reserved than usual, was at my left. The regents sat across the table from us. Uncle Fergal was the youngest of them and the only one who was an active Guardian. Beside him, Sir Ailin Bentham looked small; his narrow shoulders were stooped, hair gone completely white except for his thick, sandy-colored eyebrows. Mild-mannered and slightly plump, Sir Donal Wentworth sat next to him, with Lord Kempton at the head of the table, a little grayer perhaps, but distinguished as ever. They gave us a civil greeting, but I’d felt safer riding into battle than I did sitting at that table.
Lord Kempton read aloud Azar’s report, which we brought with us. He asked Rowland and I to give additional details. I told them about the spy at Evergreen and described the actions of Saduk on the battlefield. “He didn’t join the battle until the end,” I said, “he just sat on his horse and watched, and yet everyone was terrified by his presence—his own men as well as ours. He has somehow made himself into a fearful specter. Everyone on the battlefield was aware of him.”
“Of course, that has been Saduk’s way all along,” Lord Kempton said. “Using random cruelty to make a name for himself. He doesn’t even have to leave Bal Zor. He sends out his wolf packs to terrorize the weakest targets.”
“And always, he chooses a smaller target than himself,” I said. “I wonder if, like his own vithons, he has a soft underbelly.”
The regents had been listening, each man’s face reflecting his own thoughts, but now Sir Ai
lin shook his head. “If that is true, then why did you run from him?”
“We were greatly outnumbered, sir. We did what was necessary to bring back as many men as we could.”
“But this invasion was your idea all along, was it not?”
Rowland’s chair squeaked. I could almost feel his back go rigid, but he eased up when Uncle Fergal flew in to defend me. “That’s not fair, Ailin. The Guardians were tricked.”
“Let her answer for herself. Rumors that this young lady is a seer abound. I would like to know if her reputation is founded.”
“It was my idea, yes, but we were not prepared—”
“Ah, but wouldn’t a seer know? Wouldn’t a seer be prepared? How can the council trust the judgment of a young, inexperienced woman who allows herself to be fooled?”
He meant to silence me, but I swung back. “This is precisely why we must force Saduk to meet us on our own terms next time.”
“I don’t think anyone will be interested in a next time,” Sir Ailin said coldly.
“I beg to differ,” said Lord Kempton. “With the permission of her senior officer, Aidriana has brought a proposal to invade Domaine.”
Sir Ailin was on the edge of his chair in an instant. “What nonsense is that? We’ve just had a lesson in what happens when we cross the border. We open ourselves to attack at home.”
“And that’s the point,” said Uncle Fergal. “We’re always worried about what Saduk will do. Can’t you see that hasn’t worked to protect us?”
“And our foolhardy plan to rush across the river worked?”
Uncle Fergal shot an angry look at Sir Ailin, and I held up my hand. “With respect, my lords, you must see that if we allow the fear of reprisals to hold us captive, then Saduk already rules us. All that is left is for him to take our land.” I looked at the faces around the table, observing the mixture of agreement, uncertainty, and open hostility. “If we would hold what we have, we must take back what we’ve lost.”
Sir Ailin stood up, leaning across the table to face me directly. “If you were a seer, you would know that we are not strong enough to fight Saduk. Our only hope is to keep him on his side of the river. Indeed, you are as blind as a warrior with his helmet on backwards! Why are you even here except that your uncle is a regent?”
Rowland and Uncle Fergal both jumped up. I felt Rowland’s big hands behind me, gripping the back of my chair. My uncle’s face was bright red. “That is an insult to both of us!”
Sir Ailin shrugged. “Take it as you will. This young woman left fallen Guardians in Domaine and provoked an attack on River Forge. Hasn’t she done enough damage?”
There was a sharp intake of breath behind me, and then everyone was shouting. At length, they all settled back in their chairs, and I struck again. “We will not win unless we take the fight to Saduk’s doorstep. In short, we propose to march on Bal Zor and take it back. It may even be that we will discover where the king is.”
Sir Ailin’s response was as quick as it was predictable. “Nonsense! The king is long dead, and you would be no more successful than he was.”
Rowland twitched. “With respect, Sir Ailin, no one has established whether the king still lives.”
“And who asked you to speak? You aren’t even a low-ranking officer anymore. You’ve given up your commission in order to be a guard dog.”
Sir Donal’s brows drew together in a thoughtful frown, and Lord Kempton’s face turned bright red. “These two lay down their lives every day for Canwyrrie!” Kempton snapped.
“But she’s pushing us into war! Doesn’t anyone care about that?”
I looked at Sir Ailin’s face, so angry and determined. Had he really not noticed we’d been at war all our lives? Lord Kempton held his hand up for quiet. “Ailin, you’ve made your point. Are there any other questions for the seer?”
Sir Donal had one. “What is your plan? You know the fortress has never been taken. If you are right that Saduk is soft, he will run behind his walls, and if he does, you cannot outlast him. Without food and water, you will have to come home.”
“It is true, sir, that our success depends on drawing Saduk out, but I believe we can do it. We will attack him at a tender spot—his pride and deceit. We will spread word throughout Domaine that Saduk is a coward and a pretender to the throne, that he is hiding because he knows he cannot prevail against us. Saduk is then trapped. He must answer us, or his people will laugh at him and the fear that holds them captive will lose its power. To prove that we are wrong, he will have to leave his safe position and come out and face us on our terms. That will be our chance to take him.”
Sir Ailin shook his head. “But this is reckless! You cannot muster a large enough force to take Saduk. He has Bezarqs who will flinch at nothing, he has conscripts to boost his numbers, and no one knows how many vithons he has. And who will guard Canwyrrie while you’re gone? Saduk will see your absence as an opportunity to take Highfield.”
“This is Canwyrrie’s moment to shine,” I said. “Unlike Saduk, we will not take conscripts. We will ask for volunteers—from the woodsmen and the yeomen of the land. We will arm them with the swords and shields that are not just for display in the tower. Some will go to the border region, and others will guard Highfield and their own villages. Saduk cannot be in two places at once. If he advances on Canwyrrie, we will trap him between our forces.”
Sir Ailin slouched back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “This proposal is not well considered. It leaves no answer for our Guardian numbers. We are too few to face Saduk. Let the constables speak! They will tell you.”
Lord Kempton nodded, and Constable Carlin stood. “With your permission, my lords, we will take on new recruits. I believe there is yet time to train them, and we’ve always had a willing response to such requests.”
Sir Donal gave me a sober look. “You speak of volunteers and new recruits, but your plan will take fathers and husbands, farmers and shepherds away from their homes and land. Soon harvest time will come. Instead of working their fields, these men will be in grave danger and their families in want.”
“With respect, our plan will require sacrifice. But unlike the people of River Forge, or of Oxfield, or the many brave stead-holders and farmers who have been attacked throughout Canwyrrie, we have the chance to fight back. For generations we have defended our borders, but it has not brought victory to the House of Enfys. There is only one remedy. We must take the fight to Saduk.” I leaned forward. “My lord regents, of this you can be sure: Saduk is not content with part of the loaf. He intends to rule this realm. We cannot trim the bear’s claws, hoping to tame him—we must strike at his heart.”
Lord Kempton stood to his feet. “Regents of Canwyrrie, I believe we have heard enough to make our decision. What will you make of this proposal to march on Domaine?”
Uncle Fergal stood also. “I say we march! We are fooling ourselves if we believe that Saduk can be held to our border.”
Sir Donal cast a sideways look toward Ailin and rose to his feet. “Too long we have bowed to the dictates of Saduk. I say we march!”
Sir Ailin shook his finger. “I’m warning you all. This scheme will end in disaster.”
Lord Kempton cleared his throat. “I take that as a no, but you are nonetheless overruled. I say we march also. We will begin our plans and preparations straightaway.”
Guardian patrols carried the regents’ request for volunteers and recruits to every village and town in Canwyrrie. In a matter of days there came a steady stream of retired Guardians, landholders’ sons, huntsmen, and freeman to Highfield. They bedded in the barns and mews of the king’s holdings until there was no more room. The folk of Highfield town made room in their homes, and the volunteers began training for patrol duty—the new recruits for the march on Bal Zor. Many brought bows and spears and swords with them, and the walls of the Hall and the drum towers were emptied
of their collections of shields and weapons.
From first light to starlight, the fires of cookhouses and forges burned. We sharpened weapons, mended armor, inspected equipment, and packed stores. The healers gathered herbs and rolled bandages, while the Household women baked reams of flat oatcakes, and smoked meat and fish. But would it be enough? It was still a long way to Domaine, and no one knew what awaited us when we got there.
In spite of all that was consuming my thoughts, I wasn’t too busy to worry about Rowland. At least one other person noticed it. I was working in the armory, when Uncle Leo stopped by for one of his frequent visits.
“Preparations appear to be going well,” he said.
“Yes.” I glanced across the room where a swarm of men were busy with piles of armor and weapons. “Smiths from all over Canwyrrie are here helping us. We’ve seen overwhelming support from the region.”
“Indeed, all of Canwyrrie has rallied with you. This will serve you well when it’s your time to rule.”
I stared at him. “You think I don’t have enough to worry about as it is?”
“All right then,” he said, laughing. “One thing at a time. By the way, I just ran into Rowland.”
My attention dropped to the blade I’d been sharpening. I scraped my thumb over the edge, testing it.
“Careful there, you’ll cut yourself.”
I reached for my gloves and pulled them on, looking down at my hands while I worked my fingers into the close-fitting tips.
“I wondered,” he said. “You’ve always worked so well together. But lately I don’t see much of him.”
I finally had to look up.
“So…that’s the way of it,” he said.
“Am I made of glass?”
“I’ve known you for a long time, Aidriana.”
“Well then, perhaps you can tell me what I’m to do.” Uncle Leo was quiet, and I blundered on. “I’ve made such a mess of it. I keep remembering what happened to Arvel…and then I find myself pushing Rowland away. I’ve kept him at a distance for a long time without realizing it. I know it must be confusing to him, but I can’t seem to help it. Now I’m worried that I’ve run him off for good—just when I’m realizing how very much I don’t want that to happen.” I shrugged. “Not to mention that we’re about to invade Domaine.”