by Howell, Rob
“Well?”
“Because it’s what I want to be, by the Drowned God, why are you asking this idiotic question?”
“Because I can’t trust you unless I know.”
“Piri just said you could. Do you not trust her?”
“Yes, but I need reasons to believe in you that aren’t hers.”
“But…”
“You know the reason, Sevener,” interjected Piri.
I smiled at her. “Yes, I do, but I want her to know the reason.”
Piri smugly nodded and let me continue.
“Maja, if you stay with me, this will be your first task. I don’t expect you to complete it immediately, or even quickly, but you can’t ever reach your potential until you complete it. You have to know why you want to be a Pathfinder, and you have to tell me.”
“I don’t understand!”
“No, you don’t. Neither did I for many years. I’m not sure I actually understood the question or answer until I came to Achrida. But I can tell you that your chances of living to collect the zupan’s pension are much greater if you find the answer.”
She sat back with a confused face.
Melia jumped onto the table and pawed insistently at my hand until I started scratching her ears. “Since you don’t know yet why you want to be a Pathfinder,” I asked, “do you know why Piri wants you to serve me?”
“You know damn well why. You both think I’m stupid.”
“No, Maja.” I shook my head. “Stupid and undisciplined are two different things. If she thought you were just stupid, she’d just send you away.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means she’s assigning you to me because she thinks you could be something, but your life has to change for that happen. You’re too stubborn to change while living the life you have.”
“See? He talks like a philosopher.” Piri’s delighted laugh prompted both Melia and Maja to glower at her.
I sighed. “If I’m going to ask you why Piri wants you to serve me, I suppose I should also ask myself the same question.”
Maja looked at me. “What do you mean?”
“You’re from Achrida. You all have at least three arrows on every string, it seems. She’s assigning you to me because she wants you to grow into the person she feels you can be.”
“I suppose,” she growled.
“Well, she’s doing the same thing to me.”
Piri chuckled.
“I don’t understand,” grumbled Maja.
“She told me last night I had to think like a lord so I could fulfill my responsibilities. You’re the first step.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I can’t accept your service unless we swear oaths to each other.”
Piri nodded. Maja looked from me to Piri and back. Piri took a breath and got a serious look on her face.
“Maja Mrnjavcevic. You have enrolled and sworn to the Pathfinders. I, Piriska Mrnjavcevic, hecatontarch, do hereby absolve you of your oath to the Pathfinders for the duration of your service with Edward Athelredson. Should you choose not to serve Edward, or at the moment your service to him ends, your responsibilities and debts to the Pathfinders resume and must be fulfilled completely. Do you understand these terms?”
With her mouth dropping, Maja slowly nodded.
Piri looked at me with a smile. “Your turn, Sevener.”
“Now I have to remember the exact words of my oaths.”
“I know you do.”
I smiled. “As it happens, you’re correct. I need to borrow your sword.”
Piri nodded and handed me her blade.
I rose, turned to Maja, and held Piri’s sword out between us. “If you would take service with me, then you must swear to me. Kneel before me, hold the sword, and repeat these words.”
Maja looked at Piri. Then, thoughtfully, at me for a moment. She slowly knelt, and, stumbling at first, repeated the oath I had sworn to Penwulf, the oath that had led me to give my father joy by slaying him.
“I will be to Edward Aethelredson loyal and true, and love all that he loves and shun all that he shuns, according to books of law and the order of the world, never by will nor by intention, by words nor by works, do anything that is loathsome to him, on condition that he keeps me as I will deserve, and perform all that our agreement was, when I gave myself to him and chose his will. This I, Maja Mrnjavcevic, swear by vow unbroken.”
I took a breath and responded. “I will be to Maja Mrnjavcevic a worthy lord, and give to her bencriht in my hall, be openhanded with my wealth, arm her that she may serve me in battle or peace, and never by will nor by intention, by words nor by works, fail to reward her as her service merits. This I, Edward Aethelredson, swear by vow unbroken.”
Maja released the sword, which I wiped clean and returned to Piri.
“Excellent,” said Piri.
“I suppose.”
Maja stared at us as if unsure what had just happened. I myself was not sure what having a thegn meant. I only knew that Piri felt it wise. At least I knew the first thing I had to do.
I rose and went over the bar. Ragnar had come out as the midday crowd arrived and was bustling behind his bar.
“Ragnar, I need another room.”
“What? Is there to be bein’ somethin’ wrong with the one that yer to be already havin’? Why I’m to be sayin’ I can be makin’ sure Eirik or Karah are to be fixin’ whatever yer problem may happen to be bein’. I was to be thinkin’ you were to be likin’ the room that yer to have been havin’?”
I was waving Ragnar’s fears away in the middle of his rant, but he had to finish it.
“That’s not the question. I have just taken Maja as an armsman, and I need to provide for her keep. She’ll need a room, and I’ll be paying for her food, drink, and whatever else she needs from you.” I thought for a moment. “A room close to mine would be best, if that’s possible.”
“I’m to be thinkin’ I can arrange that. Is she to be havin’ a horse?”
“Not that I know of, though that might change.”
Ragnar looked over at Piri and Maja. Slowly, he nodded.
“Now I’m to be thinkin’ I am to be understandin’ this a mite better, but then Piri’s always been bein’ a sly one, more so than most of thems that are to be livin’ in this city, and that’s to be sayin’ somethin’ impressive. I do believe yer to have been findin’ that out a time or two.”
I laughed.
“That she is. I’ll send Maja over so you can get her settled in.”
Ragnar started his rambling assent, but I ignored it and went back to my table.
“You remember your first task?”
Maja shrugged. “I’m to discover why I want to be a Pathfinder.”
“Yes. Here’s your second task. Ragnar’s getting you a room. Go get settled in and then return here.”
She nodded, looked at Piri, grabbed her packs, and went upstairs with Ragnar.
Piri leaned back. “After she’s done, we go to Mrnjavcevic House and visit Vukasin.”
“I suppose. Do you honestly think he’ll help?”
“Yes, I do, and not because you’ve taken one of his grand-nieces in your service.”
“I wondered what her relation to you and Vukasin was.”
“A niece to me and a grand-niece to him.”
“That’s another reason you want her to serve me.”
“Yes. She’s tied up in the family with the Pathfinders. She won’t know what to expect from you and might actually start thinking.”
I shrugged. “I have to admit I’m not sure what I’m going to do with her, but I can imagine she might be useful.”
“Train with her every day, and not just for her sake. You’ll not have the chance to come to the barracks for a while.”
“You don’t think I’ll have to stay here all the time collecting information, do you?”
“No, but I do think you’ll have to stay here most of the time. You do have to change
your plan, and I think getting a group to help you is the best idea. However, the counter-move is obvious to me. You’re already a target, but even more so. Every time you leave the Faerie, the odds are you’re going to get attacked.”
“Every time?”
“Absolutely.”
“What if they attack here?”
“They probably will.”
“What? Then I can’t stay here and expose Ragnar and his family to this danger!”
“Be still. Yes, you can. What will they say if you ask them?”
“They’ll brush off the danger, but that matters not!”
“Yes, it does matter. You have a problem to solve. Do you have a better suggestion for a base to solve the problem?”
“I could get a house.”
“Where you and Maja will get slaughtered soon enough.”
“Better just us two than all of the Faerie.”
“First, you forget that neither Ragnar nor Zoe have always been innkeepers.”
“No, I haven’t forgotten that, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’d still be too dangerous.”
“What if I said you’d have a squad of either Feroun or Pathfinders here?”
“Permanently?”
“Until this ends.”
“Can you guarantee that?”
“Vukasin can.”
“Again, why would he?”
“Again, same reason.”
I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”
“Vukasin knows that you are challenging someone who thinks they can control Andreas. He cannot allow Andreas to think that he can ignore the zupans with impunity. I think he will appreciate the opportunity to use you.”
“I suppose so. I guess that means I might be able to get help from Vesela, too.”
Piri shrugged. “Possibly. I don’t know what she’s thinking about you. I also don’t know if she realizes how much of her power is at risk if the governor of Dassaretum becomes strong, powerful, and independent. Vukasin certainly does.”
I shook my head as Piri stood up. “I’m going to get Arkady and his slugabouts ready to go. You should go arm yourself.”
“I wish I had my scale armor.”
“Where is it?”
“With Sebastijan, so a day or two away.”
“Do you have any armor?”
“The leathers I wore as a caravan guard.”
“Wear that. I notice you have not been wearing your saex. Does Sebastijan have that as well?”
I nodded.
“And your sword would be distinctive, too,” she mused.
“Yes, he has everything but my spear.”
“But you have the spatha you wore last night?”
“Yes.”
“Wear that. Leave the spear.”
Chapter 38
Afternoon, 2 Simmermoanne, 1712 MG
Nothing happened on our walk to Mrnjavcevic House. Whatever resources were lined up against us, they apparently were not immediately sufficient to attack a prepared squad of Pathfinders. As we got closer, I began to think about the trip home.
“We should not stay at Mrnjavcevic House long,” I muttered.
Piri grinned. “Just thought of that, did you?”
“What?”
“That the longer we’re here, the more likely someone could gather a big enough force to attack all of us.”
“Well, it’s happened to me before. Remember the night Desimir died.”
“No, that night Pal wanted to talk to you first. He could just as easily have attacked you on the way to the mansion.”
I shrugged. Piri was right as usual.
“In this case, we’re facing someone who might think this is his or her best chance to get at you.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“Nothing.”
“What?”
“I said that we’re facing someone who might think this is the best time, but that’s extremely unlikely.”
“Huh?”
“They don’t know what you’re planning. They don’t know you’re going to change everything.”
“Oh. They’ll think they’ll have some other chance when you and Arkady’s squad are not around me.”
“Exactly.”
I paused.
“But why do they think I’m going to Vukasin’s?”
“I’m sure they’re guessing you’re coming to ask for help, but not the kind of help you’re actually going to ask for.”
As I realized she was correct, we arrived at the Mrnjavcevic House.
“Arkady, keep your lads and lasses out here. I don’t expect anything to happen, but…”
“Yes, Piri. I’ll keep their eyes watchin’.” He turned to his troop. “You heard the hecatontarch.”
Piri, Maja, and I walked entered Mrnjavcevic House. A short, energetic, grandmotherly type awaited us. She seemed less disapproving of me than the first time we had met, but she certainly did not think I was worthy to consort with Vukasin or any other important Dassaretae. She did, however, respect Piri, so when Piri asked to see Vukasin, she did not question her and led us back.
I vaguely remembered the long, rambling path through Mrnjavcevic House. It led through hallways and rooms brightened by skylights and rooms lit by small candles and even one with a splashing fountain. The décor and fittings gradually became more luxurious as we processed closer to Vukasin’s den, though unlike the Gropas, the Mrnjavcevics never seemed anxious to wallow in opulence.
The short woman tapped on the door to Vukasin’s sitting-room door. At his sharp “Yes,” she admitted us.
Vukasin rose from his comfortable chair as we entered, putting a mark into the book he was reading. He looked at us with smiling eyes.
“Well, this is an interesting set of visitors. How may I help you?”
“May we sit, uncle?”
“Please. Shall you remain long enough for refreshments?”
Piri shook her head as we all took chairs. “No, we merely need your help.”
“All of you? I mean, I know Edward is involved in something between Ylli and Gibroz. How are you involved?”
“I suppose I am not involved, at least not any more than as an advisor.”
I spoke up. “And I am the recipient of Piri’s advice.”
“What did she advise you?”
“That I come to you asking a favor. I need two score or so people to help me keep this conflict between Ylli and Gibroz from exploding.”
Vukasin leaned back thinking. “Forty people? That is a large favor to ask.”
“And more than that, Uncle. He’ll need a squad of Pathfinders or Feroun to stay at the Faerie until this is done.”
He tapped the book on his thigh. “You think he’s in that much danger?”
“Yes. And the Faerie, and those who are staying there.”
I started to explain the plan, but Piri put her hand on my wrist. Vukasin rose from his seat and strode around the room, occasionally muttering to himself.
“You’re wanting the two score primarily to gather information?”
“Yes. I need to keep track of Gibroz, his main thugs, Gabrijela, Andreas, and Pherenike.”
“Ah, yes. Andreas.” He grinned tightly and continued. “If you are simply looking to gather information, you are expecting to need them for some time.”
“Piri said weeks, maybe months.”
He nodded. “A sizable commitment.”
“Yes.”
“Is someone trying to oust Gibroz?”
“That’s my best guess. I don’t think Ylli is pushing at Gibroz.”
“You learned this in Lezh?”
“Yes. Ylli is not actively trying to cheat Gibroz, so the evidence that suggests he is must be intended to provoke a conflict.”
Vukasin thought about that and nodded. “You’ve been attacked, what, twice so far?”
“Three times, plus an ambush that I avoided.”
“So even though you want the two score to gather information, they hav
e to be able to take care of themselves.”
I nodded sourly.
“Don’t like that, do you, Sevener?”
“No, I don’t.”
“That must mean you’re going to direct my two score and not lead them.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re even more bothered that Piri’s asked for a squad to guard you and the Faerie.”
“Yes.”
“What about Sebastijan?”
“I’ll certainly use him when I can, but he’s two days away and his man Radovan is hurt. I don’t know that Radovan won’t be attacked, so right now Sebastijan’s three other men are watching him. I do not yet know how much he and his men can help.”
“You worked with Svetislav before. What about now?”
“I think Svetislav is telling his Lakewardens to eat and drink at the Faerie, but I don’t think the Enchelei are strong enough to provide constant help right now.”
Vukasin nodded. “So you would use the Faerie as a hub for the information. Have my two score bring you reports and have the squad of Feroun or Pathfinders protect you from the inevitable response?”
“That is the plan.”
“Piri’s plan?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think of it?”
“It goes against my instincts. I should be confronting the possible players. I shouldn’t sit and wait like a Reader for people to bring me scraps to sift through.”
Vukasin laughed his rumbling laugh as I continued. “But clearly I’m simply going to get attacked repeatedly. Maybe this way I can find things out instead of giving Kapric and Zvono more paperwork.”
“I hear she’s quite upset with you.”
I sighed. “She’s probably right to be. I’m on a galloping horse that doesn’t want to stop, making decisions that just seem to be the best thing to do at the time. I’m not sure any of them are right.”
“And you and Piri are looking to smooth the ride.”
“Yes.”
He thought for a long while. “Why do you think I’ll do this? Are you appealing to my generosity?”
“I’m sure you’re quite generous yourself, but you’re a zupan first. Piri tells me that you have not yet rewarded Andreas for holding me despite your instructions.”
“That’s true.”
“I care not for Andreas. I care about Honker Harald and the people at the Frank Faerie. I care about fulfilling my word and ending this. I suppose I also care about your grand-niece now, also. I am completely comfortable throwing Andreas to the Great Wolf if I can fulfill my obligations and protect my friends.”