by D. L. Kramer
"Good," Bear said. "I'd feel awfully bad if there was too much time between us."
Evaine nodded. "Of course," she agreed. "I'm sorry we missed yours."
"I wasn't exactly in the best of appearances," Bear said.
"Oh?"
"The two lads 'ere decided to try poundin' on each other for a change," Kile interjected. "They both looked like they'd been drug over the mountain."
Matthios chuckled. "Let me guess," he said, looking at Nahtan. "You didn't want to do something and that's the best way Sewati could think of to make you do it."
Nahtan looked at Bear's sudden guilty expression. "Do they know you or what?" he asked. Bear shrugged as Nahtan turned back to Lord Bavol. "That's exactly what it was," he said. "He thought I should admit in front of everyone who I was, and started a fight with me."
"He used to do the same thing with his brother," Matthios revealed. "Tuketu would get more upset about his tactics than the result."
"All right," Bear said. "That's enough about me and my habits."
"So how are you doing?" Evaine asked Nahtan.
"All right," Nahtan shrugged. "I haven't even heard the name 'Paki' for close to a month."
"Grandfather thought it would help everyone accept him faster if they started calling him by his birthname," Adie explained. "I think he's even started to think of himself as Nahtan now." She smiled at him.
"Slowly," Nahtan admitted, returning her smile with one of his own.
"What maps have you got?" Matthios asked, looking over the table.
"All of 'em we could find," Kile replied. "This campaign is goin' to 'ave to cover an area larger than any other war in our history, and everythin' will 'ave to be timed just right."
"Good," Matthios approved. "I plan on seeing this through to the end, and don't want to wait another twenty years for it."
"It still might be a couple of years," Adie warned.
Matthios nodded and pulled a couple of the maps over in front of himself and Evaine.
They spent the rest of the day looking over the maps and beginning to outline Bavol Hold's role in the upcoming war. Everyone agreed that Nahtan's attack on the garrison by Bear's village would mark the beginning of events. As dusk fell, they broke for the evening to return to the stronghold.
On their way out of the keep, Nahtan caught a glimpse of Mo'ani walking between two of the crumbled towers. His short white hair was combed back and he held his green cloak around his arms. Taking Tyran's lead, Nahtan nodded to Bear, then walked toward the towers. Mo'ani hadn't mentioned coming down today, and Nahtan wondered why he hadn't come up to the office with the rest of them.
He rounded a tumbled cornerstone and found Mo'ani staring thoughtfully at an empty spot several feet in front of him. Nahtan stopped, not wanting to disturb his thoughts, but Mo'ani turned and motioned for him to come closer.
"I never thought I'd remember so many things here," he said when Nahtan reached him.
"How old were you when you left?" Nahtan asked.
"I was about twelve when the hold was destroyed," Mo'ani answered. "My cousin Daenyn and I used to sneak back here to play." He paused to smile faintly. "Our fathers had long since quit speaking to each other, and had forbidden us to play together."
Nahtan was a bit surprised to hear that Mo'ani hadn't been a dutiful child. "You disobeyed your father?" he asked, surprised. He expected to hear such things about others' childhoods--like Kile's or Adie's--but not Mo'ani's.
"More than once," Mo'ani nodded. "I'm afraid I spent many an afternoon cleaning the stables while everyone else was entertained in the dining hall."
Nahtan chuckled in spite of himself. "No wonder you put up with so many of Bear's antics," he realized.
Mo'ani sighed and looked back at the spot. "Bear even pushes things I never did," he commented.
"So what do you remember about this spot?" Nahtan asked, trying to find something distinctive about the ground in front of them.
"A priestess," Mo'ani answered, his words thoughtful and far away. "She was beautiful, and had come to comfort family and friends at my grandfather's funeral." He turned to look at Nahtan. "My grandmother was the only other person who saw her though. My father swore no priestess had come to the funeral."
"Who was she then?" Nahtan asked quietly.
Mo'ani shrugged. "My grandmother told me the priestess was Halona herself, but being the stubborn child I was, I didn't believe her."
"What do you believe now?"
Mo'ani paused, and when he spoke, there was a reverence to his voice. "I've since been convinced my grandmother was a very wise woman," he replied.
Nahtan studied Mo'ani for a moment. Obviously Halona had chosen Mo'ani from a very early age to take this course in his life. Mo'ani had accepted the responsibilities and borne the weight of a thousand and more deaths, and Nahtan could see he had long grown weary of the load. It was time for Nahtan to take as much of the burden as he could. Nahtan realized that the next few weeks of planning would mark something Mo'ani had waited three generations for: passing command of these allies and armies to him.
"I would certainly appreciate your advice in the coming weeks," Nahtan said after a moment. "Some of my memories of battle are still a bit jumbled."
Mo'ani nodded as he turned to him. "They're not jumbled," he said. "I think any man who wants to stay sane forgets most of what he sees on a battlefield--regardless of when it happened."
"I'll still need your advice," Nahtan insisted. "Because I know there are gaping holes in some of my tactics."
Mo'ani nodded his head, turning toward the remaining walls of Herridon Hold. "Gaping, hmm?" he asked, leading the way out of the hold. "And you expect to take the throne?"
Nahtan walked beside him, leading Tyran. "I don't think I want the throne," he confided. "But I doubt Halona will let me debate it with her."
Mo'ani chuckled. "I happen to know she's very stubborn once she sets her mind to something." He retrieved his horse from where it was tied and they rode back to the stronghold in silence.
Two - "He's not Paki anymore"
Shortly after dawn the next day, they were back at Herridon Hold, this time with Mo'ani, Janec and Gharald.
Lord and Lady Corydon arrived early that morning. They were more surprised than Evaine and Matthios to learn who Nahtan was, but were willing to accept it. Both Dahlos and Sevanha took it on themselves to test his reflexes at odd points in the conversation. More than once, Nahtan caught himself pinning one of them against the wall and holding one of his daggers against them before he was even aware he'd moved. It seemed to convince both of them, and by early afternoon, they stopped, much to his relief.
When word was brought to Herridon Hold that Lord Devayne, Lady Takis and Lord Garyn's son were spotted on the road just northeast of Mo'ani's village, Nahtan and Bear left to meet them.
Chase and Tyran were both eager to get out of Herridon Hold. The stable and corral had burned in the fire so long before, so all the horses needed to be tied. As Nahtan and Bear turned the horses towards the mountain path, they had to hold them in.
They were about half way down the mountain path when Tamnor came around a curve. He still rode the same foul-tempered horse as before, and the stallion stopped abruptly when he saw Nahtan and Bear waiting in the middle of the path.
"Well met," Lord Devayne greeted them.
"Well met," Nahtan returned. "I thought there were three of you."
As if in answer, Brijade and another man came around the curve. Brijade's black hair hung loose, but was still a disheveled mass. She wore no blouse under her vest, and Nahtan noticed Bear's smile. A red sash was tied around her hips, and she had traded her black wrist guards for some dyed red to match her sash. The man riding beside her was older, perhaps in his early thirties. There was no mistaking his relationship with Janec, and Nahtan knew then what Lord Garyn had looked like twenty years before. They pulled in beside Tamnor.
"Sewati," Brijade greeted, smiling. "Paki."
&
nbsp; "He's not Paki anymore," Bear returned.
"What?" Brijade asked, puzzled.
"It seems as if our level-headed friend here has decided on a somewhat outrageous destiny," Bear explained.
Tamnor looked at Nahtan the same time Brijade did. "Ever get the feeling we're missing something, Lady Takis?" he asked.
"Outrageous?" Nahtan asked, looking at Bear. "Did I have any choice in the matter?"
Bear shrugged and continued. "Lady Adiella did some looking about and found his sister about the same time someone named Alsynder found him. It seems they both confirmed his birthname was Nahtan."
"You're Nahtan?" Brijade asked, shocked. The letters sent to them all had been vague, in case they were intercepted. Mo'ani had simply noted that the time for final plans was at hand and all of Nahtan's allies needed to come to meet at the Stronghold.
Nahtan nodded his head. "Apparently several people knew from the beginning and never told anyone."
Tamnor leaned back in his saddle and laughed. "And the Archbishop had you right there in his dungeon and didn't even know it," he managed. "Oh, how I wish I could be the one to tell him."
"Sorry, I get to do that," Bear said. "He promised me I could."
"I did not," Nahtan countered. "The Archbishop probably wouldn't even remember me anyway."
A cleared throat from Janec's son reminded them he was there.
"Sorry," Brijade said, looking at him. "Sewati, Nahtan, this is Rylen, governor of Garyn Hold." Rylen's dark hair was straight and fell to just over his collar. His red cloak was set off against his plain tunic and breeches, making it seem all the brighter. A standard sword was belted at his waist and a war hammer hung on his horse's saddle. He wasn't as muscular as Nahtan or Bear, but held himself with the awareness and tension of a seasoned fighter.
Nahtan nodded to Rylen. "There's someone back at the stronghold you should probably talk to," he said. Mo'ani's message to Rylen hadn't said anything of his father's presence at the stronghold. Mo'ani and Kile were keeping Janec's participation with the army very quiet. So far as anyone outside the stronghold knew, Lord Garyn was still one of the Archbishop's loyal officers.
"Oh?" Rylen asked, his eyes curious.
"Lord Janec has been overseeing part of the third and fourth year apprentices' training," Nahtan said. "The two of you should probably try to find some common ground now that you're on the same side." He could tell Rylen was unhappy by the sudden set to his jaw. Knowing there was nothing else he could do, Nahtan turned Tyran off the path. "Shall we go back to Herridon Hold?" he asked. "Everyone is here now except Lord Valin and Lord Jerai."
"We didn't hear any word from Lord Valin," Tamnor supplied as their horses started back up the path. "Or we'd have waited on the road for him."
Nahtan nodded. The silence didn't surprise him. They'd heard very little from Rial in the three years since leaving Valin Hold. Most of their news came from Adie's trips each spring and summer. They knew Rial's temperament had changed little. A captured church guard scout was brought to him last spring, and the young lord cut his throat immediately, then left his body by the front gates of the nearby garrison as a warning to the BishopLord. There were more than a few skirmishes in the woods around Valin, and Rial often left captured church guards tied there helpless while Kile's wolves tore them to pieces.
They reached Herridon Hold in good time and went up to the study. The maps were now spread between the large table and two smaller ones. Since neither Lord and Lady Bavol nor Lord and Lady Corydon had met Brijade or Rylen, introductions were made around the table. More than once, Nahtan caught Evaine staring at Brijade, and when they finally broke for the evening, he moved to her side as everyone gathered their things for the trip back to the stronghold for the night.
"Is there something interesting about Lady Takis?" he asked, appearing suddenly beside her.
Evaine looked at him, unsurprised. "I'm just curious what type of person has won Sewati's heart," she answered. "Is she any good with that sword on her hip?"
"Very," Nahtan nodded, remembering his one fight with her in Takis' training yard. "Almost as good as you are with that longbow."
Evaine turned to look up at him. "If that were the case," she responded. "She'd have a cloak instead of a sash." Matthios offered her his arm, and she took it.
"I said 'almost'," Nahtan reminded as Evaine walked passed him.
"Almost what?" Brijade asked, coming to stand beside him, Bear at her side.
"Nothing," Nahtan shook his head. "You two ready to head to the stronghold?"
Bear nodded. "How's Rena?" he asked.
"The same as yesterday," Nahtan sighed. If she was pregnant, he didn't like the thought of being gone when she gave birth. She'd have the baby next spring, and by then, they'd be well on their way to Bear's village.
"What's wrong with Rena?" Brijade asked, sitting on the table.
"She just hasn't felt very well," Nahtan said, noting that Kile and Lord Corydon were still in the room. "I'll tell you about it on the way up to the stronghold."
Brijade nodded. "Let's go then," she said. "There's not much left to do here today."
"There's not much we can really do until Rial and Jerai get here," Bear said as they walked toward the door.
They returned to the stronghold and Nahtan excused himself to go check on Rena. He found her where he left her that morning, lying on the bed in his room. Her eyes told him how tired she was, but she managed to sit up when he came in.
"How are you doing?" he asked, setting his sword by the door as he sat beside her.
"I've been better today," she said. "I even made it up to the library for a while this afternoon."
"Don't try to do too much," Nahtan cautioned her. "Did you talk to Meda again?"
Rena nodded her head. "She seems to agree with me," she said. "I think because it was Meda's idea to come here with you, Halona has sort of given her a clearer idea of what's going on."
"So what is going on?" Nahtan asked when she didn't continue.
"I don't know," Rena admitted, smiling faintly. "She wouldn't really say anything other than to agree with me."
"That sounds like Meda," he sighed. "Can I bring you anything to eat?"
Rena considered it for a moment before answering. "Maybe some broth," she replied. "And bread."
"I think I can manage that."
"Well, I hope so," she smiled up at him. "I'd have to wonder how you were going to take on the Archbishop if you couldn't handle something as simple as that."
"I'll be back in a few minutes," Nahtan said, standing up again. He kissed her gently then left to get her some dinner.
He returned quickly and sat with Rena while she ate. When she was finished, he continued to sit with her until she dozed off, then quietly slipped from the room. Turning down another hallway, he made his way to Meda's room and knocked on the door.
She answered so quickly, Nahtan wondered if she was standing right next to the door. Meda nodded when she saw who it was and opened the door wider for him without hesitating. Nahtan stepped into the room and she closed the door behind him.
"I was sort of expecting you last night," Meda said, sitting behind her finely carved desk. Her light brown hair was loose, framing her nearly perfect face in soft waves. Nahtan sat on the nearby bench when she motioned to it.
"What's happening?" he asked her. "You, Rena and Isak all told me none of you could have children."
"I didn't think we could," Meda shook her head. "All I can guess is it's because your soul isn't a mortal's soul. Zakris only healed it so you could be born mortal, he didn't change it."
"I don't understand this," Nahtan leaned back. "What my soul is shouldn't matter. This," he motioned to his chest. "Is a mortal body, so there shouldn't be any way--"
"I don't know," Meda interrupted. "But it wouldn't have happened unless one of the gods wanted it to."
Nahtan slumped down, suddenly feeling defeated. He would have worried about Rena enough without her being
pregnant, but now how could he possibly be expected to concentrate on what needed to be?
"So you're sure she's pregnant?" he asked after several moments, hoping perhaps there could still be a chance it was something else.
"Yes," Meda nodded her head. "I figure the baby should be due mid-spring."
"We're leaving on the spring thaw," Nahtan pointed out, almost as if that could change something.
"I guessed as much," Meda nodded. "It's going to take you quite a while to get things going."
"And probably even longer to finish them." Nahtan sighed and pushed himself to his feet. "Thank you," he said. "For always being so painfully honest with me."
Meda smiled and stood to walk him to the door. "And now I can honestly tell you it's what I'm here for," she said, opening the door for him.
Nahtan nodded to her and left her room. He knew everyone else would be meeting with Mo'ani in his office, and that he should probably join them. The thought of talking about battle plans only depressed him, and he soon found himself in the cathedral instead.
He didn't bother asking any of the statues why this was happening; like Meda said, one of the gods must want it to, and he figured they had their reasons. He let the tranquility of the large room settle his mind, giving him a chance to think of things objectively.
When Lord Valin and Jerai arrived, they would begin planning the battles that would enable Nahtan and his army to take Herridon City and for him to confront the Archbishop. If he used the knowledge at his disposal correctly, the throne would rightfully be his. He already knew he would be relying heavily on Mo'ani and Lord Bavol to help him plan the timing of the battles, and on the others to succeed on their respective battlefields. He doubted Tamnor or Brijade would have any problem, likewise with Dahlos and Sevanha. Rial was still relatively young and hadn't had the Mo'ani training, but Nahtan hoped he would be strong enough to stand up to the BishopLord near Valin Hold. Nahtan realized he knew next to nothing about Rylen except that he seemed awfully stubborn. Hopefully he and Janec could work out their differences.
"Such a serious look on such a handsome, young face."