by D. L. Kramer
Several nods from the adults and frightened cries from children told him his answer. Turning back to the man, he glanced behind them.
"Your cohorts are almost all dead, if you want to save yourself you'd better answer my question." The Mo'ani would make short work of the church guards, that much he was sure of.
The man paused, looking at the crowd, then back to Nahtan.
"We did what you told us to," he said, his eyes gleaming. "We didn't even spare the children."
Nahtan sighed. He knew there was a chance any of the captured church guards would still try to blame him. The crowd behind tensed and husbands pushed their wives and daughters back as they readied their grips on their weapons.
"If it was on my orders," Nahtan said, his tone matter of fact as he tried to ignore the crowd. "Then why didn't you cover your tracks?" He knew it was a risk to tell some of the tactics Mo'ani drilled into the army bearing his name, but had to take it before the citizens behind him grew angry and refused to listen.
The man paused for a moment, his hesitation flickering in his eyes. Nahtan knew he had him then.
"Why didn't you approach in single file?" Nahtan continued. "Why did your officer sit aside and call orders instead of being the first into battle?"
"We, th-the orders--" the man faltered, still trying to continue the job he'd been trained for. "You said to kill them, and to take whatever we wanted."
Nahtan reached down and drew his skinning knife from his boot. With a quick motion, he cut the red cloak from the man's shoulders and kicked it away, then resheathed the knife. "You would dare still try to defame me?" he asked. "You stand barely ten yards from the grave of a young girl killed by one of you, and claim it was on my orders?" Anger built in Nahtan and he forced himself to suppress it. It was time to think, not fight.
"The clasp is wrong," a girl's voice stated from the side. "And the length too short. It's also not dark enough."
Nahtan turned and recognized the girl Bear had spoken with when they first came to the camps. She had crawled out to retrieve the cloak and sat on the ground with it on her lap. She turned to the crowd behind her.
"I saw the cloak on the tall one with the long dark hair," she told them. "His clasp is finer, not like this one." She ran her fingers over the cloak. "And the wool is better, the threads in this are too uneven."
An older woman pushed her way forward through the crowd, coming to kneel beside the girl.
"She's right," she said, examining the cloak. "I've seen the wool of the Mo'ani's cloaks, this is not the same." She stood up, turning accusing eyes onto Nahtan's captive. "Murderer," she spat. "Murderer and liar."
Angry murmurs moved through the crowd at the woman's declaration. Shouts from the other direction drew Nahtan's attention and he saw two of the imposters break away from the fight and make a run for the shelter of the few trees that had hidden them earlier. Before they had gone ten feet, both were struck down by perfectly aimed arrows. Nahtan turned, trying to see where Bear and Evaine were, but couldn't find either of them.
"Your plans are foiled," he said, looking back to the man. "We'll find your other two groups, and they'll be just as dead as your companions there." He paused for a moment. "The citizens of Herridon have had enough of the corruption of the church guards. Think carefully of what you tell me next, or I'll let them decide your sentence."
The man's gaze shifted uneasily from the crowd to Nahtan. Finally, he spoke. "And what mercy from you?" his tone was bitter.
Nahtan moved closer to him. "I'll let you live," he promised. "Though you may not want to when this over."
"He deserves no mercy!" a woman called from the crowd.
Nahtan turned as agreement rippled through the group. "And would you be any different to strike him down in cold blood?" he asked them. "Vengeance is for the gods, and thoughts of it only corrupts mortals' souls."
"Then send him to be judged by the gods!" a burly farmer yelled.
Nahtan turned and considered the imposter for a moment. "I think Zakris is too busy right now," he said, loud enough for all to hear. "No doubt this man's soul will take some time to judge." He leaned closer to the man. "But I promise you'll be very easy for him to find when he does get the time." Turning towards the waiting Mo'ani, he grabbed the man's collar and pushed him forward.
"Take him back to camp and make sure he's securely detained," Nahtan ordered, handing him over to one of the warriors. He turned to Kile as he sheathed his sword and swung it onto his back. "So where are Bear and Evaine?"
"I'm guessin' they're up there," Kile motioned to the treeline. As if in answer, an arrow from the trees suddenly planted itself between Nahtan's boots, making him jump.
"If that was Bear, I'm going to hurt him," Nahtan said, leaning over and pulling the arrow out of the ground. Recognizing the fletching, he nodded. "Just remind me to keep my sword handy when I do."
Kile chuckled and they turned when a sharp whistle followed the arrow. Bear stood by the treeline, waving them over.
"Wonder what 'e's found," Kile said as they began walking towards the trees.
Just inside the shadows, Evaine knelt beside a body.
"Lady Bavol took him down after the others charged," Bear said, leading them over.
Evaine finally found what she was looking for, pulling a blue and gold pendant out from under the church guard's armor. Nahtan noticed the gold embroidery on his cloak and pointed it out to Kile. Kile nodded his head, then leaned over and pulled off the guard's helmet.
Barely alive, Jorrin glared up at them. "You should be dead," he managed, looking at Nahtan.
"Not yet," Nahtan said. "Where's your mother?" While Lady Gian wasn't a fighter, she could still cause problems.
"Dead," Jorrin whispered. "Killed by her own foolishness."
"I see it runs in the family," Bear commented.
"And why should I believe you?" Nahtan asked. "Or is she trying to warm the Archbishop's bed now?"
Jorrin's glare darkened. "Heathen dog," he managed. "She took her own life when the Archbishop would not grant her asylum."
Nahtan nodded, more to end the conversation than anything else. "It's over," he told Jorrin. "You can wait for the Archbishop with the gods."
The siege engines were still hammering away at the gates the night Nahtan and the others returned to their camp. The remaining two groups had been flushed out and destroyed and Nahtan felt better leaving the camps with that much less of a threat.
The steady pounding of the catapults continued through the night and into the next day while those manning the battering ram fell back to wait for nightfall once again. Nahtan wandered aimlessly from Mo'ani's camp, to the Dwellers' camp, to Lord Bavol's. Each time he rode through Mo'ani's camp, he circled to the outer edge to watch for Adie. Finally, as afternoon was turning to evening, he spotted the slow rise of dust from his approaching army.
Turning Tyran back towards Mo'ani's camp, Nahtan urged the tall horse into a trot. Mo'ani, Kile, Gharald and Bear were all in the large pavilion when he pushed back the flap.
"Adie's coming," he said.
"It's about time," Mo'ani said, looking up. "How far out are they?"
"Probably about seven or eight leagues," Nahtan answered. "All you can see is the dust."
"It's close enough to go meet 'em," Kile suggested.
"I'll keep an eye on things here," Gharald volunteered.
Mo'ani nodded his head as Nahtan held the flap for him, Kile and Bear. It only took a moment to retrieve the other three horses before they set out to meet Adie.
Nahtan and the others pulled their horses in about a quarter league before reaching the army. As the army closed, Adie held up a hand to stop, then she and Brijade spurred their horses ahead.
"It took ye long enough," Kile said, nodding to Adie with a smile.
Adie raised an eyebrow at him. "And you could have moved this army faster?" she grinned. "I seem to remember it taking you over a month to move five hundred men from Devayne to Valin."
"They were young and 'alf of 'em didn't know which way was south," Kile returned.
Adie turned to Nahtan. "Is everything all right?" she asked him.
"I'll get by," Nahtan nodded. "I may not want to, but I don't really have a choice." He turned when Kile motioned to Brijade.
"What in the 'ell are ye doin' with a cloak on?" the captain asked.
Brijade's smile was easy, and her tone just a bit condescending. "If you'd read your messages, Lord Olorun, you'd know I earned it six months ago beating Lord Devayne into the corral rails."
"I seem to remember a note saying something to that effect," Mo'ani answered before Kile could respond. "Did it have something to do with a hay bale and water trough?"
Brijade's smile grew wicked for the briefest moment. "That would be the one," she nodded.
Bear raised an eyebrow. "I think I want to hear about this," he said.
Brijade glanced at him, then looked to Nahtan. "Does he get jealous very easy?" she asked.
Nahtan looked at his friend, then back to Brijade. "I don't know," he shrugged. "But if he gets mad at you, make sure you can move out of his way."
"I'll keep that in mind," Brijade said.
Mo'ani turned in his saddle to look at the army waiting just behind Adie. "Nahtan says you've brought a healer with you."
Adie nodded and turned, motioning to the front of the army. There was a momentary pause, then Nahtan saw Yenene and Bear's father break away from the group and ride toward them. They pulled in their horses beside Brijade's.
Mo'ani nodded to Liwanu, then turned to Yenene. "Tell me, Healer," Mo'ani locked his gaze with hers, his tone the same one he used when testing an apprentice's knowledge. "What do you see?"
Yenene studied Mo'ani for a moment, then straightened in her saddle as she took a sharp breath. She closed her eyes, and when she spoke, chills ran down Nahtan's spine.
"A priestess," Yenene began, her voice quiet, but sure. "Wearing the robes of Halona's temple, but with the gaze of a goddess. So she was when she first presented herself to you, son of Liron and grandson of Damjen." Yenene paused, taking another sharp breath, then finally opening her eyes. What she was seeing, though, Nahtan couldn't begin to guess at.
"Come he shall," Yenene said, her voice even and distant. "To the mason of his pedestal, brought by honor to claim the title we would bestow upon him. Come he shall, the mark of 'witness' forever upon him and the tongues of animals at his command. Come he shall, to the land of the Mowik, riding a horse of fire and leading an army in the red of Jensina's symbols. Come he shall, to the gate of his enemy, to find an advisor within. Come he shall, to the city of Herridon, first of cities. Come he shall, to defeat the fallen son of Herridon and return order to what was lost. Come--"
"Enough!" Mo'ani ordered. "I know the prophecy."
Yenene paused for a moment as if struggling for what to say next. After a moment, she slumped in her saddle and shook her head slightly.
"I'm sorry," she apologized, her voice barely a whisper. "I-I don't know what--"
Mo'ani sighed, glancing at Nahtan, then turning back to Adie. "Let's get this army to the camps," he said.
Nahtan exchanged looks with Bear as they turned their horses back towards Herridon. Mo'ani had required they all learn the prophecy as part of their training, but they had never heard it as Mo'ani was first told it. Nahtan found he still had chills along his back as Adie signaled for the army to continue westward.
As Mo'ani took the lead, Nahtan slowed Tyran to walk beside Yenene's horse.
"I need to know if you can tell me something," he said quietly. "But it can wait until you've rested some."
"What is it?" Yenene asked, her dark eyes meeting his. Nahtan could see the struggle inside her as she fought voicing the visions in her mind.
"There was a noblewoman by the name of Lady Gian who was a sympathizer of the Archbishop's," he paused for a moment, then decided to tell her everything. "She was my wife's foster mother. I've been told she's dead, but I need to know for sure."
Yenene nodded her head, then closed her eyes for a moment. After several seconds, she opened them again. "She is with Zakris," she said, her voice quiet. "He is holding her soul from judgment until the conflict in Herridon is resolved."
Nahtan nodded, surprised that Jorrin had actually told him the truth.
"Thank you," he told her, hoping she could sense the sincerity in his voice. He glanced ahead towards Herridon's walls, then looked back at Yenene. "Could I ask that you tell me if you get any visions of something going wrong in the coming days?"
Yenene shook her head slightly. "Sometimes I see things, but I don't understand them until they happen," she replied. "Like when Liwanu was questioned by the BishopLord's men. But if I can understand something, yes, I'll tell you."
Nahtan nodded. "Thank you," he repeated.
Fifteen - "He's having a problem adjusting"
Mo'ani guessed the gates would continue to hold through most of the next night, giving those going in with Nahtan a chance to move to the west gates. Both Brijade and Adie were more than willing to accompany him under the wall, and Tosia, Jaron and Jerai likewise needed no encouragement.
Besides the group swimming under the wall, Bear, Mo'ani and Kile would ride over to go in through the west side gates while Janec and Gharald led the forces on the east. Lord Bavol would remain behind at the camp, and Nahtan knew it was hard for the elderly nobleman to do so. He wanted very much to be going in with the armies, but had to admit his years of doing so were long in the past. Evaine would be riding in with the others, and while he expressed concern over her participation, Lord Bavol didn't try to stop her. Liwanu took a place with the other Mowik, going in through the east gates when they gave way. At Evaine's request, Yenene agreed to stay with Lord Bavol.
Once they reached Lord Bavol's camp they found Jaron, Jerai and Tosia waiting by the canal. Tosia's hair was wet, and she had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
"Starting early?" Bear asked her.
"The space in thy gate is indeed small," she responded, her teeth almost chattering. "But not impassable."
"That's good to know," Nahtan nodded. He hadn't even bothered bringing his armor with him. He would have to confront the Archbishop with nothing to protect him but his sword. The archer's brace on his wrist was buckled tightly and he hoped the leather didn't stretch too much when it got wet. As a precaution, he took the brace off and wrapped his wrist with strips of cloth before buckling it on again.
They waited through the night, each pacing nervously. Nahtan decided he and Brijade spent the most time walking around the canal listening to the steady thunder from the east side of Herridon.
"Nervous?" he asked, coming up behind her on one of her passes.
"What do you think?" she returned, kicking a pebble into the canal. She paused and looked at him. "Bear told me about Rena, I'm sorry."
Nahtan shrugged. "I guess it couldn't be helped," he responded. "Even if I'd been here there wasn't anything I could do." He was careful not to dwell too much on the memory of her.
"I can still offer my sympathies," she said.
Nahtan nodded, not wanting to offend her. "Thank you," he finally said. "I'm just--not letting myself think about it too much. There are too many other things I have to do first." He'd be useless against the Archbishop if he couldn't concentrate.
"I can understand that," Brijade said. "I still haven't let myself miss my brother very much, and it's been almost fifteen years."
"Speaking of brothers," Nahtan glanced over at Bear. "Tuketu was killed in the attack on the garrison back at his and Bear's village. Maybe the two of you should sit down and talk when this is over."
Brijade nodded her head slowly. "I knew something was wrong with him, but he wouldn't tell me what."
"He's having a problem adjusting," Nahtan said, then chuckled softly. "Sort of like we all are."
"Aren't we though?" Brijade agreed, pulling her cloak around her as a cold breez
e blew past. She sighed quietly. "We three make quite a group."
They visited off and on through the rest of the night, and shortly before dawn a flaming arrow lit the sky from the east side. Nahtan and Mo'ani saw the signal at the same time.
"The gate's given way," Mo'ani announced. He turned to those waiting by the canal. "We'll be waiting by the gates on this side."
Nahtan untied Tyran and handed the reins and his cloak to Bear before putting his sword on his back. He paused while Brijade did the same--they would be grateful for the dry cloaks after the swim in the frigid water.
Everyone waiting with them turned to head for the gates. Bear and Evaine stayed behind, an arrow notched on each of their longbows as they watched for any sign of church guards on the wall above. Tosia took several quick deep breaths, then a final extra deep breath, held her kora in one hand and dove into the canal, disappearing beneath the murky water. The rest took the few seconds they had before diving in after her.
When Nahtan dove in, his skin was shocked with the sudden cold. The water was frigid, and almost too murky to see in. They stayed by the wall, taking turns checking to see if the gate was opened yet. After what seemed hours in the chill water, Brijade surfaced to tell them the gate was raising. Taking a last breath, the two Dwellers and three Mo'ani dove down, swimming under the gate and wall.
They came up by the bank on the inside to find Tosia waiting for them. Two church guards lay dead off to one side and there was no sign of anyone else.
Nahtan pulled himself onto the gravel as the others did the same. He shivered in the cool air. Seeing there was no immediate danger, he pulled his sword off, then his tunic and twisted the extra water from it. He pulled the tunic back on and put his sword back over his arm and head. Pulling his hair into one handful, he squeezed the water from the back of it. The others wrung out their clothes and hair as best they could.
"Where are the other guards?" he asked, checking his sword and pushing dripping hair out of his eyes.
"They heard the alarm from the east side," Tosia answered. "And all but a few went there."