by Gav Thorpe
"That? That's small enough sacrifice to keep him content. A few serving boys now and then. I pay them off; send them out of the city if they want. There's a couple, like Amarin there, who don't seem to mind, so I make sure they're on hand when it looks like Anglhan is getting frustrated and frisky. Believe me, it's better that way. When he can't get his cock into some poor boy, he gets vindictive."
Lenorin cleared his throat, turned on his stool to put the tablets on a shelf behind him and directed his attention back to Furlthia.
"I'm worried," said the chancellor. "Ullsaard is coming back here soon from his winter camp. There's still snow in the air and he's getting ready for the next stage of the invasion. Anglhan has come up with reasons to keep his legions close to the city for the moment, but in his last letter, Ullsaard made it clear that he would be taking them duskwards on the next campaign. Without them, Anglhan has got no way to secure the border with Ersua."
"Like I told you when I arrived, Aegenuis is agreed to the plan. He's spent the winter regaining as much favour with his warlords as he can get. Kubridias and Serbicuis have done as we wanted and pulled in every chief and warrior they can from their peoples. As soon as Anglhan makes his move, Aegenuis can persuade the rest of the chieftains to follow him again. Half the tribes have already agreed to send warriors against the legions to coldwards. Caught between the counter-attack and being cut off from Askhor, Ullsaard will have no choice but to fall back to a stronger position."
"And that's when Leraates does his thing, is it?" said Lenorin.
"I hope so," said Furlthia. "I can't figure that one out, not properly. I know Ullsaard disbanded the Brotherhood, but I don't see what Leraates and his allies have got against their new king that makes them so determined to topple him."
"Who cares? As long as Ullsaard's worried about his rule back in Askhor, he'll be too busy to be invading anywhere else. Knowing that the Free Country agreement with Askh is now worth less than dog shit, Aegenuis and his chieftains aren't going to let anyone just wander in and take over again."
There was a muffled ring of a bell from outside. Lenorin looked up sharply, looking like a guilty man.
"Anglhan's finished his rutting," said the chancellor. "You can see him now. Just tell him about the agreement with Aegenuis and get out; I'll deal with the details."
"Thank you," said Furlthia, standing up and offering his hand. Lenorin shook it limply. "Don't worry, friend. Once Ullsaard is seen to, that fat boy-fucker is next on our list."
"Hurry up, don't keep him waiting."
Furlthia headed straight for Anglhan's chambers and found the doors already open. Cautiously peering within, he found the governor sat on a low couch beneath the window, a plate of food propped up on his belly.
"Sorry about that," Anglhan said with a smile, waving for Furlthia to enter. "Lenorin was meant to tell me when you had arrived. Close the doors would you, wouldn't want any passing stranger to hear us."
Furlthia did he was asked and sat down on a padded seat indicated by Anglhan. The governor moved the plate to a side table and sat forward, hands on knees.
"So, my friend, what news?"
Trying to forget the image of Anglhan's ruddy, sweat-soaked face, Furlthia sat straight, arms folded tight across his chest. A draught from the window brought a waft of sickly-sweet perfume from Anglhan, but it failed to wholly mask the underlying smell of stale sweat and sex. Suppressing a wave of distaste, unclenching his fists, Furlthia looked Anglhan straight in the eye.
"The king says yes."
"Good, good," said Anglhan, chins and cheeks wobbling as he bobbed up and down enthusiastically. "That's just what I wanted to hear, my friend."
Furlthia squirmed at being called 'friend' by this loathsome pig of a man. He said nothing, fearing that if he were to open his mouth he might say something ill-advised.
"You don't look so happy," said Anglhan. "Don't worry, I've been thinking about this all winter and it's the best course of action for everybody.
"Everyone keeps telling me not to worry," said Furlthia. "I like to worry. Worrying has kept me alive."
"So keep worrying. I didn't mean anything by it. You spend your time worrying and I'll spend my time actually getting things done."
"I will," said Furlthia, standing up.
"Where are you going?" Furlthia couldn't tell if Anglhan's shocked expression was genuine or not. "You're not leaving yet, are you?"
"You've got Aegenuis's answer and I've got other people to see."
"But I need you to do a few things for me," said Anglhan.
"Get Lenorin to do them," Furlthia replied, taking a step towards the doors. "That's why you have him, governor."
"But I don't trust him like I trust you, Furlthia." Anglhan rose quickly and hurried over to his desk. "You know, this is a very delicate situation. I'm not totally sure where Lenorin's loyalties lie. But you and me, we have history together. We have a mutual interest."
Furlthia sighed and sat down again at Anglhan's insistence.
"What do you want?" he said, knowing that he was likely to regret asking.
"At some point, Ullsaard is going to come for me," said the governor, fishing though a stack of letters on his desk. Watching him, Furlthia had a momentary recollection of the youth who had been bent over the same desk less than half an hour earlier. He suppressed a shudder.
"Perhaps you want me to stand at the gates and welcome him in?" Furlthia said before he could stop himself.
Anglhan looked up sharply, but then grinned. He held up a folded piece of parchment, sealed with a blob of blue wax.
"Something like that, my friend. You know that as soon as I make my move, Ullsaard is going to fall on Magilnada like a cartfull of abada shit. This," he waved the letter, "is a better defence against that than all of the warriors in Salphoria."
Anglhan held the letter out to Furlthia, who folded his arms and refused to take it.
"What is it?" Furlthia demanded. "What are you offering him to stay his hand?"
"Better that nobody else knows, especially you," said Anglhan.
Furlthia looked at the letter. To his mind, it was a dagger aimed at Aegenuis's back; there was nothing else it could be. Furlthia had seen how Anglhan was a master at positioning himself between sides, just keeping to the edge of the abyss of everybody's disfavour whilst playing them against each other. The letter had to be an offer to Ullsaard that would give him some advantage over his Salphorian rival, back-tracking on Anglhan's commitment of support.
"I know what you're thinking," said the governor. "But you're wrong about me. Long before this letter reaches Ullsaard, I will be committed to the cause of Aegenuis and Salphoria. My legions are going to attack Askh's. That's not something even I could wriggle out of, especially as Ullsaard has made it clear to me in the past that any hint of disloyalty will end with my death. In fact, I remember what he said very well: 'If you fuck around with me, I will come back and not only kill you, I'll burn this whole place to the ground.' Strong words, and we both know that Ullsaard does not make idle threats. This letter is the only thing that can stop that happening."
Furlthia shook his head.
"I'm not touching it," he said. "It's just a letter. Get someone else to take it to Ullsaard."
Anglhan crossed the room and laid a hand heavy with rings on the shoulder of his former first mate. Furlthia shrank away from the touch, causing Anglhan to sigh.
"I know that you do not approve of what I've done, my friend," said the governor. "I know I've got us both into some trouble, but have I ever done anything to wrong you personally? I've always looked after you, Furlthia, you know that. I need you to help me."
Earnestness was etched into Anglhan's face but Furlthia remained unconvinced.
"How can anybody trust you?" he said. "How can I trust you, when you won't tell me what you are up to? You are always looking to get ahead of everybody else, and I'll not have you do that at my expense."
"And I never would," said Anglhan, a
ppearing aggrieved. "I know I play a dangerous game, but I always weigh up the risks before I do anything, and I always back a winner. There was an advantage in allying with Ullsaard, but it was only while something better came along."
Anglhan went back to the window seat and flopped down, dropping his letter on the side table. He linked his pudgy fingers together on his gut and looked at Furlthia for some time before speaking again.
"Have you ever considered what would have happened if Aroisius had been allowed to take Magilnada? Aroisius would be a thorn in the side of Aegenuis, and the matter of Magilnada would have divided the peoples just as much as this Askhan attack. He had no love of Salphoria and might have aided Ullsaard anyway. Chances are, the Askhans would have taken the city one way or the other and one of their own would be running it now. I am sympathetic to Aegenuis, and the only one that can help him now. Ullsaard will have to reply to what is in that letter, and you are the only man I trust to bring that answer to me unvarnished and untainted."
Listening to what Anglhan said Furlthia knew that it was true, as far as it went. He had no doubt the governor had much in mind that he was not saying, and had sidestepped the issue of what was in the letter. Every instinct in Furlthia told him to get up and walk out, but a nagging doubt remained. When all was done, someone would take that letter to Ullsaard and it would serve Furlthia's interests if it was he that delivered it. He could not bring himself to leave Anglhan alone, to plot and scheme without scrutiny, and Furlthia enjoyed a privileged position with the governor in comparison to Lenorin.
With a growl of irritation, Furlthia pushed himself up, strode across the room and snatched up the letter. He glared at Anglhan, who simply smiled.
"When do I deliver this?" said Furlthia.
"Ullsaard is coming here soon. You must wait until he returns to his main camp and is about to launch his next offensive. I don't know what his plan of attack is, but this letter will stop him in his tracks. He must receive it before he finds out what is happening back here."
"And what will be happening back here?"
"Just what you asked; my legions will seal the border to Greater Askhor and cut off Ullsaard's supplies. It's up to Aegenuis to make the most of that in whatever way he can."
Furlthia nodded his agreement and tucked the letter inside his shirt. Anglhan jabbed a finger at Furlthia.
"You must deliver that letter," said the governor. "If you don't, Ullsaard will destroy my legions, take Magilnada and sweep away any army Aegenuis can muster. Keep it safe."
II
Rain drummed on the stone courtyard outside the window, an elemental reflection of Allenya's mood. A small square of embroidery sat in her lap, not even half-finished, untouched for several hours. She watched the rain running down the long leaves of the bushes outside, each droplet a tear from the sky, shed for those she could not cry herself. She barely noticed the servant adding logs to the fire, only dimly aware of someone else in the room with her.
"Is there anything I can fetch you, mistress?"
Standing at the door Allenya saw Laasinia, her chief handmaiden, greying hair tied back tightly, dressed in a simple robe of dark wool. Allenya shook her head and turned her gaze back to the window.
"Perhaps some broth or a cup of honey tea?" Laasinia continued. "I would not forgive myself if you caught a chill, mistress."
"Nothing," said Allenya.
She heard Laasinia crossing the room and flinched as the maid laid a hand on her mistress's arm. Allenya pulled away.
"Forgive me, mistress, but you do not appear to be well," said Laasinia, crouching down in front of Allenya. "For many days you have been afflicted by this melancholy. I fear that with winter upon us, your mood will worsen."
"Can you fetch my husband and sons?" Allenya said quietly. "Will you do that for me?"
Laasinia said nothing, for there was nothing for her to say. Allenya looked at her servant and saw a face creased with concern, hands gently trembling. Suddenly noticing that the room was cold, Allenya gestured towards a shawl bundled carelessly on one of the other chairs.
"You are right, it would do no good to fall ill," Allenya said as Laasinia helped her pull the shawl over her shoulders. She grabbed the maidservant's hand in both of hers. "Do you have family, Laasinia?"
The handmaid was taken aback by the question and took a moment to answer.
"I have two daughters, mistress," she said. "They work in your kitchens."
"And their father?"
Laasinia glanced away for a heartbeat and could not look at Allenya when she answered.
"He was a sergeant in the legions. He died in Mekha, mistress."
"One of the Thirteenth?"
"No, mistress, he was in the Seventeenth."
Allenya patted the woman's hand.
"Though it is little comfort to the heart, your husband's death pension must make it easier to keep your daughters," she said. Laasinia twitched, jaw clenching. "Is that not the case?"
"My brother…" Laasinia stopped, gently pulled her hand away and stood. "I am sorry, mistress. It is not important. You have no need to bear my problems as well as your own."
"Talk to me, Laasinia," Allenya said suddenly. "Talk to me about the market, and your daughters, and your brother, and the city. Meliu shuts herself up with Noran all this time; Luia is in Okhar with Urikh. My other sons are not here. Ullsaard… I have nobody to talk to."
"Let me fetch you that tea, mistress, and we can talk as much as you like," said Laasinia.
The handmaiden left with a shallow nod and a weak smile. Allenya looked down at the embroidery. She had finished a blue sky and was working on the gold and greys of the palace atop the Royal Hill in Askh. With a sigh, she tossed the needlework aside onto the couch. Hugging a cushion, she curled up her legs and laid back, her gaze returning to the window.
Hearing a knock on the main door, she sat up, halting her slide into melancholic trance. She listened intently as the door was opened, but could not make out the voice of the visitor. Someone walked across the hall and a moment later one of the young serving boys appeared at the door of Allenya's sitting room.
"Governor Anglhan has arrived, mistress," the boy announced. "I have asked him to wait for you in the main chamber."
"Thank you," said Allenya, stirring herself from the couch.
She paced over to the polished bronze mirror beside the fireplace and checked her appearance. She adjusted a few of the ruby-headed pins keeping her hair in place, straightened her golden necklace and wiped away the dampness at the corner of her eyes. It had been some time since she had seen Anglhan; not since Ullsaard had last been in the city at the start of the summer. She wondered what had brought him here.
Attended by Laasinia, Allenya crossed the hall into the main function room. Anglhan stood admiring the fresco of a hunting scene along the wall and turned with a smile as Allenya entered. His hair and clothes had a fine mist of dampness from the rain and his face was flushed, the tip of his nose a vivid red.
"My queen," said Anglhan with an extravagant bow. Allenya laughed, surprising herself that she could.
"Governor," Allenya replied with equal formality. She darted a look at Laasinia. "I am sure our guest would like food and wine."
Laasinia departed with a silent bow, leaving Allenya alone with Anglhan. She waved him to a seat and took up station next to the fire, one arm resting on the mantel.
"Is this visit social or business?" she asked.
"A little of both," replied Anglhan, sinking down into the low couch with a grunt of effort. The chair creaked under his weight, which had continued to increase dramatically since she had last seen him. "First of all, I wished to check on the wellbeing of you and your family. Also, as I have heard nothing so I assume that Noran's condition remains unchanged?"
"What I know of my family, they are doing well," Allenya replied. "I am sure you hear more from Urikh, Ullsaard and Jutaar than I do."
"I doubt that," said Anglhan. "I am sure that you ar
e far higher in their thoughts than I am, and certainly much deeper in their affections. I have come here to check that you have heard from Ullsaard; that he will be back in Magilnada in the next ten days."
"He sent a letter telling me as much, yes," said Allenya. "Do you have any better idea of when he is due to arrive?"
"The weather to duskwards remains changeable, but I have heard nothing of any serious storms or other conditions that might delay his return. I trust that you and Meliu will be joining us when I welcome him back to Magilnada with proper ceremony?"
Allenya nodded. Laasinia came back at that moment, followed by two servants; one carried a tray with a pitcher of wine and crystal goblets, the other a platter of meats and cheese. These they laid on the table. Laasinia lingered for a moment, directing a look of inquiry at her mistress.