by JW Webb
“I believe our enemy, this Aralais sorcerer, also desires Golganak. Vaarg will deal with him, just as you and the Groil can deal with any others wishing to thwart me.”
“I’m not interested, Caswallon. I’ve business in Car Carranis. Once that’s done I’ll return to my island. You can keep your crannels.”
“You didn’t let me finish, Assassin; you are ever too impatient.”
“Go on.”
“I was about to add that on top of that huge sum of coin, I will award you the Kingdom of Kelwyn, once the little queen’s rebellion is broken. Perani, like Derino before him, failed, but I have a new and very promising young general who will soon get me results down there. What say you, Assassin? Do you like the sound of King Rael?”
Rael let a slow sinister grin spread across his lips. “It’s actually quite fitting,” he said.
“I thought so too,” Caswallon smiled at him, whilst Gribble picked his nose and grumbled that he didn’t understand. “Make yourself useful, Goblin! Go get food and wine for my dear friend the Assassin. We have much to discuss.”
“I’m not a bloody waiter, and quit calling me Goblin.” Despite his moans, Gribble departed to undertake said task.
“Vaarg knows where the ruined city lies, and Gribble can spy out the land for you. Golganak will take some finding, but I know it’s down there.”
“If it’s there then I shall acquire it.” Rael spat in his hand and thrust it towards Caswallon. The usurper frowned for a moment then shrugged and repeated the gesture.
“Deal done,” said the Assassin. “I’ll depart soon as.”
“What about your vengeance?”
“I’ll keep it safely stored like vintage wine to be supped later at my leisure.” Hence on they turned the conversation towards other matters, as afternoon light filtered into the throne room and Gribble returned with fresh chilled wine.
Chapter 21
The Brothers
“Wynais is ours!” Silon stood at the entrance of Ariane’s tent, a rare grin showing on his lips. “Valentin has taken the city and sent three of his men to inform you!”
Ariane threw off her blanket and ran half-naked to embrace Silon. “Now we’ve turned the tide!” She kissed him, and Silon’s face reddened.
“My Queen, you need to dress and attend these fellows waiting by the quartermaster’s tent.”
“Give me five minutes.”
Silon nodded and withdrew; he tied the tent flap back lest anyone glance in and see the queen in state of undress. A crowd was gathering near the aforementioned tent. Prince Tarin was there, sitting moody on a log. Near him were Tamersane and the Rorshai healing woman, and close by them stood Galed and Cale, talking excitedly to Jaan the Raleenian captain. Tarello was addressing the three riders that had come from Valentin. All turned as Ariane rushed to join them.
She studied the three rangers and was surprised to see the smallest was Doyle, a young Calprissan that had signed up with her army after the battle with Derino. “Doyle? What’s this? Are you a ranger now?”
Before Doyle could respond, one of his companions, a tall rangy archer, took a step forward and bowed. “He’s an apprentice ranger, my Queen, and not overly promising.” The third messenger, a huge fellow, stood grinning and nodding.
“Well, never mind that. You have big news to tell me, so I’m informed.”
“Wynais is ours, Your Highness!” Doyle blurted before either of his companions could speak.
“Shut up, Doodle—I was going to tell her that.” Arac looked peeved.
“We scaled the walls under cover of darkness,” Doyle continued, ignoring his older companions. “It was tough going and we were nearly spotted. But we slew the guards on the walls and stole heroically within.”
“I don’t remember you slaying anyone Doodle,” Arac said.
“Enough, let him continue.” Ariane nodded thanks as Galed handed her a piping cup of tea accompanied by a hot sausage in a bun. “I just need the overall picture,” she said through munched sausage.
“There weren’t that many soldiers in the city and no Groil. Perani had left only a skeleton crew, which we quickly overcame.”
“What of my lord Dazaleon and the traitor we’ve heard about?” The queen’s eyes narrowed seeing the worry on Doyle’s face.
“Er…”
“Dazaleon’s dead,” Arac said. “Murdered by the same traitor Valentin has locked up in your oubliette, my Queen. Valentin questioned one of Perani’s men under the hot knife. Bastard spilled the peas, saying that Perani had coerced said turncoat into doing for the High Priest. I’m sorry…”
Ariane felt the colour drain from her face. She stooped to sit on a log before her knees gave. Dazaleon dead. Her wisest counselor and dearest friend, and worse, murdered by Yail Tolranna himself. She held back tears and sipped her tea. Close by, Galed had his head in his hands and several others were stunned and ashen-faced at this news.
“Well, who is this sodding traitor, will someone please tell me?” Tamersane’s face was red, he too had been fond of Dazaleon. All faces turned toward him now.
“What is it?” Tamersane’s face darkened. “What am I missing here?”
Ariane took a deep breath and sighed. “The traitor is your brother, Tamersane. Yail Tolranna is in league with Caswallon. We captured one of Perani’s scouts a few days ago and he told us everything before we slit his throat open. Tolranna’s plan was to usurp my throne, just as Caswallon usurped Kelsalion’s. I am truly sorry, cousin.”
Tamersane’s customary cheerful demeanour was obliterated by violent denial. “I don’t believe it. The scout lied, my brother is no fucking traitor!”
Beside him, Teret gripped his hand with her own, her dark eyes moist with worry. “Tolranna loves Kelwyn more than anyone—and he loved you too! Perhaps more than he should.”
“It’s true, Tamersane—and now your brother’s killed Dazaleon.” Captain Tarello stood beside his queen and stared hard at Tamersane.
“I wasn’t fucking talking to you,” Tamersane sneered back at Tarello, who gave him look for look. Ariane stood and waved them settle lest this get out of hand.
“Enough, Tarello, what’s done is done. Tamersane, cousin, we will deal with this when we reach the city. Hold fast till then. In the meantime, gentlemen, let us break camp and get moving. Remember, Perani is not far behind us, and it would prove idiotic should we let him overtake us just before we reach our city.”
Ariane walked over to where Tamersane sat hunched and moody next to the Rorshai woman. Teret stared hard at the queen as she took seat on the log beside them. Ariane chewed her sausage and smiled bravely at Teret. The other woman’s lip flickered but she failed to comment. If Tamersane noticed the queen then he didn’t let on. All about them, soldiers were dismantling camp and loading horse and wagons—these recently made during their travail in the mountains.
Cale hovered close; he looked worried and upset on Tamersane’s part. “What is it Cale?” The queen sipped her tea and motioned the boy speak with a curt wave of hand. “Haven’t you chores?”
“Zallerak’s missing.” Cale grinned at Tamersane who had briefly looked up when hearing the boy’s voice. Tamersane stared at the boy for a moment and then dropped his gaze. Teret slipped an arm around his shoulders.
“So? He’s always mooching around somewhere. I’m sure he’ll turn up at some useless moment. Now leave us and be about your day, Master Cale.” Cale nodded, grinned at Tamersane again, and then went and joined the action where the horses were tethered.
“Always we were different,” Tamersane said, staring into the dying faggots of last night’s fire. “He was the serious one and I the joker. We fought, seldom agreed on anything. But we both loved Kelwyn and we both adored its queen.”
“I know.” Ariane glanced at Teret who—judging by her behaviour and looks and for some reason alien to the queen—apparently didn’t much care for her. No matter— that was the woman’s concern, not hers. “That may be part of the pr
oblem. I know Tolranna would never betray us without some coercion or twisting by Caswallon. And I know how ambitious your brother is—or rather was.”
“He is no traitor, Ariane.” Tamersane looked at Teret, who smiled at him.
“Wait till we arrive in Wynais,” Teret said. “Then you can ask him yourself. He will be able to do that—won’t he?” This to the queen.
Ariane forced a smile; this woman was trying her nerves. “Of course. And it’s best we let the brothers sort this out between them, and before I have to make a decision on Yail Tolranna.
“In the meantime, cousin dearest, we have other matters to attend. Perani’s going to pull some stunt before we arrive at Wynais, I am sure of it. So please swallow your outrage and fury until we are safe behind the city walls. Then you can do as you must.”
Tamersane nodded. “It will keep,” he said. “But I tell you this Queen, if Tolranna did betray you, then I’m going to fucking kill him myself.” Teret shook her head and Ariane rested a hand on Tamersane’s shoulder.
“It mustn’t come to that, cousin—promise me that won’t happen. Tamersane, your Queen is addressing you!”
“I promise,” Tamersane muttered under his breath. “But he’s fucking innocent anyway.” Ariane glanced briefly at Teret.
“I leave him in your hands, Teret. See that he comes to no harm. I must away to other duties.” Teret nodded and watched the queen depart with angry eyes.
Long hard hours later, the combined armies of Kelwyn and Raleen reached the base of The High Wall, and Wynais waited silver in the sunset. Ariane raised her swords for the final plunge to safety. She wasn’t surprised to hear horns blasting in the woods behind. At least the bastards hadn’t got ahead, but now the final chase was on!
***
Zallerak watched the young queen’s army spread out into the green vale that stretched from mountain roots to city. Close by, he heard their pursuers crashing through briar and brush as they sped after her much smaller force. Zallerak saw they were gaining and frowned. He still had uses for the queen and her rebels, so with that in mind he set about working on a fog.
Within minutes the vale had vanished from view, and Gonfalez’s army were stumbling about blind and confused in the trees, their leader raging at them. Men crashed into each other, horses blew and snorted, and fights broke out as sheer terror of new sorcery filled Gonfalez’s soldiers, none of whom could forget the destruction and carnage at Greystone Bridge. The fog finally lifted, allowing Gonfalez, who sat his horse at the edge of the trees, to witness the last of the young queen’s rebels slither inside her gates.
“So she has won Wynais back whilst playing us for fools,” he said softly to himself. Gonfalez suddenly wished that Perani were still in command. He was in deep shit now, but best send a bird nonetheless.
Zallerak laughed as his handiwork confounded the army of Kelthaine. He watched Ariane’s force slip inside the city and then turned back toward the steep climb that led back up to The Wild Way.
For several days, Zallerak wandered that path alone looking for what he sought. One morning, he stumbled upon a tight group of men laughing by a campfire. Zallerak recognised Corin an Fol and smiled again. Things were working out well in the main.
He made sure he wasn’t spotted and fared north until he reached the forgotten path that led deeper into the folds of the mountains.
Here, the great peak Carfallan stared cold and remote, as Zallerak followed the wind-scoured track towards it. Close by Carfallan’s shoulders, the trees gave way to a gloomy valley. No snow settled down there, and at the bottom the valley deepened to a sharp cleft.
Down there, Zallerak spied the hint of a dark tower. It appeared little more a twisted bent spike, jutting jaunty, like frozen lightning coming up from the ground. Beyond that dark spike, other towers lay broken and scattered, and crumpled walls and buildings showed in the gloaming.
Zallerak steeled his heart for the final confrontation. He knew this would be tricky—far more difficult than the business with the crown. But he felt strong again and well rested. So, summoning confidence and courage, the Aralais Wizard, by some called Zallerak, started the long bitter trek down towards the ruined city called Ulan Valek.
***
Valentin welcomed the queen with a smile as she led her army into the city. The chief ranger looked tired out, but a feral triumph lit his dark eyes. “My Queen, the city is yours.” Valentin took Ariane’s reins in hand and let her dismount. “It was surprisingly easy, like they were too arrogant to even imagine you planning such a coup.”
Ariane nodded, her face grim, but she thanked Valentin with a stiff smile. “I owe you a great deal, Captain Valentin, but I’m afraid amidst our victory there is also loss.”
Valentin nodded, “Dazaleon. I’m sorry—they say he was one of the wisest men living and a kindly soul to boot.”
“He was that.” Ariane dusted her trousers free of snow and watched as the last of her riders and scouts filtered in. There was still no sign of the enemy, which puzzled her deeply. That said, Ariane was relieved to see the gates fastened shut as the last runner sped through. “He was also my friend and counselor. But it wasn’t Lord Dazaleon of whom I spoke.”
Valentin arched a quizzical brow. “Am I missing something?”
The general’s dead, Captain,” Arac the archer blurted from his horse behind them. “Belmarius! Murdered near Rorshai.”
“What?” Valentin’s face blanched and he gripped Ariane’s reins to steady himself. “What are you talking about, Arac?”
“Your scout tells the truth, though I did not ask him to speak.” Ariane awarded Arac a cold glance, but he merely shrugged in response. “Lord Belmarius is slain. I am sorry for your loss. I met him in Raleen and knew him to be a fierce and forthright warrior.”
“Rorshai horse thieves?”
“Unlikely. Tamersane here has spent some time with the Rorshai and I believe Corin an Fol is still with them. These were Ptarnians, Valentin.”
“Ptarnians—I thought them a rumour, a myth?”
“Regrettably, they are real, and they appear to have allied themselves to Caswallon. Rumour is they’ve a large force making for the Gap of Leeth. I suspect they plan to join King Haal’s already swollen army.”
“Then surely all is lost!” Valentin, tough fighter that he was, looked crestfallen and bitter.
“Not so!” Ariane’s eyes hardened. “We are winning, Captain. Those other battles are for later. One thing at a time. First we deal with Perani—that’s a big enough job.”
Valentin straightened. “You are right, my Queen. I’m sorry I spoke so shamefully.”
“Apologies accepted, Captain. You are a good man and I’m lucky to have you. Now I suggest you go find those survivors from Belmarius’s army. It will cheer them greatly to see their old comrades. They’ve been through a lot, Valentin.”
“Thank you, my Queen, I’ll go seek them out at once. Arac, Doodle, get the others!” The lean archer nodded, and behind him Doyle nodded too, happy to be included in the conversation.
Ariane watched them hurry off then turned to survey the streets of her city. People had been slow emerging, fearing another contrivance by Perani or some kind of trap, but now they were everywhere, calling her name and waving and clapping.
Ariane smiled, and she spent over an hour walking amongst them, despite her cold and hunger and desire to bathe and don new clothes. Her people had survived an ordeal, and they needed her now more than ever.
At last she reached the palace and entered weary within, Galed and Cale at her side. Cale was beaming from all the girls who had blown him kisses. Behind them Tamersane walked as one lost in dreams, his Rorshai woman close at his side. Teret didn’t like it here: too many people, and very few with friendly eyes.
Ariane reached her chamber and doffed her long boots. Her maids hovered and fluttered around her like moths until she bid them scat. She filled a basin and soaked her feet blissfully for over half an hour.
A knock. “Who is it?
“Silon.”
“Yes, do come in.” Silon emerged behind her door and, after closing it again, turned to smile at her.
“Ah…the simple pleasures are the best, are they not? He took seat on a chair near her bath and she splashed water in his face with her feet. But when he asked, “What of Tolranna?” Ariane stopped splashing, and her face darkened.
“I cannot put it off, I’ll have to attend him this evening. What’s too be done, Silon?”
“Just keep Tamersane away from him.”
“Tamersane is all talk, he’s upset and outraged and understandably so. But he loves Tolranna despite their differences. And I know he’ll want to see him.”
“Heed my counsel, Ariane. That would prove a mistake.” Ariane let it go.
“Pass me that towel.”
Silon did as he was bidden. “What of your maids?”
“I told them to piss off. They were chattering like squirrels and I needed to think.”
Silon chuckled. “Yes indeed, and we need to talk about the next phase too. We’ve been lucky Ariane, but the net is closing. And another thing: Zallerak has gone.”
“Are you sure?”
“He didn’t enter the city, and nobody’s seen him today.”
Ariane dried her feet briskly and squeezed them back into stockings. She wished she had time for a full body soak but could scarce afford that leisure at the moment.
“What is he up to? Damn it, but we need him, Silon. What if Caswallon uses sorcery next time?”
“We’ll just have to do our best without him. Zallerak’s capricious, most likes he’ll show his face at some point. I wouldn’t worry just yet.”
Ariane was unconvinced. “It’s funny, he’s been acting strange since we joined him at Greystone Bridge. Distant and aloof—even for him.”
“Zallerak has always acted strange.”