by M J Engh
Poal sighed also. It would have pleased him to hear more of Aurin Tree and of the blue man's travels. But he was weary of standing still, and also it troubled him to talk with a man who made his horse uneasy. He took a sorn-fruit from his saddlebag and put it into the blue man's hand. "Here, friend," he said. "I give it to you, to keep or use or lose as you will." The blue man had risen to receive the gift. He stood a full head shorter than Poal, though Poal was not a tall man. "Let us move on," called Poal.
The man looked stupidly at the fruit, pressing his blue fingers into the thick rind. "It is to eat," Poal's wife Lorn said kindly, as she rose to follow. And again the blue man sighed.
It was down the South Road that they journeyed, a road they had never taken before, and as they walked Poal spoke eagerly of Aurin Tree and what might lie beyond it. But Lorn hugged the youngest child to her breast and shook her head till her violet hair swung like a silken banner in the wind. Thus talking they came at evening to a town upon a broad river. Poal lifted down his middle child from the horse's back and said hopefully, "It may be that they know the custom here."
Lorn looked at him fondly and smiled, for she had not been bred up to the custom. "None in all this coast know of it," she said. "Your people have never traveled here."
Poal nodded sadly. "Still," he said, "it can do no harm to ask." And he left them with the horse at the town gate and went to seek a town rider who would race against him.
But the townsfolk, like those of other towns they had passed through of late, looked at him strangely, and mocked him or cursed him according to their humor. "There is no such custom," they told him, "here in the dominion of our lord the Star of Poetry. Camp in the fields like the beggars you are, or pay your way at the inn like honest travelers, or visit the homes of your friends, if (as is not likely) you have any."
"Our friends are elsewhere," said Poal sadly, "in the dominion of my lord the Star of Freedom; and we have no money for the inn. We will camp in the fields; but we are not beggars."
Now Poal walked slowly through the town, taking a wandering way back to the gate, for he was far downcast by many weeks of such miserable welcomes. He repented very dolefully his turning down the great South Road, to see such lands as his fathers never saw. "For," he thought sadly, "I understand now why they chose never to see them." And all the deep vales and thundering beaches of the Star of Poetry's dominion seemed to him as barren as the Star of Battle's stony deserts. It was true that they could have turned back as easily as gone on; but Poal had said much to his wife and his little children of what they would see on the South Road; and moreover, he longed since this morning to look upon Aurin Tree.
Now while he wandered, foundering in such thoughts, he came to the water gate and looked down upon the river. There was a great ship at the quay, and sailors and longshoremen busy about it, though the sun had already set and lamps were lighted. Something gleamed in the twilight like unpolished silver; and Poal's eyes widened, and he pushed his way through the crowd and onto the quay.
"Is this a ship of the Star of Wealth?" Poal asked a sailor.
"It is," he answered. "What business is it of yours?"
"None," said Poal, with a smile. And such happiness rose up in him at these familiar sights that he searched through his pockets and brought out a jeweled ring. "Here, friend," he said, pressing it into the sailor's gnarled hand; "I give it to you, to keep or use or lose as you will."
The sailor looked at the ring, and at Poal, and smiled wisely. "We are both outlanders here," he said.
"It is so," said Poal. "And I would ask you, friend, what brings such merchandise to the Star of Poetry's dominion?"
"It is not merchandise," said the sailor. "These are certain portions of a vessel in which certain strangers came flying through the sky into the dominion of my lord the Star of Wealth some seven years ago."
"Six," said Poal; "no more than six. And what then?"
"Why, then," said the sailor, "my lord had it taken to pieces, to see all the parts of it. And some he shipped upriver to his palace at Vingale, and I was on that voyage; and some he put upon display at Oldmarket; but the main hull of the thing is at his villa on Seacape."
"But what of these?" said Poal impatiently, and waving his arm.
"These," said the sailor, "are certain parts sent by my lord to pleasure the Star of Poetry, seeing the Star of Poetry delights in all strange workmanship."
Now Poal grew warm with pride, and asked the sailor how the strangers' vessel had come into the Star of Wealth's possession; but the sailor was inclined to believe that whatever entered his lord's dominion, immediately thereby entered his lord's possession also.
There was a little disturbance then at the water gate, as the crowd parted to let through a man on a gray horse. He dismounted and strode down the quay.
"Who is that?" asked Poal, with shining eyes; for he had never seen such a horse. It was a great-limbed stallion (too heavy perhaps for the highest speed, though Poal thought he would not wish to race against it), powerful and proud like a lion, colored like moonlight, built for long journeying or for battle. All Poal's heart rose up in longing to take this horse as a gift.
The sailor snorted. "Are you such a lubber," said he, "as not to know Lord Moon? This is he whom men call the Landless, because he has no dominion of his own. But indeed, for one who knows the sea, what good is land? I think him none the poorer for that."
"Lord Moon?" said Poal, and he left the sailor and stepped across the quay to where the man now stood before a gleaming panel of metal. "This is the door of the vessel, my lord," he said.
Lord Moon turned his gray eyes downward upon Poal, and smiled. "You are not a sailor," he said, "and if you serve the Star of Wealth, it seems you have not served him well. How do you come to know of this vessel?"
"It was I, my lord," said Poal, "who sold it to the Star of Wealth."
"This is strange talk," said Lord Moon; "and strange talk is a thing I delight in. How came such a vessel into your possession?"
"Possession is a strong word, my lord," said Poal uneasily. "And when I dwelt in the Star of Wealth's dominion, I learned that a man may sell more than he owns, and none think shame of him." Lord Moon frowned, and Poal added quickly, "I serve the Star of Freedom."
"And I too," said Lord Moon, and his mouth twitched a little humorously. Poal was not surprised at this, for the one thing he knew surely of Lord Moon was that Lord Moon had wedded the Star of Freedom's only daughter not long since. "But what of those strangers who came in the vessel?" asked Lord Moon. "Did they give up their vessel so easily?"
"They were merchants, my lord," answered Poal. "They delighted to trade with the servants of the Star of Wealth. And when they found their vessel gone" (he glanced at Lord Moon's face and went on hastily) "they were content to dwell in his dominion. And all the more content because I made them a gift of all my merchandise."
Now Lord Moon looked more kindly upon Poal, and smiled. "These things did not happen yesterday," he said; "and you are yet young—younger, to look upon, than I. Also the Star of Freedom is not used to have dominion over those who serve the Star of Wealth."
"Dominion is of the heart, my lord," answered Poal. "If for a time I served the Star of Wealth, it was because of a merchant's daughter. And very glad I was to rid myself of the merchandise I had taken upon myself for her sake."
"In this country we are outlanders both," said Lord Moon. "What brings you hither?"
"The South Road, my lord," answered Poal. "It pleased us to take a turning that my fathers never took, and see new lands. But, to speak truth, the way has led us to little but weariness and shame."
"What do you call yourself?" said Lord Moon.
"Poal," answered Poal. "I am a rider of horses, my lord, though my people are only the woman my wife and three children as little as may well travel. But the South Road has brought us among folk who understand nothing of racing, and call us thieves when we take gifts, and fools or liars when we give." And he sig
hed heavily.
"Custom, friend, is a convenient servant," said Lord Moon, "but a cruel lord."
Poal thought of this for a time. "It is so," he said.
"If it be," said Lord Moon, "will not a wise man upon the South Road bid farewell to his own custom, and yield himself to the service of those Stars that have dominion in these lands? Or if he cannot, then turn back to other lands?"
"I am not a wise man, my lord," said Poal humbly. "Also a desire is in me to look upon Aurin Tree."
Now Lord Moon bent his silver head and looked sharply upon Poal. "What do you know of Aurin Tree?" he asked.
"Nothing, my lord, save what was told me by a blue man a half day's journey north," answered Poal.
"Ah?" said Lord Moon. "We will talk more of this, my friend. But what are these?" For the longshoremen had set down another load upon the quay.
"These are certain handles, as it were, by which they opened the vessel's door without touching it," answered Poal; "and this a device by which they made pictures of things that I, for one, did not believe; and this, one of the little trumpets by which they called to one another without sound; and this is a part, as I think, of a great weapon, though I did not see it used."
Thus for a time they walked upon the quay, while Poal told all he knew of the strangers' vessel, and somewhat more. Lord Moon looked keenly upon all these things, and no less keenly upon Poal; and at the end he nodded as one well satisfied.
"We are outlanders both," he said, "and I too am bound for Aurin Tree. Would it please you to travel in company?"
Now indeed it was very sweet to Poal to stand in familiar converse with so great a lord, who harkened so earnestly to all he said. "It would please me well, my lord," he answered. "But first I must tend my horse and find a camping place for my people."
"Shall I bear you company even to Aurin Tree," said Lord Moon, "and not find a night's lodging for you and your people?"
"It is not our custom," said Poal uneasily, "to dwell under a roof."
"Courage, friend," said Lord Moon, smiling. "Few customs can endure to Aurin Tree."
So Poal followed down the quay, and together they walked through the town toward the gate, Lord Moon leading the great gleaming horse by its silver-hung bridle. At the gate they found Poal's people as he had left them, and all returned together to the midst of the town, and there took lodging at the inn. "Doubtless," said Lord Moon, "the Star of Poetry would lodge us gladly, if we sought him out in his high house. But he does not expect me, for I did not intend to stop here, till I heard by chance on the road of that cargo unloading on the quay, and came to look upon it. Also it is in my mind to set forth early for Aurin Tree. And a guest is but a well-flattered servant to his host, as I have cause to know." And it seemed to Poal that he sighed a little; for Lord Moon, with all his splendor, lived ever as the guest of other lords.
So for that night they dwelt under roof. But at first dawn they were upon the South Road once more. Lord Moon walked beside his horse, even as Poal beside his; but that they might travel the faster, they set Peal's two elder children upon Poal's beast, and Lorn with the baby upon Lord Moon's. Very pleasant it was to Poal to see her there, with lights as of a fire of flowers within her eyes, and her soft hair swinging to the wind. Lovingly Poal looked upon her, and lovingly upon the silvery horse.
"My lord," said Poal, "I have traveled somewhat far, though never so far as Aurin Tree; and nowhere have I seen such a horse as this."
"Small wonder," said Lord Moon. "There is none other such in the world." And he laid his hand fondly upon the beast's nose, and the beast pressed its nose fondly against him. "We have traveled far together, my horse and I," he said.
Poal looked at his wife, and at the horse, and at Lord Moon, and sighed. "How come you to travel the South Road with no other companion, my lord?" he asked.
"It is my pleasure," said Lord Moon, "to travel thus, save when I take ship, for there are few companions sweeter to me than wind and stars, of which the one is ever unseen and the others ever silent. As for the South Road, I have long meant to look upon Aurin Tree."
"Yet today you travel in company," said Poal.
"They are not many who seek Aurin Tree," said Lord Moon; "and few indeed who have talked with a blue man, or dealt with strangers from beyond the blue sky. There is none with whom I would more gladly make this journey, my friend."
"I take it," said Poal, "that the blue man's people dwell beyond Aurin Tree, and we may hope to learn more of them. But the strangers are very far hence, living at their ease in the dominion of the Star of Wealth."
"Whatever they have found in that dominion," said Lord Moon, "it is not ease. Do you know, friend, what lies yonder'?" And he flung out his arm and pointed westward, where the land fell away from the South Road in a long slope to the dim breakers that moved white and gray in the gray morning light.
"The sea," answered Poal. "And in the midst of the sea, the twelve thousand Islands of Lorran, whence none come and whither none go. And beyond all, as I understand, my lord, the dominions of yet other Stars."
"As my lord the Star of Love," said Lord Moon, "in whose dominion I have dwelt as guest these years past. But it is with the Islands of Lorran that we have to deal."
Now a little chill passed over Poal, like the shadow of a cloud on a windy day. "None deal with the Islands of Lorran," he said.
"Few, indeed," said Lord Moon; "but say not none.'"
"Who, then?" cried Lorn, who had sat this while silent, contrary to her custom. "And how? No ship dare sail within arrow range of the Islands of Lorran; and it is said the people of Lorran have no ships of their own."
"How think you, then," said Lord Moon, "that they pass from one to another of their islands?"
"Why, some say by little boats no bigger than a zeil log," answered Lorn; "and some say by bridges; and some say they do not pass, but live each island alone. But none knows, for none has ever reached the Islands of Lorran and returned."
Lord Moon smiled. "It is by little boats, indeed," he said. "And with such a boat, and skill or luck, a bold man might cross to the mainland in a day's time."
"Are the Islands of Lorran then so near?" said Poal uneasily, squinting to seaward.
"No, not here," said Lord Moon. "But southward the coast curves to the west, and the chain of islands curves to the east; also there is a current that sets to the southeastward; that I think a day's paddling could bring a man from the twelve-thousandth island to the Cliffs of Aurin."
Now Poal stood still upon the road, and his horse stopped beside him. "Is it for this, my lord, that you journey to Aurin Tree?" he said.
"For this," answered Lord Moon, and he too stayed his horse. "Though indeed I have long wished to look on Aurin Tree, it is this that brings me in haste upon the journey now: sure news that one comes from the Islands of Lorran to meet at Aurin Cliffs with certain strangers from beyond the sky."
Now Poal gazed upon him in much surprise. "Yes," said Lord Moon, "your strangers, friend; they whose vessel you sold when their backs were turned, leaving them castaways forever in a world far from their home."
"They are not mine, my lord," cried Poal. "And indeed I left them well content. Surely they bear me no grudge." But he stood stock still upon the road.
"Of their grudges I know nothing," said Lord Moon. "But of their content I know somewhat. Now let us on, for four days must bring us to Aurin Tree, or else we journey in vain." And he moved on with his great steady stride.
Poal tugged his horse's bridle and stepped forward hastily, "What is it, then, that they seek?" he asked. "And how came they to deal with the twelve thousand Islands of Lorran?"
"They have many curious names for what they seek," answered Lord Moon; "as mercantile supremacy, and favorable balance of trade. But doubtless these names are clearer to you than to me, you who have dwelt and dealt in the Star of Wealth's dominion."
Poal shook his head. But Lorn, who was a merchant's daughter, nodded and sighed.
"They have prospered under the dominion of the Star of Wealth," said Lord Moon. "Yet it may be they seek dominions of their own; or it may be they are as men who feel chill without sword at side, though they do not mean to fight. They seek allies."
"Surely they had not far to seek," said Poal. "The Star of Battle's dominion lies next the Star of Wealth's. And there are every week new tidings of new alliances among those lords that serve the Star of Battle."
"Doubtless the strangers seek alliance more enduring," said Lord Moon. "The Star of Battle and his lords are as so many weathercocks on a gusty day. But time out of mind the Islands of Lorran have held their steady course in all weathers."
Poal thought upon these things for a time, while light came slanting down the slope into the sea and colored it. At last he said, "If I wished to have dealings with the Islands of Lorran, my lord (which indeed I do not), I would take ship in a vessel that sailed in sight of them, and I would put a message into a bottle and cast it into the sea."
"Better many messages in many bottles," said Lorn. "The sea is a careless servant."
"Something like this they did," said Lord Moon. "They cast messages into the sea: little speaking boxes that rowed themselves through the water. Some sank in the sea, and some were wrecked upon the shoals, but some beached themselves upon the islands. And of those, some were never found, and some were broken by the people of Lorran; but one at least was listened to, for the boxes spoke their message over and over."
"What message, my lord?" asked Poal.
"A message interesting to the people of Lorran; for one of their great lords has consented to answer it at Aurin Cliffs four days hence."
Again Poal thought upon these things, and his eyes found out those of Lorn, who was thinking also. And presently it was Lorn who said, "Might it be, my lord, that one of these boxes passed by the twelve thousand Islands of Lorran, and beached itself at last in the dominion of the Star of Love?"
"So it might be," said Lord Moon, smiling.
"Yet strange it is to me, my lord, that tidings should come to that dominion, or to any other, of what the people of Lorran determined."