"About the fate of the freewomen in Elahwa?" The Matriarch looks up from the sheet of parchment on the table-desk and nods somberly. "Your sister still lives. Beyond that, I do not know."
"Did you... have to... send her?"
The Matriarch looks up at her older daughter with eyes that are reddened. and ringed with black. "What would you have me do? Should my own daughter not follow the rules of harmony, the laws of Ranuak?"
"Why... why didn't Veria listen?"
"Because she could not accept that harmony is paid for again and again, endlessly. Or that harmony requires what it will and not what we wish. You see this. Even the sorceress from the mist worlds understands this." The Matriarch offers Alya a sad smile. "She does not know how dearly she will pay."
"She will pay... most dearly," interjects Ulgar from the corner of the study. He has been so still that Alya had not even noted her father's presence. "Even now, the young Prophet of Music gathers his forces to assault the western lords of Defalk."
"He is proving more cunning than his sire... and less perceptive," says the Matriarch. "All too many will suffer for that."
"The Regent of Defalk will turn back, then? When she has barely begun to march into Ebra?" Alya's voice is almost flat.
"Since young Hadrenn has pledged to her, she remains in Defalk," explains the silver-haired Ulgar. "And she will not turn back."
"Father... you know what I meant."
"Yet your father is correct," answers the Matriarch, "for what was western Ebra is now Defalk, as well may be all of Ebra."
"Why did the sorceress wait so long?" asks Alya plaintively. "Why did she stop to use sorcery to wrench gold from the ground?"
"Without that gold, daughter, the sorceress could not afford to march to Elahwa. Who would lend her the coins? Certainly not the Exchange. And how would she guarantee them? Nor could she let the Thirty-three know of such resources before she marched. or they would demand that she use the coins to reduce their liedgeld."
"Men..." Alya's voice is close to a sigh.
"Women are no better. Consider Abslim. Like those of the Defalkan Thirty-three, she considers the weight of coins first and sees what she will see, and not what is there to see."
"Still... I would that the sorceress could have reached Elahwa before the dog of the north."
"Your sister could not expect to be rescued by the very ruler she condemned." points out Ulgar. "Not even by the twisted laws of Darksong."
Alya draws along, slow, and silent breath.
45
Anna smoothed the green traveling gown into place, checking the cinches at her waist, far smaller than she had ever thought to see again, centered the link necklace, wiggled her toes in the loose sandals, then glanced around the guest chamber-a single large room without bathing facilities, although an older brass tub had been dragged in and hurriedly polished, then surrounded by screens. A pair of ancient porcelain chamber pots glazed with a faded rose pattern rested in the far corner of the room away from the tub, the writing desk, and the fourpostered bedstead and its array of netting.
The windows bore no glass, only heavy outer shutters and louvered inner ones, both sets oiled at some time in the distant past, but not recently.
No wonder Hadrenn needs help. She couldn't help but consider the wisdom of her decision to support the young lord of Synek. Except, as always, the alternatives appear worse, especially with Ebra under the heavy male thumb of Bertmynn... so you will accept the lighter thumb of Hadrenn?
She winced as she considered the scenes of Elahwa she had called up in the mirror. You couldn't have gotten there in time, even if you'd gone straight from Pamr. But if you'd decided earlier... As she opened the door, she shook her head. You can't live on "ifs."
Four guards were stationed in the brick-floored and dusty hall outside Anna's door-Rickel, Lejun, Kerhor, and Blaz. Anna raised her eyebrows.
"This hold is less secure," answered Rickel. "Both Lord Jecks and the overcaptain agree."
"I wouldn't dispute either on that." Anna offered a short, wry laugh, then managed to contain a sneeze. She'd definitely need a bit of sorcery before she slept in the guest bed, or she'd be so allergenic she'd spend the entire night sneezing, and that would weaken her voice for days. That was something she certainly couldn't afford.
"I am gladdened that you would not." Jecks stepped from the door down the hall, wearing the blue dress tunic that served the same purpose as Anna's gown. He bowed, then smiled as he straightened. "As always, you are most beautiful."
"Beautiful?" Anna's lips curled, and she leaned forward and murmured almost into his ear. "I look more like a boy than a woman."
"No one would mistake your beauty for other than it is-"
"What? That of a tightened bow, of a woman most solitary and stern?" Anna couldn't resist the paraphrase of Yeats. though she doubted she was any Maude Gonne. Or Helen. Then... do you really want to be?
A momentary frown crossed the white-haired 1ord's face, then vanished. "Lord Hadrenn will be most astonished."
"He might be, but for all the wrong reasons."
Followed by both Rickel and Kerhor, Anna and Jecks descended the main staircase, its wooden balustrade rails polished by generations of hands, toward the central foyer. Before they reached the wide steps below the landing, the stocky Hadrenn hurried toward them, now wearing a green-velvet jacket of sorts over a mostly white-silk shirt. He stood, waiting as the two descended, his eyes taking in all of Anna, just a fraction short of pure lechery. "Ah... Lady Anna."
"Remember, Lord Hadrenn," she said, lightly, "I have children of your age."
"One... would never know that." The scar on the left side of his face turned pinkish, then faded. "You are an ornament to any company, any land, any table." He gestured toward the age-darkened double doors of the dining hail. "The hall... and the poor best we have... await you and your company."
Anna managed not to wince at the thought of being an ornament as Jecks slipped beside her, not quite possessively, offering his arm. She took it, squeezing his muscled forearm, if lightly and briefly, before leading the way toward the dining area. Again, both Rickel and Kerhor flanked them.
The hal1, while large for a private home, was smaller than the main dining hall at Loiseau. Anna stood behind the seat at the end of the table, with Jecks to her left, and waited for Jimbob, Kinor, Himar, and Liende to join them.
Hadrenn arrived first, smiling. "I had thought that Gestatr might join us, as my commander."
"That would be good," Anna said, smiling and turning as the dark-haired and square-faced Gestatr neared. "I'm glad to see you again, Gestatr. Frideric and Markan send their best."
The man who had been Lord Hryding's captain nodded. "Lady Anna... it appears that we both have come far since last we met."
Anna could sense the puzzlement from Jecks and some of the others. "Overcaptain Gestatr... or arms commander... he was the lead armsman for Lord Hryding of Synope during the years when the Evult ruled Ebra. Because his family had served the previous lords of Ebra, his first allegiance has always been to his homeland, and he returned when he had the chance. Anna looked at Gestatr. "I hope I got that right... but that's what I heard."
Gestatr inclined his head and returned the smile. "Lord Hryding had said you would not forget much, and you have not. My grandsire was the arms commander for Lord Julenn, Lord Hadrenn's grandsire."
As the well-muscled Gestatr slipped into place beside Jecks, Anna noted that his once-jet-black hair was shot with white. Or didn't you notice that in Synope? She sat down, ignoring the frown from Jimbob as the youth realized that Gestatr sat above him at the table. Anna suspected Jecks had managed that... somehow.
A serving girl poured pale, amber-tinged wine into the silver goblets.
'A toast!" Hadrenn lifted his goblet. "To the Regent!"
"To the Regent."
Anna lifted her goblet in acknowledgment, but did not drink. When the goblets were lowered, she responded, "To Lord Hadrenn and
his hospitality."
Everyone but Hadrenn drank to her toast, but the young lord lifted his goblet in response.
Large platters of beef covered in a brown sauce appeared, as did casserole dishes of sliced and roasted potatoes. Anna took her usual enormous helping, forcing herself to wait until most had a chance at being served before she took the first bite. Despite the sauce, the meat was dry, but she was hungry enough that it didn't matter too much.
"Perhaps... Regent Anna," suggested Hadrenn, "you could begin by telling us how you came to be Regent."
Anna took another mouthful of potatoes before she replied, ignoring the glance at her less-than-supremely..endowed chest, still glad that the gown was comparatively high-necked. "It's rather simple, Lord Hadrenn, but I'll be happy to tell that story. A rather strange combination of spells on both the mist world and on Erde combined to bring me to Mencha, near the hold of the sorcerer Brill..." Anna cut down the tale to close to the bare essentials, concluding with, "... and I found myself Regent of Defalk."
Hadrenn pulled at his thick, but short-trimmed brown beard.
"It is said that you have killed men, not only with sorcery, but with a blade."
"One," Anna answered. "With a dagger." Because you were stupid and careless...
"And that you have been wounded innumerable times, but saved by sorcery."
Anna laughed. "I've been wounded badly twice, and no sorceress can save herself through sorcery. I had to heal the hard way."
"She took a war arrow in one shoulder, and iron crossbow bolts in the chest and arm," interjected Jecks.
Hadrenn shook his head. "Most do not survive one such wound."
"I'm a survivor," Anna replied. A better survivor than a fighter, still...
"And you are here... surely not merely to visit," suggested Gestatr.
"No. . . we're not here just to visit." Anna nodded toward Jimbob. "I also thought Lord Jimbob should meet you, Lord Hadrenn"
"I still find it hard to believe that you brought the heir with you." Hadrenn's bushy eyebrows rose.
"Lord Jecks and I felt he should experience matters more directly. That's hard to do with a tutor in Falcor."
"Ah... I could see that." Hadrenn refilled his silver goblet. Anna took a sip of the wine, which had begun to taste metallic. Wine was better in glass, even poor wine-much better.
"If I might inquire about Markan and Frideric..." ventured the black-haired Gestatr after another silence.
"Markan is now the lead armsman at SuhI.. .' Anna began, after finishing the rest of the beef on her platter, then taking a sip of the amber wine. She explained how the two had left Flossbend after Lord Hryding's death. "...and Frideric was overseeing the stables and mounts and arms supplies of the hold. Lady Herene is there to serve as the guardian of the heirs."
Hadrenn frowned. "Sargol revolted, and you let his children keep the lands?"
"The oldest child is eight, Lord Hadrenn. Their guardian and tutor is indebted to me." Anna shrugged. "You would have me disinherit every lord who questions? How then would I be different from the Evult?"
Gestatr laughed, easily. "You see, my lord, why many would have her as Regent for the years to come. Lord Hryding entrusted her with his daughter." He turned toward Anna.
"Secca is well. She's with the other fosterlings in Falcor, and has made friends with several. She is a very determined young lady," Anna said, without looking at Jimbob, "and believes, as did her father, in doing right" After a moment, she continued, "Markan said that Stepan had joined you here."
"He has, and he is captain over the levies of the north."
Anna nodded. "And how have you found Ebra since you returned?"
"Ebra was once rich, with the most fertile of lands. Now... farming is a struggle, and none are rich. Here... the lands have held their strength...."
Anna finished her meal as first Gestatr, and then others, talked. She spoke seldom, and only to ask a question that prompted another's stories.
When it was clear all had finished, Anna turned to Hadrenn. "We have some things to discuss," she said pleasantly. "Himar, Lord Jecks and I, and you, and Gestatr. A more private meeting."
"You have just arrived..."
Anna's eyes were cool. "Lord Hadrenn... your hospitality and your greetings are most wecome... and generous. But much as I appreciate your hospitality and the beauty of Ebra, it's best that we do what needs to be done quickly."
Hadrenn swallowed, as if he were trying to hold back a flush of anger.
"I am here to aid you. I wouldn't be here otherwise, but we must work quickly." Anna smiled warmly.
After only a momentary hesitation, Hadrenn rose, as did Anna, and the group followed the Lord of Synek down the corridor, boots and shoes scuffing the hollowed and worn yellow bricks in the dim light of candles in scattered wall sconces. The private study was small, the green carpet laid over the yellowbrick floor faded and worn.
Rickel and Kerhor stationed themselves at the study door.
You are not... as others... of Defalk," Hadreun said slowly, standing by the small carved desk, glancing toward the closed door.
"I'm not like either the lords of the Thirty-three, nor like most women of Liedwahr," Anna acknowledged. "If I were, you'd be facing Bertmynn alone, and you'd lose. From what the mirrors tell me, he lost almost as many armsmen... in taking Elahwa as you have." Anna knew she was being too blunt, but her guts told her that flattery and indirection would have been lost on Hadrenn.
"That is doubtless true." Gestatr nodded. "When Bertmynn's strength became known. I suggested, and Lord Hadrenn agreed that an alliance...a fealty to Defalk. . .was our only hope."
"I understand that Bertmynn slaughtered almost all the free-women." Anna's voice was flat.
"Many escaped into the marshes, and they say that some are gathering in the northern part of the Sand Hills to await forces from Ranuak," suggested Gestatr smoothly.
"I doubt there will be any forces from Ranuak," Anna answered. 'There do not appear to be any lancers or armsmen moving northward. There are no more ships in the harbor at Encora, either."
"I see..." murmured Hadrenn. After a moment, he added, "Still... Regents do not risk their sorcery and their forces for naught...."
"No...they don't," Anna agreed, forcing herself to wait, meeting Hadrenn's deep brown eyes, but making sure that her eyes did not waver and that they promised nothing.
"What do you wish? The fealty of all of Ebra?"
"That's a start," Anna agreed.
"This land is poor, and you have already ravaged it once, lady. That was justified, but there is little left to take."
"Beyond liedgeld, I don't want any more golds," Anna said. "I want some other conditions."
"That is good." Hadrenn gestured around the ancient room. "As you can see, golds are not plentiful."
"What might Defalk wish?" asked Gestatr.
"Let's talk about what you'd like first," suggested Anna. "What do you want?"
"To hold and restore my family's lands and patrimony. Is that not obvious?"
"You could have pledged to Bertmynn and received that." Anna waited.
"I think not. Long has there been a sharpened blade between our houses."
Anna nodded. "So you wish to have all of Ebra, if it is possible."
The round-faced lord chuckled, uneasily. "I would not hazard so much...."
"You have the right of it," said Gestatr. "Lord Hadrenn would like the position his grandsire held. He cannot hold that without your aid. What would you have us do to obtain such assistance?"
Hadrenn looked hard at his arms commander.
"My lord, one does not deceive this lady. Not if one wishes her aid." Gestatr's voice was matter-of-fact.
"Gestatr and his family have seldom steered us wrong," Hadrean said slowly. "What must I do?"
"First, you have been constant in what you have said. When matters are settled in Ebra, I would like to confirm you as the Lord of Ebra-except I'd prefer a title more along the l
ines of High Counselor."
Hadrenn nodded slowly. "And you want Ebra's friendship for the harmony of the ages." A faint smile crinkled his lips.
"That, too, but there are a few other conditions," Anna said.
The smile vanished.
"Once Bertmynn is defeated, I think Ebra should be organized into three lands under you-the demesne of Synek, the demesne of Dolov, and the demesne of Elahwa. Third, I want Elahwa to be rebuilt as an open-port city-under the rule of the freewomen, but they must acknowledge you as their high counselor. Fourth, I require a thirty percent surtax on all goods from Sturin. Half the tax goes to Falcor, and half to you. And last, I require that Ebra honor and extend the post-courier system we have adopted in Defalk to carry scrolls throughout the land."
Hadrenn pulled at his short, square-cut beard. "All your... conditions... save one... are well within reason."
"You have trouble with the freewomen," Anna said. "I understand that. However, if you want my support, and if you want trade and grain and coins from Ranuak, you must allow the freewomen to rule Elahwa as a sanctuary for women who do not wish to be bartered as goods."
Hadrenn shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "That will not sit well with some."
"I'm sure it won't." Anna's smile was hard. "Do you want me to remove Lord Bertmynn?"
"How... how can I accept a demense... even one acknowledging me..."
"How about pointing out that it cost Bertmynn something like fifteenscore armsmen to take Elahwa, and that you'd be facing rebellion there every generation? How about suggesting that it might be better to have a place for women who don't fit than having both the Matriarch and the sorceress angry at Ebra?"
"Those thoughts might be most convincing, my lord," suggested Gestatr. "And who else would oppose more strongly any attempts at invasion by the Sea-Lords?"
"There is that..." mused Hadrenn.
"You can tell a few trusted supporters that I strongly urged you to do this... strongly enough that you had no choice."
"Why?" The brown eyes conveyed puzzlement "You would allow me to say such?"
Jecks smiled. "It is to your advantage. As Gestatr has said, do you think the freewomen will allow another land to use Elahwa as a port for conquering Ebra? Do you not think that you will obtain better trading terms from Ranuak?"
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