The men before him continued to practice their arts. He watched. Knowing these men would die for him filled and weighed his heart at the same time. The room was full—a good number for a guard, even a patrol, but not enough to stand against Bredych. They needed help.
* * *
The sun warmed Ilythra’s back as the Siobani army approached Isolden’s western border. She closed her eyes, basking in the warmth. A scout rode toward Arien. They spoke in low tones, then Arien halted the column. His gaze found Ilythra.
The command was obvious. She shook her head and rode closer to the Siobani leader.
“An army rides before us, carrying Isolden’s flag,” he began. “In the past, they’ve been our allies, but I will not take that for granted now. What do you know of their allegiances?”
“Very little. I didn’t pass this way on my journey to Siann. The queen of Elston is from Isolden. She said they still maintained the old ways. She knew I am the Wanderer and that I searched for you. I didn’t have time to question her further. I would say, unless Bredych has somehow deceived them, they are no threat.”
Arien’s gaze intensified. “Thank you. I don’t doubt your interpretation, but I’ll be prepared.” He signaled with his hands, and the company reassembled in a well-choreographed move, archers toward the front. Arien’s standard-bearer rode to his side, one hand on the ensign, one on his sword.
Ilythra glanced to Cavin, who rode up beside her. She had a feeling he’d been assigned to make sure she didn’t do anything stupid. “Do you practice that or are you all just that good?”
“We are disciplined, and yes, we are that good.” Cavin smiled.
* * *
They heard the Isolden army long before they caught sight of them. Metal clanging against metal, boots thumping against the ground and the clamor of disgruntled animals or creaking wagons almost drowned out the sound of conversation. It was then she realized just how quiet the Siobani army had been. Arien called a halt on a rise. The humans marched below, apparently unaware the Siobani army observed them from the heights. Arien remained still and silent, his face impassive, watching the men pass by. A shout sounded below. The human column lost formation for a heartbeat. Faces turned toward the heights. Confusion reigned in the human ranks. After a while, several horsemen moved toward the front. One man carried what she assumed was the Isolden standard—a white, long-necked bird flying on a field of blue—and another man carried a white cloth. Relief washed over her body. She wiped her brow, which beaded with sweat despite the cool weather. Melior pranced in place, displaying the tension Ilythra felt.
Arien turned toward her. “It would seem they are peaceful, for now. Come.” He waved to two other warriors then urged his mount forward.
“Doesn’t he ever say please?” Ilythra mumbled but followed him.
Cavin laughed. “You’re going to be good for him.”
Ilythra shot him a look of incredulity as Melior gingerly made his way down the slope. Five horsemen separated from the human army and closed half the distance. Arien led his group toward them. Ilythra held her breath as human and Siobani approached one another for the first time in over a century.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Arien signaled his men to stop just within easy conversation distance. Melior pranced nervously. Several of the Isolden mounts snorted and tossed their heads. Tension gave the air weight. The silence stretched.
If she hadn’t been looking at him, she would have missed the deep breath Arien took before he spoke. His throat worked as though he was struggling to swallow. “Peace to you. I’m Arien of Siann.” His voice seemed to gain depth as it carried across the field. If he was nervous, it didn’t show.
From her position next to Arien on the lower end of the slope, she could look down on the human warriors gathered, witness the awe and shock on their faces. Ilythra noted Arien still hadn’t given up the slight advantage of height.
“And to you,” one of the men spoke. He seemed young, but then, Ilythra had learned looks could be deceiving. His dark hair was cut close to his scalp. Pale eyes, now wide with wonder, shone in a stern, chiseled face. Finely crafted metal links covered his leather tunic and thighs, indicating he was a man of power or wealth. “I’m Meryn of Isolden.” He shared a look with the men. “Forgive me, but you are Siobani, are you not?”
Arien clenched his jaw then released. “That is what men call us, yes.” He nodded.
Ilythra examined the Isolden army. Expressions ranged from disbelief to awe and a little fear as the men stared at the Siobani.
Meryn waved his arm, indicating the Siobani still on the heights. “You are going to battle?”
“As are you.” Arien shrugged.
“Is it possible that we are at common purposes?” The man’s voice wavered slightly.
Neither man had yet to dismount from his horse. Ilythra struggled to keep silent, knowing her interference would not be welcome. The Isoldens were afraid the Siobani had come to attack them. Couldn’t Arien see that? Why didn’t he put them at ease?
She opened her mouth, and Cavin shook his head in warning.
“Tell me first what your purpose is and I’ll tell you if we have it in common,” Arien answered.
Meryn glanced toward his men again. “We ride against King Erhard in the south. He attacked Elston.”
“Is the queen alright?” Ilythra asked, unable to keep her silence. All gazes turned toward her.
Meryn’s eyebrow rose. “A human?”
Ilythra ignored Arien’s glare and Cavin’s widening eyes, which clearly cautioned against her action. “Yes. I am Ilythra, the healer. I owe a debt of gratitude to the queen of Elston.”
Sorrow etched lines into Meryn’s face. “The queen is my sister. Was my sister.” He stared at his hands. His broad shoulders slumped. When he looked up, his eyes shone with anger. “She warned us but too late to aid them. Elston has fallen. I go to avenge my sister and stop this king’s madness.”
His words hit her in the chest, leaving her feeling bruised. Queen Marya was dead. She owed the woman so much and she was too late to help her. “I am sorry.” The words seemed too weak to bridge the distance between them, but Meryn nodded, his expression now curious.
“Then, indeed, our purposes are of one accord,” Arien said. “We also go to stop King Erhard.”
Meryn focused again on the Siobani. “I will not ask why the fabled Siobani leave their borders after all these years to intervene in the doings of men. I will just thank the One for the unexpected ally.” He turned toward Ilythra. “You knew my sister.”
“She was a generous and noble woman who helped me when I most needed it.” The heaviness in her chest deepened. “I would not be here without her.”
Meryn nodded. “You are the woman who warned her of a possible attack. The Wanderer. She spoke of you. I thank you for that. I only wish her husband would’ve heeded your counsel. It would’ve spared many lives. Refugees have filtered north to beg my father for shelter and help take their homes back.”
Arien glanced to Ilythra. “Night approaches. A council is in order. We’d hear of these things in more detail. Then perhaps we can attack in unison.”
“It’s a wise decision.” Meryn waved over his shoulder. “We’re going to camp in a field not a hundred wheels from here. There’s room for both armies.”
“We’ll wait for you to pass.” Arien nodded.
The Siobani army remained immobile as the humans marched by. Ilythra could feel curiosity mixed with caution radiate from the host of warriors behind her. After the cumbersome wagons lumbered by, Arien signaled for his men to follow.
A clearing opened before them. Meryn’s army swarmed the meadow’s eastern end. Arien uttered a few directions and soon Siobani tents fluttered in a northern breeze.
She didn’t know if it was intentional o
r happenstance, but an empty expanse formed in the middle of the field, untouched by either army.
The Isolden army cast furtive glances in their direction. She wondered if they were like the rest of Anatar, believing the Siobani were a myth. But the queen had indicated she knew whom Ilythra searched for, so maybe they weren’t such a myth in the northern kingdom. But why the looks of disbelief? She shook her head and smiled. She’d always believed in the Siobani too, yet even she had a hard time grasping the fact she was walking among them.
Not for the first time, she wished her grandfather could be here. He would have had a million questions to ask Ewen or Arien. She glanced at the Siobani prince. Maybe he could have gotten Arien to loosen up a little, as well.
The Siobani set up their camp as quickly and efficiently as they always did. Movements, more forceful than usual, revealed their unease better than any spoken word. Distrust tinted the air.
Several forms separated from the main Isolden army and walked across the field. The sinking sun highlighted their features, throwing long shadows behind them. Fear and wonder were etched on their faces.
“I’d like you to join us.”
Ilythra turned to see Arien and Cavin haloed by the sun.
“Of course.” Ilythra hid her relief. She had been trying to determine the best way to let Arien know she wanted to be at the council without irritating the healer further. Ilythra fell in step with the warriors as they moved toward the men.
“We didn’t know which camp you’d prefer to meet in,” Meryn began, his voice hesitant. He was larger than he appeared on horseback. Easily as tall as Arien. If they stood side by side, her head would barely reach his shoulder.
“Please, accept our hospitality.” Arien swept an arm toward their tents.
The men followed the Siobani and Ilythra. She sensed nervous energy from the humans as they entered camp. Wide-eyed but silent, the men gazed in wonder at the quickly constructed campsite. Already, campfires cooked the evening meal. An air of order prevailed though the camp. She wondered if the Siobani made them feel like children as they had her before she’d grown used to it. The soft clinking of metal sounded as the humans walked through camp. They had not taken off their armor.
“Please, this way.” Arien held back a tent flap.
Meryn hesitated then ducked into the shelter, followed by his men. Ilythra and Cavin fell behind.
Seen through the human’s eyes, Ilythra knew the tent was impressive. It impressed her and she’d lived among the Siobani for a few weeks. Pale drapes hung from the ceiling and low folding stools sat around a table. A platter of fruit and delicacies sat atop the wooden tabletop next to a ewer. Candles flickered in the dim interior, adding a pleasant scent to the air.
Ilythra raised an eyebrow toward Arien. Where had he gotten the finery?
A faint smile touched the Siobani’s mouth but he said nothing.
“May I offer you some refreshment?” Arien indicated the stools.
“Um, yes. Thank you.” Meryn sat awkwardly and indicated for his men to do the same.
The aroma of Sriobahd mingled with the candles as Arien poured liquid into waiting cups. He handed one to each of the three men, then to Ilythra and Cavin. His manner was one of polite elegance.
After offering fruit and pastry from the platter, Arien settled on the remaining stool.
“It’s been long since the Dawn Children dined with humans, let alone sat in council together. It’s an occasion my father foresaw.” Arien’s gaze flickered to Ilythra but settled on Meryn.
Ilythra’s eyes widened. Why hadn’t Ewen said anything to her? Did the Riege not trust her yet? She fought back the prick of jealousy.
“For our own reasons, the actions of this human king involve the Dawn Children. We’ve heard the tale’s beginning through Ilythra. Please, inform us what’s happened since she entered our territory.”
Meryn glanced toward Ilythra, then back to Arien. “Elston is important enough to end your reclusion?”
Arien stiffened slightly.
Meryn waved his hand. “Forgive me. We don’t have time to satisfy my curiosity. Late spring, in the middle of planting, a messenger arrived from my sister, Marya. She warned us that Greton’s king no longer ruled. That his counselor now controlled Erhard and desired to conquer the eastern kingdoms. My father was slow to act, preferring to consider alternatives. War has not been declared since before his father’s lifetime.” Meryn sighed. His calloused hands picked up his goblet of Sriobahd. “It was shortsighted. When we heard of Elston’s siege, we prepared to offer assistance. Refugees began pouring into Isolden. They tell of Rugians raiding the countryside. We were too late. We received word just last night that Elston has fallen. Now we go to seek justice.”
“Your father remains in Isolden?” Arien asked.
Meryn tensed. He stared into his cup then placed it on the low table. “No.” His voice quavered slightly. He cleared his throat. “He fell during a raid. I’m now king.” His chin raised, but Ilythra could see the sorrow in his blue eyes that he could not hide.
“I’m sorry for your loss, King Meryn.” Arien inclined his head. “You must still be grieving.”
King Meryn picked up his cup again, Ilythra thought more to buy time to get his emotions under control than because he was thirsty.
Arien also sipped his Sriobahd. He was purposely give the new king time. She stared at the Siobani prince. His golden-brown eyes had softened. Was he remembering what it was like to lose a parent?
“Does one ever get over grief?” Meryn asked. “Doesn’t it merely become something you learn to live with?”
Arien nodded. “It does. It will become a part of who you are.” Some emotion moved across his eyes then was gone. “What are your battle plans?”
“We plan to strike quickly, defeat any enemy left at Elston so we won’t have anyone at our backs when we besiege the castle at Greton.” Meryn shrugged.
“The castle at Greton is small but well fortified,” Ilythra offered.
“You have been there?” Meryn asked.
“Yes.”
Arien nodded. “We will also have to watch our flanks against the Rugians.”
Meryn paled slightly. “Yes, the Rugians. We have heard of an alliance. We had hoped they were just scavengers taking advantage of a weakness.”
Arien looked to Ilythra. “Bredych will sense you. He perhaps senses you already.”
“I know.” She had thought long and hard about it. There was nothing she could do about it. She wasn’t going to risk taking off Ilydearta.
“I suggest we divide,” Arien continued. “The Siobani ride to the east of Greton. Even a number as large as we are can travel without detection through the forest. If Greton sends for aid to the eastern mountains, we’ll intercept them. If no enemy shows itself, we’ll continue until we join you at the siege.” He glanced from human to human then settled on Ilythra. “I suggest you go with the humans. Bredych will sense Ilydearta among the army and will concentrate on you. He doesn’t know the Dawn Children ride to battle. He may think you fled to Isolden and it was there you found your aid.”
The pit of her stomach dropped. Why was she being shuttled off? Hadn’t she proven herself to the Siobani? She struggled to remain silent, knowing anything she said would be an angry protest. She took a deep breath. The plan made sense but didn’t lessen the feeling of betrayal. In the end, in Arien’s eyes, she was just a human, even if she was a stone keeper.
Meryn scratched at the dark stubble on his chin, his blue eyes narrowed. “I think that’s a good plan. I don’t know how Bredych could sense Ilythra, but Siobani magic is something I have no experience with. It would be my pleasure to ride alongside the lady.” He turned to Ilythra and smiled. Dimples formed in his cheeks under the dark stubble.
“I assure you, she is a warrior, train
ed in the ways of the Siobani. She will be no liability.” Arien’s voice deepened.
Pride filled her breast at the unexpected compliment from Arien, easing some of the sting of rejection. She swallowed back her emotion.
Meryn examined her then Arien. “Our women are still taught the rudimentary skills of warfare, but we have been at peace for a generation or more. Please do not take offense.”
Arien inclined his head to her.
Ilythra glanced between the men. Had Arien taken offense at Meryn’s tone? She turned to Meryn. “None taken, King Meryn.”
The human smiled. “Please, the title still feels awkward. Meryn will do.”
Ilythra returned the gesture. “Meryn, then. I am also familiar with the castle’s defenses and the land surrounding it.”
“Then indeed, you will be an asset. Thank you.” He turned to Arien. “We’re less than a half moon from Elston, a day or two more to Greton. You will need to be in position before Greton determines we are coming.”
A smile touched Arien’s mouth. “The Dawn Children move swiftly, but you’re correct. We’ll leave at dawn. I suggest you don’t delay.”
“It’s agreed then.” Meryn stood, offering his hand to Arien. After a moment’s hesitation, the Siobani rose, taking the hand in his and sealing the alliance.
* * *
“My lord, it’s as you said. An army approaches from the north. They ride under the Isolden standard.”
Bredych gazed unseeing at the man’s bowed head. He didn’t move from the low couch in his chambers. Isolden, not the Siobani. Interesting. He fought the surge of disappointment. Why hadn’t she gone to the Siobani? Could she not hear Ealois’s song? “How many?”
“Three thousand.”
A formidable number, but no match for his army. Before he’d attacked Elston, he’d begun to prepare for a siege. “Have you accomplished everything I asked you to do?”
Journey of Wisdom Page 26