Artesans of Albia: 02 - King's Champion

by Cas Peace

  “You’ve heard from her?” Rienne’s voice was a harsh croak.

  “From Robin.”

  “And they’re both alright? Is Brynne ... alright?”

  Bull nodded. “They are now.” Seeing Rienne’s look of anguish, he took a steadying breath. “I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me tell it from the beginning, as Robin told me.”

  Cal once more refreshed their mugs and Bull launched into Robin’s account of their initial meeting with the Hierarch’s generals and Sullyan’s method of persuading the pirates to follow her. Even Rienne managed to smile at some of Robin’s descriptions—especially those concerning General Kryp—but her amusement faded when she heard the account of the duel with Ky-shan.

  “Was it really necessary to take such a risk? She’d already been warned against dueling by the Hierarch.”

  Bull shrugged. “I’ve never known her to take an unnecessary risk. I think the Hierarch was probably aware she’d have to do something drastic. He wasn’t warning her against dueling so much as telling her to be careful how she went about it.”

  “Oh.” Rienne frowned.

  “If only I’d been there instead of Robin. He’s never heard the full story of her travels as a young girl. She’s done far riskier things than sail with a bunch of pirates! I’d have known what to expect, but poor Robin probably thought she was mad.”

  He went on to relate the rest of Robin’s news, ending with the Captain’s account of the recent field council. Rienne’s face went white when she heard about the injuries he and Sullyan had sustained. What frightened her more, though, was the fast-approaching confrontation with Rykan.

  “How long do you think it’ll be before they entice him onto the Plains, Bull?”

  “I don’t know the terrain, so I only have Robin’s guess to go on. He thinks a week, maybe less. Depends on how quickly they draw him—that is, if they can get him to take the bait.”

  Rienne gasped. “As soon as that? Brynne must be feeling very nervous. I’d be terrified.”

  Bull snorted. “If she is, she’ll not be showing it.”

  Rienne sat in silence while they finished the fellan, leaving Cal and Taran to quiz Bull further. The big man was obviously feeling much better by the time he rose to return to his quarters, but his lighter mood hadn’t transferred to Rienne. She closed the door behind him with a trembling hand, careful to conceal it from both Taran and Cal.

  * * * * *

  The next afternoon, Taran went looking for Bull. The big man wasn’t always easy to find, for although he had no fixed duties now that the Major wasn’t running her office, he still took care of applications from young hopefuls who wanted to join the King’s forces. Part of the Major’s duties was to screen cadets for latent powers. She had always been hopeful of finding more untrained Artesans and convincing them to develop their talents. According to Bull, she hadn’t had much success. The current prejudice against the craft meant that any youngsters showing even the slightest hint of ‘unnatural powers’ were likely to be forcefully dissuaded from using them by their parents. Yet Sullyan had still considered the process worthwhile. Some people didn’t show signs of the gift until their late teens.

  Robin had often helped with this task, but with the two of them gone, it now fell to Bull. He had also resumed his training of the youngest cadets, the job he had done before retiring. Blaine had apparently recognized Bull’s need to keep busy, and the various masters at the Manor appreciated any help they could get. So during the day, Taran knew, Bull could be almost anywhere within the Manor house or grounds.

  This time, though, Taran found him in his rooms, the last place he had expected Bull to be.

  He knocked on the door, and after a moment’s silence he heard the big man’s footfall. The door opened only slightly and Bull peered round it, a decidedly shifty look in his eye. When he saw who his visitor was he ushered Taran inside, closing the door swiftly behind him. Taran immediately noticed the two full packs lying on the floor and stared at his friend in suspicion.

  “What’s going on, Bull?” The big man had the grace to color slightly and Taran rounded on him. “I hope you weren’t planning to go off alone!”

  Bull walked over to the table, where he sat and picked up a mug of fellan. He gestured toward the fire. “There’s more in the pot.”

  Taran pursed his lips but played along, pouring a mugful and sitting down opposite his friend. “Well? Rienne’s been going out of her mind with worry for Sullyan and fretting to go back. It would destroy her, you know, if you went off without telling us.”

  “What do you take me for, Taran? Of course I was going to tell you. It’s Blaine I haven’t told. My guilty conscience must be pricking me. I thought it was him at the door just now.” Bull stared down into his mug. “I know I’m not strictly answerable to him now—not in a military sense, anyway—but I do want to return here ... after. I’ve been with him for more years than I care to remember, Taran, and old habits die slowly. I still jump when I see him.”

  Taran had to chuckle, remembering his own urge to salute when meeting Blaine the other morning. “He does have that effect, doesn’t he?”

  Bull gave a lopsided grin. “It’s been very carefully cultivated. He does it to cover up his sensitive side.”

  Taran snorted. “So what’s the plan? Does Robin know you’re intending to go back? Does the Major?”

  “Hell, no!” Bull’s face flushed a deeper red. “If I tell her, she’ll only curse and order me back. I might tell Robin once we’ve gotten as close as we can, but it’ll be up to him whether or not he tells Sully. Personally, I don’t think he will.” The big man closed his eyes and sighed deeply. “She ordered me not to follow her, Taran. I hate disobeying her, but I need to know I’ve done everything I can. Even if it’s only to be there at the end ....” He swallowed painfully. “I can’t just abandon her now. I’ve known her for thirteen years, since she was a tiny girl of ten. I’ve trained her, helped her, worked with her, fought by her, nursed her, healed her, and learned from her. How can I let her down now?” He fell silent, memories blurring his eyes.

  “Rienne feels the same,” said Taran. “She’s eating herself up with guilt thinking she could still be of some use. It’s not like her, and Cal’s been quite concerned. What worries me, though, is the possibility we’ll get in the way, or be attacked, or even end up being taken hostage if Rykan’s men discovered us. Think what would happen if he found out who we were.”

  Bull nodded. “You’re right to consider that, of course, but I don’t think it’s a risk. Rykan will be fully committed to fighting the Hierarch’s troops, and I don’t propose to go looking for his men. According to Robin, they’ve been contained within the forests to the east of the Plains, and we’d be coming at the Citadel from the northwest. We would be well away from the fighting. I simply have to go, Taran. I need to know I’m near her if she needs me at the end.”

  That evening, Taran told Cal and Rienne what Bull was proposing. Both were keen to go, although Cal’s reasons leaned more toward giving Rienne something to ease her aching soul.

  Taran smiled at them. “That’s settled, then. Bull’s going to see Blaine tomorrow to let him know. You’d better inform Chief Healer Hanan, Rienne. They’re going to miss you in the infirmary.”

  “I’ll miss them too,” she said. “It’s been wonderful working with them all, and I’ve learned so much. But this is more important, Taran. There’ll be time enough after ... to resume our lives. Mine’s been at a standstill these last few weeks, and it’ll never be the same again. At least let’s see this through to the end and decide where we go after that.”

  The next morning, Taran woke to a knock on his door. He was surprised to see Bull standing there, smiling sheepishly at him.

  “I thought you were going to see the General this morning, Bull?”

  “I am, Taran, and I’m sorry if I woke you, it’s just ... oh gods, look, would you mind coming with me? I know it sounds feeble, but I’m dreading facing him.
If he gets difficult and starts arguing with me, you can stop me from losing my nerve.”

  Taran smiled. “Of course I’ll come. Sound military principle, eh? Safety in numbers.”

  Half an hour later, the General’s valet, Hyram, ushered them back out of Blaine’s office. Taran turned to Bull, seeing his own amazement mirrored on the big man’s face.

  “That wasn’t quite what you expected, was it?” he said.

  Bull slowly shook his head. “No. I really thought he’d do his best to stop me going. I never imagined he might be wishing he could go himself. Sully would never believe it. Hell, I’m not sure I believe it! Do you know, Taran, in all the years I’ve known him that’s the most humanity I’ve ever seen him show?”

  They walked slowly back through the Manor, Taran playing the emotional yet successful interview over in his mind. Blaine had immediately known why they were there, and hadn’t bothered to conceal his envy over Bull’s freedom to do as he pleased. There hadn’t been the slightest suggestion he would try to prevent their going, only good wishes and admonitions to be careful. Bull’s dumbfounded expression was the funniest thing Taran had seen for a long time.

  “Private joke?”

  Taran’s head jerked up. “Oh, hello, Dexter, I didn’t see you there.”

  Sullyan’s Sergeant grinned at him as he fell into step beside Bull. “Been applying to the General to join us, have you?”

  Bull snorted. “If that were true, it wouldn’t be as incredible as what’s just happened, Dex.” The Sergeant raised his brows. “We’ve just been telling Blaine we’re going back to Andaryon, to try to help Sully. What do you think he said?”

  “Fifty days in the cells for insanity, or insubordination?”

  “That’s more or less what I expected. How about ‘good luck and I wish I could go with you’?”

  Dexter’s jaw dropped. “That’s not even a good joke, Bull.”

  “That’s because it isn’t a joke. It’s what he said. Ask Taran.”

  Dexter whistled. “Do you suppose his good wishes would extend to the lads if they asked him the same question?”

  “I wish I could say yes, but we both know it’s not possible. Taran, Cal, and Rienne are coming, and that’s about as large a group as I can manage. Even if we could take the lads, we’d never get near the Citadel unnoticed. If we make it, we’ll be sure to let Sully know you wanted to come.”

  “Make sure you do. Any one of us would die for her if we thought it would do any good.”

  Bull clapped Dexter on the shoulder and the Sergeant left them. Bull and Taran carried on toward the Adept’s shared apartment. When they arrived, they found that Cal and Rienne had already packed their things, including Taran’s, and had even thought to send for supplies. Yet this foresight brought its own problems, and Rienne was currently trying to calm down a tearful Tad. The young lad was desperate to go with them. Taran knew he wouldn’t have had a clue how to dissuade Tad, and watched in admiration while Rienne, her usual good sense surfacing once more, used the two arguments the boy couldn’t refute.

  “First,” she said reasonably, “we’d never get Goran to agree to release you. You know how much he depends on you. And second, this will be a very dangerous trip. You wouldn’t want Captain Tamsen to be distracted from his duties by worrying about you, now would you?”

  Tad scrubbed at his tear-stained face, plainly struggling to find a way out of agreeing with her. Finally, he sniffed. “No, I suppose not.”

  Bull patted his shoulder. “Good lad. We need people we can trust to stay here and keep things in order for when we return. Robin will be very proud of you, lad, when I tell him how brave and helpful you’ve been.”

  Rienne smiled gratefully at Bull as the young lad’s expression lightened. She saw him off while Taran took a last look round the apartment. He closed the door behind them as they headed down to the horse lines.

  * * * * *

  The day following the command meeting, Sullyan and Robin tracked the rest of their band to where they had camped for the night. Robin was pleased to see that Ky-shan had followed Sullyan’s instructions, and their party was challenged by the sentries before he saw the campfires’ glow. They rode in to enthusiastic greetings from the entire camp. Any residual resentment had clearly been wiped away by their selfless bravery on behalf of Jay’el and Ki-en. The injured young lad, who had ridden double with Kester, endured his fellows’ ribbing with a shy grin.

  While Sullyan went to make a quick round of the men, Ky-shan pulled Robin aside. “Skip, is it true what they’re saying about what Rykan did to her?”

  Robin went cold. “Why, what have you heard?”

  The pirate gave him a terse and accurate account of the abuse Rykan had inflicted. “Is that why she can’t return to Albia, why she’s here with the Hierarch’s men? To take revenge?”

  “Something like that. How many people know, Ky-shan? She really didn’t want this getting out.”

  “Too late, Skip, it’s all round the men. They’re furious because of it. She’ll be finding out about now, I reckon, just how mad they are.”

  Robin sighed. “Be prepared for her being in a foul mood then. She hates pity or sympathy.”

  “She’ll get no pity from us.” Ky-shan shook his head. “But it’s made me feel bad about what I said to her when she goaded me into challenging her at the Citadel.”

  Robin frowned, trying to remember.

  “I said I’d throw her to the men or something like that,” the pirate reminded him. “Now I know why she fought me so hard! I just hope she doesn’t hold it against me.”

  The Captain grinned. “Oh, don’t worry on that score. If she was holding a grudge against you, you’d know it, believe me!”

  As Robin feared, Sullyan returned from her rounds hard-eyed and pale. She had obviously heard exactly what the men thought of Rykan for what he had done to her. Robin took one look and wisely decided to keep his peace on the matter. He hastily briefed the giants and the two younger men to do the same.

  Ki-en handed her a mug of fellan and she sat down stiffly by the fire. She drank wordlessly, and no one else spoke. Robin never heard any of them mention the subject again, but neither he nor the Major ever had to see to their own horses, gear, campfire, or food again during that campaign. Almid and Kester, alternating with Jay’el and Ki-en, saw to everything for them.

  During the week that followed, Sullyan and her company were kept busy using their skills to harry the enemy and drive them forward, sometimes even feigning retreat to lure them nearer and nearer the Citadel. Their tactics seemed to be working according to the news they received from the other sections of the Hierarch’s forces.

  * * * * *

  Also during that week, and with no word of warning to Robin, Taran, Cal, and Rienne followed Bull through the Andaryan countryside. They moved cautiously, taking their time, scouting ahead to avoid any possibility of running into enemy forces. As they rode through Cardon, Marik’s province, they found his people still wary and unwilling to leave the security of their homes. Rumors of war had spread throughout the realm and the countryside was largely deserted. This suited the little group, as it made their journey easier. On Bull’s advice, they passed wide to the west of Marik’s abandoned mansion, adding a few extra miles to their journey but avoiding the possibility of meeting any of Rykan’s men who might still be seeking the Count. The nearer they came to the Citadel, the higher Rienne’s anticipation grew.

  * * * * *

  Sullyan’s company had just returned from yet another successful attack when a dispatch rider galloped into camp. He made straight for Sullyan. The men were tired, dirty, and hungry, and there were injuries to be dealt with, so the Major left Robin organizing the camp while she spoke with the messenger. His news came as no surprise. She had been expecting it for at least two days.

  Nevertheless, her expression was somber as she joined Robin on his rounds. They passed through the men together, seeing that they cared for their horses first befor
e cleaning themselves up. Then she dealt with the more serious wounds. Two men had taken crossbow bolts, and these had to be drawn. Her own wound had healed well, although there would always be an indentation in the flesh where the bolt had damaged the muscle. Robin let her work without bothering her with questions. She was grateful—he knew she would tell him what the dispatch had said once they were seated round their own fire.

  A couple of hours later, with watches set and men resting, Sullyan called Almid, Kester, Ky-shan, Jay’el, and Ki-en to her fire to tell them the news. She regarded them from the comfort of her cloak, the firelight leaping gold before her eyes, and watched for their reactions.

  “A dispatch rider arrived earlier, gentlemen. The Lord General has recalled me. I leave for the Citadel at once.”

  Robin didn’t react, but Ky-shan frowned and Jay’el looked worried. “Why, Lady? Why should we go back? We’re doing everything they asked of us.”

  She smiled gently. “You did not hear me, Jay. It is I who has been recalled, not the whole company.”

  Ky-shan shifted uncomfortably. “What’s happened? Has something gone wrong?”

  “The campaign is proceeding according to plan. Rykan’s men are approaching the Plains. The main body of the Hierarch’s forces is preparing to meet them before the Citadel, and all companies—including ours—will be required to engage them.”

  “But you won’t be leading us.”

  She inclined her head. “That is correct.”

  Jay’el was indignant. “Why not?”

  She turned to him. “Think, Jay. You know what we have planned for Rykan’s defeat. If I am to be the Hierarch’s Champion, I cannot risk myself in the kind of pitched battle that will be fought on the Plains. If I was killed, or even severely injured, our scheme would fail. It was only to gain the trust of the Hierarch’s generals and troops that I was permitted this much freedom. So, Ky-shan, tomorrow you are to begin a withdrawal from this area. Your instructions are to meet up with Count Marik, regroup under General Kryp, and do as he directs you. Robin and I will return to the Citadel.”