Wolf's Eyes

by Jane Lindskold

  Derian might have teased further, but he was too concerned about her health and comfort. Given his height, he had no trouble checking both the sword wound to her back and the stitches on her leg without getting her down from Patience's back. When he had contented himself that she was not bleeding afresh and nothing seemed to have pulied loose, he granted:

  “Well, you are here, you might as well stay. Are you comfortable up there?”

  “Enough,” she replied. “Though Patience has a sharp backbone.”

  Derian remedied this by commandeering a blanket to make her a pad. Firekeeper leaned with her arms on Patience's withers while Derian slipped it under her. They'd just finished when Doc joined them, glowered at Firekeeper, but said nothing more. He was followed a few moments later by Valet, Race, and Ox. The latter explained:

  “The king has called most of his nobles to him. That's where Earl Kestrel has gone. Shouldn't you be there, Fire-keeper?”

  She shragged. “I am comfortable here. If they want me, I am easily found.”

  But no one came for her and when the herald emerged from the tent and the crowd fell silent she remained just one among many. After the herald made a completely unnecessary call for quiet, he continued:

  “His Majesty King Tedric and Her Majesty Queen Gustin the Fourth have several very important announcements to make. They demand your complete and obedient attention.”

  At this, the monarchs emerged from the pavilion. Each was trailed by a small herd of nobles, each dressed in the best that could be found at short notice. Earl Kestrel and Baron Archer, like most of those who had seen recent military service, wore their uniforms. Standing next to Sapphire Shield who was wearing her battered blue armor, Lady Elise looked tranquil, if rather frail, dressed in the same gown she had worn to the ball.

  Firekeeper wondered if hers were the only ears sharp enough to hear the sigh of longing and admiration that inadvertently slipped from between Doc's lips as he gazed at the young noblewoman. Something about the slight but definitely compassionate twinkle in Valet's eyes made her think that hers were not.

  A raised dais a few feet high had been hastily constructed and side by side with measured tread, rival king and queen mounted to stand where all could see them.

  Courage, Firekeeper thought with admiration. Until Prince Newell's attack on the king, I never realized the risks these human Ones take whenever they are in public. Queen Gustin is not loved here. How easily an arrow shot from afar could end her life! Yet she stands there cool and even arrogant, like the senior doe of some great herd.

  This was the first time she had seen Bright Bay's queen close up and Firekeeper took a deep breath, hoping to catch something of her scent. All she got was that of horse and hot humans, but she did not doubt that the elegant young woman before her was scented like some rich flower or perhaps an exotic spice.

  The queen, Firekeeper decided as the herald blatted out a completely unnecessary recitation of titles and honors, was furiously angry but knew herself in no position to express that anger.

  After the announcement of titles, King Tedric began to speak. His every sentence was echoed by the herald so that even those at the far reaches of the crowd could hear, but Firekeeper was close enough to hear the old voice projecting with strength despite the shrillness of age.

  “Good people. As was announced a short time ago, we have achieved peace between those who so recently con-tended upon the field just west of this point. Stonehold has paid the promised compensation. They will begin to with-draw their troops tomorrow morning.”

  He lifted a hand to forestall the cheer that began almost inadvertently and continued:

  “Compromise is the weapon of peace. As many of you know, I first came here on my quest for a fitting heir. Part of my compromise for peace was agreeing to name that heir publicly. But before I do so, Queen Gustin has an important announcement of her own to make.”

  As the queen moved slightly forward to take over, a low murmur rippled through the throng to be instantly quelled by her gaze.

  “As Stonehold's perfidy has demonstrated,” Queen Gustin said in a firm yet musical voice, “neither Hawk Haven nor Bright Bay is strong enough to exist alone. My greatest wish is for an alliance between our kindred nations. In token of this, I am stepping down as queen of Bright Bay in favor of my cousin, Duke Allister Seagleam. As he was born as a pledge of our land's desire for mutual peace, I can think of no better proof of Bright Bay's goodwill toward Hawk Haven.”

  Nothing could stop the noisy roar of acclamation that exploded almost before her words were finished. Duke Allister nodded solemnly, but something of how deeply he was moved showed in the line of color that crept up from his collar to flush his cheeks. His wife, Pearl, was less composed. When she burst into joyful tears, Duke Allister was able to take refuge in comforting her.

  The herald shouted the crowd to relative silence, and Queen Gustin continued, her tones now icy:

  “My cousin has agreed that I should not make this great sacrifice for my people's good without some fitting reward. Therefore, the islands that have to this time been part of the nation of Bright Bay will become my new realm. To guard and protect the islands, I shall be taking with me a portion of Bright Bay's fleet. I hope that relations between my new realm of the Isles and her sister nations shall be characterized by mutual accord.”

  That last, Firekeeper thought, is as true as if Blind Seer said he wanted all his fur shaved off. I doubt either King Tedric or Duke Allister believe her. Neither are fools.

  King Tedric stepped forward and resumed:

  “I thank my noble sister and I shall devote my strongest efforts in these last years of my life to maintaining mutual peace. In the interests of this, I have decided that I can no longer delay announcing my heir. At one point I had seriously considered Duke Allister, but his new role as king of Bright Bay will heavily occupy his time.

  “I wish to state that my naming of one person as my heir should in no way be taken as a slight to those who were not selected. All of the men and women I considered had qualities that might have made them good and able monarchs, but in the end, I could only select one person. Unlike Stone-hold, my nation cannot be mled by a committee.

  “In the interests of furthering an alliance with Bright Bay, I decided to pass over my niece Zorana Archer and my nephew Ivon Archer. My other nephew, Lord Rolfston Red-briar, bravely gave his life on the battlefield before this decision was resolved, as did my grandnephew Purcel Archer.

  “The next generation holds many fine young men and women. However, in choosing between them I let my desire for peace between Bright Bay and Hawk Haven dictate my choice to a certain extent. Duke Allister has four children. His eldest and his heir is a young man, the heroic Shad Oyster.

  “My desire was that the reunification of our nations be delayed no longer than absolutely necessary. Therefore, my heir must be someone who could wed Shad Oyster. Together, they would rule Hawk Haven after my death and—with Al-lister Seagleam's enthusiastic concurrence—upon AUister's passing to the ancestors, they would also rale in Bright Bay.

  “This narrowed my choices considerably, for only two women of near marriageable age are among my potential heirs. Both young women have shown trae courage and fortitude in different ways during the battle. One of these candidates, Lady Archer, is the sole heir to her family duties. She is also just eighteen—not quite of marriageable age. However, these difficulties could have been overcome. What made me decide to select Elise's cousin, Sapphire Shield, over her was an event that is already becoming legend.

  “By now all of you have heard how during thefinalbattle of this recent war, Sapphire risked her own life to preserve that of Duke Allister and how, when Shad Oyster fell defending his father from further attacks, Sapphire herself carried him from the field. Such events forge deep bonds. I am not such a fool as to ignore the promptings of the ancestors. Therefore, I here name with all of you as my witnesses, Sapphire Shield the crown princess of Hawk Haven!”
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  Now, clearly, was a time for cheering and none attempted to restrain the thunderous applause that arose as Duke Allister led forward his son and his daughter-in-law-to-be. As the young couple stepped decorously forward to receive the ac-claim of those who would someday be their subjects, they clasped hands tightly. Firekeeper was pleased to note that this was not mere form. From her elevated perch she could clearly see that the knuckles on both hands were white from the tightness of that grasp.

  When the shouts and cheers faded to a happy murmur, King Tedric continued, “My voice is old and weak. Therefore, I ask my nephew, Allister Seagleam, to continue explaining the terms of peace.”

  Allister stepped next to the woman he had deposed and offered her a deep bow. Queen Gustin IV, soon to be Queen Valora of the Isles, was gracious enough, but the tight lines around mouth and eyes could not be smoothed away by mere intention.

  Allister held up his hand for silence. When he spoke, his strong voice seemed emblematic of the promise of the new days to follow.

  “My good people, tomorrow morning I shall depart for Silver Whale Cove, the capital of Bright Bay. There, with the full agreement of these nobles and the families they rep-resent…” Here he paused to gesture at the gathered representatives of Bright Bay's five Great Houses. “I shall be crowned king of Bright Bay. However, I will not be made King Gustin the Fifth. The name Gustin shall be allowed to rest. Nor shall I be King Allister Seagleam. Instead, the name I will take is King Allister of the Pledge, chosen as a reminder of what has brought us all to this point.

  “My son and heir, Shad, and Crown Princess Sapphire will be married soon after, also in Bright Bay. Thereafter, together, they will travel to Hawk Haven and renew their vows before their new countrymen. When I pass on to the ancestors, Shad and Sapphire will reunite the portions of our severed people. At that time, Bright Bay and Hawk Haven will cease to exist, becoming instead a new nation embracing the best of our peoples. To commemorate that change, a new name will be taken. Uncle Tedric has suggested we call our new country Bright Haven. What say you all?”

  Firekeeper thought there could be no doubt of the people's approval. In keeping with the general festive atmosphere, even Blind Seer threw back his head and howled enthusiastically.

  “I want you to know,” Allister said, “that this union of our kingdoms is not contingent upon chance. If something takes Shad before me, Sapphire shall still follow me and reunification continue. The same is tme if Sapphire dies suddenly. Shad is her heir, even as he is mine. The child of their bodies will follow them—either of them—to the throne. Their lives will not be easy for they must learn to govern wisely not one, but two peoples. Yet our dream is that by the time Bright Haven is born the people of that nation will no longer be two but one.

  “I have spoken long enough. You gathered here have seen history made. The realm of the Isles is bom. Bright Haven is conceived. Each one of you is witness to those births. Guard that responsibility as you would any newborn child, knowing that you stand as ancestors to those great events. Blessings on you all!”

  As Duke Allister stepped back, Firekeeper joined in the new wave of acclaim, a thunder of cheering and shouting that lasted until the noble party had retreated from the dais. As the joyful noise faded, the crowd surrounding them began to break up,flowingabout their little wolf-guarded group like a stream parting around a rock. Looking down from her seat on Patience, Firekeeper saw that Derian was looking at her, a quizzical expression on his face.

  “You look awfully happy for someone who just learned she isn't going to be queen,” Derian said.

  “I know that I wouldn't be for a time,” Firekeeper replied. “I was glad then and am gladder now because now Earl Kestrel won't look at me that hungry, hopeful way anymore.”

  “I wonder what he will do about you?” Derian asked.

  Ox spoke up for his employer. “Kestrel adopted her. The earl won't dump her. He has too much pride of house for that.”

  Valet nodded agreement. “Firekeeper will never need search for a home. She has one in Kestrel.”

  Firekeeper thought about this as the group returned to the Kestrel camp. On threat of Doc's wrath, she was immediately returned to a cot. The others began breaking down the tents and storing the gear.

  Some of Hawk Haven's army—Race among them—would remain in Bright Bay to make certain that Stonehold left as scheduled, but Earl Kestrel had been released from his command to tend his other duties. Immediately, he had arranged for a suite of comfortable rooms at one of Hope's better inns. Valet was openly pleased.

  “What if,” Firekeeper asked the five men, “I already have a home? Am I to be Kestrel's prisoner?”

  Derian looked embarrassed, Ox and Race puzzled, Doc carefully blank, but Valet understood and reassured her.

  “You should have freedom to come and go,” Valet said, his hands busy stowing polished cookware. “Even if you are still nearly a child by Hawk Haven's standards, you have lived a very different life and Earl Kestrel will not wish you to be unhappy. Tell me, do you intend to return to the wilds?”

  Firekeeper shragged. “Winter is hard in the wolflands, but someday I would wish to see my pack, maybe in the spring. Then you found me; then I could return.”

  “Forever?” Derian's voice sounded oddly choked. He turned away and made himself busy stacking some blankets.

  “Forever?” Firekeeper laughed. “After I go to all such trouble to learn human ways! Of course I come back.”

  “I'm glad,” a new voice entered the conversation as Earl Kestrel walked into the camp. His followers sprang to offer him proper bows, but he waved them down. “Be at ease.

  “I am glad,” the earl repeated, turning to Firekeeper, “to learn that you plan to come back to us. Can I encourage you to stay through the winter?”

  Firekeeper nodded. “I was thinking that food is hard to get in winter and, even with Doc's help, I will be some time yet making these cut muscles strong enough toranand hunt.”

  “Very good.” Earl Kestrel beamed generally. “Before I left the king's presence, the new heir spoke with me. Sapphire asked me to counsel her on the needs of my house. Very prettily, she told me that until now she has concentrated solely on those of her birth house.”

  Earl Kestrel looked more serious. “Crown Princess Sapphire also wished to make certain that I would not hold any resentment against you, Blysse, for not being chosen as heir.”

  “Do you?” Firekeeper asked bluntly.

  “No,” replied the earl with equal directness. “Given the situation, the king could not have chosen anyone about whose heritage there was the least doubt. Moreover, as a public sign of her favor, the heir has asked if you will be an attendant at her forthcoming wedding.”

  Firekeeper frowned. “Wedding attendant?”

  Earl Kestrel actually laughed. “It is a formal-attire occasion of the highest honor.”

  “More honor than the ball?”

  “More than a dozen balls,” Earl Kestrel assured her. He glanced at Derian. “I believe that Counselor Derian could teach you what you would need to know. Lady Archer will also be attendant upon her cousin. I believe that the crown princess wished to publicly demonstrate their amity.”

  Firekeeper shragged away the unfamiliar word, more concerned about this new social challenge.

  “Will you teach me, Derian? You and Elise?”

  Derian nodded, pretending dismay. “I seem fated to act as lady's maid,” he said in resigned tones, but Firekeeper saw the sparkle in his eyes.

  Blind Seer saw it also. “More kings,” the wolf grumbled, “and queens and formal attire. What shall I do?”

  Firekeeper scratched his great grey head. “Be with me. Guard my back. There will be dangers there also.”

  “Despite what Duke AUister implied today,” Earl Kestrel said, unaware of the wolves’ conversation, “die wedding and coronation cannot be held for some weeks. Queen Gustin must be permitted to move her belongings from the royal dwellings at Silver Whale C
ove. Nobles from both Bright Bay and Hawk Haven must be given time to prepare for the festivities. Duke Allister will take up his responsibilities as monarch immediately—indeed, the last thing we witnessed before the meeting ended was a representative of each of Bright Bay's Great Houses swearing loyalty to their new king—but further formahties will wait.”

  “I must return to Eagle's Nest” Earl Kestrel continued, “and then to the Norwood Grant. King Tedric has asked that I take Prince Newell's servant Rook into my custody. Apparently, Lady Zorana wants him executed, no matter what promises he was given in return for his confession. King Tedric might have given Lady Zorana what she wished but this Rook claims that he is not the one who took such liberties with Lady Zorana's person—he says another man, named Keen, was responsible.”

  “I think,” Firekeeper said slowly, “that Rook tells the truth. I did not see faces, but I did see shapes and hair and such. The man who pawed at Lady Zorana was not Rook. He was the one who later I cut beneath the eye. I did not recall this at the time, but once or twice I saw one who could have been this Keen near Prince Newell's tent.”

  Earl Kestrel looked interested. “I doubt that such information would change Lady Zorana's feelings. She would simply say that Rook stood by and permitted this Keen his abuses. Still, I shall pass your report on to King Tedric. For whatever reason, King Tedric is standing by his promise to Rook and has asked that I secure the prisoner in the Norwood Grant, where Lady Zorana would find it more difficult to do him injury.”

  “My thought,” the earl went on, “is to have Lady Blysse remain here in Hope to recuperate from her wounds. Not only would it spare her a trip in a jolting wagon, but when she feels better she will have woodlands near for her plea-sure. I must take Ox and Valet with me, and Derian will certainly wish to visit his family and tell them about his new honors, but I thought that you, Jared, might be willing to look after my ward.”