Elephant Thief

by Lia Patterson

  “This is his only chance!” I insisted, annoyance rising within me. “Tell him this, and in my exact words: Lady Arisha asks him if he wants to be remembered as the man who lost the standard of the Victorious Fifth to hang as a trophy in an Aneiry hall.”

  “You want me to take him that message?” Navid exclaimed.

  “Yes! By the Ninth Hell, what has he got to lose?”

  Navid looked at me for a long moment. He nodded. “You’re right. I will try to persuade him.” He gave another cautious nod to Rhys, then mounted and rode back. The gate opened briefly and swallowed him up.

  Now I just had to wait.

  TWENTY-NINE

  “What is this about their standard?” Rhys asked.

  I sighed. “The greatest shame that can befall one of their legions is to lose their golden standard. It’s happened before, the Valiant Twelfth got annihilated in the Inland Sea by the Sarbatinian navy. They say their standard is still kept in the vaults of the Iron City by the Kings of Sarbatinia.”

  “So what would happen to the legion?”

  “It would be struck from the rolls in disgrace, all its deeds erased. Many of the officers have a long family history of serving in the Fifth, they would shame themselves and all their descendants.” Bahram would not like to hear that truth. But he had sons at the imperial court in Arrashar and surely would not want them to be known as the sons of the man who had lost the Fifth’s standard to a bunch of barbarians. Men had slit their throats for less reason than that.

  I squinted up at the walls again and noticed that the man with the extravagant plume had disappeared. What discussions were going on? Rhys’s men meanwhile had kindled a fire and Taren brought me a mug of hot tea and a roll of bread, which I appreciated greatly, for I’d had nothing to eat since some porridge the previous evening.

  Taren took off his helmet and scratched his jaw. “Do you think he’ll come out?” He jerked his chin at the Sikhandi fort.

  “If anybody can make him, Arisha will,” Rhys answered with a glimmer of a smile. “I know nobody more stubborn.”

  The corners of Taren’s eyes crinkled. “Oh, I do have somebody in mind…”

  “Watch your tongue,” Rhys growled, but he was grinning.

  “It’s good for you not to get too convinced of your infallibility,” his friend shot back.

  Rhys snorted. “There’s not the least danger of that with the women of my family around.”

  Did he count me amongst those too, I wondered. Had a single kiss sufficed to place me in that category? Or the feather in my hair? And did he have any intention of asking me for my consent on the matter?

  Suddenly the sound of trumpets from the Sikhandi fort interrupted my reflections. I held my breath when the gates swung open. Navid emerged first, again holding his baton aloft, and behind him followed three mounted men and a dozen soldiers on foot. Rhys’s men had gone on alert at once, and he ordered them to fan out, but not to draw their weapons.

  Despite my whispered protests, he drew me back from the edge of the circle. “I’m not risking you, it might be a trap,” he reminded me curtly. “You heard what Navid said, they might think you a traitor.”

  There was no reasoning with him, so I subsided. However, I called Hami over from where he’d been browsing on the bushes, a reminder that I guaranteed the peace of the circle of truce. When the Sikhandi drew nearer, I saw that the man with the plume was indeed Prince Bahram, looking faintly ridiculous with his ample figure squeezed into full armour. Rhys emanated more threat just standing there seemingly relaxed.

  And yet appearances might deceive, I reminded myself, for the prince wielded magic. Sattar accompanied him, riding his usual showy black, and scowled at me. The other mounted man I didn’t know. Elderly and wearing plain grey robes, he didn’t look like much of a threat, but when they dismounted and stepped into my circle I felt a brief touch on my barrier. Another mage?

  Prince Bahram gave me polite nod. “Lady Arisha.”

  “My Lord Prince, be welcome.” I held out my hand to Hami, who touched it delicately with his trunk. “You stand in a circle of truce. No weapon may be drawn here, no spell cast.” I hoped I looked suitably intimidating with Hami at my side. The elephant had spotted Sattar and emitted a threatening grumble, but I calmed him with a thought. Sattar had better remember though that an elephant never forgot.

  Ignoring a hiss of protest from Rhys, I stepped forward and sat down cross-legged in the centre of the circle, arranging my green robe around me to look properly formal. The silk was rather worse for wear after all the scrambling round on Hami’s back, but I hoped they wouldn’t notice.

  After a brief hesitation the others followed my lead. Rhys, Taren and Kestrel, who had returned from taking Owena to safety, sat on one side, Bahram, Sattar and the Sikhandi mage on the other. The prince’s men stayed a few paces behind, staring suspiciously at the Aneiry, who glowered right back. Rhys gave me a hard look, clearly not liking the arrangement at all. Though he kept his hands open on his thighs, I had no doubt that he would explode into deadly action at the least provocation.

  Well, I could only hope that I would not go down in history as the woman who had foolishly started a battle by forcing the two leaders together. But they had to know that I would be caught right in the middle and thus in harm’s way. With Rhys at least this consideration would surely count for something, and I had to hope with Bahram as well. If he survived, he would still have to answer to my grandfather after all.

  The two opponents measured each other, face to face for the first time after months of indirect struggle. Rhys’s harsh features gave him an unforgiving look, reinforced by the eagle feather woven into his hair. By contrast Bahram’s florid face was marked by good living, yet a cornered beast should never be underestimated. And of course he knew that his adversary had killed his half-brother with his own hands – though by all accounts there had been little love lost between Prince Maziar and him.

  I caught both their eyes. “Lord Eagle, Prince Bahram.” When I had their attention, I took a deep breath. “This foolishness has to stop.”

  “What!” they exclaimed at the same time. Good, implicitly they had accepted my opening gambit.

  “Look around you,” I said. “The fort is armed like a porcupine, the Aneiry camped all around it with their only purpose to destroy it. What will happen if they join in battle? Hundreds of men will die a painful, bloody death, and for what? All because you will not talk to each other.”

  Sattar’s face flushed with anger. “My lord, will you let this woman address you in such a manner?”

  Prince Bahram ignored him. “Lady Arisha, I haven’t come here for a telling-off,” he snapped with a frown on his face. “Navid said you had a proposal?”

  Liking his spirit, I smiled, for I had their attention now. The board was set, the first move made. “I have,” I said and turned to Rhys. “Lord Eagle, you want Prince Bahram and his men to leave these lands, which you claim for your own. Isn’t that so?”

  Rhys, who had listened in silence, gave a curt nod. “Yes.”

  I turned back to Bahram. “It seems reasonable to me that the Aneiry have lordship over their own lands, to which Sikhand has no legitimate claim after all.”

  “No claim?” Sattar hissed. “Have you forgotten who is your lawful lord? Emperor Firooz has every right!”

  I shook my head. “Nonsense, he never ruled these lands. And even if he had, the wrongs done by Prince Maziar would surely have nullified any claim.”

  Sattar opened his mouth for further protest, but Prince Bahram lifted a hand. “That remains to be debated. But you were saying?” Sattar subsided, but not without casting me an ugly look.

  I nodded my thanks at Prince Bahram. “However, the Sikhandi have legitimate concerns regarding the security of their border with the Khotai.” I fixed Rhys with a steady gaze. “I believe it would be in the long-term interest of all the parties assembled here if you came to some kind of agreement of mutual support.”

>   “Indeed?” he asked, his eyes hooded.

  “Yes. Remember Chidukhul? I doubt that next time he comes, it will be with peaceful intent.”

  Rhys shrugged. “We’ll be ready for him.”

  He wasn’t making it easy for me! If only he would play on my side, nothing could stop us. “Will you?” I asked back. “Do you think they aren’t aware of what’s happening here? Whoever wins will emerge severely weakened from the conflict. The Khotai know that. You remind me of two lions fighting each other, only for the victor to be brought down by a pack of wolves.”

  Neither of them minded being compared to a lion, I could see that. It had probably been a better comparison than the first one that had sprung to my mind, that of two dogs too busy squabbling over a bone to see the elephant that was about to step on them.

  Prince Bahram shifted uncomfortably, as if unused to his armour. The morning had warmed up, and he was sweating. “You have a solution?” He would be eager for one of course, as long as he saved his face.

  “I do. What the Sikhandi need is a fast way to intercept the Khotai on their steppe ponies. Well, Aneirion is rightly famous for its horses.” The prince nodded. By his side the elderly mage was watching me with interest. “This is what I propose,” I said. “An annual horse fair, to be held here in this very spot, where the Sikhandi have the opportunity to buy mounts at a fair price. In exchange they would not need to occupy any of these lands and could…retire…to more congenial quarters on the other side of the mountains.”

  Bahram looked thoughtful, but Rhys’s mouth had drawn down. “No. We’ve discussed this idea before and my refusal still stands. We have no guarantee that these horses would not end up being used against us.” Taren gave me an apologetic shrug, but nodded agreement.

  Well, I had expected as much. Now for the deciding move.

  “Yes, you do,” I answered. “For I will stand surety that the horses do not return. In person.”

  Rhys’s eyes narrowed. “And how do you propose to do so?”

  I looked him straight in the face. “Because I can. I am a Wood mage, attuned to animals. If I will it so, none of those horses can be forced to return over the mountains.” I spread my hands. “Just as not a single horse or elephant will cross this island while I am here.”

  “What!” five male voices exclaimed as one. Only the unknown mage nodded, as if he’d known all along.

  “Not while I live,” I confirmed. “There has been enough blood shed. If you want to spill more, you will have to do so without killing innocent animals.” Shah maht, the king was cornered. But of course either of these two could still change everything by simply upsetting the game board.

  “This is outrageous!” Sattar protested. “My lord, you cannot let this woman dictate to you what to do.”

  “Don’t tell me what I must or mustn’t do,” Prince Bahram snapped. He inclined his head. “I can see you’ve been thinking deeply, my lady. Of course I would still need to know the exact details.” His eyes flickered from me to Rhys. “You and the Eagle would guarantee this treaty jointly?”

  “Yes,” I answered for both of us, though I wondered if Rhys would give me the lie. However, he said nothing.

  “In that case we might be able to come to an agreement,” Prince Bahram answered. “Just possibly, mind you.” Since my plan would save his skin, I had expected as much. He would not relish the prospect of dealing with people he considered barbarians, but as I had pointed out to him, he had very little left to lose. Besides, if he could accomplish a steady flow of mounts for the army that might regain him imperial favour.

  “Every last Sikhandi has to leave,” I pointed out. “Is that understood?”

  “Yes, Lady Arisha.”

  Rhys had said nothing after his initial exclamation of surprise, and now all eyes turned to him. His face unreadable, he regarded me steadily. At least he had not refused out of hand, I told myself.

  “I propose a break,” he said suddenly. “Prince Bahram, you will have to excuse me for a moment. I need to think on this new development.”

  “Of course,” the prince said, oozing suavity. “As you please.”

  “My Lord Prince!” Sattar exclaimed. “How can you even consider such an offer! Just look at that slut, clearly she has sold herself to the enemy.” He shot me a venomous look.

  Rhys went still, but Prince Bahram was quicker. “Be quiet!” he hissed, clearly exasperated. “I’m perfectly capable of making up my own mind.”

  “But–”

  “Enough!” Every inch the imperial courtier, Prince Bahram inclined his head to Rhys. “I will use the time to meditate on my decision.”

  With an ironic lift of the eyebrows, Rhys gave a curt nod. “Please do so. Taren, can you organise some food and drink for our…temporary guests?” His eyes bored into mine. “Arisha, I need to speak to you. Walk with me.”

  THIRTY

  The pebbles crunched under our steps as we walked along the beach. Rhys had directed me along the side of the island away from the Sikhandi fort, but had not said anything else. I had often bathed Hami in this place – the last time less than a moon ago before quarrelling with Sattar and running away – and I even spotted one of our brushes lying abandoned amongst some debris on the shore, its long handle half buried in a drift of leaves. How strange to think that I had come full circle!

  I cast a covert look at the man walking beside me. Rhys had a vertical crease between his eyes and stared down at the ground as if some kind of important truth were written there. He drummed his hand on the hilt of his sword and involuntarily I remembered how those same strong, callused hands had slid up my body, pulling me against him. A wave of heat flashed through me, leaving me momentarily disconcerted. How did the man do that? And all without as much as a touch. It was most unfair! I took a deep breath to steady myself. I had come here to stop a battle, but in a quiet moment I also needed to determine how matters stood between us. Had that kiss been just a whim, or the beginning of something else? What did I want it to be? I gave myself a mental shake. Really, what a time to start brooding on personal concerns.

  Such thoughts were obviously very far from Rhys’s mind, for with a frown he brought me to a halt out of earshot of Prince Bahram and his retinue. “Arisha,” he said, “let me tell you that I do not like this game you’re playing. I will not be forced into things.”

  Well, that was rich coming from the man who had tried to shut me up in the Eyrie! “I can sympathise with that,” I replied, not trying to hide my sarcasm. “It’s not nice when other people decide for you, is it?” I had yet to meet a more peremptory man than him!

  Rhys wasn’t slow of mind, I had to give him that, for he took my meaning at once. “It was for your own good. This is no safe place for a woman to be. There’s a war going on!”

  “Well, I ended up right in the middle of it anyway,” I pointed out. “Besides, this is for your own good too.”

  He raked his hands through his hair. “Really, Arisha, you’re enough to drive a man crazy!”

  Strangely enough, this heartfelt exclamation reassured me. Perhaps the world was not totally unfair if I managed to unsettle him just as much as he did me. “Is that a compliment?” I asked.

  That earned me a reluctant snort of amusement. “I’ll be honest with you,” he said with a sigh. “Ever since I left, I’ve been thinking of you…perhaps too much for my own good. What you were doing that exact moment, if you would hate me when I got back, and if you would even still be there…” He kicked a pebble away. “I just couldn’t get you out of my mind!”

  He made it sound like my fault. But such honesty deserved the same from me. I wrapped my arms around myself, gathering up the voluminous sleeves of my robe. “I’ve been thinking of you too.”

  He fixed me with a hard stare, much as he might regard an opponent in a fight. “Arisha, I’ll tell you straight out that I want you so much, sometimes I wonder if it affects my judgement.”

  Had I heard him right? My cheeks heated up, but
I did not lower my eyes. “And does it?”

  “I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

  Did that mean he was seriously considering my proposal? “Rhys, I know I’m asking a lot,” I said. How could I make him understand? Suddenly I had an idea. “You said that you do not like the game I’m playing, but I do not want to play against you, but rather with you. Together we’re invincible!”

  A fleeting smile softened his face. “You want to change the game from Shah to Tafl?”

  “Yes! Win this match – for us.”

  “Lady of Darkness, but you know how to entice a man,” he sighed.

  I blinked. Did he really mean that? He had said how much he wanted me! Could you entice somebody without even being aware of it? I opened my mouth to pursue that interesting concept, but Rhys’s thoughts had already run on.

  “I’ve spent the last five years of my life working towards this moment,” he said with a sweeping gesture of the hand. “Standing here, with an army at my back and the Sikhandi brought to bay. The resolve to get rid of them was all that kept me sane those first few months after my family’s murder. I chose the path I’m treading with my eyes open, yet now that I’ve almost reached my goal, you’re asking me to step off it.”

  Helplessly I spread my hands. “Rhys…”

  “What are you that I only have to know you for a few days and you almost manage to lure me off my path like a will-o’-the-wisp?” he asked, sounding frustrated. “And all just with a few words, a poem, a song!”

  Was that what he thought of me? “Don’t you trust me?” I whispered.

  “Yes! I do, but…” He turned away abruptly and stared out over the river. “Arisha, I’m not sure I trust myself.”