by Duncan Lay
‘Surely Sumiko will try to kill Rhiannon next,’ he said.
‘But how can she? We are many miles away from her.’
‘True. But I am sure she has a plan.’
Huw sighed. ‘Well, sitting here won’t unlock that. Come with me. We have had a strange message from the south and I want your thoughts before I give it to the meeting.’
With only his dark thoughts for company, Sendatsu reluctantly agreed. The meeting hall was empty and they sat at the far corner of the table, where Huw produced a message, which had been sealed with a generous amount of wax.
‘Who is it from?’ Sendatsu could see the quality in the parchment, something he rarely saw in Vales.
‘I had to look at it twice to be sure but I remember it from my time in Cridianton, performing for King Ward. It is the seal of his wife.’
‘Why would Ward’s wife be writing to you?’
Huw rolled his eyes. ‘If I knew the reason, would I be talking to you? I said possibly three words to her the entire time I was there. And she hated Rhiannon — you could see it in her eyes. Every time Ward drooled over Rhiannon, her hatred went up another notch.’
‘Well, what does it say?’
Huw cleared his throat. ‘She wants an alliance.’
‘What?’
‘She tells me not to trust her husband — that he has made some sort of deal with the elves. She does not trust the elves and thinks they will ultimately betray the Forlish. She begs us not to form an alliance with either of them. She asks for nothing in return but hopes, when her words are proved correct, we will trust her more readily next time.’
Sendatsu snatched it from Huw’s hand. ‘Let me read that!’
He glanced down over the words and weighed the heavy parchment in his hand.
‘Do we trust her?’ he asked.
Huw rubbed his chin. ‘She is no friend of Ward. Their animosity was well known around the court and a popular source of gossip. And it confirms much of what we already know.’
‘But why would she write to us? What has she got to gain from it?’
‘Well, if we defeat Ward, perhaps she has some plan of her own to take power.’
‘How did this message reach us?’
‘A rider brought it up to a village in Rheged and handed it over to the headman, then rode away. It had my name on it and a couple of dragons brought it straight to me.’
Sendatsu began to roll the parchment back up again. ‘We would never have trusted Ward anyway.’
‘What should we do?’
Sendatsu was saved from replying by Kelyn, who raced in to the hall, his eyes wide.
‘There’s elves approaching!’ he cried. ‘A dozen of them, flying a white flag of truce!’
‘What new trick is this?’ Huw asked.
‘Let’s go and find out. But we’ll keep a score of dragons around, just in case,’ Sendatsu replied.
They met the elves at the village gates, making sure there were dragons armed with bows and crossbows watching, as well as Cadel and a squad of his best swordsmen standing beside them. Although Rhiannon was still resting, Bevan, Cedrik and the rest of her Magic-weavers were disguised among the interested crowd. Sendatsu shaded his eyes and picked out the leader — and cursed.
‘What is it?’ Huw asked.
‘They are led by Asami’s father, Nagata. Anything he says comes straight from Jaken’s mouth,’ Sendatsu muttered.
The party of elves, all mounted on fine horses, stopped a few paces from the Velsh. Sendatsu recognised only Nagata. The faces of the others were unfamiliar to him but he recognised what they were: Council Guards. They all had that look about them, the arrogance of always being obeyed.
‘Tadayoshi Onamai Nagata. What brings you to Vales?’ Sendatsu called.
Nagata looked at him disdainfully. ‘I am not here to bandy words with you,’ he said. ‘I am here to make a peace treaty with Huw ap Earwen, the High Councillor of Vales.’
Sendatsu’s eyes flickered to Huw, who glanced back, showing his surprise.
Huw recovered swiftly. ‘I thought Lord Jaken had said such a thing was impossible and we were to be treated like any other gaijin?’
Nagata reached into a saddlebag and produced a scroll. ‘The Lord Jaken has changed his mind. Here it is. Everything you asked for. Will you allow us to discuss it?’
‘Don’t trust him,’ Sendatsu warned out of the corner of his mouth.
‘I won’t. I’m not an idiot,’ Huw murmured back, then smiled broadly at Nagata. ‘Please, come inside and we shall talk. Your escort can wait outside.’
‘Outside? But surely you don’t expect me to ride in there alone?’
‘This is a peace mission. If you do not trust us, then how can we sign a treaty?’ Huw countered.
Nagata glared angrily at him. ‘If we are to be friends, then we should not begin by insulting each other.’
‘Shall we say two companions?’ Huw offered. ‘And we shall leave all our guards outside the meeting hall.’
Nagata inclined his head. ‘Agreed.’
The elves climbed down from their horses, the bulk of them removing their saddles and getting out food for themselves, while the two biggest accompanied Nagata through the gates.
‘Is this your main city?’ Nagata asked as he was escorted across to the meeting hall.
‘No, we don’t have any cities. This is my village and serves as a meeting place for now. But we shall have a capital, built of stone, one day. Once we had the knowledge and we shall do so again,’ Huw said conversationally.
Sendatsu walked a few paces behind, keeping an eye on the two guards Nagata had brought with him. They were both massive warriors, dressed in full armour. Good as the dragons were, it would take many of them to bring these two down, Sendatsu judged. The guards were also looking all around them, as if expecting a surprise attack at any time. Their heads were never still. He watched them for a few moments more then increased the length of his stride and caught up with Nagata.
‘How is Lady Sumiko? Still giving my father orders?’ he asked.
Nagata glared at him. ‘You are nothing,’ he told Sendatsu. ‘Less than nothing. I do not acknowledge you.’
Sendatsu met his gaze evenly. ‘I’ll take that as a yes,’ he said.
The elves were shown to one side of the table, Huw, Sendatsu and Kelyn to the other. Only Nagata sat down, the two warriors standing guard on either side of him. Food and drink was offered but Nagata refused all but a cup of water. The warriors took nothing.
‘What does Lord Jaken propose?’ Huw asked.
Nagata produced the scroll once more and slid it across the table. ‘Everything you asked for before. Only the Velsh will have the right to travel to Dokuzen. We shall provide expert advice with building, food and anything else you require. Elven priests will journey around your land, bringing your people back to the worship of Aroaril with all the benefits that brings.’
‘And magic?’
‘The girl, Rhiannon, will stay here. Where is she, by the way?’
‘Out working with our people,’ Huw said quickly.
Nagata took a sip of water. ‘We recognise the service you did to Dokuzen in helping defeat the Forlish invasion. We want to fight with you once more. The Forlish are moving north with a huge force and threaten us both. Lord Jaken wants you to bring every trained man you have south and meet him near the border. Then we shall unite our forces once more and destroy the Forlish menace forever. As soon as the Forlish are dead, all the benefits will flow to you.’
Huw read the scroll carefully, while Sendatsu tried to look over his shoulder.
‘But why do you need us? There should be more than enough elven warriors to defeat the Forlish this time.’
‘True. But having a bigger, stronger force will reduce our losses. We do not want to see elves die needlessly. And your men will not die needlessly either — any losses you take will be more than made up in our gratitude.’
‘It is a generous offer. I must
put it to my fellow headmen and we shall give you your answer tomorrow. Food will be brought to your warriors.’
‘There is no need. We have plenty.’ Nagata pushed back his chair and stood. ‘I shall await your answer with the rest of my escort.’
Sendatsu once more joined Nagata on his walk back as Cadel and a squad of dragons trailed them and the elven guards looked around, seemingly obsessed with the Velsh homes.
‘You should know your daughter was attacked last night. Sumiko tried to take her life for the second time. She was only saved because Lord Retsu was dining there and because I arrived to save her.’
‘Impossible! How can you know that?’ Nagata snorted.
‘Not impossible by magic. And the Velsh have magic. We learned of the attack and saved her from Sumiko. This is the second time Sumiko has tried to kill Asami.’
‘There was no proof the first time,’ Nagata objected weakly.
‘But you know, in your heart, Sumiko seeks Asami’s death.’
Nagata nodded once.
‘Whatever you may think of my choices, whatever my father has said about me, you know that I have always loved Asami and would always seek to protect her. I don’t know what hold Sumiko has over my father but that was the reason I left Dokuzen. And if we are to break that hold and protect your daughter, we have to open my father’s eyes to Sumiko.’
‘I do not trust her,’ Nagata confessed, his words slow and halting.
‘Then help me get rid of her! My father does not need her. If he needs a leader of the Magic-weavers, then Asami is the perfect choice.’
Nagata frowned at that. ‘How do we remove her? She is like some cancerous growth. Already she is entwined around him.’
‘Lord Retsu was going to present evidence against her at the Council meeting this morning. He plans to send that, along with a demand for Sumiko’s arrest, to Jaken. If you can add your voice when the message arrives, then my father will surely see the truth.’
Nagata nodded. ‘I would certainly do that, if there is evidence of Sumiko’s treachery.’
Sendatsu smiled. ‘Thank you.’
‘I don’t do it for you. I do it for the Elder Elf, and also for my daughter.’
Sendatsu bowed his head. ‘Tell me, who gave you this treaty?’
‘Your father, of course.’
‘But was Sumiko there?’
Nagata hesitated. ‘Yes, but that does not alter the treaty. It is signed and sealed by the Elder Elf.’
‘And you believe it to be real?’
‘What question is that? I would never say a word if I did not believe your father.’
‘Of course. My apologies.’ Sendatsu bowed again and stopped, letting Cadel escort Nagata back out of the village. Nagata’s guards were staring back over their shoulders at him as they walked out.
He watched them go, then raced back to Huw.
Caelin looked around the chamber anxiously but there was no new threat.
The remaining elves were either unconscious or lying on the floor, hands over their heads, guarded by grinning Forlish soldiers. The female elf who had caused them so much trouble was out cold but a pair of men still stood over her, just in case.
‘Kill her,’ Oroku ordered.
The pair of Forlish just stared at him, then looked at Caelin. Edmund was over the other side of the chamber and Caelin, as a sergeant, was the closest thing to an officer they could see.
‘She is our prisoner. We want her alive,’ Caelin said immediately.
‘I will do it myself.’ Oroku drew a knife and walked forwards, only for Caelin to intercept him.
‘We do not kill the prisoners unless we have to,’ he said flatly.
‘We have to kill this one!’ Oroku growled. ‘Now, get out of my way.’
Caelin stayed where he was and, out of the corner of his eye, saw Harald and Ruttyn step closer, raising their crossbows.
‘Don’t you realise who I am? I am your only way home. Kill me, even hurt me, and you will never leave here,’ Oroku hissed. ‘And you don’t know who you are dealing with there. She will never stop trying to escape and do us harm. She must die.’
‘No.’ Caelin stared him down.
‘You do not want to hurt me,’ Oroku warned.
‘No. But I will, if you try to kill the prisoners. And then I shall find another elf to take us back.’
Oroku’s face twisted in anger and Caelin tensed, ready for an attack — then Edmund stepped in between them.
‘What is going on?’ he asked sharply.
‘The traitor wants to slit the throat of this woman — elf,’ Caelin said stolidly.
‘Captain, she must die. The success of this mission depends on it!’ Oroku said forcefully.
Edmund shook his head. ‘She stays alive. That is my last word.’
‘But —’
Edmund clapped Caelin on the shoulder. ‘You and your two scouts watch the traitor. If he tries to harm a prisoner, then put a bolt through his arm.’
‘Yes, sir!’
Caelin stared at Oroku, who glared back, hate shining out of his eyes. ‘You will regret this,’ the elf promised.
Caelin said nothing. Edmund, meanwhile, jumped onto the Council table.
‘Get the fires going and then we get out of here. Back to the oak tree fast and stop for nothing. If a man goes down wounded, we put a bolt into his chest and keep going,’ Edmund said.
Soldiers began hurling their casks of Breconian brandy over piles of wooden chairs, benches, railings and doors.
‘This is a terrible waste, sarge,’ Harald moaned as the huge hall began to reek of spirits.
‘Set the fires at the far end. We don’t want to be trapped in here,’ Edmund ordered.
Caelin joined Harald and Ruttyn in getting the prisoners moving. Most were dazed but relatively unhurt, while others were wounded. Only a couple, like the one Caelin had protected from the traitor Oroku, were still unconscious. The unhurt captives were made to carry the unconscious ones.
‘What do you plan to do with us?’ a female elf in a glorious dress asked Caelin fiercely.
‘You will be unharmed as long as you do what we say. You are our hostages and will be ransomed back to your families,’ Caelin told her.
‘You will pay for this,’ she promised.
‘Perhaps we will. But only after your people have paid for you,’ Caelin replied. ‘Now get moving.’
‘And what if I refuse? Will you cut me down or will you try to carry me?’ she challenged.
Caelin glanced over at Edmund, who in turn looked to Oroku.
‘That is Tadayoshi Noriko, the wife of the Elder Elf Jaken and the most important prisoner we took,’ Oroku said grudgingly.
‘You are coming with us, one way or another,’ Caelin replied.
‘But I do not intend to make your job easy, gaijin,’ she spat at him.
Caelin hesitated, then remembered how she had tried to defend an older male elf during the short battle. That elf was still unconscious, being dragged along by a pair of bruised councillors.
He pointed. ‘You will do what we tell you to, or we shall cut the throat of that warrior and leave him behind.’
The elf’s defiance crumbled as she followed Caelin’s gesture.
‘Keep him alive, gaijin. Or I swear I shall kill you before you even have a chance to draw your sword,’ she said.
‘Do what we say and it won’t come to that,’ Caelin replied.
Behind them, the smoke was beginning to rise as men set flames to the piles of brandy-soaked wood. These had been placed beneath tall tapestries, which ran all the way up to the wooden rafters. If the flames got into there, the whole place would go.
‘Sergeant! Let’s go!’ Edmund called.
Caelin hefted his crossbow and ducked back out onto the street, flanked by Harald and Ruttyn, a knot of swordsmen right behind them. They were the armoured fist, to punch the way through any resistance on the way back. Edmund would look after the prisoners, who were the whole point
of this mission.
There were a handful of elves on the street, pointing at the smoke beginning to wisp out of the chamber windows, but they were not armed and scattered before Caelin.
‘Gaijin! Gaijin are loose in the city!’
The call went up from these first few elves and then was taken up by others, until they could hear it from all directions.
‘Move it!’ Caelin snapped. It was only a matter of time before they came back with weapons.
Even as he thought that, an elf with a long bow in his hands appeared from out of a side lane and loosed an arrow at him. He jerked backwards, feeling the whistle of the shaft as it passed by his face, splintering and bouncing off the wall behind him.
‘Got him!’ Ruttyn called, loosing his crossbow and catching the elf in the act of reaching for another arrow. The bolt struck the elf high up in the chest and he fell backwards, his second arrow flying up into the air.
Caelin did not spare the elf a second glance, instead leading the rush down the wide stone path. There were dozens of windows facing onto the cobbled street and any of them could be hiding an archer, while warriors could come pouring out of other streets at any moment. The plan had been to run out of there but that was proving impossible — the rest of the column moved only as fast as the slowest elf prisoner they were bringing along. Even as he thought that, he saw the traitor Oroku race off down a side street.
‘Where’s he going?’ Ruttyn asked.
‘He’s a traitor. We could never trust him. Forget about him.’
‘I’m not sure we’ll have enough time left to forget anything,’ Harald muttered, loosing his crossbow at a shouting elf. The bolt missed but the elf ducked back into a building.
‘Use your crossbows — don’t get into fights with elven warriors!’ Caelin yelled.
He had barely finished speaking when a pair of elves rushed out of a building and at them. A blade swung for his head and he instinctively blocked with his sword then kicked the elf in the groin. The second one stumbled over the screaming first and he levelled his crossbow and put a bolt into the elf’s head, the heavy iron head shattering the face and skull, sending brains in all directions, then he stabbed down with his sword to finish the one he had winded.
‘I thought you said not to get into any fighting with them?’ Harald grinned as Caelin wiped blood and brains off his face.