by D A Godwin
She stopped, aware that Tormjere was watching the trees instead of her now. A bird called in the darkness, and the corner of his mouth curled into a grin.
“What is it?”
“Who is it,” he corrected.
From out of the underbrush a man emerged, wearing the greens and browns of a woodsman. A longbow was slung over his back, and a long hunting knife hung from his belt. He walked slowly into the firelight.
“I was not trying to surprise you,” Loren said to Shalindra as he approached.
“You didn’t,” Tormjere said. “You’re the one sent to follow us, then?”
“I made myself available.” The Ranger studied Tormjere before continuing. “You failed to return from Jonrin.”
“More pressing matters presented themselves.”
“That is not for you to decide. You were obligated to let us know but left no signs.”
“We were betrayed,” Shalindra spoke up in his defense. “It was impossible to know whom we could trust.”
“Betrayed by who?” Loren asked. “We discovered the steward’s body and feared the worst.”
“It was he who betrayed me,” she said.
“Steward Erbac?”
“I was to be taken north to someone else. He admitted to sending the men who killed—”
Argus came charging between them, his sword drawn.
Shalindra held up a hand to stop him.
“Who are you and what do you want?” Argus challenged. Startled awake by his shouts, men leapt to their feet and drew weapons.
“I am Loren, of the King’s Rangers, and for the moment I desire nothing more than a discussion.”
Argus looked to Shalindra for confirmation, then lowered his sword but did not retreat.
“Fourfang’s clan recognized her on sight,” Tormjere continued, “as did Halfhand’s. It seems likely the steward was working with them, if not actively controlling them.”
“If true, I’d suspect the former,” Loren said. “The coordination of the attacks in both the east and west point to a larger hand.”
“The Conclave.”
Loren nodded grudgingly to Tormjere. “It seems, then, that you made a sound decision, though I would have given much to know of this sooner.” He paused. “Drex said it didn’t look like goblins.”
“Treason carries a cost,” Tormjere said flatly.
“It does, though many now say you’ve both crossed that same line.” Loren turned to Shalindra. “May I ask what you plan to do now?”
“That depends on what you intend to do now,” she responded.
“Fair enough.” Loren knelt beside the fire. “I find my loyalties… strained at present.”
“As do many, I presume,” Argus said.
“I’ve watched over the royal household, and you in particular, for many years now.”
Shalindra crossed her arms. “We have never met.”
“Nor should we have. But you never travelled anywhere that I hadn’t gone first.”
Tormjere’s eyes lit up in understanding. “That’s why I met you at the overlook in Kenzing—you were talking to Sir Warron before their visit.”
“Yes, and it’s why you found me there again when you returned. Kenzing was being fortified in the name of border safety, but in truth it was because of you.” Loren looked at Shalindra.
“Because I was to go to Fallhaven?”
“It was easy to justify the need for more troops with a vague goblin threat, close enough to Fallhaven to offer support, and far enough away to not arouse suspicion.”
“So why are you here now?” Tormjere asked.
Loren chewed his lip, then seemed to reach a decision. “The king flew into a rage after you left and ordered you brought back to him. All those serving under Lord Deurmark have been branded outlaws. The leaders are to be brought to face the King’s Justice.”
Shalindra looked at him incredulously. “He ordered the death of his aunt’s son?”
“Lord Edward Deurmark,” Loren said darkly. “Though it hardly matters. His entire family was hanged. Edward is heir, but the lands were ceded to Lord Charlvert, a Ceringion.”
“No.” She shook her head in denial. “This is far worse than we had ever feared. Are there none who can speak reason to my father?”
“What about Lord Hornburg?” Argus asked suspiciously.
“His house has been accused of plotting against the crown and their holdings seized,” Loren replied.
Shalindra looked at him in shock. “They were one of the most loyal families in the Kingdom!”
“Duke Parcells protested, and was stripped of his title and thrown in his own dungeon. Locksall surrendered. Lord Basson still has Rexford, but the Ceringions have moved to lay siege to it.”
“That is almost every fiefdom along the Gold Road,” she said. “They will effectively control all trade from Merallin to the Ceringion border.”
Loren agreed. “Lord Gyldenholt remains closest of those who once gave council to your father, but it is the wizard, Ylnvan, who sits beside the king now. An emissary of the neutral Imaretii.”
“You do not believe that do you?”
“Believing it and being able to do anything about it are different things.” He stood. “Regardless, I’ve stayed as long as I dare. You have a choice to make.”
Argus laughed incredulously. “You want her to surrender to that lunatic.”
“He remains our king, and it is the choice that I have to offer.”
“Then you offer us no choice at all,” Shalindra said icily.
“I expected as much,” Loren said, then turned to Tormjere unhappily. “The Rangers serve the King, and the King has commanded that you be returned. As you stand in opposition to that order, you are hereby stripped of your title of Ranger and may no longer draw provisions from any stores nor make claims against such in the name of the crown.”
Tormjere’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
“You’d both do well to be far from here soon. I will delay any pursuit for a day. You’re owed that, at least.”
Without further comment, Loren turned and disappeared into the woods.
“Do you believe him?” Shalindra asked when he was gone.
“I do,” Tormjere answered.
Argus made a noise in his throat. “If he’s not on your side, he’s on theirs, so I’d be cautious with your trust. What did he mean, ‘you’re owed’?”
“I helped a Ranger last year and carried a message back that had some importance.”
Argus sheathed his sword. “Well, he may stick to it then, but it’s still precious little time. What do you wish to do, my lady?”
“We cannot allow Edward to be taken,” Shalindra said. “He must be warned, but we also cannot ride openly there with two armies between us.” Her hands clenched in frustration, unsure which problem to solve first.
Riders should be sent to warn him.
Shalindra’s eyes flicked to Tormjere before returning to Argus. “Send your two fastest riders ahead. Have them speak of this to Edward but to no one else.”
Argus bowed his head. “At once, my lady.”
Why did you not…
…tell him myself? It’s not my decision to make.
Argus returned as the sound of horses galloping away broke the stillness of the night.
I bet he’ll want to come with us.
“And where will we be going?” Argus asked.
“I will return to Tiridon,” Shalindra answered. “It is the only place I can find those I can trust. But we will not all be going.”
“I’ve already told the men they’ll be riding south.”
“They? Are you not their commander?”
“I’m coming with you, my lady. Lord Deurmark would kill me if I didn’t stay by your side, and he isn’t the only one without a home now. We’ll need to avoid any Ceringions that are in the way.”
Shalindra shared an ironic look with Tormjere. “It will not be the first time I have had to sneak acros
s my own kingdom.”
“You’ll stand out even worse than before,” Tormjere pointed out. “We’ll need to…”
“I am not cutting my hair again.”
He grinned. “I was going to suggest a cloak or different robes—anything but white. And Argus will need to lose the tabard.”
“We’ll scrounge something up,” Argus said.
“Double the watch then,” she said, “and tell them to be ready to leave at midnight.”
Argus nodded approvingly. “Yes, my lady.”
Friends and Foes
The trio rode into Bexville in the evening under skies full of clouds determined to make them somehow wetter than they already were. It had rained on them almost nonstop since they’d forded the Yarrowonli River, miles away from their encounter with Loren.
Shalindra pulled the hood of her cloak further down over her face. The oversized grey garment did a good job of covering her white robes but would never hold up to serious inspection, and the risk of her being recognized this time was even greater.
Given our troubles last time…
…we should leave as soon as possible.
The monastery of Toush is so close.
I know, but it’s a good distance on the other side of the town.
“Are we going somewhere in particular?” Argus asked.
“Anywhere out of the way,” Tormjere said. “We’ll leave by nightfall.”
“The horses are tired,” Shalindra said.
“If we push, we’ll be back in Tiridon by this time tomorrow.”
“Well, we still need to feed them and us,” Argus said. “I know a place here. It’s civilized, but unlikely to have anyone who’s looking for us.”
Once across the river, they gave the castle a wide berth and made their way to the northern part of town. Clean shops and well-mannered townsfolk gave way to ramshackle buildings and ill-kept streets.
When Argus brought them to a stop before one such establishment, Shalindra thought that ‘civilized’ must have meant something very different to the soldier. The patrons at the tavern were as rough as the walls and were doing an even less convincing job of remaining upright. The boy who took their horses gave the animals a calculating look, but Argus put enough coins in his hand to ensure the animals would still be there when they returned.
They purchased food inside and sat for a time eating and trying to dry out. Shalindra was uncomfortably warm beneath her cloak but dared not remove it.
Argus went to refill their drinks. When he returned, he hunched low over the table so his voice wouldn’t carry.
“There’s a wizard over there, in the brown and grey robes, asking questions about demons and who’s been killing them,” he said darkly.
Here?
We knew they would be looking for us.
“Was anyone with him?” Tormjere asked.
Argus shook his head. “None that I saw, but you never know what foul things he may keep about.”
“Should we run?” Shalindra asked.
“No,” Tormjere said. “If he finds out we’re here, he might tell others. There’s still an army between us and Tiridon. Let’s try to take him.”
“What if he summons a demon here in the city?” Argus asked.
“If we get to him quick enough, he won’t be able to.”
“It is dangerous,” Shalindra said, “but we cannot risk him learning we are here.”
“And if he sees us coming?” Argus asked.
“Then our night will become interesting very quickly,” Tormjere said.
“My days are interesting enough, thank you. Looks like he’s leaving already.”
Tormjere couldn’t get a good look at him without calling attention to himself, so he waited until the wizard had stepped outside, then rose to follow. Argus brought up the rear as the trio exited the tavern.
Tormjere drew his sword and advanced on the wizard’s back, knowing that Shalindra had stopped and was ready for whatever might happen.
“Not a good place to be asking questions,” he growled.
The wizard spun, a swirling mass of flame engulfing one hand as the other sent darts of fire hissing towards Tormjere.
Tormjere let them explode harmlessly against the silvery shield that snapped between them, then launched himself through the shower of sparks, reaching for the wizard before—
“Tormjere?”
He skidded to a stop, almost crashing into the wizard. The light from the fire still burning in the wizard’s hand illuminated a familiar, red-bearded face. “Honarch?”
They stood staring at each other warily, until Honarch winced and extinguished the fire before it did serious damage. “New sword?”
“Yeah. Are you looking for someone in particular?”
“A pair of someone’s. Why? What are you doing?”
“Avoiding wizards looking for me. You aren’t back with the Conclave, are you?”
Honarch snorted. “Heavens, no. They put a price on my head and haven’t given me a moment’s peace since I left you and Treven. You have no idea what it’s like to be chased everywhere you go.”
Tormjere raised an eyebrow as he sheathed his sword.
“Oh, right,” Honarch said. “It’s good to see you again.”
“And you as well. Could’ve used your help a few weeks ago.”
“Doing what?”
“Dealing with your old friends.”
“Doesn’t seem like you need help. That shield you produced wasn’t mystic in origin. Where did you learn it?”
Shalindra stepped beside Tormjere, eyeing the wizard carefully.
Honarch looked from one to the other, then at the hammer in her left hand. “So, you’re the ones everyone is talking about, then?”
“Unfortunately.”
“I didn’t expect it to be you, but I’m not entirely surprised either.”
“Why are you looking for us?” Shalindra asked suspiciously.
“I wasn’t, or at least, not you specifically. I was in Kirchmont trying to get a message to Treven when I started hearing rumors of demons being used in the war. After some research in Felzig’s books, I came to see what I could discover.”
“Books?” Tormjere asked. “I only remember him having the one.”
“I have a whole shelf full now.” Honarch grinned. “I’ll have to tell you that story sometime.”
“We should get off the street,” Argus said, at the same time a warning itch slid across Tormjere’s neck. “We’re starting to draw attention.”
Tormjere’s eyes swept the street looking for its source, but saw only a handful of people who avoided his gaze and a few street urchins scurried into an alley.
“Join me for dinner?” Honarch asked. “I haven’t eaten all day.”
Tormjere glanced at Shalindra, who nodded.
“There’s another inn just around the corner,” Argus said. “We’ll attract less notice there, and we can retrieve our horses later.”
They followed Argus to an even more disreputable establishment and appropriated a table in the corner while Honarch paid the barkeep before helping himself to the large pot of stew hanging over the fire.
“You’re certain he can be trusted?” Argus asked, keeping his voice low.
“Absolutely,” Tormjere said.
“Well enough then, but you’ll understand if I keep an extra eye on him for you.”
Honarch returned to the table with his bowl, and immediately launched into both his meal and the conversation.
“You must tell me about these attacks,” he said between mouthfuls. “It’s unusual for the Imaretii to support one side so openly.”
“There’s not much to tell. The demons were used like siege engines. They were almost unstoppable until we arrived.”
“But they were concentrated, correct? Not spread out evenly through the armies? Half those I’ve asked seemed to think it a made-up story.”
Tormjere nodded. “From everything we’ve heard, yes. Other than the first attac
k just before we arrived, we know of no other uses. None of the wizards joined the fight, or at least not by choice.”
“No surprise there. I’m sure they stayed as far back as was possible.”
“I took a talisman off one,” Tormjere said, “and when I did, the demon stopped fighting and just looked at me.”
Honarch looked intrigued. “Did it obey your commands?”
“Not until I threatened it.”
“Fascinating. What did you do with the device?”
“We destroyed it with my hammer,” Shalindra answered.
“A wise choice, though I would have given much to study one up close.”
“How do they work?” Tormjere asked.
“I’m speaking from theory here. Each is effectively a very small, very precise portal to a different realm. It allows the possessor to summon the demon and provides them with a doorway into our world.”
“Any demon?”
“No.” Honarch shook his head. “They are keyed specifically to a single device, allowing passage only to that creature. Otherwise it would be like any open door, and uncontrolled numbers could gain access to our world. That’s why you must know a demon’s name before being able to fashion one.”
Shalindra looked surprised. “They have names? How can you discover them?”
Honarch shrugged. “I don’t know. I was years away from consideration, and the method for learning their names is perhaps the most closely guarded secret in the Order. I doubt there are more than a dozen entrusted with such information.”
“Last time I saw you, you were enjoying the hospitality of Amalthee as I headed home. Where have you kept yourself since then?”
“Most recently in—”
“Trouble,” Argus cut in, at the same time a burning itch crawled across Tormjere’s neck, drawing his attention to the door.
A knot of street toughs burst into the room. The leader’s eyes fell on Shalindra, and without waiting he charged straight towards her. The other patrons scattered in every direction.
Tormjere upended the table, sending it flying towards them. One of them went down beneath it, while the others scrambled over or around.