by D A Godwin
“Well met, Lord LaMerk,” Edward said in greeting.
“That remains to be seen,” LaMerk replied. Though he wore no helmet, he sat his horse in full armor, as did the other riders with him. “Why have you brought an army to occupy our lands?”
“We seek to occupy nothing,” Edward replied. “The Ceringions do not honor their word and continue to hound us.”
“Indeed? The treaty specified that each lord would maintain their house forces, but that all field armies were to be disbanded. I do not see any lord’s banners about you, even those of Actondel.” He looked hard at Shalindra. “You seem to be without a patron at present, which places you outside the treaty.”
“Though my father may be quick to discard his loyalties, there are those of us who do not,” Shalindra replied.
LaMerk looked down his nose at her. “I would contest that. We are faithful to our King. You, by your own actions, are not.”
Shalindra flushed red at the rebuke.
Edward moved his horse closer to LaMerk and lowered his voice. “Fenton, where can we go? The Ceringions will not allow us to disperse in peace, not after what we have done to them. We killed their demons, and their wizards. We could have been victorious.”
LaMerk was not swayed. “As we speak, a member of the Conclave sits in council with Lord Hanxley and the Ceringion ambassador. You will find no comfort in Kirchmont. Perhaps you should look south for someone who will take you in.”
“We cannot travel south. My family was butchered. Our enemy holds sway over everything of worth from Sandenmill to the Small Sea, and damn the words of the treaty.”
“Then you may wish to go west, and soon.”
“Over the mountains?”
LaMerk’s tone turned commanding once more. “I give you options. Know with certainty that tomorrow I will be ordered to destroy you, should you choose to remain.”
Edward bristled at the threat. “That may prove more difficult than you expect.”
“Perhaps, but we have several times your number, and there are at least six thousand Ceringions approaching your rear. Even your friends won’t save you from that.”
“Lord LaMerk,” Shalindra said. “There are two Sisters of Eluria with us, one of whom has taken ill. May they enter the city to seek aid at our temple?”
“No one is to be allowed in.”
“I beg you, sir, they were swept up in this conflict and have saved countless lives—men from every corner of the kingdom. They have no part in this and do not deserve our punishments.”
He considered for a moment. “Very well. Do you see that stand of trees near the third farm to the south? Have them there at dusk, and I will see them escorted inside.”
“Thank you.”
LaMerk wheeled his horse around and rode back towards the city.
Edward shook his head in despair. “Is there nowhere left that is safe for us?”
He’s losing hope.
Shalindra moved her horse beside Edward’s and placed a hand on his arm. “Let us take council from Birion and Argus. A solution may yet present itself.”
Edward agreed, but he did not speak as they returned to their camp.
Shalindra gave the news to Birion and Argus.
“Is there anything for us in the south?” Birion asked. “Perhaps follow the mountains towards Fallhaven?”
Edward shook his head. “We might be able to hide in the woods somewhere, but we’d be found in due course.”
“Then what of the north?” Argus asked. “Might we find shelter in Westholm?”
“They’re a strong people,” Birion agreed, “with little love for Gymerius.”
“Little love for anyone, most days,” Edward added, “but we have few other options left to us.” He glanced uncertainly at Shalindra.
“We ride for Westholm then,” she said, “as soon as we have delivered Kayala to safety.”
She looked to Edward to give the order, but he stood lost in thought. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned to Argus. “Ready the men. When the sun rises, we will not be here to provoke an attack.”
Argus was as efficient as ever and had the entire column of several thousand moving by the afternoon.
Shalindra remained until the last. At dusk, Tormjere drove the cart with Kayala and Marie to the appointed spot as Shalindra followed with a pair of horses.
LaMerk was waiting for them, as promised, with three soldiers. Shalindra greeted him politely.
“A pleasant evening, Lord LaMerk.”
“In some ways, my lady. My men will escort your friends from here. You and your companion may not enter the city.”
“Not even to see them to safety?” Shalindra asked.
“Your presence would make them less safe. I swear on my life, they will not be harmed.”
“Very well. If I may have a moment?”
LaMerk motioned his men back. Shalindra dismounted and came close to Marie. “Would that I could see you there, but you will be safer in the city than with us.”
“I pray Eluria gives you strength,” Marie said, embracing her. “Be careful.”
Shalindra bent close to Kayala. “May Eluria grant you the health you need and the peace you deserve. Do not worry for me.”
Kayala’s voice was soft but filled with the discipline of a teacher. “Remember, compassion and restraint. You will honor those who’ve come before you.” Her eyes shifted to Tormjere. “Protect her, as you were meant to.”
Tormjere blinked in surprise, then bowed his head.
Shalindra stepped back. Two soldiers took position alongside the wagon as the third climbed up and took the reins. With a perfunctory nod, LaMerk led the small procession away, leaving the pair in silence.
Shalindra closed her eyes and turned her face to the halfmoon, wondering…
You did the right thing.
I do not even know what is right anymore.
What’s right rarely changes. Edward hides it well, but he’s devastated by what happened to his family.
Our men need him.
They need you.
Birion and Argus are more capable.
Each leads their own, but neither will inspire allegiance from the other’s.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. “Do you ever tire of being right?”
He gave her a lopsided grin that she had not seen in some time. “We should return before they come looking for us.”
* * *
It took them three days of following the mountains north before they reached the edge of the Ironwoods, a dense forest of dark, towering trees that marked the border between Actondel and the loose collection of city states and fiefdoms known as Westholm. The land had turned rocky and risen at a steady rate since leaving Kirchmont, but their pace had allowed them to put some distance between themselves and the Ceringions that followed.
“Do you think we’ll find help here?” Argus asked.
It was Birion who answered. “The northmen can be unpredictable, but they’ve considered us kin since the Empire fell.”
“We shall need to send a message to King Hardreon,” Shalindra said. “But to do that we must start with the border lords.”
Westholm had a king, in name at least, but which family was in power seemed to change from generation to generation, and the lesser families observed differing levels of obedience. The people who occupied the rugged land were quick to anger yet honorable to a fault, warring with each other more often than not. It was not uncommon for there to be more than one declared king, which made dealing with the northmen problematic.
“How will we find them?” Edward asked. “I’ve no idea where their towns are.”
“There are many trails through the Ironwoods but no roads,” Birion said, “which makes it more difficult for an invading army.”
“And because the trees are near impossible to chop down,” Honarch added. “Men can ruin multiple axes just to cut down one. The wood’s as hard to work as granite, though far more valuable.”
“Valuable or not, we are on this side and need to get to the other.”
“Seems someone’s found us,” Tormjere said. He pointed to where several dozen men had emerged from behind the dark boles. Wild of hair and replete with weapons, they appeared as rough as the land they inhabited.
“There are many more in the woods, I think.”
Edward looked at Birion, who shrugged. “Either way, we must speak with them.”
He doesn’t think this will work. Birion would be better to bring.
He is my cousin, and most of our men are his.
You know the reputation of Westholm. If we appear weak, they will give us nothing.
Shalindra turned to Birion and Argus. “I would have you both with me as well this time.”
Both men bowed their heads.
Together, they rode slowly towards the northmen. When they drew close, they dismounted. Northmen considered it an insult to stand above another when speaking.
“Greetings, men of Westholm,” she said.
A large, thick-bearded man covered in furs stepped forward and planted the haft of his great axe in the ground like a standard. “What business have you in our domain?” he challenged.
“I am Shalindra, Sister of Eluria and daughter to Fabrian, King of Actondel. These with me are—”
“We know who you are,” the leader said. “I am Belgr, son of Torfin, and speak in his name. What do you want?”
“We seek passage through the Ironwood, and a place to rest.”
“Got your tails beat like a bunch of dogs, did you?” Belgr laughed, as did every man with him.
“It was a battle we chose not to fight.”
“All battles are worth fighting, but it is never wise to step into another man’s contest. King Torfin wants no part in yours.”
“Then may we have your permission to seek King Hardreon? I am certain that—”
Belgr cut her off again with an angry chop of his hand. “Hardreon was slain a fortnight ago in his bed, by methods both foul and cowardly. Even were he not, we would never allow a host such as yours free passage unless they were to join us in battle.” He hefted his axe and turned to leave. “Seek your peace elsewhere.”
The northmen disappeared back into the darkness of the Ironwoods as quickly as they had emerged, leaving them standing in the middle of the field.
“Curse them for cowards!” Edward spat.
Shalindra mounted her horse. “They are only being cautious, as we would be in their place. They have no desire to be sucked into this war.”
“What of the other border lords?”
“If Westholm is mired in a fight for the crown, I doubt there are any who would allow us into their lands.”
Argus shook his head. “Our friends turn their backs on us while our enemy draws closer.”
Shalindra looked at her hands, wondering what to do next.
We can’t remain in the open, as we are here.
I thought my father would just leave me alone, not order my death.
We can either try fighting our way south and hope to find allies or head into the mountains.
Had we the entire host that was at Tiridon, we could not fight that far.
Then find somewhere safe to hide, and plan our next move. They’re all looking at you.
She raised her head and saw that he was correct. They were leaving this decision to her.
“Though it remains possible we could locate allies to the south, I do not think it wise to try and fight our way there. We have little choice now but the wildlands beyond the mountains, where we can rest and regroup.”
“Little chance of surviving long amidst beggars and thieves,” Edward complained. “We cannot wander those hills aimlessly or we’ll all be dead by winter.”
“There are any number of hospitable valleys near Evermen’s Forge,” Tormjere said.
“The Forge seems a good place to start,” Shalindra said. “From there, we can resupply, and perhaps return to Kirchmont in smaller groups.”
“My men will not blindly obey should I order them across the mountains,” Birion said, “Some already question their choice. But should you ask, I believe most would follow.”
Argus agreed. “He is correct. You must speak to them.”
“I am no longer their princess.”
“You are something more, now,” Birion countered. “If you ask, most will follow.”
I do not want this.
What we want and what me must do are rarely the same.
Shalindra turned to Edward. “Call them together, and we shall see what they say.”
* * *
Shalindra had never been so nervous in front of people, but in the past, she had needed only to smile and speak the proper courtesies. Now these people looked to her for safety.
Speak the truth you know, and they’ll listen.
“My lords,” Shalindra began, “for months we have struggled against a determined enemy, only to have victory snatched from us.”
Heads nodded, and faces were set in a grim fashion.
“We were betrayed, yes. Of that there can be no doubt. As we bled to keep our kingdom free from the invaders, others sat in council with the demon wizards who tried so hard to destroy us, plotting to give away all we had worked for.”
Tormjere watched with Honarch from the periphery. Some of the faces in the crowd were unsure, most were angry.
“When I first came to you, I was in humble rags, desperate to escape the same enemy that was burning our fields and killing our people. We found strength together and fought them to a standstill. Then they sent their demon, slaughtering my uncle and every other commander. They thought that would break us, but did it?”
Shouts of “no!” and “never!” answered her from the crowds.
Say ‘I’ not ‘we.’
But—
Don’t argue.
“I killed their demon, and every one which followed.”
More cheers as fists were raised.
“Despite our victories, we are faced with a cruel choice. Our king has turned his back on us, declared us outlaws and outside the treaty. Westholm denies us refuge. The Ceringions mass to attack us once more, and this time there is no help to be had from those we once called friends.”
Looks of fear now, and uncertainty.
Keep saying ‘I.’
That is not how—
It doesn’t matter.
“But hope is not lost. There are valleys in the mountains, with abundant game and fields ready for the plow. I will go there and build a life of peace, away from those who continue to hound us, until we may return to our homes without fear. Some of you may choose to leave now, and I will bear you no ill will. But the life you knew is gone, and day by day, your world will be controlled by the Imaretii. Will you follow me to something new?”
There were shouts and cheers.
“I will follow!” Birion shouted above the din.
“And I, as well!” Argus added.
The shouting continued as more firsts were raised in the air.
How did that sound?
Exactly as it needed to.
Enna came to stand beside Tormjere as Edward and Argus moved to break up the gathering. “She did all that?”
“Desperate for glory, are you?” he asked with an amused smile.
“Of course not, but that isn’t—”
“It was what needed to be said. No matter how much we helped, they won’t follow you, and they won’t follow me. They will follow her.”
Enna bit off whatever reply was on her lips.
“You really don’t lead a normal life, do you?” Honarch asked ruefully.
“It’s the normal I know,” Tormjere replied. “You don’t have to stay. This isn’t your fight.”
Honarch gave him an appraising look. “If you believe in it, then it must be worth doing, and I think you do need my help.”
They both remained beside him as they watched the crowd disperse to their duties, or to leave.<
br />
“Now that we have direction, how do we get there?” Shalindra asked. “It seems unlikely that they will let us walk through Kirchmont uncontested.”
“These mountains are no doubt full of passes,” Edward said, reinvigorated by her speech. “It may be difficult, but once in the woods there we can turn south and rejoin the road to the Forge.”
“My lady, we need an accounting of responsibility,” Argus said. “An organized leadership will solve many problems before they begin.”
There were nods of agreement, and suddenly everyone was looking at her again.
“Very well. Lord Deurmark, you have performed admirably in your duties to the kingdom. I name you First Commander of the Armies. Lord Birion will remain in his most capable role as Commander of the horse. Argus, your faithfulness is without peer, and I name you Second Commander.”
“Nothing for you?” Enna asked Tormjere as they watched the conversation.
“I don’t need a title to do my job.”
“And what is that job?”
“Doing what I said I would: keeping her safe. Why are you still here?”
“It seems the right place. I do not know what our Mistress intends for Shalindra, but something unusual is happening.”
“I’m glad you’ve decided to stay. I know she’s in need of a spiritual mentor, and my religious advice is not that good.”
She looked up at him, her green eyes searching his. “I think your words of guidance are far better than you give yourself credit for.”
* * *
In spite of Shalindra’s speech, they lost a third of their number during the night, mostly from Edward’s footmen. Those that remained broke camp before the sun crested the treetops.
“How many do we have now?” Shalindra asked.
“Around three hundred and fifty horse, two hundred foot, less than a hundred archers, and maybe sixty or eighty followers,” Argus answered.
“What of those who have departed?”
“I wish them luck,” Edward said, “but they are not our concern. It is time for us to leave as well.”
They were all looking at her again. She surveyed the mountains to the west, but every ridge and peak she could see appeared equally daunting. Most were heavily forested, and several had sheer cliffs visible.