by R. E. Palmer
Elodi remained standing. ‘What news of my late father?’
Tombold kept his eyes to the floor. ‘I… I…’ He moved to stand. ‘I shouldn’t be here, ma’am. It’s wrong of me, I shouldn’t have—’
‘Nonsense!’ Tombold froze. Elodi lowered her voice. ‘Sorry, what I meant to say was, if you have news of my father you have every right to be here, regardless of the hour.’ He settled back in his chair. Elodi sat opposite. ‘Now please, take your time.’
Tombold took a breath and met Elodi’s eyes for the first time since entering the room. ‘I… pardon me, ma’am, but you have the exact same eyes as your father, kind and knowing.’ He looked away. ‘Begging your pardon again, ma’am.’
She edged forward and patted his hand. ‘There is no need to keep begging my pardon, but thank you for asking.’
Tombold managed a smile. ‘My pleasure, ma’am.’
Elodi sat back. ‘Now, please, what of my father?’
‘I shouldn’t be telling you this, ma’am, the Castellan will have my guts for bowstrings. Oh, begging your… I mean, sorry to bring the language of the barracks to your fair ears, ma’am.’
‘Again, no need. I’ve heard worse.’ She cleared her throat. ‘My father?’
‘Terrible, such a tragedy. I was fond of Lord Harlyn and feel you have a right to know.’
‘Thank you, I appreciate you have taken a risk to visit, but as you say, the hour is late. Shall we start by how you knew Lord Harlyn?’
‘Of course, ma’am. I was the aide assigned to him by the Castellan on his last visit. I’m way too old for most duties in the citadel. Twenty years on the road with the Archonians, and another thirty working for the Castellan has taken its toll. These days I’m not so fast with my sword, so I’m a mere aide for visiting dignitaries.’
‘But surely, still an important duty.’
‘Thank you for saying so, ma’am, but most of the important folk rarely speak to me, but your father was different. We spent many an hour talking well into the night. He showed an interest in my life in the citadel, and my family and children, well I say children, both my sons are fine men now, both assigned to the Caerwal Gate.’
Elodi’s stomach knotted. ‘The Gate? General Kragan must value them highly.’
Tombold beamed. ‘Oh yes, ma’am. Always ready to put their lives on the line for the Archon.’
‘Well, let’s hope it never has to come to that.’ But in her mind, she saw iron and stone crashing down as the Golesh poured through the gap, crushing its gallant defenders with impunity. She straightened. ‘We must place our faith in the Archon to protect us all.’
Tombold nodded. ‘Oh, I do, ma’am, trust him with my life, and my family’s.’ He suddenly remembered the reason for his visit. ‘Oh yes, Lord Harlyn. He had this long, private meeting with the Archon. Following that, he requested I take him to the Hall of Scrolls.’
Elodi stiffened. ‘The Hall of…? Did he say why?’
‘Why? To me?’ He chuckled. ‘We spoke of many things but not of affairs relating to governing the realms, ma’am.’
‘Of course not, and I apologize for interrupting. Please, go on.’
‘Unnecessary, ma’am.’ He took a breath. ‘Well, I did as he asked, took him to the archives and waited outside. He had been gone a good few hours when suddenly he returned. I have to say, he didn’t seem his usual self, looked a little pale even. I enquired about his health, seeing as it’s part of my duty, but he insisted he was fine and dismissed me for the night.’
Elodi held his gaze. ‘And this was the night he…?’
Tombold’s head dipped as he whispered. ‘Yes, ma’am. I’m afraid so.’
‘What happened?’ Elodi fought to slow her breathing. ‘Do you know of his actions after you left him?’
He rubbed his hands together. ‘Please, ma’am, know that I didn’t abandon your father. I was simply carrying out his instructions. Had I thought he was in danger, I would have stayed with him.’
‘No, of course I understand. I can see you’re a man of honor, a man who keeps his word.’
Tombold bowed his head. ‘Again, thank you, ma’am.’ He ran his hand down his face. ‘It was a day or two after he… fell, Arawold, a guard from the Lower Gate, came to see me.’
‘The Lower Gate?’ Her grip on the arms of the chair tightened. ‘He would’ve had a perfect view of the bridge.’
‘Err… yes, ma’am, but I’m afraid his captain relieved him from duty before the… you know, what happened to your father. No, he came to tell me Lord Harlyn had requested entry to the pass in the early hours of the morning, shortly after he’d dismissed me for the night.’
‘How? I thought only the Castellan’s men had access to the pass.’
Tombold chuckled. ‘Goes to show the benefit of taking an interest in people’s affairs. You know your father. Few could say no, and I guess Arawold was the same.’
Elodi sighed. ‘That is certainly true.’
‘But I’m afraid on this occasion I believe it’s what led to his death.’
‘I guess he would not have been on the bridge during the gale.’
Tombold frowned. ‘Gale?’
Elodi’s stomach tightened. ‘I’m led to believe there was a storm.’
His brow furrowed. ‘Storm, ma’am? The night was still with a full moon like tonight. I’d seen Lord Harlyn walk across the bridge many times. He enjoyed watching the sunset from the middle, and he was as sure-footed as a mountain goat.’
Elodi stood. Her hand went to her mouth. ‘Then it can’t have been an accident…’
‘That’s why I’m here, ma’am. I would have come sooner, but the Castellan had put me on duties outside the citadel. I’m convinced your father’s death was no accident. How could it be on such a still and clear night?’
Her heart raced. ‘This changes everything.’ Elodi stood and walked to the window. ‘We live in dangerous times if we’re not safe in Archonholm.’ She turned to Tombold. ‘How could a visit to the gate result in his death?’
Tombold shrugged. ‘Now that I can’t rightly say. The Castellan does not tolerate visits by unauthorized people, especially as the Caerwal Tower was close to completion at the time, but it’s not punishable by death. Besides, there would have been a trial had he done wrong. Something’s not right. Arawold said your father had been gone two hours before he himself was relieved of his duty. He was reluctant to report his entry, seeing as it would have got him into trouble, but he did all the same. Had to, really. I guess he thought Lord Harlyn would have been back before the morning when his duty would normally end.’
Elodi turned back to the room. ‘Is that unusual? To be replaced before the end of the watch?’
Tombold nodded. ‘Yes, ma’am, most unusual, and more so seeing it was a Castellan man replacing Arawold. It would normally be a man from the garrison. But it could be word reached the citadel Arawold had broken with correct procedure and had to be relieved, but nothing else was ever said about it. Not even called before his captain to explain his actions.’
A distant rumble caught her attention. She quizzed Tombold. ‘Is that thunder? There’s not a cloud in the sky.’
‘It happens this time of year, but more often in late summer. Must be coming from over the mountains.’
Elodi peered through the window. As a child, she loved to watch the storms roll in from the sea. While other children cowered under their blankets, she had stood on the balcony to feel the full force of the wind and watch the towering waves glisten in the flashes of lightning. She stepped onto the window ledge as another thunderclap, this time louder, rolled over the city. She gazed up at the sky. ‘No sign of lightning, must still be some distance away.’
Tombold cocked his head. He stood. ‘Begging your pardon, ma’am, but I’m not so sure that is thunder.’
Elodi turned her back on the window. ‘Then what could it be? It sounds like it’s coming from the south.’
He stammered. ‘Probably nothing to worry a
bout, ma’am, I’m sure it’s—’
Her breath caught in her throat as the rising call of a horn echoed through the corridors outside. The door knocked. ‘What do you think it could be?’
The blood drained from Tombold’s face. His mouth gaped. ‘Well, I never… I never thought I’d live to see the day, ma’am. I never’ — he straightened — ‘we must go, we must go to the Great Hall. It’s the safest place in the citadel.’ He turned as the door burst open. A Castellan’s man staggered to a halt. For a moment, he looked confused by Tombold’s presence, but waved his hands. ‘Quickly, ma’am, please come with me.’
Elodi turned to Tombold. ‘What is it? What does that horn mean?’
Tombold took her gently by the arm but forcefully lead her to the door. ‘Ma’am, it’s the Horn of Archonholm.’ His voice broke. ‘The Caerwal Gate, ma’am, it’s… it’s under attack.’
‘But your sons?’
‘They know their duty, ma’am. Mine is to ensure everyone gets to the hall.’
Elodi released her arm. ‘Thank you. I too have my duty. Let us make haste.’
Outside, a palace aide tried to calm and organize the people rushing from their rooms, but his pale face and wide eyes fooled no one. Elodi followed the lead of Tombold and climbed the stairs leading to the Great Hall. Ahead, a large man stood panting. Elodi drew level. ‘Lord Kernlow, do you need help?’
He struggled to breathe as he leaned against the wall. ‘You… you go on.’ Kernlow coughed and spat out his words. ‘I’ll hold those savages here for a while.’
Elodi almost laughed before she could see he was serious. ‘We’ll be in safe hands then.’ She motioned to an approaching aide to assist the lord. Elodi turned and reached the top of the stairs with Tombold, along with many inhabitants of the citadel bustling about in shock. She scanned the throng but failed to locate Bardon. On the wall, the eyes of the tapestry demons burned with renewed fury as if sensing their time had come. Her heart pounded. Had someone summoned the Draedalak? Could these monstrosities be raging at the defenders of the gate at this very moment?
She spun away. Wendel arrived. He struggled to regain his breath and for the first time in Elodi’s life, had no words of advice to offer. Tombold tugged at her arm as she realized she had stopped. ‘Quickly, ma’am.’
The crowd swelled through the doors into the hall. Close to a hundred had already gathered beneath the cavernous ceiling. Elodi stood on her toes but still could not find Bardon. A cry went up from a window. She rushed to see what had caused the commotion and peered over the heads of those with the same idea. The moon picked out the thin silvery line of the bridge spanning the black gash of the chasm. A single figure ran across the bridge towards them, bearing a torch above their head. The runner stumbled. Elodi held her breath, fearing he would fall and share the same fate as her father. Thankfully, the runner regained their feet and made it to the north side.
Some left, satisfied the runner would come to the hall to report events. Elodi and Tombold edged forward into the gaps left behind. Elodi took eight paces into the recess before reaching the window, noting it was twice the depth of the wall on the north side. She pressed her face against the glass and held her hands to the sides of her face. From the height of their position, she could see over the top of the Lower Gate and a fair distance down the pass. She gasped. The mountain walls of the pass flickered. Fire! She turned to Tombold. He caught her eye. His jaw clenched as his shoulders bunched. Elodi squinted to see further to the Caerwal Gate, but the sides diverged and only the faint orange sky could hint of the horror Tombold’s sons faced.
The clattering of hooves brought their attention to their side of the gorge. Tombold swallowed. ‘That’ll be the First Horse, ma’am.’ Elodi craned her neck to see them gather at the foot of the bridge. He continued. ‘Take comfort, they’re two hundred and forty of the finest horses and fighters in the land, ma’am.’
She watched as a few horses resisted their riders’ efforts to get them into line. Her hands pressed to the window. What would be on their minds? Since their early childhood, they would have been told the stories of the evil beyond the gate. Now they sat in their glistening armor on jittery horses, about to ride into the domain of their nightmares. She turned to Tombold. ‘But what can they do against the machines the Archon spoke of?’ She saw a flicker of doubt pass across his face.
Tombold pushed out his chest and pulled back his shoulders. ‘They’re well-trained, ma’am. Their speed and agility will disrupt an advance long enough to ready our weapons on this side. I’m sure we can rely on the Archon, ma’am.’ But Elodi watched the skies glow brighter as the fires spread at the gate and hoped Tombold had not misplaced his faith.
The anxious voices of the hall faded. The door at the opposite side of the hall opened. Without looking, Elodi guessed the Archon had entered. In silence, he took his place on the dais and stood by his seat behind the long table. The Proctor appeared by his side. He cleared his throat and raised his hands. ‘Please settle, the Archon assures me you are not in immediate danger.’
‘Thank you, Proctor.’ The people in the room stood taller as the Archon’s voice eased their anxiety. ‘I can tell you the Caerwal Gate is not breached or damaged.’ The murmur rose before the Archon raised a hand. ‘What you see is the result of two speculative projectiles hurled over the gate, nothing more. Yes, there are casualties, but the defenses remain intact and the mustering of the First Horse is purely a precaution, a drill, if you please.’
General Kragan entered. The crowd parted as he marched to the Archon’s side. The general spoke in a low voice as the Archon nodded. He waved his general away and turned to the hall. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would proceed to the terrace, General Kragan informs me our new weapons are moving into position and will retaliate within minutes.’ He clapped his hands. ‘I’m sure it will be quite a spectacle as we rain fire and destruction down on their vile war machines.’ He turned to the general and raised an eyebrow. ‘It will be an impressive show of strength, and, one I’m sure will set back the Golesh’s preparations and make them think twice about repeating such an act.’ With that, he turned and left the hall.
A dozen aides lined up and ushered the people out onto the terrace overlooking the Caerwal Mountains. Elodi shivered as she strode into the night, but not from the chill in the air. She jumped as Lord Kernlow took her hand, raised and kissed it. ‘A pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Harlyn.’
Elodi removed her hand from his. ‘But we’ve already… Yes, Lord Kernlow, and you as well. And thankfully, you appear to have no need to defend the stairs.’
Kernlow shook a big, hairy fist at the mountains. ‘Shame, I stood ready for them. They’d have got a bloody nose if they’d tried to pass me.’
Elodi fought the urge to grin. ‘Yes, I’m sure they would.’
Kernlow clicked his fingers at Tombold. ‘You there, would you be a good man and fetch the good lady and myself a warm drink?’
Elodi held up her hand. ‘He’s here at my behest. His sons are at the gate, he’s not on duty as such.’
Kernlow blustered. ‘Not… not on duty? When is an aide not on duty?’
Tombold held up a hand, but Elodi insisted, ‘When he is here at my bidding.’ She turned. ‘Lord Kernlow, I trust you know my Chief Advisor, Wendel. I’m sure you two have issues to discuss considering what’s unfolding at the gate.’
A shout went up from the terrace. Elodi spun around as two white arcs streaked through the night. The sky flashed as the projectiles erupted, then silence, followed by a muffled roar seconds later. Kernlow cheered as two more streaks raced south and exploded. But Elodi could only think about the poor souls stuck in the middle of the destruction.
‘Ha!’ Kernlow’s substantial frame nudged her, almost knocking her from her feet. ‘That’ll teach the brutes to attack us, eh?’
‘Yes, I suppose it will.’ Elodi felt for Tombold; his face a mixture of elation and dread. She turned to Kernlow. ‘I only hope it doe
sn’t encourage them to accelerate their plans to attack.’
His gray eyebrows knotted. ‘Nonsense, my dear. We’ll have set them back weeks, possibly even months. And if they try it again, we’ll let them have a few more volleys.’ He splayed his fingers. ‘Boom! Ha, I bet they didn’t expect that.’ Kernlow chuckled. ‘Boom! Never saw it coming.’
Elodi caught Tombold’s eye. ‘Well, I hope you’re right for all our sakes. Now if you will excuse me, I will retire, it’s been a long day.’
Kernlow attempted a bow. ‘Of course, my Lady.’ He straightened as best he could and beamed. ‘But what a day’ — he pumped his fists — ‘an historic day at that. And if I may be so bold, I would—’
‘Wendel?’ Elodi turned away, pretending not to hear what Kernlow was about to be so bold about. ‘Seeing as you’re both here, would you be so kind to speak to Lord Kernlow about plans to strengthen our shared border fences?’
Wendel stuttered. ‘I… I thought it might be worthwhile to discuss—’
‘Later. For now, in the light of what has just occurred, I think it’s wise to speed up work on the border defenses.’
He nodded. ‘Of course, ma’am’
‘Thank you.’ She turned. ‘Tombold, would you be so kind to escort me back to my room?’ She allowed him to lead the way through those remaining on the terrace and back into the Great Hall. Once inside, she placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘I can make my way from here. You must go to your wife and find out about your sons.’
Tombold rubbed the back of his neck. ‘That’s very kind of you, ma’am.’ He held out his palm. ‘I will walk with you, if it’s alright with you, ma’am? I shall be going the same way.’
‘Of course, it will be a pleasure to have your company. As Lord Kernlow stated, it’s been an historic day.’ She stopped. ‘Wait. Have you seen Lord Broon this evening?’
‘I passed him on the way to your room, ma’am.’
Again, Elodi scanned the many faces in the corridor. ‘I can’t think where he’d be. I need to speak to him. If you see him on your travels, could you be so kind to ask him to come to my room?’