Crusader

Chapter 72

The towers of Vernadam were higher than Cyrus remembered, as the castle appeared on the horizon the day after they passed over the bridge at Harrow’s Crossing. The former battlefield had been quiet, the dead all cleared and few reminders to show that there had even been a clash there some eight months earlier. It was a clear day, with little of the chill that had been so prevalent farther north.

They rode through the town at the base of the hill that Vernadam was built upon, and it was quiet as well, as though everything had died down after the harvest. There were no soldiers, no women plying their wares outside the inn. The market was much less active than when last they had been through, and by the time they were climbing the switchback road that led up to the castle, Cyrus wondered if Galbadien’s army was even still stationed in the area.

At the castle gates they met no resistance. Guards saluted Longwell, who led the procession. “It would appear we are expected,” J’anda said.

“They watch the roads,” Longwell said. “No one gets this far unless they’re wanted. Apparently, my father is amenable to my visit.”

There was a stir at the far side of the courtyard as they rode in, and Cyrus saw Odau Genner’s bulk coming down the long stairs that led up to the keep. He was flanked on either side by guards with polearms.

“Hail, Odau Genner,” Longwell said as he handed the reins of his horse to a stableboy. “How fare thee?”

“I fare well enough, Lord Longwell,” Odau Genner said, “though I admit my surprise to see you.”

Longwell frowned at him. “Surely you were apprised of my journey here by your spies.”

“Oh, certainly,” Genner said, making a sweeping bow as he reached the bottom steps. “We knew of your crossing all the way up at Gundrun. That you came at the head of such a small force while your army remains engaged north of Enrant Monge was of some interest, however.”

“You know that they are engaged in battle, then?” Longwell asked. “Do you know what they battle?”

“Some form of creatures,” Genner said slowly, “or so the rumor goes.”

“The reports your spies give you about my passage through our land are treated as certainty,” Longwell said, his fingers hanging upon his prominent chin, still smooth from the shave he had given it that very morning, as Cyrus watched with some amusement. “Yet the words of your spies about a threat that will swallow our entire Kingdom whole are said to be rumors. Very interesting, your somewhat schismatic approach to gathering intelligence.”

“Well,” Odau Genner said, nervously, “we have had several descriptions, but of course His Majesty says-”

“You need not acquiant me with what ‘His Majesty’ has said about the whole endeavor,” Longwell said dryly, “for I suspect that it will be almost as nonsensical as an army of the living dead sweeping south out of the mountains, killing every living thing in sight. Of course,” he went on, “at least the latter has the actuality of truth on its side; whatever my father has said has only the grounding of a throne and crown that count for less and less as the days go by.”

“That … is a very … unkind thing to say about your father,” Odau Genner said.

“It’s also fairly accurate,” Longwell said. “I have need to speak with the King. Is he about?”

“He remains in his throne room,” Odau Genner said. “I am told that there are quarters prepared for you, that you may wash the dust of your journey off, and that you may then be seen for dinner. If you would care to follow me,” Genner said with a sweep of his hand.

Cyrus gestured for Longwell to lead the way then followed up the long, wide stairs that took them into the foyer, the massive tile and marble entry to the castle. Stewards waited, taking each of them in turn. Cyrus followed his and felt Aisling shadowing just behind him. He turned and saw Martaina beyond, her sharp eyes looking in all directions at once, head swiveling around to keep watch on everything. He started to ask her if she expected an ambush but dismissed the idea; only a fool would not be paranoid here, especially given how we parted last from the King.

They wandered through the corridors, following the stewards. No guards were in sight, something Cyrus thought slightly odd, and it increased to his worry. They were led along the back side of the castle, to the hallway where Cyrus had stayed during his previous visit. He felt the bite of tension as the steward led him straight to the door of the suite where he had stayed when last he had been at Vernadam, and he turned to give Aisling a hopeful smile. She seemed unaffected, cool, still there at his left elbow, just behind him.

“Your room, sir,” the steward said. He was a teenager, but his voice was high like a eunuch’s, and Cyrus didn’t pause to ponder that possibility too deeply.

“Thank you,” Cyrus said, and gestured for Aisling to enter first. “I don’t need a tour.”

“Very well, sir,” came the high-pitched response. “I’ll be back for you in two hours, when dinner is about to be served.”

“Thank you,” Cyrus said, and shut the door.

Aisling was already slinking around, her shoes padding on the marble floors as she examined the tapestries near the window. “Very impressive,” she said. “Much better than my accomodations last time I was here.”

“Oh?” Cyrus’s eyes caught on the rug before the hearth, where a flame was already lit and the logs were piled high inside. The rug was just as he recalled it, a fluffy mass of fur. He recalled the softness of it to the touch, the feeling of what he had been experiencing when last he had been here.

“Yes,” she said, jarring his gaze up to her. “You got one of the most impressive suites, according to one of the stewards I spoke with last time.”

“Is that so?” Cyrus muttered. “Apparently I’m still just as honored a guest as I was last time. I assumed this time it’d be the stables for certain.”

“For the hero of Harrow’s Crossing?” Aisling said demurely, sliding behind a curtain in front of the window, then stepping out of the other side, smiling. “Surely a welcome of the sort you deserve is in order.”

“Surely,” Cyrus said weakly. “I suppose we’ll have to dress more formally for the dinner.”

“That does seem to be the norm,” she said. “Though your armor wouldn’t be out of the norm at all for you …”

“I suppose not,” he said, and his feet carried him to the bedroom door, where he nudged it open to reveal the familiar space; lush carpets, fine furniture. It was still shadowed in darkness, and he was reminded of the first night he had spent here, with Cattrine-before I knew who she was. Back when I thought I knew who she was.

“Fond memories?” Aisling’s voice came from behind his shoulder this time, and he started when he realized she was close behind him.

He began to answer but faltered. “Some, I suppose. Some not.” He looked around the room. “Do you find it … uncomfortable … knowing that when last I was here I-”

“No,” she said, and pushed past him gently to enter the bedroom. Her belt came off, daggers and all, and she left it on the vanity on the other side of the bed, the clink of metal scabbards on the wood as loud in this room as any shout he might have been able to recall from when last he was here. She grabbed a brush off the smooth wooden surface and ran it through her tangles of white, putting it all into lines, easy curves coming off her forehead. She put down the brush after a minute and then unstrapped her leather armor and undressed before a full-length mirror. “You may have been here with her last time, but you’re not here with her now, and I trust you’re grounded enough in reality to tell the difference.” She delicately made her way across the floor. “I care less about the fact that she once held you; I care more about the fact that I hold you now.” She kissed him, long and deep, luxuriant, smooth, and he was reminded for a flash of the soft fur of the rug against his naked skin, of the caress of his fingers against scarred flesh in the bed.

She took him by the hand, and led him there to lie down. “Besides, whatever memories you have of what happened before are a welcome challenge.” She swayed over, pushed him onto his back and then climbed astride him. “I have no doubt of which you’ll remember more strongly when you leave this time, after all.”