Fire and Sword

Chapter 16

Ager woke with the sun, having only slept a few hours. He dressed quickly and limped out of his tent, scratching his belly with one hand and his head with the other. He realized almost immediately he had an audience of about two hundred Chetts, all regarding him with greater respect than he felt he deserved at that moment. He stopped his scratching and lowered his hands.

“Hello,” he said, a little awestruck. His breath frosted in the air.

Morfast stepped forward from the crowd and went to his side. “I assembled the Ocean clan’s family heads as soon as possible. They must swear their loyalty to you—”

“All of them?” Ager interrupted, startled. “This morning?”

“—or else they must leave the clan.”

“Oh.” Ager glanced around to see if anyone else was watching. A few passersby stopped to look on. “All right.”

It was over remarkably quickly. One by one the family heads came to Ager and placed his hand on their bowed heads, then left to make way for the next one. Although Ager did not even have time to get really cold before it was done, it lasted long enough for a crowd to gather around the ceremony.

“Have you any more surprises for me?” Ager asked Morfast.

“I was going to suggest we go to Korigan to let her know you are now chief of the Ocean clan.”

“Can it wait until after breakfast?”

“No need,” she said. “She and the White Wolf were watching the whole thing.”

“And a fine ceremony it was, too,” Korigan said, and came before Ager, Lynan standing a little behind her. The prince was smiling broadly at the crookback, from pride and amusement.

Morfast elbowed Ager in the side.

“What?” he asked. “I’m new to this, tell me what I have to do.”

“As your family heads gave themselves to your service, now you must give yourself to me,” Korigan answered for Morfast.

Ager blushed, glanced at Lynan. “Ah. And what of my loyalty to my prince?”

“Since I regard Lynan as my liege, he will still be yours.”

Ager looked uncomfortable.

“What is wrong?” Korigan asked.

“What if... I mean, if it comes about...” Words failed him. He felt he had been ambushed.

“I think I understand,” Korigan said kindly. “What if Lynan and I part ways?”

Ager nodded. “Exactly.”

Korigan smiled. “Would it make it easier for you if I said here and now—in front of members of your clan—that I will never ask you to do anything that would work against his Majesty?”

Ager sighed, and nodded again.

“Then I proclaim that Ager Parmer, soldier of Grenda Lear and chief of the Ocean Clan, will never have call to take arms against Lynan, who is the White Wolf returned.” Korigan held out her hand for Ager to take.

He smiled his thanks at the queen, took her hand, and rested it upon his head.

Lynan came beside him and said: “That was well done. For a lost and lonely crookback I first met at a tavern in Kendra, you have come a long way.”

Ager stood as erect as he could. “Haven’t we all,” he said heartily, starting to think that maybe inheriting Katan’s clan had been one of the more fortunate accidents to befall him. Lynan made a noncommittal sound and glanced at his pale hands.

“Some of us more than others, perhaps,” Ager added quickly, trying to tell the prince he understood.

For a moment they met each other’s gaze, and Ager caught a glimpse of the pain and uncertainty deep in Lynan’s mind. The crookback swallowed and looked away quickly.

“Riders,” Morfast said, pointing, “and coming toward us.”

“It is Term and another,” Korigan said, and Ager noticed her and Lynan stiffen. He tried to remember who Terin was, then recalled he was a fellow-chief, one who supported the queen.

A fellow-chief, Ager thought. I like the sound of that.

The riders pulled up in front of Lynan and Korigan, their horses kicking snow into the air. Lynan took Terin’s reins. “What news?” he asked urgently.

Terin was very young, Ager saw, even younger than Lynan. Terin nodded to his fellow. “It’s best if it comes from Igelko.” All eyes switched to the second rider, who was obviously exhausted, and his mare close to being blown.

Igelko tried to speak but could only gasp.

“Catch your breath,” Lynan commanded. “Someone take his horse and care for it.”

Someone from Ager’s clan rushed forward and helped Igelko out of the saddle, then led his mare away.

“Your Majesty,” Igelko breathed heavily. “We caught one.”

Lynan and Korigan exchanged quick glances.

“Caught one what?” Ager asked.

Igelko glanced at him. “Mercenary. By the north spur of the Ufero Mountains.”

“The north spur?” Morfast said, surprised. “How did they get that far into the Oceans of Grass?”

“They came over the mountains,” Igelko said.

Morfast’s face went white. “From the north? Are you sure?”

Ager put a hand on her shoulder. “This is not your interrogation,” he said softly.

“Your M-majesty,” Morfast stuttered. “I’m sorry. But the news—”

“Is grim, I know,” Lynan said for her. He went to Igelko and helped him stand straight. “How are you feeling?”

“Better, thank you, my lord.”

“Where is your prisoner?”

“A day behind me. My brother has him.”

“How much has the prisoner said?”

“Only that he works for Captain Rendle.”

“Rendle!” Korigan spat. She looked fiercely at Lynan. “Now we have our proof. Even Eynon will be convinced.”

“Terin, send a troop to escort this man’s brother and the prisoner. I want nothing to go wrong.”

“Already done,” Terin said, proud that he had thought of it.

“Well done,” Lynan commended him, then slapped Igelko’s back. “And to you and your brother. I will buy five cattle for each of you.”

Igelko bowed deeply. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

“Make sure this man gets some rest,” Lynan told Terin. “As soon as the prisoner arrives, I want to question him.”

Terin nodded and left, walking his horse and talking earnestly with Igelko. The young chief was smiling broadly.

“Terin will add a bull each to your five cattle,” Korigan told Lynan. “He knows how much esteem Igelko and his brother have won for the South Wind clan.”

“Can you do me a favor?” Lynan asked.

“Of course.”

“Lend me ten cattle?”

As she did most days, Jenrosa was down by the furnaces watching and listening to the Chett magickers weave their spells to make the fires run hotter. She tried to read their lips, but nothing she thought she could decipher made any sense to her theurgia-trained mind. She found it deeply frustrating, and more and more she realized she would have to go to Korigan and ask to be assigned to one of the White Wolf magickers for training. The thought of asking Korigan for anything made her hackles rise, but the alternative, to be the only one of Lynan’s original companions without a purpose or place during their exile, was unthinkable.

Someone called to her, and she recognized Lasthear, the Ocean clan magicker. “I see you here every day.”

“I want to learn,” Jenrosa said simply.

“You will not ask the queen for help.”

Jenrosa sighed. “I will have to, but it is not something I want to do.”

Lasthear studied her carefully. “I will not ask why, it is not my place. You are aware of the changes in my clan’s fortunes?”

‘“I’m aware Ager is now your chief.”

“If he asked me, I would feel compelled to take on your training myself.”

“I thought—”

“Ager could ask Korigan for dispensation to let me teach you. I do not think she would say no.”

“I will ask Ager right away,” Jenrosa said excitedly.

“There is no hurry. I cannot take you on while I am working so hard here at the furnaces. But later, when we leave the High Sooq, we will have time.”

“Thank you.” It was all Jenrosa could think of saying.

“It will be an interesting exercise, Jenrosa Alucar.”

Jenrosa blinked. “How do you know my name?”

“All Chetts know of Prince Lynan’s companions. You have become heroes to us.”

“I’m not sure why,” Jenrosa said bluntly. “Kumul and Ager I can understand, but I am no warrior.”

“You saved the life of the White Wolf.”

“That was no magic,” she said grimly.

“But it took great courage. And if you truly wish to learn the way of our magic, you will need great courage.”

No one asked him his name. He would have given that as willingly as he had all the other things he told them. The crazy-looking Chett sitting in front of him, slowly testing the edge of his sword, never took his eyes off him.

“I don’t want to die,” he said for the tenth time.

“You’re going to die,” said the tall female Chett who walked around him. “It’s only a matter of how quickly.”

The mercenary had long run out of tears, and all he could manage was a jerky breath.

“How many Haxus regulars will Rendle be taking with him?”

“I don’t know, not exactly. A brigade I was told.”

“You must have seen them.”

“Not all of them. We left to scout the pass before they’d all arrived.”

“Two thousand? Three?”

“I don’t know.”

“How many were there when you left?”

“A lot. Maybe two thousand.”

“Maybe more?”

“Maybe.”

There was a pause, and the Chett on the ground eagerly looked up at the female. She shook her head, and the Chett looked disappointed.

“So Rendle has a thousand riders himself now?”

“I already told you.”

“And at least another two thousand regulars?”

“I think so. Maybe more.”

“When are they moving into the Oceans of Grass?”

“I told you before, I don’t know. They don’t tell me those sorts of things.”

“You must have heard rumors.”

The mercenary closed his eyes. He had given away so much already, if only he could hold on to some of his secrets, the Chetts might yet pay for what they were going to do to him.

“No.”

“All right,” the female said. At first the mercenary slumped in relief, but then realized she had been talking to the Chett with the sword who was advancing on him. Just then the tent flap parted and another Chett walked in.

At least, the mercenary thought, he dressed like a Chett. But he was shorter than any Chett he had ever seen. The man’s hat was low over his face and he could not see what he looked like.

“Have you got what we need?” the newcomer asked.

“All except when,” Korigan said.

“Leave me with him.”

The two other Chetts left. The mercenary sat up straighter, struggled uselessly against his bonds. The short Chett just looked at him.

“I told the woman everything I know.”

Still the man said nothing.

The mercenary licked his chafed lips, but his mouth did not have enough spit left to do any good. “Just kill me. Get it over with.”

The man removed his hat, and the mercenary got his first glimpse of his face. He used his heels to push himself away.

The man crouched down and his right hand shot out to grasp the mercenary by his cheeks. The mercenary yelped but could do nothing against the strength of that grip. He was forced to look again at the scarred, ivory-white face.

“What are you?”

“You do not know me?”

“You’re hurting me.”

“I’m going to kill you,” the man said. The mercenary closed his eyes, waiting for the worst. “Unless you tell me what I want to know. Let’s start with your name.”

“Arein,” the mercenary said. He opened his eyes again, feeling a slender thread of hope for the first time since his capture.

“Arein, I need to know when Rendle is coming over the mountains.”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you know who I am?”

Arein tried to shake his head. “No,” he said pitifully.

“I am the White Wolf.”

“Oh God, oh God ...”

“I am going to eat you alive.”

“... oh God, oh God ...”

“Tell me what I need to know, and I promise you will live.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“Because the White Wolf never lies.”

“I don’t know any white wolf.”

“You know me, Arein. You know Prince Lynan Rosetheme.” The man took an amulet from beneath his poncho.

“The Key of Unity!” Arein looked up surprised. “No, you can’t be the prince.”

The man grinned mirthlessly. “I have changed. But I am Prince Lynan. I told you the White Wolf never lies. I have no need to. Now, tell me when Rendle is coming over the mountains.”

“Before ...” Arein stopped himself. No. He was going to die. This mad thing was going to kill him, he was sure. The grip on his cheeks tightened and he cried in pain. “Before winter is over!” he blurted, and the pain went away.

The man straightened. “Before winter is over. Are you sure?”

“Rendle wants Prince Lynan to help Salokan invade Grenda Lear.” Arein looked up at the man’s face and again saw the Key of Unity. “He wants you.”

The prince turned on his heel and opened the tent flap. “We have what we want,” he said to someone, and the woman returned, this time accompanied by a man who was as huge as the prince was small.

“Good,” the giant said. “We can kill him now.”

“No,” Lynan said.

Kumul looked as if he was about to argue, but remembered they were in front of the prisoner. He glanced at Korigan, who seemed as mystified as he was. “Your Highness, can we talk outside for a moment?”

As soon as they were outside, Kumul asked Lynan if he had other questions he wanted to ask.

“I’ve no more questions,” Lynan admitted.

“We can’t just let him go—” Kumul started.

“I didn’t say we would let him go. At least not yet.”

“We can’t keep him with us,” Korigan said. “The clan has no one to look after a prisoner.”

“He will stay here, at the High Sooq, after we have gone.

There will be no need to set a guard on him because he cannot go anywhere. When it is time to release him, we will send a message to Herita.“

Kumul scratched his head. “I don’t understand your reasoning, Lynan. Why not just kill him?”

“First, because I told him if he told the truth I would spare his life. Second, because I want our enemies to know that if they surrender to us, they will not be butchered out of hand.”

“The Red Shields never took prisoners,” Kumul said gruffly.

“Nor have the Chetts,” Korigan added.

Lynan thought it ironic they were on the same side at last, but in opposition to him. “I will be fighting my own people,” he said. “I cannot help it. Sooner or later, I go up against the armies of Grenda Lear. You will be with me, Kumul. Both of us will almost certainly be facing people we once knew.”

“War can be like that,” Kumul said.

“We don’t kill those who surrender to us. I will not have my own people butchered by my own soldiers.”

Kumul jerked a thumb at the tent. “He is a mercenary. Will you spare all of them as well? What of Rendle? Would you let him live if he surrendered? And Jes Prado?”

“It will be hard for the Chetts to take any mercenaries prisoner during a battle,” Korigan said. “There is too much hatred for what they did to us in the Slaver War.”

Lynan looked uncomfortable. “I do not include the mercenaries in any amnesty. But this one lives because I gave him my word.”

Korigan nodded. “So be it,” she said.

Lynan stared down Kumul until the giant reluctantly nodded his head. “I will do as you order,” he admitted. Then he looked up again, his eyes bright. “And now that we know what Rendle and Salokan plan, what will you do?”

“When will the clans leave the High Sooq?” Lynan asked Korigan.

“The time is near. I would say within ten days.”

“If we wait that long,” Kumul said, “we will not make the Ufero Mountains in time.”

“In time for what?” Lynan asked lightly.

“To trap Rendle against them, of course,” Kumul declared, as if it was obvious. Lynan said nothing. Kumul shook his head. “You’re not going to do that, are you?”

“I don’t know yet,” Lynan said. “I want more information.”

“God’s death, Lynan, we have a good idea of how many ride with Rendle, and when and where they are coming over. What more could you want?”

“It is still not enough. I want to know what is happening in the east before committing our forces.”

“Surely they will be busy with Salokan,” Korigan said. “From what our guest revealed, Hume will be hard-pressed to survive the onslaught from Haxus.”

“We have no word from Gudon. Until then, I will commit to no strategy.”

“You will stay here like a paralyzed bug?” Kumul demanded.

“No. We leave with the White Wolf clan. We will head east, taking our time.”

“The spring grass will not be able to feed our whole army for long, your Majesty,” Korigan said.

“I don’t intend for the army to be on the Oceans of Grass for long.”

“But the army is here now,” Kumul said, his voice rising. “You have the instrument in your hands to destroy Rendle and his force as soon as he enters the Oceans of Grass.”

“His force will be destroyed,” Lynan said. “But not then.” He faced Korigan. “Tell Term to take his clan out as soon as he can. I want him to patrol those passes Rendle will be using to get his army across the mountains. Terin is not to attempt to attack or harass them. When Rendle himself appears, Terin is to let us know. Once the mercenary force has left the mountains behind, Terin is to destroy any guard left behind and secure the passes so Rendle cannot retreat that way.”

“I will see Terin right away,” Korigan said, and left them.

Lynan nodded to a guard. “Bring out the prisoner.” The guard nodded and disappeared into the tent, reappearing a moment later with Arein. The mercenary was shaking, obviously thinking he was now going to be cut down.

“You will stay here until I send word you are to be freed,” Lynan told him. The mercenary slumped in relief. “But if you try to escape, the Chetts will kill you outright. And if you have lied to me about Rendle and his movements, I will come back here and eat your heart.”

Arein nodded numbly.

“Let him go,” Lynan ordered, and the guard released his grip. Arein stood there uncertainly. “If you go to the heart of the sooq, you will find an elder named Herita. Tell her who you are, and what I have said. She will give you work to do, as well as shelter. The guard will show you the way.”

The guard started off, with Arein following behind.

Kumul shook his head. “I think this is a foolish thing you do,” he said quietly.

“What particularly? Letting the prisoner go, or not attacking Rendle outright?”

“Both.”

“Neither is something my father would have done, I assume.”

“No.”

“Then I am already one up on my enemies,” Lynan said, and left Kumul to gape after him.