The Crown of blood

III

The family were just finishing their evening meal — a fine banquet of game and fish — when the banging of the main door heralded Urikh's arrival.

"In here!" Pretaa called out. "I have other guests now."

Urikh strode into the dining chamber and stopped dead in his tracks upon seeing his father and mothers. He was in his midtwenties, with Ullsaard's height but Luia's slimness. He had thick, dark hair cut at the shoulder, bony cheeks and a narrow chin. His thin lips parted in surprise.

"Don't standing there gawping like a simpleton," Luia said as she stood. "Greet your family properly."

"Hello," said Urikh. He gave Luia a peck on the cheek, and did the same for Meliu and Allenya. He hesitantly extended a hand towards Ullsaard. "Father. I did not expect to see you so soon."

Ullsaard gripped his son's hand and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Better sooner than later," said the general. "There's still plenty left to eat. Join us. Tell us what you've been up to."

Urikh sat down between Ullsaard and Pretaa and loaded food onto his plate.

"I've been trying to find out just how much trouble you have got us into," he said amiably. "If I'd known, I might have been able to help. Actually, I think I still can help."

"Really?" said Ullsaard. "If I need any copper kettles, I'll be sure to let you know."

"Fine!" declared Urikh. "If you don't want to hear what I have to say, I won't pester you."

The young man ate fastidiously, cutting away all fat and gristle from his meat, ignoring his father's scowl. He poured himself a cup of wine and looked across the table at Luia.

"I wouldn't stay here too long, if I were you," he said casually.

"Why's that?" asked Ullsaard. "What have you heard?"

"So you are interested?" Urikh made no attempt to conceal his smugness as he slowly chewed his food. His amusement grew in proportion to Ullsaard's impatience.

"You've made your point," snapped the general. "What do you know?"

"Nemtun's joined forces with Allon, just outside Khybrair," Urikh said. "The two of them are marching this way right now. At a guess, I'd say they were about seven days dawnwards."

"In winter?" Ullsaard took a large gulp of wine. "That makes no sense. Why would they do that?"

"What about Jutaar?" asked Allenya, her hand raised to her cheek in dismay. "Does he march with Allon?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Urikh replied with a shrug. "I just hear talk, that's all. I don't have a spy in Allon's army!"

"Allon will defer to Nemtun, he isn't a natural commander," said Ullsaard. "The king wants this settled quickly. How many men do they have?" This last question was directed at Urikh, who shrugged again.

"I just talked to a grain merchant fresh from Ersua, and I've told you everything he told me."

"I have to warn Aalun. We need to move the army, or we'll be trapped against the sea."

"Where will you go?" asked Pretaa. "Hotwards into Ersua?"

"Where will we go, you mean," said Ullsaard. He looked at his mother and wives. "I can't leave you here, it isn't safe. If Nemtun gets to you, he'll use you as hostages against me."

"I'm too old to go anywhere in winter," said Pretaa. "Leave me here. I can look after myself."

"No!" This was from Meliu. "We can't let that horrid Nemtun get his hands on you. I hear he is a beast in all regards."

"Surely if you are so worried about us, the last place we should be is with your army," said Luia. "I'm sure Urikh can find us somewhere to hide for a while."

"No," said Ullsaard, cutting off Urikh's answer. "If you can't stay here, I want you close by where I can protect you."

"Protect us?" Luia's voice rose to a shriek. "We wouldn't be in danger if it was not for your stupidity!"

"No more," said Ullsaard. "I have made my decision."

"I will come with you," said Urikh. There was a snort of derision from Meliu. Urikh darted a sour glance at her. "Not for my protection. If it is Ersua you're heading for, I know a few folk who could be useful."

"I'm sorry," said Ullsaard, standing up. He walked around the table and stood behind Pretaa, his hands on her shoulders. "I wish you could have spent the winter here."

Pretaa patted his hand and looked up at Ullsaard.

"We will manage, dear," she said. "Do what you think is best."

Ullsaard saw sadness in Allenya's eye. He guessed it was worry about Jutaar more than her personal circumstances. Ullsaard wanted to promise her that everything would be all right, but he knew such a promise would be empty. He had no more idea what the future held than the rest of them.

"Get everything packed again this evening, we'll leave at Low Watch," said Ullsaard. He squeezed his mother's shoulders. "I'll have the servants ready travel chests for you. Let them know if there's anything particular you want to take."

Ullsaard nodded for his son to join him in the next room. Urikh brought his wine with him and settled on the edge of a couch near the small fire.

"I don't know what started this, but I am with you all the way," said Urikh. "Kalmud has always been jealous of your success, and we both know that Mekha was a means to keep you busy and out of the way."

"When we leave tomorrow, I want you to find out as much as you can about Nemtun's army, and see if you can also find out what's happened to Jutaar," Ullsaard said. He looked his son in the eye. "You always have your best interests at heart, I know that. Whatever it is that you are planning, however you think you can exploit this, I don't want to know about it. Just make sure it doesn't risk the safety of your family."

Urikh had the good grace not to pretend offence. He simply smiled.

"And what about my safety?"

"You've never had problems looking after that, I don't expect you to start now," said Ullsaard. He fixed Urikh with an earnest stare. "Thank you for your help. I need it."

"Yes, you do," Urikh replied with a short laugh. "You need all the help you can get."