The Shadow Roads

Thirty-seven

Menwyn Wills stood at his field desk studying a map of theRiver Wynnd. His finger traced the gently winding river, seeking a small creek.

“Vast has earned his reward,” he said.

A counselor of the Duke of Vast stood looking on. “He haskept his part of the bargain, your grace.”

Menwyn straightened, gazing down at the map, seeing the landthe way an eagle might from high above. “Unfortunately, the Duke hasn’t givenme much warning.”

“It couldn’t be helped, your grace. The Renne debated toolong.”

“I’m sure they did.” Menwyn tapped a finger on the map. “Vastis certain this is the place?”

“Yes.”

“Then we’ll prepare the welcome.” Menwyn moved slowly aroundthe table, his eyes still fixed on the map. He crossed to the western shore,Renne lands, and began noting the names of towns, the borders of estates, whichhad been drawn on the paper so that he could begin dividing up the lands.

“If the Renne were smart, they would stay on the westernshore and wait for us to cross. They might defend the river against us … fora time.”

“They are wagering everything on a quick strike, your grace.”

“It is more than that. After the debacle on the Isle ofBattle they think me a bungler. But it was Innes who planned that … and yourDuke was with the Renne then. If the Prince had listened to me, Vast would havebeen on our side, and he would have turned the tide of that battle in ourfavor. That mistake has been corrected.” Menwyn Wills put his finger on theWestbrook, tracing it from its source to Castle Renne, near its mouth. “Can youcarry a warning to Vast? Is it possible?”

“It would be difficult. Time is short, and the riverbank iswatched.”

“You must try, all the same. Prince Michael of Innesappeared at the home of his cousin not a day ago. He was seeking supportersamong his father’s officers and allies-hoping to wrest control of the army fromme.” Lord Menwyn glanced up from the map to see the reaction of this man. “Fortunately,this cousin had decided to join the victorious side sometime before. He sentword, and a company of men-at-arms was sent to his house.”

“Luck sides with the virtuous.”

“I hope you’re wrong. The Prince was rescued while beingbrought to me. We haven’t managed to find him yet, despite all our efforts.”

The man had no platitude for that but shifted uncomfortably.

“The odd thing about this was that the young prince was accompaniedby a Renne-Lord Archer Renne, apparently.” He looked up at the man. “Do youknow him?”

“Only by reputation. He is … reclusive. It’s said hesuffers from an injury he received in the tourney some years back.”

“Exactly. The Prince’s cousin thought this man looked remarkablylike Samul Renne. In fact, he thought it was Samul Renne, though he had seenhim only once before and some years ago.”

“Samul Renne was executed, your grace. I witnessed it myself.”

“Then you’re certain? You saw Lord Samul die?”

The man hesitated a moment. “I saw the head fall into abasket. I was some small distance off, in a window.” He thought. “The gallowswas obscured by black hangings-a custom of the Renne, I was told.”

“So you didn’t see the axe fall?”

“No. I saw Lord Samul and Carl A’denne led up onto the gallowsplatform, along with a thief who had assisted in Lord Carl’s escape. They weremen going to their deaths-I could see the fear, even though they borethemselves well. A moment later the executioner went to work and the headsfell rather gruesomely into a basket. It could have been no other.”

“Would you wager your life on it?”

The man stood looking foolish, blinking rapidly. “I did notexamine the heads up close. It was early morning, just before sunrise. Thelight was poor.”

“Then you should pass this along to Vast: if Lord Samul’sdeath was feigned, then Carl A’denne’s might have been as well. And if that isthe case, the Renne believed Lord Carl … and are playing Vast for a fool.Warn the Duke of that, and find out if Archer Renne sits safely at home. I needto know if this information Vast has given me is true-or if it is a Rennedeception.” He put his finger on the small creek where it met the River Wynnd. “WhenI meet the Renne I don’t want any surprises.”