The Shadow Roads

Forty-one

Vast sat on the gunwale of the boat as the oars dippedsilently. He could just make out the other craft, all painted black, their passengersstill and silent. A horse whinnied softly on the western shore. Barges wouldbring them across as soon as the Renne had landed and established a perimeter.It would take several hours to move all the men, their mounts and equipment. Hewondered how long Menwyn Wills would wait before ordering the attack. No doubthe would want to destroy the Renne army, not just drive them back to thewestern shore. It would take patience and nerve. He worried that Lord Menwynpossessed neither.

The Duke could almost feel the men around him in the darkness.Feel the living heat of them. Many of his own men would cross over the riverthat night. The final river. His heart sank at the thought of it. They woulddie because of his bargain with Menwyn Wills. Because the Renne did not offerhim enough. Never enough.

As for the Renne … by morning they would be a noble housein hiding, those that were left. They would have to be hunted down to the lastchild-none left alive. Otherwise, their genius for hatred would bring aterrible revenge.

He looked up at the stars, then at the dark shadow of theeastern shore.

“Is the current not setting us too far south?” he whispered tothe massive shadow that was Lord Fondor Renne.

“No,” Fondor answered. “We are exactly on course.”

Vast felt himself nod, though none could see in the dark. Hegazed fixedly at the shoreline again. He knew the river hereabout as well asanyone, having traveled it all his life. They were already south of the streammouth where they planned to land. Disaster was about to be born ofincompetence.

He touched Fondor on the shoulder. “We are too far south. I’msure of it.” He leaned toward the riverman who held the boat’s tiller. “We mustgo north-”

But a blade at his throat stopped his speech.

“Say not another word, Duke,” Fondor whispered.

Vast found himself staring down into the water, ten thousandpoints of light wavering across the surface. He wondered if he’d ever see sucha sight again. Traitors were never shown mercy. He swallowed hard. He had madehis choice and now the price would be exacted. The wavering stars drew his eyeagain, the sheer beauty of them.

I’m crossing a river of stars, he thought. But it wasthe darkness that seemed to draw his eye, as though he could tumble out of theboat and fall endlessly into the night.