Lynn Flewelling - The Oracle's Queen

“Mahti has something to tell you,” said Arkoniel, looking rather excited.

“I have vision for you,” the witch told her. “I show you a way to west.”

“To that harbor, you mean? Remoni?” Tamír asked.

“You will be go west. My goddess says so.”

“And you saw this road in a vision?”

He shook his head. “I know road. But the Mother say I bring you there.” He looked even less happy now. “Is hidden way, forbid to those outside the people. This my help for you.”

Baffled, Tamír gave Arkoniel and Tharin a questioning look. “That’s all very interesting, but right now I’m more concerned with—”

“Ah, but I think this may be of use.” Tharin took the scroll from Arkoniel and unrolled it on the bed. It was a map of northern Skala and the isthmus. “Korin will most likely come straight at you here by the coastal route. From what Lutha has said, he doesn’t have enough ships to bring his whole army by sea. The route Mahti is talking about seems to go here, through the mountains.” He traced a finger just south and west of Colath. “That would bring you out here, near your harbor. From there you’re within easy striking distance to either cut Korin off on the isthmus, or come at him from behind as he heads east.”

“It’s a trail that the Retha’noi keep hidden with the same magic Lhel used to hide her camp,” Arkoniel explained. “They have many villages along it, and won’t welcome outsiders, but Mahti claims he can take you that way without harm.”

Tamír stared down at the map, heart beating a little faster. Was this what the Oracle had tried to show her? Is this what all her dreams of the place had been leading to?

“Yes, I see,” she said faintly. It felt like she’d been inhaling the Illiorans’ smoke again.

“Are you all right?” Ki asked.

“Yes.” She took a deep breath, wondering what was wrong with her. “I attack from the west, perhaps even surprise him if he thinks I’m still here readying for a siege.”

She looked up at Mahti. “Why would you do this?”

“You will give word to make peace to the Retha’noi. You will not kill us again. We be free to leave mountains.”

“I’ll gladly try, but I can’t promise to change things overnight. Arkoniel, make him understand. I want to do what he asks, but it won’t be easy, changing people’s minds.”

“I told him that, but he’s convinced you can help. A better understanding between our two peoples will work in your favor, too.”

“It will be hard to bring supplies through the mountains,” said Tharin. “This isn’t a proper road.”

“The Gedre could meet us with supplies,” Arkoniel pointed out. “Their ships are swift. They could probably reach Remoni harbor by the time we do.”

“Contact them at once,” Tamír ordered. “And the Bôkthersans, too. Solun seemed eager to help.”

“Didn’t he, though?” muttered Ki.

Word of her plan spread quickly. The audience chamber was packed by the time Tamír entered. Her generals and their captains stood closest to the dais, but there were others, too—courtiers, common soldiers, townspeople—crowded in between the pillars, all talking excitedly.

She ascended the dais, and the Companions took their places behind her. Lutha and Barieus stood with them, pale but proud in their borrowed clothes.

Tamír drew her sword, feeling the momentous import of what she was about to do. “My lords, generals, and my good people, I come before you to formally declare that I, by the will of Illior, will march against Prince Korin to secure my throne and unite our divided land.”

“Three cheers for our good queen!” Lord Jorvai shouted, raising his sword in the air.

The cry was taken up, and the cheering went on until Illardi banged the floor with his staff of office and got their attention again.

“Thank you. Let the heralds carry word across Skala. All who fight with me are my friends and true Skalans.” She paused, then added, “And all who oppose me shall be called traitor and stripped of their lands. May Illior give us the strength to make our victory swift and the wisdom to be just. Lord Chancellor Illardi, I charge you now to oversee the levy of warriors and supplies. Steward Lytia, you will oversee the sutlers and baggage wagons. I mean to march before the week is out. All captains are to return to their companies and begin preparations at once.”

Leaving the court to its excitement, Tamír retired to the map room with her generals and Companions. Arkoniel was waiting there with Mahti and his principal wizards, Saruel, Malkanus, Vornus, and Lyan.

The Companions took their places around the table, but Jorvai and some of the other nobles paused, eyeing the hill witch uneasily.

“What’s the meaning of this, Majesty?” he asked.

“This man is responsible for the safe return of my friends, and he is under my protection. I’ve been aided by his kind before, and have come to respect their magic. I charge you all to do the same.”

“With all due respect, Majesty, how do you know it’s not some kind of trick?” Nyanis asked.

“I’ve read his heart,” Arkoniel replied. “Some of the queen’s other wizards have, as well. He speaks the truth, and was guided to Queen Tamír’s aid by visions, just as we were.”

“This man is a friend of the Crown,” Tamír said firmly. “You will accept my judgment in this. I hereby declare peace between Skala and the hill people, the Retha’noi. From this day forth no Skalan will offer them any violence, unless attacked. That is my will.”

There was some grumbling and wary looks, but everyone bowed in obedience.

“That’s settled, then.” Tamír proceeded to her plan to outflank Korin, using Arkoniel’s map and several others spread out on the great table.

“I have spoken with the Khirnari of Gedre,” Arkoniel told them. “He knows the harbor and will send supply ships and archers. He’s also relayed word to Bôkthersa. With any luck, they’ll be there to meet us.”

“That will be a fine trick, if Korin isn’t already halfway to Atyion by the time we get through,” said Jorvai. “If he gets word that you’ve left here, he’ll come for Atyion all the faster. The granaries and treasury would be fine plums for him if he could capture them, not to mention the castle itself. I daresay he’s been stretched thin, holed up in Cirna all these months.”

“It’s true he needs gold,” said Lutha.

“That’s why I won’t risk leaving Atyion undefended,” Tamír replied. “I’m going to keep two battalions of the Atyion garrison here as a holding force. If Korin does come this far, he’ll have to fight his way through. That will slow him long enough for me to catch up.” Tamír ran a finger up the eastern coast. “The Atyion army can come at Korin from the south. I hope to draw him west instead, but he could divide and attack us on both coasts.” She paused, turning to Tharin. “Lord Tharin, I name you as marshal of the eastern defenses. Arkoniel, choose among your wizards those who can best help him here.”

Tharin’s eyes widened, and she knew he was on the verge of arguing with her. Only the presence of the others stopped him, which is why she’d made up her mind to broach the subject here rather than in private. She put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re an Atyion man. The warriors know and respect you.”

“After Queen Tamír herself, there’s no one else better respected among the ranks,” Jorvai agreed.

“You also know the nobles who hold land between here and Cirna better than anyone else among my generals,” Tamír added. “If you do march north, you might be able to raise more fighters as you go.”

“As you wish, Majesty,” Tharin said, though it was clear he was not at all happy.