Michael Stackpole - When Dragons Rage

The urZrethi honored Kerrigan by presenting him with a wand made of a single long crystal circled at each end with a ring of gold that was set with a dozen gems. When he used it, various of the gems glowed, and their hues shot through the wand, threading themselves through any visible spell. Alexia had no idea what the significance of that was, but Kerrigan seemed delighted, so she took that as a very good sign.

Bok received the most peculiar gift of all. His presence had caused trouble for the urZrethi. They would have preferred not to notice him at all, but the fact that he had dragged Sayce clear during the battle could not be ignored. After much deliberation, the word “ bok” had been removed from his name. In effect they accepted him back into their society, but everyone did seem to breathe a sigh of relief when he evidenced no desire to remain in Bokagul and instead accompanied Kerrigan northwest toward the Murosan capital.

The journey from Bokagul to Caledo had taken six days through foothills and valleys. The blizzards let up during their trip, but the snow that remained had made it tough going. Occasionally they met urZrethi patrols, and once ran across the aftermath of an urZrethi ambush of some Aurolani deserters, but otherwise they passed without seeing much of interest and not being seen themselves.

Out and around Alyx and Crow galloped a company of Sayce’s Lancers. One of them had bound the Murosan Princess’ personal pennant to the tip of his lance and carried it upright as he rode toward the city. Because she had learned of it in the Communion, Alexia had been able to say nothing about Sayce’s father being displeased by her mission to the south. Sayce’s dispatching of the squad to announce her arrival—along with that of the Norrington—might well blunt her father’s reaction.

Alyx urged her horse forward again and down the last hill in the wake of the Lancers. “How long do you suppose it will be before the Aurolani arrive and lay siege to the city?”

Crow shook his head. “There’s no real way of telling, but the signs suggest sooner rather than later. For Chytrine to have sent forces into Bokagul, she’s probably already neutralized Sarengul. That secures her flank and pressures Scrainwood. She can take all the time she wants to conquer Muroso. She has any of a dozen ways to expand south from there, and that’s well before summer, when the true campaigning will take place.”

The princess had hoped Crow would see some flaw in her analysis, but the simple fact was that Chytrine was isolating countries and taking them one at a time. No single country could stand against the full might of her army and its dragonels. As the Aurolani forces moved south, they did venture into lands with higher populations, but that just meant there would be more refugees to send streaming south.

Alyx shook her head. “As beautiful as this city is, it is wholly unsuited to holding off Chytrine. The dragonels were made to shatter walls like that. Those towers will topple under her assaults. The Murosans are known for being valiant, but standing against her is foolishness.”

“We can hope King Bowmar will be more reasonable than his daughter, but I doubt it.” Crow shifted his shoulders. “There are things we can do to slow Chytrine down, however. And for now, buying more time is a victory.”

Even before the detachment of Lancers reached the city, the eastern gate opened and a larger troop of horsemen rode out to greet them. The two groups—the smaller in red, and the larger in blue—met and mingled for a moment, then the bulk of the larger group rode east toward Alexia and the others. The Lancers continued with an escort back into the city.

Princess Sayce came riding up on Alexia’s left, giving her a view of a silver profile. “This is not likely to be good. My brother is at the head of the riders. Let me handle this.”

The slight tremor in Sayce’s voice amused Alyx. “As you wish.”

Snow splashed up from hooves, then flew apart in the breeze as the riders approached. One man, tall and lean, bundled in furs against the cold, moved out in front. The breeze caught the hood of his cloak, billowing it out, then blowing it back. Long brown hair streamed back from his head. The mask he wore was as large as the one Sayce had worn, but instead of red, or even the blue of his unit, it was black.

As black as the magestones marking the city gate.

The man reined back, slowing his horse to a walk. He raised a gloved hand in greeting. “Welcome, travelers. I am Prince Murfin, of the Murosan royal house. You would be Alexia of Okrannel?”

Alyx nodded, rather surprised that he’d not addressed his sister. “I am. This is Kedyn’s Crow. You know Princess Sayce.”

“Indeed. It is a pleasure to meet you both.” Murfin did not even glance at Sayce, who had gone very still and quiet. “My father, King Bowmar, offers you his hospitality and his thanks at returning a wayward daughter to her home.”

Before Alyx could offer any sort of reply, Will rode up. “More like she’s the one who’s bringing us here, not the other way around.”

The prince smiled, almost as if he had been expecting such a comment. “And you would be the Norrington.”

“Until someone better comes along.” Will urged his horse forward until he partially eclipsed Murfin’s view of his sister. “I’ve brought with me a company of Oriosan Freemen to fight for Caledo.”

“Your contribution is most welcome. They can join the other Oriosans here. We’re grateful for your help.” The prince broadened his smile for a moment. “It is a great honor to have you all here, and things have been prepared for you in Caledo. Captain Twynham here will conduct you to the city and your lodgings. Once you have had a chance to rest, my father would like to welcome you all.”

Alyx nodded. “We will await his pleasure.”

“Splendid.” Murfin glanced at Sayce. “Sister, attend me on my return.”

She nodded and started her horse forward. Will moved to accompany her, but she laid her right hand on his left arm. “No, Will, just go with the others.”

“But…” Will looked from her to her brother and back again. “You shouldn’t ride into trouble alone.”

“That thought will be all the accompaniment I need.” She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. “From the moment I left, I knew what this would be like. I will see you soon enough.”

With a touch of her heels to her horse’s flanks, she started off and raced a bit past her brother. He set off, cloak flying, and caught up with her. Neither slowed, but neither did she try to elude him. Alyx thought she even might have heard laughter on the wind, but she couldn’t be certain.

The King’s Heavy Horse spread out along the column with a blond man, Captain Twynham, leading the way back into the city. He didn’t say much, but rode tall and proudly in the saddle. Alyx and Crow followed him several paces back, with Will falling in behind her and Kerrigan coming up beside him.

Will grumbled in a low voice. “I’m not sure I like the look of that Murfin.”

Kerrigan kept his voice soft. “You caught it, then?”

“Caught what, Ker?”

“The spell.” The Vilwanese mage shifted in the saddle. “I almost didn’t. Murosan magick has a different feel to it, but he cast a spell on the lot of us when he came up.”

Crow turned. “When?”

“When he raised his hand in greeting. Takes a tricky man to say one thing, but cast another.”

Crow frowned. “What kind of spell?”

“Just a moment.” Kerrigan closed his eyes, raised his right hand from the saddlehorn, and wove his fingers through an odd little pattern of movements. “I am not wholly certain, but it could have been some diagnostic spell.”