L. Modesitt - Arms-Commander

It took two glasses in the still and hot harvest air before the last tree was nothing but a charred husk. The odor of charcoal, burned wood, and the fainter acrid scent of burned pearapples filled the late afternoon…but the gates of Duevek keep remained closed as Maeldyn, Spalkyn, Zeldyan, and Saryn watched.

Once the fire had died away, Maeldyn and Spalkyn rode to join the two women.

“It appears you were right,” offered Maeldyn.

“I have the feeling that we could burn the entire countryside to ashes, and Henstrenn still wouldn’t leave his walls,” Saryn said.

“Would any of you?” asked Zeldyan.

“We’ll have to see what tomorrow brings,” Spalkyn said. “Henstrenn may reconsider matters after he has thought them over.”

“Tomorrow won’t change anything,” Zeldyan replied tartly. “Henstrenn would sacrifice every man, woman, and child on his lands to save his skin.”

“Especially with two women after him,” added Saryn.

“Women have often been the downfall of men,” said Maeldyn pleasantly, “but you, Commander, have destroyed more than any single woman in the memory of Lornth, or possibly even in the time of Cyador before.”

Saryn smiled politely in response to the mostly good-natured banter. “You might recall, Lord Maeldyn, that in every single instance, I was attacked first. In fact, Lord Henstrenn’s armsmen offered the very first attack on me when I came to see the regents in the spring. And we were under a parley banner.” She paused. “We women may forgive, but we never forget.”

“Ever,” murmured Zeldyan, a sound so low and under her breath that Saryn suspected she was the only one to hear that single word.

Another two days passed without anyone leaving the gates of Duevek keep, at least without anyone being observed. Saryn had no doubt a messenger or two had left under cover of darkness, and that concerned her, because each day that passed made the possibility of aid coming to Henstrenn more likely. Just before noon on threeday, with a blazing harvest sun beating down on the land, Maeldyn, Spalkyn, Zeldyan, and Saryn once more met, this time in the shade of the eaves of the larger barn.

“He’s not going to fight us anytime soon.” Spalkyn frowned. “He knows we can’t break the walls. He’s wagering that we don’t have the supplies and patience to wait him out.”

“We don’t have the armsmen to waste trying to scale the walls,” Maeldyn pointed out.

“If we wait too long, the heirs of the other southern lord-holders will gather forces to come to relieve him,” predicted Zeldyan. “He has to have slipped out a messenger by now.”

“They might rather attack our lands,” added Spalkyn dourly.

“The Jeranyi will begin to gather as well,” added Zeldyan.

“And the Suthyans in the north,” added Maeldyn.

Saryn considered the situation. Sooner or later, she would have to act, because it was becoming clearer and clearer that none of the lord-holders of Lornth had the strength to be an effective overlord. Henstrenn wasn’t any stronger than the others, except through the support offered by the Suthyans, and if he became overlord, Lornth would become little more than a vassal state of Suthya. Still…she decided to wait just a bit longer before saying anything.

For a time, no one spoke.

Finally, Saryn spoke. “If Henstrenn doesn’t engage us by dusk tonight, I’ll try something before dawn tomorrow. If it works, the gates will come down at first light, and we can attack immediately…” She let her words trail off.

Maeldyn and Spalkyn exchanged glances.

“Might we ask what you have in mind?” Maeldyn looked inquiringly at Saryn.

“A way to break the gates down.” Saryn paused. “It will only be good for one set of gates. Which would be better?”

Maeldyn looked to Spalkyn. “You’re the only one who’s been there.”

“That was years ago.”

The other three fixed their eyes on the square-bearded lord.

“Ah…well…back then the eastern gates would have been better. They may well be now. They’re stronger, but they open onto a paved area that splits in two ways-to the front of the villa and to the rear courtyard. Coming in that way would trap their armsmen against the western gates.”

“The eastern gates, then?” asked Saryn.

“That would seem best,” Maeldyn said. “Do you intend to lead the attack, as well?”

“No,” replied Saryn. “Someone should be ready to attack as soon as the gates are breached, but I’ll be on foot close to the gates when that happens. It will take a little time for us to remount and reform. It makes more sense for my forces to be in position to keep anyone from being outflanked or to deal with any white wizards.” And I have no idea what sort of shape I’ll be in at that point.

“You want us-” began Spalkyn.

“Lord Spalkyn,” interjected Zeldyan firmly. “The commander has so far led each fight since we reached Duevek. She has also led in the battles against five other lords. I may be speaking where I know naught of what is required, but I gather that what she plans to do involves great danger to her.” Zeldyan turned to Saryn. “Might that be so?”

“It is dangerous,” Saryn admitted. “It might be very dangerous. I had hoped not to have to try it.”

“Have you done…what ever this is…before?” asked Maeldyn.

“Yes. It worked.” Saryn looked directly at the stern-faced lord-holder. “Do you want the gates down or not?”

“I will lead my company first,” offered Zeldyan in a matter-of-fact tone.

Abruptly, Maeldyn laughed, shaking his head, murmuring about the deadliness of women. When he stopped chuckling, he turned first to Zeldyan. “You have already risked much, Lady.” His eyes went to Saryn. “As have you, Commander. We will lead. At what signal should we attack?”

“When the gates fail, you will know it.” Saryn’s voice was dry. “We will join you as soon as we can.”

“You have not been known to tarry, Commander, for which we can all be grateful.”

Translated loosely , thought Saryn, the sooner you join the fray, the happier we’ll all be. But would they be so happy if they knew what had to follow? Saryn thought Maeldyn might suspect, but she doubted that Zeldyan would have considered the matter. “We will not tarry any longer than absolutely necessary. We need most of the blood shed to be that of Henstrenn’s men and that of the Suthyans.”

Zeldyan nodded.

“How far back should we be…and when?” asked Maeldyn.

“About three hundred yards…a half glass before first light…one Westwind squad will be at five hundred yards, the others slightly farther back…”

The four discussed their plans for almost a glass before it became clear that once the basic outline was laid out, there was little else that they could determine with any certainty.

As she walked away from the others after they finished their discussion, Saryn began to worry even more. Could she take down the gates and still have enough ability left to function? To do what else needed to be done? And then to do what was required beyond that?

Did she want to? Saryn shook her head. What real choice did she have if she were to stand behind what she believed?

Dealdron stood at the corner of the barn, as if he had been waiting for her. He smiled warmly. “Good afternoon, Commander and Angel.”

“Good afternoon.”

“You look worried.”

“That’s because I am.”

“Then you will be attacking the holding tomorrow.”

Saryn raised her eyebrows. “You’re presuming a great deal.”

Dealdron smiled sadly. “I think not. Lord Henstrenn remains behind his walls. You just met with the other lords and the lady. You are worried. You do not show that you are worried unless you are very worried-”