Roger Parkinson - Summon Your Dragons

“Come,” said Althak, and they started their long climb down.

That Vorish knew should not have surprised Menish. He was used to the Emperor’s knack for finding out things. Besides, Thalissa herself had had plenty of opportunity to tell him. He remembered the words they had exchanged when he had taken Vorish from her, the offers she had made then. That had been at least half the reason he had left her for Thealum. At eight years old Vorish would have absorbed what they had said, would have deduced Menish’s infidelity and, like the Keeper, would have realised what Menish himself had not known then.

But Adhara? Who had told her?

“You told me yourself, my love,” she said. “When you returned from Relanor, trying to bring sanity to Sinalth’s Invaders, I knew something had happened. I knew enough about the Vorthenki to guess what it was. On your second journey you returned with Vorish. He has your eyes.”

She had known all this time? For the moment no one else in the room mattered to Menish except Adhara.

“I was drugged or drunk, and Thalissa was determined to command my favour. It was only the once. I never let her near me again. And I didn't know about Vorish. I only discovered that when we brought Azkun from Atonir. The Keeper of Am-Goluz told me when I asked him about Azkun.”

“Did you really not know, Menish?” Vorish was astonished. “Then why have you always treated me like a son?”

Adhara answered for him. She stepped forward and grasped Menish’s hands.

“He treated you like a son for the same reason he treated Althak like a son, for the same reason he treats Neathy like a daughter, for the same reason he brought Keashil and Olcish to Meyathal.” She had spoken to Vorish but her eyes were on Menish. “You are trying to ask forgiveness. I forgave you years ago. Like Vorish, I assumed you knew he is your son, but it makes no difference. This crime is cold. The woman has been dead for years.”

Menish could have wept with relief and love for her. She could say this before the clan council, who were looking embarrassed and wondering if they should excuse themselves, even before Mara who accused him. But her last remark froze his answer on his tongue. Of course, she thought Thalissa was dead. Did it matter? Should he tell her?

But he would have no more secrets. He was tired of secrets.

“Thalissa is alive. I met her in Lianar not long after we found Azkun.”

“You… saw her? But she was thrown into the Chasm!” She did not ask the question she wanted to ask. Was she afraid of the answer?

“She was lowered into the Chasm to prolong her agony. While there she had a child. That child was Azkun. In Lianar I met her on the dockside, we exchanged a few bitter words. But she still lives.”

“She still lives,” Adhara’s mouth became firm, her forgiveness was suddenly not so warm. Menish wished he had not told her. Could she only forgive him if Thalissa was dead?

“Not in Lianar,” said Vorish. “She travelled south after she saw Menish. She stayed in Atonir for a short time, but she did not meet me, or realise that her son is the Emperor. I sent her with Azkun and Althak.”

“To the dragon isle?”

Vorish shrugged.

“She wasn't happy in Atonir, she wanted to be with Azkun and Tenari.”

“You sent her to her death, then?” said Adhara. Menish could see she was partly relieved at this, and partly disturbed that Vorish could do this to his mother.

“She once offered to kill me so that Menish would not leave her to Thealum. You are my mother, Adhara.”

Adhara smiled, sniffed and rubbed at one of her eyes.

“I think that perhaps we should resume this council after our royal family has become more used to the idea,” said Barvolin, at last overcoming his desire to be inconspicuous and trying to excuse the rest of them from a private discussion.

“Does this mean I get no justice, because all of you approve of the King’s crime?” asked Mara.

“The King’s crime was not against you, Mara. No charges have been laid. In your case the King has made a judgement. You have no higher authority to appeal to,” said Barvolin.

“I have a higher authority, I will appeal to Kiveli herself!” She turned and stamped out of the tent. Her action shifted the mood back to business.

“The King has judged Mara, I will judge my man. Your name?”

“Garth, I am under Treath’s command.”

“Ten lashes, to be given at tomorrow morning’s drill. Put him under guard tonight with only bread and water, Treath. That will teach him, and the rest of the men, never to insult the Anthorians. Also, no one is to leave the camp without good reason. Have guards posted around the perimeter.” Vorish looked at Menish and Menish nodded. “And no Anthorians are allowed in the camp without authority.

“Meanwhile, Barvolin, your suggestion is timely. We can continue this council tomorrow.”

There was a general nodding of agreement and they decided to meet again at noon, which would give the clan chiefs time to discuss what had been decided with their own people. Vorish said it would also give him time to talk with his engineers about Drinagish’s fire. Now Menish wanted to get away from here. There were things he wanted to say to Adhara in private. But, as the others were leaving, Vorish stopped them.

“Menish, wait please. Don't go yet, and you too, Adhara and Drinagish. Let us talk some more.”

Menish shrugged. He would have to wait a little longer. Drinagish looked puzzled but sat down again. When the others had all left them and the servant had poured more ambroth Vorish spoke.

“I really find it incredible that you didn't know, Menish. Didn't you see that my eyes are like yours? What Vorthenki has eyes like these? Even Athun with his dark hair still has blue Vorthenki eyes.”

“I always thought you looked like Thalissa,” Menish said. “You have her shape of face, and her chin.” He grinned wryly, “you have Drinagish’s nose, I don't know how you managed that.” They laughed. “But I couldn't leave you for Thealum’s men. And, since I thought you to be Sinalth’s son, I supported you against Thealum when the time came. It was easy to see you would do better at ruling Relanor than that monster.”

“And you unwittingly put an Emperor of the line of Gilish on the Relanese throne. No wonder the Keeper had to tell you!”

“It means you're not Sinalth’s son at all,” said Drinagish. “I thought that was the basis of your claim to rule the Invaders.”

“That's true, up to a point,” said Vorish. “The Vorthenki are always uncertain about who their fathers are because of their… customs. I could only claim to be a son of the house of Sinalth. Since my mother was one of his women, one of his favourites, the claim is still true. Besides, no one is going to challenge me now.” Menish heard Adhara mutter “barbarians” under her breath when Vorish referred to the Vorthenki customs.

“Drinagish, I asked you to stay behind for a reason. Your contribution to the council was excellent. Menish, have you considered letting Drinagish have a personal guard of his own?”

“Whatever for? He usually forms part of my household. He's too young to form his own yet, and besides, he'll get Meyathal when I'm gone.”

“It would enhance his prestige, and it would be useful in the battle. I have an idea that we could use it to form the nucleus of a standing army for Anthor. A trained army.” Menish suspected that Vorish had something else that he was not saying.

“What would I do with it?” asked Drinagish. He was interested in the idea.

“You would command it in the battle, and it would serve as a bodyguard for you. The rest of the time you'd have people of your own that you could use to carry messages and advise you, rather like Menish has. This would allow Menish to delegate some of his work to you, to give you experience. It might also mean he wouldn't have to make so many journeys in winter.”