Roger Taylor - The waking of Orthlund

‘It may be said that you fled in our hour of need, Majesty,’ he said reluctantly. Sylvriss bowed her head for a moment then looked at him again. She made no attempt to keep her fear from her face.

‘I know that,’ she said. ‘I told you this was no easy decision. I’m many things, Eldric. Riddinvolk and Fyordyn. A woman, a Muster rider, your Queen, a wife… ’ She faltered. ‘… a widow. Now, soon, a mother. I’ve tried to order my needs and my duties honestly, but above all I must protect my child, at whatever cost.’

She held Eldric’s gaze again. ‘I’ve faced many trials over the years, Eldric,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I’d flee just for my own sake. But if the question is put to you, answer it with the question I asked myself amp;mdashcould I ask Rgoric’s unborn child to face the power that Dan-Tor, Oklar, launched against Vakloss?’

Eldric turned away and nodded. The question was central to the strategic and tactical debates that had been continuing for over a month since Rgoric’s Dith-Galar. The reports they had received from Vakloss told them that little or nothing had been seen of Dan-Tor since the fateful day of Rgoric’s murder, but gave no reasons. Was he wounded and dying? Had he been exhausted in some way by the terrible destruction he had wrought? Was he simply indifferent to the rantings of a few disgruntled Lords in the east? No consensus had emerged.

But the Queen’s remark brought to the forefront of his thoughts an idea that, because of the apparent inactivity from Vakloss, had been allowed to dwindle into insignificance in their deliberations. What if Dan-Tor should bring his army across the country and use his power to strike directly at the heart of the resistance to his will?

In the wake of this came, for the first time, two starker, more terrifying, thoughts. Firstly, that the very presence of the Queen might invite such an assault, and secondly, worse by far, the realization that Dan-Tor needed no army. What if he were actually coming here now! Eldric cursed his memory. Had not Dan-Tor struck at Hawklan unaided? And had it not been a subject of some amusement for years in the Geadrol that Dan-Tor often chose to wander abroad alone and unescorted?

Without comment he stood up and walked quickly to the door. Opening it he beckoned urgently to a waiting servant. ‘Get Commander Yatsu, immediately,’ he said. The servant ran off at great speed, impelled more by Eldric’s manner than his actual command.

Closing the door, Eldric turned back and looked at Isloman and the Queen. Both were staring at him in bewilderment and some mild alarm at this sudden action.

You could perish here at a wave of that creature’s hand, Eldric thought, and how prepared then would Riddin and Orthlund be? He cursed himself again.

‘You’re right, Majesty,’ he said briskly. ‘And I was wrong. I commend your clarity of vision.’ He paused and glanced out of the window. ‘But it’s still a difficult journey. If the winter comes early… ’ His voice showed genuine concern. ‘Still, there’s nothing to be gained by delay amp;mdashthe winter comes only nearer as does your term, my dear. We must act immediately.’

The door opened without announcement, and Yatsu entered with Varak at his shoulder. ‘We were just… ’ he began.

Eldric cut across him. ‘Double all the border patrols and put the castle and all outposts on battle alert immediately, Commander.’ Yatsu’s eyes widened questioningly. Eldric answered him bluntly. ‘In our concern to raise and prepare our army, Commander, we’d all forgotten that Dan-Tor likes to travel alone.’

For a moment Yatsu stood motionless and Eldric saw his own inner reproaches reflected in the Goraidin’s eyes. Without a word he turned and left. Eldric nodded to Varak to follow him.

‘Now, Majesty,’ Eldric said, easier in his manner now. ‘Your journey. Fortunately the mountains contain no dangers other than natural ones, but they’re severe enough. With your permission therefore, I shall arrange an escort of two Goraidin and four good High Guards, if that’s acceptable.’

Before the Queen could reply, he added, ‘Could I ask you perhaps, to choose the horses?’ Then, ‘I’ll see that one of the Guards is a serving healer.’

‘A stitcher of wounds and gashes?’ Sylvriss said unintentionally.

Eldric cleared his throat. ‘Healing is healing, Maj-esty, but of course Hylland will choose the man.’

‘I didn’t mean to seem ungrateful,’ Sylvriss said. ‘But your sudden change of heart took me aback. You needn’t worry about my health, I’m as fit as a brood mare.’

Eldric closed his eyes briefly at this unexpected allusion. ‘Please, Majesty. There’s the child to think of, and others can be hurt on such a journey.’

‘Yes,’ Sylvriss acknowledged thoughtfully, slowly adjusting to Eldric’s urgency. ‘And the horses might have problems.’

Isloman smiled as Eldric shot him a quick look of resignation.

‘I’ll need no escort,’ he volunteered helpfully. ‘A spare horse, perhaps, some supplies and a good map of the mountains will be sufficient.’

Eldric looked at him pensively.

‘I’m no use here,’ Isloman said, fearing that he was about to be subjected to Eldric’s persuasions. ‘I have to look after Hawklan, which means I can’t even help with the training of your High Guards. And between us, Hawklan and I are hardly contributing a great deal to the preparation of your battle plans, are we?’

As if to highlight his ineffectiveness, the sound of urgent activity about the castle drifted into the room as Yatsu and Varak began to implement Eldric’s order.

Eldric nodded. ‘I understand, Isloman,’ he said. ‘Besides, it’s been obvious for some time you’ve been growing increasingly concerned about your country and your people. To be honest, it’s been thoughtless of me not to make arrangements for your return sooner, but Hawklan’s presence seems to add something to… ’ He left the comment unfinished.

‘Hawklan’s presence may bring Dan-Tor down on you more surely than the Queen’s,’ Isloman said, echoing Eldric’s earlier fears.

Eldric’s expression agreed. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid you’re right. And I’m afraid we’re all going to have to sharpen our wits in future if we’re missing such matters.’ He clapped his hands and became brisk. ‘However, you’ll need help through the mountains. It’s a longer journey than the Queen’s and almost certainly you’ll be caught by the winter. But I think one of the Goraidin and a High Guard will suffice,’ he concluded.

Isloman shook his head, but Eldric brushed his intended refusal aside. ‘No,’ he said. ‘The safety of both of you is important.’ He looked at the Queen and then back at Isloman. ‘But I’m afraid it’s even more impor-tant that someone amp;mdashanyone amp;mdashmust take the news of what’s happened here to the Riddinvolk and the Orthlundyn.’

His manner brooked no debate. ‘Looking to the end, as you rightly advised, Majesty, it’s vitally important that both your countries understand what has happened here, no matter what happens to any of us in the future.’ He leaned forward earnestly. ‘If possible, Riddin and Orthlund should act together in some way. At the very least they should establish good lines of communication with one another and with us here. We’ve restarted Goraidin training specifically with this in mind.’ He looked out of the window again at the grey obscuring rain.

‘We know nothing of His plans, His forces, any-thing,’ he said, half to himself. ‘Perhaps our torment here is just a diversion… a probe to test our strength and our will. Whatever it is, we know that only we can face it.’ He turned and pointed at his listeners. ‘But you mustn’t make the mistake of imagining that it’s the totality of His present purpose.’ He frowned. ‘We don’t even know how the western Lords stand in relation to Dan-Tor. If they’re his, then Sumeral could send forces across their lands and direct into Orthlund. They’ve taken a Mandroc patrol through unhindered already, haven’t they? Would the conquest of Orthlund take long, Isloman?’