Richard Parker - Elsewhere

Audra frowned. “And if he did, what would happen to him and Sinis when the Knights returned.”

“Just be wary,” Gan pleaded. “There is no guarantee the Knights will return fast enough to save any of us.”

The Queen considered this, decided the advice was prudent and nodded. She watched as the Speaker worked and minutes later he was talking to a Speaker on Sinis who quickly summoned the High Tar.

“M’lady,” Nacht said softly facing the bubble of haze that hung in the center of the room.

‘The rumors must be true then, the High King is dead.’ The High Tar’s stomach did a quick lurch at the possibility. The entire kingdom was now ripe for the taking. “How can I assist you?”

“The Cassinni have betrayed us,” Audra said, the High Tar’s helpful demeanor making her feel more confident. “They’ll have to pay.”

Nacht smiled. The rumors were indeed true.

“It can be arranged,” he answered quickly though he wondered just who he would send. They’d already lost Lacombe and he had Giodart, Rhinehold, Badawi, Sened and de Croix in Massi with King Weldon Palmerrio, and now that de Baard was with the enemy, his list of Tars was growing thin. Of course there were still over two dozen available Executioners, though many were otherwise occupied. He currently had three in the conquered lands of the Toranado, two in Palmerrio, one with King Donnis Rhondono and two in Deutzani, plus another half dozen securing Sinis’ hold on the Isle of Light.

The Cassinni would not allow Executioners on their lands, but there were always ways to get around such obstacles.

“Please arrange it...Caiman will be ever so appreciative,” the Queen answered and Speaker Gan could not help but smile.

Nacht frowned. Could the rumors be incorrect? It was possible. He would have to be patient. If the High King was indeed dead then there was no hurry and it would do little good to take the King’s Island with Temple Knights still intact and loyal to the royal family…if the Massi could weaken the Knights enough…and if Noble continued its neutrality…then, well then, anything was possible.

“And who is your mark?” Nacht asked with the same anticipation he always felt before he was to call the Black Horseman down on some unsuspecting fool.

“Why the King…King Marc Cassinni,” Audra answered and fancied that she heard the High Tar let out a small gasp of surprise.

“King…King Marc?” Nacht asked, elated. If the royal family was implicated in the death of another royal…the Inland Sea would indeed fall into chaos…and Sinis would rise to the top.

“Yes.”

“As you wish M’lady,” though he had no intention of sending an assassin until the rumors could be confirmed one way or another. If Mastoc was indeed dead, the land would fall into chaos without the death of King Marc…if Mastoc was dead, Nacht would move on the King’s Island. No, he would not kill the young queen and her pups…but he would control her…and as Weapons Master to the Queen, he would control the Inland Sea.

Once the connection was broken Queen Audra smiled at Gan, pulled the now sleeping Aiden from her breast and gently placed him in his bassinet. She turned back to the Speaker and slowly pulled the top of her gown over her breasts.

“Please contact the Cassinni,” she said with a demure smile. “We must warn them of an imminent assassination plot against their King.

Gan’s eyes flew open in admiration.

“The Cassinni have long been loyal…we must win back such loyalty. We need their navy to sail home so the Rhondono can return and aid the Knights,” she explained. “This war must end quickly,” she added and half turned to stroke the hair of her sleeping prince. “We are vulnerable while it drags on.”

“Yes M’lady,” Gan said, truly impressed and couldn’t help but think that perhaps the Inland Sea would be in better hands if the young Queen were to rule.

ǂ

“The Knights are coming!” Laynee said, raising her voice in excitement. “They are forming a line out on the flats just west of the town,” she explained further, her voice mumbled. It was hard for her to make her body talk while she was projecting. Her body was sitting on the edge of the bed in Samantha’s room in the eastern bailey, but her spirit was soaring over the battlefield. Samantha was sitting right next to the young Traveler, just as close as she could get, while Daniel stood anxiously on the far side of the room. There was only one small, heavily shuttered window in the room along the south wall. At the moment the shutters were thrown open for light. But there was also a large fire burning in the fireplace for warmth. Daniel stood close to the hearth but occasionally could feel a cold breeze that carried the promise of winter, which was quickly approaching.

“And Gwaynn?” Samantha asked feeling a drop of sweat trickling down the left side of her body beneath her loose gown. She was growing heavy and the heat of the fire made the room stifling to her, though both youngsters were quite chilly. Moments before she was going to suggest they go to the large hall where it was cooler but after Laynee’s revelation she didn’t want to move.

“He’s…he’s talking to the lady from Noble…Vio,” Laynee said, though in fact Gwaynn was just breaking away after giving Vio a brief hug. Laynee, though young, was shrewd enough not to mention the fact.

“Is he in the front?” Samantha asked, positive he was. Laynee’s answer was interrupted as Traveler Jess na Gall burst past Cobb, who stood outside the room guarding the door. He was not alone; he now had the company of four other personal guardsmen Gwaynn assigned for Samantha’s protection. He did not want another Executioner surprising them.

“Has the battle begun?” na Gall asked, having come to the rear to have her wound cleaned and bandaged. She came to Manse on Lonogan’s insistence, since the Travelers would not play a major part in the battle to come. na Gall did so reluctantly and as she entered the room she instantly realized that Laynee was in the act of projecting and reporting on the action to Samantha.

“Not yet Mum,” Daniel said with a slight bow.

“The Knights are coming!” Laynee repeated her eyes wide. “They were confused at first but they were coming now…in a long straight line…charging fast.”

“Gwaynn,” Samantha pleaded.

“He’s in a middle diamond…not near the front,” Laynee reassured her and this time it was the truth.

“And Lonogan?” na Gall asked and then shot Samantha a shy smile and moved to the far side of Laynee and sat on the bed. Samantha reached out across the young Traveler’s lap with her lone hand and took hold of Jess’ left.

Laynee paused for a moment, searching. “He’s in the rear, on a small hill behind the army,” Laynee answered, her voice barely intelligible and her hands were beginning to shake. Daniel knew she was tiring and began going through the twenty-nine steps. It was his turn to watch out over the coming battle.

Laynee went very still and then mumbled. “Lonogan’s safe, surrounded by maybe fifty horsemen.”

Laynee grew very quiet then, and suddenly she was back, panting and sweating in the small room. She almost immediately began to shove bits of meat and bread into her mouth and Samatha’s attention shifted to Daniel, straining to see what the young Traveler was seeing, but no matter how Samantha tried, she only saw the interior of her bedroom.

“…they’re coming,” he finally said, his voice a bit slurred. “There are arrows in the sky.”

ǂ

Gwaynn stood almost directly behind Vio. He could see perfectly well now that he was nearly a full head taller than his deadly little friend. At first the Knights seemed to be confused by the unique Massi formation, but now they were lining up and preparing to charge across the open field and do battle.