Coming Together: Special Hurricane Relief Edition (24 page)

"Captain,"
he said. "I had not looked to see you here!"

"Tal,
Haral," I said.

He
gestured. "Captives? Slaves?"

I
shook my head. "Free women, rescued from raiders. Lady Allina of
Rorus, and her cousin, Lady Melna."

Haral
made a courteous bow. "Ladies." He turned back to me. "We
have no tarncot here, Captain. What of your mount?"

"I
go on to Ko-Ro-Ba. Will you give the ladies refreshment, Haral? I
will return with more fitting transport. I think it will take me two
or three ahn to make the return trip. Two of the Lady Allina's escort
will be here shortly. Her captain, Claudius Flavius, and a young
warrior, Tullius. Bid them welcome and feed them. Tell them I will
return soon. If anyone else approaches, it is likely they will be
raiders. Claudius Flavius might be able to recognise them, but I
doubt he saw all of them. Be suspicious." I went to the tarn and
took the sword belts. I passed them to Haral. "Your guests might
like their sword belts back when they arrive."

Haral
grinned. "They shall have them."

I
leapt to the saddle of the tarn. Lady Allina was being helped to the
safety of the guard post by two guards, Lady Melna following. As the
tarn rose, she turned and lifted her hand in farewell. Surprised, I
returned her salute. I turned the tarn north and headed for Ko-Ro-Ba.
I wondered again what the Lady Melna would look like unclothed.

Next
day, late afternoon, a meeting took place in my father's quarters.
Lady Allina was there, in borrowed robes, Lady Melna, too, in
borrowed finery. Both wore the light, opaque, house veils with which
they might greet friends, but not close family. I was there, Claudius
Flavius, Tullius, and my father.

Claudius
Flavius stood. "You have heard of Lady Allina's uncle, Pel, and
of his treachery. Lady Allina is due her inheritance in two days. Pel
attempted to have her enslaved. Were that completed, she would indeed
forfeit. Pel was overconfident, and was leaving the enslavement until
morning. I, Claudius Flavius, of Rorus, hereby bear witness that the
Lady Allina, although captured, was not enslaved but is a free woman
and thus due to receive her inheritance." He paused and looked
at each of us in turn.

My
father stood. "So let it be recorded. What would you of us, Lady
Allina?"

"I
seek your assistance in obtaining my inheritance. Any soldiers
involved will be duly rewarded." She turned to Claudius Flavius.
"Captain?"

"Pel
has a garrison of some forty men. Ten were with me, seven of them now
slain. Two others traitor, in the pay of the raiders. The only ones
of which I am certain are myself, and Tullius. There will be others
in Rorus, those who served the Lady Allina's father, but for now I
have to proceed on the assumption that all are hostile."

"Your
plan?" said my father.

"If
I may borrow the men, by tarn to Rorus, first to see the
Administrator. Luc Nelm is honest, and it is he who Lady Allina's
father trusted to handle her affairs until she inherited. Once we
have established that she is safe, and free, I think all will be
well."

"Why,
then, do you need to borrow my men?" said my father.

"There
is a reckoning with Pel due," Claudius Flavius said, his tone
flat.

My
father nodded, unsurprised. "How many?"

"Forty?"

My
father nodded. "Done. I will ask for volunteers."

"Your
plan, Captain?" I said.

"Lady
Allina is due her inheritance in two days. There is a peasant holding
some four pasangs from Rorus. I want to land the troops there. The
headman knows me, and will lend me a cart. I will go into Rorus
disguised, and see Luc Nelm. Once he is appraised of the situation, I
will return. I will then challenge Pel."

"To
single combat?"

"He
is not worthy of that. I will challenge him to defy me and we shall
see what transpires." Claudius Flavius grinned, the grin of the
hunter.

"Take
care, Captain," said Lady Allina. "I would not lose you."

"You
shall not, my Lady."

There
was a tone in both their voices that was strange to me. I realised
suddenly that I had just heard them pledge to each other. I wondered
if they realised. The Lady Melna glanced across at me, quickly
looking away when she caught my eye. I think she, too, realised.

"May
I accompany you, Captain?" I said.

"I
would be glad, Captain," said Claudius Flavius with a courteous
bow. I nodded. I now wore my insignia.

"There
is little to do now," said my father. "Lady Allina, Lady
Melna. Claudius Flavius, Tullius. Would you do me the honour of
joining myself and my son at dinner tonight?"

"We
would be delighted," said Lady Allina.

"My
Lady," said Claudius Flavius. "If I may be excused for the
moment? I need to do a little organising for tomorrow."

"Of
course," said Lady Allina.

"Let
me show you the way," I said.

"My
thanks, Captain." I could almost feel Lady Melna's eyes
following me. Could it happen this quickly?

We
were at the peasant's holding at early dusk next day. Originally in
fear of the tarnsmen and the troops they carried in baskets, the
peasant was greatly relieved when Claudius Flavius identified himself
and sought the peasant's aid. It was he himself who drove the cart,
shuffling along behind a pair of bosk. Claudius Flavius and I, and
Tullius, in peasant robes covering our warrior garb, rode with him.
As did Lady Allina and Lady Melna, peasant robes over their own. Lady
Allina had quite rightly insisted that only her presence could
convince Nelm, if Pel had sown his lies. It was full dark when
Claudius Flavius and I sought audience with Luc Nelm and at first his
captain of guards was reluctant, until Claudius Flavius identified
himself. The captain, young, had served with Claudius Flavius and
showed no further hesitation in bringing us before Administrator
Nelm.

"I
though you dead!" was his surprised reaction on seeing Claudius
Flavius.

"Pel
told you?"

"Aye.
He said the Lady Allina had been taken by raiders."

"She
was, and rescued by young Tullius and this good Captain of Ko-Ro-Ba,
Han Lero."

"Ral
Lero's son?" said Nelm.

"I
am," I said.

"I
know your father. Please convey my greeting when you see him next."
Nelm turned to Claudius Flavius. "What is this all about?"

A
cold smile crossed Claudius Flavius's face. "Treachery," he
said. In a few short sentences he told Nelm what had happened. The
administrator was shocked and wanted to send guards to seize Pel
immediately. "No," said Claudius Flavius. "I have a
plan." He smiled, and I went out, returning in moments with the
women.

"Lady
Allina," said Nelm. "It gladdens my heart to see you safe."

The
following day, Nelm issued an invitation for Pel to call and see him,
so that they could discuss the matter of the Lady Allina's abduction.
Shortly after noon, Pel was ushered into Nelm's audience chamber, two
of his guardsmen with him. Beside me where we stood behind the
curtain, Tullius gripped my arm, but I too recognised the men. Luc
Nelm stood to receive his visitor.

"My
dear Pel," said Nelm, "have you heard aught of Lady
Allina?"

An
expression of manufactured grief crossed Pel's face. "I fear she
has been enslaved, good Nelm. These two fine lads are all that
survive from her guards. Both were left unconscious by the raiders."
I saw that both men bore marks, as if from fighting, and bandages, as
if wounded. They nodded and murmured agreement.

"There
is no doubt?" said Nelm.

"None,
I fear," said Pel. I almost admired his acting. In a party of
travelling players, performing, he might even play the lead, I
thought. "The Lady Allina must be considered enslaved, and thus
her fortunes forfeit," said Pel.

Nelm
nodded sadly. "In that case, it would seem that it is you, Pel,
who inherit the estate of the Lady Allina's late father.

"I
fear it is so," said Pel, his voice thick with emotion. He was
an even better actor than I had thought. "I would much rather it
were not so."

"You
do?"said Nelm.

"Of
course. To have my niece safe and well, instead of enslaved, could
only bring me joy."

Nelm
nodded, smiling. "Please, my dear Pel, be seated, while I have
the letters of administration brought to you." He signalled to
an aide, gesturing at Pel's men. "Have these good lads treated
as they deserve for their heroism."

"At
once, Administrator. Follow me, please," the aide said to Pel's
guardsmen. They looked at each other uncertainly but Pel signalled
irritated assent. They followed the aide out. A clash, as if of
swords, and a distant cry came to us. Pel looked up, surprised.

"It
is nothing," said Nelm. "Before we bring the letters of
administration, I would be grateful if you would sign a declaration."

"Declaration?"
said Pel.

"A
mere formality," said Nelm. "A simple statement that your
niece is enslaved. Were any others of the party?"

"I
fear her cousin, Lady Melna, she too was enslaved."

"What
of the Lady's guards?"

"All
dead save those two noble lads who came here with me." The
expression of sorrow on Pel's face was magnificent.

"You
will sign to that effect?" said Nelm.

"Of
course," said Pel.

"In
that case the matter of the Lady Allina's inheritance can be settled
this very day," said Nelm.

Pel
nodded, apparently not trusting himself to speak.

"Prepare
the statement for Pel to sign," said Nelm to his scribe.

"At
once, Administrator."

In
a few short moments the statement was prepared and placed before Pel.
He read it through and then took the pen from the scribe and signed
it.

"Excellent,"
said Nelm. He took a small bell from beside him and rang it once. The
door opened immediately and two guards entered.

"Yes,
Administrator."

"Show
my guests in, please," said Nelm.

"At
once, Administrator.

"Guests?"
said Pel.

"Just
some people I'd like you to meet. Ah, Ladies," said Nelm as two
figures, in the robes of free women, entered the audience chamber,
"welcome."

Pel
stood, uncertain. Nelm gestured. "My dear Pel," he said,
"may I present to you the Lady Allina and the Lady Melna?"

The
colour drained from Pel's face. "Impossible," he blustered.
"These females are impostors!"

Allina's
cold gaze was fixed on Pel as she gracefully loosened her veil,
letting it fall to one side. "Uncle Pel," she said.

"They
were enslaved," said Pel. "You cannot bring slaves before
me purporting to be free women! Kneel, slave!" he said, "kneel,
or be slain."

Lady
Allina regarded him calmly. "I am no slave. Remember," she
said, "your own words. 'Morning will be soon enough to brand
them and complete their enslavement. Let them spend the night
anticipating'." She smiled at her uncle, a smile as cold as
winter. "Instead, dear uncle, I spent the night, safe in a
Ko-Ro-Ban guard post, anticipating your fate."

"She
is slave!" Pel insisted. "Examine her!"

"Lady
Allina, in the privacy of her bath, insisted that my wife, and my
daughter, examine her for slave brands," said Nelm. "None
such were found."

"This
farce has gone on long enough," said Pel. "I am leaving."
He turned to the door, but at a signal from Nelm, the two guards who
had unobtrusively followed the ladies into Luc Nelm's audience
chamber blocked his way, hands on sword hilts. Pel's shoulders
sagged.

"Take
him to a holding cell," said Nelm, "let him join his
guards." The guardsmen took Pel away. The Lady Allina refastened
her veil and Tullius and I came out from behind the curtain,
witnesses to the fall of Pel. Nelm turned to us. "You heard, and
saw, everything?"