Darksong Rising (22 page)

way,” Anna demurred. And well out of Lord Ustal’s lands... if only for my peace of mind.

“I cannot say how grateful I am that you even heeded my plea and came to hear what I would say

for the folk of Fussen.”

“Falar.. . I will always listen.” Anna forced herself not to say more beyond that promise. “And I

will let you know my decision after I return to Falcor.”

“More than that can no man ask.” The younger son of Vlassa bowed, offering his charming

smile.

After inclining her head in return, Anna followed Jecks back to the courtyard, flanked by her

guards, where she mounted Farinelli.

When the column was northbound, a good dek from the keep, Anna turned toward Jecks. “What

do you think, my lord Jecks?”

“I would suggest prudence. If you remove Ustal now, none will understand why, save a handful

of tradesmen.”

“And the Thirty-three will be upset."

“Some would be most upset; others would defer to your judgment.”

Anna nodded slowly. So you have to let things get bad enough that everyone can see the reasons

for your actions... and all the time, people will suffer. She shook her head, sadly.

“Think you that I am mistaken, my lady?”

“No, my lord. I think you’re right. That’s why I’m bothered.” Anna stared blankly at the dusty

road ahead, and the long afternoon of riding to come. “That’s also why we have to visit Lord

Jearle in Denguic."

18

Jecks took Anna’s arm as they neared the great hall of Westfort, where Lord Jearle waited,

smiling broadly, several paces from the open doors of the hall. On each side of the doors stood

an armsman in red and black.

“You make a striking appearance, my lady,” Jecks whispered. “Lord Jearle has not taken his eyes

from you.”

Striking? In a simple green gown with a costume gold-plated link necklace, and green slippers?
 

“I don’t think Lord Jearle’s eyes are on me for my appearance, Lord High Counselor. I’m so thin

I look more like a boy.”

“No one would ever mistake you for such,” Jecks replied, his voice low. “You even take away

this old warhorse’s breath.”

Anna could feel her heartbeat speed up at the words, knowing how much it cost Jecks to offer

any admission. “You’re not old, and I’m glad to see I still have some effect on men.” She

paused, then added, “Particularly men of judgment and experience."

Is there a slight blush there? Good! Anna smiled.

“Some have questioned that judgment....”

“I wouldn’t.” Anna broke off as Jearle stepped forward.

 
“Regent Anna, Lord High Counselor Jecks... one would scarcely know that you had ridden from

Falcor so recently.” said Jearle in a resonant baritone. The Lord of Denguic bowed, deeply and

dramatically and declaimed, “We are honored, mightily honored.” He smiled even more broadly.

“When you were announced by my messenger, I must say that I was most pleased to learn that

you had made Lord Jecks your chief counselor.”

“Lord Jecks has always been my chief advisor,” Anna replied. “The title merely affirms that.”

“The magnificence of Westfort has restored us from the rigors of the journey,” offered Jecks,

with a hearty laugh following his words, clearly trying to move the conversation away from his

title.

“And the hospitality of its lord,” Anna added sweetly, keeping a smile on her face. Remember...

Mother always said you’d catch more flies with honey than vinegar... except Jearle‘s more like a

cockroach.

The graying Lord of Denguic made a sweeping gesture to the woman standing to his left and

back two paces, almost between the armsmen in red and black. “Might I present my consort,

Livya. My dear, the Regent, the lady Anna, and Lord High Counselor Jecks."

“It’s good to meet you,” Anna said, inclining her head. “Westfort is both imposing and

charming.”

“We are so honored that you have come to grace Westfort.” The white-haired and thin-faced

woman in the loose and dark red gown smiled and offered a gesture of respect somewhere

between a curtsy and a bow.

“And my heir, Brellyt.” Jearle beckoned for a broad-shouldered and red-bearded and red-haired

man to step forward.

“I am honored, Regent. Most honored.” Brellyt bowed.

Anna would have been impressed by the shy nature of the young man’s smile, except for the

seeming contradiction of the hardness of his eyes.

“If you would lead the way, Regent..." Lord Jearle gestured toward the open double doors

flanked by the armsmen.

“Thank you.” Anna inclined her head ever so slightly, then swept through the door, careful to

keep a dazzling smile in place as she and Jecks waiked toward the seat at the head of the long

table.

She stood there, surveying the long and dark table, on which gleamed silvery cutlery and

shimmering crystal. Seven-branched candelabra, set at intervals on the polished dark wood, lit

the hail and the table, which was set for more than twenty people. After waiting for her entrance,

others followed Jearle into the hall. Anna stood and waited, as if holding court, until people

gathered at places around the table.

Realizing that she was in a situation where no one would sit until she did, Anna seated herself.

So did everyone else.

As soon as he sat to Anna’s right, the gray-haired Jearle smiled broadly once more, revealing

teeth remarkably even and white for Defalk. “Regent and sorceress of power... I cannot tell you

how greatly your message and your decision to visit Denguic and Westfort has cheered all of

us.”

Anna wanted to shiver at the oiliness she sensed in Jearle’s words, but replied with the phrase

she had rehearsed, “A regent must know those in power in the land she serves, and you are most

gracious to receive us all so warmly.” You sound as false as he does, but that's politics... or

diplomacy... or something.

Jecks sat across the table from Jearle, with Jearle’s consort Livya to his left. Brellyt sat to his

father’s right. Anna could see Liende, Himar, and Skent farther down the table, interspersed with

those who had to be Jearle’s retainers or relatives.

A serving girl filled Anna’s goblet with a ruby liquid, then those of Jearle, Jecks, Livya, and

Brellyt.

“The Mylelot, that comes from the Guereck Valley—it is at least as good as the Neserean

vintages from Ferantha.” Jearle smiled again, revealing his teeth once more.

Anna returned the smile and took a small sip, admitting to herself that the wine was good. Not

great, but good, and certainly better than many she had tasted in Defalk. “Excellent, and far

better than any I have tasted recently.”

“That is why I made sure we had an ample supply for your visit, honored Regent, and Lord High

Counselor....”

As Jearle talked, and Anna smiled, unbidden, Henry Higgins’ words from My Fair Lady slipped

into her mind... Oozing charm from every pore... he oiled his way across the floor... Was Jearle

that bad? She wanted to nod.

“Have you visited any other lords before coming to Denguic?” asked Jearle.

“We have just come from Fussen, where we met Lord Ustal,” Anna said. You hope the news

won’t upset him too much, but he’ll find out sooner or Iater…

“The succession, I imagine. Difficult situation, there, most difficult.” Jearle took a modest

swallow of the ruby wine, then gestured for Anna to serve herself from the platter heaped high

with slabs of meat and held by a serving girl. “Our most tender lamb, lady.”

“Thank you.” Anna took three slabs, sensing young Brellyt’s eyes open as she did.

“Have you any thoughts on the succession?” asked Jecks.

“Ha... you jest, of course. A lord had best not comment on the affairs of his neighbor.” Jearle

laughed, and the sound was as oily as his words.

“His sire was not known to have been the most accommodating of souls,” Jecks pursued.

“Accommodating, Lord Jecks? I don’t know as I’d ever heard that word in the same sentence as

Lord Viassa’s name before." Jearle shrugged, still smiling. “They say the son is quite

accomplished, in arms and elsewhere.”

“He presents a fine appearance," Anna said.

“As did his sire, years back... but none of us present the appearance now as we did then... save

for you, Regent. And you, the stories say, paid most dearly for your youth." Jearle paused, then

added. “That is what one hears.”

“The Regent has taken more wounds than most,” Jecks affirmed. “Two crossbow bolts, a knife,

and possibly others I know not of’."

“Lord Jecks is modest,” Anna interjected. “My wounds came through... unfamiliarity. He has

exhibited far greater bravery and skill.”

“Begging your pardon, Regent, but it is said that you took Dumar with but twentyscore lancers."

Jearle raised his eyebrows.

‘That’s about right. We started with fifteen, I think, and Lord Sargol and Lord Birfels offered

some aid as well.”

“And how many armsmen did you face?” asked Brellyt. Anna tried to remember. “About five

thousand... two hundred fifty—score... that’s about how many we killed in battle.” She didn’t

want to think too long about the innocents killed in the flooding or in the destruction of Envaryl.

Brellyt’s gulp was audible.

“She destroyed almost five hundred—score of the Evult’s lancers and armsmen," Jecks added.

‘The strongest ruler of Defalk in generations,” Jearle observed, “and a regent." He laughed