Dragons and Destiny (48 page)

“I believe that
our oath is not to the Largan himself but to the Largan as leader
and representative of all Larg,” said one.

“That is the
way the Lind think,” said another. “We are not Lind. We are
Larg.”

“Your grand-dam
was a Lind,” said Zaoaldavdr with point.

“The Lind
protect everylind,” yet another said. “I like that idea.”

“Protect,” said
Zaoaldavdr with a dawning comprehension, “you have hit the paw on
the head Anavdr. They
protect
. They do not attack. The
Largan is the one doing the attacking. He is not protecting us; he
is putting us in danger. I say that our oath to the Largan should
be refuted. Does anylarg not agree?”

Not one
dissenting paw or voice was raised and Zaoaldavdr nodded his
head.

“I declare,” he
said in a loud and formal voice, “that the kohort of our pack shall
not obey the Largan and shall not fight. We will do what we can to
stop the Largan bringing disaster on Larg.”

Not one
dissenting paw was raised.

“Long Live the
Lai.”

* * * * *

Rilla

“Are you really
scared?” asked Shona of Rilla as they made camp for the night.

“Terrified,”
admitted Rilla, “I can’t quite fully comprehend the fact that we’re
actually here, on our way to Settlement and that war is
coming.”

“Do you think
the rumours are true?” Shona asked as she began to divest herself
of her shoulder armour. Rilla was doing the same, wriggling her
shoulders to loosen the leather straps.

“What rumours
would that be?”

“That we are
going to the southern continent to help the Regiments hold off the
Larg.”

“I’m no genius
at tactics,” Rilla replied, “but even I can see that it might make
sense to hold them off
before
they come over the Island
Chain rather than after.”

Shona had been
studying tactics longer than Rilla and wasn’t convinced.

“If I was the
Susa,” she began.

“Lai preserve
us,” grinned Rilla.

“If I was the
Susa,” she began again, “I would let them come over the Chain. Let
them hurl themselves against the walls and the ramparts, there’s no
way they could get over them. Only so many kohorts can cross at any
one time, the Vada and the Garda could hold them off for months if
need be.”

“That’s
assuming the defences will hold,” argued Rilla. “It’s not just the
Larg this time remember? These Dglai creatures are there and Susa
Julia said that they have a weapon that might be able to take out
even the thickest fortification.”

“I still think
Settlement would be better,” insisted Shona.

Rilla didn’t
answer, concentrating on removing her armour.

“That’s it,”
she said at last, unbuckling her leg greaves and stretching her
legs. “You know Shona,” she said, sitting up and hugging her knees,
rocking to and fro (she was trying to get the kinks out of her
muscles, they had been riding since dawn), “I think I know where we
are.”

Shona followed
Rilla’s gaze.

“See these
hills over there? They look awfully like the hills beside Dunetown,
where I come from.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m
looking at them from another direction but I’m pretty sure they’re
the same ones. I wonder if I’d be allowed to go visit the Inn on
the way past? I’d like to see my mother, brother and sister again
before it all starts.”

What Rilla
didn’t say but Shona understood was that it might be the last time.
Soldiers died in battles.

“I’d like to
see Zilla,” Rilla added.

“Why don’t you
ask Weaponsmaster Jilmis if we can go?” suggested Shona, “he can
only say no and we needn’t stay long.”

“We?”

“Course I’m
going too. Can’t let you face your father on your own. Look, you go
and get us both something to eat. I can smell the stew bubbling on
the cook fires and I’m starving. I’ll go and ask Jilmis.”

Shona leapt up
and was gone before Rilla could think of any objections.

Rilla hunted
out their mess tins and made her way to the cook fires. Shona was
right, he could only say no and she did so badly want to see Zilla
again, even if it was only for a quarter bell.

* * * * *

Rilla and
Zilla

Zilla was
outside getting some fresh air when she spied the two vadeln-pairs
approaching the inn at a run, that long loping run that ate up the
miles and for which the Lind were famous.

The inn had
been busy since Zak had left and they were short handed with half
the male servants and two of the female ones off to the war.

No Vada Ryzcks
had stopped by. They used the Supply Stations and Zilla knew that
there was one not far away to the west and another to the east.

She wondered
what the four wanted.

Perhaps the
Supply Station has run out. Oh I do hope so. I can ask about
Rilla.

They were
getting closer now and Zilla squinted her eyes to see the better.
Two women and definitely Vada. Hope rose within her as she realised
who they might just be. It couldn’t be Rilla herself could it?

Zilla moved
forward, stumbling in her eagerness to be the one to greet them.
One of the riders waved and Zilla cried out in delighted
surprise.

“Rilla. It
is
you.”

Zawlei came to
a skittering stop beside her and Rilla leapt down from his
back.

The two sisters
hugged. Zilla was crying and Rilla’s eyes were damp.

“I couldn’t be
so close and not come and see you,” said Rilla, “Lai’s wings, its
good
to see you after all this time.”

Shona stayed on
Danei’s back, “we don’t have long,” she warned Rilla. “Jilmis said
we should be quick.”

“I know, I
know,” Rilla answered as she looked round the courtyard. “Where are
Mother and Zak?”

“Zak’s gone
with the Militia,” Zilla answered. “Mother’s in some state worrying
about him, Hilla too.”

“Father?”

“Most
displeased. He got Zak an exemption but he didn’t take any notice
if it and went anyway. Why are
you
here? You’ve not
graduated yet surely?”

“When the Vada
goes to war the cadets do too,” Rilla answered, “except for the
very youngest and the beginners.”

“Mother will be
even more upset now. She thought you were safe at Vada.”

“No such luck,”
said Shona who was regarding the youngest triplet with interest.
Rilla is right, she is stunningly beautiful.
“Hi Zilla,” she
introduced herself, “pleased to meet you and this is my Danei.”

Zilla greeted
Danei with a low bow which Danei returned, whiskers twitching.

“Mother’s in
the kitchen helping cook,” said Zilla. “Father’s gone into town. If
you go through …”

Rilla was gone
leaving Zilla with Shona, Danei and Zawlei. The latter Zilla had
met before, that day, a year ago when he had taken her sister
away.

Zilla stood
undecided. Should she go to the kitchens or should she stay?

Zawlei stepped
towards her.

“I am pleased
to see you again Zilla,” he said, “last time …”

“Last time you
were in a rush to get away before Father tried to stop you, I
know.”

“Rilla and her
mother come here,” he said. He whuffled and grinned at her. “Wait
here with me.”

“You
will
look after her won’t you?” she asked. “Promise me that
you will.”

“I promise,”
said Zawlei and Zilla placed her small hand on his head, stroking
him behind the ears much as she stroked her pony Lightfoot.

The two girls
and their Lind left a scant half bell later, laden with bags of
savoury pastries that Zanda said would keep fresh for days.

Zilla and her
mother stood and watched them go.

“Another one to
worry about,” said a mournful Zanda. “At least you’re still here
little Zilla. You are a great comfort to me.”

Little did
Zanda know that Zilla had come to a decision about her future which
did not involve her sitting quietly at home while both her triplet
sisters went to war.

* * * * *

Isobel

Pierre, Duke of
Cocteau stormed into the family quarters of his castle in what
could only be described as a towering rage, shouting out
imprecations as he called for the servants.

The ladies,
Isobel included, heard and gazed at each other with
consternation.

“Whatever can
it be?” asked Duchess Anne as she laid her embroidery to one side.
“I’d better go and see otherwise he’ll be upsetting all the
servants and then goodness knows what’ll happen.” She was moving
towards the door. “Keep on with your work girls,” she added as she
exited to go and calm her husband.

“Wonder what’s
happened,” pondered Katia.

“Must be
something truly terrible,” added Isobel, catching Katia’s eye and
giggling. Even Anne joined in the laughter, her father frequently,
as her mother called it, ‘went off the deep end’ about various
matters, often trivial ones.

“If we’re very
quiet,” suggested Jennifer, “we’ll be able to hear what they are
saying. He certainly
sounds
furious.”

They bent over
their sewing again, but there was none of the light talk and banter
that had graced the solar before the Duke had returned.

Everyone was
‘all ears’ listening to what was being said. The Duke was doing
most of the talking or shouting to be more accurate and the Duchess
appeared to be struggling to get a word in.

“I always said
he was too young to be appointed Lord Marshall. My brother would
have been a far better choice. Some cock and bull story about
dragons in the north and others coming to attack us. A northern
plot, that’s what it is. Prince-Duke Xavier agrees with me. Peter
Duchesne wants me to fortify my borders and prepare the castle for
a siege. I ask you. No, we go to the manor as planned.”

“But …”

“I’m not
changing my plans. Anyway, the manor is defensible, it has a huge
moat. I’ll bring in some levies if it will make you feel better but
we’re not staying here during the summer heat just because Peter
Duchesne is in a panic.”

“The
Crown-Prince?” ventured Anne.

“Fool of a
Prince. He actually believes him. He’s bringing in the
Crown-Princess and the Princesses, says they’ll stay at Fort’s
Citadel until the crisis is over. Crisis. There’s no crisis, just
Peter Duchesne getting his pants in a knot. Man’s an idiot. No, we
go to the manor as we planned. You can start preparing the
household tomorrow.”

“If my nephew
says there is danger then there is,” Anne Cocteau argued. “And what
about Isobel?”

“She comes with
us. Paul wanted her at Fort but I refused. He’s recalled young
Elliot, not because of the crisis I may add, the King is becoming
very frail.”

“But …”

“No buts. She
comes with us. The manor is closer to Fort anyway. Easier to get
her there when Elliot does get back.”

He stormed off,
leaving a worried Anne standing alone. She turned and walked back
to the solar. “Ladies,” she announced, “I presume you heard what he
had to say. We go to the manor as planned.”

As Isobel got
ready for bed that night, she was sharing a room with Katia, she
made a comment about what they had overheard that evening.

“Looks like
I’ll be a married woman sooner than I thought but I wonder what all
the rest of it was about.”

“I haven’t any
more of a clue than you have,” said Katia, “but if Elliot is on his
way here then so is James. We were together such a short time.”

“I know,” said
Isobel, “perhaps you’ll get the chance to be alone when he returns.
You’ll have to return for my wedding day though.”

“Nothing could
stop me,” said Katia.

“Promise?”

“I promise,”
Katia replied as she gave Isobel a hug.

* * * * *

Danal and
Tala

Danal, Tala,
Philip, Derek and the four Lind, Asya, Inalei, Jilsei and Denei all
lay as quiet as vuz in the smallest cargo hold on Captain Rand’s
ship the
Armageddon
as she docked at Port Duchesne so that
Elliot, James and Robain could disembark. They were hoping that
they wouldn’t be required to stay there long. It was dark and dank,
the smells were unimaginable, especially for the Lind whose sense
of smell was very acute.

Their ears were
flicking with tension and twitched every time they heard one of the
small scurriers who infested all vessels dart past. They were
sitting as still and silent as they could.

Once Elliot and
the other two had disembarked they would sail east along the coast
until they reached the private wharf of a relative of Philip. Baron
James Ross held land right beside the water in the Duchy of
Graham.

Philip was
positive that his distant cousin would help them, especially as
Philip’s wife was from one of the ducal houses, and as one of the
Crown-Prince’s friends he had considerable influence within the
kingdom.

“James is my
wife’s uncle,” Philip was telling them all in a low voice. “We’ll
not get through without his help. That is why I have come with
you.”

“Philip has
royal connections,” teased Derek.

“Through
marriage only,” Philip corrected him.

“Everyone’s
connected to everyone here in Murdoch,” agreed Derek, “and Philip’s
family is an old one. The initial Ross Barony dates back to the
early years. Philip’s ancestor was one of Elliot the First’s
generals.”

“We’re a junior
branch,” said Philip, still being careful to keep his voice
low.

“What’s the
royal connection?” asked an interested Tala.

Philip thought
for a moment, “well, the easiest way to explain, my wife is the
daughter of the Duke of van Buren. He was married to Princess Mary,
sister of the Crown-Prince. I suppose I’m a kind of uncle to
Elliot, once removed. I wouldn’t presume. I was one of the Boy
Companions to Crown-Prince Paul.” Philip looked down at the dirty
deck. “I suppose I’ve not really left him since - until he asked me
if I’d take Elliot north.”