Embers of a Broken Throne (13 page)

“Not possible,” Trucida said. “We have many in need of mending, and kinai and fleshberries are essential to my tinctures.”

Stefan scratched at his beard. “Then we’ll have to brave it. Perhaps a Dagodin cohort and a few Forgers? Not to mention that a path will need to be cleared for the future.”

“Ancel should be a part of the group,” Ryne said. “And Irmina. Her skill at taming might come in handy. I’d suggest the Seifer and Nema also.”

Stefan nodded grudgingly. The others agreed.

“As for our next move, we should consolidate our strength,” the elder Dorn said. “On our way here I sent word to my Banai connections. I’m awaiting their answer.”

“What do you plan to do about the Astocans and the Cardians?” Edsel asked.

“Jerem went to speak to this Queen Lina the Everlasting.” Stefan was frowning. “Considering how close he was with Galiana, I trust him. At worst the Cardians and Astocans might end up fighting each other. That gives enough time for the Banai to show where they stand. I’ve also sent to the Harnan by way of the Svenzar. They will spare what they can. Sooner or later the Tribunal will send its forces out from Felan. They know our choices of safe haven are limited to here and Svenzar territory. I want to be ready for them.”

“Speaking of the Felani,” Edsel said, as he poured himself a drink, “tell me you didn’t have those banners out for all to see when you crossed the Cogal Drin.”

“We did,” Ancel answered. “Why?”

Edsel leaned back and shook his head. “Because the Felani have Envoys at various outposts within those mountains. They’ve been there for years, following old legends that said the Setian would one day return.”

“I guess we have a problem, then.” Every gaze shifted to Ancel. “When Ryne and I went after the last batch of shadelings, mine were at an outpost we passed a few miles from where we met your men. Of the three hunters there, only one survived, a Felani named Kester Merin.”

Edsel leaned forward, his single eye intense. “Tell me he’s with you or dead.”

Ancel shook his head. “The last I saw of him he was on horseback, galloping away for all he was worth.”

“How much time do we have?” Stefan directed the question to Edsel.

“A few days, possibly a week at most. Like I said, Kester’s an Envoy. As soon as the chance presents itself, he’ll be sending a message through to a Herald.”

The room became silent. Ryne could picture what followed, as could all of them. Ashishins and Dagodins being marshaled, most likely with Varick at the helm, and High Shins opening portals to Benez. Except a chance existed to stop any Materialization. He had to find a way to introduce it without drawing suspicion to himself.

“First we must determine the places where they can breach the city by portal,” Stefan said, lips pursed. “Do we have any up to date maps of the city?”

“We do,” Edsel confirmed, “but the Tribunal’s forces won’t be able to Materialize into the city.” The old man let his words hang, looking to each man. Ryne allowed himself the same puzzled expression as everyone else. “One of the first things Jerem showed my Forgers were the wards the Shadowbearer had set in place to prevent anyone from opening portals directly into the city. All we need to do is reactivate them.”

“That makes the situation a lot more manageable.” Stefan smiled to match Edsel’s grin.

As they waited for the maps, Stefan questioned Edsel concerning the forces currently in the city. He also sent for the other Exalted, Irmina, Quintess, a few prominent High Shins, and whomever else Edsel said led the Setian Forgers. He also asked for the brightest Setian Dagodins with potential to lead cohorts.

Watching the display, some of Ryne’s doubts dwindled. A hint of madness and grief still hovered in Stefan’s eyes and his aura, but the man had finally found something else at which to throw himself.

C
hapter 17

A
ncel left the castle, accompanied by Ryne, Irmina, and Mirza. His father and the other men stayed behind to catch up on old times. Throughout the journey he’d worried over his people on a daily basis. Here in the city, despite the chance of a threat, the tension he experienced had eased from him like the sun burning away morning mist. With its departure he’d also noticed Irmina more.

He tried to avoid looking at her now and instead pictured what it would be like to finally hold her in his arms later. Playing in her hair while she lay on his chest was a joy he missed. So was their lovemaking. His cheeks and loins grew warm. In order to dispel the thought he surveyed the city and its dark ruins.

Already the plans they developed inside were taking shape. Torchlight flickered off helmets and armor as the occupied sections of the city showed the activity of men preparing for a possible attack. Radiant pools flickered across the walls where additional guards and Matii took up positions. The highest towers within the city held lookouts. Seifer and Nema scouts teamed with Setian daggerpaw handlers to patrol any areas they thought vulnerable.

“So you say Benez’s zyphyl was already gone?” Ancel asked Irmina.

“Yes. Exalted Leukisa claims the Tribunal removed it soon after the Shadowbearer War.”

He’d been hoping Irmina could recruit another one of the beasts to their side. With the creature gone, it also left them open to attacks from any enemy who could traverse the Travelshaft. At least the one she possessed would warn them of incoming Forges. “How are they protecting the entrance?”

“A full cohort of Forgers, another of Dagodin, and two made up of archers.” Irmina nodded toward a number of green clad Setian with longbows. “They also have several ballistas loaded with specially imbued stones that explode on impact, flinging liquid fire in every direction. Not to mention a deep pool of pitch spreading from the shaft’s entrance out several hundred feet.”

“Hydae’s Flames,” Mirza muttered.

“In this case that would be appropriate.” Irmina smiled grimly. “One thing I can say for them is that they’re efficient and prepared.”

“Good.” Ancel snapped a brief look toward the Cogal Drin Mountains looming behind them. “It’s more likely they will attack from up there like my father said, but at least we would have ample warning.”

“You know, I’ve been thinking about that,” Mirza said. “If this Knight Commander is as smart as Stefan and Ryne claim, then I’m willing to wager he’ll do what no one expects.”

Ancel eyed Ryne. Almost everyone had been surprised the giant Eztezian knew this Knight Commander Varick well. He said he considered the man a friend. “What do you think, Ryne? Any ideas?”

“The same one I presented inside.” Ryne strode with one arm on his sword hilt. Torchlight flickered off the Etchings covering his arms and armor. “Varick will come straight through the Netherwood.” Not a bit of doubt colored his reply.

When Ryne had mentioned his opinion, everyone had disagreed. Edsel explained the abnormal size and ferocity of the creatures that called the Netherwood home, but Ryne had been steadfast in his assessment. Even when Stefan had insisted that Varick would try the pass
because
Matii guarded it. Father quoted
the Disciplines
as his reason.
It is better to fight the enemy with whom one is familiar.
Ryne hadn’t budged.

Although he had his reservations, Father had ordered lookouts to be set on the Netherwood’s outskirts in conjunction with several Matii, handpicked by Quintess and Ordelia. Each Matus chosen could read the message maps. The use of the maps had been Mirza’s idea. Everyone had forgotten about them. With some tinkering Trucida found a method to remove the map’s connection to the others around Denestia.

“After giving it some thought, and after looking at the maps, I agree with Ryne.” Expression troubled, Mirza was staring down toward the walls and the broken gates. They would need to get those repaired as soon as possible.

“Explain,” Ancel said.

“Well, Edsel mentioned it earlier … the fastest way to attack the city.”

“Materialize directly here.” Ancel mulled over what he remembered of the conversation and his knowledge concerning Materialization. He let his mind roam, assessing the problem as they strode down the avenue.

Soldiers continued to flow by, carrying supplies of one sort or another. On several occasions Matii bypassing them recognized Irmina and dipped their heads. Dagodins in uniforms who must have picked out the double set of crossed swords on Mirza’s lapel put fists to heart. Ancel smiled. It felt good to be ignored for a change. Several daggerpaw patrols went by, the smell of the animals thick in the night air. In the midst of his musing, the missing bits of conversation surfaced.

“First they would have to know the place to even attempt it,” he said. “And that doesn’t account for the wards.”

“Many among the Tribunal’s forces are as old as your father, so we can be pretty confident they not only have maps, but know this city and the wards,” Mirza said.

“From the look on your face you don’t think that’s going to stop them.”

“Delay them a bit, maybe. Stop? No. If I were this Varick I’d go after the wards. They’re imbued within the walls.”

Ancel nodded as understanding bloomed. “And the fastest way to them would be to come through the Netherwood. We have to warn my father.”

“It won’t make a difference,” Ryne said.

Ancel snapped his head in Ryne’s direction, eyes narrowing.

“Your father is already set in his ways. I think he’s done as much as he can with what he has.” Ryne gestured out toward the city and its shadowy ruins. “He’s kept some of the strongest Forgers closest to and atop the walls. I will be honest. If Varick’s forces can breach the Netherwood, they will take this city.”

Ancel growled in frustration. It was pointless to have sacrificed so much, come this far, only to lose.

“There is something you can do,” Ryne said.

“What?” He was willing to try almost anything.

“Have Irmina tame some of the Netherwood’s beasts.”

“
What
?” Despite his surprise Ancel stopped to think. He turned to Irmina, the spark of an idea growing. “Can you—?”

“No, I can’t.” She shook her head. “Remember when I tried to tame Charra?”

“But he’s different, he’s a—” Ancel stopped himself. He still needed to keep Charra’s secret. Not only because of everyone’s possible overreaction, but also something about his pet said he must. “Just trust me.”

“I do trust you, but most creatures in Ostania are incredibly difficult to tame.” Irmina glared in Ryne’s direction. “When he had Sakari set a rockhound on me I had difficulty taking the beast.”

Shocked, Ancel regarded Ryne, the image of a rockhound from one his books coming to mind. Made of sediment and stone like the Svenzar and Sven whose territories most of the beasts called home, rockhounds were larger than the average wolf and known for their loyalty and determination. The books said a rockhound did not stop until it killed its prey.

The big man shrugged. “She was being a nuisance.”

“So you set a rockhound on her?”

“I had seen the way she controlled the eagles she had,” Ryne said. “I knew she was going to be fine.”

Ancel gave an exasperated shake of his head. “Whatever.” He turned to Irmina once more. “Seeing that you did manage, I think we should at least give it a try.”

She opened her mouth to speak, stopped, and then said. “A day, and then that’s it.”

“Well,” Mirza said, “while you two are off playing with animals I’ll speak to the Seifer and the Nema, have them scout out the forest’s edge for the most likely places to break through.”

In the process of nodding his assent Ancel noted a soldier approaching them, the telltale crimson of the uniform under his cloak identifying him as one of their Dagodins. White hair spilled around his hood. The man stopped before them and bowed

“Speak, Dagodin Hassan,” Irmina said, her tone formal.

“We located the ones you sought,” Hassan said. “We’ve taken their families to them and came to find you as requested.”

A smile lit up Irmina’s face

Ancel tilted his head to one side. “What families?”

She was grinning now. “Why, the ones brought here by the Pathfinders, of course.”

“Really?”

“Yes. You must have sensed the tension around here. I had to do something. Besides,” she added, turning to Mirza, her eyes twinkling, “I wanted to find your mother.”

Mirza’s mouth went slack.

“Well,” Irmina said, placing one hand on her waist, “say something.”

“Hydae’s Flames,” he whispered.

They all burst out laughing.

Ancel clapped his friend on the back. “Imagine that, Mirz, she finds your mother and those are your first words.”

“I, I should go to her.” A tear trickled down Mirza’s cheek.

“Hassan, take your Lieutenant to his mother,” Irmina said.

Feeling as if he should be there with his best friend, and remembering the pain in Mirza’s face every time he spoke of his mother, Ancel made to follow. Irmina’s hand on his arm stopped him. She shook her head. He understood. Mirza would be better off savoring this special moment alone. Chest swelling at the idea of his friend’s happiness, Ancel watched him hurry after the Dagodin.

“Well I almost couldn’t ask for a better way to end the day,” he said. “It’s as good a time as any to get some rest.” He nodded to Ryne. The man had been a little distant since entering the city, even more so within the castle. “Are you really going to try what you said inside?”

“Yes. I want to scout out Varick’s forces myself and see if I can sway him.”

“You think he would listen?” Ancel certainly hoped he could avoid more bloodshed for now, particularly from a potential enemy who might not realize who was behind his actions.

“He will listen. What he will do then is something I do not know.” Grim determination reflected in Ryne’s features.

“Fair enough.”

Irmina coughed. “You’re asking after everyone else but me.” Her hand snaked around Ancel’s arm.

“This … is where I take my leave,” Ryne said.

Blushing, Ancel made to reply but the giant was already striding down an alley. Ancel sighed. “Before we get distracted, I need you to do something.”

“Anything.” Irmina’s lips curved into a sly smile.

“Seriously.”

“I am serious.”

“Fine,” he said, suppressing a grin. “There’s a man, Gavril Cortens, an old Banai friend of my father’s. Jerem said he holds some sway in the Banai courts. You must still have contacts from when you were a Raijin. Have them find him for me, let him know who I am and that I request a meeting.”

“I’ll see it done before morning. By the way,” she added, growing serious. “I meant to ask you … did Jerem ever tell you that Quintess was a Listener, that the netherlings know of some place called an Entosis? It’s supposed to be important. Apparently they also intended for you to be taught so you could destroy the Chainins.”

“Yes. I had forgotten about the conversation. It’s no longer a concern. Not with the netherlings locked behind the Vallum. As for the Chainins, I told you I will do as needed to prevent their use by the enemy.”

“And this Entosis? What is it?”

“We can speak on it another day.”

“Fine.” Her hand slid around his waist, “I don’t want to be forward, but—”

“You don’t?” He inhaled her scent.
Bellflowers
, he thought, and wondered how she could smell so good after a long day.

“Not at all, but it’s been weeks since we last …”

Ancel’s face grew warm. He recalled a time when mention of bedding a woman held no qualms for him. Except when it came to Kachien and Irmina. The thought of Kachien brought on a brief sense of melancholy.

“What?” Irmina squeezed his arm. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, not at all.” He quickly made himself perk up. “I was just thinking about everything we’ve endured so far. Anyway, forget about all that. You were saying something about being forward.”

When she opened her mouth to speak, he kissed her, long and hard. She came away breathless, eyes shining in the torchlight.

“Why do you think I said the day
almost
couldn’t end any better?” He held her close, feeling every curve, the heat of her body, his manhood ready for the occasion. “You can tell me more about it when we’re in bed.”

“I’ll do better. I’ll show you.”

He grinned and led her to the house set aside for them. For tonight, he would put his concerns behind him. It had been too long since he had some enjoyment.