Exile to the Stars (The Alarai Chronicles) (80 page)

They
turned around and walked slowly toward Ethbar’s residence. Arm around Zimma’s
shoulders, Jeff said, “I have learned so much from the wolves. To them, there
is nothing in life that surpasses working for the common good of the pack. They
do not even think of themselves as separate entities or assign names. This is
all summed up in one phrase: we are one.”

Zimma
nodded and put an arm around his waist.

When
they entered the parlor, Helwin and Carl were conversing in a corner with their
heads nearly touching. Zimma murmured to Jeff, “I believe my tears were shared
by another if Helwin’s bear testimony.”

“This
has been a wonderful but trying morning,” Jeff commented. “My heart yearns that
she and Carl find one another before there are no more tears to cry.”

Cocking
her head as they walked, Zimma observed, “My eyes inform me they have done so,
or are well along that way.” Helwin and Carl’s lips met in a soft kiss. “A most
promising embrace, Jeffrey.”

Zimma’s
tone was so satisfied that Jeff was still chuckling when they stopped by Carl
and Helwin. Helwin smiled at Jeff through her tears.

“I
find that trials of the heart are more fearsome than those of the sword.”

There
was no need to reply. Jeff smiled back and was satisfied to admire her spirit
from a new more comfortable perspective. He also wanted to hug Helwin, but was
afraid he would hurt Zimma or Carl if he did so. Helwin leaned toward him, then
back.

“Oh,
for heaven’s sake!”

Carl
put a hand on their shoulders and shoved Jeff and Helwin together. It felt so
good to reaffirm their special love in each other’s arms that Jeff and Helwin
stood there with blissful smiles on their faces.

“What
a pair!”

“Yes,
and what a wonderful man you are, Carl Jorgenson. Come here.”
 
Zimma gave Carl a kiss that was no sisterly
affair.

Chairs
were starting to fill again, and Jeff released Helwin. Taking her arm and
Zimma, Carl’s, they strolled toward the fireplace. Jeff sat down next to
Helwin.

“I
want you to give our portion of the Telling.”

A
shot of panic flashed across Helwin’s face. “But Captain, it isn’t my place!
I’ll blow the damn thing right out the door!”

Snapping
his head around, Carl stared at Helwin in amazement. “Jeffrey, what have you
taught this woman?”

Jeff
grinned but did not divert his attention from Helwin. “Why not? Why isn’t it
your place to give the Telling?”

Panic
receded, leaving a stubborn set to Helwin’s mouth. “I have never addressed such
a group of people in my life, Jeffrey. It is your honor, you must give the
Telling.”

“I
have all the honor one man can tolerate,” Jeff replied with a vigorous shake of
his head. “You are an excellent leader, but must learn all of the
responsibilities that go along with being one. Besides, I’ve had to give so
many Tellings that I need a break. Let’s do it this way. I’ll make a short
speech to ease your way. The tale then becomes yours until our return, at which
point I have something that must be said. Don’t worry so! How many winter
stories have you heard? Is there an end to them? Recall some you admire and add
your own words. Piece of cake.”

Outmaneuvered,
her flank turned, Helwin resorted to panic again. She needed to walk it off but
Ethbar called the meeting to order. Winter tales! I must recall winter tales!
Helwin squeezed Carl’s hand so hard that he winced.

“Now
we must hear what transpired to the south. I say must, for my heart pleads
otherwise. This has been a difficult Telling, and I fear that which we are
about to hear promises no release.” Ethbar smiled down at Helwin and Jeff, then
Carl and Zimma. “What hope I have springs from the love and friendship that has
united four people this day—war’s sundering has not prevailed.” Ethbar motioned
Jeff forward.

Walking
over to the fireplace, Jeff put chin in hand. “There is no gainsaying that our
tale is strewn with terrible loss. Who would argue that war would have it
otherwise? Though surrounded by the warmth and comfort of friends, still I feel
the cold bitterness that took so many comrades. It must also be said that not
all our comrades were human, but wolves and horses as well. Helwin will recount
these events, for her part looms large. Lacking her courage we would not have
succeeded.”

Jeff
gave Helwin a hand to her feet, and whispered, “You’ll do fine, Lieutenant.” He
patted her hand and sat down. Carl stood up and raised Helwin’s hand to his lips.

“Knock
‘em dead, kid.”

The
insouciant grin on his face banished stage fright. Helwin leaned down to touch
lips.

“Thanks,
lover, this is a tough one.”

There
was no need to wait for silence when she arrived at the spot that had become
the Station of Telling.

“My
captain has given me this honor, and I will strive to do it justice. My courage
notwithstanding, all would have come to naught without his leadership.”

She
stood silent with bowed head for some time, calling those bitter months back
from memory’s graveyard. Beginning with the decision to head south, Helwin
briefly recounted the forming of the Alemanni First Cavalry. She then led them
on the southward journey and their contact with the caravan. As she counted the
wains, packhorses, foot soldiers and cavalry, her eyes grew distant. Within
minuets she was there again, crouched on top of a hill far to the south.

Jeff
glanced around and noted expressions of amazed consternation at the caravan’s
size. Had it won through to Rugen, the siege would not have been broken. As the
winter’s running battle unfolded, Zimma put her arm around Jeff’s waist and
laid her head on his shoulder. Their march to the forest hit Jeff hard. As
Helwin chanted out the deaths of horses and warriors, he started shivering and
couldn’t stop until Zimma pulled him against her.

“…And
so we returned through fields of dead to the loving warmth of friends and hope
renewed.”

At
the story’s conclusion Carl leaped to his feet and escorted Helwin to her seat.
She wished to be held and they did not sit down at once. Jeff patted her
shoulder on the way by.

“That
was a Telling to be proud of.”

Ethbar
had returned to the fireplace but gave way when Jeff approached.

“I
won’t be long, Ethbar.”

“Take
whatever time is required. I perceive that what remains to be said is
important.”

Jeff
didn’t reply, but his expression was ineffably sad. Ethbar moved off a few
steps and waited with crossed arms. A truth was about to be revealed.

“A
spirit has passed from this world to the next.” Jeff paused and looked at the
floor. Not now. Don’t lose it now. “His passing will never be forgotten, for he
gifted me with insight and bequeathed a cherished possession in remembrance of
failed enmity.”

Reaching
into a pocket, Jeff held up the curved-stem pipe. Extracting the pouch, he
dipped the pipe inside and tamped sindar weed into the bowl.

“He
was an enemy, was Lingol Bollit, but I came to understand that he did not hate
me. A Salchek officer, he was a man of honor who fulfilled his duty to the
death. And yet, though I was the instrument of his death, he did not hate me.”

Rengeld
watched Jeff slowly, somberly, fill the pipe and felt something well up that he
thought had been lost forever. A great wave of emotion brought him to his feet
and attention. A true comrade at arms had passed on, leaving a hole in the
world. An instant later, Helwin joined him.

Dropping
to a knee, Jeff pried a splinter of wood from a log and let it ignite in the
fireplace. “We have sung his spirit to rest, we have seen a bright light streak
across the heavens, I have breathed smoke from his gomwok to the winds. Lingol
Bollit, I salute and thank you for your gift of understanding.” The burning
splinter descended to the pipe bowl. As before, Jeff drew deeply and exhaled.

To
Jeff, Helwin and Rengeld, it was as if a door opened and they were in the
presence of Lingol Bollit. Distant yet imminent, he bowed, flashed a cocky grin
and the door closed with a gentle sigh. Carl knew something had occurred, could
feel it, saw the desperate sadness in Helwin as she fought back tears. He
glanced at Rengeld and looked again. A large tear rolled down his cheek.

Ethbar
was the first to move. Awaiting truth, he had not been prepared for its
realization. While he had sensed no presence, he understood they had been
visited.

“This
has been a wondrous Telling. Wonder fills my heart that Jeffrey and Carl should
come among us when they did, and as they did. I wonder at forces beyond my
understanding that have brought us all together. As in the past, I am reminded
that chance had no part. Our fate, one and all, is in the hands of the gods.”
He paused until Jeff emptied the pipe and returned to his seat.

“The
festival celebrating Rugen’s delivery will occur in seven days. The essence of
what has been said and experienced here today must be conveyed to all that
attend. They must understand the sacrifice and suffering that has been endured
in saving their city.” Ethbar raised his arms in a sweeping gesture. “They must
understand that what has been done may be done again, and so be sustained in
whatever dark hours may be their due in seasons to come.”

Jeff
and Helwin left for the Alemanni encampment the following day, accompanied by
Zimma and Carl. Although still quite thin, Cynic was making a good recovery and
insisted on going. Jeff could see he was chaffing at being cooped up and
agreed, but saddled another horse and let Cynic run free.

As
soon as they were out of the city, Cynic went charging after Balko and the two
of them disappeared over the hill. When the foursome trotted over the crest,
Carl pulled Sam to an abrupt halt.

“Oh,
shit!”

Balko
was almost on them and running flat out with Cynic giving it all he had a short
way behind. Balko whizzed by like a blur, but Cynic was no wolf and thundered
by with pounding hooves and only feet away from a head-on collision. Zimma’s
mare, Pella, reared in fright and tried to bolt. Zimma had no more than settled
her down when Balko and Cynic roared back over the hill and chased each other
around the horses.

“Wolf-brother!
Horse-brother! That is enough! You will stay ahead of us from now on! Is that
clear?”
Wolf and Horse slid to a halt.
“You are far
from recovered, horse-brother, and should you become ill from these exertions I
can assure you of harsh words and long days in the stable. Now get out of here
and keep it clean!”

Suitably
chastened, the two friends trotted into the forest. Jeff watched them go with a
shake of his head. He knew their pursuit games would start again the minute
they were out of sight.

Balko
and Cynic arrived at the Alemanni camp long before their companions. As a
result, the place was buzzing with excitement when they rode in. As expected,
it wasn’t long before the beer barrels were rolled out and the meeting hall set
up for dancing. The warriors had never seen such a small woman and gathered
around to be introduced to Zimma. The Alemanni women were as intrigued as the
men.

Although
Zimma was used to men towering over her, she felt intimidated by the giant size
of the women. Helwin was taller than most of them, but there were so many. She
felt like a girl, and got a crick in her neck trying to see their faces.
However, it wasn’t long before she realized they had many interests in common.
Their questions about her hair were so open and excited that she shook it out
so they could play with it. Not to be outdone, the men waited their chance and
spun Zimma into the dancing. Later that evening they sneaked away to enjoy some
quiet time together.

“It
appears that you and Gurthwin gave the Salchek no rest, Halric.”

Much
thinner and more severe in appearance, Halric’s good humor had not suffered.
“How we stung them, Jeffrey! We took your counsel to heart and plagued them
unceasingly. Never will I forget the night we finally broke upon them in all
our fury, scattering Salchek like leaves before the tempest! It was most
difficult to withdraw as planned.”

Gurthwin
was content to study Zimma and Jeff, then Carl and Helwin. He smiled secretly
from time to time and every so often chuckled with great satisfaction. The
Rugen contingent, including Helwin, left the following morning after inviting
everyone in camp to the festivities.

The
foul weather broke, and all greeted the season’s first clear and sparkling days
with great relief. At Carl’s insistence, prisoners were put to work burying and
burning decomposing bodies outside city walls. That accomplished, prisoners not
of Salchek origin were released to find their way home to Astholf or Khorgan.
Before they departed, each prisoner was supplied with a dowry of food and the means
of defense. Although there were less than a hundred Salchek prisoners, their
disposition proved troublesome.

Rengeld
agreed with Jeff that the enlisted men and junior officers should be released.
The number of enlisted was small enough to make no difference as combat
elements in an army, and the officers were inexperienced. It was the six senior
officers, two of general grade rank, which posed the problem. They understood
every feature of the land surrounding Rugen, had taken the city’s measure, and
knew how to exploit it. That, Rengeld observed, posed a danger.