The Swans' War 1 - The One Kingdom (30 page)

Stale bread, old cheese, and cold meat were not Elise's idea of a meal, but at least she felt her hunger abating, and her mood lifted a little as well. She sat on the soft grass, dressed in clothes that were both dirty and torn, eating peas-

Alaan kept his eye fixed on the ridge above while they ate and said little. He might have talked confidently about what Hafydd and these others might do, but his vigilance said otherwise. He rose much too soon. Elise felt terribly weary and found her feet stiffly. For a moment she stared at her saddle, hesitating, and then Alaan came to help her up.” Only a few more hours. Tomorrow will be an easier day," he said. He stood staring up at her a moment, his manner very serious.” We don't do this for amusement, Lady Elise," he said softly.” If Menwyn and the Prince of Innes make an alliance, the Renné will respond. Among the noble houses there will be a scramble to take sides — they know the consequences of trying to remain neutral. War will come." He reached out and stroked Morn's nose.” You're concerned about those men who perished today. A battle will leave a thousand times that many dead. A thousand times!" He looked up at Elise again.” You are doing this to escape a marriage, but I am doing it to avoid a war, or at least delay one." "I am not running away, like some spoiled child, to avoid an unwanted marriage," she said coldly.” I would marry Prince Michael tomorrow, but I refuse to aid my family's desire to rekindle their feud. As a Wills I suppose I should not have been so shocked to see you set off to kill those men — or even to attempt to kill some myself — but I have lived a sheltered life. It might come as a surprise to you, but not every Wills is taught to slit throats on their fifth birthday."Alaan made a small bowing motion.” Of course. I apologize, Lady Elise. Occasionally I forget whose daughter you are." He bobbed his head again and stepped fluidly into his saddle.

They continued their descent, the trees changing as they went. Crossing a small meadow Elise turned to look back and was certain the hill did not appear so lofty. Where was the stone ridge? Was it hidden behind trees somewhere?

In the late afternoon they emerged from the forest onto the shore of a calm lake. They dismounted and watered their horses. Elise threw herself down on the grass.

"Tell me we're making our camp here this night___""You're asking me to lie." Alaan pointed down the lake to the opposite shore.” There is a small house in the trees. It is hard to see from the lake. We'll spend the night there.""Beneath a roof?"

"Yes, but there are no feather beds.""And what of Hafydd and the others?""No feather beds for them either." He smiled at her.” I think we're safe from them now, but just to be sure, I have a final trick to play. Can you swim?""I cannot."

"Not taught to slit throats. Not taught to swim. What did your family teach you?""I was taught hatred of our enemies, and from my father I learned to play the lute and sing. I have wonderful manners, and I can ride all day over any terrain. Oh, and I am a decent archer, though I've never shot at a target that had a beating heart."Alaan bowed his head.” It is an impressive enough education, I suppose. With a little luck, swimming won't be necessary."He led the way down a long bench above the lake and then down the slope to the water again. Here there was a small sandbar, and upon it a raft of logs was beached. Elise looked at this, and then out at the lake, which looked very deep and cold to her.

"Will we abandon our horses?" "No. They will have to come aboard." "They will not!" "Briss has done it before. Not happily perhaps, but without complaint." Alaan looked over at Elise's gray mare.” She has followed Briss everywhere else, let's hope she's not grown suddenly independent." "Or suddenly wise." Alaan had dismounted, but Elise would not leave her saddle.” The horses will upset the raft, surely, and then I'll drown!" Alaan met her eye and smiled, which seemed to have the same effect on her no matter what the danger. She felt her will soften a little.” If we founder I'll rescue you," he said.” I swear it." "And what of Morn?" "Horses can swim, though they might not know it. Don't worry about her." Alaan took a pole and levered the raft free of the beach, pushing it out a few feet into the water. He led Briss aboard. Elise did not like the way the raft rocked as the gelding surged aboard, but she dismounted anyway. Morn whickered anxiously. Alaan took the mare's head and coaxed her forward, but though she walked to the raft, she wouldn't step aboard. For some reason, Elise felt enormous satisfaction at this. But Alaan was not to be made a fool by a horse. He brought Briss near, then banished him to the raft's far side. Morn surged aboard, then stood, bracing her feet, too frightened to move. Alaan pulled Elise aboard and pushed them off. They were gliding swiftly out across the lake, the bottom falling quickly away. Elise looked down into the dark green waters, thinking of the great height of the ledge she had traversed. If she slipped here she would fall so slowly but just as far, down through the green slanting light, toward the inky waters that lay near the bottom. There she would sleep the dreamless sleep. But somehow she felt this would not be the end. She would be reborn in some way—the water would give her new life. Elise looked up and shook her head. If she survived this day, it would be a miracle.

ALAAN HAD LIT A FIRE IN THE HEARTH TO COOK THEIR MEAL. TApers burned on the broken mantelpiece, on dusty tabletops, and on sideboards. It was a rough little stone house, one great room and a single bedchamber. The walls had been crudely plastered and long ago washed over a chalky white. The roof beams lay exposed overhead, darkened by smoke, and these supported a tile shed roof visible from inside.

Elise stood at the door, gazing out toward the lake that was just visible through the trees—a pool of melted black glass. Stars and moon and opalescent clouds vied for the sky.

"This hidden land is a beautiful place," she said, not looking back at Alaan. She hugged herself against the cool air of the night.

"This land is not hidden. We're at the head of the Sweet-water Valley and will be riding through farmlands before noon tomorrow."Elise became still by the door.” The Sweetwater Valley is five days' ride from Braidon Castle.""Five days as others would ride it."She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the night, the small lapping of waves below, the house creaking as it warmed to the fire. Elise wondered if the lake would even be there when she woke in the morning.

Suddenly she saw a vision of a man lying still, high up above the valley, and his fellows running for their lives. Had that been her stone that had felled him? Had she killed someone to manage her escape? She remembered what Alaan had said: a thousand times that many would die in a battle. If the feud began again ... Menwyn had been right, curse him. Childhood has run its course, he'd said. It seemed that she had escaped her uncle but not his pronouncement. Childhood had run its course. She was a girl no more, and if she did not make decisions for herself, others would make them for her. She must write her own story, or it would go terribly awry: an unwanted marriage, isolation in the house of Innes, a broken, melancholy man for a husband. It was not the story she would choose. A hand came gently to rest upon her shoulder and neck, causing her to shiver.” My gratitude for what you've done has limits, Alaan," she said, fighting to catch her breath.” Don't presume too much." "Always better than presuming too little," he said, his voice touching her so that she shivered again. The hand didn't go away, and when she did not move, began to softly caress her neck Elise didn't open her eyes. It seemed that every fiber of her being was concentrated on the touch of Alaan's hand. She felt herself lean back and make contact with his chest. His other hand came to rest on her waist, the fingers splayed over the softness of her belly. He gently drew back her hair, and she felt soft lips touch the skin of her neck She wanted to let herself fall back, to let herself be overwhelmed by the wave of pleasure that surged through her. But instead she stepped forward, breathless, out onto the dark terrace where the light from the candles threw Alaan's shadow down on the stone floor. She wondered how long she would have to remain there to make her point, and how much she would regret it when she did.

In the morning they made their way down, all those who had survived. They'd spent the night in a narrow draw, unable to find the path Hafydd's whist had used to escape. The morning had revealed no more. Unless Elise and her abductor had climbed the sheer stone walls and pulled their horses up behind them, there was nowhere that they could have gone. Yet they were gone.

Prince Michael found the ledge no less daunting for having traversed it once—in fact, it was worse in some way. He knew what happened now if horses were spooked, as did the others. He could see that in their faces.

When he stepped back on the scree slope he tried to hide his relief. Down the loose rock and they would be in the trees again. Another half an hour. He was sure his nerve could last that long.

One horse did take a fall and a long slide, though not to the bottom, and it found its feet again. Otherwise, man and beast arrived at the bottom largely unscathed. They'd lost four men and three horses on the ledge, and had nothing to show for it but Hafydd in a silent, murderous rage.

He had climbed up the draw the previous night, pulled his sword from its sheath, and set it ringing once again, but this time his lodestone had pointed to solid rock—there was no passage, only the towering gray cliff. The Prince had never heard a man curse so, and Hafydd's own guards had scurried out of reach as their master took down a stunted tree with his blade.

Now the company rode under the trees in silence—hungry, tired, and unsettled. They had ridden through lands no one had ever seen, chasing a man who disappeared into stone. And that was not the end of it. When they came down into the valley bottom they emerged from beneath the trees onto cultivated fields, the land opening up, houses and barns scattered over the green.

"The Cloffen Wold!" a man near Prince Michael said, and then he swung down from his horse and touched the ground as though to be sure it was real.

The Prince spurred his horse out into the pasture and turned to look back up the hillside. The hill was forested to its crest. No cliff rose up, cold and forbidding, and no ledge snaked across the open sky.

Hafydd took out his sword again, to the consternation of all but his own guard. He stood on the grass, the company about him, and turned a slow circle, his blade extended and pointing slightly upward, his eyes closed. The sword began its high-pitched ringing again and Hafydd stopped, the sword pointing back toward the hill they had just descended.

"He is there. Farther off, but there," he said, and motioned for his horse.

"You cannot catch this man," the Prince of Innes said.” He is a sorcerer." He pointed up at the hill.” Look, Sir Eremon. Where are the cliffs we climbed this night? No, you will never catch this one.""You may come with me or no, your grace," Hafydd said, his jaw so tight that it was a wonder he could talk.” But I will have this man, and this girl, back. And when I catch him I will limb him myself and burn what's left. He will only escape me as smoke."The Prince of Innes was a man used to having his slightest suggestion taken as an order, but he remained remarkably civil, his son thought.” Our horses require feed; the men have not eaten since yesterday noon. We came unprepared for a long chase. We cannot start now for a few hours. Let's ride down to these houses and see what they can provide us."Beneath the skin, the muscles of Hafydd's jaw twitched. For a moment Michael was certain he would refuse—refuse the Prince of Innes.” Let us be quick," the knight said at last.” Our whist is flying as we speak."The path from the lake twisted down among rocks and trees, and in this way was like much of the land they'd ridden over the past two days—but these trees Elise knew. A falls plummeted over the cliff at the lake's foot, and after a glorious moment of flight, was transformed into a steeply flowing stream which dodged this way and that among the trees. They were a few hours descending, and then suddenly emerged at the head of a broad valley of irregularly shaped fields.

"We've not far to go now," Alaan said.

Elise nodded, and then wondered what he meant. Is this where he'd brought her to hide? So near her home?

A path followed the stream, which broadened and flowed sedately. Weeping willows and poplars overshadowed the path, wending along the watercourse. Elise swept through a curtain of branches and there found a man and woman lounging by the riverbank. Alaan greeted them warmly.

Traveling minstrels, Elise realized immediately. Her father's fame meant she had associated with such people all her life. Had envied them, in truth.

Since Menwyn had pushed her father aside, minstrels had been Lord Carral's only subjects. But then, few rulers were so loved by their followers as her father was by his eccentric, wandering people.

"This is Lady Elise, daughter of Lord Carral Wills," Alaan said as he helped her down, something he had done only once or twice the entire journey.” You will be joining this small troupe of minstrels," Alaan said to her, and smiled.” They'll take you south. This is Elffen, who will be your companion, and Gartnn, who will be your boatman when he is not forced to play his Faellute." He reached out and lightly touched Elffen's hand, and her gaze flicked up to meet his, then turned quickly away. She blushed with pleasure.

Rogue! Elise thought, and was, for the first time that day, pleased she hadn't succumbed to Alaan's advances the previous night.

Gartnn was a slightly scruffy man of middle years, who looked like he'd been squared off with an adze. He was gray haired, with a thick beard that seemed to radiate out from his mouth in wiggling lines of black, white, and gray. The smile that appeared at the center of this was a masterpiece of perfect white teeth and heavy pink lips.” Any daughter of Lord Carral Wills is welcome with us," he said.” We deem it an honor to serve him in any way we can." Elise thought Gartnn had the most musical voice she'd ever heard—rich and warm and resonant. If she had tried to imagine a man whom women would find irresistible, Gartnn was not the man she would have described, but she was quite sure Gartnn was well loved by all the women minstrels, and quite a few nobleman's wives and daughters as well. Elffen was Elise's opposite in color and shape. Dark haired and voluptuous, she had a hint of the Fael about her, and Elise wondered if this were not actually the case: a grandfather, perhaps, who'd been a black wanderer. She curtsied to Elise, though she didn't quite bend the knee enough and the act was too quickly performed. Elise wanted to ask Alaan where these minstrels would take her, but she was suddenly embarrassed to ask this question. The minstrels would think her a fool, coming along with Alaan, never knowing where she was going. Minstrels thought the nobility were weak-minded from intermarriage to begin with. Somehow she couldn't bear them thinking this of her—the daughter of Carral Wills.” Is this the best boat you could find?" Alaan asked, stopping to gaze at the craft pulled up on the grassy bank. Gartnn nodded seriously.” Boats are not so easily bought here. Most are needed for their purpose, and no boatwright could build us one in time." "Does she leak?" "A little, though she's taken up since she was launched and we've had to bail a little less each hour." Alaan stared at the boat a moment more, then turned to Gartnn.” Lady Elise carries a pouch of gold and jewels. If need be she can buy you another boat."Elise hadn't told Alaan about her father's parting gift!

Alaan turned to her, then bowed and took her hand, raising it to his lips. He lingered too long over that kiss, and met her eye too boldly when it was done.

"Every moment has been a pleasure, Lady Elise," he said.” Perhaps we'll visit the grotto together again, when we have leisure."Her bag was taken from Morn, and set beside the boat. Alaan was on Briss in a moment, his strong hands on the reins, calming him. He looked from one to the other of them.” May the river bear you swift and straight. Luck to you, Gartnn.""And where will you go?" Elise demanded, suddenly unwilling to be left with these strangers.

"I shall torment Hafydd a little longer, then I have some errands in the south. Don't be concerned: you are in good hands." There was the slightest smirk as he glanced at Gartnn, and then he turned his horse, took up Morn's reins, and went back the way they'd come. She listened to the sound of the horses passing along the bank and then they were suddenly gone, along some secret path, leaving her in the company of minstrels, as she had been all her life.