To Darkness Fled (58 page)

The wall stood three levels high topped with another three levels of spiked black iron fence. It arched out from the cliff in a wide half circle, encasing the vast, grassy bailey.

Soaked orange and silver checkered banners sagged from the top of each tower. Achan smiled at the cham bears emblazoned on each standard. He'd never seen a real one, and now with a war brewing, and his planning to journey south, he wondered if he ever would.

Far ahead, at the front of the line, Sir Gavin led the men under the portcullis and into the outer bailey, like a long line of garland. Would Mitspah have room for them all?

Once inside the bailey, Sir Caleb reined his horse around. "Your Highness, you and Vrell meet Sir Gavin at the inner gatehouse. Inko and Kurtz, come with me."

Sir Caleb rode off where the soldiers were milling in a group. "We will camp in the bailey," he yelled. "Pitch your tents along the curtain wall on the right. Their stables aren't large enough for all our horses, so tether your animals along the moat. Some guards are coming to set up a makeshift pen."

All around, men dismounted and unsaddle their horses. The clinking of iron chain turned Achan's head back to the inner gatehouse. The portcullis was rising.

Achan nudged Dove across the grassy bailey to the inner gatehouse where Sir Gavin and Sir Eagan had stopped their horses on the drawbridge.

Sir Gavin waved his hand overhead. "Achan, Vrell, you'll accompany us inside."

The quaint inner courtyard had more flowers than the temple gardens in Sitna. Ivy and moss wrapped around stone arches that led who knew where. Water seemed to drizzle over every inch of the castle walls, and mist filled the air--not foggy, like the Evenwall, but wet, like a spray of rain. The keep stood at the end of the courtyard. The entrance, two large board and batten doors, looked unnatural against all the nature.

"Little Cham!" a low voice called out from behind Achan.

Shung Noatak ducked under an archway in the courtyard.

Achan dismounted, smiling broadly. "Hello, Shung! When did you arrive?"

Shung tackled Achan in a bear hug. "Three days past."

Achan patted Shung's back. The Charmice tails on Shung's jerkin tickled his hand. "How was
Koyukuk
's wedding?"

"Fine celebration. You honor him to ask."

Sir Gavin dismounted. "Delighted to see you, Shung."

"You need Shung's sword?"

Sir Gavin chuckled. "That we do, Shung. That we do."

A man in a long brown cape stepped through the double doors. He had stringy brown hair, a close-cropped beard, broad shoulders, and the gate of a soldier. His robe puffed as he descended the steps, and Achan glimpsed a sword at his side. Achan rested his hand on the grip of
Eagan
's Elk.

Two men in orange tunics scurried behind the man in brown. One looked to be in his forties, the other, just a boy.

Strays.

The man in brown stopped by Sir Gavin's horse. "I'm Atul, Lord Yarden's steward. Our
men'll
put up yer horses 'n' bring yer things inside. Lord Yarden awaits yeh there."

Sir Gavin walked up to Atul. "Where is Winze?"

"Winze fell ill two weeks back. Lord Yarden granted him a leave 'n' the country 'til he recovers."

The stray man approached Dove and unhooked the saddlebag. When he got it free, he set it on the grass, then stepped toward Sir Eagan's horse.

The stray boy--about Sparrow's age, rail thin with choppy brown hair and freckled cheeks--patted Dove's nose.

"This one looks just like Dove, don't he?" The boy twisted around to the elder stray, but the man kept his head down and lugged Sir Eagan's saddlebag over to Sir Gavin's.

"Cole!" Atul slapped the boy's ear. "Shut yer yap and do yer job!"

Cole cowered and lifted both arms in front of his face.

Achan lunged between Atul and Cole. "It's all right." He gripped the back of Cole's neck and drew him into a one-armed hug, all the while staring Atul down. "This
is
Dove. A gift from Sir Eric Livna."

Atul's thick eyebrows scrunched into one bushy stripe over his eyes. "Sir Eric give away his father's horse? Why'd he do that?
Somethin
' happen?"

Achan swallowed and searched for Sir Gavin.

The knight was halfway to the door of the stronghold. "Come along, Your Majesty. We'll convey our message and intent to Lord Yarden."

"O' course yeh will." Atul sidestepped Achan, then hurried ahead and opened the door before Sir Gavin reached it.

Achan inspected Cole's ear and found it red and swollen. "Are you all right?"

"Cole!" The older stray had taken the reins to Sir Gavin and
Eagan
's mounts and was leading them across the courtyard. "See to the other horses."

"Yes, sir." Cole stepped away from Achan.

"Your Highness?" Sir Eagan stood in the open doorway at the top of the steps.

Achan needed to go inside. Lord Yarden would be waiting, though he hated to leave Cole. Long before Achan had known his true identity, he had considered fleeing to Mitspah to escape his own cruel fate. Had he come here, he and Cole might have been subject to the same masters.

Achan reluctantly headed for the entrance to the Mitspah stronghold. A shadow flanked his on the grass and he turned to see Shung one step behind him. Achan smiled and fell into step beside his new Shield.

They passed into a narrow hallway with a low ceiling he could easily touch without fully extending his arm. The castle smelled strongly of mildew and dogs. Atul led them over a wet stone floor covered in soggy rushes to the end of the hall and up a spiral stairwell that Achan guessed to be the rear tower.

On the second floor, they walked down a hall and passed a half dozen open doors to a great hall on the right. At the end of the hall, Atul opened a door on the left and they entered a warm receiving room, blanketed in damp tapestries.

A thin man with a face like a possum slouched on a throne-like chair opposite the door. He had fine grey hair, a large nose, and beady black eyes. Twin dogs--as big as colts--flanked the chair with better posture than their master. They were beige, with short fur and black faces.

Achan reached out to the one on the left.
Hey, boy.
The dog's eyes shifted to Achan's, his jaw dropped, he licked his mouth, and shifted.

Atul closed the door. "Your Highness, this here's Lord Yarden, Lord of Mitspah."

Lord Yarden nodded, slowly. His version of a bow? "I am relieved to see you well. We hear rumors, but facts come to me so late. Only two weeks have passed since word of this treachery with Lord Nathak reached me. I feared the worst."

Achan didn't want to do the talking, but it was time he started speaking for himself. "I'm well, Lord Yarden, though we do come bearing great sorrow."

"Go on," Lord Yarden said.

"While we were at Lytton Hall, Esek Nathak, the traitor prince, murdered Lord Livna."

Lord Yarden jumped to his feet. "What? How?"

"Stabbed during the dinner celebration."

"In front of witnesses? This is outrageous!" Lord Yarden said. "My poor, dear sister. What happened? Did they duel?"

Trust you to not to mince words, Your Highness,
Sir Caleb said.

Achan had merely wanted to speak. He hadn't bothered to think of what he should say.
I'm not as flowery as you, Sir Caleb.

Clearly, just don't forget compassion.

Achan chastened himself and went to his knees before Lord Yarden's throne. "The fault is mine entirely. Esek sought to kill me, but Lord Livna would not give me up. A servant boy was also lost that night--to poison intended for me."

Lord Yarden set a hand on Achan's shoulder. "Do not kneel before me, Your Highness, please. Esek is a traitor."

Achan looked up. "Still, I feel quite responsible."

"A concern you must push aside, Your Majesty. Had you been staying here, I would not have forsaken you either. Blame no one but that murderous fool who thinks he's king."

Achan stood, and Lord Yarden eased back into his chair, eyes downcast.

"Would you be willing to join us as we stand against him?" Sir Gavin asked. "He hunts us now. We do not wish to put your people in harm's way."

"I'd fight that cur even if no one else was! My son will want to fight as well. We are not many, but we'll stand with you." He turned to Atul. "Prepare rooms for the prince and his men, Atul, and arrange a feast."

"Right away, m' lord." Atul jerked his head in a quick nod and strode from the room.

* * *

Vrell sat at the back of the great hall with Kurtz, as she had in Tsaftown, assigned to entrance duty. Achan and the knights had been seated at the high table, though Achan, Shung, and Sir Caleb were standing, appearing to argue with Lord Yarden.

Cole, the young stray who'd taken care of their horses, stood against the wall, face pale. Since all three minds in her party were shielded, she looked through the boy's mind to listen in and found him filled with excitement, hope, and...dread?

The prince's nostrils flared. "I appreciate your gift, Lord Yarden, but no more innocents will die from my cup. Perhaps I could make use of Cole as a
stableboy
, as I have no one to help me with my horses."

Yes. Hope surged through Cole. He could do that, for sure. He could take care of Dove. He dared not hope this could be true. That he could serve the prince--a kind one too.

Lord Yarden looked down his huge nose at Cole and shrugged. "I care not what you do with the stray. I just don't want to see you poisoned, especially under my roof. I've done what I could to prevent it. You just take note of that."

"Shung will drink and eat for the little cham." The Shield banged a fist to his chest. He seemed almost eager to take some poison as if to prove he were strong enough to withstand it.

Cole wished he were as brave, but he'd heard rumors that a boy had died in Tsaftown, drinking from his Majesty's cup.

The prince glared at Shung. "I will not allow it."

Vrell shook her head and withdrew. Men. Achan stood no chance of negating Shung. When that's man's mind was made up...look out. At least people would think twice before challenging Achan with Shung at his side. Vrell smiled. Achan now had his own Shield, and, apparently, a horse boy.

To Vrell's relief, she did not have to make small talk with Kurtz. He poured all his attention on the blonde woman seated to his right, even feeding the lady food off the tip of his knife. Vrell tried to distract herself, but his overt declarations were hard to ignore.

"Arman give you health and joy, beautiful lady. He favors me tonight with your company, He does."

The lady batted her eyes and twirled her finger around a lock of her golden hair. "I apologize for the absence of my husband. He is a sailor aboard the Brierstar."

"He's a fool to leave you, he is." Kurtz leaned so close he may as well kiss the woman. "
I
would never. For if I turned my back on such a pretty face as yours, surely I'd die, I would."

The woman's cheeks flushed. "You flatter me, my lord."

"I love you, I do. Have mercy on my bleeding heart, eh?"

Vrell bit into her roll to hold her tongue.

The lady giggled. "Do not forget, good knight, I am married. Please do not ask anything of me that would soil the honor of myself or my lord husband."

Sir Kurtz lowered his voice. "Nothing would keep me from serving you all my life."

Vrell rolled her eyes. Dinner had long since ended, but Lord Yarden's wife liked to tell stories. Vrell had eaten in this hall before. All were forced to endure Lady Rubel until her husband ended it or she got so full she needed to lie down.

Unfortunately, Lord Yarden never seemed to tire of hearing the same tale time and again. Perhaps it was Lady Rubel's low, silky voice or the fact that her curvy figure drew even Vrell's attention. The woman had Chuma heritage; that could not be argued. Her black hair hung lustrous against her olive skin. She rambled on and on about how they had ordered cranberry wine but the spicy clove wine had come instead.