Fire And Ice (Book 1) (48 page)

             
“Are we that far south?” Coran asked in alarm. 

             
“No, they’re that far north,” came the answer from the Captain.  “West by northwest!” 

             
“West by northwest, aye.”

             
Without glancing at him Treska explained, “they have the wind right now, but if we can pass west of them they won’t be able to catch us.”

             
Coran had to trust the man since he didn’t understand what he had just been told.  He was curious about something though.  “Why are we running from the Ithanians?  Last I checked we were on friendly terms. ”

             
“I forgot, you have been out of touch,” Treska began.  “The legions of Ithan have crossed the River Van and are moving on Cimbria.  They have taken the port of Arencia and their ships are everywhere in the south.  I don’t know what they are up to except that it is rumored that they are boarding vessels and taking captives.”  He shook his head.  “Even if it isn’t true I know for a fact that foreign ships are not allowed in Arencia or any Ithanian port anymore.”

             
That was crazy.  Ithan, another possible enemy?  What was going on?  He watched over the next two hours as the other ship closed the distance.  He could make out men in clothes of gold and red on the deck with swords in their hands.  Some held bows and a few arrows arced out over the water only to fall short into the blue-green sea.  The distance lessened to under two hundred yards before they passed to the west of the other ship.  True to the Captain’s prediction they started to pull away.  By nightfall the Ithanians had fallen far behind until they finally gave up the chase. 

             
It was another day and one more night before they reached Ostis.  That would be the first day of winter with still a day’s travel up the Greenriver to reach Summerhall.  It was going to be close if he was to keep that promise.  It was silly in a way.  What would a few hours, or even a day make?  Nothing, really.  Yet it mattered to him, and he knew it mattered to Katelyn.

Chapter 26

The First Day of Winter

             
Katelyn decided to wear the black trousers and blue shirt she had one of the seamstresses make for her.  They were sized just right for her.  Much better than having to wear those other clothes that were so baggy they made her look like an oversized boy.  Her choice of dress came from a desire to keep herself as busy as possible.  She needed to keep her mind off today’s date.  A surprise inspection of the guards would help them as well as her.  Since she didn’t have anything else scheduled this morning it seemed like a good idea.  She tucked the shirt tails into her pants and went out to the sitting room. 

             
She could smell the honey rolls on the platter before the table came into view.  Alys came in from the hall wearing the yellow dress she favored.  Katelyn picked up one of the rolls and bit into the sweet bread. 

             
“You have plans for today?” the young Lady questioned her, taking special notice of her clothing.

 
              Katelyn had to swallow before replying.  “I was going to inspect the guards this morning.”

             
“I was going to spend the day with you,” Alys informed her.  The lady in waiting had been spending much of her time with the Queen and with Margery.  They had the time that Katelyn did not. 

             
“Then you should probably go and change,” Katelyn told her pointedly. 

             
Alys sighed.  She didn’t like the outfit that had been made for her.  She thought it very un-ladylike.  She didn’t complain when it came to practicing the sword with Devon though.  Why she didn’t call that un-ladylike was something Katelyn was pondering.  She had her suspicions about her friend’s feelings when it came to the young Lord of Anders.

             
“After I eat,” Alys stated.  She grabbed her own roll from the platter.  “You appear calm this morning.”              

“Why shouldn’t I be?” she countered.  The truth was that she had an edgy feeling that started in when she woke.  Now reminded of the fact, she placed her unfinished roll back on the platter. 

              “Do not eschew the subject with me,” Alys laughed.  “I know you better than that.”

             
“I do not mean to,” she said somewhat truthfully.  “It is just that if I think about it too much I will become incapacitated by the anxiety.  I have to keep myself busy today.”

             
Alys put down the half eaten honey roll and moved towards the door.  “Then I will change quickly.  Where do you want to meet?”

             
“The courtyard.  We will ride out to the temporary barracks the new recruits are using,” she decided.  Her friend nodded to her on the way out.  Katelyn, knowing she would need to eat something, decided to finish her roll and took another for the walk to the yard.  She hoped the food would help settle the squirrels frolicking in her stomach.

             
Taking the steps down out of the palace, a blue-garbed guard hurried past her.  He did slow when he realized who she was.

             
“In a hurry guardsman?” she said, letting a little coolness filter through.  She didn’t recognize him so he had to be one of the new ones recently recruited.

             
He took the hint and put a fist to his chest in salute.  “Sorry, Your Highness.  I was sent ahead to tell his Majesty that visitors have entered the city and are on their way here.”

             
“Who is it?” she asked, trying to keep her excitement in check.

             
“Lord Roland.”

             
“Oh,” she said, a little disappointed that it was not Coran.  “You may go, and tell my father that I will escort our guest to him,” she ordered.  There would be no inspections this morning.  The guardsman ducked his head and hurried away.

             
Alys joined her after a few moments, wearing the red shirt and brown pants made especially for her.  “Ready?”

             
“Change in plans,” Katelyn informed her.  “Lord Roland is arriving.”

             
Alys appeared impressed as she should be.  Lord Roland had quite a reputation.

              Before Alys could respond a short column of horsemen rode through the gates.  Katelyn had always thought that the warriors of Holdon were impressive to look at.  One man led an escort of ten.  They were garbed almost all in gray.  Their pants, their cloaks hanging from their shoulders, even their gloves were gray.  They wore gray surcoats over their mail with a red fox on the left breast; all except the leader, who had a large red fox centered on his chest.  The arms they carried were impressive as well.  Some had two sword hilts sticking out above their shoulders.  They all had swords at their belts as well.  She knew that at least one would be an expertly balanced short sword used for throwing.  The rest were longer blades, and thinner than the normal broadsword, which were more effective from the saddle.   

             
Their mounts trotted into the yard and came to a stop where grooms arrived to care for them.  The leader dismounted and removed a rounded helmet to reveal his shoulder length black hair.  He had to be Roland Aellison, Lord of Axely, also known as the Red Fox.  He was tall and broad-shouldered, and his face was serious.  He cut a grand figure, the only oddity marring his appearance was his slightly too long nose.  He was regarded by all as a brilliant tactician and an honorable man.  

             
Lord Roland strode across the paved courtyard and came to stop before her.  He took her in with a glance and inclined his head respectfully.  “Princess Katelyn.”              

“Lord Roland,” she replied evenly to cover her surprise.  He recognized her without their ever having met.  That was something to remember.  Or maybe not if the reason he recognized her was by her clothing.  “It is an honor to finally meet you.”

              “The honor is mine.  I had heard that the Rose of Summerhall had bloomed at last.  Now I can see for myself how true it is.”  It was said truthfully, without any hint of flattery.

             
She decided that this Roland could be a dangerous man.  Thankfully, not to her.  She wouldn’t want to be his enemy.  “May I ask what brings you so far from Holdon?”

             
He smiled lightly.  “No secret, Your Highness, after receiving and evaluating the reports you sent to us, I came here to coordinate our efforts.  I should announce myself to your father.  I would not wish to give offense.”  He inclined his head again before brushing by her.

             
It was not exactly rude, he was being very polite.  It was just his sense of what was proper, and the proper thing to do was to tell his host he had arrived.  Even knowing that, she felt an impatience in his tone.  She was not the King, after all.  She had decided to escort him there, but since he went ahead she followed a few paces behind with Alys.  The Lord of Axely glanced back at them and frowned.  He wasn’t sure why they were following.  He had to stop and ask a servant to show him to the King.  Finally, reaching the King’s study he was admitted without delay, the door was kept open for her.  Alys waited outside in the hall.

             
Roland was not too surprised at her presence.  She was heir to the throne after all.  Thankfully, her father didn’t look as ill as he had from where he sat behind his desk.  Gelarus was treating him on the pretense that he was sick from some disease.  Diseases were difficult to heal since they varied from person to person.  You could not heal what you did not understand.  Whatever he was doing Stemis appeared almost himself again.  Still tired, but much improved.                 The only other person present was Lord Oran who had been speechless at the news that his son was alive and well.  Roland bowed deeply to Stemis.

             
The High King smiled at Roland’s arrival.  “What brings the Fox to Summerhall?”

             
“I was sent to coordinate our efforts, and to thank you for such detailed information.”  Roland spoke carefully.  “I wonder if I may know how you managed to obtain it.”

             
Katelyn frowned as did the others.  Someone, either Roland or more likely King Mance of Holdon, had some doubts as to the accuracy of the data they received.  It could be considered an insult to Summerhall depending on how it was perceived. 

             
Stemis stared at the gray clad man for a moment, considering how to respond, or if to.  “I sent someone to retrieve it.”

             
“Into the East?” Roland exclaimed, “all the way to Lornth by the reports.  How did this person manage that?”  At least he was trying to sound as inoffensive as possible.  Still, it was close.

             
“He is a very resourceful young man,” Stemis said.

             
It was a very diplomatic response to a situation that should not require any diplomacy.  Something was going on here.  Roland seemed to be probing for something and he wasn’t going to explain until he got it.

             
“Maybe I could meet with the young man?” the Lord from Holdon was keeping his face neutral.  “I would enjoy hearing of his journey.  I have been to Daes Shael once or twice myself.  Not recently, of course.”

             
Stemis leaned back in his chair.  “Unfortunately he has not yet returned.  The information was sent on ahead by messenger.”              

“That is....inconvenient.”  It was Roland’s turn to frown.  He wasn’t pleased by what he was hearing.  “I do not suppose that you would be expecting him soon?”

              Oran looked to Stemis. He was not pleased either by the questioning, but the King glanced at her.  She couldn’t tell if it was because he was tired or wanted to put Roland off balance, but he wanted her to reply.  She stepped to the side of the desk and turned to face their visitor.  Roland now had three sets of stern features to face.  “You are in luck, Lord Roland.  He is scheduled to return by the end of today.”

             
“That is good to know,” he replied a bit doubtfully.  “I have still not heard you mention his name.  Perhaps I know him, or have heard of him.”  His whole tone of voice had turned sour.               

             
Katelyn did not like being disbelieved.  She put venom into her words.  “The man who has risked his life for you, for all of us, is Coran Tyelin.  Besides being Lord Oran’s son he is also my betrothed.  Perhaps you would care to doubt him as you now appear to doubt me?”  Roland lost some of his resolve in her gaze.  “Maybe now you will tell me what game you are playing at?  Why did Mance send you?”

             
Lord Roland was thoughtful.  “Coran, I have heard of him.  No, I do not doubt him.”  He squared his shoulders and faced them resolutely.  “I must apologize.  King Mance does not doubt you, nor do I, but there are some who spoke of caution.  They are unsure of the validity of the information sent.  You have been trying to convince the kingdoms of an impending invasion.  Some think the messages you sent were fabricated to make us believe.  I was commanded to ascertain the truth before beginning any coordination.”

             
“Then why are you telling me now?  Have you decided we are telling you the truth?” she asked in place of her father.              

“I do, and I thought you should know.  For the sake of my orders, though, I would still like to speak with Coran if I may?”

              “That can be arranged,” she replied.  “When would you like to meet to go over any plans?”

             
He inclined his head.  “Whenever is convenient for you, Your Highness.”

             
She wanted to meet with Martin and Loras before bringing in Roland, and tomorrow morning was no good.  She wanted to keep that open for now.  “Tomorrow, after lunch,” she decided.  “Hopefully, Coran will be here to join us as well.”

             
“I hope for that as well.”  He faced the High King.  “Permission to withdraw?”  At Stemis’ nod he bowed again before leaving.

             
“That was unexpected,” Oran stated, breaking the silence that followed the Lord’s departure.

             
“It seems we have to be wary of enemies from within as well as without,” Stemis stated unhappily. 

             
The two older men went silent in contemplation. 

             
“I have things I need to do,” Katelyn explained, and turned to leave.

             
“Will I see you for dinner tonight?” Stemis asked.

             
She thought for a moment.  If he wasn’t here by then she might not feel very hungry.  “I do not know.” 

             
“Well, if you can I would like it if you joined us,” Stemis told her.

             
“I will try,” she replied and left the study. 

             
Alys fell in beside her after she left the room.  “Any problems?”