Valour and Victory (5 page)

“Have you heard
from Duke William Duchesne?” asked Niaill.

“Not yet, but
I’m expecting word any day now. Prince Elliot and Captain Hallam
must already be explaining the situation if the Duke doesn’t know
already. I sent word via Ryzcka Brion to that Lord Marshall of
theirs.”

“He’ll be
stirred up to a froth,” noted Jilmis.

“Duchesne
and
Graham,” added Julia, “Graham is right in the path of
the kohorts as much as Duchesne.”

“The
Regiments?” asked Davin.

“Brion reported
that the Lord Marshall, he’s a relative of the Duke of Duchesne by
the way, would do what he could but remember that he’s got all the
borders of Murdoch to protect and we still don’t know if the Larg
are going to confine their activities to punching their way through
Duchesne and Graham. The Largan has a great many warriors at his
disposal, he could attack in two, even three places at once. Our
task is clear. One, we have to stop the Larg from reaching the
northern continent, us. Apart from the killings and destruction
that would follow, they cannot be permitted to reach Stewarton
where Guildmaster Annert is trying to decipher the print-outs. Two,
the Lai’s presence on the planet. The success of our plan to
destroy the mother ship of the Dglai depends on them. They cannot
reveal themselves until the last possible moment and we have to
ensure that they stay hidden. Three, we have to draw attention away
from the desert where Danal, Asya and the others hunt for the
power-core. We cannot help the Lord Marshall in his defence of any
other parts of Murdoch that may come under attack. Unfortunate but
true.”

“How are we
going to keep the Lai a secret?” asked Davin. “Most of the Lind
know.”

“We will say
nothing,” said Alshya, the Lind of Weaponsmaster Jilmis.

“What of the
Lord Marshall? Did Brion tell him?”

“Peter Duchesne
is telling nobody about the Dglai and the Lai yet,” Julia answered.
“His Generals believe, as do the dukes that it is the Larg they
will face, no more. The Larg have been and can be, defeated. He
will not wish to start a panic.”

“The news is
bound to get out,” insisted a pessimistic Davin, “then bang goes
our element of surprise.”

“Most will not
believe it,” observed Jilmis.

“A rumour would
be enough,” Niaill ruminated, “the Larg have long ears and then
there are these Altuinqs of theirs.”

“Altuinq?”
asked Davin to whom the term was new.

“People whose
minds are controlled by the Larg. They are their spies within
Murdoch.”

“The Lord
Marshall reported to Ryzcka Brion that few, if any of them remain
alive,” Julia informed them in a satisfied voice. “I believe that
the Larg are so confident of success they think they have no need
of these humans any more. This will, I hope, be a part in their
undoing. No, I have every confidence that the Lai’s presence will
remain hidden. Of course, it all hinges on Master Annert finding
the answers to the puzzle and the team finding the power-core.”

“If they do
not?” asked Davin.

“I’m trying not
to think about that eventuality,” admitted Julia. “Verro is
organising the evacuation of any non-combatants to the Islands with
every boat and ship not essential to the war effort. It won’t save
them from the Dglai if they get that far but at least the Larg
cannot reach them.”

“How’s he
managing?” asked Jilmis.

“He’s having a
lot of bother with the Argyllian Council. Paula reports that
Horatio Anders is convinced the defences at Settlement are
un-breachable and is putting obstacles in Verro’s path at every
turn. Luckily the Secretary for Defence is proving more amenable.
Those in Vadath are ready to move west at need.”

“And north into
the mountains,” added Davin, “the caves can provide many a safe
hide-out.”

Weaponsmaster
Jilmis nodded.

“Now ladies and
gentlemen, if there are no further questions?” asked Julia. “Alyei
needs to hunt and I promised him I’d take him into the woods.”

“I wonder how
Elliot is doing?” mused Niaill.

* * * * *

Elliot and
Robain

Elliot was
doing very well.

After two
candle-marks (Robain was fining the candle-mark system of
timekeeping rather confusing, the northern bells had a shorter
duration) spent in the small bare room next to the gatehouse, Duke
William sent one of his servants to fetch James.

This was, as
Elliot explained, an obvious slur on the Ducal House of Cocteau as
protocols dictated that Ducal aristocracy, however minor, be
greeted by a seneschal or equivalent. To send one of the lower
servants was, as Elliot whispered, “simply not the done thing.”

Robain observed
that Elliot was hugging himself with suppressed excitement and
assumed that he was looking forward to seeing Duke William’s
discomfiture when he realised that his visitor wasn’t Count James
Cocteau but his future king.

* * * * *

Duke William
was most embarrassed when he realised the true identity of his
visitor and bent over himself backwards in profuse and genuine
apologies. Elliot let him carry on for a while then cut the
apologies short.

“Duke William,
I beg you, enough is enough. I have to confess to being partly
responsible for the confusion. I did not wish my presence here
announced until I had spoken to you. James, I am sure he has taken
no offence.”

“I meant no
disrespect to your Uncle or to your House,” said the Duke to James
in a smooth voice.

“None taken,”
James answered easily although the expression on his face belied
his words.

“Now,” began
Elliot, “I suspect you are wondering why I am here.”

“I had heard
that your father was recalling you home,” offered Duke William with
a wry grin.

“I never
received the recall,” said Elliot, “as you know, I’ve been in the
north and this last month matters came to my attention that
indicated that I would be needed at home. Here I am.”

“The kohorts
will be moving soon,” said Duke William, nodding his head.

“Any idea when
sir?” asked Robain and Duke William turned an enquiring face in his
direction.

“Captain Hallam
of the Garda,” Elliot introduced him.

“And what is a
Argyllian Captain doing here?”

“As you know
Duke William, I departed for the north with James and also Baron
Philip Ross and Kellen Derek Merriman.”

“So where are
they?”

“Philip and
Derek are someplace else,” Elliot evaded the question. “I’ll
explain more fully later. Captain Hallam volunteered his services
as a replacement, insurance he calls it.”

“He was
attacked,” said James, unable to keep silent.

“Who by?” asked
the Duke.

“Assassins,”
Robain answered. “Kellen Merriman was hurt and it was decided by my
superiors that it would be best if I joined the party. We never
found out who sent them, none survived their northern sojourn. It
was thought that if the person who sent them, once he found out
that Elliot was here might send more assassins to finish the job so
I was asked to accompany Elliot.”

“He?”

Robain
shrugged, “he, she, it makes no difference. I am here as protection
for Elliot.”

“Prince
Elliot,” William corrected him but it was clear his mind was on
other matters. He stared at Robain. “I have heard that the muster
of the Armies of the North has been called and they are making all
speed towards Settlement.”

“That is true
Duke William,” assented Robain.

“Susyc Julia
believes that the attack will be here then, through my Duchy and
over the Island Chain to Settlement?”

“Eventually,
yes, Duke William,” continued Robain in his well-modulated
baritone.
He knows Susa Julia is now Susyc, he is very well
informed. I wonder how
much
he knows.
“She does believe
that the kohorts will attack here.”
Do I continue?
He snuck
a glance at Elliot who gave him a nod.
Here goes then.

“Susyc Julia
and Alyei wish to help.” There, it was out, what he and Elliot were
to tell the Duke.

Duke William’s
bushy eyebrows rose.

“They feel that
it is in everyone’s interest to work together,” continued
Robain.

“Indeed?” The
Duke’s voice was guarded, suspicious and his steel-grey eyes bored
into Robain, assessing, evaluating. He did not however, look
shocked.

Better not make
any mistakes here. A lot hinges on how he takes this. How much does
he know and how much does he guess?

“Duke William,
the army of the Largan is a large one. He has called in kohorts
from the furthest reaches of his domain.”

“So I have
heard.” Duke William was giving nothing away.

“Susyc Julia
and Alyei propose that they join forces with you and the Duke of
Graham to defeat the Larg.”

Robain looked
at the Duke, half expecting an angry rebuttal but Duke William did
nothing of the sort. He stood up, clasped his hands behind his back
and glared at Robain and Elliot. He didn’t blink an eyelid.

He nodded
instead. “What help?”

Robain took a
deep breath, “the entire northern army, Garda, Vada, Militias and
the Lindars.”

Duke William
surprised them even more. He laughed, hearty guffaws, long and
loud.

“You know it is
treason to invite Lind into Murdoch? Not that I care about that,
but now,” and he gave each of them a long cool stare apiece, “I
know the situation must be dire. Her whole army!”

“Captain Hallam
speaks the truth,” said Elliot. “If the Larg win here, in Duchesne,
all is lost, even the Settlement defences will not stop them.”

“The segments
of the army who can,” said Robain, “the Vada and the Lindars, they
will come south by the Island Chain. The others, infantry and horse
cavalry, she proposes will take ship. She has already commandeered
the fleet of merchantmen required. She further proposes that the
empty vessels returning north are used to evacuate your
non-combatants out of immediate harm’s way, first to Argyll, then
if possible on to the Islands.

It was at this
point that Robain and Elliot saw the Duke relax. He had obviously
been worrying about how to protect the women and children within
his demesne.

“I accept your
proposals. When is Susyc Julia intending to send them?”

“Within the
tenday,” replied the pleasantly surprised Robain. “Some of the
merchantmen were beginning to load supplies as we left. A lot of
supplies will be needed; feeding so many Lind as she intends to
send takes a lot of provender.”

“I can imagine.
Now, I propose that, as we have many details to discuss we decant
to a more comfortable chamber. I will also order a decent meal. I
have a feeling that once we enter the chamber it will be many a
long candle-mark before we leave it.”

“I
am
feeling a mite peckish,” admitted Elliot.

“If you don’t
mind My Lord Duke,” said James, “I will excuse myself. I wish to
write a letter to my wife back home.” He bowed himself out.

Duke William
indicated that Elliot precede him out of the high-gloss hardwood
door that led to his private chambers adding, “and once we have
refreshed ourselves with food and a suitable beverage, you can be
honest with me and tell me everything. I’m not a stupid man, I can
read between the lines better than the average person and you’ve
not told me all, not by a long chalk. I think I know what we’re up
against; the Lord Marshall is my younger brother. He wrote to me;
sounded like a bad fantasy epic! Dragons indeed!”

“I hold myself
at your convenience,” said Robain as he accompanied the Duke out
the door, “and I promise we’ll not hold anything back. Friends
should be frank with one another.”

“Friends and
allies,” nodded Duke William who was beginning to like this young
Garda Captain. “Never thought I’d see the day when I would be
fighting
with
the north. There My Prince, that door
there.”

Duke William
stopped and clapped Robain on the shoulder. “Looks like we’re
Comrades in Arms.” He was grinning broadly, “I like that idea.”

“So do I sir,”
agreed Robain.

“First though,”
Duke William said, “tell me, what are the Lind really like? As
fabulous as report has it?”

“You’ll be
seeing them yourself before very long Duke William and I don’t
think you’ll be disappointed.”

* * * * *

Tala and
Danal

It was the
night before they were due to leave the fortified manor that
belonged to Philip’s relative.

Danal lay in
his bed, tossing and turning, his thoughts racing. Sleep had been
evading him for some bells and this much to the annoyance of Asya
who was tired. She couldn’t get to sleep due to the constant bubble
of confused thoughts emanating from Danal.

At last she
could take it no more and she lifted her head from its accustomed
sleeping position between her front paws and turned bright blue
eyes in his direction.

: Danal?
:
she pleaded
: please :

Danal’s own
eyes snapped open and he looked over.

: You are
keeping me awake :
she complained.

“I can’t stop
thinking about her,” he confessed.

“I know that,”
she said in a tart voice, “our thoughts are not entirely private.
Why don’t you go do something about it? Tala is in the next daga.
Go wake her up and leave me here to sleep.”

“I can’t”

“Why not? You
like her and she like you.”

As far as Asya
was concerned that was all that mattered. Tonight she had tried to
block out the mind-link that joined them but Danal’s thoughts were
so intense and agitated she hadn’t been able to. If Danal went to
Tala, she decided, then she might be able to reduce the connection
to a manageable level and
get some sleep
.