Artesans of Albia: 01 - King's Envoy (31 page)

They did so and Taran felt the Captain’s metaforce merging with his own. Soon, he heard snatches of saucy folk tunes and caught some of the women’s frankly admiring comments. Cal’s dark face flushed even darker and Taran could see why Robin was so embarrassed. Personally, he found the whole thing extremely funny, but then most of the rude compliments hadn’t referred to him.

Clearly, Cal’s feelings were similar to Robin’s for Taran saw him regarding his slumbering partner suspiciously. He nudged him. “‘The Ups and Downs,’ eh? I wonder where she learned that one.”

Cal frowned. “It wasn’t from me.”

Robin moved forward and kneeled to look closer at Rienne.

“I can’t see any signs of injury on her and if she had been hurt, the Major would have taken care of it. She wouldn’t have kept Rienne here if there had been anything seriously wrong. Seems that brute of a sergeant was telling the truth.”

Cal appeared relieved but Taran could still feel his anger.

“We’d better make them more comfortable,” continued Robin. “Cal, can you carry Rienne back to Bull’s and put her to bed?”

Cal nodded and carefully lifted Rienne into his arms. Neither woman stirred. Shaking his head, he carried her out. Taran went to follow, but stopped just by the door. He watched as Bull and Robin stood looking fondly at Sullyan.

He heard Bull murmur, “So she’s finally found a friend. I’m glad for her. It’s about time, and she could have done a lot worse than Rienne.”

“Maybe, Bull, but how long can it last? They’re not going to be here forever.”

Taran’s heart fell at Robin’s words, even though he knew they were true.

“And what about tomorrow?” the Captain continued. “The scouts are due back by morning and she’s going to have one hell of a sick headache when she wakes. Can you imagine what Blaine will say if she reports to him like that? He’s hardly in the best of moods at the moment.”

“And whose fault is that? Alright, lad, don’t bristle at me. Maybe you had better stay here tonight and get ready to be nursemaid in the morning. It’s not going to be a pretty sight. I’ll leave you to it.”

“Thanks,” muttered Robin.

Taran turned away before Bull could see he’d been listening. The big man ushered him into the corridor, leaving Robin to deal with the slumbering Sullyan. He pulled the door closed behind him and led Taran back to his rooms.

Blaring trumpets outside roused Taran from a vaguely disturbing dream. The sensation of having just accessed his metaforce was uppermost in his mind but the picture in his memory was of Sullyan’s golden eyes. As he tried to remember the dream, the sound of movement coming from the living room distracted him. Dissolving like mist, the image slipped from his grasp.

He dressed hurriedly and left his sleeping chamber, coming face to face with Bull. The big man was obviously about to knock on his door and the appearance of Cal’s sleepy face from the opposite door showed he had knocked there first.

“Come on,” he said, “the scouts have returned. We ought to get to the commons, that’s where we’ll hear what they’ve learned.”

When they arrived, the commons was packed and Taran was surprised there were so many men at the Manor. It was the most they had seen gathered in one place. He took a chair at the table Bull managed to commandeer and Cal, followed by a pale-faced Rienne, did the same. Taran glanced at the healer with sympathy. Despite having taken a strong infusion of willow, she looked truly awful.

The young serving lad Tad suddenly appeared with a tray of food. As he placed it on their table, he didn’t try to hide his hopes of seeing Robin. The Captain wasn’t there however, and crestfallen, Tad left.

The commons door opened and the hubbub of voices stilled expectantly. Every eye turned toward it but it was only Robin, and the conversations resumed.

He strode to their table and sat down, shaking his head briefly at Bull’s inquiring look. Taran saw the big man frown.

“How’s the Major?” asked Rienne, glancing up at Robin from red-rimmed, bleary eyes. “If she feels as bad as I do, she’ll still be in bed.”

Robin gave her a quick smile. “She probably ought to be, but she’s not. I don’t know where she is.” Taran heard the concern in his voice and raised his brows. “She wasn’t there when I woke this morning. I even asked Emos—that’s her valet—if he’d seen her, but all he said was that she must be with the General. I’m a bit worried about her. I was going to check with Hanan at the infirmary when the reveille sounded.”

Rienne was about to reply when the commons door opened again. The atmosphere was suddenly charged with expectation and the room filled with the sound of scraped-back chairs. Every man came to attention and saluted.

General Blaine strode into the room, followed by Colonel Vassa. Both senior officers acknowledged the massed salute. Taran noticed that Robin was slow to lower his arm and was standing rigid, his jaw hanging open.

When he took a quick glance at the door, Taran immediately understood why.

Entering behind the General, neatly dressed in spotless combat leathers, eyes bright, hair braided and sword at her right hip, was Major Sullyan.

Taran could see Robin staring at her, clearly stunned. She didn’t glance their way and her expression remained serene. He saw the Captain shake his head and even Bull looked surprised. The alcohol she had drunk the night before, thought Taran, obviously hadn’t affected her.

The “at ease” order was given while Taran continued to gaze at Sullyan. She stood at the General’s left shoulder, legs slightly apart, hands clasped behind her back, her stance one of relaxed readiness. He thought he caught a glimpse of amusement in her eyes.

His musings were interrupted by the General clearing his throat.

“Gentlemen, one hour before dawn this morning, the scouts of Major Sullyan’s company returned from the south. The news they brought is not good. It seems that a large force of Andaryans has invaded our realm, targeting southern Loxton as well as the provinces of Arnor and Rethrick. They are showing no mercy and laying waste to all in their path.”

There were angry mutterings from the assembled men.

His voice gruff, the General continued. “Colonel Vassa will coordinate our opposition and he will take the bulk of our strength to the south. He will draw reinforcements from the local garrisons, as I will not strip Loxton of its defenses. In the meantime, Major Sullyan has been assigned the post of Acting King’s Envoy and she will mount an ambassadorial mission to Count Marik, our ally in the Fifth Realm. He may know the reason behind this invasion, and perhaps diplomacy can solve the problem before too many more lives are lost. Rest assured, we will cover all options.”

Turning to Vassa, he said, “You have your orders. Instruct your commanders and report back to me in an hour. You too, Major.”

Both saluted promptly, as did the assembled men. The General returned the homage and left the room. Colonel Vassa then began detailing his men. From what Bull had told him, Taran knew that Vassa commanded several companies of swordsmen and bowmen, as opposed to the mainly mounted men of Sullyan’s own command.

The Major stood lightly at ease beside him until he was done.

“That’s all, men,” he finished. “Go about your duties and I will join you at midday. Over to you, Major.”

He turned and left, his men filing out behind him.

Moving gracefully, Sullyan approached Bull’s table and leaned her back against the wall, hooking her hands through her sword belt. She regarded them with a level gaze and Taran couldn’t see a single sign of last night’s excesses. He noticed that Robin and Bull were studying her, too. From their expressions, they had found nothing amiss, either.

“Well, gentlemen,” she said softly, “we have a real problem on our hands. The Pact has been well and truly broken. It seems something has given the Andaryans the idea that the time is ripe for invasion. We must do everything in our power to convince them otherwise.”

Taran felt himself flush with shame. “Is it because of what I did?”

She turned her glorious eyes on him and he felt the weight of her gaze. He feared her censure but she replied mildly, “That, my friend, remains to be seen.”

Her gaze remained on him and he knew she was aware of the other question hovering on his lips. Clearly, she wasn’t prepared to help him with it.

He forced himself to speak. “Is it possible … would it help … I mean, would I be permitted to go with you? Maybe I could do something to repair the damage … to make amends?”

He heard Robin draw breath and expected a flat denial. Instead, Sullyan astounded him.

“General Blaine has already granted permission for you to accompany us.”

She turned to Robin, who looked shocked. “Captain, take Taran Elijah to the Quartermaster and have him issued combat leathers and arms. He will become one of us for the duration of this mission. Bulldog, go to the horse lines and have our mounts saddled. Tell Solet I will ride Mandias. Taran, I assume your horse has never been through the Veils before?”

Caught off balance by the suddenness of events, Taran stumbled over his words. “No, I … how would you get a horse through a portway?”

She didn’t reply. “Bulldog, select a mount for Taran.”

She turned to Cal. “How strong is your link with Taran, Cal?”

Taran started to reply but she waved him silent, her eyes holding Cal’s. The Apprentice shrugged and said, “Fairly strong, I think, after our practice session yesterday.”

“Then I would like you to stay here as contact, in case of an emergency.”

Cal nodded, frowning over the word “emergency.”

Sullyan turned her attention to Rienne and her businesslike manner softened.

“Healer Arlen, while you are here, would you be willing to be attached to our infirmary? I have a feeling we will need every experienced hand in the weeks to come. General Blaine has approved it and if you agree, I am authorized to offer you the post of Acting Captain for the duration of this crisis.”

Taran could see that Rienne was totally taken aback. Cal too, was astonished. The Major however, hadn’t finished.

“Of course, you will also draw a captain’s pay. I understand you are already acquainted with Chief Healer Hanan?” At Rienne’s slightly bemused nod, she continued. “Then if you would report to her, she will show you to the Paymaster’s office. He has been informed of your status.”

She hesitated before adding, “Rienne, I would take it as a personal favor if you would consider yourself attached to my company. I like to ensure the best possible medical care for my command.”

Rienne nodded again and Sullyan turned back to Robin. “Captain, when you see the Quartermaster, arrange billeting for Rienne and Cal. Make sure they get quarters large enough to accommodate Taran when we return. I think Bull has already been more than generous with his space. Now, if you will all excuse me, I must report back to the General. Meet me at the horse lines in two hours.”