Artesans of Albia: 02 - King's Champion (35 page)

Taran smiled. “Of course I’ll come. Sound military principle, eh? Safety in numbers.”

Half an hour later, the General’s valet, Hyram, ushered them back out of Blaine’s office. Taran turned to Bull, seeing his own amazement mirrored on the big man’s face.

“That wasn’t quite what you expected, was it?” he said.

Bull slowly shook his head. “No. I really thought he’d do his best to stop me going. I never imagined he might be wishing he could go himself. Sully would never believe it. Hell, I’m not sure I believe it! Do you know, Taran, in all the years I’ve known him that’s the most humanity I’ve ever seen him show?”

They walked slowly back through the Manor, Taran playing the emotional yet successful interview over in his mind. Blaine had immediately known why they were there, and hadn’t bothered to conceal his envy over Bull’s freedom to do as he pleased. There hadn’t been the slightest suggestion he would try to prevent their going, only good wishes and admonitions to be careful. Bull’s dumbfounded expression was the funniest thing Taran had seen for a long time.

“Private joke?”

Taran’s head jerked up. “Oh, hello, Dexter, I didn’t see you there.”

Sullyan’s Sergeant grinned at him as he fell into step beside Bull. “Been applying to the General to join us, have you?”

Bull snorted. “If that were true, it wouldn’t be as incredible as what’s just happened, Dex.” The Sergeant raised his brows. “We’ve just been telling Blaine we’re going back to Andaryon, to try to help Sully. What do you think he said?”

“Fifty days in the cells for insanity, or insubordination?”

“That’s more or less what I expected. How about ‘good luck and I wish I could go with you’?”

Dexter’s jaw dropped. “That’s not even a good joke, Bull.”

“That’s because it isn’t a joke. It’s what he said. Ask Taran.”

Dexter whistled. “Do you suppose his good wishes would extend to the lads if they asked him the same question?”

“I wish I could say yes, but we both know it’s not possible. Taran, Cal, and Rienne are coming, and that’s about as large a group as I can manage. Even if we could take the lads, we’d never get near the Citadel unnoticed. If we make it, we’ll be sure to let Sully know you wanted to come.”

“Make sure you do. Any one of us would die for her if we thought it would do any good.”

Bull clapped Dexter on the shoulder and the Sergeant left them. Bull and Taran carried on toward the Adept’s shared apartment. When they arrived, they found that Cal and Rienne had already packed their things, including Taran’s, and had even thought to send for supplies. Yet this foresight brought its own problems, and Rienne was currently trying to calm down a tearful Tad. The young lad was desperate to go with them. Taran knew he wouldn’t have had a clue how to dissuade Tad, and watched in admiration while Rienne, her usual good sense surfacing once more, used the two arguments the boy couldn’t refute.

“First,” she said reasonably, “we’d never get Goran to agree to release you. You know how much he depends on you. And second, this will be a very dangerous trip. You wouldn’t want Captain Tamsen to be distracted from his duties by worrying about you, now would you?”

Tad scrubbed at his tear-stained face, plainly struggling to find a way out of agreeing with her. Finally, he sniffed. “No, I suppose not.”

Bull patted his shoulder. “Good lad. We need people we can trust to stay here and keep things in order for when we return. Robin will be very proud of you, lad, when I tell him how brave and helpful you’ve been.”

Rienne smiled gratefully at Bull as the young lad’s expression lightened. She saw him off while Taran took a last look round the apartment. He closed the door behind them as they headed down to the horse lines.

* * * * *

T
he day following the command meeting, Sullyan and Robin tracked the rest of their band to where they had camped for the night. Robin was pleased to see that Ky-shan had followed Sullyan’s instructions, and their party was challenged by the sentries before he saw the campfires’ glow. They rode in to enthusiastic greetings from the entire camp. Any residual resentment had clearly been wiped away by their selfless bravery on behalf of Jay’el and Ki-en. The injured young lad, who had ridden double with Kester, endured his fellows’ ribbing with a shy grin.

While Sullyan went to make a quick round of the men, Ky-shan pulled Robin aside. “Skip, is it true what they’re saying about what Rykan did to her?”

Robin went cold. “Why, what have you heard?”

The pirate gave him a terse and accurate account of the abuse Rykan had inflicted. “Is that why she can’t return to Albia, why she’s here with the Hierarch’s men? To take revenge?”

“Something like that. How many people know, Ky-shan? She really didn’t want this getting out.”

“Too late, Skip, it’s all round the men. They’re furious because of it. She’ll be finding out about now, I reckon, just how mad they are.”

Robin sighed. “Be prepared for her being in a foul mood then. She hates pity or sympathy.”

“She’ll get no pity from us.” Ky-shan shook his head. “But it’s made me feel bad about what I said to her when she goaded me into challenging her at the Citadel.”

Robin frowned, trying to remember.

“I said I’d throw her to the men or something like that,” the pirate reminded him. “Now I know why she fought me so hard! I just hope she doesn’t hold it against me.”

The Captain grinned. “Oh, don’t worry on that score. If she was holding a grudge against you, you’d know it, believe me!”

As Robin feared, Sullyan returned from her rounds hard-eyed and pale. She had obviously heard exactly what the men thought of Rykan for what he had done to her. Robin took one look and wisely decided to keep his peace on the matter. He hastily briefed the giants and the two younger men to do the same.

Ki-en handed her a mug of fellan and she sat down stiffly by the fire. She drank wordlessly, and no one else spoke. Robin never heard any of them mention the subject again, but neither he nor the Major ever had to see to their own horses, gear, campfire, or food again during that campaign. Almid and Kester, alternating with Jay’el and Ki-en, saw to everything for them.

During the week that followed, Sullyan and her company were kept busy using their skills to harry the enemy and drive them forward, sometimes even feigning retreat to lure them nearer and nearer the Citadel. Their tactics seemed to be working according to the news they received from the other sections of the Hierarch’s forces.

* * * * *

A
lso during that week, and with no word of warning to Robin, Taran, Cal, and Rienne followed Bull through the Andaryan countryside. They moved cautiously, taking their time, scouting ahead to avoid any possibility of running into enemy forces. As they rode through Cardon, Marik’s province, they found his people still wary and unwilling to leave the security of their homes. Rumors of war had spread throughout the realm and the countryside was largely deserted. This suited the little group, as it made their journey easier. On Bull’s advice, they passed wide to the west of Marik’s abandoned mansion, adding a few extra miles to their journey but avoiding the possibility of meeting any of Rykan’s men who might still be seeking the Count. The nearer they came to the Citadel, the higher Rienne’s anticipation grew.

* * * * *

S
ullyan’s company had just returned from yet another successful attack when a dispatch rider galloped into camp. He made straight for Sullyan. The men were tired, dirty, and hungry, and there were injuries to be dealt with, so the Major left Robin organizing the camp while she spoke with the messenger. His news came as no surprise. She had been expecting it for at least two days.

Nevertheless, her expression was somber as she joined Robin on his rounds. They passed through the men together, seeing that they cared for their horses first before cleaning themselves up. Then she dealt with the more serious wounds. Two men had taken crossbow bolts, and these had to be drawn. Her own wound had healed well, although there would always be an indentation in the flesh where the bolt had damaged the muscle. Robin let her work without bothering her with questions. She was grateful—he knew she would tell him what the dispatch had said once they were seated round their own fire.

A couple of hours later, with watches set and men resting, Sullyan called Almid, Kester, Ky-shan, Jay’el, and Ki-en to her fire to tell them the news. She regarded them from the comfort of her cloak, the firelight leaping gold before her eyes, and watched for their reactions.

“A dispatch rider arrived earlier, gentlemen. The Lord General has recalled me. I leave for the Citadel at once.”

Robin didn’t react, but Ky-shan frowned and Jay’el looked worried. “Why, Lady? Why should we go back? We’re doing everything they asked of us.”

She smiled gently. “You did not hear me, Jay. It is I who has been recalled, not the whole company.”

Ky-shan shifted uncomfortably. “What’s happened? Has something gone wrong?”

“The campaign is proceeding according to plan. Rykan’s men are approaching the Plains. The main body of the Hierarch’s forces is preparing to meet them before the Citadel, and all companies—including ours—will be required to engage them.”

“But you won’t be leading us.”

She inclined her head. “That is correct.”

Jay’el was indignant. “Why not?”

She turned to him. “Think, Jay. You know what we have planned for Rykan’s defeat. If I am to be the Hierarch’s Champion, I cannot risk myself in the kind of pitched battle that will be fought on the Plains. If I was killed, or even severely injured, our scheme would fail. It was only to gain the trust of the Hierarch’s generals and troops that I was permitted this much freedom. So, Ky-shan, tomorrow you are to begin a withdrawal from this area. Your instructions are to meet up with Count Marik, regroup under General Kryp, and do as he directs you. Robin and I will return to the Citadel.”

Almid stretched out his hand, requesting contact. Since she had shown the mute twins how to communicate with those who had the power to hear them, they had become proficient, speaking regularly with their fellows. Yet they never failed to ask permission before bespeaking her. Sullyan smiled at the huge man and his rough, untutored voice echoed in her mind.

Kester and I will come with you.

It wasn’t a request. She briefly considered refusing him, but quickly let it go. Gratefully, she squeezed his huge forearm.

“I thank you, Almid.”

Ki-en might not have heard Almid’s voice, but he immediately guessed what had been said. “I’m going with you too.”

Ky-shan nodded, grinning when he saw the expression on Sullyan’s face. “All five of us are going with you, Lady.” He held up a hand as she began to protest. “Don’t waste your breath. Refusing will do you no good. We’ve fulfilled our part of the bargain, and we’ve seen what you are. Now that we understand why you’re here and what you’re doing, we want to help you. All of my men would follow you wherever you led them now. Indeed, it will be hard to make them accept someone else, even someone like Marik, who they know. But my mind’s made up. Most of the band will go with the Count to swell his numbers, but the five of us,” he swept the twins, Jay’el, Ki-en, and himself with a gesture, “are staying with you.”

His gaze never wavered, and Sullyan felt her heart contract. She lowered her eyes, unable to speak for the moment, and shook her head at their obstinacy. When she raised it again, Ky-shan was smiling.

It was a strange moment the next day when Ky-shan summoned the band and told them what was to happen. Sullyan couldn’t help but contrast their reactions to this news with the scene back at the Citadel when they had first learned they must go into the field under a woman’s command. They had railed long and hard against that; now they railed against her leaving.

Ky-shan swiftly lost patience with their protests and was about to rebuke their lack of discipline when Sullyan stopped him. Coming forward to where they could all see her, she faced the men. They fell silent. Looking round at their familiar faces, she found a smile for them.

“Gentlemen, I thank you for your loyalty and support these past weeks. You are brave and fearless fighters. Count Marik will be glad to have your strength among his men. I will commend you highly to the Hierarch, and I know you will continue to play your part. If I can, once Rykan is defeated, I will speak with you again before you depart for the east. If I cannot ... well, I want you to know now that I am proud to have fought alongside you and I wish you every success.”

She paused, and then raised her lilting voice in song.

“May the westerly breezes blow you

Safe across the Triple Sea,

To Tallimore, to rest evermore,

Where we may meet once more,

If our charted course is true.”

Her ritual leave-taking brought tears to many of the seamen’s eyes, although they scorned to show it. They cheered her loudly and long, and her emotions soon forced her to withdraw to her own campfire where she sat wrapped in silence, wordlessly accepting fellan laced with brine rum from Kester.

She left Ky-shan to organize his band’s departure, setting Xeer at their head as they rode out to join Marik. The Count was leading the columns of the right flank, under General Kryp. Once they had gone, Sullyan gathered up her belongings and prepared to return to the Citadel.

T
aran had taken the dawn watch that morning and he still had some time to go before he could rouse his companions. It was dark and he was cold, despite the small campfire keeping the frost off his back. The blanket folded beneath him was beginning to feel lumpy and he reached down to pull it straight. A sound caught his hearing and he stopped mid-gesture, his fingers moving toward his sword hilt.

He let out a breath of relief as he watched the dark bundle that was Bull unfold itself. The big man stretched, yawned silently, and climbed to his feet. His eyes met Taran’s and they exchanged a nod, the Adept’s hand relaxing away from his sword. Bull moved over to Taran’s side of the fire and sat on the edge of his blanket.