Back From Chaos (7 page)

Mesor stiffened with anger but said nothing.

“
Now, Mesor!”

Sinnath eyed the other two as a scowling Mesor strode off. “If either of you know of others who are guilty, tell me now. Failure to do so will show me you are unfit to command. You will be demoted and take the lashes yourselves when it is found out … and it will be found out. These acts shame Bargia; they shame us all.”

Both men shuffled from one foot to the other.

Larn cleared his throat. “There was one Glash in my company, sir. I have already dismissed him without pay. He is no longer here.”

“
I see.” Sinnath waited a moment longer. “Since you have no further names, go among the Catanians and see if you can find any willing to come forward. Understand that I do not intend to believe every accusation. When we have gathered all the accused in the square, I will make it plain that each accuser must convince me of their claim. If I discover a soldier has been lashed on the basis of a false accusation, that soldier will be given the right to mete out the same punishment to his accuser.”

He stood and regarded the two men again thoughtfully. “I find this as distasteful as you. But discipline must be upheld … I will see you in the square in two spans.” He turned on his heels and strode away before they could protest. Inwardly, he sighed. Leadership could be a heavy burden.

When he returned to the square two spans later, a small crowd had gathered, Catanians on one side, soldiers on the other. Next to the post stood a group of eight guarded men, stripped to the waist, eyes on the one already tied to it.

Sinnath approached, lash in hand. Its grip was two hands long and made of tightly woven leather. From it sprouted five thongs the length of a man with knots tied into them at random spaces. Each stroke would both gash the skin and leave deep bruises.

The waiting miscreants eyed it, then quickly looked away and back at the first in line, no doubt imagining the lash on their own backs.

Sinnath considered. Who would he choose to administer it? He found Mesor, the captain who had protested, now studiously avoiding his gaze. “Mesor, take the lash from me.”

Mesor took it, eyes blazing with suppressed fury. Sinnath added in a voice only Mesor could hear, “You will use proper force if you wish to retain your position. I will not tolerate disobedience, from you or any other soldier of Bargia.” Then he looked out over the crowd, as Mesor, still glowering, took his place next to the whipping post.

“
Hear me, people of Catania and Bargia. Your new lord, Lord Gaelen, like his father before him, has no taste for wanton cruelty. Even in times of war, Bargian law forbids misusing women and children. To those of you who have been ill used, Lord Gaelen sends his most sincere regrets. I am here to represent him in seeing justice done.”

Sinnath went on to explain what he had told the captains, then continued, “These nine men you see before you stand accused of rape. Two I myself witnessed in the act. They will be the first to feel the lash. Seven have been accused by you. Is there anyone among you who wishes to retract their accusation? You know the punishment for lying. Speak now and no more will be said of it.”

He watched one man shuffle forward fearfully. “Sir, my daughter knows not if ye got the right ’un. But she be used and still canna’ walk. She lies abed. She be ruined.” His voice rose as he became emboldened. “How can she be avenged if she canna’ name the beast? Where be her justice, and mine?” Loud murmurs of agreement rose from the crowd.

Sinnath had his words ready. “People, I have offered all the opportunity to come forward. I am certain that no act went unwitnessed. If any man remains free who should stand among these accused, you must look to yourselves for that failure.”

That brought more murmurs, more subdued this time.

He turned to the man and asked, “Do you wish to retract your accusation?”

The man blanched, let his chin fall to his chest, nodded his head, and mumbled ‘no bloody justice’ as he backed away into the crowd.

Sinnath nodded to Mesor to begin. The crowd remained uncharacteristically subdued for such a spectacle. Only two of the accused cried out. One had adamantly maintained his innocence, even after he had finished. Sinnath ordered his accuser to come forward. The older woman broke from the crowd and started to run away. She was quickly brought back and made to stand before Sinnath, facing the man who claimed he had done no wrong.

Sinnath turned to the woman. “You have accused this man of rape. He has received the lash based on your words. Convince me that justice has been done.”

The woman apparently decided to brazen it out, seeing that there was no escape. She turned to Sinnath defiantly and shouted, “Yer soldiers be all the same. They all look the same. How can I tell? My daughter took ’er own life. She be attacked by three men. How can I tell if he be one of ’em? My daughter be dead and someone mus’ pay. I got no one left. What do you care fer an old woman? What did yer men care fer my girl? Whip me if ye like. It willna bring her back. I care not anymore.” With that, she spat at Sinnath before the guard could grab her.

The crowd seemed to hold its breath as Sinnath wiped off the spittle. He eyed the woman. After careful consideration he turned to the man who had suffered the lash. “Kars. You have been unjustly accused and punished. It is now your right to take from this woman what she took from you. The decision is yours. What is your wish?”

The woman continued to glare at Kars as he considered his decision.

Finally, Kars spoke. “Missus, I am truly sorry for the loss of your daughter.” He turned to Sinnath. “Sir, I will not die of my injuries. This woman has suffered more than I. I give up my right to restitution.” Then he squared his shoulders, failing to hide a wince, and once more faced the woman, who stood gaping in astonishment.

Sinnath smiled to himself. This ordinary soldier had done much to repair trust among the Catanians. He turned to the woman. “You may go. But if I hear you speak ill of my men I will mete out the punishment myself.”

The woman’s head bobbed convulsively in agreement as she hurried away into the crowd.

Sinnath turned back to the soldier. “You will receive an extra eightday’s pay and may rest two days to heal your back. You have acted with wisdom and compassion. I will commend you to your captain.”

~ 11 ~

MY LADY LIVES!

Marja had been escorted to the castle in darkness. Despite this, a few saw and recognized her. News that she lived spread like floodwaters and, as rumours will, grew to ridiculous proportions. Some had her in heavy chains, some near death from injuries. Others thought she was being tortured to get information and wanted to rescue her. A few even accused her of having plotted with Bargia to set up the invasion. When she did not reappear it was said she had been secretly killed. The tales grew with each span.

Brensa heard some of these rumours almost as soon as she and Nellis arrived at the castle. She was elated. It appeared their lady and friend lived! When Brensa had settled Nellis on her cot and could leave her for a few moments, she determined to find out what she could. Familiar with the layout of the castle, it did not take long to figure out that someone important was being held in Marja’s old chamber. Two formidable looking soldiers guarded the door. They refused to answer any questions. So Brensa explained her relationship to Marja and begged the guards to tell Lord Gaelen. Just as she started to turn away in frustration at their stubborn silence, she spied Gaelen striding toward the room with three other men. Brensa gathered all her courage and fell to her knees in front of him. The guards immediately grabbed her from behind and pulled her roughly away.

Brensa cried out in panic. “My lord. Does my lady live? Please, I must know. I was her lady’s maid. If she lives she needs me. Please, my lord, I beg you.”

Gaelen held up a hand to forestall the guards. “What is your name, miss?”

“
It is Brensa, my lord … and her other maid, Nellis, is also here.” She blurted as an afterthought.

“
Brensa, your loyalty and courage do you credit.” Nodding to the guards, he said, “Let her go. She will not harm me.” He turned back to Brensa and studied her silently for a moment as if to make up his mind. “Brensa, your lady does indeed live and is unharmed. You have my leave to share that news.”

As Brensa watched him turn to the door she curtsied deeply, relief almost buckling her knees. “Thank you, my lord. Will you tell my lady that Nellis and her husband also live?”

But Gaelen had already entered the room. The guards once more took up their positions. The three who had accompanied Gaelen waited outside the door.

Brensa turned and hurried to share the wonderful news with Nellis. Then, as Nellis urged her to do, she went back and waited in the hall several paces away for Gaelen to re-emerge. Frightened though she was, nothing would stop her from begging to see Marja. The wait felt interminable. But she would not fail her lady. Marja needed her.

At first the guards watched her closely. As time passed and she had not moved or spoken they relaxed and finally ignored her altogether. Eventually, the men who had arrived with Gaelen were invited into the room.

After two spans, but what felt like much longer, the three men emerged and marched off, one soldier holding a rolled leather document. The one who did not wear Bargia’s colours looked decidedly forbidding. Brensa’s worry increased at this. Had something gone wrong? What was happening to her lady? But the men did not even acknowledge her and strode in the opposite direction toward the castle entrance.

Waiting even longer for Gaelen to emerge was agony for Brensa. As time passed without any sign of him, she imagined all sorts of scenarios in which Marja was in danger, each one more dire than the last. The guards continued to ignore her. Then, just as she was trying to decide if she had the courage to approach the door, it opened, and Gaelen stepped out. Brensa almost fainted with tension.

Gaelen immediately noticed her still there. His mouth gave a small quirk, and he said, “Your lady waits inside. She has need of the services of an attendant. Go to her.”

Brensa stammered, totally unprepared for this good fortune. She remembered Nellis also needed her, and would not know what had happened. Why she blurted out her question she would never know. It was outrageous, unthinkable even, to press Gaelen’s good will even further. It just popped out.

“
My Lord, what of Nellis? She is near her time and needs me too. May I go tell her first?” When she realized what she had done, her hands flew over her mouth in terror. He would think her disloyal. He would take back his invitation. Oh Earth, what had she done?

Gaelen turned back to her with a stern look. “Brensa, your duty is to your lady. If you are unable to perform your duty, I will find someone else.” Then he saw the consternation on her face and relented. “Brensa, Nellis will be told of events. Is she having pains at present?”

“
No, my lord.” Brensa sobbed uncontrollably now. “Forgive me.”

“
Go to your lady. I will send word to Nellis. Loyalty to a friend is commendable, but remember in the future that your first allegiance is to your lord and your lady.” Then, as Brensa nodded vigorously through tears of relief, he dropped the stern facade and broke into a grin. She thought it the most beautiful vision she had ever seen. In that instant, he gained her loyalty for life.

Before she rushed in to see her lady, she caught a glimpse of Gaelen as he turned and strode away with a smile on his lips.

~ 12 ~

SINNATH FACES A DILEMMA

Sinnath had already left for Bargia, with Janest and two companies of men, to prepare for Gaelen’s return and for the transfer of power. Their task lay largely in persuading Bargians to accept Gaelen’s strategies for Catania, his joining to Marja and the reforms that both would bring. A tall order indeed.

As they travelled through the forest that led back home they rode quickly, mostly single file. They had little opportunity for conversation. When not on horseback, Sinnath and the men ate cold meals and spent the short spans until morning rolled up in their blankets. But this gave Sinnath a lot of time to think. Those thoughts trod a dark path.

Sinnath left Catania a deeply troubled man. He felt caught between two incompatible traditions. The first was loyalty to his rightful lord. Until now, nothing could have induced him to even consider breaking his vows of allegiance. The second held that all members of a conquered ruling family must be eliminated, so that they could not organize resistance. Gaelen had broken the second tradition.

Sinnath’s reservations about Gaelen’s marriage to Marja ran deep. Her father, Lord Cataniast, had been treacherous and suspicious. Sinnath found it hard to accept that any offspring would be different. As the adage went, an apple does not fall far from the branch.

He hoped he would find evidence of Marja’s treachery before it undid Gaelen. He believed Gaelen’s youth and inexperience blinded him to the woman’s beauty. She must not find an opportunity to subvert the supremacy of the House of Bargia. For now, Sinnath decided he would be vigilant. Evidence would no doubt present itself, if he just kept his eyes open. Perhaps Gaelen could still be made to see reason.

So Sinnath kept his counsel and did not voice his misgivings to anyone along the way, not even to Janest. Janest had been a mentor to Gaelen for many years and could see no fault in him. He would not understand.