John Rackham (23 page)

"A
lovely place!"
She sighed.
"A place for love."

"And
I love you," he said, coming close to gaze down at her. "You belong
here." He touched her cheek with
a
finger.
"Why can't you stay?"

"Do
you think I don't want to?" She caught his hand and put it to her breast.
"This is all the fairy tales I ever heard, all at once. And you are my
wonderful lover, and I am all yours. It is all perfect. But it is not
life,
my dearest Life is never so easy as this, not for long.
Caress me, excite me, kiss me, love me
...
as only you can and as I long for you to do
...
but don't try to keep me, darling. It can't be."

"Why not?" he demanded.
"In
all the
fairy stories my mother ever told me there was always, at the end, the reward.
They lived happily ever after!"

"No!"
she said, almost angrily, and he felt her heart thumping against his hand.
"That is unfair! You know it can't be that way. I have a duty to do. My
people . . ."

"Believe
you to be dead, long ago!" he interrupted, as angry as she. "As you
would now be, had it not been for me!" He said it quickly, and regretted
it just as quickly, but it was said, and he couldn't recall it. She lay as
still as death for a moment, then sat up, twisted away from him, stood and
smoothed down her dress.

"I'm sorry," she
said, very quietly. "Shall we go now?"

They
went the rest of the way to the cottage in silence. Supper was a quiet meal.
Jasar refused to be definite on his work.

"Not
until tomorrow, at first light," he said curtly. "Then I will
know."

"Does
that mean you intend to work all night?" Haldar asked.

"That would be nothing
unusual for me."

"No
doubt, but it rules out the ship as a place to sleep, and a good night's sleep
is something I need, even if you can do without it. Still"—he thumped the
arm of his chair—"this will suffice. I've known harder couches, and after
what we've been through, I could sleep on stone."

"There
should be no need for that." Edwina frowned. "There's the big bed
upstairs, with room for two, and the two inglenooks are cosy, as I know and
Jack will tell you."

"Ill
believe
you. Jack, we men will take the ingles and leave the ladies to the bedroom,
what do you say?"

There
was no argument, nor
anything left
to do but put the
decision to effect, now that the sun was gone. Jack was weary enough physically
to welcome the softness of the straw mattress, and so utterly empty mentally
that he was glad to drag the woolen blanket around himself and shut out the
whole unfairness of life as it had suddenly grown.

A
fool!
he
told himself.
I'm a fool, and always will be.
It
is hard enough to obey duty sometimes,
without having a fool persuading one away from the path.
No
wonder she is angry with me.
But then, having purged himself of that, he
cast his mind back to the first moment and the pleasant times after it, of
hearing her voice, seeing her courage
...
and
he slid swiftly and easily into sleep and dreams of mighty deeds.

Until a soft touch on his cheek made him start up with a grunt that was
instantly stifled by a warm hand across his mouth.
In the last dying glow of the fire he saw
her crouching near, heard her low whisper. "Oh, Jack, I had to come. I
couldn't sleep. I'm so miserable!" He put out his hand to touch her bare
shoulder. It was chill. He stroked it uncertainly.

"Why
should you grieve? The mistake was mine. I have no rights on you. That I was
fortunate enough to be there and serve you was but a matter of luck.
And a pleasure.
But it gave me no right
...
I should not have said what
I
did."

"Perhaps," she whispered. "But
I should have understood. I should have known your hurt, because it was mine
too. That is why it angered me. I said, once, that I respected your plain
speaking, and now I snap at you for it. I am a fool. I could not leave it like
that, between us. My love is for you and will always be, no matter what
happens. You must believe that"

"I
do. But . . . my love . . . you are cold . . . and I am warm enough for both of
us." In the next moment she was under the blanket and snuggling close, the
straw rustling, hugging close to him.

The first bird-song, sounding through the
open door, stirred him, to touch and brush a strand of hair from her brow and
wake her. "You must go, my love. Dawn will be soon here. Our night is
ended."

"But not our love."
She slid out from his arms and stood a
moment to look down at him in the gloom. "
I’ ll
never forget!" Then, soft and silent, she was gone back upstairs.

ELEVEN

They were a somber party as they gathered on
the doorstep for a moment before going to see how Jasar had managed. Jack had
put off his fine tunic in favor of a homespun suit of jerkin-and-hose, but the
translator-helmet had become so much a part of his habit that he wore it
without thinking, even though he knew he no longer needed it to understand his
friends, or Silvana.
Least of all Silvana.
For her
part, she had returned the peasant smock and was once more in that brief,
snug-fitting jersey, with her jewel bags over one shoulder. It was somehow
natural to leave it to Haldar to speak, looking grave and impressive and
commanding in his red tunic and white lace.

"We will return, Edwina, soon, and for
one last time. We will bring food and wine and eat one last meal together. You
have been very good to us."

Then
they were off, along the front path, past the strips of potatoes and cabbages
and around into the narrow track that led to the ship. Silvana had her chin up,
her eyes everywhere, her nose sniffing scents. "How eager everything is
to live, here," she whispered. "I want to remember it all, like
this."

The
ship, when they reached it, wore its familiar blue glow and tingling
force-field. They called Jasar, and he came out, his dark face grave.

"My
news is good
...
and bad," he
said, before they could ask. "The ship will fly. It will pierce the
ionosphere. It will jump. Not as fast and as far as I could wish, but far
enough to reach a Salviar outpost."

"That's
good enough," Haldar said.
"As much as we had any
right to expect or hope for."
But the little scout had more to say.

"Good enough, yes, for one. No more than
that.
Just one, and a small one at that.
That is the
outside limits of her circuits now. I can go, and will, but I cannot take anyone
with me."

Jack
felt a sudden leap in his breast, and prayed that his face would not betray it.
Silvana's hand found his, gripped it tight

"That
is not so good." Haldar sighed. "For one thing, it sounds as if your
chances are pretty slender, even alone."

"Oh, no.
I have made longer jumps on slimmer margins. No need to worry for my
safety. But I cannot take you with me."

Jack
felt Silvana's fingers slip from his grip. "You cannot take us," she
said, "but you can report that we are here. When you reach Salviar
territory, and can get word to the Federation authorities. Then they can send a
ship to rescue us."

"That's
a thought," Haldar muttered.
"Jasar?"
"I could," the little man agreed, his face a mask. "But
I
won't!"

Jack
wanted to cheer. The two Strellans stared in amazement.
"Why
not?"
Haldar demanded. "We have a duty. This is our war!"

"But
this is not your planet!" Jasar was very stern. "Look at it! You have
seen fit to praise it for its green purity, its simple virtues. Remember, it
lies behind the Hi-lax curtain, even now. You talk of duty to me? Remember
what happened to Strella, your own home.
And Wil-lan,
my
home.
Does your duty go to the point of
bringing that kind of dreadful fate on this world? As it surely wilL once the
secret is loose. It will take a major force, line-of-battle ships to penetrate
this far,
if
High
Command thinks it worthwhile. And then, like it or not, Earth becomes a
target. Does your duty run that far
...
or are you being selfish?"

Silvana drooped, hid her face in her hands.
Haldar shook his head slowly and sighed. "You are right friend Jasar.
Strange that you, the professional among us, should have to correct
us the sentimental ones.
But you are right
Here
we are, and here we stay, for good or ilL It is no longer our war. You agree,
my lady?"

"How
can I say otherwise? For so long I have lived with this idea that I have a duty
to do, that nothing else matters, that I couldn't see properly . . . but now I
do.
Thank you, Jasar, for puting it so bluntly, but truly.
And now, when do you depart?"

"Not for some hours.
Around
noon, when the ionosphere is thinnest.
Meanwhile, I am hollow to aching
point. Shall we remedy that?"

They
busied themselves with the food-machine and special delicacies, and wine. Jack
kept catching Silvana's eye, and feeling foolish at the happiness there and in
his own heart. But Haldar sought him out for one serious moment, as they
prepared to return to the cottage. "At your age and in your place,
Jack," he murmured, "I too would probably be elated, thinking it all
a high adventure. But that kind of gloss can quickly wear off against the grind
of reality. We cannot go on imposing ourselves on your slender resources, not
for long. I shall have to find some way to turn my skills to good use, to earn
a living for myself and Silvana. How does a goldsmith stand in this
society?"

"I
know almost nothing of those," Jack had to admit "The only craftsmen
in metal that I know of are blacksmiths, who make arrowheads and swords,
spears and armor, horseshoes and such. They are respected, but not rich."

"You spoke of a city
to the south. London?"

"It is a long way. Two
days ride, I believe."

"Hmm!"
Haldar looked grave, was about to say more when the early morning quiet
was broken by the sound of racing hooves and armor jingling, and coming rapidly
nearer. Anxiously Jack put up a palm for caution and ran lightly to the angle
of the cottage wall, to peer around and see horsemen coming swiftly by the
river road.

"From
Castle Dudley," he whispered, as the others closed up on him. "That
one in the black chainmail is Earl Dudley himself, whom I thought away overseas
and fighting the Saracen. Next to him is his seneschal.
And
two men-at-arms.
I cannot think what they want
here,
unless it be to demand that we pay what we have not got."

The leading horsemen came to a prancing halt
not far from the cottage gate and Dudley slid down to the ground, to come
stalking, a tall and imperious figure with a black beard and curling
moustaches. The iron-gray old seneschal paced at his heels. Edwina came to the
door, drawn by the noise, and sank into a deferential curtsey immediately.

"Edwina
Fairfax," Dudley said. "I am glad, at least, that I see you well. I
came but yesterday in haste from France on other business, only to learn of
your grievous loss
...
and the
parlous news of a monstrous thunderbolt that my sentries assure me was seen to
strike the earth hereabouts. I feared for your safetyl"

"I
thank you for your concern, my lord, but I am well and unhurt, in body at
least"

"That
is good." The stern voice and posture softened a little.
"But what of the other matter?"

"I
regret"—she spoke sadly now—"that I have nothing left
Since
my husband was stricken, ill-fortune has dogged my
steps. Now
I
have only your mercy to look for."

"You
have that, of course.
And my goodwill always.
But this
is a thing that I cannot easily set aside. There are laws and customs...."

"Jack!"
Haldar spoke softly but urgently. "Give me that helmet of yours, quickly.
My lady, take out that blue gown, put it on
...
and some jewels to deck it and in your hair. Quickly, do as I say. And listen.
You, too, Jack, and play up to the tune I shall set. I think we can snatch
something from this moment I have seen his like before, many times."

Settling
the helmet snugly in place, Haldar drew himself up, brushed at his velvet
tunic,
then
stalked around the corner of the cottage
as if on a fine morning stroll. He had hardly gone two steps when Dudley's
command came.

"Halt
mere!" The order was crisp and strong, the squeal of sword from sheath
very distinct "Who are you?"

"I
am Haldar Villar, of Berden, and I think I have the honor to address the Earl
of Dudley; is it not so? I heard horsemen. I guessed it could be none other. I
think I am right!"

In
amazement, Jack heard in Haldar's voice the same curious intonation that marked
Dudley's speech, what a man-at-arms had once described in his hearing as
"Frenchified!" Dudley had obviously detected it too.

"By
the sound of you, Sir Haldar, you are not of these parts. Nor yet
I
fancy, of this country. You have come far?"

"Very far indeed.
This confounded war has made me travel much, seeking always some quiet,
peaceful spot, a plot of ground that I might purchase, some place to live
quietly. I find this place much to my fancy, what I have seen of it, and this
good lady and her son most considerate hosts to a weary traveler in search of
rest."

"Indeed!
You speak of purchase, Sir Haldar. Is it perhaps in your mind to purchase
this
particular small holding?"

"I had thought of it, yes. This good
widow has already told me that it is yours, and that you lease it to her in return
for rent."

"Which
she cannot find, since she was widowed by
a
misfortune that I regret, and has no longer
any substance." Dudley looked thoughtful now, and to
a
degree
cunning, brushing a finger across his moustache. 'Tell me, Sir
Haldar, if it suited my purpose to offer to sell you, as it might be, this
plot, is your purse long enough to pay the price?"

"Since I do not know the price you ask,
I
cannot say for sure. But, my lord Dudley, when a man must flee the barbarian
invader, he is wise and fortunate if he can carry away with him that kind of
wealth that can easily be carried." Squinting breathlessly around the
angle, Jack saw Haldar casually detach one glittering gem from his breast and
make
a
step forward. Dudley had his sword point down and forward in caution,
but moved it aside as Haldar extended his open palm. "If there be any
among your staff who know the arts of gems and gold-craft, have him examine
this. I think he will agree that it is many times the value of this land you
might offer to sell."

Dudley
took the stone and held it in his left hand close to his eye to examine it.
"I know enough of diamonds," he muttered, and then rattled off
something in a tongue Jack didn't understand. Haldar bowed his head and replied
in the same neighing kind of speech, and Dudley raised his black brows high.

"But it would be more courteous, would
it not, for us to speak in words that Widow Fairfax can follow, since this is a
matter that concerns her greatly?"

"Agreed!"
Dudley growled. "It is obvious that you are
a
true and noble gentleman. And this stone
...
is worth much. Do you then offer it,
for this land you have taken
a
liking to?"

"Yes. I do.
If I may
impose
a
few
additional considerations.
They are not many, and of course if you find
them irksome . . ." Haldar shrugged idly. "We can travel farther and
look elsewhere, after we have rested."

"We?"
Dudley pounced on the plural instantly.

"My
daughter, the Lady Silvana, travels with me.
I
think she is near.
Silvana!"
Haldar turned negligently and called.
"Silvana!"

Jack
looked around in momentary confusion, but she was right there by him, radiant
in the shimmering blue gown, her hair up and pinned with a cluster of gems, and
more sparkling about her bosom. "Your arm!" she hissed. "Hold it
so, supporting my hand. And try to walk with great dignity. Come!" Jack
felt all elbows and knees but he walked slowly with her around the comer into
view and saw Earl Dudley stare for a moment. Then, crisp and formal, his sword
came up before his face in a salute, then rattled back into its sheath.

"Sir
Haldar!" he declared. "I humbly crave your pardon for any doubts I
may have shown you.
My Lady!"
He marched forward,
sank to a knee, and reached for her hand. She gave it graciously for him to
touch, and smiled.

"She
has none of your speech," Haldar advised, "as yet. But if you agree
that we may make a home here, I am sure that she will learn."

"You
will both be most welcome, Sir Haldar. Name your conditions and they shall be
met, within reason. More cattle, if you require.
Serfs to do
your bidding.
Craftsmen to make alterations.
Widow Fairfax will be found a place, aye and her son, too, in my
household."

"Nay,
that is not my wish at all. This fair lady has been a most kind and gracious
hostess." Haldar reverted to that other tongue again, and Dudley nodded,
and smiled knowingly. "We understand such things, do we not?" he
went on in plain talk. "As for the other things"—Haldar shrugged
—"we were about to break our fast. This is not a moment for business.
Take the gem. I have more. If you send mounts for
myself
and Widow Fairfax so that we may join you in your home, your castle that I have
admired from afar, later in the day, then we can discuss the whole matter more
profitably. You agree?"

"It
is well!" Dudley declared. "There will be gende mounts for you and
Edwina about the noon hour. I look forward to that. I think we
will find
agreement, Sir Haldar, nor will you regret the
choice you have made.
Until then!"
Dudley bowed,
separately, to Haldar, Edwina, and Silvana, spun on his heel and heaved himself
up into the saddle again, waved a mailed hand in farewell, and a moment later
there was nothing left but the fading sound of hooves. Jack let out a long
breath that he was unaware he had been holding.