The Grand Crusade (8 page)

He nodded. “She will be bled and keep funneling troops into Saporicia, which means she will not be bringing them to bear on Okrannel. You have a chance to fortify your nation against her return.”

“You anticipate me.”

“But what of the Adrogans question, Duchess?”

Tatyana’s head came up, and she appeared puzzled, which was the first time Scrainwood had seen that expression on her face. “He has taken Okrannel. He liberated it. He shall be rewarded and glorified.”

“Ah, but adding Okrannel to a Jeranese empire would bring him more glory, would it not?” The king smiled as her face darkened. “Have you not heard the rumor that Adrogans now possesses the secret of the dragonel? With it he can carve an empire. Valicia and Gurol will have to defend against that possibility, meaning Alcida and our alliance can abandon all hope of aid from the west.”

He watched her struggle to regain her composure. So focused had she been on the freeing of her nation that she never paused to imagine that the liberator might not want to give it up. “If such rumors prove true, it would be most dire indeed. It could well and truly mean the end of the alliance. It would be the end of everything.”

“Only if Adrogans were to turn the weapons against us and not Chytrine.”

Tatyana snorted. “You have met him. He is vain and has a sense of himself that would elevate him above all others. Can you imagine he will not use those weapons against us?”

The king returned to the sideboard and refilled his goblet. “I can imagine many things, Duchess. I imagine you came here to ask me to aid you in developing a strategy that will draw Chytrine’s troops further south. As you are one of those who think I am Chytrine’s creature, you were also prepared to offer me something of import in exchange for my cooperation. You have no troops to coerce me into doing what you wish. What do you have to offer?”

She smiled in a way that made his flesh crawl. “I offer Oriosa a chance at redemption.”

Her words surprised Scrainwood. “If you can do that, those who have judged you a witch have sorely underestimated you. Your powers would rival those of Chytrine herself.”

“I make no such claims, but I can offer you redemption, you and your nation.” She took up her goblet again and studied it as firelight flickered through the ruby depths of the wine. “It is part of the prophecy, all woven together. You see, in the time before my grandnephew died at Fortress Draconis, you and he had many discussions of things of great import. You both were aware that the war would not be won then, which is why you chose not to accompany Lord Norrington to the north. It is why you sought to rescue the sword Temmer from Bosleigh Norrington. My nephew Kirill, you see, was possessed of much the same skills at prophecy that I am, and he knew you were the key to Chytrine’s defeat. After all, Norrington is just a location patronymic, and as the King of Oriosa you have every right to claim it. You are the Norrington, sire, or your son is.”

She held up a finger to forestall comment. “So, at the risk of your own safety,

to prepare the trap that would destroy Chytrine, you endured decaaes oi auuKand doubt. You confided in no one, but you did your part. You let Chytrine scout from your nation, but you told others of her strength. It was the hardest thing you have ever done, being true to the word you gave Kirill before his death. You were true, however, and because of it Chytrine will be defeated. Your role will be revealed. As a sign of the veracity of this alliance, the document that betrothed the infant Alexia to your son Erlestoke shall be revealed and our dynasties shall be united. The two nations that saved the world shall be as one, and the glory of both shall be restored.“

The sheer audacity of her plan astounded him, and yet he saw it could easily work. As a lie it was grand, and with a minor amount of document fabrication, the evidence to support it would be irrefutable. The traitor Hawkins had been destroyed by songs, and the hero Crow had been made by them, so buying bards and having them deliver the tale to the common folk would sway them. In the world’s relief at Chytrine’s destruction, many a hero would be exalted, and Scrainwood could easily be among them as the one who did what had to be

done to save the world.

“It is a bold plan, Duchess, and brilliant, I must say that.” Scrainwood nodded slowly, then brought the decanter over to her and topped off her wine. “As presented, there really is little for me to lose. Letting Saporicia become a battleground saves my nation from the same. If, by some mischance, your vision of a victorious future is in error, where the battles are fought will matter little. There

is no reason I should not agree.“

She sipped and closed her eyes as she savored. Her face did not become pleasant, but just a bit less forbidding. “Then we have a pact?”

“With a condition.”

“That being?”

“You will have to be the one to raise the question of Adrogans’ possession of dragonels. You will have to push to have the secret shared. I cannot. I think if you were to suggest that the rumor has been heard, and the sharing will let us meet Chytrine as equals, the message will be heard best. If the rumor is not true, no harm done, for the disappointment will be folded into determination to fight harder. And if it is true, then we bargain such that dragonels shall be given to those troops who come to fight.”

She nodded slowly and sipped again. “Done and done. I do find that rumor disturbing. Your method of handling it will bring the truth to light. If you were to bring it up, duplicity would be suspected and the damage would be done.”

“We are agreed.” Scrainwood slowly smiled. “And do not think I have missed

your ulterior motive.“

Tatyana’s head came up. “What do you mean, Highness?”

“The sealing of our dynasties. You expect Oriosan gold to be invested in the

rebuilding of Okrannel.“

“It would be a hope, yes.”

“Good, then as we liberate pieces of Saporicia from the Aurolani, perhaps we need an international zone in the south, including the port city ofSanges. It would facilitate trade between ournations if I had an ocean port.”

“That would require the death of the Saporician royal house since they would never agree to it.”

“Certainly whoever the liberators raised to lead the nation in the aftermath of that tragedy would happily grant such a boon to his allies.”

The old woman nodded. “If Chytrine does not manage it, there are ways it can be handled.”

“I shall check the lineage and perhaps find a suitable family branch with a daughter to marry to Linchmere. It would make things tidy.”

“Indeed, it would.” Tatyana tossed her wine off with the gusto of a gutter-whore in a dockside tavern. “Your hospitality and time are always appreciated, Highness.”

“Pity you have to leave so soon, Duchess.”

She stood and laughed at his remark. “Such sincerity cloaking a lie. Will they never realize you are far more dangerous than Chytrine could ever be?”

He smiled. “No, they will not. It is just as well. It allows them to sleep.”

“Then, while they sleep, I shall be about my work.” Tatyana bowed her head to him. “Fare well, King Scrainwood. Together we shall guarantee a future for the world that will suit us perfectly.”

Prince Erlestoke regarded the Vorquelf sitting across from him. Smaller than Resolute and slight of build, he still had the sharp features of an elf, including the pointed tips of ears rising through a curtain of fine black hair. His intensely blue eyes had no pupils, which made his glance a bit unnerving, though less so than Resolute’s. Erlestoke saw no tattoos, but the Vorquelf wore long sleeves and had his tunic laced up tight beneath a thick sheepskin coat. He even wore gloves, so the prince couldn’t see if he sported rings or other jewelry. Resolute hissed at him in Elvish, and Erlestoke knew enough to catch some words. The tone in Resolute’s voice filled in more, leaving Erlestoke with the impression that Resolute was full of both fury and contempt for his companion. The other elf kept his face composed, betraying no emotion, then slowly shook his head and spoke carefully enough that Erlestoke could understand him

clearly.

“I’ve not sought to hide from you, Resolute. Upon my arrival in Narriz, which was only yesterday, I immediately joined our brethren here. I asked after you, but was told you had no congress with them. I did not seek you out, but I do not shrink from you either.”

Resolute snorted, then slowed his Elvish speech. “Do you still call yourself

Banausic?“

“It seems fitting, still, for I am ever practical.”

“You served Chytrine once. I have not forgotten.”

“Nor have I, but I have a better master now.” The Vorquelf lifted his chin. “I have served Adrogans well. I liaised between the Nalisk Rangers and the Blackfeathers. I was with them, ahead of the army, from theHighlandsto Svarskya. I gave them no cause for complaint.”

Resolute’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

L

Erlestoke took the opportunity to ask a question. “I’ve heard a rumor that Adrogans has the secret of firedirt. Is it true?”

Banausic regarded him coldly. “That would be no business of yours.” Resolute’s hand immediately closed on Banausic’s right forearm and squeezed. “It is business of ours, so you will answer the question.”

The other Vorquelf tried to keep his face impassive, but pain tightened his eyes. “Very well. We sailed, the lot of us, on the night Svarskya fell. We sailed past the hulk of a ship and saw that dragonels were being recovered from it. I believe it was a workshop where firedirt was made. I would know more, but we were sent forth quickly, and Tagothcha sped us here with uncommon alacrity.”

Erlestoke nodded to Resolute, and his companion relaxed his grip, but did not remove his hand from Banausic’s arm. “How deadly was the battle? In what condition are Adrogans’ troops?”

“Not nearly as torn up as they should be. Adrogans planned and executed the campaign brilliantly, but the Aurolani forces barely opposed him. At every turn when we should have paid mightily, we won through without much trouble. At first we thought this was due to Nefrai-kesh’s absence, but he was there at the defense of Svarskya. It is thought many of his troops and dragonels were called off to the battle for Sebcia, since we were not expected to be at Svarskya so quickly. But even firedirt was poorly employed. Adrogans’ troops are in very good shape and fully capable of launching a new campaign.”

Erlestoke nodded and glanced at Resolute. “With dragonels he could create an empire for himself. We know this will be suggested in the councils, splitting them. Do you think this is why Chytrine let him have Svarskya so easily?”

Before Resolute could answer, Banausic tapped a ringer against the tabletop. “Fear of that is why Adrogans swore those of us he sent here to secrecy. He said that he did not know if it was a trick by Chytrine, but we were to listen for such rumors. He will not admit to having firedirt or dragonels for he does not want the alliance shattered.”

Resolute nodded slowly. “A wise man, though wise in which way, I wonder? An army will let him build an empire, or will let him take Chytrine’s gift and wreak havoc with it against her. Which way will he go?”

Banausic shrugged. “I am no witch to know his mind, but I would bet on the latter case. He is a proud man, and the very idea that Chytrine gave him Svarskya rankles. He has liberated Okrannel, true, but I think he would like to be known as the one who destroyed Chytrine.”

The prince drank some more ale and let the bitter, woody fluid sour his mouth before swallowing. He shivered, then looked at Resolute. “Why do I get the feeling that this war is going to come down to people choosing to do whatever they want while the crowns dither?”

“Because you think clearly.” The silver-eyed Vorquelf’s nostrils flared. “You have anarcanslatato communicate with Adrogans?”

“Yes.”

“Good. You will allow me to use it when I request.”

Banausic hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. “As you desire. Anything

else?“

“Aside from telling me what you tell him?” Contempt seeped back into Resolute’s words. “When I spared your life in Okrannel, you promised to share with me what you saw on Vorquellyn.”

“Svoin had not yet fallen, then you were called away.”

“So you shall make good on your promise. Now.”

“Here?” Banausic lowered his voice and hunched forward. “What I have to say is not meant for other ears.”

Resolute gave him a bone-chilling stare. “The prince has already been brought into our circle. Look about. Who will hear you? Do you think these people understand what we are saying?”

The black-haired Vorquelf slowly nodded. “In the last quarter century I have been brought to Vorquellyn three times. It is a horrible place now—not the place we lost, but a harsh land, as if the entire island had been swept by fire, then seeded with weeds. Foul bracken overgrows everything, save where debris-choked rivers have backed up into stagnant fens. There are wildlands where creatures of unspeakable aspects roam. Their voices shatter the night and their blood stains the few streets that can be passed. Where beauty and serenity once reigned, now the flash of claw, the rending of fang, and shrieks of pain are the

norm.“

While the words Banausic spoke were terrible enough, the tone of his voice stained them with agony. Erlestoke felt a lump rising in his own throat as the Vorquelf’s voice shrank. In his words the prince caught flashes of Oriosa’s future

if Chytrine were not stopped.

Resolute remained unmoved. “Your sentimentality is touching, but of little use to me. What was it you felt important about your sojourns home?”

“It is not my home. It is not any of our homes.” Banausic’s voice deepened angrily. “My first trip came after the last war, after Svoin fell. Many of us were taken to Vorquellyn, though family were left behind so we would be compliant. On that journey many of us were roughly used. Before the retreat, many places were sealed with great wards, including thecorüesci. Do you know what one is?” Erlestoke shook his head. “I’ve never heard the term before.” Banausic tapped a finger beneath his own right eye. “Vorquelves have eyes all of a color because we have not been bound to our homeland. We have the eyes of children, despite our age. At some point during our adolescence—which starts as young as yours, but might continue until we have seen fifty winters— we are brought to acorüesciand there bound to the homeland in a ritual. It is possible that the land will reject us, but such rejection is the stuff of legend.”