The Swans' War 1 - The One Kingdom (42 page)

LORD CARRAL WILLS SAT PLAYING AN OLD FAELLUTE; AS ALWAYS, IN awe of its complexity of tone. The notes had a warmth and depth that no other lute he'd ever heard could match. It was partly the workmanship, partly the woods—alollynda and rosewood—and partly the instrument's age. Two hundred years had done much to soften the sound, to add subtle overtones.

"Is it the instrument or the player?" a voice said. It came from the balcony. Carral stopped.” It is the Faellute," he said.” You have left the castle you once wandered. Or is it me you haunt?""I have no loyalties to men or to the places of men. My purpose does not allow it." "And what is your purpose?" "This night it is to bear bad news." He paused, and Carral did not like this silence. "Hafydd has found your daughter." Carral felt his fingers go slack on the strings.” Has—has she been harmed?" "I don't know for certain. I think not. Though he struck you I don't think he will treat Elise the same. She is to marry the son of his lord, after all." "I don't think Hafydd cares much what his master thinks." "He needs the Prince's armies, yet." Carral took a long, uncertain breath.” You failed," he said flatly. "Yes. Yes, I did. My plans went awry and Hafydd found her-— found her in a place I might never have looked myself. She was with the Fael, and he sent a raiding party to steal her away.""A raiding party into a Fael encampment!""Yes."

"Where?"

"Nearby."

"Nearby!? But what of the Peace of the Fair?""As you say, he cares little for what others think."Carral heard the light tap of footsteps as the ghost entered the room. His foot fell upon a plank that squeaked; and it did, just as it would beneath any man.

"My poor Elise ... with that monster.""There is some hope yet," the voice said, closer now. The sound of wine being poured came to him.

"And what hope is that?" "I have hope that we might steal her back." "Where is she?" "In the compound of the Prince of Innes." "Surely she is well guarded." "Better than you know. But I have found my way into more difficult situations—and my way out again." "What will you do?" "I am not quite sure, but Hafydd killed my confederates to have Elise back—and to taunt me. I shall see that justice finds him." "Spoken like a Wills," Carral muttered, his anger subsiding a little.” Were your confederates ghosts as well?" For a second there was no answer. Carral could hear breathing.” No. They were minstrels. Very skilled ones." "Ah." "But perhaps they are ghosts now," the voice said sadly. Neither of them spoke for a moment. Carral heard the man moving about the room. The strings of a harp rang as someone ran a finger over them, notes tumbling into the silence of the room like light.” I was told that Hafydd sought you," Carral said, "all across the northern reaches of our demesne. It is said he sought you out by means that could only be described as arcane. Who is this man Hafydd that he has such knowledge? And who are you that you can disappear from a high tower when the only door is blocked?" The ghost stopped in his pacing. He was near the doors to the balcony now.” It's said the blind hear more than the sighted," the man said, and Carral could tell that he faced the garden.” Hafydd has discovered things that he should not. He's broken his word and allied himself with ..." He paused.” He has made unwise alliances. Hafydd is something beyond your understanding now: a monster, of sorts. You do not know the carnage that he would cause to satisfy his slightest whim.""You frighten me, ghost."

"Men are meant to be frightened of my kind. And better that they are."Carral heard him slip over the balcony and land on the ground, light as a bird.

TAM POURED ELFFEN'S STILL-WARM ASHES INTO THE RIVER. THE stream of fine powder formed a chain of gray islands, then each island darkened and sank, turning the water to misty milk. How could this be Elffen, vibrantly alive but a day ago? Tarn closed his eyes. He hadn't known her well—or Gartnn, for that matter—and his sorrow seemed somehow out of proportion to what they'd meant to him. Perhaps it was the grief of the Fael, who committed the ashes of their loved ones to the river in this same ceremony, some of the dead mere children.

The Fael began a soft lament, beautiful and sad beyond measure. Tarn thought the song alone would bring anyone to tears. As the last ashes spun into the river and the lament came to an end, a small bird began to sing in the branches overhead.

There was a moment of silence and then the Fael began to whisper among themselves.

Tarn looked to Cynddl.

"It is a whist," Cynddl murmured.

"But that is not the song of the whist," Tarn objected.

"Not the warning cry that you know, but its love song. Listen."And listen they did for a brief moment. The song was repeated only once, then the bird took wing and passed quickly over the river, disappearing into the world beyond.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE JOUSTING, ARCHERY, AND EQUEStrian competitions would begin that morning, the Guildhall was filled with the sounds of people who had come to listen to the music. Carral knew from the sound and the soft breeze that the long line of double doors down each side of the hall had been opened to the crowd gathered outside.” Lord Carral," came a familiar voice.” I thought I should never win through—there is such a mass outside." "Prince Michael? Your father agreed, I take it?" "Oh, he was not happy, but he was convinced by my argument. Oddly, his counselor took my side." "Hafydd?" "Eremon, he is called in my father's house. Sir Eremon." Carral heard the scrape of wood as the Prince shifted his chair.” What a crowd!" the young man said.” I think I have never seen it so thick. The galleries are full, as is the floor, and the lawn outside is dense with people for a hundred feet. Certainly they won't be able to hear a thing." He paused for a second, perhaps looking around, Carral thought, and then he laughed gently.” The minstrels are all dressed in their finery and putting on bold faces," he said, amused.” They seem to have forgotten the judge this year will not be able to see them." The Prince paused, and Carral could hear the awkwardness take shape in the silence.” I am sorry. I didn't mean—""It's all right," Carral said, laughing, "I am aware that I'm blind. This will be one year that the prettiest singer will not take all the honors because of her smile."The Prince laughed a little too loudly at this.

Carral could hear the buzz of people waiting for the playing to begin. Many of the eyes were fixed on the judges' stand, he was sure, but there was no one within earshot, he was almost certain.

"Prince Michael?" Carral said, lowering his voice.

"Sir?"

"Hafydd has my daughter."

He heard the Prince's breath catch.

"Are you certain? He cannot have her within our compound without me knowing...." A pause.” I don't think.""Within your father's compound, yes. I am most certain this is true. Do you still wish to thwart Hafydd in his plans?""Let us not speak of this here," the Prince said so close to his ear, Carral felt his breath.

And so the competition began. Men and Fael coming before the judge and his advisors. Winning the competition at Westbrook could make a minstrel's reputation, but to receive the praise of Lord Carral Wills as well. .. This would push someone into the first rank of minstrels, assuring their fame and fortune. For that reason the men and women who came to play were all more nervous than they normally would have been, and yet many noted that the great Lord Carral seemed little interested in the contest. Some remarked that, occasionally, he did not seem to be listening at all.

PRINCE MICHAEL MADE HIS WAY THROUGH THE CURRENTS AND running streams of humanity. He couldn't quite accept what Lord Carral had told him, yet he was certain the man wasn't lying. What spies the Wills must have that Lord Carral would know Elise was being held within the compound of the Prince of Innes before Prince Michael himself knew! Had Hafydd not the slightest thought for honor? Prince Michael's father had signed his name to the charter guaranteeing the Peace of the Fair. And now his counselor had broken that peace and attacked the Fael! The Prince entered his family's compound and crossed immediately to his father's pavilions, confronting the guards.” Where is the Prince?" he demanded. The guard bowed.” He dines with the Duke of Varrn this evening." Prince Michael considered only a moment. Hafydd had actually taught him a lesson: the fainthearted would perish while the bold would prosper.” I can't wait for him," he said.” Muster twenty armed men. I want them here immediately." The guard bobbed his head.” But for what purpose?" "We go to secure my bride." "Your grace, I must have the permission of my superior before I muster men. Where might I tell him we go?" "To clean the stables'. That is where you will spend the rest of your miserable days unless you have twenty men mustered here within the half hour. Can you do that, or does life in the dung heap seem preferable to you?"The guard snapped upright, his face suddenly crimson.” I can find twenty men," he said.

"Be certain they are wearing mail," Prince Michael growled, and went off to find his own arms and a shirt of mail. Half of the hour later he was marching across his father's compound at the head of a column of men, their boots landing in rhythm on the soft grasses. Torches lit the way, wavering like his will. He was afraid, both of Hafydd and of what he had set in motion. There would be no way to back down once Hafydd had been confronted. Blood could be spilled. The Prince wondered if he would have the nerve to carry it through.

Why were men all so afraid of Hafydd? Why was he so afraid?

A memory of Hafydd knocking Lord Carral to his knees surfaced unbidden. Not just a blind man who could not hope to defend himself, but a minstrel of such genius that Prince Michael counted himself lucky to be born during his time. At the thought of this a slow flame, which had burned long and secretly inside him, kindled, and he nursed it into a blaze of anger, shutting out all doubts and whispered fears. There could be no other way. He must be in a rage or his nerve would falter and break.

He stormed across the compound toward the pavilions of Hafydd and his guard, offended that the knight had set himself up as a lord within his father's compound—a lord, when he was only a landless man-at-arms.

Two of Hafydd's guards stepped before him as he crossed the invisible line into the counselor's domain. Neither of them said a word.

"I will speak with Hafydd," Prince Michael said, surprised at how much resolve he heard in his voice.

"There is no one by that name here," one guard said.

"Then I will speak with Sir Eremon. This is my father's compound and you have no rights here. Step aside."The two men glanced at each other and put hands to their sword hilts, as though there were not twenty men standing before them. Their arrogance was intolerable, and the Prince drew his sword before he thought.” If they will not step aside, cut them down," he said, and raised his sword. He heard twenty blades leave their scabbards behind him. The resentment of Hafydd's guards was great among his father's men . . . and the odds here were greatly in their favor, the Prince noted. Hafydd's men drew their swords, but the Prince lunged forward and cut into one man's hand before his blade was free. The other aimed a blow at Prince Michael's head but the Prince danced aside. Half a dozen men fell on this guard, and would have hacked him to pieces if the Prince had not intervened.” Take him prisoner. He disobeyed my orders within my father's compound and turned his sword against me. Any man who does the same will go before my father, where he can explain why he felt it his right to murder his son." A quick motion and the point of his sword was against the other man's throat.” Shout, but choose your last words well." The man swallowed.” Where is Elise Wills?" The man did not move nor did he offer an answer. Prince Michael looked up at his men in the poor light.” There can be only two tents within the compound that are guarded—Sir Eremon's and the one I seek. Go in pairs eight of you and find these tents." The men hustled off, the dull jingling of mail rings sounding ominous in the quiet night. They were not gone but a few moments when they returned.” There are two guarded tents, one bearing Sir Eremon's banner, the other the double swan of the Wills." "Well, there is an odd mark of respect!" the Prince said. He motioned to Hafydd's guards.” Take these men away. My father will see them when he returns. Now lead me to the pavilion with the double swan banner."It was a short distance. Two more black-surcoated men-at-arms stood guard there, and when they saw the Prince approaching at the head of a column of men, one dashed off. The other stepped forward, but Prince Michael was not about to be stalled.” Encircle him," he ordered.” Cut him down if he resists."But the man was no fool and read the situation quickly. His sword went back in its sheath and he held his hands palms out. The Prince hesitated by the flap of the tent, then cleared his throat.

"Lady Elise?"

A second later the flap was torn aside and Elise Wills stepped out into the flickering torchlight.

"Oh, Michael, you found me," she said, and tears glittered on her lashes.

"We haven't a second to lose. Leave everything and come as you are. Hafydd knows what I do."Elise dropped the flap of the tent behind her and set out, trotting along beside him, the men falling in behind. The Prince felt his hopes begin to rise. Another twenty yards and they would be out of Hafydd's realm and into his father's. Let Hafydd try to take Elise back then!

They rounded a tent and found Hafydd standing before a dozen of his ghostly guards, all with swords in hand.

"Prince Michael?" Hafydd said, as though he thought this must be some other.” What is this you do? One of my guards has been injured, I'm told.""I will take my bride to lodge with my aunt, who will be her chaperon.""That is a perfectly acceptable arrangement. I have been waiting for your father to make his wishes in this matter known. Certainly Lady Elise cannot lodge here with me." Hafydd's brow wrinkled up quizzically.” But why would you not merely come and speak with me of this? Why come with armed men, and injure one of my guards?"Prince Michael felt his grip tighten on his sword. Hafydd would try to make what he did seem foolish and juvenile.

"Because I know who you are, Sir Hafydd, and who you once served. I know what it is you do here, in my father's compound. Counselor, you call yourself! You would counsel my father to his ruin if it suited you. Stand aside. We will deliver my bride."Prince Michael forced himself to go forward, skirting Hafydd and his men, avoiding a direct confrontation. As he passed, Hafydd glared at him, but the Prince tried to act as though he did not notice. The truth was that he could hardly breathe he was so frightened.

The Prince released a long sigh as they passed back into the area under his father's control. Elise put a hand on his arm.

"He would never have given me up if you had not come with men bearing arms," she said.” Do not be fooled by this sudden pretense that he is a reasonable man. He is not."They sat on chairs just beyond the awning, looking up at the moon and stars. Elise pulled the borrowed shawl close around her shoulders. Not a dozen feet away Prince Michael's aunt sat, embroidering, just within the pavilion's half-opened flaps.” Were you really abducted from the Fael?" the Prince asked, keeping his voice low. She nodded.” And one of my companions—one of those who helped me escape—was cut down. . . ." She closed her eyes and felt hot tears well up. A hand took hers gently. For a long moment she cried, unable to control it.” You must think the worst of me. Such a display..." "I think the best of you. Such a display of loyalty and grief. It is like Hafydd to avenge himself on those who thwarted him. So, he hunted down this man he calls the whist after all." "Alaan," she said.” No, he wasn't with us. Only Elffen and me." Tears appeared again, but she fought them back.” What shall be done with me now?" she asked, mastering herself and sitting up to wipe her eyes. A square of linen was placed in her hands.

The Prince slumped down in his chair.” I assume my father will send word to your family that you've been found, but, to be honest, I see little chance that he will give you up now.""I expect you're right," she said, thinking what a mess she must look and how perfectly dressed and composed this young man appeared. She had forgotten how beautiful he was. Beautiful, but at the moment he looked anything but happy.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am that you've been brought into this affair against your wishes," he said suddenly.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am that we are both so immersed," she said.” They will make a war, my foolish relations and your ambitious family. They shall make a war, and you and I will be part of it. You and I and this child your father wants to place on a nonexistent throne."The Prince sank a little lower in the chair, as though the weight of what she said pressed down upon him.” Oh, it is not my father. No, that is not precisely true. He would remake the old kingdom and place his grandson on the throne—that is his dream. But it is Hafydd who drives him on. Without Hafydd my father's dreams of glory would never have seen the light of day."Elise closed her eyes, remembering the words of Hafydd.” He threatened me," she said very quietly, as though Hafydd might hear.” He told me that if we refused to produce a child . . . that I could bear your child or his. That was my choice."The Prince sat up suddenly.

"And something else," she said.” I'm very frightened for these young men who helped me. Hafydd is so vengeful, and they are innocent young men from some small village.""I will send a warning to them," the Prince said quickly.” Where are they?""They were with the Fael," Elise said. Then, in a very small voice, "Is there no hope that we might resist him?"The Prince took a long breath and was about to speak, but stopped. He had intended to offer platitudes, but felt that was beneath both of them. Elise Wills was smarter than that.

"I don't know, Elise. That is the truth. If Hafydd has a weakness, I've yet to learn it."