Alphande'

Noräin entered the tent. I noted that there was something different about the way she walked, it was still stately, but she moved as if stepping on daggers rather than on bare ground. Bastian got up and placed his hand on her shoulder. She seemed to flinch away at first, then she settled into his touch as he led her around.

“Are you feeling better princess?” I asked. “Prince Bastian said you were unwell and might not make it.” I said cutting off Astred midway in one of his rambles about the rationing of food dedicated to the priests.

“I was unwell but I feel better now. Thank you for enquiring.” She dipped her head downward while she spoke, her face hidden under her veil. There was something more subdued about her behaviour and the way Bastian held her—tight, restraining—around her waist, I knew that he had something to with it. He had the look of a man proud to have broken a wild stallion.

Our eyes met momentarily and I held his gaze, steady it seemed on the surface, but underneath raged a fire of viciousness and control. I looked at Noräin’s broken posture. I wondered if he had found out about her coming to see me and if he did, what did he do to her?

Lord Raegon who was sitting at my left tapped me on the shoulder and I turned towards him.

“I sent the note as you had asked and she replied.” He whispered.

“And?” I whispered back.

“She wants to meet with me, tonight.”

“Wonderful.” I said pleased.

“Care to share what is so wonderful? We could all use a bit of wonder in our lives right now.” enquired Astred.

“If you must know,” I said turning to him briefly, before looking at everyone else gathered. “It is no secret that I do not wish to win over Shaeda in battle.”

“A most unfortunate position you hold.” said Bastian. “You want to preserve lives, but in doing so preserving our enemies numbers. This is a war, and the last time I checked in wars people die.”

“That might be true, but very soon we will be needing the numbers of our enemies, as we will have to become allies. Our men told us of what they saw at the mines and I suspect that that attack will not be the last.”

“The last two weeks have been quiet and we have not spotted a single Verdan for miles.” said Sonis.

“We haven’t spotted one yet, but I would not get too comfortable.”

“And the wonderful news? I am yet to hear.” asked Astred.

“I might have found a way to speak with Lady Margaret of Tel Anir unobstructed. I hope that we might come to some kind of mutual agreement.”

“When is this meeting?” asked Andreas.

“It is to be tonight. The location I have not found out yet.” I said turning to Lord Raegon.

“Under the gallows.” He said.

“And you are sure that this is not a trap?” said Noräin looking up for the first time since she came in.

“Maybe it is, but it is a chance I will have to take. Besides she doesn’t know that it is I she will be meeting with.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“She thinks she will be meeting me.” supplied Lord Raegon.

“Ah yes, you two were to be wed were you not?” said Astred. “Tragic how war drives love apart.” He said with an overly dramatic sigh.

Patronizing bastard. I tried very hard not to roll my eyes. I failed.

“Well yes.” said Lord Raegon said looking straight ahead.

“You were right Evander this battle could be avoided. The foolish ideals of women has already won it for us. This is exactly what happens when a woman is left in charge.” said Bastian.

“Ah the great scriptures do indeed support your words, for it says ’the man is to be the head of his household and his wife and servants to be under perfect subjection. The same I think applies to a province or country.” said Astred.

I saw Noräin ball her hands into a fist and her shoulders became tense, but she said nothing. Bastian on the other hand looked amused as the scar running across his cheek lifted slightly with his smile.

“My thoughts exactly.” He said looking down on Noräin.

“You call it foolish, but maybe it is wisdom she acts. Anyone who seeks to avoid the path of war for a more peaceful solution is wise indeed.” I said trying to appease Noräin.

“Maybe all her wisdom is trapped in her loins.” countered Bastian.

“You go too far Your Highness!” said Lord Raegon enraged. “There is a priest and a woman present, such language is not fit for their ears.”

“That woman is my wife as such her hands have felt what her eyes couldn’t see. As for the priest, I believe he has probably heard much worse things and done them too if my sources are correct.”

“I beg your pardon!” said Astred who up to this point was imbibing merrily on wine.

“Enough of this idle talk!” said Andreas silencing the tent. “We have strayed from the matter at hand.” He said as he stroked his beard repeatedly. If he had concerns about the way Noräin was being spoken of he showed no sign of it. “Evander you are to be meeting with Lady Margaret tonight?”

“Yes.”

“How many men are you bringing with you?”

“Just Lord Raegon, I do not want to bring too much attention to myself.”

“Is that wise?” asked Noräin. “The last time you went off alone your wolf was killed and you nearly as well. I need not remind you that you have the hopes of many of the Nuwanhe pinned on your back.”

“I assure you ma’so that I will be fine. You are not the only one allowed to make sacrifices for the betterment of our people. I know you have reason to believe that everything I touch seems to die, but I will not the mistakes of my past dictate how I move forward.” I said before emptying the goblet of the last of the wine. “I will take my leave now gentlemen and ma’so.” I said bowing. “Lord Raegon we will ride at dusk before the city gates close for the night. Commander Sonis get our men closer to the city as we will be occupying it by dawn. Look out for my signal as it will be a fire set on the west side of the castle.” I said addressing him directly. He nodded and I walked out of the tent.

I didn’t know why I allowed had my temper to be whittled down so quickly. Maybe I was angrier than I realised about Noräin refusing me last night. I rarely am ever spurned from what I desired, her rejection had hit a far deeper nerve than I’d imagined. This was the first time that any woman had managed to get under my skin this way. Especially one who I felt nothing for, she was nothing more to me than a means to an end. At least that was what I had been trying to convince myself all afternoon. It irritated me to see Bastian’s hand securely wound around her waist. His message was clear; she was mine and no one else’s. He treated her more like a possession than a person. If she was to be mine, I knew it would be different. I would be different.

“Oh snap out of it Gareth.” I said irritated by my own thoughts. “She is just another woman in Gé Addar.” I said as I sent another arrow flying towards the target. It missed the red bull’s eye by only a fraction. “Better, but improvement needed.” I said as I nocked in another arrow. This time it hit the staring red eye. “That is more like it.” I said as I walked towards the hat stuffed target and pulled the arrows out. My swordsmanship was excellent at least magnificent at best, but I had always had a preference for the bow over the sword. Hours of my free time growing up were spent hunting in the forests around Tel Anir.

“Evander!” I heard someone in the distance calling, but I paid them no attention. “Evander,” said the voice coming closer. I turned around as I realised that they were referring to me. I saw Lord Raegon coming with two green tunics flung over his shoulders.

“Is it dusk already?” I said looking at the eastern sky.

“It is.” He said handing me a tunic, coat of mail and a helmet. “Our horses wait just beyond the trees.” He said pointing from whence he came. I could see the two chestnut mares waiting.

I took the quiver from over my shoulders and flung on the mail coat first followed by the helmet. The tunic I would put on later while we were out of the site of our scouts. Our mission was known only by the council and the last thing I wanted was an arrow in the back because someone thought I was the enemy.

My knee was stiff, barely scabbed over. It still hurt when I placed any excess pressure on it, but I brushed aside the pain and mounted the mare quickly. I would have to keep moving it or when it healed I would have contracture, that would cause my knee to be fixed in a most grotesque and disabling manner.

“Which way is best to enter?” I asked.

“We should go through the north gate, it was the least guarded.” He replied.

I disagreed with his choice as the east gate was much closer to where we were headed. The north gate might be least guarded but there were at least five soldier out posts from there to the gallows, compared to the one we would meet upon if we rode east. This knowledge I couldn’t share as I was not supposed to have it. It meant I would have to be more vigilant on the route he’d chosen for us. I nodded once in agreement with his suggestion and together we rode towards the north gate.

“The streets are emptier than I would have imagined.” I said to Lord Raegon as together we walked our horses through the narrow market streets. A few months ago, even at this hour the streets would have been still bustling with commerce. Today it was a ghost town—empty and dead.

“There is a curfew in the city. It is easier for the army to patrol since their numbers have been significantly decreased. They have had to employ militia men to take up some of the watch.” he said as he indicated with his chin to soldier dressed in green, but instead of a sword or bow he held a scythe which he raised as we passed. We waved back in response. That one was obviously a wheat farmer. “That was why Margaret suggested we came at this time. The militia gets the first watch. They may be able-bodied but they are not soldiers.”

“That they aren’t.” I said a bit incensed at the state my city had dwindled down to. I couldn’t help to feel bitterness towards my brother for the slaughter he rendered to my army in the Catacombs. “Hopefully that can change. If Margaret agrees to our terms, she will have some of her men back and the help of ours as well.”

“That would make her burden lighter I suppose.” He said as he looked ahead at the stage with the gallows. “It is best we leave our horses here and walk the rest of the way. We don’t want them to draw attention to the stage.” he said as he dismounted. I followed suit, hitching the horses on a post close to an inn where they would look perfectly in place.

We walked over to the stage, carefully watching the streets for oglers we disappeared behind it. The space was tight as it was in close approximation to a wall. He tapped along the wooden backing which was dull to percussion, until we came to point that sounded more resonant than elsewhere. He pushed along this and it swung open. He disappeared through it and held it open for me to follow.

When the door closed we were suddenly enveloped by darkness, with a few rays of fading light seeping in through the cracks in the woodwork from outside.

We made our way to the furthest corner and sat down. I removed my helm and rested my head against the wall.

“How is it that you come to know of this place?” I asked.

“The provinces of Sigh and Tel Anir were the closest allies of the Nuwanhe. Together we supplied them with the majority of the armoury and food they needed. However the king was becoming more suspicious of us and had his spies keeping a closer eye of our movements above ground. So Lord Brenthart devised the tunnel system providing us with secret the entry and exit points within this city. It is through the tunnels below that he sent the supplies needed with the king or his agents being none the wiser.”

So that was how Evander had escaped. My father—Lord Brenthart— had kept many secrets from me it seemed. I had heard rumours of tunnels but I had neither the time nor inclination to go searching for things I thought were fables.

“Lady Margaret knows of the tunnels too?”

“No, only those of the Nuwanhe know the paths under the city. I told her that we would meet here and gave her the instructions as to find the opening; more than that she doesn’t know.” he said as he swung his bone-filled braids over his shoulder and leaned back as well. “Midnight is a way off still. You may wish to sleep and I will take the first watch or the other way if you prefer.”

“You should sleep first. My mind is restless and sleep would elude me.” I said.

“If you would have it that way.” he said sliding to the ground to lie on his back. After a few moments of shuffling, he was silent and one would have thought him dead if not for slight movements of his chest rising.

How simply sleep had come to him. For me it was quite the opposite. No sleep for the wicked said the adage. Lord Raegon it seemed oozed goodness.

I turned my head watching the golden cracks of light creeping in until they faded into the more silvery slivers of night. Sleep still had not come and my legs were beginning to cramp from remaining immobile for so long. Just as I’d begun to wonder if Margaret had changed her mind, I heard the faint taps of fists on wood. I shook Lord Raegon’s shoulder and he rose with a start.

“It is her coming I think.” I said.

“I slept through the whole evening? You never took watch.”

“I didn’t need the sleep, but it seemed you did. You should go and meet her.” I whispered. I heard him moving off towards the door while I stayed hidden in the corner.

There was a final resonant tap before the door was shrugged open. More light from outside poured in and I pulled myself further up in the corner to protect myself from being discovered.

“Raegon?” I heard the whispers of Margaret.

“I am here.” He replied still hidden behind the door. “Have you come alone?”

“You said I should,” said my sister, “not that it was the easiest thing to do.” she added sharply. It seemed that despite all that happened her tongue hadn’t dulled one bit. I couldn’t help but to smile to myself.

“I was only making certain my love.” he said before stepping around to face her. Without hesitation, she buried herself in his embrace. “I have missed you.” I thought I heard him whisper.

“Then you shouldn’t have left.” he said as she pulled away. “You should have joined my brother instead of those hooligans being led by my father’s murderer.” she accused.

“If I had done that, then I would have been dead, my men along with the thousands of soldiers your brother commanded. Is that what you wish for me Margaret? Death?”

“Of course not! I would rather have my arm removed than have a single strand of your hair touched.” Her tone softened and he pulled her closer.

“And I the same. That is why I asked for you to meet tonight.” he started in a business-like tone. “The Nuwanhe has surrounded Shaeda and they intend to take the city.”

“Not over my dead body!” she riled up and he placed his hand over her lips.

“If it comes down to that, they will regardless of what I have to say on the matter. However, they were hoping for a more peaceful resolution.”

“Which would include what exactly?” she said sarcastically.

“They would return the men that they have captive, there would be no bloodshed. We would move into the city peacefully offering you and the city our protection.”

“Protection from what? I thought the only thing we needed protection was from you.”

“The Nuwanhe is not your enemy; in fact your father even secretly lent his help to them over the years.”

“Yet they aligned themselves with the one who killed him. Tell them that Shaeda is not in need of their protection. We have the help of the king.”

“The king? Really Margaret? Where is the king? Where is his help? I only see farmers and blacksmiths and cobblers outside protecting your city. It has been many weeks since the battle of the Catacomb’s and he still has not come to your aid.”

“He will come.”

“When?” he asked more impassioned. “When will he come?”

“As soon as it pleases him. He is the king and he has a whole country to protect not only this city.” she said in a tone that sounding like she was trying to convince herself more than Lord Raegon.

“Which I would take to mean he might never come and in the meantime he leaves you open without care. You say that the Nuwanhe is your enemy, but that my love is by choice. There are worse things out there than us. A new breed of Verdans for instance. One of them could easily cut down fifty men without help and afterwards they feed on their kills. I have seen their work Margaret. This is not something you want Shaeda to face alone. We know that there are more of them and they will be headed here. You all will not survive. You will need our help. Margaret, please listen to what I am saying.”

“No,” she said petulantly. “I would rather die than align myself with an army led by the one who killed my parents and my brother.”

“You are letting grief cloud your better judgment Margaret. Think of the rest of the people of Shaeda whose lives you are sacrificing. Would you leave them to be killed by savages and their bones stripped clean of their flesh?”

“Yes.” she said without hesitation. “Yes I would. I would rather die, taking the whole city with me than aligning myself with the one who murdered my family.” I didn’t doubt her words. Stubbornness was one of Margaret’s strongest suits.

“If you will not listen to reason, at least listen to me.” I said lighting a lamp and walking towards them.

“You told me to come here alone, yet you brought him along.” she said to Lord Raegon while jabbing her fingers towards me. “Was this your plan to take me by force if I refused to give the city up willingly?”

“Margaret don’t be ridiculous,” I said rolling my eyes as I had done a thousand times over when we had an argument. In her presence I had let a small piece of my façade fall. Her head snapped from Raegon’s face to mine in a second. Her eyes scrutinizing every inch of me. I saw guarded recognition in her eyes. In a second, she’d seen beneath my façade and saw who I really was. We had known each other for all our lives, seeing the awkward changes from childhood to adolescence. Seeing those changes in each other would make it impossible not know each other with or without disguise. She saw me and not Evander and for a second I allowed myself to revel in that knowledge.

Her mouth popped open and in a slight gesture I tugged at my ear and then clamped my lips together between my thumb and index finger. Something that we’d taught each other if we wanted the other to keep silent. Thankfully she complied. What seemed to be an hour long conversation between our eyes, really lasted only a fraction of a second and Lord Raegon was oblivious to all that passed.

“Forgive me,” I continued. “I meant Lady Margaret. But I can assure you that there is no need for you to sacrifice yourself and people on my account. I know that you have been misled to believe that I was responsible for death of your parents and brother, but I can assure you my lady that that is not the case.”

“Is it really not so?” she said eyeing me still out of disbelief and chagrin.

“Yes, my Lady. If only you would lend me your ear at a more appropriate place and time, all could be explained. I ask only to let my army enter the city gates in peace. Once you have heard my story my Lady, you can judge for yourself whether we are truly your enemies or not.”

She stood apart from both me and Lord Raegon, folding her arm over her belly and played with the engagement ring, twisting it around her finger.

“You have given me no choice but to agree, it seems.” she said as she glanced at me once and then looked away. “I will allow the Nuwanhe to enter Shaeda. The truth better be worth it, or I will have my men slash each of your soldiers throats open while they sleep in our beds.”

My lips tilted into a smile as I expected no less drama from Margaret than this. “It will be worth it my Lady.”

She nodded once at me and then looked back at Lord Raegon. “Accompany me back to the palace will you? As there is no longer any reason for you to hide.” she said.

He looked at me and I indicated with my head for him to go. “It would be my pleasure my lady.” he said offering her his hand.

“The gates will be open in the morning.” she said.

“Thank you my lady.” I watched them disappear outside into the night. I put out the lamp and went on my way.