DragonCrown Saga - The Grand Crusade Part 10

"Yes, Princess?"

"Yes, husband. I have you. You are mine, and I do not mean to let you go." She smiled. "Tonight is our night, the portal to the future. Come. Together we pa.s.s through it, and we shall never look back again."

fT wo things made sitting in the Oriosan delegation tolerable for Prince Erlestoke, but only just. The first was seeing Cabot Marsham's reactions to J. him. Over and over the prince caught the odious little man watching him. When he did, he would smile sweetly, but always let a hand curl into a fist or drop to where the hilt of his sword should have been. Such things would always make Marsham blanch or fidget. Erlestoke realized this was the rough equivalent of teasing a child, but he took some pleasure in it nonetheless because the frustration of naked, grasping greed is always a joy.

The other thing was the new sword he'd been given. Crow and Alexia had sent him a message and he'd gone to their rooms as soon as he was able. There he met a man and his son, a smith from Valsina.

Erlestoke had never before heard of Naysmith Carver, but his father had never spoken much of the first expedition against Chytrine.

The prince had found the smith to be a man of few words, but fewest among them the word /. That made him a welcome relief from every minister and lordling infesting the capital. Nay's direct manner reminded Erlestoke well of the soldiers he'd commanded at Fortress Draconis, especially ameckanshu weapons-master who had been left behind in Sarengul. The prince hoped Verum still lived.

Nay's son had laid out two swords and the prince immediately found himself attracted to one of them.

The longsword had a thick forte to the blade, but tapered quickly to a sharp point for thrusting. The pommel cap had a crown shape to it, and leather wrapped the wooden grip. The crossguard was unremarkable save for two inch-long spikes at each end running parallel to the blade.

Nay had explained how an urZrethi sorcerer named Bok had come and helped him work the blade with a fragment of Temmer in it. That news had given Erlestoke pause on two counts. He'd met Bok at Vael and thought him little more than an animal. The prince didn't like deception and found himself inherently not trusting the work done on the sword.

On top of that was the portion of Temmer that had been worked into it. The jagged fragment bridged both the forte and more slender part of the blade for a foot and a half. UrZrethi runes had been worked around it and washed in gold, making them match the crossguard and pommel. Temmer had been a powerful blade with baleful magick, but he feared that less than he did his father's reaction to learning he possessed a sword with a piece of Temmer in it. His father had remained convinced through the decades that, had Temmer been his, he would have been a great hero.

In many ways Erlestoke thought Temmer had worked its terrible magick on his father. Even without touching the sword, his father had been broken by it. The sword made him realize how much of a coward he truly was, and he never fought against that aspect of himself. His father would likely see the blade called Crown as meant for him, and a way to redeem himself.

But despite his misgivings, Erlestoke had accepted and drawn the silvery blade. From the moment it slid free of the scabbard, he knew it had indeed been meant for him. It fit his hand perfectly and he was able to whip it about with the flick of a wrist. The stout forte would permit him to parry much heavier weapons. The ease with which the blade moved would wend it through guards, picking out weaknesses in armor, spilling blood, and ending the lives of those who threatened the world.

The prince wished he could have worn the sword to the Council. Courtesy and custom allowed only King Fidelius to wear a sword, for they were in his capital. Decorum would permit him a single knife as a sign of his rank. Erlestoke had chosen a long and utilitarian one, which he had brought with him from Fortress Draconis. It comforted him to have it tucked into a boot, and time after time he resisted the temptation to draw it and stab it into the table in frustration.

Yet another minister rose, this one from Helurca. He wore brightly colored silks of green and blue that mocked the winter's howling. Erlestoke could understand the desire to dress gaily in the depth of winter, but in councils where the fate of the world was being decided, it seemed quite inappropriate.

Then again, the prince reminded himself,the fate is not being decided here, just endlessly debated.

The Helurcan cleared his voice. "The people of Helurca would also express their alarm at the flouting of this council's directive by General Markus Adrogans. His blatant disregard for the command to appear here casts his previous tactics in their true light. We cannot trust what he has told us about the Aurolani threat to Okrannel. We cannot trust what he has told us about drag-onels. Yes, we acknowledge that other nations have had their agents report back a lack of dragonels in his possession, but how do we know he has not fooled them into believing he does not have them?"

Erlestoke shook his head. The Helurcan minister had at least avoided the eruption of anger created when his Reqorese counterpart had suggested the soldiers in Adrogans' army had allied themselves with him and his fledgling empire. King Augustus' response had been the most acerbic when he suggested that it was Reqorra's own weak sense of self that made it possible for them to imagine others would not hold their nation above personal concerns. True to the internecine squabbles that infested Reqorra and sp.a.w.ned such suspicions, the delegation dissolved into a hissing squabble that ended the minister's speech.

The Helurcan continued. "For all we know, General Adrogans has his troops on the march south. He could have told those under his command that they would be coming to succor Saporicia. They would accept that explanation with selflessness and good hearts, hastening on while he plotted to use them to further his own ends."

With his nostrils flaring in disgust, Erlestoke rose. He felt Marsham clutching at his sleeve. He looked down at the grasping little man and Marsham recoiled as if stabbed through the heart. "I beg the minister's pardon, but this is patent nonsense and born out of an utter lack of understanding of troops."

The minister sniffed. "I know well your reputation, Prince Erlestoke, and meant to cast no aspersions on it..."

"Perhaps not, but you misunderstand the sort of men I have led. You misunderstand those Princess Alexia has led, that King Augustus commanded in Okrannel, and indeed those we are going to ask to fight for us here in Saporicia. No soldier accepts selflessly the orders to march halfway across the world.

They will grumble and cavil, almost as much as you are."

The bald Helurcan minister raised himself to his full height and let his jowls quiver. "I hardly think..."

"No, you don't think. At least, not like a soldier. They'll follow Adrogans, but that's because they trust him. He's earned that trust. In taking Svoin and Svarskya he did what no other leader has done, and with fewer casualties than could ever have been imagined. When last you met in Yslin and gave him that duty, none of you imagined he would have gotten this far, this fast. He tells you he is moving his troops to continue the fight against Chytrine, and yet with no evidence to the contrary and all evidence to support his claim, you find reason to doubt it. You are being foolish."

"So say you now, Prince Erlestoke, but your nation is not one facing invasion."

Erlestoke rubbed his forehead with his left hand. "Do you not see the map, Minister? My nation is on the forefront of the invasion. Chytrine is closer to Oriosa than Adrogans would be to Helurca for a month yet,if hewere heading south."

The Helurcan's eyes hardened. "You know your nation is in no jeopardy."

The Prince's spine stiffened. "Meaning exactly what, Minister?"

The Helurcan began to answer, but another voice, strident and furious, drowned him out. "Meaning he is a fool, as is everyone in this room, with an exception or two."

Resolute strode into the middle of the chamber, shrouded in a ragged cloak made of mottled gibberer scalps. Their irregular shapes and bare patches reminded Erlestoke of charnel mounds strewn over the plains around Fortress Draconis. Resolute's cloak had been fashioned from dozens of scalps, each one harvested after horrible fights. Erlestoke felt certain they represented but a fraction of those he had killed in his long war against Chytrine.

King Fidelius roused himself from his seat in objection. "The Vorquelves have no standing here. You will not be heard. You are out of order and shall remove yourself."

"No, I will not leave, and Imustbe heard." The Vorquelf's voice rasped roughly. "For over acenturyI have listened to men debate about Chytrine and how she would be dealt with. My interest is obvious.

Men saved me from the fate that overtook my homeland. My kinsmen in the other homelands would not move against Chytrine to save Vorquellyn."

He glanced around the room, his argent gaze sending a tingle through Erlestoke as their eyes met. "The other elves think Vorquelves like me impatient, and I am. I will admit to wanting my home back, very much. But my desires are greater now. They have to be."

King Scrainwood snorted. "Had you been with us a quarter century ago, we would not be in this predicament."

"And had you a spine then, King Scrainwood, the same might be said. The future that would have come from either one of those things is unknowable. The lessons drawn from that failure are inescapable.

Without courage, without determination, it will be a smaller council that meets in a year or a decade. So it will go until there is no one else to meet."

Resolute swept his cloak back, giving everyone full view of his powerful arms, decorated as they were with arcane tattoos. "I have listened for ages, but no more. You debate issues that do not matter. Even you, Prince Erlestoke, quibble over a point that is immaterial. If Adrogans is marching this way, for empire or succor, what does it matter? Neither will stop Chytrine, and stopping Chytrine is what must be done. To think about anything else is futile. Or, worse, it is completely irresponsible-more so than your predecessors were when they made Crow a scapegoat and hid behind him from their worst nightmares."

The silver-eyed Vorquelf pointed at Princess Alexia. "At least they had some foresight. They had the wisdom to train this woman in the ways of war. They envisioned her leading an army to defeat Chytrine.

You know of her battles. You know of her feats. She has not failed at anything you have given her to do, yet what do you do now? You sit here and argue over trivial matters when you should be arguing over who will give the most to her army."

Ministers and rulers rose to object, and Resolute snarled. His right hand snapped into a fist, then opened again. One of the tattoos on his forearm flashed, then a gout of flame shot from his palm. The golden jet singed an overhead arch, and the heat of it drove people back. Even Erlestoke raised a hand to shield his face.

"You arenotlistening!" Smoke rose from Resolute's closed fist. "There has been time for talking. Now is a time for action. Every time you have acted in concert against Chytrine, she fails. If you lose sight of that, it is the ultimate failure."

Grand d.u.c.h.ess Tatyana struggled to her feet and began speaking in a low voice that demanded attention. "These councils have too long been without such cold reality. We, brothers and sisters, are given too often to deliberation of no consequence. The reasons do not matter, and to discuss them would be to continue in that vein."

"As you do now, witch."

Tatyana glared at Resolute, but the Vorquelf did not quail.

"Resolute is right. Alexia has been trained for a lifetime to lead the army we will a.s.semble. Our ministers can discuss anything they desire, and likely will, but to us must fall the task of planning a war. A war that will destroy Chytrine. A war that will liberate Muroso and Sebcia and even Vorquellyn. As my nation has been saved, so should all nations be saved."

Tatyana's declaration ended and silence descended in the chamber. Resolute's words had brought a blush to Erlestoke's cheeks, and he was not alone in feeling embarra.s.sed. Tatyana, in turn, offered those a.s.sembled the chance to abandon, at least for the moment, the petty squabbles that had defined their discussions thus far and move toward the grand goal of their common salvation.

King Fidelius, who had retreated to his seat with Resolute's incendiary display, again rose. "There is much wisdom in what has been said here. With due deliberation..."

Resolute spun, his mangy cloak swirling out. "Withdue deliberationthere will be no more Saporicia. You must actnow. Plans must be made and the army must move. By the new year, the expeditionary force must be headed north."

"But that is only a week hence!"

Resolute nodded. "Yes, Highness. Ten days. They could be the final ten days your nation knows. Is that what you desire?"

"No, of course not."

"Good, then do what must be done." The elf opened his arms wide. "Lead! Demand plans be drawn, now'tGive us all a reason to celebrate the new year. If you don't, we'll just remember it as thelastyear."

Alexia found herself rising with the others to applaud Resolute. Sour disdain twisted his features, but Alexia shook her head when he looked at her. His expression lightened just a little, but the set of his shoulders and the tightness of his jaw betrayed his true feelings. Resolute shrugged, letting the gibberer cloak cover him again.

She moved from the Alcidese delegation and reached him first. "You were very eloquent."

His silver eyes remained cold. "I was less so in Yslin when Crow was a youth. Look what happened."

"Do you fear the same thing will happen now?"

The Vorquelf shook his head. "No. You will not let that happen. I saddled you with the responsibility."

Alyx nodded. As he'd spoken, he'd defined her as a weapon that had been shaped to oppose Chytrine, and she could see how that message would resonate with those gathered. That had been the goal of those who agreed to let her remain with the Gyrkyme. They provided her tutors and training. King Augustus had then provided her with troops and had seen to her gaining practical experience as a leader.

Resolute's words had reduced her to an object, but she knew the Vorquelf knew better than that. At one time she would have agreed with his characterization and even thought there could be no higher praise, but she had grown beyond that now. A mere weapon couldn't accept the responsibility he'd directed toward her.

A hand gripped her left wrist tightly. "It is as this one has said, Alexia. You will lead the world to victory."

Alyx looked down at her great-grandaunt. "Thank you for supporting him, Aunt Tatyana."

The old woman looked up at Resolute. "I have waited a long time to hear another refugee speak the truth."

Resolute's eyes hardened. "My truth is different than yours. Your nation is free."

"Not as long as the Nor'witch exists. She can threaten it at any time." Tatyana squeezed Alyx's wrist again. "In your planning, this must be taken into account. Adrogans must be made to hold Okrannel free.

You see the wisdom there."

The vehemence hissing through the old woman's words sent a shiver up Alyx's spine. That Tatyana wanted Okrannel to remain free was not in doubt. Alyx suspected, however, that her great-grandaunt wanted to make certain that Adrogans' dragonels would remain in Svarskya.Suspicious as she is she a.s.sumes he has them, therefore she wants them. Alexia sighed, knowing the old woman was not alone in her desires, and that many would bring similar considerations to Alyx as campaigns were planned.

"I do, Aunt Tatyana, and will bear it in mind." With a twist of her wrist, she freed her arm. "There is a lot of work to do, and I should be about it."

"Of course." The old woman clutched her hands together. "You will have my full support. This is the outcome longdreamed"

Alyx had to smile. None of the interpretations she'd ever heard bore any resemblance to the reality of how her nation had been freed. She was fairly certain that Tatyana had worked diligently to find portents in the book, and probably had circulated rumors through the exile community.

And now she is counting heavily on my dreams. Alyx had told theCrown Circleof a vivid series of battles in Saporicia and Muroso that shattered the Aurolani forces and sent them scurrying home. She didn't recall mentioning a coalition force or other leaders or any of the details that were likely to emerge from the meetings in Narriz, but she was certain confirmation of all of it would be found in the Book of Dreams.

Gasps sounded from behind Alyx and she turned quickly, only to see Peri land in a flutter of wings in front of her. "You must come now, sister."

Alyx looked at the Gyrkyme warrior. "I can't. There is so much I have to do now. Could Resolute... ?"

Peri shook her head. "Crow sent me."

"Did something happen? Is he hurt?"

"He's fine, but you have to go to your chambers now." Peri grabbed her by the hand and led her through the crowd. Resolute followed in their wake. Those military advisors who had been headed for her instead redirected themselves to King Augustus or Prince Erlestoke. Alyx wasn't sure if it was Resolute brooding behind her, or Peri's raised talons that cleared the way, but she was grateful for either.

The trio hurried through the castle and reached the tower. Ascending swiftly they entered the chambers and Alyx's heart caught in her throat. Crow sat in one chair beside a roaring fire. Opposite him, still huddled in a thick cloak over begrimed red riding leathers, sat a fiery redhead wearing a purple mask.

Her hands were wrapped around the barrel of a steaming tankard.

"Sayce, when did you get here?"

The young woman looked up, then rose. Crow took the tankard from her before it could fall from her hands. Alyx advanced, meeting the smaller woman halfway and embraced her tightly. Sayce's hands tightened on Alyx's tunic and tremors shook her.

The Murosan Princess pulled back a bit, chewing her lower lip. "No one will tell me where Will is. They just say he didn't come here with you. Where is he?"

Alyx looked at Crow, but he shook his head. "She was frantic when she got here. I calmed her down as I sent for you."

"I understand, love." Alyx hugged Sayce tightly again. "Will isn't here, Sayce." As much as Alyx knew the young woman had to hear that Will was dead, Alyx couldn't force the words out. Sayce was carrying Will's child and loved him deeply.To tell her would be cruel... but not to tell her...

Resolute rested a hand on Alyx's shoulder, then pried the two women apart.

"Resolute, no."

The Vorquelf looked at Alyx and shook his head. "The sword Will gave me carries with it grave responsibilities. This is one I accept."

Sayce looked surprised, then a bit afraid, but she let Resolute steer her back to the chair by the fire.

"What is it, Resolute?"

The Vorquelf dropped to a knee and took her hands in his. "You are carrying Will's child, aren't you?"

"How did you know?"

Resolute's expression remained tight, but not grim. "Princess Alexia knew. She brought us the happy news at Vael."

"Does Will know?"

"Do you think we could have kept it from him? He was overjoyed when he heard." Resolute swallowed hard, his voice remaining full with only a hint of strain. "That news completed a process in Will Norrington. When Crow and I found him, he was a lawless boy. He looked at responsibility the way he looked at the law. He sought to avoid both. Gradually he came to accept that he was the Norrington. He accepted that he was part of something larger than himself. You saw him take responsibility for the Freemen in Meredo. Had you seen him with our raiding force, and the way he defied a dragon in Sarengul, you would have seen that process almost complete."

"Will defied a dragon?"

"Yes, and in the same way he saved your life in Bokagul, he saved all of us from dragonfire. He saved a portion of the DragonCrown. He went to Vael to argue against his father for dragonkind to join us in opposing Chytrine."

Resolute squeezed her hands, holding on tight to them. "Until he learned youcar ried his child, he was accepting the responsibility he'd been given for others. Your child made him complete. Your child gave him a future. His purpose always was to defeat Chytrine, and he was bent on it because of the prophecy, but at last he could see beyond the prophecy and that completed him."

Sayce listened carefully and nodded solemnly. "So, where is he? Did the dragons require he remain on Vael?"

"His duty required that." The Vorquelf hesitated for a moment. "Nefrai-laysh attempted to murder a dragon. Will prevented that murder. It cost him dearly. It cost him his life."

The snap of the fire filled the silence. Sayce's mouth opened soundlessly, then she slumped back in the chair. She tugged her hands free of Resolute's and covered her face. Her whole body shook and tears rolled from beneath her mask to fall from her jaw and spatter her leathers.

Alyx started forward, but Resolute held up a hand and stopped her. She glared at him, angry that he would not let her comfort Sayce. She was almost as angry that he had so effortlessly lied to her. Alexia had not shared the news of Sayce's condition with Will. Resolute was probably correct, that Will would have been happy with the news, but a conversation he'd had with Alexia indicated that the opposite was just as likely. Resolute had not lied about Will's maturity, though, and she hoped that it would have made things turn out as Resolute described them.