Unicorn Saga - The Unicorn Peace Part 19

"Yes, sir," Jarrod said, knowing that acquiescence was the best strategy.

"Good night then," Greylock said and headed for the door.

"Good night, sir," Jarrod called after him and swung around to find Marianna.

ChAptCR U

alf a world away, Marianna's father had killing on his mind. He was camped some ten leagues north of Aldersgrove behind a line of hills that formed the west- ern boundary of the broad plain that ended at the River Arduent. His scouts had told him that the rebel forces had provisioned themselves for a march by stripping the town and the surrounding countryside. Their departure, Darius thought, would probably be hastened by the an- imosity engendered by their depredations. So much the better. He checked the map for the umpteenth time.

They would have to take the road on the far side of the hills. It was the only thing that made sense, and, since they were counting on surprise themselves, they would not be looking for an enemy this far south of Spa.r.s.edale. If they continued to dally at Aldersgrove, he was prepared to confront them with a small force and draw the rebels north until the rest of his men could fall on them, but he hoped it would not come to that.

He would inevitably lose men during the withdrawal and he would avoid that if he could. Getting old and sentimental, he thought as he rolled the map up.

To the best of his information, the enemy had mus- tered about fifteen hundred troops, most of them foot soldiers armed with pikes. The majority, according to reports, ill-disciplined, though there was a core of well- trained men. Probably the men missing from the Duke of Abercorn's estate at Oxeter. There was a well- 103.

equipped unit of cavalry consisting of about two hun- dred seasoned men with the addition of a rowdy group of young n.o.bles that included both Rostan and Sou"

they. It was a considerable force for these days, almost twice his own numbers.

The toughest problem would be the Duke's men, even though they were but a fraction of the total. If he was any judge of character, the two young Earls would in- sist on giving the orders, and they were more accus- tomed to the jousting field than the battlefield. It was also a good bet that they would be in the van during the ride north. If the G.o.ds were with him, they would lead a relatively small scouting party more intent on picking a pleasant campsite than in looking for enemies in the hills. If that was the case, he could let them pa.s.s by. He sighed and heaved himself out of his chair. He began to pace across the tent. At this point it was all a matter of guesswork. There was ample water and fire- wood in this place and plenty of grazing for the horses, but the food would start to run short in about a sen- night.

"With the General's permission."

The Adjutant's gruff voice broke Darius' train of thought and stopped him in midstride.

"Enter."

The tent flap opened and the Adjutant ducked in, followed by a short, bowlegged man with dust-streaked clothing and face.

"Your pardon. General, but this man claims to have ridden up from Aldersgrove. He insists that he speak directly to you."

"Indeed? Have you searched him?"

"We have, sir. He was carrying a shortsword and a dagger. There is nothing concealed about his person."

"Very well, you may leave us."

104 The Adjutant saluted, spun on his heel and exited.

Darius looked the man over.

"Sit down," he said, indicating a stool. "I imagine that you'd find talking easier after you've washed your throat with ale."

"That I would, General, and I thankee kindly." The man's Southern burr made his Common sound remark- ably pleasant.

Darius filled a cup from a leather jug and handed it to him, then got himself into a chair and watched the ale disappear.

"Now," he said when the man was done, "what's your name and how did you know how to find us?"

"Name's Jehan Attemill, lately in the service of the Earl of Rostan, General sir. I received a message ten days gone from Lord Lissen to report to you as soon as I knew when the march on Spa.r.s.edale would start."

Darius concealed his surprise. Otorin had taken a d.a.m.nable chance. "And did Lord Lissen tell you where to find me?" he asked quietly.

Something in his voice made the man look up. "Not he. General. I rode north and cut into the hills at a venture, since that's where I'd be if I was you "

Darius relaxed slightly. "Let us devoutly hope that our enemies do not think the same," he said dryly.

"Not much of a chance of that. They all think you're at Spa.r.s.edale."

"I'm happy to hear that. When do they intend to start?"

"Tomorrow firstlight. They reckon to do five leagues a day. I think they'll be lucky to do three." His opinion of the opposition was writ clear on his face.

"So we've two days by their count, three by yours.

How far ahead will the advance party range?"

"Not going to be an advanced party, at least not yet awhiles. Mounted will be in the van, foot in the middle 105.

and baggage train in the rear. There's plenty of ponds and little lakes hereabouts, so picking a campsite's no problem."

"I see. Well, I thank you Jehan Attemill. I shall prob- ably want to talk to you again, but for now you can go and have a wash and get something to eat."

Attemill got up stiffly and bowed his head in salute.

"Oh, one more thing," Darius said. "Won't the Earl of Rostan miss you?"

The little man's dirty face cracked into a grin that revealed missing teeth. "The Earl," he said contemp- tuously, "is only interested in his honor, young girls, wine and cards. He doesn't notice the likes of me."

"Surely someone will notice."

"The Master of Horse, like as not, since I've a good reputation as a groom, but I reckon he'll think I've fi- nally gone off and got soused like the rest of them. I stole the horse from the Earl of Southey's lines, so I doubt they'll put two and two together "

"You've done well," Darius said, nodding his appro- bation, "and if you need employment after this is over, I'll find a place for you in my household."

"Thankee kindly, General sir, but unless I miss my mark, Lord Lissen will have work for me to do." He smiled his gappy smile. "A good groom's welcome most places and no questions asked." He did his quick little bow again and pushed his way out through the flap.

A feeling of calmness came over Darius. The thing was begun. In two or three days it would be decided, one way or another. He got up and poured himself a cup of ale. How long, he wondered, had Attemill been working for Otorin? And for how long had he been planted in Rostan's household? No matter; he was grateful for the man's intelligence, but it would be fool- ish to place too much reliance on it. He went over to the desk and made a list of orders for the Adjutant.

106 Metal to be m.u.f.fled by rags, silence to be observed by the men. fires doused, lookouts to be posted and the cloudsteeds to be grounded until further orders. He made sure that they were carried out by touring the encampment and the sentry posts at regular intervals.

If the men grumbled, they did not do so in his hearing, and his caution was rewarded on the morning of the second day when a cloud of dust was spotted to the south.

He scrambled up the slope and lay in a brake of haw- berry bushes. He was annoyed to find that he was pant- ing. He waited until his breathing was steady and then deployed the spygla.s.s that Phalastra of Estragoth had given him back in the days when he was the Lord Ob- server. He adjusted the eyepiece and a troop of horse wavered into focus. Most of the riders were soberly dressed in brown and green, but conspicuous among them was a handful of knights in bright costume. None were wearing armor. Mena.s.sah, his Adjutant, slithered up beside him and Darius pa.s.sed him the gla.s.s.

"What do you make of it?" he hissed as if the horse- men might hear him.

"Couple of hundred, I reckon. Too big for a scouting party. Can't be sure because of the dust, but it don't look like there's troops behind them.''

Darius grunted and took the spygla.s.s back. He re- adjusted the eyepiece. He chuckled suddenly. "By the G.o.ds, the stupid b.a.s.t.a.r.ds got tired of riding at a pike- man's pace. We have 'em, Mena.s.sah, we have 'em."

"Fall on them as they pa.s.s?" the Adjutant asked, an antic.i.p.atory smile creasing the weathered face.