Scabbard's Song (24 page)

not to know that Soldier had never punished a messenger yet. You have something to tell me? asked Soldier. Speak up. No harm will come to you. I know you are not the man responsible. Sire, said the envoy, down on one knee, my leader Humbold has the woman Uthellen in his hands. General Kaff captured her as she was making her way through a mountain pass. Lord Humbold wishes you to know that if the tide of the battle goes against him, she will surely die. That is what I have been ordered to tell you. Soldier seethed with anger, but hid his rage from the envoy. He said, casually, Does he know that Uthellen is the mother of IxonnoxI, and that if anything happens to her and IxonnoxI becomes King Magus, he will suffer horrible torments for the rest of eternity? He knows, sire, but he feels that once the battle has been lost there is nothing left for him but to take his revenge on the woman. Then what more is there for me to say? The woman is nothing to us. Tell your master he can do with her as he pleases. Once the relieved envoy had left, Soldier slammed a mailed right fist down on the desk top, splitting the wood from top to bottom. Damn that cowards soul to hell, he said, now white with fury. If I do nothing else in this life I will take his head from his body. Layana placed a hand on her husbands shoulder. She knew that he held Uthellen in great affection. Just as at one time, perhaps even now, she herself had had a softness in her soul for Kaff. She knew too that something had to be done to rescue Uthellen. Any distraction like this which took away her husbands focus from the main task was not good. He was the head of the combined forces of Guthrumites and Carthagans. Already they had been cut down to a third of their original size by the plagues. It was important that the commander-in-chief was left free of other concerns. We must get her back, she said to Soldier. I will see to it. Soldier looked at her over his desk of charts and maps. I do not want you going yourself. I know you, Layana. You have a streak of fire in you. She smiled. I am too old for that sort of thing now. No, we will find someone we can trust. We must locate Uthellen and assist her escape. We need a flier. What about that pet dragon of yours? Soldier shook his head. We would not get him to understand what was needed. Besides, he is too large. He will be seen. We need a bird of some kind. Do you think there are any magicians in Zamerkand who would change themselves into an eagle or a hawk to carry out the task? Or could command a real bird to do our work? At that moment Soldiers scabbard sang out. Now that she had been reunited with Kutrama, her singing was not restricted to the approach of an enemy. She told him that an army was coming from the north-east of Zamerkand, but it was a friendly army. Its numbers were small and it was led by two kings. Soldier knew then that Guido and Sando, the twin kings of Bhantan, were here to join him in his fight. Bhantan and the two kings were beholden to Soldier and they never forsook him. The youths of yesterday were now the young men of today. Sando entered first. The kings were identical but Soldier knew that Sando was the Rose King while Guido was the White King. Guido came in behind his brother. Both were smiling. They stretched forth their hands, one to shake the left hand of Soldier, the other the right. How very good to see you, Soldier, said Sando. Soldier, how very good, said Guido. So, that dastardly Humbold is up to his old tricks. We hated him, you know. He was very rude to us when we were exiles here. Very rude. Such a stupid man. Incredibly stupid. So, said Sando, we have brought our small army to assist you in your battle. Quite small, said Guido, but volunteers all. We would have come alone, Sando and I, if need be but the army of Bhantan spoke as if with one voice and swore to accompany us. We could not have turned them back had we another army twice their number. Your good name is legend amongst them, Soldier. They speak it with awe. You are made famous in childrens stories. We heard of the plagues that had been visited on this city and how your army had been sorely reduced. Thus we are come, to bolster your numbers with our meagre but willing force. Soldier said, You are most welcome, both of you but I must warn you this battle will be a very bloody affair. If we lose . . . Sando replied, We must not lose but we shall take precautions. We have drawn straws. Guido will lead our troops in the battle while I remain behind. This way one of us will survive no matter what happens. The rule of Bhantan will not be broken. Should we lose an unthinkable scenario, given that right and justice is on our side I shall return to my home country and crown the next twins in line, and thus retire to mourn my brother. Very wise precautions, said Layana, coming into the conversation. We are most grateful to Guido for his generalship. Actually, confessed Guido with a huge smile, I am the better scholar while Sando here is the warrior. He laughed out loud, before adding, But we have drawn the straws. You cannot argue with the straws. The gods mean me to fight and Sando to remain with our people. Perhaps in the thick of the fighting there will be some need for a scholar? Some high encouraging rhetoric from an accomplished poet? A rallying call for our beleaguered troops in iambic pentameter? I am good at spontaneous verse, am I not, Sando? I turn a good rhyme and my work scans reasonably smoothly. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant, brother. You might wave your sword on high and cry, My knights! For Sando, Guido and Bhantan, we fought this day and never ran. Within the greatest citadels of fame shall ring your each and every name. Thats not bad, Sando, not bad at all. Of course, not as good a poetic rallying cry as you might compose, brother Guido, but thank you all the same. Despite the gravity of the overall situation, Soldier and Layana could not help smiling along with these two effervescent young men, whose fizzing, bubbling mood was infectious. Certainly they raised the spirits of all in the room, including the dour Spagg, who was convinced the end of the world was nigh. Musket was staring at them with a frankness which might have discomposed any other men but Sando and Guido. And who do we have here? asked Sando, noticing the stare from the youngster. Is this a kitchen whelp? Im Prince Musket, replied the boy, glowering. You remember me I used to be dressed in black feathers. Guido shook his head. We dont remember any boy with a cloak of black feathers, do we, brother? No, not at all Musket said, I was the raven. Smiles appeared on the faces of the two kings like glass breaking. Guido said, So! The bird? Yes, we remember you. Sando added, A nuisance bird, I recall. And now you are a nuisance boy? Soldier put his arm around Layana and informed the kings, Musket is now our adopted son. The kings nodded in approval. Excellent! Wonderful! They playfully tugged an ear on each side of Muskets head, until he could not help grinning at them. That evening the palace celebrated the arrival of the two kings. The presence of their troops on the battlefield could only be considered symbolic at the most, but Soldier was nevertheless heartened to have them with him. They numbered in the hundreds rather than the thousands, and they were nowhere near as well trained or imaginative as the Garthagans the high walls of their small city had been their main protection throughout the centuries - but they were willing. Soldier would rather have one willing warrior than ten coerced men. Many of those fighting for Humbold would not have the motivation of these few, these happy few, who had gathered themselves together and had offered themselves to Soldier in his hour of need. The feast was not lavish, nor the entertainment spectacular, but everyone enjoyed themselves. It was a time for enjoyment. Soon enough would come the thunder of the captains and the fighting. Tonight there was time for honey cakes, wine and the dulcimer. Soldier gave them a song, slightly off-key, which made his dear wife wince in embarrassment. Guido was indeed brilliant at verse and proceeded to deliver a narrative poem about the journey of a man who set out to find a lost son in the wilderness. It was a sort of homage to Musket and his coming-of-human. When all the music and the poems and the stories ran dry, they talked of more serious matters. So, explained Soldier to the twins, we are seeking a magician who can provide us with a hawk or eagle to seek out the whereabouts of Uthellen. Will her son not help her? asked Guido. He is a powerful wizard, after all. IxonnoxI is committed to remaining impartial. He cannot intervene in this struggle and his mother is now part of that struggle. If he interferes, then OmmullummO will have the same right of interference and a war between the wizards will begin The peripheral damage from such a war would be enough to destroy the whole earth there would be quakes, floods, wind and fire sufficient to ruin the world and wipe out its population. Well, said Sando, we may be able to help you. We have a magician travelling with us, but he is very young. How young? asked Soldier, eagerly. Fifteen or sixteen. Hes quite untried at the art of magic and is actually still technically an apprentice. His master died a year ago and he has been struggling with the Spelling Books ever since. A good scholar, one might say, but as a practitioner, who knows? The boy is not a wizard of any kind? Oh, no. Like his master, who died at only eighty-three years of age, he is human. A magician only not witchboy, not wizard, not even a wixard from the plant world. As I say, a learned human youth, but with much eagerness to become a proper magician. Shall we send for him? Please do, Layana said. We have none left in Zamerkand who would assist us. The youth, whose name was Uluzizikia, but whom the twins called Luz, was duly sent for. He entered the room with a fastidious look on his face, but Soldier realised that was because the place smelled like a tavern, with tobacco smoke and alcohol fumes. It is never pleasant for a sober person to arrive clean and bright-minded at the dreg-end of a party. Young man, said Soldier, sit with us. Thats it, find a cushion. Will you take some wine? Id rather not, my lord, if you dont mind. Not at all, and you can call me Soldier - everyone does. Yes Soldier. The word did not come easily off the boys tongue. Luz may I call you Luz? Of course. Well then, Luz, said Soldier, we need a magician. We have been told you are at the learning stage, but we have no other to turn to. The youths face suddenly showed great eagerness. He sat bolt upright. His eyes lit up like lamps. Yes, sire Soldier yes, yes. I am a magician. Pay no heed to the fact that I am still learning. Magicians are learning their whole lives. We never have enough time to absorb all the knowledge of the art. I can assure you I have quite a lot at my disposal all kinds of different spells fee faw fums, mumbo jumbos, abraxas, love potions, he glanced quickly at the queen here and added, though I see you have no need of the last of those, having a very beautiful wife whom you love to distraction. Lay ana smiled, and murmured, Hmmm, a flatterer too. No, not really, Your Majesty, for I can read hearts as well as open books. Soldier nodded approvingly. The youth is certainly intelligent enough. Well, Luz, I shall tell you what we require. We want a bird of prey which can fly west and spy on Humbold, find out where Uthellen, the mother of IxonnoxI, is being held. Can you produce such a bird? Better than that, cried Luz, jumping to his feet, I can change into one and do the job myself! Layana frowned. This is a very dangerous quest, Luz. It matters not. I laugh at danger. I spit in dangers eye. Guido said, He has the fire. Sando added, He is the fire. Willingness is not really enough, said Soldier, sighing. It is important to us that you return with the information we require, perhaps even the person we desire to be set free. You are young and enthusiastic, but we need a cool head here. What sort of bird would you recommend for the mission, supposing we let you go ahead with the transformation? The best of all the birds for such a task - a sparrow, cried the youth. His face became a little more serious as he viewed the expression around him, and the truth emerged. The fact is, I am only able to change myself into a sparrow. It is the only bird spell I have ever managed successfully. Hawks, falcons, eagles. They require a lot of experience. But a sparrow is a bird, after all, and a very tough little bird, with a lot of sand. They have to be, to survive in a world crowded with finches and their kind. The crestfallen looks of his audience were enough to tell Luz that he had to expand on this idea. Let me explain. Even though it is the only option open to me, it is a very good one. Had I the choice of the whole bird kingdom I might still say it was the best. Look, an eagle will arouse suspicion. They will be expecting an eagle. A hawk or falcon, the same. I know it is always wise to send a bird of prey, which can protect itself against other predators. A creature which will not be hunted for its meat. But think how common it is, how cliched, to use a raptor for a spy. Now, a sparrow, why, there are so many of them, they blend right mto the landscape A dusty little brown sparrow is anonymous, invisible, dismissed with a blink of the eye. As a sparrow I will be safe from detection, I am sure. I will gather information without arousing suspicion, and return forthwith with the woman. Luz has a point, said Sando. A very keen point, said Guido. Soldier was not so sure. You are willing to risk your life as a sparrow? he asked. There are sparrowhawks out there There are many, many sparrows - the world is littered with sparrows. I would be very unlucky to lose my life to a sparrow-hawk. So be it, said Soldier. We accept your offer with gratitude.

Chapter Nine

A sparrow hedgehopped over the landscape. It was a wary little creature, not given to settling for long in any one place, even though it was tired. Exhausted would be a better word. The small bird had been on the wing continually, stopping only for a few moments every now and then, since the break of day. Whenever it fell in with other sparrows they tended to look at it with suspicion, as if it did not belong among their number. Some even tried to squabble with it, though it avoided confrontations where it could. There were falcons and eagles in the sky, but thankfully no accipiters in the form of sparrowhawks. Luz, for it was he in the disguise of the sparrow, knew what kind of country accipiters preferred, and steered clear of such. This tended to be forested land, or at least land with a goodly cover of trees. Luz went for open country, giving copses and woodland a wide berth. Falcons and eagles were not interested in such small prey as sparrows: they were after hares and even small deer. Luz also knew sparrowhawks by sight: they tended to have rounder wings than buzzards, harriers and kites, and often wore rufous feathers on the underside. One keen eye, then, on the type of countryside through which he was flying, the other on the lookout for predators. Once indeed he did have to hole up in the hollow of a blasted oak. A squirrel in residence objected to having him there, but Luz had seen a goshawk, a cousin of the spar-rowhawk, and was taking no chances. When the squirrel tried to intimidate him, Luz yelled in the loudest voice his sparrow throat would give him, Get away from me, you lunk! The squirrel had never, of course, heard a bird use a human voice. It almost swallowed its tail in fright and retreated to the back of the hole. Once the goshawk had gone, Luz thanked the squirrel and left it chattering in fear. One of the problems which Luz had ahead of him was the fact that he only had a vague idea where to look for Uthellen. He knew she would be with a large army of warriors, but the hills and mountains in which those warriors chose to hide were vast. The little bird took several days locating the army, flying into chasms and out of tree-choked gorges, narrowly missing death twice when he ran into goshawks and sparrowhawks. But nothing daunted, he kept searching, stopping to gain energy on seeds and fruits, and to drink from the mountain streams. On the fifth day of the second week he found them, in a series of valleys to the north of some high crags. On the fringe of the mighty army a soldier was feeding birds with breadcrumbs. By this time Luz was extremely hungry, having eaten nothing for twenty-four hours. He stooped to get amongst the finches that were gobbling up the crumbs. Gotcha! cried the soldier inexplicably. Suddenly Luz was one of many small birds struggling in the fine meshes of a net. His dusty little wings thrashed and he pecked and clawed at the netting, to little avail. He was well and truly caught. A hand came down and held him, carefully picking him from the folds of his trap. Then he was transferred to a wire cage where a dozen other birds were chattering senselessly, or attacking the thin bars of their prison. Luz was devastated. He had been given a task to do by Soldier and he had failed. Here he was now, in the hands of the enemy, a caged bird, perhaps for life. The cage was hoisted aloft by a grubby hand. Look what I got for supper! Several other soldiers were present now. That scrawny bunch of finches? They wont even make a decent pie for one man, let alone a dozen. Better than nothing! argued Luzs captor. No, Id rather eat nothing than a bunch of small splintery bones covered in feathers. The soldier took umbrage and went to look elsewhere. Would you like to buy these? What for? asked a burly woman. To eat, of course. I wouldnt have em if you gave em away Well, for pets then they make nice pets. Do they? They dont sing, they dont dance, they dont do anything except chatter incessantly. No thanks. Find another fool, this ones busy washing clothes. Luz began to hope that he was going to be set free, but a knight with a falcon on his wrist came forward. Ill give you two spinza for that bunch. The soldier said, Only two? More than fair. Oh, all right then. The cage was transferred. The new owner of Luz and his mindless companions strode off swinging his prize. He went into a tent. There, on a perch, was a hunting hawk. Supper, Jezebel, said the knight, showing the hawk the cage full of twittering balls of fluff. Nice change from mice, eh? Now the other finches went berserk. A dwarf came into the tent and stared at the cage. What have you got there, Rowlf? Some small birds for my hawk. You have to be careful of those, warned the stocky dwarf, they often carry worms. You dont want Jezebel to get worms, do you? Shell be shitting threads by the morning. The cage was held aloft again as Rowlf studied the birds darting around madly within. Worms? They pick them up from the dirt, sparrows do. Horrid little creatures really, said the dwarf. Always down in the dust amongst the foul things of the earth. Id hold off on those, if I were you. All right, growled the disappointed Rowlf, I will. The hawk began to cry out plaintively now. Leek-keh-leek! it cried. Keh-keh-leek! Im sorry, Jezebel, we dont want to give you tummy ache. Here, Skartt, you take the cage. Ill take Jezebel for a little hunt. Lets see if we can get her some mouse brains for her supper instead. The hawk reluctantly went up on to Rowlfs wrist, still eyeing the finches greedily. Rowlf slipped a red velvet hood over her head, tied jesses and bells to her legs, and removed her. Luz and his companions heaved a sigh of relief. Rowlf left the tent, thick glove preventing Jezebel from taking out her disappointment and wrath on his bare skin. Once the knight and his hawk were out of the tent the dwarf opened the cage door, thrust in a stubby-fingered hand, snatched a finch, and crammed it into his mouth to crunch. He chewed it for some few minutes while Luz looked on in horror. Then he swallowed and the hand came in again to grab Luz. Luz avoided the grubby fingers. Another sparrow wasnt so lucky He went out squawking blue murder, pecking at the hard-skinned hands of Scartt, only to end up in that h red-black hole full of thick, even teeth where his predecessor had gone. Scartt swallowed the second bird, then delved for a third. A voice called him angrily from outside. Rowlf again. The knight wanted his dwarf to help him into the saddle of his mare. Scartt stopped, eyed the fly of the tent, counted the sparrows, muttering, He ant good at arithmetic - hell never miss those two, and abandoned the cage to join his master. The cage door had been left open. Luz flew for it joyfully, but another bird beat him to it, blindly thrashing to get out. The door opened inward and the second bird managed somehow to shut it. A small but determined pin fell into place, locking them all in once more. You bloody dolt! cried Luz at the stupid finch. Youve got the brains of a cane fly. But of course the creature did not answer him It was actually a dolt with the brains of a bird. Luz went to the door while the others flew hysterically around the cage, fluttering hopelessly at the bars. He did not want to join the first two birds in Scartts mouth, once the dwarf had helped his master on to his horse. It was important to get out and free before he returned. Luz squeezed his head through the bars and pecked at the locking pin. On the third try he managed to get it in his beak. He jerked his head up. The pin flew out. Then he pulled the door open. The birds flew out. Luz flew out. The other birds panicked and spent the next few minutes battering their heads and wings against canvas. Scartt came back and yelled, seeing all his masters birds had been set free. He waved his small thick arms, swatting at them. Luz managed to avoid him and fly out of the tent opening. Luz flew to a high point on a crag and settled there, his little heart pounding in his chest. Being a sparrow wasnt a great deal of fun. There was a lot of unseen danger around. He stayed where he was, knowing if he perched very still he would not be seen, for he was the same colour as the limestone rocks in which he was nestled. When evening came around he dropped down to a sandy place and changed back into a man. Hello, what are you doing here? A young female, dusky, big brown eyes with long lashes, regarded him with an amused expression on her face. She seemed to be in the process of removing her bodice. When in doubt, thought Luz, attack. Im entitled to be here, I think, he said, haughtily. What are you doing here? This is where the women wash and change, she replied, pointing to the pool half-hidden behind the bushes. The cool waters held three other maidens, all of them nude. You know that, you naughty look-on. Weve caught you watching us, havent we? Oh? cried Luz, blushing. T Im sorry . . . Dont be sorry, sweetheart, purred the young woman. No one can see us, can they, girls? No, cried the other three, giggling. They splashed him playfully, one of them adding, And my husband would kill you if they could. Oh, oh, cried Luz. He ran from that place out into the camp, not stopping to answer a gruff cry from a man waiting with a towel in his hands. Luz kept on going, dodging between camp fires, until he had put a good deal of ground between himself and the womens washing pool. Once he felt he was safe he stopped and took his breath. No one was taking any notice of him. It was twilight and most were lighting lamps or taking meals. The army around him was vast. He wondered how he was going to find Uthellen without arousing suspicions. If he started asking questions he might find himself arrested. It was probably doubtful anyway that the ordinary soldier would know of the existence of Uthellen in the camp. Best just to wander around at first, see what was to be seen, and gauge the opportunities. Luz did just that, strolling around as if going somewhere specific but not in any hurry to arrive, and taking in the sights. Those around camp fires and outside tents said good evening to him and he replied in kind. It was difficult to realise this was an enemy army, they all seemed so friendly. But then armies everywhere were not formed of bad people. They tended to be misguided, misinformed and misled, but very often no more evil, or good, than those they fought against. The politicians who took them into battle, the leaders, were the ones who carried the moral responsibility. It was they who were evil or good. For the most part the actual fighters would just as soon go home and plough their fields or bake their bread. Luz came up short when he ran into a man with blue eyes. The man stared at him, turning the full force of those blue orbs on to the startled magician. Luz had only ever seen such eyes in the head of Soldier, but these were different. These carried such an intense look of anger and hatred they would have withered grapes on the vine. What in dogs hell are you staring at? growled the man. Never seen blue eyes before, eh? No, gulped Luz. Well, now you have, so pass on youre in my way. Sorry, sir, Luz said, and got out of his way. The blue-eyed man, an extremely strong-limbed and powerful-looking individual, walked on. His fists were like large hammers. His head was a boulder with a wide expanse of shining forehead. The nose was heavy and ridged. And finally, those eyes. Luz would have kissed the mans feet had he asked him to, he was in such fear of arousing the others displeasure. A blow from one of those fists would have crushed Luzs skull like a watermelon. The magician moved on, more quickly than before. Luz wandered for two hours before he finally heard someone address Humbold by name. Fearfully, Luz remained at the back of the tent, out of sight of the doorway sentry, hoping to hear something to his advantage. But Humbold did not speak of Uthellen and though Luz strained hard to hear, there was no female voice coming from the tent. Then, about midnight, the front tent flap was thrown open and Humbold stepped out into the moonlight. Luz remained stock still in the shadow of the tent as Humbold drew in some breaths of air. There was a fire in the tent and no doubt his lungs were smoky. Humbold looked up at the stars and ran a grizzled hand through his long grey locks. From his stance he looked aged, bent and weary, but Luz had no sympathy for the tyrant who had killed so many of his own people without compunction or remorse. Tyrants do not mellow with age, they grow more bitter and vicious. They harden in their views and excel themselves at cruelty. This tired old man still had the will to execute and torture. He did not need the strength to wield the axe or the red-hot iron. All he needed to do was whisper into the ears of strong, able men. Humbold shambled off, in the direction of some caves. Luz followed him, at a distance. He watched as Humbold entered one particular cave, guarded at the entrance by a dozen thick-set men. Unable to follow him inside, Luz remained where he was until the tyrant emerged again. Luz had to get into that cave. It was time to take on the form of a sparrow again. He spoke the words which infused the corporeal with powers of transmogrification. Hopping towards the entrance, he hoped to get past the guards legs without being seen. He knew if he took to the air and tried to fly in they would be suspicious: sparrows did not fly around at night. If they thought he was a bat they would kill him anyway. Bats were feared creatures, being more often witches than flying rodents. So Luz crept between their legs. A spear was raised just as he was passing beneath the bulky creatures and the butt-end slammed down on the dirt floor. But the guard was not aiming at him. It was simply the restless gesture, one born of frustration, of a sentry who should have been relieved from his post five minutes ago. Once inside the cave, Luz flew. It was not long before he came to a cavern. There, in this dimly lit chamber, sitting amongst stalagmites, he could see a middle-aged woman whom he guessed was Uthellen. She was alone resting on a blanket under the soft glow of an agate lamp. There was no way out of the cave which did not go past a dozen well-armed men, so there had apparently been no need to shackle her. He changed back into a man in the shadows and then approached her. Uthellen? he said softly. Mother of the wizard IxonnoxI? I am she, replied Uthellen, looking up. Who are you A magician, sent by Soldier. I have flown here as a sparrow, but I did not want to alarm you by appearing before you in that form. She seemed amused. Alarm me? The mother of a wizard? He nodded. I see what you mean. You must have seen all sorts of magic, far more wonderful than mine. But we must be busy. I have come to rescue you and take you back to Zamerkand. That is, youll have to get there yourself,