The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (11 page)

"Looks like Edward has sent someone against you already," said Plucker. "It's a good size force."

"It's Howard Cane," said Teresa, squinting into the dawn sun. "Those are his colors. Edward doesn't want to give you a chance to get ready for him."

Hal watched the movement, his jaw set. Elizabeth grasped his hand. She felt his strength and determination before he spoke.

"Whatever food and water is stored in the castle will be all the people have. Cane will lay siege to the castle. Even with James in the field it will be hard for our people."

"I know it will be a difficult time," said Elizabeth. "But we will do what we must."

"Aye. That we will," agreed Hal, his voice cold.

"Let's ride!" cried Russell Butler. "We can beat them."

"Slow down," said Plucker. "They will have scouts out and if not enough scouts to kill us all, they will kill some of us and alert the army. We must move with caution. We do not want to reach Far Greening with Cane's soldiers snapping at our heels. If we get that far."

Hal led the way as they rode a ways eastward before they turned to the north. They rode harder now. They put more distance between themselves and Cane's men. Plucker rode at the rear keeping watch behind them. Russell Butler rode alongside King Hal as his guard. Teresa answered Elizabeth's questions about her life and how she came to join the guard.

"Russell taught me fighting," said Teresa. "I've been handling a sword for so long. I would not do anything after Mother died. I did no cleaning, cooking, mending -nothing. I just sat in the corner next to mother's stool and cook pot. Russell always worked with his sword and one day I stood in the yard watching him. He had an extra one and tossed it to me, then came at me with his sword. I just tried to block his sword and the piercing ring of the metal woke me up. It called to me. We worked with the swords daily. One day Russell asked me to help him guard a shipment of goods Father was sending to the coast. At first, we guarded some of Father's shipments to other towns, but when Russell joined the Kings Guard, I wanted to join too. Father would not let me until I was older and could fight like a man. He wanted me to be his little girl but when he finally figured out, I was to be a fighter he became supportive and hired guards to train me. He was very proud when I passed the tests and won my sword and shield."

"Do you expect to have a family?" asked Elizabeth.

"Oh sure, I'm only seventeen. I will marry some guard and raise children. But I'm in no hurry."

"Nor should you be."

"What's it like being a queen?" Teresa blushed, realizing she was too forward. She was only a guard. However, Elizabeth smiled.

"Well, it's difficult to say at this point as I haven't been Queen for long, but being a princess was quite nice. At least when we had visitors I would be waited on and dressed in my best dresses. The rest of the time, I run the household and that is not too romantic. The only hard time is when your husband has to leave to fight for his king. Sometimes weeks pass by or even months without news. The time passes so slowly. It is a time of worry but you cannot show it to anyone. You must be brave for your people."

"I see. I guess being Queen is tougher than I thought. There are more people to be brave for."

"I think you are right."

"Did you ever want to be a hunter or a soldier? Or did you know you would be Queen?"

"No, I didn't expect to be Queen. I grew up with a bow and I still practice regularly. I would say there are not many men who could best me shooting at a target. I have not shot at a person. I do not know if I can."

"Just remember your habits. That is what Russell always told me. Just concentrate on your patterns and timing. The details. Detach your emotions and let your training take over. It does work."

"I will remember that, Teresa. Thank you."

Hal halted them and motioned for Russell to ride ahead. Hal led them to a shadowy spot under some trees and they waited patiently for Russell to return.

"It's unusual for a woman to be in the Guard," Hal said to Plucker. "Do you know of the girl?"

"Yes. She serves under Dannen. He speaks highly of her. At first, her brother fought her battles for her. The Guard was not warm toward her at the beginning and Russell was kept busy. But Teresa is tall and rangy and will gain strength and possibly more height. It was two weeks into her duty as a Guard that another Guard tried to force himself on her. I assure you, sire, that kind of man is rare in the Guard and probably should have been tossed out before the incident. But as it was, Teresa killed him so fast the other Guards did not have a chance to move to aid her. After the initial shock of the man's blood spattered around the Guardroom, they saw to her slight injuries and applauded her skill. They realized she was not a liability to their unit. After that, they all watched out for her. Kind of adopted her. I don't know what they'll do when they meet her on the battlefield."

"You were ready to run her through at the warehouse."

"We could afford no chances. I had to move quickly as Lockwell told me, however I am not sure I could best her. Nor could many of the Guard. If they hesitate, she will kill them. She knows what is at stake."

"John? Is that the truth, that you doubt yourself in battle?"

Plucker exhaled and sighed. He rubbed his thumb over his ear lobe.

"The fact is, I'm aging and slowing. Some young buck will take me someday and that time is nigh. My time on the battlefield is ending. My legs often fail me and the speed of my sword has slowed but I aim to have you on your rightful throne before I am finished."

"Thank you, Sir John. You reassure me. I'm afraid I need more counsel than I will get during this struggle. I am not yet hard enough to be king, but I shall be, I must be. I am glad for your friendship and counsel and what little swordsmanship you have left." Hal smiled.

Plucker pressed his lips together and looked away. The wind had freshened and brought the smell of the smoke from Cane's campfires. They were far beyond the hills in the distance but once on top they could see all the way across the plains to the eastern forests. Plucker wished he had brought more men instead of relying on secrecy and speed. It may be that they will be pressed to fight before reaching Far Greening.

"We will make it before them," said Hal, as if reading Plucker's thoughts. "The land is flatter to the west and the horses will make better speed."

"We will. But how close behind will they be? And how much time will we have to ready the castle?"

Hal did not answer.

Later, they heard the approach of horses. Their choices were flight or fight. Plucker and Hal drew their swords. Bert Kalen and Teresa stood before Elizabeth. Suddenly, the riders were in view. Russell returned with ten riders, soldiers of Far Greening and Prince James clad in chain mail wearing a silver winged helm.

The Prince dismounted, removed his helm and rushed to his father, embracing him, and then kissed his mother. He nodded to the others. The Prince was already taller than his father and moved gracefully. His light brown hair was tied in a ponytail and he wore a yellow band around his head with a star on his brow.

"How is the castle?"

"We are ready for anything," said Prince James. "We have stores set aside, as much as we could gather since the news reached us of grandfather's murder."

"Who is claimed as the murderer?"

"You are. But the people cheered your name and set the herald back to Edward with his parchment jammed down his throat."

"Young barbarian!"

"Father! You think I would condone such action?"

"James, I am tired. What else do you have to report?"

"The scouts reported a large force heading our way. Cane's colors."

"Yes," said Hal. "We saw them, so we kept to the trees. They are just beyond those hills. Let us get to the castle quickly. I will command the defense. I want you to take a company and leave the castle. I want you in the field when they lay siege to the castle. Howard Cane will not rest easy watching the siege when he has to watch his back, too."

"Yes, sir." James' expression did not change. He had expected this situation. He was a warrior like his grandfather, both his grandfathers.

"Take Russell and Teresa with you. They have proved themselves to me."

"I want to stay with you," said Teresa to the Queen.

"You will do as your King commands," snapped Sir John Plucker.

Russell took his sister by the arm and pulled her away before she could reply. He spoke quietly and urgently. After a moment, Teresa relaxed and nodded.

"Have you seen anything of the Nunari?" asked Hal.

"No. I imagine Tagjet will have eyes watching this encounter."

"I know he will," said Hal. "I am counting on it."

"I did send messages to him as you instructed, Father. They did not return. I saw two of Cane's men riding our north boundary two days ago. They would have spotted any messenger heading our way from Tagjet."

"We will trust that our men got through. We shall go to the castle."

The riders moved quickly over the last miles to the castle. Cane's scouts spotted them but they were too far ahead to be overtaken. When they reached the castle, James' men were on horseback waiting for them. They would repel Cane's soldiers if they came too close. James waved to his father and mother and rode to his men with Teresa and Russell. At James' command, the soldiers followed the younger prince into the hills.

The gates shut behind Hal's party with a thud. The people cheered and horns signaled the return of Prince Hal. The blue and white colors of the prince rose above the battlements but now with a crown in the center.

Across the river from Far Greening lies Nuneland, home of the Nunari, nomadic hunters who range across their wide land as the weather turns and the herds move on. Nuneland is the land north of Eslenda to the sea, bordered by mountains on the east and a small range of mountains in the west separating them from Liannest, the home of the Daerlan. For generations the Nunari have followed the herds on their migrations, bringing their camps with them. Each season they fold their tents, pack their supplies and set out for the area that will be their home for the next few months. Many families move on their own counsel but when they come together they are under the leadership of the Hunter. The Hunter's title is passed on from father to son or to the most deserving Nunari if the Hunter has no son. The Hunter oversees the hunts and the growth of young boys into men. The Huntress runs the camp and organizes the skinning, tanning, preserving and cooking of the kills.

Following the river inland the lands of Hal Islen change into the lands of Howard Cane and still the river divides the south from Nuneland. The Nuneland terrain turns hilly but provides for its people. It is land that could increase its yield if used properly. It is land that Howard Cane covets.

The Nunari camp for this season is a two-day ride from Cane's castle. Forty tents encircle the main fire pit and lesser families have their tents beyond the chosen forty. In the early morning the fire still glows and many men stand around it.

The blade glowed from the heat. It would sear the skin as it cut branding Kal Tagjet as a man of Nuneland. His adult brother, Per Tagjet, held the knife and Onyax Lor, the Wiseman, whispered the words of power. The blade gave off its own light, showing the pale tense face of the young man. Kal Tagjet would be accepted into manhood by the Nunari this day and at fifteen, he would lead his first hunt.

The circle of men stood several paces from the fire, their faces painted white. They stepped slowly to their chanting rhythm around Kal Tagjet. The fire was lit several paces from the outer edge of the camp. The women and children were still sleeping before the light of dawn awoke them. The men wore no shirts and white streaks marked their shoulders. The sole light came from the fire, illuminating the faces of the men and giving them warmth in the chill morning air. Onyax Lor sprinkled powder into the flame and green sparks floated upward with a crackle to the fading darkness overhead. The men smiled to themselves while keeping a serious intent to the ceremony. They had watched Kal Tagjet grow up; begging to tag along on the hunts, following his elder brother even after permission was denied. He even ran out after the hunters the moment his punishment was completed. Nothing would keep him behind. This was a day the young Kal had waited for all his life. All the men were proud of him.

Lan Tagjet watched his two sons of different mothers, as the blade burned into the younger son's flesh. It was a great day for the father and for the Hunter of the Nunari, for Lan Tagjet needed more trained men to defend his people from the soldiers of Eslenda and Kal would be a great leader in his time. He was a serious boy although often mirth bubbled to the surface. Per on the other hand often brooded and walked alone. Per took no counsel with his father. Per would be the next Hunter of the Nunari and it worried Lan Tagjet. The Hunter's thoughts found their way to southern lands and the trouble awaiting the Nunari there.

Lan Tagjet respected King Henry of Eslenda for Henry kept his word and never warred upon him. It was shocking news that the King of Eslenda was dead. Henry was reported to be in excellent health. No, Henry would never war on Nuneland now.

It was Howard Cane, whose land bordered Nuneland that caused Lan Tagjet worry. Cane's soldiers killed solitary nomads and drove others off from their game or killed game themselves and let it rot. Lan Tagjet had respected King Henry but now he worried. He did not know this King Edward and did not know how Edward became king before Hal, the eldest son. The details were few, mostly rumor. There was no word that Hal was dead although the word of Henry's death spread quickly. He hoped Hal would be king for he knew of Hal and never had trouble from Hal even though some of Hal's lands bordered Nuneland too. Lan Tagjet believed Edward would allow Cane to send troops into Nuneland soon and it cost him sleep.

He had already decided to move the camp after the hunt. They would fold up the tents and bind up every hide; loading the traps and hunting spears to the wagons and head west to the sea. It was not time for the hunting to change but Lan Tagjet vowed years ago never to awaken with a foe's blade on his throat. The tribe would head west before Howard Cane attacked.