The Swans' War 1 - The One Kingdom (45 page)

THERE WAS, AT THE WESTBROOK FAIR, ENTERTAINMENT EVERY night after the day's competitions. Some of these entertainments were official, but most were not; for there would be dancing on the green, and minstrels playing at the inns, in the square, on boats, and beneath the trees. Lords invited guests to their pavilions for suppers and music and dancing as well. Heroes were toasted and had the smiles of all the young women turned upon them, and the vanquished attempted to be gracious in defeat and to put on a brave face— which often took more pluck than meeting their opponents on the field.

At the end of the day's competitions there was a celebration in the Guildhall where the minstrels had taken their turns before Lord Carral Wills and his judges. Now it was the turn of the gathered minstrels to measure the skills of the judge.

"It is only fair that I should take a turn. That I should set myself up to be knocked down." So Lord Carral had said to Prince Michael.

The Prince found Lord Carral waiting in a small room the guild used for business. He was bent over his Faellute, performing exercises to limber his fingers.

"Lord Carral," the Prince said.

"Ah, Prince Michael!" Carral's face lit in a stiff smile.” Have you not had enough of minstrels for one day?""Not when the minstrel is you, sir. But I have come for another reason. I need to speak with you and have not had a moment to do so all day."Carral's face changed, returning to its customary blank-ness.” If you don't mind," he said to his servants and several admirers who had managed to find their way into the room.

When they were alone, despite having rehearsed his speech a dozen times, Michael did not know what to say. That he had met a man upon the road and this man had asked that he approach Lord Carral to announce his daughter's betrothal? Anyone speaking thus would have to be daft.

"I have a plan to save your daughter," he said instead, plunging in.

Carral's face remained impassive, but his hands found each other.” I had hoped someone would. I have no way of doing it alone.""I need your help, however."

"Whatever I can do, I will, but you must be careful not to ask me to play the part of a man with sight.""No, nothing like. You need only make an announcement." It was impossible for the Prince to read the blind man's face, it was so devoid of normal expression.” This very night you must announce that Lady Elise and I are to wed." The blind man seemed almost to twitch, he moved so quickly, reeling a little in his chair.” But is this not the very thing we've tried to avoid?" "Yes, but there is no choice now. You must make this announcement and say also—and this is critical—that all may bring their best wishes to us at the Renne ball." "What in the world are you thinking, Michael? It is enough that Menwyn and your father make this alliance, but do they need to slap the Renné in the face as well?" "I'm afraid that can't be helped. If she is at the ball, in costume, we might find a way to slip her out." "We?" "There are others." "Well, she is my daughter. I have a right to know what danger you might put her in. I'm blind, you know, not stupid!" The Prince plopped down in a chair, staring at the man before him, touched by his concern and frustration. How terribly helpless he must feel at times.” Lord Carral, I will confess to you that I don't know the plan myself. I— It has been arranged by others." "Oh, you've not been visited by a ghost as well!" "Sir?" "Who has arranged this?" "I don't know the man's name." Lord Carral set his Faellute aside.” Tell me about him." The Prince took a deep breath, certain this story would insure Lord Carral's refusal of cooperation.” I met him at the side of the road as I returned from visiting the Fael. He seemed to be waiting for me." Prince Michael found he could not continue like this.” He was the man Hafydd pursued from Braidon Castle, Lord Carral." "Ah," Lord Carral said, and put a hand to his face, a gesture a sighted man might make.

"Hafydd calls him his whist. I know no more than that." "I know little more myself, other than that he failed once and people died as a result. I don't know if I will trust him again. Though it likely won't matter—your father will never let Elise come to the ball. Why would he? Your plan is too transparent If she were at the Renné ball surely she would try to escape.""Oh, the plan is meant to be transparent. Hafydd will bring Elise to the ball to draw this man, the whist, out of hiding. My father's counselor has a hatred for this man that is beyond description.""And Elise will be in the middle of this feud?" "She has been in the middle of a feud all her life, though you've tried to protect her from it. I don't know that we have any other course, unless you can devise a better plan. I have talked to Elise. Hafydd told her that she must marry me and bear a child. When she suggested that we might not comply, Hafydd told her plainly that she could bear my child or his. We must get her away."Lord Carral sat very still.” It is a good thing I have no sight, Prince Michael, for I would murder my own brother, who has offered up my precious daughter like a sacrifice to this demon. And then I would slay this monster Hafydd, no matter what it cost me."Prince Michael stood before his father and Hafydd, having told them of Lord Carral's announcement. His father's rage was immediate, requiring not an instant of thought.

"What in this world is this blind man up to? And what did you say to him?""Why, nothing, Father."

His father's rather narrow eyes went wide.” We will not let her attend so that she can denounce us and accuse us of abducting her and attacking the Fael." He glared at Hafydd as he said this. The counselor didn't seem to notice.

"This minstrel must think us idiots," the old Prince went on.” Has he conspired with the Renné , do you think? He and Toren Renné would make a good marriage. They haven't a spine between them." "I think she should attend," Hafydd said, his voice calm. Prince Michael thought he saw a hint of a smile flicker across the man's face. His father stared at his counselor as though he thought the man had gone mad.” She will run off," the old Prince said.” In a room full of masked revelers, after all, it wouldn't be difficult." "Oh, I think we can prevent that," Hafydd said evenly.” We'll have sufficient numbers there to watch over her. Think of it, my Prince, all the nobles in the land will bring their good wishes to the happy couple. And the Renné can watch us cement our alliance in their own hall. That will be the greatest triumph at the Westbrook Fair—far greater than any Renné 's. How shall we costume them?" He feigned to think.” Who were the children of Easal and Llynn?" "Elyse and Mwynfawr, as you well know," Prince Michael said. These were the children of the swans, hatched from stones, from whom the line of kings was said to descend.” That is it," Hafydd said.” You see, your learning is good for something. You will go as Elyse and Mwynfawr." "And shall we take a brace of crow, broiled and basted, for the Renné to eat as well?" Prince Michael asked.” I should not go to so much trouble for the Renné ," Hafydd said.” Let them eat their crow raw and feathered." They spoke in whispers so that Prince Michael's aunt would not hear.” It seems all too obvious to me," Elise whispered.” Certainly Hafydd saw right away that the announcement was contrived to bring you to the ball, but he is so fervid in his pursuit of this man he calls the whist that he doesn't care. Only bring this man within his grasp and Hafydd would sacrifice everyone and everything. That is how it seems to me.""That is what Alaan said as well. I wonder why?" Elise seemed young and frail to him that night. A child in need of comforting.

"I don't really know. Hafydd doesn't brook interference in his plans and is vengeful like no man I've ever known, but somehow I sense it is more than that. I don't know why."Elise nodded. She had sunk down in her chair and lay her head against the back, leaning near to the Prince so that they might whisper. Her mane of hair framed her pale face—pale and frightened.” It seems we have no choice but to go along with this plan," Elise said, "whatever it might be.""I can't argue against that," he said.” We are to go as Elyse and Mwynfawr."She shook her head.” Hafydd is more vengeful than any Wills."He nodded.

"How fares my father?"

"Well enough, though worried about you. He is reluctant to trust this minstrel again. He has failed once.""Were there another choice..." A brief silence. He listened to her soft breathing.” Michael? I am afraid of Hafydd.""I have been told such fear is wisdom."It was the shortest night of the year, yet full of dreams. Elise kept drifting in and out of sleep, sinking down into the river of her dream world, then bobbing gently to the surface. She would open her eyes, see the moonlight on her tent, hear the night sounds, then drift off again on the currents of sleep, spinning slowly beneath a dreamer's moon.

The sounds of the breeze mingled with the river sounds and the song of the moon, creating a voice. A voice that seemed to whisper across the leagues of history. It was the nagar's voice, cunning and pleasing, offering her escape. Escape into the depths of the river, into a sleep like oblivion.

THE NEWS CAME LIKE A SUDDEN, HARD FROST, SPREADING ACROSS the valley of the Westbrook and killing the blossoming joy of the fair. The Fael had been attacked and men had died. The marshals of the fair had gone to the Prince of Innes, accusing his counselor of the crime, demanding he be surrendered to justice. But the Prince had denied all accusations and refused the marshals, turning them away from the gate of his compound. The Renné descended on Toren the moment the news reached them, four of them arriving at almost the same moment. They gathered in the courtyard beneath a spreading oak, hot after their day's exertions in the tournament.” What were you thinking, Cousin?" Beld asked. He stood, too agitated to sit. Toren returned the anger of his cousin's stare with a mild look.” That the Peace of the Fair had been broken, and that this was wrong. Wrong for the Prince of Innes, hence wrong for the Renné to do the same. The marshals are the law for the duration of the Westbrook Fair. I sent the legitimate representatives of justice." "The Peace of the Fair has already been breached," Samul said, "and not by the Renné . We did not begin this, Toren. Now, while we have enough force and the Prince of Innes is weak, we should put a stop to this alliance that threatens us." Samul sat stiffly on a bench, staring at the others, his face drawn and pale like a man who had suffered terrible insult.

Toren stood, not in the least intimidated by his cousins. Dease had to admire his conviction, his belief that he was right.

"The Renné ' are not only signatories to the Peace of the Fair," Toren said, still not raising his voice, "but our family wrote the document. A peace that has lasted more than a hundred years. If we break it now, that peace will be gone forever. Do you not see? We forged a peace here, in this tiny corner of old Ayr, by allowing the law to replace ill-considered reprisal. If we can do that here we can do it in the larger world. It only takes the will. But throw away the law and revert to vengeance and retaliation and we return to the feud that has lasted nine generations. Yes, Innes has done wrong. Yes, he should be punished, but we do not have the right to ride into his encampment in force and enact our will. The Renné are not the marshals of the fair. Innes will be banned from the fair in the future. I'm sure that is what the marshals will decide. That is all that can be done.""He forges an alliance against us!" Beld almost hollered. His customary manner of a man about to lose control of his rage was exaggerated this day. Dease stood ready to spring to Toren's defense, for it was all Beldor could do to not commit the murder at that moment.” Samul is right. We should mount what force we can and ride on the Prince's compound. This toady Eremon plots against us; everyone knows it. Let him pay the price of attacking the Fael. Then the peace will be preserved, for others will know the cost of breaking it."Toren looked to Dease, exasperated.” Eremon is our old friend Hafydd, Beld. At least know who you will go to war against.""Hafydd died upon the field twenty years ago.""He did not die. He was delivered from the Renné who betrayed him, and now he will have his revenge upon us. But there is more: Hafydd has uncovered some of the secrets of the Knights of the Vow. We dare not ride against him until we know more." "Now, there is a story to frighten children!" Beld said, a smirk spreading over his face.” How do you know this, Toren?" Samul asked, looking wary suddenly.” It has been reported to me by a man whose honor and loyalty are beyond question. I can tell you no more than that." Samul glanced quickly at Dease, as though asking him to confirm this information. Dease shrugged. Beldor looked around at the others, his look dark.” And so we are to accept this? Accept that we should do nothing, and let the Prince of Innes think us fainthearted? The strong prey on the weak, Toren. It is the way of the world. To appear weak is to invite attack from one's enemies. I say we muster our men-at-arms and ride on the Prince of Innes this night. Let the Prince see that we do not hesitate in the cause of justice. Let his counselor pay for his crime, and the Prince will go back to his keep and think again about this alliance he makes with Menwyn Wills." "It is not your decision to make, Beld," Toren said calmly.” Nor is it yours!" Beld shouted.” It is mine. I stand in my father's place, and I will not breach the Peace of the Fair. Let it not be said that the Renné have as little honor as the Prince of Innes and his counselor." "Yes, let them say instead that we are craven and that we are led by a man who preaches peace but is too timid to uphold it. That he let it slip away and brought war upon all the lands because he was not resolute when it was needed. Let them say that, for it will be true!" "Beldor!" Dease cautioned, moving to place himself between his cousins. Toren and Beldor stood glaring at each other, Beld with his mouth hanging open, his eyes wide, and his fists in knots. Toren cold and imperious.

"You have called me coward too often, Cousin," Toren said, his voice even and perfectly controlled.” Perhaps we will meet at the tilt tomorrow and you can show the others how fainthearted I am.... That is, if you can keep to your saddle that long."Toren spun and walked back indoors, leaving the others to push Beld out the gate.

"Clearly it was a mistake to wait until now to do what had to be done," Samul said.

Arden sat with his back against the tree, apart from the others. He had said almost nothing, and Dease did not like the way Arden's gaze kept slipping to the ground whenever any of the others spoke to him.

"We waited until now so that we could make it seem as if the deed had been done by the Wills," Arden said flatly.

They sat upon Summer's Hill, the very place where they had first made the decision to slay their cousin. The land rolled out beneath them, the roofs of Westbrook among the trees near the distant river.

"Though it will never be believed now," Dease said.” Toren's inaction serves the Wills' purpose admirably. They would never murder a man whose beliefs so aided their caUse. No, it will seem much more likely that Toren was murdered by one of us, who oppose him. That is what anyone with half a wit will believe."Beld pointed a finger at him.” I knew you would not go through with it, Dease," Beld said, his voice filled with disdain.” I knew your nerve would break. But mine will not.""It is not your nerve that carries you forward, Beldor," Dease said.” It is your hatred and jealousy. Do not try to convince us, who know you, that you do this to save the Renné .""Enough of this!" Samul said.” Dease, it doesn't matter what others think. The arrow will belong to a Wills. Nothing else will be known. It is enough. We must go ahead. It is more important than ever. Menwyn Wills and the Prince of Innes prepare to go to war against us and we do nothing. Our allies are uneasy, afraid that Toren will delay too long, trying to make peace, and then it will be too late to make a defense. And what will happen to our allies then? Some will change allegiance rather than be overrun. We must go ahead with our plan or the Renné will be in danger of being eradicated at last." He looked at Dease.” Have you lost your taste for it, Cousin?""I've never had the taste for it, Samul, but you are right. We must go ahead, and if we are accused... well, accusations are not enough to condemn us. Tomorrow night as we planned. I have arrows stolen from one of the Wills who is entered in the archery contest. He feathers them in the manner of the Fael though in the Wills' colors. They will be easily recognized."Samul nodded.” Then we will continue as we agreed. Dease will do what must be done, and Beld will witness. Arden? Are you with us yet?"Arden lifted his head, hesitating a moment.” Aye, though my heart is heavy with the weight of it." He turned to Dease, fixing him with a watery gaze.” I pity you, Dease. . . ." He would have said more, but he shook his head and turned away, hiding his face from the others.