Bronze Magic (Book 1) (61 page)

“You ordered Tree Wind to come forward last night and ordered us to
see you this morning,” objected North Wind.
“Blast! So I did.” Tarkyn ran his hand through his hair. “But if you
worked with me instead of against me, I wouldn’t have to.”
North Wind raised his eyebrows in derision. “That’s just the same as
saying, ‘Either you co-operate or I’ll force you to.’”
“No,” snapped Tarkyn, “It’s the same as saying, ‘Give me the same
respect as you would give another woodman.’”
“But you’re not just another woodman!” retaliated North Wind.
Tarkyn’s eyes flickered and he went very still.
North Wind smiled faintly, “You are a woodman and you deserve to
be, but you’re a lot more than that. It’s no good trying to pretend it’s any
different.”
Tarkyn shook his head in confusion, “I am trying to make the oath as
inconspicuous as possible.”
North Wind’s smile broadened. “Maybe you are, but it is there, all the
same. Even aside from the oath, you are the guardian of the forest with
powers way beyond ours. And however people may react, it is obvious
that you are, and will be, pivotal to our survival against these hunters of
woodfolk.” The woodman shrugged. “So I just can’t see that you’re going
to be respected only to the same extent as any other woodman. You’re
bound to be respected more, if you see what I mean.”
“Perhaps. But at the moment, the same would be a good start,” said
Tarkyn dryly.
North Wind chuckled, “Oh, I think you’ve sorted that little issue out
amongst my lot. I don’t think you’ll find them going against you without
good reason in the future.”
“What’s so funny?” asked Tarkyn frowning.
“Your masterly argument that by giving you a fair hearing we would
protect our independence.”
“Don’t you agree with it?”
North Wind was still smiling. “Oh yes, it’s a brilliant argument. Of
course, it doesn’t take into account that you’re better at getting your point
across than most of us. But in essence, what you said is true.”
Tarkyn looked at him uncertainly. “I was not trying to mislead you,
you know.”
The young woodman shook his head. “I didn’t think you were. I think
you have created a level playing field and it is now up to us to resist your
arguments if we want to.”
Rainstorm huffed, “At least your opinion isn’t disregarded because of
your age, prince, like mine is.”
“I don’t think that is entirely true. Sun Shower referred to me as a
young upstart, as I recall. And Raging Water treats me like a young
puppy most of the time. I didn’t realise I was battling against that as
well.” Tarkyn raised his eyebrows, “So all is not as equal as it seems, after
all? I wondered what authority you were rebelling against, seeing there
are no ranks.”
North Wind and Rainstorm met each other’s eyes and nodded
simultaneously.
“Oh yes. Parents and older people must be given greater respect,”
confirmed North Wind. “So annoying!”
Tarkyn thought back to a conversation he had had with Waterstone.
“But does the respect for your opinion not depend on the experience you
can bring to the discussion? In which case, isn’t there a greater likelihood
that an older person will have relevant experience to back their opinion?”
Rainstorm looked disgusted. “You sound just like my parents.”
Tarkyn laughed. “Sorry about that. I am just trying to understand
woodfolk society. In my society, rank comes before age. So courtiers
deferred to me from a very young age. As far back as I can remember,
even adults would bow when I entered a room.”
Rainstorm eyes grew round. “What a wonderful concept. I would
have loved that.”
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s not as great as it sounds. Don’t forget, both my
parents and my brothers outranked me. If I threw my weight around too
much, my nanny would get one of them and I would have to submit
anyway and apologise for being uncivil.”
Rainstorm crowed, “That would be embarrassing!”
The prince gave a wry smile. “It was. I didn’t let it happen more often
than I had to, I can tell you.”
Tarkyn became aware that North Wind was studying him with a slight
frown on his face. The prince raised his eyebrows slightly in query.
“I am beginning to realise how big the concessions are that you are
making,” said North Wind slowly. “That oath was designed to ensure that
you would be deferred to as Danton defers to you, wasn’t it?”
Tarkyn nodded shortly and transferred his gaze to look out into the
waters of the stream. “Yes. It was.”
“You don’t have to negotiate with us at all. Far from fighting to have
your opinions considered, you could just dictate your wishes, couldn’t
you?” pressed North Wind.
Again Tarkyn nodded. “Yes. I could.”
“Not to me, he couldn’t,” said Rainstorm.
Now the prince did look around. He grimaced. “I’m afraid I have bad
news for you on that front. Unless I am much mistaken, you are now also
under the bounds of the oath.” Seeing the look of horror on Rainstorm’s
face, Tarkyn continued quickly, “I don’t know how or why, but when you
threatened to attack me, there was a warning rush of wind just as there
was when Tree Wind attacked me.”
Rainstorm’s face was white. “You bastard. You have tricked us all!”
Tarkyn lifted his hands, palms outwards. “No, Rainstorm. I promise
you. I haven’t. Anyway, it may not be true. It has only happened once. It
may be coincidence.”
Far from being mollified, Rainstorm sneered, “Let’s test it then,
shall we?”
So saying, Rainstorm drew his legs up under himself and launched
himself at the prince. Tarkyn rolled quickly out of the way and
came up into a crouch. The wind came roaring through the trees.
Ignoring it, Tarkyn swivelled to face the woodman just as he threw
himself towards the prince. Tarkyn raised an arm across his body and
thrust outwards to deflect Rainstorm’s impetus sideways, sending
him sprawling on the edge of the stream. The trees around them
were thrashing under the onslaught of the wind. Leaves scattered
around them and whirls of dust were thrown up from the banks of
the stream.
Rainstorm lifted himself onto one elbow, took in the mayhem around
him and bowed his head in despair. As the air around him quietened,
he rolled onto his stomach and buried his face in his arms. For several
minutes, his shoulders shook silently.
Tarkyn turned a stricken face to North Wind. Once again, Tarkyn
gestured at himself and pointed away to suggest he should leave.
This time, North Wind shrugged uncertainly in response. The prince
considered the barrier that would exist between Rainstorm and himself if
he left now and decided to stay.
After a while, when Rainstorm’s shoulders had stilled, Tarkyn said
quietly, “Rainstorm, first and foremost, I am your friend. I promise you,
I did not contrive this. It must have happened when your people said
that all woodfolk were one and that you must uphold the honour of
those who had sworn the oath. Either then or when I was accepted as
a woodman. I don’t know. I didn’t design the oath and I have no power
over it, just as I told you.”
Silence greeted this sally.
Tarkyn continued, “I am truly sorry this has happened. I hate the
destruction that is built into the oath. I can only say that I don’t want
anything to change between us. You and I have already worked out rules
of engagement. There is no need for them to change.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” came a muffled voice, “You haven’t just
lost your freedom and your autonomy and your independence.” Another
sob issued forth.
“Actually, I have. In the society I come from, I have.” After that, Tarkyn
gave up on words and sent forth waves of fellow feeling. North Wind’s
eyes widened and he smiled.
A few minutes later, Rainstorm sat up and vigorously rubbed the
palms of his hands over his eyes. He dropped his hands and presented
red eyes to his companions. He sniffed and managed a shaky smile, “So.
That’s the worst news I’ve had all week. Actually, it’s the worst news I’ve
had in all my life.” He sniffed again. “No offence meant, prince.”
Tarkyn gave a short, bitter laugh. “None taken. I will try to remember
it’s the concept and not the person you object to.” Something in his tone
of voice turned his sentence into a query.
Rainstorm nodded firmly. “Yes, prince. It’s not you. I suppose if this had
to happen, it’s better that it’s you than some power-mongering sorcerer.”
“I would think so. I think that my brothers would be a poor substitute,
for instance, if you were hoping to maintain your independence.”
“So, welcome to the club, Rainstorm,” said North Wind, trying to
conceal a smirk and failing signally.
“It is you who are not in the club,” retorted Rainstorm, making a swift
recovery. “You are not a member of the home guard, as I am, regardless
of the oath.”
Tarkyn regarded him quizzically. “Are you? Last thing I remember,
you and I were arguing about whether you wanted to join and whether
I wanted you to.”
Rainstorm waved a dismissive hand, “You know I did and you did.”
He smiled sweetly at the prince. “So, do you think we should let North
Wind join?”
Realising that Rainstorm needed a way to regain an equal footing,
Tarkyn raised his eyebrows and said thoughtfully, “Well, he did not stay
with me when I was injured as the main force of the home guard did and
he did not defy his elders by untying me, as you did.” He smiled gently,
“However, he did defend me against you when you were angry earlier on.
Do you think that justifies membership?”
“Do I get a say in this?” demanded North Wind.
Tarkyn shrugged, his eyes smiling wickedly, “Well, there is really no
point in asking you until we’ve decided whether you’re eligible. Is there,
Rainstorm?”
Rainstorm shook his head, laughing, “Absolutely no point at all.”
North Wind crossed his arms and looked from one to the other. “So?
Am I eligible?”
“Do you want to join? Do you realise what it entails?” asked Tarkyn.
“Do you think we should let him?” he added, addressing Rainstorm.
Rainstorm nodded, smiling.
North Wind frowned suspiciously. “What does it entail?”
“You become one of my cronies, as I believe you phrased it earlier today.”
Tarkyn grinned. “And the other factions ignore or devalue everything you
say. You may or may not consider that an attraction to the post.”
Seeing North Wind looking uncertain, Rainstorm butted in, “It means
you support Tarkyn. That’s all. You don’t have to agree with everything he
says or even do what he wants. You’re just basically on his side.”
“It’s not really anything.” Tarkyn gave an embarrassed smile. “Home
guard is just a collective nickname I made up for the people who have
stood by me.”
North Wind gave a casual nod and said, “Fine. I’ll join. After this last
hour I’ve spent with you, I wouldn’t hear a word against you.”
“Wouldn’t you?” The prince looked startled. “You’re not worried I
engineered the oath on Rainstorm’s people?”
The young woodman shook his head, glancing at Rainstorm. “No. I
saw your reaction to Rainstorm’s distress. I’ve learnt a lot about you in the
last hour; some of it unnerving but none of it bad.”
“Thanks. You turn out to be a pretty worthwhile character yourself.”
After a few moments, Tarkyn sighed. “Now, what are we going to do
about this catastrophe with the oath? The last thing I need at the moment
is another group of resentful woodfolk to win over.” The prince ran his
hand across his forehead. “I’m tired of being everyone’s nightmare.”
“Don’t tell them,” said North Wind baldly.
“Why shouldn’t they suffer too, if I have to?” demanded Rainstorm
peevishly.
North Wind frowned at him. “I thought you were in the home guard?
Then grow up and stop thinking of yourself and start thinking about how
to help Tarkyn - and all of us, for that matter. We need to be focused on
rescuing the woodfolk from the encampment, not on dealing with a new
lot of unrest.”
“All right. All right.So we won’t tell them. What if they jeopardise the
forest by mistake?”
“I don’t think they will,” said Tarkyn thoughtfully. “Since I have no
intention of imposing my will on them or demanding their obedience,
the issue of service won’t arise. They have already had their chance to
attack me and haven’t. They will protect me to uphold everyone else’s oath
and because I’m the forest guardian.” He smiled, “So you see, Rainstorm,
I don’t think the oath will make any difference if we don’t let it.”
After they had considered all the angles, Tarkyn said, “So, are we all
agreed? We don’t tell anyone?”
The other two nodded.
Tarkyn gave a quirky smile. “And one last thing: I had better give you
both permission to attack me, if you want to. You, Rainstorm, so that
if your hotheadedness leads you into another fight with me, the forest
won’t give away that you’re under oath. And you, North Wind, because
if Rainstorm has permission, then it wouldn’t be fair to leave you out.”
Rainstorm shook his head. “You’re mad, prince.”
Tarkyn laughed. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t fight back. I might even use
magic if you’re too aggressive.” He stood up. “I’d better get back. Oh, by
the way, I might tell Waterstone. Then we’ll have one person from each
of the three factions here knowing. Anyway, I like to be able to discuss
things with him. Agreed?”
They nodded and Tarkyn strode off through the trees leaving behind
two bemused young woodmen.
anton tried to sleep but found he was too wound up. He lay on
his back, with hands behind his head, studying the structure of
Tarkyn’s shelter. The woven and mud daubed accommodation did
not compare favourably with the stone, gilded rooms of the palace. He
was deeply distressed at finding the prince in a situation where he seemed
to have lost all status and authority. These woodfolk seemed friendly
enough but that was the trouble, really. They were overly familiar with
the prince and didn’t honour his exalted lineage, as they should. Danton,
being of a generous turn of mind, put it down to poor education and
ignorance rather than ill intent, and resolved to gently instil a more
proper sense of decorum in them over time.