Darksong Rising (45 page)

balustrade rails polished by generations of hands, toward the central foyer. Before they reached

the wide steps below the landing, the stocky Hadrenn hurried toward them, now wearing a green-

velvet jacket of sorts over a mostly white-silk shirt. He stood, waiting as the two descended, his

eyes taking in all of Anna, just a fraction short of pure lechery. “Ah... Lady Anna.”

“Remember, Lord Hadrenn,” she said, lightly, “I have children of your age.”

"One... would never know that.” The scar on the left side of his face turned pinkish, then faded.

“You are an ornament to any company, any land, any table.” He gestured toward the age-

darkened double doors of the dining hail. “The hall... and the poor best we have... await you and

your company.”

Anna managed not to wince at the thought of being an ornament as Jecks slipped beside her, not

quite possessively, offering his arm. She took it, squeezing his muscled forearm, if lightly and

briefly, before leading the way toward the dining area. Again, both Rickel and Kerhor flanked

them.

The hal1, while large for a private home, was smaller than the main dining hall at Loiseau. Anna

stood behind the seat at the end of the table, with Jecks to her left, and waited for Jimbob, Kinor,

Himar, and Liende to join them.

Hadrenn arrived first, smiling. “I had thought that Gestatr might join us, as my commander.”

“That would be good,” Anna said, smiling and turning as the dark-haired and square-faced

Gestatr neared. “I’m glad to see you again, Gestatr. Frideric and Markan send their best.”

The man who had been Lord Hryding’s captain nodded. “Lady Anna... it appears that we both

have come far since last we met.”

Anna could sense the puzzlement from Jecks and some of the others. “Overcaptain Gestatr... or

arms commander... he was the lead armsman for Lord Hryding of Synope during the years when

the Evult ruled Ebra. Because his family had served the previous lords of Ebra, his first

allegiance has always been to his homeland, and he returned when he had the chance. Anna

looked at Gestatr. “I hope I got that right... but that’s what I heard.”

Gestatr inclined his head and returned the smile. “Lord Hryding had said you would not forget

much, and you have not. My grandsire was the arms commander for Lord Julenn, Lord

Hadrenn’s grandsire.”

As the well-muscled Gestatr slipped into place beside Jecks, Anna noted that his once-jet-black

hair was shot with white. Or didn’t you notice that in Synope? She sat down, ignoring the frown

from Jimbob as the youth realized that Gestatr sat above him at the table. Anna suspected Jecks

had managed that... somehow.

A serving girl poured pale, amber-tinged wine into the silver goblets.

‘A toast!” Hadrenn lifted his goblet. “To the Regent!”

“To the Regent.”

Anna lifted her goblet in acknowledgment, but did not drink. When the goblets were lowered,

she responded, “To Lord Hadrenn and his hospitality.”

Everyone but Hadrenn drank to her toast, but the young lord lifted his goblet in response.

Large platters of beef covered in a brown sauce appeared, as did casserole dishes of sliced and

roasted potatoes. Anna took her usual enormous helping, forcing herself to wait until most had a

chance at being served before she took the first bite. Despite the sauce, the meat was dry, but she

was hungry enough that it didn’t matter too much.

“Perhaps... Regent Anna,” suggested Hadrenn, “you could begin by telling us how you came to

be Regent.”

Anna took another mouthful of potatoes before she replied, ignoring the glance at her less-than-

supremely..endowed chest, still glad that the gown was comparatively high-necked. “It’s rather

simple, Lord Hadrenn, but I’ll be happy to tell that story. A rather strange combination of spells

on both the mist world and on Erde combined to bring me to Mencha, near the hold of the

sorcerer Brill..." Anna cut down the tale to close to the bare essentials, concluding with, "... and I

found myself Regent of Defalk.”

Hadrenn pulled at his thick, but short-trimmed brown beard.

“It is said that you have killed men, not only with sorcery, but with a blade.”

“One,” Anna answered. “With a dagger.” Because you were stupid and careless...

“And that you have been wounded innumerable times, but saved by sorcery.”

Anna laughed. “I’ve been wounded badly twice, and no sorceress can save herself through

sorcery. I had to heal the hard way.”

“She took a war arrow in one shoulder, and iron crossbow bolts in the chest and arm,” interjected

Jecks.

Hadrenn shook his head. “Most do not survive one such wound."

“I’m a survivor,” Anna replied. A better survivor than a fighter, still...

“And you are here... surely not merely to visit,” suggested Gestatr.

“No. . . we’re not here just to visit.” Anna nodded toward Jimbob. “I also thought Lord Jimbob

should meet you, Lord Hadrenn”

“I still find it hard to believe that you brought the heir with you.” Hadrenn’s bushy eyebrows

rose.

“Lord Jecks and I felt he should experience matters more directly. That’s hard to do with a tutor

in Falcor.”

“Ah... I could see that.” Hadrenn refilled his silver goblet. Anna took a sip of the wine, which

had begun to taste metallic. Wine was better in glass, even poor wine—much better.

“If I might inquire about Markan and Frideric…” ventured the black-haired Gestatr after another

silence.

“Markan is now the lead armsman at SuhI.. .‘ Anna began, after finishing the rest of the beef on

her platter, then taking a sip of the amber wine. She explained how the two had left Flossbend

after Lord Hryding’s death. "...and Frideric was overseeing the stables and mounts and arms

supplies of the hold. Lady Herene is there to serve as the guardian of the heirs.”

Hadrenn frowned. “Sargol revolted, and you let his children keep the lands?”

“The oldest child is eight, Lord Hadrenn. Their guardian and tutor is indebted to me.” Anna

shrugged. “You would have me disinherit every lord who questions? How then would I be dif-

ferent from the Evult?”

Gestatr laughed, easily. “You see, my lord, why many would have her as Regent for the years to

come. Lord Hryding entrusted her with his daughter.” He turned toward Anna.

“Secca is well. She’s with the other fosterlings in Falcor, and has made friends with several. She

is a very determined young lady,” Anna said, without looking at Jimbob, “and believes, as did

her father, in doing right” After a moment, she continued, “Markan said that Stepan had joined

you here."

“He has, and he is captain over the levies of the north.”

Anna nodded. “And how have you found Ebra since you returned?”

“Ebra was once rich, with the most fertile of lands. Now... farming is a struggle, and none are

rich. Here... the lands have held their strength...."

Anna finished her meal as first Gestatr, and then others, talked. She spoke seldom, and only to

ask a question that prompted another’s stories.

When it was clear all had finished, Anna turned to Hadrenn. “We have some things to discuss,”

she said pleasantly. “Himar, Lord Jecks and I, and you, and Gestatr. A more private meeting."

“You have just arrived..."

Anna’s eyes were cool. “Lord Hadrenn... your hospitality and your greetings are most wecome...

and generous. But much as I appreciate your hospitality and the beauty of Ebra, it’s best that we

do what needs to be done quickly.”

Hadrenn swallowed, as if he were trying to hold back a flush of anger.

“I am here to aid you. I wouldn’t be here otherwise, but we must work quickly.” Anna smiled

warmly.

After only a momentary hesitation, Hadrenn rose, as did Anna, and the group followed the Lord

of Synek down the corridor, boots and shoes scuffing the hollowed and worn yellow bricks in the

dim light of candles in scattered wall sconces. The private study was small, the green carpet laid

over the yellowbrick floor faded and worn.

Rickel and Kerhor stationed themselves at the study door.

You are not... as others... of Defalk,” Hadreun said slowly, standing by the small carved desk,

glancing toward the closed door.

“I’m not like either the lords of the Thirty-three, nor like most women of Liedwahr,” Anna

acknowledged. “If I were, you’d be facing Bertmynn alone, and you’d lose. From what the

mirrors tell me, he lost almost as many armsmen... in taking Elahwa as you have.” Anna knew

she was being too blunt, but her guts told her that flattery and indirection would have been lost

on Hadrenn.

“That is doubtless true." Gestatr nodded. “When Bertmynn’s strength became known. I

suggested, and Lord Hadrenn agreed that an alliance…a fealty to Defalk. . .was our only hope."

“I understand that Bertmynn slaughtered almost all the free-women.” Anna’s voice was flat.

“Many escaped into the marshes, and they say that some are gathering in the northern part of the

Sand Hills to await forces from Ranuak,” suggested Gestatr smoothly.

“I doubt there will be any forces from Ranuak,” Anna answered. ‘There do not appear to be any

lancers or armsmen moving northward. There are no more ships in the harbor at Encora, either."

“I see…”
 
murmured Hadrenn. After a moment, he added, “Still... Regents do not risk their

sorcery and their forces for naught...."

"No…they don’t,” Anna agreed, forcing herself to wait, meeting Hadrenn’s deep brown eyes, but

making sure that her eyes did not waver and that they promised nothing.