She Who Has No Name (The Legacy Trilogy) (29 page)

‘Everyone is gathered,’ Master Celios announced aloud.

Grand Master Tudor turned to face them and they all shuffled closer.  He addressed them in Old Tongue for the benefit of the Koians, so Master Celios kept his mouth close to Sir Ferse’s ear, translating as the old Grand Master spoke.

‘Welcome, everyone.  As you can see, Ghant is readied for its defence.  I wanted to speak to you all, as we fully expect the attack to begin after dark tonight.  We need to prepare ourselves, and I also wanted to give anyone the chance to leave, should they so wish.’  At that he looked
meaningfully
towards the Koian party, but they did not react in the slightest.  ‘Hopefully, the Paatin will realise their assault is futile and leave quickly.  Then, we can also be on our way.  We expect the Paatin w
ill
be forced to withdraw back to Kalid
,
at least until the spring
,
for with every passing day winter will make the pass more and more inhospitable.’

Ambassador Canyon returned the look with his own pert smile that he used for all occasions when he was not actually happy.  ‘We have made a promise to stay with you, Grand Master Tudor, whatever the situation, until our fate is decided.  Whatever the dangers, we have come here as promised.  I think there is little point in us leaving so quickly.’

Tudor weighed up the answer.  ‘Very well.  I suggest that your party remain in your quarters for the duration of any assault.  General Mar cannot afford
to spare
men to take care of you, and being in the open could be dangerous.  In the rare chance of the fortress being breached, we will fall back to Shallowbrook.  Such an assault, of course, could last for weeks, for
,
as the chasm that marks the edge of Turia stops our enemy from reaching us, so too
,
it inhibits us from reaching them.  Eventually, it will be the elements that
will
force them to withdraw.  We will meet each afternoon at this time to discuss any changes in our situation.’

Canyon nodded in agreement—or perhaps it was more of a bow, for he had cupped his hands together slightly, as the Koians sometimes did when displaying courtesy.  ‘We shall stay in our rooms and out of your way as you suggest.’

‘Sir Ferse,’ Tudor began and th
at
regal fellow looked keenly to the magician in expectation, ‘I think you also should stay indoors.’

But Master Celios would have none of that and spoke up excitedly.  ‘Not at all, Grand Master.  It is important that Sir Ferse remains with me whenever possible.  I will be responsible for his well-being.’

Tudor gave the other
M
aster a level gaze, before submitting.  ‘Very well.’  He then turned to Balten and the dwarf.  ‘I assume you two will make yourselves useful as required.’

‘We hope to be of some use.  I like the look of that tower,’ Balten said, craning his neck to look to the highest column-like reaches of Ghant.  ‘If you need me, I will probably be up there.  Doonan is quite useful with his hands and not too fond of heights, so I think I will set him loose down here.  It may pay not to get too close to him, though, once things get started.  He can get a tad excitable in the heat of battle.’

At this, Doonan gave a demonic smile and revealed his dirty teeth.  The old Grand Master raised a questioning brow, but could only sigh and shake his head.

Tudor turned directly to the younger magicians.  ‘You three will stay close to me.  Not only must I keep my promise to Grand Master Anthem to keep you safe, but I will call upon your skills as Masters of the Order.  I expect you to be read
y
for anything and to follow my instructions without a blink of hesitation.  Captain Orrell and his men have now been assimilated into General Mar’s defences, but
,
if he comes seeking you, I advise you to follow his instructions.  He has grown familiar with the ways of magic and he has a cunning mind.  He may find applications for you that even you have not considered yet.  Now, please spend a few minutes examining our surrounds.’

They did as instructed, and Samuel used his senses as best he could to assess the far approach to Ghant.  There was little to learn, however, and as much as he would have liked to find some tactical advantage hidden in the stones, he could not.

The Koians seemed in no hurry to leave and were also milling about on the parapet, peering down over the battlements and into the chasm and across it with interest, pointing.  Samuel strolled
in their direction
as casually as possible until he was beside the young Lady River, but she did not seem alarmed by his presence.

‘What a beautiful place,’ she said, smiling.

‘Are you not afraid Canyon will see us speaking?’

‘Oh, he already has.  There is no point hiding anything.  Besides, I will not talk to you about anything now.  I have said all I will say.  There is nothing else I can do but serve my god as best I can.’

‘And I have considered your words and kept your secret.’

She sighed.  ‘Thank you, Magician.  When the time comes, I know you will act properly.’  And she stepped away from the edge and towards the other two ladies and their god.

‘I wouldn’t believe too much of anything those
O
utlanders say to you, Samuel.’  It was Balten and he had strolled up to Samuel with his hands clasped behind his back.

‘I wouldn’t believe too much of anything you said, either,’ Samuel replied tartly.

‘Well said.’

‘You seem to be in high spirits these days,’ Samuel noted.

‘It seems we know each other quite well, Samuel.  You can probably guess that I am doing my best to be civil.  I’m just not very good at it.  Not much practice, you understand.’

‘I think we can speak openly, Balten.  I know you are here for your own reasons.’

‘Of course.  Would it be any other way?’

‘So I am just interested to see what it is you have come for.’

‘In fact
,
I spoke the truth, Samuel.  I am here to help keep you alive.’

‘And why no mention of your greater cause?  You seemed so intent that I was to help you prevent the demons from returning.  Don’t you want me to help you with that, or has the Demon King found some diversion to better occupy his time?’

Balten gave Samuel another of his wonderful
ly
secretive smiles.  ‘Why
,
you are helping me already, Samuel.  You do remember me mentioning
that you would help us whether you wanted to or not?  Once again, you are
behaving splendidly, Samuel—all according to plan.  The demons are coming, just as I said.  Of that, we are surer than ever.  The defence of our world is well underway.  This battle, in itself, is an important step in that process.  Many will die, but their bodies will
pave
the path to our salvation.’

Samuel felt his temper rising.  ‘When will you ever say what you mean?  If you need my help so much, why don’t you just bloody
well ask for it?  You say that the future of the world is so important, yet you’re not the least bit interested in those who live in it?  How can you be such a hypocrite?’

With that, Balten’s smile dropped away and he changed expression to one of complete neutrality, in th
e
way that only Balten could do, as if all his emotions were only calculated gestures of his face, crafted only to beguile those around him into believing he was human.  ‘How can you control the fabric of matter and energy, Samuel, when you cannot even control yourself?  Magicians cannot function as witless slaves to their emotions.  Please, control your temper, Samuel.  This is not the way a magician should behave.’

‘To hell with you and your lectures! I’m no lackey of yours.’

‘Very well.  Then let me answer your question.  I do
believe that any number may be sacrificed to achieve our goal, for the outcome is paramount.  Of course, I take no enjoyment from suffering, but I am aware that suffering must occur.  Our victory will achieve an endless peace across the world.  So, Samuel, can you tell me that a few lives matter, a few thousand
or
even millions compared to the countless numbers that will die if the demons are allowed to continue their cycle of destruction?’

‘Yes, they do matter!’ Samuel said, enraged, for he could not forget that Balten had tricked and manipulated him in the past.  Balten had sent him into exile in Tindal, and there he had met and loved Leila, before she was slain by Ash’s servants.  He could not help but feel that Balten’s plotting had somehow contributed to Leila’s death.  ‘People may mean nothing to you, but we are not all as heartless and hollow as you.  No victory can be worth such deaths.  The innocent cannot be sacrificed.  No goal is worth it if such losses must be made.’

‘Noble thoughts, Samuel, but nothing that has not been contemplated countless times before and thoughts that I’m sure you will learn to reconsider in the coming future; far wiser minds than yours have pondered these concepts and it’s pleasing that you have at least started to consider them, as misguided as your
conclusions
may be.  Most people are just sheep, Samuel—hollow meat too ignorant to cultivate anything approaching self-awareness, yet alone a soul.  I see you don’t agree, but I’m sure we will be discussing this further at length.  I know you have things to do, so I will leave you to enjoy the view.  I’m sure I smelled some tobacco earlier on and I only hope I can convince the owner to part with some before I go mad.’

With that, Balten strode off, sniffing the air.  Samuel was left
standing on the parapet,
his cheeks burning with anger,
and
the chill mountain air did little to cool his blood.  It was only a few moments later
that
he noticed the Koian ladies
mov
ing towards him, escorting their god-woman between them, as if she would fall over the moment they released her hands. 

‘Our god wishes to speak with you,’ Lady Leaf announced.

‘With me?’ Samuel responded, still with his blood boiling.  ‘I thought she did not speak to us mortals.’

‘Not usually but
,
given the fact you will be acting as our guardian in the coming battle, she wishes to bestow upon you her blessing
,
according to our customs.’

Samuel had to admit he was interested to hear what the Koian woman had to say to him.  ‘Very well,’ he said.

The god-woman shifted her head to look at the attendants beside her, and they took it as a sign to retreat.  They did so, releasing her billowing sleeves and bowing before moving away.  Young Lady River followed the older two, trailing her gaze onto Samuel.  He could not forget what River had said about her god, but he could not bring himself to believe that a single woman was somehow capable of
literally
consuming the entire crew of their ship.

‘I am grateful you have kept your word,’ the woman before him hissed.  ‘I was not sure if Turians were an honourable people.’

‘I am not Turian.  And please, do not speak to me in such a voice.  I know you can speak properly.’

The god-woman was thoughtful and looked over her shoulders to see if the others were within earshot.  ‘I can,’ she said softly, clearing her throat as if the act of speaking with her own voice pained her.

‘Why have you come here?  What do you want in this land?’

She seemed taken aback.  ‘I do not want anything, Magician,’ she said softly.  ‘We told you why we have come.  I must be protected until the time of my rebirth.’

Samuel glanced to the ladies behind, who were looking towards him with concern.  He would not have long before they returned.  ‘Maybe that is what you believe, but your companions keep secrets from us.  That is not the way of those who come with honest intentions.’

‘It is true, Magician.  We have kept secrets from you, but nothing that could harm you.  They are only our own customs and mannerisms.  We have no ill intentions at all.  We are a peaceful people.  We seek only refuge from the violence that has destroyed our home and to repay you for your kindness.’