The Treason Blade (Battle for Alsaar Book 1) (5 page)

Ber’s mouth
dropped open. “You left him for the Lute? Alive?” Ber turned his face to the
ceiling and laughed out loud. “Even I do not know if I could be so hard as to
do that. He was a fellow warrior. You should have given him a quick death.”

Ishar turned
a calm face across the table. “What else could we do? It was the only honorable
thing. To kill him seemed too quick and minor after the shame of his actions.
Those people did not deserve what happened to them. My blade does not slaughter
children and old men and women. As a warband we realized the returning Lute
would provide the perfect judgment.” Ishar turned and glanced toward Eira.

Eira gave a
slow nod. “Thank you for telling me this. I am glad to know such honor exist
even in the time of war. It does not always happen and I will say that goes for
all involved.”

Eira finally
managed to turn the talk back toward the training of the Britai soldiers,
everyday matters of the holding and news from the village, and for the rest of
the meal that was all that was discussed. Ishar seemed glad that the attention
was focused elsewhere. Everyone had apparently had enough uneasiness for one
night. Eira noticed Traevyn still studied Ishar, though now with more
discretion. His black eyes stared out at her from beneath his long hair while
he ate. He was the first to leave. When he was done with his food, he rose and
gave a nod to Eira and looked at Ishar. “Until the morning,” he stated abruptly
but not unkindly. He left the main hall as silently as he had come. Gavin and
Glyndwr also rose and left right behind him, citing the need to ride out early
and check the progress of several watch towers being built along the east
beaches. They said their goodnights to Eira and sent nods to Ishar.

Lysandr
flicked glances Ishar’s way several times, even as he kept up the conversation
with Eira on refortifying the Hadwri earthworks. She could see he was still
uncertain at having a Haaldyn within Taryn. She tried to tune in and listen as
he talked of this first line of defense needed against the Tourna. But the
night was late and Eira found that she was quite weary after the long day.

With the loud
scraping of his chair, Ber rose and stretched. Jaya stood quietly with him.
“Eira,” he stated pointedly with a nod.
“Lysandr.
See
you in the morning.” He walked out without a backward glance. Jaya gave a
polite nod in their direction and followed him.

Ishar
flinched. Eira watched as a flash of resentment slipped across the Haaldyn’s
face. A moment later it was gone. Eira understood the anger. Ber had purposely
insulted her by not giving leaving words. She made a note to have Lysandr speak
to Ber. The Raanan warrior would handle such words of discipline better from
Lysandr than from her. She kept her face impassive for Ishar’s sake and glanced
down the table as Davaris rose. He nodded at Eira and Lysandr before directing
his attention at the Haaldyn. “Ishar,” he murmured quietly. He walked out
without another word. Eira smiled. She sensed Davaris was trying to make up for
Ber’s rudeness.

With his men now vacant, Lysandr finally rose. He
turned to Eira. “I will check with you in the morning before I send Gavin and
Glyndwr.” Lysandr glanced Ishar’s way. “I will make certain Traevyn is
available as a, guide.”

Eira groaned
inwardly. Perhaps Ber was not the only one who needed the guidance of words.
Lysandr had said his remark in such a way to let Ishar know he intended Traevyn
to be her keeper more than guide. Eira frowned but said nothing. She would have
to deal with Varyk’s second in command at a later time.

Lysandr
grabbed his cup, raised it to both of them before turning and walking out.

Ishar glanced
at Eira. “They really do not like me, do they?”

Eira sighed.
She turned to the hovering servants and motioned for them to begin cleanup.
Eira looked back at Ishar. “Walk with me.”

Ishar rose
and followed her out. They took the same path back toward the stairs and
Ishar’s room but instead of entering there, Eira went to the right and down the
hall to the next door on the left. This was her and Varyk’s private room. Eira
went in and motioned for Ishar to follow before pushing the door closed and
throwing the latch. If Ishar thought her actions strange, she said nothing,
only inspected the space as Eira went over and stirred the red coals of the
started fire. The room was warm; the draping tight across the window that
overlooked the back wall and grassy hills beyond the keep. The room was a haven
for her.
Warm and comfortable, with furs thrown across the
floor for warmth against the cold stone.

Eira motioned
toward several cushions set on fur next to the fireplace before sliding
downward atop a lush wild cat pelt. Ishar walked over and knelt before sitting
to the side on a cushion. Ishar looked into the flame and waited for Eira to
speak. Eira hoped Ishar understood the politics of their time and the need for
privacy. This space spoke of confidentiality. It had served her and Varyk well
in the past.

Eira cleared her throat.
“Now.
Where were we? Oh yes, your talk of the Raanans’ feelings. Please understand.
My father, Wyn, sent word you had passed through his land so I was expecting
you within a certain time. Lysandr knows nothing of this. My father knows why
you are here and so do I. We are both in agreement that this peace must prosper
and extend to the entire island if we are to survive the coming Tourna. You
asked if the others welcomed your presence, but sadly, they do not. Right now,
Lysandr does not trust you. Or, rather he does not approve of you being here.
We are in the process of preparations for the coming war with the Tourna.
Lysandr thinks that should be our sole focus. Having you here distracts from
that purpose.”

Ishar
frowned.
“And Ber?”

Eira continued.
“They are both the same in many ways. Both think your people, the Haaldyn, are
safe in their holdings in the mountains. Therefore they do not understand the
want of your people to offer help to those of us here in the lowlands who will
face the full brunt of the Tourna wrath.” She shrugged. “And what they do not
understand—”

“They fear
and distrust,” Ishar finished and took a deep breath. “Eira, each time the
Tourna come, they are bolder. They have already begun to seek our northern
shores to allow access for their smaller boats. We learned this, to our dismay,
the last time of their coming. My people know if the Tourna gain a foothold on
Alsaar, eventually they will work their way into the mountains and force their
way into our holdings to haul us off as slaves. We understand,
then
we will be no different than any other person on this
island, except by that time we will have no recourse or help to aid us. We must
help you prevent the Tourna from gaining that foothold to safeguard all of our
futures. Agreeing to that is what brought our two fathers together and helped
bring peace between our people.”

Eira nodded.
“I agree. But even that took time. And so will this. These warriors of Varyk
are good men. They are strong and honorable but prone to not give their
allegiance easily. You must win their respect and admiration before they open
their hearts to hearing what you have to say, and to do that you must overcome
all they have come to believe about your people and hold to be true.” She
reached out and laid her hand on Ishar’s shoulder. “I was intrigued to hear you
speak so honestly tonight. I must admit I also learned much of your people.”
Eira shook her head. “We are all so different.” She glanced up curiously. “Does
it really bother you that I wear my hair loose and long?”

“It is just
something that is unusual to how things are done among my people,” Ishar
admitted slowly.

Eira smiled.
“And it is just as strange to me to think that only Varyk could see my unbound
hair. To a Lute, our long hair is a sign that we are women. Some wear it
braided or up when in battle but in everything else it is something that
defines us. We do not see this as something to hide.”

Ishar
listened to her words. “When you go into battle, who decides who will care for
the children?” She asked slowly.

Eira’s reply
was honest and sincere. “We try to find a place of safety for them. With the
Tourna coming, many will be sent to the higher caves in the mountains to hide
until we come for them. A few chosen able warriors will stay with them but also
it is the duty of the older women and men and those who cannot fight long
combat, for whatever reason, to safeguard them. If many of the Lute parents
were to be lost in battle, at least our elders would still be alive to rear up
these children with their knowledge, which is also our knowledge, and so guide
another generation into men and women. Our history of who we are would not be
lost.” Eira smiled. “My hope, though, is that with the island united that this
will not come to pass.”

Ishar nodded.
“What you were telling me earlier, about Lysandr and his men, is that I must be
patient.”

Eira smiled
sadly. “I might add extremely patient, but they will come around, some before
others. You may trust me in this.” She paused before adding, “If you need to
discuss something, feel free to talk with me. I do not mind the questions. I
would only ask that we find privacy before we do, like your room or mine, or
perhaps I can go one afternoon with you riding. The reason for the privacy is
that most of the walls of this holding have ears and I try not to talk about
personal issues like this except where I know there will be privacy.”

Ishar’s look
was solemn.
“Of course.
I understand.” She rose and
stood. “I believe I will find my bed now.” Ishar flashed a quick smile. “Thank
you Eira. It is good to know I am not completely without allies here.”

Eira stood.
“You are not. If you need to get a message to me, give it to Audris. She is
faithful and will see that it gets to me even under watchful eyes. She can be
trusted with any message you send.”

Ishar gave a
short bow of her head and made her way to the door. She opened it and turned
back hesitantly. “Eira, who was the young Britai you were speaking with when
Audris brought me down tonight? She had long hair like yours but it was pulled
back with combs.”

Eira frowned
as she turned over Ishar’s words. It came to her and she turned curious eyes
Ishar’s way. “Oh, that was Isla. She is from the village of Wërn, outside the
gates. She helps in the upkeep of the fortress hall during the day before
returning to her home at sundown. Why do you ask?”

“She did not
appear to be all that happy to see me,” Ishar remarked softly.

Eira nodded
and walked over to where Ishar stood. “Remember what I said about patience. All
that the Britai have heard of the Haaldyn has come from mouths of the Lute and
what they have seen of the battles. It will take time. People are slow to
accept change.”

Ishar pursed her lips in thought. “I will try to
keep that in mind.” She cast a nod toward her hostess. “Good night, Eira. I
will see you in the morning.” Ishar slid out and made her way down the hall
toward her own room.

Eira stood in
her door and watched as the Haaldyn slipped within her room. The door slid shut
with a thud. She frowned and glanced toward the draping as her thoughts drifted
outside. Eira sighed and stepped out, pulling her door shut. She made her way
toward the stairs and downward. There was a certain second in command with whom
she wished to speak. She narrowed her eyes as she went in search of Lysandr.

*

In the
lowlight of the single lamp set about, the horse shelter was all but shadowed
in darkness. Traevyn worked by the light’s glow although his hands knew what
needed to be done. The repair of his horse’s girth belt was almost finished. It
was not something he wanted left to the morning dawn, especially if he had to
ride out with the Haaldyn woman. No. Not Haaldyn woman. Her name was Ishar. He
must think of her as that and not show the disrespect which he heard Ber had
shown. Varyk would not have approved of Ber’s actions tonight and Lysandr knew
that. But then again, Lysandr did not trust her any more than Ber did. Traevyn
wondered if Lysandr would say any words to Ber. His thoughts focused back on
Ishar. She was not who he had expected.

Most Haaldyn
woman he had seen had been met in fierce combat wearing full battle gear, their
faces shielded by a face covering that revealed only their eyes. They had
appeared as vicious as their male counterparts. In fact, at times one would be
hard pressed to notice the difference between them. Tonight he had seen one
close up, deprived of armor and found her, well, pleasing. Not the fierce
brutal malevolence he had expected. Her hair accentuated tan skin. Her face,
except for the tiny freckles across her nose and cheeks, bore no scars or
disfigurement from years of battle. To him, she appeared too small and delicate
to fight against a man in battle. But the same could be said of Eira and he had
seen her defeat foe after foe in battle with her wild Lute ferociousness.

He had not
been pleased with Eira’s decision to give Ishar free reign of the holding, but
he also trusted Eira’s judgment, which was the one reason he accepted it. Now,
thanks to Ber’s belligerent nature, Traevyn would be forced to watch the
Haaldyn and try to maintain his other duties. Because of that fact, he was here
when he would have enjoyed another drink with the men before seeking sleep. His
thoughts still dwelt on this when he heard the approach of footsteps. A moment
later, Lysandr dropped down beside him. Traevyn said nothing. He simply waited
for the other man to speak.