Iron and Shadow, page 32
part #3 of The Iron Kingdom Series
It took several minutes for the thunder of the applause to recede and the king simply stood there like a mountain. When things quieted down, he called the dwarf thane Karrok forward to be honored. “We cannot match the artifice of the dwarves in most things, but I hope he will accept this cloak that was woven by our finest craftsmen, including embroidery by my own daughter!” Elin smiled to see the stout dwarf blush a bit as the princess Alanna stepped forward to help him don the cloak. It was perfectly tailored for his height and frame and was a splendid blue with silver edges. She knew he was a fast friend of her husband’s and had been to their home for dinner several times. Brand was always fascinated by the dwarven warrior and had announced his intention to visit the Kingdom of Stone one day. “Were it not for the stalwart defense of the hills by Thane Karrok and his warriors, the final battle against the orcs would have been lost!”
There was thunderous applause for the dwarf and when he and when he bowed before the king and the two clasped arms in a warrior’s handshake, it only grew. When it finally quieted down after the dwarf had walked from the platform, the king recognized the heroism of Captain Rothan and Garyth cheered more loudly than anyone. His exploits and service to the crown were listed and the king presented him with a magnificent shield with the symbol of the king’s own clan. “For you have been a shield to my family.” The king said, and the people cheered the stunned captain. As Rothan walked stiffly back to where he and his elven paramour were seated, he shared a thunderstruck grin with Garyth, who laughed out loud at his friend’s consternation.
The king then turned and called for Captain Bolaan, who was seated with Princess Alanna. The two had begun to be quite the pair and it was obvious that the king approved of the match. Alanna had been with the injured captain all through his recovery and the two had become inseparable. The princess’s eyes were shining as she watched the dashing young captain step forward and the people applauded him for he had become quite famous.
“Captain Bolaan fought with general Fogrim and the Third until the end.” The king was saying. “He was sent to bring word of the true threat that the orc horde represented, though he wanted to stay and fight. During the war he sustained many injuries in battle and like my squire, saved my life in battle against the orc warlord! It was Bolaan who knocked the warlord from his feet when the beast would have slain me, and he was nearly killed himself, in turn!” The king gestured for his daughter and she glided up to the captain’s side. Now all eyes were on the couple as the beautiful princess took the handsome captain’s hand. “Bolaan has asked me for my daughter’s hand and she has accepted!” He said, and the people’s grief was now tinged with joy. A war hero returning to gain the hand of the princess made them all feel gladdened. “I could not ask for a better husband for my daughter!” The king’s joy was as real as anyone’s as he handed the captain the Warhammer of general Fogrim, but Elin couldn’t help but wonder if it all was somehow calculated.
When the roars of congratulations and well wishes finally subsided and the couple were seated, the king held up his hands for complete silence. “We have honored many heroes here today and all of them have made us proud. We are a nation of warriors who have made our home with our iron and with our blood.” There were answering calls of ‘The Hammer and the Third!’ and ‘Iron and Blood!’ from the crowd. The king acknowledged them with a smile but held up his hand again for their attention. The sun was beginning to go down that evening as lanterns were lit. “Yet even among born warriors, there sometimes arise those who shine as an example to all. Lord Garyth is such a warrior!”
Elin felt Garyth tense and knew that, like herself, he’d been dreading this moment. Neither of them wanted to be on display but they both knew that it could not be helped. As she stood with her husband, she forced a smile that was false on her face and hated herself for it. At that moment, all she wanted to do was take her family and flee as far and as fast as she could.
The king was effusive in his praise for the lord. “…time and again, he risked his life for his country over the years and it was he who first became aware of the true threat that the orcs represented!” With a gesture that filled Elin with rage, the king summoned her husband to stand next to him and she felt that he was tearing him away from her. “In the war, he distinguished himself time and time again!” The crowd applauded but the king was, of course, not done. They all knew what had happened but just the same, they wanted to hear it from their own king. “It was Lord Garyth who came to my aid at the end when all seemed lost and it was Lord Garyth who outfought the savage warlord!” The crowd had seemed almost breathless, but they exploded with the greatest roar of applause of all at the king’s next words. “It was Garyth who slew Morgall!” Pride in her husband warred with the sick feeling that he too was being used to further strengthen the king’s position with the people. Into that sea of adulation, the king’s voice still carried, “I could ask for no better son!” He shouted and turned to embrace Garyth
Stiffening, Elin’s eyes grew wide. There were, no doubt many who hadn’t heard and perhaps those who would think the term of ‘son’ a euphemism. Still, the statement would breed questions and make problems for both the king and for Garyth as well. In shock, her gaze swept the dais. Most of the people had stood to applaud the monarch embracing the greatest hero of the War of the Orc, as he was beginning to be called, though Garyth hated it personally. There were a few who did not rise, she could see. One was the general Lokkmar, who sat with his family at the far edge of the raised platform. Elin had been surprised earlier when she’d spotted the general but Garyth had stiffly informed her that all generals had the right to be present at such an occasion. He had also noted with great satisfaction that his seating so far from the kings was a clear sign of disfavor. The general’s gaze was full of loathing as he looked at her husband. The king had turned back to the crowd, raising Garyth’s arm by the wrist above his head and they cheered him as a champion.
Angered and sickened by the general, Elin looked away and saw another stunned face. Aiden had slowly stood to his feet and numbly applauded, but he looked dumbfounded. His wife, Kara bore a concerned expression, though she spotted Elin looking their way and offered a quick smile. Aiden looked torn between admiration for Garyth and something else. It took Elin awhile to figure out what that something else was. At first, she’d thought it might be anger but she’d seen the crown prince angry before and this looked different. Then she thought it was worry, which she could well have understood. None of them truly wanted Garyth’s real identity as the king’s illegitimate son to come out, least of all her. As she watched him more closely, however, she realized what she was seeing on Prince Aiden’s face and knew it was true, even as she thought it. The expression that slowly won out over his pride for his brother was one of jealousy.
The thought chilled Elin as it swept over her. It completely dominated her thoughts, even as Garyth returned to her side amid even more thunderous applause. She barely heard the king’s final, closing words to the people nor did she pay much attention to her husband when she asked if she was alright. She rubbed her stomach and played it off as the baby, though the sickness she felt had nothing at all to do with the child. When all was done, and they were home that night safely in their home, she’d barely said a word and thinking it was due to the pregnancy, Garyth had seen to their son and let her go to bed. Still she could not forget the poisonous look of jealousy that had filled the face of the crown prince and heir apparent to the Iron Kingdom. Elin’s worry turned to fear that night as she prayed for her husband and for the future of her family.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Birds chirping merrily among the woods and the clip-clop of their horses’ hooves were the only sounds to be heard. Occasionally the faint hum of insects or the distant cry of some woodland creature could be heard as well but for the most part silence reigned. It had been like this for most of the journey, the quiet seeming to be a third companion that forbade anyone else to speak. For the verbose bard, it had been something akin to an endurance contest, especially when his new bride was clearly in so much distress.
Looking over at his wife, Leith cleared his throat. “We’ll make the village well before nightfall.” He promised, keeping his voice purposefully light. “I’ve been there before, and I can sing for our supper.” He added with a smile. When Naolin still did not reply, he continued. “The accommodations are really quite nice, and it will be very comfortable, I promise. Nicer, in fact, than any place we’ve stayed since Berrajor. It might be a good place to rest for a few days, make a bit of coin and regain our strength. We could…”
Naolin cut him off flatly. “No.” She said and after a heartbeat whispered, “I have to get back home.”
She’d had the same response for the last several days that they’d been traveling, and Leith had given her space and time. They needed to talk, however and he would put it off no longer. “Naolin, please…” He began but she was having none of it.
“I am going home, Leith.” Her mouth was set into a firm line that he had learned meant that her mind was made up. Still he persisted.
“I am in complete agreement that you need to get home, love.” He said gently. “But we’ve been riding hard for days and I think we’re pushing ourselves and the horses too hard.”
The line of her mouth flattened, and thunderclouds formed on her brow. “We’re fine, and the horses are also fine.” She shook her head and looked away. “I need to…”
Now Leith did the interrupting. “I know, you need to get home.” He tried to keep his frustration from his voice. “I understand Naolin, but we need to get there safely.” His voice was his weapon of choice and he used it now in a gentle, understanding but also firm manner. “I have traveled much more than you and I am telling you the horses need to rest. Also, despite what you say, we need to rest.” He let his real concern show through. “You need to rest.”
“I told you I’m fine.” She snapped, still refusing to look at him.
His exasperation winning out finally, he snapped back just as quickly. “You’re a long way from fine, wife.” He was worried about her and more than a little hurt that the whole trip so far, she’d barely spoken to him. “I know your wounded inside and I want to help you. I love you and you don’t have to deal with this alone.”
Now she turned to him with tears streaming down her face. “I love you too but there’s nothing you can do for me in this, Leith.”
Stung, he reined his horse to a walk. “How can you say that?” There was real hurt in his voice. I hated seeing her this way and had never loved anyone like he loved her. “I can help you if you’ll just talk to me.”
“What is there to say?” She asked and now grief mingled with fire. “Shall I tell you how I feel wretched?! Do you want me to tell you how much regret I am carrying right now?!” She reigned her own mount back more forcefully than she’d meant to, and the beast whinnied. “I half raised that boy and now he’s dead, Leith!” Her voice caught for a moment and when she said more it was a rough, unsteady thing. “The last time I ever saw him was the day before the Iron Host left for war. We were all with my father when he gave his big speech to the people.” Her voice was so sad it broke his heart. “Valun was so excited…he was so brave…”
Leith dismounted and went to her side. Taking her free hand, he looked up earnestly into her face. “None of this is your fault, Naolin.” He wanted more than anything to take her pain or at least ease it. “It was war.” Even for a man who made his way through the world with his words, he struggled for something better to say, something more to give meaning or explanation to it all. Better than he had tried and failed to explain or understand war and death, he well knew.
“He was too young, Leith.” She replied, her voice breaking. “He was too young…” Naolin trailed off, lacking any strength to continue. His hand was strong and warm and as she wept, she felt his lips kiss her own hand. She slid from the saddle and into his arms and wept like a child, uncaring and unheeding.
Leith just held his wife for a time, letting her cry. He kissed her head and stroked her hair and held her tight. As her sobs receded slowly, he gently asked her. “Do you regret marrying me?” He felt despicable for asking the question, but he couldn’t help himself.
Looking up at him, she shook her head slightly. “Never!” She whispered fiercely. The sentiment made his heart leap and they shared a long kiss. Her grief could not be assuaged but their love was strong and real and made the pain at least bearable. It was a perfect moment that was unfortunately rare in an imperfect world, as they were about to learn.
“Well, ain’t this a pretty picture?” A rough voice said startling them both.
The couple turned to see a trio of men standing on the road some twenty paces away. Leith inwardly cursed himself for a fool. He’d been so wrapped up in his wife’s grief that he’d forgotten how dangerous the road could be. They were a rough looking lot and he instantly knew they were brigands. The bard had known all along the dangers of the road and had heard that bandits were growing worse since the war began. They’d been lucky until now, but it seemed that their luck had run out.
Leith’s voice was strong and sure as he stepped in front of Naolin. “We’re simple travelers heading for the village.”
The man who’d spoken laughed aloud, showing bad teeth. He was burly rogue with thick shoulders and blocky features. He seemed to be the leader from the way the other two deferred to him. “Ya might yet see the village.” He allowed. “Dependin’ on whether or not ya can pay the road tax.”
Glancing back at Naolin, Leith saw that her hand was on the dagger at her belt and he shook his head slightly. “And just how much is this road tax?” He said, putting just the right amount of fear and submission into his voice, seeking to put them off their guard.
The three men spread out and began walking toward them as their leader said, “Oh it’s a dear tax but a fair one!” He said with mock kindliness. “It’s simply all ya have in exchange for yer life!” The man drew an axe from his belt and the others pulled weapons as well, one a pair of daggers and the others an iron studded club. “Don’t get any ideas about using that little knife either!” The big bandit said, indicating the dagger Leith wore. “Just toss it into the brush there!”
The bard saw the man’s eyes twitch toward the tangle of undergrowth to their left and then a bit further up the hill. He groaned inwardly when he spotted movement and knew that there was at least one more brigand hidden there, likely an archer. Under different circumstances he might have given them all his coin and tried to talk his way out of violence, but Leith was certain with Naolin’s presence such an option wouldn’t be possible. This suspicion was confirmed when one of the other bandits spoke.
“She’s a pretty thing.” The man holding the daggers said with a lewd expression. He was lean and sinewy and had a mark around his neck that spoke of escaping a noose.
The man with the club rasped, “That she is.” He was stocky, though shorter than their leader. They were moving to surround the couple and it was clear that they were meant to include Naolin as part of the tax. They were perhaps fifteen paces away now.
Leith bowed his head. “Wait for me to move.” He whispered to Naolin. She squeezed his hand before letting go. The bard was still mostly standing in front of his wife as he raised his hands in seeming surrender. “You can have our money.” He said, dread and defeat suffusing his tone. “Just leave my wife alone.” He begged.
Rough laughter answered him as they closed the distance to ten paces. “Oh, we won’t hurt her.” Their leader sneered before adding, “At least not much. Now toss the dagger!”
Keeping his movements slow and hesitant until the last, Leith gave a ragged breath as his right hand moved to the dagger at his side. They never saw his left hand as it stole to the dagger hidden at his back. At around eight paces, he threw the blade in his left hand at the skinny bandit. It was a calculated move as the other two men’s attention was mostly on him. The man with the knives, however was wholly focused on Naolin and paid the price as the blade stuck into his stomach.
With a cry of pain, the thin brigand fell to the ground as the others cursed, surging forward. The leader was the quickest but stopped short as the bard’s other dagger stuck into his right arm. The man with the club rushed forward now, snarling as he ran.
Leith pushed Naolin back behind him and smacked her horse on the rump. As the mount leapt forward neighing, it temporarily blocked the bandits advance. The bard took the moment to reach beneath the saddle for the sword he’d hidden there. He drew it as the first bandit came around the horse which finally bolted off into the woods.
Seeing the scabbarded sword in the bard’s hands, the brigand charged, swinging his club down. Leith blocked the blow with the weapon still in its sheathe and shouldered the other man back. The tall bard in fine clothes was much stronger than the bandit had counted on and he stumbled.
“Look out!” Naolin screamed as an arrow flashed past, narrowly missing her husband. A man had risen from the leafy undergrowth with a bow.
With a grimace, Leith barked, “Get in cover!” He knew the archer would be drawing another arrow but had his hands full as the bandit leader had pulled the dagger from his arm and was rushing in with the axe in his off hand. The bard’s sword rang as he pulled it from its scabbard. It was a plain but well-made sword with excellent balance. He remembered Naolin’s arched brow when he’d bought it and had laughingly assured her that they wouldn’t need it. Now he was very glad he’d purchased the weapon. He easily parried the brigands axe and his riposte was a vicious thing that sliced open the other man’s shoulder.
Naolin drew her own dagger, seeing the brigand with the club regain his footing. When he lurched forward at Leith’s back, she ran forward, stabbing the man in the back. The bandit wore a leather jack, however and the wound was only superficial. He swung the club backhanded at Naolin and she threw herself back into the dirt to avoid being brained.
