The Warlords of Nin

  Now they approached a rocky stretch of coastland that rose in sharp cliffs at the brink of the sea. This was where the Fiskill Mountains spent themselves in their southernmost extremity. The crags marched right down to the sea, and there the land dropped away as if it had been divided by the chop of an axe. The sea lay crowded with jagged teeth of immense rocks, some as big as islands, though they jutted sharply out of the ocean’s swell, bare and lifeless, uninhabited except as roosts for myriads of squawking seabirds.

  A narrow, treacherous track climbed upward through the cliffs and entwined itself among the tors. Now it cut through a wall of rock so narrow that a man’s outstretched hands touched either side, and now it swung out upon the sheer cliff face, where one misstep would send horse and rider hurtling down into the churning sea.

  They halted.

  “I suggest we stop here for the night. I would not like to trust that trail by night; it is bad enough in the daylight.”

  “Very well,” agreed Ronsard. “A fresh start at it in the morning would not be disagreeable to me.”

  They removed themselves but a little way from the trail and set about making camp for the night. As the sun slid down below the dark rim of the sea, the birds fluttered to the roosting rocks, and the evening trembled with their noisy calls.

  After a while the moon ascended and cast its pale light all around. The tired men dozed and talked in hushed tones.

  “Listen!” said Ronsard abruptly. All lapsed into silence and sifted the soft breeze for sounds. The only sound to reach their ears was the faraway roll of the waves crashing against the rocks and slapping against the cliff walls.

  Theido cast a wondering glance toward his old friend.

  “Well, perhaps I am hearing things,” said Ronsard, but he still peered intently into the night as if listening for the sound to repeat itself.

  In a moment he was on his feet, pacing uneasily about the camp, just out of the circle of firelight. Then he walked a short way along the road and stood for a long time, looking toward the cliff trail. Theido watched him narrowly and was not surprised when the brawny knight came hurrying back.

  “What is it?”

  “Someone is coming! Up there in the cliffs—I am certain of it!”

  He ordered his knights in a harsh whisper, “Put out the fire, and take the horses aside. Hide yourselves, and watch me for a signal!”

  In the space of five heartbeats, the small camp was deserted, and no sign remained that only a moment before five knights had been encamped there.

  Then Ronsard and Theido sat down to wait in the dark alongside the road, hidden from view by a low-lying clump of harts-tongue. Shortly there could be heard the minute sounds of a group of people hurrying along the path, desperately trying to pass unseen: the rattling echo of a stone dislodged by a careless foot, the muffled creak of a wheel upon the rock, a cough.

  Then their murky shapes could be seen against the night sky as they drew nearer. They were on foot, and there were smaller shadows among the larger ones. They huddled together in a close knot, rather than ranging themselves along the trail; they evidently feared separation more than detection.

  “It is no army,” breathed Ronsard between clenched teeth. He let his breath out slowly. “But now to find out who they are and why they risk the cliffs at night—the very thing we declined to do.”

  “We had a choice; perhaps they felt they had none,” replied Theido.

  Ronsard rose from his place and stepped near the trail, just ahead of the nocturnal travelers’ leader. When the man approached close at hand, Ronsard said in a loud, steady voice, “Halt, friend! In the name of the Dragon King!”

  A shriek and a stifled oath came from the main body of the group. But the man stopped dead in his tracks and looked about him for the source of the unexpected command. Ronsard stepped closer, and the moonlight fell on his face. He smiled and held up his hands to show the frightened travelers that he meant them no harm.

  “Wh-what do you w-want?” the leader managed to stammer.

  “I wish to speak with you—that is all. I will not detain you long.” Ronsard still spoke in the same steady voice, loud enough for all to hear.

  “Who are you?”

  “I am the lord high marshal of Mensandor,” replied Ronsard. “Who are you, and what are you doing on this road in the dead of night?”

  “Oh, sir!” gasped the relieved man. “You do not jest? You are really a king’s man?”

  “At your service. Are you in trouble?”

  At this all the people rushed forward, drawing close around Ronsard as if to seek the protection of his title, a welcome shield over their heads. They all began to shout.

  Theido crept from his hiding place and came to stand beside Ronsard, who held up his hands and called for quiet. “I think I would better hear the tale from only one mouth at a time. You are the leader of this band.” He pointed to the man he had first addressed. “You begin.”

  The man’s face shone pale in the moonlight, but Theido got the impression that it would be pale in the bright daylight as well. Deep lines of fear were drawn on the man’s countenance. His eyes did not hold steady, but shifted to the right and left and all around as if to warn him of the imminent approach of an enemy.

  “I . . . we . . .” The man’s mouth worked like a pump, but his words were slow in coming.

  “It is all right; you are safe for the time. I have soldiers with me, and we will defend you at need.” Ronsard raised his arm in signal, and his knights came forward to stand along the trail, their hands upon the hilts of their long swords.

  Their presence seemed to frighten the man rather than calm him.

  “Come, you may speak freely,” said Theido in a gentle voice.

  “We are from Dorn,” the leader managed to wheeze at length. “We have left our homes and carry all our belongings with us. We are going to the High Temple of Ariel.” He paused, gulped air, and plunged ahead. “We do not know where else to go.”

  “It is a strange pilgrimage you make, friend,” observed Ronsard. “Why do you leave your homes and flee by night?”

  “Have you not heard? They are coming . . . a terrible host, terrible. They have landed at Halidom, and they are coming.Why, we are fleeing for our lives to the protection of Ariel! Only the gods can save us now.”

  “Who is coming? Have you seen anyone?”

  The man looked at Ronsard, wide-eyed with disbelief. “Do you not know? How is this possible? The whole land is in turmoil! We are fleeing for our lives!”

  The people began to shout again, each pouring out his heart, beseeching the king’s men to help them escape. Ronsard and Theido listened and drew aside to confer. “Something has frightened these people; that much is clear. Though what remains a mystery. I can make no sense out of it.” Ronsard scratched his jaw.

  Theido called the leader over to where they stood. “Tell us plainly, friend, who is it that you flee? What do they look like?”

  The man hesitated. “Well . . . we have seen no one. But we dared not wait. Two days ago, men of Halidom in the Suthlands came to Dorn, and they told us of terrible things which had happened there. A mighty enemy has risen up and drives all before him. Their city was burned, and the streets ran with the blood of their children and women. Those that would save their lives fled to the hills. So we flee while we still may.”

  “This enemy—did you hear a name?”

  “It is too terrible to say!” The man threw his hands heavenward in supplication.

  “Terrible it may be, but we will hear it. Tell what you know,” commanded Ronsard. His authoritative tone seemed to have a calming effect upon the frightened peasant.

  He looked from one to the other of them and said, his voice now a strained whisper, “It is Nin the Destroyer!”

  7

  Theido looked blankly at Ronsard and then back at the frightened peasant. The man’s eyes glittered wide and round in the moonlight. He had scarcely dared utter his enemy’s name, and his tongue
had frozen in his mouth, but as appalling as the name was to the peasant—enough at least to inspire a whole village to flight at the very sound of it—the name meant nothing to Theido or Ronsard.

  “I have never heard of this name,” said Theido. Ronsard shook his head and looked hard at the peasant.

  “Is there another name by which this enemy may be known? We know nothing of this Nin or his armies.”

  “No, there is no other name I know.”

  “Halidom was destroyed? These men that came to Dorn, they saw it destroyed?”

  “Yes, so they said. Some of them had lost everything—home and family, possessions, everything.”

  Theido turned to Ronsard. “There is where we will find our answer—at Halidom.”

  “So it would seem. We will go there and see what may be seen. The king will want to know in any case.” He turned back to the leader of the fleeing people. “This Nin you speak of—he was moving toward Dorn, you say? How did you know if you did not see him?”

  “The men of Halidom told us. The enemy ranges the whole countryside. No place is safe from him. That is why we go to the high temple at Narramoor to ask the god to protect us.”

  “There may be a safer place than even the temple,” said Theido. “I have lands at Erlott which need the work of many hands. Go there and present yourself to my steward, called Toffin. Tell him his master sends you to him that he may give you shelter and food and land to work. And give him this.” Theido drew a small, round token from the pouch at his belt: a clay tile baked hard, with his signet pressed into it.

  The peasant stared at the signet tile and then at Theido. He seemed as much dismayed by it as by Nin himself. “Are we to be sold into slavery because we have no place to go? We have left our home to become serfs of the king’s men?” He had spoken loudly, and there came a murmur from the rest of the group standing a little way off.

  “My offer,” explained Theido, “is honorable. You may take it or not. I do not withdraw it. I keep no serfs; all who work my lands are free to enjoy the fruits of their labors in equal share. If you doubt my words, go there and see for yourselves. In any case, you are free to leave or stay once you have seen. No one compels you to do as I bid. Only know this: if you stay, you will be required to do your share and to work the land that is given to you. If you do not, your place will be given to another who will.”

  The man looked at the token in Theido’s hand. He reached out for it hesitantly, casting a sideways glance to the others in his band.

  “We, too, are honorable, though we are men of low birth.” He snatched the tile out of Theido’s hand. “We will go to your lands at Erlott and inquire of your steward; we will see how he receives us. If he bears the goodwill of his master, you will find us busy in your fields when you return from your duties.” He bowed stiffly from the waist and turned to go. He paused and turned again. “If it is as you say, you have our thanks, my lord.”

  “I do not ask for thanks, but only that you will do as we have agreed. That will mean more to me than gratitude itself.”

  The man bowed again and went to where his people waited to learn the outcome of the interview just concluded. Words were exchanged quickly; there were mumbled whispers all around, and suddenly the band was on its way again, but bolder this time and changed in mood. Several of the refugees waved their thanks to Theido as they passed, and all talked excitedly together as they moved hurriedly away down the trail.

  “Well, you have done your fellows a fine service this night. I hope you will not have cause to regret your kindness,” said Ronsard when they had gone.

  “One never regrets a kindness, my friend. But I have no doubt that I have gained as much as they in the bargain.”

  “How so?”

  “Good land needs the plowman’s hand to bring it to life, and a husband to care for it. If I did not have men to work my fields, they would soon become barren and worthless. These men do me great service by helping me care for my lands. Rightly managed, there is more than enough for everyone.”

  “Well, I hope we may see your trust proved true. But why not? The realm has known nothing but peace these many years, and we are at peace still.”

  “I wonder,” replied Theido. “I wonder.”

  Quentin hastened along wide corridors lined with rich tapestries toward the Dragon King’s apartments. Upon rising, he had been summoned to meet with the king in his private council chambers, and had dressed in fresh garments—a new tunic and trousers of forest green and a short summer cloak of blue, edged in green and gold. The finely embroidered cloak, fastened with a brooch of gold at his shoulder, fluttered out behind him as he swept along.

  Just as he stepped up to the door that opened onto Eskevar’s apartments, the door swung inward, and Oswald, the queen’s chamberlain, emerged. “Sir, if you would but come aside with me, my lady would have a word with you.”

  Oswald smiled as he made his request, but his gray eyes insisted, so Quentin nodded his assent and followed the chamberlain.

  They withdrew to a room just across the corridor from the king’s chambers. Oswald knocked upon the door and stepped in. “Quentin is here, Your Majesty.”

  Quentin stepped into the room behind the chamberlain and saw Queen Alinea sitting on a bench in the center of the room, with her hands folded in her lap. She seemed to be staring at something that Quentin could not see: something far away. Quentin saw the lines of worry creasing her noble brow.

  When the queen saw him, she straightened, and her face was suddenly transformed by a beautiful smile. Instantly the dim chamber seemed filled with light. She rose as he came to her and held out her arms to embrace him. Quentin hugged her and brushed her pale cheek with his lips; she kissed both of his.

  “Quentin, you have come! Oh, I am so glad you are here. Your journey was not unpleasant, I trust? It is good to have you back. The months seem long when you are away.” She gripped his hand in both of hers and led him to the bench. “Please, sit with me but a little.” To Quentin’s glance she answered, “I know the king is waiting, but it is important. I would have a word with you before you see him.”

  Her sparkling green eyes, deep and serene as forest pools, searched his for a moment, as if deciding whether the hearer would be strong enough to bear the words she had to say. “Quentin,” she said softly, “the king is very ill.”

  “So I have learned from Bria.” He blushed. “We met this morning when I arrived. She told me of her concern for his health.”

  “But I think even Bria does not guess how far he has fallen. She is devoted to her father and loves him with all her heart, but she does not know him as I do. Something consumes him before my eyes; it gnaws at him from within, stealing his strength and sapping his spirit.”

  Again in answer to Quentin’s look, she continued, “Do not wonder at what I tell you; you will see for yourself soon enough. He has greatly changed since you last saw him. It is all I can do to keep from weeping in his presence.” She appeared to be on the verge of tears at that very moment.

  “My queen, I am your servant. Say the word and I will do whatever you require.”

  “Only this: take no unusual notice of him when you go in to him. It upsets him when people worry after him. Do not let on that you believe him ill, or that I have told you anything of his condition.”

  “I promise it. But is there nothing else I can do?”

  “No.” She patted his hand. “I know that you would if you could. But I have sent for Durwin and have placed a heavy charge on him. It may take all of his healing powers to restore the king—if he is not now beyond them.”

  “I will pray to the Most High that Durwin’s cures have effect.”

  “That is my course, as well.” The queen smiled, and again the room seemed lighter, for a dark cloud had passed over Quentin’s heart as they talked. He rose, more encouraged. “Go to him now, my son. And remember what I told you.”

  “I will, my lady. You need not fear.”

  Quentin quietly left the r
oom, and when he had stepped back into the corridor, he found Oswald waiting for him. The chamberlain led him to the king’s chambers, knocked, and then admitted him.

  “Your Majesty, Quentin is here.”

  Quentin drew a deep breath and stepped across the threshold. In the center of the high-ceilinged chamber sat a heavy, round oaken table, shaped like the room itself, for it was a part of one of Askelon’s many towers. Small, round windows of amber glass tinted the afternoon light with a warm hue. Eskevar was standing in a shaft of light from one of these windows, his back turned, gazing out into the courtyard below.

  There was an awkward moment when Quentin could not speak, and the king did not seem to have heard the chamberlain’s announcement. Quentin hesitated, feeling suddenly trapped. Then the king turned slowly and fixed his eyes upon Quentin. A thin smile stretched his lips. “Quentin, my son, you have come.”

  If not for the queen’s warning, Quentin did not know what he would have done. He bit his lower lip to stifle a cry and then recovered himself and forced a grin.

  “I came as soon as I could. Toli’s horses are magnificent. I believe they have wings. We flew over the land at an astounding pace.”

  Still smiling—the sad, weak smile of a dying man, Quentin thought grimly—the king advanced slowly and offered his hand.

  Quentin took it without hesitation and could not help noticing how weak the king’s grip had become, and how cold the feel of his hand.

  Eskevar’s flesh had taken on a waxen pallor, and his eyes seemed to burn with a dull, feverish light; his lips were cracked and raw, and his hair—that crowning glory of rich, dark curls—hung limp and lifeless and had now turned almost completely gray.

  Quentin found himself staring at the face of a strange man who looked at him intently with sunken eyes rimmed with dark circles. He looked away quickly and said, “This is a cheery room, Sire. Will we be alone, or are others expected?”