The Riftwar Saga

  Arutha reached the palace, and shouts from the guards echoed across the vast courtyard, ‘Prince Arutha arrives!’

  Arutha gave his mount to a page and hurried up the steps to the palace. As he reached the entranceway, Anita came running in his direction, a radiant smile on her face. ‘Oh,’ she cried, ‘it is so good to see you!’

  He smiled back at her and said, ‘It is good to see you, also. I must get ready for the ceremony. Where is Lyam?’

  ‘He has secreted himself in the Royal Tomb. He left word you were to come straightaway to him there.’ Her voice was troubled. ‘There is something strange taking place here, but no one seems to know what it is. Only Martin Longbow has seen Lyam since supper last night, and when I saw Martin, he had the strangest look upon his face.’

  Arutha laughed. ‘Martin is always full of strange looks. Come, let us go to Lyam.’

  She refused to let him ignore the warning. ‘No, you go alone; that is what Lyam ordered. Besides, I must dress for the ceremony. But, Arutha, there is something very queer in the wind.’

  Arutha’s manner turned more reflective. Anita was a good judge of such things. ‘Very well. I’ll have to wait for my things to be brought from the ship, anyway. I will see Lyam, then when this mystery is cleared up, join you at the ceremony.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘Where is Carline?’

  ‘Fussing over this and that. I’ll tell her you’ve arrived.’

  She kissed his cheek and hurried off. Arutha hadn’t been to the vault of his ancestors since he was a boy, the first time he had come to Rillanon, for Rodric’s coronation. He asked a page to lead him there, and the boy guided him through a maze of corridors.

  The palace had been through many transformations over the ages, new wings being added on, new constructions over those destroyed by fire, earthquake, or war, but in the center of the vast edifice the ancient first keep remained. The only clue they were entering the ancient halls was the sudden appearance of dark stone walls, worn smooth by time. Two guards stood watch by a door over which was carved a bas-relief crest of the conDoin kings, a crowned lion holding a sword in its claws. The page said, ‘Prince Arutha,’ and the guards opened the door. Arutha stepped through into a small anteroom, with a long flight of stairs leading down.

  He followed the stairs past rows of brightly burning torches that stained the stones of the walls with black soot. The stairs ended, and Arutha stood before a large, high-arched doorway. On both sides loomed heroic statues of ancient conDoin kings. To the right, with features dulled with age, stood the statue of Dannis, first conDoin King of Rillanon, some seven hundred fifty years past. To the left stood the statue of Delong, the only King called ‘the Great,’ the King who first brought the banner of Rillanon to the mainland with the conquest of Bas-Tyra, two hundred fifty years after Dannis.

  Arutha passed between his ancestors’ likenesses and entered the burial vault. He walked between the ancient forebears of his line, entombed in the walls and upon great catafalques. Kings and queens, princes and princesses, scoundrels and rogues, saints and scholars lined his way. At the far end of the huge chamber he found Lyam sitting next to the catafalque that supported his father’s stone coffin. A likeness of Borric had been carved in the coffin’s surface, and it looked as if the late Duke of Crydee lay sleeping.

  Arutha approached slowly, for Lyam seemed deep in thought. Lyam looked up and said, ‘I feared you might come late.’

  ‘As did I. We had wretched weather and slow progress, but we are all here. Now, what is this strange business? Anita told me you’ve been here all night, and there is some mystery. What is it?’

  ‘I have given great thought to this matter, Arutha. The whole of the Kingdom will know within a few hours’ time, but I wanted you to see what I have done and hear what I must say before any others.’

  ‘Anita said Martin was here with you this morning. What is this, Lyam?’

  Lyam stepped away from his father’s catafalque and pointed. Inscribed upon the stones of the burial place were the words:

  HERE LIES BORRIC, THIRD DUKE OF CRYDEE,

  HUSBAND OF CATHERINE,

  FATHER OF

  MARTIN,

  LYAM,

  ARUTHA,

  AND CARLINE

  Arutha’s lips moved, but no words came forth. He shook his head, then said, ‘What madness is this?’

  Lyam came between Arutha and the likeness of their father. ‘No madness, Arutha. Father acknowledged Martin on his deathbed. He is our brother. He is the eldest.’

  Arutha’s face became contorted with rage. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ His voice was tormented. ‘What right had you to hide this from me?’

  Lyam raised his own voice. ‘All who knew were sworn to secrecy. I could not risk anyone knowing until the peace was made. There was too much to lose.’

  Arutha shoved past his brother, looking in disbelief at the inscription. ‘It all makes an evil sense. Martin’s exclusion from the Choosing. The way Father always kept an eye on his whereabouts. His freedom to come and go as he pleased.’ Bitterness rang in Arutha’s words. ‘But why now? Why did Father acknowledge Martin after so many years of denial?’

  Lyam tried to comfort Arutha. ‘I’ve pieced together what I could from Kulgan and Tully. Besides them, no one knew, not even Fannon. Father was a guest of Brucal’s when he was in his first year of office, after Grandfather’s death. He tumbled a pretty serving girl and conceived Martin. It was five years before Father knew of him. Father had come to court, met Mother, and married. When he learned of Martin, he had already been abandoned by his mother to the monks of Silban’s Abbey. Father chose to let Martin remain in their care.

  ‘When I was born, Father began to feel remorse over having a son unknown to him, and when I was six, Martin was ready for Choosing. Father arranged to have him brought to Crydee. But he wouldn’t acknowledge him, for fear of shaming Mother.’

  ‘Then why now?’

  Lyam looked at the likeness of their father. ‘Who knows what passes through a man’s mind in the moments before death? Perhaps more guilt, or some sense of honor. Whatever the reason, he acknowledged Martin, and Brucal bore witness.’

  Anger still sounded in Arutha’s voice. ‘Now we must deal with this madness, regardless of Father’s reasons for creating it.’ He fixed Lyam with a harsh stare. ‘What did he say when you brought him down to see this?’

  Lyam looked away, as if pained by what he now said. ‘He stood silently, then I saw him weep. Finally he said, “I am pleased he told you.” Arutha, he knew.’ Lyam gripped his brother’s arm. ‘All those years Father thought him ignorant of his birthright, and he knew. And never once did he seek to turn that knowledge to his own gain.’

  Arutha’s anger subsided. ‘Did he say anything more?’

  ‘Only “Thank you, Lyam,” and then he left.’

  Arutha paced away for a moment, then faced Lyam. ‘Martin is a good man, as good a man as I’ve ever known. I’ll be the first to say so. But this acknowledgment! My gods, do you know what you’ve done?’

  ‘I’m aware of my actions.’

  ‘You’ve placed all we’ve won over the last nine years in the balance, Lyam. Shall we fight ambitious eastern lords who might rally in Martin’s name? Do we end one war simply to begin an even more bitter one?’

  ‘There will be no contestation.’

  Arutha stopped his pacing. His eyes narrowed. ‘What do you mean? Has Martin promised to voice no claim?’

  ‘No. I have decided not to oppose Martin should he choose the crown.’

  Arutha was speechless for a moment, in shock as he regarded Lyam. For the first time he understood the terrible doubts his brother had been voicing over being King. ‘You don’t want to be King,’ he said, his tone accusatory.

  Lyam laughed bitterly. ‘No sane man would. You have said as much yourself, brother. I don’t know if I am a match for the burdens of kingship. But the matter is out of my hands now. If Martin speaks for himself as K
ing, I will acknowledge his right.’

  ‘His right! The royal signet passed to your hand, before most of the Lords of the Kingdom. You are not sick Erland deferring to his brother’s son because of ill health and by reason of no clear succession. You are the named Heir!’

  Lyam lowered his head. ‘The announcement of succession is invalid, Arutha. Rodric named me Heir as ‘eldest conDoin male,’ which I am not. Martin is.’

  Arutha confronted his brother. ‘A pretty point of law, Lyam, but one that may prove the destruction of this Kingdom! Should Martin voice a claim before the congress assembled, the Priests of Ishap will break the crown, and the matter passes to the Congress of Lords for resolution. Even with Guy in hiding, there are dozens of dukes, scores of earls, and a host of barons who would willingly cut their neighbors’ throats to convene such a congress. Such bargaining would end with half the estates in the Kingdom switching hands in trade for votes. It would be a carnival!

  ‘If you take the crown, Bas-Tyra cannot act. But if you back Martin, many will refuse to follow. A deadlocked congress is exactly what Guy wishes. I’ll bet all I own he is somewhere in the city at this very moment, plotting against such an event. If the eastern lords bolt, Guy will emerge, and many will flock to his banner.’

  Lyam appeared overwhelmed by his brother’s words. ‘I cannot say what will happen, Arutha. But I know I could not do other than I have done.’

  Arutha looked on the verge of striking Lyam. ‘You may have inherited the burden of Father’s sense of family honor, but it will fall to the rest of us to deal with the killing! Heaven’s mercy, Lyam, what do you think will happen if some heretofore nameless huntsman sits the conDoin throne simply because our father tumbled a pretty maid nearly forty years ago! We shall have civil war!’

  Lyam stood firm. ‘Should our positions have been reversed, would you have robbed Martin of his birthright?’

  Arutha’s anger vanished. He looked at his brother with open amazement on his face. ‘Gods! You feel guilt because Father denied Martin all his life, don’t you?’ He stepped away from Lyam, as if trying to gain perspective on him. ‘Should our positions have been reversed, I most assuredly would deny Martin his birthright. After thirty-seven years, what matter a few more days? After I was King, firm on my throne, then I would make him a duke, give him an army to command, name him First Adviser, whatever need be to salve my conscience, but not until the Kingdom was secure. I would not wish Martin to play Borric the First to Guy’s Jon the Pretender, and I would do whatever must be done to see that would not come to pass.’

  Lyam sighed with deep regret. ‘Then you and I are two different sorts of men, Arutha. I told you back at camp I thought you would make a better king than I. Perhaps you are right, but what’s done is done.’

  ‘Does Brucal know of this?’

  ‘Only we three.’ He looked directly at Arutha. ‘Only our father’s sons.’

  Arutha flushed, irritated at the remark. ‘Don’t misunderstand me, Lyam. I hold Martin in no little affection, but there are issues here much larger than any personal consideration.’ He thought quietly for a moment. ‘Then it is in Martin’s hands. If you had to do this, at least you did right in not making it a public matter. There will be shock enough should Martin come forth at the coronation. At least with advance warning we can prepare.’

  Arutha moved toward the stairs, then stopped and faced his brother. ‘What you said cuts both ways, Lyam. Perhaps because you cannot deny Martin, you’ll make a better king than I. But as much as I love you, I’ll not let the Kingdom be destroyed over the succession.’

  Lyam seemed unable to contest with his brother any longer. Fatigue, a weary resignation toward what fate would bring, sounded in his words. ‘What will you do?’

  ‘What must be done. I will ensure that those who are loyal to us are forewarned. If there comes a need to fight, then let us have the advantage of surprise.’ He paused for a moment. ‘I have nothing but the greatest affection for Martin, Lyam, you must know that. I hunted with him as a boy, and he was in no small part responsible for my safely getting Anita away from Guy’s watchdogs, a debt beyond repaying. In another time and place, I would gladly accept him as my brother. But should it come to bloodshed, Lyam, I’ll willingly kill him.’

  Arutha left the vault of his ancestors. Lyam stood alone, feeling the chill of ages press in upon him.

  Pug looked out the window, reminiscing. Katala came to his side, and he came out of his reverie. ‘You look lovely,’ he said. She was dressed in a brilliant gown of deep red, with golden trim at the bodice and sleeves. ‘The finest Duchess of the court could not match your beauty.’

  She smiled at his flattery. ‘I thank you, husband.’ She spun, showing off the gown. ‘Your Duke Caldric is the true magician, I am thinking. How his staff could manage to find all these things and have them ready in two short hours is true magic.’ She patted at the full skirt. ‘These heavy gowns will take some practice getting around in. I think I prefer the short robes of home.’ She stroked the material. ‘Still, this is a lovely cloth. And in this cold world of yours, I can see the need.’ The weather had turned cooler, now that summer was waning. In less than two months snow would begin falling.

  ‘Wait until winter, Katala, if you think it’s cold now.’

  William came running into the room, from the bedroom that adjoined their own. ‘Mama, Papa,’ he yelled in boyish exuberance. He was dressed in a tunic and trousers befitting a little noble, of fine material and workmanship. He leaped into his father’s outstretched arms. ‘Where are you going?’ he asked with a wide-eyed look.

  Pug said, ‘We go to see Lyam made King, William. While we are gone, you mind the nurse and don’t tease Fantus.’

  He said he would and wouldn’t, respectively, but his impish grin put his credibility in doubt. The maid who was to act as William’s nurse entered and took the boy in tow, leading him back into his own room.

  Pug and Katala left the suite Caldric had given them and walked toward the throne room. As they turned a corner, they saw Laurie leaving his room, with Kasumi standing nervously to one side.

  Laurie brightened upon seeing them and said, ‘Ah! There you are. I was hoping we’d see you two before all the ceremonies had begun.’

  Kasumi bowed to Pug, though the magician now wore a fashionable russet-colored tunic and trousers in place of his black robe. ‘Great One,’ he said.

  ‘That is a thing of the past here, Kasumi. Please call me Pug.’

  ‘You two look so handsome in your new clothes and uniform,’ said Katala. Laurie wore bright clothing in the latest fashion, a yellow tunic with a sleeveless overjacket of green, and tight-fitting black trousers tucked into high boots. Kasumi wore the uniform of a Knight-Captain of the LaMutian garrison, deep green tunic and trousers, and the grey wolf’s-head tabard of LaMut.

  The minstrel smiled at her. ‘In all the excitement of the last few months, I had forgotten I had a small fortune in gems with me. Since I cannot conspire to return them to the Lord of the Shinzawai, and his son refuses to take them, I suppose they are mine by rights. I will no longer have to worry about finding a widow with an inn.’

  Pug said, ‘Kasumi, how goes it with your men?’

  ‘Well enough, though there is still some discomfort between them and the LaMutian soldiers. It should pass in time. We had an encounter with the Brotherhood the week after we left. They can fight, but we routed them. There was much celebrating among all the men in the garrisons, both Tsurani and LaMutian. It was a good beginning.’

  It had been more than an encounter. Word had reached Rillanon of the battle. The Dark Brothers and their goblin allies had raided into Yabon, overrunning one of the border garrisons, weakened during the war. The Tsurani had turned from their march to Zun, dashed northward, and relieved the garrison. The Tsurani had fought like madmen to save their former enemies from the larger goblin host, which they had driven back into the mountains north of Yabon.

  Laurie winked at Pug. ‘
Having made something of heroes of themselves, our Tsurani friends were given quite a welcome when they arrived here in Rillanon.’ Being distant from the center of the war, the city’s citizens felt little fear or hatred toward their former enemies, giving them a welcome that would have been unimaginable in the Free Cities, in Yabon, or along the Far Coast. ‘I think Kasumi’s men were a little overcome by it all.’

  ‘In truth they were,’ agreed Kasumi. ‘Such a reception on our homeworld would have been impossible, but here . . .’

  ‘Still,’ continued Laurie, ‘they seemed to take it in stride. The men have developed a rapid appreciation for Kingdom wines and ale, and they’ve even managed to overcome their distaste for tall women.’

  Kasumi looked away with an embarrassed smile on his face. Laurie said, ‘Our dashing Knight-Captain was guested a week ago by one of the richer merchant families – one seeking to develop broader trade with the West. He has since been seen often in the company of a certain merchant’s daughter.’

  Katala laughed, and Pug smiled at Kasumi’s embarrassment. Pug said, ‘He was always a quick student.’

  Kasumi lowered his head, cheeks flushed, but grinning broadly. ‘Still, it is a hard thing learning that your countrywomen have such freedom. Now I see why you two were always so strong-willed. You must have learned from your mothers.’

  Laurie’s attention was diverted by someone approaching. Pug noticed a look of open admiration upon the singer’s face. The magician turned and was greeted by the sight of a beautiful young woman approaching with a guard escort. Pug’s eyes widened as he recognized Carline. She was as lovely a woman as her girlhood had promised. She came up to them and with a wave of her hand dismissed the guard. She looked regal in a fine green gown, with a pearl-studded tiara crowning her dark hair.