"You are witty," said Röaana, "and that provides us a certain welcome distraction at this moment. Don't you agree, dear Ibronka?"
"Oh, that is to say…" Ibronka's voice trailed off as she faltered for words, while Piro bowed to acknowledge the compliment.
"You are most kind," he said.
"My dear Ibronka," said Röaana, "you have been acting most peculiar of late. Are you ill?"
"Why yes," said the Dzurlord, reddening slightly. "That may be it. Perhaps I have a touch of fever."
"I hope not," observed Kytraan. "We are hardly able to treat it here as it should be treated, and in these close quarters—"
"Nonsense," said Röaana. "The Orb is back. Is it not the case that simple diseases are easily subject to cure if the physicker is able to use techniques of sorcery?"
"Yes, yes, that is true," said Piro. "You are right, my lady, we need not fear disease, I think."
"Bah," said Kytraan. "What is all of this talk of fear? We should think of all that we have come through to get here. It is not a time to speak of fear, but, rather to speak of all that we have helped to accomplish."
"Yes, you are right, my friend. We have had the honor to be a part of great events—so great, that whatever might happen to us from now, well, I nearly think it doesn't matter."
"Ah!" said Ibronka, looking at Piro with an expression that he did not understand, but from which he quickly averted his eyes.
This did not go unobserved by Kytraan, who said, "My dear Viscount, are you well? It seems you are suddenly flushing."
"Perhaps," observed Röaana naively, "he has a touch of the same illness Ibronka has, and which we have already demonstrated is no cause for unease."
Ibronka took Röaana's arm and whispered fiercely in her ear, "Why do you do this to me? I tell you it is not the act of a friend!"
Röaana, in her turn, whispered, "It is exactly the act of a friend. Why do you not let him know what you are feeling?"
"Oh, I would rather die!"
In the meantime, Piro, unaware of what was passing between the two girls, said, "Let us speak of something else."
"Yes, let us do so," said Ibronka quickly.
"Very well," said Kytraan. "Of what should we speak?"
"Let us speak of the future," said Röaana, her attention once more upon the conversation.
"Oh, yes!" said Kytraan. "Let us, indeed, talk of the future. What could be a better subject?"
"Indeed," said Ibronka. "Consider that the possibilities are limitless. In the future, why, anything can happen."
"You think so?" said Kytraan. "Then, you do not believe that the paths which our feet are to tread are already laid out for us?"
"Not in the least," said Ibronka, who had recovered sufficiently to join the general discussion. "We make the future."
"That is true," said Piro. "We make the future, as the past makes us."
"But yet, we must have made the past as well," said Röaana.
And in this way, having passed from the specifics of fear to the generalities of philosophy, our four young friends passed the time, as Morrolan's temple to Verra floated in the skies above Kâna's army. And as they continued this discussion (which so effectually distracted them from their fear), over their heads, as it were, several others were also discussing the future, although in what might be called a less abstract sense.
"We have," Morrolan was saying, "what can be called a reprieve."
"Indeed," observed Khaavren. "But for how long? With four casks of water, two of wine, fifty boxes of biscuit, and whatever foodstuffs happened to be in the pantry, well, I do not think we have ultimately solved our problem."
"How long, then, Captain?" asked Zerika.
"Two days, then we begin to starve."
"Much can be done in two days," observed Zerika.
"By the enemy, as well as by ourselves," put in Fentor.
"This conversation begins to sound familiar," said the Empress.
"Can we move?" said Khaavren. "That is, Tazendra, can you cause this building to float in a certain direction?"
"Only slowly," said Tazendra.
"How slowly? That is, how long will it take us to reach Dzur Mountain?"
"Five years, perhaps six."
"That is too long," suggested the Empress.
"We need a plan," said Morrolan.
"Well," observed Teldra, who happened to be standing nearby in case Morrolan or the Empress required anything, "if I may speak."
"If you have anything to say," said the Empress, "then, by all means, say it."
"I thank Your Majesty, and only wish to observe that, if we need a plan, I would point out that we have a Yendi with us."
"That is true!" said Khaavren. "He is there, in the corner, speaking with Aerich. Pel, my friend! Two minutes of your time!"
Pel approached with his habitual grace, bowed, and said, "My dear friend, you may have two hours."
"That is good. You understand our situation?"
"If you mean that we are floating above an enemy who vastly outnumbers us, and we have only a few days of food and supplies, well then, yes I understand the situation. If there is something else you mean, then I should have to be apprised of it."
"No, no," said Khaavren. "Your understanding, as always, is perfect."
"And then?"
"We need a plan."
"Ah," said the Yendi. "It is just as well, then, that I have one."
"Already?"
"I had just been discussing it with Aerich and the demon who is skilled at raising the dead, and with the Easterner whose pets are so entertaining. We have been discussing it, and we agree that it is a good one."
"Well then?" demanded the Empress. "Let us hear this famous plan."
"I shall relate it to Your Majesty at once, although I warn Your Majesty, it is not clever."
"It is not?"
"No, it is merely tedious."
"I accept that it is not clever. So long as it solves our problem, it may be as tedious as you like."
Pel bowed and explained his plan, with results that we shall, in due course, discover to the reader.
Chapter the Fifty-Seventh
How Pel's Plan Was Put Into Operation,
And a Conversation Alluded to Some Time
Ago Is, At Last, Revealed
At a certain time on the following day, Ibronka, her eyes wide, said to her friend Röaana, whose features also wore an expression of astonishment, "So, this is Dzur Mountain!"
"It is astonishing!"
"It is magnificent!"
"Just think at all that these walls have seen, think of the ages that have passed!"
"And our feet, Röaana, are walking through halls where Sethra Lavode—Sethra Lavode herself!—has walked. And still walks, come to that."
"Yes, it is wonderful!" said the Tiassa. "Do you think we shall meet the Enchantress?"
"It is possible."
"What ought one to say when meeting her?"
"Perhaps, 'How do you do?' would be appropriate."
"Do you think so?"
"It is all that occurs to my thoughts."
"We can ask Lady Teldra; I believe she has come over."
"How many of us have come over?"
"I have no idea, my dear Ibronka. But do you actually wish to know how many, or do you wish to know who?"
"Oh, as to that—"
"Well, I give you my word, I do not know yet whether a certain Tiassa has come over, so you may as well not ask; but permit me to say you blush most prettily whenever he is spoken of?"
"You are cruel, Röaana."
"Not the least in the world. I am merely trying to goad you."
"But why?"
"Because, my love, I am not his friend, therefore I cannot goad him."
"That is no reason. Besides, what is the hurry?"
"Hurry? Fate has thrown us together, and can just as easily tear us apart again. Suppose to-morrow he should receive an errand that takes him to Guinchen, where the girls are
so pretty, or to the Sorannah, where they are so charming? What then?"
"Oh, stop this conversation; you can see it disturbs me."
"That is my intention."
"Please."
"Oh, very well."
In fact, it is the case that Piro and Kytraan had been teleported to Dzur Mountain some few hours before, and, being permitted, as friends of the Enchantress, to go where they would, were now sitting in Sethra's library, slowly consuming a bottle of Walking wine, or Traveling wine as it was known at one time, so named because it could, owing to how it was fermented, survive long journeys without undue harm.
"Well, my dear fellow," said Kytraan. "We are back, it seems, and we have seen a few things since we left."
"Indeed," said Piro. "And done a few things as well."
"Although to be sure, there is more to do—especially for you."
"Especially for me? Why do you say so? What is there for me to do that is not as much for you to do?"
"Pah, you know well enough what I mean."
"I have not the least idea in the world, I assure you."
"You imagine she will wait for-ever? That there will not be some dashing Dzurlord she might meet to-morrow or the next day who will carry her off?"
"Of whom can you be speaking, my friend?"
"My dear Tiassa, you are disingenuous. If you did not know of whom I spoke, there would not at this instant be so much color rising to your face."
"Let us not speak of it."
"On the contrary, let us speak of nothing else."
"Very well, if you will have it so, let us speak of it."
"Good. But, instead of speaking to me, you should speak to her."
"What should I tell her?"
"Tell her? You must have known girls before."
"Well, yes."
"And you must have known one with whom you desired to have conversation."
"Oh, without doubt."
"What did you tell her?"
"That I should like to get to know her better."
"Good."
"That I thought her most lovely."
"Good."
"That I have never before met another with whom I could speak so freely."
"I must remember that one."
"That it would be a great honor to be able to escort her for an evening of entertainment."
"And this has worked for you, has it not?"
"Certainly."
"Then what more is there to say?"
"My dear Kytraan—"
"Well?"
"I do not understand what you do me the honor of telling me."
"Merely that, if it worked before—"
"Shards! Those things? I cannot tell those things to Ibronka!"
"The Gods! Why not?"
"Why not? You ask me why not?"
"Indeed, I ask you why not. And if that is not enough, I ask you again. Why not?"
"Because—"
"Yes?"
"Because, well, because with Ibronka, they are true!"
"Ah!" said Kytraan after a moment. "I had not understood this circumstance."
"Well, but you understand now, do you not?"
"Oh, entirely, my poor friend. But then, speak to her of other things."
"What other things?"
"Oh, the usual things. Speak of her family, or talk about food, or about philosophy. You know she is interested in philosophy."
"Oh, I cannot. When I try to speak to her, my breath fails, and my throat closes."
"Ah, my poor friend. I understand entirely."
"Do you?"
"I promise that I do."
"Then have pity on me, and let us speak of other things."
"Very well, my friend, only—"
"Yes?"
"A caution."
"Very well, I will listen to your caution, since you insist upon it."
"Well, you know she is not a Tiassa."
"I think so! And I am not a Dzur!"
"Exactly."
"That is your caution?"
"In its entirety."
"Well, I have noted it."
"That was my only wish, Viscount."
As the reader has, no doubt, deduced, more and more of those who had been at the temple were arriving at Dzur Mountain, brought over by the sorcerous abilities of Tazendra, at times aided by the Enchantress herself. This could not be done at a great pace—as is well known, the casting of difficult spells requires a degree of concentration that cannot be maintained over long periods of time, and, moreover, the spell which permitted such movement was still clumsy and difficult, having not yet been refined by the Athyras Krimel and Thrace who would do such tremendous work at Twabridge University. However, it should be added that to transport non-living material was rather easier, and so, while only forty or forty-five persons had, as of yet, been brought to Dzur Mountain, a greater amount, at least in weight, and consisting mostly of food and fodder, had gone the other way.
Zerika, who occupied one of Sethra's sitting rooms, caused Pel to be sent for. The Yendi arrived and bowed, saying, "How may I serve the Empress?"
"I wish to tell you, Yendi, that your plan seems to be a good one. As we bring the troops here, out of harm's way, and send supplies to them, Kâna's army is gradually melting away. Between the forces of the undead, the attacks by wolf and dzur, and the occasional spell with lightning and fire, they are becoming completely demoralized. Soon, Kâna must either turn around and march away, or he will have no army left at all."
"And if he chooses to march in this direction, to put Dzur Mountain under siege?"
"Then it will be a simple enough matter for us to return to the Lord Morrolan's keep, where they cannot touch us. Or, if they have been sufficiently weakened by that time, we may simply choose to engage them. You have done well."
"I am pleased, Your Majesty. Will that be all?"
"No, there is more."
"I remain at Your Majesty's service."
Zerika hesitated, then said, "I know something about you, Duke."
Pel bowed and waited for Her Majesty to continue.
"The Orb, you perceive, hears much, and remembers everything it hears."
"And if I may do myself the honor of questioning Your Majesty, may I ask what it is she knows of me, other than, it seems, my name and title, to which, as Your Majesty must know, I attach no great importance?"
"I know something of your activities before the Interregnum."
"Indeed?"
"Oh, you are a Yendi. I know that. There is no question that there are many things you have done of which I remain ignorant. But I know that, at the time of the Disaster, you were studying the art of Discretion."
"Your Majesty is not misinformed."
"You knew Wellborn?"
"I had that honor as a young man."
"I have heard that he epitomized all that could be asked for in a Discreet."
"I have heard the same. Moreover, I am convinced that it is the case. He was wise, and he knew how to listen, and he knew how to remain silent, and he knew how to say enough, but not too much. I know that he was a great comfort to His Late Majesty."
Zerika nodded. "Except for yourself, Duke, there were few students of Discretion who survived the Disaster. And of graduated, certified Discreets, I know of none at all."
"Nor do I, Your Majesty."
Zerika looked at Pel as if considering his character, or summoning her courage, or perhaps both. At length, with a sigh, she said, "My conscience stabs me, Your Discretion."
Pel took a step backward, and, for one of the few times in his life, an appearance of astonishment settled over his countenance. For a long moment he could say nothing, and, indeed, his hands were actually trembling. Who can know what thoughts and feelings were thundering through the ambitious and burning veins of the Yendi? Certainly, the Empress could not; because, at this instant, she was unable even to raise her eyes to meet his.
At length, Pel, or, as we should say, the Duke of Galstan, was able to mast
er his emotions, and, in as steady a voice as he was capable of, pronounced the words, "I will bind the wounds, Sire."
And as he said these words, completing the ritual, falling into a pattern long established by training that was unused but not forgotten, he managed to keep from his features that which was in his heart—the fiery joy of unexpected triumph.
An hour later he left the presence of the Empress, followed in short order by the Empress herself, who at once found Tukko, and caused this worthy to lead her to Sethra Lavode.
"Your Majesty," said the Enchantress, bowing. "How may I serve you?"
"I must return to the temple."
"Very well," said Sethra, as if it were the most natural request in the world. "Now?"
"If you please."
In two minutes, the Empress stood on the roof of Morrolan's temple. Morrolan and Tazendra, who were engaged in conversation, bowed to her. She returned the salute and said, "My dear Tazendra, you seem fatigued. Could it be that you are straining too much?"
"Not at all. I was merely describing for the good Morrolan the processes of sorcery."
"Ah," said the Empress. "And you, Count, what do you think?"
"It is astonishing, Your Majesty. I had no idea so much could be done! And so easily!"
"He has," observed Tazendra, "something of a natural bent in this area."
"You are a good teacher," said Morrolan.
"So then," inquired the Empress, "you are serious about the study of this art, rather than the Eastern magic which, as I understand it, you have already studied?"
"I shall continue to delve into both, I think," said Morrolan. "But for now, after Your Majesty graciously granted me citizenship—" Zerika bowed. "—I find that I thirst to come to an understanding of this art as I have never thirsted before. Indeed, I have already begun casting a few small spells to aid in the discomfort of our enemies, and Tazendra assures me that, in a week, I will able to teleport inanimate objects to known locations."
"I do not doubt that, should you choose, you will become a most accomplished sorcerer," said Zerika, "or even a wizard, and that very quickly."
"I hope so, Majesty. The Enchantress has agreed to teach me as well, so, you perceive, I will have no shortage of skilled instructors. But forgive me, my enthusiasm has made me forget my courtesy. In what way can I serve Your Majesty?"
"Where is the warlock, Brimford?"
"Down on the surface, and out somewhere," said Morrolan. "Recruiting more beasts for the entertainment of our friends below. I tell Your Majesty that I should not enjoy being in their encampment; it is not a comfortable place. Thirty wolves descend on a camp, and the enemy all scrabble to find a new place to rest, and then a dzur attacks on the other side, and so another camp wishes to move, and then those killed in those attacks are re-animated, and so yet another camp is broken up. I do not believe any one in that army was able to sleep last night, nor will they to-night, nor for many nights to come."