The shout went down the line, and was answered by the rattle of quivers being made ready. Ki unshouldered his and set an arrow to the shaft.

 

Tamir drew her sword and held it up, shouting, "Archers forward!"

 

The entire front line rippled as the archers ran to close the margin of flight with the enemy line. The rear ranks had moved up, too, keeping the stakes hidden.

 

The archers let fly, aiming high and sending a deadly hail of arrows down on the heads and upraised shields of Korin's line. The enemy's taunts turned to curses and cries of pain, mingled with the screams of wounded horses.

 

Tamir stood with her standard-bearer as the Companions and archers loosed shaft after shaft. Arrows fell like dark rain and continued for several minutes, as the archers loosed at will, then retreated to their original positions.

 

On the hill, horses were rearing and bolting. Korin's banner wavered but did not fall. The line remained firm and, just as she'd hoped, the first attack began.

 

Korin saw Tobin advance on foot. That blue banner mocked him as he huddled under his shield and Caliel's, fending off the whistling onslaught of arrows. Three struck his shield, jolting his arm, and another glanced off his mail-covered thigh.

 

Porion's horse and Garol's were hit and threw them. Urmanis threw out his shield arm to protect his fallen squire, then tumbled backward out of the saddle with an arrow jutting from his throat. Garol crawled to him, and held him as he clawed at the shaft.

 

 

"Get him to the rear," Korin ordered, wondering if this, too, was a bad omen. Another taken from me!

 

"Look, Majesty, they've fallen back," said Ursaris. "You must answer with a charge before they shoot again. Now's your moment, Majesty!" Korin drew his sword and brandished it, signaling Syrus and Wethring's cavalry to charge from the wings.

 

With blood-chilling war cries, they booted their horses and flew down the hill, bearing down like a great wave on Tobin's line. The front line of men-at-arms followed at a run.

 

"Look, they're already breaking!" Alben whooped as Tobin's smaller force immediately pulled back.

 

But the ranks didn't break and run, they only fell back to expose a bristling hedge of angled stakes that the charging riders saw too late. Meanwhile, another thick volley of arrows rose from the rear, falling with deadly certainty among the charging riders. Men were knocked from the saddle or went down with their horses. Others in the forward ranks, unable to halt in time, were thrown as their mounts impaled themselves on the stakes, or reared and bolted. Others foundered inexplicably or fell over the downed ones and were trampled by those still charging.

 

The charge held, even so, and clashed against Tobin's front line. The center bowed and Korin had a moment's hope as Tobin's standard veered wildly. But her line held and surged forward again, catching Korin's cavalry between the press of his own men-at-arms as their line caught up. Boxed in between the forest, cliffs, and Tobin's strong line, his own fighters were packed tight as a cork in a bottle. Another volley of arrows rose from Tobin's rear ranks, arching over Tobin's line to rain death among Korin's stymied forces.

 

Just as Tamir had hoped, Korin's advance force was crowded together as they charged, and their headlong rush made it impossible for the frontmost to avoid the stakes, mud, and holes they'd prepared to catch them. As the Aurenfaie archers loosed their second volley, the carnage increased and the air was filled with the screams of wounded horses and the cries of their riders. It did not stop the charge, only slowed it a little and created confusion.

 

"Defend the queen!" Ki yelled, and the Companions closed in around her as enemy riders came on.

 

Her archers dropped their bows and fought with swords or the mallets they'd used to drive the stakes. The blocks of men-at-arms surged forward, unseating riders with their pole arms or pulling them from the saddle to be dispatched with swords and clubs. Already at a disadvantage, Korin's own charging line of foot caught his riders even tighter.

 

"For Skala!" Tamir cried, rushing into the fray.

 

where was no question of holding back. Ki kept close to Tamir as he met the enemy with drawn sword.

 

It was like hacking at a wall of flesh, and for a while it seemed they were going to be driven back. The clamor of battle was deafening.

 

Tamir stood fast, yelling encouragement and urging them all forward as she laid about with her sword. Her blade caught the light with a red gleam. Trapped in the press, her standard-bearer fell, but Hylia caught the pole as it wavered, and held it high.

 

It seemed to go on forever; but at last the enemy fell back, making a ragged retreat across the stream, leaving hundreds of their own dead or dying on the trampled ground. Aurenfaie arrows followed them, slaughtering the hindmost as they tried to scale the hill again.

 

Korin cursed aloud as his advance line fell into confusion and retreated. Tobin's banner still held fast, and he was certain he could see Tobin still boldly at the fore.

 

"Damn him!" he snarled, furious. "Porion, have the charge sounded again. And this time I will lead! We'll strike them before they can regroup. Wethring, I want a flanking force sent through the forest to engage the rear lines."

 

"Majesty, at least wait until the others have come back," Porion urged quietly. "Otherwise, you'll be riding down your own men!"

 

Gritting his teeth, Korin lowered his sword, aware of the many eyes upon him. As he waited, the fear came back, gnawing at him as he surveyed the dead littering the field.

 

No, I won't fail this time, he swore silently. By the Sword of Gherilain and my father's name, I will act as a king today!

 

He glanced sidelong at Caliel, who sat on his horse so calmly beside him, watching the field with impassive eyes.

 

Korin drew strength from his friend's presence. I will not shame myself before you.

 

As soon as Korin's first wave retreated Tamir sent people out to collect the wounded and carry them back behind their lines. By her order, enemy wounded were to be treated with the same courtesy rather than being dispatched on the field, unless they appeared to be mortally wounded.

 

She remained in position, already bloody and winded. The Companions were equally bloody, but it was all the enemy's so far rather than their own.

 

Nikides gave her a wry grin as he wiped his face on the sleeve of his tabard and only succeeded in making both bloodier. Gone was the soft, shy boy he'd been. After days of hard marching and rough living, he was as unshaven and dirty as any of the others, and looked proud of himself.

 

"You don't need to find yourself an new chronicler just yet," he observed, chuckling.

 

"See that I don't." She was more concerned with Lutha and Barieus. They were both pale under their helms.

 

"Don't worry about us," Lutha told her. "We mean to get our own back on Korin today."

 

The mist had burned off, and the rain was clearing. The sun stood at noon. Ki handed her a waterskin and she drank deeply as she stood watching Korin consult with his nobles. Just then there was a stir among the soldiers behind her. Arengil pushed through, his arms filled with cheese and sausages.

 

"Our baggage train caught up at last," he told her, handing her a sausage. "Hiril took the liberty of having food distributed after he learned how hungry you've been."

 

Tamir bit into the sausage with a grateful groan. It was tough and spicy. Her mouth watered so hard it hurt.

 

"Now I'm even more glad you showed up!" Ki exclaimed around a mouthful of cheese. "I was afraid we'd be eating horse meat tonight. I don't suppose you brought any wine?"

 

"That, too." Arengil pulled a clay flask from his belt and handed it to him. Ki took a pull and passed it to Tamir.

 

She took a sip and handed it on to Lynx. "Bilairy's balls, that's good!"

 

All around them her people were laughing and cheering as the provisions were passed through the ranks.

 

Their respite was a short one. Trumpets sounded from Korin's side of the field and she saw that he was massing for another charge.

 

Tamir and the Companions sent for horses and she called up what cavalry she had, placing them at the center and setting deep ranks of archers to either side of them.

 

Korin was no fool. Having been caught on the quills of her hedgehog once already, he angled his new assault against their right flank, skirting the forest to come at them from the side. Reaching the stream, some of the horses foundered in the soft ground and holes, as Tamir had hoped, but not enough to make a difference.

 

"Kyman isn't turning!" Ki shouted, looking back to see the old general's line advancing parallel to the cliffs.

 

Korin's line was bowing. Those riders closest to the forest's edge had rougher ground and did not come on as fast as the outer end of the line. Kyman was making for the laggards, putting himself in danger of being pushed back to the cliff.

 

Tamir marked Korin's standard as he rode down the hill and led her cavalry to engage him. As the two forces closed she spotted him, mounted and closely surrounded by his guard. Caliel and Alben were still with him, and someone else wearing the baldric of a King's Companion.

 

"That's Moriel!" Lutha shouted.

 

"So he got his wish as last," said Ki. "Let's see how he likes the duty."

 

"Please, Tamir, leave the Toad to me if we get close enough," Lutha asked. "I have a score to settle."

 

"If it's Sakor's will, he's yours," Tamir replied.

 

Ki had to kick his horse hard to keep up with Tamir as she charged. On foot it had been easy to stay with her. This time Korin was leading the charge and Tamir was bent on reaching him. As usual, it was up to Ki and the rest of the Companions to keep up as the battle lust took her. Lynx was riding on her left with Una. Nikides and Lutha were on Ki's side, grinning grimly under their steel helmets.

 

The two lines collided like waves, each one stemming the other's momentum. One moment they were in a rough formation, the next it was chaos.

 

The foot soldiers came boiling in behind the horses soon enough, too, thrusting at the riders with pikes and spears. Ki saw a spearman making for Tamir, meaning to come up under her guard. He kicked his horse forward and rode the man down, then cut down two more who sprang forward to drag him from his horse. When he looked up again arrows were raining down on Korin's massed ranks. Judging by the arc, the Aurenfaie were shooting over their heads. Praying that they could tell friend from foe, he urged his horse on. Korin had assumed Tamir's line would angle out to meet him, but the far wing stayed back, not letting themselves be drawn. Instead, they waited, and came out at his center like a clenched fist, forcing part of his cavalry to turn and meet them.

 

Korin pressed on, keeping Tobin's banner in sight. His cousin was mounted this time, and seemed to be trying to reach him, too.

 

Always in the lead, aren't you?

 

The two armies surged back and forth, churning the soft wet ground to a deadly slick mess for man and horse. Korin rode with sword drawn, but he was hemmed in by his guard, unable to do more at the moment than yell commands.

 

In the distance he could hear a new outcry as Wethring's flanking force burst from the trees behind Tobin's line. Just as he'd hoped, those lines had to turn to meet the raiders, thus dividing Tobin's force as his had been.

 

Even so, Tobin's front line held and Korin found himself being pressed back toward the forest.

 

Arkoniel and the others had stationed themselves just behind the Aurenfaie, mounted and ready to act if things took a dire turn. Saruel had been the first to notice the riders in the woods.

 

"Look there!" she shouted in her own language. "Solun, Hiril, turn. You must turn to meet them!"

 

The Bokthersan ranks were closest to the forest and they sent a deadly flight of arrows into the pack of riders as they burst from the cover of the trees. They continued to shoot as the horsemen bore down on them.

 

Hiril and the Gedre were farther back, and had more time to brace as Solun's men took the brunt of the charge.

 

"Are we really going to just sit and watch?" Malkanus cried out in frustration. "We gave Tamir our word," Arkoniel replied, not liking it any better than the others.

 

"Only not to work magic against Korin's army," Saruel said. She closed her eyes, muttered a spell, and clapped her hands. Across the field, the trees at the edge of the forest where riders were still emerging burst into flame. Wildfire flames licked up ancient trunks, spread down branches, and leaped to neighboring boughs.

 

From where Arkoniel was sitting, it did not appear that men or horses were catching fire, but beasts maddened by the heat and smoke threw their riders, or bore them into the midst of the Aurenfaie as they tried to flee. Arkoniel sent a wizard eye beyond the flames and saw many more riders trying to control their mounts and find a way around the spreading blaze.

 

"If she takes me to task over this, shall I tell her you attacked the trees?"

 

"We had no treaty with the forest," Saruel replied serenely.

 

Any semblance of order was gone as the battle devolved into a close melee. Still mounted, Korin could see Tobin's standard a few hundred tantalizing yards away, beyond a solid press of men and horses.

 

Fighting his way forward, he caught a glimpse of Tobin's helmet in the chaos, and a few moments later, his face. Tobin was on foot now and making straight for Korin, his face twisted in that same taunting smile Korin had seen in his dreams.

 

"There!" Korin yelled to Caliel and the others. "Prince Tobin! We must reach him!"

 

"Where, my lord?" Caliel called back.

 

Korin looked back, but there was no sign of him. Tobin's standard was some way off, swaying over the press near the standard of Lord Nyanis. In the distance beyond, white smoke was billowing up against the sky, shot through with red sparks. "They've set fire to the woods!" Porion shouted.

 

"Korin, look out!" Caliel cried.

 

Korin turned in time to see a woman with a spear breaking through his guard and coming at him on the left. He tried to rein his horse around to meet her, but the damn beast chose that moment to step in a hole. The horse lurched under him and went down, throwing Korin at the woman's feet. She thrust at him, but Caliel caught her at the back of the neck with a downward sword stroke, killing her with a blow that took her head half-off. Blood burst from the wound, drenching Korin's face.

 

Caliel dismounted and pulled him to his feet, then turned to fend off the enemy. "Are you hurt, Kor?"

 

"No!" Korin quickly wiped the blood from his eyes. In the distance he could see Ursaris still mounted, trying to reach him but stymied by the crush of fighting. As Korin watched, a pikeman caught the man in the chest and he disappeared from sight.

 

Strangely, now that Korin was in the thick of the battle, his fear had disappeared completely. He'd held it at bay during the charge, but faced with all-out fighting, long years of training took over, and he found himself easily cutting down one foe after another.

 

Another woman wearing the colors of Atyion came at him, screaming a battle cry as she swung her sword. He lunged forward and caught her under the chin with the point of his blade. As she fell he caught sight of movement just behind her and saw Tobin again, this time no more than a few yards away. He glared at Korin and disappeared.

 

"There!" Korin cried, trying again to follow.

 

"What are you talking about?" Caliel cried.

 

Suddenly another storm of arrows hissed down on them again. Mago screamed and fell, clawing at a feathered shaft protruding from his chest. Alben seized him by the arm, trying to cover them both under his upraised shield. An arrow took him through the thigh, piercing the front of his hauberk, and he staggered. Korin reached down and snapped off the long end of the shaft. It was fletched with three vanes rather than four.

 

"Aurenfaie. That must be the reinforcements we saw. Alben, can you stand?"

 

"Yes. It's not deep." But he remained kneeling by Mago, holding his squire's hand as the young man writhed in pain and the battle surged around them. Bloody foam flecked Mago's lips and his breathing was labored and desperate. Air and blood bubbled from the sucking wound in his chest.

 

There was no question of getting him off the field, and if they left him, he would surely be trampled. With a sob, Alben stood and dispatched his squire mercifully with his sword. Korin turned his face away, wondering if he'd have to do the same before this day was over. Tanil was still beside him, wild-eyed and bloody. His mind might be weak, but his arm was not. He'd fought well.

 

Che battle raged on as the afternoon lengthened. It was impossible to tell where Korin's other generals were, except when he got a glimpse of them or their colors.

 

Tobin's standard appeared and disappeared like a tantalizing apparition, and so did the young prince. Korin would make for him, only to look over his shoulder and find Tobin had somehow gotten away through the press. It was maddening how fast he moved.

 

"I want his head!" Korin yelled, catching another glimpse of him near the distant tree line. "After him! He's making for the forest."

 

Tamir tried to reach Korin but, try as she might, she couldn't fight her way through the throng to his standard. Every time she got close it seemed to melt away.

 

"Korin's outflanked us!" Lynx shouted to her. "And he's set fire to the woods."

 

Tamir glanced back and saw her rearmost line being split and smoke rising in the distance. "There's no help for it. Keep pressing Korin!"

 

"Damn it, wait for the rest of us!" Ki yelled, hacking down a swordsman who'd lunged on Tamir's right.

 

The Aurenfaie had turned to meet the horsemen who'd outflanked them. That left Tamir with her guard and Nyanis' wing, while Kyman held off another regiment near the middle of the field.

 

On foot again, she stumbled over bodies, some dead, others crying out in agony as the battle raged back and forth over them. Those who couldn't drag themselves away were trampled into the mud.

 

She and the rest of her guard were covered in blood and mire, impossible to tell if they were wounded or not. Nik appeared to be favoring his left arm, Lynx had a cut across his nose, and Barieus was staggering, but they stayed close around her, fighting fiercely. Her own arm was growing heavy and her throat burned with thirst.

 

The fighting was so thick that it was often difficult to know what part of the field they were on. As the afternoon drew on and the sky began to take on a golden tint, she found herself with one foot in the muddy, blood-tinged water of the stream. The dark line of the forest loomed ahead of her, and suddenly she saw Korin's banner again, not twenty yards away.

 

"Ki, look! He's going into the trees there!"

 

"Thinks he can hide, does he?" Ki snarled.

 

"To me!" Tamir shouted, brandishing her sword to show the way. "We'll capture him in the woods, and put an end to this."

 

________________________________________

 

Chapter 52

 

  

 

 

 

Korin reached the edge of the forest and paused just inside the trees, heart pounding in his ears. He could smell smoke, but the flames were still far off.

 

"Korin, what are you doing?" Caliel panted, wiping blood and sweat from his face as he caught up.

 

"You can't leave the field now!" Porion exclaimed in dismay as the rest of Korin's guard and a score of men-at-arms gathered around to protect him.

 

"I'm not. I saw Tobin go in here."

 

"Are you sure, Majesty?" Porion asked doubtfully.

 

Korin caught a flash of blue and white through the trees. "There! See? Come on!"

 

It was an old forest, with towering firs and little undergrowth. The ground was covered in fallen needles and carpets of soft green moss and mushrooms. Fallen trees lay everywhere, some with needles or leaves clinging to their branches, others weathered silver, shining in the green dusk like the bleached bones of fallen giants.

 

The fighting had already spilled into the woods, but it was scattered, with small groups battling among the trees. Their cries and curses rang out from all directions.

 

With Tanil and Caliel at his side, he ran after the banner, leaving the others to follow, leaping over logs and rocks and stumbling over the uneven ground. Korin wrinkled his nose as he ran; the air smelled of death and rot. A sickly odor seemed to enfold him as he pursued the shadowy figure ahead of him.

 

It was impossible to tell how many were with Tobin, but it didn't appear that he had a large force. He's running away! Korin thought with grim satisfaction. He would redeem his own honor with Tobin's shame.

 

i imagined enemy archers behind every tree as he ran with Tamir. It was much darker under the trees. The afternoon was waning and rain began to spatter down through the branches again.

 

"I'm not sure this is wise," Nikides panted.

 

"He can't lead a whole army through here," Tamir replied, pausing to get her bearings.

 

"Maybe he's running away again," Ki offered.

 

"I don't think so." Tamir strode off again. . "At least let me go back for more people, Majesty," Una gasped, holding her side.

 

"Maybe you're—" Tamir froze, staring at something deeper in the woods.

 

"What?" Ki tried to make out what had caught her attention.

 

"I see him," she whispered.

 

"Korin?"

 

"No. Brother."

 

The demon was just visible through the trees, and he was waving to her. In the heat of battle, she'd forgotten all about him, but here he was and there was no mistaking his intent. He wanted her to follow him.

 

Ki caught her arm as she started off. "I don't see anything."

 

"He's there," she replied.

 

"It could be one of his tricks!"

 

"I know." But she followed anyway. You are Skala, and Skala is you. You are your brother, and he is you.

 

Sword in hand, she broke into a run. Ki cursed aloud as he and the others raced to follow.

 

Korin burst into the clearing and stopped short. Tobin was there waiting for him, sitting on a large stone, face par- tially hidden by the cheek guards of his helm. It made no sense. He was all alone, without a guard in sight. They must have fallen behind somehow. Korin could hear the crackle of twigs and hushed voices coming from beyond the trees nearby.

 

Korin ducked back behind a large tree in case there were archers waiting. "Cousin, have you come to surrender?" he called out.

 

Tobin raised his hands, showing that they were empty.

 

Too easy.

 

"He looks no more like a girl than you do," Alben scoffed.

 

"Korin, something's not right," Caliel warned, frowning at the silent figure.

 

Tobin stood slowly and took a step toward Korin. "Hello, cousin."

 

The pure malice in that voice shocked Korin. It didn't sound like Tobin; the voice was lower, and hoarse. He could hear the creak and rasp of armor as Tobin undid the chinstrap of his helm and lifted it off.

 

Korin had never seen such naked hatred on his cousin's face, or seen him so haggard and pale. His eyes were sunken and looked dark, almost black. This was the Tobin he'd seen in dreams.

 

Caliel gripped him by the arm. "Kor, that's not—:"

 

Before he could say more, the ambushers burst from the trees at the far side of the clearing and Korin heard a familiar voice shouting, "Tamir, come back!"

 

Ki and Lutha broke from the trees, hard on the heels of someone wearing Tobin's tabard and helm.

 

"What in the name of Bilairy is it?" Porion gasped, catching a glimpse of the face under the helm.

 

It was Caliel who replied. "That is Tamir."

 

"Look, it's Tobin. And there's Ki!" Tanil started forward, waving happily to them. "Where have you been?"

 

Korin caught him by the arm. "No, they're our enemy now." Tanil's eyes clouded with confusion. "No, those are your Companions."

 

"Oh gods," Korin groaned softly. "Cal, how can I—?" "Tanil, look at me," Caliel said, letting his sword fall. As the squire turned, Caliel punched him hard in the chin, and the boy dropped at his feet without a sound.

 

"Damnation!" Ki exclaimed, racing forward to get in front of Tamir. Lutha and Lynx did the same, shielding her from attack. Korin was standing there in plain sight with Porion and Cal at the far edge of the clearing, well within bowshot. Ki caught glimpses of movement all through the trees on that side.

 

Tamir paid them no mind, staring instead at Brother, who was dressed in her clothes and armor. "You!"

 

The demon turned slightly to leer at Tamir. As always, the light struck him wrong, not touching him as it did the living. His black hair gave back no sheen. Ki swallowed hard, recalling what the Oracle had told Tamir in Afra. Something about her being him and him being her. They'd never looked less alike.

 

"What sort of trick is this?" Korin called. "Have you brought your necromancers after all?"

 

Brother slowly began to advance on Korin, hissing, "Son of Erius, I am not Tobin and I am not Tamir."

 

"He's going after him!" Ki whispered. If Brother killed Korin, this would all end.

 

"Brother, stop!" Tamir shouted. "Don't touch him. I forbid you!"

 

To Ki's amazement, Brother halted and glared back at her.

 

"This is my fight! Go away," Tamir ordered, as she used to when they were all children.

 

Brother curled his lip at her, but faded away.

 

"What sort of trick is this?" Korin demanded.

 

"It's me, Kor," Tamir called back. "That was my brother, or would have been. He was killed to protect me from your father."

 

"No!"

 

"It's a trick, just as Lord Niryn said," Moriel scoffed.

 

"You're wrong, Toad," Lutha shouted back.

 

"You!" Moriel's shock was almost comical.

 

"You should know better about necromancy than anyone, after being Niryn's lapdog. Where is your master, anyway? I'm surprised he's let you off the lead, you ass-licker!"

 

Moriel's expression was poisonous. "He wasn't wrong about you was he, traitor?"

 

Ki glanced away and locked eyes with Caliel. He gave Ki a slight nod of acknowledgment. "Damn it," Ki muttered, waving to him.

 

"Who are you really?" Korin demanded. "Show your face if you dare!"

 

Tamir pulled off her helmet and pulled back her mail coif. "It's me, Kor, as I was meant to be. Caliel can vouch for me. Just ask him. We don't have to fight anymore. Talk with me. Let me show you the proof—"

 

"Liar!" Korin spat back, but Ki thought he sounded uncertain.

 

"I must be queen, Korin, but you're still my kin. Fighting you is like fighting my own brother. Please, we can make peace here, once and for all. I swear on my honor that you'll have your rightful place at my side. I'll grant amnesty to all who've backed you."

 

"Honor?" Alben jeered. "What's the word of an oath breaker worth?"

 

Ki clutched his sword as more swordsmen stepped from the trees behind Korin. "What the hell are you thinking, Tamir, just standing here like this? We're outnumbered three to one at least!"

 

"He'll listen to me, now that he's seen the truth," she replied softly. "He has to!" Still rocked by the sight of the demon, Korin stared at this girl who claimed to be his cousin. "Tobin?" he whispered, warring against the evidence of his own eyes.

 

Her sudden, unexpected smile—Tobin's smile—nearly undid him. "I'm Tamir, just as I wrote you. Lutha said you got my letter."

 

"Lies!"

 

"No, Kor. Tobin was the lie. I am Ariani's daughter. I swear it by the Flame and the Four."

 

Korin could hardly breathe.

 

Nothing but a boy in a dress, Niryn's voice whispered in his mind. Korin wanted to cling to that belief now as a sick feeling of certainty swept over him. If Tobin—if she—spoke the truth, then Caliel had been right all along. Niryn had lied to him and manipulated him. Cal had been ready to hang to make Korin see sense, and he'd nearly killed him for it.

 

"We can be friends again," Tobin said.

 

"A trick!" Moriel insisted.

 

A trick! A trick! A trick! Niryn's cold voice whispered in his memory.

 

"Majesty, where are you?"

 

Tamir could hear Nyanis shouting in the distance behind them, louder than the sounds of battle still coming from the field.

 

"Here!" Una called back.

 

There were voices calling to Korin as well, and Tamir could hear others coming to reinforce him. There was going to be a bloody fight here unless she could make Korin believe her.

 

She kept her eyes fixed on him, like a hawk she was trying to tame. She knew him so well; she could see the way he was struggling with himself. Hope made her catch her breath. By blood and trial, you must hold your throne. From the Usurper's hand you will wrest the Sword.

 

No! she thought. It doesn't have to be like that! I can make him listen! Brother brought us together so we could settle this. Smiling again, she held out her hand.

 

" strike. You have the greater force," Porion urged. "Strike now!"

 

"Yes! We can crush Tobin once and for all," Alben whispered.

 

Caliel touched Korin's arm, saying nothing, but his eyes were pleading.

 

. Tamir dropped her helmet and pushed past Ki and Lynx. "It can end now, Korin," she said, still holding out her hand to him. "Give me the Sword of Gherilain and—"

 

Give me the Sword—

 

Korin went cold all over. He'd spoken those same words to his father, that night in Ero, and still burned with shame at the memory of how his father's hands had tightened on the hilt and his eyes had gone hard. Only one hand wields the Sword of Gherilain. While I have breath in my body, I am still king. Be content with proving yourself worthy of it.

 

Korin's hand clenched around the hilt as all the old rage and guilt and sorrow came rushing back, drowning doubt, drowning love. "No, I am king!"

 

Tamir saw the fatal shift. She had just enough time to scoop up her fallen helmet and jam it back on before Korin's men rushed her band. Only Korin hung back, and Caliel with him.

 

Tamir was not surprised to find herself facing Alben in the midst of the fray. There had never been much friendship between them, and she saw none in his eyes now as he closed with her. He'd always been a fierce match and Tamir was hard put to hold her own against him. She pressed him grimly, seeing no hint of remorse in his eyes as they slashed at each other.

 

The clearing was full of fighters now, leaving little room for fancy maneuvering. They hacked at one another like woodchoppers. At some point a dagger appeared in Alben's left hand and he tried to stab her in the ribs as they locked hilts. Her mail held off the point, and she elbowed him hard in the face, breaking his nose. He staggered back, and she drove her knee into his groin, sending him to the ground.

 

"Tamir, behind you!" Ki yelled, fending off a man wielding a cudgel.

 

Tamir ducked as she turned and narrowly missed being struck in the head by Moriel.

 

"Demon bitch!" He kicked her hard in the knee to unbalance her and raised his blade to strike again.

 

Snarling in pain, Tamir staggered and brought the tip of her blade up to catch him in the throat as he came on, but Moriel sidestepped her awkward attempt.

 

Lutha appeared out of the chaos and sprang at Moriel, grappling with him and knocking him away from Tamir.

 

She left him to it and looked around for Alben, but instead found herself facing Caliel. He had his sword up, ready for an attack, but he didn't move.

 

"I don't want your blood, Cal."

 

"I don't want yours," he replied, and she heard the pain behind the words as he raised his sword to strike.

 

Tamir raised her own to block it, but before their blades could meet she saw a blur of motion from the left and the flash of steel. Caliel's helmet flew off and, empty-eyed, he crumpled to the ground. Nikides stood over him, clutching his bloody blade in both hands, chest heaving. "Tamir, behind you!"

 

Not knowing if Cal was alive or dead, she whirled and caught the blade of a tall warrior. As she held him, Ki lunged under the man's guard and stabbed him in the throat.

 

Ki pressed his back to hers, panting raggedly and clutching his sword in both hands. "Are you hurt?" "Not yet." She put weight on her knee where Moriel had kicked her to make sure it wouldn't fail her. "Where's Korin?"

 

"I don't see him."

 

This way, Sister, Brother hissed in her ear. She turned and caught a glimpse of Korin's banner near the edge of the clearing.

 

A spearman thrust at her, only to fall dead where he stood, with Brother gloating over him.

 

"This is my fight!" Tamir shouted at him, even as she rushed to take advantage of the opening he'd made for her.

 

Shoulder to shoulder, she and Ki fought their way toward the banner.

 

Korin saw Caliel fall under Nikides' blade.

 

"Traitor! I'll kill you!" Before he could reach him, however, a young squire wearing Tobin's baldric lunged out of the press and blocked his way. He knocked the boy's sword from his hands with a single swing, then ran him through. Nikides screamed and flew at him, but Porion stepped in and drove him back.

 

Korin was about to help when he saw a crowned helm above the fray mere yards away.

 

"Tobin's mine!" Korin shouted. Ki tried to intervene but Porion threw himself between them, catching Ki's blade With his own.

 

Korin lunged at Tobin with all his might, fueled by his rekindled sense of betrayal. Face-to-face with her at last, he saw what looked like genuine sorrow in her eyes, but she did not hesitate.

 

Ki tried to keep Tamir in sight out of the corner of his eye as he faced Master Porion. "I don't want to fight you," he blurted out, keeping his guard up.

 

"Nor I you, lad, but here we are,", Porion replied. "Come on, and let's see how well you learned your lessons." Tamir had fought against Korin only once before, that day he'd let her fight out her anger at having to flog Ki. Older and stronger, he'd been more than a match for her then. She'd grown stronger since, but he was still a dangerous opponent. The ferocity of his attack was stunning.

 

He rained down blow upon blow, forcing her to parry and retreat. They whirled around each other, striking and grappling, until they were almost in the trees. He drove her back again into a stand of tall ferns. The green smell of them rose around them as they crushed them underfoot, and she could hear the sound of flowing water close behind her.

 

"Tamir!" Ki shouted, farther away.

 

"Here—" she began, but Korin pushed her back again and she missed her footing, catching her heel on something and falling backward.

 

The ground was not where she'd expected it to be. She tumbled over the edge of a small gully behind the ferns and rolled down a rocky slope, dashing her left elbow painfully against a rock as she fell and losing her sword somewhere along the way. She came to rest in cold mud at the edge of a stream. It must be the same stream that ran across the battlefield, she realized, getting her bearings.

 

She staggered up, cradling her bruised arm and looking around for her sword. It was halfway up the steep bank, caught on an exposed tree root. She started up after it, then froze as she took in her surroundings. It looked almost exactly like the place in her vision.

 

The banner? Where is the banner?

 

Instead, Korin came bounding over the edge after her with murder in his eyes. Her sword was too far away to reach before he was on her.

 

"Illior!" she cried, drawing her knife and bracing to meet him.

 

"Tamir!" Ki leaped into view, white-faced and covered in blood. He sprang down the slope and tackled Korin be- fore he could reach her. They tumbled together, landing in the mud a few yards away with Ki on the bottom.

 

"Get your sword!" Ki yelled, wrestling with Korin.

 

Tamir scrambled up the gully and grabbed her blade. As she turned back, she was horrified to see Korin rise suddenly and strike at Ki as he struggled on the ground. It was a shameful act.

 

"You coward!" she screamed. She had to reach Ki, help him, but it was like being trapped in a nightmare. She slipped and slid over the rocks, making straight for them, but she just couldn't seem to move fast enough.

 

Korin brought his sword down on Ki's arm as he tried to raise his blade to fend him off. She heard the sickening snap of bone and Ki's snarl of pain. He tried to roll out from under Korin but the prince lunged after him and brought his sword down against the side of Ki's helmet. Ki collapsed on his side in the mud and Korin grasped his sword in both hands and thrust it down into Ki's side through the gap in his cuirass.

 

"Bastard!" Tamir shrieked. Grief and fury propelled her the last few yards to close with Korin. She struck him hard across the shoulders, driving him back from Ki's body. He leaped away and whirled to face her. There was fresh blood on his blade, mingling with the rain.

 

Ki's blood.

 

With a scream of rage, she flew at Korin, driving him back with savage swings, away from Ki's motionless body.

 

They splashed across the stream, and onto higher ground. Korin fought hard, cursing her as he parried every swing. Their two blades clashed and rang, echoing loudly in the gully. She struck him in the side, denting his steel cuirass. He answered her with a glancing blow to the head that knocked her helmet off. There'd been no time to fasten the strap.

 

She fell back, hoping to retrieve it. Korin laughed and pressed the advantage, driving her back to the stream, where Ki lay clawing weakly at the ground. She turned and jumped back, hoping to draw Korin away from him again. "Get up, Ki! Get your sword!"

 

With a sneer, Korin left off his attack and turned to Ki, raising his blade again for the killing blow.

 

She sprang at him with a despairing cry and felt Brother's dead chill close in around her.

 

It felt as if the demon crawled inside her own skin, filling her with the strength of his own unimaginable hatred. It drew her lips back from her teeth in a snarl and tore an unearthly cry from her throat. With the clarity of the demon's rage, she spotted the gap in the hauberk under Korin's raised arm and made a long, unerring lunge.

 

The tip of her blade found its mark. Korin's blood soaked like a blossoming red flower through shirt and mail.

 

He twisted away before she could plunge it in deeply enough, and whirled to attack her again, both of them stumbling over Ki. Korin was coughing blood as he lashed out at her, and his swings grew wilder as he kept up a staggering fight.

 

From the Usurper's hand you will wrest the Sword.

 

"Yield!" she cried, catching his blade on her own and holding him, hilt to hilt.

 

"Never!" Korin gasped, spewing blood.

 

They pulled free of each other and she felt another surge of Brother's cold hatred rush through her as she caught sight of Ki again. He lay very still now, and the mud around him was stained red.

 

This time she welcomed Brother's strength. It joined with her own pent-up rage over all they'd lost or been denied: Ki, her mother's love, a living brother, her father's kindness, her very identity—all sacrificed to bring her to this moment.

 

"Damn you!" she screamed, flying at Korin again, battering him down, pushing him back. A red haze filled her eyes. "Damn all of you for stealing our lives!"

 

Korin struck her on the left shoulder, blade catching on the leather strap of her cuirass. She barely felt it as she used the force of the blow to duck and whirl around, catching Korin behind the knees with her foot.

 

Korin staggered, dropping his guard as he fought to keep his balance. Still bent low, Tamir swung her sword up with all her might and felt Brother's hand on hers, gripping her sword's hilt as she caught Korin across the throat, just under the chin, burying the edge of her blade there.

 

Korin gave a strangled cry, and hot blood spurted out, nearly blinding her. She pulled the blade free and quickly wiped a hand across her eyes.

 

Korin stood very still, staring at her in disbelief. He tried to speak, but only bloody foam found its way past his lips. His breath made a horrible wet wheezing sound through the gaping wound across his throat. His chest heaved again and he collapsed backward among the rocks. Blood still pulsed from the wound in slow spurts and ran down between the stones.

 

A river of blood.

 

Tamir strode over to him, blade poised for the final stroke.

 

Korin stared up at her. His rage was gone, replaced by an expression of terrible sorrow. Still clutching his sword, he mouthed a single silent word: Cousin.

 

Tamir's own sword slipped unnoticed from her fingers as she watched the life fade from those dark eyes. A last, strangled breath and he was gone, hand still locked around the hilt of the great sword.

 

Brother had deserted her, and the horror of the battle rolled over her. "Oh hell. Oh, Korin!" In death, he looked again like the boy she'd played and sparred and gotten drunk with, lying there broken and bloody in the mud.

 

The sounds of battle were still raging beyond the gully, and she could hear her friends frantically calling for her and Ki.

 

Ki!

 

"Here!" she tried to tell them, but it came out a choked whisper. Weeping, she stumbled back to where Ki lay and fell to her knees beside him. His tabard was soaked with blood and his broken arm was twisted awkwardly under his body. She found the buckle of his dented helm and pulled it free, then felt vainly for signs of a heartbeat. His soft brown hair was sodden with blood on the side Korin had struck.

 

She gently lifted his limp body into her arms, clasping his good hand and cradling his head against her chest. "Oh no. No, please, not him too!"

 

His blood soaked through her tabard and gummed her fingers to his. So much blood.

 

"Is this what you wanted?" she cried out to Illior. "Is this what it takes to give Skala a queen?"

 

Something struck her shoulder and splashed into the water beside her. Looking down, she let out a strangled cry.

 

It was Korin's head.

 

Brother loomed over her, looking stronger and more solid than he ever had. He held the bloody Sword of Gherilain in his right hand, and as she watched, he raised his left and licked the blood that covered his fingers like it was honey.

 

He tossed the sword down beside her, then with a chilling smile, stroked her cheeks, painting them with more of Korin's blood. Thank you, Sister.

 

She shrank from his icy touch, clutching Ki closer. "It's over. You've had your vengeance. I don't ever want to see you again! Never!"

 

Brother was still smiling as he reached toward Ki.

 

"Don't you touch him!" she cried, shielding him from the demon with her own body.

 

Save your tears, Sister. He still lives.

 

"What?" She pressed a finger to the side of Ki's neck, searching frantically for a pulse again. She found the faintest flutter just under his jaw. "Tamir, where are you?" That was Lynx, sounding frantic.

 

"Here!" she shouted back, finding her voice.

 

"Tamir!" Arkoniel appeared at the top of the bank. He took in the scene at a glance and plunged down to join her.

 

"He's alive," Tamir cried. "Find a healer!"

 

Arkoniel touched Ki's forehead and frowned. "I will, but you must go and end this battle."

 

It was like tearing out her own heart to relinquish Ki into Arkoniel's arms but somehow she did it.

 

Staggering to her feet, she picked up Gherilain's sword. The hilt was sticky with gore, but it fit her hand as if it had been made for her.

 

She'd held it once before, the night of her first feast with her uncle. The worn gold dragons set in raised relief on the sides of the curved quillons were crusted in blood now, and so were the gold-wrapped ivory hilt and the carved ruby seal on the pommel. The Royal Seal. Her seal now—a dragon bearing Sakor's Flame in a crescent moon on its back. Sakor and Illior united.

 

You are Skala.

 

She bent and grasped Korin's head by the hair and picked it up, too, feeling the lingering warmth of his scalp against the backs of her fingers.

 

"Care for Ki, Arkoniel. Don't let him die."

 

Bearing her grisly trophies, she gave Ki one last anguished look, then climbed up the bank to carry out the Lightbearer's will.

 

________________________________________

 

Chapter 53

 

  

 

 

 

Daylight was nearly gone and the rain was pelting down in earnest when Tamir emerged from the gully. The fighting was nearly over here. Porion lay dead in the trampled ferns. A little way off Moriel sprawled in a pool of blood, with Lutha's poniard in his neck.

 

She found Cal by his hair. He was lying facedown where he'd fallen and Nikides was sitting beside him, clutching a shoulder wound and weeping. Una was holding Hylia, whose arm appeared to be broken.

 

Companion against Companion. Skalan against Skalan.

 

Lynx, as usual, was still on his feet, and Tyrien, too. They were the first to see her and what she carried.

 

"Korin is dead!" Lynx shouted.

 

Everything seemed to stop completely for a moment. The last of Korin's men fell back and stared at her, then ran away into the trees, leaving their fallen comrades behind.

 

Nikides staggered up to meet her. His eyes went wide as he saw what she carried.

 

"I killed him. The blood is on my hands." Her voice sounded distant in her ears, like someone else speaking. She felt numb all over, too exhausted to grieve or feel victory. She set off in the direction of the battlefield, dimly aware of others falling in behind them.

 

"Are you wounded?" Nikides asked, concerned.

 

"No, but Ki's—" No, don't think of that now. "Arkoniel's with him. How are the rest?"

 

"Lorin's dead." Nikides swallowed hard, collecting him- self. "Hylia has a broken arm. The rest of us have only minor wounds."

 

"And the others? Caliel?"

 

"He's alive. I—I turned my blade at the last moment. I'm sorry, I just couldn't—"

 

"It's all right, Nik. You did well. Make sure he and any others are brought to the camp."

 

But still he stayed by her side, looking at her very oddly. "Are you certain you're not hurt?"

 

"Do as I say!" It took all her concentration to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Nikides fell back, presumably to follow her order; but Lynx, Tyrien, and Una closed around her as she reached the edge of the trees.

 

The battlefield was a scene of carnage. Dead warriors and horses lay everywhere, the bodies piled on top of one another three deep in places. So many had fallen at the stream that the water was pooling red behind them, dammed with corpses.

 

There were still scattered groups fighting on. Some of Korin's forces had withdrawn up the hill. Others were wandering among the dead.

 

Tamir looked around in dismay, still clutching the head.

 

Malkanus was suddenly at her side, though she hadn't noticed the wizard's approach. "Allow me, Majesty." He walked a little way apart from the others and raised his wand. A terrific roar like thunder rolled across the field with such force that men fell to their knees and covered their heads.

 

In a voice that seemed as loud as the thunder, Malkanus cried, "Attend Queen Tamir!"

 

It worked. Suddenly hundreds of faces turned her way. Tamir strode farther out from the trees and held up the Sword and Korin's head. "Prince Korin is dead!" she shouted, her voice thin by comparison. "Let the fighting cease!"

 

The cry was passed across the field. The last of Korin's warriors made a disorderly retreat to the base of the hill beyond the stream. The only banner still visible among their disordered ranks was Wethring's.

 

"Lynx, take some men and bring out Korin's body," she ordered. "I want it treated with respect. Make a litter and cover the body, then bring it back to our camp. Tell the drysians I need it prepared for burning. Nik, you see to Lorin's remains. We must take him back to his father. And someone find me a herald!"

 

"Here, Majesty."

 

She held out Korin's head. "Show this to Lord Wethring and declare that the day is ours, then bring it back to my camp. I require all nobles to present themselves to me at once or be declared traitors."

 

The herald wrapped the head in a corner of his cloak and hurried away.

 

Freed of that burden, Tamir wiped the Sword of Gherilain on the hem of her filthy tabard and slid it into her scabbard, then walked back to the clearing.

 

Ki had been carried up from the gully. Arkoniel sat on the ground under a large tree, holding the younger man's head in his lap as Caliel tried to staunch the wound in his side.

 

She was amazed to see Cal conscious. His hands shook as he held the cloth, and tears were streaming down his cheeks.

 

Tamir knelt beside them and reached out hesitantly to touch Ki's muddy face. "Will he live?"

 

"I don't know," Arkoniel told her.

 

The wizard's quiet words struck harder than any blow Korin had dealt her.

 

If he dies—

 

She bit her lip, unable to finish such a thought. Leaning down, she kissed Ki on the forehead and whispered, "You gave me your word."

 

"Majesty?" Caliel said softly.

 

Unable to look at him yet, she asked, "Where is Tanil?" "In the trees, just over there. Alive, I think."

 

"You should go to him. Give him the news."

 

"Thank you." He rose to go.

 

Looking up, she searched his face, but still found only sorrow there. "You're both welcome in my camp."

 

More tears slid slowly down Caliel's cheeks, carving pale trails through the blood and grime as he made her an unsteady bow.

 

"For what it's worth, Cal, I'm sorry. I didn't want to fight him."

 

"I know that." He stumbled off toward the trees.

 

She turned to find Arkoniel watching her, looking sadder than she'd ever seen.

 

Litters for the dead and wounded were hastily made up from saplings and cloaks. Korin's body was carried out first, with Ki's litter just behind. Tamir walked beside Ki, stealing glances down at him to see the labored rise and fall of his chest all the way back to camp. She wanted to sob and scream and hold Ki tight to keep him from leaving her. Instead, she had to hold her head high and return the salutes of the men and women they passed.

 

Warriors from both sides were moving among the dead, claiming fallen friends or stripping the enemy. Ravens had already arrived, drawn by the smell of death. Flocks of them massed in the trees, filling the air with their hoarse, hungry cries as they waited their turn.

 

At the camp Ki was carried into her tent and given over to the care of the drysians. Tamir watched them anxiously through the open flap as she waited for Korin's lords to surrender.

 

Korin's body lay under a cloak on a makeshift catafalque nearby, with Porion and the other fallen Companions beside him. Her Companions kept silent vigil over them, all except Nikides and Tanil.

 

Nik, in spite of his own grief and his wound, had stepped in and was seeing to the necessary details, sending off heralds to carry word of the victory and Korin's death, and seeing that messenger birds were let loose to carry the news quickly to Atyion. Tamir was grateful, as always, for his competence and foresight.

 

Tanil crouched on the ground by his fallen lord, sobbing inconsolably under his cloak, and would not be moved. He could not grasp what had happened, and perhaps that was for the best. Caliel knelt with him, sword planted before him, keeping the vigil with him. He'd already reported seeing Urmanis, Garol, and Mago fall earlier in the day. There'd been no sign of Alben among the living or the dead.

 

Messengers arrived from her own side with word that Jorvai had suffered an arrow wound to the chest; but Kyman and Nyanis arrived soon after, unhurt. Korin's baggage train had been captured, yielding much-needed food and tents. That, together with the supplies the Aurenfaie had brought, would be sufficient to make camp here until the wounded could be safely moved.

 

Arengil brought news that the Aurenfaie had killed all the horsemen Korin had sent to flank them and suffered no losses of their own. Solun and Hiril soon followed, bearing the captured standards. Tamir listened with half an ear. Inside the tent Ki remained motionless and the drysians looked concerned.

 

Wethring and a few of the remaining nobles arrived under a flag of truce. Tamir stood and drew the Sword, holding it up before her. The herald had brought Korin's head back and placed it carefully under the cloak with the body.

 

Kneeling, Wethring humbly bowed his head. "The day is yours, Majesty."

 

"By the will of Illior," she replied.

 

He looked up, studying her face. "Do you believe what your eyes show you?" she demanded.

 

"Yes, Majesty."

 

"Will you swear fealty to me?"

 

He blinked in surprise. "I will if you will accept me."

 

"You were loyal to Korin. Show me the same loyalty, and. I will confirm your title and lands, in return for the blood fee."

 

"You shall have both, Majesty. I swear it by the Four and vouch for all those who've followed my banner."

 

"Where is Nevus, son of Solari?"

 

"He went east, to Atyion."

 

"Have you had word back from him?"

 

"No, Majesty."

 

"I see. And Lord Alben? Did he fall today?"

 

"No one has seen him, Majesty."

 

"What of Lord Niryn?"

 

"Dead, Majesty, at Cirna."

 

"Did Korin kill him?" Lutha asked, overhearing.

 

"No, he fell from Lady Nalia's tower."

 

"He fell?" Tamir let out a short, mirthless laugh. It was a ridiculous death for someone so feared. "Well, that's one bit of good news, then."

 

"Do I have your leave to burn our dead?"

 

"Of course."

 

Wethring cast a sad look at the draped form beside them. "And Korin?"

 

"He's my kin. I will see that he's properly burned and his ashes gathered for his wife. Send your army back to their homes and attend me in Atyion in a month's time."

 

Wethring stood and gave her another deep bow. "I hear and obey, merciful Queen."

 

"I'm not quite done with you yet. What are the defenses at Cirna? What provisions did Korin make for Lady Nalia?"

 

"The fortress garrison was left behind. They're mostly Niryn's Harriers now, and a few wizards." "Will she stand against me?"

 

"Lady Nalia?" Wethring smiled and shook his head. "She wouldn't have the first idea how, Majesty."

 

Lutha had been listening intently and he stepped forward now. "He's right, Tamir. She's been sheltered and kept locked away. The nobles who know Korin's court know that. She's helpless there now. With your permission, I'd like to take a force north immediately to protect her."

 

"You should bring her here and keep her close," Arkoniel advised. "You can't risk her and the child becoming pawns to be used against you."

 

Lutha went down on one knee before her. "Please, Tamir. She's never done anyone any harm."

 

Tamir sensed more than mere courtesy behind his interest in Lady Nalia. "Of course. She knows you. It's best if you are my emissary. Make her understand that she is under my protection, not being arrested. But you'll need warriors to take the fortress."

 

"I'll go, with your consent," said Nyanis.

 

Tamir nodded gratefully. She trusted all her nobles, but Nyanis most of all. "Capture the place and leave a garrison. Lutha, bring her here."

 

"I'll guard her with my life," Lutha vowed.

 

"Arkoniel, you and your people go, too, and deal with Niryn's wizards."

 

"I will be certain we do, Majesty."

 

"Show them no more mercy than they showed to those they burned."

 

"We will go, as well, and destroy the blasphemers," Solun said.

 

"And my people," said Hiril.

 

"Thank you. Go now. Take what supplies you need and ride hard."

 

Lutha and the others saluted and hurried off to make ready. Arengil moved to follow as the others started away, but Tamir called him back. "Do you still wish to be a Companion?" "Of course!" the young Gedre exclaimed.

 

"Then stay." She rose to go to Ki but noticed that Arkoniel had lingered behind.

 

"The others can deal with Niryn's people if you'd rather I stay?"

 

"There's no one I trust more than you," she told him, and saw the color come to his cheeks. "I know that you will do what is best and protect her for me, no matter what. You understand better than anyone else why I will not have innocent blood spilled in my name."

 

"That means more to me than I can say," he replied, his voice rough with emotion. "I will keep an eye on you here and return at once if you need me."

 

"I'll be fine. Go on now." With that, she ducked through the low doorway of the tent and pulled the flap down.

 

The air inside was heavy with the smell of the drysians' herbs. Kaulin was sitting with Ki.

 

Ki's arm had been set and wrapped securely in rags and a cut-down boot top. His chest and head were wrapped in ragged bandages. His face was still and white under the streaks of mud and blood.

 

"Has he woken yet?"

 

"No," Kaulin replied. "The sword thrust missed his lung. It's the blow to his head that's bad."

 

"I'd like to be alone with him."

 

"As you wish, Majesty."

 

Sitting down beside Ki, she took his left hand in hers. His breathing was almost imperceptible. Leaning over him, she whispered, "It's all over, Ki. We won. But I don't know what I'll do if you die!" Thunder rumbled in the distance as she pressed his cold fingers to her cheek. "Even if you never want to be my consort—" The blessed numbness she'd clung to was slipping away and the tears came.

 

"Please, Ki! Don't go!"

 

________________________________________

 

Chapter 54

 

  

 

 

 

Ki was lost, and chilled to the bone. Scattered images flashed behind his eyes. She's in danger! I'm not going to get there in time.

 

A starlit window and flailing legs—

 

Tamir unarmed, under Korin's shining blade—

 

Too far! Can't reach—

 

No!

 

The blackness took him before he could reach her, and the pain. So much pain.

 

Drifting, alone in the darkness, he thought he heard distant voices calling to him. Tamir?

 

No, she's dead—I failed and she's dead—

 

Then let me die, too.

 

Such pain.

 

Am I dead?

 

No, not yet, child.

 

Lhel? Where are you? I can't see!

 

You must be strong. She needs you.

 

Lhel? I've missed you!

 

I've missed you, too, child. But you must think of Tamir, now.

 

Panic shot through him. I'm sorry. I let her die!

 

A small, rough hand closed hard around his. Open your eyes, child.

 

Suddenly Ki could see. He was standing beside Lhel in the tent. Rain was drumming down on the canvas and dripping through all around them. And Tamir was there, asleep on the ground next to a pallet, where someone else lay. She's alive! But she looks so sad. Did we lose the battle?

 

No, you won. Look closer.

 

Tamir, we won! he cried, trying to touch her shoulder. But he couldn't. He couldn't feel his hand at all. As he bent closer to her, he saw dried tears on her cheeks, and the face of the person she was sleeping beside.

 

That's me. He could see his own pale face, and the thin crescents of white under his parted lashes. I am dead!

 

No, but you aren't alive either, Lhel replied.

 

You're waiting. Brother appeared beside Tamir, gazing up at Ki with less hostility than usual. You're waiting as I wait, between life and death. We're both still bound.

 

Look closer, Lhel whispered. Look at her heart, and yours.

 

Squinting, Ki could just make out something that looked like a thin, gnarled black root stretching from Brother's chest to Tamir's. No, not a root, but a wizened birthing cord.

 

Looking down, he saw another cord between him and his own body, and one that stretched from his body to Tamir, but these were silvery and bright. Other strands, less bright, radiated out and disappeared in all directions. One dark one stretched from Tamir's chest across the tent to the open flap. Korin stood out there, gazing in with a lost expression.

 

What's he doing here?

 

She killed me, Korin whispered, and Ki felt fear as that empty dark gaze turned to him. False friend!

 

Don't let him trouble you, child. He has no claim on you. Lhel touched the silver cord joining Ki to Tamir. This one is very strong, stronger than your own life cord.

 

I can't die! I can't leave her! She needs me.

 

You saved her life today. I foresaw that the first time we met, and more. She will be very sad if you die. Her belly may never swell. Your people need the children you and she will give them. If I help you live, will you love her? Looking down at his own still face, Ki saw tears well out from under his lashes and trickle slowly down his cheeks. I do love her! Help me, please!

 

But even as he said it, he felt the cord joining his spirit to his body pull painfully at his chest and grow thin. He was floating above himself, looking down at Tamir. Even in sleep she held his hand tightly, as if she could hold him back from death.

 

Please, he whispered. I want to stay!

 

Hold on, Lhel whispered.

 

"Keesa, wake up."

 

"Lhel?" Tamir sat up, startled.

 

It was still dark in the tent, and rain was pounding on the canvas. A sudden flash of lightning turned the darkness grey. It was Mahti leaning over her, not Lhel. A clap of thunder shook the ground. Something struck her cheek; water was dripping from the witch's hair. He had just come in from the storm.

 

"Mahti? You came back!"

 

"Hush, keesa." The witch pointed to Ki. "He very weak. You must let me play healing for him. His mari try to go."

 

Tamir tightened her hold on Ki's cold hand and nodded. "Do whatever you can."

 

Another flash of lightning lit the tent and thunder shook the ground, as if the world were falling down around them.

 

Mahti sat as far from Ki as the cramped quarters allowed, back pressed to the sodden canvas behind him. He put the oo'lu to his lips, resting the mouth of it next to Ki's side, and began the spell song.

 

The boy's spirit was already out of the body. Mahti could sense it hovering nearby. He could see Lhel and Brother, and the sad spirit lurking outside in the rain; but Ki was caught between life and death, so Mahti could not see him clearly. There was no need for the lifting out song, but he knew he must work quickly to heal the body enough to hold the spirit in before it was lost.

 

Sojourn's deep voice filled Mahti's head and chest as he played, gathering the necessary power. When it was strong enough, he sent the song out to the floating spirit, wrapping him in binding song to keep him from flying away. Then he wove the voices of night herons and frogs to wash the dark blood away from inside the boy's head. It was a bad wound, that one, but Mahti had wrestled with them before. It took time, but he finally felt some of the pain flow away.

 

He played into the body next, leaving the arm bones to knit on their own and concentrating on the deep sword wound in his side. He used the song of bears to take the heat from it; there was good magic at work already, from the other healers. Mahti touched it with his song and approved. This would heal well if Ki lived.

 

He played through the rest of the body, finding little that needed his attention. Ki was young and strong and wanted to live.

 

The head wound was still fighting him, though, so Mahti increased the power of the song to drive the dark threat from it. It took a long time, but when he finished the heron song a third time, the pain was nearly gone and Ki's face was more peaceful. Mahti blinked the sweat from his eyes and gently coaxed the spirit back into the flesh. It went willingly, like a loon diving under the water after a fish.

 

When he was done only the sound of the rain and thunder filled the tent, and the tense breathing of the girl and her oreskiri as they stared anxiously at the boy, waiting.

 

"Ki?" Tamir stroked the dirty, blood-stiff hair back from his bandaged forehead and caught her breath as his eyelids fluttered.

 

"Ki, open your eyes!" she whispered.

 

"Tob?" he mumbled. He opened his eyes very slowly, not focusing on anything. His right pupil was larger than the left.

 

"Thank the Light!" Tears crept down her cheeks unnoticed as she leaned closer. "How do you feel?"

 

"Hurts. My arm… head." He looked blearily at nothing. "Gone?"

 

"Who's gone?"

 

His eyes finally found her, though they were still very vague. "I—I thought—I don't know." He closed his eyes again and tears welled under his lashes. "I killed Master Porion."

 

"Don't think of that now."

 

"Keep him awake," Mahti told her. "He will—" He mimed vomiting. "Not sleep until sun goes down again."

 

With help from Mahti, Tamir got Ki propped up with his head on a pack. He began to retch almost at once. She snatched up a discarded helmet and held it under his chin as Ki brought up what little he'd had to eat.

 

"Rest," Mahti told Ki as he slumped limply back in Tamir's arms. "You heal now."

 

"How can I thank you?" asked Tamir.

 

"Keep promise," Mahti replied. "And let me play healing for you. Lhel say."

 

"I keep telling you, I don't need it."

 

Mahti grasped her by the knee, dark eyes suddenly intimidating. "You don't know. I know! Lhel know." He reached down and cupped her roughly between the legs. "You still tie to demon here."

 

Tamir knocked his hand away angrily, but even as she did, she felt again the strong, disconcerting sensation of having two bodies at once, her own and Tobin's.

 

"This end magic," Mahti promised, as if he understood. "Make you clean."

 

Clean. Yes, she wanted that. Suppressing a shiver of apprehension, she nodded. "What do you want me to do?"

 

Mahti shifted, letting the mouth of his oo'lu rest near her leg. "Just sit." Closing his eyes, he began a deep, throbbing drone. Tamir tensed, expecting the fire that had burned away her other body.

 

But it wasn't like that at all, this time.

 

Lhel sat close beside Mahti, whispering in his ear, showing him what to look for. It was a woman's spell he was undoing, and he had to be careful not to damage what should remain.

 

Brother hunkered down beside Tamir, staring not at the girl, but at Lhel.

 

Mahti started to play a water song, but the tune changed. He knew this song; it had been the first one he'd played on Sojourn. Now it showed him the thick, gnarled birthing cord that joined brother and sister. It showed him the phantom shape of the boy's body that still clung to the girl like shreds of a snake's cast off skin. The wasted shape of a penis still rested between her thighs. His song made the last of the ghost body fall away, leaving only living flesh.

 

Snakeskin song, that's what he would call this one should he ever need it again. He silently thanked Lhel for it.

 

The birthing cord that joined her to her brother was tough as an old root, but the song burned through it, too. It fell away like ashes between them.

 

You go now, he whispered in his mind to Brother.

 

From the corner of his eye he saw Lhel rise and take the trembling demon boy by the hand. Child, let go of this life that was never yours. Go and rest for the next.

 

She embraced the pale figure. He clung to her for a moment, like a living boy, then disappeared with a sigh.

 

Well done, Lhel whispered. They are both free.

 

But Mahti saw another dark cord joining Tamir to a ghost outside. He played the knife song and freed the dark-eyed dead man, so he could go on to peace, too.

 

There was another very old cord from her heart that stretched far, far away. He touched it with his mind. An angry, confused spirit lurked at the end of this one. Mother:

 

Cut that one, too, whispered Lhel.

 

Mahti did, and heard a brief, distant wail.

 

There were many other cords around her, as there were around all people. Some were good. Some were harmful. The one between Tamir and the boy in her arms was the strongest, bright as lightning.

 

Lhel touched it and smiled. This one needed none of Mahti's spells.

 

Satisfied with the girl's heart, he played to draw the pain from her wounds, then turned his attention to the red night flower of her womb. Lhel's binding magic had not reached so deep there. Despite her narrow hips and small breasts, the womb was well knit, a fertile cradle waiting to be filled. Mahti played his spell instead into the bony yoke of her pelvis, so that it might let the babies out more easily in the years to come.

 

It was only when he'd finished that he noticed that Lhel was gone.

 

amir was surprised at how comforting Mahti's strange music was. Instead of the cold, crawling feeling she'd experienced with Niryn, or the dizzying effect of Arkoniel's sighting spells, she felt nothing but a gentle warmth. When he finished she sighed and opened her eyes, feeling more rested than she had in days.

 

"That's all?"

 

"Yes. Now you only you," Mahti replied, patting her knee.

 

"How do you feel?" Ki rasped, squinting up at her as if he expected her to look different somehow.

 

She was very still for a moment, her gaze turned inward. There was a difference, but one she had no words for yet. "Thank you," she whispered at last. "I owe you so much." "Keep promise and remember Lhel and me." Giving her a last fond smile, Mahti rose and left the tent.

 

Alone with Ki again, she brought the fingers of his good hand to her lips and kissed him as fresh tears stung behind her eyelids. "You almost broke your promise to me, you bastard," she managed at last.

 

"I did? No!" Ki laughed softly. He was quiet for a few moments, unfocused eyes fixed somewhere in the shadows above. She was afraid he was drifting into sleep but suddenly his hand tightened painfully around hers. "Korin! I couldn't get to you!"

 

"You did, Ki, and he nearly killed you."

 

"No… I saw…" He closed his eyes and grimaced. "Bilairy's balls!"

 

"What?"

 

"Failed you—when it counted most!"

 

"No." She held him closer. "He would have had me if not for you."

 

"Couldn't let him…" Ki shivered against her. "Couldn't. But what—?" His eyes drifted closed for a moment, then opened very wide. " You killed him?"

 

"Yes."

 

Ki was silent for a moment, and she saw his gaze stray to the open flap of the tent again. "I wanted to spare you that."

 

"It's better this way. I see that now. It was our fight."

 

Ki sighed, and the confusion came back.

 

"Ki? Don't go to sleep. You have to stay awake."

 

His eyes were open, but she could tell his mind was wandering. Fearful of letting him fall asleep, she babbled on for hours about nothing—what they would do when they visited the keep again, horses, anything she could think of to keep his eyes open.

 

He didn't respond at all for a while, but presently she saw the glimmer of tears in his eyes, and pain as he focused on her again. "I can't—stop seeing him going for you. Saw you fall. I couldn't get to you—" "But you did!" Leaning down carefully, she pressed her lips to his and felt them trembling. "You did, Ki. You almost died for me. He—" She swallowed hard as her voice failed. "You were right about Korin, all along."

 

"Sorry," he mumbled. "You loved him."

 

"I love you, Ki! If he'd killed you, I wouldn't have wanted to live."

 

Ki's fingers tightened on hers again. "Know the feeling."

 

She took an unsteady breath and smiled. "You called me Tob' when you woke up."

 

He let out a faint laugh. "Knock on the head. Scrambled my brains."

 

She hesitated, then asked softly, "Am I Tamir to you now?"

 

Ki studied her face in the dim light, then gave her a sleepy smile. "You'll always be both, deep down. But it's Tamir I see, and Tamir I kiss."

 

A weight lifted from Tamir's heart, not only from the words, but the warmth in his voice and eyes. "I don't ever want to be without you!" The words tumbled out in a rush, and she couldn't hold them back. "I hate having you sleep in other rooms, and feeling bad every time I touch you. I hate not knowing what we are to each other anymore. I—"

 

Ki squeezed her hand again. "Guess I better marry you and clear things up, eh?"

 

Tamir stared at him. "You're delirious!"

 

The smile turned to a grin. "Maybe, but I know what I'm saying. Will you have me?"

 

A heady mix of joy and fear made her feel faint. "But what about—" She couldn't bring herself to say it. "With me?"

 

"We'll manage. What do you say? Will the Queen of Skala take a grass knight son of a horse thief for her consort?"

 

She let out a shaky laugh. "You, and no other. Not ever." "Good. Then it's settled."

 

Tamir shifted her back more comfortably against the pack, with Ki's head resting on her chest. It felt good, just as it used to, and yet different, too.

 

"Yes," she whispered. "It's settled."

 

Mahti paused near the edge of the forest, looking back at the scattered fires and the distant glow inside the tent. Beyond lay the battlefield, where the spirits of the newly dead writhed and twisted like wisps of fog the rain could not dispel.

 

"Why, Great Mother, should we help such a people?" he whispered, shaking his head. But there was no answer for him, and no companion, either. Lhel was gone as surely as the demon spirit was gone. He wondered if he would meet her again, in the eyes of a child?

 

Gaining the cover of the trees a thought struck him and he stopped again and ran his hands carefully over the length of his oo'lu. It was still sound, with no sign of any cracking.

 

He smiled wryly as he shouldered it and continued toward the mountains. His journeying was not over yet. He didn't mind, really. It was a good, strong horn. He only wondered who his new guide would be.

 

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Chapter 55

 

  

 

 

 

Tamir held Ki all night and kept him awake talking of the battle and her plans for a new city. They both shyly avoided the understanding they'd arrived at. It was too new, too fragile to dwell on with so much still before them. Watching Ki retch into a helmet was not conducive to such thoughts, either. His right cheek and eye were badly bruised, and his eye had swollen shut.

 

By dawn he was exhausted and uncomfortable but more alert. The rain had let up and they could hear people moving about outside, and the moans of the wounded. The smell of rank smoke came to them on the breeze, carried from the first of the pyres.

 

Lynx brought them breakfast—bread and a bit of good lamb stew sent up by the captain of one of the Gedre ships. He also had a healing tonic for Ki. He helped him drink it, then grinned. "You look like hell."

 

Ki tried to scowl, grimaced in pain instead, and held up the middle finger of his good hand.

 

Lynx chuckled. "You are feeling better."

 

"How are the others?" Tamir asked as she traded spoonfuls of the stew with Ki.

 

"Well enough. We've got pyres ready for Korin and the others. They're eager to see you both, if you're up to it."

 

The tent wasn't large enough for everyone, so Tamir stepped outside to make room. Lynx came out, too, and stood quietly by as she stretched the stiffness from her back. Tents had sprung up overnight, and more were being set up. The drysians were at work among the hundreds of wounded still in the open, and in the distance columns of black smoke rose against the morning sky. Several large pyres stood a little way off near the cliff edge. One was decorated with Korin's banner and shield.

 

The clouds were shredding away in long tatters that promised better weather, and the dark blue sea was flecked with white.

 

"Looks like we finally get to dry out," she murmured.

 

"A good thing, too. I've got moss on my ass." Lynx gave her a sidelong glance and she caught his slight smile. "Are you two going to make an announcement or wait until we get back to Atyion?"

 

"You heard?" She could feel her cheeks going warm.

 

"No, but I've got eyes. Nik and I have had bets on it since we left Alestun. So it's true? Ki finally came around?"

 

"You could say that."

 

"About time, too."

 

Her gaze strayed to the shrouded bodies still lying nearby. Tanil and Caliel were still there, keeping watch. "Don't say anything yet. Korin should have proper mourning. He was a prince, after all."

 

"And a friend." Lynx's voice dropped to a hoarse whisper and he looked away. "If I hadn't gone with you that night—"

 

"I am glad you ended up on my side. Are you?"

 

"I suppose I am." He sighed and glanced back at Caliel and Tanil. "It'll be harder for them."

 

They burned Korin and the others that afternoon, with all the Companions as honor guard. Ki insisted on being carried out, and kept watch with them from a litter until his strength gave out. Caliel stood dry-eyed; Tanil was calm, but stunned.

 

Tamir and the others cut their horses' manes and cast the strands on the pyres. Tamir cast in a lock of her own hair for Korin, Porion, and Lorin.

 

The fires burned all day and through most of the night, and when the ashes had cooled they were gathered in clay vessels to be carried away to the families of the dead. Tamir took Korin's into her tent.

 

In answer to the question that had hung unanswered between her and Ki, and perhaps the whole camp by now, she spread her bedroll by his that night, and slept at his side, holding his hand.

 

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Chapter 56

 

  

 

 

 

Nalia woke in darkness to shouting and the sounds of horses in the courtyard below. For one startled instant she thought she must be dreaming of the night Korin first arrived.

 

Trembling, she sent Tomara off for news, then threw on a dressing gown and hurried out to the balcony. There were only a handful of riders there. She could not make out what was being said, but it did not sound like victory. When Tomara still did not return, she dressed quickly and sat down by the fire, toying nervously with the strand of pearls on her breast.

 

Her fears were confirmed. The door burst open and Lord Alben staggered in, leaning heavily on Tomara. His face and clothes were bloody, and his hair was tangled around his pale face.

 

"Tomara, fetch Lord Alben water, and wine! My lord, sit, please."

 

Alben collapsed into the armchair and for a time they could get no sense out of him. Tomara bathed his face in rosewater to revive him while Nalia hovered anxiously, wringing her hands.

 

At last Alben recovered enough to speak. "Majesty!" he gasped, and his sudden tears confirmed their worst imaginings. "The king is dead!"

 

"We're lost!" Tomara wailed. "Oh, my lady, what will become of you?"

 

Nalia sank down on a stool beside the distraught man, feeling faint and numb all at once. "When, my lord? How did he die?" "Two—no, it's three days now, at the hand of the traitor Tobin. I came away at once to warn you." He clutched her hand more tightly. "You're in danger here. You must flee!"

 

"Dead." Nalia could scarcely get her breath. I have no husband now, my child no father…

 

"You must come with me," Alben insisted. "I will protect you."

 

"Would you?" First Niryn, who'd betrayed her, then Korin, who could not love her, and now this man, who'd never had a kind word for her before? Who'd snickered openly about her homely face? He would be her Protector? Tomara was already flying around the room, throwing open the clothes chests and pulling out garments to pack.

 

"Highness?" Alben was waiting for her answer.

 

She looked up at him, into those dark eyes full of panic, and something else. Something she recognized all too well. She withdrew her hand from his and stood up. "Thank you for your gracious offer, Lord Alben, but I must decline."

 

"Are you mad? Tobin and her army are on my heels!"

 

"Her? Then it was true, all along?"

 

"I saw her with my own eyes."

 

Another lie, Niryn?

 

"Lady, listen to him! You must escape, and you cannot take to the roads alone!" Tomara begged.

 

"No." Nalia replied firmly. "I thank you for your offer, my lord, but I see no advantage in it. I will remain here and take my chances with this queen, whatever she is. If you would help me, take command of the garrison and see to the defenses. Go and make whatever preparations you think best."

 

"It's the shock, my lord," said Tomara. "Let her rest and think on it. Come back in the morning."

 

"He may do as he likes, but my answer will be the same," said Nalia.

 

"As you wish, Highness." Alben bowed and took his leave. "Oh, my poor lady! A widow before you're a mother!" Tomara sobbed, embracing her.

 

Nalia did weep then, as the reality of her situation sank in. She wept for Korin, but her sorrow was mingled with guilt. Her hope of his love had been short-lived, and she'd dashed it with her own hand when she'd killed Niryn. She wanted to mourn her husband, but instead she could only imagine what a lifetime of his coldness and duty would have been like.

 

Whatever comes, at least I'm spared that.

 

Nalia dried her eyes and went back to her bed. She fell asleep searching for the proper sorrow in her heart but could not find it.

 

When she woke again the sun was high and all was quiet outside. She sent Tomara off for their breakfast. She had no proper widow's weeds, so instead she put on her finest gown—the one she'd meant to wear for Korin on his return.

 

Tomara came back empty-handed and frantic. "They're gone!"

 

"Who?"

 

"All of them!" the woman wailed. "Lord Alben, the soldiers, everyone, except for a few servants. What are we to do?"

 

Nalia went to the tower door. For the first time, there was no one there to stop her from leaving. A feeling of dreamlike unreality came over her as she descended the stairs with only Tomara to attend her. Together they passed through the deserted corridors to the great hall.

 

There was no one in sight but Korin's abandoned hounds. They trotted up to her, whining and wagging their tails. Nalia went out into the courtyard and found the northern gate ajar. For the first time since the nightmare of her captivity began, she passed through and walked down the road a little way, marveling at her own freedom.

 

"We must run away," Tomara urged. "Come down to the village with me. I have people there. They'll hide you, get you away in a fishing boat—"

 

"And go where?" Nalia wondered, gazing up at the sky. It looked as empty as she felt. "I have no one in the world now. Do what you like, but I'll stay."

 

Nalia retreated to her tower. No longer her prison, it was the only place in this great fortress that she had ever called her own.

 

Early that evening a shout came from the lookout on the south wall. Through the gathering dusk Nalia could make out a dark mass of riders on the road, coming on at a gallop. She could not guess their number for the great cloud of dust that hung over them, but she could see the dull glint of helms and spearpoints.

 

Fear gripped her then, as the reality of her own helpless state sank in.

 

There's no help for it now, she told herself. She smoothed her hair and gown and descended to the great hall to meet her fate.

 

Tomara clung close beside her as she ascended the dais and for the first time, sat in the chair that had been Korin's. Presently a stableboy came running in. "It's a herald, my lady, and Lord Lutha! Shall I let them in?"

 

"Lord Lutha?" What could this mean? "Yes, bring them to me."

 

Lutha and Nyanis had been prepared for resistance, not to find the fortress abandoned and the gate open to them. Arkoniel was equally suspicious, but there'd been no sign of ambush. The soldiers and the wizards were simply gone.

 

A frightened boy greeted them from the walls and returned with word that Lady Nalia welcomed them.

 

Lutha left Nyanis and the Aurenfaie, taking only Arkoniel and the herald with him into the echoing courtyard. There too, it was eerily deserted.

 

Nalia was waiting for them in the great hall, seated on the dais in Korin's place. Tomara was her only attendant.

 

Nalia gave him an uncertain smile. "I am glad to see you alive, my lord, but it appears you have changed your allegiance. Word of the king's death has already reached us here. Lord Alben brought word, before he fled."

 

"Korin died bravely," Lutha told her. Tamir had told him no more than that before he left. "Queen Tamir sent me to you at once, to ensure your safety, and to tell you that you have nothing to fear from her if you do not stand against her claim."

 

"I see." She glanced at Arkoniel. "And who are you?"

 

"Master Arkoniel, wizard and friend of Queen Tamir." Seeing her eyes widen at that, he added quickly, "Highness, I have come only to protect you."

 

Lutha wished there was something more he could say or do to reassure her, but knew she had good cause to be wary.

 

Nonetheless, she maintained her dignity and turned to the herald. "What is your message?"

 

"Queen Tamir of Skala sends her respects to her kinswoman. Princess Nalia, widow of Prince Korin. It is with great sorrow that she sends word of Prince Korin's death. She offers you and your unborn child her royal protection."

 

"Yet she sends an army with the message." Nalia sat very straight, gripping the arms of her chair.

 

"Queen Tamir assumed Korin had left you better protected. She did not expect you to be deserted," Lutha replied, trying not to let his anger show.

 

She waved a hand around. "As you can see, my court has diminished considerably."

 

"We were told that Lord Niryn died," said Arkoniel.

 

Nalia lifted her chin a little. "Yes. Lord Lutha, at whose hand did my husband die?" "He and Queen Tamir met in single combat. She offered parley, but he would not have it. They fought, and he fell."

 

"And you wear the queen's colors now."

 

"Tamir, who was Prince Tobin, is my friend. She took us all in after we escaped from here. Barieus and I serve with her Companions. She sent me ahead, thinking a familiar face might reassure you. She pledges by the Four that she means no harm to you or your child. It's the truth, I swear."

 

"And what of Lord Caliel?"

 

"He went back to Korin and fought beside him."

 

"Is he dead?"

 

"No, only wounded."

 

"I am glad to hear it. And now what? What is to become of me and my child?"

 

"I'm to conduct you back to her camp. As a kinswoman, Highness, not as a prisoner."

 

Nalia laughed softly at that, but still looked sad. "It seems I have no choice but to accept her hospitality."

 

Here I am again, thought Nalia, watching the activity of the newcomers from her balcony later that night. At least this time it's by my own choice.

 

As much as she wanted to trust Lord Lutha, she dreaded the morrow. "Please, Dalna!" she whispered, pressing her hands over the slight swell below her bodice. "Let my child be spared. She's all I have."

 

Tomara had gone down for news, but came hurrying back, her face white with fear. "It's that wizard, my lady! He asks to come to you. What shall we do?"

 

"Let him in." Nalia stood by the hearth, bracing herself against the mantelpiece. Was this to be her answer? Would he quietly kill her or blight her child after all?

 

Master Arkoniel did not look very threatening. He was younger than Niryn and had a friendly, open face. She saw none of Niryn's cunning in this one, but she had been fooled before.

 

He bowed, then remained standing. "Highness, forgive my intrusion. Lutha and the others told me something of your treatment here, enough for me to guess that you are a woman who has been grievously wronged. Niryn was a vile creature, and many of your husband's less noble actions must be laid at that villain's feet."

 

"I would like to believe that," Nalia murmured.

 

They stood a moment longer like that, sizing each other up, then he smiled again. "I think you could do with a nice cup of tea. If you show me where the makings are, I'll brew it."

 

Astonished and wary, Nalia watched closely as the man warmed the pot and measured out the leaves. Did he mean to poison her? She saw no sign of it, and when it was steeped he poured for both of them and took a long sip. She took a hesitant sip of her own.

 

 

"Is it to your liking, Highness? My mistress taught me to make it rather strong."

 

"Your mistress?" she asked, wondering if he meant a lover.

 

"The wizard who was my teacher," he explained.

 

"Ah."

 

They fell silent again, but presently he set his cup aside and gazed at her thoughtfully.

 

"Did you kill Niryn?"

 

"I did. Does that shock you?"

 

"Not really. I know what the man was capable of, and if I'm not mistaken, so do you."

 

Nalia shivered and said nothing.

 

"I sense something of his foul taint lingering on you, my lady. If you would allow me, I can remove it."

 

Nalia gripped her cup tightly, torn between revulsion at the thought of any vestige of Niryn, and fear of trickery.

 

"By my hands and heart and eyes, lady. I would never hurt you, or the child," Arkoniel said, guessing her thoughts once again.

 

Nalia struggled with herself a little longer, but when he did not press her, she finally nodded. If he was going to betray her with that kindly manner and reassuring words, better to know it at once and be done with it.

 

Arkoniel drew out a slender crystal wand and held it between his palms as he closed his eyes. "Ah yes, there it is," he said after a moment. He rested a hand on her head and Nalia felt a tingling warmth course through her body. It felt nothing like Niryn's magic; this was like sunlight compared to frost.

 

"You are free, my lady," he told her, returning to the other chair.

 

Nalia wondered how to test it. Not knowing what else to do, she blurted out, "Niryn seduced me."

 

"Ah, I see." The wizard did not appear shocked by the news, only sad. "Well, he has no more hold on you. As long as you are under Queen Tamir's protection, I will see to it that no one abuses you so again. You have my oath on that."

 

Tears sprang to her eyes. "Why are you doing this? Why does Tamir send -such people to me when I bear the child of her rival?"

 

"Because she knows what it is to suffer, and because she loved Korin very much, even at the end when he had no love left for her. When you meet her, you will see for yourself." He rose and bowed. "Rest well tonight, dear lady. You have nothing more to fear."

 

Nalia sat by the fire for a long time after he left, caught between sorrow and hope.

 

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Chapter 57

 

  

 

 

 

Lutha returned with Lady Nalia a week later. In keeping with her status, Tamir sat on a cloak-draped stool outside her tent with her nobles around her and her army massed in two large squares, forming an avenue through the great camp. Ki was on his feet again, and in his proper place at her side, still impressively bruised and wearing his arm in a sling.

 

Caliel had politely refused the baldric she'd offered him, and no more had to be spoken between them. He stood apart with some of the nobles, Tanil close beside him, as always. The two were inseparable.

 

As the returning force approached, Tamir was surprised to see that their number had greatly increased. The mystery was solved when Lutha and Nyanis rode up with a third rider between them.

 

"Tharin!" Throwing dignity to the wind, Tamir jumped to her feet and ran to meet him.

 

Tharin swung down from the saddle and caught her in his arms with a stifled grunt.

 

"Are you wounded?" she asked, backing up again to search him for blood.

 

"It's nothing serious," he assured her. "Lord Nevus gave us a good fight before I killed him. It was the same day we got word of your victory here." He looked down at the Sword hanging at her side, and touched the hilt reverently. "At last, it hangs at the side of a true queen."

 

Ki limped over to join them, and Tharin laughed at the sight of him as they clasped hands. "Looks like you have a few tales to tell, yourself." "More than you know," he replied with a pained smile.

 

"I'm glad to see you, Tharin, but what are you doing here?" asked Tamir, walking him back to her makeshift throne.

 

"After we routed Nevus and burned the ships Korin sent, I pushed north, thinking I'd meet you coming the other way. We reached the isthmus in time to meet with Lutha and Nyanis and I decided to carry word to you myself. Atyion is secure and the last of the northern lords are declaring their loyalty in very loud voices. I only had to kill a few on the way. Ki, your brother sends his regards. Rilmar held out under siege and your family is well."

 

When the Companions and her generals had greeted the others, Lutha sent a messenger back to summon Nalia.

 

Nalia arrived, mounted on a fine white horse and escorted by Arkoniel and the two Aurenfaie commanders. Tamir recognized her at once from Lutha's description. She was indeed homely, and the wine-colored stain was pronounced, but Tamir also saw the mix of fear and gentle dignity in her eyes and bearing.

 

Arkoniel helped her dismount and gave her his arm as he escorted her to Tamir. "Queen Tamir, allow me to present Lady Nalia, Prince Korin's wife."

 

"Your Majesty." Nalia made Tamir a deep curtsy and remained on one knee before her, trembling.

 

Tamir's heart went out to her at once. Rising, she took the young woman's hand and drew her to her feet. "Welcome, cousin. It grieves me to meet you at last under such sad circumstances." She motioned to Lynx and he stepped forward with the jar containing Korin's ashes. Nalia looked at a loss and did not move to take them. Instead, she clasped her hands over her heart and gave Tamir an imploring look.

 

"Lord Lutha and Master Arkoniel have been most kind to me and have given me many assurances, but I must hear it from your own lips. What are your intentions toward my child?" "You are pregnant, then?"' Nalia was still very slender.

 

"Yes, Majesty. The baby will be born in the spring."

 

"You are Royal Kin, and your child shares my blood. If you will give me your oath to uphold my right to the throne and put aside all claims of your own, then you will be welcome in my court and given titles and lands in keeping with your station."

 

"You have my oath, with all my heart!" Nalia exclaimed softly. "I know nothing of court life, and ask nothing but to live in peace."

 

"I wish the same for you, cousin. Lord Caliel, Lord Tanil, step forward."

 

Caliel gave her a questioning look, but did as she asked, drawing Tanil along by the arm. "My lords, will you become the liegemen of Lady Nalia, and protect her and her child as long as they are in need of you?"

 

"We will, Majesty," Caliel replied as understanding dawned. "You are most kind."

 

"That's settled, then," Tamir said. "You see, my lady, you are not without friends at my court. Lord Lutha also holds you in high esteem. I hope you will call him friend, as well."

 

Nalia curtsied again, her eyes bright with tears. "Thank you, Majesty. I hope—" She paused and Tamir saw how her gaze strayed to the funeral jar. "I hope one day I may understand, Majesty."

 

"I hope so, too. Tomorrow we will start the march back to Atyion. Dine with me tonight and rest well."

 

Tamir made her farewells to the Aurenfaie that evening, exchanged oaths and treaties with them before her nobles and wizards. After they'd taken their leave, she saw Nalia to her tent, then turned with Ki for their own. Arkoniel took note of the arrangement but only smiled.

 

While the rest of the army made ready to march the next morning, Arkoniel and Tamir rode back to the cliffs above the harbor. Reining in, they gazed out across the water in silence. They could just make out the sails of the Gedre ships in the distance, speeding homeward under a clear sky.

 

"It's not a bad configuration for a seaport, if you mean to trade mostly with the 'faie," Arkoniel noted. "What about the rest of Skala?"

 

"I'll find a way," she mused. "It will be harder for the Plenimarans to surprise us here. I've been scouting while you were gone. Mahti was right. There's good water, and good soil, too, and plenty of stone and forest for building." She looked around, eyes shining with anticipation. "I can already see it, Arkoniel! It will be better than Ero ever was."

 

"A great, shining city, with a castle of wizards at its heart," Arkoniel murmured, smiling.

 

As a child, Tamir had thought him very homely and awkward, and often rather foolish. She saw him with different eyes now, or perhaps he'd changed as much as she had. "You'll help me build it, won't you?"

 

"Of course." He glanced at her and smiled as he added, "Majesty."

 

Arkoniel could already see the walls rising, too, and already imagined the safe haven they would create for all the wandering wizards, and all the lost children like Wythnir and the others. He felt the weight of the travel-stained bag against his knee, still hanging from his saddlebow as it had from Iya's. He would make a safe place for that burden, too. He didn't mind it so much now. Still dangerous and baffling, the ugly; evil bowl joined him to Iya and the Guardians who'd come before—and to all who would come after, too. Perhaps Wythnir had come to him for that purpose, to be the next Guardian?

 

"I will serve you always, Tamir, daughter of Ariani," he murmured. "I will give you wizards the like of which the Three Lands have never seen."

 

"I know." She went quiet again and he sensed she was working up to something. "Ki and I are going to be married."

 

He chuckled at her shyness. "I should certainly hope so. Lhel would be so disappointed if you didn't."

 

"She knew?"

 

"She saw it even when you were children. She liked him very much. Even Iya had to admit that he was more than he seemed at first." He paused and chuckled softly. "Turnips, vipers, and moles."

 

"What?"

 

"Oh, just something she said. Ki was the only boy she thought worthy of you."

 

"I never have understood her." She trailed off, and he guessed that she was uncomfortable speaking of Iya to him.

 

"It's all right, Tamir."

 

"Is it?"

 

"Yes."

 

She gave him a grateful smile. "I dreamed of this place so often. Ki was with me and I'd try to kiss him, but I always fell over the cliff or woke up before I could. Visions are odd things, aren't they?"

 

"They are indeed. The gods show us a possible future, but nothing is ever fixed. It's up to us to grasp those dreams and shape them. There's always a choice to be made."

 

"If that's true, then I could have chosen to run away, couldn't I? There were so many times when I thought of it."

 

"Perhaps the Lightbearer chose you because you wouldn't."

 

She stared thoughtfully out over the sea for some time, then nodded. "I think you're right."

 

She looked around one last time, and Arkoniel saw the future in those blue eyes before she laughed and kicked her horse into a gallop.

 

Arkoniel laughed too, long and gladly, and followed her, as he always would.

 

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Epilogue

 

 

 

 

 

Only sheep wander the Palatine now, and even Atyion has faded. Remoni became Rhiminee to suit Skalan tongues, but the meaning remains the same. Good water. Rhiminee, the life spring of Skala's golden age.

 

'We wizards are stones in a river's course, watching the rush of life whirl past.'

 

I think of your words often, Iya, as I walk the streets of Tamir's shining city. From my balcony I can still trace the walls she laid out that year, with a spring at its center. The old city lies like the yolk in an egg surrounded by the additions of her successors. I know it would please her to see the building continue. That was her true calling, after all, even more than warrior or queen.

 

To the north, where Cirna fortress stood, lies the great canal we hewed for her, the first gift of the Third Oreska to the new capital. Her statue still guards it, carved when she was older. How often I've gazed up into that solemn face; but in my heart she will always be sixteen, standing with Ki in a swirl of bright autumn leaves as they declare their union before the people, with all their friends around them.

 

Tamir and Ki. Queen and Consort. Fast friends, and peerless warriors until the end. The two of you are forever entwined in my heart. Your descendents are strong and beautiful and honorable. I still catch glimpses of you both in eyes of darkest blue or brown.

 

Rhiminee has forgotten the others—Tharin, the Companions, Niryn. Rhius and Ariani. Erius and Korin are shadowed names in the lineage, a cautionary tale. Even you, Tamir—Tamir the Great, they call you now—you are only a half-told tale. Just as well. Brother and Tobin are the twin darknesses at the heart of the pearl; it's only the luster that matters.

 

An infant's brief cry still haunts my dreams, but the last echoes will die with me. What Tamir built lives on, and carries her love and the love of those who stood by her into the future.

 

—From a document fragment, discovered by the Guardian Nysander, in the east tower of the Oreska House