Darkwell - Douglas Niles [114]
"These are the words of Tempus, given before this council commenced: 'A messenger will arrive at the council, traveling not by foot or by mount, nor by ship. But he will arrive with the commands of Tempus upon his lips, and you must – you must – heed those words!'
"And now we are given to see this miracle, this edifice of stone that glides across the sea, and to hear the words of the one who has arrived during our council." Now Grunnarch lowered his voice, and an absolute hush fell over the hall.
"I shall take the Northwind to sea at first light, alone if I must, to heed the commands of Tempus. I sail to the aid of the king who saved my life when no good reason gave him cause to do so.
"And I go to atone for the evil we, the men of the North, have wrought upon these isles in the past year, to atone for the service we gave – albeit unknowingly – to the heart of evil itself, that came to us in the form of Thelgaar Ironhand. I shall confront the root of this evil and slay it, or I shall die trying. Do I sail alone, men of Norland?"
The walls shook, and the fires in the hearths blazed high from the force of the resounding chorus: "No!"
* * * * *
Randolph slipped quietly through the gatehouse of Caer Corwell, thankful for the early darkness that concealed his movement from any watcher within the keep. He walked briskly down the castle road, meeting no one, and passed through the unguarded north gate of Corwell Town. He went immediately to the Inn of the Great Boar, passing from the chill darkness into a smoky warmth, from the silence to an atmosphere of quiet laughter and pleasant conversation.
Here his eyes quickly sought out Lord Mayor Dinsmore of Corwell Town and the lords Koart and Dynnatt.
"What is the meaning of this?" inquired Dynnatt as Randolph sat at a table. "Why the secrecy and subterfuge?"
None of them took notice of the obese stranger who sat at the next table, nor did they see the man lean closer to overhear their conversation. As he listened, the man's eyes narrowed to evil, hooded slits in his face.
"I wish we didn't have to meet like this," said Randolph. "Frankly, we need to talk without Pontswain present. I believe the kingdom is facing a very grave threat, and he prefers to lounge around, feasting and drinking like a king. He spends most of his time staring at the Crown of the Isles!"
The other men grunted in acknowledgment, not surprised by the description. "What is this threat you speak of?" asked the Lord Mayor.
Randolph described the message from the fisherman, informing the others that he had sent a fast boat to investigate. "But we might not hear anything until it's too late!"
"Indeed, that's Pontswain for you," grumbled Koart. "When we fought here last year, he held his company safe at home, as if his cantrev was the heart of the kingdom."
"And so he would again, except I believe he still wishes to take up residence in Corwell as our king. He would shed few tears if King Kendrick does not return from his quest."
"What do you suggest?" asked Dynnatt.
"Can you men muster your companies and prepare them – quietly – to move to Corwell? I hope I'm wrong about this, but if we are attacked from the sea, we'll have precious little warning, and the town militia, together with the men of your two cantrevs, are all we could expect to have in place."
"The men won't like this… a winter muster," objected Koart. "And my company lost heavily fighting the Darkwalker."
"Indeed, as did all of ours." Randolph accepted the objection patiently. "I will do my best to see that your men are rewarded when the king returns, regardless of the outcome. But we must take some action."
"I agree." The Lord Mayor, with the most to lose if the event of a seaborne invasion, was the first to concur. It took several minutes of coaxing, and the promise of such reward as Randolph thought King Kendrick could manage, before the other two lords would accept.
"Very well. I