From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [118]
“And we mustn’t be forgetting the gods,” Inko said. “The Hadad will be conjuring every idol he can. Barthos, Dendron, Dalakesh, Thalassa, Zitheos—”
“Unless Sir Eagan succeeds in his mission to kill the Hadad. Besides, you know how to fight the idols now, right, Your Highness?” Sir Gavin asked.
Achan nodded. He only hoped the Hadad would not call them all together at once.
“I will lead my men to the eastern Reshon Gate,” Sir Gavin said. “The remaining soldiers will pack up camp and be ready to move on my command. Your Highness, you will enter the Veil with Duchess Amal and deal with the black knights and beasts by means of storming. Captain Demry and his fighting five hundred are already nearing Mahanaim.”
“He’s five hundred now instead of fifteen?” Achan asked.
“Aye. Captain Demry has claimed the Ice Island men and a portion of the Tsaftown army for his own. Their purpose is to distract the Hadad, make him think we’re attacking Mahanaim. While the five hundred attack, Sir Eagan will find and assassinate the Hadad.”
An insane mission. “He volunteered, didn’t he?” Achan asked.
Sir Gavin nodded. “Aye, he did.”
The same man who had told him that vengeance belonged to Arman. Achan took another drink of tea. “How will he find the Hadad with all the fighting?”
“We know he hides in his tower, issuing commands and using his mind to influence others. If we can take him out now, the next battle will be smoother.”
“When do you ride out?”
“As soon as we’re done here.”
“Where will I go to meet the duchess?”
“You will go to your wagon. Your guards will stay with you. Sir Shung will watch over your body as you work with Duchess Amal. Should the army move while you are in the Veil, you will be ready for travel. If all goes well, you’ll awake on the southern shore of the Lebab Inlet.”
It all seemed so easy.
After the meeting, Sir Gavin and his army rode off. Achan returned to his wagon with Shung, Cortland, Kurtz, and Manu at his heels. As he made himself comfortable on one of the sofas and waited for Duchess Amal to contact him, he thought of Sparrow. He hoped she would be out of harm’s way when Captain Demry attacked.
Arman, keep Sparrow safe. Help her to remember and to change her mind about me. I know that’s a selfish prayer, but I offer it with the faith that You can do anything. If it’s not Your will, let the pain pass quickly, for I have much to focus on. May it be as You decree.
He grabbed an apple and bit into it. If Darkness claimed the rest of Er’Rets, no more fruit would grow. What would they eat? Gowzals? He took another juicy bite. I do not understand what You want of me, Arman. Why You’ve chosen me. What can I do that others cannot? I am just one man.
He lay back, humming Yumikak’s song in hopes the tune would comfort his fears. The wagon rocked. Achan glanced at the entrance to see Shung climb inside.
He walked to where Achan lay on the sofa and scowled. “Where did Little Cham learn that song?”
Achan pushed up onto one elbow. “In Berland. Yumikak sang—”
“Yumikak had no right. It is tradition.”
Achan recalled Sir Caleb’s explanation. “That a woman sing it to her betrothed?”
Shung nodded. “Song not to be sung carelessly.”
Achan lay back. “I’m sorry, Shung. I’ll try not to hum it anymore, but it’s a catchy tune, and Sparrow sang it often. It reminds me of her.” Achan sat up, suddenly and swung his feet to the floor. “Wait a minute. Lady Gali sang that song to you, Shung. Did you ask her to marry you?”
“Must ask her father first, but…” Shung grinned, exposing his yellow teeth. “Too strong, I guess, Shung’s pull on women.”
Achan laughed. “Of that I have no doubt.”
Shung fell onto the sofa on the other end of the wagon. “Little Fox sang song to Little Cham?”
“Aye, she did.” Achan sighed. “But she doesn’t remember, Shung. She’s forgotten me.”
Shung frowned. “But how can—”
Duchess Amal.
Achan held up a hand. “It’s the duchess. You ready?”
Shung nodded.
“Good.” Achan lay back on the sofa. “Because I’m not sure I am.”
“The little cham