From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [81]
Achan held out his hand before them. “Would you join us? I’m sure Shung had left many details out as to how he helped me defeat the mighty cham.”
So Achan boasted of Shung’s prowess as he worked his way across the clearing. Shung seemed a bit embarrassed at Achan’s version of the event, but from the wide-eyed glances Lady Gali was sending Shung’s way, the man would thank Achan later.
By the time Achan reached the wagon, Toros was on his feet. “How can I serve you this evening, Highness?”
“Are you busy?”
“Just visiting with old friends. This is Rosef. He and I fought together at the Battle of Gadow Wall.”
Achan searched his memory. “I don’t recall that battle.”
“Happened over a decade before you were born, Highness,” Toros said. “Another Zona Fight.”
“A Zona Fight?”
“Zona was the woman King Justos took from Sar Orind during the Great War. The reason for the continued strife between Magos and Cherem. You should learn the history, as it will soon become a part of your daily life.”
“I’m sure Sir Caleb would love to teach it to me.”
“Well, the Battle of Gadow Wall started when one soldier bet another he could rekindle the war between Cherem and Magos. He started a rumor in Cherem. Claimed one of Zona’s descendants was King Axel’s mistress and that a child had been born. Cherem saw such a child as an heir to the throne and a chance to take control of Er’Rets.”
“That’s pretty bold, isn’t it?” Achan asked. “To start a war based on rumor?”
“It was. Though several servants concurred that a babe had been in the palace.”
“Bah,” Kurtz said. “Could’ve been any servant’s babe.”
Achan doubted his father had taken any mistress, for Sir Gavin had spoken of how much his father had loved his mother. “Could it have been me?”
“No, Highness. This was the year 551.”
According to Sir Caleb, Achan’s true day of birth happened on spring second of the year 569. So this mythical child would have been eighteen years Achan’s senior.
Toros continued. “Cherem attacked Gadowl Wall with plans to take Armonguard. But they never made it past the wall. King Axel could command an army better than anyone I’ve ever known. It was over in a few hours. Anyway, did you need my service, Highness?”
The question caught Achan off guard until he remembered that he had asked Toros if he were busy. “Yes, I had some questions. Might you be willing to come to my tent sometime to discuss them?”
“I shall come with you now.”
“Thank you,” Achan said.
It seemed to take hours to weave their way back through the men. Inside Achan’s tent, he bid Toros sit across from him at the round table.
“What’s on your mind, Highness?” Toros asked.
“The Veil.”
Toros watched him closely. “What about it?”
“If Arman created everything, and everything He created is good, how is it that the Veil exists and that a person can get lost in it?”
“You imply that the Veil is not good.”
“It doesn’t seem to be.”
“Why not?” His tone insinuated that Achan was wrong.
“I don’t know. It’s scary there. People die.”
“It’s scary in Er’Rets too. People die here.” Toros grinned. “The Veil was not designed for man to roam. It is a road that takes a man to his eternal home.”
“But it isn’t a road at all. It’s Er’Rets but not Er’Rets.”
Toros raised an eyebrow. “You’ve entered the Veil?”
Achan nodded. “And I felt the pull—of Shamayim, I hope. Why would Arman allow someone to be lost before their time?”
“I do not believe He would.”
“What do you mean?”
“Many have entered the Veil as a result of man’s will. A bloodvoicer’s force. But I don’t believe Arman would accept them home if it was not His will at that time.”
“So you think Arman wants those people to die?”
Toros chuckled. “I will not speak for Arman. But He is good. He is in control. And His plans are always best, even though it may not seem that way to you or me.”
“If someone kills a man, you believe it’s Arman’s will?”
“Again, Your Highness, I’ll not speak for Arman. But if Arman had purpose for the man to live, the man would live.” Toros leaned forward, propping his elbows