Prophet of Moonshae - Douglas Niles [77]
"This I had not heard." The earl scowled. "What do you suggest?"
"The valley must be burned," said the cleric. "The trees destroyed, the grass trampled. It must be eradicated before the tale spreads and the people begin to believe in a cruel lie!"
"You are correct," Blackstone said, pointedly ignoring Hanrald's expression of shock. "It shall be done in the morning."
The cleric bowed his way from the room as the younger son approached the fire where sat his father and brother.
"Surely you aren't serious," Hanrald protested. "It is a miracle-at least, the princess and the bard believe it to be so!"
"We will conclude the matter in the morning." Blackstone brushed his son's objections away.
"But-" Hanrald persisted.
"Enough!" barked the earl. "Now, what is this news you bring?"
The knight took a deep breath. "A strange tale, Father-more mysterious, perhaps, than anything." Hanrald bit back his objections, telling his father of the ambush and how it had been thwarted by the hounds. Then, with some chagrin, he related the tale of their flight from what had proved to be a faerie dragon. Finally he told of his experiences evading the patrols that had scattered across the highlands after he turned back alone for the pass. His own conclusions, once suspicious of impending invasion, had begun to soften.
"They followed the northward trail of the four of us before I left the princess and her companions. I don't know what they did when they found the parting of our trails. Most, if not all, would have continued north, I suspect."
"Indeed," Blackstone said with a scowl. Only a glint in his eye showed his delight with the news. "So it seems they do not intend to attack us, then."
"That's only a guess, Father," Hanrald countered. "We must be prepared. It is a warlike force!"
"But there's an odd part to this tale, Father," Gwyeth interrupted. "They're not numerous enough to be an invasion army, unless there were many more troops hidden beyond my brother's view."
"Whatever the reason, I suspect they march to Callidyrr for a purpose other than war." The earl decided this point firmly.
Hanrald sat silently, surprised by his father's vehemence. After a moment, he spoke again. "Brother, what of your wound? I'm glad it will mend, but how did you come by it?"
Gwyeth cast a furtive glance at the earl but said nothing. Instead, Blackstone made the gruff reply. "An unfortunate and stupid accident-a careless hunter has already been punished. But we must speak of this crisis."
"Messengers must be sent-I hope within the hour-to Callidyrr," Hanrald urged, surprised his father hadn't already acted upon this point.
"But wait," said the earl slowly, choosing his words with great care. "Perhaps it is premature to trouble the High King with a local matter such as this. It could well be that this is not the prelude to war. Or if it is, it is a matter that we can handle ourselves."
"Surely you're not serious?" objected Hanrald. "This could be a threat to the whole kingdom!"
"Perhaps father is right," Gwyeth said, his voice purring. "It is a thing that, done well here, can do nothing but bring credit to the great name of Blackstone!"
Hanrald looked from his father to his brother, watching them as their eyes met furtively. Suspicions surged within him, but for now he would keep quiet. He would watch and he would observe, but he would brook no treachery to his king… or to his princess.
* * * * *
From the Log of Sinioth:
The seeds of chaos have been planted, and already they flourish. The voyage of one longship, my Vulture, sends frightened Ffolk scattering inland. Panic-stricken messengers ride to Callidyrr with urgent missives for the king. They do not know that he is gone and that his wife lies unknowing, nestled against the bosom of Talos.
My riders cross into Gnarhelm after a hard crossing of the mountains. They are tardy, but I am certain that Larth shall make up in vigor what his company lacks in timing.
All the cogs are in place, and now we only wait for the wheels to turn.
12
A Contest of Strength
Their captors herded Alicia,