The Druid Queen - Douglas Niles [54]
"I don't know how much he heard about our plans. In any event, be warned-if the trees start to talk, or the flowers to dance, you might want to look around for our little friend."
"I will," Alicia sighed. In truth, she wouldn't mind Newt's presence that much. The faerie dragon was ever a bright and cheery soul, and despite his pranks, he had also proven to be a useful ally on more than one occasion.
"Will Hanrald and Brigit remain with the dwarves?" asked Keane.
"As far as I know you'll meet them with Finellen," Robyn replied. "And, depending on how Deirdre fares, I'll try to join you near your destination as well."
"I'm faring quite well, mother-thank you!" The younger daughter's voice came from the door of the library. Deirdre entered just then, followed by the looming bulk of the cleric Hyath. "You needn't post yourself at my bedside!"
Robyn's face flushed, though Alicia wasn't sure if it was because of her daughter's impudent tone or the hovering way the patriarch of Helm accompanied her into this family gathering.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, curtly confronting the priest.
"I have come to offer my advice… and my services. After all, it seems that the High King has embarked on a quest motivated at least in part from his widening grasp of theological reality. Perhaps one, such as myself, who can offer an outside perspective may have useful counsel to offer."
"I agree," said Keane, drawing a surprised look from Robyn. She narrowed her eyes at the magic-user for a moment, and then turned back to the priest.
"Be seated, then," she invited with bare civility. Deirdre had already taken an empty chair when the cleric lowered his bulky form onto a wide couch.
"Now, then-you're discussing the muster of your army, perhaps?" inquired the Exalted Inquisitor. As Robyn's face betrayed her surprise at his timely information, he explained: "Your criers are doing a creditable job of spreading the word. I happened to be in the castle courtyard when the first announcement was made."
"Yes-the king might ride alone, but I intend to send an army as fast as possible on his trail."
"I'm surprised that a spiritual woman such as yourself doesn't put more stock in his chances! After all-Your Majesty-he embarks upon a holy quest!"
" 'Holy' is an altogether subjective term in this matter," Robyn retorted. "I will not disavow the possible connection, but neither am I willing to allow my husband to ride off to his death based on an error in judgment!"
"A sensible attitude," allowed the Exalted Inquisitor. "And one which I wholeheartedly support."
"How?" asked Alicia, frankly skeptical.
"I intend to accompany your army on its march against the giant-kin-that is, given your permission?" he added with a benign smile at the queen.
"I was given to understand that pressing duties called you back to the mainland," the High Queen noted.
"Indeed, Your Majesty-but I cannot absolve myself of this task, now that it has begun. You may recall it was I who first informed him of the menace on your island."
Robyn's jaw tightened. She said nothing.
"I repeat my offer of assistance," said the patriarch.
Robyn wasn't at all sure that her lack of permission would prevent the cleric's involvement in this task. Too, she felt that there was an advantage in having him where Keane and Alicia could keep an eye on his activities. Nevertheless, it galled her to openly allow him to accompany an army of Corwell on business that was rightly a private matter of the kingdom.
"We'll march pretty fast," Alicia objected in the meantime. "The troops answering the muster will be young, and fit-and the terrain won't allow us the luxury of a carriage or wagon."
The priest smiled, amused by Alicia's skeptical glance at his large belly. "I wouldn't worry about that, my princess-these feet have carried me many a mile in the service of my god. No, I won't have any trouble keeping up."
"You have my permission to go," Robyn said suddenly.
"With the clear understanding that the High Princess