The Red Wyvern - Katharine Kerr [101]
“I wonder how my lady fares. Well, the messengers should ride in today, don’t you think?”
“There’s been more than enough time for them to reach Cerrmor and ride back, truly,” Nevyn said. “But I doubt me if Bellyra will have given birth yet. Another turn of the moon, most likely.”
“Well, when her time comes, the messengers will know where to find me, sure enough.”
Messengers arrived that very afternoon, and with them aid for the prince’s cause beyond any Nevyn would have hoped for. He was helping the chirurgeons change bandages when he heard shouting in the direction of the main gates. Some while later, just as he was finishing up, a manservant trotted up to fetch him.
“The prince says there’s urgent news, my lord. Somewhat of a surprise.”
A surprise it was—when Nevyn ducked into the prince’s pavilion, he saw Lilli and two servant lasses, Lilli perched on a stool, the lasses sitting cross-legged on the ground—all of them wearing road-dirty brigga under their dresses. For a moment he goggled while Maryn laughed at him.
“I felt just the same, good councillor,” Maryn said. “Lady Lillorigga of the Ram has brought us a boon beyond wishing for.”
“Indeed?” Nevyn bowed to her.
“Indeed. She knows the location of the bolthole out of the dun. And needless to say, what leads out also leads in.”
Lilli nodded and tried to smile, but she seemed nearer tears. All at once Nevyn remembered that she had blood-kin trapped inside the fortress.
“You look weary, my lady,” Nevyn said. “We’d best figure out where you and your women can safely shelter. Of course, with your foster-father here to protect you, you should have naught to worry about.”
“Just so.” Maryn glanced around and saw a page standing at the door. “Go find Tieryn Peddyc and tell him his foster-daughter’s here.” He turned to Nevyn. “I’ll have the herald announce it to the camp, that any man who gives her women the least bit of trouble will be publicly flogged.”
“That should take care of it, truly.” Nevyn allowed himself a wry smile. “Lilli, will you and your lasses shelter near me? I have a large tent, which you three can have, and I’ll commandeer myself a little one to put outside its door.”
“My humble thanks, Nevyn.” Lilli glanced at the girls, who of course agreed in murmurs. “There’s much I need to talk over with you.”
“No doubt. It’s a grave thing you’ve done, but I honor you for it.”
Along with Lilli and her two lasses, Clodda and Nalla, Princess Bellyra had sent a cart with a royal amount of gear—mattresses, blankets, a little half-round chair for Lilli, a chest of clothes and oddments, even an old faded Bardek carpet for the floor. Once all these furnishings were set up in Nevyn’s tent, the place looked quite comfortable, as Nevyn remarked.
“Still,” the old man continued, “I wonder about the wisdom of your being here. I don’t like thinking about what might happen if the regent’s men sally.”
“We should be safe enough for now, my lord,” Lilli said. “Here between the outer walls.”
“True. Still—I’d like you sent home to Cerrmor as soon as possible.”
Together they left the tent and walked outside. In the sun of a cloudless day Dun Deverry loomed at the top of the view, still seemingly safe behind its inner rings and baffles. Somewhere in those towers, Lilli thought, was her mother, perhaps looking down at the enemy camp so far below while her daughter looked up at her.
“Nevyn?” Lilli said. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing?”
“Absolutely.”
“Even though I’m betraying my kin and clan?”
“Even so. Do you know how these wars started?”
“I don’t, truly. I mean, I must have heard the tale at some time or other. I just can’t remember it.”
“Very few people remember, it’s been so long since, and fewer