The Spirit Stone - Katharine Kerr [163]
The men listening glanced at one another with expressionless eyes, their faces as grim as stone.
‘I don’t suppose, my lady,’ Voran said, ‘that you’d know how many of these troops they have.’
‘Why would I not know? Were I not once the commander of those men Braemel could summon to war?’
Voran grimaced at his gaffe and bobbed his head in her direction. ‘My apologies,’ he said. ‘Your ways are still new to me.’
‘No doubt.’ Grallezar tried to soften her remarks with a smile, but the sight of her pointed fangs made the prince wince again. ‘Each town, it did support a thousand men at arms, to say naught of the citizens who would muster to fight in times of war. But that were before town upon town did turn on its fellows and battle them. Many have died, your highness, and the rakzanir, they did strip their garrisons for the building of Zakh Gral.’
‘Thank every god!’ Ridvar muttered. When Kov shot him a warning glance and shook his head in a no, Ridvar had the decency to blush. Grallezar pretended to take no notice, but Dallandra saw her glance flick the young gwerbret’s way and back.
‘Let me trouble you for one last question,’ Voran said to her. ‘The northern tribes, will they be riding to Zakh Gral’s aid?’
‘They be here already, your highness. Once a town did go over to the worship of Alshandra, its leaders did bring men from the north to swell the ranks of its armies, fresh and ready to conquer the next town should it hold out for the old ways. So the armies now, they be led by men who ken the ways of fighting, but the men they lead, some ken little but rushing into the enemy ranks and laying about them with whatever weapon they have to hand.’
‘I see.’ The prince got up and bowed. ‘You have my humble thanks, my lady. Please, go back to your friend’s tent and rest yourself. In the morning, come tell me what you wish to do next, whether to remain with the Westfolk or take refuge in Deverry.’
‘Refuge in the Slavers’ Country?’ Grallezar rose from her chair and smiled again, all fangs. ‘Refuge in the Slavers’ Country! Those words, they be ill-matched in my mind, your highness.’
‘No doubt, considering the ill will between our two peoples in the past, but I’d gladly offer you shelter in Dun Deverry itself. I think me that my father, the high king, would consider lending you an army to see you rightfully restored to your city.’
‘Would he now?’ Grallezar, just the same height as the prince, was looking straight at him with a faint smile hovering around her fanged mouth. ‘Among my folk the children have a little toy. Mayhap your folk do whittle somewhat like it. On the end of two sticks there stands a tiny wooden warrior with a spear. The children may push the sticks up and down and see the warrior fling his arms about and wave his spear. It be a clever thing, but truly, your highness, never have I wanted to be one.’
Voran opened his mouth and shut it again. Dallandra risked a quick glance at Kov and saw him grinning in open admiration.
‘My friend Dallandra did offer me shelter, your highness,’ Grallezar continued. ‘I shall take that. No doubt I can find honourable work tending her horses.’
Grallezar dropped the prince a curtsey, then turned and strode off. Dallandra had to run to catch up to her. As they walked back through the camp, Grallezar kept her gaze firmly on the ground in front of her. All the men, whether they were Westfolk, Mountain Folk, or Deverry bred, stared as she went past. Dallandra felt like screaming at all of them to mind their courtesies.
Once they’d regained the safety of the tent, Grallezar sank onto a pile of leather cushions. Dallandra sat cross-legged on the floor cloth. She had crucial questions to ask, and all of them distressed her. They sat in silence until Dallandra realized that she needed to be blunt.
‘I absolutely have to ask you something,’ Dallandra said.
‘I know what it is,’ Grallezar said. ‘Why didn’t I tell you years ago about the savages in Taenalapan?’
‘That’s one question.’
‘I was afraid your men would raise an army and come destroy it. They barely accepted