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 No, mage. I know that. He knew that. He was forced& into that battle. Had
he ruled longer, he might have avoided it. Zeldyan smiled sadly.  Were things
other than they are& we always hope, but they are not. This time, you were
there, and Nesslek is already better, and drinking. She paused.  This took
all your strength-from two of you?
 Pretty much, Nylan admitted.
 I will not trouble you more, but I would thank you both. Her eyes went to
Ayrlyn.  In time, all Lornth may be grateful.
 We re glad Nesslek s better, answered Ayrlyn.
Nylan nodded in assent.
 So am I. So are we all. With a wide smile, the regent inclined her head.
Then she opened the door, and slipped out.
 It s hard to believe. As the door thudded shut, Ayrlyn sat in the chair,
heavily, with a deep breath.
Were her legs shaking? Did that mean she just exerted more willpower? Nylan
felt almost ashamed. Ayrlyn had to be hurting as much as he was, or more.
They d shared the energy drain.
 What? That he s better, or that it took so much out of us? asked Nylan.
 Both.
 I tried just as hard with Ellysia. It didn t work. This time, you were
here, and it did. He closed his eyes for a moment. It didn t really help. His
head still pounded. He opened his eyes.
Ayrlyn frowned.  I d like to think that was the difference, but it wasn t.
You handled the order flows differently, somehow.
 Different how?
 It was as though you weren t forcing things& weren t fighting them& 
Ayrlyn laughed softly.  You said something about trees.
The tree images& how would they have helped? He remembered, vaguely, the
feel.  I tried, I think, not so much to push out the chaos, but to wrap order
around it, to contain it.
 It felt different, Ayrlyn repeated.
Had that been the difference? He rubbed his forehead.  Feel like road dung
under a wagon-
 Have some more water. You re still dehydrated.
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 So sympathetic you are.
 Healers help those who help themselves. Ayrlyn grinned, crookedly.  I
hurt, too. She rose slowly and lifted the water pitcher from the table,
edging toward the bed.
Some water splashed on Nylan s hands as she refilled the mug, but he had
enough sense to keep his mouth shut, and to start drinking.
Still& he wondered about the trees and the business of binding chaos. He
shivered as he swallowed, almost choking.
 Careful& 
Did he have to be careful in everything? In every little thing?
 Probably, said Ayrlyn.
He stifled a sigh, carefully, then swallowed more of the water he needed.
LI
WE MEET AGAIN. Fornal glanced around the tower room, pacing from the table to
the open window and back again.  Have we new information? I need to be on the
road if we are to gather forces and stop the white ones.
 There is a good chance that the Cyadorans will seize the mines before you
reach there, Gethen said deliberately, fingering the goblet on the table
before him.
 Yet you did not bid me hasten? Might I inquire of you your thoughts on
this? Fornal s words were almost languid under his cold eyes.
Zeldyan glanced down at Nesslek and shifted him in her arms, cradling him a
shade more possessively.
 Zeldyan had some other pressing concerns, Gethen offered mildly.
 Besides, were you at the mines, you would be dead, and for no purpose.
 You feel that the white demons forces will be overwhelming? asked
Fornal.
 Were you at the mines before the Cyadorans, as regent, you would be bound
to defend Lornth, even to the last man, and neither the holders nor your honor
would let you act otherwise. We do not have the forces to withstand the massed
forces of the white ones. Gethen smiled ironically.  In attempting to reclaim
the mines, however, you may use any stratagem you wish, so long as it kills
whites and proceeds toward reclaiming our lands.
 Do you think the holders will see my delay as self-preservation or as
wisdom? Fornal pursed his lips.
 No one would expect you to depart without the most armsmen you could
raise. Gethen extended an arm toward the window.  Even the most honor-bound
of holders. And you, certainly, are considered honorable and direct.
Fornal laughed.  You find my methods too direct, my sire?
 Often directness is laudable. Sometimes it leads equally directly to
disaster. Wisdom is knowing when to be direct and when not to be. Gethen gave
a twisted smile.  And sometimes, events do not allow wisdom. At the moment, we
have the time to exercise wisdom.
 You suggest that we may not always have that luxury. Fornal paced back to
the window.  Sillek did not, said Zeldyan bluntly.  Before long, we may not
either, sister. Fornal paused and looked at Gethen.  How do you recommend I
use this& luxury?
 I would suggest that you set up a garrison in Kula. The white demons will
not risk their entire force once they hold the mines, but will try to raid and
level the countryside. You could deploy your men to reduce their numbers with
each raid. You can continue until you can retake the mines. Gethen held up a
hand.  I have talked with the angels. They will accompany you. Use the angels
as much as you can. They boast of their training-give them the least trained
and see what they can do-always in situations where their failure cannot
affect you.
 I am a plain man, and I cannot use fancy words to explain. I cannot make
people believe white is black or black white. I mistrust the angels-or what
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they portend-and I cannot explain why. I know what I feel. Fornal turned to
the tower window.  Yet their blades are sharp, and they can kill white
demons. He touched his beard.  All the same, I fear mixing angels with
armsmen will bring no good.
 You avoid mixing them, Gethen pointed out.  Give them the riskier tasks.
 What of their child? asked Zeldyan.
 They will have the child with them, Gethen answered.
 I would have offered to take care of him, the blond regent said.
 Ser Nylan asked for the loan of a forge to make a seat for the boy-one
that would fit behind a saddle.
 And? said Fornal, an amused smile on his lips.
 I asked Husta to accommodate him, and to learn how good a smith he is, and
anything else he could.
 At times, my father, you are as cunning as a serpent, and at others& I do
not understand. How can the angels be other than useless with their child
riding with them?
 I thought they should be able to bring their blades in support of you. As
you say, those blades are sharp and deadly. Secora s daughter Sylenia will
ride with them as a wet nurse. She also has some experience in dressing battle
wounds.
 That would help. Zeldyan smiled.
 I suppose the armsmen would welcome more healers, especially far from
Lornth. Fornal nodded.  But what of the safety of the wet nurse? We have few
enough armsmen.
 You have cooks and wagoners-and do you really think that your armsmen will
touch the nursemaid of an angel-or live if they did? asked Gethen.  And the
angels will fight more fiercely if their child is with your force. What [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]