“We never attacked anyone,” Saryn pointed out. “Nor did we raid any lord.”
“No…you did not.” Gethen sipped from his goblet. “But it mattered not. The lord-holders of Lornth have always been most sensitive to any incursion upon what they see as their rights and privileges. They have also been unwilling to support any overlord who does not appear to have the ability to compel them to submit. Without the support of The Groves and Lord Deolyn, my daughter and grandson would have perished soon after Sillek. That was another reason why I could not hazard my forces in Rulyarth and why we struggle to maintain two full companies of armsmen here.”
Saryn nodded. The more she traveled Lornth and the more she heard, the more she felt like the majority of the holders were spoiled brats who could only be held in check by absolute force. “How did it come to this? Are all the lands in Candar so?”
Gethen’s smile was both sad and bitter. “I can only guess. Cyador was always feeling out those lands on its borders, especially in the south of Lornth, but the emperors tended to leave alone those whose reaction cost them golds and trained troops. Whether those lord-holders actually won against Cyadoran forces mattered less than the costs to Cyador. In time, only those lord-holders who were most foolhardy and willing to fight could manage to hold their lands…”
“And that is why the southern lords are so touchy about honor and lands and privileges?”
“I do not know. I can only surmise, and that surmise is based on legend and what I have seen in the lord-holders I have known.” He took another sip of the wine.
“Do you know why all the lords in Candar are so fearful of women having power in their own right?”
“Again, I can but guess. Power and lands have survived only in the hands of those who have been able to fight for them. Until you angels arrived, no woman existed who could hold her own against a man…”
Because no one would train them, no doubt, but Saryn did not voice that thought, continuing to listen, although she thought that there was more that Gethen was not saying.
“…it was felt wrong to grant power to a woman, except in the name of an underage heir, because she could not defend herself, save by the sufferance of the other lord-holders.”
“And now?” asked Saryn.
“Now, Commander, you have come and proved that you are a woman who can best other lord-holders, and that has many greatly concerned that you will raise up other women to do the same, and few lords would wish yet another challenge to their lands and their privileges.” Gethen smiled, sadly, once more. “You will either make my grandson’s heritage or destroy it, but Zeldyan has no one left to turn to, save me, and a few lord-holders of the north, and we cannot prevail alone against such as Henstrenn, not when he is being bribed by the Suthyans to cause difficulty.” Gethen glanced up. “Here come my daughter and grandson.” He stood.
So did Saryn.
As Nesslek entered the study, the youth studied Saryn.
She could sense his puzzlement, but not exactly the reasons behind it although she guessed that Zeldyan had told her son what Saryn and the guards had done, and the youth was trying to understand how it was possible, as if he could still not understand how a woman could have done what his mother had told him. Saryn had the unhappy feeling that little that she or Zeldyan had said or might say would make that much of an impression on Nesslek, much as she hoped she was wrong.
“We should go eat,” suggested Gethen, breaking the silence. “And you both can tell us of all that occurred on your travels, for little has happened here, most thankfully.”
LIX
Zeldyan, Saryn, Gethen, and Nesslek stood in Gethen’s study on sixday afternoon, just having left the dining chamber after a long and filling midday dinner.
“We will not be long,” Zeldyan said, turning to Nesslek, “but we need to discuss some matters with your grandsire. You can wait on the verandah if you like. Then you can take us on a tour of the vineyards. I have not had such a chance in years.”
Nesslek looked at the map spread out on the study desk. “Maps are not lands or holdings, and you already know all the roads to Lornth.”
“Commander Saryn does not, and there are other matters she needs to know.”
“Maps won’t tell her those.” Nesslek’s voice was not quite dismissive.
“No,” replied Saryn pleasantly. “Maps do not show the lord-holders or the people, or their ability or their will. But they do show the lay of the land, and what lies where, and often, if the map is good, the best ways to get from place to place. No one knows everything that a map shows. A good leader needs to know both people and maps, and many other skills as well.”
“And you need to go,” said Zeldyan firmly.
Nesslek looked as though he were about to object.
Saryn turned her eyes on him directly and let a sense of order flow from her to the impertinent youth. Go…and obey your mother.
Abruptly, Nesslek swallowed. Then he inclined his head. “Yes, Mother. I’ll be on the verandah.” He did not look at Saryn nor nod as he hurried off.
Zeldyan said nothing until Nesslek had left. Then she asked quietly, “What did you do?”
“I just looked at him,” replied Saryn.
Zeldyan glanced to her sire.
Gethen nodded, then chuckled. “That she did. It was a look I’d not disobey, even at my age. It would have frozen Lady Ellindyja in her tower in midsummer, and none ever did that.”
For a moment, Zeldyan said nothing.
After a long pause, Saryn spoke. “It would not have been right for me to speak, but I was angry. A child, especially one whose mother is a ruler, should never question her, and certainly not in public. I fear he saw my anger, and if that was so, I do apologize.”
Zeldyan smiled faintly. “That he would fear you…”
“My anger would matter little,” Saryn said, “if he did not know that I support you.”
“And that you are as fearsome a warrior as any he has known,” added Gethen. “The boy, whether we like it or not, is much like your brother.”
“And pride and rashness were his undoing.” Zeldyan’s voice was bitter.
“We do what we can, daughter. In the end, children become men and women and make their own choices.”
Saryn felt uncomfortable, as if she were in the middle of a private conversation. “I am sorry. It was not my place…”
“Nonsense,” said Gethen. “He may become Overlord of Lornth, but it will only lead to his ruin if he does not understand that the world has changed and that there are fearsome women as well as men.” He laughed gently. “There have always been fearsome women, but many times no one would admit it.”
“You did not say a single word,” said Zeldyan to Saryn.
Even so, Saryn could feel the sadness behind the Lady Regent’s words.
“He must also learn about what is not said, daughter,” added Gethen.
“I would that Nesslek could accompany us back to Lornth, especially with Saryn,” said Zeldyan. “…but…”
Personally, Saryn suspected that a few eightdays in the company of the silver-haired trio of Westwind would have done Nesslek more good than being with Saryn herself, but that certainly wasn’t feasible. Then, Westwind’s regimen had clearly benefited Dealdron, and the time spent recovering in Westwind had helped Zeldyan’s brother Relyn as well.
“He would be safe on the journey,” Gethen pointed out, “especially with your armsmen and the commander.”
“But then what? There are others we must visit, and they are not so friendly as those in the north. If he comes with us, that brings one set of risks, and if he remains in Lornth…”