“We do not dispute your use of the land. But by what right do you claim it?”
The family’s leader was brief. “We purchased it, my lord. One who has been very long gone agreed it should be ours.”
Trovagh and Ciara blinked at each other. The only ones ever gone from the garth had been Seran and his family.
“Seran?”
“It was a woman. I do not wish to be impolite, my lord, but we have much work to do.”
That was so clearly true Trovagh asked nothing more. They walked the horses back, talking as they went.
“It must be Seran’s wife; there’s no one else it could have been,” Trovagh commented.
Ciara looked at him. “That’s true. But there’s something you haven’t considered. We only found Sersgarth abandoned a month ago. Isn’t that a rather short time? Think, Tro. It’s clear whatever happened occurred at the beginning of winter. But there’s been almost no travelers as yet this spring. How did Seran’s wife get word that the garth had been abandoned, that all the rest of the family had disappeared when we ourselves didn’t know?”
“How, too, did she then find this family to buy from her, and gather their goods and gear to be there so swiftly?” Trovagh added thoughtfully.
“If they came from beyond Teral as they said,” Ciara added, “the trip with all those children and animals must have taken more than a week. That shortens their time to have heard and made ready still further. I dislike this whole business.”
“And I, beloved. But there is naught we can do. Sersgarth has never looked to the Keep. We have no right to demand a sight of these purchase papers the man claims. We can only refuse them the right to use your own home as Sersgarth did.”
That time came quickly. Harran rode in just weeks later to say that Elmsgarth once more hosted beasts. Trovagh said nothing but rode out with ten men. The new family had moved into Ciara’s old home as well. The house was clean but to this garth they had no shadow of right. He said so. Politely, kindly, but very firmly. If they wished to buy, it would be considered. If they wished to rent, that, too, would be given thought. But until then, the land and buildings belonged to Aiskeep.
The family head returned to talk at the end of the summer. He would buy. Ciara sold reluctantly. Still the land had always been too far from Aiskeep, nor did any of the family wish to live there. The purchase price would be of use. But both she and Trovagh wondered how a garth family could afford to buy two large garths in outright holding. They did not ask. In some ways, they did not wish to know.
The marriage of Ciara and Trovagh’s son was blessed that year. A healthy son to balance the loss of friends and neighbors, which still puzzled Aiskeep. After that there was an interval. Kirin was often away in Kars. To the distrust of all at Aiskeep, he seemed to be moving into the circle of those about the duke. He grew further apart, too, from his wife who turned to spoiling her son as compensation. A second son was born three years later. He, too, was soon spoiled despite all that Ciara and Elanor could do.
It was rumored that Kirin backed the duke in his war. That he encouraged the raids, sometimes riding on these with his men. Ciara did not wish to believe this of her son. Her eyes were opened ten years after the death of her daughter and the disappearance of those at Sersgarth.
“You will ride in outright war? Surely, my son, you have other duties. What of your wife, your sons? One day Aiskeep will be yours.”
Kirin sneered at that. “One Keep in the poor South. If I please Pagar, I, will rule as a duke in Estcarp. With their allies elsewhere engaged they cannot stand. One strike to their heart and we’ll crush them as one crushes a walnut for the meat. My sons will rule a province, not one Keep.”
Tarnoor had listened quietly to this; now he spoke. “Estcarp has protections other than its soldiers. Also you have not thought. I am your lord. You are my heir’s heir. Under law you may not ride without my permission. It is not given nor shall it be.” He closed his mouth in a way that all knew his mind was made up.
Kirin smiled, a slow, vicious smirk. “Say you so, Grandfather? There may be one who says otherwise. As for Estcarp and its witches, they fail. Our scouts tell us the men of Estcarp move back little by little. They may plan to make a stand on their side of the mountains. If so, they are fools. Pagar will roll over them. Their land will be ours. As for your permission, I think you shall give it once you have thought about it.”
Before Tarnoor could speak again, Kirin strode from the room leaving the four remaining to stare in horror after him.
9
Pagar was harrying Estcarp forces when Kirin reached him. He returned at speed for several reasons, though he chose not to name them all. One was a third offer from Alizon.
“No,” he told Kirin. “I drink no cup of Brotherhood with Facellian. He has unchancy allies. Moreover, I do not trust him. Let him keep busy with the Sulcar; it keeps them from joining with Estcarp any further. Also,” he said, looking thoughtful, “Facellian moves against other lands. I think he takes more on his knife-point than he can thrust into his mouth. It may be that if his war does not prosper he will return to us with better offers.”
Kirin grinned sourly. “You say he harries the Sulcar, Lord. But the spies bring word of a great fleet assembling in Es Bay. Those of Alizon who would make a treaty with us have the same story. The accursed Witches may escape us all yet.”
“Not so. The army gathers. Very soon we shall strike into the heart of Estcarp. A portion of the army, led by you, my friend, shall ride hard to the northwest and the great bay. If any attempt to retreat to some land across the seas, they shall find you waiting.”
“Yes, but what of my grandsire? He speaks truly when he says my riding with your army is against the old laws.” Kirin sat, his elbow on the table as he stared gloomily into the wine cup. “I am the heir’s heir. If he says me nay, I may not ride. My sister is dead. My parents will not breed again. There is none else.”
“You have two sons,” Pagar pointed out.
“Both children. The law was made to prevent dispute in such matters. My grandsire is old, my father’s health has ever been chancy in winter. If I fall in battle, Aiskeep would be under regency for years.”
Pagar pursed his lips. “Leave it with me, my friend. I will consult those who are wise in such matters. Let you prepare for the time we move. I swear to you, you shall ride as you wish.”
He waited until the fool was gone. Oh, yes. Kirin would ride, but Pagar had other plans for the man he named friend. Other plans, too, for the doddering swine of a grandsire. It had taken half a lifetime but the oaths he’d sworn were almost accomplished. But before he made his final moves here, there were a few small matters to tidy away. He called for wine. He would think each move out that he must make. Too much haste was folly. He’d learned that as a common soldier.
At Aiskeep Ciara was unhappy. Was there something wrong with her that her son turned against them so? Had she not taught him well, loved him greatly? Yet now he cursed them all and would go against even the oldest of Keep laws. Tarnoor comforted her.
“The lad’s always been a bit hotheaded. He’ll calm down and realize he has responsibilities here. What about poor little Aisha? He’s planning to desert her, too, for the Flames know how long.”
Ciara snorted crudely. “Poor little Aisha will manage very well without him. She’s ruining her own sons to compensate. They have no curb on them at all. She does nothing either with them or for the Keep. She infuriates me.”
From his seat near the fire Trovagh chuckled. “You mean you can’t make up your mind, love. One minute you’re complaining she takes no interest in Aiskeep. The next you’re thanking the Gods she does not, lest she ruin it as she ruins her sons.”
Ciara threw up her hands. “I know, I know. Between her and Kirin I’m saying things I don’t mean.” She turned the talk to other things, but later in her room with Trovagh she was more thoughtful.