‘What is bothering you?’
Ubadai swung to face his young lord, but Errin could read nothing in the flat, expressionless face. ‘You want me to bring him to you?’
‘Yes, I would like to thank him.’
Ubadai shook his head. ‘I think, maybe, we miss
that ship.’
‘Nonsense. Bring him up.’ Errin swung from the bed and moved to the chair by the window, where his clothes lay neatly folded; they had been cleaned and perfumed. He dressed swiftly and was pulling on his thigh-length riding boots when Ubadai returned. Behind the tribesman was a tall hawk-faced man, dark-eyed and wearing a gold circlet on his brow. The man bowed.
‘It is a privilege to meet you, Lord Errin,’ said Cartain.
‘I cannot see that it should be a privilege,’ answered Errin, offering his hand.
Cartain shook it briefly. ‘You risked your life to save the Lady Dianu — and fought one of the dread Knights. You are a man of courage.’
‘I failed,’ said Errin. ‘Let that be an end to it.’
Cartain smiled. ‘May I sit?’ Errin nodded and the merchant arranged his flowing purple robes and sat in a high-backed chair.
‘Why have you helped me? Were you a friend to Dianu?’
‘Not a friend exactly. I arranged her… escape. I was retained to organize the removal of the family wealth and saw to it that Dianu’s sister was safely escorted here. I was waiting for the Lady Dianu herself to follow us, but then word came that she was delayed… hoping, I think, that you would join her. And then…’ He spread his hands.
‘Still you have not explained why you helped me?’
‘There is nothing sinister in my actions, Lord Errin. I am now the… trustee, if you will, of the lady’s estate. I take my duties seriously. The Lady Sheera is now the beneficiary and I had hoped to deliver her to Cithaeron.’
‘Had hoped?’
‘She is not here,’ said Cartain, his dark eyes locking to ErrirFs own. ‘She has it in her mind to avenge her sister and unbeknownst to me or my people, she engaged two men to lead her back through the forest. I believe she plans to kill Okessa.’
‘She is a child,’ said Errin. ‘Her scheme is madness.’
‘I know she has spent a number of years in Furbolg, Lord Errin, but to be seventeen is hardly a child. She is tall, well-formed and remarkably headstrong. I fear she has betrayed herself. Here in Pertia — though we are mercifully free from the terrors of the Realm proper — there are spies and assassins aplenty. And I had word yesterday that the King has ordered the fleet to Pertia; they will arrive in around ten days, and from then on the port will be closed to Nomad refugees.’
‘You said you feared Sheera had betrayed herself? Explain.’
‘One of the men she hired is known to be a King’s man. He is a spy and a killer; his reputation is loathsome.’
‘I do not see what I can do for you?’
‘Who else is there to bring her back? Your man here is said to be one of the finest trackers in the western lands. And there is something else, my Lord. There are strange tales of monsters loose in the woods. I would not like the Lady Sheera to suffer the fate of her sister.’
Errin sat back on the bed. ‘Nor would I, sir. But I am no warrior. Violence sickens me and I have no skill with weapons. Could you not find a more.worthy rescuer?’
‘It is my experience, Lord Errin, that you can rarely measure a man’s worth by his ability to deal injury to his fellows. But in that, at least, I can help you.’ With his left hand he lifted an apple from the discarded tray and, with his right, drew a dagger from his belt. With a flick of the wrist he tossed the apple in the air. His dagger flashed in a blur of movement and the fruit dropped neatly into his left hand. When he opened his fingers, the apple fell into four pieces.
‘A splendid trick, sir, but how does it help me?’ Errin asked.
Cartain stood and unbuckled the silver-edged leather belt he wore, passing it to Errin. ‘Please put it on, my Lord.’
‘I have a belt.’
‘Not like this. This was made by Ollathair, greatest of Craftsmen. Merely touch the buckle and whisper his name, and you will find your speed of hand and eye increased. It has saved my life on three occasions.’
Errin buckled the belt in place. ‘Now go to the far wall and say the name, my Lord.’ He did as he was bid. The buckle felt warm as his fingers touched it. ‘Ollathair,’ he whispered.
He watched as Cartain slowly rose. The merchant’s arm drew back and his dagger sailed towards Errin, who reached up and caught it easily. Ubadai, with uncharacteristic lack of speed, drew his own dagger and made his way on leaden feet towards the merchant.
Errin touched the belt once more. ‘Stop!’ he shouted, as Ubadai leapt for Cartain.
‘He tried to kill you!’ the tribesman stormed.
‘No,’ said Errin. ‘He was proving a point. I take it you hurled that dagger with all your might?’
‘I did indeed.’
‘This is a precious gift, Cartain; I have never seen the like. Why would you do this? It is more than merely a duty to a client.’
‘Yes. I fled Furbolg when the killings began, but even I did not realize how far the slaughter would go. I am now actively involved in financing an army to destroy Ahak — and hopefully all that he stands for. But it will take time. I need men like you, Errin — good men, loyal men, men of good family. No one will flock to the banner of a Nomad merchant, but they will to men like yourself. Fetch Sheera back within ten days and we will sail for Cithaeron and raise a force to free Gabala. Will you do it?’
Errin grinned as he heard Ubadai curse. ‘Of course I will do it. Tell me all you can about the men with Sheera.’
Cartain did so and they spoke until dusk. Then the merchant rose to leave. ‘I will have horses and provisions ready for you at dawn. There are snowstorms over the forest, and I understand the Royal Road is blocked. And there is one other thing you should know, Errin.’
‘What is that?’
‘Sheera hates you. She sees you as the reason her sister stayed behind, and she knows it was your arrow that killed Dianu. It is not just Okessa that she seeks to kill — you understand?’
Errin nodded. ‘I understand very well.’
Manannan waited in a grove outside the village while Ruad Ro-fhessa, the Armourer Ollathair, worked his magic in a granite cave hidden by the trees. Kuan cropped grass nearby. The Once-Knight had shaved and the wind felt good on his skin.
As dusk approached the wizard stepped from the cave and stretched. His face was grey with exhaustion as he walked wearily to Manannan and sat beside him on the grass.
‘It is ready,’ said Ruad. ‘One Word of Power will open the Gate. But I am too tired; give me a few moments to gather my strength.’
‘Take all the time you need. I am in no hurry.’
‘I am sorry for all that I have caused,’ said Ruad. ‘I hope you can believe that. I wanted only what was good — for the Knights and the Realm.’
‘I know. I should have gone with them at the first. I too carry guilt, Ollathair. And I wonder what became of Morrigan. I should have gone to her; I know she never loved me in the way she cared for Samildanach, but I owed it to her to go.’
‘You would not have found her. I went to her home and she was gone. Her parents told me she had run off in the night, taking no clothing nor money. They think she took her own life.’
‘Poor Morrigan,’ Manannan whispered. ‘To fall in love with a Knight pledged to celibacy and then to watch him ride into Hell. Are we fools, Ollathair? We rode to the Nine Duchies. We strove to bring justice. And what did we achieve? Look at the world!’
‘The Knights of the Gabala were a force for Harmony for centuries,’ said Ruad. ‘What did we achieve? I ask your own question of you. Look at the world now the Knights are gone! Now come with me, I have a gift.’