Insulated from the deepening cold by the subtle magic now enveloping them, the horse gave a grumbling snort and plodded obligingly on.
Chapter Ten
Concentrate on the omens. This is your first arrival here as warlord of this domain. Will there be portents to offer some clue as to Chazen’s future? As to your future?
Kheda stood on the bow platform of the Gossamer Shark and surveyed the bustle in the anchorage sheltered by the great green bulk of the island of Esabir. The vessel stood out from the shore, flanked by the Dancing Snake and the Brittle Crab, all on guard as the three great galleys that had brought the warlord’s household north were unloaded. Small boats ferried coffers, bundles and crates ashore or brought food and water to the grateful crews of the heavy triremes. Low conversations in the belly of the boat behind Kheda were punctuated by the rattle of bowls as freshly steamed sailer grain mixed with shreds of meat and green herbs was dished out to the oarsmen.
He resolutely ignored the disturbances, concentrating on the vista before him. The little boats filled the bay so densely that the dark-blue waters were barely visible.
Itrac could almost walk ashore dry-shod over their decks. Could an enemy make an assault so easily? The steeply shelving beach allowed ships to anchor close in to this shore, a boon to the domain’s galleys when the rainy season storms wracked the seas. Under other stars, an enemy might exploit such a vulnerability, so a formidable embankment had been built along the edge of the beach, topped with a thick wall of pale-grey stone. The wall zigged and zagged so that arrows from every bastion could defend its neighbours. Massive catapults squatted on the forward-thrusting platforms to secure a commanding view of any approaching ships.
This residence had never fallen to attack. That was your boast, Chazen Saril. Much good it did you. The wild men’s wizards reduced your mighty catapults to burned wood and melted metal. Redigal Coron’s warriors found the fortress empty, doors standing wide for anyone to walk through.
Well, you abandoned your people, Saril. They were hardly going to make a stand and die for your sake. A steady stream of laden servants and slaves trudged through the black wooden gate set into a deep recess flanked by angular towers striped with arrow slits. Warriors patrolled the wall, swordsmen and archers, the sun bright on their mail and helmets as they kept watch not only north out to sea but also to east and west where the encroaching forest was kept ruthlessly in check with shears and scythes.
A fortress to defy any assault, never mind it’s a rainy season residence and we all agree that no wise lord makes war when swords rust in their scabbards and armour rusts on a warrior’s back, when bows break in an archer’s hands, glue and sinew fatally dampened. We all agree, but the histories tell of warlords now and again who have defied such wisdom. Some lost but some won, so we build our towers and ramparts.
What hindrance will they be to a dragon? Have we gained anything by this unseasonal move, trading the cooling breezes of the south to spend the worst of the dry season heat so hemmed in by trees and hills? Will we end up at each other’s throats as tempers fray when the temperature rises?
The still air already hung around as hot and heavy as a smothering blanket. He looked about for water and was startled to find Dev at his elbow, proffering a silver cup with a slice of black fig floating in it. ‘You’re right, my lord,’ the barbarian commented, studiedly casual. We can keep a far better guard on the sea lanes from here, just in case any greedy eyes are turned to our pearl harvest.’
Nice by, Dev, reminding all the listening ears that we’ve had good fortune to balance the unprecedented evil of the dragon’s arrival. But there’s nothing to be gained by running from an unpalatable truth.
‘And we can escape the beast in the forests and hills if it dares to come here,’ Kheda added. ‘If it comes before we have the trick of defeating it, my lord,’ Dev countered dutifully.
Kheda looked up beyond the towers of the residence to the steep mountains running east to west and dividing this third largest of the domain’s islands. With the morning mist long since burned off by the fierce sun, the ragged uplands were a daunting prospect, sheer heights thrust through the trees shrouded by an all-concealing cloak of vines. Here and there pale rock clawed through to the open air, pitted and stained and sheltering hollows of black mystery. At the water’s edge, the high ground broke apart in two distinct ridges falling into sluggish seas sheltered from the southern winds by the bulk of the island. The residence was set in the fan of flat land between them, the beach defences running the full length of the shore between the shattered headlands. There were no paths, no tracks over the heights to give any aid to an enemy trying to attack from the landward side of the island.
The warlord sniffed as the fickle breeze brought a faint reminder of the fetid, humid, swamp-choked islands spreading to the north and east.
That must be where the people hereabouts fled from the wild men’s invasion. There must be provision for keeping a hidden boat somewhere, a fast galley for the warlord and his family.
‘The people of this island and the residence saved themselves and much of Chazen’s wealth from the trials of last year,’ he observed to Dev and for the benefit of the listening oarsmen. ‘Make sure you bring me the names of all those who deserve rewarding.’ Do you understand me? Firstly, let’s remind these people that they lived through such terrifying trials once. Secondly, let’s find out exactly how they did it, in case we need to flee a worse foe. ‘Indeed, my lord.’ Dev bowed smoothly. ‘Are you ready to go ashore?’
Kheda nodded and they walked back towards the stern platform, past the heavy trireme’s warriors sitting cross-legged on the side decks. Kheda noted the resolution on their faces as they scoured imperfections from swords and daggers with oil and whetstone or buffed mail to brilliant silver with dampened cloths dipped in harsh sand. He beckoned to Shipmaster Mezai as they reached the helmsman, who was sitting with hands resting lightly on his twin steering oars.
‘As soon as you’re resupplied, patrol the waters hereabouts. Tell the local villages’ fishermen to keep a good watch on the lesser sea lanes as well, just in case someone thinks all our attention will be on the south and west and they can sneak through while our backs are turned.’
‘Yes, my lord.’ Mezai nodded, then hesitated. ‘And what—’
Kheda snapped his fingers and Dev knelt to open a sturdy coffer waiting to go ashore along with the warlord’s physic chest. ‘The dragon’s shown no inclination to attack any sizeable vessels, but if it shows any undue interest in you, see if you can distract it with these.’ Dev handed Kheda a soft leather pouch, which he passed straight to Mezai. ‘The beast seems to crave gems. I doubt you’d get it to quench its own fires by diving for them, so have your best archers shoot them on to some shore, then make a run for it.’ Kheda shrugged. Not that I imagine it will show itself this far north. It still seems more interested in pursuing the last of the savages in the west.’