"Are we lost, then, after all we have done?" I asked, my voice deep with despair and barely above a whisper. ''Will they call for our deaths, Akor?"
"I do not know, dear one. It is possible. Shikrar thinks not."
"Have you no voice at this Council? Can't you argue with them?"
"I have. I did so last night, while you lay wounded."
The events of the past days swept over me, tumbling images of death and life and love. Was it only last night that I lay dying, burned beyond belief, for doing a good turn? I lived only because of Akor's lawbreaking. Akor, beloved. I bowed my head. Why should I expect good from those who saw only the broken laws, not the healing, not the charity to another soul?
What good could we hope for, who had so disregarded all in the name of love?
My fists were clenched, my teeth ground against themselves, and I discovered to my amazement that in the last extreme my despair had turned swiftly to something else.
Anger.
"Well, I haven't had my chance," I said in a normal speaking voice. It sounded like shouting.
"I am still trying to understand that not an hour ago you saved me from my father, who promised me to demons before I was born and was trying to make good his vow with my life. I was in his power because I had nearly died saving the lives of Kédra's wife and son, and these people are debating about what to do with me." I faced Akor. "I would address the Council."
"You cannot, Lanen, they would—"
I did my best to yell in the Language of Truth. I didn't want anyone to miss it. "I have a request to make of the Kindred, the Kantrishakrim, the People who chose Order, that justice may be served. It is Lanen Maransdatter of the Gedrishakrim who speaks.''
There was no answer.
"In the name of the Winds and the Lady, I demand that I be allowed to attend the Council and speak in my own defence. It is only just.''
Silence.
"ANSWER ME, DAMN IT!"
Silence.
"Akor, you have saved my life once this night. Will you try your arm again?"
I was still shocked at the intensity of her truespeech, and more amazed yet that there had been no answer. "Yes, of course," I replied without thinking.
"Then come on, you may have some defending to do."
And with that, Lanen strode out of my chambers. When I hurried to join her, she only looked up at me and asked, "Which way is the Great Hall?"
I gestured towards it with my chin. "It is near for me, dear-ling, but some distance for you."
She started walking as quickly as she could. "Kédra, it's Lanen,'' she called out as she strode through the night. ''Akor will not stop me, but as Guardian you should know that I'm on my way to the Council. I mean and will do no harm to any, I swear on my soul to the Lady. But if your duty lies in stopping me, I will understand, and I forgive you. But you will have to kill me to do it.''
Kédra replied in the same kind of speech Lanen was using, scattered and heard by all, and his truespeech was bright with a strange joy. ''Success and long life to you, Maran's daughter and Akhor's Lady!"
I had followed her perforce, walking slowly at her side. I was dazed still by this madness that gripped her, but I found my blood answering hers, felt the Fire building within me. "Come, dear one, it is a long way. Will you not allow me to bear you?''
"How?" she asked, still striding as fast as she could. She managed to be in Anger even as she walked; there are some advantages to having such mobile faces.
"Here," I answered, putting my head nearly on the ground in front of her. ''I have been considering this. Sit just behind my face plate, where my neck is thinnest. I do not know if they will be within your reach, but you might try to take hold of my horns to steady yourself."
She stopped then and grinned. Her anger abated a little, tinged now with delight. She leapt up the little distance. I could feel her pull herself onto my neck, where she seemed to fit nicely. "Your horns are well within reach, my dear, they might have been put here just for that purpose," she said.
And she laughed.
I was still angry, but as he lifted his head to its normal position I felt like a child on the shoulders of its parents. It was wonderful. There was none of the terror of flying, and he was so big I could see over the trees. He was right, he did move a lot faster than I could; and I felt much safer as well. I had decided that if I was going to be hanged, as the saying goes, it might as well be for horse stealing as for chicken feed. At least this way I might make it into the Council chamber and live long enough to get in a word or two.
I was counting on shock to do a lot for me. I had begun to realise that, aside from my dear Akor, these creatures who lived so impossibly long found it hard to adjust to change. With any luck the sheer surprise would buy me some time.
Besides, I had stopped waiting for someone else to make my life's choices when I left Hadronsstead. I had been faced with far worse than death already, and if I was condemned to die for doing nothing truly wrong, and in despite of all we had done mat was right, I was damn well going to let someone know about it before I went.
Of course I was crazy. I do not deny it. But it was a glorious madness, marching with Akor to beard the Council of the Kindred in their hall! Like the heros in all the ballads, fighting against impossible odds. And I realised then that I would rather die fighting for myself and for one I loved than live to old age in the quiet safety of a lie.
I remember.
XV
WIND OF THE UNKNOWN
I did not even slow down. There was none but Kédra to stop me in any case, and his voice sang with ours as I strode to the Great Hall. I even heard a snatch of the song of his clan, Shikrar's own melody with elements of Kédra and a lilting theme that could only be Lanen.
That more than anything Sifted my heart high, that the son of my namefast friend sang us to victory. Lanen also was singing, a martial air without words.
At the entrance to the Great Hall we were met by Shikrar standing solemn in the entryway.
"As Eldest I beg you, Akhor, do not do this."
Lanen's voice came from behind my head. "Your pardon, Eldest, but he is not the one to talk to. I am." Her voice rang with excitement.
Shikrar stood in Concern. ''My friend, hear me in this. You must not let her in. She has no voice here, Akhor, you know that. She is of the Gedrishakrim!"
"You mean I'm human. That's what we call ourselves, Shikrar, human. If I can call you the Kindred, instead of Dragons, you might at least return the favor."
"Be silent!" he yelled at me. I was glad to finally get a direct response, but a yelling dragon is impressive. And loud. "You put yourselves in peril even by standing here."
"Then let's not stand here. Can we get in, Akor? Is it physically possible?"
"A moment, Lanen. Shikrar, why such fear? Has the Council reached a decision?"
He bowed his head in a very human gesture. "They have. I dissented, and I am glad to say mine was not the only voice. I reminded them at every turrn of what you both have done— but Rishkaan's faction was strong. There is much hatred yet for her people among us." Still gazing at the ground, he said quietly, "You are to be exiled, Akor. Relieved of the kingship and sent to live out your life away from your people on some rock in the ocean."
"And Lanen?"
"She may go with you, to survive as best she can. Or ..."
My voice was calm, even reasonable. "Or they'll kill me and save me the trouble of having to survive."
He bowed to me, a sinuous, graceful Dragon bow, then did me the courtesy of looking me in the eye. "Yes, lady. That is correct."