Sovereign

The column camped not far from the gorge. The Chetts were tired, grimly thankful they had caught the enemy, but aware that something was wrong with their leader. Later, when almost all except the pickets had gone to sleep, Lynan stayed awake, squatting next to a slow-burning fire. Near him, as ever, were two Red Hands. Near midnight the pair were relieved, but Lynan had barely moved. On the ground before him, retrieved from the saddlebag, was the head of the red-haired prisoner, and his gaze never seemed to leave it.

In turn, Ager's gaze never left Lynan. He had waited until Morfast had fallen asleep and then slipped out from underneath their blanket to stand quietly by a clump of low and gnarly sword trees just outside the range of the camp fire's glare. He felt physically ill with fear. He had witnessed Lynan's battle rage before, but never had it possessed him for so long and with such strange effect, and he was afraid that Lynan was becoming not more than human but less, that Silona's blood had finally submerged his real self beneath something allied to and as horrible as her own nature. So intent was he on watching Lynan and so overtaken with his own anxiety, it was some time before he was aware that Gudon was standing behind him.

'Has there been any change?' the Chett asked.

Ager shook his head.

'This has not happened before, has it?'

Again, Ager shook his head.

'Perhaps it is because we are so much closer to Silona's forest. It is in Chandra, I believe, and we are near the border of that province.'

'Yes,' Ager said vaguely. 'That might be it.'

'Do you think he will be alright until we get to Daavis?'

'Possibly. But what difference will Daavis make?'

'Our magikers are there,' Gudon said. 'They may be able to help. Indeed, Jenrosa is there. Perhaps if anyone can help it is Jenrosa.'

'So she is the next Truespeaker?'

'I don't know. But those who know about such things say she is very powerful indeed.'

'Jenrosa may not want to help,' Ager said.

'Truth. But I do not think she considers herself absolved from the changes in Lynan's behaviour. She cannot forget that she was the one who gave him the vampire's blood.'

'His changes in behaviour? Maybe he was always like this, deep down, and Silona's blood has only made it worse. He has been through a great deal in his few years, seen and experienced too much.'

'You make excuses for him,' Gudon said.

'I am his friend.'

'I am his friend as well, but he is our king, and that makes his behaviour a concern for more than you and me.'

Ager nodded wearily. 'Truth,' he said.

Gudon could not helping smiling at the use of the expression. 'Every day you become more like a Chett.'

'There are worse things to aspire to,' Ager admitted. He turned to look at Gudon. 'What can we do for Lynan?'

'We can do nothing except stand by him.'

'I will watch over him tonight. You get some sleep.'

'I will stay with you.'

'Someone is going to have to keep an eye on him during the ride tomorrow, and you are a better horseman than me.'

Gudon thought about it. 'As you say.'

'Go.'

Gudon raised a hand in farewell and left. Ager missed the Chett's presence as soon as he was gone from sight. He sat down, made himself as comfortable as possible and reluctantly returned his gaze to Lynan.

The column arrived in Daavis a day and a half after leaving the gorge. As far as Ager could tell, Lynan had not slept for a single moment the whole time; each day he rode at the head of the column, each night he squatted beside a fire and studied the head from his saddlebag. By the morning of the second day the head was beginning to stink, but no one would say anything about it to him. Ager was exhausted, barely able to keep his eyes open despite catching snatches of sleep while mounted, but he had not the Chett ability to sleep properly in the saddle. Two long nights, together with all the anxiety and fears that accompanied them, had completely drained him. When he passed under the north gate of the city he felt as if he had returned to some kind of sanctuary and his spirits lifted somewhat, making him sit more erect.

As soon as they entered the palace courtyard they were met by a retinue of stablehands and servants. Their horses were taken away and linen towels soaked in warm sweet-scented water were handed to Lynan and his companions. When Ager looked up from washing his face he saw that Lynan had kept the saddlebag from his horse, its lumpish shape slopped over his shoulder. A servant standing nearby was having difficulty breathing, and none of the servants would look directly at Lynan's face. Ager's spirits quickly sunk again.

Korigan appeared and immediately ran to Lynan, but she stopped short when she saw what he was like. Ager felt the cold flush he saw goosebump her skin.

'You are returned, my lord,' she said hesitantly.

Lynan glanced at her. 'Farben,' he said.

Korigan frowned. 'Farben?'

'Charion's secretary in charge of the city's administration.'

'Yes, of course.'

'Bring him to me in the throne room.'

Korigan nodded. 'Alright. But don't you want to rest first? You look as if you have ridden long and hard—'

'Now,' Lynan said. 'And all the palace servants.' He walked away from her and into the palace.

Ager flinched when he saw the pain on the queen's face. The realisation that she did love Lynan came as something of a shock to him. She glanced at Ager, her expression asking the question she could not voice. He went to her and said: 'Do as he asks, but bring Jenrosa as well, and any other powerful magikers you can find.'

'How long—?'

'This is the third day.'

'Oh gods…'

'Get Jenrosa!' he urged and followed Lynan, catching up with him in the throne room where he had draped himself lengthways across Charion's stone chair, the saddlebag drooping from one hand, his heels kicking in the air. Two Red Hands stood on guard at the entrance, and Ager could tell they were on edge, not sure any more who—or what—it was they were protecting.

'Lynan? What is this?'

Lynan looked at him the way a large cat might look at a puppy. 'I could hear you, you know.'

'There was no reason for you not to hear me,' Ager said, puzzled.

'Two nights ago. You and Gudon. I was talking with my friend here,' he said, hitching the saddlebag, 'but your voices kept on interrupting our conversation.'

'I'm sorry.'

'My hearing is very good, you know. "Do as he asks, but bring Jenrosa as well.'"

Ager could not help blushing.

'There is nothing wrong with me. I am not ill. I have never felt better in my whole life.'

'You have changed.'

Lynan laughed lightly, but it was no sound Ager recognised. His fear returned in an icy rush, twice as strong as before.

'We all change, Ager.' He frowned in thought for a moment. 'Oh, sorry, I forgot. What was it you said to Gudon? "His changes in behaviour? Maybe he was always like this, deep down, and Silona's blood has only made it worse. He has been through a great deal in his few years, seen and experienced too much." That was it, wasn't it?'

'I don't remember the exact words.'

'That was it,' Lynan said tightly. He breathed in heavily and closed his eyes, rubbing them with thumb and finger.

'You are tired.'

'It is a very warm, very bright day,' Lynan replied. Then his eyes snapped open and his gaze settled firmly on Ager's face. 'Nothing I can't handle.'

There were footsteps from the corridor outside. Both men turned to watch Korigan and Gudon enter with Farben, Jenrosa and a retinue of servants and magikers. Ager thought they all looked as if they would rather be anywhere but in this throne room. Jenrosa, particularly, looked like a trapped animal.

'My lord,' Korigan said, approaching him. 'As you requested, I have brought Farben.'