Remarkably, there was no animosity in Breck. Nevins and his men were to have been their enemies. Eventually, had Ravel lived, the two leaders would have faced each other in battle. Now, that possibility had disappeared.
‘Bern wanted us to come,’ Nevins explained between swigs of beer. ‘He wouldn’t come himself because he gave his word to Baron Ravel, that pig-eyed fox. I didn’t want to come either, truth be told. I wanted to stay and fight that slut Jazana Carr.’
Captain Aliston nodded gravely. ‘We all wanted that.’ The captain was considerably younger than the major and spoke with sincerity. ‘Bern was a good man, Commander Breck, whatever you think of him.’
‘He was a Liirian in the end,’ said Breck. ‘That’s what matters.’
His aides seemed to concur. Lorn himself sat apart from the officers, at a separate nearby table. Aric Glass was among them, as was Murdon. Vanlandinghale was there as well, sitting nearest to Lorn but still with his fellow soldiers. There was hardly a whiff of mistrust in the air. The men from Andola recounted their battle with the Norvans proudly, and Lorn listened with rapt attention. He could barely believe his luck. At last, Jazana Carr was coming.
‘We bloodied their noses good,’ said Captain Aliston.
‘But that’s all we did,’ added Nevins. At last he pushed away his plate. ‘You’ve never seen anything like it. Jazana Carr’s rallied men from all over Norvor. Rolgans, men from the twin cities, men from Harn. . they’ve all come to her banner.’
‘Because she pays them,’ said Van. ‘I know; I was one of her men once. Don’t mistake their vigour for loyalty, Major.’
Van’s confession made Nevins’ expression sour. ‘So, you were one of her lot, eh? That’s disheartening.’
‘We could all point fingers at each other,’ warned Breck. ‘Forget the past. Remember what your colonel told you — we’re all Liirians now. We’re going to protect this library. The rest of the city, too. With your men we really have a chance now, Major.’
‘And you’ve been kind to take care of us,’ replied Nevins. ‘I thank you for that.’
‘No need for thanks. Just so you know one thing, Major — you may have outranked me when King Akeela was alive, but no more. This is my command. As long as you and your men are here you’ll do as I say. Here at the library we speak with one voice. Mine.’
‘Of course, Sir Breck, but my men-’
‘Your men will be reassigned as needed,’ said Breck. ‘So will you. Most of them will still report to you, don’t worry. I have need of good commanders. But you’ll report directly to me. You’ll do what I say. Do you understand?’
Nevins gave no argument. ‘I understand.’
‘Good.’ Breck seemed relieved, even pleased by the man’s acquiescence. ‘Then you and your men are welcome here. You’ve given us a fighting chance, Major. With your men and mine, we might just be able to hold off Jazana Carr.’
Nevins and Aliston gave each other doubtful glances. Nevins replied, ‘That’s a tall task, Sir Breck.’
‘Aye, but a worthwhile one. Your colonel thought so.’
‘He did,’ said Aliston. ‘If he were here now he’d say the same thing.’
‘Then rest,’ said Breck, ‘and when you’re ready bring all your men to the library. We’ll find lodging for them if we can, if not on the hill then in some of the nearby homes. Aric, get a detail together to see to it.’
Aric Glass, who’d been sitting silently the whole time, affirmed the order before leaving the room. Breck was about to rise himself when Lorn interrupted.
‘Wait,’ he said, getting out of his chair. ‘Breck, there’s other questions that need asking.’
‘Not now. There’s time yet for that.’
‘No, there’s no time. Not for me.’ Lorn went to stand before the two former mercenaries, who looked up at him from the table with suspicion. ‘We need to find out everything they know.’
‘And we will,’ warned Breck, ‘just as soon as they’ve rested. In the morning you can talk to them.’
‘That’s not good enough. I have a decision-’
‘Excuse me,’ Breck interrupted, ‘but we are done here.’ His eyes became like burning coals. ‘In the morning. All right?’
Nevins and Aliston watched Lorn curiously. So did Van and the other officers. For a moment Lorn remained still, refusing to yield, but noting Breck’s seriousness he nodded.
‘Very well.’
Nevins’ eyes sharpened on him. ‘You have the accent of a Norvan, sir.’
‘That’s a high royal tongue you detect, sir,’ replied Lorn. ‘And you and I have business to attend to on the morrow. Excuse me, now. .’
Furious, Lorn turned and left the chamber without waiting for Breck to dismiss him. He was still a king, despite the loss of his throne, and having his wishes curtailed irked him. There wasn’t time to wait until tomorrow. By tomorrow he needed to decide.
Outside the chamber he paused in what was once a grand hall, now bland and stripped of finery. His mind was on fire with questions. The news Nevins had delivered was awesome. To Lorn, it changed everything. Finally, he had another chance to battle Jazana Carr. And not with treacherous men, either, but with stout-hearted defenders of their own homes. Men who would die before betraying their country. Lorn leaned against the stone wall of the hall to organise his thoughts. He could hear Breck and the others murmuring in the meeting chamber, but otherwise the hall was quiet. What would he tell Eiriann, he wondered? She had such faith in him. .
‘Lorn,’ called a voice. It was Van, coming down the hallway alone. ‘Guess what they’re talking about in there?’ he asked.
‘I know. I made an ass of myself. What are you doing here?’
‘I left so I could talk to you.’
‘About what?’
‘About what you’re thinking. I know you well enough to read that look on your face. I’m here to talk you out of staying.’
Lorn smirked at his companion. ‘You’re very clever. But I have to stay now. Didn’t you hear what those two said in there? Jazana Carr is in Liiria. This is my chance.’
‘No,’ said Van. ‘This is your chance to do something right for a change. Eiriann and the other Believers need you. Poppy needs you. If you stay here and fight you’ll lose that chance and Poppy will die with the rest of us.’
‘Gods, this is agonising! Why can’t I make any of you understand? I have to fight Jazana Carr! She took my country, she took my manhood, she took everything from me!’
‘Did she take your brains as well? You fled with Poppy to protect her, didn’t you? How do you think she’ll fare in a siege?’
‘But we can win this time. .’
‘Stop, now. You saw Nevins’ face. You know what we’re up against. If you stay here you’ll be killed, and Poppy with you.’ Van shook his head with a sneer. ‘But that’s all right with you, isn’t it? You’ll risk that little girl just to get one more chance at Norvor. You’re a greedy old reptile, Lorn.’
‘Don’t talk to me,’ Lorn hissed. He turned his back on Van and started down the hallway.
‘You know I’m right!’ Van called.
The taunt echoed after Lorn, chasing him down the hall. He did his best to ignore it, flipping an obscene gesture over his shoulder before losing Van around a bend. He was glad his friend didn’t pursue him; his argument was pointless. It was impossible to ask him to go now, when Jazana Carr was so close.
‘Ask me to stop being a man,’ Lorn growled as he prowled through the library. ‘Ask me to give up everything. For what? Damn fool.’
His decision made, he knew that now was the time to break the news to Eiriann. She would no doubt wail and weep like a woman, but he would be steeled for that and have none of her sobs.
‘She will not manipulate me,’ he vowed. ‘Not with a flood of tears.’