BROWN FARDY : External strength makes external masters, and as for tyrants and despots, I prefer them domestic rather than foreign. To export one we need not import another, for at least here I do not need the wind to carry my curses over the sea.
BLOND FARDY : I doubt you need the wind to carry your curses anywhere, my brother. And if you do, there is enough in your belly to do justice to the cause. Now, I know you are the most patient and forbearing man that ever lived, and it is my belief that if you became so heated as to curse another man, all the elements would join with you in the venture. But still, a foreign master bends me the wrong way, as they say.
WILLARD : An ally from abroad will only be an ally, and it would be unwise to deny any assistance in this hour of danger. If the feast is prepared, yet there are few guests, it is better to invite those you do not know well, rather than bear the loneliness.
ALFONZO : It will take more than just us to decide whether to ask the French for assistance. We must speak to Milada first.
BLOND FARDY : We are headed to the Western Marches, and to Milada’s castle. Indeed, at double speed after the news we have heard.
ALFONZO : Which is?
BROWN FARDY : That Ivona is missing – kidnapped or run away.
ALFONZO : Osbert and three of the others will go with you, to assist in the search. What are your plans, Vahan Lee?
VAHAN LEE : I am loyal to cause of Atilta, and as you seem to be as well, I will follow you.
ALFONZO [laughing]: I misjudged you by your French accent, but from what I have seen I think you must be one of those from the mainland who support us against Gylain.
VAHAN LEE : I would rather remain anonymous until I am sure of my way.
ALFONZO : Very well. Your courage has earned our trust.
ALFONZO [turning to Willard]: Willard, friend, the day is getting on and we must do the same. I am anxious to see this place far behind us, and Montague with it. What do you mean to do once we part?
WILLARD : When I rescued Milada of Erlich, I had no intention but to save an innocent traveler, yet it plunged me into this rebellion in a way which I had not expected. My mind has been troubled of late about certain things which surface in it, memories of the past and dreams of the future. At first I thought they were no more than the fancies of youth, to be derided and ignored. Yet with what has befallen me, I cannot but reconsider. I wonder whether it is good to disobey fate, and abandon the company into which I have fallen.
ALFONZO : Then it was you who rescued Lord Milada?
WILLARD : Indeed, but I thought you knew of it?
ALFONZO : I knew of it, yet Hismoni told me that you were the attacker, and that he barely escaped with his life. After seeing you fight now, I can see why. Yet what I cannot think is how you could have done it. You say you did not, and I will take your word.
WILLARD : It is either lies or mistakes. As I remember, the guard called Hismoni was unconscious throughout the fight, though I was surprised to see he was not wounded.
ALFONZO : Not even wounded? I will have to think over this, Willard. But I am sure I have misheard him, for otherwise either one or the other of you is a liar. I trust Lord Milada, and he trusts Hismoni, so I have no doubts about him. And you I have seen myself, and I know a true man when I come across one. They are hard to find, since the coup, for power and right have been divorced. A man cannot fight for both, as he sometimes can. You, however, I know are true.
WILLARD : You need only ask Lord Milada, and he will tell you what took place, for he saw the battle. Afterward, he promised me his daughter’s hand, though I cannot accept, for he thought me to be a prince.
ALFONZO : And are you not a prince? You have heard, no doubt, what has befallen Ivona? Tell me, you have fought with us so far – for both Milada and the Fardy brothers – out of necessity. Now, however, the choice is yours. I would welcome your assistance, but I understand if you wish to remain neutral.
WILLARD : I know little of the political situation in Atilta. I have lived here my whole life, it is true, yet the forest is far from civilized. I have rarely met men, and when I have, the speaking has been between our swords. How do things go?
ALFONZO : I will not try to fool you, Willard. The rebellion has little chance of succeeding. Gylain is not loved by the people, nor is he just. Yet even in his cruelty he is no fool. Every man has a desire to be peaceful, to look the other way when wrongs are done to others, but when they themselves are not effected. Gylain, therefore, gives enough of a tolerant facade to appease the selfishness of men. He oppresses the people, he plunders their labor, he tortures their men, but he does so under the facade of the merits of each case. Were he to destroy a family merely because it opposed him, the people would be roused. Were he to execute the Fardy brothers merely because they support the rebellion, the public would demand justice. Yet he goes from one victim to another, pretending in each case they have done some illegal thing. As his reign is secured, the oppressions increase, and soon the time will come when he will be strong enough to act without pretensions.
ALFONZO [continued]: There are a few nobles plotting against him. Yet it is only the morally noble man who fights when he has little to gain and much to lose, and nobility is not decided by such worths. If we do well, they will follow us as they now follow him, but if we fail they will quickly disown us. Milada of Erlich is the most ardent supporter of our freedoms. It deeply troubles me that spies and traitors within our own cause would attempt to take his life. Were it not for you, as you say, perhaps they would have done so.
ALFONZO [continued]: Fate, indeed, has put you in our path, for if he were lost we would soon join him in the otherworld. There are rumors from the Western March that do not bode well for him if they are true, but the Fardy brothers are on their way there now, so we must be patient.
BLOND FARDY : And there are none more patient than the Fardy brothers, Alfonzo. We should reach there the day after tomorrow.
WILLARD : Then you will not soon be in Eden?
BROWN FARDY : Not without a strong guard, friend. You can redeem the armor from our clerk though, for he knows our writing. If he troubles you, give him a good smack on the head and he will listen.
BLOND FARDY : Or be patient, but my brother is always that.
ALFONZO : Osbert will accompany the Fardy brothers; now that we know they are in danger, we will protect them to the last, as well as any other who needs our protection. Vahan Lee, now that you have heard more, do you still wish to join me?
VAHANLEE : Yes, if I am allowed, sir.
ALFONZO : Call me Alfonzo, not sir.
VAHAN LEE : Very well. I am a loyal citizen of Atilta, Alfonzo, and since I have fallen in with you, I think I can do no better than to follow you from now on, without thought to any foreign monarch who might want to encourage the rebellion against Gylain.
ALFONZO : You serve the French King, then?
VAHAN LEE : Good gracious, sir! I, well, I do not know how you got that idea into your head, though I am sure that if I did serve him, he would want to let you know that he was with you against Gylain. I will follow you of my own accord, de bonne grace – excuse me my throat was dry – I meant to say that I would follow you with a good grace, degage – I mean, freely and easily.
ALFONZO : Perhaps you had better keep silent for now, Vahan, and we will discuss this later when we are alone.
VAHAN LEE : Good idea, Alfonzo, a very good idea.
ALFONZO : Now, then: Thurston, Selmar, and Fritz will go with Osbert and the Fardy brothers to Milada’s castle, and once there will aid him however possible. Caspar will come with Vahan and myself to the southern hideout, to look over some documents. The rest will return to the caverns to patrol the road. Willard, have you come to a decision?