“I will stay,” Cyndar repeated and could not keep the threat of violence out of her eyes.
Tarina Grace caught and recognized the look. “I would not ask this of you if you were not among the wounded…and I’ve had the same discussion with Samantha Fultan. Prince Gwaynn would not thank me if either of you were sacrificed for a lost cause.”
“Samantha,” Cyndar whispered with a faraway look in her eyes. “The baby!”
“The baby’s fine,” Grace told her quickly, mistaking
Cyndar’s hope for concern.
“Samantha has agreed?” Cyndar asked, surprised.
“Yes…she is brave and led her archers well, but she is with child and beginning to grow heavy. I cannot look after you both while the Knights storm the walls…it’s too much,” Grace added and noted the slight change in expression on the woman’s face.
“Manse will fall?” Cyndar asked, apparently on the edge of being convinced.
Grace nodded. “We may hold through one more attack. If the Knights had attacked in the night, the city would already be in their hands.”
Cyndar sat silent for a time as the nurse finished her bindings, then she stood and gingerly put on her shirt, hiding her breasts. Grace could almost hear the groans of disappointment coming from the men around her, but she ignored their distress and concentrated on Huntley.
“We need you to lead the wounded…they need their Captain,” Grace added glancing to doctor Linkler, who nodded and gave a slight, encouraging smile.
“Alright, I’ll go to Colchester…and heal,” Cyndar conceded, her thoughts now dwelling on the bitch with the red hair. “And then I will return…even if Manse has fallen,” she added dramatically.
“Good,” Grace said and reached out and gently rubbed the woman’s shoulder. It took all of Cyndar’s self control to allow the touch. “The doctor believes he’ll be ready to depart by tomorrow morning.”
“Very well,” Cyndar said. “I’ve some business to attend before we leave,” she added and sauntered from the room. Grace couldn’t help but notice that every male eye in the tent followed the woman and she sighed lightly, envying the woman’s youth and beauty. It had been a long while since she could command the eyes of men.
?
The rain fell hard and straight on the Plateau and the sky was a flat gray that spread from horizon to horizon. King Weldon stood beneath the awning of his private tent and watched the downpour. He ignored the occasional soldier who walked by, head down against the driving assault from above.
“I should rouse the men,” General Sanchez said from just behind his King. Weldon said nothing as the Speaker pushed past, the hood of his cloak pulled tightly over his head. Without hesitation the man headed off into the rain, eager to be away…not from his King so much as the three Executioners who now accompanied him.
“Any word from the cavalry?” Tar Giodart asked as he emerged from the tent, amused by the Speaker’s obvious fear of him. Tar Rhinehold and Tarina de Croix stopped just behind in the flap of the tent.
“I still think we should wait until the weather clears,” de Croix commented, though she fell silent as Giodart turned to stare at her.
“You heard the High King,” Weldon stated though he did not turn.
“No…there’s been no word from Captain Bradley,” Sanchez spoke up, answering the question which was truly on all their minds. “But I gave him explicit instructions to circle about the Massi position and wait for our attack…he’s never failed me.”
“Well let’s hope he continues his good work,” Giodart said as he finally pulled his eyes away from the Tarina.
“Yes,” Weldon agreed. “I’m sure he will. When do you expect the cavalry to be in position?”
“The Massi have stopped their slow retreat before us and are camped peacefully only a mile to the north…I’d say Bradley has already completed the circle and is in the enemy rear as we speak,” Sanchez put in confidently. “From the lack of reaction from the Massi, I’d say they’ve gone undetected.”
“Then we must not delay,” Giodart replied and held one hand out from beneath the awning to test the temperature of the rain.
“In this rain?” de Croix grumbled softly.
“Yes…in this rain,” Tar Giodart answered growing eager…what was a little rain. “The Massi will not expect it.”
Weldon remained quiet for a spell, eyeing the gray sky above. It promised nothing but more rain… perhaps for days. “Very well,” he finally said. “Muster the men.”
?
“na Gall tells me the Palmerrio are preparing to attack,” Monde said her eyes locking with Tar Kostek’s. Suddenly in the midst of war, she felt safe; she felt as if the Travelers might well survive this conflict.
They all sat around several small tables which were pushed together, save for Tarina re N’dori, who sat off in a corner, her eyes closed in silent contemplation.
“In this weather?” Saran asked, clearly surprised.
“This late in the day?” William asked equally astonished.
“It’s a sound move,” Gwaynn said. He sat near the center of the group with Vio on one side and Tar Kostek on the other, “though risky. Have we heard from Captain Gaston?”
Monde shook her head. “I can attempt to contact Sarbeth.”
“We need to know,” Lonogan confirmed with a nod. Monde returned it and moved off toward the rear of the tent.
“We need to get the men ready,” Prince Phillip said then moved to the opening of the tent and spoke softly to one of the Toranado guards that followed him everywhere.
“The weather is a blessing. It will hide our presence,” interjected Jinja, speaking of the Tars and students from Noble. Gwaynn shook his head at the excitement in the young man’s voice, and was suddenly worried for them all.
“Yes Jinja,” Kostek said softly. “The rain will surely hide us, but that may not be a good thing.”
“There are not many ordinary soldiers who would be willing to face a Tar,” Endid explained to his student. “Many battles in the past were avoided just by the presence of the Tars of Noble…if they can’t see us there may be unnecessary bloodshed.”
“You’re clear on where you will be in the coming battle?” Kostek asked the students, but looked up as Monde rushed over.
“Gaston?” Lonogan asked, though he truly wanted to ask about Jess. She volunteered to travel forward with the scouts and it worried him. The weather did not help.
Monde shook her head. “na Gall. The Palmerrio are on the move!”
There was a great rumbling of chairs as everyone stood and began to head toward the opening of the tent. Gwaynn reached out and grabbed Vio by the arm before they made it to the exit.
“Will you stay in the rear and protect the Travelers with Bethany?” He asked though he knew the answer.
Vio smiled sadly. “You care for me?”
Gwaynn frowned. “You know I do.”
“Ah but you have never looked at me they way you look at Samantha Fultan,” she said and abruptly started to leave the tent. Gwaynn tightened his grip.
“I’m training to be a Tarina…I will be a Tarina,” Vio said spinning back to face him, “and sometimes a Tarina must kill!”
They stood looking at one another for a moment as people rushed past them, apparently unaware of the drama, at least until the Solitary re N’dori came near, laughing softly.
