of Anthor and probably Relanor as well. But how could he tell them? There was no hope in battle except for a brave death. Even Vorish with his sticks for armies arranged on a board would have no answer to that evil Eye he had seen in the city of the Gashans.
As for Kiveli, Adhara told him afterwards that none of the women at the rite expected it to be effective. He had simply made a fool of himself, and for some reason most of the women had disliked him ever since. So much for giving them hope. And Azkun and Althak had gone chasing after dragons when they could have offered something they could use against Gashan.
Keashil’s songs did cheer him a little. Although she, herself, was often seen to be downcast when she thought she was alone, she was always cheerful when she spoke to Menish. It was as if she did not wish her personal fears to be the concern of anyone else. She was also intelligent and he began including her in the discussions he had with Adhara, Bolythak, Neathy and Drinagish. Once, after one of their meetings, he asked her if anything was troubling her. Was she uncomfortable in Hrangil’s old chamber? It was nothing, she said. When he asked Olcish the boy told her his mother missed Althak.
But winter did not last forever. The North wind grew less bitter, the cattle became less careful of their sheltered valleys. The days began to grow longer again and the land took on a green mantle as spring grass pushed through the warming earth. The clan leaders arrived, as was their custom, to meet with Menish before the spring games.
With spring also came Vorish.
The Emperor had set out a month before with his cavalry. The baggage train had been travelling much longer, but he had caught up with it at the Lansheral as planned and travelled with it to Meyathal. It had taken them several days to cross the river at Kronithal. Holdarish and Mora had shown their son-in-law hospitality while his troops made the crossing.
They were first seen by a rider who was checking one of Menish’s herds to the south of Meyathal, everyone knew the Emperor would arrive any day now. He galloped into Meyathal calling his news to anyone who would hear. The Emperor was coming with his armies, they covered the whole plain like the shadow of a storm cloud. The wealth in horses alone had left the man dazed.
Menish organised an escort to ride out to meet Vorish. He took Adhara and Drinagish with him of course, and Neathy carried his standard since Althak was no longer with them. Menish noticed the pride in Neathy as she rode with the standard unfurled above her. She was one who had liked Althak so she would not be gloating over his fall from favour. But Menish wished he still had Althak to carry his standard again. He was growing more certain that he would die in this battle, and Althak who had rescued him a dozen times would not be there. He missed the Vorthenki’s garish armour, and he missed his ready smile in these grim days.
By the time he reached Vorish he was quite morbid, rather than pleased as he should have been. Even the sight of Vorish’s vast army did nothing to cheer him. But the others of his escort gasped at the size of the Emperor’s army. They had no way of estimating the actual size, though Menish told them there were approximately five thousand heavy cavalry and another ten thousand more lightly armed horsemen, as well as a huge number of wagons light enough to negotiate the Anthorian roads.
Few of the Anthorians had ever seen heavy cavalry before. Their own fighting methods, developing from raiding, required lightly armed horseman who could move quickly. But the Relanese had always used large horses capable of carrying a warrior covered in armour. When they charged they made the ground shake.
Vorish’s forces looked to be under the command of four Drinols, judging by the standards displayed, and Vorish had brought his personal guard with him as well. It was a humbling experience for Menish, reminding him that he was but a vassal to Vorish. Any of his Drinols were as powerful as the King of Anthor judging by the size of the force they could muster.
But none of his Drinols were the Emperor’s father. He could not help looking at Vorish afresh. Was there a resemblance? Vorish’s eyes were like his own, or he thought so. He could not remember exactly what Vorish looked like now. His nose was like Drinagish’s, but that was nonsense. Drinagish was only related to Menish through Adhara.
Vorish greeted him warmly, but his smile quickly faded. “You went to Gashan in spite of my orders.”
“I had no choice, you know that.”
“All would have been lost if you'd died there. Althak said you almost did.”
“He almost did. I expect to live a little longer.”
Menish signalled his escort to fall in with Vorish’s personal guard while he and Adhara rode beside the Emperor.
“Did Holdarish and Mora treat you well?”
“Yes, they made me very welcome. Mora was not so warm, but she tried to hide her thoughts from me.”
“She'd like to see Sonalish again.”
“And she will not go to Atonir. Sonalish will not go to Kronithal either. Anthorian women are so stubborn!” Vorish laughed. “Perhaps I can arrange for them to meet at the Lansheral. They could clasp hands through the gate in the wall, neither leaving their own lands.”
“Are they coming to the battle?”
“Holdarish and Mora? I think so. Holdarish would prefer to stay and count his wealth, Mora wants to kill Gashans.”
“Sonalish didn't want to come?” asked Adhara.
“No, Relanese women don't fight,” said the Emperor.
“What if Atonir is attacked?”
“It's well defended. Angoth remains in charge of twelve thousand men there. Let's hope they will not have to fight Gashan at their walls.”
“You have hope?” asked Menish. “Surely you're not waiting for Azkun’s dragons.”
“No, neither am I waiting for help from Kiveli.” He grinned at Adhara and Menish realised that he had even gained access to the secrets of the women of Anthor. Was anything hidden from him? “I didn't bring all these with me to watch dragons or whatever defeat our enemies for us.”
“But the Gashans have the Eye.”
He shrugged and they rode towards Meyathal.
Vorish’s men set up a vast camp on the flat area on the other side of the river from Meyathal. Their tents intrigued the Anthorians. They were made of canvas rather than felt, and they were square, which was absurd. These Relanese or Vorthenki, or whatever they were, did not know how to make a tent that would survive a northern winter. Did they really know how to fight? There were comments about their horsemanship, how they did not sit properly, and why did that one scowl at everyone?
But Menish was, as always, impressed with Vorish’s tight organisation. Tents were going up everywhere, but there was a disciplined pattern to it all. Those that were not setting up tents were unpacking wagons, starting cooking fires and digging latrines. Oxen were being slaughtered for the evening meal down by the river. All was going smoothly, with hardly an order given.
It was not until that evening that Menish learned more of Vorish’s plans. A council of Vorish’s Drinols and Menish’s clan chiefs was arranged to meet in Vorish’s tent.
Menish was surprised when he entered the council tent. He had lived in similar tents during the campaign against Thealum and he expected them to be Spartan inside. But Vorish had every luxury. There were bright hangings on the walls, rich floor coverings scattered with embroidered cushions and low tables of wood inlaid with shell. There were also wrought bronze candle holders suspended from the roof and their flickering candles set shadows dancing on the walls.
Vorish’s Drinols, Treath, Athun, Theyul of Kromere and Haramath of Azmere, were already seated when Menish entered with his clan chiefs. Treath and Athun Menish knew well. Haramath looked familiar, and he was polite enough to greet Menish as ‘Sire’. He looked about Darven’s age so he had probably been in the war with Thealum. Theyul was younger, probably too young for Menish to have met before. He seemed very Relanese in his dress. Where Haramath wore finely worked bracelets and embroidered trousers, Theyul wore little jewellery and the flowing court robes of the Relanese.
The clan chiefs, of course, were old friends, and old enemies, of Menish. He met them every year before the spring games where they discussed disputes between the clans, of which there were many. Sometimes the debate
