Shaul, commanding his first border patrol, cursed his bad luck. Though the patrols had turned back countless refugees since the rebellion in Kislova had begun, this was the first violation of the border by Janosk's troops, and it placed him in an awkward position.
'Let them have their prisoners,' one of his comrades suggested. 'Pretend it was all a mistake. Besides, I don't relish having to guard men such as those.'
Shaul was inclined to agree. Though the handful of invaders wore the blue-and-gold tunics of Kislova, they looked less like disciplined fighters than street thugs. They'd formed a circle around their prisoners. As Shaul rode closer, he saw what looked like an old man and a boy of twelve or thirteen…
No, not a boy. No boy had features that fine, or hands that delicate. Nonetheless, the girl gripped a long dagger as though she knew how to use it, slashing at the soldiers who came too close. Shaul quickened his pace. Some of the Kislovan soldiers turned toward him, though the others were still intent on their prey.
'Leave us in peace!' the girl cried. 'Haven't you done enough to him?'
Shaul took a closer look at the old man, saw the bandages on his eyes and hands, the way his mouth moved, trying to speak. Possibly the man had been mutilated as punishment for some crime-more likely for taking part in the rebellion. But if the man's crimes were so terrible, he should have been killed outright, not made to suffer like this.
'Back off!' Shaul ordered. 'You are in violation of Sundell lands. Whoever is in charge, come forward!'
A man with long greasy strands of hair and a dark stubble on his face looked up at him. 'You're mistaken,' he said insolently, as if the Sundell riders weren't better armed and didn't outnumber his own troops two to one.
'There are the markers.' Shaul pointed at the red-and-yellow stakes farther up the hill. 'Let those people go.' He pulled out his sword to emphasize his resolve.
'These prisoners escaped,' the Kislova soldier said. 'We would honor your laws in such a matter.'
Shaul looked at the blind man, exhausted, defiant; at the girl, panting with fear. Whatever thoughts he'd had of compromise ended at the sight of their helplessness. 'Leave them and go,' he ordered.
The Kislovan commander shrugged and grinned. 'As you command,' he said. As he motioned his men away, his hand fell to a dagger beneath his cloak. Before the Sundell soldiers could react, he let it fly toward the helpless man.
The girl struck out with her arm, deflecting the knife. She received only a small wound, but the cut was enough. She fell to her knees, clawing at her throat, trying to force breath into lungs that no longer worked.
Shaul struck, the force of his blow beheading the Kislovan commander. His men joined him in the fight, but though two were cut, only the commander's blade had been poisoned. The battle ended in minutes, with six of the Kislovan band dead. The seventh and last, only a little older than the dying girl, threw down his sword and surrendered.
By then the girl had lost consciousness and lay across her companion's knees. As Shaul watched helplessly, her body stiffened, then relaxed into death.
'Lord Jorani's poison,' the Kislovan soldier whispered.
Shaul looked from the girl's face with its blue lips and^open, reddened eyes to the man holding her. His body shook with grief, though he was incapable of tears.
'Were you in the rebellion?' Shaul asked.
The man nodded. He pulled back a corner of the girl's cloak and motioned for Shaul to reach into a pocket. Shaul did, drawing from it a small scrap of parchment. On it was scrawled a single word-Invade.
'Janosk?' Shaul asked.
The man nodded again.
Shaul reached down and grabbed the man's arm. 'Ride with me,' he said, pulling the man up behind him.
'One of you bring the soldier to the castle,' Shaul ordered. 'And one other the body of the girl, as well. Perhaps our healers can determine the nature of the poison that killed her.'
'What about the other bodies?' someone asked.
'Leave them for the cats,' Shaul said. 'Hold on to me,' he whispered to the man sitting behind him, then made off at a gallop for Shadow Castle in the center of the great forest of Sundell.
FOUR
Four days after Ilsabet had visited her father's camp, Baron Janosk summoned the family to an early breakfast. Marishka, never an early riser, wore a robe over her nightdress, and had her long auburn hair tied back with a scarf. Lady Lorena looked pale in her simple blue gown, but her eyes were, thankfully, clear, her expression stoic. As always she was perfectly groomed.
Ilsabet had also dressed with care. 'I see that someone else gives your father the respect that is his due,' Lorena said, not even glancing at Marishka, though her remark was certainly directed at the girl.
Marishka stifled a yawn. 'Where is father?' she asked. 'It would seem to me that if he wanted to dine at this odd hour he would…' Her voice trailed off as Baron Janosk entered the room. He was dressed for battle in a thick leather doublet. Mihael, who walked a few steps behind him, was similarly clothed.
'I present my new second in command,' Janosk said, moving aside so the boy could walk in front of him to the table.
Lorena frowned. 'Do we learn of your plans now, my lord, or must we wait until after the battle is over?'
'First we eat,' he replied.
Lorena rang the servants' bell, and the food was carried in-trays of fruit and fresh bread, quail eggs poached in wine and glazed with butter, and a plate of trout pulled fresh from the river that morning.
Only the men seemed able to eat-her father voraciously, Mihael out of necessity. Ilsabet picked at the fish and nibbled a bit of bread and jam, waiting expectantly to hear the news.
After the table was cleared, Janosk ordered the servants to leave. Then, in low tones, he made his announcement. 'Today we ride west to annex Sundell,' he said.
'Sundell!' Lady Lorena exclaimed. 'Janosk, this is madness.'
'I will give the jewel of Sundell to my loyal subjects,' Janosk said. 'I do it as much for Mihael as for myself.'
Lorena continued to object. 'But Sundell has so much wealth, and the troops…'
'Silence!' he bellowed. 'The decision is made. We attack tonight.'
Lorena normally respected her husband's temper. Not now. 'Tonight! Have you gone to the mountains and consulted Sagesse?' she asked.
'The Seer?' Janosk sneered. 'Allied with rebels from the beginning. Why would I trust her advice?'
Ilsabet said nothing then. Jorani had undoubtedly prepared the troops well. Later however, Ilsabet went looking for Jorani. She found him downstairs with the troops, overseeing the loading of burlap bags.
Drawing him aside, she asked, 'Does Lady Lorena have reason to be concerned?'
'In battle, there are always reasons, but now more than ever,' he replied. 'The troops are tired, many are wounded and cannot go with us. We should have a full force for this expedition. Your father, however, sees things differently. He thinks time would give the rebels a chance to regroup, and give Sundell a chance to learn of our plans.'
'Is he right?' Ilsabet asked.
'I see the wisdom of his decision. A surprise attack should be successful.' He pointed to the bags in the wagon and added, 'I've done what I could. If things go as we hope, we'll win easily.'
Soldiers were preparing their mounts. Servants filled the courtyard, bringing out fresh bread and dried meat.
'Someone so small could get trampled here,' Jorani told her. 'Go up to my chamber and pray for us.'
An hour later, she stood in Jorani's tower room and watched the troops assemble and ride, their blue-and- gold banners waving in the morning breeze. She stood at the window, looking west until even the dust raised by
