Lords of the Sky

savoring what was to come. I put an arm about Rwyan, and she leaned close and whispered, “You’ll not forget your promise, Daviot.”

She intended no insult to my Storyman’s memory: it was not a question. I answered her, “What of the pattern?”

She said, “Only does the time come.” I said, “Yes,” and sighed.

Then all my attention was on the supine form of the Kho’rabi I named a friend.

He lay still on the cloth-draped bier. The crystals surrounding him sat adumbral on their pedestals, as if their light were gone into the restoration of his memory and now they slumbered. Somehow, I had no doubt but that it was restored him. It seemed, for all they no longer pulsed or flickered, that the stones radiated a sense of satisfaction. I watched, breath bated, as the Sky Lords took positions about the dais. Three stood at the head, two at the foot, the others to either side. All raised their arms, extended palms downward over the silent form, and spoke together.

I could not understand their language, but I saw that Tezdal responded. I saw his chest rise steeper than before. I heard the gusty exhalation of his breath. He made a sound, sigh and groan together, as if aroused from deepest slumber. His eyes opened, blank a moment, then lit by intelligence. He rose on his elbows, peering about, eyes narrowed, his brow creased. Then he said something in his own tongue.

The Sky Lords clustered close. A Changed came forward, bringing a goblet that one of the Ahn brought to Tezdal’s lips. He drank deep and wiped his mouth, then swung his legs from the bier and stood upright. For an instant he swayed, eyes closed as he shook his head, but then he straightened, shaking off the hands that would assist him. He looked slowly around, finding my eyes and Rwyan’s. He ducked his head slightly, acknowledging our presence, but his expression was unreadable. I felt Rwyan tense within the compass of my arm.

Then Allanyn blocked my view. She insinuated herself between the Sky Lords-which I saw affronted them-to face Tezdal. In the language of the Dhar she said, “Lord Tezdal, are you again whole? Have you all your memory again?”

Tezdal answered her in the same language: “I do.”

His voice was cold, as if he found her impertinent, which Allanyn minded not at all. She gave him her back as she spun to face us.

“So it is done! You see our power now; and now you’ve a choice to make.”

Her smile was feral: I thought she hoped for Rwyan’s refusal. I tensed, my heart sinking as I shaped my hand to strike the blow I dreaded.

Rwyan said, “Perhaps. But ere I make that choice, I’d speak with Tezdal.”

Allanyn’s lovely face became a mask of rage. “What?” she cried. “You’d dictate terms? I tell you-choose now, or it shall be done for you.”

I moved a small distance from Rwyan’s side, enough I’d have sufficient room to strike. A sour weight sat deep in my belly. For an instant my vision clouded red. For an instant I thought to spring at Allanyn, to let my blow shatter her hateful face. But I’d made that promise. To renege on that would be to betray Rwyan-and likely leave her to suffer the angry devices of the Changed alone. I should be dead; nor had I any great confidence I could slay Allanyn. I ground my teeth and curbed the impulse. I stood ready to slay my love, and as I did I cursed every turn of the fate that had brought us to this moment.

Rwyan said. “Not yet,” and I was uncertain whether she directed her words at me or at the raging Allanyn.

Then she said, “Is your magic truly so powerful as you claim, then Tezdal has back all his memories. Both those that make him a Sky Lord and those that make him my friend.”

I watched as Allanyn’s lips drew back from her sharp white teeth in an entirely feline snarl. Her hands rose, beginning to weave a pattern in the air. Had she not been so consumed with rage, she’d have got the spell out clear and blasted Rwyan on the spot.

But she spluttered, and before she could complete the cantrip, Tezdal had her by the wrists, forcing her arms down, turning her to face him. I could not see her expression, but I saw her shoulders strain beneath her gown and heard her howl of fury. Sky Lords and Changed spoke together then, urgently, their voices raised in a babble of protest and anger. I saw the crystals begin to pulse and felt that tingling on my skin that warned of burgeoning occult power. From the corner of my eye I saw Rwyan’s slight smile, as if she scored a victory. I thought at best she bought us a little time.

Then Tezdal’s voice came clear and cold through the hubbub.

“The lady Rwyan speaks true! She’s debt-claim on me, and I am sworn to defend her.”

He let go Allanyn’s wrists, and the Changed woman sprang back. The Sky Lords drew closer to Tezdal, as if they’d defend him against her magic. Their faces were a mixture of confusion and outrage. I thought that did Allanyn or any other gifted look to employ magic, I should witness a horrendous duel. I supposed it might end the alliance; I wondered if Rwyan planned this.

Then Geran pushed to the fore, hands raised in placatory gesture. “My friends,” he said, “do we fall to fighting amongst ourselves? Shall we squabble over this Dhar sorceress? Calm yourselves, I say, lest all our dreams be wasted.”

Another Changed took Allanyn’s arm: she shook him off even as he murmured urgently. But more drew near, setting themselves between her and the Sky Lords, succeeding in forcing her reluctantly back.

Geran said, “So, do we becalm ourselves? All of us!”

This last was directed at Allanyn, who allowed herself to be placated. I saw her force a smile and heard her say, “Forgive me, my lords. I grow impatient with the rank presumption of this mage. I’d see our venture commence as soon it may, and her pointless defiance angers me.”

The Sky Lords murmured in their own tongue. I sensed they found her display unseemly. I thought these were likely folk much given to protocol. Dismissing my earlier curse, I prayed they were much given to honor.

One, gray in his oiled beard, said, “Your apology is accepted, lady. But this matter of Lord Tezdal’s vow is a troubling thing.”

Allanyn said, “Surely such a vow is worthless. Lord Tezdal was not himself when that oath was sworn.”

She had better held silent. I saw that in the stiffening of the Sky Lords’ backs, the frowns that twisted their features. The speaker said, “A vow is a vow.” His voice was cold. “Save he’s his honor, a man is nothing. The gods shall not forgive an oath-breaker.”

Allanyn would have spoken again. I hoped she would, for her words seemed to drive a wedge between these allies, but Geran forestalled her. He said, “Aye, there’s much truth in that. And a conundrum, also.”

He was a diplomat, that one, and cunning: all fell silent, waiting on him.

He said, “I’d not besmirch Lord Tezdal’s honor-nor would any here! But when one vow stands in opposition to another? What then?” He paused: he had their attention. “Lord Tezdal is Kho’rabi-Dedicated-and so sworn to the Great Conquest. That vow was made knowingly, when he possessed all his senses and was entirely himself. This other, surely, was made when he was-forgive me, my lord-less than entire. His memory was gone, taken from him by Truemen’s sorcery. No fault of his, that; but were he not victim of that magic, would he have sworn that vow? I think not, and so I’d ask he set aside that latter-lesser!-vow, in honor of the greater.”

This was sophistry worthy of Durbrecht! Almost I could admire Geran’s slippery tongue. He spoke so earnestly, sincerity dripping, his expression one of concern, suggesting he might share the dilemma he outlined. I glanced at Rwyan, dreading she’d bid me strike, and saw her smiling still, seeming possessed of a confidence I could not share. I looked to Tezdal and saw him perturbed, his eyes narrowed as if he considered Geran’s words. The other Sky Lords waited on him. I felt my future and Rwyan’s waited on him.

Finally he nodded and said, “There’s much to consider in that. But still-as Zenodar says, a vow is a vow.”

“Even were you not yourself?” asked Geran. “My lord, surely there was a theft here-Dhar magic stole your memory.”

“In battle,” Tezdal said, and smiled directly at Rwyan. “There was no theft intended-only death.”

“Aye, they’d have taken your life!” said Geran. “They’d have slain you, save their magic was not so great.”

“And well might have slain me, after,” Tezdal replied, “when they found me on that rock, or when they took me to the island. But they did not, and from Rwyan I had only kindness.”