seemingly draw him there at will.
He felt Tarrian and Grayle leaning against his legs slightly, as if for comfort. The wolves’ fears reached out to mingle with his own. In turn he reached out to be with his two Companions. Ironically, their fear reassured him; it gave him a measure of the rightness of his own emotions. Both the animals were pack leaders by nature. But they were thus only because they were not afraid of their fear, and faced danger wholeheartedly when need arose. Indeed it was necessity, and necessity only, that was the driving force of their terrible ferocity and courage.
And, threading through their fear, Antyr felt that necessity asserting itself. From their own inner well-springs the two wolves had drawn the same conclusion as Ibris before he had spoken it to Antyr. They were trapped, cornered. Now they must hold their ground. Fight or die.
Antyr became angry. And he had started none of this!
He opened his eyes and met the Duke's gaze forcefully. ‘Make what dispositions you must to face this new enemy, Ibris,’ he said. ‘Tonight, to aid you, Pandra and I and our Companions will assail the Bethlarii as best we can.
'Then I shall turn about and hunt those who so far have seen fit to hunt
Chapter 39
There was stunned silence in the tent as, with a stiff, almost military bow, and without seeking the Duke's permission, Antyr turned and left.
Estaan hesitated for a moment uncertainly before following him.
Then uproar broke out. Menedrion strode forward to confront his father.
'Who the devil does he think …?'
Ibris laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, at once restraining and reassuring. With the rest of the gathering he was more abrupt.
'Silence!'
His voice rose above the noise and descended on it like a great bird of prey, extinguishing it completely.
'The man goes to fight alone against an enemy about whom he knows nothing except that he possesses a terrible power. He bears a greater burden than any of us, but he's Serens, perhaps even Mantynnai now-he'll do what he must and what he can though it destroy him. We can do no less. The lapse of a few niceties of protocol are forgivable.'
He beckoned Arwain forward and placed his other hand on his shoulder.
'We here have to help him by concerning ourselves with the enemies we can see. With the strategy and tactics we're going to need to deal with two enemies instead of one.’ He glanced round at his listeners, his look and voice designed to stamp out their alarm and replace it with stern purpose.
'We don't know where this force of northerners is, save that it's somewhere between Rendd and Viernce. We may assume that if its leader-a Dream Finder, I'd remind you … is at this moment tending the needs of his … client … then the force is presumably camped.'
Arwain made to speak, but Ibris, still holding his shoulder, shook him silent gently, and continued.
'That situation may, and probably will, change rapidly now that there's been this encounter with Antyr, but still we have a little time, and we must use it to the full.'
He released his two sons and walked across to a table littered with maps and charts.
'Obviously we can't move a large infantry force so far across country either quickly enough or without giving the day here to the Bethlarii. Equally obviously, we can't allow this force to fall on Viernce.'
Arwain's question escaped. ‘Surely they'll not attack a walled city with just cavalry?’ he said.
Ibris nodded pensively. ‘One would imagine not,’ he said. ‘But from what little I know about the plains’ people, there are many tribes, and they spend much of their time quarrelling among themselves. It's fair to assume, therefore, that if a leader has arisen capable of uniting these tribes and bringing a large cavalry force over the mountains, then he's a man not to be underestimated. My immediate feeling is that such a man will use stealth and cunning where he can. Good tactics against a walled city. But he may have siege engines and skilled sappers for all we know.'
He tapped a chart absently with his finger, his face grave. ‘Besides, perhaps walls are no hindrance to this … Mynedarion … and his strange power.'
Menedrion frowned and, stepping close to Ibris, half whispered the thought that no one else dared to voice. ‘You don't believe this nonsense about him being able to destroy a city with his bare hands?'
'I can do no other,’ Ibris answered starkly but equally softly. ‘Twice I've heard it and the first time was from a witness whose word I know is beyond dispute.'
Menedrion stared into his father's face, for an instant his eyes were those of a frightened eight year old. Ibris nodded in understanding. ‘One step at a time, Irfan,’ he said, taking his son's arm in a purposeful grip. ‘I don't know what game is being played here, or by whom, but I know that your part is to smash the Bethlarii army. I know also that you're the only one who can do it.'
Menedrion's face hardened again as the grim leader within him gradually reasserted itself. He stepped back with a curt bow of acknowledgement and Ibris continued.
'However, their intended tactics at Viernce are of little relevance. What we must do is stop them reaching the city.'
He raised his hand to forestall the inevitable questions.
'Time is against us now. Accordingly, tomorrow, or as soon as is possible, the army, under Menedrion, will march at full speed against the Bethlarii and engage them immediately with a view to winning as rapid a victory as possible.'
The announcement swept away the uncertainties cloying the atmosphere.
Ibris ploughed on. ‘And, tonight, leaving as soon as they're ready, my personal bodyguard will ride across country to oppose this new enemy. They'll be under the command of Arwain, and accompanied by Haster and Jadric if they're willing.'
There were murmurs of concern.
'To move so fast, such a force could carry little in the way of weapons, what use would they be against a large cavalry force?'
'Your bodyguard is the heart of our army.'
'Gentlemen,’ Ibris said sternly, before the debate gathered momentum. ‘The bodyguard have their swords and they will take their bows and as many arrows as they can carry. In their hands these will offer defence against both cavalry and infantry. They'll seek out the enemy and hold him for as long as they can by whatever means. At the same time messengers will be sent to Viernce, Drew, Stor and Serenstad to warn them to levy all remaining reservists to go to their aid.'
'That's damn near the women and children,’ someone muttered, but Ibris ignored this remark.
'As for the Bethlarii, they're obviously preparing for a set-piece battle. They've not harassed us or our supply lines, tried to sway our weaker allies by either force or argument, launched diversionary assaults elsewhere along the border.’ His voice became bitter. ‘Their actions still make little sense, but I imagine they're looking for one huge, and final, encounter. Something that will be looked on with favour by Ar-Hyrdyn.’ He paused for a moment to let his anger subside. ‘Such a battle, as you know, will be won by the most disciplined side, and my bodyguard could add little to what we already possess. On the other hand,
There was silence when he had finished speaking. Whatever reservations any of his advisers might have had about his decision, they were insufficient to overcome the combination of his analysis and his will.
Pandra listened to Antyr's tale with increasing distress.
'What can I do?’ he asked when it was finished.
Antyr pulled his chair closer to the old man and leaned forward urgently. ‘Just help me tonight, Pandra,’ he replied. ‘We have to set aside everything we've ever held precious about our craft. We have to go into the Bethlarii
