'Nothing insurmountable, sir,’ Ryllans said, answering the question as he picked up one of the boots and began pulling it on. ‘But we'll want our best men for that kind of a journey and they're all on different duties at the moment. Some just starting, some just finishing.’ He paused and looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘And I think some are taking rest days.'
Arwain nodded as he listened to this information, but his attention was taken totally by the way Ryllans, instead of sitting, was casually standing on one leg as he pulled on his boot. He did it calmly and quietly and without any staggering or wobbling.
Ryllans caught the look. ‘Balancing exercise,’ he said, answering the unspoken question. ‘Stability is everything.’ He placed his now booted foot very gently on to the floor and equally gently transferred his weight to it. ‘And sensitivity.’ Up came the other leg. ‘Training isn't just for the yard, and what we learn there isn't just for fighting.'
Arwain frowned a little. ‘I don't understand,’ he said.
Ryllans inclined his head. ‘It doesn't matter. You train diligently and you gain the attributes you need even though you're not aware of them.’ He smiled broadly and briefly took on his authority as Arwain's instructor. ‘But don't let me see you sitting down to put on your boots again-sir.'
Arwain looked at him narrowly. ‘And don't you distract me with your Mantynnai games, Ryllans,’ he said knowingly. ‘I didn't come here for training, and besides, I've no desire to become a stork. Come back to the point. What's the difficulty about getting the right men together for a patrol up to Whendrak tomorrow?'
'None, really, sir,’ Ryllans answered, lowering his other foot. ‘Though we'll have some sour faces to deal with. And purses to fill for the extra duty, and you know what Chancellor Aaken's like.’ He took down his jacket from a hook. ‘Also it'll be fairly hard riding to get there before nightfall and, with respect, I don't think it would be too wise to go thundering into Whendrak exhausted and covered in lather and sweat if there's likely to be any … problems … to be dealt with. If I have the duty guards relieved early, and we arrange to leave a little later, then they can get some rest and if we make a short camp tomorrow night we can ride in, slow and fresh, on the following morning. Perhaps pick up a little intelligence on the way.'
As usual, Ryllans’ advice was sound, and Arwain bowed to his judgement, though not without some scowling.
It was not, however, the minor logistical problems of gathering men and materials together that had protracted Arwain's preparations, though it had taken longer than he envisaged. It was Aaken's briefing on the diplomatic formalities of approaching this neutral city and its spiky, wilful people.
Now he was by Arwain's stirrup. ‘You're certain you have the procedures clear, Lord Arwain?’ he said. Arwain stifled another yawn and managed a polite answer to this further repetition of the question.
'Yes, Aaken,’ he replied. ‘And where some detail eludes me, I'll smile and crave their indulgence.’ He demonstrated by smiling down at the narrow, worried face of the Chancellor.
'Safe journey, Ibrisson,’ Aaken grunted by way of response. ‘Stay alert.'
Then Arwain signalled to Ryllans. The Mantynnai gave a soft-spoken order, and the platoon clattered forward across the courtyard and out through the wide gates. Aaken's worried look returned as the riders disappeared from view. He had never found it easy to let others do what he considered to be his work, especially young people.
'A failing,’ the Duke would reproach him. ‘The young take power if you don't give it to them. You should know that.’ And he would laugh. ‘We did.'
Aaken took such comments with an ill grace. ‘My head knows it, sire,’ then he would pat his stomach. ‘But my belly …?'
Still, he mused, turning away and walking up the broad steps that led back into the palace, the head was right and the belly did not object too strongly to remaining in the warm palace while others bounced in their saddles through the wintry chill.
Almost the exact thought was passing through Arwain's mind as he passed the Ibrian monument and set off down the long avenue that led from the palace square. The weather was cold and raw. Autumn becoming winter was not his favourite time of year; neither scented mists and dusty sunsets, nor sharp, ice-sparkling cold with the prospect of smothering snow and the glittering anticipation of the Winterfest at its heart.
A breeze started to blow, taunting him as it lowered the temperature even further. With a grimace he drew his cloak tighter about him then glanced at Ryllans. The Mantynnai too was adjusting his cloak, but he seemed to be largely impervious to the weather, riding now just as he would on a warm summer's day-relaxed and easy.
Arwain resolved to do the same. He did not pretend to understand all that the Mantynnai tried to teach him, but he had already learned that just copying them was often worthwhile.
Despite the fact that the places of power and gossip in the city were alive with talk about the Bethlarii envoy and his outrageous conduct, the appearance of a platoon of palace guards passing through the streets in casual, not to say ragged, formation, caused no great stir among those who saw it. Such comings and goings were unexceptional; there were always new recruits being taken out on training patrols, or groups going to relieve soldiers garrisoned out in Serenstad's dominion cities.
Their route out of the city took them down towards the river and through the busiest part of the Moras district. The press of people, riders, pack horses, and every conceivable type of cart and wagon, travelling in every direction, coupled with the efforts of the Way Liktors to control this disorderly throng at the many busy junctions along the way, reduced their progress to less than walking speed.
Ryllans turned to Arwain with a grin, after a while, and shrugged his shoulders. Then he let his reins fall and, sitting back, gently urged his horse on with his legs as opportunity permitted. Arwain looked skyward in reply. He really should speak to his father about these Way Liktors. Whenever they appeared to take up their duties at the busiest time of the day, they always seemed to bring the admittedly slow-moving traffic to a complete halt in every direction.
Still, he consoled himself, it would only be a few minutes’ delay, for all it felt like much more, and it would make no difference to the time when they would reach Whendrak. It was not as if he were expected.
'Ho, Ryllans.’ A voice reached him above the noise of the crowd as they waited. Arwain looked around but could not at first identify the caller. Then he caught sight of a man nearby, waving urgently. He was being escorted by two large Liktors. So apparently was his companion, a scruffy-looking individual with two large dogs.
One of the Liktors remonstrated with the man, who, after a brief debate, waved again to Ryllans, beckoning him forward.
Ryllans turned to Arwain. ‘It's Estaan,’ he said. ‘He seems to be having some problem with the Liktors, may I …?'
Arwain signalled his agreement before the request was made. Briefly, Ryllans tried to turn his horse towards the beleaguered Estaan, then he gave up and dismounted.
Arwain watched Ryllans’ rolling gait and gently sweeping arms carry him as smoothly through the press as if he were swimming in a calm lake. Making landfall, as it were, at his destination, there was some explanation from Estaan followed by a debate with the Liktors, during which Ryllans appeared to be vouching for Estaan, opening his cloak to reveal his field uniform and insignia, and discreetly pointing back to Arwain once or twice.
There was some earnest pouting and brow-furrowing by the Liktors, but seemingly Ryllans succeeded in his plea as the two eventually nodded to him and, after turning and saluting to Arwain, allowed themselves to be drawn into the crowd again.
Arwain smiled slightly. Though not a talkative person, Ryllans could be most persuasive when the need arose. He did not, however, immediately start the journey back to his horse again, for Estaan took hold of him vigorously by the arms and began speaking to him with some passion.
Despite himself Arwain leaned forward as if he might hear the conversation over the din of the traffic. It was, of course, impossible, but he found it difficult to draw his attention away. He knew Estaan by sight, but had never spoken to him and had no idea how the man normally behaved. Perhaps he always gesticulated and spoke with such fervour. Perhaps not all the Mantynnai were quiet and restrained. But he knew Ryllans, and it was his response that reached to him over the heads of the crowd more eloquently than any speech. He started back from Estaan, and even at this distance, Arwain could see that his face was shocked.
He wiped his hand first across his forehead and then across his mouth. Fear! Arwain read. Fear! What words could have frightened Ryllans into such a public display, such a lapse of control?
Arwain looked at Estaan's companion, the man with the two dogs. He was standing motionless, looking puzzled. And there was something strange about his eyes.
