That also left me wondering about the stone-lady. She had been very different from the other ‘voices’ I had heard and I now suspected she might be the archmage mentioned in the book. “Moira Centyr…,” I mused aloud. If only the book had given the name of her lover. It had said that he was of the Illeniel line, but if his name had been the same as mine I could have been sure that she was one and the same person as my ‘stone-lady’. If she really was some historical archmage; still alive after centuries of living within the earth itself… I couldn’t begin to imagine what knowledge she might have.
A knock at the door forced me to return to the present, I found Marc standing outside. “Come in,” I told him. “I haven’t seen much of you the past day or two.”
“After I delivered your message to Arundel I found myself called upon minister to the sick,” he replied. “There were several there who had suffered injuries during the summer.”
“Oh,” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“I thought you should know however, Sheldon returned yesterday evening in a terrible humor. You really made a great impression on him.”
I smiled grimly, “The feeling was mutual. What did he say?”
“I won’t waste your time with most of it. He’s not a very inspired orator, the closest he came to an original insult was ‘pig-lord’,” Marcus smiled at me for a moment before his face grew serious. “Of more concern is that fact that he is already making preparations to winter in the capital.”
“He’s leaving already?” I was surprised he had moved so quickly. “What did he tell his people?”
“Nothing, it would almost seem to be a normal trip abroad, except for the fact that he’s taking all of his fighting men with him… and packing up every valuable possession he owns.” My friend shook his head, “He plans to leave them behind Mort.”
My poor opinion of the baron had lowered even more; his sheer indifference to the fate of his people irritated me more than I could say. “Has he left yet?”
“He was still there when I left. I think he plans to start out in the morning.”
A plan began to percolate in my head. It probably wasn’t the wisest thing I had ever considered doing but my conscience wouldn’t let me do otherwise. I went downstairs to make preparations for the next morning.
Chapter 24
The good baron was just leaving his manor when we arrived. I think he was surprised to see me, and not pleasantly so, which suited me just fine. Penny rode beside me to my right, while Marc sat upon his palfrey to my left. Behind us were ten men of the Washbrook militia.
“Lord Cameron, I had not expected to see you this day,” the baron addressed me. He rode at the head of over thirty guardsmen. I could see heavily laden pack mules with them, as well as an exceptional number of ‘spare’ horses. He had probably emptied his stables. The fact that he cared more for his livestock than his people did nothing to improve my temper.
“You look as though you are off upon a journey my lord,” I replied civilly.
“I plan to winter in the capital. Surely you did not expect me to stay?” his lip curled into a sneer as he spoke.
“I expected you to have the decency to inform your people of the coming war. Only a coward packs his bags and runs without giving his people some warning,” I answered coldly. Evidently he hadn’t bothered to tell his retainers either… I saw several eyes raised among his men as I spoke.
“Take care with your words Lord Cameron, lest I take umbrage. The affairs of my people are none of your concern.” He shifted uncertainly on his stallion but resisted the urge to look at his men, to do so might have shown his fear.
“I see you didn’t even have the courtesy to tell your men. Some of them must have families. Did you fear they would desert if they knew you were leaving their wives and children to die?” I raised my voice to ensure it would carry clearly to those listening. Several people had come out of his manor to see what was happening.
“I’ve had enough of your insults, dog!” the baron’s face was red with rage now. “Cut them down…” Before he could finish his order Penny spurred her horse forward and struck him from his saddle with the flat of her sword. Rising from the ground he drew his own blade, “You dare strike your betters?!” he screamed at her.
I had to give the man credit, he might be an ass but he didn’t shrink from a fight. Penny dismounted easily and strode toward him. Lord Arundel was obviously well practiced with his sword, but Penny was far too quick for him, she sidestepped his first swing and her hand darted out, wrenching the weapon from his grasp. His face registered shock before she struck him with her fist. A moment later he was stretched out face down in the dirt. She put the edge of her sword against his neck to encourage him to stay there, “I’ll dare more than to strike you if you speak again.”
The whole thing happened so quickly no one had moved. The baron’s men sat their horses with gaping mouths at the sight of him so quickly disarmed. To be truthful I was a bit surprised myself. Penny had always been feisty, but now her speed and agility were frightening. I tried not to show my own surprise though.
I addressed the guardsmen and the growing crowd of townsfolk who were gathering, “My name is Mordecai Illeniel, the new Count di’Cameron. I have come to give you the news your lord unwisely kept from you and to offer you a choice.” I had to shout now to make sure everyone could hear me. Nearly fifty people stood around us now. “Gododdin plans to invade in the spring. I gave your baron this news yesterday, but it seems he would rather hide with his wealth in the capital than safeguard his people.”
The gathered crowd gasped at the news and a chorus of hushed voices began talking among them. I worried panic might set in before I could finish. “I am here to offer you a choice. The Duke of Lancaster and I have a plan to meet the invader and defeat him. Any of you who would stay and fight for your homes are welcome to join us.”
Poor Sheldon could not stay silent, “You would steal those in my service? The king will know of this outrage!”
“Kyrtos,” I spoke and his voice fell silent. I could see his eyes bulging as he realized he was no longer capable of speaking.
“Those of you who wish to stay are welcome to come with me. Those of you who can fight may take employment with me. Those of you who fear the baron’s wrath should he return may build new homes on my lands. Where you were ‘serfs’ to this pitiful excuse for a lord you may be freeholders now.”
Someone in the crowd spoke up, “Winter is almost here. It is too late to move now; we would have no place to survive the cold.”
I had expected that. “You may stay in your homes for the winter if you wish or you may find shelter in Castle Cameron. I need men and women to prepare for the coming war. I will assist you with building homes in the spring, once the war is done,” I answered.
The crowd went silent at that. I suspect many of them were too shocked to know what to make of my offer. I didn’t dare give them time for debate. Taking my staff I drew a line in the dirt, “Those of you who wish to take my offer step forward. Those who wish to return to the capital with this piece of trash simply stay where you are, although I suspect he will only take those who were in his original party.”
Faced with a sudden choice it didn’t take them long to decide. One by one the baron’s guardsmen crossed my line. The townsfolk joined in a rush as soon as it was apparent the guardsmen wouldn’t be standing against them. In the end only two men remained to the disgraced baron. I motioned to Penny to let him up, “Very well Sheldon. You may leave now.” As an afterthought I released the magic that was holding his tongue.
“You will regret this. The king will hear of this outrage,” he told me. I noticed he kept his voice low. He motioned to his remaining retainers to gather the pack mules.
“Stop,” I declared. “You may take only what is on your person and enough food for you and your two servants to make the journey. The rest stays here.”
“So you plan to rob me as well? You are no better than a common bandit,” he spat at the ground.
“What you had came from the sweat of your people. You surrendered your right to it when you abandoned them,” I replied.
He looked at Penny, “At least return my sword.”
