As the disturbances began to subside, there was a tense lull in which to prepare for the final onslaught.
Serrah and Reeth volunteered for lookout duty, and found themselves stationed on one of the redoubt’s battlements. It was the first time in many hours that they were able to be alone. Across the plain, the empires’ combined armies had gathered in even greater numbers.
‘They could just walk in here any time they like,’ Caldason reckoned, ‘and we couldn’t do a thing about it, other than making them pay a price in blood. So why are they holding back?’
‘It was you, Reeth. You did them some real damage.’
‘Only enough to slow them down. Whatever stopped me did it before I could finish the job.’
‘Finish? You’re not seriously saying you could have defeated a horde like that single-handed, are you?’
‘I don’t know what I was capable of in that condition. But I do know that it felt…It’s difficult to explain, Serrah. It felt as though I could do anything. The potential, the power…it’s why the Founders have fought over me for so long, and why some of them wanted me dead.’
‘But you’ve not been able to do it again.’
‘I’ve only tried once. But it was like there was nothing there.’
‘Maybe you need to recuperate, build up your strength or…I don’t know. There’s too much going on, Reeth. It overwhelms you after a while.’
‘Doesn’t it just? And this thing about Tanalvah, it…beggars belief.’
‘That’s what I thought, at first.’
‘There’s no doubt?’
‘I don’t think so. It was a deathbed confession. And I believed her. You would have too, if you’d been there.’
‘What would make her do something like that?’
‘She thought she was saving Kinsel. She did it out of love.’
‘I sometimes think as much evil’s done in the name of love as hate.’
‘That sounds cynical.’
‘It’s not supposed to; it’s just an observation.’
‘Well, let’s be sure our love never generates evil, shall we?’
‘It couldn’t.’ He put an arm around her, and they kissed.
‘Anyway,’ she said, ‘I can’t think of Tanalvah as evil. Sounds crazy, I know, after what she did, but I still don’t see her as bad.’
‘It’s about potential again, isn’t it?’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘We’re all capable of being righteous or wicked. Sometimes both. The seeds of good and evil are in us, just waiting for something to set them off.’
‘You think we’re all capable of murder?’
‘That’s a strange question for you and me, isn’t it? It was your profession, and I’ve done more than my share.’
‘That wasn’t murder, any more than taking an enemy life in this siege would be murder. The people we killed were bad.’
‘A pacifist, like Kinsel, would say that was trying to justify it.’
‘Sometimes you have to defend those who are weaker, or protect your own life, or-’
‘You don’t have to convince me. I’m a Qalochian. Well, half of one, anyway, and you don’t get much more martial in outlook than that. But we’d be offended to be called murderers. I’m just saying that given the right conditions, enough of a shove, anybody could be a murderer. A killer in that bad sense.
According to Praltor, even the paladins were noble once.’
‘Does it bother you that Tan was a Qalochian?’
‘Bother me? You mean like letting the side down or something?’
‘I suppose I do.’
‘Being of the Qaloch didn’t make her any better than anybody else. We’re not saints.’
‘You never really got on with her.’
‘And you think what she did confirmed my opinion? Actually, it wasn’t my opinion; it was more a case of her not favouring me too much. Though I admit I think I made her uneasy, reminding her of our heritage.’
‘She had that heritage taken away from her. You of all people should understand that. She grew up in Rintarah; it was natural she’d take on their customs.’
‘I wonder how the funeral’s going to be.’
‘What kind of service, you mean? It’ll be presided over by a priest of the Iparrater sect. Kinsel’s quite keen on that, actually.’
‘It’s the Qaloch gods who should be invoked.’
‘That’s a bit rich coming from you, Reeth. I thought you had your doubts about gods of any kind.’
‘I do, but it’s funny how the prospect of almost certain death can make what you were taught as a child seem meaningful again. Anyway, how is Kinsel?’
‘I think you can guess. Having the new baby and the children to care for is the only thing keeping him going, I reckon. He feels ashamed, you know. For what Tan did. He sees it as reflecting on him.’
‘He shouldn’t. He wasn’t responsible for her actions.’
‘You’re right. Oh, just a minute. Stand still.’ She reached up and plucked something from his head.
‘What was that?’
‘A grey hair. I’m damned if I know what to do to help Kinsel, Reeth. How do you get somebody through a thing like that?’
‘By being there for them. Which of course might not be possible.’ He nodded towards the brooding enemy forces. ‘And don’t forget the other complication. There’s a fleet in these parts that’s not either empire’s. We don’t know what difference that’s going to make to the balance.’
‘Whose might it be?’
‘I think we can guess.’
Disgleirio appeared, bounding up the battlement stairs with his usual athleticism. He made for them.
‘What’s up, Quinn?’ Serrah asked.
‘Phoenix asked me to relieve you.’
‘Why?’
‘I don’t know. He’ll be here directly to explain.’ He looked out at the enemy ranks. ‘Sobering, isn’t it?’
‘You could say that,’ Caldason replied.
‘What I don’t understand is what they’re waiting for.’
‘That’s what we wondered.’
Somebody was moving along the line of defenders on the battlements, dispensing water from a pail. He proved to be Kutch’s newly returned brother.
‘Good to see you don’t think water carrying’s beneath you,’ Serrah said.
‘I’m happy to do anything to help,’ he replied, putting down his load. ‘But when the fighting starts I expect a much more active role.’ He patted his sheathed sword.
‘We need everybody we can get. Oh, I don’t think you two have met properly yet. This is-’
‘I know,’ Varee said. ‘Quinn Disgleirio. I’m honoured to meet you.’ He held out a hand.
Disgleirio took it. ‘And you’re Kutch’s brother. Well met. But how do you know me?’
‘I’ve seen you, more than once, back in Bhealfa. In fact, I once got very close to you indeed.’
‘Really? I don’t recall.’
‘You weren’t supposed to notice. It was during a riot. I managed to get a note into your pocket.’
‘It was you, was it? I’ve been wondering ever since who had the inside knowledge to warn us. Given your connection with Bastorran, it makes sense now. Well, I’m grateful.’
‘I’m still not clear on you, Varee,’ Caldason admitted. ‘What’s your story?’
‘That’s something everybody seems to want to know.’
‘Just tell us,’ Serrah advised him, ‘we’re notorious gossips.’
Varee smiled. ‘I’ll make it quick, I’ve got thirsty people waiting for me.’
‘How did you come to turn from the paladins?’ Caldason wanted to know.
