Esk kar reached out and pulled the map toward him, putting his finger on the spot indicating the main barbarian camp. “Jalen, when do you think the barbarians will arrive? Do we have enough time?”
“Based on what I saw and heard, I think they will arrive here in two months or so at the earliest. Raiding parties could be here sooner, of course, but I don’t think that’s their plan. They’re moving slowly, taking their time, enjoying their conquests. They see no need to rush.”
“What if they learn we’re building a wall to stop them?” Nicar asked.
“Won’t that make them change their plans?”
Jalen shrugged. “It’s likely they’ve already heard about our wall. We found plenty of peasants up north who knew we were planning to resist.”
Esk kar pushed the map back to the center of the table. “They won’t change their plans,” he answered firmly. “They won’t believe a wall can stop them. Still, we must take no chances in case a big raiding party arrives early.” He looked at Corio. “How long before the first section is completed?”
Corio must have expected that question. “In a few days, we can seal the main entrance to Orak. The new gate will be ready in a week or so, but until then we can use wagons and men to close it.” He turned toward his eldest son, seated beside him. “Alcinor, you will make the gate functional, even if it’s not fully reinforced, as soon as possible.”
When his son nodded agreement, Corio turned back to Esk kar and the others. “We’ve already speeded up our pace on the wall’s construction.
Materials are arriving in sufficient quantity, and we’ve enough laborers, though we can always use more.” He glanced around the table as he made his commitment. “I will give you your wall at least a month early.”
“What about the ditch?” Nestor inquired. “No one speaks about starting on the ditch.”
“The ditch is the last thing we will do,” Corio said. “Esk kar and I have discussed this. With three or four hundred men, we can dig the ditch completely around Orak in a week or ten days. We’ll do that at the very last moment, so that even if the barbarians learn of the wall, they will not think it very formidable.”
Nicar looked around the table. “Is there anything else we should consider?” Everyone glanced around, but nobody had anything to add. Then Nicar saw Trella’s eyes come up to meet his. “Trella, do you wish to say something?”
She bowed humbly again. “Noble Nicar, I know you’ve discussed flooding the land alongside the village, but no work has started on that. Perhaps now we should prepare to do so in case the barbarians come early. I don’t know how long it will take or how much water will be needed.”
Apparently no one else did either, because no one spoke up. Nicar turned to Rebba, who sat there stroking his beard in thought. Rebba owned two large farms north of the village, and he’d been the original force behind draining the swamps many years ago. In matters of agriculture, he decided what crops would be grown for Orak, how much, and by whom.
His family built the largest irrigation ditches and knew more about moving water than anyone. Rebba took his time thinking, and Esk kar felt his patience about to snap before the man spoke.
“My family will work with Corio’s men to build some wooden break-waters. If we place them properly, we can divert thirty or forty feet of river into the surrounding farms. That should flood the land in less than a day and be more than enough to stop the barbarians from trying to drain the water. After a few days, the water will sink deep into the earth, and the land will return to a muddy swamp that will take months to dry out. We’ll build additional ditches to allow the water to flow where we wish it.”
“I’m sorry that your lands must be covered with water, Rebba,” Nicar answered, “but you know it must be done.”
“Don’t be sorry, old friend.” Rebba smiled resignedly. “The crops would’ve been ruined by the barbarians anyway. Instead the waters will refresh the land and afterward it will be even more fertile than before.”
Nicar’s eyes went around the table and stopped again at Trella. “Anything else, Trella?” His tone was calmer now, and his look encouraged her to speak.
“Noble Nicar, there’s one thing more that you might consider.” She paused, then went on. “When the livestock is sent across the river, you may want to include men from the village, perhaps from your own families. If anything should happen to the animals, Orak would be without food and herds for the coming season. The soldiers may be loyal, but there will be great temptation. Perhaps an equal number of villagers, under your direction, should accompany them, and rewards promised for everyone’s safe return.”
Nicar sat quietly for a moment. “Yes, that’s worth considering. There will be a rich value of livestock and grain, and if it’s not returned safely, Orak will face starvation. We will speak further about it.” He glanced around the table, but no one seemed to have any more words. “Then we’re finished with our meeting. Again, let’s give thanks to the gods for Jalen’s safe return.”
And for his information, Esk kar added to himself. He left the house, his commanders following, and he invited them to dine with him.
Bantor, Jalen, and Sisuthros headed off on their separate ways, but Gatus walked with Esk kar and Trella, though they went in the opposite direction to Gatus’s house. When they were alone in the street, Gatus jerked his head toward Esk kar’s bodyguard to move him out of earshot. Then he grabbed Esk kar by the arm.
“Captain,” he began, moving close to Esk kar, then turning to include Trella. “I’m not sure whether you saw the look on young Caldor’s face when Trella spoke out. I could just catch a glimpse of him seated behind his father. The puppy was hot with anger when his father put him down.”
Gatus scratched his beard. “Well, if looks could kill, young Trella here would already be in the ground.” He looked worried. “You’d better watch him, Esk kar. I wouldn’t put it past him to do some hurt to you or Trella.”
“Gatus, thank you for your concern,” Trella answered kindly. “And for your warning. We’ll be watchful.”
“Good. And if needs be, I can have one of my rogues put a blade in his back. I’ll even do it myself. Just let me know.” He nodded to Esk kar. “Till dinner, then,” and went on his way, striding down the street.
Esk kar looked thoughtfully at Trella, then put his arm around her.
They started walking back to their house, his guard moving in a few steps behind. “Mistress Trella,” he said, echoing the title of honor given to the senior woman of a household. “I see we have much to talk about this evening. Much, it seems, goes on that I know little about.”
“When you have much to say at night, then I know I will be sore the next morning. Though you’ve been too busy and too tired for me lately.”
“Then I’ll have to make time for you. Perhaps you should make sure tonight’s dinner is short and our guests depart early. Afterward, we’ll have plenty of time to… talk.”
“Yes, master.” But she took his hand and held it until they entered the courtyard of the former House of Drigo.
12
It took little effort to keep dinner brief that evening. Jalen, weary from his journey and eager to return to the girl he’d started bedding just before his mission north, left the table first. Gatus and the others took the hint from Annok — sur. Jalen’s news interested everyone, but once he left, nobody really wanted to linger.
Esk kar found Trella in the kitchen, helping the cook and Annok — sur clean up. He took her by the hand and led her up the flight of stairs that hugged the wall and gave access to the second floor. At the top, covered by a linen curtain, was a small privy containing a large chamber pot. This allowed the servants to empty the container without disturbing the master at his work.
A marvel of construction, the upper level of Drigo’s home boasted many wonderful features not even Nicar’s house possessed. A stout door led into a good — sized room Drigo used for his private workroom. It now contained a large table, an impressive cupboard, six chairs, and a smaller table.
From the workroom another heavy door provided the only entry to the bedroom. The bed chamber’s size, nearly twenty — five feet long by twenty wide, had astonished Esk kar. Four small openings, spaced evenly and high up on the two outer walls, provided light and air. Not even a child could crawl through them. A narrow window, covered by a thick shutter and fastened with two beams, provided the only means of escape in case of fi re.
The shutter would take more effort to force than the door.
