They returned to the throne room and found Swayne marveling at Posadom's map collection. She looked up from Clara's book and said, "I must make use of this system also in my land. You must introduce me to the mappers. Their technique is superb."
Posadom recognized the leather bound book in her hand. "Yes, but not all of them are as skilful as Clara. She is a beggar-teacher in the wildest regions of Netherweld. We pay her well, but she would only take what she need and give the rest to the poor in the places she traveled."
The wonder remained in Swayne's voice as she said, "The most honest and most admirable type of occupation. Yet one where the worker earns the worst wage imaginable. In my country they are thought of as mad. Yet their skill in any craft or knowledge they set their minds to are legendary."
Branduil gave out a sigh that shook his intricately braided white beard. All eyes turned to him. He blushed at their attention. "Don't mind me, I was only remembering Baine. A great old sage who crossed borders teaching about peace and kindness. And for that he lost his life."
Kordin said, "But not before he caused damage to Merlk by making Prince Raim one of his students. That old man must be the greatest charmer in the world. How he managed to change a man raised for war to one who would give his life for peace is beyond my understanding. Baine could have easily escaped across the borders, but he did not want anyone to die for his sake. So he gave himself up to Raul. You can imagine the other man's wrath." Then he too sighed sadly. "I sent some spies in to try to help him escape. They came back empty handed and told me that they had to kill him out of mercy."
Some of those present had met Baine before and the implication of how Raul had treated him in his last days set their blood boiling. They recalled seeing him sitting under shady trees and scratching his back with a stick as he taught a group of people. Even the noblest person would dismount from his horse and sit down to listen. Baine carried no books with him, only parchments that he wrote in. When the parchments became heavy he would leave them in the public libraries of the places he passed and always they were welcomed and treasured. Once the news spread that he had left behind a new parchment, other libraries or individuals would pay scribes to go to these places and copy his work, and in this way his wisdom and teachings were circulated far and wide.
Finally Swayne turned to Posadom and said, "I hope what you learned from the notary could help us in this campaign."
Posadom nodded to Merlana, indicating that she should share the information she brought Casperlane. "I am Merlana of Dew Valley, your majesty. Last night I slipped out to the city and went to the Kwanbie Mansion. King Raul is now housed there, together with Prince Palmeon."
Swayne's harsh eyes narrowed. Now she understood why Providence had given speed to her sails. Many years of her life had been spent searching for Raul's whereabouts for he moved secretly from place to place.
Merlana continued, "I also believe that they may have spies within the inner city, because Prince Palmeon was confident that secret deeds can be done even within the palace itself."
"Did they say what they plan to do?" Swayne asked.
Posadom answered for Merlana, with his assumptions and not her facts, "He will probably plan another kidnap. I have asked for extra guards to be placed on my family."
Swayne was wiser. The kidnap attempted before the war itself began had failed, so why would Palmeon plan for another after the army of Merlk had marched inside the city? She noticed the exchanged looks between Merlana and Casperlane.
Posadom waved a guard over to him and said, "Tell Charles to bring Prince Makil and Commander Gill over to the palace for dinner." Kordin choked in the background. "And also invite our Dew Valley friends. Tonight, I wish to put all things right for them. They have shown their loyalty to me beyond call of duty."
The guard bowed and hurried out to do his bidding. Merlana meant to exit the throne room with him but Swayne held her back and questioned her on the layout of the mansion as well as the condition of the army. Where were they garrisoned, how were the officers faring, what was Raul's demeanor? She was interested to learn that Raul planned to marry his daughter Juila to Palmeon, but when she wondered aloud about how he had made Palmeon a willing vassal to him, Merlana remained silent.
Evening came too soon for Kordin and his fretting amused Swayne. When a guard stomped his boots three times on the floor to gain attention before announcing the arrival of Prince Makil, Kordin gave an audible sigh of relief on seeing his prince clean. Swayne turned her raised eyebrow to Gill but he only grinned back a toothy reply.
A liveried servant in black announced that dinner would be served in the informal dining room. Posadom debated on whether he should give his arm to Swayne, for in Netherweld it was customary for the host to offer his hand to a noble woman as he led her to the dining room. Finally he decided that she was more than a noble woman, she was Queen Swayne. So he bowed his head and invited her to walk by his side as an equal.
The informal dining hall could hold sixty people comfortably, though, excluding the children, there were only forty-five guests that night. Bright tapestry hung on the wall and large bay windows opened to the warm garden. One long table faced a hall of six others that had been arranged crosswise to it. There were no official place cards in the informal dining hall. The royal children, Graime and Patrick had already taken their seats at the table closest to the garden. Keldina, who had dressed herself with extra care, stood next to her aunt as they greeted the guests.
Posadom led Swayne to the royal table. With them were Casperlane, General Brent, Ambassador Branduil of Santurst and Ambassador Raick of Kalimy. Kordin was about to make his way to Makil when the king patted him on the shoulder and asked him dine with them.
Merlana saw her friends and hurried to them. She noted that Frad and Sarah were now openly holding hands, and also that both had a blue band pinned around the arm of their jackets, showing that they were infantry volunteers. Hymae had a grey band, the color of those handling the logistics of rations and weapons. Juna had also offered her services to the healers when she saw five large tents raised in the palace grounds to house the wounded. Though he came and went as he pleased, Bulgarth had no ribbons and usually he was seen standing by General Brent's side.
Norsia the High Law Implementer, a woman in her late fifties, dined at the same table with them. Hymae conversed animatedly with her, and was henceforth accounted as one of the few who could hold his own opinion against that learned woman. The city's sewer administrator Owen, who had been placed in the council to advise the army on how to secure the underground tunnels against enemy incursion, also sat at their table.
In another part of the room, Charles and Gill managed the amazing feat of sitting Keldina next to Makil with one of them on either side of the prince and princess. Kordin was not pleased. Egad, couldn't Gill have made him sit next to an old soldier? Of all dinner companions, the Princess of Kalimy. His distress was so intense; he did not hear his queen speak.
Swayne nudged him, "Kordin...Kordin? Are you listening man? Posadom is asking whether we should send men to attack the Kwanbie Mansion."
The general quickly gathered his thoughts. "How do we bring a force there without being detected?"
The king answered, "Kwanbie was a very close friend of mine. I used to go to his place in secret using boats because he had dug an underground tunnel under his land. Only his most trusted servants know about its existence and none of these men are now serving Palmeon."
Kordin cleared his throat before asking the next question, "You said the tunnel was dug. Could it still be there?"
"Oh yes, it still is. I passed by in a riverboat only last week and saw it." Posadom answered.
The general debated in his mind on whether to ask the next question. The king seemed unaware that the earlier question was a challenge to his intelligence. The general's diplomatic self decided not to risk a second question because if the place had collapse further in, nobody could get through, that's all. No need to offend the king.
Posadom continued, "You can row a boat down the main river. Right after you crossed the boundary of the mansion estate, you will see a small tributary coming out from the side of a cliff. This watercourse will stretch on for about two miles inside the tunnel. There is a small wooden pier at the end of it, where you can berth your boat. It will not flood even during high tides."
"How big a boat can the waterway carry your majesty?"
"Row boats that can hold about twenty bodies."
Kordin thoughtfully scratched his chin. "Aye, this might work. Could you draw us a layout of the mansion your majesty?"
"Oh, I intend to follow you and lead the way." The king responded.
Swayne shook her head in disagreement. "You are a king, Posadom. Not a citizen of Netherweld. You owe it to your people to stay alive. Imagine the turmoil that will issue within the inner city if word went out that you are going with a troop into enemy territory."
Posadom insisted, "But I know the place well."
"It does not matter what you know." Swayne said, "Your duty is to sit as king. Kurbadil is too young to bear your burden. Would you wish that of him?"
Tilmon held her breath as she waited for her husband's reply.
The king sighed in concurrence with Swayne's wisdom. "Very well, but who will you pick to go for this venture."
Kordin turned to assess the other guests in the room. "Charles is a good candidate. I remember him. He served at the borders of Santurst some four years ago. A very brave and able soldier. Makil will insist on going I'm sure. We do not require a large company. Maybe only five from Netherweld and five from Santurst, for they will need to get in and out fast. If the numbers are too great it will slow them down."
"Slow them down, how?" Tilmon asked.
"Well your majesty, it is natural for any soldier to wait for his companions. Too many people mean more people to wait for. A smaller number also mean less confusion, since it is easier to watch out for nine rather than for nineteen others. It is also easier for us to pick ten very good and skilful soldiers. A single clumsy man or woman may get the others killed." He felt a kick under the table from Swayne. He had said too much he saw, for Tilmon did not look well.
Kordin rubbed his leg because his queen was not a delicate woman. Then he turned to Posadom. "We need people with skills that complement one another. They only have to take out the heads of the enemy's council. After that Merlk will be without leaders and it will be an easy matter for us to overcome them."
Posadom commented, "You make it sound so simple, Kordin."
Swayne explained, "Raul is a selfish man and always fearful of those he considers a challenge. They had all either been killed or exiled. He played his noblemen against one another to keep them weak and to hinder them from forming alliances that would be strong enough to oppose him. That is why, if he falls, it will be many more years before Merlk can come together."
Tilmon asked, "But is there not Juila? Surely she is the next in line after Raim."
Kordin answered, "Merlk traditionally has a very low opinion of women. They are treated as nothing more than mere possessions. In fact, it is customary to give away daughters as a mark of goodwill in that land. Raul alone has hundreds of those in his palace. I do not see how the men of that nation will allow a woman to rule over them."
The conversation then turned to how they planned to storm the mansion. General Brent sent word down to the barracks and requested for the best soldiers to come up to the palace.
In another part of the hall, a mixture of embarrassment and amusement filled the air. Keldina studied the roast beef in her plate with the ardour of a naturalist watching the mating dance of parrots, while Makil traced the painted lines of the dish with his fork instead of feeding his perpetually hungry self. Charles, who sat next to Keldina, expounded on the virtues of the young prince which made Harbuq, Makil's best friend, laughed till he was red in the face. Gill then asked the princess about her adventures, but her voice was so low when she answered, that they had to strain their ears. Charles's lieutenant, Meriam chuckled, took Charles aside and told him that he should not give up fighting just yet.
Makil dared not speak, for he was terrified of appearing uncouth and barbaric in front of the demure princess. She had already shown him that morning that his conduct did not impress her. Kordin might have failed to teach him good manners but the general had managed to make the prince aware of his lack of it.
Every so often, Kordin would glance towards them and cringe each time he did so. Swayne could not help but notice how distracted her general was and when she followed his gaze to the other table, she also came to the same conclusion as him. The courtly expression on her face turned harsh.
Tilmon looked about the room to find their source of distress, and when she saw Makil and Keldina together, she put her hand in Posadom's arm and smiled up at him. She remembered the day they were first introduced at her family table. He was sitting next to her brother Kelt and she had sat across from him. Before that evening, she had admired him from far, yet that night she had not dared to raise her face to look at him. Neither had eaten well as their stomachs were filled with wonderful unspoken promises.
Swayne said, "I must apologize for my son. I think it would be best for you to move your niece before he offends her with his presence anymore."
Tilmon replied, "I do not believe that she is offended. Even if so, she is old enough to manage it. Charles is also next to her and your commander Gill is next to Makil. They should be fine."
Swayne did not share her confidence, but then she could not move her son from the table for it would appear to the other guests that Keldina had caused him offence. Makil studied the other table in front of his line of sight. He saw Bulgarth of Dew Valley sitting next to a beautiful but peculiar looking woman that made him wonder which country she came from. Then he saw that they sat close and that their manners to each other were loving. A strange longing bubbled in his heart.
He turned to Keldina and spoke for the first time, "You should come to my ship tonight. The view from the crow's nest is beautiful."
Gill choked on his wine. Harbuq laughed but Meriam thought the offer sweet. Charles shook his head. Keldina looked up with bright eyes at the blushing Makil. No one had ever asked her to climb a mast with him before. "Yes, I would like that very much. But how do we get there. I don't think my aunt and uncle would approve." Neither did Commander Gill.
Makil was elated, for he had said something right. "I will meet you at the pier tonight, after dinner. We can row over in my boat."
At that moment Kordin came up to their table and said to Keldina, "Good evening, your highness, I hope you are enjoying your meal and the company at your table?" He pointedly stared at her untouched plate.
"Oh, yes I am." She blushed as she answered him.
Kordin said, "I will need to take away some of your dinner companions, your highness. We need to convene in the council room."
She nodded and he called, "Prince Makil, Harbuq, Charles, follow me please."
Keldina noticed others leaving their seats, including her uncle, Posadom. Casperlane led Bulgarth, Merlana and Frad with him. She quickly turned her thoughts to other things, such as what excuse could she use to go to the pier that night?
Swayne and Posadom took their high seats in the throne room. Soldiers with renowned skills trickled in one after another. Once all those who were called had arrived, two guards shut the door tight and stood watch outside. Posadom studied the forty or so faces before him and explained about his plan of sending a small group into the Kwanbie Mansion. Though he stressed that it was a dangerous mission, he did not mention that Raul of Merlk and Palmeon were the target.
The king added, "I will only accept volunteers for this mission. This is not a task that my heart will allow me to impose on any person. Great honor and glory awaits you if the mission succeeds, yet if the mission fails, you will pay with your life."
General Kordin called out for volunteers, "Who shall lead and be followed by the brave?"
Makil spoke up, "I claim right to lead, for I have led many and all my battles had proven me victorious. Let those who support me say aye."
All in the room shouted aye, for the prince though young was as well known for his battle skills as for his discourtesies. Only two years ago, Providence had thrust leadership into his hands when his elder brother, Tradil, fell by his side. Makil had picked up his brother's sword and shouted the battle cry, and in two days led his army to victory.
Kordin again called out, "Let the soldier who know the outlay of the mansion volunteer."
Charles stepped forward. "I know the mansion." Charles was the only child of General Brent who was a close friend to Baron Kwanbie. Bubba had no children and welcomed his friends' offspring as though they were his own. Charles was the eldest child that had walked in and out of the mansion and Bubba loved him the most. Hands were raised to proof his claim to be right.
"Let the one who knows the river come forward."
Clarence of Bema stepped forward. His grey eyes serious and his short cropped dark hair glistening with sweat. The son of a fisherman, he had built his first raft at nine and paddled down the river with two days worth of food. He returned home when he got hungry and received a spanking for his efforts. Those familiar with his skill raised their hands in support.
"Let three who shoot true with the bow come forward."
Merlana of Dew Valley together with Belwon and Ruthil of Volan, a village close to the border of Santurst stepped out. Belwon had long arms and he gripped a large bow as tall as himself. No other person had the strength to pull the string, and he had been fighting since thirteen when only as tall as his father's bow. Ruthil on the other hand seemed fragile, her tanned face being the only telltale sign of a hard life. She handled a small bow that allowed her to shoot from tight spots. Each received more than the minimum conditional five votes.
"Let two skilled with the sword step forward."
Harbuq of Wend and Tila of Milank offered their services. Harbuq, Makil's close friend and the son of Ambassador Branduil, was skilled in wielding heavy broadswords with both his left and right hand. He had learned to do that out of fun, for his childhood had been easy and secure. Tila on the other hand carried a rapier. Her father taught her to swing it at the young age of fifteen and she learnt at seventeen that she should not parry a heavy sword with it. She lost her whole family on the day that Merlk invaded Milank. Her healed scar stretched from temple to jaw, barely missing her left eye. Neither was challenged.
"Let two of strength step forward."
Bulgarth and Haim, a soldier in Charles garrison, came forward. All who saw these two men did not doubt their claim. Haim was born a slave. When Posadom granted the Meldon estate to General Brent two years ago, the man had set all the slaves free. He gave them a choice to continue working for him as free men and women or to find their own trade elsewhere. Haim came to Sillander and joined Charles's garrison. He was very devoted to his commander and to Charles's embarrassment, sometimes even slept outside his door.
As they were about to leave the throne room, Makil removed his armor and passed it to the person standing closest to him, Frad. Makil explained, "That thing will get in the way. Watch it for me." Then he followed Kordin and the others out of the throne room.
Frad stared at the breastplate and said, "This will make a lot of dinner plates." The man standing next to him guffawed then choked back the sound awkwardly.
In the briefing room, after he had explained the mission proper to his startled and excited listeners, Casperlane made a special request on behalf of Posadom, "The king wishes that a citizen of Netherweld be the person to strike down his brother, Palmeon."
Kordin nodded with relief. "His majesty is wise, Santurst would not wish for any seed of discord to be planted between our countries."
Casperlane passed Merlana five metal arrows that were light and had 3-inch long points as sharp as knives. "Posadom said that if he needed to be taken down by arrows, then they should not have heads that will be left in the body." Merlana bowed as she received them.
Makil bowed his head thoughtfully as he came out of the chamber. They would be going out that night and he had to find a way to tell Keldina that he could not be with her. He searched the empty corridor. They were not allowed to return to the dining room, and even those who were not chosen, continued to remain in the throne room together with the two countries' monarchs, for fear that even a hint of the mission be accidentally divulged. Kordin and Brent followed to see them off at the pier.
Three carriages took them to their destination. Merlana rode in the second vehicle with Tila and she marveled at the woman sitting across from her. Surely her strength could not only be in her body.
Tila said, "Am I so loathsome to look at?"
Bulgarth turned a warning gaze to his sister and Clarence held his breath, for Tila did not look like a woman anyone would want to spite. Merlana said, "No, you are not loathsome, Tila. When I was seventeen, my bodyguard, a man I loved like a father, sacrificed his life for me and my friends. We are whole today because of him. I only wondered whether I would have your strength if I had suffered as you did."
Tila said, "Are you not the one who changed the signs at the crossroad? You crept alone into enemy territory. Woman, you underestimate your own strength." The remainder of the short journey passed in silence.
The carriages stopped in the courtyard, where they clambered out and marched purposefully to the pier. Makil fretted, should he ask Kordin to bring back the message to Keldina? A small hand pulled his arm and Keldina, in her archer's uniform, came out of the shadows. A feeling of pride, yet not pride, strength mixed with gentleness, happiness with melancholy washed over him. All that in a single moment and, for the first time in his life, Makil was overwhelmed.
The troop continued to the boat without him, but Kordin watched them from the side.
Keldina asked, "Where are you going?"
We have a simple mission to carry out. We will be back soon. I will take you to the ship tomorrow night. He patted her hand and the softness amazed him.
She knew he was lying because she recognized the people going for the mission. They were not simple soldiers. Her throat felt tight, she did not know what to say. Part of her wanted him to stay, another part realized that it was his duty to go. She looked up and saw him staring down at her. Then she kissed his lips and ran back to the wall.
Kordin smiled as Makil walked to the pier with his head bowed. He smiled because the kiss was a strong guarantee that his prince would not be reckless and that he would come back safe that night.
Someone else, however, saw the kiss and his stern black eyes narrowed. He had come into Sillander by secret means, through the smugglers. What he saw did not mortify his heart. He recognized the soldier as he had met him before. Great might be the arm that wields the sword, wise might be the brow that wears the crown but no, he would not agree to any form of union between this man and his daughter. Kelt had raised Keldina in a peaceful and prosperous land where she had never known any form of suffering.
He looked up to the parapets and made out the form of his beloved child. A hand fell on his shoulder, "Father, the carriage is ready."
Seth followed his father's gaze and grinned to see his younger sister exactly where he had imagined her to be. They turned and left the courtyard.
When news of the war first reached Kalimy, Kelt had wanted to send an army to Netherweld immediately but his orders were opposed by his officers. The commanders of Kalimy had never seen service and the army had guarded a peaceful country for so many generations that the idea of actual war bemused them. They requested for the king to give them a week to plan out their strategies. Kelt was so disgusted he walked out of the palace with his son, both disguised as commoners, and went to the harbor looking for a merchant mad enough to agree to go to Sillander. He found one, and was charged ten times the normal fare.