CHAPTER 45
A smile graced Lyanna’s sharp countenance. “My lord, the favor I ask of you is the death of the man who murdered my betrothed.”
Lucan frowned. “We are not long for this city. I may–”
“I do not demand it now,” Lyanna said. “Nor tomorrow. I still wield the same patience I wielded in my servitude to the Scars, and it only grows more cold and potent by the day, just as my vengeance does.”
For a moment, Lucan was quiet, then he nodded. “Then, should time present us with a glimpse of this enemy of yours, I would not hesitate to grant you your favor. Of that, you have my word.”
Lyanna dipped her head slowly. “Thank you, my lord. Though you ought to know, he is not only my enemy, but yours too. It was he who conspired with Ursus to ambush you. I was there to witness it. Ursus demanded that I ascertain Gorm’s honesty.”
Lucan cocked his head. “Gorm. That is the name of the man who killed your betrothed? The man who attempted to kill me?” Lyanna answered with a nod. “The ferals.” He raised his head as he spoke. “How did he lead them to me? How did he make them obey?”
She shook her head. “That, I know not. They didn’t speak of their means, only of a plan to lure you into the open.”
Lucan nodded slowly. So it had indeed been a man who’d guided or commanded those ferals. Quite peculiar. In truth, the whole affair reeked something fierce. A gang chief with a Skill was an oddity, even in the Union. Either this Gorm had aided him somehow, or there was a guild moving pieces from the shadows. Thankfully, he would not be lingering to find out if he’d provoked another of the Union’s guilds.
“What is the other matter then?” he asked.
The determined look returned to Lyanna’s face as she said, “The promise I demand, Lord Zesh, is that I will not replace one slavery for another. I serve you by my own will, and I am treated as a free woman should I demand to leave. I also demand that my brother is not held as my leash, that he is not led into battle, or that endangering him should be used to levy a threat against me should you find it proper to do so.”
Venn’s nose flared out at that. “I am not a coward. I can fight.” He glared at both of them, and they both ignored him.
“I would not force Venn into a warrior’s life unless he grows up with a warrior at heart,” Lucan said. “That, too, I can promise.”
Lyanna nodded begrudgingly. “Then you must at least try not to lead him down that path. I have already lost most of those that matter to me. I will not lose another.”
“I can fight, Lyanna!”
Lucan, again, pretended not to hear the boy, tilting his head. “I will have him as my page and attendant. He would learn matters of the stewardship to aid me in my affairs.”
Lyanna smiled. “That is sufficient.”
“As for the matter of your service,” Lucan continued. “You must know that the retainers of any lord swear an oath for life. It is not a life of slavery, you see, but a bond that ties both ends with duty. You and your family are a responsibility of mine, even should you perish in my service or be of no more use to me, and your loyalty is to me regardless of any setbacks or disasters I suffer.”
“I know,” Lyanna said. “But for a time, I wish to serve as something of a hired hand for you.” She raised her chin. “Whether I should decide to swear to you for life is a matter I would not take lightly, a matter that would call for contemplation, and time during which I may understand the true measure of your lordship.” She met his eyes, then finally lowered her head. “Forgive me, my lord. I am not one to judge my betters.” Lucan didn’t need a mystical Elder Skill to recognize the lie. “And I do not forget that you saved my life. However, if you have spared me one slavery only to offer me a finer, nobler one, then I would rather you had left me where I was.”
That, at least, sounded sincere to him. After a moment of thought, he nodded. “Then you may do so, but you will swear an oath not to divulge my secrets or even speak my name should you decide to leave my service.”
Lyanna dipped her head, understanding the unspoken threat. “That is acceptable.”
“Then we have an agreement,” Lucan said. “Now, since time is not on our side, let us depart this maze of a city before the consequences of our adventures find our door.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Ryder was the one Lucan burdened with buying horses and a carriage. The latter would serve them well, since Lyanna and Venn didn’t know how to ride. Lucan had also decided to keep the beast armor they’d bought. Ryder had bought more than they needed, and they had put the excess somewhere. The rest, they would wear on their journey.
Guildsmen offered to escort them–no doubt to keep an eye on them–when they saw them preparing to depart. Lucan, of course, refused them, particularly having prepared for a hasty escape.
And so, on the same day a bounty of corpses was littering the grounds of a devastated gang’s hideout, and before the sun sank behind the road snaking out of Varencourt, Lucan’s party was riding out of the city, this time, road-bound, where safety and ease would be their companion. While they needed to leave with haste, they no longer needed to hide. Their purpose here was fulfilled and, by now, known to all.
On horseback, their pace was smooth and undisturbed. Over a fortnight, they rode west, then south, then west again, following the winding road until they were upon the border. Instead of crossing into Sir Ward’s territory, however, they changed their heading to the south, riding through the hinterlands of the Shattered Kingdom until they reached Lord Ravencroft’s territory.
They rode into the allied lord’s lands and were met by two of his men-at-arms, who recognized Lucan and led his party towards the castle.
Lord Ravencroft’s castle was a stout square, entrenched on a hill that dominated the eastern reaches of his territory. A keep rose on a packed mound resting in the middle of the walls. Lucan appreciated the restrained power that the castle bespoke. It did not level empty threats of reprisal upon those who approached it, only a promise of a long and bloody siege should one be foolish enough to hazard it.
Lucan accepted the lord’s hospitality, letting his party have a good night’s rest in something better than a roadside camp. He also thought to apprise the lord of the latest matters.
They met in the study with only the lord’s steward present, with a quill and parchment at hand.
“Your journey took longer than expected, Lord Zesh,” Lord Ravencroft said. “I hope you’ve brought us good word, for I fear I have nothing but ill word for you.”
Lucan had come with good cheer, intending to lift the spirits of his ally with the agreement he’d garnered for them. The lord’s words, however, forced his countenance back into an all too familiar state. “Whatever do you mean, Lord Ravencroft?”
“Our friend across the canal,” Lord Ravencroft said. “He has raised his banner for Prince Oswin.”
Lucan pressed his lips. Hearing that Sir Ward had joined the first prince’s faction brought down his spirits. The knight was at odds with his estate, and that conflict didn’t look like it would resolve itself anytime soon. He would have to be wary now, since the knight could use his fresh alliance with the prince to push against him. Perhaps the prince would even encourage it, hoping to force him into capitulation.
“There is more,” the older lord said. “The two princes have already clashed, though they were not there in the flesh.”
“Where?” Lucan said. “And who was the victor?”
“No victors.” Lord Ravencroft snorted. “Prince Oswin’s allies attempted to break through the Hollow Swamp to flank the northern territories. I ought to tell you that Lord Harold Zesh was party to that unfortunate gambit, though there is no word that any harm has come to him. Lord Houdart and several others allied to Esmond met them in the swamp, and it is said that none came out unscathed. Most of the deaths were not by arrow or blade, but instead by drowning and rotten feet.”
“How long did it last?”
“The true battle?” Lord Ravencroft said. “I imagine no longer than a few days. Who would even know? The two small armies, however, were bogged down in the swamp for nearly a month.”
Lucan nodded, though his mind was absent, thinking of what would come next. The first move had been made, and soon, there would be many more. Even with all his preparations, he didn’t know what could come of this war. He could only hope it was something they were capable of bearing in the end.
Lucan took a calming breath and finally said, “Ward was never a benevolent neighbor. Nothing has changed. We must keep our eyes on him and make certain he thinks twice about overstepping.” He tapped the table between them a few times. “And a clash between the two princes was inevitable. We will have to wait and see what comes our way.”
Lord Ravencroft gave him a slight nod. “Indeed. One may still hope you’re bringing good word, however, yes?”
“Of course,” Lucan said. “And I do. I have forged an agreement with The Golden Wheel of Varencourt and a few other allied guilds. Our undertaking is to begin at your soonest convenience, your lordship.”
Lord Ravencroft clapped his hands with a hearty grin. “Splendid!” He laughed, and it seemed to come out of his very depths. “Splendid indeed. Then let us not waste time. I have been preparing labor for this venture for a time now.”
“My engineer will soon arrive at your estate to set matters in motion.”
Lord Ravencroft nodded, his mirth suppressed but not hidden. “Splendid. Splendid.”
Lucan produced the deeds sealed by him and the guilds, giving the lord some peace of mind. The man was more than happy to peruse them.
Once appeased, Lord Ravencroft did not hold him for long, no doubt already anticipating the coming fortune. Lucan did not tarry, leading his party home.