Karis nodded, but said nothing. 'You did it, General,' said Vint. 'You turned them back.'
'We've certainly made them think,' she agreed.
Vint offered Tarantio his sword. The dark-haired warrior grinned. 'Keep it! But be careful how you sheathe it.'
Vint nodded. 'If I had known how deadly it was, I'd have thought twice about catching it.' He glanced up.
The sun was still climbing in the sky. 'Sweet Heaven,' he said. 'You would have thought it would be dusk by now, and yet it is not an hour since the charge began.'
Forin joined them. 'Will someone help me get this damned breastplate off?' he said. 'I can't breathe in it.'
The armour was covered with deep dents, and there was a gash across the back where the metal had split.
Once Tarantio and Vint eased the breastplate clear, Forin stripped off his shirt. His upper body was covered in bruises, and there was a shallow cut on his shoulder. 'I'm not looking forward to going through that again,' he grumbled, sitting down on a broken wall.
'You fought well, big man,' said Vint. 'I think you killed three of them.'
'Two. Tarantio took the last. But I marked a few too.' He looked up at Karis. 'You think they'll come back today?'
'Men wouldn't,' she said. 'The generals would get together and rethink their strategy. They are not men, however.'
'Do you have another fiendish plan for them?' asked the giant.
'No,' Karis admitted. 'Send for me if they charge again.' With that she turned and strode away, the dog Stealer padding alongside her.
'She's not much on celebration, is she?' remarked Ozhobar.
As the day wore on, and the Daroth remained in their camp, an air of jubilation swept through the city. The invincible Daroth had been turned back by the strength and courage of the soldiers, and by the strategic brilliance of Karis. Crowds formed outside the palace, cheering her name.
Inside, Karis lay in a hot bath with Stealer lying at the edge, looking quizzically at his adopted mistress.
Her thoughts were many and confused. Far from jubilation, she felt a sense of panic - almost of loss. It had begun when she had seen Necklen hanging from the rooftop; the old man meant more to her than she had realized. Then, when Forin charged in with his men, and she saw them cut down, one after another. With each one that died, a part of herself faded. War and death.
She was suddenly tired of both. And yet this was just the beginning. The Daroth would be wary now; they would circle the city, looking for a weak spot, then launch another attack ... and another. Even if Corduin held, what would be gained? There were seven cities of the Daroth, and their power was enormous.
Karis sighed, then ducked her head under the warm water, washing her dark hair. 'What is it for?' she asked Stealer. Cocking his head he gazed back at her. 'Is there a point to it all?'
'A drowning man doesn't stop to think about whether the sea has a reason for being,' said a voice. 'He just swims and fights for life.'
'What are you doing here, Forin?'
'I came to talk, but I'd just as soon have a bath.' Stripping off his bloodstained clothes, the red-bearded giant moved down the marble steps and sank down into the water. 'Ah, but that is good.'
'I don't want company,' she said, but there was no force of conviction in her voice.
'Yes, you do. You've lived and breathed the Daroth threat for weeks now - scheming, planning, worrying.
And all for this day. Now it is over. And all the tension of those dark days is settling over you like a black mist.'
'I'm sick of it,' she said. 'Sick of seeing death and violence.'
'You are right to be sick of it, it is a sickening business. As to the point . . . ? Ask the living. There are crowds outside chanting your name . . . well, not exactly your name. "The Ice Queen", they are calling you now. They think you are a deliverer sent by the gods. Better than the "Whore of War", anyway.'
'I don't care what they think.'
'You should; they are what this is all about: the bakers
and the carpenters, the dreamers and the poets. But you won't see that today, will you, Karis?'
'What is it you want from me?' she asked, rising from the water and climbing the steps. Servants had left thick towels by the bath side and Karis wrapped one around her torso, using a second to dry her hair.
'Well?' she persisted.
'I don't know. How did the hot water feel upon your skin?'
'What has that to do with anything?'
'It felt good, didn't it? Cleansing the skin, relaxing the muscles. Had the Daroth broken through, we would have all been dead. No more baths. No more wine. No more loving. They didn't break through, Karis. You stopped them. And here we are. And life is sweet! Tomorrow. . . ? Well, tomorrow can look after itself.
What do I want? Pointless to say that I want you for eternity. We may only have a day. But if we don't use it then the Daroth might just as well have won.'
She sat down on a bench and smiled. 'That was a long-winded way of saying you want to take me to bed.'
He grinned at her. 'What I wanted most was to see you smile.'
She looked into his green eyes and was silent for a moment. 'Come and join me in a drink,' she said at last.
He rose from the water and she threw him a towel.
Necklen, Vint and the Duke Albreck were waiting in her outer rooms. The Duke stood as she entered, then averted his eyes. 'My apologies, General,' he said. 'We will come back when you are attired for company.'
Karis bowed. 'With respect, my lord, please be seated. I am too tired to dress, and will soon be asleep. But for the moment I have enough wits about me to conduct a conversation.'
'As you wish,' he said, but he was clearly uncomfortable. Seating himself, he was about to speak when Forin walked in naked. Hastily the giant swept a towel around his hips, but as he bowed the towel fell away. Necklen roared with laughter and even the Duke smiled. Then Albreck turned to Karis. 'Firstly, let me congratulate you on today's victory. The people seem to believe it was a miracle. For myself I know it to be the result of careful planning and meticulous strategy. I am proud of you, Karis.
Whatever happens from now on, nothing will change that.'
Karis reddened, seeming at a loss for words. The Duke rose and bowed to her, then swung to Forin.
'You lost a lot of men today, Captain. But you fought like a lion. Should Corduin survive this war, then there will be a place for you in my personal guard.'
'Thank you, my lord. I'll enjoy that.'
The Duke moved to the door. 'When you have rested, Karis, please come to my rooms. I would like to discuss tomorrow's plan of defence.' He paused before the door, which Necklen opened for him. Karis lay back on the couch, fatigue making her head swim.
'We'll let you get some rest, princess,' said Necklen, tapping Vint on the shoulder. Vint did not move; his face ashen, he was staring at Forin with undisguised hatred. Necklen leaned in to him. 'Time to go, my friend,' he whispered. Vint took a deep breath, pushed himself to his feet and stalked from the room. Necklen followed him.
'I think I've made an enemy of Vint,' said Forin. There was no reply from Karis, and the giant, moving alongside her, saw that she was asleep. Gently he lifted her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. Pulling the sheets and blankets over her he kissed her brow, then dressed and wandered out of the palace.
Necklen caught Vint just as the swordsman was passing the side gates of the palace. 'Join me for a jug?' asked the older man.
'I don't think so.'
'It's what she is, Vint,' said Necklen. 'I love her like a daughter, but she's wilful.'