Elfsorrow

'I have never been naive, Vuldaroq,' said Heryst. 'I simply choose to seek a less bloody path.'

'You think we wanted war against them?'

'I think Dordover was angry enough at its defeat on Herendeneth to view conflict as preferable to negotiation. You as much as they have brought us to this juncture.'

Vuldaroq was indignant. 'Preposterous, Heryst. We sought justice for Balaia and the sharing of the treasures discovered on that island.'

Heryst blinked slowly, having to make a deliberate effort to keep a scornful smile from his lips.

'Who exactly do you think you are talking to here? We formed an alliance, if you recall, with the express intention of stopping the Nightchild realising potential beyond her control. Her death was always a possibility we had to consider. But you had darker motives. Nothing would have survived there had The Raven not intervened, would it? Wasn't that why you involved the witch hunters?'

'They were the only people capable of finding those we sought.'

'Damn you they were not!' Heryst spilled his wine on his hand. 'And you gave Erienne to them. One of your own.'

'A betrayer,' said Vuldaroq smoothly. 'A little like your own General Darrick, wouldn't you say?'

'Darrick's actions were regrettable, I admit, but he was not prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who would see us all dead, as apparently you would. He will account for his actions, have no fear. He, at least, is a man of honour.'

Vuldaroq sipped his wine. 'And I am not? I and my college, alone, stand between Xetesk and their dominion of Balaia. Remember why we allied. We cannot let the power rest with one college alone; it would return us to the wilderness.'

'I agree utterly. It is the method to use that has been where our differences lie,' said Heryst, knowing tit for tat accusations would get them nowhere fast.

'And do you also agree that the war, whoever you believe is to blame, now threatens you as well as us?'

'And Julatsa, yes,' said Heryst. 'That is why I am here. I am appalled by the actions of Xetesk around Arlen and at their own gates. At least you have respected the rules of engagement and the rights of refugees.'

Vuldaroq inclined his head. 'From you that is compliment indeed.'

'I want to make it abundantly clear, however, that I am not proposing a formal alliance,' said Heryst. 'But we have a joint obligation to shore up the defences of Julatsa. I also believe we must put in place a blockade of Xeteskian lands to prevent movement of troops and materials.'

'There also we are in accord,' said Vuldaroq. 'But how is this not an alliance?'

'Because Lystern is not at war with Xetesk and that is the way I want to keep it. My soldiers will not be under any command of yours. I am suggesting a sharing of responsibilities in order to pressure Xetesk to the negotiating table. I will be telling Dystran the same.'

'Of course, I respect your wishes,' said Vuldaroq, and Heryst could see the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

'Do not betray this. I will be seeking assurances you will not use this goodwill to advance the conflict.'

Vuldaroq held up his hands. 'Heryst, please.'

'Good. I suggest we break and let our respective teams discuss my proposals. We can reconvene later to iron out points of difference.'

An urgent knocking on the door was followed by two of Heryst's mages running in.

'Excuse the interruption, my Lords,' said one, a young mage named Darrow. 'I have grave news.'

He looked over to Vuldaroq. Heryst waved him on.

'He will hear it anyway, best first-hand from you.'

'Kayvel has contacted us,' said Darrow. 'As you know, Rusau travelled with a Xeteskian force riding to engage the Dordovans at the Dord crossing. It seems he was caught in the middle of the conflict. I'm sorry, my Lord, but he was killed.'

Heryst closed his eyes. He had feared this. He took a deep breath before speaking.

'How did it happen?'

'The story we have heard from Dordovans in the field was that he was killed by a Xeteskian pikeman.'

Heryst dashed his glass into the fireplace. Liquid hissed and spat. He fought to regain control but his mind churned and his pulse ran high.

'He was a diplomat. A neutral,' he said, hardly able to get the words out.

'Yes, my Lord.'

'He was also my friend.' Heryst put his head in his hands for a moment. 'Are you sure the reports are true?'

'That he's dead?' asked Darrow.

'No,' snapped Heryst. 'That he died the way it is told.'

'As sure as we can be. He was caught in the battle. In the centre of the line. He was in the way and Xetesk removed him.' Darrow shrugged.

'But could it have been an accident? Battle is confused,' said Heryst. 'You understand I have to be sure. Could it have been a Dordovan pike?'

Darrow shook his head. 'No, my Lord. The picture is reasonably clear. A Xeteskian pike was driven through his body from the back. The battle continued. Xetesk pushed Dordover back across the river and their forces are now guarding the whole stretch and apparently sending more patrols out to secure their entire border with Dordover. '

Heryst looked across at Vuldaroq, whose expression of sorrow appeared genuine enough, but the Lysternan knew that somewhere in that mind of his he was smiling at the news.

'And what have we heard from Xetesk?' he asked.

'Denials, as you would expect,' said Darrow. 'Kayvel has spoken to the rest of our delegation there and they aren't under any duress or arrest but the story they are relaying just doesn't have quite the ring of truth about it.'

'And what is it?' Heryst straightened.

'That the Xeteskian commander was trying to get Rusau out of the battle and didn't make it before his horse threw him and he landed on a pike.'

'Pure fantasy,' muttered Vuldaroq. 'I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, Heryst, but it casts new light on what we have just been discussing, does it not?'

Heryst held up a hand to silence the Dordovan Arch Mage. 'Don't you dare try to put pressure on me, Vuldaroq. At the moment I am not interested in what you think. Perhaps you would grant me the favour of leaving me for a moment.'

Vuldaroq nodded and rose. Heryst watched him go.

'This changes nothing as far as Dordover is concerned,' he said to Darrow. 'You will continue negotiation as if this desperate event hadn't happened. Do you understand?'

'Yes, my Lord, but-'

'But nothing, Darrow,' said Heryst, keeping his voice quiet. 'I do not trust Dordover any more than I trust Xetesk and I suggest you take my lead. I want to leave to return to Lystern tomorrow, so the pressure is on you. There, we will find the truth of this. All I will say is that it must hasten our deployment of forces.

'Damn you, Darrick, where are you when I need you most?'

Chapter 28

'Ow! Dammit!' shouted Darrick, jerking his leg at the sudden flare of pain. 'That hurt.'

'I'm really sorry, Darrick, but they won't be persuaded out with softly spoken words,' said Ilkar. 'Now keep still, you broke my concentration.'

'Feels like you broke my leg.'

'Well, I can leave them in there if you'd prefer,' said Ilkar, meeting the Lysternan's gaze in the firelight.

Darrick shook his head. 'What on earth possessed me to join you lot?'

'The glory and excitement,' said The Unknown.

'That'll be it.'

The Raven had stopped for the night before walking to the temple the following morning. They'd endured two days in the dense rainforest which had tested the nerve and patience of them all. Stultifying heat had been punctuated by torrential rain; and the close attentions of seemingly every bug that hopped, crawled, flew or burrowed had been utterly relentless. They'd been tracked by a pack of small wild dogs, had to move their fire pit when an army of ants had chosen their site for a route to somewhere, and had interrupted an enormous constrictor devouring a young adult monkey.