“What’s this about Gudon?” Lynan asked, staring at Korigan and Jenrosa in turn.
“He is fleeing Prado,” Jenrosa said. “He was at Daavis, spying on Charion as you requested, when Prado turned up with a large force of mercenaries. He is certain they are coming after you.”
There were shouts from many at the meeting, angry that the queen of Grenda Lear would hire mercenaries to hunt down her own brother, and even angrier that she would send mercenaries to the Oceans of Grass.
“How long?” Kumul’s voice boomed over the noise. Everyone fell quiet again.
“What?” Jenrosa asked.
“How long before Prado reaches the plains?”
Jenrosa shrugged. “Gudon did not know. He felt they were close behind. They may already be across the mountains.”
Kumul turned to Lynan. “I knew we should have marched northeast to take care of Rendle. Now we have two mercenary forces to worry about before we even get to the east, and we are between them. We must ride hard to the Strangers’ Sooq. It is closest to us. God knows we won’t arrive in time to save it, but with luck we might get there before Prado moves out again.”
“He may not be making for the Strangers’ Sooq,” another voice said, and an argument started about Prado’s intentions.
Lynan kept quiet. He understood Kumul’s frustration. Jenrosa’s news had shaken him, too, at first. But there was an opportunity here, he could feel it. If only he could pin down the idea that was floating at the back of his mind.
And then he had it.
“We continue marching due east,” he said quietly. Some of the chiefs were still arguing and did not hear him. Korigan did, though, and looked at him. “We march east and have Rendle in one hand and Prado in the other.”
“What are you saying?” Korigan asked. “We have a large force, but as yet we have had no experience in fighting as an army. And you want us to take on two mercenary forces at the same time? Surely it would be better to concentrate on either Rendle or Prado first, and then turn on the other.”
Lynan shook his head, a smile crossing his face. “No, that would not be better.”
By now everyone realized Lynan was speaking, and they shut up to listen to him.
“Did I hear you say we just continue riding east?” Kumul asked.
“Yes.”
“That’s stupid, lad,” Kumul said bluntly. “You’ll put us smack between our enemies.”
Lynan’s smile disappeared. He stared at the giant, his pale face shining in the light of the fire. “I will take your advice, Kumul Alarn, but I will not take your insults.”
Kumul’s face blushed bright red. All around him held their breath. Even Lynan did not know what his old friend would do. Jenrosa stood up and moved to stand by Kumul, but suddenly Ager was by her side, holding her back.
“Do not divide us further,” he hissed in her ear.
Kumul looked down at his hands. He was confused by his own anger and sense of humiliation. He then looked up at Lynan, saw the youth’s implacable stare and understood he, too, felt humiliated.
“I am sorry,” Kumul said brusquely. “I had no right.”
Lynan swallowed. He could not let it end like this. There would be too much resentment on both sides.
“Kumul, Ager, and Jenrosa, we need to talk. Everyone else, please return to your banners.” He saw Korigan hesitate, but he nodded to her and she left.
The four remaining came together, standing, all trying to figure out what had just occurred between them and not liking the answer. They were dividing; after all they had gone through together, they were dividing.
“Kumul,” Lynan started, “I have good reasons for letting the army continue as it is.”
“I think you are unwise in risking the army getting caught between two enemies,” Kumul replied.
“I understand that. I will not let it happen.”
Kumul nodded perfunctorily, not happy with the answer but afraid to question Lynan again.
“I am not against you, Kumul,” Lynan said.
“I did not think you were—” Kumul blurted.
“Yes, you did. You think that I have turned against you in favor of Korigan. You think I am punishing you for treating me like a child.” He stopped. He wanted to say, And you think I am punishing you for being Jenrosa ‘s lover, but he could not say the words. Instead, he said: “That was partly true that night I made the decision to go to the High Sooq. It is not true now.”
“I accept that,” Kumul said, his anger tempered by Lynan’s honesty. “But am I to keep quiet when I disagree with you?”
“I hope not. Whether you know it or not, I still rely on you, old friend. I need you. But I do not need to be lectured by you.”
Kumul swallowed. “I am ever at your side.”
Lynan turned to Ager and Jenrosa. “The same goes for you, as well. I have not forgotten what you have all done for me. I have not forgotten the bonds of friendship. But one of the things you taught me was the responsibility of leadership, and now that I am a leader, I am responsible for more than our friendship. In the future I may say and do things that may make you forget that friendship, but I will never forget it.”
Ager and Jenrosa nodded.
“I need to talk to Kumul alone,” Lynan said, and they left. Lynan and Kumul looked at each other shyly. They opened their mouths to speak at the same time, then closed them together. That made them both grin.
“I count on you more than I can say,” Lynan said quickly.
“You have been my father, older brother, and teacher all at the same time. I always took it for granted that you would be by my side.”
Kumul tried to swallow, but his throat was suddenly constricted.
“I know about you and Jenrosa,” Lynan continued. “I was surprised.” He laughed bitterly. “I was hurt.”
“Lad, I did not mean—”
“I know,” Lynan said, holding up his hand. “It was self-pity on my part, something I’m very good at, as you well know. I am sorry for that. I want you to know that you both have my blessing.” Kumul looked up sharply. “Not that you require it, of course—”
“I am glad of it,” Kumul said.
Lynan sighed. He felt as if a great load had been lifted from his shoulders. “Well and good,” he said. “Well and good.”
Chapter 20
“Don’t look so grim,” Sendarus said.
“Easier said,” Areava replied, her arms around his neck. “I’ll be without you for God only knows how long.”
“Not long. We will throw Salokan back into Haxus by summer. By the start of autumn, I will be back in your bed.”
“Our bed.”
“Oh, no. You are the queen.”
“The queen of beds.”
“The queen of hearts,” he said, and kissed her.
Areava laughed. “Oh, you are like butter.”
He kissed her again, and they did not come up for air for some time. At last, they heard the sound of troops marching outside.
“Your army is gathering, General,” Areava told him.
Sendarus nodded sadly. “Well, the sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll be back.” He patted her belly, already starting to swell. “I want to be here when our child is born.” There was something like reverence in his voice.
“Then you will have to handle Salokan speedily. Babies don’t schedule their birth for the benefit of generals or queens.”
“When do you think?” he asked seriously.
“Early to midsummer.”
“Close, but I will be here.” He let her go and went to the window overlooking the courtyard. “Cousin Galen is waiting for me. The knights look splendid in their mail.”
“It’s good to know the Twenty Houses are good for something,” Areava said.
“They don’t trust me, you know. They hate the fact that an Amanite is leading them. They wanted Olio.”
“They wanted someone they could manipulate. Olio would have surprised them, but with you, they won’t even try. You’ll be lucky to get a courteous word from them.”