"And that is assuming that each land gives its all. I doubt Thal-Hak would leave Elvendere's western flank unguarded against Goria, and nor would Callodon nor Juria, if they have any sense, and they do."
"Then we are all doomed." Gawain glowered darkly.
Eryk stiffened, and drew in a deep breath. "In all likelihood, yes. Unless by some dark wizardry the crowns can be persuaded to gather in one place, which I doubt. And unless by some dark wizardry, the crowns can be persuaded to donate their entire military forces to our cause, which again I doubt. If Morloch were on our side, I would be less doubtful in matters of dark wizardry."
"Sire, you will ask for the council?" Rak asked, with great tact.
"I'll think about it."
"Uncle, please?" Merrin pleaded.
Eryk glanced at her and then looked away. Then he glanced at her again.
"Very well. I'll send word to them all. Though it'll take years for them to agree on a suitable meeting place, let alone whether to attend or not."
"Ferdan, in Juria." Gawain announced.
"Eh?"
"Ferdan. It is a small fortified town, near the eastern border of Elvendere."
"Why there?"
"It is far enough away from all castletowns to be considered almost neutral." Rak explained enthusiastically. "None could complain at the location, in truth. And it is close enough to Elvendere even for Thal-Hak to feel secure."
"Very well. I shall so request the council. In the meantime, I shall return to the throne, and direct General Karn to move our forces, quietly, to the western slopes. Sarek, you may expect to hear from him directly."
"Sire."
Eryk stood, and those that had been seated did likewise. The king paused, and looked at them all.
"In truth," he sighed, "They ate…as you said?"
"In truth, Sire." Sarek said grimly. "They must be destroyed. All of them. Every last one."
Eryk nodded sadly. "And your men, they know all of this?"
"Aye Sire, but they're good men. They will not spread the terror of it."
"I hope not." Eryk stiffened his back again, and surveyed them regally. "You've done well, though in retrospect I would that you'd waited to speak to me before venturing out to the Barak-nor. It might have helped if General Karn had accompanied you."
"I do not think so, Sire." Rak opined. "We barely survived the journey, and we have the advantage of youth."
Eryk smiled. "Aye, perhaps you're right. I wish I had the same advantage at times." Then he eyed Gawain critically. "But at others, I am glad to have lived through a gentler age."
They watched Threlland's king leave Tarn, flanked by a small and, they knew, hopelessly inadequate honour-guard. Sarek took his leave and returned to the barracks, and Allazar made his weary way, alone, to the inn.
Back inside Rak's house, Meeya spoke briefly with her husband, and then as they all settled to a welcome hot meal, Valin announced in his low and sonorous voice:
"Mihoth and I shall leave for Elvendere at first light."
Elayeen blinked. "Tomorrow?"
"We must carry word of what we have seen to our people. We shall go straight to Gan-thal's province, and speak with him first. Elvendere must know that Threlland is frith to Elvendere, and needs our aid. Thal-Hak must know that the wizards have lied. All must know that you and ithroth live, and are well in Threlland."
"You must tell them who I am." Gawain said quietly. "It may help persuade Thal-Hak to attend the council in Ferdan. Elayeen-thalin of Elvendere may be faranthroth to all, but Queen Elayeen of Raheen lives, and is to be honoured, lest I be offended."
"It shall be as you command." Valin acknowledged.
Elayeen rested her hand upon Gawain's. "You do not have to do this, mithroth. The name causes you grief, and it may not persuade my father at all."
"Any grief I feel will be as nothing compared to the pain of seeing all Threlland another Barak-nor. Or Elvendere another Raheen. It's past time I remembered who I am. I only wish I did have five hundred Raheen cavalry at my disposal."
"If Meeya and Valin can persuade my brother and my father to attend the council, we may not need five hundred cavalry." Elayeen smiled sadly.
"How so?" Rak asked, bemused.
Meeya smiled, and Valin positively grinned.
"Eryk has underestimated Elvendere's strength." Elayeen announced, her eyes bright with hope. "It is law in our land that all elves must begin practice with the bow from five years of age. It is by hunting, and by the bow, that we live. We can bring thousands of archers to the field."
Rak dropped his fork, and it clattered noisily onto his plate. "Thousands?" he gasped.
"Thousands." Meeya agreed.
"Then do make sure to tell Thal-Hak that all Threlland is, what is your word? Frith to Elvendere."
"We shall." Valin asserted, straight-faced.
As dusk fell, a yawning Lord Rak of Tarn bade his houseguests an early goodnight, and retired, leaving Merrin to show the thalangard to their room. Gawain frowned as Merrin led them out.
"My lady, I thought you had but the one spare room?"
Merrin flushed a little, and then smiled, and led the thalangard down the hall.
"I too am tired, mithroth." Elayeen smiled, and stood, and took his hand. "Are you not?"
In truth, Gawain was tired. It had been a long and gruelling journey back from the Barak-nor, and undertaken in great haste.
"I should check on Gwyn." Gawain announced.
"Gwyn is safe and warm in stables, mithroth."
He stood and gazed down at her, and saw her eyes, wide and glistening, and felt suddenly hot.
"But it is every Raheen's duty to tend his horse…"
Elayeen blinked. "Oh."
"But…" Gawain added hastily, "Gwyn is in stables, after all…"
"And safe, and warm."
"Aye…"
"And we must rise early, to bid farewell to Meeya and Valin." Elayeen said softly, leading Gawain by the hand.
"Aye…"
"Then we too should retire."
"Yes…" Gawain mumbled, eyeing the embers in the grate, and wondering how it could be possible for such a sudden rise in temperature as he felt now, Elayeen's hand in his as he she led him to their room. Perhaps, he thought, he was sick, struck by some dread disease…
38. Messages
Gawain and Elayeen did indeed rise early, as did Rak and Merrin, to bid farewell to the thalangard. Sarek had received word of the elves' intentions, and appeared in company with four mounted guardsmen, who were to be the thalangard's escort, though surprisingly the guards were dressed in dark and unremarkable clothing rather than their normal uniform.
"I thought it might lend credence to our friends' reports if they were escorted clear to Elvendere, my Lord." Sarek explained. "These men are all volunteers, and know the risks."
Elven eyes blinked, and Gawain nodded appreciatively.
"I do not know how kindly Juria would take to such a military incursion." Rak mumbled.
"Hence the lack of uniform, my Lord." Sarek explained carefully, noting the tiredness around Rak's eyes.
"In truth," Gawain said, yawning, and Sarek noted the tiredness in his eyes too, "If Meeya and Valin are seen safe and well in company of four armed Threllanders, it will indeed lend much weight to their claim that Threlland is frith to Elvendere. But the decision must be yours, Meeya, and yours, Valin."
"We welcome your company, friends." Valin said without hesitation.
Rak remained hesitant, and then addressed the four guardsmen. "You know the risks? Your reception at the border with Elvendere may not be…pleasant."