“How so?”
“We can always let the water out through the dikes, of course, so any army marching on Eslen would have to swim. Eslen itself is high and dry.”
“What about the people who live out here?”
“We’d tell them first. Everyone knows the way to the nearest safe birm, believe me.”
“Has it ever been done?”
“Auy. Four times.”
“And the armies were stopped?”
“Three of them were. The fourth was lead by a Dare, and his descendents sit yet in Eslen.”
“About that—about the king—” Leoff began.
“You’re wondering if there’s anyone left to sing to for your supper.”
“I’m not unconcerned with that,” Leoff admitted, “but clearly I’ve missed a great deal of news while on the road. I’m not even sure of the date.”
“It’s the Temnosenal. Tomorrow is the first of Novmen.”
“Then I’ve been on the road longer than I thought. I left in Seftmen.”
“The very month the king was killed.”
“It would be a kindness . . .” Leoff began, and then, “Could you please tell me what happened to King William?”
“Surely. He was set upon by assassins while on a hunting expedition. His entire party was slain.”
“Assassins? From where?”
“Sea reavers, they say. He was near the headland of Aenah.”
“And others of the royal house were slain with him?”
“Prince Robert, his brother, was slain there, as well. The princesses Fastia and Elseny were murdered at Cal Azroth.”
“I don’t know that place,” Leoff said. “Is it near to where the king was killed?”
“Not at all. It’s more than a nineday’s hard riding.”
“That seems a very strange coincidence.”
“It does, doesn’t it? Nevertheless, it is the case, and it doesn’t go well for those who suggest otherwise.”
“I see,” Leoff said. “Then can you tell me—who rules in Eslen now?”
Artwair chuckled softly. “That depends on whom you ask. There is a king—Charles, the son of William. But he is, as they say, touched by the saints. He must be advised, and there’s no lack of advice available to him. The nobles of the Comven give it most freely and at every opportunity. The praifec of the Church has much to say, as well. And then there’s William’s widow, the mother of Charles.”
“Muriele Dare.”
“Ah, so you know something, at least,” Artwair said. “Yes, if you had to pick one person to say rules Crotheny, she would be the best choice.”
“I see,” Leoff said.
“So you say you’re worried about your position?” the knight said. “Are positions for your sort rare?”
“There are other patrons who would have me,” Leoff admitted. “I am not without reputation. I last served the Greft of Glastir. Still, a royal appointment . . .” He looked down. “But that’s a small thing, isn’t it, in all this mess.”
“At least you have some sense, composer. But cheer up—you may have your position yet—the queen may honor it. Then you’ll be right in the thick of things when the war starts.”
“War? War with whom?”
“Hansa—or Liery—or perhaps a civil war.”
“Are you joking with me?”
Artwair shrugged. “I have a sense for these things. All is chaos, and it usually takes a war to sort things out.”
“Saint Bright, let’s hope not.”
“You don’t fancy marching songs?”
“I don’t know any. Can you sing some?”
“Me, sing? When your mule is a warhorse.”
“Ah, well,” Leoff sighed. “Just a thought.”
They traveled in silence for a time, and as evening came, a mist settled, made rosy by the waning sun. The lowing of cattle sounded in the distance. The air smelled like dried hay and rosemary, and the breeze was chill.
“Will we reach Eslen tonight?” Leoff asked.
“Only if we travel all night, which I don’t fancy,” Sir Artwair replied. He seemed distracted, as if he were searching for something. “There’s a town where the road crosses the canal up here. I know an inn there. We’ll take a room, and with an early start we’ll be in Eslen by midday tomorrow.”
“Is something wrong?”
Artwair shrugged. “I’ve an itchy feeling. It’s likely nothing, as in your case.”
“Were you searching for anything in particular when we met?”
“Nothing in particular and everything out-of-place. You were out of place.”
“And what’s out of place now?”
“Did I say anything was?”
“No, but something is—it shows in your face.”
“And what would a minstrel know about my face?”
Leoff scratched his chin. “I told you, I’m not a minstrel. I’m a composer. You asked what the difference was. A minstrel—he goes from place to place, selling songs, playing for country dances, that sort of thing.”
“And you do it for kings.”
“There’s more. You’re from hereabouts? You’ve been to dances?”
“Auy.”
“Minstrels might travel in a group as large as four. Two on the croth, one on a pipe, and another to play the hand-drum and sing.”
“I’m with you so far.”
“There’s a tune—‘The Fine Maid of Dalwis.’ Do you know it?”
Artwair looked a bit surprised. “Yah. It’s a favorite at the Fiussanal.”
“Imagine it. One crother plays the melody, then another comes in, playing the same tune, but starting a bit after, so it makes a round. Then the third joins, and finally the singer. Four voices as it were, all at counterpoints to one another.”
“I don’t know counterpoint, but I know the song.”
“Good. Now imagine ten croths, two pipes, a flute, an hautboy, a greatpipe, and every one playing something different.”
“I reckon it would sound like a barnyard full of animals.”
“Not if it’s written right and the musicians perform it fair. Not if everything is in its place. I can hear such a piece, in my head. I can imagine it before it’s ever been played. I have a fine sense for things like that, Sir Artwair, and I can see when someone else does, whether it’s for music or not. There’s something bothering you. The trick is, do you know what that thing is?”
The knight shook his head. “You’re a strange man, Leovigild Ackenzal. But, yes—this town I mentioned, Broogh—it’s just ahead. But what do you hear, with those musician’s ears of yours?”
Leoff concentrated for a moment. “Sheep bleating, far away. Cows. Blackbirds.”
“Raeht. By now we ought to hear children hollering, wives yelling at their men to lay off the ale and come home, bells and horns sounding in the field, workers. But there’s none of that.” He sniffed the air. “No smell of cooking, either, and we’re downwind.”
“What could it mean?”
“I don’t know. But I think we won’t go in by the main road.” He cocked his head. “What use are you if there’s trouble? Can you use a sword or spear?”
“Saints, no.”
“Then you’ll wait here, up at the malend. Tell the windsmith that Artwair said to look after you for a bell or so.”
“Do you think it’s that serious?”
“Why would a whole town go silent?”
Leoff could think of a few reasons, all bad. “As you say,” he sighed. “I’d only be in the way if there’s trouble.”
After ascending to the birm of the dike, Leoff stood for a moment, musing at what a few feet in altitude did to transform Newland.
Mist collected in the low places like clouds, but from his heightened vantage he could see distant canals dissecting the landscape, coral ribbons that might have been cut from the dusky sky and laid on those amber fields by the saints themselves. Here and there he could even make out moving slivers that must be boats.
Lights were beginning to appear, as well, faint clusters of luminescence so pale, they might be the ephemeral dwellings of the Queer-folk rather than what they must be—the candlelit windows of distant towns and villages.
At his feet lay the great canal itself, broader than some rivers—but indeed, it must be a river, probably the Dew, caught here in walls built by human hands, kept here by ingenuity. It was indeed a wonder. Finally he studied the malend, wondering exactly how it worked. Its wheel was turning in the breeze, but he couldn’t see how it was keeping the water from drowning the land below. It squeaked faintly as it rotated, a pleasant sound.