When they were done, the Maasrites silently entered and cleared the table, bringing wine and water in earthenware jugs. At this, Meliu brightened slightly and insisted on pouring Ullsaard's drink. He noticed her measure of wine to water was very generous and suspected that she was trying to get him drunk.
He drank sparingly, wanting to keep his head clear, and said nothing, until even Allenya's supply of gossip and observations ran dry. The tent walls flapped in the wind and ropes creaked outside. The call of the sentries split the night air and the bell sounded the third hour of Duskwatch.
"This is ridiculous!" snapped Luia, standing.
"Sit down," Ullsaard said. She stopped, sneered and was about to turn away when Ullsaard growled. "Sit down!"
She locked eyes with him, and he stared back, daring her to speak out of turn. She broke from his unflinching glare and sat down with a pout, thudding her fists on the table. Ullsaard took a moment to calm before he spoke.
"I did not intend for this to happen," he said. "I thought that a campaign in Salphoria would be the best way to guarantee the future of this family. The new lands, th-"
"Liar," said Luia. "You were not thinking about this family at all. You were thinking about the glory and prestige you would have."
"Glory and prestige that would be a legacy for my sons," Ullsaard answered coolly, forcing himself to keep his temper in the face of his wife's scorn. "The name Ullsaard kon Salphoria would carry more weight than Ullsaard ad Enair."
"A title?" Luia laughed. "You think you can battle your way into the nobility?"
"Why not? Every noble family name in Askhor was once just a normal family name. Wealth, prestige, these things can be grown over generations. History does not forget the names of great men. Perhaps your ambitions for your granddaughter would not be so far-fetched if her grandfather was known as the conqueror of Salphoria. That's a claim that could entice even the Blood into a union."
Luia opened her mouth to argue and stopped. She bit her lip and tapped her fingers together as she considered this. Then her expression darkened again.
"That would have been well and good, but all you have managed to achieve is shame, and your name will be remembered with ignominy. What sort of legacy is that?"
"All is not yet lost," said Ullsaard. He took another sip of the strong wine. "When we have found out what Noran can tell us, I will ask him to take a message to the king. I will offer my deepest apologies and regret for the turn of events, and ask for his forgiveness. In my experience, the Blood find humility hard to resist. I'll swear my oaths of loyalty again, at his feet if necessary, and vow to uphold Kalmud's right to become king."
"You would distance yourself from Aalun?" asked Allenya. "He has been your ally and patron for a long time. He will not take such a move kindly."
"Sister, you are right," said Luia, and her eyes were distant, narrowed in calculation. "The king is your enemy for the moment, but he will not live forever. When he is gone, what power will Kalmud have to protect his succession against Aalun? It is more likely that Aalun will become the next king, and you would be better to have him as a friend than an enemy."
Ullsaard lowered his head into his hands and massaged his temples.
"I feel like I've opened a box of snakes and I don't know which one to grab," he muttered. "What was I thinking?"
"It does not matter," said Allenya. She walked around the table and laid an arm across Ullsaard's shoulders. "What has happened cannot be changed. Right or wrong, we are where we are."
He put an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, planting a kiss on her belly, feeling her soft woollen dress on his lips. Allenya stroked his hair.
"Nothing can be done until the morning," she said. "Why not get some rest?"
This seemed like a good idea. Ullsaard took Allenya's hand in his and stood up.
"I have a few duties around camp," he said. "I'll be back soon."
At that moment, a captain from the guard company announced his presence outside the tent. Ullsaard told the man to enter.
"General, Noran the herald is at the camp gates," the soldier announced.
"So soon? Let him into the camp and send word to Prince Aalun of his arrival."
"Yes, General," the captain said with a brief salute before hurrying out of the tent.
"This cannot be good," Ullsaard said, sitting at the table.
Allenya summoned a servant and instructed him to prepare hot tea.
"I am sure Noran would like something to drink," she said, sitting opposite Ullsaard.
"Always the perfect hostess," the general replied. "Perhaps I should have you with me all the time."
"You are not dragging us around on your campaigns like common camp followers," said Luia. "You may choose to live in ditches, but I will not."
Meliu gave a sob and buried her hands in her arms.
"This is so awful," she moaned. She lifted her tear-streaked face. "Where will we go? What about my darling Ullnaar? He'll be all alone! You've made us the mockery of all Askh."
Ullsaard had no time to reply. The tent door swirled open and Noran strode in. Behind came two women, one about twenty years of age, her belly swelling with child, the other a little older.
"Neerita!" squealed Meliu, launching from her chair towards the pregnant woman. Ullsaard's youngest wife swamped Noran's with a hug and a shower of kisses.
"What is g-" began Ullsaard. He was silenced by Noran's fist catching him flush on the chin.
"You fucking selfish cunt!" the herald raged while Luia laughed behind Ullsaard. "Of all the pig-headed, fucking stupid things you have done, this is the worst! You utter m-"
Ullsaard's return punch caught Noran square between the eyes, knocking him to his backside.
"Don't ever raise your hand to me, friend or not," Ullsaard said, rubbing his chin.
Noran blinked with disbelief, slightly cross-eyed. Ullsaard reached out and helped Noran to his feet.
"Let us leave you two alone," said Allenya, hustling Meliu, Neerita and Anriit towards the back of the tent where canvas screens had been hung to create separate rooms. Luia lingered a while longer, hoping that Noran would hit her husband again. When it became clear that this would not happen, she huffed disapprovingly and joined her sisters.
"Perhaps you should start again," suggested Ullsaard. He lifted the wine jug and Noran nodded and sat down at the table. Noran scrunched his nose a few times.
"Is it broken?" the herald asked.
"Not even bleeding, you weakling," Ullsaard replied, placing a mug of undiluted wine in front of Noran. "Drink this and tell me what's happening. Why so upset?"
Noran took a large swig from the mug and fixed Ullsaard with a resigned stare.
"Because I brought you to Askh on the prince's orders, Lutaar has accused me of being in league with you and Aalun. Members of the Brotherhood came to my apartment, but my servants held them off until we managed to get out through the window. Imagine it!"
"I'd say you've had plenty of experience of hasty window retreats over the years," chuckled Ullsaard. "This isn't fucking funny." "No, it isn't. Sorry. Carry on." Noran drank some more before continuing.
"There is not a lot more to say. We slipped out of the palace grounds, managed to pick up a few things from Neerita's old house and then left the city before the gates closed at Howling. Here I am."
"Did you manage to find anything out before you were chased off?"
"Yes, but it would be better to tell you and Aalun together. Where is the prince?"
"Let's go and see him." Ullsaard downed the contents of his cup and Noran did the same.
As they left the tent, Ullsaard beckoned to one of the legionnaires on guard with a crooked finger.
"Ask First Captain Jutiil if he'll give up his tent for Herald Noran and his family. He can share with Luamid."