15

To his credit, Norvin arrived early that morning along with every citizen of Honor. He was also accompanied by all the elders who had met Shona the previous day, including the greybeard who had addressed the regent with caustic disrespect. Four of the oldest villagers and three youngsters were down with a summer fever. Pallets had been fashioned, and the strongest among Honor’s citizens took turns carrying them. At Shona’s direction, an honor guard was formed up, both to greet the arrivals and to keep them from entering the camp proper. Instead, they were garrisoned in the meadow fronting the passage leading into Shona’s hold.

Dally was counted among the guards, as were several others who had taken part in the battle. She could identify them from the way fatigue stained their features. She knew she probably looked the same way, but there was nothing she could do about that.

She had waited until well after sunrise to approach Shona’s guard and ask for an audience. When she finished passing on her message, Shona and Meda both rebuked her for the delay. The next time she received a nighttime communication, Shona ordered, Dally was to immediately raise the alarm.

At a sign from Norvin, all the villagers knelt upon the earth, meek as little March lambs. They faced the guards and the camp, which meant they had a good long look at the double line of black pelts strung along the lane. The halberds’ dark-stained blades glinted a silent warning in the sunlight.

As instructed, Dally was again dressed in Shona’s finery. All the guards wore their dress uniforms. They waited there in the hot sun. Silent. The villagers grew increasingly nervous. A child fretted and was quickly silenced. From her position kneeling beside her husband, Krim met Dally’s gaze and looked away.

Shona emerged from her tent, flanked by Meda and Alembord. Behind them marched an honor guard, and farther back came her small contingent of warrior mages led by Edlyn and Myron. For the first time Dally saw the lady’s crown, a slender thread of intricately woven gold with a single gemstone positioned directly over her forehead.

Shona halted directly in front of Norvin. And waited.

Norvin fumbled his words. “Majesty . . . That is, Lady Shona, we wish to offer fealty.”

Meda was the one who responded. She pitched her voice at a level just below a battlefield bark, intending to be heard by all. “Fealty in a time of conflict is a powerful oath. It binds both ruler and subject in a solemn pact. The Lady Shona vows to do her best to protect you and your region, even if it brings her and her army into harm’s way. In return, you accept that her call to service, in whatever form she deems necessary, must be answered swiftly and without dissent.” Meda gave a long pause, then demanded, “Is that understood?”

“Aye, ma’am, it is.”

Alembord said, “You shall address her as Colonel.”

Meda went on, “The oath of fealty is for life. There is no option for withdrawing. Disobedience or opposition will be treated as rebellion. Is that clear?”

“Aye, Colonel.”

“And you still wish to make this offer?”

“Aye, we do.”

Shona’s voice was a soft counterpoint to Meda’s verbal punches. “Do you speak for all gathered?”

“We are here with one mind, my lady. We answer with one voice.”

“Well said, Master Norvin. You and your company may rise.” And with that, Shona smiled. The warmth revealed in that silent gesture was enough to dispel all the previous day’s ire. She bathed them with her pleasure. “Welcome to our ranks.”

Norvin’s face struggled to maintain composure, his relief was so intense. “Thank you, my lady.”

Shona lifted her voice. “Good people of Three Valleys, I offer you two immediate gifts in return for your fealty. Dally, come here.”

She stepped forward and curtsied. “My lady.”

“Thanks to Dally’s remarkable gifts, we have received warning of a second attack by the dark fiends. What was the name of the village that is their target?”

“Elmtree, my lady.”

Cries of alarm rose from one of the women and the greybeard.

“My stable master will equip those of you from this village with horses and a troop to see you home. Captain Alembord and the wizard Myron and four squads of advance troops will accompany you. Draw in all townspeople from your fields. Form barricades. I will shortly join you with the rest of my force.”

The woman cried, “How much time do we have?”

“A few days at most. Not enough. Hurry.” She raised her voice as they hastened away. “The rest of you are invited to remain. Water and sustenance will be brought. Our healers will see to those of you who ail. Colonel Meda.”

“My lady.”

“Present the mayor with payment.”

Meda walked forward and handed Norvin a sack that clinked softly. Norvin opened it and gasped. “It’s too much.”

“You will dispense payment among all the villagers. The rest you will draw from in return for what you supply in the future. You will keep accounts and present them upon request.”

Norvin fumbled in his attempt to reseal the pouch and bow at the same time. “My lady, it will be done as you say.”

Shona addressed the gathering. “When the sun reaches its zenith, you must be prepared to kneel once more. Ashes of Hyam’s slain wife will pass by, en route to her final resting place.”

Trestle tables were laid out and a good fare was offered. Of course, almost all of it came from produce supplied by the villagers. But with Norvin walking among them and the lady’s gold clinking at his belt, the gathering took on an air of muted good cheer.

Dally remained because she felt it was expected of her. She heard villagers speak of Hyam as a sturdy lad with good sense and a strong back. Others recalled his seasoned eye as a forest hunter. Many spoke of some mysterious field deep within the forest, passed down through generations, which few had ever seen. Then Alembord overheard their talk and regaled them with Hyam’s life as a mage and emissary to the Ashanta. Disbelief turned to wonder as Alembord was joined by Meda, and the two of them described the battle of Emporis and the hunt across the yellow realm for the enemy who fought Hyam’s company in the legendary city of Alyss.

Dally listened most intently of all, for she felt that hidden within these events were explanations for some of what befell her now. Her concentration was so intense, Norvin and Krim managed to approach her unseen.

Norvin greeted her with, “Many changes afoot. And it appears you’re at the heart of them.”

“I’m glad you saw fit to come,” Dally replied.

“It was the only way,” Norvin said, looking at his wife as he spoke. “Go on, my dear.”

Krim’s bulky form was taut and her throat constricted as she said, “I apologize for any slight or slur I might have offered you.” She quailed as a grim-faced Meda stepped up beside Dally, one hand resting upon her sword hilt. Krim finished in a rush. “I hope there are no hard feelings between us.”

Dally answered as she thought Shona would have wanted. “Thank you for your words.” Her voice sounded flat to her own ears. “I accept your apology.”

Dally turned away, wanting nothing more to do with that woman. Ever. She asked Meda, “Did you want me?”

“Lady Shona says to stand ready.” The colonel turned to Norvin and said, “Prepare your folk, Mayor. It’s time.”