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Elodi’s eyes were drawn to the gaping mouths of the demons. ‘It would mean unpicking much of the drayloks’ fire to make room for Nyomae and your father at the Archon’s side.’ She turned to the doors. ‘It seems a different age from when I last stood here with Lord Broon.’ Elodi smiled. ‘I can’t believe I thought this was the Great Hall.’

‘I expect most visitors make the same mistake on their first visit.’ Toryn took his eyes from the tapestry. ‘Will Kernlow listen to your concerns? Or take your challenge to his leadership seriously?’

‘I’m hoping a dose of the truth will be enough to make him question his suitability to command. It's obvious to all he enjoys the ceremonial role of being Steward, but I very much doubt he has the courage to meet the enemy in open battle, or even deal with the unrest under his nose.’

‘But do we? How can we hope to challenge them when we number just a few thousand? And the majority of those are reserves. And what do we know of our enemy? You said more than ten thousand assailed Calerdorn. But how many more can they muster?’

Elodi held his gaze. ‘We must believe we can succeed. It is clear the evil tide will sooner or later surge south. We must stay strong and stand tall in the face of overwhelming odds.’ Her hand went to her sword. ‘But that requires the kind of leadership Kernlow lacks. We should be making critical decisions now. The city is already in the grip of fear. People distrust their neighbors. And how long before another gentle giant turns? We cannot afford to sit here and wait for the enemy to show up at our door. The people must see we’re taking steps to counter the evil they know will come.’

Toryn noticed her grip tightening on her sword handle. ‘What would you do if you were Steward?’

‘Send a dozen raiding parties north immediately.’ She turned to face the two Palace Guards standing impossibly straight at the entrance to the Great Hall. ‘It would require experienced soldiers, but not in numbers to cause Kernlow concern over weakening Archonholm. Small, well-led groups could inflict damage beyond their size and disrupt the Ul-dalak's preparations. We cannot let them believe we offer no threat.’

Toryn scoffed. ‘They have nothing to fear from Kernlow.’

But Elodi’s attention was far to the north. ‘I would send parties to attack their camps, then move on to find new targets. We currently don’t have the numbers to mount an all-out attack. But we can still hurt them. Make them feel uneasy, and perhaps, we can lead them to believe we have more numbers than they suspect. And, of course, we could gather information in the process.’

Toryn waited for her to pause. ‘But would you have to remain in Archonholm if you were steward?’

She beamed. ‘I would like to see them try.’

The hinges creaked. The large doors opened. The guards stepped aside as the Proctor shuffled between them. Elodi marveled at the ability of the man to stay on his feet with such a bent spine. He beckoned to Elodi. ‘Lord Kernlow will see you now, Lady Harlyn.’

She winked to Toryn. ‘Wish me luck.’

He whispered. ‘It is Kernlow in need of luck if he is to survive your meeting.’

Elodi’s smile faded. ‘Meet me on the South Terrace at noon. I’m sure we’ll have much to discuss.’ She turned to follow the Proctor, but the guards blocked her path.

‘Ah, yes.’ The Proctor pointed to her belt. ‘Your sword, ma’am. You cannot enter the Great Hall armed.’ She stepped back. The old man smiled and held out his hands. ‘It’s just a formality, Lady Harlyn. The same rule applies to all who enter, including the Castellan. It will be returned as soon as is… appropriate.’

‘And by that you mean…?’

The Proctor gestured to the door. ‘Lady Harlyn, Lord Kernlow is a busy man. He will not be kept waiting.’

Elodi regarded the open-handed guard. ‘Very well. Then take the utmost care. This sword means a great deal to me. It has served me well. I will not abide mistreatment.’ She removed her belt and gave it to him. Her hand dropped to her side, suddenly feeling vulnerable without it.

‘Thank you, ma’am.’ The Proctor instructed the Palace Guard to step aside. ‘You may now enter. And rest assured, your trusty weapon will be handled with the respect it demands.’

Elodi muttered under her breath. ‘It had better be.’ Then louder. ‘Thank you, Proctor.’ She entered the Great Hall, and as always, looked up. Bright sunlight streamed through the tall windows only to be trapped by the dust hanging in the thick air. Elodi wondered if she would live to see the day it finally settled.

‘Ah! The fair and gracious Lady Harlyn enters.’ At the far end of the hall, the ample frame of Lord Kernlow struggled to get up from his chair. But once on his feet, he strode with surprising speed to greet her.

Elodi took a breath. ‘Thank you, lord, for granting me this’ — she noted the empty seats around the table— ‘private meeting.’

‘My pleasure. And…’ He glanced behind him. ‘Ah yes. I gave my council the morning off.’ He stretched out his arms and thrust his elbows back and forth. ‘I suggested they get some fresh air and exercise on this fine day. Need everyone to be at the top of their game.’ He blinked in the sunlight. 'Don't you think, eh, Lady Harlyn?'

‘Err… yes. I expect that would be... desirable.’ Elodi’s anger had grown during the days waiting for this meeting. But now she saw him, she pitied the lord. Did he really believe a breath of fresh air could prepare the people to challenge the formidable forces that would soon come south?

Kernlow pulled out a chair for Elodi. ‘Such a shame, all that unfortunate business at the pass. Who would have thought the Archon was in the thrall of that awful woman?' He nodded to the seat. ‘Please sit my dear and tell me what concerns you.’

A red-faced Elodi stormed across the terrace towards Toryn. ‘They’ve taken my sword! Can you believe the nerve of these people?’

‘I thought you were supposed to get it back following your meeting.’

‘As did I, yet still they keep it from me. I gave it to the guards in good faith.’ She slapped the wall. ‘Ah! I was a fool to trust them. I have been informed the Castellan has it for safekeeping. I ask you. Safekeeping? Who do they think I am?’ Elodi looked behind, lowering her voice as two First Horse commanders strolled along the terrace. ‘I wonder if the only reason I was granted the meeting in the first place was to let that insufferable man get his grubby hands on my sword.’

‘But why? Surely, the Castellan cannot justify confiscating your blade.’

‘Clearly, he’s wary of a weapon of power over which he has no control. But I’d like to see the look on his face when he discovers it’s useless in anyone’s hands but mine. The Palace Guard apologized profusely and assured me it would be returned within a few days. But after the scalding I gave him…’ Her shoulders relaxed. ‘The poor fellow. It wasn’t his fault, but by now the Castellan will be in no doubt that if it’s not returned by tomorrow, he’ll feel the cold steel of the Sword of the Realms where it hurts.’

Toryn laughed. ‘I imagine that should do the trick. But what of your meeting with Kernlow?’

Elodi leaned against the balustrade and sighed. ‘A waste of a fine morning. He’s burying his head in the mire, refusing to face reality. Does he not hear the clashes of swords and cries of anguish in the city? And like the Castellan, Kernlow is suspicious of Nyomae and refuses to heed her warnings. As much as I tried to convince him, he maintained that everything was in order. I told him of our discovery at the gate. However, he appears to think Nyomae is overstating the threat, and therefore it’s not an issue that need concern him.’

‘And the situation in the north? Could he shed light on events in Dorn?’

‘Ah yes! Finally, some rare, good news to report. Ruan and his spearmen made it to Seransea. This gives me some hope. My rider, Lena, deserves much praise. She made it through the Ruuk hordes and reached Ruan. I know little of their journey, but few were lost. Elsewhere, Kernlow states the border at Noor remains quiet. Preparations at Seransea for an evacuation to Eldamouth are in place. But as yet, they see no need to execute the plan, although many have already left on foot and head south.’

‘Ah yes, our friend in the north. The new leader who sat in his hall while the rest of us committed our forces here.’ Her jaw clenched. ‘He wouldn’t hear of it. Kernlow accepts that if Nordryn passed the trials, he’ll remain loyal to the realms. Apparently, Nordryn has confirmed no Ruuk have crossed into Broon, but I would not trust his word. Ruan expressed his doubts about the man, and I trust his judgement.’ Elodi turned to the mountains. ‘Kernlow did, at least agree to send a detachment of Archonians to Noor to keep watch and report back on enemy activity. And another to the North Forest of Ormsk. So, perhaps some of my concerns are shared by others.’

Toryn watched the sunlight find its way into the pass behind the Lower Gate. ‘Dare I ask, what of your challenge to Kernlow’s stewardship?’

‘Of that, I am not confident. As the lord was so keen to point out… and pat my leg as he made it, is that proper procedure must be followed. He didn’t write the charter, so claims he is only adhering to the law. So, while I can count on the support of the surviving generals and commanders, unfortunately, I require the approval of the Council before I can approach them.’

‘And you’re certain the generals will back you?’

‘I see no reason why they wouldn’t. I have more experience of battle than all of them put together. And would they welcome the hardships of the road at their advanced ages? I’m happy to listen to their knowledge of historical conflicts and tactics, but I know the minds of our enemies better than they. But the Council? That is where my problem lies. I doubt they will vote for a measure that would result in their removal from the Great Hall’s table.’ Elodi grimaced. ‘Thanks to my readiness to speak my mind, they know exactly what I think of them.’

‘Lady Harlyn? Excuse the interruption, but could I possibly have a few moments of your time?’ Elodi turned to see a man in his late fifties. For a moment, she was reminded of the Archon. The man’s hairless head glistened in the sunlight but thankfully his skull was free of the Archon’s markings. Elodi recalled seeing him outside the Great Hall the previous day. He glanced at Toryn, then back at Elodi. ‘I believe we may be able to assist each other in a somewhat… delicate matter.’

Elodi agreed to his request. ‘Very well. But please note, Toryn can be trusted. We are as thick as the thieves of Saphrir when it comes to dealing with delicate matters.’

The man relaxed. ‘Ah, good. Then I hope it will prove beneficial to us all.’

She held out a hand. ‘I’m afraid while I know your face, I do not know your name… or your position.’

He bowed, then shook her hand. ‘I am Marrick of Loromar, principal city of Tamarand. But as for my position here…? I am not sure I can answer that with confidence.’

Elodi gestured to a nearby bench. ‘Then perhaps we shall sit in the shade while you try to explain.’

‘Thank you, ma’am.’ They arranged themselves on the bench. Marrick continued. ‘I was brought to Archonholm ten years ago. I had previously acted as an advisor to the Council of Tamarand following my service with the Archonian Guard.’

Elodi caught Toryn’s eye. ‘That is reassuring to hear. I would much rather take advice from a soldier who has served with a sword in his hand, than from those who sit in dusty halls dispensing ill-thought decrees.’

Marrick smiled. ‘Every word I’ve heard about you, ma’am, appears to be true. And I too am pleased to discover that.’

‘I believe we are going to get on well, Marrick. Now please, tell me what makes you unsure of your function here in Archonholm?’

‘I was appointed Chief Advisor to the Council of Farrand, and then within a year, promoted to the Archon’s Inner Council. But I soon came to realize my position appeared to be purely for show as the Archon, and the Vice-Archon for that matter, would not be advised on even the most mundane of matters.'

Toryn looked up at the banner flying from the tower. ‘And now we can appreciate why the Archon’s ears were not open to advice. And the Vice-Archon would never say or do anything to contradict him.’

Marrick turned at the sound of the workers unloading the rubble into the gorge. ‘I admit my spine tingled when I discovered the truth. I’d spent many an hour, worthless hours at that, sitting at his table, but I never thought…’

Elodi sighed. ‘Sadly, none of us suspected a thing.’ She gestured to the dust blowing across the narrow bridge. ‘But we’ll live with that regret for many years. But by all accounts, the Archon had always been a difficult man to read.’ She scanned the terrace. ‘Now, what of this delicate matter?'

Marrick took a step closer and lowered his voice. ‘Let me begin by saying my role as advisor to Lord Kernlow appears to be no different from before. Permit me to be flippant, but my mouth moves, the words come out, but they don’t appear to reach Kernlow’s ears.’

Elodi smirked. ‘Ah yes. There's something about the air in the Great Hall that allow words to travel solely in one direction.’

Marrick agreed. ‘Sadly, I observe that spectacle daily. It explains why so much that needs to be done is neglected. First, the armory is running short of raw materials owing to the loss of Drunsberg, and at a time when so many repairs are required.’

Toryn glanced at the Lower Gate. 'As grim as it sounds, clearing the pass will recover hundreds of swords and armor plate. But then, many will be damaged.’

Marrick nodded. ‘I’ll give credit to Lord Kernlow for the work completed to date. But even if we had ample materials to make them battle-ready, practically all of Farrand’s blacksmiths served in the reserves, and sadly, the majority were lost at the pass. But that is not all. We have a problem with the upcoming harvest. Hundreds who would have brought in the crop lay buried beneath the rubble. And of course, we have many displaced people fleeing the Ruuk in Dorn. And rumors of more incursions are clogging the roads south. Livestock in the north is falling into the hands of our foes. Therefore, to put it bluntly, much of our food supply is not where the empty stomachs are, ma’am. And last, but certainly not least, taxes will not be collected for the foreseeable future. This means the guards, knights and servants of the realms will have to be paid from Farrand’s dwindling gold reserves.’

Elodi looked up. ‘Reserves? Farrand has gold in reserve? We never had that luxury in Harlyn. Funds were earmarked for vital projects before it arrived at our treasury.’

‘It’s perhaps wrong of me to say dwindling, ma’am, seeing as the floor of the vault is gathering dust where the gold once stood. Exhausted would be more accurate. Unfortunately, the Archon, or rather the imposter inside his head, saw fit to all but empty the vaults for what came to be known as the audacious plan, plus the odd extravagant project.’

Elodi frowned. ‘But surely the money is at least in the hands of the suppliers and workers of the realms.’

Marrick shrugged. ‘I’m afraid that is not the case. The largest sums were spent on the wood for the ships from the forests of Ormsk, and that of course, means the gold now sits in Keld’s treasury and—’

Elodi slapped the bench. ‘In the hands of Nordryn!’ The walkers enjoying the afternoon sun turned at the sound of her annoyance. She lowered her voice. ‘And who knows what he’ll see fit to purchase with his newfound wealth. Is there anything Uluriel did not overlook?’

Marrick leaned forward. ‘Ah. Your reaction makes it easier to raise the delicate matter.’

‘Am I to assume this regards Nordryn?’

‘It does, ma’am. And while I imagine you became suspicious when he failed to show up for the gathering at the gate, I suspect there were things afoot long before that. I have reason to believe the trial to select the new Lord Broon was skewed in his favor.’

Elodi stiffened. ‘How so?’

‘It was rigged. Through one of my colleagues, I discovered three long-standing members of Broon's Council died suddenly while Bardon attended the opening of the Caerwal Tower. And, I presume the replacements had connections with Nordryn. But the move would have been futile if there was no need for a trial.’

‘Of course. The mission south.’

‘Precisely, ma’am. Through the Archon, Uluriel sought to weaken the realms from within. I think we can now appreciate how the construction of border fences, and the travel restrictions imposed, slowed our recovery from the dark years. But I believe it went beyond that. Uluriel was not concerned about the lords of Kernlow and Galabrant. They posed her no threat. They are old and obviously reluctant to commit to anything that compromised their position sitting comfortably between Farrand and the northern realms. And, as is the tradition of Galabrant, the title passes to the eldest son of the deceased lord. And as we both—’

‘Stay in line.’ They turned as a Schoolmaster admonished two girls as one grappled the other to the floor. The man pulled the sparring children apart. ‘I brought you up here to appreciate how Archonholm has protected our people for centuries. How can you learn if you are at each other’s throats.’ Elodi looked on, saddened that not even the young had been spared the dread gripping the city. She wondered if the sound of children’s laughter and mischief would be heard again in Archonholm.

Marrick waited for the Master to establish peace in his class. He leaned in. ‘And as we both know, many see Galabrant’s son as weak, living in luxury in his father’s shadow. Whereas Uluriel knew your father and Bardon were a different prospect altogether. Both capable leaders of strong realms with years of experience dealing with the Ruuk. You were also less likely to bend to the will of the Archon without question.’

Elodi’s jaw tightened. ‘At the time, I assumed the Archon wanted to remove myself and Bardon following an incident in his quarters. But all along it was a plan to send Bardon on a mission he, and thousands of our elite forces, would not survive so Uluriel could install Nordryn in Keld.’ Her hand covered her mouth. ‘And my father…’

‘Killed to remove him and thus bring a young and inexperienced woman to the helm at Harlyn.’

Elodi’s eyes burned. ‘And it couldn't have worked out better for her. Calerdorn would not have fallen under my father's command.’

Toryn tried to ease her guilt. ‘From what I’ve heard from your soldiers, I don’t think anyone could have withstood that assault. Would your father have faced Dorlan?’

‘It is good of you to say so, but I harbor my doubts. I had suspected my father was killed because he discovered no enemy stood behind the gate. But now it appears Uluriel’s actions have had a greater impact than I at first thought.’

Marrick frowned. ‘Your father knew the pass was unguarded?’

‘That is my belief. He had read archives that must have roused his curiosity. He climbed the Caerwal Tower that night, but unfortunately never made it back to Archonholm to share his discovery.’ She turned to the bridge glistening in the sun. ‘He met his untimely end in what should have been the safest place in the Five Realms, and at the hands of cowards who were not fit to look him in the eye.’ Elodi clutched Marrick’s arm. ‘Did the Castellan have a hand in this despicable act?’

‘I cannot be certain… as yet. But he must have been responsible for spreading the story it was an accident. Otherwise, he would have to admit he was not in total control of Archonholm. And we all know how important that is to the man.’

Toryn glanced to Elodi before asking Marrick. ‘Do you know who could have thrown the lord off the bridge?’

‘I have my suspicions. There were nights the Archon would walk unattended on the road to the east. He dismissed the Castellan’s concerns, insisting he could defend himself against any perceived threat. He persuaded his staff he needed time alone to contemplate issues beyond their comprehension, and of course, no one dared contradict the Archon.’

Elodi smiled. ‘But he didn’t convince you?’

‘No, he did not. He spent many days alone in his high tower. Sometimes we didn't see him for weeks on end. So, no, I didn’t accept his explanation. Therefore, I took it upon myself to follow him one evening. I had to remain some distance as he would more than likely sense my presence. But follow him I did. He walked at least three leagues along the Northeast Road under the boughs of the Foranfae, and at one point I thought he was about to enter. But as night fell, he stopped and waited by the side of the road. By a stroke of luck the clouds cleared, and the full moon rose. I hid in a ditch some fifty paces away when I heard horses. But despite the moonlight, I could not see the riders’ faces, but my luck had yet to run out. One of the riders appeared to disagree with the Archon. He went for his sword, which turned out to be his last action. The Archon’s hand shot out, a bolt of light brought the miscreant to his knees, then he collapsed. The remaining three were compliant and listened intently before strapping their dead colleague to his horse and riding off. But in that brief flash, I saw the riders clearly. They were tall men dressed in black, all with dark hair and beards.’

‘Nordleng!’ Toryn lowered his voice. ‘They sound like Nordleng from north of the border. I have had the pleasure of their company.’

Marrick agreed. ‘After investigation, I came to the same conclusion. They wore nothing to identify their allegiance and spoke with a heavy accent that made it difficult to understand what was said. I knew little about them, but when I described them to my colleagues from Broon, they confirmed they had to be Nordleng. I couldn’t understand why the Archon was meeting with these fellows. But following the tragic murder of Lord Harlyn, I came to suspect he was using them for his… shall we say, dirty work?'

Elodi groaned. ‘And all the while we sat meekly behind our fences as decreed by the Archon.’ She turned to the mountains. ‘Do you still hold the post of Chief Advisor, Marrick?’

‘I do, ma’am. While I have yet to see any advice I've offered result in any noticeable action, the post does bring certain privileges. But…’ he appeared to consider his next words, ‘I have been looking deeper into the murder of your father, ma’am. And following the carnage at the pass, more guards have been willing to speak openly to me. I have another I wish to consult, but I believe the Nordleng must have had assistance from someone within the citadel.’