Part 34 (1/2)

Anna closed her eyes again.

56.

The next morning, Anna sat on the edge of her cot for a long time, her head in her hands, before she dared to stagger up and retrieve the water bottle.

Finis.h.i.+ng off the water bottle helped some, as did eating too much of the hard cheese and biscuits. Finally, ignoring the dull and throbbing headache, she stepped out of the tent into a morning that felt far too bright for her physical condition.

Jecks turned quickly, but his smile was professional enough to tell her that she looked about the way she felt-like horse droppings flattened by a long column of lancer mounts. ”Good morning, my lady.”

Lejun and Kerhor both nodded, and a half dozen yards to their right, Kinor and Jimbob watched warily.

”It is morning.” Anna admitted, ”I think.” The sky was a hazy white, not quite gray. Another result of sorcery... or guilt about sorcery? She stopped herself from shaking her head, knowing it would fall off. At least, it felt like it might.

The matted gra.s.s was damp, and the acrid odor of the cook-fires drifted toward her on the light breeze. Her stomach turned at the scent of something cooking.

Cheese and biscuits had been better, but even they had settled uneasily.

”You should not ride today,” Jecks said.

”With Rabyn probably at Elioch?” She raised her eyebrows. ”I couldn't ride yesterday. That cost us a day already.”

”You cannot do anything if you reach Denguic exhausted.” Jecks met her eyes with concern in his own hazel orbs.”I know, but we can shorten today's ride and the next day's if I get tired, but we can't push the horses to make up that distance once I get recovered, not if the lancers need to fight.” She snorted. ”No matter what I try, it seems that we still need men with sharp blades and strong arms.”

A greater hint of cook fire smoke and the fainter odor of burned gra.s.s filled Anna's nostrils, and with those reminders of the impact of her sorcery, her stomach turned and churned even more as she stood before her little tent.

Another set of battles... thousands more men dead... will it ever end? Can it ever end?

She took a deep breath. ”We need to talk to Hadrenn. There's no point in dragging this out.”

Jimbob and Kinor slipped back and toward where Liende had gathered with the players a good fifty yards to the south.

”Now?” Jecks looked at her, then nodded. ”I will have him summoned.” The white- haired lord slipped past the tent and walked swiftly toward another tent with a green pennant set before it.

Anna started after Jecks, then stopped, and shrugged. She hadn't meant to have Jecks chase down the young lord of Synek.

It seemed but a few moments later when Jecks returned with Hadrenn beside him.

Both men stopped well short of the Regent.

”Sorceress and Regent.” Hadrenn inclined his head. ”You have destroyed Bertmynn.

What can I say to express my grat.i.tude?”

”We all did what needed to be done. I'm glad we could help you.” Anna forced a smile she didn't really feel.

”All Synek is grateful....” Hadrenn let his words slide into silence.

”And that will help erase some of the unpleasant memories of last year?” Anna offered an ironic smile.

”It cannot but help, and I will ensure all know.”

”Does Bertmynn have a son or daughter?” asked Anna.

A look of puzzlement appeared in Hadrenn's deep brown eyes. ”I have heard he has two sons... but those are words on the wind.”

”Fine. You need to declare that his son-or other heir-will hold the lands around Dolov... but only there. And you need to proclaim that as widely as possible.

You also need to proclaim that you have accepted the protection of the Regent and Sorceress of Defalk for all of Ebra to a.s.sist in repelling any who would strike at your land... or some words like that. And you need to send someone to Elahwa... saying that you will recognize a government by the freewomen.” Anna paused. ”They may not believe you. You might ask for the Matriarch to send a representative-but make sure it's a representative of the Matriarch and not of the SouthWomen.”

Hadrenn's eyes contained the expression of an ox stunned with a heavy hammer.

Behind the younger lord's shoulder, Jecks shook his head gently, and mouthed, ”Be gentle...be gentle.”

Anna nodded that she'd heard. ”Let me explain,” she addressed Hadrenn patiently.

”The SouthWomen started this mess by s.h.i.+pping blades to Elahwa. You don't wantthem in this. You do need someone outside of Ebra whom the women of Elahwa can trust. If you do that, the Matriarch and their grain factors will look on you more favorably, and you won't have another revolt on your hands in ten years.

You-and Ebra-can't afford that. Neither can I.”

”You do not sound as though you are fond of Ebra.” Hadrenn's voice contained the hint of a querulousness.

”In my shoes... boots, would you be? My lands have been invaded by Ebra once, and I have to fight battles again a year later in Ebra in hopes of getting a just and peaceful ruler as a neighbor. However,” Anna added, ”I will recompense you slightly. Send a score of lancers with me, and I will send them back with golds to help you rebuild Synek-and Elahwa.”

Hadrenn looked down. ”You are generous.”

You may be a d.a.m.ned fool. ”Hadrenn, I want a peaceful neighbor strong enough to ensure that the free state of Elahwa survives and powerful enough that Ebra can keep the Sturinnese out of Liedwahr. I'm not after an empire like the Liedfuhr seems to be. Most empires don't last, and those that do aren't places most people would like to live.”

Another puzzled look crossed Hadrenn's face, but he did not speak.

”The mist worlds have had more empires than Erde has ever dreamed of-or should.”

Anna glanced toward the west ”Do you have any questions? We need to be leaving.”

”Leaving?”

”Leaving. There are no forces left in Ebra, except yours. You have my support, and, once you proclaim the free state of Elahwa for the freewomen, you'll have some support from the Ranuans. At the very least, they won't oppose you. You have Gestatr, and his judgment is sound. What else do you need?” If Hadrenn can't handle it now, he'll never handle it.

”Gestatr said that you would be fair... no matter what it cost you. I was not certain.” Hadrenn bowed his head. ”Synek and Ebra will stand before and behind you, Regent and sorceress, for none could have a better ally nor a worse enemy.”

Hadrenn looked up, his eyes upon Anna. ”I will not keep you, but I will also tell Stepan your words of wisdom, and we will begin.” He paused. ”Can I offer you an escort? You lost lancers, and you brought few enough.”