Part 5 (2/2)
”We are all fated men now,” he said. ”We can only go where our destiny leads us, and that may be to a place we would rather not see. Nevertheless, it is done. And march we shall.”
He gave Stark a long, hard, measuring look. All the members of the Council were doing the same, and Stark knew what they were thinking. Why an off-worlder? Why does he bring with him this sudden stunning break from all history, all custom, all the laws under which we have endured? What has he really brought us-freedom and a new life, or death and utter destruction?
Stark had no answer for them. The prophecy said only that he would destroy the Lords Protector. It did not say what the result of that would be.
”Now, Eric John Stark, Earthman, tell us how you came to Skaith, how you came to Irnan, and why.”
Stark knew perfectly well that Jerann had already heard the story, but he told it again, carefully and in detail. He told them about Ashton, and about Pax, and about how the matter of emigration stood with the Ministry of Planetary Affairs.
”I see,” said Jerann. ”Then it seems that we must believe in Dark Men and prophecies, and go our way in blind hope.”
”What about the other city-states?” asked Stark. ”They must be in much the same case as Irnan. Will they rise to help you?”
”I don't know. We'll do what we can to persuade them, naturally. But I think most of them will wait and see.”
”Wait and see what?”
”If the prophecy is true.” Jerann turned to an aide. ”Have the Izvandian brought to me.” The man hurried away, and Jerann said to Stark, ”We must all know that, as soon as possible.”
There was a wait, an awkwardness, a vacuum of uneasy silence within the encompa.s.sing sounds of triumph from outside in the streets. The members of the Council were tired and showing strain. The enormity of the commitment that Irnan had made this day must be weighing on them very heavily.
A knot of people came in, cl.u.s.tered round one tall lint-haired warrior. Stark noticed the gold ornaments on his harness, the torque and armbands. A chief, probably captain of the mercenaries. He was marched up the hall to where the Council sat, and he stood facing Jerann without emotion.
Jerann said coldly, ”Greetings, Kazimni.”
The Izvandian said, ”I see you, Jerann.”
Jerann took up a small heavy sack from the table. ”This is the gold which is owed to you.”
”To my dead as well? There are families.”
”To your dead as well.” He weighed the sack in his hand. ”And there is in addition half as much again.”
”If you wish to bribe us to leave Irnan,” said Kazimni contemptuously, ”keep your gold. We have no further business here.”
Jerann shook his head. ”No bribe. Payment for services.”
Kazimni c.o.c.ked one pale insolent eyebrow. ”Oh?”
”Some of our people are going into the Barrens. A small party. We want you to escort them as far as Izvand.”
Kazimni did not bother to ask why a party of Irnanese were going into the Barrens. It was no concern of his.
”Very well,” he said. ”Give us leave to bury our dead and make ready for the journey. We'll go when Old Sun rises.” And he added, ”With our arms.”
”With your arms,” said Jerann. He gave Kazimni the gold and said to the Irnanese escort, ”You heard. Let them bury their dead, and give them what they need of supplies.”
”Better to give them the sword,” muttered one of the Irnanese. But they took Kazimni away obediently enough.
Stark asked, ”Why Izvand?”
”Because it is that much closer to the Citadel. And for that distance you will have the protection of an escort. From there you must make your own arrangements, and I warn you-do not underestimate the dangers.”
”Where exactly is this Citadel? Where is World-heart?”
”I can tell you where tradition puts them. The fact you will learn for yourself.”
”The Wandsmen know.”
”Yes. But none are left alive in Irnan to tell us.”
So that was no help. ”Where is Gerrith?”
”She returned to her own place.”
”Is that safe? The countryside must be full of wandering Farers.”
”She's well guarded,” Jerann said. ”You'll see her in the morning. Go now and rest. It's a long road you've come, and a longer one you'll be taking tomorrow.”
All night, in the intervals of sleep, Stark could hear the restless voices of the city, where preparations were being made for war. The revolt was well begun. But it was only a beginning, and it seemed a large order to turn an entire planet upside down just so two men, and off-worlders at that, could escape from it. Still, that order had been handed to him with no solicitation on his part, and at this moment he could see no other way out.
Well, he thought, that was for the future, and it was Gerrith's job to look ahead, not his. He would leave it to her. He slept, and in the dark morning he rose and dressed and was waiting patiently when a man came to waken him.
Jerann was below in the council hall. Stark thought that he had been there all night. Halk was there too, and Breca and two others of Yarrod's party.
”I am sorry,” the old man said, ”that Irnan cannot spare you the men you ought to have. We need them here.”
Halk said, ”We'll have to rely on being quick and hard to see. But with the Dark Man to lead us, how can we fail?”
Stark, who would just as soon have gone alone, said nothing. Food was brought, and strong bitter beer. When they had eaten, Jerann rose and said, ”It is time. I'll ride with you as far as the wise woman's grotto.”
The square was eerily quiet in the chill first light of dawn. Some of the bodies had been taken away. Others were piled stiffly together, awaiting the carts. The tree-bark women had gone. Sentries manned the wall and the guard-towers by the gate.
The Izvandians, about sixty of them, were already mounted, men and animals alike blowing steam in the cold air. Beasts had been brought for Stark and his party. They mounted and fell in behind the troop, where Kazimni rode by and gave them a curt greeting.
Old Sun came up. The gates creaked open. The cavalcade moved out.
The road, so crowded and noisy the day before, was deserted except for the occasional dead. Some of the Farers had not run fast enough. Morning mist rose thick and white from the fields, and there was a fresh clean smell of growing things. Stark breathed deeply.
He became aware that Jerann was watching him. ”You're glad to leave the city. You don't like being within walls.”
Stark laughed. ”I didn't realize it was so apparent.”
”I am not acquainted with Earthmen,” said Jerann courteously. ”Are they all like you?”
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