Part 32 (2/2)
”Most of our armsmen could do that now,” admitted the arms commander with a rueful laugh. ”They just cannot hit anything.” He frowned. ”I do not know about bows and arrows.”
”Round up as many as you can.”
Hanfor's eyebrows rose.
”If Sargol can spell one crossbow quarrel, there's no reason why I can't spell several hundred arrows in return.” You hope.
Hanfor swallowed.
So did Jecks.
”Gentlemen.” Anna smiled. ”I've learned that fighting here is a nasty business, involving poisoned arrows; a.s.sa.s.sinations, sorcery, and economic coercion. Surely, you do not think I should limit my efforts out of a sense of misplaced chivalry?”
”But the armsmen ... They are not...”
Anna looked at Hanfor. ”I know some didn't have much choice, but they did choose. And if we don't end this rebellion quickly, we won't have a land left to protect.” She turned to Jecks. ”You've led me to believe that destroying keeps and everyone in them is unwise. Is that still true?''
The white-haired lord fingered his chin before answering.
A stronger gust of wind hurled rain past the half open shutters, and onto the yellow-brick floor.
Finally, Jecks answered. ”If you were to destroy many keeps with sorcery, some of the lords of the north would feel you would turn on them. I cannot say how many.
”Would they turn if I were a man?”
”Some would.”
”Just not so many.” Double standard-again.
Anna glanced back at Hanfor. ”We either kill armsmen or lose support.”
”Always the armsrnen pay,” murmured the arms commander.
It had been that way back on earth, too, Anna recalled. ”It's true on all worlds. That's because people are people.”
After another silence, Hanfor asked, ”Have you other duties?”
”No.” Anna softened her voice. ”I am glad you came, and I do value your skill and advice. It's just that we don't seem to have many choices.”
”That be not your fault, lady. I will do as we must. Anna could hear the unspoken words- ”but I do not have to like it.”
Hanfor rose. ”By your leave.”
''I'll try to spare those I can,” Anna said.
”You do, and they may fight for you.” Anna had thought about that, too.
After Hanfor bowed and departed, Jecks said quietly, ”It will get worse, first, I fear.”
”All the lords are afraid that they'll lose their privileges and power.”
”In this uncertain world,” answered Jecks with a short laugh, ”does not every man fear loss?”
”Armsrnen and peasants and women lose their lives every day. Lords worry about golds and power.”
Anna sighed. ”I suppose that if any of the others had power and golds, they'd fear losing them, too.”
”You have seen the hard life, have you not?” Anna hesitated. ”Yes and no. Earth is different. I've had to work hard, but I've never been poor the way people are here.” Then, Uncle Garven and Papaw had been close to it.
”You have seen enough. And you have seen to know that change may be good.” Jecks shook his head. ”In Defalk, for many years, change has always heralded trouble. Can you blame them?”
Yes, but it won't do any good. ”They'll have to learn.”
”I wager you will see to that.'' Jecks handed Anna a scroll, still sealed. ”This should cheer you.”
The sorceress glanced at it warily.
”It's from young Secca.”
Anna broke the seal, noting the carefully impressed S on the blue wax, and the thin strip of blue ribbon.
My dear Lady Anna, I must write this quickly. Please forgive the poor letters. You must get well. All of us feel you must.
Now you are all I have. Please take care and eat a lot. I love you. I hope we can play Vorkoffe when you come home.
Anna's eyes blurred, and she set down the scroll on the writing table, s.h.i.+vering.
”I thought you would be pleased.” Jecks' voice was puzzled.
She did shake her head, not able to see him through the tears. She'd lost her own little redhead- Elizabetta. And Irenia, and Mario. Now, she had another redhead, one she'd practically ridden off and abandoned. Was she going to lose her, too?
She shuddered, unable to stop the sobs that burst forth.
37.
A hot and damp breeze slipped through the open window of Anna's quarters. A gust of wind rattled the large replacement mirror on the wall. Even though she was the Regent of Defalk, she still didn't feel comfortable in the ”throne room” used by Arkad, and probably never would. Besides, for dealing with her small traveling staff, her quarters were fine.
Anna glanced across the writing table at Jecks, then at Hanfor. ”I think it's time to name the heir to Synfal. I've decided. Lord Jecks had nothing to do with this.”
Hanfor raised his bushy gray eyebrows.
”No...I'm not giving Synfal to him. I am giving it to Lord Jimbob, under the same terms as the Regency, except Herstat and Jecks will administer Synfal, but Jim-bob will have some small say to begin with.”
Surprisingly, Hanfor nodded. ”That is most sensible. A lord must have coins enough to support his realm in times of trouble, and the lands adjoin each other.”
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