Part 45 (2/2)
”Lord Gylaron.”
”Lady Anna, I swear allegiance, by the harmonies, and upon the heads-”
”No!” snapped Anna. ”Not upon your children. Upon anything else, but not upon them.” She found herself, shaking, wondering about her reaction, wondering how she'd known what his words would have been. Her headache throbbed more momentarily, and she blinked, but the double image remained.
Gylaron's eyes widened. So did those of the children.
”I... swear allegiance, by the harmonies, by my sire's honor and spirit, to you, the regent, the Regency of Defalk, and to Lord Jimbob, heir of the realm.” Gylaron swallowed.
”Thank you.” Anna took a slow breath, forced her voice to be firm. ”I'm ...sorry, Lord Gylaron. I can't explain, but your children must declare their allegiance, and I don't want your loyalty on their heads.” She turned her gaze to the boy, who seemed older. ”You are?”
”I'm Gylan. I'm nine.”
”Will you swear to be loyal to the Regency, Lord Jim-bob, And the Realm of Defalk?”
”Yes, Lady Anna. I swear ... allegiance.'' Gylan's voice stumbled over the last word. ”You won't kill us?”
”I have no intention of killing anyone who is loyal. There's been too much killing.” Her eyes went to the child's father. ”I will not hesitate to kill those who are disloyal.” Then she looked at the girl, whose black hair was so dark that it nearly s.h.i.+mmered blue-black in the sun. ”What's your name?”
”I'm Reylana. I'll be eight at the season-turn.''
”Will you swear allegiance? That you will be loyal to me and to Lord Jimbob?”
”Da says I'm to do as you say.
Anna swallowed. ”Promise me that you will be good and that you will be loyal.”
”I always try to be good. I'll be loyal.” Reylana paused. ”Can we go home? I'm hot.”
”I think that might be a good idea. In a moment,” Anna said, stifling a srnile, before turning her eyes back to Gylaron and the chests. ”You will send this year's liedgeld and last year's to Falcor to Counselor Dythya. Save the rest for your needs and your people.”
Gylaron went to his knees, if casting a wary look at all the armsmen.
”No, my lord. That is not all,” Anna forced her voice to be hard. ”You will a.s.semble all your armsmen, all those on the hill to the south, and all those in your keep.. You a.s.semble them without arms, and they also will swear loyalty to me and to Lord Jimbob. If one lifts his hand, all will suffer, and you will die. If they swear, then I will leave Lerona in peace, except for your obligations for levies and liedgeld, and those other duties of a lord of the Thirty-three.” She hoped she'd included everything and her eyes flicked to Jecks. The white-haired lord nodded almost imperceptibly.
”You would leave us in peace, after what... Suhl... ? Gylaron's tone was openly disbelieving.
”Lord Gylaron,” Anna snapped. ”If you learn nothing else, learn that I keep my word, for better or worse.
Sargol tried to kill me when I was on my way to Synope, not even on the road to SuhI. He refused to pay his liedgeld, and he laid traps along every road to his keep. What would you have done?”
Gylaron lowered his eyes.
Anna had another thought. ”I may ask for the use of a fewscore of your arrnsmen. . . in service of the Regency. I will pay them.”
Despite the double vision, she could see Hanfor nod.
”Anything you wish, lady and regent.”
Anna nodded.
51.
”You'll let him go ahead of us?” Jecks had asked.
The children will stay with us,” Anna had answered. ”With the loyalty spell and them, I'm sure Gylaron will arrange matters just as I requested.” She hadn't been totally sure, but nothing was absolute, She'd learned that a long time before.
They had reached the keep without incident, and Hanfor and Alvar had ensured a clear and safe route to the wall overlooking the keep's courtyard. Anna knew she didn't look all that prepossessing, not in faded green s.h.i.+rt and riding trousers and a battered brown hat. She had donned the spare purple tunic with gold trim.
Gylaron bowed as Anna's group, surrounded by Fhurgen and the other guards, their blades out, crossed the open s.p.a.ce toward the inner battlement. Behind came Liende and the players, their instruments still in cases. Yuarl studied the old walls in wonder. Palian shook her head slowly. The young violinist Delvor just shuffled along. Duralt, the c.o.c.ky-appearing falk-hornist. strutted behind Liende. Below, packed in the courtyard, stood the armsmen and servants and staff and everyone else, it seemed.
'I told them that you had a message for us, and that we had reached an agreement that would not require a battle, and that I had agreed to swear allegiance to the Regency.” Gylaron's swarthy mouth crinkled. ”I did not reveal any more details. That was not difficult, since you provided none.” He inclined his head to the woman beside him, the one with the heart-shaped face Anna had seen in the gla.s.s. ”Lady Anna, might I present my consort Reylan?”
”You are as beautiful as your image;” Anna said. ”I'm glad to meet you.”
”Why did you spare us?” asked Reylan. Her olive skin, flawless complexion, red lips, and black hair made her a beauty. ”What trickery do you plan?”
Flanking Anna, Fhurgen s.h.i.+fted his weight, easing toward the woman.
”I plan none, except to ensure the loyalty of Lerona. A regent deserves that.”
”Why? What business is this of yours?”
Anna wanted to shake her bead. Instead she took a deep breath. ”Why is it so hard to understand? Defalk is threatened on all sides-”
”Defalk has always been threatened on all sides.”
”The Sea-Priests of Sturinn have cast their lot with Dumar,” Jecks interjected, ”and Konsstin will be moving his lancers into Neserea.”
”They are all gathered, lady,” announced Hanfor. ”Best you not wait,”
”We'll talk more later.” Anna gestured to Lord Gylaron. ”Join me.” Anna's steps were deliberate, trying to compensate for the double vision that remained from the loyalty spell, as she stepped toward the wall overlooking the courtyard.
Gylaron paused, then stepped with Anna to the edge of the inner battlement. Beside her stood Fhurgen and Rickel, each bearing a mid-sized s.h.i.+eld, gathered from somewhere, each scanning the crowd in the courtyard below.
Gylaron's appearance, more than Anna's, quieted the murmurs.
Anna began to speak, trying to concentrate, to ignore the continuing double vision. ”You have a wise and thoughtful lord. He has pledged support to the Regency, and to Lord Jimbob, Lord Sargol and his armsmen rebelIed. They are all dead. Lord Arkad rebelled, but his people did not. Lord Arkad is dead, and his people live.” Anna turned to Gylaron. ”The Regency supports and confirms you, Lord Gylaron.”
With the last words, Anna stepped back, leaving Gylaron standing alone. A sighing crossed the courtyard, and Anna could hear a few scattered voices.
”The regent has been fair-and more generous than any could expect Honor her.” Gylaron turned and gestured to Anna.
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