I might never have been born and never have seen my children grow to adulthood.”
Archer smiled faintly. “You are very positive.”
“One must be positive to lead an army.”
“Aye, it is so.”
They sat quietly together for a while, sipping their wine, a silent camaraderie growing between them.
The first to break the silence was Archer. “Do you trust your men?”
“Aye. We regard honor very highly.”
Archer nodded, then leaned closer. “Watch them nonetheless, brother. For he has ways of taking over the minds of men. You have heard of the hives?”
“Aye, but I have never met one.”
“You will, before this is done. He draws men into his sway, then bends their will to his. He can even occupy one of them if he wishes. It is as if they have only a single mind, and it is strange to see how they work in concert. That is how he controls his armies.”
Tuzza looked appalled and took a deep draft of his wine. “That will worry me.”
“It should. Once he takes them over, they even lose their fear of mortality. It is unforgivable that he uses them thus, but he does and you must be prepared for it. And you must ever be wary that he might take control of some of your soldiers. For he will certainly try.”
“How can I guard against it?”
“I know of no way to stop it. But when it happens…Ilduin blood judges harshly. Be wary and tell your men to be wary. And know this. While your men may hesitate at the thought of battle with other Bozandari, those whom he holds will not hesitate to cut your men down like chaff.”
After a few moments of clearly pained thought, Tuzza refilled their wine goblets. “Then tonight, my lord brother, we must enjoy the fruits of the earth and the gifts of the gods, for we cannot know when our hour will come.”
Archer raised his goblet in toast and took a deep drink. “We need information about what is happening to the north of Bozandar. Since the rebellion, your armies have made it all but impossible to send scouts in that direction. If there is any way you can get news, I will be grateful. It is never wise to march blind to meet an enemy.”
Tuzza nodded. “I will find a way.”
“I’m sure by now an army marches to your rescue. Ponder on this, Tuzza, for I would not engage them in battle and waste lives needlessly. We must find a way to prevent the fight and convince them to join us.”
“That will be even harder than today was.”
“Aye. I have some notion of the stiff spines of the Bozandar army. And whether you believe it or not, the Anari are every bit as stiff-spined. I would avoid the bloodshed if we can. We are going to need every able man to fight the evil that comes.”
Tuzza’s mouth framed a wry smile. “And apparently we will need some Ilduin as well.”
“Aye, for he has corrupted at least two that we know of, and there may be more.”
“Fire must be fought with fire.”
“Sad to say. I would not corrupt these women in any way, had I the choice.”
Tuzza sighed. “I think they will not be corrupted, my lord. They will see what they should not see, and perhaps do things they will regret, but they will understand why the choices were forced upon them, as any good soldier does.”
“I hope you are right. The three who are with us seem somehow steeped in unassailable purity. I fear it will not last.”
“War carries a heavy toll. But perhaps Lady Tess can travel with me to meet the advancing army. If she could do for them what she did for us today, my job of persuasion would be ever so much easier.”
Archer lifted a brow. “You will not ride alone regardless, Tuzza. For I will not have you called traitor and carried away in shackles. You are no traitor, and we need you.”
“Treason is in the eye of the beholder, Master Archer. My emperor will not see my actions as anything other.”
“Then we need to enlighten him as well.”
Tuzza almost laughed. “He is not an easy man to persuade.”
“Perhaps he has never been swayed before by an Ilduin.”
“Certainly not by the Weaver.”
Archer’s expression grew grave. “She must be guarded at all costs, Tuzza. Ardred will stop at nothing to claim her. The mere fact that prophecy predicted her appearance is no guarantee of safety. The days and weeks to come hold no guarantees. At this point, the future is no longer writ, even for the most gifted of prophets.”
Tuzza’s answering nod was grim. “I understand, my lord.”
“Tomorrow I would take you into Anahar with me to meet my lieutenant Ratha. It is time for us to forge bonds between us, and we must forge them like the finest steel if we are to withstand the onslaught to come.”
“It will be no easy task.”
“No part of this task will be easy. The faint of heart may as well flee right now.”
“There are no faint hearts in this camp, my lord.”
“Nor in mine. But we will come across them, just as we will come across enemies stronger than you now imagine.”
“I have seen what the lady can do, Lord Annuvil. Trust me, I can imagine.”
Chapter Four
We should listen in, Cilla thought, an impish smile on her dark features as she met Tess’s eyes.
Without a doubt, Tess agreed, meeting her gaze. She was still sometimes surprised at the ease with which she and her Ilduin sisters could touch each other’s minds, and remembered the first time she had noticed this ability, as Sara and Tom had demonstrated their love for each other.
Ahem! Cilla and Tess immediately looked to Sara’s window, where Sara was glaring back at them with a mock stern expression. Can a girl have a bit of privacy, please?
Cilla put a hand to her mouth to suppress a laugh, mirth dancing in her eyes. But sister, you are the only hope we have!
Get your own man, Sara thought with a toss of her head, followed by a wink.
I’m trying, Cilla thought. I’m trying.
Tess laughed aloud and drew Cilla aside. “Come, sister. Let us walk together and leave sweet Sara to enjoy her new marriage.”
“Of course,” Cilla said. “’Twas only sport.”
“And pleasant sport at that,” Tess said, her smile fading. “But as our men have gone to discuss things manly, perhaps we should take the opportunity to advance our own knowledge.”
They
