The Legend of Lady Ilena Read online

  I hear his words, but I respond to the look in his eyes. Something compelling calls me to follow this man. “My destiny is in this place. I am sure of that.”

  “Spoken like Moren’s daughter,” Spusscio says.

  “If you are certain,” the chief says. He watches me closely for a few moments. Then he continues. “Good. Now Spusscio and I will consider how to proceed, and you should rest.”

  “Thank you,” I answer, “but I must search for Ryamen. There is some reason she didn’t come back for me.”

  Spusscio says, “You stay out of sight. I’ll look for Ryamen.” He grins, and his deep-set eyes twinkle. “We’ll wake you for supper.”

  The bed in Miquain’s chamber is even more comfortable than it looks. Spusscio has started a fire in the hearth, and rain splashes gently on leaves outside the window. I spend a very short time wondering what it would be like to live in such luxury before sleep forces my eyes shut.

  I awaken to Spusscio’s voice. “Ilena. Wake up. I’ve brought us supper. It’s in Belert’s room.”

  I’m surprised to find myself hungry again. Spusscio has set a kettle of stew and a pile of wheat loaves beside the ale on the table. The fire burns brightly, and the room’s shutters have been closed against a damp wind off the sea.

  Belert takes a dirk from a shelf and hands it to me. “Keep this. I noticed you don’t have one.”

  “Thank you. They took mine at the Oak Grove.” I lay the knife on the table before me. The blade is fine steel, honed to a keen edge. The handle is bone, intricately carved in scrolls and circles that swirl into an animal figure. The creature’s snout is a blunt square that forms the end of the hilt.

  Neither man has mentioned Ryamen. I’m almost afraid to ask the question on my mind, but I must know. “Did you find Ryamen?”

  They exchange glances, and I know the news is bad. Finally Spusscio speaks. “I went to her house. There is no sign of her. The hearth is cold, and the plants piled on her table are wilted.”

  “I spoke to one who lives near her. He said he hasn’t seen her since yesterday morning,” Belert adds.

  Suddenly my hunger vanishes. The warmth in her voice when she spoke to me, the affection in her eyes, her concern for my safety have all made Ryamen important to me.

  “I will search tomorrow,” I say.

  “No, lass,” Belert says. “There is something else you must do tomorrow. I will not forget Ryamen; she is my friend too. I can go places in the fortress and outside that you cannot. Trust me. I will not give up.”

  “Eat now, Ilena,” Spusscio says. “I know you are hungry. It takes more than one meal to make up for days on short rations.” He settles across the table from me and stabs his dirk into a piece of pork.

  Belert takes a stool from the corner and sits at the end of the table. He ladles out a small serving of stew and stares down at it.

  I break off a piece of bread and scoop up sauce and vegetables from the portion Spusscio has placed in front of me. My appetite returns, and I eat in silence for a few minutes before I speak. “You said there was something I must do tomorrow. What is it? And where do I sleep?”

  Spusscio answers, “You can spend tonight in Miquain’s room. We’ll bank the fire low, and you can keep the door closed. No one will be back here.” He turns to Belert. “Do you want to tell her your plan?”

  Belert scoops up a morsel of stew and chews for a while. Then he swallows a draught of ale and says, “We think we can get you out of the fortress tomorrow if you don’t mind continuing the masquerade you began this morning.”

  I nod. “I can do that, though I look a good deal cleaner now.”

  Belert laughs. “It won’t show under the cloak. Spusscio will ride out with you behind him. He’ll pretend he is taking you home after spending the night with him.”

  “And what do I do when I get outside the fortress?”

  “Let me explain,” Belert says. “I do not have the authority to lead Dun Alyn now that my wife and daughter are no longer with us.” His voice falters on the last words, but he draws a deep breath and continues. “As Moren’s daughter, you are the heir.”

  “How do I make that claim?” I ask.

  “That is the problem,” Spussico says. “If you walk openly into the Great Hall, Ogern will continue his superstitious tirades about spirits. He is the Druid, and many recognize his religious leadership.”

  “And some who claim the new religion still hold enough of the old beliefs to avoid angering Ogern or his gods,” Belert adds. “I fear for your safety. He and Resad have made two attempts on your life. I want you away from here until I feel sure we can protect you.”

  “I said I would fight for Dun Alyn,” I say. “I do not propose to begin by running away.”

  Belert smiles. “Moren has taught you well. I have new hope for Dun Alyn because of you, Ilena.”

  “But,” Spusscio says, “getting you killed will not advance our cause. Hear Belert out.”

  I scrape the last of the stew from my trencher and eye the kettle. Spusscio ladles more meat and gravy onto the bread. Belert refills our flagons from the cauldron and settles down on his bench.

  The chief says, “We may not have enough warriors to hold if Ogern opposes us. I don’t know how many will stand with me against him. We must make a claim for you as heir and at the same time have a strong show of force so all who want to support me know it is safe to do so.”

  “Who, then, are your allies?” I ask.

  “Perr of Dreug and others who ride with Arthur will come to my aid. They know well that Ogern opposes Arthur and would open Dun Alyn to his enemies. Will you ride to Dreug and plead our cause?”

  “Of course.” I hope I sound brave. “Is my horse still in the stables?”

  “Yes,” Spusscio says, “the stablemaster has him in a large stall by himself. We plan to get him for you.”

  “If our ruse works,” Belert says.

  “Will you come to Dreug too?” I ask him. “You also would be safer there.”

  The chief shakes his head. “I have asked Spusscio to go with you. I would like to go myself, but I think it wiser to stay here in the fortress.”

  I understand. “It would be a mistake to let Ogern have full control.”

  Spusscio says, “We must make an early start. Can you be ready to ride at daylight?”

  “Of course,” I answer. I finish my ale, say my good-nights, and go to Miquain’s room.

  Her bed is as soft and inviting as it was before. The strain of the past days has caught up with me. I’m still tired despite my long nap, and the whirl of new ideas makes a fog in my mind. The thoughts about my place as Dun Alyn’s chief seem so remote I can’t grasp them.

  I think of Grenna. How I want to hear her voice, to feel her hand stroke my hair like she used to. The tears fall freely for a time until I force myself to think of something else.

  Will I see Durant at Dun Dreug? Surely he could not have completed his business there and moved on so quickly. It has been three days since I left him, but I can still feel the clasp of his hand on my arm when we said goodbye.

  At last my mind stops churning, and I relax. I can hear the murmur of Belert’s and Spusscio’s voices through the wicker wall as I go to sleep.

  MORNING IS BRIGHT AND CLEAR. I DRESS QUICKLY IN clean traveling clothes. There is a fine pair of boots on one of the shelves. I look from them to my stiff, mud-caked pair. I pull on Miquain’s and find them a comfortable fit. I take time to plait my hair and hope that my helmet is still with Rol’s gear. I brush the dried mud off my heavy war vest before putting it on, and I carry Ryamen’s cloak with me.

  Next door there are warm ale and loaves for breakfast. Belert is kneeling beside a large storage box, rummaging in the contents.

  He glances around as I come in. “Good, you have found some clothes.” He turns back to the box and continues moving things about. “I’m looking for Cara’s old helmet. I can’t find it.”

  “Mine was on Rol’s saddle,” I say
. “It should still be there.” I reach out for extra bread to take with us.

  Spusscio laughs. “Ilena, I have food enough for three or four in my pack.”

  Belert closes the box and joins us at the table. “Take a loaf or two with you anyway. It will add to your disguise as a poor country girl.”

  “A fine threesome we are,” Spusscio says. “A dwarf, a madman, and a hungry doxy.”

  “Aye,” Belert agrees. “Ogern started the talk that I had lost my mind with grief. We’ll use it against him this morning.”

  “You’ll keep out of his way while we’re gone?” Spusscio asks. “I don’t like to leave you unguarded.”

  “I’ll wander about, mumbling. That way I can search for Ryamen,” Belert says. “Your job is to protect Ilena. She is more important to Dun Alyn than I am.”

  Spusscio nods, but I can see the worry in his eyes when he looks at his chief.

  I pull the hood of Ryamen’s cloak far forward as we leave the house. I’ve left some of my hair out of the plait, and I drag it over my face with one hand as we walk. With the other I clutch two loaves of wheat bread.

  At the stables there is a comfortable noise of horses stamping and chewing. We enter at one end of a long barn, and I can hear a commotion at the far end.

  “Steady, fellow.” There is a snort and the sound of hooves hitting wood. Then I hear a whinny that I recognize.

  “Rol,” I whisper. “That’s my horse.”

  Spusscio pushes me behind him, and I scuttle along at his heels, peering out through my hair.

  Belert strides ahead of us and speaks. “What’s this? I intend to ride this animal today.”

  I recognize the voice that answers him. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t think anyone can ride this beast.”

  “Stand aside, Cormec.” Belert says. “I don’t intend to have a good horse like this in the stables without trying him out.”

  “I’ve been trying to harness him for two days. He won’t let me close.”

  “Well, if he can’t be ridden, we’ll dispose of him.” Belert sounds much different from the thoughtful man I’ve come to know; he is waving his sword around wildly now.

  Cormec’s voice takes on a cautious, almost pleading tone. “Let me help you back to your quarters. You don’t seem well.”

  “Well? I’m well! I’m going to ride this horse and see if it comes from the spirit world. Maybe it’ll take me to my ladies. Stand aside, Cormec.”

  I steal a look over Spusscio’s shoulder. Rol is calm now; he has sensed my presence and is staring in my direction.

  Cormec is blocking the stall entrance. “I cannot let you near this horse.”

  Belert waves his sword again. “Get out of this stable. I am chief here, and I order you out. I’ll ride this animal or be rid of it.”

  “Sir, I beg you. Reconsider. I’m under oath to protect you, but also to care for this horse.”

  “How could you be under oath to a horse? Spusscio, hear that. Cormec thinks he is under oath to a horse.” Belert laughs wildly.

  Cormec says, “My chief, I fear you are ill. Let me take you back to your quarters. Or let me saddle your own fine horse for you. I’ll accompany you if you wish to ride.”

  “I’ll ride this horse!” Belert says.

  Cormec looks to Spusscio. “Will you reason with him? You can see he is not himself.”

  Spusscio says, “He has not been himself for some time. He insists he will ride this horse. Let me saddle it for him.”

  Cormec stays in front of the stall gate. “I swore an oath to the young lady that I would care for this horse and deliver it to Dun Dreug for her. I intend to do that. There is dishonor enough on Dun Alyn for her death. I’ll not betray her again.”

  Belert is silent for a moment. Then he sheathes his sword and speaks quietly, without the ring of madness. “Cormec, are you questioning Ogern’s orders?”

  “Aye. And yours also. You were in that hall. Now, come into this stall if you will, but only over my body.”

  I push past Spusscio. “Cormec, I thank you for your loyalty to me.” I shove the hood back and brush the hair off my face.

  He stares for a long moment; then a broad smile creases his face. “Lady! You are not dead, then.”

  “No, but I need to get Rol out of here.”

  There is a noise at the stable entrance. I can hear voices, one of them that of the stable boy I met yesterday. I pull my hood back on and duck my head.

  Cormec steps away from the stall gate and speaks to Belert. “If you wish to ride this animal, I ask only that you be careful.” In a low voice he adds, “Dun Alyn needs you.”

  Belert reaches out a hand to Cormec’s shoulder and speaks softly. “Thank you, and Dun Alyn needs you, too.” In a louder voice he says, “Spusscio! Help me with this beast. And bring that wench in with you. Maybe she can charm a horse the way she’s charmed you.”

  When I step past Cormec, he smiles and nods to me before he turns away. I clasp Rol around his neck and lean my face against his warm skin. He nuzzles my shoulder and whinnies softly.

  He stands quietly as long as I am near his head. Belert soon has him ready to go. He is careful to put my sword and helmet in their places; and then he lashes my pack behind the saddle. He inspects the long fighting lances and the bag of casting spears before he fastens them to the harness. Rol calmly follows me out of the stable while Spusscio gets his mount.

  We are at the gates when they open for the day. I ride behind Spusscio on his black mare. Belert comes after us so that Rol has me clearly in view. I have my head down over the loaves, and the hood falls forward almost to Spusscio’s back. Through the curtain of hair, I can see the two sentries look at me and exchange amused glances.

  One of them speaks. “A fine horse you’re riding, sir.”

  “Aye,” Belert says. “Thought I’d try out the horse a spirit girl rode.”

  “Out for a day of hunting, then?” the other asks.

  “Perhaps. If anything wants to be hunted. First I’ll escort Spusscio here while he takes his new friend home.”

  The sound of men’s laughter follows us. I feel a sharp pang of sympathy for women who have no protection against men’s contempt.

  We move along at a steady pace until we reach forest cover. Spusscio turns off onto a faint trail that takes us to a secluded glade. I slide off of Spusscio’s horse and hold Rol’s bridle while Belert dismounts.

  “Do you think we’ll meet anyone from Dun Alyn?” I ask.

  “No,” Belert says. “I know of no one out last night, and we are ahead of everyone this morning. If you keep a good pace, you’ll not be seen.”

  “How will you get back without a horse?” I ask.

  He smiles. “I’ll nap awhile here and then smear some dirt on myself. I’ll limp back along the road this afternoon and say the horse threw me.”

  “And I, of course, have followed the horse to bring it back,” adds Spusscio.

  “Now, Ilena,” Belert says in a solemn voice, “be careful. I don’t want to lose you, too.”

  “I will,” I say, “and we should return with help in four or five days.”

  “Go now, and Godspeed.”

  When we turn onto the road again, I can see him watching from the glade. I raise my hand and he gives an answering wave.

  Spusscio sets a brisk pace on the level trail. He sits the black mare well, and it takes a second look to notice that he is not as large as other men. I realize that the distress I felt when I met him has vanished. He is just Spusscio now and not at all the odd creature I thought him at first.

  The first ascent is an easy one. We stop only long enough to look back over the valley from the outcrop. I remember Cochan’s thick arm pointing out my trail. Could that have been only three days ago?

  A faint haze of smoke from the direction of Dun Alyn is all we can see of the fortress. Spusscio watches the trail behind us for a time. He sounds relieved when he speaks. “Looks like we’re away safely.”

  “Wil
l there be questions when you don’t return?”

  “Probably not. Few notice when a dwarf comes and goes. I keep myself out of sight. That has served Belert well as Ogern plots his mischief.”

  We push on to the summit, where we stop to look around again. There is still no sign of anyone else on the mountain. It is well past noon, but Spusscio wants to keep moving.

  “Can you eat and walk?” He hands me meat strips from his pack.

  I pull the loaves I carried out of Dun Alyn from my pack and give him one. As a taskmaster, Spusscio is a match for Cochan. At this rate we will make Dun Dreug by nightfall tomorrow.

  We stop for the night far down the west slope. I manage to stay awake long enough to help Spusscio tend the horses, and I fall asleep thinking of the comfortable bed at Dun Alyn.

  The next morning finds us moving through a boulder field soon after sunrise. I have all I can do to keep up with Spusscio. He was still stirring about the horses when I went to sleep, and I heard him up long before me this morning. Yet he seems tireless as he hurries us along.

  Our rest stop at the base of the next ascent is short, and we reach the second summit shortly after noon. Below us I see the stream that we will follow westward. A cloud of smoke on the horizon marks Dun Dreug. It is an easy route once we get down the mountainside, but I fear we cannot reach the gates before the time of lighting torches.

  Once on level ground we lead the horses to the streamside to drink while we fill our waterskins. The sun is low in the west.

  “We’ll walk awhile yet,” Spusscio says. “The horses are tired.”

  I nod. I’m tired too, but the trail is easy here.

  “I hope Arthur’s people are at Dun Dreug,” Spusscio says. “I heard there was to be a gathering of those in the North at this time.”

  The thought of Durant makes me smile. I am eager to see him again. I can still see the look on his face when we said farewell. A warm flush moves through my body when I think of greeting him again. I remember how Fiona looked when she spoke of meeting her young man and wonder if I have the same bright eyes and pink cheeks.

  The sun has slipped below the horizon, leaving red streaks across the darkening sky. The three-quarter moon, already risen above the mountains behind us, promises enough light to travel. Rol follows Spusscio’s mare without my guidance. I walk close beside him.