Chapter 17

  Kiiryas divulged every small detail of the information he had gathered by following Glem, Jorick, Lorne, and the Governor, and Oarf listened intently to everything without interrupting, a look of dread slowly replacing his usual lighthearted look.

  His face was pallid, and his eyes wide.

  Kiiryas, a youth with no family and no business to run, could easily sneak out the back of the city and flee to safety.

  Oarf, however, could not leave at all; such freedoms were not his to take. His entire life was here, and rebuilding in another town would just not be possible even if he wished to.

  While the inn and tavern made an excellent living for their location, Oarf had not become wealthy in the process, so he had nothing to take with him as a stable foundation for a new life. There was little to show for his many years of hard work in terms of wealth relative to anyone residing in Laioruum.

  Sure, he had plenty of gold for his daily living here in Laterius’s second largest city but getting by in Laioruum would be far more expensive, every small thing commanding a premium. And Laioruum would also be the next city in the path of the Hasdingian army if Glem’s report were to be believed. Oarf had no reason, either, to disbelieve it; he was an excellent judge of character, an ability he had developed over years of tavern ownership, and so his first impression was almost always correct. His intuition on this front rarely failed him.

  Besides, Glem was a man who could be trusted.

  The two men sat in silence for a few moments, sipping their beers in contemplation. Oarf stared into the froth on his tankard as though it told fortunes, and as though he was reading what was to become of him. He exhaled a deep sigh.

  “Kiiryas, you should flee. Go. Make a life for yourself somewhere else until this all calms down. There is no reason for you to die here and no reason for you to put your life on the line for these people. You owe them nothing at all. Escape while you still can,” Oarf said. “If I could do the same, you know I would. I’d be one of the very first out of this place.”

  “Heh, I thought you would say something like that. I thought you would grandstand about how the city needed protecting first, and then you’d tell me to leave. I did consider making a run for it. Honestly, I don’t know why I haven’t. I ask myself this all the time. Something is keeping me here. Stupid, right?” Kiiryas said. He also stared into his drink, swirling it.

  “Yes, very stupid. But I’m serious about you leaving. Go. Do so while you still can,” Oarf replied. “I hope not to see you still here in a few days. Take the opportunity, grasp it…”

  “All joking aside, you know I need to be here, Oarf. Something is going on, and whatever it is, I’m involved in it. I haven’t figured out how yet, but I know that I am meant to stay. And you also know that I don’t believe in fate or any of that mumbo jumbo. I do know I need to be here to see this through.”

  Oarf, setting his beer down gently on the table, looked Kiiryas in the eyes, again—and sighed. “Then you are a fool. A complete fool. What you seem to be saying is, I don’t believe in fate, but it is my fate to be here,” Oarf mocked with a smile. “You should really listen to yourself. You make less sense than my wife sometimes. And that is quite an achievement.”

  “If she heard you say that, you’d be a dead man. The Hasdingian Army wouldn’t have to kill you. You’d be run through with a ladle before they arrived at the gates!” Kiiryas laughed loudly and Oarf nodded, smiling wide.

  “You know though,” Oarf said, somewhat more earnestly, “This may be the longest conversation we’ve ever had.”

  “Yes, for sure it must be,” Kiiryas responded, “And this could also be our last.”

  “Ha ha. Funny guy. All dark and brooding, and now displaying a penchant for gallows humor,” Oarf said, smiling sadly. “But look, if you are going to stay, what will you do? You don’t seem like the type of person to man the walls, shooting flaming arrows and bellowing war cries.”

  “Actually, I’m feeling like a humanitarian. The Governor thinks he can get most of the people who are unable to contribute in a fight out of town before the army gets here. I honestly don’t think it will work. They will be as stubborn as you and refuse to leave. Sure, some will go, but most are attached to their lives here. They would rather die, rather go down with the city than flee. Letting the youngest of the children go won’t work either.

  “They will need adults to watch over them, and the adults are all needed here. So whichever way you look at it, removing people won’t work. And what if we fail? How will hundreds of people unable to fend for themselves fare in the wilderness by themselves? The answer: they won’t. They can’t. No, they need to stay here. We need to get the townspeople organized and move the children and elderly somewhere safe.”

  “And where would be safe, do you think? I sure cannot think of anywhere. There is an army coming. So, no one is going to be safe here,” Oarf said, throwing up his hands.

  “Safe is all relative. I mean safe from trebuchets and flaming arrows. We need to get them ready to flee to the city center. They will be safe enough there and out of the way of the people fighting. Those who live right here in the city should just stay in their homes unless they are along the outside wall. I’m mainly worried about those living outside in the surrounding areas,” Kiiryas said.

  “Good point. Embarrassingly, I hadn’t even considered those just here for the market or who live outside the walls. I doubt anyone else is taking them into account either. Yes, something will have to be done with them. Though… many will be conscripted into the fight because I doubt many elderly and infirm traveled here,” Oarf said. “Anyway, can I help? What do you think? Would that be a good idea?”

  “You can help, for sure. I don’t think anyone will even listen to me, whereas you are known and trusted. I’m not exactly a popular member of society here. All we can do is ensure that everyone knows that the safest place to be when the fighting starts is in the city center. Can you get the word out?

  “Don’t begin until there has been an official announcement made. The gates are closed, and everyone already wants to know why. People are growing restless with the lack of news. So, an announcement will be coming soon. Wait until then.”

  “What do you have planned?” Oarf asked.

  “I’m going to do what I always do. Get information into the hands of the people who need it. I’m not even going to charge for it today.”

  ***

  Glem and Jorick worked all through the night, carrying out Lorne's orders for the distribution of the guards and setting in place all the actions that would be needed once the battle was joined. Glem personally visited each of the guard posts through the city, checking the men’s equipment and provisions and knowing that once the battle started, it would be too late to repair or provision them. The night moved painfully toward dawn, the wind bringing with it an unseasonably cold rain and the promise of a miserable morning to follow.

  Glem rode through the streets, listening to the worries of the city. All of the chatter was some combination of fear of the army, together with smatterings of hope that it would pass by the city. The fear was winning the conversation by a wide margin. Glem’s horse provided a vantage point, allowing him to carefully watch the throngs all scurrying about the market.

  The people were making their last purchases and the stalls were being closed in preparation for the coming battle.

  “Screw you, you thief,” yelled a man in a red shirt at one of the vendors. “Your lousy potatoes are not worth half that much.”

  “Thief? You call me a thief? Go buy your potatoes from the other stall then,” the vendor shouted back.

  “There are no other stalls selling potatoes, and you know it, or I would. You give me those potatoes, or I’m going to thump you. Then we’ll soon see if the extra coins are worthwhile.”

  Glem, having listened to the exchange, slipped down from his horse and strode over to the two men.

  “I think you need to both lower your voices and have a civilized discussion, gentlemen,” Glem said without raising his voice. “There is enough tension in the air without your shouting and fist waving about potatoes.”

  Both men turned to him.

  “Who are you to tell us what to do?” The potato seller wanted to know.

  “I am the man charged with keeping the peace in the city and seeing to its defense. I am also the man who will soon enough thump both of you and lock you up at the guard barracks until after the battle, if you don’t settle this like reasonable men.”

  The man in the red shirt swung a fist at Glem without warning. Stepping to the side, Glem let the hand glide past his head and kicked the man's feet out, grabbing him by the back of the belt and letting him hang there in his hand.

  “That is not what I meant by reasonable men,” Glem said, dropping the man to fall flat on his face, leaving him spluttering the dust out of his mouth while he picked himself back up.

  “Would you like to try again for reasonable, or are we going to the guard barracks?” he asked the now dusty red-shirted man.

  “On second thoughts, I think since the battle is coming, I can do a better price on my potatoes as a gesture of goodwill,” said the merchant, before the red-shirted man could speak again. “How about a third off of my last price?” he offered. “It will save them being thrown to the pigs. Let us shake hands on it.”

  “That sounds pretty fair, I think,” Glem said. “What about you?” he asks, looking at the man in the red shirt.

  “Aye, that's a good price, right enough. If he’d offered that the first time, we wouldna had a problem,” he said grumpily.

  Glem looked sharply at him as he remounted.

  “Really? I still have time to go by the barracks, you know?”

  “Sorry, sir,” the two chimed at the same time. “No, there’s no need for that.”

  “Well, if I hear about any kind of a problem here again, we will have a problem,” Glem replied. “A bigger one than you think. Or at least, for you two, it will be big enough.”

  The men shook hands as if now allied against Glem.

  ***

  Stolen story; please report.

  Glem arrived back at the inn and sat down heavily on the bench under the front window. He noticed that the walkway was neatly swept as usual. “He has to sweep this walk ten times a day to keep it this clean. Hmm, maybe he just likes sweeping.”

  He looked up to see Jorick stumbling down the road, almost falling down with exhaustion.

  He stood quickly, catching him around the back.

  “Come on, you need to rest,” Glem said, leading him into his sister’s inn. “It smells like Eiriean is already cooking. Wait here, and I will see if we can get you some food before you pass out still on your feet.” He set Jorick down at a table near the hearth that was stacked for a fire but not yet laid.

  He took both his and Jorick’s cloaks and hung them on pegs near the door, then stepped through into the kitchen.

  “Eiriean,” Glem said, startling her as he stepped into her domain. “I didn’t mean to surprise you. I was just looking for some hot food for Jorick and me while we dry out before we... Well, it has been a long day and we are ravenous.”

  “Aye, and you’re also dripping on my floor. I assume Jorick is in the same state,” Eiriean said.

  “No, mistress, he is not dripping on your floor, you shall be glad to know. He is dripping on your table over near the hearth, quite a pretty puddle,” Glem replied, laughing softly.

  “Here, take these.”

  Eiriean handed Glem a plate with hot meat-filled pastries just out of the oven. “I’ll bring out some more food in a few minutes but get yourselves started with those. And I’ll send Oarf to lay the fire, to dry out the drowned kittens. Now out.”

  “Yes, mistress,” Glem said, pretending to hang his head in shame for soaking the floor.

  ***

  “The guard is as prepared as we can make them. Five hundred against fifty thousand. Once they breach the gates, we won’t last more than minutes, ground down under a machine that size. Do you think there is any real chance we can get some support from the capital before the city burns?” Jorick asked, his elbows on the table, his head propped up by his hands.

  “The riders went out last night. Even moving as fast as possible, it took three days with no rest to get as far as the capital. They can mobilize part of the standing army in a few hours and have them on the way. The rest of the force would follow in a day or so, and the vanguard should be arriving here in just over a week, all told. The rest of the army, two or three days later. So, we will need to hold for close to ten days.

  “Ten days would be a long time against a force that size if we had ten times the number of men. But we do not have that number, as you know, so I don’t hold our chances well.”

  Moving quietly into the room, Oarf quickly got the fire going in the hearth. The banked coals at the side warmed into a small flame that rapidly rose through the carefully laid kindling, the heat from the fire restoring the two sodden men a little.

  “Is the force against us as bad as that?” Oarf asked, knowing full well the hardy character of the two men and that they were understating how bad things were, if anything.

  “It is. We don’t expect to hold the gates long against their army, and then it will be fighting in the streets. We don’t have an army here, just the guard against trained soldiers. There are a few of us…” Jorick said, glancing at Glem, “who will be able to account for some of them.”

  Meat pies finished, Oarf went to the kitchen for more.

  “Glem, you didn’t mention the second fight we had in front of Lorne, so I didn’t bring it up. But of course, I need to know. What happened?” Jorick asked.

  “Truth told, I’m not really sure. I have been thinking on it though, and that was the second time I’ve had something like that happen.” Glem quickly told Jorick of the man who had tried to attack the girls when he was ill, as they had related it to him the morning after.

  “It reminds me of the stories I heard as a child,” Jorick said.

  “Of men and women that wielded magic and steel with devastating effects. I thought that those were just tales for children, but I am… well, let’s say I am reconsidering. I’ve no control over when or if it happens. If we survive this, I am going to take the girls to the capital and talk to the scholars in the King’s library. That’s for another day,” Glem said introspectively as Oarf came out of the kitchen with a large platter of food, balancing it skillfully on his arm.

  “I just heard that a group is being organized to leave for the capital in a few hours. They think they can get clear before the army arrives,” Oarf said. “Let us hope they are right.”

  “Is he here then?” Jorick asked.

  “No, came and gone already. He said he smelled Eiriean’s cooking and couldn’t help himself. He came in and sweet-talked my wife until she was about to drop her spoon laughing. Told me the news and was then back out the door as fast as he came in, to finish his preparations. Once the soldiers are in the city, that one will account for quite a few of them unless I miss my guess,” Oarf said. “I think he is upset with some of the merchants in the city right now, specifically the ones that are going to run to the capital instead of staying to fight.”

  “Why’s that?” Jorick asked.

  “He said, once the people that are leaving are gone, and we shut the gates, we should drop the closest houses and pile the rubble behind the gates,” Oarf laughed. “He said that all the houses closest to the gates belong to the merchants in the group running for the capital.”

  “What did they do to get on his bad side so?” Jorick asked.

  “He didn’t say, but clearly, he is put out with them.”

  Glem had listened silently to the exchange, finally speaking up. “Hmm... He has a point, though. The gates are thick. It is the locks on them that will give way first. Thirty or so tons of house piled high behind each one would certainly make them last longer, might even buy us a day or two. Jorick, are there any engineers in the city or among the guards that would be able to break the houses so they fall in the right place?” Glem asked.

  “There is one if we can find him in the chaos that’s already starting. Used to work in the capital, but he’s here now. He designed the counterweight system to move the beams into place to lock the gates,” Jorick said.

  Glem looked up at Oarf.

  “Can you go up and knock on the girl’s door, and ask them to come down? We have some things we need to discuss. You and Eiriean might choose to join us also.”

  “Good, finish eating, and get some sleep. Finding him is your priority when you are up,” Glem told Jorick.

  The girls arrived at the table a few minutes later.

  Oarf and Eiriean came out of the kitchen as the girls sat down and pulled up chairs to join the men at the table.

  The rest of the room had emptied of other patrons.

  “There is a siege coming for the city, and possibly an occupation, depending on how long it takes reinforcements to arrive from the capital. I am going to send the girls out of the city to Laioruum, and I think you should go with them,” Glem said to Oarf and Eiriean.

  “You can’t just send us away, Grandpa.”

  “Hush, girl, didn’t you hear? There is fighting coming, and I need to know you’re safe. As soon as I can, I will join you in the capital. Oarf, Eiriean, will you go with my girls to make sure they are safe and keep them out of trouble until I can get there? I will send you money to cover expenses and things.”

  Eiriean wrapped an arm around each of the girls and looked at Oarf. “Of course, we will. Don’t you worry.”

  Oarf nodded as well, looking at his wife.

  “We will keep them safe.”

  “The gates are presently closed, but Lorne is going to allow the North Gate to open for people to flee to the capital. You can all go out when it is time. The big group going should provide some safety,” Jorick said.

  “That settles it then. Girls, did you get all the equipment we ordered from Cerya?”

  Rues looked at Glem and replied, “We got it all—and some stuff we didn’t order. It’s all up in the room. She made us try everything on while we were there, but some of it needs to be adjusted. I don’t think the fit is quite right.”

  Glem glanced at Alyra who was nodding as her friend spoke. “It was a long night. I’m going to get some sleep, and then we will work on the fit. You can both stay down here and talk, so you don’t bother me.”

  “I’m going to head back to my house and get some rest as well. I don’t think I am going to get much over the next few days,” Jorick said, gazing into the distance.

  “When you are done eating, just take a room here. There is no need to waste time going halfway across the city to your own house when we have empty rooms. Take the one at the top of the stairs with the moon on it. I’ll get the bath going and set out your spare clothes. And you know Eiriean will be mad if you get mud on her clean bed, so bear that in mind,” Oarf said.

  “Rues, Alyra, go get your equipment. Let’s get everything fitted and we’ll have to make sure you can move in it.”

  The girls left and ran up the stairs.

  “What, armor? Really? For the pair of them?” Jorick asked.

  “Well, let us hope they don’t need it, but we will be traveling in some rough places for a while, I’m afraid.”

  “Grandpa, this is heavy,” Alyra complained as she dropped everything on the table next to them.

  “Just wait till you have been wearing it for a few days,” Rues laughed at her friend as she piled hers on the table as well. “You will either get used to it or die of exhaustion.”

  “Ok. Gambeson first,” Glem told them, his tone serious. “That's the heavy padded shirt, Alyra. Rues, you know what everything is from your father, right? You’ve been instructed?”

  “Most of it, yes. He was a blacksmith for a small village though we actually didn’t see a lot of armor.”

  “Once you have that on, we will get the mail shirts on and make sure they settle correctly.” He looked over both girls as they struggled into their thick and hot gambesons.

  “Stop, Rues! Stop right there. You didn’t untie the laces at the throat, so you won’t get into it like that. You’ll kill yourself before you even begin.” He laughed loudly and she joined in.

  “Well, how was I to know?”

  Alyra’s laugh was muffled as she struggled into her own padded shirt. “Mine fits fine, see?” she boasted. “And you thought I was going to be the one who couldn’t figure it out. At least I’m not trying to put my head through a hole that's too small. You always have had a big head, Rues,” she teased. “Like, it’s enormous. It’s like a…” She spread her arms very wide. “It’s like a watermelon!” Everyone laughed raucously.

  “Come on now, don’t be so rude,” chuckled Glem.

  “Even if it’s true?” asked Alyra, a glint in her eye. Rues smacked her on the arm playfully.

  Rues now had herself all sorted out and had donned her padded jacket too. She pulled on her mail shirt over her gambeson, and shook out her arms, making a show of it.

  “At least I’m strong enough to carry mine, see?”

  “Once they’re on, jump up and down and swing your arms to settle the mail, like you were doing, Rues…” said Glem. “But carry on a while and it will free everything up and make it fit better to your form. It is a little restricting at first, but you will adjust as you get used to it. You’ll get stronger from wearing it inside a few days and it will feel easier already, you’ll see.”

  “A few days?” squealed both girls, as if they couldn’t tolerate the weight that long. “A few days! I’ll die in this thing!”

  They each grinned, plainly enjoying the newness of it all and the lavish attention. The others at the table laughed at them as they awkwardly jumped around, getting used to the weight of the mail. “I’m hot already, and haven’t been in it five minutes yet,” Alyra complained, adding a short cloak to cover the mail.

  She stood with her hands on her hips.

  “How do I look?”

  Rues looked her over.

  “Not bad at all. Though of course, you don’t look half as good as I do. Put the rest of your gear on and then see.”

  The girls put on their bracers, lacing them snuggly along the side. They helped each other to fasten the laces tight.

  “Why don’t they lace up the bottom instead of the side?” Alyra asked. “Can’t really do them up easily on your own.”

  “Laced this way, if you shoot a bow, the string doesn’t catch the laces,” Jorick told them as he stood to help Rues buckle her new crossed harness designed to hold her hammer in easy reach.

  Glem and Jorick looked them both over as Alyra snapped her sword onto its catch. “Better. Much better. Take the arms off but leave the armor to get used to it. Ok, everyone clear on what you are doing?” Glem asked.

  “We don’t want to go without you, Grandpa.”

  “I know. And I don’t want you to have to either,” Glem said as he wrapped an arm around each of the girls, pulling them into a hug. “You two stay with Oarf and Eiriean and try and stay out of the fighting. You should be well clear of the city before it starts. I will either find you on the road or in the capital, so don’t you worry—find you I will. I shouldn’t be more than a few days to a week at most behind you.”

  Squeezing them tightly again, he added, “I have to get some rest before it starts, you know that don’t you? It isn’t that I don’t want to spend every minute with you both…”

  They nodded slowly, solemn and silent for a change.

  Things were beginning to feel serious now.

  “Make sure your saddle bags are packed,” he started up again, “and don’t take more than you can comfortably carry. I don’t know when we’ll be able to get horses…”

  Glem stepped away from Rues and Alyra and stood back.

  He seemed at a sudden loss for how to end things. His arms flapped around as if he felt hopeless, seeing his girls go off in a different direction, unable to take them to safety himself. Eventually, he found the words to speak again.

  “I am going to have to sleep for an hour now. Oarf, can you be sure to wake me if I’m not down in two?”

  “Two? You need more than that,” Oarf replied. “It would be folly to have so little rest.”

  “That will have to do for now. I have to finish seeing to the preparations for the city,” Glem said.

  “Hmm, two hours then if I haven’t seen you,” Oarf agreed.