Scaler stared into the fire, his mind flowing back.
Simple? How could such a terrible moment be described as simple?
It was raining, he remembered, when the guard on the Eldibar tower sounded the trumpet. His grandfather Orrin had been in the keep, engaged in a war-game with their guest. Scaler was perched on a high chair, watching them roll the dice and move the tiny regiments, when the trumpet call echoed eerily in the storm winds.
‘The Nadir spawn has arrived,’ said Orrin. ‘He picked the right day for it.’
They dressed Scaler in a cloak of oiled leather and a wide-brimmed leather hat, then began the long walk to Wall One.
Once there, Orrin gazed down on the twenty riders and the dark-haired youth on the white shaggy pony.
‘Who seeks entry to Dros Delnoch?’ called Orrin.
‘The son of Shillat,’ yelled the Nadir captain.
‘He only may enter,’ said Orrin.
The great gates creaked open and the Nadir troop wheeled their mounts, riding swiftly back to the north.
Tenaka did not turn to watch them go, and no word passed between them. The youth touched his heels to the pony and cantered into the gate tunnel and up on to the green field between Walls One and Two. There he slid from the saddle and waited for Orrin to approach.
‘You are not welcome here,’ said Orrin, ‘but I will stand by my bargains. I have arranged a commission in the Dragon and you will leave in three months. Until then you will learn Drenai ways. I want no relative of mine eating with his fingers in the officers’ mess.’
‘Thank you, grandfather,’ said Tenaka.
‘Don’t call me that,’ snapped Orrin. ‘Not ever! You will call me “My Lord” or in company “Sir”. Do you understand?’
‘I believe that I do, grandfather. And I shall obey you.’ Tenaka’s gaze flickered to the child.
‘This is my true grandson,’ said Orrin. ‘All my children are dead. Only this little lad survives to continue my line. His name is Arvan.’
Tenaka nodded and turned to the dark-bearded man to Orrin’s left.
‘And this is a friend of the House of Regnak – the only counsellor worth his salt in the entire country. His name is Ceska.’
‘Delighted to meet you,’ said Ceska, reaching out his hand. Tenaka clasped it firmly, his gaze locking to the man’s dark eyes.
‘Now let us get inside and out of this damned rain,’ muttered Orrin. Lifting the child to his broad shoulders, the white-bearded Earl strode away towards the distant keep. Tenaka gathered the reins of his pony and followed, Ceska beside him.
‘Do not be upset by his manner, young price,’ said Ceska. ‘He is old and set in his ways. But he is a fine man, truly. I hope you will be happy among the Drenai. If ever there is anything I can do for you, do not hesitate to tell me.’
‘Why?’ asked Tenaka.
‘I like you,’ said Ceska, clapping him on the shoulder. ‘And who knows – you may be Earl some day.’
‘That is unlikely.’
‘True, my friend. But the House of Bronze has been unlucky of late. As Orrin said, all his children are gone. Arvan alone survives.’
‘He looks a strong child.’
‘Indeed he does. But looks can be so deceptive, can they not?’
Tenaka was not sure he understood the meaning of Ceska’s words, but he knew there were undercurrents of dark promises. He said nothing.
*
Later Tenaka listened in silence as Valtaya talked of the rescue in the marketplace, and of their bribing a night sentry to let them pass through the northern postern gate of the city. Ananais had brought a huge pack of food, plus two bows and eighty shafts in doeskin quivers. Valtaya had extra blankets and a rolled canvas sheet for a small tent.
After they had eaten, Tenaka took Ananais into the trees. They found a secluded spot and cleared the snow from some rocks before sitting down to talk.
‘There is an uprising in Skoda,’ said Ananais. ‘Two villages were sacked by Ceska’s Legion. A local named Rayvan gathered a small army and destroyed the raiders. They say men are flocking to him, but I don’t think he can last. He’s a common man.’