CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Nakor swore.
We can run faster than these horses, he complained to Miranda.
Yes, but after a few hours wed need to eat them. And there are enough Kingdom patrols between here and Sarth I dont wish to have to explain myself to.
Well, Martin gave us a pass, responded Nakor.
Arkan and Calis said nothing, content to let Nakor and Miranda do all the talking. Arkan was fascinated by the human landscape as they rode past farms and villages down the coast road from Ylith to Sarth. His only remark had been to comment on the richness of this coast compared to the Northlands.
Nakor was riding a bay gelding that seemed to slow down every time he stopped applying heel to barrel, determined to browse anything he could crop irrespective of Nakors wishes. Miranda had a speckled roan mare that seemed on the verge of breaking down due to an old spavin on her left hind leg. The elves had found a pair of bay geldings, one with a white blaze, both old enough they could not outride the other pair of mounts. So the best they could manage was a posting trot most of the time, with an occasional canter tossed in to break the monotony.
Nakor continued with his complaining. I just wish we could have found better horses.
Miranda smirked. The good horses went south with the army, and the five-gaiters went with their rich owners anywhere the Keshians werent. Be glad were not riding mules.
Life along the shore of the Bitter Sea was picking up slowly. Martin had tried to find them a boat to sail directly to Sorcerers Isle, but it had been impossible. The only boat available was the dinghy used to spot the water demons and even with a demons strength they couldnt row that many miles.
So they found two horses not worth much and paid too dearly for them, and headed south. Neither Miranda nor Nakor worried about provisions, as they could hunt and forage. Neither was averse to eating raw meat and their taste was diverse. If it could be eaten, theyd eat it. And both elves were expert hunters so if provisions couldnt be purchased, game could be killed.
As for other travellers, few were encountered. A few dispatch riders heading from Sarth to Ylith. Miranda had Martins report to take to the garrison at Sarth, as she would reach that city before anyone else. There just werent horses to spare and besides, Martin had to keep his entire force intact to face the Keshians in the middle of the city. The gods only knew how long that armistice would endure.
They had been on the road three days since the truce had been declared, and were determined to reach Sarth as quickly as possible. There they would find whatever craft they could to sail to Sorcerers Isle. Miranda was constantly battling her frustration at all those things she had once known how to do, as Miranda, rather than Child.
And that was another thing: she and Belog were thinking of themselves more and more as Miranda and Nakor, not as their true demon identities. The emotional wear of wanting to see Pug and Magnus, the mourning over the loss of Caleb and Marie, all of it was as real to her as if she had always been Miranda, and it was taking its toll. The original Miranda, despite years of life experience, had always been impatient and impetuous, perhaps a product of her childhood where she had to scramble to survive. Her mother had been a powerful magic-user, last known as the Emerald Queen, but called Jorma when she was married to Nakor in her youth. The real Nakor and Miranda had never really decided if that in some strange way made them kin, but it had never been an issue, for they were good friends. Her father was Macros the Black, but she had only met him a half-dozen times growing up. If there was ever a man less suited to be a parent, Miranda hadnt encountered him, but in the end he had died heroically, and Pug had survived because of that, and for that she had always been grateful to her father.
She had never truly loved a man until she met Pug, or at least not in the way she had come to understand while with him. Before him there had been lovers, the last being Calis, which was why it was odd for Child to confront the elf prince and feel Mirandas emotions at seeing his face. He had been a partner in many ways, in the first resistance to the demons and Pantathians when the Emerald Queens army had overrun Novindus. Before that she had been a vagabond, taking and leaving men as she found them. Some she grew fond of, but never enough to give up travel and discovery. A few she thought of from time to time, drifting for a moment on memories centuries old, but one thing she shared with people like Nakor, Amirantha and Pug was that most of the people she had loved.
She had never truly loved a man until she met Pug, or at least not in the way she had come to understand while with him. Before him there had been lovers, the last being Calis, which was why it was odd for Child to confront the elf prince and feel Mirandas emotions at seeing his face. He had been a partner in many ways, in the first resistance to the demons and Pantathians when the Emerald Queens army had overrun Novindus. Before that she had been a vagabond, taking and leaving men as she found them. Some she grew fond of, but never enough to give up travel and discovery. A few she thought of from time to time, drifting for a moment on memories centuries old, but one thing she shared with people like Nakor, Amirantha and Pug was that most of the people she had loved.
And apparently, she thought dryly, even dying didnt mean you escaped that fate, it seemed.
The sun was setting as they came upon a village and for the first time encountered problems. Six men, mercenaries from the look of them, deserters most like, were standing near the communal well when Miranda and Nakor rode into view.
Their leader was a disreputable-looking fellow with yellowing teeth, a wall eye, and a large floppy hat underneath which stringy light brown hair flowed to his shoulder. He wore what once had been a fine officers riding jacket with an array of brass buttons, most of which were now missing. His grey riding trousers and black knee high boots had seen better days. But his weapons appeared well cared for and the six men with him all looked capable enough.
Well, what have we here? he asked as Miranda pulled up.
Travellers, she answered, bound for Sarth. Seeking a nights respite.
Well, thats a problem, said the man as his companions spread out. Were Sarth militia, you see, and weve been sent here to keep the road clear of Keshian spies.
Deserters, you mean, said Nakor, jumping down from the horse. He walked up to stand before the leader and said, Youre bandits plaguing these good people. Now, why dont you leave?
The man laughed and turned to his companions. Do you believe this little fellow?
Two of the bandits had crossbows, which were instantly brought to bear on the two elves before they could unlimber their bows. The leader made a tsk, tsk, sound. He turned back suddenly with his sword coming out of his scabbard, but before he could draw it fully free, Nakor reached out and shattered his wrist with a single squeeze. The mans howl was turned into a gurgling gasp as Nakor reached up and tore out his throat.
Onlooking villagers retreated into their homes, several pulling the heavy cloth doors closed, while others peered out of the windows. The two men with crossbows let fly, but Arkan and Calis were already out of their saddles, half-falling, half-leaping as the bolts sped through empty air.
That tears it, said Miranda leaping from her horse. With two steps she stood next to a bandit attempting to string his bow. She ripped it from his hands and broke it over his head, his eyes rolling up into his skull as he fell to the ground.
Within a minute the other bandits were dead and Miranda called, You can come out now! They wont bother you.
The doors remained closed for a full minute, until a man came out, his face a mask of fear. He held a large out. Its all we have. Take it. Please, take it and go.
Miranda glanced at Nakor. They didnt need a place to sleep, but comfort was always preferable to the ground. Yet these people were so terrified of what they had just witnessed, they would do anything to see Miranda, Nakor and the elves depart, despite having just been saved from the bandits.
Miranda said, Keep your food. You need it more than we do. She turned away. They mounted the horses and moved off down the road as the sun turned the sea to the west of them emerald green tipped with amber.
After a few moments, Arkan said, That was odd. You saved them, yet they were more frightened of you than the bandits.
Normal humans dont break wrists with a single squeeze of the hand, nor crush skulls with a blow to the head with a bow. She took a deep breath, and then let a long sigh escape. We move too quickly, were too strong. We may look like other people, but were not.
Calis shrugged. He knew Miranda wasnt the women he once knew and loved, but he also didnt know exactly what she was. He didnt press for answers. By nature, he was patient and he knew that the truth would present itself eventually.
Nakor said, No matter how vivid our memories, we will never be one with them and they will never accept us.
Miranda spoke quietly. Pug might.
Nakor didnt know if that was an opinion or a hope. He said nothing.
Sarth had proven an unexpected trial. The city was garrisoning levies of soldiers detailed to Krondor, but Krondor was already over-burdened by those forces already housed there. The entirety of the Armies of the West that had answered the Princes call to muster had arrived. Garrisons from Yabon in the north, Lands End to the south-west, and everything between Krondor and Malacs Cross to the east.
Had they had somewhere else to go, things might have been fine, but they didnt. They were hunkered down waiting for a Keshian offensive that never came. So the Princes Knight Marshal of the Principality detailed as many men to Port Vykor and Sarth as he could.
Now there were thousands of bored, uncomfortable, and soon-to-be hungry troops milling around. The armistice was too new for the Prince to send anyone home, though after Martins report reached him he might choose to return the Yabon garrison north, or at least send enough veteran troops to relieve Martin.
Miranda found the local commander and introduced herself. He was somewhat sceptical of the odd-looking quartet, until he read Martins report and saw it embossed with the ducal signet bearing the upward-facing crescent, the mark of the second son.