The Forest of Peldain

Also, Vorduthe could not forget that the lake had powers of persuasion of its own. The problem he contemplated was pushed from his mind by the sweet memory of the interlude the lake had bestowed, which put him in an agony of longing and shame. Longing, because for a brief time it had been as if that fateful accident with the barbsquid had never happened nearly five years ago, as if his wife had remained well and happy. Enthralling dream! Enticing, practically irresistible.…

Shame, because even while enjoying the experience he had known that it was not real, and that he enjoyed it alone. In reality his wife lay half a world away, still paralyzed, knowing nothing of it.

He despised himself for such solitary indulgence.

A figure in an Arelian kilt was toiling up the slope. As he came nearer Vorduthe saw that it was Troop Leader Kana-Kem. His young face was determined-looking.

He spoke stubbornly. “Forgive me for following you here, my lord. But the men want to know what their orders are to be. Do we strike?”

“Strike?” queried Vorduthe.

“We have not been idle while you have been studying with the Peldainian priest, my lord.” Kana-Kem smiled. “We have been working on some of the local girls—they find us pleasing, and have little idea of secrecy. We have found out where the palace armory is. Our weapons are stored there, and much else besides. Now we have but to plan how to get at them.”

“I commend you, Troop Leader,” Vorduthe said thoughtfully. “What do you suggest we do then?”

“These people are soft, apart from a handful of warriors. We will not be taken by surprise a second time.”

“Just the same it would be a risky enterprise, with small chance of success.”

“If we do no more than put a sword in Octrago’s black heart it will be worth the effort, my lord.”

“Yes, we could do that.”

Kana-Kem seemed both puzzled and displeased by Vorduthe’s diffidence. “You spoke of destroying this kingdom, my lord. If we cannot win it for King Krassos then that is what we should do. What plan have you?”

“I had intended to arrange for the forest to strangle the whole island,” Vorduthe told him bluntly. “But you must keep that to yourself. Do you understand?”

The Troop Leader spent some time in absorbing this news. He nodded, frowning.

“But now,” Vorduthe added, “I am not sure. I am not sure… I will speak to you again presently.”

“The men grow impatient, my lord. You have not spoken to them for days, and they are feeling lost and angry. They will act on their own if you do not give them leadership.”

Even this threat of rebellion did not stir Vorduthe. “That is enough,” he said sharply. “I will speak to you presently.”

Kana-Kem turned and made his way back down the hill. Vorduthe stayed where he was, thinking as he watched the sun glint dully on the green lake below.

Overhead, the gnarled branches creaked in a sudden breeze.

Chapter Fourteen

“I have a hard question to put to you,” Mistirea said.

They were in the place referred to as the temple. In reality it was a ceremonial training school where the most suitable of Mistirea’s acolytes were taught exercises in psychic sensitivity. The numbers in the temple and its surrounding dwellings were being added to by the armed men from the mountain fastness, whom Mistirea had summoned to Lakeside now, that the need to defy King Kerenei was gone. To Vorduthe it was surprising that the High Priest should be permitted his own armed force, even though it was not as large as the king’s. Tradition placed a high priority on his safety, evidently.

Shaded from the heat of the day, the room was cooled by large, thick leaves that sprouted from the internal walls and waved constantly. “I have been talking with Prince Askon,” Mistirea continued. “He made me realize how little you may wish to help us, beyond the need to save your men from execution.

“It is true that you owe this country nothing. You have suffered much and you have been disappointed in your expectations. In the lake you are alone with the spirit, and it would be easy for you merely to pretend to play the part I have asked of you. After all, only after some time would the behavior of the trees of the forest tell us otherwise.

“If that is your attitude, Lord Vorduthe, then I beseech you to think again. Peldain is a country of thousands of men, women and children, none of whom have done you any harm. Think of them. Think what it would mean if your own country were to be ravaged by this savage forest.”

“One Peldainian has done us harm,” Vorduthe corrected him, in a flinty voice. “What if I were to demand the blood of Prince Askon as the price of my cooperation?”

“You cannot be serious.”

Vorduthe did not answer, only stared stonily.