figure in stories of blighted cattle and stolen babies?”
Oskan looked at her in annoyance. “The army of the Icemark is arguably the strongest in the known world, apart from that of the Empire, and yet your father fought constant border wars to keep the country safe. If everybody took your attitude, we’d be asking why your army doesn’t stop every pirate raid on all fishing villages and every cross-border Vampire attack. There are limits to Power.”
Thirrin had to accept the logic of this argument, and she smiled in agreement. “Well, I hope the witches know we’re grateful.”
“Don’t worry. The country folk and peasants have their ways. It’s only the elite of society who forget.”
“Then I’ll see they remember from now on,” Thirrin answered forcibly.
They rode on in silence, watching as the border drew steadily nearer. The pass was now clearly visible, yawning before them like an open wound. Thirrin shuddered and immediately hoped none of her escort had noticed. They mustn’t see she was afraid. But she needn’t have worried. All of her soldiers were too busy with their own fears to notice anyone else’s.
After less than an hour the path climbed sharply, and after a struggle with the horses they stood on the very threshold of the pass. The peaks of the Wolfrocks towered to either side, stark and snowcapped against the brilliant blue of the sky. And before them the pass opened. It was wide enough to allow a troop of twenty cavalry to ride abreast, and the path wound out of sight beyond spurs and outcrops that jutted from the flanks of the mountains. Good country for an ambush, Thirrin thought, but rather than risk her intentions being misread by anyone, she ordered all weapons to be sheathed.
The werewolves now stepped forward and, throwing back their heads, they let out a collective howl that echoed and reechoed among the rocks. The horses shied and neighed, but the troopers kept them under control. All eyes were on the pass before them. Now was the time for treachery if it was destined to happen. But Thirrin, sensing this was on the minds of her escort, immediately spurred forward into the pass and signaled the buglers to sound the fanfare of the Royal House of the Icemark. Her presence now announced to all, she led the way along the path.
Within a few yards of entering the pass, the mouth behind them was lost to view. Narrow walls of rock loomed over them, and each boulder seemed to hide a watcher. Every now and then small stones would slither down the rock face as though dislodged by something, and the wind that had begun to moan among the outcrops seemed to mask harsh voices.
After a few minutes, dark flying shapes appeared in the sky above the escort. It was difficult to judge exactly how large they were, but they seemed too big for birds. Thirrin beckoned over the captain of the Wolffolk and asked what they were.
“Vampires, Madam,” he answered, confirming her fears. “Vampires in their shape-shifted form. They’re just watching how things are progressing, and no doubt keeping Their Vampiric Majesties informed.”
“No doubt,” Thirrin agreed.
Occasionally one of the shapes flew low enough for its leathery wings and bat face to be clearly seen, but mainly they stayed high above the escort like a collection of black clouds.
Several of the soldiers reported shapes, sensed on the edge of sight, flitting around the rocks but disappearing as soon as they stared directly at them.
Oskan shrugged when he heard this. “Who can be surprised that there are ghosts in The-Land-of-the-Ghosts?”
About halfway through the pass, a huge Rock Troll rolled into view, slumping from an outcrop like a small landslide and blocking the route. Thirrin called a halt and signaled furiously to her troops when they started to draw swords and form a shield-wall. Reluctantly they sheathed their weapons and waited. The troll roared and, hefting a massive boulder, it strode forward. But in quick response the werewolves formed a solid phalanx and advanced on it, howling and snarling fiercely. For a moment the troll watched them come on through small stupid eyes before sullenly dropping its boulder and climbing back onto the outcrop, where it seemed to melt back into the rock. The captain of the Wolffolk guard beckoned Thirrin on, and she led her small troop forward.
There were no more incidents of this sort, and they quickly trotted through the pass. After about an hour they reached the far end quite unexpectedly.