"If Lady Dasslerond is able to work from the shadows, she is formidable,"
Aydrian agreed. "But I intend to light those shadows with flames. She will not stand against me - this will not be our first encounter. Even then, when I was so much younger and inexperienced, Dasslerond was not the one who walked away victorious."
"I should go with you," De'Unnero said, and Aydrian was shaking his head before the predictable words ever came forth.
"Our hold on St. Precious is not so strong, and converting the brothers will prove far more valuable than merely eliminating them."
"Then wait until the spring, or until the next season, when the kingdom is secured."
"You believe that Dasslerond will not involve herself in our conquest? You do not understand her hatred of me, and her fear. She knows that I will come for her, as the monks of St.-Mere-Abelle know that the wrongs they perpetrated upon Marcalo De'Unnero will lead you back to them, at the head of an army mighty enough to topple them. If we wait for Dasslerond, she will become many times more dangerous to us."
"The winter in the Wilderlands will be difficult for so large a force."
"That is why I choose not to take twenty thousand," said Aydrian. "I have a full measure of Andur'Blough Inninness and Lady Dasslerond. Four hundred will suffice.
"I will return to you within three months' time," Aydrian went on when it seemed as if De'Unnero had run out of doubts to express. "And the threat to the west will be no more. If Duke Kalas is successful in his march across the southland, we will be well on our way. Then we might focus more fully on the march of Midalis, and when that inconvenience is eliminated, we will turn our attention to the greatest prize of all."
"While Abbot Olin continues his conquest of Behren," De'Unnero replied.
"While our new commanders in Vanguard - the eager DePaunch, perhaps - draw up battle plans for the conquest of Alpinador. What then, my former student? Do we sail to the Weathered Isles and conquer the powries, as well?"
It was meant sarcastically, but Aydrian gave a look to show that the possibility did intrigue him.
"But let us not forget about Brynn Dharielle, this 'Dragon of To-gai' who sent Behren into such turmoil," De'Unnero went on undaunted.
"What is your point?" Aydrian asked, all signs of his previous amusement flown.
"Take care that we do not stretch too far, else more than you believe will slip through your widespread fingers," De'Unnero warned. "You have made many enemies out there, more formidable than you apparently believe."
"Or perhaps you merely underestimate Aydrian," the young king said.
"It always comes back to that."
Aydrian smiled.
"And if you are killed in the Wilderlands?" the monk asked. "What then for all of us?"
"There is no return for the noblemen and the Allhearts," Aydrian was quick to answer. "They have taken an open stand against Midalis, and so if they are to hold their coveted power, the prince cannot rise as king.
There is no stepping back from this war. I will not be killed, but if that were to come to pass, then the gain to Marcalo De'Unnero would be even greater. You would win the war without me, of course, and then how much stronger would your Church become when the kingdom is truly leaderless? Duke Kalas will be appointed as Steward of the State, no doubt, but a steward is not a king."
De'Unnero was tapping his fingers before his face by then, his every movement showing that he was not about to disagree.
"So take heart, my friend, and hold faith in your" - he paused to flash a smile - "former student."
Chapter 20 The Heart to Fight
The night was so dark that when she opened her eyes, she was not certain that she had. Or perhaps, if her eyes were indeed open once more, she had passed from the world she had known to a place of darkness, a place of shadows - to a place that did not know the light of life.
She closed her eyes once more and consciously tuned herself in to the sensations about her: the cold, wet clay beneath her face and bare arms; the numbness in her legs; the dull ache that permeated her side; the hot fire of pain burning brightly in her belly. She knew at once that she was very near to death, for a coldness crept up her legs, one so profound that it