allies to prevent a serious or fatal blow afflicting any one person.”
Here it is, the moment at which the travellers might baulk.
“Each of us was called on this journey. All of us have already proved our worth, each necessary at various stages. We cannot tell what else we might be called on to do, but we must take comfort in the fact that the Father has not finished with us yet. We must all assume we are, each one, about to see action. None of us is here as a mere spectator. At the very least, that action will entail giving of our essenza”—his eyes flicked to Anomer, as if reassuring himself that he had the unfamiliar word right—“and being prepared to receive wounds on behalf of others. I will not ask whether there are any here afraid of this: we all are. But I will also not ask if anyone here wishes to resile. You had that opportunity in the House of the Gods when you travelled magically to a place of your own choosing. You returned, knowing what awaited you. Therefore you elected to continue to the end.”
Assorted nods from grim faces.
“We also have a number of gifted swordsmen in our midst. In my prime I was accounted the best in Roudhos with a blade, and I am still in my prime.” He smiled bleakly. “I know tricks that short-lived swordsmen, no matter how gifted and trained, do not, and I have used them in battle. The Duke of Roudhos was—is—one of my pupils and has acquitted himself well during this adventure, as young Mustar can testify.”
The young son of Halieutes nodded his head enthusiastically. So Cyclamere had that story from the boy, Noetos thought, not entirely displeased.
“Captain Duon is a trained soldier, modest in his claims regarding his ability, but I have seen him work the forms and would be honoured to have him guard my lord’s back and those of my lord’s children.”
Clever: the captain’s grim face cleared for a moment.
“Anomer is good with a blade,” Seren put in, unaware of the soldier’s discipline requiring silence as a battle plan unfolded. Not that the miner would have cared much for the rule had he known it.
“Aye, he is not forgotten,” Cyclamere said. “Nor is his sister. Arathé will need to wait until we liberate a blade from inside the fortress, but if circumstances require it, she can also fight. It was part of the reason she was selected to come here as a servant of the Undying Man in the first place, after all.”
Setting off this whole venture, Noetos finished morosely.
“Others among you can wield a weapon at a pinch, but I would encourage you not to arm yourselves unless in protection of your own life—and even then, think twice.” Noetos smiled, pre-empting the aphorism to follow. “A weapon in the hands of the untutored has no handle but blades at both ends. You will likely do more damage to friend than to foe.
“The rest of you will enter Andratan without weapon or magic. But you are not defenceless. You are quick of mind, adaptable, able to think on your feet. You are leaders, but also able to obey commands without question.”
Was that a slight glance in Noetos’s own direction?
“I speak as a veteran of many battles: had I been in possession of soldiers with your talent, I would never have lost a single one.”
It was hard to tell in the darkness, but Noetos imagined he could see a brightening of countenance in some of those around him.
“And now, our two main weapons, those we must protect at all costs. I refer to the huanu stone carried by the Duke of Roudhos and the special abilities of Lenares the cosmographer.”
Darkness or no, Noetos could see the girl’s grin from five paces away. Could almost feel the heat of her pleasure radiating outwards. Truly, Lenares does not care if she lives or dies, as long as she is praised.
“That is the list of our assets. Now, our strategy. We have two weapons: a stone to abrogate magic and the vision to guide it. Both are essential. Therefore we will become two teams, each tasked with the protection of one of the weapons. Arathé will hedge her father about with magic, and will be accompanied by my own sword. Bregor, Consina, Seren and Cylene complete the team, commanded by the Duke of Roudhos. Lenares will be protected by Anomer’s magic and his sword, and will have at her