Blades of the Banished - Robert Ryan Page 0,53
fight the southern army. We could win one war, and in doing so, ruin our chances in the next.”
“That may be,” the Lindrath said. “And yet how else can we defeat her? In what way can a battle be won without a fight?”
Aranloth stroked his chin. “I see the truth of each point of view. But consider this also. There would not be just one fight – there would be two. On one hand men would fight men. But on the other, Ebona is a force of her own. She has great power, and civil war would feed it. And while it lasted, and at the least it would take several days and spend the lives of many men, she would grow. Already she may be beyond the power of the three lòhrens among us to stymie her. For all these reasons, any sort of military action is likely to fail. It must be the last resort, the choice when all other choices have run dry.”
Lanrik knew where this was headed, and he agreed.
“If military action is the last resort,” he said, “then what can be tried first? All that is left is some desperate plan that relies on stealth and speed, and only a few people to carry it out.”
“To carry out what, exactly?” the Lindrath asked.
Lanrik saw by the grim look on his face that he guessed the answer already.
“To bring Ebona to bay, by herself, alone and undefended. And by the power that we possess, if it is enough, to kill her or subdue her and make her a prisoner.”
Erlissa spoke for the first time. “I think it would prove impossible to take her prisoner. Her power must now be very great. Even if we did so, who would guard her? Who is incorruptible? For few men can withstand her. Within days she would command the guards that ringed her as though they were her own.”
“Then she must be killed,” the Lindrath said flatly. “For myself, I think she deserves it. But even so, I’m not proud of the idea. The taking of a life, except for self-preservation, is wrong.”
Erlissa looked at him directly. “Yes, but I think it is now a matter of self-preservation. The southern army is coming. She will grow strong off all the blood to be spilled. I’ve seen her like that, and there is a madness within her. She would destroy Esgallien, and the enemy at the same time, and rise as a goddess on a mountain of corpses.”
“That is so,” Aranloth said. “And after that all Alithoras might fall to her. She must be stopped, and the only way to do that is to kill her, or what passes for death to a creature born of ùhrengai.”
“Then our course is set,” Lanrik said.
“It is,” answered the Lindrath. “But not the exact means by which the attempt will be made.”
Aranloth ran a hand through his hair. “That remains in doubt, and in truth, I don’t think we can plan for it now. We must first reach Esgallien and see how things stand. But this much is not in doubt. The shazrahad sword was brought for a reason. The Guardian does not interfere in the affairs of men. It is here for a purpose, even if we cannot foresee it. I will take that as a sign, a greater sign than any of our arguments, that our aim is right. This small group here must enter the city and face Ebona. No more plans can we make than that.”
The lòhren turned to Aratar. “Will you bear the sword, and guard it, until that time?”
“Yes, Careth Tar. I’ll do so. But how shall I know when to relinquish it, and to whom?”
Aranloth gave a sigh. “I do not know, but I feel that when the time comes to hand it to another you will know beyond any doubt.”
“Yet whatever our own plans or fortunes,” the Lindrath said, “the people of Esgallien must still learn that an army marches against them, lest we fail.”
“If we fail,” Aranloth said, “Then I think the warning will make small difference. And yet you are right.”
“Then the Raithlin that are with us should go through the city,” The Lindrath said. “Let them spread the word, and if we fail, at least then there is a chance the people will rise against Ebona, throw her off and then defend the realm against the southerners.”
Aranloth nodded, but did not answer. No one else spoke and the council ended.
The others left, but