Down in the courtyard, the arrival of Chay’s levies had added to the chaos. Horses, foot soldiers, archers, swordsmen—and all of Lord Baisal’s frantic servants—milled about in no discernible order. Chay had every confidence that by nightfall his captain would have everything sorted out, so he and Tobin mounted up and joined Lord Davvi at the gates.
“I’ve done all I could,” Sioned’s brother told them. “But I’ve no real authority here except over my own people. I’m glad you’re here, my lord.”
“Titles are fine in public—but please call me Chay. We’re brothers after a fashion, you know.”
Tobin hid a smile of her own as her husband’s smile worked its usual magic. In two sentences he had made Davvi his, a man who would follow him unquestioningly into whatever battle Chay cared to fight.
“Thank you,” Davvi said simply. “We’ll tour the camp now, and I’ll—”
He was interrupted by a shrill cry from behind them. Parental instinct had Tobin and Chay off their horses in an instant, neither mistaking the urgency in Sorin’s voice. Chay pushed a path for them through to where the twins had been currying their ponies in a corner of the stableyard. Sorin ran to his father and clutched at his arm, frightened. Andry stood in a well of sunlight, rigid and trembling, blue eyes huge.
Tobin knelt beside Andry. Sharing sunlight with him, she felt, as she had known she would, the dizzying touch of a powerful faradhi. But it was not Sioned she felt on the sunlight. It was Andrade.
Tobin? Sweet Goddess, girl, why didn’t you tell me the boy was so gifted? But never mind that now. That young idiot Lyell of Waes is trying to feast from both ends of the loaf—giving aid to his dead sister’s lord in Tiglath and marching his troops here to pen me in while Roelstra and Jastri work mischief in the south. Urival and I are working on that, but I’m not sure yet how we’ll manage it. I’ve sent word to every court where my Sunrunners aren’t locked away from the light—Roelstra’s orders, I’m sure, to those he’s got beneath his boot heels. Count among them Syr and Cunaxa—hoping to win portions of the Desert from the Merida war. Saumer of Isel in secret—Volog of Kierst says there are rumors of trade agreements. Waes plays a double game and I’m sure Clutha is having fits and may bring Lyell into line. Of those to trust—only Lleyn, and perhaps Pimantal of Fessenden, for Roelstra has eyes on his city of Einar. Tell this to Sioned if you can find her, which I cannot. I know about Feruche. Get Andry to Stronghold and Sorin with him for safety, for Roelstra will attack as soon as he decides to notice Lord Davvi’s desertion. Have a care to yourself and Chay—I’ll come as soon as I can.
Tobin felt strong arms lift her up and carry her out of the hot sunlight into the cool dark manor house. The relief nearly made her cry out. It was a long while before she recovered from the length and ruthless power of Andrade’s weaving, and when she was fully aware again she found herself lying in bed, limp with exhaustion and unable even to consider arguing with Chay as he stripped off her clothes and tucked her beneath a sheet.
“Andry?” she murmured.
“He’s all right. Sorin got him into the shade, and he’s resting now in his room.” Chay sat beside her and pressed her palm to his cheek. “Damn it, Tobin,” he muttered hoarsely. “I hate this!”
“I’ll be all right, sweet,” she soothed. “It’s just that Andrade isn’t as gentle as Sioned.” She relayed the gist of the news and his shoulder muscles worked with renewed tension.
“Perfect,” he rasped. “Wonderful! Help from Lleyn and Pimantal and Volog! Islands on either side of the world, and a princedom that might as well be! Where’s the help in that?”
“The rest are either in league with Roelstra or terrified of him. With no Rialla in six years, and so much at stake now—”
There was grim determination in his gray eyes and the set of his long jaw. “Roelstra will not be attending the Rialla this year, or any other year,” he said quietly.
Tobin watched him leave, and only when he was gone did she allow the shiver to claim her. She had never seen death in his eyes before.
Davvi was not encouraged by the report of Chay’s captain the next