In the Earth Abides the Flame (7 page)

Outside the door Furoman bellowed with rage at being tricked. 'It seems our subterfuge hasn't done much for the noise level,' Mahnum grinned.

Farr could not stop staring at the strange figure of the Arkhos. He had never seen anyone with such dark features, in total contrast to the blond-haired Firanese he had assumed ubiquitous.

He had met losian who looked more like true Falthans than did this man.

Kurr stepped forward and stood before the Arkhos. 'Who do we have the pleasure of meeting?'

'Of course; I must introduce myself. Saraskar, Arkhos of Sarista, the Saristrian representative on the Council of Faltha.' He held out his hand.

'Kurr, farmer from Loulea, a town in the North March of Firanes,' said the old farmer, his shoulders set proudly as he shook the proffered hand. 'This is Mahnum, Trader from the same town; Farr of Mjolkbridge, a week's march from Loulea; and Perdu, originally also from Mjolkbridge but of late an adopted Fenni of Myrvidda. We're glad you could make the time to see us,' he finished with gentle irony.

'Ordinarily I see no appellants until the Council itself sees them,' came the reply, 'but here you are. Sit down, all of you.' The Company pulled couches away from the wall and sat gratefully on them. The last week had been full of waiting in corridors and standing outside doors.

'So, the famous Firanese have fallen into my lap!' Saraskar said, hands clasped under his chin, and the blood of four men went suddenly cold. 'Let me see, how does the story go? These Firanese nearly provoked an international incident by crossing Longbridge without the necessary papers, pursued by barbarian warriors from the north who certainly didn't stop for documentation. These Firanese were admitted to the city by a fellow countryman who infiltrated Instruere without authorisation, along with a companion whose status is as yet undetermined, but who plays a very skilful harp, as I myself can attest, having attended a number of his performances. Story accurate so far?'

'I'm astonished and flattered at the depth of your information,' Kurr said, his face stiff with surprise. Their attempts at secrecy had all been for nothing!

'I merely repeat the story circulating through all the wormholes in this worm-ridden building.'

The dark-skinned representative from Sarista looked at them through shrewd and calculating eyes, as they tried to keep their apprehension from showing. 'So, what is your suit?' the Arkhos asked, his tone giving nothing away.

The old farmer glanced across at Mahnum, who nodded.

'I'll explain what we want, then I'll outline our reasons,' Kurr replied, then took a deep breath.

This could be our only chance, he thought. 1 must not get angry. If only Phemanderac and Hal were here.

'We have come to Instruere to seek an audience with the Council because we believe Faltha is in immediate danger of being invaded by Bhrudwo.'

Saraskar's eyes widened a little, but he showed no other reaction.

'We believe the Council of Faltha should immediately mobilise the armies of their member countries to face this threat, thereby defusing it or at least meeting it head-on. The depth of our belief in this situation is shown both from our long journey through the northern winter to Instruere, and from our continued struggle to be heard by the Council, even after our resources were exhausted.'

'Forgive me for saying so,' the Arkhos said in his deep, resonant voice, 'but I find it unlikely that a group of farmers and artisans from the most westerly and - how shall I say it? -

undeveloped of Falthan countries would know of a Bhrudwan threat when neither Sna Vaztha or Piskasia, who lie across the border from that land, have anything to say about it, at least to my knowledge. So I need to know what evidence you have. Should you convince me of the validity of your claims, I will ensure you gain an immediate audience with the Council, and I will support you openly. However, if your evidence is not substantial and incontrovertible, I will ensure that not only will you get no further hearing from any officials, but also that you are removed from Instruere itself to prevent the spread of any rumour and associated panic.

Others might argue my responsibility would not end until your deaths. Do you understand?'

The four men nodded. Each of them knew the games were over, the tale they had borne for months now was about to be put to the test, and that lives were at stake. 'That is fair,' Kurr replied, 'and prudent. Thank you for hearing us.' He looked at Mahnum, who nodded, a barely perceptible movement of his head.

The old farmer took a deep breath, and wiped the palms of his hands on his cloak. 'Two years ago now, Mahnum here was ordered by the then King of Firanes to travel to Bhrudwo disguised as a Trader, in order to investigate a report that a Bhrudwan army was being assembled. We are unsure from where this report came, though we suspect it originated from the royal household itself, who were, we believe, being infiltrated by Bhrudwan sympathisers.

It may be that someone overheard a secret conversation, or a courtier resisted the bribery of a traitor. Whatever the reason, the king was disturbed, and so sent Mahnum, the son of Firanes'

most famous Trader, to investigate.' He glanced over at the Trader.

Mahnum took over the story. '1 entered Bhrudwo easily enough, and it soon became obvious to me that there was a major upheaval in that vast land. 1 investigated further, and became convinced Bhrudwan men were being recruited for an army, but could not determine that army's identity or purpose. Then I was captured and taken to Andratan.'

Saraskar's jaw tightened.

'On Andratan I was questioned, as they quaintly put it; then, marked for death, I was told the details of a vast and intricate plan for the conquest of Faltha. With unexpected assistance I managed to escape, bearing this knowledge with me back to Faltha. However, I was trailed home by four Bhrudwan warriors of the highest order, Lords of Fear, whose task was to capture me and learn what I knew. They were most likely sent by some leader not associated with Andratan, because the Master of Andratan had already learned everything I knew.

'The warriors caught up with me just after I made it home to Loulea in Firanes, and took my wife and myself captive. However, I had told my sons what I had learned, and they organised a party of farmers and artisans, as you so rightly put it, to rescue us from the Bhrudwans if they could, and to warn Falthans about the coming invasion.'

Kurr resumed the narrative. 'A group of us pursued the Bhrudwans along the Westway, enlisting the help of Farr and Perdu here in the process. Just west of Vindstrop House, a town in the wild lands north of Treika, we ambushed the Bhrudwans and freed their captives. We also succeeded in capturing one of their number, and brought him to Instruere as a token that our story is true. We expect his interrogation will prove invaluable in confirming our story.

'Unfortunately, a marauding band of Widuz captured one of Mahnum's sons and took him south to a forest fortress. With assistance from the local forest-dwellers, Mahnum tracked them and helped set his son free. They were then pursued by the Widuz, who harried our Company until we reached the gates of Instruere, where the narrative joins with the story you know already.'

The four men watched the Councillor closely, but the expression on the face of the Saristrian ambassador gave nothing away.

'We have two main pieces of evidence to substantiate our story,' Mahnum said, filling the silence. 'First, there is the Bhrudwan warrior currently held at a secret location in this city, whom we will produce for the Council's examination. His presence will surely serve to corroborate our tale, and warn the Council that something serious is about to happen. To my knowledge none of the Lords of Fear have been seen in Faltha since the end of the Bhrudwan occupation a thousand years ago.

'The second piece of evidence is the information I carry in my head. In his quest to learn what I knew, the inquisitor on Andratan gave me full details of the plans to infiltrate Falthan leadership at the highest levels. I can tell you which Falthan kings are corrupted, and even the names of Council members who are about to betray Faltha. I reveal this only because your name, Saraskar, is not among them.' Mahnum smiled weakly. 'It has been a long time to bear such terrible secrets, and I need to pass the information on to someone trustworthy who is in a position to act. So, you see, I know things that will destroy Falthan politics, and may mean the death of many people, if the information is misused. My life, and (he lives of many others, are in your hands.'

The Arkhos of Sarista tried to remain impassive, but his clasped hands shook and his knuckles were white. 'The proper course is to report to the Firanese king, or to his Regent as I understand the present situation is. If they would not see you, you might try rhe Firanese ambassador. Were these roads tried?' His voice was unnaturally quiet.

'No, they were not.' Mahnum spoke with care. 'As I said, Arkhos, I know the names of all those who are traitors to Faltha. You may draw your own conclusions.'

And you would not have spoken to me if my name had been one of those mentioned on Andratan?'

'No.'

Are you sure the names are accurate?' Saraskar asked. 'In the time since you were on Andratan, could others not have been recruited to the Bhrudwan cause?'

'Perhaps,' said Mahnum, doubt in his voice. 'My inquisitor seemed certain of his information.

Indeed, I gained the impression that he was the mastermind behind the whole thing.'

'The Destroyer himself?' Saraskar looked sceptical.

The Trader shrugged his shoulders.

'Your life truly is in my hands,' the ambassador agreed, standing suddenly and locking the door with a key attached to a chain about his waist. 'You were foolish, perhaps, to reveal so much to me. Do you know what the Instruian method is for dealing with such situations?'

The four men shook their heads.

'They would take you to their deepest dungeon and there introduce you to a number of sophisticated instruments designed to nssist you in telling them everything they wished to know about these names. Cruel but very effective, I am told. Then once your information was theirs, they would see no reason to keep you alive.

In fact, they would see many reasons to make you dead. Do you understand me?'

Four heads nodded.

'Fortunately for you, I am not an Instruian, and I despise their methods, unworthy of the descendants of the First Men. Also to your good fortune, I am one of the few to whom this story could be told without guaranteeing your untimely deaths. But be assured: you are in greater danger in this city than you ever were on your undoubtedly hazardous journey here.'

He thought for a moment. 'I am inclined to take your story seriously, if not yet wholly give credence to it, because it confirms a number of things I myself have suspected for some time, but have not been willing to believe.

'If you will give me the names of the traitors on the Council of Faltha, I will arrange a hearing for you, so you can accuse them to their face,' the ambassador continued. 'I am in no position to move against them, you understand. My powers here in Instruere are tightly prescribed, and I have only a few personal guards for my protection. I promise to reveal your secret to no one.

But you must understand the danger to you is greater than any danger I face, for whether your story is true or not, those you accuse on the Council will seek your deaths in order to ensure that others do not hear your accusations. With this in mind, do you wish to continue? Or would you perhaps prefer to flee Instruere now, while you still can, and leave me to investigate the story?'

Mahnum turned to the others. 'Can we risk it?' he breathed.

'We're committed now,' Perdu answered. 'If we refuse, he might betray us.'

'And what better chance than this will we be able to manufacture?' Farr said. 'We must risk everything or make a swift escape from Instruere.'

'We'll probably have to do that anyway,' said Kurr. "The Arkhos is right. If we accuse members of the Council, they will seek our deaths whether the Council believes us or not.'

Mahnum stood. 'I'll tell you the names,' he said. 'We'll see the Council.'

*

* *

The door closed on the four northerners, leaving Saraskar, Arkhos of Sarista, alone with his thoughts, and unrelievedly dark ones they were. The little things he had been trying to ignore

- the knotted groups in the hallways, the reluctance of the Instruian Guard to take his orders, the rise and rise of the Arkhos of Nemohaim, the new-found wealth of some of his colleagues

- now added up to betrayal. And within one day the traitors would be unmasked, for the Council would meet tomorrow and he would ensure the northerners gained a hearing for their tale.

But would that serve only to speed up the Bhrudwan plans? Surely deception on this scale must be well planned to remain so completely hidden. In that case, would the traitors not have plans to cope with an untimely exposure? And would they not deal harshly with the ones who accused them?

He was afraid; there was no doubting that. Perhaps if he had been in Instruere on his own .. .

but Sarista was a thousand miles and more to the south, and his wife and his two dear girls would not remain separated from him, insisting that they accompany him to the famed city of Faltha. Now he was in danger, and therefore they were in danger also.

Would there be enough time to spirit them away? He sighed, knowing there would not.

Permission had to be sought, papers signed, guards assigned to them; all this would take time.

Could he delay the northerners until his family was safely out of Instruere?

Then he thought for a moment of the bravery these Firanese farmers had already shown, and he was ashamed. Ashamed, and angry; angry at his supposed friends and colleagues on the Council for betraying him, his countrymen, and all he stood for. He could not run. The Arkhos of Sarista needed to play his part in the defence of Faltha, and he needed to play it now.

That night the basement of Foilzie's tenement was the scene of much excited talk. After weeks of hard work and disappointment, the Council of Faltha would meet with them the next afternoon. Saraskar had specifically requested the attendance of all members of the Company, so each would have to ask for time away from their work. Saraskar of Sarista proved to be an important ally, promising to support their cause by sponsoring their appearance before the Council, though they could all see that this placed him in no small danger.