The High King: Book Two of the 'Riothamus' trilogy (44 page)

Aran reached
out to clasp Taran on the shoulder, “Don’t worry Captain. I’ll make
certain Alissa comes to no harm.”

Taran nodded
heavily, “I will go now and say my goodbyes to her.”

Then suddenly,
in the dirty slush he knelt down before Aran, “Ride a safe road my
king! May the Goddess and Andur’s name protect you in your
journeying.”

Heavily he
pulled himself to his feet and turning as if to go he murmured,
“Don’t look for me at the gate my lord, I too hate goodbyes…”

*

“Are all
ready?”

Aran stared
about him at the small knot of horses and soldiers by the gap where
the main gate of the enclosure would soon be erected. He counted
heads and only came up with ten, they were still six short.

“We are
waiting only on the mages,” Darven said dryly seeing Aran’s frown.
“As usual they seem to be deep in their own preparations and
unwilling to be disturbed or hurried.”

Aran glanced
towards the enclave then shaking his head at their tardiness
suddenly grinned, “You know I am awfully tempted to just ride off
without them.”

Darven grinned
too, “I only hope they prove themselves useful additions to the
group. I for one will not tolerate hangers-on.”

Alissa looked
up from where she had been fiddling with her horse’s tack and
checking the fit for the umpteenth time.

“I can see
them now…the Archmage is with them.”

Aran looked
over towards the approaching group and his face grew still, “I hope
he does not think to join us. It will be already a hard enough
journey with six mages entangling our way, without adding the
Archmage to it.”

Alissa shook
her head, “His place is with the rest of the Glaive mages, besides
he is far too old to attempt such an undertaking.” She frowned, “I
already have concerns about the fitness of Mages Trevan and
Trenny.”

Aran smiled,
“Don’t worry about Trevan. He’s the one mage who could keep the
pace…indeed I believe I think he will be the one most likely to set
the speed of the march.”

Bini grinned
at that, “He is like the old ones of the plainspeople, all hoary
and weathered, and yet with a resolve of steel.”

Darven
laughed, “Bini, you are yet turning into a bard. I am mightily glad
that you are travelling with us. By Andur, by the time we return
you will be as well skilled with words as to give even the august
Councillors pause.”

Aran grinned
when he heard the friendly banter of his companions, and then
turned and looked across as the mages led their horses and the pack
animals into their midst.

“My lord King
Arantur,” Archmage Maran said gravely and formally, “I am most
saddened by this leave taking.”

Aran’s lips
quirked imperceptibly at that, but nevertheless he courteously
inclined his head, “My lord Archmage, we go to do battle against
our greatest enemy,” he replied equally formally. “Will you give us
the Blessing for the Road?”

Maran nodded,
“I shall, but first you must know that the mages of Glaive have not
been idle over the past few hours.” He pointed over to the pack
horses, “You will find already secured all necessary backpacks,
furs and equipment that will ensure your survival in the mountains.
There is fresh food packed that will see you through to Glade, and
for the mountains we have prepared in especially sealed and oiled
packages, portions of dried meats, vegetables and fruits that you
will be able to either heat or eat as they are.”

Bini spoke up,
“My lord…my aim with the bow is true. We will feast every night on
wild fowl and other game.”

“Plainsman,
there will be little game in the winter mountains,” Drayden
interrupted, “So we will not feast, but instead dry your kills for
later meals.”

Aran saw Bini
shrug at that.

“Glade will
also supplement your supplies,” Maran went on, ignoring the
interruptions. “Out of the fibres of their plants they make some of
the lightest and strongest ropes. Ropes you may well need when you
reach the walls of Erie.”

Aran nodded,
“The small leather emergency tents have already been packed. They
will accommodate two, besides each man has an oiled, leather
groundsack in which to sleep.”

He then turned
to stare at the distant Trident Range, “We will take as much as we
can carry into the mountains, if it proves to be too much then we
will have to dig caches in the snow to off-load any unnecessary
gear.”

“Then there is
little else I can do to assist you,” Maran said at last. “I am so
sorry that it has come to this, but by the Goddess it is the only
way the Province will be ensured peace.”

Aran nodded
and stepping up to the Archmage, firmly clasped his shoulder.

“Then wish us
well and all speed.”

Maran returned
the clasp, “Ride a safe road, and May the Goddess and Andur’s name
protect you all.”

“And everyone
here” intoned Aran formally, “Look for us in the spring!”

Then, with
sudden and swift motion, the group of sixteen soldiers and mages
mounted their horses. Looking about and seeing that everyone was at
last ready, Aran held out his arm to indicate all should ride on.
With scarcely a word or even a backward glance, the group rode from
the Legion camp. Silently, the remaining Guard and legio watched
the small group leave the relative protection of the fort. Few knew
of their mission, although most guessed where they were bound.
Those who knew muttered prayers for the safekeeping of those bound
on that perilous western journey.

**

End of Book
Two

The third and
final title in the ‘Riothamus’ trilogy is called ‘Warriormage’.

*

Other fiction
titles by Rosemary Fryth

Heroic Epic
Fantasy Trilogy ‘RIOTHAMUS’:

Book One
‘Arantur’

Book Two ‘The
High King’

Book Three
‘Warriormage’

*

Contemporary
Dark Fantasy Trilogy ‘THE DARKENING’:

Book One ‘Dark
Confluence’

Book Two ‘Dark
Destination’

(Forthcoming -
Book Three ‘Dark Destiny’)

Other titles
by Rosemary Fryth:

‘Elemental’ (A
book of poems)

http://www.rosemaryfryth.com/