The Swans' War 1 - The One Kingdom (49 page)

Horns were sounded then and cymbals clashed. The marshals of the fair stood up upon the landing to Lady Beatrice's right, and the crowd fell silent. A marshal, a famous knight of years gone by, stepped forward.” The fair at Westbrook is ended for another year," he called, "but there is one small matter left undone. We have not had our parade of champions. Come up now, all who triumphed at the fair. Take off your masks so that we might see you.""What is this?" Tamasked Cynddl.

"The parade of champions," the story finder said.” Were you not listening?"The victors began emerging from the crowd, removing their masks as they came. They mounted the two steps to the rostrum and took their place in a line of archers and knights and men-at-arms. The marshals then had each man step forward and announced his name and his feats. Pwyll Stagshanks—not one of the noble names that most knights bore—could not boast a long list of tournaments won, but this didn't seem to matter much to the guests who cheered him almost as they had Toren Renné . The champions were all directed to chairs, and no sooner were they seated than young men rushed forward to bear the chairs up. They were carried thus, three times around the hall, while everyone cheered them and sang a song Tarn did not know. Young women threw roses to the victors as they passed, and by the third circuit Toren Renné was nearly smothered in them so that they fell upon the floor, leaving a trail of crimson where he passed. Pwyll looked distinctly uncomfortable as he was jolted about on his chair, high above the heads of the costumed men who bore him. Finally, and to Pwyll's great relief, the champions were lowered to the floor. He had come to rest not far from Tarn and beside Toren Renné .” What shall I do with all these roses?" Pwyll said to the Renné lord. Toren gestured.” This servant will take them," he said.” Now don your mask again." "But everyone knows who I am." "It doesn't matter. You must be masked, all the same. Only Lady Beatrice requires no costume. Now you must try to dance with every woman who tossed you a rose. You did note who they were, I hope?" "I did not." Toren shook his head and smiled.” Well, you will be considered terribly unchivalrous if you do not make a valiant attempt to do your duty.""But, Lord Toren, I should still be dancing tomorrow night if I danced with them all."Toren laughed.” It is unseemly to boast. But there will be two dozen short dances to begin, so that you may discharge most of your duty. You will be expected to dance every one, and each with a different partner.""But I do not know the steps.""Too late to think of that now. They're not so difficult. Ah, here—the first dance. Find a partner, and good luck to you."The dances were remarkably short and punctuated by much laughter and a rush to find new partners. All the uninjured men-at-arms participated, and the young women— some of them very young—were willing partners. Tam saw Pwyll dancing with a girl no more than six. She was dressed as a sprite and danced as one, too, to the delight of onlookers.

Tam found himself being gently pulled out onto the floor, and danced with a princess, a sorceress, a cloud rider, a ghost. A huntress, a seamstress, a milkmaid, a dwarf. He also danced with a bear, who he suspected was no lady at all.

And then as he stood, red faced and gasping, the serious dancing began, and he found himself suddenly standing on the side. A man dressed all in gray gazed oddly at Tam.” Meet me on the terrace, Tamlyn Loell," he said, and then turned and slipped back into the crowd.

Cynddl appeared just then.” Out of breath, are you?"Tam nodded, his face hot beneath his mask.” I've just met our friend. We're to go out to the terrace.""Ah," Cynddl said.” And so it begins."Prince Michael watched Elise dancing with her father, who she guided with a practiced hand. Every movement, every gesture, spoke of her love for this man. One did not need to see her face to know that.

Lord Carral Wills had appeared, wearing a mask with no eye slits at all. He was a seer, predicting futures for all who asked. Prince Michael did not ask.

Hafydd and his guards were poised about the dance floor, watching. Many men present, and even a few women, wore blades that night, but most of the others were merely painted wood. Hafydd and his guards bore steel.

A giant and a dancing bear lumbered about the dance floor together and actually jostled Elise and Lord Carral so that they stopped dancing. Prince Michael was about to go forward when he saw them all nod and bow, and then the giant and bear lumbered off.

A minstrel happened by just then, playing upon a small instrument called a traveler's lute.” Lord Mwynfawr," he said, bowing absurdly low.” You should not look so forlorn, my lord. Perhaps all will turn out well in the end."He began to sing a familiar song, but as he passed close by the lyric changed.” Dance the last dance with your bride, and then apart shall you abide," the minstrel sang, and strolled leisurely on his way.

The Prince felt his mouth go suddenly dry. This stranger really would try to snatch Elise from beneath Hafydd's nose. He shook his head. Certainly it couldn't be done, not to Hafydd.

Elise was dancing with her father and holding back tears. How good it felt to have him near, someone who loved and cared for her. She had been so long among rogues and strangers and brutes. This thought made her feel suddenly that she must protect her father, for he knew so little of what went on around him. But this night it was she who was in danger.” Hafydd knows what is planned," she said urgently.” It cannot work now. Alaan has failed again." "Alaan ..." her father said oddly.” Then what shall we do? I will take up with the Renné rather than let you go again."Elise hesitated. She did feel a tear come to her eye now. It quivered on her lid and then spilled over and ran down outside her golden mask so that she did not feel it.

A giant jostled her just then, and her father almost fell.” I must find Angeline," the giant said to his partner.” Angeline A'drent. I have what she seeks." And then with a nod and an apology, he danced off.

Elise stood utterly still for a moment, and then took her father's hand again. She leaned close to him.” I think I've found a way to escape," she whispered.

"Elise, you won't do something desperate and foolhardy?""Foolhardy? No," she said.” Father... would you love me if I changed?""What do you mean, changed?"

"If I went away and came back and you hardly recognized or knew me." The dance ended and the dancers all began to applaud.” Would you still love me?" Elise said over the din.

"I would love you no matter what," her father said.

She leaned forward to kiss his cheek, but instead felt her mask press against his, her lips touch the inside of her own outer face.

Beneath her robe Llyn wore the gown of a fairy princess, but the outer robe was that of an executioner, with its black hood and narrow eye slits. She attended the ball as a servant of Death.

What a wicked man this Alaan was, playing such a prank on her! As everyone would assume such a costume was worn by a man she danced with women, forgetting regularly that she should lead. As executioners were never supposed to speak, she was saved from having to try to disguise her voice.

She saw Toren doing his noble best to dance with all the maidens who'd thrown him roses. She longed to dance with him herself, but her costume would not allow it. Instead, she admired his grace and charm from afar, watching the young ladies blush and gaze at him raptly. It was almost more than she could bear. Toren, who was destined for a marriage that would strengthen the Renné . She took a long breath and it escaped raggedly.

"Everything proceeds as it should," a muffled voice said.

She turned to find a man dressed drably in gray.

"Do I know you, sir?" she asked.

"I am a traveler," the man said, his voice disguised by a layer of cloth, "a pilgrim, perhaps. Before me flies a small bird crying a warning to the sons of men—though they pay it no heed.""It is always thus. I study history so that I might learn life's pitfalls, but no one cares to hear of this.""Are you confident of your part?""No, but I will manage."

He bowed to her and swept away.

Arden thought the dancers that night looked like puppets, false and petty. Although he loved to dance he didn't step out among them and was thankful for the mask that hid his face. He had recourse to his wine goblet often, and felt a blessed blurring of his senses, the tiniest alleviation of his guilt. An executioner stood nearby, he realized, and Arden thought there was something familiar in the man's stance.” Dease?" he said aloud without meaning to. The executioner turned toward him quickly, and Arden felt a flash of panic.” What say you, good executioner?" he said jovially, waving his wineglass.” Have you come to ply your craft among the dancers?" The executioner looked pointedly at Arden's goblet.” You shall regret what you do this night, Arden Renné . You shall regret it most deeply." I Tam found the others and shepherded them outside. Laughter came from the small gatherings of men and women scattered about the terrace. A few men had even pushed up their masks for a moment, revealing the flushed faces beneath. In their colorful costumes and in the faint light, Tarn thought these people looked a bit like sea life stranded by an ebbing tide.

Alaan appeared at the head of a stair from the garden and gazed at them a moment before shaking his head.” A giant, a minstrel, a vain king, a thief. What a ragtag band I've formed." He caught Fynnol's eye.” For the highwayman," he said, and he tossed a purse to the Valeman, who caught it deftly.” That's all the gold I received for your goods, Fynnol," he said, "but satisfy yourself."Fynnol shook his head and tucked the purse inside his costume.” It is enough," he said.

Cynddl produced the flute and gave it to Alaan, though he hesitated as though he didn't want to part with it.

Alaan took the box almost reverently and put it away without opening it.” Hafydd knows what costume I wear, though he doesn't know I've hidden that costume beneath this robe. When the last dance is announced I will appear dressed as Hafydd expects and he will come after me." Alaan turned and pointed out into the lantern lit garden.” Do you see the rowan tree, there?"A second of hesitation.” I see it," Cynddl said.

"There is a path that begins beside it and leads out of the garden. When the last dance is announced, meet me there. Don't be a second late, for Hafydd will not hesitate once he sees me.""And what of Elise?" Fynnol asked.

"Freeing Elise is the task of others. Concern yourself only with our own duties." He looked at each of them.” Be warned," he said.” Hafydd's guards wear mail shirts."Tarn thought Alaan was about to say more, but then he nodded to them and disappeared through the doors and into the crowd like a man falling into water.

"Was there any sound of dancing in your dream of Death's gate?" Fynnol asked Baore.

The big man shook his head.

"Then let's find partners," Fynnol said, turning to go inside.” The dance doesn't last forever."Tam lingered by a wall, watching the swirling waves of color. Somehow he didn't really believe he was at such an affair. It was like a macabre dream, legged snakes dancing with maidens, Knights of the Vow waltzing with stiff-walking trees. He could see Fynnol, the highwayman, dancing—desperately dancing—trying to steal a last few moments of this grand life for fear it would disappear forever. Here is Fynnol's dream of the larger world, Tam thought. The world of wit and wealth and beautiful women. But it will soon take a turn Fynnol hasn't seen in his dreams. He found Baore still standing by a pillar. The big man had been there for an hour, awaiting the call of the last dance. He seemed strangely calm to Tam, towering over everyone present, his shod staff in hand. Cynddl he could not find, look as he might. The party of the Prince of Innes gathered near a door, for the cooling breeze, no doubt. Tam had heard that Menwyn Wills and his wife stood with them, taunting the Renné . How petty this seemed to him. Alaan appeared rather unconcerned about the Renné and the Wills for a man who had gone to such lengths to steal Elise Wills away. Hafydd was his concern now. Hafydd, whose men had tried to kill them for the crime of associating with Alaan. Alaan, who Elise claimed was a sorcerer. After what had happened at Telanon Bridge, they should have taken the advice of friends and family and stayed in the Vale. But they had been lured by Cynddl's promise of horses, and a little adventure. A little adventure. *,~ dean Russell As the dance came to an end, horns sounded and the grand marshal of the fair appeared on the rostrum.” The final dance, ladies and gentlemen all. The final dance of the Renné ball."Tarn felt suddenly warm from head to foot. He worked his shoulders to loosen them, checked that his sword slid easily in its scabbard, and set out across the room for the doors.

He spotted Alaan just at that moment, only a few paces off. The traveler shed his gray robe, and after a second of hesitation stepped out onto the dance floor within sight of the Prince of Innes's gathering.

Tarn pushed his way rudely through the throng and ran for the door.

Anticipating the final dance, Llyn found her maid just before it was announced.” Go show yourself to the Wills, then retreat to the far corner. The instant the room goes black you are to dash for the doors and make straight up to my rooms. Do you hear?"Llyn turned to the nearest woman.” Have you a partner?"The lady shook her head.

"Then please dance with me."

The woman nodded and the two spun out onto the dance floor. Llyn's maid was wearing the costume Hafydd was looking for, which unsettled Llyn more than a little. It was one thing to risk herself.... But Alaan had assured her the maid would be safe. She prayed he was right.

There was disturbance near the door, some pushing and grumbling, but it passed. Prince Michael and Elise Wills were dancing, moving slowly out into the center of the floor. Llyn moved to meet them. If only she knew when this promised darkness would descend—and how Alaan thought he would manage that!

A drunken giant, dancing without a partner, lumbered by,narrowly missing knocking them down.

Bile suddenly spewed up in her throat, and she mis-stepped, almost tripping on her long robe. Perhaps she was not such a heroine after all.

Tam and Cynddl arrived together at the head of the garden stairs.” There is Fynnol!" Cynddl said, pointing back to the doors.” He'll catch up," Tam said. But then, "Where is Baore?" "Let Baore worry about himself," Cynddl said, grabbing Tarn's shoulder and pulling him down the stairs. The story finder tugged off his mask as they went, to the surprise of people ascending the stair. Their eyes went very wide when the Fael drew his sword. They took the main gravel path that split the garden, skirting the fountain and the flirting couples. They ran as though they were being chased, feet striking the ground hard, sending sprays of gravel to batter the bordering flowers. Near the end of the path Cynddl leapt the flower bed and sprinted across the lawn. As they came to the rowan tree he pulled up, turning to look back. Tam caught him and did the same. Coming down the steps was a lone figure, drawing behind him a wave of men that appeared to topple and break down the stairs. Just past the fountain a small figure was running furiously.” That is Fynnol in the lead and next Alaan, I think," Tam said.” But where is Baore? This is not like him." Cynddl stared for a moment, his features set and hard.” Baore said he had some errand to perform for the nagar, Tam. I fear he serves no one else now. Even concern for his friends in need will not be greater than his duty to that thing." Tam closed his eyes for a second, but then Fynnol shouted as he leapt the flower bed.” Where is Baore?" "We don't know," Cynddl called. Fynnol arrived panting, and turned toward the castle. Tarn didn't think he'd seen a man run as fast as Alaan. The traveler blew down the gravel path like a breeze of wind, outpacing the men who chased him. In a moment he leapt over the flowers and came toward the companions across the grass.