2.27 In Which the Dark Lord Goes Visiting

2.27 In Which the Dark Lord Goes Visiting

Instead of sleeping in a warm, cozy guest room in the luxurious Caer Yviredh, we got to camp amid the damp khora and really enjoy that crisp autumn chill up close. I didnt regret the decision, though, because while I had hammered out a foundational agreement for my alliance with Clan Yviredh, we were a long way from establishing mutual trust. I didnt exactly expect them to try to slit our throats in our sleepand Biribo would have made that a futile attempt anywaybut I preferred to both conceal our numbers and preserve our element of surprise.

The less they knew about what I was doing or could do, the better. They knew I could crack their security like a soft-boiled egg, and for now that was what mattered.

Whats that symbol on those pennants? I asked Nazralind while we lurked in the khora in the damp chill of the early morning, staring at the distant village with the manor rising up atop the hill behind it. The view was actually quite picturesque, especially with Ephemeras oddly-colored sky. It reminds me of a kanji, but I cant read it.

Ah, thats their Clan sigil, she explained. Why did you expect to be able to read it?

Blessing of Wisdom, Biribo said pointedly.

Oh! Right, I always forget about that. Sorry, Lord Seiji, thats a rare BlessingI dont think Ive actually met anyone else who has it. But no, sigils are a Fflyr artistic tradition that goes back to before the Liberation. They start as glyphs, but you arrange them on top of each other instead of in a line and then adjust the lines according to the traditional rules of the art till you get something that looks less jumbled and morewell, decorative. Every Clan has a sigil on their heraldry thats made from the glyphs for words they think represent them, but making sigils out of glyphs is one of the traditional arts and they get put on everything. Buildings, clothes, book covers Most noblewomen are taught to do it. Im surprised you havent seen more of them, Lord Seiji.

I largely havent been hanging around with highborn.

Fair point. Are, ah, kanji a similar art form?

No, theyre a form of writing, like Fflyr glyphs. Our written language uses two alphabetic scripts for its syllabary, one for native words and one for loanwords because weve imported a lot of vocabulary. Then we also have kanji, which are an older writing system where a single symbol represents a whole word.

She blinked. That soundsincredibly convoluted.

Hey, Fflyr isnt much better. You may only have one alphabet but youre still using two different writing systems. Where my mothers from, they use a script with two alphabets and no whole-word symbols. One of the alphabets is barely even used, it just designates proper nouns and the beginnings of sentences.

Now that just sounds like all the worst of both ideas. Writing anything out must take reams of paper if you have to spell the whole word phonetically every time.

Ive been wondering why the dual system in written Fflyr, by the way. The two dont even look like they were designed by the same culture.

They werent, said Biribo. Fflyr is written using the high elven alphabetic script that originated in whats now Lancor and the glyphs are remnants of Savin writing. This whole countrys history is made of the push and pull between those two cultures, up until the landbridge collapsed and Savindar was cut off. For centuries before that they were both trying to colonize these islands. Lots of back and forth, most of it unfriendly.

Thats why Caer Yviredh is all straight lines and ninety-degree angles, when Fflyr architecture is all about natural khora shapes, Nazralind added, nodding toward the manor on the distant hill. Its been remodeled multiple times and those definitely arent the original outer walls, but thats an ancient Lancoral fort. Nearly all the Clan fortresses predate the kingdom itself, on this island at least. Clans like to set themselves up on top of water sources, Spirits, and other points of interest, and there were usually fortifications already around those for the same reason.

Mm. I rubbed my chin, peering thoughtfully up at the manor. In the middle distance, the village was waking up, people beginning to disperse into the surrounding fields. Should I have one of these sigils?

I thought the whole point of being the Dark Lord is you can do business however you want, said Aster.

What she said, Nazralind agreed. But having one will make Fflyr respect you more, if you decide that matters to you. If you want a sigil, I can make one for you, Lord Seiji. Youd just have to decide what glyphs to use. So, between two and five describingwell, you. Your aims, virtues, personal fixations, whatever youd choose to emphasize.

Slimes and whores! Kastrin suggested.

Aster clamped a hand over her mouth, almost doubling over with suppressed laughter; there was no end of braying and cackling from less discreet comrades behind us.

Thats some top-notch lurking, ladies, I said acidly, turning to sweep a glare across the group. Did you all simultaneously forget we are trying to be quiet?

Theyd best remember quickly, said Biribo. Our guests of honor are heading this way.

Get it together, Aster said sharply, as if she hadnt been laughing almost as hard two seconds ago. Focus up, girls, its time to work.

We couldnt all be familiars; it was a couple more minutes before our visitors rode into sight over the hill, by which time everybody had pulled themselves together. I examined them through the very handy spyglass I had inherited from the late and unlamented Lord Arider.

Whore the riders? Nazralind asked from behind and above me, having hopped into her saddle.

Hm, I grunted, lowering and collapsing the little telescope. Interesting choice Almost the whole family. Thats Adver, Elidred and Ediver on horsebackoh, they named him a combination of their names, I just got that. Only left Avelit at home, poor kid. Ahem, and four soldiers on foot. Thats gotta be half their Clansguard.

Why on foot? Kastrin asked, adjusting her mask into place. They cant be going far if they expect them to keep up with horses.

Well, we assumed they were going to lead us into the khora, said Nazralind. Horses are no good on that terrain. Theyd break a leg within ten paces.

She patted Newnehs neck smugly, earning a soft chirp of approval. Indeed, while gwynneks couldnt match horses for either top speed or endurance on flat ground, they could go places horses simply could not, and go faster in those places than even the best scouts. Their long, sinuous bodies could navigate very tight gaps, their clawed feet had excellent purchase almost everywhere, and best of all their little stubby wings had grasping fingers on the joints; the birds could climb better than humans, and even glide for short descents, even with a rider. No one and nothing would outpace gwynneks through dense, wild khora.

Now that I had a squad of gwynnek riders, I planned to make full use of this capability. In fact, it was central to my strategy for the next phase of the campaign.

You all know your jobs, I said quietly, watching the Yrivedhs approach. Stealth is paramount; stay just close enough to keep track of us, and keep your eyes peeled ahead. Youll undoubtedly spot our target before we do. Move to surround them as soon as you have their location and wait for my signal.

You can count on us, Lord Seiji, Nazralind promised, echoed by murmurs of assent from the rest of the squad.

I nodded at her, and stepped forward with only Aster and Kastrin flanking me, while the riders and the majority of my crusaders on foot began melting away into the khora. We waited in the open while the party approached us, alert but not tense; the guards, at least, were armed, but I was not expecting an attack. Even when, as the group drew close enough, I could discern open distrust and dislike on the face of the Clansguard.

But Clan Yviredh kept indentured servants to work its own farms.

Both of them paused, since they couldnt watch where they were going while shooting me angry looks.

Our servants have always been justly provided for, Highlord Adver stated, meeting my gaze with pride and no fear for once. Clan Yviredh holds sacred its duty to kingdom and Goddess. Those chosen by Her will are to lead with virtue and shepherd their people to prosperity. The men laboring in our fields have always been given enough to eat, warm and safe housing, and sufficient time to rest. We meticulously track the value of their contributions and see them released once their debts are paid.

Dammit, they really needed to stop acting like this. I had no plans to betray my fledgling agreement with the Yviredhs but it was already going to be a real problem if it ever became necessary to do so. How could I turn on the only honorable rich people Id met in this damned place? Well, for a given value of honorable. Even Auldmaer had a ruthlessly pragmatic streak that made me more comfortable keeping him at a distance.

And yet, I said aloud, you suddenly released all your indentures.

Adver and Elidred exchanged another married look, suddenly not so prideful, and turned to resume walking.

Yes, well, the Highlord answered much less assertively, since bringing young Master Flaerdwyd into our household and conversing with him, we havelearned things about the legal system on Dount. Throughout Dlemathlys entire, as it turns out. He told us many of those pressed into indentured service had been so under fraudulent conditions, for debts not owed. Having learned that Well, a change had to be made.

This time it was I who stopped walking in sheer stupefaction, immediately causing a pileup as Aster and Kastrin ran right into me and the two and a half men bringing up the rear barely avoided knocking us all down. Someone muttered a word which I suspected they generally didnt dare speak in the presence of the family.

The Highlord and Lady had turned again at the commotion, and now Adver gave me a wry little smile. You seem surprised, Lord Seiji. Yes, I was as well. For that reason, I investigated this carefully, and I regret to assure you that it is quite true. I hope you are not too shocked to learn of it.

Shocked to learn I cut myself off, dragging a hand down my face. Highlord Adver, Im afraid you have the wrong idea. I am shocked to learn that you didnt know.

Both of them stiffened, Elidred lowering her eyes.

That may not be entirely fair, Lord Seiji, said Aster from behind me. Highborn liveinsulated lives. I have no trouble believing that those not actively participating in this countrys corruption have no idea how deep it runs.

My god, these people were hopeless. What had I gotten myself into? Well, access to highborn circles would continue to be useful even once my business with the local bandits was wrapped up, but still Unbelievable. I controlled my expression with some difficulty.

Anyway. Forgive the interruption, my lord. After you.

Adver opened his mouth as if to say something, then just nodded once, stiffly, and continued through the forest at a pace considerate of his wife in hernow that I noticed, shoes which were entirely impractical for traipsing through wild khora.

I followed in silence, helplessly wondering just how badly I had miscalculated this time.

It was the most pathetic bandit camp Id seen yet.

For one thing, unlike every other gang Id attacked, they hadnt chosen a defensible location, or even one with enough space to make a proper camp. These clowns had just planted a campfire right in the intersection of two game trails and laid out bedrolls and miscellaneous satchels of supplies along the trails themselves, which they had flattened and slightly expanded just from doing this. A couple of crude lean-to shelters had been constructed against the various khora which sprouted from the middle of their camp. You couldnt see the whole thing from any part of it, including the center.

For another, it was close to deserted. Highlord Adver had reported their numbers at nineteen men and women as of his most recent information, but we found only six just now dragging themselves out of their blankets. And not a one of them keeping watch.

Highlord! a man in exactly the kind of shabby coat I expected exclaimed, scrambling upright and kicking one of his slower companions. AndLady Elidred! Wh-what brings you? Im sorry, this place isnt fit for

Its all right, Master Viarin, Adver said soothingly. It is Viarin, correct?

AhthatsI mean, yes, my lord. Madon Viarin, your servant. He belatedly folded down his hands, the rest of the gang doing likewise. Imvery flattered you remember, Highlord.

All of them were now upright and nervously studying their guests, especially my companions and I. Kastrin was a cloaked and masked figure carrying a crossbow, Aster had that huge clearly magical sword strapped to her back, and I

Oh shit, one of them men whispered, his eyes widening. Oh fuck, oh shit, its him.

Mind your fucking language in front of the highborn, Madon Viarin hissed, then his eyes widened as he realized what hed just said. AhI meantthat is

Lets not stand excessively on ceremony, gentlemen, Adver said with an amused little smile, which immediately faded as he glanced around in concern. Master Viarin, where is everyone? Surely you cant have lost over two thirds of your number in the last week?

Ah I, um. That is, no, my lord. Theyre all well, last I heard. He ducked his head, refusing to meet the Highlords eyes. Its just Th-the other Clan. You know.

Clan Olumnach is fully invested in taking over Lady Grays abandoned territory in the Gutters, I explained. Hell have pulled all his gangs out of their usual stomping grounds and sent them into town. There is a narrow window of opportunity for him while Grays organization is reduced to broken stragglers and the civilian population are reeling from the Kingsguards crackdown. And thus, a narrow window of opportunity for me to hit his forces from the rear while they are depleted and distracted. Hence my haste in coming here.

Oh, bugger, one of the bandits whispered. I only just got used to banditry. Are we doing politics now? One of his less eloquent comrades smacked him quiet.

So lets not waste any time, I said, then raised my voice, projecting it powerfully through the forest. Ladies!

They came melting out of every shadow on command, with a skill that made me nearly shed a tear of pride. Cloaked, crossbow-toting women stepped forward, encircling all of us so suddenly that the two Yviredh Clansguard whirled and drew their swords in a panic, as did Lord Ediver. The bandits clustered together, one of them actually whimpering, as the second ring arrived behind the first: gwynneks looming over the first rank, ridden by more cloaked figures, the ladies carrying their own shortbows which they still preferred to my crossbows. At this, even Lady Elidred drew in a sharp, hissing breath.

It was beautiful. The sheer, flawlessly executed presentation of it. That was how I knew Id raised my girls right: to the last, they understood the importance of showtime.

And now, I said pleasantly, lowering my hood in a languid motion that stretched out and added weight to the moment, we will discuss who has paidthe price.