MeetingInArden(Continued from Return of the Queen) Up ahead, Gillian could see Malachi and Lakan approaching. They appeared deep in discussion. She turned back to Raina and enveloped her in a fierce hug. "I will keep your words in mind," she whispered. Raina stiffened for an instant, and then warmed to the hug. She returned it with fierceness. Gillian let go of Raina and raised her hand to greet the men. "Malachi, how fare you? Where have you been and what have you been doing?" As Malachi came closer, he could see exhaustion in the lines of her face and in the dark smudges under her eyes. The front of her skirt was stained with dried blood. Whereas, aside from some road dust, Malachi seemed in his usual great good health. It was reassuring in a way, somethings never change, and Malachi seemed to be one of them. Much had changed in his one-reticent attitudes, but he remained the sturdy, patient, faithful island of certainty he had always been. He smiled down at Gillian and, sliding from his saddle, sketched a small but friendly bow to the two women. "I fare well, my friend. -We- fare well," he said, tapping the side of his head. "And are glad to see you both well. Miss Gillain, you look exhausted. Take my horse. I will walk while you ride. I could use some time out of the saddle anyway." If she agreed, Malachi helped her mount up into the saddle. Gillian shrugged and let Malachi settle her into the saddle. She sat sidesaddle, not wanting to pull up her long skirts. "When you say 'we,' do you Mirelle?" she asked Malachi conversationally. "I saw Bob earlier and when I asked about Mirelle he said one of us stole her away from him." "She did that herself," said Malachi. "And yes. She's here with me. I gave her a chance to break free from him and she took it." "I have ridden across half of creation, to the Rose Pattern and back. I've come with an amazing army, and better yet, with Corwin. Still, I ride as always with only the slightest picture of what is happening and what I might do to help. Can you fill me in on what's happening here and what has happened to you and the others? And perhaps help me coordinate my army's movements with the other commanders? I assume that includes Benedict and Julian. Maybe Gerard or Random?" Raina moved to Lakan's side, silently taking his hand. He smiled at her, affectionate but reserved. They listened to the pair speak, not ready to interject their own agenda. "Let's walk back toward the castle," Gillian suggested. "There's a lot to tell, and I'd like to hear about your doings in more detail, too." "I'd like that too," said Malachi. "You're the smartest person I know, and Mirelle and I have a problem. We were hoping to talk to you about it. I guess it's all pretty academic now unless we manage to live through the day. So hopefully we can talk about it tomorrow." Gillian raised her eyebrows. "Oh?" "Yes, Ma'am. I'd be obliged for some of your time and thoughts. But then, not now. It looks as though Corwin is ready for us." Behind them, Corwin concluded his Trump contact. Whatever had been said must not have been agreeable. He immediately joined Raina and Lakan, and struck up a quiet conversation with them. His apparent unease spread to them. Lakan jerked a quick nod and hurried off - heading toward the eastern flank of the two armies. "It looks like something's happened, or is about to happen," Gillian commented to Malachi. She slid off the horse and walked over toward Raina and Corwin. Malachi followed along, leading the horse. "You look like a man who's bitten a bad apple," he said to Corwin. Gillian said nothing, waiting for either Corwin or Raina to reply. Corwin sighed, "As I suspected, Julian is on his way. Benedict has tried to unruffled his feathers, but that boy is more high-strung than an October stag hopped up on Red Bull. No telling what our reception will be like." Raina nodded, "Indeed. We'd best make for a pleasant welcome." She turned to Lakan, "Coul you speak with our lieutenants and have them form ranks? I doubt Julian would be foolish enough to attack us, but let us be prepared, shall we/" Lakan touched her hand, "Of course, my lo... queen." He smiled politely at the others and headed off. Malachi wished he could send the same order to his own army, but having traveled to the meeting via a trump, he had no way to quickly get word to them. They would have to survive on the standing order he'd already given them. Corwin rubbed the back of his neck, "Anything I should know about Julian these days? He still a complete prig?" "I don't think I've met him for more than a passing moment," said Malachi. "And I felt he was no more than distant at the time. Still, that is the reputation he has, yes sir." He looked to Raina and Gillian for confirmation. Gillian shrugged. "I've not met him, so I can't offer an opinion. However..." she turned back to Corwin, "The Nyx will be here in less than 48 hours, so in-fighting is valueless and unproductive. Surely he would see the sense of this?" Corwin sighed, “Julian has never allowed impending doom to come before his personal vendettas. Then again, even an asshole can change its spots.” He glanced up at two figures approaching, “More friends of yours?” They could see Temnal and Rusalka approaching from Raina’s side of the field. Raina smiled faintly, nodding in welcome. Gillian smiled too, happy to see Rusalka alive and well. Even with the larger dooms hanging over their heads, there were still reasons to celebrate the smaller victories. "Have you contacted the king?" Gillian asked Corwin as they arrived. "He may not answer a trump call--when I left he was in a crisis situation with the healing of Vialle, who was wounded during Rinaldo's attack. "But he would be able to order Julian down before this degenerated into bloodshed." Corwin stiffened, "Vialle is hurt?" His voice was concerned, yet frosty... as if a man told his favorite sister had been harmed. "And no. I could only contact Benedict." "Rinaldo stabbed her," Gillian explained. "He's dead now. Rhea killed him," she added for Rusalka's benefit. Temnal reflected that he could hardly blame her. "I find it hard to believe that Julian would want to attack an allied army on the eve of a battle," said Malachi. "He might have some strongly-worded opinions, but our presence here is in his own interests as well. Why don't we just try to contact him and coordinate with him. Maybe if I do it instead of one of the royals with whom he has history, we might be able to circumvent all of that." Raina nodded, "I agree with Malachi. Despite his well-known temper, Julian remains a loyal servant of Amber. If Amber is in danger, he would not risk further trouble to fulfill a half century old grudge. Speaking with him directly might be the best course of action. I, however, lack his Trump." Corwin shuffled through his pack, finally pulling out a card - depicting a harsh, angular man in white armor. "Any takers?" Gillian looked back at him blandly. He and most of the two armies jumped with alarm, as a distant scream echoed across the valley. As loud as a mountain's birth cry. The euphoric shriek of a thunderstorm. It could only be a dragon's call. "Do I dare ask?" Corwin muttered. Gillian shielded her eyes. "I'm guessing that was a joyful noise? Either Pelegeya succeeded in bonding with Etrosk, or Etrosk succeeded in eating her. I suspect the former. If he'd eaten Fiona, she would have given him indigestion." "Certainly joyful," Temnal agreed. There was a note in the distant cry that reminded him of Sekhmet's exultation when she was able to fly free. Corwin blinked, “Etrosk? I remember a dragon by that name during the Battle of Kolvir.” He smiled faintly, “And yes, Little Apple is a tad bitter.” They all felt a whoosh - so strong it pushed them backwards. Something of considerable size had just flown over them. A shadow arched back into the silvery sky, sinuous and winged. Gillian waved. Malachi watched, concerned. Temnal peered upward and thought he could discern a rider on the dragon's back. That was encouraging, as far as it went. Almost simultaneously, Gillian felt a Trump contact. She realized, however, it probably had nothing to do with the diving dragon. Her hand faltered as she recognized the caller. Gillian paused, then walked a few steps away from the others. <Hello> she answered softly. Corwin extended his hand to Raina, “Madame. Before things escalate, I suggest we move down the road. At the very least, we should help these people reach the city.” Raina nodded, “Agreed, Prince Corwin.” She took his hand and shook it. Aaaand Malachi still had no idea who was in charge or where the enemy was. Mounting up his horse, he saluted Corwin Raina. "By your leave, sir, I'll return to the army after Gillian finished her trump. I don't wish to leave her alone here." "I'll stay in her vicinity in case she needs help," Temnal offered. Corwin was about to agree with Malachi when Gillian flicked out of existence. He stared at the emptiness where she’d been and shook his head. “I guess she had more pressing issues to attend to.” He climbed atop his steed, “Lady Raina, if you’d join me, I suggest we ride down the road and make arrangements for our two groups.” Raina nodded, “And the refugees.” “Of course.” He turned to Malachi, “My friend. I place you in charge of our army. March them to base of Kolvir and set up a temporary camp. No barricades or buttresses, if you would. I don’t want our arrive to appear like a siege. I’m sure the King will provide us with new orders soon enough.” "Yes, sir," said Malachi. "If you hear from Prince Benedict or Prince Julian, please ask them to send me word of their dispositions." Raina nodded to Rusalka, “Could you speak with Lakan? Have him clear the road for Prince Malachi’s army. We will carry up the rear, since our troops will require more time to march.” Rusalka wet her lips, nervous with the responsibility. “Yes, madame.” Malachi snorted in amusement. "I'm no prince, ladies. Not even noble-born. I'm just a woodsman's boy from Karm." With that, he turned his horse's head back towards his army and gave its flank a gentle kick. [Gillian continued in Me Myself and Seabhac] |
