The Crown of blood

II

Furlthia was waiting outside the house. Anglhan's bodyguard of legionnaires closed in on the former landship mate as he crossed the street, but Anglhan called them off.

"Sorry about that," Anglhan said as Furlthia fell into step beside him, pitching his voice so that the soldiers could hear him. "Put a uniform on them and they turn into idiots."

"You're the one that gave them uniforms," Furlthia reminded him quietly. Anglhan replied with a non-committal grunt. "Anyway, I've got some news for you," Furlthia continued.

"Am I going to like it?" asked Anglhan, heaving himself up the step of a carriage.

Furlthia walked around the other side and pulled himself through the curtains.

"No," he said. "Aegenuis is calling a council of chieftains. He wants the tribes to unite and take back Magilnada."

Anglhan slouched back into the thick cushions and shrugged.

"What he wants and what he gets are different things. Aegenuis could probably count on the tribes that were moved out of the Free Country, they'd want to get their lands back. What does anyone else care?"

"He knows what's going on in Askhor, and the turmoil your friend Ullsaard is causing. He's going to tell the tribes that after Magilnada they're going to move into Anrair."

"That's war with Askh," laughed Anglhan. "Nobody's that stupid, not even the chieftains."

"You haven't been duskwards for years, you haven't got any idea what it's like out there," said Furlthia, leaning towards Anglhan in agitation. "It's getting crowded and all the best timber, ore and grain is coming this way because the Askhans can pay more for it. People are starving, Anglhan, even with plentiful harvests! You don't understand how much hatred there is for the Askhans. Aegenuis has been frightened of poking the beast that's left him alone so far. By taking Magilnada, your general has shown Aegenuis that he can't expect the peace to last much longer. Either the tribes attack now, or suffer later."

Furlthia had been right; Anglhan did not like the sound of this. Not one bit.

"How long?" Anglhan asked, dreading the answer.

Now it was Furlthia's turn to shrug.

"By the end of the summer, surely," he said.

"Ullsaard will be king by the time spring is over," said Anglhan, speaking with confidence, though he was far from certain. "He'll not let Magilnada fall."

"And if Ullsaard fails? What happens then?"

Anglhan didn't answer. I'll be stuck between Lutaar and Aegenuis, he thought. Neither of them wants me here. He put on a brave smile and looked at Furlthia.

"Ullsaard won't fail."