The Shadow Roads

Twenty-two

Menwyn Wills did not like waiting in the dark. Hisguards-and he had brought plenty of them-lit only a single lantern, and itthrew barely any light at all. The moon was a crescent so thin it hung like anarc of silver wire in the star-scattered black. Shifting from foot to foot,Menwyn flattened the tall, dew-slick grass. The scent of the river touched hisnostrils, and the air was damp and almost cool on this warm summer night. Afew feet away the river slipped by, silent as a serpent.

Menwyn reached down and slid an inch of his sword from itssheath, assuring himself that it would slip free if he needed it. Of course, hehadn’t used a blade in many years, not since he had given up the tournaments,but he trusted that the training of his youth had not abandoned him altogether.Tonight would not be a good night to find that assumption wrong.

“My lord,” one of his guards whispered.

Alerted, Menwyn stopped shifting and stood perfectly still.For a moment he heard nothing, then a small splash sounded along the bank, asthough an oar had entered the water. The dark bulk of a boat appeared almostbefore them.

“My lord?” came a voice from the river.

“Yes, Vast, is that you?”

“Do not speak my name. Voices travel far over the river.”

“Come ashore then.”

The boat hissed up onto the grassy bank, and Vast steppedquickly over the side. The lantern was brought forward and lifted up where thelight fell upon the faces of the two men. Vast pulled up the hood of thiscloak.

“Best take that away,” he whispered.

The Duke reached out and clasped Menwyn’s hand, taking hiselbow with the other.

“Is it true, then?” Vast whispered. “The Prince of Innes isdead?”

“Yes. Assassinated by one of his own guards we’re told; butno one believes it.”

“Hafydd murdered him,” Vast stated.

“Hafydd or one of his cursed guards.” Menwyn felt the heatof anger course through him. “There is even a rumor that it was Bel-dor Renne,”he whispered.

Two folding stools were set out for the noblemen, and theysat down by the riverbank, their guards around them at a respectful distance.Menwyn did not really think this was a trap. Vast was not likely to risk hisown life in this way-not that he wasn’t a brave man, but he wasn’t foolisheither. He had no way of knowing how many of Menwyn’s guards lurked in thedarkness-surely he knew it was more than a few.

“Innes was a fool to strike any kind of bargain with thatsorcerer,” Vast said softly.

“He was bespelled, that is what I think. His own son triedto warn him, but he wouldn’t listen. I’m sure Hafydd killed the son as well,for Prince Michael went off with Hafydd and didn’t return.”

Vast shifted on his stool. A guard brought them each a glassof wine, and they toasted. Menwyn could see nothing of the Duke’s face. Evenhis form was impossible to make out. He appeared bent and aged in thedarkness-like some strange creature out of a song. His voice, deep and resonant,seemed to echo out of the river.

“Innes was a fool not to accede to your demands,” Menwynsaid meekly. “Half the Renne lands; it is a bargain, I think.”

“Half the Renne lands,” Vast said, “and the right to anyother estates I can conquer upon the western shore.”

Menwyn took a deep breath. He knew it was outrageous, but healso knew he had no choice. The Renne had beaten them upon the Isle, and Menwynfeared that they would do it again. He lay awake at night wondering where theywould land their forces upon the eastern shore. Wondering what day he wouldwake to find a Renne army bearing down on him, that indomitable Toren Renne atits head.

“I agree, Vast. But first you must help me defeat the Renne.”

“That I will do, but does Hafydd not control the Prince’sarmy?”

“Hafydd is gone. He took a small company of guards, BeldorRenne, and a few others, and disappeared. A captain of his guards was left tocommand the army, but that will change this night. There aren’t a hundredguards, and they are hated. It is all arranged.”

“Ah, Menwyn, your reputation is well deserved. But what willyou do when Hafydd returns?”

“Hafydd and a handful of guards can’t stand against a wholearmy of Innes and Wills men-at-arms. Unlike that fool of a Prince, I am notunder Hafydd’s spell. I will happily have him killed if he dares return.”Menwyn thought he saw Vast nod in the darkness.

“Then let me tell you this, as a show of good faith,” Vastsaid. “Lord A’denne is a traitor. He made a bargain with the Renne. I know thisbecause I was there. And one other bit of information: Prince Michael of Inneslives. He is in Castle Renne as we speak and has offered his service andknowledge to Lord Toren.”

Menwyn cursed. “That isn’t good news. A’denne I don’t careabout. His son, Carl, ran off, and Lord A’denne was taken by Hafydd, for whatreason I don’t know. But Prince Michael … he will have supporters among his father’sarmy and among his allies …” Menwyn cursed again. “I wonder if we might notfind an assassin who will solve this problem for us?”

“The Renne aren’t fools. The attempt on the life of LordCar-ral has them wary. Prince Michael will be well guarded.”

Menwyn cursed again. “We will have to spread the rumor thatthe Prince is dead and that the Renne claim otherwise to undermine ourconfidence.”

“Yes, that might be believed,” Vast whispered, “for a while.Perhaps long enough.”

“What will you do now?”

“I will return to Westbrook and learn Toren’s intentions. Itis almost certain that they will hear of the Prince’s death and Hafydd’sdisappearance. They will try to move an army across the river to take advantageof this confusion. I will send you a message telling you the time and place.Your army is larger and better prepared. Let them land by night, and at firstlight drive them into the river. One short battle, and the Renne will beruined. We will cross the river and besiege Castle Renne, then divide theirlands between us.”

Menwyn reached out and put a hand on the Duke’s large shoulder.“Vast, your name shall ever be honored among the Wills.”

“Yes, I shall be known as the great traitor, but in twohundred years who will care?”