Wellspring of Chaos

LXXXVIII

When Kharl woke again, he could see. He was quartered in a corner room in the keep, with white plaster walls and a wide window, its shutters open to the south. The high bed was of triple width, and had sheets of fine cotton, the kind Charee had dreamed of and Kharl could never have afforded. For a moment, sadness washed over him, and tears streamed from the corners of his eyes. Were all luxuries that costly? He blotted the tears awkwardly, wishing he were not crying, trying to ignore the figure hovering over him.

“Are you all right?”

Lyras had vanished. In his place was a young woman wearing a dark tunic and trousers, with her black hair tied back, and very intent brown eyes.

“Just…I’m better.” How could he explain? “Better,” he repeated.

When he could speak, he asked, “Who are you?” Then he tried to look at her more closely, and, abruptly, the blackness dropped across his vision as though he had raised the light shield.

“I’m Alidya. I’m a healer in learning. Lyras summoned me.”

Kharl forced himself to relax, not to think about seeing. “What happened?”

“What do you mean, Master Kharl?”

“I don’t remember much after I got Lord Ghrant to the ship.”

“No one could believe that you rescued him and killed the white wizards. I’m sure you know, but there wasn’t a mark on them. Not on Ilteron, either. Master Lyras, he said that the ways of the black mages are mysterious…Is it true…oh, I’m not supposed to be talking, not so much. Would you like some lager or some ale?”

“Lager…that would be good.”

“Just a moment, ser…I’ll be right back.” Her voice died away, as did the sound of sandals on stone.

Kharl sat in his darkness. Why had he been able to see, then not see? He’d tried to concentrate on seeing the young healer…and it was as if the concentration had brought on the blindness.

Within moments, it seemed, he heard Alidya’s steps returning.

“Here, ser. I’ve got your lager.”

Kharl managed to locate the tankard-a real tankard and not a clay mug-with his order-senses and take it from Alidya’s hands. He took a slow swallow, then another, enjoying the taste of perhaps the best lager he’d ever had. Sometime after the third or fourth swallow, his sight returned, but he did not look directly at Alidya, just enjoyed the indirect light flooding around him and the distant hills to the south through the window.

“You didn’t tell me what happened afterward, after…”

Alidya smiled. “Oh, it was glorious. Lord Hagen rallied the lancers and drove back the attackers and raised Lord Ghrant’s banner. Then he sent a message to the highland lords, and, when they learned that Ilteron and the white wizards were dead, they agreed to return to their lands and recognize Lord Ghrant as supreme ruler of Austra.”

“Ah…” Kharl couldn’t believe it had been so simple. It could not have been that easy, could it?

“Well…he did have to send some captive officers back who saw Lord Ghrant so that they could say that he was alive, and he had to promise that he wouldn’t execute any of the rebel lords. They say that Lord Ghrant wasn’t happy about that.”

“That was all?”

“There was one other thing,” Alidya said. “The rebels wouldn’t agree unless Lord Ghrant named Lord Hagen as both his chancellor and arms-commander.”

Kharl couldn’t help chuckling. He would have rolled with laughter if he hadn’t known it would have hurt too much. Even the chuckling sent spasms through his ribs and muscles.

“I don’t think that’s at all funny.” Alidya’s voice turned prim.

Kharl managed to stop chuckling.

“Why did you laugh, ser?”

“I can’t explain…except…” Kharl shook his head. “Someday…someday, you’ll understand.”

A pained look crossed the young woman’s face, but she did not ask again.

“If I could have some more lager…?” Kharl asked after finishing the tankard.

“Yes, ser.”

Kharl could only drink a third of what she brought before he had to put it down. He was far more tired than he had thought, and who knew how many days he’d been abed?

Later that afternoon, a half glass after Kharl woke from dozing off, Hagen appeared.

“Lord Hagen!” Alidya bolted upright from the chair beside Kharl’s bed.

“You can go, Alidya, and close the door on the way out.”

“Ser…”

“Kharl will be fine, and if he needs you, I’ll call you.”

“Ah…yes, ser.”

Hagen waited until the door closed. “I owe you again.” His mouth twisted into a wry smile. “And you owe me, after a fashion.”

“Alidya told me about your having to be the lord-chancellor.”

“And arms-commander.”

“Lord Ghrant must not be terribly pleased,” offered Kharl.

“He’s relieved that he’s still Lord of Austra, and Lady Hyrietta has prevailed upon him to keep whatever anger he may have to himself.”

“What will you do with the Seastag?”

“Furwyl will become captain, and the others will move up, except for Bemyr. He’ll always be a bosun.” Hagen looked at Kharl. “Lord Ghrant will be honoring you.”

“I didn’t do it for honor.”

“You’ll pardon me if I didn’t tell him that. I did say that you had seen injustice in your past and that you could not allow it to triumph in Austra if you could help it.” Hagen grinned crookedly.

For a moment, Kharl did not understand the grin. Then he smiled broadly. “That was almost evil, Lord Hagen.”

“What? To remind him that a lord’s task is to seek justice? To suggest that he owes his entire rule to a man who sought justice?” Hagen’s grin faded. “We are at least fortunate that he is one on whom that makes an impact. Though he will need frequent reminders.”

Thinking of Ilteron-and Egen-Kharl nodded.

“You will be honored. I would guess a purse, a small continuing stipend and estate, and the support of Lord Ghrant, which is not to be dismissed, even here.”

“I had not thought…” Kharl had indeed not thought of rewards…or of the possibility of remaining in Austra, and Hagen’s words said that his entire future might well be different-if he desired that future.

“You had not. I know that.” Hagen straightened. “But I thought you should know.”

After Hagen had left, Kharl looked out through the window into the brilliant gold of sunset. What did he want? Really? Could it be that his actions might bring a reward? Could that really be so after all that had happened? Or would he need to remain on the Seastag? Thinking of Furwyl, Rhylla, Ghart, and Tarkyn, he reflected that a man could have a fate far worse-far, far worse.

A faint smile crossed his lips, and he closed his eyes.