Dolgan quietly removed a pipe from his belt pouch. “My lads are already seeing to that, but they won’t mind company. Though somehow I don’t think the moredhel and their servants will need much urging. Truth is, I doubt any here today have much itch for fighting left.”
Then, outlined against the glowing green sphere, through the dust, came the silhouettes of six men, half-walking, half-limping. Martin and the others were silent as the six came nearer, each rendered almost featureless by a thick mantle of dust. Then when they were halfway between the city gates and the onlookers, Martin shouted, “Arutha!”
At once men were hurrying forward, to give aid to Arutha and his companions. Each had a pair of soldiers offering to help them walk, but Arutha only halted and embraced his brother. Martin put his arm about his brother’s shoulder, crying in open relief at seeing him alive again. After a long moment they separated and turned to regard the glowing dome over the city.
A sudden renewal of the sensation of harmony with all life and love washed over them, a wondrous feeling of sublime perfection. Then it vanished.
The green lights of the dome winked out of existence, and the dust began to settle.
Macros spoke in a hoarse croak. “It’s finally over.”
Lyam moved through the camp, inspecting the ragged remains of those who fought at Highcastle and Sethanon. Arutha walked at his side, still sore and battered from the struggle. The King said, “This tale is astonishing. I can believe it only because proof lies before my eyes.”
Arutha said, “I lived it and can scarcely believe what I saw.”
Lyam glanced about. “Still, from everything you’ve said, we’re lucky to be seeing anything at all. I guess we have much to be thankful for.” He sighed. “You know, when we were boys, I’d have sworn being King would be a grand thing.” He looked thoughtfully at Arutha. “Just as I would have sworn that I was as smart as you and Martin.” With a rueful smile he said, “The proof that I’m not was that I didn’t follow Martin’s example and renounce the crown.
“Nothing but messes. I’ve got Hazara-Khan prowling about, engaging in chitchat with half the nobles in the Kingdom, and no doubt picking up state secrets like they were seashells on the beach. Now the rift is reopened, I need to communicate with the Emperor and see if I can arrange for a prisoner exchange. Except we don’t have any, having made them all free men, so Kasumi and Hokanu tell me we’ll probably have to buy the captives back, which means raising taxes. And I’ve got a hundred or more dragons, some not seen on this world in many ages, flying in every direction, who may land wherever they will - when they get hungry. Then there’s the problem of an entire city being ruined -”
Arutha said, “Consider the alternative.”
“But if that isn’t enough, you handed me du Bas-Tyra to deal with and, from what you said, he’s a hero in the bargain. Half the lords of the Kingdom want me to find a tree and hang him, and the other half are ready to hang me if he tells them to do so.” He regarded his brother with a sceptical eye. “I think I should have taken a hint when Martin renounced, and dropped the crown on you. Give me a decent pension and I still might.” Arutha’s expression turned dark and cloudy at even a hint he would have more responsibility. Lyam looked about as Martin shouted greeting. “Anyway,” he said to Arutha, “I think I know what I’ll do about the last.” Lyam waved to Martin, who hurried over. “Did you find her?”
The Duke of Crydee grinned. “Yes, she was with a group of auxiliaries from Tyr-Sog that marched a half-day behind me all the way here, the ones who came along with Kasumi’s LaMutians and Dolgan’s dwarves.”
Lyam had been touring the site of the battle for a day and a half with Arutha, since he had arrived. His army had been the last to reach the battlefield, for winds from Rillanon to Salador had been unfavourable. With a jerk of his thumb over his shoulder, he indicated where the nobles of the Kingdom had gathered, near his pavilion. “Well,” he said, “they’re all dying to know what we do now.”
“Have you decided?” asked Arutha of Martin. The Prince had stayed in council all night with Lyam, Pug, Tomas, Macros, and Laurie - while Martin had combed the camp looking for Briana - discussing the disposition of many matters, now that the threat from Murmandamus was averted.