Carline stood atop the south tower of the keep, her arm around Roland’s waist. The Squire was pale from his wound, but otherwise in hale spirits. “We’ll be done with the siege, now the fleet’s arrived,” he said, clinging tightly to the Princess.
“It has been a nightmare.”
He smiled down at her, gazing into her blue eyes. “Not entirely. There has been some compensation.”
Softly she said, “You are a rogue,” then kissed him. When they separated, she said, “I wonder if your foolish bravery was nothing more than a ploy to gain my sympathies.”
Feigning a wince, he said, “Lady, I am wounded.”
She clung to him. “I was so worried about you, not knowing if you lay dead in the tunnel. I . . .” Her voice dropped off as her gaze strayed to the north tower of the keep, opposite the one upon which they stood. She could see the window upon the second floor, the window to Pug’s room. The funny little metal chimney, which would constantly belch smoke when he was at his studies, was now only a mute reminder of just how empty the tower stood.
Roland followed her gaze. “I know,” he said. “I miss him, too. And Tomas as well.”
She sighed. “That seems such a long time ago, Roland. I was a girl then, a girl with a girl’s notion of what life and love were about.” Softly she said, “Some love comes like a wind off the sea, while others grow slowly from the seeds of friendship and kindness. Someone once told me that.”
“Father Tully. He was right.” He squeezed her waist. “Either way, as long as you feel, you live.”
She watched as the soldiers of the garrison prepared for the coming sortie. “Will this end it?”
“No, they will come again. This war is fated to last a long time.”
They stood together, taking comfort in the simple fact of each other’s existence.
Kasumi of the Shinzawai, Force Leader of the Armies of the Kanazawai Clan, of the Blue Wheel Party, watched the enemy upon the castle wall.
He could barely make out the figures walking along the battlements, but he knew them well. He could not put names to any, but they were each as familiar to him as his own men. The slender youth who commanded, who fought like a demon, who brought order to the fray when needed, he was there. The black giant would not be too far from his side, the one who stood like a bulwark against every attack upon the walls. And the green-clad one, who could race through the woods like an apparition, taunting Kasumi’s men by the freedom with which he passed their lines, he would be there as well. No doubt the broad-shouldered one was nearby, the laughing man with the curved sword and maniacal grin. Kasumi quietly saluted them all as valiant foemen, even if only barbarians.
Chingari of the Omechkel, the Senior Strike Leader, came to stand at Kasumi’s side. “Force Leader, the barbarian fleet is nearing. They will land their men within the hour.”
Kasumi regarded the scroll he held in his hand. It had been read a dozen times since arriving at dawn. He glanced at it one more time, again studying the chop at the bottom, the crest of his father, Kamatsu, Lord of the Shinzawai. Silently accepting his personal fate, Kasumi said, “Order for march. Break camp at once and begin assembling the warriors. We are commanded to return to Kelewan. Send the trailbreakers ahead.”
Chingari’s voice betrayed his bitterness. “Now the tunnel is destroyed, do we quit so meekly?”
“There is no shame, Chingari. Our clan has withdrawn itself from the Alliance for War, as have the other clans of the Blue Wheel Party. The War Party is once more alone in the conduct of this invasion.”
With a sigh Chingari said, “Again politics interferes with conquest. It would have been a glorious victory to take such a fine castle.”
Kasumi laughed. “True.” He watched the activities of the castle. “They are the best we have ever faced. We already learn much from them. Castle walls slanted outward at the plinth, preventing sappers from collapsing them, this is a new and clever thing. And those beasts they ride. Ayee, how they move, like Thün racing across the tundras of home. I will somehow gain some of those animals. Yes, these people are more than simple barbarians.”
After a moment’s more reflection, he said, “Have our scouts and trailbreakers keep alert for signs of the forest devils.”