Erik said, ‘Tell that to those murderers out there.’
Pug said, ‘That’s the problem. Even if I did, would they listen?’
Calis said, ‘No. As I said, they’re hungry, and they know what’s behind them. They have only one way to go, ahead.’
Erik said, ‘If this demon you talked about is dead, what about the Emerald Queen?’
‘She’s been dead for months,’ said Pug. ‘We’ll explain later.’
‘What about Fadawah? Maybe we can negotiate a truce with him? He’s a murderous bastard, but he’d know the old truce terms of Novindus,’ said Erik.
Calis said, ‘Right now Fadawah’s got a very angry Saaur army looking for someone to vent that anger on. He’s their most likely candidate. If he’s half as smart as I think he is, he’s already looking for a place to hole up in for the winter.’
Nakor said, ‘Winter!’
Pug said, ‘Yes?’
Nakor pushed past Calis and said to Erik, ‘Your original plan was to hold this army here until winter, right?’
‘Yes. We knew that once the snows came, they’d be forced to withdraw.’
Nakor turned to Pug. ‘If we go to Stardock, can you bring us back here?’
‘Yes,’ said Pug. ‘Why?’
‘No time to explain. Just do it!’
Pug looked at Miranda, Calis, and the others, and shrugged. He put his hand on Nakor’s shoulders and they vanished.
‘What was that about?’ asked Patrick as he and Manfred entered the hall.
Calis said, ‘Highness, Baron,’ and nodded in greeting.
‘Captain,’ said Patrick. ‘I hope you bring us some good news.’
‘Well, for one thing, the major threat to all of us is now over.’
Patrick said, ‘The Lifestone is safe?’
Calis said, ‘It is no more. It is safely undone and can no longer be used to harm anyone.’
Patrick said, ‘Thank the gods!’ Every member of the royal family knew exactly what the stakes were since the Lifestone had been discovered under Sethanon fifty years before. ‘I feel like ordering a celebration.’ The thunder of a catapult above firing on the attackers added a counterpoint to his next remark. ‘That just may be a bit premature. We are waiting for the Annies of the East.’
Manfred put his hand on Erik’s shoulder. ‘My brother and I were having an argument about who was going to go open the eastern gate and let the Armies of the East in to save us. Do you have a better plan?’ Calis said, ‘No, but I hope NaJcor does.’ Miranda said, ‘I’m going to the roof to see if the Armies of the East are outside the eastern gate.’ She looked at Manfred and Erik like a couple of slow children and said, ‘It wouldn’t do to go get yourselves killed opening the gate if the Armies of the East weren’t on the other side, would it?’
Erik and Manfred exchanged startled looks, but Miranda was already mounting the stairs to the top of the keep. Calis said. Til be back, my lord. Captain,’ and hurried after her.
They reached the top of the old keep, a relatively small area of the large citadel. Two lookout positions were manned, directing fire from two large catapults located on a roof segment a dozen feet below. Miranda looked to the east and began a soft, almost inaudible, chant. Then she opened her eyes wide and Calis was surprised to see they had changed. Deep amber with vertical slits, they now resembled a bird of prey’s. She surveyed the horizon and after a moment closed her eyes and rubbed them, and when she opened them they were normal again. She said, ‘The Armies of the East are moving in stately fashion toward the city. I would wager they might get here by sundown. More likely, tomorrow at dawn.’
Calis swore. ‘If we survive all this, remind me to have some sharp words with the King about the sense of alacrity of some of his Eastern Nobles.’ He leaned over the edge of the wall and looked down as the fighting continued unabated. Men died as they attempted to fill the moat, others as they attempted to prevent them.
‘This is all so pointless!’
Miranda put her arms around his waist and said, ‘You can’t save them all.’
Calis turned to take her in his arms. ‘I’ve missed you so very much.’
Miranda said, ‘You know that I’m going with Pug.’
‘Yes, I know.’
‘He’s my other half. I’ve hidden much of my life from you, and someday, when there’s time, I’ll tell you the truth of who I am and why I’ve lied to protect my secrets, but what I say to you now is the truth: I love you, Calis. You are one of the best men I have known in a very long life.’
Calis looked at her, studying her features as if trying to memorize them. ‘But you love Pug more.’
She nodded. ‘I don’t know if “more” is the way I’d say it. He’s what I need. I am what he needs, though he hasn’t discovered that yet; he’s still got too much pain locked away.’
Calis nodded and held her so her face was against his chest. ‘William,’ he said softly.
‘And Gamina. She and James stayed in Krondor.’