“No word of the Emerald Queen’s agents. Just the Priest-King,” answered Calis.
Vaja said, “Good. That gives me ample time to bathe and eat. You won’t be taking any offer for days.”
Calis said, “You know that and I know that, but if we’re to be convincing, they”—he hiked his thumb over his shoulder in the general direction of the brokers’ tent—“can’t know that. We have to look as if we’re weighing all offers equally.”
“Understood,” said Vaja. “But I still have time for a bath. I’ll be back in an hour.” He turned and led his companions away.
Praji said, “Twenty-nine years I’ve fought at his side, and I swear to this day no man more vain exists on this world. He’d primp for his own execution.”
Calis smiled, and Erik realized it was one of the few times he had ever seen the Captain smile.
For days they would muster on command, and brokers would come by to look over the company. With Vaja’s men and the men under Hatonis, they numbered better than one hundred swords: a significant enough troop to be taken seriously, but not so large as to bear special scrutiny.
After the third such day, offers began to come in and Calis listened to them politely. He remained noncommittal.
A week after the mustering had started, Erik noticed a few companies departing. He asked Praji about this over supper, and the old mercenary said, “They’ve signed on with the Priest-King. Probably poor captains running low on gold to pay their men. They have to find employment quickly or lose their fighters to richer companies. Most are waiting around to hear what the other side has to offer.”
Still more days passed and the other side didn’t appear.
*
Two weeks after arriving, Erik had requested permission to move the horses upriver, as they had grazed the area clean, and the hay and grain brokers were charging outrageous prices. Calis gave permission, but instructed Erik to make sure a full guard company surrounded the animals at all times.
Another week went by.
Almost a month after arriving, Erik was walking back from having checked the horses, a three-times-daily ritual now, to hear a series of loud trumpet calls from the heart of the camp. The weather was hot, the hottest part of the summer, he had been told by one of the clansmen, and soon summer would be waning. It felt odd to lose a winter, to leave in fall and return to spring. Erik was sure Nakor could explain this backwards season to him, but he wasn’t sure he was up for hearing the little man’s explanation.
Trumpets continued, insistent, and Erik started to hurry to see what the matter was. As he neared his own tent area, Foster came running toward him and shouted, “Get those horses down here! That’s a call to quarter! We’re being put on notice a fight’s going to break out!”
Erik dashed back up the hill and down into the next small valley, and waved his hand as he shouted to the men standing guard. “Bring as many as you can lead!” He hurried past to the most distant picket line, and managed to lead four horses away. Others came hurrying past, and before he had reached the main camp, every horse was being led after him.
The men broke camp faster than Erik had ever seen. Calis gave orders for a defensive perimeter to be established, and a company began digging a breastwork. Archers scanned the hill below for signs of anyone heading their way.
Despite the sound to quarter, no sounds of battle erupted from below. Instead, a strange buzzing sound carried up the hill, and it took Erik a long minute to realize he was listening to men’s voices. Arguments and curses carried up the hillside, and the sound carried a frantic quality, but there were still no sounds of fighting.
At last Calis said, “Bobby, take some men down there and find out what’s going on.”
De Loungville said, “Biggo, von Darkmoor, Jadow, and Jerome, with me.”
Roo laughed. “He’s got the four biggest men in the company to hide behind.”
De Loungville turned in a single motion, looked at Roo, and said, “And you, my little man.” With evil delight in his eyes, he grinned as he said, “You can stand on my shield side. If trouble erupts, I’m going to pick you up and throw you at the first man heading my way!”
Roo rolled his eyes heavenward and fell in beside Erik. “That will teach me to keep my mouth shut.”
Erik said, “I doubt it.”
They made their way down into the camp below on foot, trying not to call attention to themselves as they approached another campsite. Men were arguing with one another as they came within earshot.
“I don’t care, it’s an insult. I say let’s ride south and take whatever the Priest-King offers.”
Another voice said, “You want to fight your way out, so you can turn around and fight again?”
Erik tried to make sense of the remarks, but de Loungville said, “Follow me.”