The Warrior's Tale Part 3

Jinnah frowned. 'a.s.suming I found favour with your... notion... notion... I'd certainly insist on professional confirmation.' I'd certainly insist on professional confirmation.'

I bit off an angry retort. I pointed at the copy of my report -complete with detailed sketches drawn by Polillo. 'You have not only my word, sir,' I said. 'My officers have signed on as well.'

Hux made no comment - only shook his head.

Taking the cue, Jinnah said: 'I don't like to insult my command team unnecessarily, unnecessarily, Captain. So there's no need for me to comment further on that point.' He picked up my report and riffled the pages. Then he sneered, and let it fall. 'This plan of yours, however, gives me much distress. It is the work of - how shall I say it? - an unstable mind.' He turned to Hux. 'This is the sort of thing I warned the Council about.' Captain. So there's no need for me to comment further on that point.' He picked up my report and riffled the pages. Then he sneered, and let it fall. 'This plan of yours, however, gives me much distress. It is the work of - how shall I say it? - an unstable mind.' He turned to Hux. 'This is the sort of thing I warned the Council about.'

Anger almost brought me to my feet. But I held back. 'I won't speak for myself, sir,' I gritted, 'but I will not have my soldiers maligned. They've served as ably, and have suffered as much as anyone and more than some in this war. Sir.'

Jinnah's eyes burned, but he remained outwardly calm - that sneer of his tilting upward. 'What you have said is mostly true, Captain,' he said. 'I emphasize the mostly.' His head swivelled to Hux again. 'It's the inconsistencies that concern me,' he said. He turned back to me, his face taking on a look of kindly superiority. 'But I suppose we must make allowances for nature.1 nature.1 Cholla Yi laughed, quick and mean. I'd had enough. I patted my sheathed knife. 'Beware, Admiral,' I said, quite low. 'Didn't you hear our general? My nature can't be trusted.'

His features darkened, but his anger tangled in nets of confusion. How should he respond to my challenge? No woman had ever spoken to him so. I moved on before he could recover. As I s.h.i.+fted my attention to Jinnah I noted Hux and the other aides had been chastened. It was as I intended. They knew my reputation as a fighter. Some had even seen me at my work. They squirmed in their seats like small, naughty boys. But Jinnah met my gaze full on.

'I respectfully protest your reaction to my plan, sir,' I said, making sure there was no hint of insubordination. 'I believe it deserves more thoughtful study. If I'm right, by this time tomorrow this war could be over - our enemy defeated.'

'I have have given it careful study, Captain,' Jinnah said. 'And I've made my decision.' given it careful study, Captain,' Jinnah said. 'And I've made my decision.'

'Then I must insist, sir, my protest be noted.'

Jinnah gave a sly grin. 'So noted, Captain Antero.' He started to rise, as if our business were concluded.

'I want it officially officially recorded, sir,' I demanded. 'It is my right to have it drawn up and witnessed by every person in this tent. There is a courier leaving for Orissa tomorrow. It is my intention, sir, for my protest to accompany him.' recorded, sir,' I demanded. 'It is my right to have it drawn up and witnessed by every person in this tent. There is a courier leaving for Orissa tomorrow. It is my intention, sir, for my protest to accompany him.'

Jinnah exploded. 'How dare you challenge me!' he shouted.

'I'm not challenging you, sir,' I said. 'I'm only asking what is my right, if you please.'

'Well, I don't please,' Jinnah snarled.

'Are you refusing, sir?' I asked. I added an edge to my voice.

Jinnah's fury grew, but before it could spill out I saw Hux give a tug at his cloak. The general, as I'd hoped, was being warned that he was treading very close indeed to the edges of his authority. If the war continued to go badly my protest would be made much of by politicians looking for someone to blame.

He sighed deeply, then slumped into his camp chair. 'What do you want of me, Captain?' he pleaded, trying his best to sound like a tired, but reasonable man.

'I want you to make many mothers happy, sir,' I said. 'I want you to end this bloodshed and be the hero of all Orissa. I want you to give the orders that put my plan into action.'

He drew in a long, shuddering breath. 'I can't do that,' he said.

'Why not, sir?'

'Your plan is without merit.'

'If this is so,' I answered, 'then tell me why. Let me learn from your wisdom, sir, and I'll withdraw my protest. Tell me, sir, where did I err?'

Jinnah looked about for support, but before any of his aides could weigh in, Gamelan broke his long silence.

'Yes, General,' he said, i should like to hear those reasons, myself.' Jinnah turned to him, startled. The Evocator toyed with his beard. 'I've gone over her report, and I see no flaws. Of course, I'm not a professional, but...'

Despite his mild manner, the old man was a powerful presence now that he had spoken up. His eyes were mild, but Jinnah visibly visibly shrunk under their gaze.

'Perhaps I should should give it further study,' Jinnah said nervously. He tossed my report over to Hux. 'I want a staff team on this,' he said, his manner brusque. 'Tell them I need an answer within the week.' give it further study,' Jinnah said nervously. He tossed my report over to Hux. 'I want a staff team on this,' he said, his manner brusque. 'Tell them I need an answer within the week.'

'A week?' I shouted, forgetting myself as I saw everything about to vanish down that familiar paper-shufflers' tunnel. 'There'll be another thousand dead within that time!' My outburst was a mistake. I'd given Jinnah the avenue he needed. His thin lips drew back in a wide smear of satisfaction. - But before he could strike, Gamelan stepped in again. 'Yes, yes,' he said, rather absently, as if I'd spoken in reasonable terms. 'I fear this must be done now, or not at all.'

He fumbled in a pocket of his black wizard's cloak and as he drew out his hand the acrid stench of sulphur filled the room. Jinnah's eyes widened as the Evocator opened his palm, exposing five ivory knucklebones with mysterious red symbols etched on them. The room crackled with energy. We were looking at the casting bones of a Master Evocator. I heard Cholla Yi whisper a prayer to whatever pirate G.o.d he wors.h.i.+pped. Hux and the other aides were so frightened they looked as if they were about to bolt. On the other hand, I was so swept up with my challenge that I felt nothing, not even a tinge of awe.

Gamelan's eyes were now a glowing yellow. He held the bones out to Jinnah. 'Cast them, General,' he said.

Jinnah averted his gaze from the yellow, lion's glare. He licked dry lips. 'But I thought, you ...'

Gamelan shook his head. 'It is upon you, upon you, my General, that our fates rest.' my General, that our fates rest.'

After a long hesitation Jinnah reached with a trembling hand. Gamelan let the bones fall into it. Jinnah reflexively clasped them tight. And Gamelan began to chant: Bones of Fate Reveal thy tally: Who shall win?

Who shall lose?

Who shall greet thee In the Demon's Pyre?

Jinnah shrieked in pain and flung the casting bones onto the field table. The smell of his burnt flesh fouled our nostrils.

Jinnah sucked on his injured hand. 'I... I... can't,' he croaked.

I heard fearful whispers from the other men. I kept my own feelings frozen in heart and brain. The only comfort I allowed myself was a hand firmly clasping the hilt of my sword. It did my nerve no good, however, when I saw the look of shock on the Master Evocator's face.

'Its happened? happened? he hissed. he hissed.

'What?' Jinnah said. Fear made it a whisper.

Gamelan shook his head, commanding silence. He turned this way and that, sniffing and listening to every small sound of the night. I felt my skin p.r.i.c.kle as his senses ferreted about. Somewhere far off we heard a direwolf pack howl over a fresh kill.

Gamelan whirled to confront Jinnah. The Archons have made some kind of breakthrough,' he said. 'We must act quickly, or all will be lost'

'But what.. .'Jinnah was confounded.

Gamelan ignored him. He grabbed up the bones and thrust them at me. 'Toss them, Captain,' he said.

I only stared at him. Why was I being asked to do this? If the G.o.ds were suddenly deserting us, how could I alter their flight?

'Do it, Rali,' Gamelan snarled. 'Before it's too late!'

Numb, I obeyed - barely noting that he'd addressed me so familiarly. I opened my hand and steeled it as Gamelan once again let the bones fall. And I swear by all that we hold true and holy, that time seemed to stand still. It was as if a shadow fell between me and the others. I smelled my mother's sandalwood perfume. My skin seemed to take on a sweet glow, as if I'd just stepped out of a bath of warm milk and honeyed wine. Everything just seemed so ... right... in this shadow-world. The bones nestled in my palm as if they had been specially carved for the fit. They were cool to the touch and for some reason it troubled me that their feeling was quite pleasing.

Once again Gamelan chanted. Once again he prayed for a tally of our common fates. The bones remained cool in my palm; the only change was an increased feeling of tingling pleasure. As he chanted, another voice - a woman's voice - whispered in my ear: 'Rali means hope. Rali means hope.'

'Cast them,' Gamelan said.

Awkwardly, I threw the bones. The shadow-world feeling - and those are the only words I can think of to describe it - left me as the bones bounced and rolled across the table.

As they struck the tent was lit by a lightning bolt striking close by. Thunder followed - so loud we clutched our ears in pain. Gamelan didn't seem to notice. Instead, he gave a gleeful cackle and jumped forward like a cat to peer at the knuckles. Another cackle and he swept them up. But as he returned them to his cloak pocket he gave me an odd look. I made no effort to read the look. To be quite honest, I consciously avoided any reflection on what the wizard might be thinking.

He turned to Jinnah, who stood staring, gaping like a pond fish. 'She is our only hope, General,' he said. 'I don't know the why of it. I just know it is so.'

Still, Jinnah hesitated. He looked at me and in that brief moment the veil was lifted and I saw the hatred in his eyes. It was cold and black and deep. I was rocked back. At first, wonder leaped into my mind. Why should I be the object of such hatred? Then my wonder grew deeper still as I saw that beneath his look was fear. Before I could reflect further, I felt my own hatred stir. It became an intense flame and I was so caught in it I nearly leaped the table to kill him where he stood.

Then the tent glowed as another spear of lightning pierced the night. We all jumped as a second volley of thunder blasted us to our boots.

Jinnah grabbed a tumbler of brandy and drank it down to steady his nerves.

'Well, General?' Gamelan pressed.

Jinnah nodded, weak. His voice rasped through the tension when he answered: 'We attack tomorrow. At dusk.'

At dawn we made a sacrifice, or rather three sacrifices, which suggested not just how important, but how dangerous that coming night's mission might be. First, we sent Maranonia a sheep. It should have been a fat ram, but, as I've said, the land around us was combed bare and the poor scrawny ewe we found would have to suffice. After the battle was won proper homage could be made. Maranonia was a soldiers' G.o.ddess and would understand sometimes the idea must satisfy more than the reality. Someone suggested a Lycanthian prisoner should be given to Maranonia, but that idea was quickly rejected since it doesn't make much sense to seek a G.o.ddess's approval by sending someone whose blood-drenched soul would make the strongest argument against what we desired. Next, we made a smaller sacrifice of fish to Orissa's G.o.ds and each of us made a private offering to her own hearth G.o.d. I hoped those gifts in particular would be found satisfying and few of us would have to make personal obeisance by the next dawn.

The rest of the morning was spent in final preparation. Just as the ballads of battle seldom mention the sweating smiths ensuring the cavalry mounts are well shod before the charge; or the armourers and spark-shooting grindstones putting the final edges to the killing blades, no one ever realizes that soldiers - at least soldiers who succeed - almost never spy an objective and, bellowing mightily, rush to attack.

Our camp was a haze of activity from dawn until midday. Each woman's kit was checked by her sergeant, double-checked by her section officer and then finally inspected by Polillo and Corais. At noon we ate heartily - a traditional before-battle meal of roast beef and eggs. I'd had to send a victualling mission composed of my most skilled thieves far out into the countryside to procure it.

A sudden shower - invoked by two medium-level Evocators - sent us scurrying in mock-surprise for our tents. Out of sight, we changed into battle gear - drab clothing and blackened armour. The rain whipped a breeze through the open door of my tent and I s.h.i.+vered. But it was not from the chill wind.

I'd had cast too much of my capital on this single spin of the top. The cold logic of war dictated a complete unit should never be committed to a single battle, particularly if the odds were high. Soldiers could, and did, shrug when only a handful returned from battle; but when a unit was completely destroyed, death fingers went down all our backbones.

But only a handful of my Guardswomen were to remain behind. A few of them were sick or injured and the reset were a fresh draft of untrained recruits from Orissa who'd arrived under an eager young ensign the day before. She was the only officer left, besides Corais, Polillo and myself. Since the Guards' officers led from the front and by example, the death rate had been catastrophic and there'd been no time for officer's boards or field promotions.

The new woman's name was Dica and she seemed even younger than I'd been when I enlisted. I took her aside and told her if I didn't return on the morrow, she was the new commander of the Maranon Guard. She paled, but her lips firmed. I made note - such resolve indicated a worthy soldier in embryo.

'Should we fall,' I ordered, 'it will be your task to return to Orissa and rebuild the Guard. Maranonia requires no less of you and there are enough pensioners of the Guard left in Orissa to a.s.sist you. Your first duty, however, will be to recover the colours - which we'll be carrying tonight. If we don't return, the colours will be where all the Maranon Guard lie - inside the citadel of the Archons.'

I dismissed her and turned to Corais, who'd waited until Dica left the tent before smiling wryly, knowing full well why I'd spoken as dramatically as I had: 'Very good, my Captain,' she said. 'If we must die this night, your words will help build our legend. Polillo, were she present, would be in tears.' Then she sighed. 'Isn't it a pity this legend business can be so d.a.m.ned painful? painful?

While the storm still continued our tents were taken over by a small detachment of men. It had been arranged for them to light cooking fires, move from tent to tent, mount guard and, in short, suggest to any observer, magical or physical, that the Maranon Guard was still being held in reserve.

We girded ourselves for battle and moved quickly along the rear of the Orissan encampment to the bluffs that led to the sh.o.r.e beyond Lycanth where Cholla Yi had his galleys beached on rollers. The night before I'd attempted to suggest what craft we might need for our attack in my stumbling landswoman's way. Cholla Yi had snickered in a pretended friendly manner, as if our near-duel hadn't occurred, and said I needn't continue.

'It isn't uncommon, Captain Antero,' he'd said, 'that we sailors also prefer silence and secrecy on occasion. Each of my galleys carries one or two boats of a design so perfect you yourself might have worked with the builders. I'd hoped to use them for cutting-out expeditions against the Lycanthian merchantmen bottled up in the harbour -once we'd found a way to cut that great d.a.m.ned locket-chain keeping us out. But none of us should dream, for the G.o.ds love disappointment.'

He went on briskly: 'Each boat can carry ten men, and is crewed by a c.o.xswain, with four seamen to work the paddles. You might have your soldiers' soldiers' and he couldn't but put sarcastic emphasis on that word, 'told off in teams accordingly so our debarkation won't sound like a goosegirl calling her flock.' and he couldn't but put sarcastic emphasis on that word, 'told off in teams accordingly so our debarkation won't sound like a goosegirl calling her flock.'

I'd merely nodded. The admiral was what he was and we were what we were. I thought then, one way or another, the night's purpose would be the last I'd see of him, so his behaviour was unimportant. So much for my talents as a seer!

Once we reached the mercenaries' camp I dispersed my Guard under cover and put them under the charge of Flag Sergeant Ismet, who was one of the great oddities in the already strange group of women who made up the Guard. As soon as I saw her my confidence rose. With women like this, how could we fail?

Ismet, you see, was an example for us all: from the green recruit, to her fellow non-commissioned officers and finally to the officers themselves. She was a constant reminder - to use the hackneyed phrase - of the spirit of the Guard we served. Some whispered Ismet might be an incarnate of Maranonia herself, especially since she hadn't seemed to age in all the years she'd served. Ismet's dark complexion - darker even than the tropical natives of the north -added to her mystery. Where she came from, no one knew. She'd merely appeared one day and announced her intent to enlist. When questioned about her background she made no attempt to answer -only vowed she'd become a Guardswoman or else starve herself to death. There was a hubbub, but no one doubted her determination. The details of the tale are a bit foggy - perhaps my predecessor of long ago was soft-hearted, perhaps there hadn't been enough recruits to fill the ranks. More likely someone looked into the woman's eyes and simply blew. blew. Ismet showed familiarity with all forms of arms. She was sworn in as a recruit, but spent less than a month in the rear ranks. She was promoted again and again, until she reached the highest rank of non-commissioned officer. She refused further promotion, in spite of wheedlings, blandishments and threats. That was two generations ago. Ismet never took a leave, but only pa.s.ses. She never sought to live outside the barracks, nor made a pairing that lasted beyond a week or so. She often said that a soldier should concern herself with but three ent.i.ties - herself, her squad and the Guard. Ismet showed familiarity with all forms of arms. She was sworn in as a recruit, but spent less than a month in the rear ranks. She was promoted again and again, until she reached the highest rank of non-commissioned officer. She refused further promotion, in spite of wheedlings, blandishments and threats. That was two generations ago. Ismet never took a leave, but only pa.s.ses. She never sought to live outside the barracks, nor made a pairing that lasted beyond a week or so. She often said that a soldier should concern herself with but three ent.i.ties - herself, her squad and the Guard.

After my women were sited, I went with my legates and a squad of four, to the admiral's tent. Gamelan was waiting. He told Cholla Yi he wanted to speak to us alone. Cholla Yi grumbled menacingly, but Gamelan only gazed steadily at him. The Evocator's eyes changed from placid, deep pools of wisdom to the yellow stare of a great cat about to pounce. Cholla Yi's mouth snapped closed and without another word he bulked out towards the beached s.h.i.+ps, shouting pointless orders to his men.

Gamelan had the materials for his spell ready. He'd quizzed Polillo closely about her axe left buried in the sill of that sea-tower window. Now he held up a small model of her weapon. He lit a brazier and said we should kneel in front of it. Herbs long known to be good for the eyes were cast onto the embers: rosemary, hyssop, rock rose, white willow. He whispered as he scattered the herbs and plumes of sweet smoke rose, split in three and blew across our faces. Instead of burning our eyes, the smoke felt soothing, comforting. I saw a fourth plume move back towards his open palms where he held the tiny axe exactly as if it were the full-size murderer's tool cast by Polillo. He softly chanted: The axe that was blind Could still see to find.

Let the gift of the blade Pa.s.s on to the maid And sharpen, not fade The eyes they shall see All that can be.

As he chanted he moved around the brazier, gently touching the tiny axe to each of our eyelids. Polillo flinched involuntarily - she was as leery of magic as anyone I'd ever met. Once she confessed to me that she'd dreamed that sorcery, somehow, some way, would be the death of her.

'There,' Gamelan announced. 'You should feel nothing at present, except perhaps that the world looks a bit... sharper,' and he smiled at his mild jest. 'This is a nice, simple spell,' he explained. 'It should be of use at the proper time, but is not strong enough to attract... shall we say, attention from the wrong quarters at an inappropriate moment.'

My legates rose, saluted and I dismissed them. Gamelan stretched. 'Now, all we have to do, my good Captain, is wait. I will allow myself a single gla.s.s of Admiral Cholla Yi's wine while we do so. Perhaps you might join me?'

'I don't usually drink before a fight,' I said. 'However... I'll gladly keep you company, especially since I wish to ask a favour.'

'You have only to request,' he said. 'I could prattle on about how our hopes are with you and how much rides on this, but I believe speeches are best suited for those who can be stirred by them. After the signals of the bones last night, any words would be redundant. I only wish that I could go with you, at the point of the spear. But my age, and...' He gestured down at his robes. I nodded in understanding. The presence of such a powerful Evocator on our hopefully silent a.s.sault might well send magical signals to the Archons as clearly as if we wore full parade armour and were attacking at midday with pipes blaring.

That led naturally into my request, which startled him. He stroked his beard. 'I am very surprised, Captain, or Rali, if I may. I don't know if you're being extraordinarily cynical about your own tactics, or what.'

'I'd like to think I'm merely planning for all eventualities,' I said. I was not telling the truth at that moment. 'Could it damage my main plan in any way?'

'Possibly, possibly,' he said. 'Yet another piece of magic riding with your soldiers does increase the likelihood of the Archons or their minions scenting you. But... wait. I know of a spell. Very old. Very simple. It was used by witch smellers in my father's father's time. Such a primitive conjuration might be beneath the senses of sophisticated wizards such as the Archons. I can cast it in a few minutes. If you were an Evocator, I could teach you the spell for your own use. But since you are not... hmm. An amulet, perhaps?' He nodded, finding favour with his idea. 'Very good, indeed. And I could sc.r.a.pe my casting bones for a bit of detritus. What they sensed last night from the Archons' own magic ... that could serve as a trigger for you. Hmm. Not at all improbable or difficult.

'Yes, yes,' he went on, becoming excited. 'I think there is is merit. I must set aside what has become, if you will forgive the confession, a growing sense of friends.h.i.+p for you, Rali. I must now consider you as nothing more... nor less... than the best hope of Orissa; a warrior, not a friend, without considering if I am sending you further into harm's way.' merit. I must set aside what has become, if you will forgive the confession, a growing sense of friends.h.i.+p for you, Rali. I must now consider you as nothing more... nor less... than the best hope of Orissa; a warrior, not a friend, without considering if I am sending you further into harm's way.'

'If risk wasn't my chosen companion,' I said, 'I'd be in Orissa surrounded by husband fools and babes, worried about the next meal and a new gown.'

Gamelan half-smiled. 'If I give you that amulet, not only might it lead to those you desire ... but also to the centre of their power.'

I said: 'If you're right, and they are plotting some great stroke of magic against Orissa, won't that have to be destroyed as well?'

'Destroyed, perhaps, or possibly, if the taint is not monstrous, the knowledge brought back to Orissa to be put to better use.' Gamelan shook his head. 'Although I am reminded of what Janos Greycloak once told your brother about magic - that sorcery is only dark or light depending on the observer, a cynical thought I am still not sure I understand completely.' He drank his wine. Then: 'Very well, Captain. I shall give you something that can turn you into a little ferret seeking evil - and, if you choose to use it, you shall be pulled inexorably down those dark shafts after your prey.'

At this, I managed a smile. 'Ferrets,' I said, 'have always been lucky for my family. My brother swears the ghost of such a creature he owned as a boy saved him in his fight with Raveline.'

'That is an omen indeed,' Gamelan said, brightening. 'I feel less like I am sending someone out on a mission they will not return from.'

A smile was on his lips, but it didn't light his eyes. And I knew he was merely trying to rea.s.sure himself as well as me.

As the sun dipped towards the horizon, the galleys were pushed down rollers into the low surfbreak and, once launched, rowed to a crude floating dock leading out from the beach to deeper water where we boarded. Since we wouldn't be journeying far or long, we crammed into three of Cholla Yi's s.h.i.+ps. The eighteen small boats, seventeen plus one spare, he'd spoken of were towed close to the stern of the s.h.i.+ps so they couldn't be spotted from the Archons' castle. We sailed east - as if setting course to Orissa. The oarsmen, twenty-five to a side, rowed easily - as if for a long journey that required no haste and our sails held firm in the wind.

I was on the lead s.h.i.+p - Cholla Yi's own craft - and as we slipped through the waves, I tried to relax with Corais and Polillo on the quarterdeck. The sea was calm, and glittered gold and red in the dying sun. I tried to think about the calm waters and the sharp cry of a gull hanging in the calm air beside the s.h.i.+p rather than what lay ahead of us. A dolphin sported in our bow wave, then was gone. Cholla Yi joined us. I'm afraid I didn't try very hard to disguise my distaste for him when I asked why he'd decided to accompany this expedition. Wasn't it beneath the dignity of an admiral?

Cholla Yi's gaze flickered - he'd caught my tone - then he became a jovial patriarch: 'Ah, Captain, you don't understand the problems of we poor souls who choose to soldier for a more material goal than glory. If we don't make certain to be at the final triumph of the war we enlisted for, all too often our employers attempt to economize in the settling of accounts. Which leads to all sorts of unpleasantness.' Then he became serious. 'Besides, with sailors like mine, a leader is only allowed the quarterdeck so long as he remains in the battle's van. By accompanying you, I therefore accomplish a double task.'

He bowed and walked down the companionway - to the main-deck, where the rowers sat along the bulwarks on their slightly raised benches.

'If he happens to get too near the railing,' Polillo said, 'I might accidentally b.u.mp into him. I've heard many sailors never learn how to swim.'

Corais showed her sharp fox's teeth. 'Afterwards, dear woman, afterwards. When we're safe on dry land we'll invite him to a cliff, promising to indulge his most horrid fantasies in private and I'll kneel down behind him and then you can b.u.mp to your heart's desire.'

When the sun was down, sails were furled and masts and yards struck, as if we'd disappeared over the horizon. In the gathering dark, with little to see above the deckline, the s.h.i.+ps were almost invisible. The small boats were let out on their tow-lines so as not to impede the oarsmen, and the galleys turned back towards Lycanth, the rowers stroking as if racing. I'd wondered how men could accept such a fate, endlessly pulling a length of wood to and fro and thought they might be slaves. But Corais, who was insatiably curious about everything and had asked, said no, they were free. In fact, galleys were only rowed when speed was vital. Under normal circ.u.mstances, they'd be driven by sail alone.

Two hours before midnight we closed on the entrance to Lycanth's harbour. I could see, bulking huge against the night, the sides of the crater that was the city's harbour - and even the ma.s.s of the sea-castle which was our goal. The night was peaceful, balmy, exactly the weather Gamelan had ordered spells to be cast for. It bespoke of spring's arrival, warm, and just a bit sleepy. Nothing could happen on such a peaceful night: sentries would dream of an end to their pacings; their watch commanders wouldn't find it necessary to make rounds more often than the regulations required; men off watch would sleep soundly and so forth.