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HAROK
Later that day, Harok leads the party through the forest with Tobi, their number slightly swollen by several performers from Suskara’s circus, who offered to join them in their fight.
As they get deeper and deeper in the snowy whites and winter blacks of the familiar forest, Tobi whispers, “We will not be attacked by the Exceli?”
Harok shakes his head. “I doubt it. They are not gone, but the few that stayed loyal to Diazuul after what happened in Urynwud, are unlikely to have the numbers to trouble us. But perhaps they will return someday. They believe in the demon. Perhaps they will get what they desire when Atticul comes to the forest.“
Tobi shivers and clings more tightly to Harok’s body.
Baby, running beside them, vanishes into the forest chasing rabbits and squirrels. She likes it here in the forest, Harok thinks.
Perhaps Tobi shares this thought, because he says, “If we survive this battle, I want to stay. Here in the forest. In Urynwud. Make our home here forever.”
Harok kisses Tobi’s head. “Would you bring your mother too?”
“For a time. I think she would like to see it.”
The sun is starting to fade when they ride into Urynwud. Snow is falling softly, the lights of the fortress make it glimmer orange and gold. The wide yard is already full of servants, alerted by the watchtower of his approach.
Harok swings down from Embox, then lifts Tobi, setting him carefully on his feet. Baby greets him enthusiastically and the two of them end up in a heap on the straw-strewn stoney ground of the yard.
Harok leaves them and marches into Urynwud. It takes some time to get everything arranged. He greets Mereli and Yaelin and takes in the news of all that has happened in his absence. The Irgo is returned, there are formalities to observe.
There is space in Urynwud for many of the party. Copperhead Circus set up their tents and caravans in the Zhilvar.
It feels good to have control once again, to have power. Striding through the halls, throwing open the hospitality of Urynwud, feeling like an Irgo once again.
He has to tell his mother about the Shard. She is shocked, of course, that he would do such a thing. Harok tells her it is just a small piece of the demon. He can control it, but she looks at him strangely.
Yaelin is quite startled to meet Perl, but charmed by Elric and his musical command of Ambolk. She takes him by the arm and leads him off, promising to show him the treasures of the Forests of Amber, with Lukas shouting after her that she better bring him back.
Urynwud, it seems, has been run perfectly. There are scouts in the forest as ever, his mother has done her job well. As the sun starts to set, some of them return, riding hard out of the growing dusk, with news that the Imperial Army has been spotted on the march and in great numbers.
Harok absorbs the news with a solemn expression. It’s expected. This was the plan. He offered Urynwud to Damon for this precise reason, but now he feels the reality of it, heavy and sickening. He can remind himself that Atticul’s plan would have been to ride for the Amber Forest with or without him, but he cannot avoid the thought that he has brought them here.
Hiding this he tells Tobi to fetch Damon and then translate the news.
Damon takes it with the same stern, emotionless, practicality. Harok understands it. They are soldiers both.
“Very well,” Damon says. “We will be ready.”
Tobi starts to translate, but Harok shakes his head. He understood what Damon said clearly enough.
Harok organises his own warriors. Urynwud is strong, but he wonders if it will be strong enough to repel the Imperial Army.
He knows of the plans to turn some of the army to them. To rally them under Emperor Damon. He can only hope it works.
Before the Imperial Army arrive at the gates, there is more to attend to.
Harok’s return to his seat as Irgo must be marked the same way the Solwen mark every event. With a grand feast in the Sacred Hall.
It will also be a chance for Harok to commend all the warriors who will fight on the morrow and for Suskara and his brothers to unite under the blessing of Susal-Ur-Bellan.
The night is as sweet as it can be, despite what they know is coming. Fires blaze in the wide hearths, the braziers and the great pit, filling the air with smoky heat and the scent of home. The hall drips with greenery, branches entangled around the walls and into the high eaves. Food is set on the tables, welcome after their journey. Harok commands that his kitchens provide the best food available; platters and dishes and jugs of meat and fruit, bread and ale, honey cakes and mead. Before they eat, in grand ceremony, Harok takes his throne with Suskara at his side and Damon approaches to kneel and swear an oath of brotherhood. The Solwen and Damon’s army cheer together and the night becomes one of revelry, the type of revelry that can only happen the night before battle.
Suskara’s brothers are a strange group of men. Harok watches from the dais as they take to the floor, dancing to the beautiful music of the forest, played by Urynwud’s minstrels.
