The Visund has found a small village in a creek and freed the locals from those of the Ascendancy. Now Eriana leads her men on a mission to find and destroy the rebel force. What she finds shocks her and makes her reconsider her recent actions.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

51 - Night Operations

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2021 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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The two files of Norse crept silently along, one either side of the rough track and keeping to the shadow of the overhanging trees. The moonlight was just sufficient to let them see where they were going but not enough to affect their night vision. The rough square outlines of their tee shirts helped mark out the position of the man in front, so when Eriana raised an arm everyone came to a stop, but closer together than they would normally have.

Lars crossed the track to join her, his mouth close to her ear so that he need only whisper very quietly.

«What is it, Highness?»

He could not see her expression in the darkness, which may have been just as well.

«I do not like this,» she breathed. «We can see nothing! There could be a whole army hiding in these trees and we would not know. Just a pair of men either side with a gun each could finish us off.»

«It is too late to discover that, Highness. But this is not the time to be discussing tactics. Are we going on or should we return to the village?»

«On, of course. We cannot leave those kamphundrn out there waiting for us. We'll just have to be much more careful. This is not like the raiding we used to do.»

«No. But now is not the time to speak of training for unfamiliar terrain.»

She made a sound which could have been agreement. «Did you notice that the trees here are lower? We might be coming to the edge of this forest. If we just walk out we could be seen by a lookout, waiting for their boss to come back.»

«True. But if we go into the trees to bypass them we will make too much noise.»

«We'll go forward - but slowly, and look for any watchers. I have my telescope but I don't know how much use it will be in the dark.»

Lars looked up at the slot which defined the sky above the track. «The Halls of Valhalla will not be up yet but may help later. We'll have to manage until then.»

He felt rather than saw her nod and slipped back across the track. Her arm went up again and then forward and the two files resumed their creeping.

The edge of the forest came suddenly. The trees ended to give way to a strange confusion of chest-high growth, with the track dividing them and heading for a group of buildings, just visible in the dark. Eriana's hand went up and the two files stopped again and flattened themselves into the trackside foliage as best as they could.

She bent down and whispered to the next in line, "Torvin." The word was passed down the line and Torvin made his way forwards.

«Captain?»

She pulled out her telescope and gave it to the man. «Worm your way forward and see if you can see any watchers. They are bound to be there somewhere, waiting for their leader to return.»

«Of course, Captain.»

Torvin slipped forward and down onto his hands and knees, hugging the undergrowth. He was away so long that most of the men decided to sit down while they were waiting. He eventually returned and handed the telescope back.

«Captain, the fields beyond are strange, like some kind of wild orchard, though the trees are not very high. There is someone in a small barn off to our left. Every so often I can see a faint light pass across behind some boards.» He added, «It seemed to me that whoever is there can see anyone coming out of the forest along the track. If we can get into that orchard then we could creep across to the barn without being seen.»

«Well done. We'll deal with them first.»

She carefully and slowly made her way across to Lars.

«Watchers in a barn to our left,» she breathed. «If we tried to rush the farm it is likely they would see us and raise the alarm. My side will deal with the barn first.»

«How will we know?» he asked.

«They have a light there. We will make it visible to you.»

He nodded in the near-total gloom. «Good luck, Princess.»

Keeping against the forest and crouching down, Eriana's file very slowly made their way along the edge of the field until they were well past the small barn-like structure. From here no lights could be seen, which might mean that the lookouts only faced the track entrance. With hand signals in the slightly better light Eriana sent two men off across through the rows of overgrown bushes towards the barn. They reached the outside and one could be seen waving in silhouette at the edge of the building. The others followed, keeping as quiet as they could.

There seemed to be a good natured argument going on inside the barn. The watchers were keeping their voices down but not enough to hear any sounds the Norse made.

"He'll be back! He's probably just terrorizing whoever was on that boat, I tell you. Maybe even got the men lifting out the plunder and taking it to the village. Maybe he's even found some wine and is having a good time."

"I dunno, Tezar, you'd think he would have sent someone back to tell what he found, wouldn't you? It's dark now, we won't find out what's going on until the morning."

"You're always such a pessimist, Brill. We've done all right so far, ain't we?"

"Well, somebody's got to - urk!"

It did not take much to slip around the corner and push a sword through a body. The Norse crowded into the barn and finished off both men before looking around.

A tiny shielded lantern stood on an area of dirt floor which had been cleared of forage and other debris, showing a pair of dice that they had been using to pass the time. On a leveled heap of forage to one side were two mugs, a wineskin, a small piece of bread and an even smaller piece of cheese on a scrap of sacking. On the floor nearby an old bugle rested on its bell.

The barn was twice as wide as it was long. One narrow side, the north-eastern, had overlapping solid boards to shelter the contents from the prevailing winds. The north-western and south-western sides were slatted to permit the forage to breathe and not go moldy. The south-eastern side was open and a few dim lights could be seen through a line of trees in the distance, probably Bakhmenek.

Eriana picked up the wineskin, removed the stopper and sniffed. «Water.»

One of the men muttered something and she asked, «What?»

It was Halsten. «This is not right, Captain. There is too much forage here for this time of year. I know they would probably have more left over than we would in Einnland but, even so...»

She shrugged. «Maybe they had a good spring this year and turned out the beasts early. Who knows?»

Halsten shook his head. «Captain, if they had done that the grass in the orchard we just crossed would have been much shorter.» It was his turn to shrug. «Maybe their beasts were confiscated because of the war.»

She turned, her eyes intent. «Remember these men are outlaws. I wonder if they just ate them. Very well. We had better give a signal to Lars and then head for that farm... but carefully.»

Carefully shielding the lantern from the direction of the farm, she took it out and around the back, where she could show it to those waiting at the track without those in the farm seeing it. Knowing that there could be no reply she returned the lantern to the barn and set off through the shrubs at a slow lope. As she moved she could just see dark figures issue from the edge of the wood as Lars led his men across to reach the farm from the other side.

The farm had four large buildings around a central yard with access at all four corners. One was obviously the farmhouse, another was more like a stable but the other two were taller, had all four walls of wood planks and firmly closed doors. Lars appeared at the opposite side of the farmhouse and she motioned him to stay where he was. She placed her ear to the wall of the nearest barn and listened carefully.

Shaking her head, she hand-signaled Lars to watch the other buildings, especially the farmhouse. She turned to her men.

«Nothing here. We'll go and join Lars over the other side.»

Thinking about the slats on the barn in the field, she led her men around the back of the barn, keeping in the shadows where they could. In the corner between the two barns she discovered a toolshed and called a halt.

«Ssh! I thought I heard something.»

She put her ear to the planks of the toolshed, listened and then drew back.

«Men inside here. Asleep, I think.»

Eriana moved to the door to discover that it was secured shut with an iron peg.

She reported to her men, «Careful. The door is secured shut from the outside, which may mean they have prisoners or hostages inside.»

Eirik suggested, «Or plunder.»

«Possible, but plunder does not snore. Let me see if I can get in without disturbing anyone else.»

The latch for the toolshed was a simple iron peg in a staple and she eased it out carefully, noting that it made no sound. That implied frequent use. She just hoped that the door hinges would not creak too much, but there was a little noise.

Of course it was completely dark inside and she wondered whether she should have brought the lantern. The snoring stopped abruptly and a sleepy voice called, "What do you want now?"

"Shh! Is there a light in here?"

"Aye. A woman? To your left, beside the door, hanging on the frame." Hesitation. "But they will see it."

Eriana realized that would be true. "As you say. How many are here?"

"Six... Mistress? What can you do for us?"

"I have thirteen men and hope to kill or capture them all. Are they all in the farmhouse?"

"No, Mistress. Some sleep in the bigger barn, there are too many for the house. Some are sick and are in the barn all day." A kind of sour chuckle in the dark. "We are not much better."

"Do you know how many are in each place?"

"No, Mistress. Some left yesterday afternoon, we were not told why."

"That was to capture us, which did not work. All those who went to Bakhrad are dead or captured."

"Do you tell me? That is good news. We will wait for you to return, then."

"Please. I will leave you for now." She smiled in the dark. "There may be some noise."

"Mistress," the voice added, "there are women captives in the stables."

It was with great self-control that Eriana stopped herself from swearing. "I understand. Thank you."

She slipped out and closed the door, returning to her file and bringing them up to date. Mindful of the captive's words, they crept very quietly past the larger central barn to find a water pump, privy and simple bathing hut at the next corner. Finally, once around the back of the stables, they reached Lars.

«There are six captives, men, in the toolshed over at the far corner. One of them told me there are women in here, also captive.» She laid her hand gently on the wood of the stable. «Some of the enemy are in the larger barn, I was told that many are sick. I have no numbers for any other place.»

Lars grunted, but quietly. «Usual tactics?»

«Of course, but remember they might have more guns. How many doors are there?»

He pointed to the rear of the farmhouse. «I saw only that one.»

She beckoned her men over with a wave. «Let us go a-viking, then.»

He put a hand on her arm. «No. This time my men go in. Cannot risk you in close quarters.»

She was annoyed but understood the logic. He continued, «Your men watch windows in case any escape.»

«Agreed.»

She was still detailing her men off when the farmhouse door opened and a soldier stumbled out, yawning. He had already pulled up his smock and one thumb had begun to pull down the top of his tights, so it was apparent that he was heading for the privy. Two of Lars' men grabbed his arms and yanked him bodily into the yard, where a third felled him with a punch. The noise when he fell to the ground was slight but would probably have been noticed so everyone instantly exploded into action.

Eriana's men raced off around the farmhouse to prevent any escapees while Lars led his men into the doorway at a rush. The sounds of a fight came from inside but did not last long. She did not hear the sound of steel clashing with steel, which was a good sign. Eventually Lars reappeared and beckoned.

Now no longer needing to whisper, he said, «Most of them were already asleep, Captain. One managed to get out a window but was stopped - permanently. Somebody managed to get a knife out and Olof got cut, that is our only blood wound so far.» A grunt. «The knife-holder paid for his trouble.»

«Serious?»

«He'll live, but Ursula will need to put stitches in his right arm. Lower arm, I should say.»

«How many did you find?»

«Fritjof did a count and had thirteen but the light is bad and they are packed in. There are also five dead. He thinks more must be in that big barn.»

«I was told that the sick are in that barn, but if the farmhouse is that crowded it makes sense for some others to sleep there as well. What numbers have we dealt with so far?»

«Hmm. Nine dead in the village and eight captured. How many were in that barn over there?»

«Two, both now dead.»

«Nineteen. Thirteen here alive makes thirty-two and five dead makes thirty-seven. The one here in the yard and the one who got out the window makes thirty-nine. That village Elder said there could be fifty to sixty all together, so where..?»

«The other farm. The Elder might not have been in any position to take an accurate count, of course.»

They stared at one another in the dim moonlight.

«Can we leave them and attack tomorrow morning?» he asked.

«It will be much harder in the daylight. There are captives here who must be released and I doubt they have been treated well, that will take time. There is another potential problem. When we went to the lookout barn I could see lights which must be from the town. They can be no more than a mark away. If we attack in daylight, they will see it all.»

«This is a problem?»

«It will be if the Ascendancy is still there.»

Lars grunted again. «Things were so much simpler when we were defending Gylfi's Rest! Let us clear the barn, free whoever is captive and then decide what to do. We have already had a long day.»

«Agreed.»

The noise had not been kept down and yet no-one had opened the doors to the large barn to see what was happening. With a lantern from the house, Eriana cautiously opened one barn door wide and held up the light to expose the interior. The barn had been converted into a dormitory with rows of rough beds, some merely mounds of straw. Of the thirty or so beds less than half were in use. Of those occupied, only one man scrambled out of bed and reached for a blade. He lowered the blade as Norse came in through the barn door behind her.

One of those still in bed spoke. "Don't be stupid, Korik. Put your knife down. It's over."

The knife thumped to the floor as the man raised his hands. The eight other men simply raised themselves on one elbow and regarded the newcomers.

"Who are you? Never seen uniforms like that before... And you're a woman, leading them? They let you?"

Eriana surveyed the inhabitants with a smile. "Have you heard of Boldan's Rock?"

Most shook their heads but one said, "Wasn't that some kind of fortress down-river? There was rumors... don't remember any more."

Another one said, "Nah, that was Joth. I still think they was off their heads, going that far down river."

Eriana said, "Never mind. I'll just tell you that your leader is dead, along with most of those who went to Bakhrad today with him. Oh, and we have captured all those in the house... well, those who didn't die."

The men went very still. The one that had jumped up sank back down on his bed.

"Prisoners, eh?" She nodded. "What will you do with us?"

"As we are merely visitors who happened to be passing, we'll hand you all over to the nearest Allied authorities. What they will do with you I cannot say... but it might not be good. You do realize that the war officially ended over two months ago?" The looks on their faces showed that some already knew while others did not. "That means that you may not be accounted prisoners of war but outlaws, brigands, and possibly liable to sterner punishment for whatever you may have done."

The knife-man swore.

She asked, "I was told that some of you are sick. Do you know what with? If nothing else I must needs protect my men."

"If you have good food," one responded, "it won't be anything you will catch, Mistress. Lots of different theories here but most think it was something bad we ate."

I need Ursula! But I cannot drag her out of bed in the middle of the night.

"I am sorry, I can offer you nothing better," she told them, "but we have a healer who will come in the morning and take a look at you." She turned as Lars joined her in the doorway.

«Big enough,» he remarked, looking around. «What's in that other barn?»

«No idea.» She thought quickly. «We had better look first. I am becoming tired and hungry, that may be where the food is kept. Besides, I do not need any more surprises tonight. There are too few of us as it is.»

«Agreed.»

She turned and gave the men instructions. «Get them all up, even the sick ones, and make a thorough search for weapons and other items. That one sitting on his bed had a knife, there may be others. Check the barn as well, there may be a weapon store here somewhere, though it is difficult to see much in this light. Once you have cleared inside here they can lie down again.»

Ragnar nodded. «Yah, Captain.»

Eriana turned to Lars. «Let us go.»

The two made their way back into the yard and over to the other barn accompanied only by Stine and Halsten. It was the best they could do as everyone else was guarding prisoners. Eriana was beginning to realize that she was out of her depth, her natural Einnlander confidence having made her forget the first rule of operations: plan, plan and plan again.

«We are too few,» she muttered.

«What?»

«I made us come away without any thought of what we might face, Lars. So far we have gotten away with it but the men must all be as tired and hungry as I am feeling. If this had been Einnland we would have made sure they were rested and had a hearty meal before we attacked.»

He grunted. «I cannot argue with that, Captain, but the circumstances are unusual. Here, look. There is a big lock on this door.»

«Eirik thought there had to be plunder somewhere.»

«Maybe. I'm more interested to see if they had any more of those guns, and where the powder would be kept. A locked barn seems a good place to me.»

«True,» she allowed. «I don't want anyone to come back while we are resting and get into that barn.»

«Someone must have a key. I did see a key on that Commissioner when we searched his body but thought little of it. He would not have gone off and left it locked behind him, surely?»

«We were told there were two under-officers of some kind. Maybe they have keys as well.»

«One might be at that other farmhouse but the other must be here. We'll search the prisoners as we move them.»

«Move them? Where?»

Lars gestured. «I want to put all the prisoners in the larger barn together, it will make them easier to manage. What was that about sickness?»

«Bad food, sounds like. I want to bring Ursula here tomorrow morning.»

He grunted. «Good idea. I'll send Olof back to fetch her in the morning, she can treat him there before they come here. Do we need the others out here as well?»

«We can decide that later. Move the prisoners over and then we can go and look at their captives.»

The prisoners were removed from the farmhouse one by one, searched, and then sent into the big barn. A number of knives and other weapons and tools were found but no key. A guard was placed at front and back before Eriana turned her attention to the toolshed. Here she opened the door wide.

"Gentlemen, you are all now free."

A voice came from the darkened interior. "You have really gotten them all, Mistress?"

"We have. Some are dead and the rest we have penned up in the larger barn. Do you want to come outside? It may be easier to talk that way."

Eriana was shocked at the appearance of the six men who emerged. Two were supported by two more though the final two managed by themselves, just. They were gaunt and filthy with long straggly beards and hair. It appeared as if they might not have even taken off their clothes the entire time they had been captive.

"By the Gods! If this is how they treated you I will kill them all!"

Their leader, the man she had spoken with originally, limped forward. "It would only be their just dues, Mistress."

In the light of Annis he took in the woman standing in front of him, tall, blonde, wearing a very short dress and with an enormous sword slung across her back. The men standing around her looked equally outlandish, with short hair, well-kept beards and curious garb showing bare legs. All carried large swords and looked extremely dangerous.

One of the largest of these stepped forward. «Captain, if we did that we would be no better than they.»

«I know it, Lars. The sight of these poor folk surprised me, that is all. We will let others judge them.»

"We are strangers in this land and have no business judging its folk," she told the men. "We are on a trading journey along the Sirrel and sought a meal and rest for the night, that is all." She rolled her eyes. "So far we have managed neither but what we have done instead justifies the lack, I deem. If I may ask who you are and how you became ensnared by these beasts."

"Mistress, I am Baros, once master of the barge Faral Wintik." He placed a hand gently on the shoulder of one of the supporters. "This is Kedian, the last of my crew who survives. These others are," he pointed as he named them, "Temmar, Zoran, Vitrak and Omar, all bargemen trapped by those of Yod when we came to Bakhrad."

"Ssss! Just as we were today, then." They could barely see her fierce grin in the poor light. "But we were ready for trouble and overcame them when their pretend Commissioner tried to arrest us."

Baros looked doubtful. "But their Thunder Pipes? How did you overcome those, Mistress?"

"We are a fighting unit, Master Baros, and were familiar with their weapons. Indeed, we had better weapons of our own. The Commissioner lies dead with a large hole in his chest and his two pipemen are likewise dead. But we must get you people off your feet, I deem. Lars, can we use the farmhouse?"

"It stinks, Captain." He switched languages. «Maybe vermin in the bedding and therefore everywhere else as well. If you ask my advice, Captain, I would stay in the yard. It is warm enough for now.» He added, «I recommend that we burn the house, but that may offend those in the town.»

She giggled and briefly explained, "He said that it would not be a good idea to go into the house."

Baros gave a short laugh. "Mistress, we know what the house is like inside. Those beasts forced us to work for them all day, every day. Kedian here was cook, it is probably the only reason he is still alive. We were made to chop firewood, draw water and even dig graves for the beasts." He frowned. "Did you just say pretend Commissioner?"

She nodded. "It is true. The war ended maybe nine weeks ago and the Ascendancy is no more. He was no more a Commissioner than I am, merely leader of a group of renegade soldiers seeking to restore something that is lost."

"Do you tell me?" Baros glanced at the others. "We thought - we thought that mayhap part of Yod was still ruled by the Ascendancy and we had strayed into the wrong part."

"That might be true, elsewhere. One of those we captured told us the truth. These vermin are nothing but remnants of an army that is no more."

"And our misfortune to run into them."

"Aye. Tell me, if Kedian is cook, what did these... beasts feed on? We have not eaten since lunchtime and, for my part, some hot food would be welcome. He need not do it all himself, we will help as we can."

"Mistress, what these ate was just about anything they could steal. They slaughtered all the farm beasts, three haunches remain but they are rotten. Mostly what they eat now is what is left of our cargoes, coarse flour and beans." Baros pointed to the smaller barn. "All the food is locked away in there. We were not permitted to enter except accompanied by one of them."

"Who has the key? We think the Commissioner had one, surely he would have left one here."

Baros nodded. "Aye, the under-officers each had one. I see from the pile of weapons that you searched them, was it not there?"

"We did not find one." Eriana thought. "Of course he could be one of those who was killed."

«I should have thought of that,» Lars said. «I'll have the bodies searched immediately.»

He walked off issuing instructions. Baros eyed him curiously.

"Who are you folk, that you do not speak the tongue of the Sirrel Valley?"

Eriana smiled. "If I may introduce myself and my crew. I am Her Highness Princess Eriana of Palarand and we are the crew of the ship Visund, originally from Einnland, which is beyond Plif and a long journey south in the ocean."

"A Princess? I beg your pardon, Your Highness, we did not know. But surely you are far from home."

"Very far, Baros, but we have given our oath to King Robanar of Palarand and we serve him now. You are bargemen, you should then know of Boldan's Rock?"

"Aye, of course. A forbidding place and said to be impregnable."

"My ship's crew and I were those who took it back from those of Yod, though we did not travel by river that time."

"There were rumors... These men? Do you tell me that those rumors were true?"

"Not having heard the rumors I could not say. But it was a hard task, and it was there we learned how to use the Yodan weapons."

Lars returned. «We searched the bodies but found no key, Captain.»

Eriana remembered something. «Their boots. Were any of them wearing calf boots?»

«I do not think so... wait! There is another, the one who got out a window round the other side.»

He hurried off around the corner of the farmhouse and reappeared carrying a body over his shoulder. It was unceremoniously dumped in the yard. It was too dark to see much but Baros nodded.

"That's him, that's Razanar. He should have the key on a cord around his neck."

The key fit the lock and turned smoothly enough. Opening the double doors they were hit by a range of pungent smells. Eriana recoiled into the yard.

"Gods! What is in here?"

"All the food, Highness, all the tools they cleared from the shed so that they could put us somewhere, their magic weapons and a few trinkets of plunder they stole from wherever they could."

"And the smell?"

"Mostly the food, Highness. What they plundered was all stored on the floor which guaranteed it would go bad. We were made to unload our cargo of flour and bring it here. One of the other barges had the beans." He added somberly, "That crew did not survive. We were made to unload that as well. They should have buried the rotten meat but Naskath, Razanar and Zerron knew better than we."

He spat in the yard. "Townsmen, all of them. Not one had a clue what to do with a farm full of narakh except kill them all badly. They did not even butcher them properly. I may be a bargeman but even I know better than that."

"Wait! What is a narakh?"

Baros stared at Eriana before nodding. "Ah, you do come from a long way away, do you not, Highness? Those animals are the providers of milk in the Sirrel Valley and nearby. A little smaller and rounder than a frayen - you do know frayen? - but with longer necks, they feed on kaskh bushes, among other things."

"Milk? Ah, I do not know that name, narakh. We have animals named bufé that provided our milk but they may not be the same. If you would continue."

He shrugged. "So we fed them as they demanded, Highness, but bad food will get even a strong man eventually."

Eriana glanced at Lars. "So there is nothing to eat?"

Baros smiled. "I did not say that, Highness. We made sure we fed them from the spoiled sacks. We told them others were spoiled and they made us eat from those instead. Kedian had saved some spices and he mixed it with our flour so our bread tasted funny to them."

"Bread... if that is all there is, then that will have to do. Master Baros, Kedian, you are in charge of our kitchen. You can ask for all the help you need. Can you feed us?"

"I will try, Highness, but as you know bread takes time... and none of us are strong any longer. You might not eat until it is nearly dawn."

"It will be good enough, if you are willing to assay the task. I am guessing that the only drink is water?"

Baros smiled again. "Perhaps not, Highness. These poor farmers had, as most do, a herb garden and I may be able to provide pel, though it will probably taste raw. The Yodans did not know the herbs and we chose not to explain."

Eriana was grinning now in the dark. "Master Baros, I am beginning to like you! I am pleased that you did not all tamely submit to the beasts but carried on your defiance under their noses."

"Highness, we did what any sensible person could under the circumstances. What they did, well, that is another matter."

There was a silence until Lars asked, "Captain, what about stables?"

"Gods! I had forgotten them! Come, we must deal with them immediately."

Baros cautioned, "Highness, I beg you, do not enter there." He considered. "Yet you are the only woman here and it may be that your voice will bring comfort to them. If you would be extremely cautious, Highness."

Eriana had already figured out what she was likely to find inside the stables and nodded abruptly. Leading the way, she strode to the double doors to the stable block and pulled the peg securing them. Lars and Eirik pulled the doors wide, allowing another waft of pungent odor to envelop those nearby, causing them to cover their noses. A hand tapped her arm and she turned to see someone hand her a lantern. Steeling herself, she entered, holding the lantern up high. The first stall was empty, but she could sense movement further along.

"Can you hear me? Your captors are dead or captured themselves. We have come to release you. I am the only woman here and I lead these men. They will not harm you."

She moved a few steps and saw the contents of the next stall. It was too much for someone who had already experienced a long and busy day, was tired and becoming extremely hungry. Her sight began to swim and there was a curious roaring in her ears. The smell was impossible. She did the only thing possible, she turned and bolted.

Outside, she thrust the lantern at someone in the dark, whoever it was yelped at the hot metal and swiftly placed it on the ground. She staggered around the side of the stable block and leaned on the corner, her empty stomach attempting to bring up contents it did not have. She heaved and heaved for ever, it seemed, until strong hands held her and pulled her firmly to his chest.

«You are yet young,» Lars told her softly. «You have not yet become hardened to sights that older eyes have already seen. We did not know how bad it would be inside.»

The tears streamed down her face. «I have failed you all,» she sobbed. «If I cannot face sights like that I am not fit to lead you.»

«It is the opposite,» he replied. «You are a woman, a young woman still, we would not follow you if you were cold to such sights. You are brave and strong but we all have limits, Princess. For now you have discovered what yours are.»

«How can I face -»

«We understand. Have no fear that any of us will doubt you. You will see.»

By the time they returned to the yard the five women had been brought out. All stood blinking in the moonlight, eyeing the surrounding men warily.

«This is no good,» Lars said, raising his voice. «Fetch some of that firewood around here, we'll build a fire in the middle of the yard. That way everyone can see what is going on.»

Eriana thought about this and then asked, «If we build a fire here they will likely see it in that town.»

Lars replied, «It will mostly be hidden behind the barn.» He shrugged. «If they did come out here to investigate that could solve a few problems. I have been wondering how we could approach them.»

«And if they are Ascendancy?»

He shrugged again. «Then we have chosen the field of battle, not them.»

Four of the men went off to begin bringing wood for the fire while Eriana cautiously approached the women. These appeared to be in much the same state as the bargemen were but obviously they had been kept for a different purpose. They still wore the clothes they had been captured in and the smell was more than somewhat ripe. Marks around their necks showed that they had been kept haltered. The eyes of two of them were dull but the other three showed some life as she neared them.

"Who are you? Why do I not understand their words?" That was the woman who seemed the oldest.

"I am owner and Captain of a ship..." Eriana thought and then clarified, "...a warship which is making a voyage upstream along the Sirrel. My men are all seasoned warriors, we come from a distant land. We called at Bakhrad and discovered the circumstances. The man who called himself the Commissioner was killed there along with eight of his men. We captured eight others there. When we arrived here there was a short fight and many were killed, including the under-officer. The rest we have penned in that barn," she jerked a thumb, "to await judgment."

"Will you kill them all?"

Eriana shook her head. "We are travelers, it is not our place. We believe that the town nearby has Allied troops who will determine justice."

"Town? Where?"

Eriana pointed. "Over that way, perhaps a mark. Behind the barn."

Baros approached. "Highness, if you are remaining out here then the ground will be hard for all. Yonder building was not stables but a milking shed. Above the stalls should be a store of forage, some of your men can bring it out to make the women more comfortable."

"As you say! As soon as we get the fire going we will be able to see what we are doing."

In due course the fire was flickering and cushions of forage provided seats for most of the men. Some had brought out tables and benches from the farmhouse and scrubbed them down, making it a little easier to set out, initially, mugs of pel.

The women, by some gravitational force, gathered around Eriana, who was obliged to separate herself from her men.

"Tell me of yourselves."

The oldest said, "I am Nethra, wife of Padaran, the owner of the second barge captured," she explained. There was a long silence before she added, "My husband and his crew were killed in front of me and it was plain what my fate would be."

A long breath and she became more brisk. She rested a hand on a knee. "This is Banest, one of the two women on the first barge to be captured. Her husband was also killed, though I believe that two of his crew are over there."

She pointed to where Temmar, Zoran, Vitrak and Omar reclined on forage and sipped cautiously at the first hot drink they had had in many weeks.

Another women said, "Is it possible? We did not know who they had and they were careful not to tell us."

Eriana asked, "You think that one of them may be your..?"

She gave a slight shake of the head. "No, Captain. I saw my husband murdered in front of me just as Nethra did. My apologies, I am named Larys. I wondered if any of our crew had survived."

"When you have regained some strength, you may go and ask them." At her look Eriana added, "Do not fear them, they have been as badly treated as you have. From what I have heard so far they were treated more as beasts of burden than as people."

Nethra indicated the two silent women. "One of these is named Matta and the other Vellana. They were captured first. You will understand that, penned in those stalls like animals, we have never actually seen one another until now."

The two just stared at Eriana, their eyes blank. She shivered. What must it have taken for them to be reduced to this state? Then she looked at Nethra and wondered how she, Banest and Larys were still able to do anything at all.

"You are safe here," she told them again. "None of my men will harm you, in fact they will guard you against all who may seek to cause you further distress."

Nethra stared at Eriana. "Who are you, that such men bow to your desires? I have never seen the like before."

Eriana's heart sank. She had not wanted her status to become known yet, as it might form a barrier between herself and the women.

"For now, I am nothing but the owner and Captain of a ship that sails the Sirrel. These men..." She paused, then decided to tell it all. "These men are not my crew. My ship's crew presently resides in Bakhrad and I expect that you will see them in the morning. These men are all my sworn retainers, since I am actually Her Highness Princess Eriana of Palarand.

"I am the daughter of a King, but not Palarand's King. I ran away from my father who desired an unsuitable marriage for me. King Robanar has graciously granted us sanctuary from my father and to repay him we carried out a small task for which my men were particularly suited. We stormed Boldan's Rock and drove out those of Yod, then stormed the wharves below and recovered them for those of Ferenis."

"A Princess? And carrying a sword like that? What manner of people are you?"

"We are Einnlanders, a hardy people of the sea, who live on the coast of the ocean below the Palumaks. Since the name of our land is obscure, you should name us Norse, which is because of our origins... somewhere else entirely. We are few in number but warlike, forever quarreling and raiding one another's settlements for slaves and booty."

She paused, then added, "I should say that we were Einnlanders but no longer claim that land as home. By oath to King Robanar we have become Palarandis and are warlike only when there is need."

"Palarand..." muttered Banest. "There were some strange rumors..."

Eriana looked at her. "I may know of what you speak. Now is not the time to tell you, though, as the telling needs daylight and clear heads. I will tell you everything when we are all refreshed and cleaned up, you have my oath."

Banest asked, half in jest, "Heard and witnessed?"

"I am a Princess. I keep my promises."

The camp descended into silence, the women all clustered closely around Eriana. Some time later, Vynil appeared with a tray of mugs. Eriana surveyed them with suspicion.

«Captain, we have scrubbed everything with platter-sand, you can be certain they are safe and clean enough to use. Kedian says that he roasted the pel herbs in the oven as it warms for the bread, hoping to dry them enough to make something we could drink. He has had to dilute what he made but it still has a kick. If you think it unsuitable he will try something different. Oh, and the bread will be about another stunder before it is ready.»

She reached for the nearest mug and sniffed before taking a sip.

«It is different,» she said, «but it is hot and acceptable. Is there enough for everyone?»

«I would think so, Captain, judging by the size of the pot he made it in.»

«Serve it out, then. Everybody deserves to have something hot even if the food must wait.»

«Captain.»

He offered the tray to the women and all took a mug, the two silent ones after some hesitation. There were no complaints concerning the flavor. They sat and sipped, watching the fire slowly subside. All around the flames the men sat and rested, some of them already dozing, while others stood alertly, with their backs to the fire, gazing out into the night.

At some point she was aroused to full consciousness by the smell of freshly-baked bread. Vynil appeared with a tray full of loaves, made into short batons to make it easier to distribute and to tear. When she took one it was hot to the touch, soft and still moist from the oven. The others also took bread and sat quietly munching it in the flickering light.

She remembered nothing more of that night.