Authors: Juliet Marillier
Blade of Fortriu (3 page)
While the decisions were largely made at White Hill, Bridei maintained strongholds elsewhere. Caer Pridne still housed a garrison, stables, training yards, and an armory. Raven’s Well in the southwest and Thorn Bend in the southeast were strategic outposts under the leadership
of influential chieftains loyal to the king. All knew Bridei’s plan was to strengthen Fortriu sufficiently and then move against the Gaels. All knew the time was drawing ever closer. Exactly when was a matter for the laying of wagers.
of influential chieftains loyal to the king. All knew Bridei’s plan was to strengthen Fortriu sufficiently and then move against the Gaels. All knew the time was drawing ever closer. Exactly when was a matter for the laying of wagers.
The day after Faolan’s return to White Hill, Ana was called to the royal apartments. Derelei was out in the garden with the nursemaid; within the chamber Bridei
and Tuala used for informal meetings, the king and queen were sitting quietly, waiting for her. Their serious faces alarmed Ana. She had a fair idea of what was coming, but she had expected Bridei, at least, to present the news as positive. The little white dog, Ban, who was Bridei’s constant companion, arose from his place beneath the king’s chair, stance alert, then, seeing a friend, settled once
more. Moving forward into the chamber, Ana saw that there was a fourth person present. Faolan, Bridei’s assassin, Bridei’s spy, Bridei’s right-hand man, was leaning against the wall by the narrow window, his form in shadow. His eyes traveled over her as she went to sit by the table. Ana saw in his face, not the open admiration that other men offered her, but a cool assessment: plainly, the Gael
was calculating her value as marketable goods.
and Tuala used for informal meetings, the king and queen were sitting quietly, waiting for her. Their serious faces alarmed Ana. She had a fair idea of what was coming, but she had expected Bridei, at least, to present the news as positive. The little white dog, Ban, who was Bridei’s constant companion, arose from his place beneath the king’s chair, stance alert, then, seeing a friend, settled once
more. Moving forward into the chamber, Ana saw that there was a fourth person present. Faolan, Bridei’s assassin, Bridei’s spy, Bridei’s right-hand man, was leaning against the wall by the narrow window, his form in shadow. His eyes traveled over her as she went to sit by the table. Ana saw in his face, not the open admiration that other men offered her, but a cool assessment: plainly, the Gael
was calculating her value as marketable goods.
“You know why we have called you, I imagine?” Bridei said as Tuala poured mead.
Ana was suddenly tense with nerves. She gave a tight nod. These were her friends. She dined with them every day. She played with their son. Nonetheless, Bridei had such power over her future that, for a moment, she was afraid. “I understand Faolan has news of this Caitt
chieftain, Alpin,” she said, keeping her voice calm. “He has, perhaps, shown an interest in marriage?”
chieftain, Alpin,” she said, keeping her voice calm. “He has, perhaps, shown an interest in marriage?”
A brief silence. Evidently her guess was wrong.
“We find ourselves in rather a difficult situation,” Bridei said, “and, as a result, we’re about to ask for your help, Ana. What we need you to do is difficult. Awkward. It will mean great change for you.”
Ana had no idea what he meant.
“We’ve
called you here now, just the four of us, so that we can give you this news in private and allow you some time for consideration,” Bridei went on. “There’s to be a formal council this evening, at which our decision must be made on this matter. Faolan’s news has made this urgent. Critical.”
called you here now, just the four of us, so that we can give you this news in private and allow you some time for consideration,” Bridei went on. “There’s to be a formal council this evening, at which our decision must be made on this matter. Faolan’s news has made this urgent. Critical.”
“Bridei,” Tuala said, “I’m sure Ana would prefer it if you just set everything out for her. This is a great
deal to ask. She needs all the facts.”
deal to ask. She needs all the facts.”
Faolan cleared his throat.
“You know, of course,” Bridei said, “of the great venture we plan against the Gaels in the near future. Gods willing, our old foes will be swept from the shores of Priteni lands once and for all, and their Christian faith with them. In this endeavor we need whatever allies we can get. Circinn has been invited to an assembly before
full summer, as you’ll be aware. We have high hopes of securing Drust the Boar’s cooperation this time, for all he let the missionaries of the cross into his own kingdom. I also intend to set in place what alliances I can with the northern realms of the Priteni.”
full summer, as you’ll be aware. We have high hopes of securing Drust the Boar’s cooperation this time, for all he let the missionaries of the cross into his own kingdom. I also intend to set in place what alliances I can with the northern realms of the Priteni.”
“My kin in the Light Isles?” Perhaps, against all expectations, he was sending her home.
“I’ve sent a request to your cousin for armed
men. The message also sought his formal consent to my bestowing your hand in a particular quarter.”
men. The message also sought his formal consent to my bestowing your hand in a particular quarter.”
“I see.”
“Ana”—Bridei’s tone was kind—“you’ve known this was coming for a long time. You are in your nineteenth year now, well past the age when you might have expected to be wed.”
“Just tell her, Bridei,” said Tuala with uncharacteristic sharpness.
“I’d planned to investigate the chieftain
we had in mind for you, Alpin of Briar Wood, more thoroughly before approaching him,” Bridei said. “Thus far, Umbrig is the only Caitt chieftain to pledge support against the Gaels. The Caitt are a strange breed, full of pride and aggression. Alpin is probably the most powerful, and he’s also the hardest to get to, his territory being both remote and situated in the middle of an impenetrable forest.
Messages travel slowly.”
we had in mind for you, Alpin of Briar Wood, more thoroughly before approaching him,” Bridei said. “Thus far, Umbrig is the only Caitt chieftain to pledge support against the Gaels. The Caitt are a strange breed, full of pride and aggression. Alpin is probably the most powerful, and he’s also the hardest to get to, his territory being both remote and situated in the middle of an impenetrable forest.
Messages travel slowly.”
Ana thought hard. “Don’t the Caitt usually stay outside other people’s disputes?” she asked. “They crossed to the Light Isles from time to time in their war boats; I can remember them at my cousin’s court. He used to buy them off with gifts.”
“They are of our own kind,” Tuala put in. “They share the same blood and the same tongue as the Priteni everywhere, in Fortriu,
Circinn, or the Light Isles. And if Umbrig can pledge warriors, so could Alpin. That could make all the difference.”
Circinn, or the Light Isles. And if Umbrig can pledge warriors, so could Alpin. That could make all the difference.”
Ana waited. She felt she might be missing something.
“Faolan,” said Bridei, “tell the lady Ana what you have discovered; at least, that part of it we agreed is safe to tell.”
Faolan folded his arms and stared into the middle distance. He was an unexceptional-looking man, of average
height and wiry build, the sort of man who can blend into any crowd. His only distinguishing feature was the lack of facial tattoos which, since he was plainly neither druid nor scholar, marked him out as not of Priteni blood. Ana wondered if, as a spy, he worked assiduously on being instantly forgettable.
height and wiry build, the sort of man who can blend into any crowd. His only distinguishing feature was the lack of facial tattoos which, since he was plainly neither druid nor scholar, marked him out as not of Priteni blood. Ana wondered if, as a spy, he worked assiduously on being instantly forgettable.
“I heard talk of a second territory,” he said. “On the west coast, with a sheltered anchorage.
If this information is accurate, the place is ideally placed for access by sea to the Dalriadan territories. That’s the first piece of information, and it means we’re not likely to be the only player trying to woo this Caitt leader with incentives.”
If this information is accurate, the place is ideally placed for access by sea to the Dalriadan territories. That’s the first piece of information, and it means we’re not likely to be the only player trying to woo this Caitt leader with incentives.”
An incentive. She had never been called that before. “And the second piece of information?” she asked him coolly.
“You understand,” Faolan said,
“that you cannot be privy to all the details; in the wrong hands, information can be dangerous.”
“that you cannot be privy to all the details; in the wrong hands, information can be dangerous.”
Ana was outraged. “I may be a hostage,” she said in her most queenly tone, “but I can be relied on to be unswervingly loyal to Bridei. I don’t much care for your implication.”
Faolan looked through her. “The strongest man’s loyalty can break under torture,” he said flatly. “You’ll be told what you
need to know, no more. Alpin is a powerful player, far more so than we realized. I heard that he may be on the verge of agreeing to an alliance with Gabhran of Dalriada. We have to move swiftly. We cannot afford to have that western anchorage in Gaelic hands, or Alpin’s private army ranged against us in battle. It’s simple enough.”
need to know, no more. Alpin is a powerful player, far more so than we realized. I heard that he may be on the verge of agreeing to an alliance with Gabhran of Dalriada. We have to move swiftly. We cannot afford to have that western anchorage in Gaelic hands, or Alpin’s private army ranged against us in battle. It’s simple enough.”
“I see.” Ana struggled for calm. “So you plan to offer him a
royal bride?” she asked Bridei. “To render this powerful player still more powerful by offering him the opportunity to father a king?”
royal bride?” she asked Bridei. “To render this powerful player still more powerful by offering him the opportunity to father a king?”
“Alpin is wealthy,” Bridei said. “He has land, men, cattle, silver. We can’t tempt him with any of the usual things. Our leverage rests on two facts we’ve gleaned from Faolan’s investigations. One, Alpin craves respectability and status. Past history has rendered
him less than well regarded by the other Caitt chieftains, such as Umbrig, for all his natural son is fostered out iri that household. Two—”
him less than well regarded by the other Caitt chieftains, such as Umbrig, for all his natural son is fostered out iri that household. Two—”
“He isn’t married,” Ana said.
“Exactly. He is a widower with no legitimate children. You see what an opportunity this is.”
“Bridei understands how difficult this is for you, Ana.” Tuala’s small, clear voice was apologetic. “Although you have been anticipating
this for so long, that makes it no less daunting to face the reality, I know. Please ask any questions you like; I imagine it will be far easier to do so now, informally, than at tonight’s council.”
this for so long, that makes it no less daunting to face the reality, I know. Please ask any questions you like; I imagine it will be far easier to do so now, informally, than at tonight’s council.”
Ana swallowed. “Why a council?” she asked. “Is not this Bridei’s decision?” One thing was certain; her own choices did not come into it at all.
“My advisers and war leaders need to hear Faolan’s
news at first hand,” the king said. “It’s significant.”
news at first hand,” the king said. “It’s significant.”
It seemed to Ana that all of them were holding something back. “There’s more, isn’t there?” she said, looking from Tuala’s big, troubled eyes to Bridei’s honest blue ones to Faolan’s dark, closed-off stare. “What?”
“Time,” Faolan said. “There’s no time. You need to go now. That’s what it amounts to.”
Ana stared at him.
Bridei sighed.
“In effect, that is what we must ask you to do. The nature of Faolan’s information is such that this has become of pressing urgency. I’ve dispatched a messenger to Alpin advising him of our offer. However, it’s in our best interests not to wait for a written response, but for you to set out for Briar Wood right away. We need you married and an agreement signed by summer. We must move before Alpin
commits himself to a Gaelic alliance.”
“In effect, that is what we must ask you to do. The nature of Faolan’s information is such that this has become of pressing urgency. I’ve dispatched a messenger to Alpin advising him of our offer. However, it’s in our best interests not to wait for a written response, but for you to set out for Briar Wood right away. We need you married and an agreement signed by summer. We must move before Alpin
commits himself to a Gaelic alliance.”
“Go now—but—” Ana was speechless. Suddenly, she was ten years old again, full of excitement to be visiting the court of Fortriu, then being told she was a hostage and would not be going home again. “But Bridei—Tuala—how can you do this? It means I’ll be on the way there not even knowing if he’s agreed! What if I turn up on his doorstep and …” She could not
quite put it into words.
What if he doesn’t want me?
There was a terrible shame in it.
quite put it into words.
What if he doesn’t want me?
There was a terrible shame in it.
“Ana,” said Bridei, “the man would be a complete fool to be displeased with such a bride. Believe me. He need only take one look at you. Put such doubts from your mind. It is our belief that your physical presence at Briar Wood will be one of our most telling bargaining points.”
This did not make her feel
better. “Surely this could be approached just a little more gradually,” she protested. “Even if your advance takes place as early as next spring, couldn’t we wait for the messenger to come back with Alpin’s answer?” Alpin might even travel to White Hill in person to fetch her. That way, there would at least be a little time to make his acquaintance before the formal handfasting. “There’d still be
plenty of time for me to travel to Briar Wood before next winter,” she said.
better. “Surely this could be approached just a little more gradually,” she protested. “Even if your advance takes place as early as next spring, couldn’t we wait for the messenger to come back with Alpin’s answer?” Alpin might even travel to White Hill in person to fetch her. That way, there would at least be a little time to make his acquaintance before the formal handfasting. “There’d still be
plenty of time for me to travel to Briar Wood before next winter,” she said.
“It has to be now.” Faolan’s tone was final. “Strategic reasons. Reasons it’s best you don’t know in full.”
“I see.” Ana was shaking; she clenched her fists, wondering if what she felt was anger or fear. “When is
now
, precisely?”
now
, precisely?”
Bridei’s eyes were full of compassion. “As soon as you can be ready,” the king said. “There
are certain arrangements to be put in place; someone from court will accompany you and assess the situation at Briar Wood before any final agreement is made between yourself and Alpin. I’ll see to it that you have an appropriate escort. You’ll wish to take a little time with preparation of clothing and personal effects. Tuala will make sure you have any help you need. Faolan will speak to you
later, he’ll let you know what’s required. The terrain’s difficult in parts, so the baggage must be kept to a minimum.”
are certain arrangements to be put in place; someone from court will accompany you and assess the situation at Briar Wood before any final agreement is made between yourself and Alpin. I’ll see to it that you have an appropriate escort. You’ll wish to take a little time with preparation of clothing and personal effects. Tuala will make sure you have any help you need. Faolan will speak to you
later, he’ll let you know what’s required. The terrain’s difficult in parts, so the baggage must be kept to a minimum.”
There was a silence. Ana looked down at her hands. “Someone from court,” she said eventually. “That is to be Faolan?” It was not possible to keep the note of distaste from her voice.
“Correct,” Bridei said. “He’s well equipped to assess the risks when you reach Briar Wood,
and expert in matters of personal security.”
and expert in matters of personal security.”
She looked up then, and saw on the face of the king’s assassin an expression that must surely be the mirror of her own. It gave her some little satisfaction that to him, too, this arrangement was less than welcome.
“You look tired, Ana,” Tuala said quietly. “This is a great deal to take in.”
Her friend’s kindness was, somehow, the last straw. Ana
knew she was on the verge of bursting into tears or uttering some ill-considered protest. “I’m fine,” she said brightly. “This council—what is expected of me there?”
knew she was on the verge of bursting into tears or uttering some ill-considered protest. “I’m fine,” she said brightly. “This council—what is expected of me there?”
“Your formal consent to the handfasting. Some council members may have questions for you, or you for them”
“I see.” And she did see; she saw a future in which things happened regardless of her own choices; a future in which she
was completely powerless. Duty: so this was what it amounted to. She hoped Alpin of Briar Wood was a kind man. “Excuse me.” Holding her head high, she managed to leave the room with her dignity intact. She waited until she was in her chamber alone before she let the first tear fall.
was completely powerless. Duty: so this was what it amounted to. She hoped Alpin of Briar Wood was a kind man. “Excuse me.” Holding her head high, she managed to leave the room with her dignity intact. She waited until she was in her chamber alone before she let the first tear fall.
“I DON’T LIKE this,” the king of Fortriu said to his wife a little later, when Faolan had departed and
the two of them were alone. “I had always hoped not only to find the right strategic match for Ana, but also to select a man whom I knew would be kind to her. I hate this need for haste.”
the two of them were alone. “I had always hoped not only to find the right strategic match for Ana, but also to select a man whom I knew would be kind to her. I hate this need for haste.”
“She’s very upset,” said Tuala. “She was doing her best not to show it, she’s been well trained, but it was obvious she was on the verge of tears. If there is some way to make this easier for her, we should
do our best to find it.”
do our best to find it.”
“I know.” Bridei reached down to scratch Ban behind the ears; sighing, Ban laid his head on the king’s foot. Since the day the dog had mysteriously appeared by the scrying pool at Pitnochie, in the momentous winter of the election for kingship, he had scarcely left Bridei’s side. “It’s a great deal to expect from her, I’m well aware of that. But Ana is a grown woman now,
and she’s made no secret of her wish for children of her own. At least this did not happen when she was fourteen, fifteen, as it could well have done had the right offer come at that time.”
and she’s made no secret of her wish for children of her own. At least this did not happen when she was fourteen, fifteen, as it could well have done had the right offer come at that time.”
“All the same,” said Tuala, “any woman in her situation would be thinking, what if I reach Briar Wood and discover my betrothed is a monster: pox-ridden, or a drunkard, or a wife beater? It would be so much
better if Alpin could come here first, so we could find out what manner of man he is. Ana is our friend, Bridei.”
better if Alpin could come here first, so we could find out what manner of man he is. Ana is our friend, Bridei.”
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