Avalon 3 - Lady of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Author:Marion Zimmer Bradley
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Unknown
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-05-05T06:00:00+00:00

Carausius straightened from looking at the map of the coastline, wincing as the muscles of his back protested. How long, he wondered, had he been bending over it? The map was made of leather so that it could be rolled up and carried, or pegged to a board. Wooden counters representing ships and supplies were set by the pictures of fortresses or towns, easy to count and easy to shift. If only it were so easy to move ships and men. But the vagaries of the weather and the human heart could upset the most logical plans.

The fortress lay in the stillness of the hours between midnight and dawn, when everyone was asleep but the guards on the walls. And himself and Allectus. The younger man moved three more wooden “bags of grain” from the painted image of Dubris to Rutupiae and glanced at his commander.

“I think we’ll have enough.” He made a tally mark on his slate. “We won’t get fat, but everyone will be fed.” He tried to suppress a yawn.

“And everyone must sleep,” said Carausius, surveying him with a smile. “Even you and I. Go to bed, Allectus, and sleep well.”

“I’m not tired, truly. The other forts—”

“Can wait until tomorrow. You’ve done more than enough for now.”

“You’re pleased with my work, then?” Allectus asked. Carausius frowned, wondering why he needed to ask.

“Last fall, you took me on unofficially,” Allectus went on. “The officers on your staff know me, but I would have more authority when I go elsewhere if I were in uniform. That is,” he added with sudden diffidence, “if I’ve earned my place here….”

“Allectus!” Carausius gripped his shoulder, and the younger man straightened, his dark eyes shining as if he were holding back tears. For a moment the Admiral was reminded of Teleri—both had the fine bones and dark coloring of the tribes that lived in the west country. They might well be related, somewhere along the line.

“My boy, can you doubt it? I can scarcely imagine how I managed before you were here. But if you want a uniform, then that is what you shall have.”

Allectus smiled blindingly and, bending, kissed the Admiral’s hand. Carausius let go of his shoulder, a little surprised by his intensity, but touched as well. “Go on now, and sleep,” he said gently. “You do not need to exhaust yourself in my service to prove your loyalty.”

When Allectus had gone, Carausius stood looking after him, still smiling. If Teleri bore me a son he might look like that, he thought suddenly. He had taken her for other reasons, but she was his wife. Why should he not hope for a son, born of this land, to follow him?

He strode down the corridor toward his quarters more eagerly than usual. Teleri had made it clear that she did not welcome his embraces, but most women wanted to bear children. And perhaps, if she did so, she would come to feel a kindness for the father of her child.

But when he came to his chamber, the bed was empty.

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