Caddoran by Roger Taylor

Author:Roger Taylor [Taylor, Roger]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, General, Fiction
ISBN: 9781843192831
Google: ffg8lTRUdfQC
Amazon: B004I1KNYU
Publisher: Mushroom eBooks
Published: 2003-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

‘Council of war?’ Hyrald echoed uncertainly. ‘What’s that?’

‘Precisely what it says, a council – an assembly – to discuss the war,’ Endryk replied.

‘What war?’ The pitch of Hyrald’s voice rose further than he intended.

‘The one we’re in,’ Endryk retorted bluntly. ‘Just because there isn’t cavalry and infantry tramping the countryside doesn’t mean there’s no war going on. There is, and you need to understand that if you’re going to survive. And that’s only a start – a great many things will have to be thought about if we’re to survive. Thyrn mentioned them the other day. How to live in this place – not for a few days but for months, quite possibly into the winter. How to cope with illness and injury. How to defend ourselves against Aghrid and anyone else who comes after us. How to find out what’s happening back in Arvenshelm if you want to return there. And, not least, how to do something about it.’

His words hung uncomfortably in the dull, damp air as they walked along. No one spoke for some time.

‘It’s a grim list,’ Hyrald said eventually.

‘It is,’ Endryk agreed. ‘Grimmer than you know, I suspect, but unavoidable given the decision you’ve made to return – which, for what it’s worth, I think is right,’ he added hastily. ‘Given that the alternative is fruitless – a wandering exile and no guarantee you might not be pursued even into that. Still, to quote Thyrn, knowledge might be difficult to deal with, but it’s a damned sight better than ignorance and while we accept the simple fact of our position we’ll at least have a chance.’

‘We’ve managed well enough so far,’ Rhavvan said defensively.

‘Well enough, yes,’ Endryk agreed. ‘But we can’t carry on like this for much longer. That was just to keep us going day by day while you were recovering from your flight and thinking about what to do. Plus we’ve been lucky – with the weather, the terrain, even the supplies. That won’t continue. But at least the situation’s clearer now.’

‘We’ve got a vicious enemy behind us, a definite intention ahead, and a long way to travel. We need to work out in detail what we’re going to do, how we’re going to do it, and who’s going to do what.’

It was Adren. There was an edge to her voice. Endryk acknowledged her summary with a gesture that indicated he had nothing further to say.

‘Council of war it is, then.’ Hyrald smiled ruefully. ‘A planning meeting, I suppose we’d call it.’ This inadvertent reminder of times now seemingly gone for ever, brought a long fretting thought to the surface. He looked at Endryk squarely and cleared his throat. ‘Back home, these two . . .’ He indicated Rhavvan and Adren. ‘Are my deputies, while Nordath and Thyrn would naturally yield to the authority of any Warden. But out here I’ve no illusions about my worth. Frankly, I’m lost. You’ve been our leader since we left your cottage. Will you continue to be?’

Endryk met his gaze and answered immediately.

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