Chapter 28
Prince Taneric was dismayed when Ashala told him of Hanja's departure from the City but there was little time to dwell on the matter, preparations for the army's departure requiring all his attention. Besides, he knew that in Samon she would have an excellent guardian.
"I will be on the Road of Lakes myself soon enough, Ashala," he said. "And I will seek them there, and Nikah too. I will be needing City Guardsmen. Five cohorts. Have them made ready!"
"Tak!" shouted Ashala. "Do not command me as though I were one of your men!"
He turned to her, reaching for her hand and kissing it.
"I am sorry, High Priestess. Forgive me for my impertinence, but I need your men. The task I have before me is but half done."
Ashala sighed, "Tak, the Treaty of Tajorg states that the City and the North will defend one another. It says nothing of Casbur, or of the South."
Shocked, Taneric said, "I have not thought of the treaty for many moons. I believed we were beyond it, Ashala; that now we act with common purpose, from trust and love. I brought you men from the north to defend this city; four times the number you could muster. And Fris____"
"Fris is a boy of the City Tak. Do not forget it! He belongs to Priestess Shallie and she has not relinquished him, nor will she. He will remain here in the Temple. And do not forget that his devices were made in the foundries and workshops of the City!"
"You are afraid of something, Ashala. What is it? Fris? Zantina? Surely not me, your devoted boy Tak?"
He reached for her as he spoke, pulling her close, and she nestled her head against his chest, avoiding his gaze. A single tear ran from her eye but she wiped it away.
"Of course I will give you the cohorts, Tak. Although the Temple has freed you, I know that you still belong to the Goddess. You are as much Her slave as you were Ruta's when you were kept within the Temple as her boy."
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The next day reinforcements arrived from the north. Four thousand warriors led by Peto and Ostin. And with them they brought scores of wagons full of fresh supplies, and thousands of horses to supplement those that had been kept within the City walls.
Peto expressed disappointment at missing the Emperor's army, but was excited by the prospect of a campaign to the east.
"I can give you just one day's rest," Taneric told him. "Tomorrow we ride."
It was decided that three thousand warriors would follow the Emperor's main army south, to ensure it stayed to the route and departed promptly from the southern ports. The bulk of Taneric's men, including the cohorts provided by Ashala, would ride to Casbur.
That night, the eve of their departure, Peto and Taneric stood on the City's still intact north wall. They spoke of things that had come to pass in the days since they had last been together, in the little village near Tajorg where a woman of the Goddess was saved from burning.
"What did you do with the High Priest of Wodh?" asked Peto.
"I gave him a child's wooden sword and shield and was about to send him out alone to face the Emperor's first attack. But the High Priestess stopped me."
"You do as Ashala commands, Tak?"
"Well, she was right, was she not?"
Peto considered this for a while and then nodded.
"Yes, Tak, I think she was."
Below them, some men of the Emperor's army were still working by lantern light, digging graves for their fallen comrades. They could barely lift the shovels, such was their fatigue. Tak and Peto, watching from the walls, saw two priestesses in white robes approach the men, bearing large baskets of food which they distributed generously.
"Look how the strangers appreciate the love shown to them, Tak," said Peto. "How they kneel and kiss the sleeves of the women's robes. It is a powerful thing, is it not? Yes, I think Ashala was right."
"How is my father?" asked Tak, changing the subject.
"He weakens, but he knows you cannot go to him now. Finish what needs to be done here, and at Casbur! But Tak, there is something he asked Ostin and I to make clear to you. Whatever you take now, take it in your own name, not his! Do you understand, Tak?"