Banewreaker(117)

"Why?" he whispered.

"Because he understands what it means to be King of the West." Fianna had approached him from behind, her steps inaudible on the pine mast. Her hands lit on his shoulders, her face bending down beside his. "Oh, Carfax! You have proved a true companion in this venture when all but the Wise Counselor would have doubted you. Do you think Aracus Altorus will not see it?"

It was hard to think, with her soft breath brushing his cheek. Exhaling hard, he lifted his head and focused on the Borderguardsman. "Why him, Blaise? What has he done to win your loyalty?"

"Can you not guess?" Blaise Caveros laid his sword across his knees. His dark eyes held Carfax's in a steady gaze. "You, who have served under the Kingslayer? He trusted me, Staccian. Since we were boys. Always." His mouth twisted in a wry smile. "If the Kingslayer's wife had not betrayed him, his blood would run in Aracus' veins. Instead, Aracus is the last scion of the House of Altorus, while for a thousand years, my family's name has been a byword for betrayal. Aracus Altorus measured me by the contents of my heart and made me his right hand. He gave my family back its honor, Staccian. Is that not enough? Can you say as much of Tanaros Blacksword?"

"No," Carfax whispered.

"And Satoris Banewreaker?" Blaise's voice hardened. "How is it you serve him? Has the Sunderer dealt so gently with his Staccian allies?"

"No." He pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. "Yes! I don't know, my lord!" Carfax drew a long, shuddering breath. "What would you have me say?" he asked miserably, raising his bloodshot gaze. "He played us fair! Battle-glory and generous recompense for the fallen. That's the bargain Lord Vorax has ever offered on Lord Satoris' behalf, and from time out of mind, we've taken it. And he has kept his terms! For a thousand years, no enemy has lifted a blade within our borders, and no child has hungered. This, Lord Satoris has done for us. Can any other nation of Men claim the same? My family dwells in peace and comfort because I serve his Lordship. Is it so wrong?"

"If it keeps the world Sundered, aye." Blaise's tone was surprisingly gentle. "Forgive me, Staccian, but I do believe it."

"You have so much faith!" The words burst from his lips. Carfax glared at them; glared at them all, for now the Ellyl had returned and all four were arrayed about the campfire. "How can you know? How can you be so surer"

They glanced at one another, and at him, pitying.

It was Peldras who answered, lowering himself gracefully to sit cross-legged beside the fire. "Carfax of Staccia," he said, "let me ask you this: How is it you cannot?"

Carfax shook his head, unable to articulate a reply.

"My people are dying." The Ellyl tilted his head, regarding the distant stars. "We are fading, bit by bit. We are Haomane's Children, and we drew our strength from the Souma. Without it, we are bereft. We are the Rivenlost. The way home is forbidden us." He turned the weight of his luminous gaze on Carfax. "We are Haomane's Children, and while we live, we are an affront to the Sunderer, and one he would destroy. Do you deny it?"

"No," he said, miserable. "But—"

"But tomorrow we will be in Beshtanag," Blaise said brusquely. "Which is a trap. You have said so yourself, Staccian. I mean to give warning to my lord Aracus Altorus. I spoke the truth, before. You acquitted yourself well. Now I need to know: Do you stand with us or against us? Will you pledge your loyalty to me?"

Carfax blinked, his vision streaked by tears. Why was it that the rest of the world seemed so far away? It felt like a lifetime had passed since he set out from Darkhaven. These people had become his companions, the only ones left to him. He had traveled with them, eaten with them, fought with them back-to-back. One had sacrificed himself to save his worthless life. He remembered Hobard, his father's sword in his hand and urgency straining his bloodstained face, the wave of Were that had swallowed him. This is my death. Go!

But…

He remembered Turin, Hunric; the men he had left behind, obedient to his orders. He remembered the men he had led and how they had trusted him. How he had led them into battle, singing, sure of victory. They had been good comrades, and true. They had trusted his leadership, and General Tanaros had trusted him to lead them. And he had erred in his folly and the earth had risen to engulf them. He was a traitor, aye. He had saved Dani's life. He had admitted that Beshtanag was a trap, and Lord Satoris' raven had watched him do it. Oh, aye, Carfax of Staccia was a traitor of the first order, but he was man enough still not to profit by it. Not while his own men rotted in barrows beneath the sedge grass.