The Maid's War(82)
“Which river was it?” Alensson asked. “I can tell you.”
“It was the Sienna River. The one that leads to Pree. The army is encamped on the other side of Montreux Bridge.”
A wise grin passed over Alensson’s face.
“You know that bridge?”
“Of course I know that bridge,” he said with a chuckle. “That’s where Chatriyon murdered his rival, the King of Brugia. Is that were Lewis and Eredur plan to meet?”
“It is. I’ve not heard this story.”
“It was famous back in its day. But it’s long been forgotten. Are we going down into the ravine?”
“I think we should,” Ankarette said.
He shook his head. “This will lead to the Sienna. It would be wise for us to follow it for a while, but let’s not go down there just yet. Once we’re there, it’ll be easier for them to trap us. Let’s save it for a final hope. Agreed?”
“Agreed. As long as we’re heading in the right direction.”
“We are . . . I know this wood. Let me tell you this story quickly. It may save your king’s life. I’ll keep my voice low.”
“Thank you,” she answered, keeping alert for noise of their pursuers. She could hear them in the woods. They weren’t troubling to keep their silence. The occasional spurt of voices or cracking of limbs announced their presence. She was determined to bring Alensson to safety. Perhaps their hunter had a special gift from the Fountain that enabled him to pursue someone?
“Montreux Bridge is just ahead,” Alensson said, pointing. “The Sienna is too difficult for an army to cross. The bridge is notoriously stone and quite defensible. What’s not well known is that a secret trapdoor was built into the flooring on the other side of the bridge. The side your king is encamped on.”
“A trapdoor? To what purpose?”
“Murder, of course. Before a negotiation, the king’s men will erect two timber cages on the bridge, and the two sides will meet in the cages. The doors are locked. The arrangement ensures only a few men on each side are involved in the negotiation and the cages prevent them from attacking each other. But there is the trapdoor. At the king’s signal, the soldiers hidden under the bridge come through the trapdoor and kill those inside the cage on the enemy’s side. That’s what happened to the King of Brugia when he came to negotiate peace with Chatriyon. This was before Chatriyon was crowned king at Ranz. This deception was the reason Brugia sided with Ceredigion during the troubles that followed. Chatriyon’s father often relied on murder and duplicity too. He bribed several lords to betray the King of Ceredigion before Azinkeep. Unfortunately, they were discovered and sent over the falls. The best way to win a battle is to prevent one.”
“So you are saying that Lewis is only pretending he will negotiate peace terms with Eredur in order to assassinate him?”
“Yes, my dear. That is precisely what I am saying. Eredur thinks he came to fight a battle. I assure you that Lewis has no intention of fighting a battle. He knows his history, Ankarette. He knows about Azinkeep, Vernay, and Pree. He knows the costs of losing. And Eredur has a fearsome reputation on the battlefield. One side is playing Wizr. The other side is playing with wooden staves. There are two different games going on. Best you know this. Best you realize what’s truly happening.”
“Thank you for the warning,” Ankarette said. “I hadn’t known that bit about the betrayal of Brugia.”
“Not many remember the past.” His breath was coming in ragged pants now and she hoped they reached the safety of her king’s army soon. He would be such an asset to Ceredigion, and she really thought Eredur would like him. He would be a great addition to the king’s council. If he survived that long. The Maid’s prophecy about his death rattled her. She glanced backward, hopeful she wouldn’t see anyone yet.
“Do you have any . . . further questions for me?” Alensson huffed. Another whistle came from the right. The enemy was getting closer.
“Let me see if I can lay it out,” Ankarette said, searching the woods. She caught a shiver of movement—a man ducking behind a tree behind them. He was trailing them from a distance. She considered the possibility of doubling back to kill him, but she didn’t dare leave the duke unguarded. “The last time you saw the Maid’s sword was when you threw it at that man’s back, wasn’t it? The soldier who was fleeing from you. There was no sword on the scene, which means Genette took it somewhere. Do you think she hid it in the ice cave?”
“Possibly,” came the answer. “I have never been able to prove it, for I never returned to the North.”