He had told her that he was her father, just before she betrayed him. In the seconds between, hed seen the doubt in her eyeand then the mad-eyed woman with the pink hair had come to stand next to Selene.
He said hes my father, Selene murmured as the soldiers cuffed Garth. The pink-haired woman behind her laughed.
And who knows? shed said. He might well be. She had laughed again, and Garth had glimpsed a terrible light in his daughters eye just before he was hauled out of her sight.
There it was again, that mop of blossom-colored hair poking out from under a gray army cap. She was an officer. The last time Garth had seen her had been in a bizarre fever dream where Venera was whispering his name urgently. This woman had been there, among glass cases, but she was naked and laved with crimson from head to toe. Venera had spoken her name then, but Garth didnt remember it.
The sound of firing suddenly intensified. Garth craned his neck to look in the direction of the roundhouse. Sacruss forces were moving out to engage the council troops on the inside of Liris. Behind him, though, he could see an equally large contingent of Sacruss soldiers circling back around the buildingheaded toward the edge of the world.
Garth had
some inkling of what the council army was doing. They were pressing up against the no-mans land of thorn and tumbled masonry, a scant hundred yards from the walls of Liris. From there they could turn left or rightinward or toward worlds edgeat a moments notice. Sacrus would have to split their forces into two to guard against both possibilities.
It was an intelligent plan and for a moment Garths spirits lifted. Then he saw more of Sacruss men abandon their positions below him. They were leaving a noisy and smoke-wreathed band of some two hundred men to defend the inward side while the rest of their forces marched behind Liris and out of sight from the roundhouse. They clearly expected the council army to split right and try to relieve Guinevera and Anseratte at the hurricane-wracked worlds edge. But how did they know what the council was planning?
He cursed and jumped down off the ancient credenza hed been perched upon. The corridors were stuffed with armed people, old men and women mostly (strange how he thought of other people his age as old, but not himself). He elbowed his way through them carelessly. Where the hell is Moss?
Someone pointed down a narrow, packed hallway. Liriss new botanist was deep in discussion with the only one of Bryces men left inside the walls. I need semaphore flags, Garth shouted over two shoulders. We have to warn the troops what Sacrus is doing!
To his credit, Moss didnt even blink. He raised a hand, pointed to one man, then held up two fingers. Forward stores, he said. He pointed to another man and then at Garth. Go with.
It took precious minutes for Garth and his new helper to locate the flags. Then they had to fight their way to the stairs. They emerged outside to the mind-numbing roar of the winds and an almost continuous sound of gunfire. Ducking low, they ran for the edge of the roof.
The commander nodded reluctantly. A bullet whined past somewhere too near for comfort. They stood behind a screen of brush on the edge of no-mans land. An arc of soldiers surrounded them, far too few for Veneras taste. This force would hardly qualify as a company in Chaisons army. Yet Sacrus didnt have much more.
So, she continued. We feint right, then strike left. I humbly suggest that we start with sustained fire into Sacruss position on the edge side of no-mans land.
There was some talk among the officersfar too much of it to suit herthen the commander said, Its too risky. And I remain skeptical about your story.
He didnt believe the key was real. Venera was tempted to take it out and show it to him, but that might backfire. Who could believe a whole war would be fought over an ivory wand?
While she and the commander were scowling at one another Bryce ran up, puffing. Theyre here! Venera turned to look where he pointed.
She turned back, grinning broadly. Commander, would you be more amenable to my plan if you had a secret weapon to help with it?
The commander and all the officers fell silent as they saw what was approaching. Slowly, the commander began to smile.
Maybe they dont see us, he said.
Oh, they see us all right. They just dont believe us. Garth risked a glance over the stones. The council army was pressing hard against the barricades hastily thrown up by Sacrus on the inward side of Liris. The bulk of their army was hovering on the far side of the building, ready to speed toward the edge as soon as they were given the word.
Another ladder thunked against the wall. That made four in as many seconds. Garth pushed his companion. Back to the stairs! Sacrus was moving to take Liris. There was nothing anyone could do to stop them.
Garth stood up to run, and hesitated for just a second. He couldnt stop himself from looking down through the gunfire and smoke to find his daughter. The ground around Liris was boiling with men; he couldnt see her.