In Dreams: Red

Approaching Armies

He startles me out of my thoughts. It is slightly unsettling that he knows I'm here. I step forward a few more paces, though I'm still outside of the circle of light. Questions are racing through my mind. I want to know more about his impossible talents, about his family, about who he is, why he was really here, if the stories I had heard about his kind were true, so very many things, but I didn't know where to start. I find myself taking another step forward instead, as though being nearer will give me the answer. From this distance, I notice the 'discomfort' the guards were talking about is a cruel understatement. The rings about the prisoner's neck, wrists and ankles are causing his skin to become red and inflamed. It looks as though he has a horrible rash. One that is quickly becoming infected. I gasp, but then have to remind myself I could be dealing with a spy. Spy or no, he still doesn't deserve such treatment, but I must be careful of my reactions. I school my expression, reminding myself that I'm still furious with myself for possibly being taken a fool by a spy.

“So it is true, then, that some metals do you harm?” I ask as I step into the circle of light. “Why have you not complained?” My expression may be carefully controlled, neutral, but inside I'm mentally almost in tears. As I had gotten closer, I realized his reaction was worse than I thought.

“What would it matter if I did?” He looks up at me and answers with a question of his own, the tone soft. “I see you have a brand new red cape, Lady. I like this one better, it suits you.” I barely stop myself from looking down to look at the cloak.

“If you are in pain..” I start to say, but the prisoner interrupts me.

“Then what? You will have it arranged so that the chains are more loosely fit? Or perhaps a different kind is used? And what would your father say?” He snaps, then apologetically continues, “No, it is best you leave things as they are. After all, I am a fearsome murdering beast.” His expression turns hard at the end of this statement. I find myself taking another step forward to object, maybe comfort him and force myself to stop.

“Why did you come here?” I question him.

“You arrested me, remember?” He responds, one corner of his lips lift into a slight teasing grin.

“That's not what I mean, and you know it. You could have easily overpowered us or escaped us. Why did you allow yourself to be brought here?” I rephrase the question harshly, I can feel the anger showing on my face and bite back any further retort. Why would I let that mocking smile get under my skin like that?

“The reasons.. are not important.” He replies simply, looking away from me.

“I don't understand why you allowed me to bring you here and quite honestly, that makes me very suspicious of you and everything you've done so far.” My voice softens. “I've tried to be kind and understanding, and even gone so far as to trust you because you saved my life so many times.” He frowns, but doesn't respond nor look back at me. My voice rises at that. “Obviously I've been a complete i***t and you deserve whatever torture befalls you, and especially that of those chains! I might be the only thing standing between you and whatever punishment my father chooses to deal out, so being honest with me would be your best chance of leniency!” I snap and turn on my heel.

“You are infuriating!” He shouts, and then more quietly, “You wouldn't understand.” I turn back again. The prisoner has once again resumed his air of complete surrender, shoulders slumped, looking down and avoiding my gaze.

“What in the Gods' names is that supposed to mean?” I ask with exasperation, but the sound of running footsteps from outside the circle of light interrupts us.

“My Lady! My Lady! News concerning the army! A rider has returned!” A gasping breath proclaims, and looking outward, I notice I have been right, the light obscures all vision beyond it, making it impossible to see.

“Go on, little red cloak. Your attention is needed elsewhere.” The prisoner says softly. It holds just a light air of teasing that makes my shoulders tense, and I stride from the circle of light, determined not to turn around and snap something rash at him. As I exit the arena I hear a soft cry that almost resembles the distant howl of a wolf.

“Creepy that. I've been out here all this time and he's been nothing but chipper.” The guard who had raced inside to let me know of the rider's return tells me. “May I ask what my Lady has said to him to cause him such discomfort?” He asks this tentatively as though afraid he has gone too far.

“Honestly, I don't really know myself. I just wanted to know why he chose to come here, and obviously he has no intentions of telling me that.” I respond, the soldier nods thoughtfully.

“Well, in any case, the rider will be in your father's study. I was told to ask you to report there immediately.” The soldier tells me and then blanches. “My Lady! I'm sorry, I meant no offense, I mean, that's just the message, and I'm not trying to order you there or anything..”

“Relax, that message sounds like it came directly from Father, I'm used to it.” I tell him with a smile. The soldier does relax, just a small amount and gives a polite bow.

“My Lady.” He says and returns to his post. I am left to hurry back towards my father's study and the news of the approaching army alone. The prisoner weighs heavily on my mind as I sweep through the stone hall. The entire time he had been with our party he had been kind and easygoing, save one-the time I asked about his family. The guards even reported to me that he has been an exemplary prisoner, very much the same, pleasant and amiable, yet when I ask why he allowed himself to be brought here, he turns into the wolfish creature in manner, if not in form. I am retracing my steps through the next courtyard when I am waylaid by Corwin. Apparently, the commotion has awakened him, because he is still in a nightshirt, though he has thrown a pair of pants on over it.

"My Lady, is it true?" Corwin calls as he races up to me. "Has a scout returned with news of the approaching army?" He inquires urgently.

“Yes, Corwin, I believe it is, at least that's what I've been told, along with a summons to my father's Study. You'll have to excuse me, it was stated as a matter of some importance and I need to be on my way quickly. Besides, you may want to put something decent on, it looks to be a long night for us all." I answer him, looking pointedly at his clothes. He looks flustered and slightly embarrassed as I start to walk away again. "If you can locate Reginald and Tyrus in this mess, tell them I can meet with them this night instead of in the morning, if they desire. The three of you can send word to me if you'd like to meet, try to pick someplace quiet and private-like the Library!" I yell back to him as I go. After getting a quick nod from him to signal he has heard me, I hastily make my way to my father's study. Despite my best efforts to arrive quickly, I can already hear voices speaking urgently inside when I arrive. I pause on the doorstep long enough to still my breathing and then quietly enter the room.

"I still say we don't have time for that!" One of my father's advisers practically shouts. "The scout said no more than two days, but if the weather holds and they continue at their pace-they could be here as soon as tomorrow!"

"There's no reason to get so violent about it, Toland." Another responds calmly. "Calling for aid from the neighboring villages was just a suggestion."

“What about evacuating the women and children, and possibly the elderly? Will there be time for that?" My father quietly questions them. There is a hesitation around the room.

"I guess there's no good answer for that." The calm man answers. “I would say two days, possibly, tomorrow? Probably not. They would not have time to gather enough supplies to reach the closest village, and you know how hard it is to get enough supplies for small children together and ready.”

"In addition, I would like to remind everyone that most of the elderly will need aid themselves, aid we cannot spare and the mothers will not have time for. Many would need wagons for transportation, they would not be out of sight before the army appeared!" Toland rages. I stand quietly in a corner and continue to follow the conversation.

"Toland-be still!" Commands the calm gentleman, then turns to my father. "Are we certain the numbers the scout has reported are accurate?"

"Yes, quite sure, I know the man, he's quite trustworthy." Reginald breaks in. I hadn't even noticed he was here.

"But, many thousands of men? How can that be?" Another man inquires. I believe his name is Searle.

“It's my impression that this particular warlord has banded together an army of other warlords in an attempt to overthrow our King." Answers the unnamed man.

"Can our walls stand? And for what length of time? Do not forget our hidden tunnels, would it be possible while the army is busy attempting to enter that we send our women, children and elderly out through the tunnels to escape?" My father questions the men. I am slowly moving my way around the room as I listen, drawing nearer to my father.

"It's hard to say, My Lord. There's a great possibility that our walls will stand. But their great numbers, Sir! If they have brought siege machines, they can work them almost tirelessly while still attempting to use grapplers and ropes to keep our men on the walls busy. If they should break through, they will quickly and easily overwhelm us. I believe it would be wise to try to get as many out of the city as we can, but what if the army turns on them instead? They will not distinguish between children and soldiers if their intent is merely to destroy Our Lord, as we believe!" Reginald insists.

"The fact of the matter remains, we need more men." The unnamed man states firmly.

"We are on our own, Lorne-there simply isn't time." Answers Searle. Ah Lorne, that's his name. I think to myself.

"Dispatch riders anyway, send them to the nearest villages, calling for aid. At the very least they may be able to attack from behind, even if the castle has already fallen." My father decrees somberly.