Chapter Forty-Five

Speranzi did not waste a moment’s time when they returned to the barge. She strode straight over to Corwin and to the gathered band of elven workers who he was instructing. They fell instantly to their knees and lowered their eyes when she came near, and Corwin took a step in between the girl he loved as a niece and the elves he was already budgeting in his head to buy.

Ahmarantha saw the woman coming and immediately ducked behind the ample girth of the human who seemed able to converse with her, and seeing how their commander’s stern and steady expression was leveled squarely on the prisoners, their hands reflexively went toward their swords.

Speranzi held her hand out with palm upturned to stop her soldier’s aggressive motion. “It’s fine, Corwin. It’s fine, there’s nothing to worry about. Step aside, I swear I won’t lay a finger on them.”

“I checked.” Speranzi said at once as the girthy man moved out of the way, sweat already springing to Corwin’s brow, had she not sworn, he knew he wouldn’t have moved aside, but that did not make him less anxious.

“You have done nothing but what you had to in order to survive. It is as you said, and my doubts about you were wrong.” Speranzi addressed the elves, and they let out a collective gasp of disbelief.

“There’s still the issue of whatever happened in Wenmark… you may have to be returned to your masters-” She stopped, pausing as a few elves immediately began to break down weeping, with pairs clasping desperate hands together, their bodies trembling like autumn leaves in a breeze.

“But… I heard something… something about their laws. I’m sure it is just rumor, but I wanted to ask you directly. Is it true that running away is punished by crucifixion?” Speranzi demanded, and the elves let out a whimpered and whispered collective…

“Yes.”

Speranzi looked toward Corwin.

“It is.” He answered with a hard swallow easily visible in his fat throat.

“Do they have trial by combat?” Speranzi snapped the question out at once.

“Of course.” Corwin replied, “Those laws are everywhere, even there.”

Speranzi nodded. “I am under a geas, for the sake of winning a soul to the gods of mankind. Under normal conditions an active geas weakens someone. However, if my actions are aligned with the divine will, it strengthens them. I refuse to believe that punishment like that for running away is what the gods intended. It can’t be.” She narrowed her eyes at the elves, “I will speak to the head of the paladin order there and the high priests as well. And if a trial is demanded for you, then unless you want to name another, then,” Speranzi rested her left hand on her heart, “I will volunteer as your champion. Being right with the gods’ justice while under a geas will lend me great strength.”

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The elves fell into a cacophony of murmuring and confusion amongst themselves as their captor, the one who threatened their lives not but days before was now offering to fight in their stead.

“You are not mocking us… are you?” The question came from the only elf to have the will to raise a voice to her in all that time, “You mean that?”

“Of course, I mean that. I’m a paladin, I never say things I don’t mean.” Speranzi retorted, “This is a matter of principle. Punishment is one thing, but punishment must be just. Death as punishment for death, I would leave you to your ends if you’d murdered anyone. But death for simply running off is unjust. As a paladin I cannot ignore that. So, if you’ll have my bow, then it is yours this one time.”

“A human that isn’t a monster… what a thing to see.” The elf answered and glanced around at his fellow prisoners; they were now clad in common work clothes. Simple lace up shirts that could be opened to allow air to flow in and cool the body on hot days, and long pants with low leather boots. More notably, they were starting to fill out as Corwin provided them additional rations.

“I- We… will you be our champion?” He asked and bowed his head.

Speranzi could feel the eyes darting back and forth from her soldiers, looking from elf to human and back again at the unexpected turn of events.

“I will.” Speranzi answered. “But that will only save you from a punishment of death.”

“I’ll spare them from the rest. I’ll buy them legally; they won’t even cost that much. Not every place executes runaways, but where runaways happen, they’re sold for much less because they take extra supervision. Then,” Corwin looked toward the band of a dozen figures, “I can set you free once we’re close to the border of the Divine Kingdom.”

The noise of the bobbing boat as it went down the Long River was the only thing to break the disbelieving silence of the elven captives, their faces betrayed a mixture of emotions, a far cry from the usual wooden faced, blank expressions meant to not incite anger in the humans around them.

However, one overriding emotion was present, seen in the sideways glances at one another, the questioning raised eyebrows and widened eyes that sometimes came back to Corwin’s face, searching for something that could never be found on a liar’s face.

The truth.

“I’ve walked with Corwin Amber many times, and I have never seen him lie. Bargain hard? Yes. Be a copper pinching skinflint? Absolutely. Devour a meal meant for four all by himself like a glutton? That’s a given.” Speranzi went on and on and Corwin went red in the face, clearing his throat he drew his right hand down across his face.

“Could you please stop defending me, Speranzi? You’re making me question my life choices.” He pled, and in response she finished with…

“But he’s no liar.”

“Thank you. I think.” Corwin answered with a roll of his eyes, “But there’s no need for it. They’re right to doubt me until the truth is proven in front of their own eyes.”

“But-” Speranzi started to object, she stopped when Corwin lowered his head and shook it, long association told her things had gone far enough.

Unable to think of anything in the way of a refuge, and with the barge now cleared of the bracing poles except around the cargo, and with no passengers left but themselves thanks to Corwin’s purchase of space for his things, there was only one thing that came to mind for the mercenary leader.

“We might as well get some training in. Micah, take position against Skana. No fire magic, close combat only, and don’t break the barge.” Speranzi ordered and pointed toward the center.

“Ma’am.” The pair answered, and the rest of the Black Quivers began to form a ring to watch and wait their turns.