The Gathandrian Trilogy 03 - The Executioners Cane

though I fear what the worst might be, I tell you.”
    He wonders what she might mean and, despite his relief that she plans to go, as no land can bear two leaders at the same time, Ralph hesitates. He has enough of his father’s political skills to see beyond his own preferences and, for once, he is grateful. He opens his arms, a gesture of openness and vulnerability he hopes she will understand.
    “Of course,” he nods. “You are right and I would not wish to keep you here, First Elder, but it strikes me a relationship between our two countries might be beneficial to both, immersed as we are in rebuilding our lands after war. Would you consider a formal alliance?”
    It is a daring request, bearing in mind the battle was between their two countries and Lammas has been the loser, but the fact everything has changed has given Ralph the kind of boldness he has not had for many days. Annyeke, meanwhile, widens her eyes, and the sensation of her surprise hits him when he least expects it. Then she laughs, and he knows that, yes, this time she has read him indeed.
    He waits for her to finish laughing and to speak.
    “You are more complex than I anticipated, Lammas Lord,” she says. “Though, knowing the Lost One, I should have expected it. Your offer is heard, on behalf of all Gathandrians, and we will consider it. But for now, any alliance we have should, I believe, remain informal. Agreed?”
    He nods, as it is a better result than he deserves. By the gods, she knows that too.
    “Good,” she says again. “Then I must begin my journey home.”
    Annyeke accepts the two emeralds he hands to her with a brief nod. He hopes they will be enough, but something inside him has faith in the power she has to make them so.
    Then, with a soft word of farewell to Simon and his now silent father, and an unexpectedly affectionate embrace for Ralph’s two servants, she steps outside into crisp air, and throws the emeralds into the sky. They form a perfect circle of green. The First Elder turns round to where Ralph watches her, and says five words only that he hears as clear as truth. He opens his mouth to reply but already she is stepping into the circle and the next moment she is truly gone.
    It surprises him how her absence makes him tremble. It is time for him to carry the mantle of leadership once more and to carry it alone, bearing her closing words in mind:
    L ook after the Lost One , she said.
    He will make certain he hearkens in full to Annyeke’s plea.

Fifth Gathandrian Interlude

    Annyeke

    She landed with a thud on hard stone, all the breath punched out of her. By the gods and stars, this was no way for a modern woman to travel, but sometimes the gods and stars walked mysterious paths and would, no doubt, not listen to her.
    “ Annyeke.” She snatched the emeralds and hugged them safely to her as strong arms lifted her up and carried her to the nearest stool. There she perched, not entirely steadily, while Johan held her and gazed into her eyes. That she liked a great deal, oh yes. “What happened? Where have you been?”
    Hard to explain all that in just a few words but she would do her best. The emeralds, she began, dispensing entirely with the need for speech, they took me to the Lammas Lands, or at least I was in a strange place of no world first and then in the Lammas Lands. Ralph Tregannon was there too. Tregannon is greatly troubled, as well he might be. Together we found the Lost One’s father, an old man called Bradyn. I had not realised he was alive, but he is wandering in his thoughts and will need much care if he is to live. Then we found the Lost One …
    “And?... her life-partner prompted her. What then?
    Knowing the new-found family connection between Johan and the Lost One, and the friendship forged on their perilous journey to save Gathandria, Annyeke paused and took both Johan’s hands in her own, as much as she could.
    Do not despair but he died, at first, she said simply. The Lammas villagers tortured him at their place of execution and he died but ….
    “No!” With the shock of her explanation turning the colours of his mind to the deepest gloom, Johan did not wait to catch Annyeke’s further thoughts and wrenched himself backwards, speaking aloud once more and almost causing her to fall from her seat. “That cannot be. It is not what he returned to Lammas to do, it is unimaginable .”
    “Wait, please,” she begged him, realising for the first time Talus was also present,