The Tor
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2023 10:17 pm
Right after the Tor's words of glowing commendation for her, Terisa is still not entirely assured, because she's feeling guilty that she couldn't act quickly enough to save the three Mordant guards and seven Alend guards that were fighting to protect her from the rapacious black dot beings. Artagel assures her she did well, because if their side only loses ten men for every mirror Eremis has, then Eremis' side cannot win. Terisa isn't completely mollified by this, because they still would have to face High King Festten and his 20K soldiers.
But she soon has two distractions to keep her from dwelling on whether her destroying the mirror showing the crossroads portends eventual victory. The first is that Geraden runs to her and insists that she NEVER face danger without him being there to fight with her, and she promises what he wishes.
The second distraction is the Prince moving in closer to make a surprise offer to the Tor.
A gutsy, valiant move on the part of the Tor, risking personal safety for the possible advancement of an alliance. Yet he is practical at keeping the leaders of the fighting forces out of the Monarch's tent in case it is a trap. And Master Barsonage and Castellan Norge can always be brought up to speed on what transpired at this meeting once the march continues. The Tor continues to show that he can be honorable, brave--and shrewd.
But she soon has two distractions to keep her from dwelling on whether her destroying the mirror showing the crossroads portends eventual victory. The first is that Geraden runs to her and insists that she NEVER face danger without him being there to fight with her, and she promises what he wishes.
The second distraction is the Prince moving in closer to make a surprise offer to the Tor.
My guess as to why the Tor stated he wasn't going to fight Prince Kragen while using an acerbic tone to match the Prince's is to give extra assurance that he wouldn't attack Alend at that moment. By answering in an acerbic tone, he mocked the idea that he was going to attack the Prince's forces from outside Orison's wall, when it would have been safer to attack Alend from within Orison. It has the effect of reducing tension between the Tor and the Prince.Prince Kragen was there, mounted before the Tor, with a new squad of men behind him. Artagel had gone back to his duty in Orison; but Castellan Norge and his escort supported the Tor, with a road full of guards issuing from the castle at his back. The old lord faced Prince Kragen squarely; however the Prince didn't speak until Terisa met his gaze.
To her surprise, she saw unmistakably that some conflict in him had been resolved. The clenched bitterness, the suggestion of savagery was gone from his expression; his black eyes shone with excitement. She had no idea what decision he had achieved--but she could see beyond question that he liked it.
After holding her gaze for a moment, he turned to the Tor.
"Should I conclude from this display of force, my lord Tor," he asked acerbically, "that your intention to march against High King Festten and Master Eremis in Esmerel is unchanged?"
"Assuredly, my lord Prince," the Tor replied in a corresponding tone. "If I had the slightest desire to do battle with you, I would not go about it in this fashion."
I like how the Tor gets right to the point of how safe they will be visiting the Alend Monarch regardless of what Margonal want to discuss. The question of safety is the most pertinent question for them, as I see it.Kragen indicated the purple pennon. "Has King Joyse returned?"
"He has not."
In that case"--Prince Kragen straightened his shoulders--"the Alend Monarch wishes to speak with you. He asks you to accept the hospitality of his tent, with Geraden, the lady Terisa and Master Barsonage--and Castellan Norge, of course."
Terisa and Geraden stared. Norge clenched his jaws as if he were stifling a yawn. The Tor's eyes showed an undisguised gleam of hope. Nevertheless he didn't ask what Margonal wanted to talk about. Instead, he inquired firmly, "What guarantee of safety does the Alend Monarch offer us? As his guests, we will be deeply honored---and completely vulnerable."
Margonal seems to be seriously considering the idea of Alend and Mordant working together--or at least ceasing hostilities.Prince Kragen shrugged slightly. "My lord Tor, the Alend Monarch is a man of honor. He neither insults nor betrays his guests. On this occasion, however, he is prepared to match your vulnerability with his own. You may bring with you a hundred horsemen, who will be permitted to surround his tent. Surely no treachery on our part will succeed at killing a hundred men before they can threaten or kill the Alend Monarch himself."
"A remarkable gesture," Master Barsonage whispered to Terisa and Geraden. "The Alend Monarch is not notoriously complaisant about hazards to his person. Perhaps there is hope for an alliance yet."
Terisa and Geraden didn't reply. They were waiting to hear what the Tor would say.
"My lord Prince," drawled the old lord as if nothing surprised him, "the Alend Monarch is unexpectedly considerate. I am prepared to rely on his honor entirely. I will accompany you at once, with Master Geraden and the lady Terisa of Morgan."
The Tor held up his hand to forestall movement. "Castellan Norge will remain among his men--as will the mediator of the Congery. They will keep their strength ready to march at the earliest possible moment."
Norge nodded amiably. Master Barsonage started to object, but subsided at once. The point of the Tor's decision was obvious: if the old lord was betrayed, most of Orison's fighting force would remain intact.
Prince Kragen permitted himself a bleak smile. "As you wish, my lord Tor." With a look toward Terisa and Geraden, he asked, "Will you mount and join us?"
A gutsy, valiant move on the part of the Tor, risking personal safety for the possible advancement of an alliance. Yet he is practical at keeping the leaders of the fighting forces out of the Monarch's tent in case it is a trap. And Master Barsonage and Castellan Norge can always be brought up to speed on what transpired at this meeting once the march continues. The Tor continues to show that he can be honorable, brave--and shrewd.