She had powered Wonda’s bow in the same way, as well as Gared’s gauntlets, his axe and machete. Whatever her feelings for the man, Gared would be in the thick of the fighting tonight, and she had no misconceptions of whose side she was on in the coming conflict. He would be able to crush diamonds in his fists, and his already formidable weapons would bite as never before.
But for all these wardings, she had used only the bones of common wood demons. The desiccated arm and stub of horn from the mind demon she kept safe, save for the tiny claws – little more than a pampered noblewoman’s fingernail – that she used to power the wards in their helms. No coreling prince would slip into their minds as had been done to her. She shuddered at the memory.
‘Truly breathtaking,’ Thamos said, coming into the fitting room. ‘My Wooden Soldiers will gnash their teeth in envy.’
Wonda blushed, dropping her eyes as she always did at the sight of the handsome count. Wonda was never far from Leesha’s side, and was privy to her every secret, including the nights she spent with the count. But more than that, Wonda was a girl unused to the kind of male attention that Thamos lavished on every woman in his presence, regardless of age or beauty.
Makes you feel like you’re the only one in the room, Leesha thought, looking at him and suppressing a shy smile herself.
‘Thanks, Yur Highness.’ Wonda attempted to bow, but the armourer pulled hard on her stays.
‘Keep still,’ he grunted.
Wonda blushed deeper, but Thamos pretended not to notice. ‘I am told to expect our mistress to be even bolder than Darsy Cutter in the night.’
‘I’ll keep her safe,’ Wonda promised.
‘Of that I have no doubt.’ Thamos smiled, but Leesha saw him tighten his lips. He did indeed have doubts, and had argued them long and hard with Leesha in private. His eyes flicked to a private alcove, and she moved off to speak with him alone.
‘I wish you would reconsider,’ he said. ‘Stay by my side in the battle. My Wooden Soldiers …’
‘Would form a ring around me five men thick, and keep me from my business,’ Leesha said. ‘They, and you, need their attention on the demons, not on protecting me.’ She smiled. ‘Wonda and I have been at this a lot longer than you.’
Thamos’ face soured, but he could not disagree. ‘It’s not just the demons I worry about. My spies report that since our … since the wedding night, many of the Krasians have been grumbling about you and making threats.’
‘That reminds me,’ Leesha said. ‘The Sharum will have their weapons returned when they arrive at muster tonight.’
‘What?!’ Thamos sputtered. ‘Did you not hear what I just—’
‘It is irrelevant,’ Leesha said. ‘We need every able-bodied warrior ready tonight, and the Sharum have already proven they can kill with or without their weapons. Their religion forbids they attack anyone during Waning. Only demons need fear them. After the moon begins to wax once more, they will surrender them again.’
‘I forbid it,’ Thamos said.
Leesha smiled. ‘It is already done, Highness. None of the Hollowers will support you if you try to disarm them again now.’
Thamos shook his head, laughing helplessly. ‘You are an impossible woman, Leesha Paper.’
‘Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer one of the insipid ladies at court as your countess?’ Leesha asked.
Thamos’ predatory grin returned. ‘Not for an instant.’
Rojer watched as Hary Roller held his conductor’s wand aloft, holding the final note. The Jongleurs and apprentices had been practising the Song of Waning almost nonstop ever since they recovered from Arlen and Renna’s wedding. If Rojer’s performance at the celebration hadn’t been impetus enough, then his demonstration out beyond the greatwards the following night surely was.
Most of the players weren’t ready yet. Hary had proven a fine teacher, learning the song quickly and working tirelessly to pass it on, but only the most skilled of the Jongleurs had been able to master the more complex arrangements in the time given them.
They had tested their abilities last night with mixed results. Many of the Jongleurs could affect the demons much as Rojer once had – mesmerizing them; driving them to dance or follow him, to flee or attack. They could even walk unmolested in the night, so long as they kept the underlying tune.
But they could not improvise, nor could they actually hurt the demons in the way he, Amanvah, and Sikvah could.
Some of that power was the sheer volume that Rojer’s trio could produce with their hora magic, but Rojer could hear in the other Jongleurs’ music that however loud it might grow, a demon would recover instantly the moment the sound stopped. Only Kendall seemed to have anything approaching the knack, and even she still had a long way to go.
Hary closed a fist and the players stopped in perfect sync, then fell into disarray. Some began talking to their fellows, or tuning instruments, or packing them in cases. Hary came over to where Rojer was standing. ‘Sound great, don’t they?’
Rojer nodded. ‘Good enough for less than two weeks’ practice. Just pray it’s enough.’
Hary grunted. ‘Word of advice, if you want to be a teacher, Rojer. A pat on the back encourages more than a frowning nod.’
Not according to Arrick, Rojer thought, but he put a smile on his face and waved at the players as they rested. ‘Well done, all! Have a stretch. It’s going to be a long night.’
He turned back to Hary. ‘Sorry. Everyone is on edge today.’
‘Is this “Waning” really so bad?’ Hary asked. ‘Been through many a new moon without thinking twice. Even spent a couple on the road, back when I was making my name in the hamlets.’
Rojer shrugged. ‘Might be a big production for an empty house,’ he admitted. ‘Night, I hope so. But if what Leesha and the Painted Man say is true and those smart demons they killed have family that’s going to come looking for them tonight, we’re going to need every bit of help we can get.’ He tugged at the hood of his warded cloak. Leesha had stitched mind wards into the hem, but he had drawn one on his forehead with Jongleur’s paint regardless, and the other Jongleurs had followed suit.
‘This song of yours is that and more,’ Hary assured. ‘You act disappointed because we’re not shattering rock demons with it, but already we can protect ourselves and others, not to mention give the fighters a winning edge.’
Rojer shook his head, though the smile for the players’ benefit never left his face. ‘An edge perhaps, but not a winning one. No music is going to keep the demons fazed once someone hits one of them with an axe.’
‘Still,’ Hary said, ‘can’t believe you just gave the song out for nothing.’
‘What was I supposed to do?’ Rojer asked. ‘Hold it ransom while my friends die?’
Hary shook his head. ‘Of course not. But the count offered you a job as herald, and that’s no small thing. Lot of men would kill for that offer.’
Men have, Rojer thought, glancing at Hary. The Jongleurs in Angiers knew how to mind their manners when Royals were about, and were happy to take commissions when offered, but talk in the guild hall was seldom loyal to the ivy throne. Rhinebeck was generally reviled for his laws and taxes. ‘Being royal herald didn’t work out too well for my master, if you recall.’