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FIRST
CHRONICLE
OFTHELONG
WAR
Cover
WelcomePage
Dedication
Maps
BOOK1:
THEBLACK
GUARD
TheTaleoftheGiants
Prologue
PART1
Chapter1:Randallof
DarkwaldintheCityof
RoTiris
Chapter2:BrotherUthathe
GhostintheCityofRo
Tiris
Chapter3:MagnusForkbeard
RagnarssonintheCity
ofRoCanarn
Chapter4:LadyBronwynin
theCityofRoCanarn
Chapter5:RhamJasRamiin
theCityofRoWeir
PART2
Chapter6:AlgenonTeardrop
RagnarssonintheCity
ofFredericksand
Chapter7:SirWilliamof
VerellianintheCityof
RoCanarn
Chapter8:Zeldantorinthe
CityofKessia
Chapter9:Randallof
Darkwaldinthe
MerchantEnclaveof
Cozz
Chapter10:RhamJasRami
intheWildsofTor
Funweir
Epilogue
BOOK2:
DAUGHTEROF
THEWOLF
TheTaleoftheWaterGiants
Prologue
PART1
Chapter1:LadyBronwynin
theRuinsofRoHail
Chapter2:SirWilliamof
VerellianintheRuins
ofRoHail
Chapter3:MagnusForkbeard
RagnarssonintheCity
ofRoCanarn
Chapter4:HallaSummer
WolfaboardtheDragon
Fleet
Chapter5:SaaratheMistress
ofPainintheCityof
RoWeir
PART2
Chapter6:Randallof
DarkwaldintheCityof
RoTiris
Chapter7:RhamJasRamiin
theStraitsofCanarn
Chapter8:LadyBronwynin
theRuinsofRoHail
Chapter9:BrotherLanryin
theCityofRoCanarn
Chapter10:HallaSummer
WolfintheRealmof
Wraith
Chapter11:Magnus
ForkbeardRagnarsson
intheCityofRo
Canarn
Epilogue
Bestiary
CharacterListing
Acknowledgements
AboutthisBook
AbouttheAuthor
AnInvitationfromthe
Publisher
Copyright
BOOK1
THEBLACK
GUARD
THETALEOFTHE
GIANTS
Inthelongagesofdeeptime,
uncountablemillenniabefore
theriseofmen,thereliveda
raceofGiants.
Continentsshiftedand
mountainsroseandfellasthe
GiantsfoughttheLongWar
fortherighttopossessthe
landsoftheirbirth.The
greatestGiants,mortalbeings
ofhugesizeandpower,lived
longenough,foughthard
enoughandgainedenough
wisdomtobecomegods.
Rowanoco,theIceGiant,
claimedthecoldnorthern
landsandwasworshippedby
themenofRanen.
Jaa,theFireGiant,ruled
theburningdesertsandsto
thesouthandchosethemen
ofKaresiaashisfollowers.
TheStoneGiant,known
onlyastheOne,held
dominionoverthelushplains
andtoweringmountainsof
TorFunweir,andhis
followers,themenofRo,
believedtheyhadtherightto
ruleallthelandsofmen.
OtherGiantstherewere
also,thoughtheirnamesand
theirfollowersarethought
lost,andtheirempiresburied,
asvictimsoftheLongWar.
TheGiantshavelong
sincelefttheselandstothe
humans,buttheirfollowers
stillworshipthem,invoke
theirnamesdailyand
aggressivelymaintaintheir
laws.TheGiantsthemselves
sitbeyondtheperceptionof
humansintheirhallsbeyond
theworldwhiletheirmost
trustedfollowersfightthe
LongWarintheirstead.
PROLOGUE
LordBromvyofCanarn
stoodbythedocksofRo
Tirisandwrappedhisheavy
travellingcloaktightly
aroundhisshoulders.Thecity
hadtwomaindocks,oneused
primarilyfortradeshipsand
privategalleons,whilethe
other,theonenearwhichhe
currentlystood,was
exclusivelyforthekingand
hisknights.Bromhadarrived
viathesmallerofthetwo
harboursafewdaysago,
leavingmostofhislordly
trappingsbackinhisfather’s
keepatRoCanarn.Onlyhis
longswordgaveany
indicationofhisheritage,a
finelycraftedbladewiththe
castofaravenonthehilt.He
woresimpleleatherarmour
andlookedmorelikea
brigandthananoble,with
unkemptcurlyblackhairand
athinbeardwhichmadehim
lookratherfierce.Theyoung
lordhadtravelledwidely
throughoutthelandsofmen
andpreferredtobean
anonymouspresencerather
thanavisitingnoble.The
duchyofCanarnwasoverthe
seafromtherestofTor
Funweirandaworldaway
fromthesnobberyofthe
otherduchies.Bromvyand
hissisterBronwynhadbeen
raisedbytheirfather,Duke
Hector,tobeasworldlyas
possible,andinBrom’scase
thismeantspendingasmuch
timeawayfromhomeashe
could.Hehadjustpassedhis
twenty-fourthbirthdayandas
hegazedatthenowempty
docksBromfoundhimself
wishingforthesimplelifeof
anitineranttraveller.
Themajorityoftheships
hadbeenlaunchedseveral
hoursago.Bromhadwatched
astheysailednorthtowards
hishome,thewalledcityof
RoCanarn.Hehadn’t
countedtheknightsofthe
Redonboard,butithad
lookedtobeabattlefleet
capableofsackingthecity.
Thecrossedswordsmounted
overaclenchedfisthadbeen
visibleontheirtabardsand
Bromknewthismeantbattle
wasintended.Moreworrying
werethemercenaryshipsof
SirHallamPevainwhich
accompaniedtheknights.
Theywereswordsforhire
withabrutalreputationand
Bromhadfoughttheurgeto
roaroutachallengetothe
bastardsasthey’dleft.
KingSebastianTirisstill
stoodonahighbalcony
overlookingtheharbour,
wherehehadwatchedhis
departingtroopswithan
imperioussneer.Hehadn’t
seenBromskulkingfarbelow
him,andtheyounglord
stayedasfarawayas
possible.He’dmettheking
oncebeforeanddidn’twant
totakethechancethatthe
lordlyshit-stainwould
recognizehimandhavehim
arrested.Ifthekinghadmade
themovetoassaultCanarn,it
meantthatDukeHector’s
childrenwouldalreadyhave
beennamedtotheBlack
Guard,asenemiesofthe
crown.
Brom’smindwasracing
ashementallychastisedhis
fatherforbeingfoolishand
offeringthekinghischance
tooverthrowthehouseof
Canarnandbringitsecurely
withinthelandsofRo.His
homehadalwaysbeenseen
asaforgottenprovince,over
theseaandtooclosetothe
FreelandsofRanenfor
comfort.Butthekinghad
frequentlystatedhisdesireto
takebackhislandfromthe
liberalmenofCanarn,andit
seemedDukeHectorhad
finallygivenhimhisexcuse.
Bromwasangrybutalso
largelyhelpless,andhebegan
tryingtocontriveawaytoget
help.Mostpressingonhis
mindwasthewomanwho
stoodnexttotheking,her
eleganthandholdingbackher
lustrousblackhairagainstthe
wind.ShewasaKaresian
fromthesouthandBrom
knewherkind:an
enchantressoftheSeven
Sisters,capableofswaying
thewillofmen.Whatshe
wasdoingwiththekingof
TorFunweirhedidnotknow,
butBromhadseenhercackle
astheshipswerelaunched
andKingTirisannouncedhis
intentiontocaptureRo
Canarn.Theeuphoriclookin
themonarch’seyesashe
lookedatherhadmadeBrom
thinkthattheenchantresswas
morethanasimpleconsort.
Thiswasdoublyconcerning
because,beforehe’dleft,
Bromhadseenanotherofthe
SevenSistersinRoCanarn:
anenchantresswithaspider’s
webtattooonherface,
AmeiratheLadyofSpiders.
WhytheKaresian
enchantresseswereinterested
inhishomelandwasnot
clear,butBromleftthedocks
withtheintentionoffinding
out.
Asheturnedtowardsthe
citywiththevaguegoalof
firstfindingatavernanda
drink,hebegantothinkofall
thepeoplehecouldgotofor
aid.Thelistwasnotalong
oneandwascomprised
primarilyofkillers,criminals
andscoundrels,menwhohad
travelledwithBromashe
learnedhownottobeanoble.
Noneofthemcommandedan
army,however,andhe
becameincreasingly
despondentashewalkedup
thesteeproadthatledaway
fromthesea.
Bromlovedhisfatherand
hissisterandtriednotto
thinkofthemincombat,or
worse.Hisfather’s
guardsmenwerewelltrained
andloyal,butnomatchfora
battlefleetofknightsofthe
Red,churchmenwho
representedtheOneGod’s
redaspectofwar,andwho
formedthearmiesofTor
Funweir.Theyweretrained
toalevelofskillunmatched
throughoutthelandsofmen
anddutifulinawaythat
borderedonfanatical.Brom
knewofnoneofhispeople,
themenofCanarnwho
unknowinglywaitedforthe
fleettoarrive,whocould
standagainsttheknights.His
friend,MagnusForkbeard,a
Ranenpriestfromthefar
north,wasinthecitywith
DukeHectorandwas
possiblytheonlymanableto
matchtheknightsforskill
andferocity–butMagnus
wasjustonemanandwould
notbeabletoswaythebattle
alone.
Bromwastorn.Partof
himwantedtofindaboatand
rushtotheaidofhisfather.
Themorerationalpartknew
thathisswordwouldnot
swaytheoutcomeandthat
he’dmerelyendupdeadand
unregardedonthecobbled
streetsofhishome.Ifhe
couldprovidehelp,itwould
notbebystandingbesidehis
fatherandroaringchallenges
attheredmen.Thesimple
factthatoneofDuke
Hector’schildrenwouldstill
befreewasasmuchofa
victoryashecouldhopefor.
Ashepassedthroughthe
northerngateofRoTiris,
BromvyofCanarnsteeled
himselftoenterthe
underbellyofTorFunweir
andtostayfreeawhile
longer.
Heneedednopassor
officialdocumentationto
enterthecityviathedocks,
thoughthegatesleading
inlandweremoreclosely
guardedwithsquadsof
watchmentosuppresscrime
andpatrolsofking’s
guardsmentomakesureno
undesirablescouldenteror
exitthecity.Bromsmiledas
herealizedthathewasthe
kindofundesirablethatthey
werelookingfor,meaning
he’dhavetobeonguardand
attheleastwouldhaveto
locateaforgerpreparedto
accepthiscoin.
RoTiriswasan
impressivesighttomenwho
hadnotseenthetowering
WhiteSpireoftheKingand
theexpansiveRedcathedral.
Itwasfrequentlycited,bythe
proudmenofRo,asthe
largestcityintheworld.
Bromknewthistobe,ifnota
deception,thenatleast
misleading,becauseitwas
noteventhelargestcityin
TorFunweir.Itcouldmake
someclaimtobeingthemost
denselypopulated,thebest
lookedafter,therichestand
possiblythemostcrime-free,
butRoWeirtothesouthwas
alargersprawlintermsof
actualsize.Thoughthe
southerncitywasdirty,hot
andpackedtothenoxious
wallswithallmannerof
criminalsandforeign
influences,ithad,inBrom’s
estimation,morelifetoit
thanRoTiris.Thecapital’s
stiffformality,andthelarge
populationofclericsand
knights,gotonhisnerves.
ThecapitalofTor
Funweirstillofferedcertain
opportunitiesformenwho
livedonthewrongsideofthe
law,however,andBrom
knewofseveralillicittraders
andmerchantswhowouldbe
abletohelphimgetoutofthe
cityandheadsouth.Hehada
vaguelyformedideaof
findinganannoyingKirin
acquaintanceofhiscalled
RhamJasRami,amanwho
hadcertainskillsBrom
lackedandwhoowedthe
younglordseveralfavours.If
hecouldgetaforgedchurch
sealandpassthroughthe
gatesofTirisunobserved,he
knewthathischancesof
remainingfreewouldbe
increasedtenfold,aslooking
foramaninthewildsofTor
Funweirwasnosimple
matterandthePurpleclerics
whowouldbedespatchedto
findhimwerenotsuitedto
travellingrough.
PART1
CHAPTER1
RANDALLOF
DARKWALDIN
THECITYOFRO
TIRIS
‘Randall,ifIhavetoempty
myownpiss-potagainI’m
goingtobiteyourearoff.Get
inhere,boy.’
Theknightwasasweaty
oldman,hisbestdaysbehind
him,withonlyalcoholand
womentoquickenhisheart
nowthatvalourinbattlewas
beyondhim.Hespenthis
daysdrinking,whoringand
tradingonhisoncegreat
reputation.Therewerestill
plentyoftavernownersinRo
Tirispreparedtofrontaman
adrinkinexchangefortales
ofgloryandbattleswon.The
nameofSirLeonGreatClaw
wasstillsufficientlywell
knowntoguaranteea
receptiveaudience.Onlyhis
youngsquire,Randall,knew
therealities:SirLeonwas
littlemorethanadrunk,
unabletobucklehisarmour
ortolastanhourasleep
withoutavisittothepiss-pot.
AsRandallenteredthe
dirtytavernroom,hewashit
bythenoxioussmell,andthe
twowhoreswho’dbeen
keepingtheoldknight
companyleftwithatrailof
insultsregardingSirLeon’s
personalcleanliness.
‘Youknowweshould
chargeextraforhavingtoput
upwiththesmell…hesoiled
himselfwhilewewere
working.’
Randallfeltsorryfor
them,butknewwellenough
thattheywereluckynotto
havebeenbeatenduringtheir
encounter.SirLeonwasnot
gentletothewomenhepaid,
complaining–ashedidabout
mostthings–‘Nooneknows
howtotreataknightthese
days.’
‘Wherehaveyoubeen,
boy?Doyouwantmelying
inmyownfilthallday?’Sir
Leongrowled.
‘Notatall,mylord,but
thetavernownerislessthan
happyatthedamageyou
causedlastnightandIneeded
todoabitofworktoappease
him.’
Randallwasusedtohis
masterbeingdrunk,butthe
previouseveninghehad
brokenseveralmorechairs
andtablesthanwasnormal.
‘Damage…whathorse
shitisthis?Iwastellinga
story,andwhenItellastoryI
liketobeexpressive.’Asifto
emphasizethepoint,SirLeon
wavedhisarmsaround
extravagantly.
‘Iappreciatethat,mylord,
butyouheadbuttedaserving
womanandattackedalotof
furniturewithyoursword.’
Randallavertedhiseyesand
triednottooffendhismaster.
‘Iwaslostinthemoment,
myboy.Thosewerenot
tableslastnight,theywere
thearmiesofKaresiaandI
waswadingthroughtheir
bloodasIdidatthebattleof
Kabrin.’
ThebattleofKabrinwas
twentyyearsagowhenSir
LeonrodewiththeRed
churchknightsagainstthe
HoundsofKaresia.In
Randall’sestimation,theold
knighthadtoldthestory
severalhundredtimesand
neverthesamewaytwice.
He’dlongbeenabandonedby
theknightsoftheRedand
forcedtoadmitthattheOne
Godnolongerneededhis
sword.
‘Getridofthisshitand
fetchmesomewine.’Sir
Leonkickedthepiss-pot
towardshissquireandfell
backheavilyontothestained
bed.
‘Atonce,mylord,’the
squiresaidswiftly,catching
hisreflectioninthesideof
thebrasspot.Randallwastall
forhisage,buthadnotyet
grownfullyintohisheight
andcarriedhimselfwitha
lopethatmadehimappear
gangly.Atseventeen,hewas
consideredaman,but
everyonestillcalledhimboy
andhehadn’tyetsummoned
thecouragetocorrectthem.
Hekepthisbrownhaircut
shortatSirLeon’srequest
andthepatchystubbleonhis
chinwasshavedfrequently.
Randallthoughtthatlonger
hairandabeardmightmake
himappearolder,buthe
knewthatSirLeonfound
somethingpleasinginhis
squire’syouthfulappearance.
Randallheftedthebrass
containeruptohischestand
didhisbestnottobreathein
ashewalkedgingerlytothe
rearwindowoftheinn.
Severaldoorsonthesecond
floorwereopenandvarious
unsavourycharacterscould
beseentakingtheirmorning
wineorpayingthosewith
whomthey’dspentthenight.
Itwasafarcryfromthe
lavishtavernsSirLeonused
tofrequent.Randallhadbeen
withhimforthreeyearsand
hadobservedtheslowbut
suredeclineinhissleeping
arrangements.Thelasttime
theyvisitedthecapital,they
hadstayedattheRoyalArms,
aninnreservedforthebest
knightsandrichestnoblemen
ofTorFunweir.Thistime,
though,theirexperienceof
RoTiriswaslesscapitalcity
andmorerat-infestedback
street.NotthatSirLeon
seemedtomind.Hetookhis
declinewithapragmatic
belligerencewhichRandall
almostadmired,thoughhe
thoughtitmostlyaproductof
theknight’salcoholintake.
Therearwindowwas
positionedaboveapartially
opensewerthatranfromthe
oldtownofTiristotheking’s
compoundoverlookingthe
harbour.Randallrestedthe
filthypotonthewindow
ledgeandtippeditout,
tappingthebottomfirmlyto
expelallofSirLeon’snightly
waste.Itwasajobthathad
becomeprogressivelymore
revoltingovertheyearsand
Randallnowwondered
whetherhissenseofsmell
hadbeenpermanently
damaged.
Thesplashbelowended
withanangryshoutand
Randallpeeredoverthe
frame,lookingdownintothe
narrowalleywayintowhich
he’dpouredthepot.
‘Whatinthenameofthe
Onedoyouthinkyou’re
doing,boy?’
Thewordscamefroma
steel-armouredmanwhohad
wanderedintothealleyto
urinate.Randallgaspedashe
sawthecloakandscabbard
thatidentifiedthemanasa
clericofthePurplechurch,
onewhofollowedtheOne
God’spurpleaspectof
nobility.Heworeatabard
displayingthesceptreofhis
orderandhadthebearingofa
truefightingman.
‘Apologies,mylord,I
didn’tlook,’Randallsaid
withsincerity.
‘Ishouldbeatyoutillyou
bleed,youinsolentserving
rat!’Theclericpointeda
huge,gauntletedfistatthe
youngsquirewhileSir
Leon’swastedrippedfrom
hisformerlypristinepurple
cloak.
‘IsaidIwassorry,and
I’mnotaservant,I’msquire
toaknightofTorFunweir,’
Randallsaidmoreassertively
thanhehadintended.
‘You…asquire?Didn’t
yourknightteachyouthe
wayofthings?Weofthe
PurplearethenoblesofGod.
Weownyouandyour
patheticlifeuntilthedayyou
jointheOne,whichwon’tbe
longifyoudisrespectme
again,’theclericsaidangrily.
‘Sir,Iwillgladlywash
yourcloakifyou’llpermit
me.’Randallhadspentyears
listeningtoSirLeonrantand
raveaboutthePurpleclerics.
Theysupposedlyrepresented
thebestandhighestidealsof
theOneGod,thoughRandall
hadseenverylittlenoble
aboutthemthefewtimes
he’dcrossedtheirpath.They
appearedarrogant,violent
andunforgiving.Hewas,
however,sensibleenoughto
keephisopinionstohimself.
‘You’lldomorethanwash
mycloak,boy,you’lltakeme
toyourmasterimmediately.’
Hestormedoutofthealley
andmadehiswaytowardsthe
frontofthetavern.
Randalltookadeepbreath
andturnedbacktowardsSir
Leon’sroom.Lifewasjust
beginningtocreepintothe
inhabitantsofRoTirisand
themorningsoundsofshops
beingopenedandshipsmade
readyfilledtheair.Tiriswas
theking’scityandeveninthe
poorquarterthebuildings
werewellmadeofstone,but
thestreetswerenarrower,
dirtierandmoredangerous
furtherawayfromtheroyal
compound.APurplecleric
wasoutofplaceinsucha
disreputablearea.
Randalldidnotknow
whattosaytohismasteras
heenteredtheroom,buthe
hopedhehadn’tdone
anythingthatwouldcausetoo
muchtrouble.SirLeonwas
lyingspreadeagledacrossthe
bed,nothingbutafilthy
whitesmockcoveringhis
overweightframe.Randall
coughed.
‘Shutup,boy,I’mtrying
tosleep,’barkedtheold
knight.
‘Ithinkthere’sacleric
downstairswhowantsto
speaktoyou,master,’
Randallsaidquietly.
SirLeonrolledoverto
facehissquire,hiseyes
narrowandquestioning.‘A
cleric?’heasked
suspiciously.
‘Yes,mylord,Ispoketo
himjustnow,outofthe
window.’Randallfelt
nervous.
‘Andwhatcolourrobe
wastheclericwearing?’
Randallpaused,hiseyes
firmlyonhisboots,beforehe
spoke.‘Ithinkitwaspurple,
master,’hemuttered,making
thewordpurpledeliberately
indistinct.
SirLeonclearedhisthroat
withagutturalgrowl.‘Now,
youngRandall,shouldIbe
concernedastowhythis
Purplebastardwantstospeak
tome?’Theoldknight
lookedlongandhardathis
squire,whoshrankunderhis
gaze.
‘IthinkIoffendedhim,
withoutmeaningto.’Randall
doubtedthedetailsofthe
encounterwoulddefusethe
situation.
SirLeoninhaleddeeply,
causinghimtocoughagain,
andthistimeheplacedhis
handoverhismouthtocatch
theglobuleofbloodand
phlegm.Hesatuponhisbed,
rubbinghisconsiderable
stomachashedidso.
‘Well,IbelieveIshould
beproperlyattiredsoasnot
tooffendherladyship.Didhe
giveaname?’
‘No,wedidn’treallyget
tointroduceourselves.’
HeshotRandallahard
glance.‘Enoughofthat
cheek,boy.FetchabasinsoI
canwashthosewomenoff
myskin.ThePurplearse-face
wouldprobablyfaintifhe
knewsomepeopleactually
fucked.’
Randallhadgrownupin
theDarkwaldandknewlittle
ofthevariouscoloured
clericsandhowtheylived
theirlivesinservicetothe
OneGod.‘Aretheynot
allowedtotakeawoman,
master?’
SirLeonstoodand
stretchedasheanswered,
‘Someclericsdo:theBlack
ones,andmaybetheBrown.
TheknightsoftheRedand
thosePurplebastardsare
forbiddenfromthetimethey
gaintheircloak.It’soneof
themainreasonstheyget
suchpleasurefromriding
thosearmouredhorses.’He
laughedwickedlyathisown
commentaryandnarrowly
avertedanothercoughingfit.
‘TheGoldChurchisanother
matter;thosefatbastardscan
barelystandwithoutafew
paidwomentocarrytheir
jewel-encrustedcocks.’
Abowlofrelativelyclean
waterwasplacedonabench
infrontoftheknightandhe
proceededloudlytowashhis
corpulentframe.Randallhad
lostmuchoftherevulsionhe
oncefeltatthesightofthe
overweightoldman,butwas
stillgiventoturnawaywhen
SirLeonwashedhimself.
‘Armour!’hesaidwithout
lookingup.
Theknight’sarmourwas
burnishedsteel,fastenedat
themidriffandovereach
shoulder.Randallhad
adjusteditseveraltimesover
theyearsanditnowcovered
lessthanhalfofSirLeon’s
upperbody.Ifhehadtofight
whilewearingit,he’dneedto
standdirectlyfacinghis
opponentorelseriskafatal
woundtohisexposedsides.
Notthathehadfoughtin
recentmemory.Infact,
Randalldistinctlyrecalledthe
lasttimehismasterhadbeen
driventoviolence.Itwasnot
apleasanteveningandhad
involvedfivedeadtown
guardsmenandaveryangry
tavernowner.SirLeon
remainedadangerousman
despitehisyearsandpoor
health,andtheguardsmen’s
jibesathisstorytellinghad
angeredtheoldknight.But
thatwastwoyearsagoand
muchalcoholhadbeen
consumedoverthe
interveningtime.
‘Randall,getyourfucking
headtogetheranddressme.
Purpleclericsarenotknown
fortheirpatience,’hesaid,
flickinghisdirtywashwater
ontothefloor.
Thearmourwenton
quickly,givingthefatold
drunkardasemblanceof
nobility.Hewasatallman,
thoughherarelystoodfully
upright,andhisbeardand
mattedhair,evenwhenswept
back,gavehimawild
appearancewhichhe
evidentlyfoundquite
pleasing.
‘Master,Ithinkyour
armourmayneedadjusting
again;theundercoatis
showingthroughatthe
bottom…andIdon’tlikethe
wayyoursidesareexposed.’
‘Ilikeabitofwearonit;
showsit’snotjustan
ornament.Arealman’s
armourisstained,battered
andill-fitting.’SirLeon
posed,flexinghisarms,
beforesittingbackonthebed
andpullingonhisbootsand
greaves.‘Sword!’hesaid
loudly.
Randallheldoutthe
ornatelongsword,hilt-first,
withthescabbardbelt
unfastened.SirLeongrasped
itfirmlyand,ashealways
did,gazedwithgenuine
affectionatthecrestofGreat
Clawonthecross-piece,
beforebucklingitaroundhis
waist.
‘Right,lad,let’sgoand
kisshislordship’sclerical
arse,’saidadefiantSirLeon.
Hemarchedoutoftheroom,
thenoiseofhisarmour
announcinghispresenceto
everyoneonthatfloorofthe
inn.Thosewhowere
sufficientlyawaketoopen
theirdoorsweremetwiththe
sightofanimperiousknight,
handrestedonhisswordhilt,
readyforaction.Randall
followedclosebehindasthe
knightstrodedownthestairs
tothecommonroombelow.
Heseemedclear-headed,the
fogofalcoholmaskedto
somedegree,hishatredofthe
Purplechurchemployedasa
shield.Afewmenturnedand
showedtheirsilentapproval
atthesightofthefully
armouredknight.Thetavern
keeperlookeddaggers,
rememberingthedestruction
ofthepreviousevening.The
innwasalow-class
establishmentintheoldtown
ofRoTiris,withlittlefinery
andcateringtothosecitizens
whosimplywanted
somewheretosleep,drinkor
findwillingwomen.Allthree
serviceswerecheapandof
thelowestpossiblequality.
Thebrokenwoodcausedby
SirLeon’sextravagant
storytellinghadbeenpiledby
thefireplace,atestamentto
howmuchdamageadrunken
maninarmourcancause.Sir
Leonstoodfullyupright,
glaringacrossthebaruntilhis
eyesfelluponthePurple
clericstandingbythedoor.
Thechurchmanwastall
andbroad-shouldered,with
brownhairandafiercelook
inhiseyes.Hisfeatures
suggestedamaninhismiddle
thirtiesandhispurplecloak,
thoughstained,wasstillan
evidentsymbolofhisorder.
Thosearoundhimaverted
theirgaze,knowingthata
clericofnobilityheld
absolutepowerinTor
Funweir.ThePurpleclerics
werefearedthroughoutthe
kingdomandtheirarrogance
andprowessinbattlewere
legendary.Mostmensimply
avoidedthemforthesakeof
aneasylife.Theywere
answerableonlytotheking
andfewmenequalledthemin
powerandinfluence.
Theclericstraightenedas
SirLeonenteredthecommon
room,animperiouslook
flowingacrosshisface.He
sneeredatRandall,pulling
hiscloakaroundhimasifto
emphasizethestain.Itwasa
considerabletestamenttoSir
Leon’snightlyvisitstothe
piss-pot.Randallwonderedif
theoldknightknewhow
manytimesherelieved
himselfeachnight,andhow
hisalcoholintakehad
indirectlycontributedtohis
squirecoveringaPurple
clericwithhispiss.
‘You,knight.’Thecleric
spokeloudly,juttinghis
beardedjawatSirLeon.He
thennoddedtowardsRandall,
whowasstandingbehindthe
knight’sleftshoulder.‘That
ladyoursquire?’
SirLeonraisedan
eyebrowandslowlyclosed
thedistancetostandnoseto
nosewiththecleric.He
lookedhimupanddown
critically.Theknightwas
severalinchestallerand,
thoughinbadphysical
condition,stillappearedthe
moreimposingman.‘My
nameisn’tknight;it’sSir
LeonGreatClaw,’hesaid
clearly,makingsomeeffortto
appearawell-spoken
nobleman.
‘Iaskedyouaquestion,
oldman.Don’tmakemeask
itagain.’Theclericwas
clearlynotintimidatedbySir
Leonanddidnotflinchas
theylookedateachother.
Randallstayedbythestairsat
thefarendofthecommon
room.HehopedSirLeon
wouldhandlethisdelicately
andenablethemtoleave
withoutangeringthePurple
church.However,thiswas
unlikelyasSirLeonhad,on
severaloccasions,spokenof
hisdesiretofightaPurple
cleric.
‘Didmysquiredo
somethingtooffendyou,my
lord?’Thewordswere
spokenwithscorn,hishand
restingsuggestivelyonhis
swordhilt.‘He’syoungand
hasmuchtolearn,your
Purpleness.Iseemtohave
neglectedtoteachhimthe
properetiquetteforcovering
aclericinpiss.’
Thechurchmandidnot
lookimpressed.‘Ifyour
intentionistoexertsome
kindofdominanceoverme,
oldman,Ishouldwarnyou
thatonemoreinsultandI
mayhavetoskewerthatfat
bellyofyours.’
Theothersinthetavern
gaspedandRandallheldhis
breath.Afewpatronsquietly
left,notwantingtobearound
iftheclericwasdrivento
violence.Otherssatopen-
mouthed,eagerlyenjoying
thespectacleoftwomenon
thevergeofafight.
AfterapauseSirLeon
threwhisheadbackina
throatylaugh.Therewaslittle
humourinthesoundand
neithermanbackedaway.He
thenaskedquietly,‘Whatis
yourname,youngcleric?’
‘IamBrotherTorianof
Arnon,clericofthequestand
noblemanoftheOneGod,’
hesaidproudlyandwith
deeplyheldconviction.
‘That’salongnamefora
littleman.’Thiscommentleft
SirLeonfeelingrather
pleasedwithhimselfandhe
flashedawickedgrinat
BrotherTorian,challenging
himtoreact.
Therewasnoangerasthe
clericspoke.‘Yoursquire
insultedme,SirLeon.Istand
beforeyouwanting
recompenseandallIam
givenisfurtherinsult.’He
narrowedhiseyesand
continued,‘Yourealizethat
yougivemelittlechoicebut
tokillyou,oldman?’
SirLeonrepliedquickly
andwithvenom.‘Thetwo
womenIfuckedlastnight
mightbeafairerfightfor
you…theystinkofpisstoo.’
Amansittingnearbylet
outasudden,involuntary
laugh,causingalleyestoturn
towardshim.Hebegan
sweatingandhurriedlyturned
hisbodyawayfromthe
confrontation,focusingonhis
drinkandcurlingupintothe
smallestballhistableand
chairwouldallow.Thelaugh
didlittletodefusethe
situationandwhentheothers’
eyesreturnedtothem,Sir
LeonandBrotherTorian
werenosetonose.
Torianspokefirst.‘You’re
afat,old,stinkingdrunk,’he
lookedtheknightupand
down,‘withill-fittingarmour,
anantiqueswordandno
respectforyourbetters.’He
movedquickly,hisrighthand
strikingSirLeonsharply
acrossthejaw.Hisfistwas
gauntletedandtheblow
causedbloodandasharp
intakeofbreathfromtheold
man.
BeforeSirLeon
straightened,theclerichad
droppedhisarmoured
shoulderandshovedthe
knightbackwards.Hefell
heavilyontothewooden
floorboards,hisbreastplate
makingaresoundingclangas
dustrosefromthetavern
floor.SirToriantookastep
forwardsandquicklydrew
hislongsword.‘Youhaveone
hour,SirLeon.’Helevelled
hisswordattheknight’s
neck.‘Iwillawaityoubehind
thetavern.Ifyouarelate,I
willenterthetavernandkill
youlikeadog.’
Randallmovedquicklyto
hismasterandhelpedhim
intoaseatedposition.There
wasbloodaroundhismouth
andinhisbeard.Hewas
windedandpantingheavily.
ThePurpleclericheldhis
swordaninchfromRandall’s
face.‘Andyou,youngman,
maybewatchingyourmaster
diewillteachyouhumility.’
Hedeftlysheathedhis
swordandturned,looking
tallerandstrongernow,ashe
strodefromthetavern.The
remainingpatronsbreatheda
sighofreliefasitbecame
cleartheywouldnothaveto
watchamandiewhilethey
weredrinking.Duellingwas
forbiddentocommonmen,
butafrequentpractice
amongstnoblesand
churchmen.
SirLeonletoutapained
laugh.‘IwonderwhatIcould
havedonetooffendthelittle
piss-stain.’Leaningon
Randall,hebreathedheavily
andpulledhimselftohisfeet.
‘Right,IthinkIneedadrink.’
Stillleaningonhissquire,he
shuffledtowardsthebar.‘I
canmanagefromhere,lad.
Justneededtocatchmy
breath.’Hesatheavilyona
barstool,causingittocreak
underhisweight,andbanged
ametalfistonthewood.
Pointingatthetavernkeeper,
hebellowed,‘Drink…here…
now!’
Despitewhathehadjust
seen,thetavernkeeperwas
notconfidentenoughtodeny
therequestandplacedalarge
gobletofwineinfrontofSir
Leon.Hethenasked
hesitantly,‘Er,shouldI
expectyoursquiretopayfor
this,sirknight?’
SirLeonshotthetavern
keeperaglareandgrabbed
himbythethroat.‘Iexpectto
bedeadinalittleoveran
hour,youlittleshit.SorryifI
thinkthisdrinkshouldbeon
thefuckinghouse.’He
paused,breathedinseveral
times,andreleasedhisgrip
ontheman,shovinghim
away.
Randallwaitedseveral
moments,allowingtheold
knighttodrinkdeeplyfrom
hisgoblet.Heknewhis
masterwellanddidn’twant
tointerruptwhatheimagined
wasamomentofdeep
thought.Whenhejudgedthe
timeright,Randall
approachedslowly.
‘Master…’
SirLeonhalfsmiledatthe
youngman.‘Randall,you’re,
what,seventeenyears?’
‘Yes,master,I’vebeen
withyouforthreeyears.’
Thesmilebecame
broader.‘You’vebeenagood
squire,lad.Never
complained,alwaysdone
whatyouweretold.’
‘Master…ifyouknewhe
wasgoingtoreactlikethat,
whydidyouprovokehim?’
Randallknewitwasan
impertinentquestion,butin
thecircumstanceshecared
littleforpropriety.
Thelaughthatpreceded
SirLeon’sanswerwasgoodnatured.‘I’manoldman,
Randall.IknowIcan
sometimeshideit,butI
alwaysfeelit.’Hetook
anotherlongdrink.‘Ihave
wantedtobethatrudetoa
PurpleclericsinceIfirstmet
one.Ittakesthepragmatism
ofadvancingyearstomakea
mantrulyfree.It’sjusta
shameIdidn’thavetheballs
todoitwhenIwasyounger
andcouldhavekilledhim.’
‘Buthe’sgoingtokillyou,
mylord!’Randallstated.
SirLeondidnotstop
smiling.‘Thatisverylikely.
Yes,thatisverylikely
indeed.I’dcertainly
recommendbettingonhimif
theopportunitypresents
itself.’Helaughedathisown
jokeanddrainedhisgobletof
wine.
Heshoutedtothetavern
keeper.‘Justbringthewhole
bottle,thatwayIwon’tneed
totalktoyoueverytimeI
wantadrink.’
Themancompliedanda
bottleofredwinewasplaced
infrontoftheknight.He
pulledoutthecorkwithhis
teethandpouredhimselfa
largemeasure.Randallknew
thatwarninghismasterabout
drinkingbeforeafightwould
bepointlessand,inanycase,
itwouldnotchangethe
outcome.SirLeonlooked
likeatiredoldman.He
shiftedhisweight
uncomfortably,theill-fitting
steelarmourchafinghis
bulkyframe.
‘Don’tpanic,young
Randall,evenaburnt-outold
drunkhasatrickortwo.’
Heunbuckledhissword
beltandpanted,clearlymore
comfortablewithoutit
constrictinghisstomach.He
helditouttohissquire,who
graspedtheswordcarefully
andwrappedtheleatherbelt
aroundthescabbard.Randall
stillhadagreataffectionfor
hismasterandbeganthinking
aboutoilingthebladeand
adjustinghisarmourbefore
SirLeonhadtofightthe
Purplecleric.‘Master,maybe
youshouldremoveyour
armourandletmeaddsome
sideplatesbeforeyour
duel…’
SirLeonlaughed.‘Inyour
estimation,howgoodamI
withthatthing?’Hepointed
tohissword.
‘ThelasttimeIsawyou
useit,youweredangerous,
master.’
‘Well,asgoodasImay
onedayhavebeen,that
clericalbastardisatrained
killerwithyouthandspeed
onhisside.’Hetookanother
drink.‘Imaygetalucky
blowandwin,orImaybe
abletorelyonstrength;either
way,thestateofmyarmour
willmakelittledifference.
Allit’lldoisslowme
down…’hechuckledto
himself,‘andI’mslow
enoughalready.’
***
Thenexttwentyminutesor
sopassedinsilence,withSir
LeondrinkingandRandall
notfindinganywordstosay.
Thetavernbegantoemptyas
thosewhohadspentthenight
removedthemselves.Street
cleanersandthecitywatch
wereabroadandRandall
wonderedaboutthelegalities
offightingaduelinaback
street.Heguessedthat,since
bothmenwerenoblesofa
sort,itwasunlikelythatthe
watchwouldintervene.
Unpleasantthoughtsran
throughRandall’smind.He
wonderedwhathewoulddo
iffacedwithhismaster’s
deadbody;wouldhehaveto
takehimtobeburied,or
wouldthecityhave
arrangementsforsuchthings?
Hewondered,too,abouthis
master’sswordandarmour;
whetherthePurplecleric
wouldtakethemasaprizeor
whetherthey’dbeleftinthe
streettobestolen.
Healsoworriedfor
himself.Hishomewasa
villageintheDarkwald,
manyleaguesfromthe
capital,andRandallwould
notevenknowhowtobegin
findinghiswaybackthere.
HehadtravelledwithSir
Leontoseveralofthegreat
citiesofTorFunweirand
dislikedtheideaofreturning
tothesimplelifeofa
commoner.
Timepassedslowly,Sir
Leonmutteringtohimselfas
hedrank.Helookedup
rarely,movingonlytoscratch
underhisarmourorshifthis
weighttoamorecomfortable
position.
Thesunbegantoshine
throughthetavernwindows
andRandallthoughtitwould
beahotday.RoTiriswason
thenortherncoastofTor
Funweirandthewindthat
blewacrossthestraitsof
Canarngenerallykeptthe
capitalcool.Acrossthestraits
livedthemenofCanarn.
RandallhadneverbeentoRo
Canarn,buttherumourshe’d
heardsincearrivinginTiris
madehimthinkthecitymight
notbecurrentlyverysafe.
Randallwasstartledwhen
SirLeonbangedhisfiston
thebarandproclaimed,
‘Right,timetokillacleric.’
Hestoodupandpuffedout
hischest.‘Sword!’he
demandedofhissquire.
Randallgatheredhimself
andpassedthesword,stillin
itsscabbard,withthebelt
wrappedcarefullyroundit.
SirLeontookhistime,
lookingfondlyatthecrest
beforebucklingitaroundhis
waist.
Heturnedtohissquire,
thesmellofwineheavyon
hisbreath.‘Don’tworry,lad.
Apooroldmanlikeme
shouldn’tmakeyoufrown.’
Smiling,heputhishandon
Randall’sshoulder.‘You’re
gettingtall.Maybeit’stime
foryoutogetaswordofyour
ownandfindsomeoneto
showyouhowtouseit.’Sir
Leonhadmentionedthis
before.Itwasthedutyofa
knightproperlytoschoolhis
squireinthewayofhandling
asword,butSirLeonhad
simplynevergotroundtoit.
HehadshownRandalla
coupleofstancesandthe
correctwaytoswinga
longsword,buthissquirewas
notaswordsmanyetandhad
neverpossessedhisown
blade.
‘Well,’saidtheknight
withagrin,‘considerthis
yourfirstreallesson.’He
suddenlythrewtheempty
winebottleatthelineof
glassesnexttothetavern
keeper.Thesoundechoed
aroundtheemptycommon
roomandglassshardsflew,
causingthemantodivetothe
floor.SirLeondidn’twaitto
seethereactiontohis
outburst,butsimplystrode
towardsthedoor.
Randallfollowed,several
stepsbehindhismaster,and
smiledawkwardlyatthe
tavernkeeperasheleft.
Thetaverndoorswere
proppedopenandthestreet
outsidewasrelativelyempty.
Thenarrowcobbledback
streetwasbeingsweptclean
byboundmenofthecrown–
menpaidinfood,clothing
andaplacetosleep.They
weredoingapoorjobandthe
streetremainedunpleasant.
SirLeonignoredtheworkers
asheturnedasharpleftinto
thestreet.Hebreathedinthe
airofthecityandturnedup
hisnoseatthemixofalcohol,
vomitanddirt.Randall
followedbehindhimandhad
toruntokeepupwiththe
stridingknight.
SirLeonstoppedatthe
cornerofthetavernbuilding
andtookalonglookdown
thestreet.Thebuildingsin
thepoorquarterwereclose
togetherandlittledirect
sunlightreachedtheground.
Debrisfromahundrednights
ofrevelryfilledthenarrow
sidestreetandRandallhadto
dodgebottles,cratesand
itemsofbrokenfurnitureas
hestruggledtokeepupwith
hismaster.Attherearofthe
tavernwasthealleyinto
whichRandallhadthrownSir
Leon’swaste,insulting
BrotherTorianintheprocess.
Beyondwerestables,serving
severaltavernsandanumber
ofbrothels.
SirLeonsteppedoverthe
opensewerandcametoa
halt.AsRandallpulledup
nexttohim,hesawSir
Leon’ssturdybrownhorse
andhisownblackandgrey
ponymixedinwithseveral
mangyoldhorsesmunching
onbalesofstraw.Standingin
themiddleofthestablewas
thePurplecleric,fully
armouredandwithswordin
hand.Hisbreastplate,greaves
andgauntletswereof
burnishedsteel.Althoughhe
hadremovedhiscloakin
preparationfortheduel,other
itemsofpurpleadornedhis
dress.Hisscabbardandbelt
bothhadanornatepurple
designandthecolourwas
repeatedonmostofthefabric
thatshowedunderhis
armour.
NowBrotherTorianwas
wearingasteelhelmet,and
heraisedhischinashespoke.
‘Goodmorning,SirLeon.I
believewehavebusinessto
settle.’
Theoldknightstepped
forwardandappearedto
considerhiswordscarefully.
Hepuffedouthischest.‘I’m
sorry,I’veforgottenyour
name.’Hismouthcurled
slowlyintoadefiantgrin.
BrotherTorianreturned
SirLeon’ssmilewithoneof
hisown,thoughhiswas
colder.Hisswordwasalready
inhisfistandhetookastep
backwardsandflexedhis
arm,causingthebladeto
swingskilfullyfromsideto
side.Randallbegan
imaginingallthewaysin
whichluckcouldplayapart
intheencounter.Hethought
thatSirLeonwasthelarger
manandthathisstrength
mightprevail.Thecleric
lookedlikeatruefighting
man,butmaybehewasgreen
andwouldlackexperience
againstacleverswordsman
likeSirLeon.Eitherway,
Randallestimatedthatskill,
youthandfortitudewould
havetoplayaminimalpartif
hismasterweretoemerge
victorious.
BrotherToriankepthis
eyesonhisopponentashe
walkednimblyfromsideto
side,steppingonefootover
theotherinpractisedfashion,
hisswordpointheldlow.Sir
Leonjuststoodthere,not
posturingordisplayingany
particularskillashedrewhis
treasuredlongsword.
‘Iwaswrong,SirLeon,I
calledthatswordanantique.
ItseemsIjudgedthebladeby
thestateofthemanwhowore
it.’BrotherTorianlookedat
theirswords.‘Iwouldjudge
thatourweaponshaveboth
seenmuchcombat,though
yoursisofnoblerlineage.’
SirLeondidnotrespond
withhiscustomaryhumour.
Heraisedhisswordtolookat
theclericoverthecrosspiece.‘Thisistheswordof
GreatClaw,anoldnoble
houseoftheeast.Myfather
woreitbeforemeandithas
killedKirin,Ranen,Jekkan,
Karesian…evenRo.’Sir
Leonwasproudofhissword
andtheweightofnobilityit
bestoweduponhim.Anold
drunkhemightbe,buthewas
stillaknightofTorFunweir,
andwhetherhewastodiein
astableornot,aknighthe
wouldremain.‘Idon’t
apologizeoraskforquarter,
cleric.’
Toriancameonguard.
‘Thetimeforapologiesis
goneandnoquarterwillbe
given.Imeantokillyou,old
man.’
SirLeonattackedfirst,a
clumsyoverheadblow
accompaniedwithagruntof
exertion.Thesoundofsteel
onsteelwasloudasTorian
easilybroughtuphisbladeto
parrytheattack.He
respondedbykickingout
forcefullyattheoff-balance
knightandsendinghimback
severalfeet,causinghimto
breatheheavily.
Neithermanspokeasthey
begancirclingeachother,
Torianswinginghissword,
whileSirLeonheldhisready
andlowtotheground.
Randallsteppedbackasfaras
hecouldtostandbySir
Leon’shorse,wellawayfrom
thefight.Bothmenlooked
dangerous.Thesweatalready
flowingdownSirLeon’sface
madehimlookfierce,and
BrotherTorianwasmoving
likeapredator.
Again,itwastheold
knightwhoattacked–athrust
thistime–aimedatthe
cleric’schest.Torianstepped
tothesideanddeflectedit,
givingSirLeonthechanceto
falloverifhewastoooff
balance.Hekepthisfooting,
though,andpulledbackhis
swordintimetoparryan
answeringblowtohishead.
BrotherToriandidnotback
offthistimebutpressedthe
attack,launchingaseriesof
highswingsattheoldknight.
EachblockthatSirLeon
managedweakenedhima
littlemoreandRandall
thoughttheclericneeded
onlytowearhimdownin
ordertowin.Theattacks
becamerelentless,the
differenceinfitness
beginningtoshow.
Thesquirewatched
helplesslyasthefightbecame
one-sided,withBrother
Torianslowinghisattacks
andforciblypushingtheold
knightbackuntilhewas
practicallystandingagainst
oneofthemangyhorses.Sir
Leonwaspantingandhis
facewasbrightredandmoist
withsweat.He’dparried
everyblowlevelledathim
andshownglimmersofskill,
buthehadnotbeenableto
findanysmallopening
throughwhichtotestthe
cleric’sdefence.
Tentativefacesappeared
aroundthestableaslocals,
alertedbythesound,cameto
watchthefight.Several
youngchildrenwithdirty
faceshadclamberedonthe
roofandnowpeereddown
fromabove.Attheentrance
tothealleyasmallgroupof
fourcitywatchmenhadcome
toinvestigatetheduel.
Randall’shopethatthey
wouldinterveneandstopthe
fightwascrushedwhenthey
sawthepurpleadornmentsof
BrotherTorian,andthey
madeadisplayofushering
awaytheonlookersand
standingguardoverthestable
entrance.Justasnoblesand
churchmenwereallowedto
beararms,theywerealso
allowedtousethem.
SirLeonroaredwith
frustrationanddidnot
registerthepresenceofthe
watchasToriancontinuedhis
methodicalassault.Several
blowsbegantobucklethe
knight’sweakdefensive
parriesanddentswere
appearinginhisbreastplate.
BrotherTorianwasstillfresh
andwasclearlyconserving
hisstrength,ashispatternsof
attackslowedagain.Hetook
severallargestrides
backwardsanddisengaged,
leavingSirLeontoravein
anger.‘Comeon,youpurple
pig-fucker,’heshouted
betweenunintelligiblegrunts.
BrotherToriansaid
nothing,butwavedtheknight
backtowardsthecentreofthe
stable.
SirLeonwasbentover
andtryingtocatchhisbreath,
pantingheavilyanddripping
sweatontothedustystable
floor.Helookedathissword
again,thethinnestsmile
visibletoRandall,andthen,
withagrowl,lungedforward
atthecleric.
Randallgaspedandhe
desperatelywantedtocallout
andurgehismastertosay
somethingtoplacatethe
cleric,buthecouldn’t.The
knightknewthatthisduel
wouldmeanhisdeath,though
Randallhadhopedthat
somethingluckyorbizarre
wouldhappentosurprise
everyone.
BrotherTorianwas
expectingthedesperatestrike
and,withgraceandpower,
steppedforward.SirLeon’s
thrustwasweakandeasily
deflected,causingtheold
knighttofalltohiskneesas
theclericsteppedpastthe
thrustandkickedhardatthe
outstretchedblade.Thesword
ofGreatClawleftSirLeon’s
handandfelltothestable
floorseveralfeetaway.
Everythingpaused;the
citywatchmenweresilent,
thechildrenlookedwideeyedandRandallheldhis
breath.SirLeonwasonhis
knees,thelastthrusthaving
takenallhisenergy,and
BrotherTorianstoodover
himvictorious.ThePurple
clericheldhisswordagainst
thebackoftheknight’sneck
andspokeclearly.‘SirLeon
GreatClaw,knightofTor
Funweir,Itakeyourheadand
repayyourinsult.’
Withhislastactionbefore
meetingtheOneGod,Sir
Leondirectedabroadsmile
athissquire.BrotherTorian
swungswiftlyandwithgreat
power,severinghis
opponent’sneckwithone
blow.
Randalldidnotcryout,
thoughtearsbegantoformin
hiseyesashelookedathis
master’sheadlessbody.Sir
Leonhadbeenallhehad
knownforthreeyearsand
nowhewasdead,beheaded
inadirtystable,answeringan
insultthatRandallhadgiven
toaPurplecleric.
Toriandidnotaddress
Randallstraightaway,but
droppedtoonekneeoverhis
fallenopponentandoffereda
prayertotheOneGod.‘My
swordandmylifeareyours.I
fightforyou,Ikillforyou,I
dieforyou.’Hethen
straightenedandretrieveda
stainedclothfromhis
gauntletandcarefullycleaned
hissword.Thecitywatchstill
stoodatthestableentrance
andwhisperedtooneanother
astheynervouslyapproached
thearmouredcleric.They
worechainmail,beltedatthe
waistandcoveredbyatabard
displayingthesymbolofthe
king–awhiteeagleinflight.
Ascommonmentheywere
notpermittedtocarry
longswordsandsotheyall
hadcrossbowsandlarge
knives.
‘Mylord,IamSergeant
Lux,’theeldestofthefour
watchmensaidwithabow.
BrotherTorianwassilent.
Randallsawthat,despitethe
one-sidednatureoftheduel,
theclericatleasttookSir
Leon’sdeathseriouslyand
neededamomenttocompose
himself.‘Sergeant,’he
noddedingreeting.
Afewmoreonlookers
emergedfromaroundthe
stables,commonmenofRo
Tirisintriguedbythe
spectacleoftruefighting
men.SergeantLuxwavedat
oneofhismen.‘Getridof
thesestreetrats.’
Theonlookerswere
dispersedquicklywithafew
directedshoutsofauthority
fromthewatchmen,andthe
stablewasagainrelatively
quiet.
‘Ishewithyou,your
grace?’Luxpointedacross
thestabletowhereRandall
stood,halfleaningagainstSir
Leon’shorsetosteadyhis
legs.
‘Yes,Isupposeheis,
sergeant,thoughnotinthe
wayyoumean.’The
watchmenlookedconfusedat
thisresponse,butTorian
continued,‘Hecanremain.
Thisduelwasforhisbenefit
onsomelevel.’
BrotherToriansheathed
hissword,removedhis
helmetandretrievedhis
purplecloakfromitsresting
placeacrossthebackofa
nearbyhorse.‘Thisismyfirst
visittothecapital,sergeant;I
assumeyouhave
arrangementsfordealingwith
that…’Hegesturedtowards
theheadlessbodyofSir
Leon.
Thewatchmenlookedat
eachotherbeforeLuxreplied,
‘Wedo,mylord,butifwe’re
toreturnthebodytohis
estate,weneedtoknowto
whathousehebelongs.’
Torianraisedhischinand
glancedatRandallbeforehe
spoke.‘Hewasofthehouse
ofGreatClaw…somewhere
totheeastapparently.’He
clappedhisgauntletedhands
togetherandthenoisepulled
Randallawayfromhisgrief.
‘Squire…wherearethis
man’slandstobefound?’
Randallsteppedaway
fromthehorseand,onweak
legs,movedtothemiddleof
thestable.Hetriednotto
lookdownatthebodyand
cametoahaltofftotheside
ofthewatchmen.‘Hehasno
lands.’Randall’svoice
quiveredandhishandsshook.
Toriannarrowedhiseyes
andresponded,‘Hemust
havefamilyorfriendswho
wouldreceivehisbody?’
Thewatchmenhadbegun
toturnoverSirLeon’sbody,
retrievinghisheadand
attemptingtokeepthepoolof
bloodfromspreadingacross
thestablefloor.Randall
spokewithoutthinking.
‘Leavehim.’Hedroppedto
hiskneesnexttothebody
andbegantoarrangehis
masterinadignifiedfashion.
SergeantLuxpausedfora
second,surprisedatRandall’s
impertinence,beforeslapping
thesquire’sface.‘Youwill
notspeakunlessdirectedto
doso,boy.’
Randallfell,theslap
causinghisfacetosting.‘My
masterhadnofamilyandno
lands.Hiswifehasbeendead
fouryearsandheiswithout
children…’Moretears
formedinRandall’seyes.‘He
wouldwanthisbodytobe
burned.’
BrotherToriannoddedin
approval.Thiswasthe
honourablewayfora
noblemantomeettheOne
God.However,SergeantLux
laughed.‘Apyreis
expensive,lad…andwho
wouldarrangeit?’He
glancedbackathismenasif
Randall’swordshadshowed
extremenaivety.‘Ifhehasno
landsorfamilytoreceivehis
body,we’llhavetothrow
himinthelimepitswiththe
otherscumthatdieinthis
partofTiris.’
Randall’sgriefturned
slowlytorageandonly
BrotherTorian’srestraining
handstoppedhimfrom
clumsilyattackingthe
sergeant.‘Enough,boy,seeto
yourmaster.’Toriangently
shovedRandallawayfrom
thewatchmen.‘Showsome
respect,man,hewasaknight
ofTorFunweir,’hesaidto
Lux.‘Afat,disrespectfulold
drunkardhemayhavebeen,
butstillaknight.’Torian
reachedintoapouchwithin
hiscloakandpulledouta
smallbrownpurse,throwing
itatLux’sfeet.Hesaid,
‘Burnhimproperlyandhave
aBlackclericsaythewords.’
SergeantLuxpickedup
thepurseandseemed
satisfied.‘Verywell,mylord,
itshallbedoneasyousay.’
ThewatchmenmovedtoSir
Leon’sbodyandstoppedina
circlebehindRandall.
‘Stepawaynow,boy,his
pathisset,’saidthecleric.
Randalldidn’tmove.He
straightenedthebodylying
beforehim,pushingthelegs
togetherandrestingtheold
man’sarmsacrosshis
batteredsteelbreastplate.He
stillhadn’tlookedatthe
severedheadandfound
himselfwantingtokeephold
oftheoldman’ssmilerather
thanthestaringeyesofa
deadman.
‘Boy!’shoutedBrother
Torian,ashedraggedRandall
acrossthestableandshoved
himagainstawoodenwall.
Randalltriedtolookpasthim
toensurethatthewatchmen
weretreatingSirLeonwith
respect,butthecleric’s
armouredframeblockedthe
view.
‘Yourname,young
squire?’Torianaskedgently,
asRandallstoppedstruggling
andfocusedontheface
beforehim.
‘Randall…I’mfromthe
Darkwald.’Thewordswere
hesitant.
‘Verywell,Randallof
Darkwald,IthinktheOne
Godhasanotherpathfor
you.’Hesteppedawayfrom
Randall,hisbulkstill
obscuringSirLeon’sbody.
Oneofthewatchmen
coughedtoattractTorian’s
attention.‘Milord…whatof
theknight’sblade?’Theman
pickeduptheswordofGreat
Claw,heftingitandfeeling
itsweightinhishand.
‘Watchman,’snapped
Torian,‘thatistheswordofa
nobleandnotforthelikesof
youtowield.’Thecleric
closedthedistancequickly
andheldouthishand.‘Give
ithere,’hesaidwithquiet
authority.
Thelongswordwas
placed,hilt-first,intohis
hand.BrotherTorian
inspectedthebladeand
noddedhisapprovalatits
conditionbeforeturningback
toRandall.‘Iassumethat,as
asquire,thecareofyour
master’sbladewasyour
primaryresponsibility,yes?’
Randallbreathedin
deeply.‘SirLeonhadother
needsthattookupalotof
timebut,yes…IsupposeIdo
lookafterthesword.’Hefelt
noangertowardsBrother
Torian,buthisgriefatSir
Leon’sdeathwasenoughto
makehimfeelsmalland
helpless.‘Iwasgoingtooil
thebladebeforethefight,but
hedidn’tletme…I
thought…’
Torianinterruptedhim.
‘Thisbladeiswellcaredfor.I
don’tthinkanothercoatofoil
wouldhavedonemuchto
helphim.’
‘That’swhatSirLeon
thought…’Anothertear
appearedasRandall
continued.‘Heknewhewas
goingtodie.’
Torianlookedfirstatthe
swordandthenatRandall,
ignoringthesquire’sattempts
toseepasthim.Aftera
momentofthoughthespoke
withconviction.‘I’venever
hadasquire.It’softenseenas
unseemlyforaclericofthe
Purpletoneedone…’He
lookedRandallupanddown,
shakinghisheadatthe
squire’scommonappearance.
‘However,Iamaclericofthe
questandoutsideoftheusual
traditionsofmyorder.’
Randalldidn’tregisterthe
wordsandhismindfilled
insteadwithimagesofSir
Leon,laughingandjokingas
hedrunkenlytoldunlikely
storiesofheroism.
‘Areyoulistening,boy?’
Torianaskedsharply.
‘No,Imustconfessthat
I’mnot,BrotherTorian…my
mindiselsewhere,asI
predictitwillbeforawhile
yet.’Randallhadjustseenhis
masterkilledandwasnotin
themoodtobepolite.
‘You’veasharptongue,
boy…truetoform,though,
soImustatleastcommend
youforconsistency,’hesaid
withanimperioussmile.
‘Now,thisismy
command…’Hegrasped
Randall’sfacesothatthe
squirecouldnothelpbutlook
athim.‘Youwillbecomemy
squireandIwillschoolyou
inthecorrectwayofthings,’
hestated.
‘Mylord…?’Randallhad
aquestioninglookonhis
face.
‘Didyounothearme,
boy?’
‘Er,Iheardyou,mylord,
butIdon’tthinkI
understand.’Randallwas
tired,confusedandfeltsick.
Thewordsoftheclericbarely
penetratedhismind.
‘Randall,aclericImay
be,butIamnotblindtothe
factthatIjustkilledyour
master.NoramIacruelman,
despitewhatyoumaythink.’
Hiswordswerekindernow.
Randallshookhishead
andtriedtofocus.‘Idoubt
youcare,butIdon’thateyou,
mylord.Mymasterwanted
todie…hewasoldandtired
andyoucouldhavebeen
anybody.’Tearscameagain
tohiseyes.‘Ithinkhejust
wantedtodiefighting.’
Toriannoddedwith
approval.‘Thatisaproper
wayforaknighttodie…he
taughtyouavaluablelesson
today,boy.’
Thewatchmenhadbegun
toremoveSirLeon’sbody.
‘Lux…Iwillhearofitifthat
manistreatedpoorly,’said
Torian.
Themanbowed.
‘Absolutely,milord,I’llsee
tothepyremyself.’
Thewatchmenleftthe
stables,holdingthebodyof
SirLeonrespectfully.The
manholdingtheheaddidso
atarm’slengthandwas
makinganefforttonotlook
atSirLeon’sblankface.
BrotherTorianturned
backtoRandall.‘Wellthen,
squire,thisiswhatyouneed
toknowofyournewmaster.I
amaclericofthequestfrom
RoArnonandIamhere
lookingforaBlackGuard
namedBromvyofCanarn.’
Randalltriedtostand
upright.‘Yes,mylord…I
understand.Whathastheman
done?’
Torianlookedquizzically
athisnewsquire.‘Doyounot
knowthemeaningofthe
wordsBlackGuard,boy?’
‘Idonot,sir.’Randall
shookhishead.
‘Well,itseemsthatyour
educationshouldbegin
immediately.’Hepassed
RandalltheswordofGreat
Claw.‘Here,takeyournew
swordandlet’sbeoff.We
havemuchtodo.’
Randallpausedandsimply
lookedattheofferedblade.
‘Mylord,I’macommoner,
notpermittedtocarrya
longsword.’
BrotherTorianraisedhis
chinandpuffedouthischest.
‘Youarenowthesquireofa
Purpleclericand,ifIsayyou
canwearasword,thenyou
canwearasword.Comenow,
beltitonanddon’tdawdle.’
Theclericbegantowalk
towardsthestableentrance.
‘Oh,andyou’dprobably
bettertakeSirLeon’shorsein
additiontohissword,’hesaid
beforedisappearingintothe
street.
***
Randall’sfirstfewdaysas
squiretoBrotherTorianwere
strange.Theclericwasan
undemandingmaster,
comparedtoSirLeon.He
talkedagreatdeal,often
unconcernedwhetherRandall
waslisteningornot,andthe
youngsquire’sheadwasa
blurofclericalprocedures
andservicetotheOneGod.
TorianwasfromtheFalls
ofArnonandhadneverbeen
tothecapitalbefore.Hewore
hisarmourthroughoutthe
dayandlargelyignoredthe
fearheinspiredinthegeneral
populace,mostofwhomhe
dismissedassimplycommon
folk.
Randalllearnedquickly
howtounbucklethearmour
andgreaveswithTorianina
seatedposition.Theywereof
highqualityandneededlittle
maintenancebeyondadaily
polishoftheburnishedsteel.
Torianappearedillatease
withbeingwaitedon,but
triedtosmileasRandallran
aroundafterhim,
automaticallyfetchinghis
foodandcleaninghisclothes.
Theystayedinaquiet
tavernnearthechapterhouse
oftheknightsoftheRed.It
wasanunremarkableareaof
thetown,withlittlecrime.
Thetavernwasalowstone
buildingwithfewcomforts,
thoughtheroomswereclean
andthestaffrespectful.
Randallwaspermittedto
sleepinabedratherthanon
theroughbedrollhehadbeen
usedto,andwaseven
allowedtimetohimselfeach
day.Toriandislikedhaving
Randallwithhimwhenhe
wentintothepoorquarterto
makeenquiries,sayingthata
squirewouldbeaburden
whentheclericneededtobe
focused.
Randallusedthistimeto
practisewithhisnewsword
andtoreadthebooksthat
Toriancarriedwithhim.The
squirebegantolearnabout
theOneGodandeven
learnedsomethingofthe
otherlandsofmen.He’dmet
RanenandKaresiansbefore,
buthadalwaysthoughtthem
strangeanddifficultto
understand.Thebooks
BrotherToriancarriedspoke
ofthemaschildrenofother
gods,inferiortotheOne,but
worthyofrespectasenemies.
Theyroseearlyeachday
andTorianexercisedfor
severalhours,runningonthe
spotandswinginghis
longswordwithpractised
skill.Withouthisarmour,the
clericwasamuscularman,
coveredinscarsandpuncture
woundsfromcrossbowbolts
andlongbowarrows.He
deflectedanytalkofhis
woundsandRandallguessed
thattruefightingmendidn’t
generallydiscusstheirpast
battles.SirLeon’stalltales
begantomakemoresense
anditoccurredtoRandall
thattheoldknighthad
deliberatelytolddifferent
versionsofthesamestory
becausetherealitywas
neitherglamorousnor
exciting.
‘Randall…daydreaming
again,boy?’Torianwas
sittingonhisbunkwaitingto
beattiredinhisclerical
armour.
‘Sorry,master,Iwas
thinkingofSirLeon.’Randall
quicklymovedtothewooden
chairthatactedasanarmour
rack.
Torianflexedhisarms,
clearingthesorenessfromhis
morningexercise.‘Theold
manwasagoodfirstmaster
foryou,lad.Hewas
demandingandtaughtyou
somehumility.’
Randallheftedthebulky
armourandswayedacrossthe
simpletavernroom.‘Iwas
justthinkingthatyouandhe
mayhavegotonwell…If…’
‘Ifhissquirehadn’t
coveredmeinpissthefirst
timewemet?’heinterrupted.
‘Yes,master.’Randall
blushed.
Torianlaughedin
responseandheldouthis
armsforRandalltoplacethe
breastplateacrosshischest.
Thepurpleundercoatwas
designedtoshowatthe
cornersofthearmour.The
backplatewasfastenedby
heavyleatherstrapsatthe
waistandconnectedtothe
segmentedmetalofthearm
pieces.
‘How’syourreading
comingalong?’Torianasked,
asthearmourwenton.
‘It’scomingalongwell,
master.Iwaslearningabout
theotherracesofmen.’
Theclericraisedhis
eyebrows.‘So,tellme,what
haveyoulearned?’
Randallconsideredashe
buckledupTorian’sarmour.
‘ThemenofRanenworship
anIceGiantcalledRowanoco
andtheylivetothenorth.’
Hismasternodded.
‘That’sright,lad,theywear
chainmailandnormallycarry
axes.They’rebrutal,but
cunningmen.’
‘Didn’ttheRooncerule
thoselands,master?’
Toriannoddedagain.
‘Indeedwedid,thoughthat
waslongago.TheRanen
wereorganizedintowork
gangsbytheRedknights.’
Hisexpressionshowedhis
distasteforthispractice.
‘Youdon’tapprove?’
Randallqueried.
‘No,Idonot,lad.The
Ranenareprimitive,butthey
werestillvanquishedenemies
andshouldhavebeentreated
withrespect.’Helookedupat
hissquire.‘Andiftheknights
hadn’torganizedthem,the
Ranenwouldneverhave
formedtheFreeCompanies
andfoughtback.’
‘Master?’Randallhadnot
heardthetermbefore.
‘Theworkgangswere
naturallymadeupofthe
strongestRanenandthey
rebelled,tooktheirwoodcuttingaxesandturnedthem
ontheirmasters.Theycalled
themselvestheFree
Companiesandwere
surprisinglyeffectivefighting
men.’Hestoodupandflexed,
feelingtheweightofhis
armour.‘RoRanenbecame
theFreelandsofRanenand
theknightsretreatedsouthto
thelandsofCanarn…that
wassometwohundredyears
ago,buttheFreeCompanies
arestillasstubbornand
dangerousastheywerethen.’
Randallbuckledonhis
master’slongsword.The
clericraisedalegandrested
hisfootonasmallwooden
stoolasRandallbuckledon
thesteelgreave.
‘Andwhatofthe
Karesians,master?’
‘Well,we’veneverbeen
trulyatwarwiththem,lad.
TheyfollowJaa,theFire
Giant.Theykeepto
themselvesforthemostpart.
AnyyoumeetinTorFunweir
willlikelybemerchantsor
tavernkeepers.’Torian
seemedtohavelittletimefor
thedesertmen.
‘SirLeonusedtotalk
abouttheHoundsofKaresia.’
‘Yes,theHounds…the
dreadedHounds.’He
chuckledtohimself.‘The
Karesianshavelittletrue
militarycraftandsotheyrely
onnumbers.TheHoundsare
criminals,sentencedtoserve
timeinthekennelsas
soldiers.’Heplacedhis
secondlegonthestool.‘Jaa
apparentlytaughtthatnobles
shouldnotfight…thedying
shouldbelefttothelowest
classesofcriminalsand
dishonourablemen.’He
turnedtohissquire.‘There
areseveralhundredthousand
ofthem,though.’
Randallfinisheddressing
hismasterandtookastep
backtoadmirehiswork.The
clericwasanimposingand
noblefigurewhenfullyclad
inhisarmour.Thesquire
knewthathewasaskilled
swordsmanbutthoughtthat,
formostpeople,theflashes
ofpurplewouldbeenoughto
deflecttrouble.
BrotherTorianinspected
himselfcarefully,notingany
slightimperfectionsinhis
armourandpointingthemout
tohissquireforlater
attention.
‘AndwhoaretheKirin,
master?’Randallasked.
He’dknownmenclaimto
beKirinandheardmen
referredtoassuch,buthe’d
alwaysbeenconfusedby
whatthetermmeant.They
wereoftenswarthy-skinned
men,thoughclearlynoteither
KaresianorRoand,by
implicationatleast,theywere
mostlycriminals.
Torianraisedhiseyebrows
atthis.‘YouhavenoKirinin
theDarkwald?’
‘NotthatIremember,no.
AfewRanen,butmostlymen
ofRo.’
‘Well,theKirinarethe
godlessracethatisproduced
whenaKaresianandaRo
decide,forwhateverreason,
tomate.’Heclearlytook
offenceatthenotion.‘They
aremostlytobefoundinthe
forestsalongthesouthern
shoreoftheKirinRidge,
thoughsomecometotheTor
Funweirtoplytheirtradeas
slaversorrainbowmerchants
–that’sdrugdealerstoyou
andme.’Hepickeduphis
purpletabardfromthesideof
thebedandswungitoverhis
head,lettingthepurple
sceptreofnobilityrestacross
hisbreastplate.‘They’renot
innatelyevil,buttheirmixed
lineagemakesitdifficultfor
themtopursueanhonest
trade.’
SirLeonhadbeenquite
hatefultowardstheKirin,
callingthemallmannerof
names.Randallnowthought
thisalittleunfair,asitwasn’t
reallytheirfaultthattheir
parentshaddecidedtohave
sex.
Randallwalkedovertothe
windowsillandtookadrink
ofwaterfromthejugthatwas
placedthere.Hehadknown
thattheDarkwaldwasan
isolatedareaofTorFunweir,
butthesuddenrealizationthat
SirLeonhadtaughthim
virtuallynothinginthetime
they’dbeentogetherwas
annoying.He’dlearnedmore
aboutthelandsofmeninthe
lastfewdaysthaninthe
previousthreeyears
combined.
‘Today,youngRandall,
I’mafraidyourreadingwill
havetowait.Ineedyouto
accompanymeintothecity.’
Torianpointedtothesword
ofGreatClawhangingfroma
hookonthebackofthedoor.
‘Youshouldwearyour
sword,boy…’
RandallletthoughtsofSir
Leonandhowpooramaster
hehadbeenleavehismind.
Hescreweduphisface,
havingbarelybeenlistening
tohisnewmaster’swords.
‘Sorry,Iwassomewhereelse
foramoment.Whatdidyou
say?’heasked.
Toriansmiledashespoke.
‘SometimesIenvytheability
ofyouthtodaydream.
However,asaclericImust
chideyouforyourinsolence,’
hesaidwarmly.‘Itoldyou
thatyouwouldbe
accompanyingmeintothe
cityandthatyoushouldwear
yourlongsword.’
Randallblushed,still
uncomfortableowningsucha
weapon.
Toriansensedhis
misgivingand,witha
condescendingsmile,moved
tothedoorandpickedupthe
scabbard.‘Comehere,lad.
Let’sseehowitlooks.’
Randallstoodinfrontof
himandwastakenabackas
theclericreacheddownand
wrappedthebeltaroundhis
squire’swaist.
‘Master…’Randall
stutteredashespoke.‘I
shoulddothat.’
Torian’ssmilebecame
friendlyashepositionedthe
scabbardonRandall’sleft
hip.‘Igaveyoupermissionto
wearit,soitseemsfittingthat
Iadornyouwithit.’He
steppedbackandinspected
thearmedsquire.‘There.
Nowallyouneedisarmour
andyou’lllooksplendid.’
Randallbreathedinand
lookedattheswordhilt.It
wassurprisinglylightand
didn’trestricthismovement
inthewayhe’dimaginedit
would.Despitehis
reservations,hefeltolderand
strongersimplycarryingsuch
anobleweapon.Thesword
ofGreatClawhadbeenSir
Leon’sprideandjoy,and
Randallwantedmorethan
anythingtodohonourtothe
blade.
‘DidSirLeonatleast
teachyouthecorrectwayto
holdsuchaweapon,
Randall?’
‘Well…notreally,master.
Heshowedmesomebasic
positions,buthewasdrunkat
thetimeandtheydidn’tmake
muchsense.’
‘Hopefully,youwon’t
needtouseitthen,’hesaid
plainly,ashemovedtohis
purplecloakhangingbythe
window.Randallwasnot
permittedtotouchthepurple,
asidefromwhenhecleaned
it,andBrotherToriantreated
itmuchasSirLeonhad
treatedhislongsword.
‘Wherearewegoing,
master?’Randallaskedas
Torianswunghiscloak
aroundhisshouldersand
fasteneditattheneck.
‘You’llbeaccompanying
metotheKasbahofHaq,
outsidethecitywalls.You’ve
beenreadingaboutforeigners
andsoitseemsonly
appropriatethatyoujoinme
ingoingtoaplacewherethey
gather.Beonyourguard,
though,thesemenarenot
friendlytoRo,especially
clerics,andtheywillnotwant
tovolunteertheinformation
thatIseek.’
BeforeRandallcouldask
anymorequestionsthesound
ofarmouredfeetbegantobe
heardalongthecorridor
outside.Torianwasnot
concernedasheregisteredthe
soundandsimplywaved
Randallawayfromthedoor.
Thesquirebackedaway
andstoodbytheopen
window.Thesoundofmetal
feetroseinvolume,butthere
seemedtobeonlyoneman
approaching.Randallbegan
tospeak,butaraisedhand
fromhismastercausedhimto
staysilent.
Thearmouredfootsteps
stoppedjustoutsidethedoor
andasolidbangonthewood
madeRandalljump.
‘Worrynot,boy,thisman
isexpected.Thedoorisopen,
brother,’Toriancalledloudly.
Thecirculardoorhandle
turnedandagauntletedhand
appeared.Asthedoorwas
pushedopen,Randallsawa
burly,pale-skinnedmanof
Ro.Hewascladinsteel
armourofasimilarfashionto
Torian’s,butmoretarnished.
Heborealargetwo-headed
axestrappedacrosshisback,
butofmostinterestto
Randallwastheblacktabard
hewore,identifyinghimasa
clericofdeath.Theblack
fabricshowedaskeletalhand
holdingagoblet.
Hewasamanofmiddle
years,perhapsinhislate
thirties.Hisskinwaspallid
andhishairwhite,andhe
lookedlikeaghostashe
steppedintotheroom.
Randallhadneverseenan
albinoandfoundhispink
eyesmoreunnervingthanhis
tabard.Hedirectedathin
smileatBrotherTorianand
offeredhishand.Randallsaw
adeepscaracrossthebackof
hisneck,partiallycoveredby
hisaxeandabraidedknotof
hairthatfellhalfwaydown
hisback.Thescarwasold,
butitlookedtoRandallthatit
musthavebeenfromanearfatalwound.
Toriangraspedtheother
cleric’shand,butdidn’t
smile;instead,hebowedhis
headinashowofdeep
respect.
‘BrotherUtha…ithas
beentoolong,’Toriansaid,
avertinghiseyesfromthe
albino.
‘Lookup,Torian,we’re
notinRoArnonnowandit’s
beenmanyyearssinceyou
neededtobowtoanyone,’the
Blackclericsaid,withwhat
seemedlikegenuine
affection.‘Besides,averting
youreyesfromashort-arse
shitlikemewillstrainyour
neck.’
Torianlaughedandthe
tensionreleasedfromhis
eyes.‘Comein,brother.I’ve
nowine,butatleastwehave
seatsandfreshair…’
Randallknewthatmost
clericswereforbiddenfrom
drinkingalcohol,butthe
clericsoftheBlackwere
unknowntohim–asidefrom
theauraoffearthat
accompaniedtheirstationas
brothersofdeath.They
followedthedarkestaspectof
theOneGodandwere
presentatfuneralsandlarge
battles,whereverdeathwas
certain.
Uthasurveyedtheroom.
‘Lasttimewesattogether,as
Irecall,myarsewasperched
ontheonlythingsoftenough
tocradlethearrowwound.’
Torianlaughedagain.‘As
Irecall,youweresittingona
deadmercenaryoutsidea
villagenearRoLeith.’
UthaturnedtoRandall,
thoughhestilldirectedhis
wordstoTorian.‘Well,the
rabidlittleshithadburiedan
arrowinaplacethatIliketo
keepfreeofwounds.Itonly
seemedproperthatIcleaved
hisheadin.Hewasjusta
Kirin;Idoubttheworldhas
missedhisstenchsinceI
threwhimonthepyre.’
Randallwitheredalittle
underthecleric’sgazeand
lookeddownatthefloor.
‘Thisladlooksnervous,
Torian.Perhapsheshouldgo
andfetchmesomewineso
thatIdon’tdieoffucking
thirstwhilehelooksatthe
floor.’
ToriannoddedatRandall.
‘Yes,ofcourse.Goandfetch
acoupleofbottles,Randall,’
hesaid.
Uthadidnotaverthispale
eyesfromtheyoungsquireas
Randallquicklycrossedthe
roomandexitedintothehall.
Heclosedthedoorbehind
himandbreathedout,more
comfortablenowthatUtha
wasnotstandingontopof
him.Randallhadheard
commonfolkspeakofthe
Blackclericsasiftheirvery
presencewasabadomen.It
wassaidtheycoulddetect
death’spresenceontheair,as
anormalmanwouldsmell
foodorsenseabeautiful
woman.
Randalldidn’tlinger
outsidethedoorandmoved
quicklyalongthecorridor.
Thetavernwaswell
maintainedandafarcryfrom
theestablishmentshehad
becomeusedtoduringhis
servicewithSirLeon.The
floorwascleanandfreeof
dust,thedoorsallhadlocks
andeventhewindowswere
ofclearglassratherthan
shutteredwithwood.
Randallspareda
moment’sthoughton
whateveritmightbethat
broughtaBlackclerictomeet
withBrotherTorian,buthe
consideredtheirbusiness
beyondhimandfocusedon
fetchingthewine.
Hewalkedtotheendof
thecorridorandproceeded
downwards,onlyvaguely
registeringthathewasstill
wearinghissword.Atthe
footofthestairs,thetavern
openedout.Thecommon
roomhadahighceilingand
wasvaultedinwood,with
churchheraldryhangingfrom
metalhooks.Thecrossed
swordsandclenchedfistof
theknightsoftheRedwas
mostprominent,displayed
nexttothepurplesceptreof
nobilityandthedoveofthe
White.Randallfoundthe
tavernintimidating,asitwas
frequentedmostlybyRed
knightsandthecitywatch.
Eveninthemorningseveral
squadsofarmoured
watchmenweresittingdown
tobreakfast–smallloavesof
grainybreadwiththick-cut
slicesofporkandsteaming
mugsofdarkcoffee.The
kitchenbeyondthepolished
woodenbarwasactiveand
Randallcouldhearorders
beingshoutedamongstthe
tavernstaff.
Randallwalkedalongthe
barandstoppedinfrontof
theyoungbarmaid.‘Er,wine,
please…red,Ithink,’hesaid.
Shelookedpuzzledand
leantonthebar,inspecting
theyoungsquire.‘Areyou
theonewhobroughtthatman
ofdeathintomyfather’s
tavern,boy?’
Randallthoughtheralittle
youngerthanhimselfand
objectedtobeingcalledboy,
buthekeptquiet.Anumber
ofthetavernstaff,
overhearingthegirl,were
nowlookingathimwith
interest.Itwaslikelythat
BrotherUthahadcaused
quiteastirwhenhewalked
throughthisroomseveral
minutesago.
‘Notme,exactly…he
cametospeaktomymaster,’
Randallreplied.
Awatchmansittingata
tablenearthebarsaid,‘That
wasUthatheGhost,lad…
menshouldnottalktosuch
creatures.Blackclericsare
barelymenatall.’
Assortednodsof
agreementflowedoverhis
companionsandRandallfelt
verysmall.Thewatchman
walkedtothebar.Placing
severalcoinsonthewood,he
turnedtoRandall.‘Theysay
theGhostcanseeyourtime
ofdeathandsmileswhenit’s
closeathand.Hecarriesan
axebecausetheOnewillnot
permithimtocarrythe
weaponofanoble.’The
watchmanlookeddownatthe
swordofGreatClaw,
sheathedatRandall’sside.
‘Nordoeshepermitalowly
squirewhoconsortswiththe
menofdeath.Iknowyou
serveamanofthePurple,
boy,butIobjecttoyou
carryingthat.’
Themanwastalland
lookeddownhisnoseatthe
squire.Anothermanjoined
him,youngerthanthefirst
andonlyafewyearsolder
thanRandall;hecarriedtwo
shortswordssheathedacross
hisback.‘Leavehimbe,
Robin,thelad’sgotenough
problems.That’stwoclerics
he’sgottolookafternow.’
Thefirstmanlaughedand
returnedtohistable.Theone
who’dstoodupremained
leaningagainstthebar.‘More
coffee,Lydia,’hesaidtothe
tavernkeeper’sdaughter,
beforeturningbackto
Randall.‘Don’tmindhim,
boy,Blackclericsmake
everyonenervous…
especiallythatparticular
Blackcleric.’
Randallsmilednervously
backatthewatchman.‘I
hadn’theardofhimbefore
today.Hisnamesuitshim,
though,’hesaid,theimageof
thealbinostillinhishead.
‘Morethanyouknow,I’ll
bet.TheGhostisa
crusader…hehuntsrisen
men.’
Randalldirecteda
questioninglookattheman.
He’dheardoftherisen
before,butconsideredthem
merelythestuffoftales.They
weresupposedlynon-human
beingswho’dbetrayedtheir
lovedonesanddiedapainful
death,risingasmonstersthat
detestedandfearedmen.The
deepforestsoftheDarkwald
supposedlycontaineda
villageofthecreatures,but
thestorywasalwaystold
second-handandRandallhad
nevergiventherisenmuch
thought.
‘Theyactuallyexist?’he
asked.
‘There’realotofdark
placesinthelandsofmen,
boy;theWastesofJekkato
theeastcontainmorethan
justcannibalhilltribes,’the
mansaid.
‘Stopyourlipsfrom
flapping,Elyot,you’llscare
theboy,’saidanotherman,
olderandwearingthe
insigniaofawatch
commander.
‘Justwarninghimisall,
sir.Ifhe’sgoingtobe
consortingwithaclericof
death,heshouldknowallhe
can,’Elyotsaiddefensively.
‘Andyouareclearlyan
expert,yes?’thecommander
chided.
Elyotturnedalittlered
andsmiledatRandall.‘Don’t
listentome,squire…just
storiesisall…juststories.’
Randallfeltalittle
awkwardandturnedbackto
Lydia,thebarmaid.‘Wine…’
hesaidagain.
Shelookedasifshewere
goingtoraiseanobjection,
butcouldn’tquitedecide
whichobjectiontoraise.
Afteramomentarypauseshe
producedacorkedbottleof
redwine.‘I’lladdittoyour
master’sbill,’shesaid
scornfully.
‘Thanks,youarevery
kind,’Randallreplied,with
deepirony.
Hegrabbedthebottleand
steppedawayfromthebar.
Turning,hebegantowalk
towardsthestairs.Elyot,the
youngwatchman,putahand
onRandall’sshoulderand
causedhimtoturnbackto
facehim.‘Listentome,
squire.Idon’tknowwhat
businesstheGhosthaswith
yourmaster,butyoumarkme
well,it’sabadomen.’The
wordsweresolemnand
Randallnoddedpolitely.
Hebackedawayslowly,
tryingtosmileatElyot.A
fewstepsbackandheturned
andwalkedquicklyacrossthe
commonroom.Hewasnot
sureifthewatchman’swords
weremeresuperstitionorif
theBlackclerictrulyheralded
badluck.Eitherway,hewas
gladtobeleavingthe
commonroomandreturning
toBrotherTorian.He
breathedoutheavilyashe
realizedthatmeanthewould
havetofacetheGhostagain.
Ashewalkedoutofthe
commonroom,Randall
thoughtofhishomeandthe
simplelifethathispeople
lived.Hewouldmost
probablybeafarmerora
blacksmithnowifhe’dnot
lefttheDarkwaldandhe
wouldprobablyneverhave
metaclericeitherofthe
PurpleoroftheBlack.
Randallwasnotstupidor
naive;heknewthathewasa
commonboyandcouldnot
hopetoraisehimselfmuch
beyondthestationofasquire.
Theclericheservedwasa
goodmaster,amanof
honour,despitehisarrogance,
andRandallwasthankfulfor
hispositionashissquire,
despitethedifficultdaysand
constantneedtobeonguard.
Atleastnowheneededto
worryaboutmorethanpisspotsanddamagedfurniture.
CHAPTER2
BROTHERUTHA
THEGHOSTIN
THECITYOFRO
TIRIS
UthatheGhostdislikedhis
nickname.He’dhearditalot
sinceheleftRoArnonand
travelledwest.Itappeared
thatthemeninthecapital
weremoresuperstitiousthan
thosefromtheduchyof
Arnonandhe’dhearda
hundredstrange,orblatantly
untrue,rumoursaboutthe
Blackchurchsincehe
arrived.Uthawasusedto
commonfolkbeingafraidof
him–beingaclericofdeath
–buttosaythathewasa
masterofdeathwas
overstatingthingsalittle.
Heoftenthoughtthat,if
hehadn’tbeenbornan
albino,hewouldhave
becomeaWhitechurchman
ormaybejoinedtheRed
knights.Asitwas,the
cardinaloftheBlackhad
requestedhimonsight.
Uthahadneverknownhis
parentsandhadnever
consideredanyothercareer
thanbecomingaclericofthe
One.He’dbeengiventothe
churchinRoArnonwhenhe
wasababy;hispaleskinand
pinkeyeswereseenbythe
seniorPurpleclericsasa
blessingfromtheGiants,and
he’djoinedtheBlackonhis
sixteenthbirthday.
TheBlackchurch
considereddeathaholystate,
whichtheyrespectedand
fearedinallitsvarious
manifestations.Theywere
presentatfuneralpyres,and
anarmyofRedknightswas
neverpermittedtogointo
battlewithoutatleastone
Blackchaplain.Their
presencewasheldasabad
omenamongstthecommon
people,withsome
justification,astheywere
alsotheOneGod’sassassins,
menskilledindealingdeath
aswellashonouringit.
Incontrasttoclericsofthe
otherorders,Uthawas
permittedtodrinkandfuckas
themoodtookhimandhe
wasthankfulthathehad
joinedtheleastclericalofthe
clerics.
‘I’mnottryingtomake
youjealous,Torian,butI’ve
gotaterriblethirst,’Uthasaid
astheyoungsquireleftthe
roomtofetchhiswine,‘andit
meanswecantalkwithouta
servingboylisteningin.’
‘He’smysquire.Ikilled
hismasterinaduelandtook
overhistutelage.’
Utharaisedhiseyebrows
andpaused.Afterafew
secondsheburstout
laughing.‘Okay,soyou’ve
gotaboytoholdyourcock
whileyougoforpiss…that’s
notfunnyatall.’
‘He’sagoodladand,I
admit,Ifeltbadaboutkilling
hismaster…Hewasanold
fool,though.Hebackedme
intoacornerandIcouldn’t
lethimgounpunished,’
Toriansaidseriously.
Uthahadgreataffection
forthePurpleclericbutfound
hispietytiring.Theclericsof
nobilityweregenerallya
stiff-neckedbunchandTorian
wasworsethanmost.Hewas
honourableandtrustworthy,
butnotagreatcompanionifa
mansoughtfun.
‘Whatdidhedo?’Utha
asked.
‘Ihadagrievancewith
himandallheneededtodo
wasshowmealittlerespect.
Instead,heinsultedme,soI
killedhiminafairfight.’
‘Forittohavebeenafair
fighthe’dhaveneededtobe
asdangerouswithabladeas
you…andIconsiderthat
unlikely.Yousaidhewasan
oldman,soinstantlyI’m
thinkingyoushouldhavelet
itgo.’Utha’svoicehadtaken
onadisapprovingtone.
‘Hewasanoldman,yes,
butanoldmanwitha
longsword,armouranda
claimtonobility.Ifhewas
manenoughtoinsultme,he
shouldhavebeenman
enoughtobackitupwith
action.’
Uthasmiledandsensed
thatTorianwouldtakeany
furthercommentsrather
personally.‘Fairenough.
Doesthesquirenothavean
issuewithyouhavingkilled
hisformermaster?’
Torianshookhishead.
‘Randallthinksthathe
wantedtodieandIwasjusta
meanstothatend.AsIsaid,
he’sagoodlad.’
Uthaletthematterdrop
andsatdownonasmall
woodenstool,removinghis
axefromitsslingand
stretchinghisneck.‘Iwill
nevergetusedtoriding
horses.Thebastardsseem
intentoncausingmepain
everytimeIgetonone.’
Toriansatoppositehim
andlookeddownattheaxe
withappreciation.‘How’s
Death’sEmbraceserving
you?’
Uthapattedhisaxefondly
atthementionofitsname.‘I
haven’tusedherfora
while…butI’mnot
regrettingmychoice,ifthat’s
whatyou’reinsinuating.A
longswordjustfeelswrong
somehow.Lesssatisfying
whenswung.’
Blackclericswere
permittedtowieldany
weapontheydesiredand,
althoughmoststillworea
longsword,occasionallya
clericofdeathwouldselecta
moreexoticweapon.
‘Getyourmindawayfrom
duelsandweapons,Torian,
wecantelleachotherstories
later.Fornow,Ihaveorders
foryouandI’dratherget
themoutofthewaybefore
yourboycomesback.’
Torianfrowned.‘Arewe
notgoingtotalkaboutwhy
youspecificallyweresentto
accompanyme?’
Uthahadhopedthat
Torianwouldn’tpryintothe
reasonswhyhewasnotstill
outhuntingrisenmen.‘I
requestedthatIbegivena
lastmissionbefore…’
Torian’sfrownbroadened
ashepromptedUthato
continue.‘Beforewhat?’
‘Ihavetoreporttothe
BlackcathedralinTiriswhen
youandIpartways.Itseems
thatImusthavemyhonour
broughtintoquestionfor
someofmyrecentactions.’
Uthawasnotgoingtotell
Torianeverything,partly
becausehedidn’twantto
keepthinkingaboutit,but
mostlybecauseheknewhis
friendwouldthinklessof
him.‘Iknewyou’dbeensent
aftertheBlackGuard,soI
thoughtIcouldhelp.Youare,
afterall,oneofthefew
PurpleclericsIcanstandthe
sightof.’
Torianlaughed,andUtha
thoughtthathe’ddeflected
anyfurtherqueriesfornow.
‘Okay,’Toriansaidwitha
smile,‘butbeforewepart
ways,youwillhavetotellme
whatyou’vedone,andifit’s
justataleinvolvingabottle
ofwineandawhore,Iwillbe
verydisappointed.’
‘Howabout…twobottles
ofwineandaroomfullof
whores?’Uthajoked.
‘Justagreethatyou’lltell
me.’Torian’ssmilefadedand
helookedseriousagain.
‘Ipromise.Justnothere
andnotnow,’Uthasaidwith
honesty.
Torianrelaxedalittleand
Utha’smindturnedtothe
primaryreasonhewasinRo
Tiris,togiveBrotherTorian
newsofthecampaigninRo
Canarnandtoinformhimof
hisordersfromArnon.
‘MayIcontinuewith
officialchurchbusiness
now?’heasked.
Toriannoddedandleant
in.‘Whatwordfrom
Canarn?’
‘Thecityfellfourdays
ago,justafteryouarrivedin
Tiris.DukeHectorhasbeen
capturedandI’msurethe
knightsoftheRedarebeing
graciousinvictory,’hesaid
withirony.
Torianshookhishead.
‘Whocommandedthefleet?’
‘SirMortimerRillion,’
Utharepliedinatonethat
showedhisdistasteforthe
knight.
Torianevidentlyshared
Utha’sopinionandangrily
bangedhisfistonhis
armouredthigh.‘So,themen
ofCanarn…?’
‘Rilliontookacompany
ofknightsandabunchof
mercenaries.IthinkSir
Pevainwaswithhimandthey
didn’tgivethedefenders
muchchancetosurrender.I
knowthattheytookthekeep
withinafewhoursand,based
onpastform,Iimaginethey
killedeveryonethatdidn’t
kisstheirarseswhenthey
enteredthecity.Therewasa
RanenFreeCompanythere,
buttheyleftbeforethefight
andthementhatremained
werenomatchforthe
knights.’
Toriancouldbesensitive
whenheperceivedalackof
honourinhisbrother
churchmenandhewas
flushedwithangerashe
spoke.‘Thedukewasa
heretic,butthecommonmen
surelydeservedbetterthanto
behackedtopiecesby
mercenaries.Thereisno
honourinattackingmenwho
aredefendingtheirfamilies
andtheirlands,’hesaid
throughgrittedteeth.
‘Whatdidyouthinkwas
goingtohappenwhenyou
heardthefleethadlaunched?
Stopbeingsofuckingnaive,’
Uthasaid,withlittletact.
‘Brother…’Torian’sface
wasshocked.
‘Beserious.TheRed
knightsweresenttokill
everyonewhogotintheir
way.Rillionwillbeinstalled
asknightprotectorandthe
dukewilllikelybebeheaded.’
Uthahadlittletimefor
softeningtherealitiesoflife.
Itwasthewayofthings.
TheknightsoftheRedwere
unleashedwhentheking
commanded.Theywerethe
embodimentoftheOne
God’saspectofwarand
conquest,andwerelittlemore
thanabluntinstrument.A
weekandahalfagotheyhad
beenunleashedagainstthe
cityofRoCanarnandthe
houseofDukeHector.The
menofthatlandhad,for
manygenerations,been
friendlywiththe
neighbouringRanenandit
appearedthatthedukehad
askedtheRanenlordsfor
sanctuarywithinthe
Freelands.
Uthahadbeentoldthat
KingSebastianhadaspyin
thecourtofDukeHector,a
Karesianenchantresscalled
Ameira,whichmeantthat
theyattackedwithno
warningandsurprisedthe
defendersofCanarn.The
king’sintolerancetowards
HectorandhisRanenallies
haddrivenhimtoswiftand
brutalaction.
However,itwasnotthe
placeofhumbleclericsto
questionthewilloftheking,
andUthawasnothingifnota
dutifulcleric.
‘Torian,westillhave
ordersandthoseordersare
notgoingtochangejust
becauseyouhaveamoment
ofpetulance,’Uthasaidwith
friendlytolerance.
‘Brother,wehaveknown
eachotheralongtime,butI
stillfindyourmanneralittle
difficult.Ourwaysare
different.’Heleantbacka
littleandcomposedhimself.
‘Verywell,brother,whatare
theordersfromArnon?’
‘That’smyboy,’Uthasaid
withasmile.‘Theduke’sson
isstillatlargesomewhere
and,asnoneofyouhave
foundhimyet,I’mto
accompanyyouandassist.’
‘Utha,whenIleftArnon,I
washuntingamanwhose
fatherhadbeennameda
traitor,nowI’mhuntinga
manwhosehomelandhas
beendestroyedandhispeople
massacred…thesituationhas
changedsomewhat,I’msure
you’llagree.’
Wordhadbeensenttothe
churchcityatthesametime
astheRedfleethadlaunched;
BromvyofCanarnwastobe
foundandcapturedwithall
speed.He’dbeennameda
BlackGuardandstrippedof
hishonour.Clericsofthe
questhadbeendespatched
throughoutTorFunweirto
searchfortheyounglord,but
sofarhe’dremainedhidden,
withonlyTorianreportinga
possiblelead.
‘Actually,no,Idon’t
agree.Hestillneedstobe
foundandyoustillneedto
findhim.Whathaschanged?’
Uthasaidsternly.
‘Henowhasnothingto
livefor…thatmakesaman
verydangerous,’Torian
replied.
‘Bromvyisstillonly
twenty-fouryearsold,
worldlyandcleverforhis
age,butayoungman
nonetheless.’Uthaputhis
handonTorian’sshoulder
andsmiled.
Aknockonthedoorand
theyoungsquiretentatively
pokedhisheadintotheroom.
‘MayIenter,master?’
Toriankepthiseyeson
Uthaforamoment.‘Yes,
Randall,comein.’
Thesquiresteppedinand
closedthedoorbehindhim.
Heplacedabottleofredwine
onthelowwoodentableand
backedawayquickly.
Uthagrabbedthebottle
andwrenchedthecorkout.
‘Toyourgoodhealth,young
Torian.’
Hetookadeepdrinkfrom
thebottle.Itwasrichand
fruity–nothighinquality–
butsufficienttoslakehis
thirst.‘Nowallweneedarea
coupleofpaidwomenandwe
haveaparty.’Uthagrinned
anddecidedtobemore
formal.‘Whatleads,brother,
towheretheyounglordhas
fled?’
Athinsmileintrudedon
Torian’ssternfeatures.‘This
verydayIwasplanningtogo
andmeetwithamaninthe
Kasbahwho,I’mreliably
informed,helpedBromvy
escapeTiris–amanofRo
LeithcalledGlenwood,a
forgerbyallaccounts.’
Uthanoddedandwasglad
thatTorianwasefficient.
Despitewhathemayhave
said,heagreedthatthe
knightsoftheRedhadacted
rashly.However,Uthawas
pragmatictowardstheother
clericsandconsideredit
pointlesstobeangeredby
theiractions.
‘Whatledyouto
Glenwood?’askedtheBlack
cleric.
‘Ipaidabeggarinthe
poorquarterwhosawthe
younglordridingsouth.This
ledmetoawatchmanwho
rememberedhissword,an
ornatebladeandanoble
pommelwithacastof
Brytag,theWorldRaven.
Everyonewholeavesviathe
southgateissearched,butno
onesearchedthisman.There
areonlysomanywaysof
leavingthecityviathesouth
withoutbeingquestioned.
Ouryounglordseemstohave
foundone.’
BrytagwasanoldRanen
godandthepatronofthe
houseofCanarn.Hewassaid
tositonRowanoco’s
shoulderandtoembodyboth
luckandwisdom,which
manyRanensawasbeingthe
samething.
‘Thewatchman
remembershimhavingan
officialsealfromtheRed
church.Hecan’thavegota
genuineone,soIfoundthe
onlyforgerintownwhois
stupidenoughtodealwitha
BlackGuard.’
Torianhadnotbeenidlein
theweeksinceheleftRo
Arnon,andUthawas
impressedwiththeworkhe’d
done.
‘So,I’llfinishmywine
andwe’llgoandseeMr
Glenwood,yes?’Uthaasked.
‘Thatwasmyintention,’
repliedTorian.
Uthatookanotherswigof
wine,lettingtheliquidfall
overhisfaceandrundown
hischin.Thenhestoodup
andturnedtotheyoung
squire.Randallwasatalllad
andUthathoughtthathe’d
growtoafairsizeinhisnext
yearorsooflife.
Aswashisway,Utha
decidedtotesttheyoung
squire’sstrengthofmind.He
crossedtheroomand
motionedforRandallto
stand,whichhedidquickly,
withwideeyes.
‘Torianhastoldmeof
yourformermaster’s
dishonour,boy.Ihopeyou
realizethatthisdoesnot
reflectwellonyou.I’llbe
watchingyou,evenifTorian
istooblindtoseethe
potentialdangeryoupose.’
Uthadidn’tneedtoturn
roundtoknowthatTorian
wouldbeshakinghisheadat
thiscomment.
‘So,boy,doyouthink
yourselfasuitablesquirefor
aPurplechurchman?’he
asked.
Theboywasnervous,but
Uthanoticedacertain
intelligenceinhiseyesashe
answered.‘Ididn’teven
knowthatclericstook
squires,mylord.So,interms
ofsuitability,I’venothingto
comparemyselfto.Haveyou
everhadasquire,Brother
Utha?’
‘Youhaveafasttongue,
lad,’Uthasaidwithaslight
smile.
Randalllookedalittle
embarrassed.‘You’renotthe
firsttoremarkonthat,sir.I
don’tmeantoberude.’
‘Inanswertoyour
question,no,I’veneverhada
squire.Commonmenareill
suitedtofollowingarounda
manofmy…’hechosehis
wordscarefully,‘…
responsibilities.Tellme,boy,
whereareyoufrom?Some
pox-riddenbackstreetof
whoresandserfs,nodoubt.’
Randall’seyesnarrowed
ashelookedatthecleric.
‘Er…Idon’trememberthere
beinganywhores,sir,but
thencattleandfarmerswould
makepoorcustomers.I’m
fromasmallvillageinthe
Darkwald,ahundredleagues
tothenorthofArnon.Ithink
thereweresomeserfs,my
lord,butthelordofDarkwald
wasakindlyman,fromwhat
Iremember.Mypeoplelived
offtheland,withlittleneed
tobeboundtothenobilityas
serfs.’
Uthawasoftengivento
makingquickdecisionsabout
people,especiallythosewho
tookoffenceathismanner;
however,hethoughtthe
squirehadhandledhimself
well.TheBlackclerichad
madepeoplecryonmore
thanoneoccasionwitha
well-placedinsultoraquick
retort,butRandallhadnot
witheredunderUtha’sgaze.
‘Wellthen,Randall,are
youaccompanyingyour
masterthisday?’Uthaasked.
Randallshotaglanceat
Torian,whonodded.The
PurpleclerictoleratedUtha’s
bullying,knowingitwasthe
wayheconductedhimself
withthoseoutsidethechurch.
‘Yes,IthinkIam,
milord.’Helookeddownat
theornatelongswordbelted
athiswaist.‘ThoughIthink
thismightcausemore
problemsthanitsolves.’He
pattedthehilt.
Torianstoodandstepped
pastUtha.Herestedhishand
onRandall’sshoulderand
spokewithkindness.‘Itold
youthatyouwerepermitted
towearit.Anymanwhosays
otherwiseisquestioningmy
judgementandIwouldtake
greatoffenceatthat.’
Uthalaughed.‘Ah,the
offenceofnobility…Isthere
aworsekind?’
Torianignoredhim.
‘Randall,whenyoulearnhow
touseitproperly,it’llfeel
morecomfortable,trustme.’
HethenturnedtofaceUtha.
‘Ifyou’requitefinished,
brother,weshouldgetto
work,’hesaid,withnohint
ofamusement.
‘Indeedweshould,before
youngRandallhereshits
himselfandneedschanging.’
Uthahadtoconfessto
himselfthathewasbeing
mean,buthedelightedin
causingToriandiscomfort.
ThePurpleclericpursed
hislips,annoyedatthe
behaviourofhisfriend,but,
aswashisway,heletitslide
withsilentgrace.
Uthasmiledbroadlyat
Randall.‘Don’tworry,lad,
noneofthePurplehavea
senseofhumour,’hesaid
withawink.
Hethoroughlyenjoyedthe
lookofconfusiononthe
youngsquire’sfaceasthe
threemenlefttheroom.
‘Isawasquadof
watchmeninthebaronmy
wayin;Ithinkweshould
enlisttheirhelp,’Uthasaidas
theyreachedthetopofthe
stairs.
‘Forwhatpurpose,
brother?’Torianqueried.
‘Justforthesakeof
appearances,really.Itnever
hurtstohavelessermenwho
canbeorderedaround.’
‘So,we’renolonger
makingsubtleenquiries?’
Torianasked.
Uthastoppedonthestairs
anddirectedanironic
expressionatthePurple
cleric.‘Doyoureallythink
theenquiriesyou’vemadeso
farhavebeensubtle?You
carryaswordandwear
purple,brother,nothingyou
doissubtleintheeyesofthe
commonpeople.Wearetwo
clericsoftheOne;asquadof
watchmenwilldoverylittle
toincreaseourvisibility.’
Torianconsideredit,but
Uthadetectedno
disagreement.‘TheKasbah
willbeunfriendlynomatter
howmanymenwetake.
Perhapsalittlebackupwould
bewise,’heconceded.
‘Sensible,brother,very
sensibleindeed,’Utha
replied.
Theyresumedwalking
downthewoodenstepsand
enteredthevaultedcommon
roombelow.Thesquadof
watchmenUthahadpassedas
hewalkedthroughearlier
werestillseatedatthesame
table.Theirbreakfasthad
beenclearedawayandthey
werepreparingtoleave.Five
menwereseatedroundthe
circularwoodentable,
laughingatajokethe
youngestofthemhadtold.It
tookamomentforthemto
registerthepresenceofthe
clerics,theirlaughter
maskingthesoundofmetal
armouronwood.Whenthey
noticed,theyleantinand
beganwhisperingquietlyto
eachother.
‘Allowme,brother,’Utha
saidconfidently.
‘Thereisnoneedtoscare
them.Couldweperhaps
proceedwithoutyour
customarybrandof
coercion?’Torianasked.
Uthaconsidered
responding,butdecidedto
smilewickedlyinstead.He
crossedthetavernfloor
quickly,sayingasilentprayer
ashewalkedunderthe
banneroftheBlackchurch
hangingfromtheceiling.The
banner,withitsskeletalhand
holdingagoblet,wassmaller
thantheothers,andithungin
itscustomaryplaceaway
fromtheotherbanners.Itwas
consideredbadlucktohang
theheraldryofallsixclerical
orderstogether,andtheBlack
bannerwastraditionallythe
onethatwasseparate.
Asheapproachedthe
watchmentheylockedtheir
eyesonthewoodentablein
frontofthem,notdaringto
lookup.Uthaenjoyedtheir
irrationalfearanddecidedto
standoverthemforamoment
beforespeaking.Heknew
thatthemoment’spause
wouldcausethemto
rememberathousandstories
theyhadheardaboutthe
Blackclerics,andtoimagine
athousandmore.
Uthawaitedjustlong
enoughtomakeallofthem
feeluncomfortablebeforehe
spoke.‘Youmenwillbe
comingwithme,’hesaid
softly.
Theoldestofthe
watchmen,amanofperhaps
fortyyears,glancedroundthe
facesofhissquad.‘Mylord,
wearedueonstreetdutythis
morning,’hesaidnervously.
‘Whatisyourname,
sergeant?’
‘Clement,mylord,’he
replied.
‘Well,SergeantClement,
yourstreetdutywillhaveto
wait.Youarerequiredto
assistme.Now,getyourmen
up,we’retravellingtothe
KasbahofHaqoutsidethe
walls.’Uthaspokeplainly
andturnedbacktoTorian
withoutgivingClementany
furtherchancetoargue.
Torianwassmilingwith
tolerance,thoughUthaknew
thathewoulddisapproveof
thetheatricaldisplay.‘Not
tryingtoinstilasenseof
loyaltyinyourtroopsthen,
brother?’Torianasked.
‘Loyaltyisoverrated;I
preferfear,’Uthareplied.
Thefivewatchmenstood
upslowly,sharingglances
andwhisperedwordsasthey
straightenedtheirchainmail
andmadesuretheirweapons
wereinplace.Clement
carriedaheavymaceathis
hipandasmallcrossbow,and
theyoungestofthemhadtwo
shortswords,oneprotruding
ateachshoulder.Theother
threeallcarriedcrossbows
andlargeknives.Theywore
thewhiteeagleofTirison
theirchestsoverdullsteel
chainmail.Uthawas
impressedenoughtowalk
pasttheminreviewandnod
approvingly.
‘Gentlemen,ifyouwould
followourlead,’hesaidwith
authority,beforeturningto
smileatTorianandwalk
towardsthetaverndoor.
Uthadislikedthecapital.
Thestreetswerepacked
togethertightlyand,although
mostbuildingsweremadeof
stone,theywerecheaplybuilt
andpoorlymaintained.The
boundmenwhokeptthe
cobbledstreetscleandida
half-arsedjobandmostly
shovelledthewasteintothe
sidestreetstomakeitless
obvious.
Thechapterhouseofthe
knightsoftheRedtowered
overthebuildingsinthisarea
andthecrossedswordscould
beseenfromvirtuallyevery
street.Torianhadwisely
chosentostayinatavernthat
cateredformenofdiscipline
andrespect,ratherthaninone
ofthenumerouslow-rent
establishmentsthatlittered
thecity.DespiteTirisbeing
thecapitalofTorFunweir,it
wasstilladangerousplace,
wheremenneededtobeon
theirguard.
Uthahadbeenherebefore
whenhewasaboyandthe
placehadnotnoticeably
changed.Theconflicting
smellswerethesamenowas
theyhadbeenthen.Hecould
detectmeat,fish,tobacco,
wine–bothfreshandrancid
–andtheever-presentscent
ofvomitandfaeces.
ThestreetsofRoArnon,
incontrast,werecleanedby
theBrownchurchandwere
generallyspotless.
Thetwoclerics,thesquire
andthefivewatchmen
walkedalongabustlingstreet
adjacenttothefarmer’sguild
assemblyandemergedintoa
widesquare.Thepaving
stonesherewereoctagonal
andsomeefforthadbeen
madetokeepthemclean.The
squarewasdominatedbya
statueofaRedknightona
horse,wavingabannerofthe
One,andUthawasgladtobe
outoftheclaustrophobicside
streets.
Theguildassemblies
framedthesquareand
hundredsofpeople,both
newcomerstothecityand
natives,jockeyedforposition
toenterthebuildingsandfind
work.Themerchant’sguild
wasthelargest,followedby
thewatchmen’srecruitment
barracks.Bothbuildingshad
paidguardsontheirdoors
andwereturningawaymost
ofthepeoplewhotriedto
enter.
Totheeastoftheguild
squareUthacouldseethe
WhiteSpireoftheKing,an
ancientwatchtowerthat
signifiedthevigilanceofthe
houseofTiris.Itrosehigh
abovetheroyalpalace,
dominatingtheskylineand
dwarfingtheRedcathedral,
thebannersofwhichcouldbe
seenclearlyoverthewestof
thesquare.
Squadsofwatchmen
salutedastheclericspassed
andcommonmenaverted
theireyes.Uthasawa
numberofpeoplepointout
theBlackclerictotheir
fellows,andseveralgestures
wardingagainstevil.Utha
hadgrowntoenjoythis
reactionandglaredatthose
whohadnoticedhim,
increasingtheirnervousness.
Heheardmenwhisperthat
theGhostwaspassing,and
thattherisenmenshould
beware,butnothingoutof
theordinaryorinsultingwas
directedathim.
TheKing’sHighwayled
fromthenortherncornerof
theguildsquaretotheouter
citywallsandtheramshackle
hamletsbeyond.Itwasa
wide,pavedboulevard,
patrolledbywatchmenand
usedbymenwhocould
affordtopaythetollatthe
gate.Colourfulbannershung
fromtorchemplacements
alongtheroad,displayingthe
heraldryofthenoblehouses
ofTorFunweir.TheBlack
RavenofRoWeirwasplaced
nexttotheWhiteEagleof
TirisandtheGreyRocof
Arnon.Uthathoughtthe
highwayoneofthenicer
partsofthecapitaland
breathedindeeplyasheleft
theguildsquare.
Behind,Torianandthe
othersfollowedhimclosely.
Uthacouldseetheyoung
squire,Randall,deepin
conversationwiththe
youngestwatchman.They
wereofasimilarageand
Uthathoughtthesquirecould
learnmuchfromawatchman
whoactuallyknewhowto
useablade.However,he
suspectedthatthewatchman
wassimplytellingRandall
horrorstoriesabouttheBlack
clerics,andhehopedthat
Randallwascleverenoughto
disregardmostofthetalltales
hewashearing.
Theywalkedalongthe
well-tendedcobblestonesof
thehighway,passing
mountedknightsoftheRed,
chain-mail-cladwatchmen
andallmannerofcommon
citizenry.ThefashioninTiris
currentlyfavouredlightcolouredrobes,andbothmen
andwomenwerewearing
full-lengthfabricsbeltedat
thewaist.Somemenwore
armourchosenforits
fashionableappearancerather
thanitsusefulness.Some
breastplateswereetchedwith
familycrestsorcoatsofarms
andafewlongswordswere
ondisplay–familyheirlooms
anddesignersteel.
Uthalethisgazewander
tothewomeninthestreet.
Somewerenobles,wearing
thinveilstohidetheir
featuresfromonlookers;
otherswerepaidwomenor
servants.Scantilyclad
servantsalsoappearedtobe
infashion,asmany
merchantsandnoblemen
wereaccompaniedbyseveral
such.Uthawinkedatoneas
hepassedandcausedherto
showanexpression
somewherebetweenfearand
arousalashermasterushered
herquicklyaway.Shewas
wearingarevealingleather
waistcoatandthecleric
heartilyapprovedofhermore
femininequalities.
‘Brother,nowisnotthe
timetobeindulgingyour
libido,’Toriansaidashe
cametowalknexttoUtha.
‘You’rejustjealous
becauseyouhadyours
removedwhenyoutookthe
Purple,’hereplied,turningto
watchthewomanleave.
‘You’restrange,brother;
withonebreathyoucause
fear,withtheotheryou’re
ruledbyyourcock.’
‘Hopefullytheydidn’t
takethatwhenyoubecamea
cleric,’Uthasaidwitha
wickedsmile,‘thoughit
wouldcertainlyexplainyour
sourdisposition.’Helooked
deliberatelydownatTorian’s
crotch.‘Didtheyputitina
jarandletyoukeepit?’
Torianrepliedcalmly,‘I
willriseaboveyourtaunts,
brother…myloveforthe
Oneisenoughsustenancefor
me.’Hiswordsweresincere.
‘MaybeIjusthavetoo
muchloveandwomenallow
menottoburst,’Uthareplied.
‘Inthatcase,itwouldbe
reasonabletothankthemfor
keepingmealivetodothe
One’sgoodwork.’
Torianshookhisheadand
walkedsilentlytowardsthe
endoftheKing’sHighway.
Uthathoughtithisdutyto
puncturethesmugpietyof
thePurpleclerics,andTorian
wasanenjoyabletarget.He
tookeverythingsovery
seriouslyandhadbeentaught
toabstainfrompleasurefrom
ayoungage.TheBlack
clericsweresupposedtotake
alltheycouldfromlife,and
thistraditionallyincluded
alcoholandsex.Ifdeathwas
tobefearedandrespected,
thenlifewastobeenjoyed
andcelebrated.Uthahad
neverbeenshyabouthis
beliefs,andheknewthey
challengedTorian’sfaith–
howcouldtwoclericswho
followedthesamegodhave
suchdrasticallydifferent
viewsoftheworld?What
Toriandidn’tyetunderstand
wasthattheOnerequiredall
ofhisaspectsinordertobe
whole.
Theyapproachedtheouter
wallofthecityandUtha
stoppedatthesideofthe
street.RoTiriswasonthe
northerncoastofTor
Funweir,withonlyawidesea
channelandtheduchyof
Canarnbetweenthemenof
RoandtheFreelandsof
Ranen.Abovethehighstone
wallsUthacouldseetall
shipsatanchorinthebay,
andthesmellofsaltwater
waspronounced.Twoturrets
flankedthehugeraised
portculliswheretheKing’s
HighwaypassedoutofRo
Tiris.
UthaandTorianstoodoff
tothesideoftheopengate
andthewatchmen,with
Randallintow,stoodina
roughsemicirclearound
them.SergeantClementstill
lookeduneasyatbeing
orderedaroundbyacleric,
butUthasensednohintof
rebellionfromtheold
watchman.
‘Wherearewegoing?’
UthaaskedTorian.
‘TheKasbahofHaq.It’sa
Karesianmarketplacedown
there.’Hegesturedtoaroad
thatsnakedroundtheoutside
ofthecitywall.‘It’sa
strange-smellingplacefrom
whatIhear,allmannerof
Karesiandrugsandpoisons
fillingtheair.’
‘Hm,Iwouldhave
thoughtthewatchwouldhave
dealtwiththedrugsbynow.’
Uthadirectedaquestioning
expressionatSergeant
Clement,wholooked
surprisedbeforestutteringout
areply.‘Mylord…thewatch
havenorealpoweroutside
thewalls…we,er,tendto
keepourdistancefromthe
Karesianmobsters…those
bastardswillcutyournose
offifyougivethemreason
to.’
‘Relax,sergeant,Brother
Uthaismerelyexpressinghis
displeasureatthepresenceof
foreigninfluence,’Torian
saidcalmly,beforeturning
backtoUtha.‘Yourneedfor
theatricsaside,theKasbah
hasafewestablishmentsthat
providefemininecompany
forthosewhoareinclined—’
‘Doyoumeanbrothels?’
Uthainterrupted.
‘Ibelievethatisthe
commonterm,yes.Either
way,theforgerGlenwood
spendsmosteveningsinone
oftheseestablishments.Itis
likelythathewilljustbe
wakingup.’
‘Let’sgoandbeanice
morningsurpriseforhim,
then,’Uthareplied,withhis
customarywickedsmile.
Theywalkedinloose
formationoutofthegates,
sparingarespectfulsalutefor
theking’sguardwho
patrolledtheouterwalls.The
guardsmencarried
longswords,woreornate
goldenarmourandwere
answerableonlytotheking.
Theyremainedwithinthe
wallsofRoTiris,oratthe
king’sside,andwerecharged
withdefendingthecityand
thecrown.Utharespected
themfarmorethanthe
watchmen,becausetheywere
truefightingmenpledgedto
thecrownfrombirth.
Theguardsmenstopped
anyonetheydidnot
recognize,takingamodest
tollfromthosewhowishedto
passthroughthegates.Most
commonmenweresimply
turnedbackalongthe
highwayandnotpermittedto
leavethecity.Uthaknewthat
thiswasmerelyaceremonial
considerationandthatifmen
trulywishedtoleavethere
weremanysecretwaysand
lesssecuregatestheycould
use.
Beyondthewalls,the
outercitystretchedalongthe
coastinnarrowstreets
framingtheKing’sHighway.
ThiswaswhereKaresian
rainbowmerchantssoldtheir
illicitwaresandlow-born
menofRocametoforget
abouttheirlives.Thesmellof
spicesandotherlesssavoury
concoctionswasthickinthe
airassoonasUthastepped
offthehighway.Heturnedup
hisnoseatthesicklysweet
smellandheldahandover
hisface.
Thebuildingsherewere
muchlowerandmoreclosely
packedthaninthecityand
thecolourswerebrighter.
Uthathoughtitmorevulgar
andgarish.KaresianandRo
menshoutedthepricesof
theirwarestoallwhopassed;
spices,foods,weaponsand
clothingwereallondisplay.
Uthacouldalsoseeexotic
animalsfromthefarsouth,
cagedandpoorlytreated,
waitingforabuyerrich
enoughtowantastrangepet
orhuntinganimal.Desert
spidersthesizeofdogssat
nexttostrangemany-headed
birdsandmuzzledfiredrakes.
Uthapuffedouthischest
andletallnearbyseethata
Blackclericwaspassing.
Torian,thetallerofthetwo
men,swepthispurplecloak
backandproudlydisplayed
hisfullplatearmour.The
watchmen,whostoodbehind
them,lookednervousand
theirlackofauthorityoutside
thecitywallswasevidentin
theirfaces.
Thepopulaceherewere
lessfearfuloftheclericsand
mostsimplyglancedatthem
andturnedaway,carryingon
withtheirbusiness.The
stallholdersandmerchants
continuedshoutingtheir
pricesanddrummingup
sales,payinglittleattentionto
UthaandTorian.
TheKasbahofHaqwas
likeadozenother
marketplacesintheoutercity,
aroughlycircularsectionof
streetdominatedbycolourful
awningsandcloselypacked
marketstalls.
Torianpointedtoa
nondescriptbuildingsetback
fromthemarket.‘That’sthe
place.Ibelieveit’scalledthe
BlueFeather.’
‘Thenicerthename,the
shittierthebrothel,asa
generalrule,’Uthareplied,
withasmile.
‘Well,I’venotactually
beentomany,soI’lldeferto
yourexpertopinion,brother,’
Toriansaidsnobbishly.
‘Youcanlook,youjust
can’ttouch…thewomenor
yourself,’theBlackcleric
retortedcrudely.‘Anyway,
enoughofwhatyoucan’tdo.
Ibelievetheman’snameis
Glenwood,yes?’
Toriannodded.‘He’sa
forger,knownincertain
circles,thoughhe’sseenas
unreliableandrecklessby
manyinthesametrade.’
Uthashothima
questioninglook.‘Haveyou
beenmixingindarkcircles,
brother?’
‘Notbychoice,butIhad
toimmersemyselftoadegree
inordertogetinformation.
Criminalsbytheirnatureare
veryconcernedwithstaying
aliveandanangryPurple
clericconjuresimagesof
deathtosuchmen.Theycan
beverycooperativewhen
threatened.’
Uthalaughed.‘Andyou
questionmytheatrics…’
‘IusethegiftstheOnehas
givenme,muchasyoudo,’
saidTorian,withevenmore
snobbery.
‘Okay,soI’llletyoutalk
toGlenwood.Justnodatme
ifyouneedhelp,’Uthasaid.
Toriantookadeepbreath
andmarchedtowardsthe
BlueFeather,hishandfirmly
onhisswordhilt.Utha
motionedforthewatchmento
followandsteppedslowly
afterthePurplecleric.
‘Mylord,istherelikelyto
betroublehere?’Randall
asked,ashecametowalk
nexttoUtha.
‘Oh,Ishouldthinkso,
yes.Probablynodeath,butI
wouldexpectsomepeopleto
getslappedaround.’He
grinnedwickedly.
Randallsmiledback
politely,butUthasensedthat
hedidn’tfindthesituation
funny.
‘Relax,lad,therearen’t
enoughrealmenaroundhere
tocauseyourmasterany
sweat,’hesaidinavague
attempttobereassuring.
Toriansteppedundera
darkblueawningand
approachedasmallgroupof
Karesiansseatedonlow
woodenstools.Thefivemen
werearmedwithshort
scimitarsandworethe
flowingblackrobesof
Karesianwarriors.Allhad
visibletattoosontheirarms
andtheirheadswereshaved.
Uthastoodbehindhim,
stayingoutsidetheentrance
awningbutmakinghis
presenceknown.Sergeant
Clementwasstillnervousand
heldhiscrossbowatthe
ready.Randallstoodatthe
back,lookingasifhewasnot
preparedtotakepartinany
violence,shoulditoccur.
‘ThefearofJaaupon
thee,’oneoftheKaresians
saidwithafloridbow.He
spokewithaheavyKaresian
accent.‘Whatdoesamanof
theOnerequireofus?’he
askedrespectfullyofTorian,
whoansweredwithashallow
bowofhisown.
‘We’relookingforaman
ofRocalledGlenwood.I
hearthathefrequentsthis…
establishment.’Thelastword
wassaidwithscornandUtha
shookhishead.
TheKaresianstoodand
smiledatTorian,revealing
severalgoldteeth.Hewasa
tallman,lookingdownonthe
Purplecleric.‘Ourclientsare
obviouslymenwhodesire
discretion,mylord,andI
regretthatIcannotcomment
onwhodoesordoesnot
frequentthis…
establishment.’Hiswords
werestillpolite,butUtha
sensedanedgeofdefiance.
Torianconfidentlysized
uptheman,lookingathis
scimitarandwarrior’s
bearing.‘Discretiondoesnot
mattertome,neitherdoes
yourprimitiveweapon.You
willtellmewhetherthemanI
seekispresent.’Thewords
werespokenwithauthority
andcausedallfiveofthe
Karesianstobecomemore
alertastheylookedatthetwo
clericsandsquadof
watchmen.
Themanwho’dspoken
narrowedhiseyes,before
lettinghisfaceflowintoa
broadsmile.‘Mylord,weare
simplemen,notusedtothe
presenceofclerics.’He
bowedagain.‘Imeanno
offence.’
‘Thenyouwilltakeusto
Glenwood?’Torianasked.
TheKaresianconsideredit
andglancedathisfour
companions,allofwhom
lookedworried.Utha
detectedahintoffearand
wasoptimisticthatTorian
wassufficientlyintimidating
tospeedtheirpassage.
‘Mylordcleric,Iwilltake
youtothemanyouseekfora
small…price.’Herubbedhis
handstogethersuggestively.
‘Thinkofitasadonationto
thefaithfulofJaa.’Hisface
wascontortedintoan
unpleasantgrinandhisgold
teethglintedasthemorning
sunpassedthroughagapin
theawning.
UthastoodnexttoTorian,
lendinghisbestexpressionof
righteousannoyancetothe
oneTorianalreadywore.The
Karesiancontinuedsmiling,
hopingthatthetwoclerics
wouldagreetobribehim.He
slowlylettherealizationthat
thiswasunlikelyintrude
uponhisgrinandbacked
away,directinghiseyesatthe
dustystreet.
‘Ihaveaskedyoutwice.If
Ihavetoaskyouagain,Imay
becomerathermore
insistent,’Toriansaidplainly.
Uthasmiledattheother
fourKaresians,showinga
brazenconfidenceashe
lookedthemupanddown.
Thoughtheywereobviously
fightingmen,theywere
poorlyarmedandwouldbe
nomatchforthetwoclerics.
TheKaresianheldhis
armswideinagestureof
submissionandbowed
deeply.‘Iapologizeforany
offencecaused,thewaysof
theRoarestillnewtome,my
lord,’hesaidwhilestill
lookingatthefloor.
‘I’mabouttoaskagain…
Isuspectyoudon’twant
that,’Toriansnarled
aggressively.
TheKaresianlookedup,
lettingafrownofcontempt
showbeforehesmiledagain
andmotionedforTorianto
followhim.‘You’llhaveto
speaktothemistress,’hesaid
asheledthewayinside.
Uthacontinuedsmilingat
theothermenasTorian
duckedunderthelow
doorwaythatledintothe
brothel.Withoutturning,
Uthamotionedforthe
watchmentogoin,andthen
followedhimself.
Inside,thebuildingwas
dirtyandbadlymaintained,
withanunpleasantsmellof
incensewhichUthasuspected
wasusedtomasktheodour
ofsweatymen.Acountersat
inthemiddleofasmall
entrancearea,behindwhich
satawomanofRoinherlate
forties.Shewasattractivebut
hadhardeyes,andhertan
suggestedshehadlivedsome
ofherlifefurthersouth.
Eithersideofthecounter
wereyellowsilkcurtains
hangingacrossdoorways,and
fourmean-lookingKaresian
menstoodidlyaroundthe
counter.
Torianenteredandall
presentlookedup.Severalof
theKaresiansappearedready
foractionasthesquadof
watchmenfollowed,untilthe
manwholedTorianheldhis
handsuptoletthemknow
thatstartingtroublewas
unwise.Toemphasizethis
point,Uthawalkedinanddid
hisbesttolookdangerous.
Hispalefeatures,pinkeyes
andwhitehairmadehim
distinctive,evenamongst
Karesians,andhethought
thatatleastoneofthemen
couldconnectthenameUtha
theGhosttohisface.
‘Andwhatcanwedofor
suchfinegentlemen?’the
womanasked.
‘Yourmanherewasabout
totakeustoseeaclientof
yours.Thereisnoneedto
worryyourself,’Toriansaid
dismissively.
‘Theywanttosee
Glenwoodandare…rather
insistent,’saidthemanwho
hadledtheminside.
TheKaresianguards
assessedtheclericsand,
muchasthoseoutsidehad
done,deemedthemtoo
dangeroustobeworth
fighting.Thewomanlooked
flusteredwhenshesawthat
noneofhermenwasgoingto
stopUthaandTorianfrom
intruding.
‘Wehaveruleshere,sir,’
shesaid.‘Ourcustomerspay
forcuntorcock,nottobe
interruptedbyclerics.Aface
likeyourswouldputthem
rightofftheirstride.’She
screwedherfaceupinmock
disgustandlookedatTorian.
OneoftheKaresians
laughedatthisandthe
confidenceshownbytheir
mistressmadealltheguards
feelmorecomfortable.
Uthamadealowgruntof
amusementandsteppedpast
thePurplecleric.Leaning
casuallyonthesideofthe
counteranddeliberately
turninghisbackonthe
Karesianguards,helooked
thewomansquareintheeyes.
‘I’mtheonewiththesenseof
humour.Mypiousfriendhere
thinksofyouaslittlemore
thanariver-dwellingrodent,
givenyourprofession.SoI
recommendyoudirectany
furtherjokestome,’hesaid
withcalculatedaggression.
‘Now,isthereajokeyou’d
liketomakeaboutmyface?’
Hestaredherdownwithhis
piercingpinkeyes.
Themistressmaintained
eyecontactforamoment
beforelookingoverUtha’s
shoulderandnoddingtoone
ofherguards.Hefeltahand
onhisshoulderasthreeofthe
guardsmovedincloser.
‘Thereisnoneedfor
trouble.Wecanallbe
friendly,no?’Themanwho’d
recognizedUthaheldhis
handsup.Hehadnot
advancedtowardsthecleric
andwasstaringatTorianand
thewatchmen.
Uthadidn’twaittoseeif
theotherguardshadlistened
tohim,ashejudgedthevalue
ofaquickshowofviolence
wouldbeconsiderableunder
thecircumstances.Heflexed
hisshoulderandelbowedthe
manwhohadgrabbedhimin
theface,thesteelplate
makingasatisfyingclank
againsttheman’sjawbefore
hecrumpledtotheground.
Theothertwoguards
seemedtoconsiderattacking,
butseeingTorian
extravagantlydrawhis
longswordpersuadedthem
otherwise.
‘IsaidthatifIhadtoask
again,Iwouldbemore
insistent.’Helevelledhis
swordatthenearestman.
Thewomanbackedaway
anddidn’traiseanymore
objections.Shewavedanarm
towardstheright-handcurtain
andspokequietly.‘He’sin
thefourthroomalong.’
Uthawinkedatthe
mistressandturnedbackto
Torian.‘Handlethisfora
minute.’
Hepulledbackthecurtain
andenteredthecorridor
beyond.Afewscaredfaces,
mostlymale,pokedoutfrom
behindcolouredcurtains,
theirtimehavingbeen
interruptedbythecommotion
outside.Uthasparedafew
glarestomakethecustomers
disappearbackbehindtheir
curtainsandmovedtothe
fourthroom,wherehecould
hearhurriedmovement.
Hepulledbackthebright
redcurtainandsawawiry
manofRoattemptingto
climboutofanarrow
window.Hewasonlyhalf
dressedandcarriedhisboots
andasheathedlongswordin
hisarms.Thenakedwoman
wholayonthewoodencotin
thecentreofthefloor
appearedunconcernedatthe
intrusionandlookedboredas
Uthaquicklycrossedthe
roomandgrabbed
Glenwood’sleg.
‘I’mfairlysureI’venot
doneanythingtoannoythe
Onerecently,’hesaidasUtha
roughlypulledhimback.He
wasflushedfromhisrecent
sexualactivityandbarely
struggled.
‘Justmakesureyour
cock’saway.Weneedalittle
chat,’Uthasaid,witha
gauntletedfistaround
Glenwood’sneck.Hepicked
thesmallermanupwithease
andheldhimofftheground
foramoment.
Glenwoodglancedoverat
thewomanlyingnextto
them.‘Idon’tsupposethis
makesmemoredesirable,
doesit?’heaskedwitha
weaksmile.Thewoman
snortedinderisionandrolled
overtofacetheoppositewall.
‘You’reinthesameroom
asme,Glenwood,youcould
nevercompete.’Uthasmiled
ashespokeandshovedthe
forgeroutoftheroom.
Hestumbledtothe
ground,droppinghissword
andbootsonthewooden
floor.Afewfacesagain
appearedfrombehind
curtains,butmost
disappearedquicklyforfear
ofinvolvingthemselvesin
whatevertheBlackclericwas
doing.
‘Thatlooksverymuch
likealongsword,Glenwood,’
Uthasaidashestepped
casuallyoutbehindthe
forger.‘Iassumethat,asa
commonman,youwere
merelylookingafteritfora
nobleman.’Criminalsoften
thoughttheycouldgetaway
withcarryinganoble’s
weaponiftheystayedaway
fromclerics.
‘Actually,no,brother
cleric,it’smine…myfather
was…sortofnoble.’
Uthalaughedandsolidly
kickedthemandownthe
corridor.Glenwoodmadea
strangeyelpingsoundanddid
anungainlyforwardroll
throughthecurtainintothe
entranceroom.Allthoseon
theothersideturnedtolook
atthefigurethathademerged
soloudlyamongstthem.
Thewatchmenheldtheir
crossbowsdrawnand
SergeantClementswunghis
heavymacethreateningly.
Torianstillheldhis
longswordandUthathought
hisbrotherclericlookedquite
impressiveasheglaredatthe
men,thepurplesceptreonhis
tabardshiningbrightly.
Glenwoodhademerged
withlittleeleganceandwas
nowdrapedintheyellow
curtainthroughwhichhe’d
beenthrown.Uthawalked
pasthim,absentlygrabbing
theforgerbythescruffofthe
neck,ashesteppedintothe
entranceroom.
ThemistressoftheBlue
Featherwaslookingdaggers
atbothclerics.‘Okay,you
haveyourman,nowgetyour
piousarsesoutofmyfuck
shop.’
Toriandirectedhissword
pointatthewoman.‘Wewill
leaveyoutoyourimmorality,
woman.IbelieveImay
returnatalatertimeto
instructyourmenonthe
correctwaytoaddressa
clericoftheOne.’
Themistresslookedasif
shewereabouttoburstwith
anger,butkeptherwordsto
herselfanddirectedhermen
tostanddown.
UthadraggedGlenwood
roughlypastthewatchmen,
holdingthecollarofhisshirt
andgivinghimseveralkicks
tospeedhimalong.
‘Brother,Ibelievewe
havewhatwecamefor,’Utha
saidwithasmile.‘Shallwe
depart?’
Torianallowedhimselfa
slightshowofamusementbut
quicklyrecoveredhisgrim
demeanourandbackedaway
slowly,lettinghishardglare
moveacrosstheKaresians’
faces.
Themenoutsidehadleft
asUthaemergedontothe
street,andthesunhad
disappearedbehindacloud.
TheweatherinRoTiriswas
changeableandastormwas
imminent.
Torianandthewatchmen
backedoutofthebrotheland
UthanoticedRandallforthe
firsttimesincethey’d
entered.Theyoungsquire
hadhiddenbehindSergeant
Clementanddonehisbestto
remaininvisibleasthe
confrontationplayedout.
‘You,Elyot,’Uthasaidto
theyoungestwatchman,‘take
holdofthisminornobleand
don’tlethimmovetoo
much.’HeflungGlenwoodat
thewatchman,whohadhis
twoshortswordsdrawn.
PullingGlenwoodtohis
feet,Elyotplacedoneblade
aroundtheforger’sneckand
theotheragainsthisback.
‘Move,’hesaidwith
practisedauthority.
‘Isfuckingsuddenly
againsttheOne?’Glenwood
asked.
Hereceivedasolidkickto
thebackofhislegsfrom
Elyotinresponseandfellto
theflooragain.
‘Apparentlyso.’The
forgergrimacedinpain.
‘Weshouldtake
Glenwoodsomewhere
more…appropriate,’Torian
saidwithmenace.
‘Appropriateforwhat?’
theprisonerasked,pulling
himselftohisfeet.
Uthacametofacehim.
‘I’llbetthatyou’vedonea
multitudeoffoolishthingsin
yourlife,butweareonly
interestedinoneofthemore
recentones.Nowcooperate
andIwon’tbiteyournose
off.Clear?’heaskedcoldly.
Glenwoodlookedterrified
andnodded,nottrusting
himselftospeak.Hesmiled
asElyot,theyoung
watchman,carefullyplaced
thetwoshortswordsback
wheretheyhadbeena
momentago.‘Okay,I’m
ready,let’sgosomewhere
more…appropriate,’hesaid
withnervoushumour.
Theywerestillconcealed
bytheawningoftheBlue
Feather,butUthanoticed
severalmenglanceacross
andseetheforgerinthe
custodyoftheclerics.Aman
ofRo,withtheglareofa
fightingman,tookparticular
interestandevenlockedeyes
withtheprisonerfora
second,beforedisappearing
intoasidestreet.
Uthadecidedthatwalking
backthroughtheKasbah
wouldbeunwise,as
Glenwoodwouldnodoubt
havefriendswhomight
considerafoolishrescue
attempt.Instead,heled
Torianandthewatchmeninto
analleythatranbetweenthe
BlueFeatherandanadjoining
spicemerchant’shut.Itwas
wideenoughforsinglefile
only,makingGlenwoodeven
morenervous,asherealized
hewassurroundedand
unlikelytosurviveifhetried
togetaway.
Uthaledthegroupdowna
secondalleywaywhich
passedbehindthebrotheland
intoasmallyard.Theywere
againsttheouterwallandin
anisolatedspaceusedfor
alcoholstorage.Theback
doorstoseveralbuildings
openedoutintotheyardand
cratesofwineandbeerwere
strewnaround.Uthaturned
fromhiscompanionsand
perusedtheclosestcrate.
FindingabottleofKaresian
redwine,hesatdownona
lowbox.Torianstoodnextto
him,hisswordnowsheathed,
andthewatchmentookseats
onothercrates.Elyot
positionedGlenwoodinfront
ofthetwoclericsandthen
wenttositnexttoRandall.
‘Now,let’sgetcomfy
shallwe,’Uthasaid,
uncorkingthebottleofwine
andtakingadeepswig.
Wincingatthetaste,he
placedtheopenbottleonthe
floor.‘Perhapsitneedsto
breathealittle.’Hespatout
theresidueofvinegaryliquid.
‘Theatrics,brother?’
questionedTorian,witha
raiseofhiseyebrows.
‘Youhaveyoursword,I
havemytheatrics;surelythe
valueofbothhasbeen
evidentinthelasthour?’
Torianshookhisheadand
steppedforwardtotowerover
Glenwood.Theforgerwas
aroundsixfeetinheight,but
thinandpasty-looking.The
Purplecleric,incomparison,
wasfullyarmouredand
lookedlikeamountain
standingoverthelesserman.
‘Howisthebusinessin
Redchurchsealsthesedays,
Glenwood?’Torianasked.
Theforgerlooked
surprised,butgotthereaction
quicklyundercontrolwith
thepractisedcandourofa
professionalcriminal.
‘Howmanydoyouwant?’
hesaid,inafoolishattemptat
humour,beforequickly
retractingthecomment.‘Just
joking,justajoke,my
lords…there’snobusinessin
suchthings;nowayof
makingenoughmoneyto
justifytherisk,anyway.’
‘So,youadmitthatyou’re
aforger?’Torianasked.
Glenwoodfrownedand
saidtoUtha,‘So,I’m
guessingyou’rethebrains?’
HeturnedbacktoTorian.‘Of
courseI’maforger…there
areathousandpeopleinTiris
whocantellyouI’maforger
andathousandmorewhocan
tellyouwheretofindme.’He
paused,shakinghishead.
‘ButI’mnotanidiotandI
haveenoughfriendsin
enoughplacestoknowthat
forgeryisarelativelyminor
crimeinthegrandschemeof
thingsandthattwoclericsare
unlikelytobeinterestedin
minorcriminal
misdemeanours.’Hespoke
withtheswaggerofaman
usedtotalkingtothe
authorities.‘Youwantto
arrestme?Bemyguest,I
guaranteeI’llbefreewithin
thehour…probablyonsome
technicalityorother.’
Uthanarrowedhiseyes.
‘You’reevadingthe
question…you’redoingit
veryskilfully,butyou’restill
evadingthequestion.’
‘Maybe,butI’mstillnot
goingtotellyouanything,so
putyourarmroundyourlady
friendhereandgofuck
yourself,’hesaidarrogantly.
Torianquicklydrewhis
swordandgrowledat
Glenwood.
‘Watchyourtongue,pissstain.’Thewordscamefrom
SergeantClement.
Thewatchmanstepped
forwardandheldhismacein
frontofGlenwood’shead.
Uthasmiledattheforger,a
viciousexpressionthatmade
himshrink.
‘IthinkIcanhandlethe
insult,sergeant,’theBlack
clericsaid,beforesmashing
hisforeheadintothebridgeof
Glenwood’snose.
Theforgerinstantly
droppedtothefloorand
yelpedloudly,anincoherent
soundofpain,angerand
surprise.
Torianlookedequally
shockedandClementbacked
sharplyawayfrom
Glenwood’swrithingform.
Uthagrabbedtheforgerby
thethroatandpickedhimup
offthefloor.Heheldtheman
awayfromhimandpunched
himsolidlyinthechest,
makinghimcoughandspray
bloodontothedustyfloor.
Uthathenroughlyspunhim
roundandrestedanarmoured
forearmacrosshisthroat.
‘I’mnotawatchman,I’m
notajudgeandI’mnotaman
whogivesaRanen’sballs
aboutwhatyouthink,’Utha
saidthroughgrittedteeth.
‘YousoldaforgedRed
churchsealtoamanwithan
ornatelongsword,yes?’
Glenwoodwasclearly
dazed,hisfacecoveredin
bloodandhiseyesunfocused,
butthepresenceofahulking
Blackcleric,readytotearhim
apart,madehimclearhis
mindquickly.‘Yes…yes,I
did,’hesaidthrougha
quiveringmouth.
‘Good.Now,Iwantyou
totelluseverythingyou
knowaboutthemanwiththe
longsword.Doyou
understand?’heasked.
Glenwood’seyeswere
wideandhenolongerheld
hisbrokennose,asifUtha’s
wordshadmadehimforget
thepainhewasin.Henodded
againinreplyandstartedto
retch.Uthareleasedhisarm
andallowedGlenwoodto
doubleoverandvomitonthe
floor.
ThesoundofTorian’s
squirealsoretchingmade
everyoneturnquickly.
Randalldidn’tactuallyvomit,
buthewasclearlyuneasyat
thesightofbloodandof
Glenwoodemptyinghis
stomach.
‘Easy,lad,’Toriansaid
reassuringly,‘thisstreakof
shitisn’tworthfeelingbad
over.’
‘That’sawisethingyou
justsaid,brother,’saidUtha,
ashepushedGlenwoodintoa
sittingposition.
Theforgerlookedterrible,
hisnosewasmangledacross
hisfaceandhislipshadgone
astrangebluecolour.
Clementstoodbehindhim
andkickedGlenwood’slegto
encouragehimtostraighten
himselfup.Theother
watchmenstayedback,
thinkingthemselveslargely
unneeded.
Utharesumedhisseaton
theboxandpickedupthe
bottleofwine.Taking
anotherdrink,hesaid,‘Yes,
it’smuchnicerafteralittle
air.Now,Glenwood,ifyou
will…’Hewavedhishandat
thebrokenmansittingin
frontofhim.
Glenwoodstraightened
andpulledhislegsbackinto
across-leggedposition.‘I
don’tdealinchurchseals,but
Iowedhimafavour,so…’
‘Tellusabouthim,’
Toriansaidashesheathedhis
longswordandrelaxed.
Glenwoodspatouta
mouthfulofblood.‘Hepaid
threehundredgoldcrowns
foraclaysealthatwouldget
himoutofthesouthgate
withoutbeingstopped.I
knewhimyearsagoandfelt
likehelpinghim.’
Uthashouted,‘Whowas
he?’
Glenwoodlookedacross
atthefacesof,firstthetwo
clerics,thenthefive
watchmen.Hebreathedin
sharply,assessinghisoptions.
Witharesignedsigh,hesaid,
‘Hisname’sBromvy,people
callhimBrom.Ithinkhe’sa
nobleofsomesort…maybe
Canarnorsomewherearound
there.’
Uthaleantbackinhis
seatedpositionandlookedup
atTorian.‘Thereyougo,
theatricswork…I’veproven
it.’Heturnedbackto
Glenwood.‘Andwherewas
LordBromvyofCanarn
intendingtogo?’
‘Ithinkhewaslookingfor
afriend.HeaskedmeifI
knewwherehewas.Ithink
hewantedtoknowwhich
gatehe’dneedtoleavefrom,’
hesaidquietly,asifashamed
athimselfforgivingthis
information.
‘And…thefriend…and
hislocation?’Torianasked.
‘ThefriendisaKirin
assassin–nastybastard,kills
anyoneyoupayhimto–and,
lastIknew,hewasinRo
Weir.He’scalledRhamJas
RamiandheandBromgo
wayback.Theytravelled
togetherwithanothercouple
ofwaywardkillers.’
Uthafrownedatthis.He
knewalittleaboutBromvy
andknewthathe’dmixed
withsomeunsavoury
charactersinhistime.There
wereevenrumoursthatDuke
Hector’ssonhadbeena
mercenary,buttohearthathe
associatedwithanassassin
wasasurprise,eventoUtha.
‘Weirisathree-week
journeysouthatleast,’Torian
saidtoUtha.
Glenwoodchuckled
throughthepain.‘Idoubtit’d
takeBromanymorethan
two,maybeless.He’snotlike
youpamperedcityfolk,he’s
fromCanarn,thosemenare
tough.Ifyoudon’tcarefor
yourhorseortheneedfor
sleep,youcangetthereshy
oftwoweeks.’
Randallnervouslyraised
hishandandspoke.‘SirLeon
usedtotalkaboutit,master.I
thinkit’scalledtheKirinrun.
Awayofcriminalsgetting
fromonesideofTorFunweir
totheother.’
UthaandTorianlookedat
eachotherandnodded.They
hadbothheardofKirin
havingwaysofmoving
quicklythroughthelandbut
hadnotexpectedthemtobe
utilizedbyalordofTor
Funweir.
Glenwoodlookedat
Randall.‘Yourboyhasit
right;theKirinruncutsthe
journeyinhalf.Ifyouavoid
CozzandstayofftheKing’s
Highway…’Hewenttoretch
againbutgotitundercontrol.
‘Andifyoudon’tmindthe
bigbastardspidersinNarland
andLob’sWood,’hesmiled
pathetically,‘andobviouslyif
youknowtheway–whichI
don’t,beforeyouask.’
Uthaturnedawayfrom
Glenwood.Hemotionedfor
Toriantojoinhimandspoke
quietlysoasnottobe
overheardbytheforger.
‘We’llneverfindtheway
throughNarland.We’re
betterofftakingthelong
routeandhopinghe’sstill
therewhenwearrive.’
‘Iwastoldnothingofhis
criminalendeavourswhenI
leftArnon,’Toriansaidwith
ashakeofhishead.‘Asfaras
Iknowallthequestingclerics
whoweresentforhimare
lookingattheestatesofhis
family,lessernoblesandthe
like.’
Uthatookamomentto
think,absentlydrumminghis
fingersonhisblacktabard.‘I
knowafewmercenarieswere
senttothesouth…doubtful
asfarasRoWeir,though.’
Torianstraightened
suddenlyandletararesmile
flowacrosshisface.‘Well,
brother,itseemswehavea
directioninwhichtotravel.
LetusgotoRoWeir.’
Uthareturnedthesmile
andlookedoverTorian’s
shoulderatthewatchmen
standingroundGlenwood.
‘SergeantClement,’hesaid
loudly,‘goandtellthelord
marshalthatyou’re
accompanyingBrothersUtha
andTorianonajourneyto
themerchantenclaveofCozz
andthenontoRoWeir.’
Clementdidn’tknowhow
toreacttothis,butUtha
enjoyedthehelpless
expressiononhisface.
CHAPTER3
MAGNUS
FORKBEARD
RAGNARSSONIN
THECITYOFRO
CANARN
Thecellwascoldanddamp,
withasimplestrawbedona
ricketywoodenframe.
Magnuswonderedifthe
knightsoftheRedwhohad
thrownhiminhereknewhow
profoundaninsultitwasfora
priestoftheOrderofthe
Hammertobesummarily
cagedinthisway.The
knightsweretruefighting
men,forthemostpart,and
Magnusfoundthathehadto
respectthemforthat,but
therewerefewotherreasons
tofeelanythingotherthan
angeratthewaythey’d
assaultedRoCanarn.
Helookedoutofthe
narrowcellwindowand
clenchedhisfist,imagining
thefeelofSkeld,hiswarhammer.Itwasachildish
comforttowantthefeelof
hisweapon’sleatherand
brassgripinhisfist,butone
thatheallowedhimself.To
acceptimprisonmentwas
almostasbadasbeing
imprisonedinthefirstplace.
ThemenofRowhotook
theinnerkeepwouldhave
takenthehammerand
discardeditasastrange
trophyofwar,orkeptitto
showthatthey’dbesteda
Ranenwarrior.Inreality,
Magnusknewthathe’dnot
yetbeenbested.Theknights
hadreliedonnumbersrather
thanskill,andMagnuscould
takesolacefromthefifteen
hehadkilledbeforea
cowardlycrossbowbolthad
piercedhisshoulderand
allowedthemtocapturehim.
Heflexedhisshouldersand
rubbedthebandagedwound.
ItwasnotbadandtheRanen
priest’shealingabilitieshad
ensuredthewoundwouldnot
fester.
Magnuswasaroundseven
feetinheight,tallevenfora
Ranen,andalthoughhehad
onlyrecentlypassedhis
thirtiethyearoflife,hislong
blondehair,densebeardand
scarredbodymadehim
appearolder.He’dbeen
robbedofhischainmailand
stoodinsimplewoollen
leggingsandablackshirt.It
wasscantprotectionagainst
thecold,butMagnuswasa
manofFjorlanandthe
temperaturewasmore
reassuringthan
uncomfortable.Hishome,far
tothenorth,wastheoldest
realmoftheFreelandsand
theonlyprovinceofRanen
thatthesouth-menofRohad
neverconquered.
Magnushadtravelled
throughoutthenorthern
lands.Likeallpriestsofthe
OrderoftheHammer,hewas
compelledtoaperpetual
wanderlustandhadmade
friendsinmanydistantparts.
Hefoundthataloveof
alcohol,womenandsongwas
anidealwaytotastea
culture,andeventhestiffneckedRocouldbelikeable
whendrunk.Notthatthese
knightsoftheRedseemedto
drink,oreventolaugh.They
weredourmenwholived
onlytofollowordersandto
maintainthelawsoftheOne.
Somewhereabovethecell,
Magnusheardascreamof
painandhecranedhisneck
toseeoutofthetinywindow.
Themercenarieswhohad
comewiththeRedknights
werenotbeingkindtothe
defeatedpopulace,andthe
lastfewhourshadbeen
puncturedbyacacophonyof
screamsandcriesforhelp.
ThefewRanenwhoremained
inthecitywithMagnushad
alreadybeenexecutedby
orderofSirMortimerRillion,
underthequestionabletitleof
traitorstothecrownofTor
Funweir.Severaltimeshe
hadheardadyingRanen
offeradefiantlastprayerto
Rowanocobeforejoiningthe
IceGiantinhishallsbeyond
theworld.
Magnusfeltregretforthe
deathofhiscountrymen,but
hedidnotforgetthattheyhad
hadthechoicetogoorto
stay,aswasthewayofthe
FreeCompanies.Thefew
menofWraithCompany
who’dstayedhadatleastgot
todirtytheiraxeswiththe
bloodofknightsbeforethey
fell.
Thesmalldungeon
complexhousedfewerthana
hundredprisoners,mostly
DukeHector’sguardsmen,
menwhohadheldtheinner
keepwithMagnusafterthe
cityhadfallen,andhe
wonderediftheyregretted
theirdecisiontofightwhen
thebattlefleetappearedon
thehorizon.
Itwasdifferentforthe
Ranen.Theyhadn’tfought
fortheirhome,theirfamilies
orforacausetheybelieved
in.Magnussuspectedthatthe
menofWraithwho’dstayed
hadmerelywantedagood
fight.ThesoldiersofCanarn
hadhadmuchmoretolose,
andnowtheywereprisoners
ofavictoriousarmy.
TheRanenpriestof
Rowanoco,theIceGiant,
shookhisheadashethought
ofDukeHector.Thelordof
Canarnwas,inMagnus’s
estimation,agoodman,
deservingofhonourand
respect,andtothinkofwhat
theknightswoulddotohim
botheredMagnusgreatly.The
commonpeopleofCanarn
andtheirdukehadwanted
nothingmorethanfreedom
fromthechurchofTor
Funweir–agoalthatMagnus
thoughtachievableand,toa
Ranenpriest,whollysensible
–however,somethinghad
alertedtheRedknightsinRo
Tirisandthey’dattacked
withoutwarning.
IfHectorwerestillalive,
hewasprobablytobemade
anexampleatalaterdate,
paradedthroughthestreetsto
bewhippedandjeeredat.
Magnushadbeenfondof
DukeHectorandhehoped
thatthekillingofanoblewas
forbiddenamongsttheRo.He
knewlittleoftheirwaysaside
fromwhattheduke’ssonhad
taughthimduringthetime
theyhadtravelledtogether.
Thoughmuchofhistime
withBromvyhadbeenspent
drinkingratherthanlearning.
Magnusimaginedaduke
wouldbetooimportanttobe
summarilyexecutedlikethe
othercaptives.
Hector’schaplain,a
BrownclericcalledLanry,
hadbeensparedexecution
andMagnushopedthisrare
veinofhonouramongstthe
knightswouldstretchtothe
duke.
‘You…Ranen,’shouted
Castus,theboundRedknight
currentlysupervisingthe
manyprisoners.
Magnusignoredhim.He
foundtheman’svoice
grating.
‘I’mtalkingtoyou,
priest,’barkedtheknight,as
heapproachedthesmallcell
whereMagnusstood.
‘CommanderRillionsaysI
havetofeedyou.Personally,
Ithinkyoushouldrot,like
thebarbarianscumyouare.’
Heplacedasmallbowlof
steamingliquidonthecold
stonefloorandkickedit
throughthehatchatthe
bottomofthedoor.Halfthe
liquidspilledacrossthe
flagstones.‘Enjoyit,boy.
You’llmostlikelyloseyour
headthisafternoon.’
Magnustookastep
towardsthedoorandlooked
throughthebarsanddownat
theman.Thesizedifference
washuge,Magnustoweringa
footormoreabovetheman
ofRo.
AsCastusturnedtoleave,
Magnusspoke.‘Knight…I
decidedIwasgoingtokill
youjustafterwemet.Now,I
thinkI’llfindyourfatherand
killhimtoo.’Hisaccentwas
broadandhisvoicewasdeep,
elongatingandgrowlingeach
word.
Theboundmandrewhis
swordandlevelledthetipat
theRanen.‘I’llspitonyour
headlessbodyandpisson
yourgod,’hesaid.
Magnusgrinnedashe
spoke.‘Theonlybitofhim
youcouldreachwouldbehis
foot,littleman.’
Castusgruntedand
stompedloudlybacktohis
guardpost,leavingtheRanen
withathinsmileonhisface.
***
Severalhourspassedand
Magnusstillstoodinhiscell.
Heknewhewouldbe
summonedtoappearbefore
Rillionbeforethedaywas
out,andrefusingtositwasas
muchrebellionashis
situationwouldallow.The
minimallightthatcrept
throughthenarrowwindow
gavehimaroughideaofthe
time,andCastusreturned
shortlybeforethesunhad
disappeared.
‘Time’sup.SirRillion
requeststhepleasureofyour
company.’TheRedknight
smirkedbroadlyandMagnus
imaginedcuttingoffhisears
tostophimsmiling.
‘Nolastmeal,nolast
words.Hopefully,they’lljust
takeoffthatheadandputyou
down.’
Hestoodclosetothecell
barsandcontinued.‘Doyou
knowwhathappenedtothe
otherRanen?Theywere
strippednaked,hadtheir
cockscutoffandwejustlet
thembleed.Theybledand
theyscreamedandwejust…
wejustlaughed.Justwhen
theystartedcrying,Sir
Rillionorderedtheirheads
takenoffandwethrewthem
overthewallintothesea.’
Magnusconsideredit.The
manofRowasavileworm,
foolishandarrogantwith
noneofthehonourMagnus
hopedhe’dfindinanenemy
combatant.‘IamoftheOrder
oftheHammer.Idon’t
expectyoutounderstand
whatthatmeansbecauseyour
godcaresonlyforlawand
knowsnothingofhonouror
courage.’Magnusstoodjust
inchesfromCastusand
continued,‘IfIamtobe
killed,Iwillbekilledwitha
roaronmylips.Asmallman
likeyoucanhopeonlyfora
whimper.’Hepaused.‘Iwant
tokillyouandIprayto
RowanocothatIlivelong
enoughtodoso.’
Castusturnedtowardsthe
corridorandbellowed,‘This
pig-fuckerthinkshisgodis
gonnahelphim.’
Thelaughthatechoed
fromtheguardstation
offendedMagnusandhe
breathedindeeply.These
mendidnotknowhowlucky
theywere.Ifhewerearmed,
heknewtheywouldrun
ratherthanfighthim,butwith
manaclesandcrossbowsthey
werebraveindeed.Theywere
nottruefightingmenand
Magnussurmisedthattheir
stationasgaolerswasdueto
theirlackoffightingskill.
TwomoreRedchurchmen
appearedfromthecorridor.
Eachcarriedasmuggrinof
victoryandaloaded
crossbow.Theyworesteel
breastplatesandborethe
sameredtabardsasCastus,
twoswordsacrossaclenched
fist.Withtheirweapons
levelledatMagnus,they
stoodeithersideofthecell
door.
Castusdrewhisswordand
said,‘Takeastepback,
priest.’
Magnuscontainedhis
angerandsteppedawayfrom
thechurchmen.Hewasnot
accustomedtoenemieswho
usedbows;theywere
unheardofinRanenas
anythingotherthanahunting
weapon.Asameansof
fighting,theywere
consideredcowardlyand
dishonourable.
Castusproducedalarge
metalkeyandbeganto
unlockthecelldoor.His
movementswereslowand
deliberateandhiseyes
remainedonMagnusatall
times.Thedoorclickedopen
andCastusmotionedforhis
mentocoverhimashetooka
stepintothecell.
Hiseyesbetrayedatouch
offearasherealizedheno
longerhadthesafetyofa
largemetaldoorbetween
himselfandthehugeRanen
warrior.
Magnusstayedback,
glaringdownatthetwo
crossbowmenstandingeither
sideofCastus.Hethoughtit
likelyhe’dsurvivethetwo
crossbowboltslongenough
totearallthreeofthemapart,
buttherewaslittletobe
gainedbydoingso.Hewould
stillbeinadungeon,ignorant
ofwhathadhappenedduring
hisincarceration.Hethought
itbesttolethimselfbetaken
beforeSirRillion.
‘Turnroundslowly,
Ranen.Keepaneyeonhim,
youtwo.’
Magnusturned,exposing
theheavysteelmanaclesthat
boundhishands.Castus
unlockedthechainthat
securedhimtothewalland
attachedanothersetof
manaclestohisfeet.Thetwo
restraintswerethenfastened
securelytogetherwitha
secondsteelchain.
Castuspulledhardonthe
chainandledMagnus
backwardsoutofthecell.
Oneofthecrossbowmen
stoodinfrontandtheother
behind.Allthreeofthemen
ofRowereonedge,asifthey
expectedMagnustoerupt
intoviolenceatanymoment.
Hewasmovedunderclose
escortalongthedungeon
corridor.Theotherprisoners
flasheddarkglancesatCastus
andseveralnoddedsilentlyin
respecttowardsMagnus.A
heavywoodendoorwas
openedandtheybeganto
ascendthestairstothekeep
above.
Magnusthoughthard
thoughts.Heknewthatthese
menofRocaredlittlefor
honourortruthandhe
doubtedanythinghehadto
saytoSirRillionwould
changethesituation.The
realitywasthatMagnusknew
he’dhavetokillalotofmen
toescapefromthecity.He
wouldfeelnoqualmsat
killingthem,butheknewit
wouldnothelpDukeHector
orthemenofCanarn.They
wouldhavetoendurethepain
andindignityofbeinga
subjugatedpeople.TheRed
churchwouldnotbegentleto
thosesorecentlydefeatedin
battle.
Magnusdislikeditthatthe
situationcalledforpatience
andthoughtratherthan
action.Hewasnotusedto
suchthingsandhehopedthat
Rowanocowatchedhim
closely;hetrustedthe
wisdomofhisgodwould
guidehiswordswhenitwas
needed.
Thestonestepsendedat
anotherlargewoodendoor
andbeyondhesawthe
darkeningsky.Thekeepof
RoCanarnwasdrenchedin
rain,andthesmellofblood
andsaltwaterfilled
Magnus’snostrils.
YoungmenofCanarn
werecleaningthecourtyard
ofdebrisandrepairing
variouswoodenstructures
thathadbeendestroyed
duringthebattle.Knightsof
theRed,stillfullyadornedin
platearmour,patrolledthe
battlementsand,high
overhead,thebannerofthe
OneGodhadbeenraised
abovethekeep.
Magnuswasgladtosee
theopenskyagainandthe
rainwaswelcomeonthe
priest’sface.Hehadnotbeen
allowedtowashwhile
imprisonedandheinstantly
feltbetterasthewater
cleanedoffalayerofdirt.
Inthedayssincehis
imprisonment,theknightsof
theRedhadbeenbusy.
Thoughtheyhadnotrepaired
thebrokensectionsofthecity
wall,theyhadclearedthe
bodiesthatlitteredthekeep
and,inthecitybeyond,
funeralpyrescouldbeseen.
AknightoftheRed,older
andmorescarredthanmany
oftheothers,stoodupfrom
hispositionroundafireand
walkedtowardCastus.His
headwasshavedandhiseyes
werefierce,makinghim
appearalittlelikeabirdof
prey.HeregardedMagnus
withinterestbeforehespoke.
‘Castus,wouldthisbethe
fabledMagnusForkbeard?’
Castussalutedwith
respect.‘Yes,mylord.He’s
beensummonedbefore
KnightCommanderRillion.’
‘Ihaveareportstatingthat
thisoversizedFjorlander
killedclosetothirtyknights.’
HesteppedpastCastusto
standbeforeMagnus.‘You’re
biggerthanIexpected,
Ranen…tellme,isthis
sadisticlittleshittreatingyou
well?’Henoddedtowards
Castus,whofrownedatthe
unexpectedinsult.
Magnussmiledandthrew
asmirkathistormentor
beforehespoke.‘Iplantokill
him,soanyinsultwillbe
repaid.Heisaworm,not
worthytolive,letalone
fight.’
Theseniorknight
chuckledandnodded
agreement.Magnusfoundit
gratifyingthathisopinionof
Castuswassharedbyanother,
particularlyamanofRo.
‘Mylord…’Castus
stutteredashespoke.
‘Quiet,soldier,’theknight
interruptedhim,‘thismanis
anenemy,butheisatleast
worthyoftherespectdueto
hisprowessinbattle.Iwould
killhimonabattlefieldand
begladIhaddoneso,butasa
foeinchainsheisamanto
betreatedwell.’
Castusavertedhiseyes,
notdaringtocontradicthis
superior.‘Yes,mylord
Verellian.’Heglancedatthe
twocrossbowmenguarding
Magnusandmotionedthem
tolowertheirweapons.
‘That’sbetter.’Verellian
spokequietlyandwithahard
noteofauthority.Magnus
guessedhewasatruefighting
man,whichthedentsinhis
armourconfirmed.Hecarried
asingle-handedlongsword,
likealltheknightsoftheRed,
buthiswasolderand
obviouslybettermaintained.
‘Castus,takeyourmen
andreturntothedungeon.I’ll
leadtheprisonertothegreat
hall.Amaninchainsshould
besparedtheadditional
tormentofyourcompany.’
Verellianheldhishandoutto
theboundman,whopassed
thechaintohimaftera
momentarypause.‘Offyou
go,now,I’msurethereare
otherprisonersforyouto
abuse.’
Magnussmiledagainand,
sensinganopportunity,
turnedsharply,hishuge
shoulderconnectingheavily
withCastus.Thegaoler
stumbledandfellface-firston
tothewet,muddycourtyard.
Bothcrossbowmenraised
theirweaponsandVerellian
tookastepback,graspinghis
swordhilt.
Magnusstoodlooking
downatthemanwho’d
repeatedlyseenfittoinsult
him.Whenitbecameclear
thathedidn’tintendto
escape,theotherknights
relaxed.
‘I’msureyoudeserved
that,soldier.’Verellian
extendedhishandandhelped
Castustohisfeet.Theman
wascoveredinmudand
growlingwithrage.Ashake
oftheheadfromVerellian
robbedhimofany
opportunityforretribution
andhestompedbackacross
thecourtyard,swearing
quietlytohimselfand
motioninghismentofollow.
‘Thatwasprobablyilladvised,priest.Isuspectyou
maybeunderhiscareagain
thisevening.’
‘Everyinsultwillbe
repaid,sirknight.’Magnus
spokewithconviction.
‘Iappreciatetheman’s…
moredetestablequalities,but
pushinghimintothemudwas
alittleunnecessary.’
Magnusturnedtofacethe
knightandsaid,‘Amanwho
defineshimselfasagaoler
hasnohonour.Tocageaman
ofRanenisthegravestinsult
toRowanoco.Betteryour
knightskilledmethan
capturedme…ThoughI
pushedhimoverbecauseyou
Rohavenosenseofhumour,’
headded,withasmile.
Verellianchuckled.‘That
atleastmaybetrue.Come,
letusnotkeepthe
commanderwaiting.’He
begantoleadMagnusaway,
beforepausing.‘You’refrom
Fjorlan,aren’tyou;amanof
theLowKast?’
Magnusnodded.‘My
brotherandIwerebornin
Fredericksand.It’sthe
capital,onthecoastofthe
FjorlanSea.TheLowKastis
furtherinland.’
‘Iapologize,my
knowledgeofthelandsof
Ranenisminimal.’Hewas
genuinelyinterested.‘Doall
yourpeoplespeaksowell?’
‘Ispeakbetterthanmost.
DukeHector’ssontaught
me.’Magnusstillhadaheavy
Fjorlanaccent,buthad
learnedtobeunderstoodin
histimehere;itwasamatter
ofspeakingslowlyandwith
menace.MostFjorlanders
spokeenoughofthelanguage
ofRotoconverse,butthey
refusedtocallitthecommon
tongue,theRonameforit.
Theknightresumed
walking.‘Andwhat’sthe
correctformofaddressfora
manofyourstation–Lord,
Priest,Brother?’
‘IamFatherMagnus
ForkbeardRagnarsson,ofthe
OrderoftheHammerand
priestofRowanoco.’He
knewhistitlesmeantlittleto
thesemenofthesouth.
Verellianwasimpressed,
however.
‘Well,FatherMagnus,I
amSirWilliamofVerellian,
knightcaptainoftheRedand
king’sman.’Hebowedashe
introducedhimself.
‘Youarethemostpolite
manofRoIhavemetsinceI
cametoyourstrangeland.I
wasbeginningtothinkonly
yourwomenhadmanners.’
Verelliansmiledagain,
showinghimselfmore
worldlythatmanyofhis
comrades.‘MenlikeCastus
areboundtothechurchfrom
birth.Theyhavenoneedof
honourwhentheyare
requiredonlytocleanupthe
messmadebytruefighting
men.’
Theycrossedthe
courtyardandenteredthe
greathallbyawooden
staircasewhichwrappeditself
aroundthesouthernmost
tower.ThelasttimeMagnus
hadenteredthehallofCanarn
ithadbeenatthesideof
BrotherLanryandasanally
andadvisertoDukeHector.
Hewasnowaprisonerand
foundthechangean
unwelcomeone.Fromwhat
heknewofLordMortimer
Rillionhedoubtedhe’dbe
treatedwellandheprepared
himselftoweathermore
insults.
Astheyreachedthe
secondlanding,Magnustook
aglanceoverhisshoulder
intothetown,wherehecould
seethecentralsquarelitup
byfuneralpyres.Hewastoo
farawaytoseewhowas
beingburned,butitwas
certainthatHallamPevain’s
mercenariesweretendingthe
pyres,andMagnussuspected
thebodiesofmenandwomen
ofCanarnwereprovidingthe
fuel.
Ontheedgeofthesquare
thesmallBrownchapelhad
notbeentouched,and
MagnushopedthatBrother
Lanryhadbeenallowedto
returntohisflock.
Theornatedoubledoors
thatseparatedthecourtyard
fromtheinnerkeepwere
flankedbytwomembersof
theking’sguard,theelite
groupofsoldierscharged
withprotectingthecrown.
Theystoodimperiously,
lookingdowntheirnosesat
bothMagnusandVerellian.
Agauntletedsalutefrom
oneofthemcausedVerellian
tostop.‘ThisisFather
Magnus,he’stobetakento
thegreathall.’
Theguardssteppedaside
withmilitaryprecisionand,in
unison,reachedouttograsp
thetwohugedoorhandles.
Thetallwoodendoors
creakedopen,allowingthe
warmthfromwithintowash
overMagnus.Hecouldsmell
meatcookingandbeer.The
factthathe’dbeeneating
rancidgruelwhiletheRo
feastedonmeatangeredhim
greatly.
Verelliansteppedforward,
lightlytuggingonthechainto
leadMagnusbehindhim.
‘Withme,Father;theknight
commanderawaits.’
‘Willtheyletmetaste
meatanddrinkbeer?’
Magnuswashungryand
thirstyandthoughthospitality
aknightlyvirtue.
Verellianraisedan
eyebrowatthisandreplied,‘I
thinkyouhavemoretoworry
aboutthanafullbelly,
Father.’
Magnuswalkedintothe
darkhall.Eithersideofhim
woodenpillarsdisplayingthe
bannersofCanarnrosefrom
floortoceiling.Theheraldry
wasinmutedcoloursofgreen
andbrown,insharpcontrast
totheblood-redtabardson
display.KnightsoftheRed
linedthewalkway,their
swordsraisedinordered
fashion.Eachlookeddirectly
tothefront,refusingtogive
intotheircuriosityand
observetheRanengiant
walkingbetweenthem.
Severaloftheknights
wieldedcrossbowsand
Magnusagainwondered
aboutthehonourofsucha
weapon.
Astheynearedtheendof
thewalkway,helookedahead
tothefeasthallbeforehim.
Thehugevaultedceiling
madeDukeHector’sgreat
hallintimidatingtolesser
men.Magnus,however,had
spentmanyhourshere
counsellingthedukeonthe
bestwaytokeephispeople
alivewhilegainingtheir
independence,andmany
morespentdrinkingand
laughing.Nowitseemed
colderandlesswelcoming.
Asmallarmyofknightsof
theRedstoodinrankson
eithersideoftheraised
platformatthefarendofthe
hall.Cages,hungfromthe
ceiling,heldbruisedand
bloodiedfigures.Tables
holdingtheremnantsofa
lavishfeaststoodbehindthe
knights,andMagnuslethis
mindwandertothoughtsof
meatandbeer.
‘Enterandbejudged,’a
voicebellowedfromthe
raisedplatform.‘Inthename
ofKingSebastianTiris,and
withinsightoftheOne,I
claimthepowertojudge
you.’
Theassembledknights
cametoattentioninunison,a
loudclankofsteelarmour
echoingthroughoutthehall.
WilliamofVerellianpushed
hisshouldersbackandledthe
chainedRanendownthe
centralred-carpetedaisle
towardstheplatform.
Herecognizedafewfaces
asthoseinchargecameinto
view.SittinginDuke
Hector’schairwasamanof
middleyears,haughtyand
imperious-lookingand
wearingornateredarmour.
ThiswasLordMortimer
Rillion,afamousknightof
TorFunweir.Hisvarious
exploitsweretoldinstoriesto
youngRo,andMagnuswas
impressedbyhisbearing.
Whateverhemightthinkof
theknightoftheRed,hehad
toconcedethathewasatrue
fightingman.Heworehis
beardshortandwellgroomed
andtheflecksofgreyaddeda
noteofnobility.Hehada
weatheredfaceandthehard
eyesofamanwhowassure
ofhisauthority.
Tothecommander’sleft
sataGoldcleric,afollower
oftheOneGod’saspectof
wealthandgreed.Magnusdid
notrecognizehim,but
dislikedthewayhewas
adornedingoldandjewels
clearlyplunderedfromthe
vaultsofCanarn.Thecleric
wasafatman,wearingonly
whiteandgoldrobes,andhe
worenoswordorarmour.He
hadafaceresemblingapig
andMagnusthoughthima
lessermanamongstthe
warriors.
NexttotheGoldcleric
stoodaknightoftheRed,a
manstillpowerfullybuilt
despitehisadvancingyears.
Hecarriedanaxeslung
acrosshisbackandMagnus
recognizedhimasSir
Rashabald,thecommander’s
executioner.Thiswasthe
manresponsiblefor
beheadingcaptiveRanen.He
wasgrey-hairedandnearing
hisfiftiethyear,butwasstill
readyforcombatandhisred
armourwaswellused.
Skulkingjustoffthe
raisedplatformwasahuge
manofRowearingblack,
full-platearmour.Thiswas
SirHallamPevainand
Magnusknewhimwell,
thoughhehadnotexpectedto
seehimhere.Hewasnota
Redchurchmanbuta
mercenaryknightwithno
landsorfamily,lendinghis
hugetwo-handedswordto
anyonewhowouldpay.He
wasabedraggledmanwith
wildblackhair,astraggly
beardandaharshface.
Magnushadnotseenhimin
threeyears,sincehe’dlent
hisswordtoaviciousRanen
warlordmanymilestothe
north.Pevainwasasadistic
man,giventoexplosionsof
temper,andMagnushad
foughthimbefore.Thesword
hecarriedwasresponsiblefor
ascartheRanenworeonhis
rightthighandMagnusknew,
too,thattheknightcarried
severalmarksfromSkeld.
Ofmostconcernto
Magnus,however,werethe
twowomeninview.Onewas
Bronwyn,daughtertoDuke
Hectorandsomeonefor
whomMagnushadgreat
affection.Shewasnot
chainedorbound,butwas
heldincloseguardbyfour
Redknights.Theleather
armourshenormallywore
hadbeentakenoffandshe
wasadornedinasimple
woollendress.Shewastall
andslender,withlongbrown
hairtiedinabraid.Herskin
waspaleandMagnusthought
herbeautiful.
Thesecondwomanwasa
Karesianfromthelandsof
Jaa.Shestoodclosetothe
commanderandlookedoutof
place.Herrobeswereblack
andthespider’swebtattooon
herfaceworriedMagnus.He
hadheardstoriesoftheSeven
Sistersandhopedshewasnot
oneofthem.Heknewthatthe
enchantressesofKaresiahad
thepowertoentrancemen
andhehadencounteredtheir
kindbefore.Rowanocogave
himcertainpowersagainst
sorcery,buthestill
consideredtheSevenSisters
tobedangerousfoes.
VerellianbroughtMagnus
toahaltinfrontofthe
platform,arankofkneeling
Redknightsbetweenhimand
thecommander.
‘MyLordVerellian,you
maydepart.’Rillionwaved
hishanddismissively.
‘I’dratherstay,mylord.
FatherMagnushasnotbeen
treatedwellthusfar,’
Verelliansaidloudly.
Alaugheruptedfromthe
Goldclericandwasechoed
aroundthehallasvarious
churchmenshowedtheir
disdainfortheRanenpriest.
Rilliondidnotjoininthe
laughterbutclearlythought
nothingofVerellian’s
concern.‘Sirknight,please
rejoinyourunitinthe
courtyard.’
Verelliantookastep
closertoMagnusand
whispered,‘Myapologies,
father,mywordhasno
weighthere.’Hesaluted
towardstheraisedplatform,
tookafewstepsbackwards,
turnedandmarchedback
downtheaisle.
Magnusstoodalone,
chainedanddisarmed,
surroundedbyenemies.Even
ifhecouldbreakthechains,
hewasforcedtoadmitthat
fightinghiswayoutwouldbe
difficult.Hetookacloser
lookaroundthehall,hoping
toseehiswar-hammer,
Skeld,insomedisregarded
corner.Heclenchedhisfists
severaltimes,longingforthe
comfortingfeelofitsleather
grip.Itwasnowherewithin
sightandthesemenofthe
OneGodwouldnotknowof
itssignificance.Heturned
backtotheplatformand
puffedouthischest,letting
allthoseassembledknow
that,althoughhewasa
prisoner,FatherMagnus
Forkbeardwasstillaproud
manofRanen.
KnightCommander
Rillionspokefirst.‘Wehave
cleanedupthemanydead,
washedawaythegallonsof
bloodandsowntheseedsof
order…myheartisstill
troubled,however.’Hestood
andtookseveralsteps
towardsMagnus,still
remainingbehindthelineof
Redknights.‘Youarea
foreignmanfromadistant
landandyethereyouare,
plottingwithatraitorous
duketorobthecrownofits
lands.’Hedrewhissword.
‘Whatwouldthisnorth-man
doifourpositionswere
reversed?’Turning,he
directedthequerytohis
fellowRo.‘Hewouldnot
thinktocaptureusaliveand
imprisonus.No,wewouldbe
brutallyslain,asistheRanen
way.WeoftheOneGod
muststrivetobebetterthan
theselessermen.’
Severalofthekneeling
Redknightsbangedtheir
gauntletedfistsontheir
armour,loudlyproclaiming
theirsupportfortheir
commander’swords.
Rashabaldtheexecutioner
spoke.‘Mylord,thisRanen
killedmanyknightsofthe
Red.Heistoodangerousto
bereleased.Myaxeandthe
fistthatwieldsitbothhunger
forthebloodofthis
barbarian.’
Thissentimentwasechoed
bytheGoldcleric,who
chuckledtohimselfbefore
speakinginahigh-pitched,
effeminatevoice.‘Youmen
oftheRedvaluecombatand
strength,letusamuse
ourselveswiththisheathen.
Havehimfightwildanimals
andlethisscreamsbemusic
toourears.’
Magnusglaredatthefat
cleric,hopingtherewere
enoughmenofhonourhereto
ensurethathisowndeath,ifit
weretocome,wouldbea
swiftone.
Rillionturnedtothe
Karesianwomanandspoke
directlytoher.‘Andyou,
noblesister,yourcounselhas
beenwisethusfar.Tellus
whatyouwouldhavedone
withthisprisoner.’
Shespokewithathick
Karesianaccent,herwords
lyricalandseductive.‘This
manisbraveandstrong.’She
casthereyesfromMagnus’s
feetuptothehardexpression
onhisface.‘Hehatesyou,
mylord,andhewouldgladly
killallpresent.’Sheclosed
hereyesforamomentand
breathedin,smilingasshe
didso.‘Heisnotafraid,nor
doeshecareforhisown
survival.’
AsMagnushadfeared,the
womanhadrevealedherself
tobeoneoftheSevenSisters,
enchantressesofpowerand
ruthlessreputation.Hedid
notknowwhyawomanof
herkindwouldbe
accompanyingaRedchurch
army,butheconsideredita
badomen.
Shesensedhisthoughts
andsmiledagain.‘Youhave
heardofmyorder,Isee.Iam
AmeiratheLadyofSpiders,’
shepaused,withwicked
intentonherface,‘…andI
knowyourbrother.’
Noneofthechurchmen
recognizedthesignificanceof
thiscomment,andMagnus
wasgladtheyknewnothing
ofhisfamily.Hisbrotherwas
AlgenonTeardrop
Ragnarsson,thehighthainof
Ranenandcommanderofthe
dragonfleet.
‘Ifhecaresnothingfor
himself,towhomhashe
pledgedhissupport?’Rillion
askedoftheenchantress.
‘HecaresfortheDuke
Hector’schildren,particularly
hisdaughter,thoughtheson
isanoldandtrustedfriend.’
Shelookeddeeplyinto
Magnus’seyesand
continued.‘Heisalso
concernedforBrotherLanry,
theBrowncleric…but
paramountinhismindisthe
fateofthedukehimself.He
worriesthathisfriendmaybe
deadandthisthought
displeaseshim.’
TheGoldclericlaughed.
‘Ha,helookseverybitthe
warrior,buthe’sassoftasmy
arsewhenawomanandhis
friendsarethreatened.Iwill
neverunderstandhowthis
backwardpeoplehavehalted
ourknightsforsolong.’
Magnusremainedsilent
andlookedaroundthehall,
countingtheknightsarrayed
againsthim.Atleasta
hundredarmouredmenstood
inthegreathallofCanarn,
andhewaschained,without
armour,andSkeldwas
nowheretobeseen.Thiswas
asbadasituationashehad
everfoundhimselfinandhe
triedtocalmhismindwith
thoughtsofpastadventures
andofthosewhohadfallen
underhishammer.Hehad
friendswhowouldlaughif
theyweretoseehimnow,
friendswhowouldteach
thesemenofRothatafew
mencanbemightywhenthe
needarises.
LordRillionraisedhis
hand.‘Enough,Ihavemade
mydecision.’
Thehallfellsilentand
Rillionslowlymovedto
resumehisseat.Rashabald
andtheGoldclericboth
lookedintentlyatthe
commander,theirdesireto
seetheRanenkilledclearon
theirfaces.Magnusscanned
thefacesoftheotherRed
knightsandwasgladtosee
theyappeareddispassionate
towardshim.SirPevain,the
mercenaryknight,wasstaring
attheRanen,bloodlustinhis
eyes.Magnusconsideredhim
oneofthemoredangerous
menintheroomanddoubted
he’dstayneutraliftheRed
churchhadpaidhim.
Rillionthenspoke,loudly
andclearly.‘Thismanisa
foreignerandhisignoranceis
theonlythingthatmakesme
nottakehishead.’Theothers
ontheraisedplatform
showedtheirdisagreement,
buttheykeptquietand
allowedthecommanderto
continue.‘However,his
friend,theduke,isworthyof
nosuchmercy.Ithinkto
witnessthejusticeoftheOne
Godwillbepunishment
enoughforhisfoolish
actions.’Hewavedahand
behindhim.‘SirPevain,fetch
thedukeandbringhimbefore
us.’
Magnuskepthiseyeson
thelargemercenaryknightas
hewalkedpasttheplatform
andthroughasidedoor,
exitingthegreathall.
Rillionthenstoodand
addressedMagnusdirectly.
‘Thechildren,Bronwynand
Bromvy,willbearthe
dishonourofbeingnamedto
theBlackGuarduntiltheir
deaths.’
Bronwynlookedthrough
theranksofRedknights,
towardsMagnus,andthe
hugeRanensawrealfearin
hereyes.Shewasayoung
woman,thetwinsisterof
Brom,DukeHector’sheir,
andMagnushadgrownto
caregreatlyforherinthe
shorttimehehadbeeninRo
Canarn.Tobrandherface
withamarkofdishonourwas
unthinkable,andangerbegan
steadilytobuildupwithin
him.
ThewomenofRowere
rarelyallowedtowear
armourorwieldablade,but
Bronwynwasbecominga
skilledswordswoman,a
testamenttoherfather’s
insistencethatallhischildren
shouldbeabletofightfor
theirlandsiftheneedarose.
SirPevainreturned,
carryingaheavysteelchain
andleadingabrokenand
bloodiedfigureintothegreat
hall.DukeHectorhadbeen
strippednakedandwas
bleedingfromseveralwounds
tohischestandface,making
Magnusthinkhehadbeen
whipped.
Thedukestumbledas
Pevainpulledhardonthe
chainandhehadtobe
draggedbeforetheraised
platform.Behindhim,witha
fearfullookinhiseyes,came
BrotherLanry,thechaplain
ofRoCanarn.TheBrown
clericwasaportlyman
wearingonlytheheavy
brownrobesofhisorder.He
wasaclericwhorepresented
theOneGod’saspectof
povertyandcharityand
Magnusthoughthim
honourable.Thechaplainhad
wieldedhisquarterstaff
againsttheRedknightsand
hadonlybeensparedbecause
hewasachurchman.
Magnustookan
involuntarystepforwards,
wantingwithallhisbeingto
throwthelineofRedknights
outofhispathandtohelphis
friend.Inresponsetothe
movement,theexecutioner
stoodandheftedhislarge
axe.‘MyLordRillion,ifthis
peasantpriestmovesagain
mayIhavepermissiontocut
offhishandandlethim
bleed?’
Withrisinganger,and
withlittlethought,Magnus
brokehissilenceandshouted
outaresponsetothe
executioner’sthreat.‘Youare
acoward…’Thehallfell
silent.‘Removethesechains,
givememyhammer,andno
manherewouldstandbefore
me.’Hetookanotherstep
forward,nowstandinginches
fromthekneelinglineof
knights.
BrotherLanrysaw
Magnusthroughthepressof
knightsandashallownodof
greetingpassedbetweenthe
twomen.Theclericlooked
exhausted,butuninjured.
Rillionmaintainedhiscalm,
RashabaldandtheGoldcleric
lookedasiftheywereabout
toburstwithrage,andSir
Pevainsmiledanuglysmile.
Outofthecornerofhiseye
Magnuscouldseetheguards
standingroundBronwyn
movecloser;theywere
physicallyholdinghernow
andshewasclearlydistressed
atnotbeingabletoseeher
fatherthroughthecrowdof
knights.
‘Iwastoldknightsofthe
Redhadhonour…thisisnot
honour.’Heroaredoutthe
lastfewwordsandtensedhis
hugearms,feelingtheheavy
steelchainsthatboundhim.
‘Myknights,standto,’
orderedRillion,andtheline
ofRedknightsstoodand
drewtheirswordsinpractised
militaryfashion.‘Onemore
aggressivemovementfrom
thismanandyouareto
subduehim.Wound,butdo
notkill.’
Bronwyncriedoutfrom
thesideofthehall,
‘Father…’Thewordwas
chokedwithtearsandelicited
asharpslapfromoneofher
guards.
‘Knight,’Magnusshouted
atthemanwho’dstruckher,
‘touchthewomanagainand
I’lleatthroughthesechains
toreachyou.’
Magnusmaintainedhis
glareandfelthisarmsstrain
againstthemanacles.He
offeredaquietprayertohis
god.‘Rowanoco,letnotthese
dishonourablementakethe
livesofmyfriends;andif
thatisnotwithinyourpower,
grantmethestrengthto
avengethemorfacean
honourabledeath.Letmenot
feelthecoldstoneofaprison
cellagain.’
Thelineofknightsinfront
ofhimformedacircle,
surroundingMagnusand
cuttingoffanychanceof
action.RillionandRashabald
steppedofftheplatformand
stoodoverthebrokendukeof
Canarn.
Pevainpulledonthe
chain,makingthesteelcollar
strainaroundHector’sneck.
Hisheadwaspulledtoface
thecommanderandtheextent
ofhisinjuriesbecame
evident.Hehadlostaneyeto
aswordpoint,afreshcut
indicatingthatthewoundhad
beeninflictedafterthebattle.
Histeethhadbeensmashed
outandheshookviolently.
Magnusdoubtedheeven
knewwherehewas.
‘Lookwelluponthis
traitor,youRanendog,’
Rillionsaidloudly.
‘Mylord,canIbetheone
totakehishead?’Itwas
Pevainwhospoke,andhedid
sowithglee.
SirRashabaldwasclearly
unhappywiththisandlooked
questioninglyatthe
commander.Rillionappeared
toconsiderit,butthenshook
hisheadandwordlessly
gesturedtohisexecutioner.
Rashabaldsmiledandhefted
hisaxeseveraltimeswhile
Pevainremovedthe
prisoner’smetalcollar.
Magnusscowledashe
lookedonandtooksharp
breaths,glaringatthemenof
Rostandingbeforehim,the
menabouttokillhisfriend.
HecouldhearBronwyn
crying,butdidnotlookround
tosee.Hewasthankfulshe
wouldnotbeabletoseeher
fatherkilled.
DukeHectorwasasmall
figure,nakedandbroken;he
barelylookedupas
Rashabaldplacedtheaxe
againsthisneck.Rillion
raisedhishandabovehis
headandeveryonepresent
paused,waitingforhimto
lowerit,givingthe
executionerhisorderto
strike.Whenithappened,it
seemedtoMagnustohappen
inslowmotion.Rashabald
raisedhisaxehighabovehis
head,Rillionloweredhis
hand,andtheaxefell.
Thesoundwasofsteel
cuttingfleshandbone,
punctuatedbyagruntof
exertionfromthe
executioner,andDukeHector
Canarnwasdead.Hishead
struckthestonefloorandhis
bodywentlimp,fallingat
Pevain’sfeet.
Therewasamomentof
silence,theonlysoundbeing
alowsobfromtheduke’s
daughter,asSirRillionleant
downandliftedupthehead
toshowthecompanyof
knights.Theduke’sfacewas
amaskofangerandtorment.
BrotherLanrybegantoweep
ashismaster’sheadwas
paradedinfrontofhim.
Ameira,theKaresian
enchantress,cackled.Her
eyeswerewidewitheuphoria
atthesightofthedeadduke.
ThestrengthofRowanoco
nowwithinhim,Magnus
roaredtotheceilingatthe
sightofhisfriend’shead.His
handsgrippedthesteel
manaclesthatheldhimand,
withpowerunlikeanything
thesemenofRohadseen,the
steellinksbegantobendand
buckle.Hisragehadtaken
overandhecouldnolonger
becontainedbymetal.The
guardssurroundinghim
lookedonwithwide-eyed
amazementas,withaswift
jerkofhisshoulders,thehuge
Ranenwarriorbrokehis
restraints.Rowanocohated
nothingmorethantoseehis
peoplecagedandhelenthis
ragetothepriest.
Alleyesturnedand
Magnuswasfacedwithover
ahundredarmouredmen,
drawingtheirswords.He
lookedatthefacesofthe
seniorknightsandtheold
executioner,thenbackatthe
menstandingdirectlyinfront
ofhim.Hiseyeshadturned
blackandfoamfleckedthe
cornersofhismouth.
‘Men,restraintheRanen.’
Rillionstumbledoverhis
words;evenhewas
intimidatedbythebattlerage
ofRowanoco.
TheKaresianenchantress
movedquicklytothe
commander’ssideand
whisperedinhisearbefore
lightlytouchinghishand.
Thefirstknighttothrustat
Magnusdiedquicklywitha
shearedmetallinkjammed
intohisthroat.Hisbodywas
thenheftedandthrownatthe
nextman.Magnuseasily
deflectedahesitant
downwardswing,grabbing
thebladeinhishandand
reversingittostabthrough
thewielder’sface,killinghim
instantly.
Commotionengulfedthe
hall,withmenjockeyingto
getclosetothefight.Rillion
issuedcommandstoseveral
knightsandtheGoldcleric
wasquicklyremovedfrom
thehall.Pevainwasstepping
towardsthemeleeand
unsheathinghishugetwohandedsword,whileSir
Rashabaldadopteda
protectivestanceinfrontof
thecommander.
Magnuskeptholdofthe
longswordandquicklykilled
twomoreknightswith
powerfuldownwardblows.
TheotherRedknights,now
encirclinghim,stayedseveral
stepsawayandhelda
guardedpose.
Magnusstoodwithfour
deadknightsaroundhimina
spreadingpoolofblood.
‘Facemenow,cowards,’he
roared.‘Iwillbeyour
death…’
Withonehandheswung
thebrokenchainaroundhis
head,keepingtheknightsat
bay,whilewiththeotherhe
brandishedhisnewly
acquiredswordwithskilland
menace.Rillionstoodbeyond
thecircleofknights;calmer
nowthatMagnuswas
contained,hegesturedto
Pevaintoenterthemeleeand
shoutedacrossthehalltohis
crossbowmen.
Magnusadvancedonthe
encirclingknightsandswung
thechainatthosecloseby.
Theknightsretreatedafew
stepsandrefusedtoengage.
Theyheldtheirswordslowto
thegroundandclosedranks
roundhim.
Hecrouched,hissword
andchainbothlooseinhis
hands.Thebattlerageof
Rowanocohadchangedintoa
predatorydesireforfreedom.
Hewasfeelingthesurvival
instinctofacagedanimaland
barelyregisteredthehuge
figureofSirPevainentering
thecircleofknights.
‘Pevain,Iwanthimalive,’
Rillioncommandedfromhis
positionofsafety.The
enchantressstoodcloseto
himandcontinuedto
whisper.
Thecrossbowmenpushed
theirwaytostandwithinthe
circleofknights,their
cowardlyweaponsdrawnand
aimedatMagnus.Thesound
ofBronwyncryingwasthe
onlythingthatentered
Magnus’sperception,butit
wasenoughtokeephismind
sufficientlycleartoparry
whenPevainlaunchedahuge
overheadstrikeathim.
Magnusbuckledunderthe
strain,buthisstrengthheld
andstoppedtheblowfrom
landing.
‘IsaidIwanthimalive.
Don’tdisappointme,Pevain,’
Rillionrepeated.
Magnusswungouthis
legsandaimedakickat
Pevain’sarmouredthighs.
Themercenaryrockedback,
butdidn’tfall,andMagnus
rolledoutofrangeofthe
answeringswordthrust.
Themercenaryknightlet
outagruntashegraspedhis
swordinbothhandsand
launchedanoverheadswing
atMagnus’sunprotected
shoulder.Itwaspowerful,but
clumsy,andPevainreliedon
theplatearmourheworeand
thedisproportionatesizeof
hisswordratherthanany
greatskill.
Magnuswasfastand
knewhowtodealwithaman
encumberedwithsteel
armour.Hedidn’ttrytoparry
theblow,insteaddartingto
theleftandlettingtheswing
strikethestonefloor.Dust
flewupandtheflagstone
cracked,causingRillionto
pushhiswaytothefrontand
barkatPevainathirdtime.
‘Sirknight,ifyoukillthat
man,youfollowhim.’
AmeiratheLadyof
Spidersstayedbeyondthe
circle,butappeareddistressed
atthesuggestionthatPevain
mightkillMagnus.
‘Mylord,weshouldrid
ourselvesofthisfucking
animal,’Pevainreplied
throughgrittedteeth.‘Letme
killhim…letmekillhim
now.’Hedidn’ttakehiseyes
fromMagnus,whowasagain
crouched,swordattheready.
Rilliondrewhisown
swordandenteredthecircle,
causingRashabaldtohurryin
behindhim.‘Pevain,Iwon’t
tellyouagain,’the
commandersaidquietly,his
eyeswatchfulandhissword
heldlow.
Magnuswasclearnowof
thebattlerageandwas
lookingforanopportunityto
escape.Hewassurrounded
byawidecircleofclosely
packedknightsoftheRed
whichleftlittleopeningfor
anattack.Hecouldnolonger
hearBronwyncrying.
Pevainbreathedheavily,
angryatbeingrobbedofthe
opportunitytofightMagnus.
Heloweredhisswordand,
stilllookingdirectlyatthe
Ranen,backedawaytothe
edgeofthecircle.The
crossbowmenemerged
betweentheRedknightsand
tookaim,waitingforthe
ordertofire.Rillionstayed
back,butcarriedhimselfwith
thepractisedmotionofa
skilledswordsman.
‘Ihavemademydecision,
thisbruteistobekeptalive,’
hesaid,lookingdownatthe
fourdeadknightsoftheRed.
‘Butafewarrowsintheleg
won’tkillhim.’
Henoddedatthenearest
bowmanandaboltwasfired.
ItpiercedMagnusabovethe
knee,causinghimtocryout
inpainandfalltothefloor.
Beforehecouldgather
himself,SirPevainkicked
himsolidlyinthefacewith
hisarmouredfootand
Magnuslostconsciousness.
CHAPTER4
LADYBRONWYN
INTHECITYOF
ROCANARN
LadyBronwynofCanarn
stoodofftothesideinthe
greathallofherfather’skeep.
ShehadlostsightofFather
Magnusamidstthemeleeof
knightsandshecouldno
longerhearhisprimalroars
ofdefiance.Herfourguards
weredistracted,beingthe
onlyknightsnotinvolvedin
theconfrontation,andshe
steeledherselftoact.
Hertearsatthedeathof
herfatherhadbeengenuine,
butthosearoundherthought
theduke’sdaughterweakand
shehadplayedonthis,
appearinganguishedbeyond
thecapacitytoact.Currently,
shekneltonthefloorofthe
hallwithherheadinher
hands.Withoneeyeshe
regardedthosearoundher.
Theystoodpeeringtowards
theplatform,wishingthey
wereinvolvedinwhatwas
goingon.Oneofthem,still
standingbehindher,had
drawnhisswordasareflex
whenMagnusbrokehis
chains,buttheothers
remainedunarmed.
Shecouldstillseethe
Karesianwoman,Ameira,
whoseattentionwasfixedon
thefight.Shehadatwisted
euphoriaonherface,asif
druggedorintoxicated.
Bronwynbreathedinand
tensedherbody.Justasshe
wasabouttoact,aviciouslookingKaresiankrisblade
skiddedacrossthefloorand
cametorestnexttoherleft
hand.Thefourknights
aroundherscarcelylooked
down,thenearbycombat
maskingthesound.She
smiledtoherself,recognizing
theruby-encrustedknifeas
shereachedforit.Asthe
knightbehindherbeganto
callout,anarmwrapped
roundhisneckandascimitar
wasdrawnacrosshisthroat.
Thedark-skinnedman
whoappearedoverthedying
knight’sshouldertookthe
timetowinkatBronwyn
beforekickingthedead
knighttothefloorandkilling
asecondwithafastupward
cuttotheman’shead.
Bronwynreactedquicklyand
thrustthekrisbladeintothe
exposedinnerthighofthe
mantoherleft.Hefell,
cryingloudly,bloodgushing
fromthewound.Thelastman
involuntarilyturnedtowards
Bronwyn,openinghimselfto
aswiftcutacrossthebackof
hisexposedneckfromthe
dark-skinnedman.
Allfourguardshadfallen
inafewsecondsand
Bronwynleaptquicklytoher
feet,hersimplebrowndress
nowcoveredinblood.The
intrudersmiledandgrabbed
herarm.
‘Timetogo,sweetness,’
hesaid,withaslightKaresian
accent.
Sheletherselfbegrabbed
and,sparingaquicklook
overhershoulder,ranwith
themantowardsasidedoor.
Ameirahadseenher,ashad
halfadozenknightsbythe
maindoor,butRillionandthe
othersweretoopreoccupied
toact.TheknightBronwyn
hadstabbedwasstillalive
andhiscriesroseinvolume
asshedartedfromthegreat
hallwiththeintruder.
HewasAl-Hasim,called
thePrinceoftheWastesby
hisfriends.Bronwynknew
he’dbeeninRoCanarn
beforethebattlebuthad
thoughthimdeadalongwith
somanyothers.Hewasa
Karesianandoccasional
swordforhire,thoughhe’d
beeninCanarnasafavourto
AlgenonTeardrop,theRanen
warlord,Magnus’selder
brother.
Herfatherhaddisliked
himbutBronwynfoundhis
constantflirtingfunny.Now
shewasgladofhisstealth
andskillwithascimitar.He
wasofmediumheight,but
wiryandlightning-fastwith
swordandknife.Hisjet-black
hairwastiedroughlyatthe
napeofhisneckandhehad
theexoticbearingofaprince
fromadistantland.Bronwyn
knewhehadnoactualclaim
tonobility,butheoftenspoke
asifhedid.
Thetwoofthemranfrom
thehall.Thecorridorsof
DukeHector’skeepwere
narrowandlabyrinthine,
designedtoconfusean
invader,buthisdaughter
knewthemwell.She
wriggledoutofHasim’s
graspanddartedleftintoan
antechamber.
‘Er,yourladyship…the
wayoutisthisway.’Hasim
pointedalongthevaulted
corridor.
‘Yes,butthewaytostay
hiddenisthisway,’Bronwyn
answered,enteringthe
antechamberandmoving
quicklytotheweaponrack
againstthefarwall.The
chamberwaspartofthe
armoury,connectedonthree
levelsofthekeepbywooden
stairs.
Hasimlookedconcerned,
butfollowedaftera
momentarypause.
Soundsfromthegreathall
indicatedthatMagnushad
beensubduedandBronwyn’s
escapehadbeennoticed.She
removedalightshortsword
andpressedawoodenpanel
onthewall,causingasecret
passagetoopen.
‘Whydidnoonetellme
thisplacehadsecretdoors?It
wouldhavemadetherescue
somucheasier,’Hasimsaid
ashefollowedherintothe
narrowpassageway,adding,
‘…butnotasstylish.’
Bronwynbreathed
heavily,pushingthoughtsof
herfathertothebackofher
mind.Shewishedshehadher
armour.Thebrowndress
she’dbeengivenwasill
suitedtorunningalongthe
small,dustytunnel.
Herarmour,apresent
fromherfather,hadbeen
roughlytornoffby
disrespectfulknightsofthe
Redanddiscarded
somewhereinthekeep.The
knightshadnottouchedher,
savetodisarmandrestrain
her,andshewishedfor
anotheropportunitytoprove
shecouldholdherown
againstmetal-armouredmen.
BronwynledHasimdown
thepassageforseveral
minutes.Itcurvedleftand
rightand,atintervals,roughhewnstairsledfurtherdown,
takingthemoutoftheinner
keep.Hergrandfatherhad
builtthesetunnelsintothe
citywallslongbeforeshewas
born,andherfatherusedto
tellherandherbrotherstories
abouthowhegotlostinthem
asachild.
‘Bronwyn,whereexactly
doesthistunnelgo?’Hasim
pushedpastherandpeered
intothegloomydarkness.
‘Oh,andIneedmyknife
back.’Heheldouthishand
andBronwynplacedthe
bloodstainedkrisblade,hiltfirst,inhispalm.Itwasthe
markoftheKaresianwarrior
class,awavy-bladedknife
withaviciousedgedesigned
tocausewoundsthat
wouldn’tclose.
‘Arewegoingtocomeout
ofhereinthemiddleofan
army?AmIgoingtohaveto
rescueyouagain?’heasked.
‘Ithinkitleadstothecliff
overlookingtheinner
harbour.’Bronwynwasn’t
sure,butsherecalledplaying
inherewithherbrotherwhen
theywereyoung.‘Itshould
endinawoodendoorthat’s
hiddenbehindaboulder.’
Hasimdidnotlook
convinced.‘Okay,butletme
gofirst.’Hestood
protectivelyoverher.
‘I’mnotweak,Karesian,’
shesnapped.
Hasimfrowned.‘Iknow.
Aweakwomanwouldhave
flinchedbeforestickinga
maninthethigh…youbarely
thoughtaboutit.’Helooked
herupanddown.‘Youmay
looklikeaservingwenchat
themoment,butyou’veyour
father’sstrength…andyour
brother’sedge.’
Bromvy,hertwin,wasnot
inthecityduringtheattack.
He’dbeeninRoTiriswhen
thefleethadappearedonthe
horizon.Bronwynhopedher
fatherhadgotwordtohim
nottoreturn,butsheknew
he’dstillprobablybefound
andbrandedaBlackGuard.
Ahead,adimlightcould
beseen.Bronwynknewit
wouldbegettingdarksoon
andshewantedtobeoutof
thecitybeforethen.Hasim
motionedforhertostayback
andsteppedcautiously
towardsthelight.Afewfeet
downthetunnel,hepausedto
lookatsomething.
‘Whatisit?’Bronwyn
asked.
Heslowlyturnedbackto
her.‘IthinkthefleetofRed
knightsbreachedthecitywall
withcatapults…Icansee
downintothetownbeyond
thekeep.’
Bronwynmovedtojoin
himbutwasstoppedbya
swiftlyraisedhand.‘Areyou
sureyouwanttoseethis,
yourladyship?’Hasimhada
seriousexpressiononhisdark
features.
‘Myfatherisdeadandmy
brotherisrunningforhislife.
Ithinkthatmakesmeduchess
ofCanarn.’Shefirmly
pushedasideHasim’shand.
‘Youcanstepasideanddoas
you’retold,orleaveme
alone.’
TheKaresiandidnot
move.‘Look,woman,Iam
notheretomakethisdifficult
foryou,butIamnotyour
subject…soyoucandispense
withthisduchessshit.’He
stareddirectlyintohereyes
ashespoke.‘Youcanlook
outintothetownifyouwant,
butifyoudoyouwillsee
bloodanddeath.’Hestepped
aside.‘It’syourchoice,your
ladyship.’Hisbowwas
shallowandmocking.
Bronwynsteppedtowards
thelight.Thesecretpassage
ranalongtheinsideofoneof
theoutercitywalls,anda
hugerockhadbeen
catapultedthroughthestone.
Agaphadappearedathead
heightwheretheboulderhad
hitthebattlementsabove,and
Bronwyncouldseedown
acrossthebuildingstothe
townsquareofCanarn.
Thesightwasindeedone
ofbloodanddeath,and
Bronwynlookedwithcold
eyesatthespectacleofRed
knightsandmercenaries
pilingupdeadbodies.Several
houseshadbeentorndownto
providewood,andfuneral
pyresburnedthefallen
peopleofCanarn.The
knightshaddiscardedtheir
swordsandwerepushing
woodencartsofthedead
fromallcornersofthecity.
Theypiledthemupinthe
townsquaretoawaitafiery
meetingwiththeOneGod,an
oldBlackclericintoning
wordsoverthem.
TheknightsoftheRed
numberednearlyathousand
andtheyhadbeenmorethan
amatchfortheuntrained
defenders,mendefending
theirlivelihoodsasmuchas
theirhome.Bronwynthought
sherecognizedafarmer
calledHobb,amanwhohad
growncabbagestothenorth
ofthecity,andhadwanted
onlytoprotecthislandand
family.
Shedidn’tcry,thoughshe
thoughtmaybethatwas
wrong.Morethananything,
shewantedtoturnbacktime
andtellherfathertoretreat,
nottostayandfightthe
knights.
‘Bronwyn,weneedto
leave.’Hasimputagentle
handonherarm.‘They’re
lookingforus.’Hemovedto
standinfrontofher,blocking
herview.‘Atleast,they’re
lookingforyou.’
Shelookedhimintheeye
andpushedhimaside.She
didn’tknowwhatshe
expectedtoachieveby
continuingtolookatthe
sceneofdeathbelow,but
Bronwynwastheladyof
Canarnandfeltdeepkinship
withherpeople.
Hasimbreathedinand
firmlygrabbedherbythe
shoulders,pullingheraway
andholdingheragainstthe
oppositewall.
‘Listentome,woman…’
hesaidthroughgrittedteeth,
‘thatKaresianwitch,the
markedwoman…’
Bronwynstruggledinhis
grip.‘Howdareyou…’
‘Listen…she’softhe
SevenSistersandifyoustay
inthecity,shewillfindyou.’
Hereleasedhisgripand
steppedback.‘Weneedtoget
totheGrassSeatothenorth.
Thewitchwon’tfollowinto
thelandsofRanen.’
Bronwynstopped
strugglingandlookedatthe
ground,tearsappearinginher
eyes.‘Whyisthishappening?
Whatdidmyfatherdo…?’
Shedidn’tlookup,orexpect
ananswer,butfeltherlegs
givewayastheenormityof
whatshe’dseenflowedover
her.Hasimheldher,more
tenderlythistime,andpulled
heruprighttofacehim.
‘Rillionisweak.Forall
thestrengthinhisswordarm,
hehaslethimselfbecome
thralltoaKaresianwitch.’
Heunsheathedhiskrisblade
andhelditwiththepoint
facingdownwards.‘That’s
whyI’mhere.Algenon
Teardropknewshewasin
Canarn…somehow…andhe
sentmetofindoutwhatshe
wasdoinghere.Isentareport
backjustafterthebattle.’
Bronwynprocessedthis
slowly,shakingherheadand
wipingawaythetears.‘I
thought…’shebegan,onlyto
beinterruptedbyHasim.
‘YouthoughtthatIwas
heretolookafterMagnus.’
Hesmiled.‘Trustme,hecan
lookafterhimself.The
enchantresshasRillion’s
heartandheadinherelegant
hand.Algenondoesn’t
confideinme,butheknew
somethingwasgoingon,’he
saidquietly.‘Itrynotto
worryaboutthingsI’mnot
told,butthere’ssomethingat
workherebeyondyour
father’sactionsandtheking’s
pride.’
Asoundfromabove
causedthembothtolookup
anddustfellfromthewooden
ceiling.Severalmenwere
walkingthroughaparallel
passageway.‘Fuck…they’ve
foundthesecretpassages.’
Hasimturnedtolookfurther
alongthetunnelandasked,
‘Howfartotheexit?’
Bronwynlookedthesame
wayandconsidereda
momentbeforespeaking.‘I
thinkthepassageturnsright
upaheadandthendowninto
acave.Thedoorwayis
throughthecave.’
Hasimsteppedback,
sheathedhisknifeanddrew
hisscimitar.‘Thenwemove
quickly,yourladyship.’
Thetwoofthemranalong
thedarktunnel.Hasimstayed
aheadandheldhisscimitar
loosely.Beforethetunnel
turnedrightanothersound
alertedthem,thistimefrom
furtheralongthepassageway.
Hasimstoppedsuddenlyand
backedagainstthewall,
placingarestrainingarm
acrossBronwynandpushing
herbacktostandnexttohim.
Heplacedafingeracrosshis
mouthastheflickeringlight
ofatorchappearedroundthe
corner.
Hasimnoddedtowardsthe
shortswordtuckedin
Bronwyn’sbelt.‘Howgood
areyouwiththat?’he
whispered.
Shetriedtosmilebut
risingfearovertookthe
expressionbeforeitreached
hermouth.‘Bromtaughtme
howtouseit,butI’venever
foughtinadressbefore.’
Asthedistinctivesoundof
armouredmenapproached,
Hasimsaid,‘Well,youmay
soongetachancetotestyour
brother’stutelage.’Hestood
closetothewall,lettingthe
verticalwoodensupportsact
ascover.Thetunnelwasdark
andbothBronwynandHasim
woredarkclothing.Maybe
theycouldstayhidden.
Astheglobeoftorchlight
grewlargerandthesound
louder,Hasimdrewhiskris
bladeandheldthetwo
weaponsacrosshischest.
‘Letthemgetclose.
Armouredmenfightpoorly
inconfinedspaces.’
Shebreathedheavilyand
feltsweatappearonher
forehead.
‘Strikeforthefaceand
neck,theywon’tbewearing
helmetsandyou’dneverget
thatbladethroughtheir
armour.Ifyouneedto,drop
toyourkneesandgoforthe
thighsandgroin.’
Shewasbarelylistening
andhervisionwascloudy.
‘Bronwyn…’hesaid
quietly.‘Youneedtofocus.
Thesemenwillkillyou.’
Shewishedshewas
somewhereelse,farfromthis
narrowpassagewayandthe
Karesianwhostoodnextto
her.
Hasimslappedhersharply
acrosstheface.‘Your
ladyship,Icannotkillthem
allifyouaregoingtopieces.’
Shestaredathim,notwith
indignity,butwithnewfound
steel.Severaldeepbreaths
andshenoddedather
rescuer.
Swordinhand,she
waited.Hasimdidnotlook
alongthepassagewaybut
focusedontheoppositewall
andsheheardhimwhispera
quietprayertoJaa,theFire
Giant.
Wordscouldnowbeheard
fromthoseapproaching;the
accentwasRoandthevoices
wereunmistakablythoseof
knightsoftheRed.Bronwyn
heardfivedistinctvoicesand
bitherlowerlipattheodds.
Thevoiceswererelaxed
andshewascertaintheywere
oneofmanypatrolssentinto
thesecrettunnels.They
wouldnotbeexpectinga
fightandshewasgladofthe
elementofsurprise.Hasim
finishedhisprayerandkissed
hiskrisblade,beforeleaning
backclosetothewall,his
eyeswatchfulandalert.
Thetorchlightroundedthe
cornerandanarmoured
knightemerged,peeringinto
thedarkness,followedby
fourmoreknights.Allfive
worefullplatearmourand
theirtabardsshowedthered
aspectoftheOneGod.
Bronwyntriedtostayas
farbehindtheconcealing
beamaspossible.Hasim
turnedtoherandsmiledinan
efforttoeasethetension.She
foundherselfwantingtoslap
himashehadslappedher,
butallshedidwassmile
thinlybackathim.
Theknightsapproached.
‘Soldier,doyousee
anything?’askedoneatthe
rear.
Themanholdingthetorch
peeredalongthedark
corridor.‘No,mylord,the
tunnellookslikeitgoesa
wayalongthewall.’
Theknightswerenow
onlyablade’sdistancefrom
Hasim.Thetorchbearer
extendedhishandandthefire
passedclosetoHasim’s
concealedface.
‘Let’sseewhereitgoes,’
saidtheknightattherear,and
allfivebegantomovenoisily
alongthetunnel.
Thetorchbearerhad
steppedpastHasimbeforehe
turnedandshowedwide-eyed
surpriseatBronwyn,skulking
inthedarkness.‘Mylord—’
hiswordswerecutoffasshe
thrustathisneck,skewering
hiswindpipe.
Bloodsplatteredacross
herfaceandtheknightfell.
Shewithdrewherbladeand
stumbledforwards,the
weightofthearmouredman
puttingheroffbalance.The
otherfourknightswereoff
guardandpausedfora
secondasBronwynfell
awkwardly.
Hasimremainedhidden
foranothermomentandleta
secondknightadvancebefore
heemerged.Themanwas
focusedonBronwynand
turnedtoolatetoparry
Hasim’skrisbladeasit
plungedintohiseye.The
remainingthreeknights
beganshouting,‘They’re
here…’Thesoundof
armouredmenclattering
againstwoodenwallsechoed
alongthepassage.
Hasim,keepingholdof
hiskrisblade,shovedthe
deadknightbackwards.The
bodyfellheavilyagainstthe
nextman,sendingbothtothe
floor.Bloodsprayedoutfrom
theman’seyeasHasim
withdrewhisknifeanddived
forward.Hejumpedoverthe
fallenmanandtackledthe
nextknighttotheground,a
swordswipecatchinghimin
thelegashedidso.
BronwynsawHasimwith
hiskneetothethroatofone
knightasheraisedhis
scimitartoparrythe
downwardswingofanother.
Theknightwhohadbeen
pushedtothefloorbythe
bodyofhisfellowwas
gettingtohisfeet,Hasim’s
backexposedbeforehim.The
manadvancedwithout
seemingtonoticeBronwyn,
nowstandinguprightinthe
narrowtunnel.
Shedidn’thesitateand
steppedquicklybehindhim,
aimingherbladeattheback
ofhisneck.Hecrumpledto
theflooratherfeet.
‘Staythere,’Hasim
shoutedwithoutturning.
Itwastakingallhis
strengthtokeeponeknight
subduedwhileparryingthe
swingsoftheother.Onlythe
closequartersofthe
passagewaypreventedthe
mangettingafullswingat
theKaresianinfrontofhim.
Theknightonthefloorhad
losthisswordandwastrying
toliftHasim’skneefromhis
throat.
Thelastknightpulled
backhisswordandaimeda
thrustatHasim’schest.The
blowwasstrongandshowed
skill,butHasimwasfastand
unencumberedbysteel
armour.Heremovedhisknee
fromthefallenknightand
rolledoutoftheway,hitting
thewoodenwall.Heslashed
outattheknight,hisscimitar
cuttingdeeplyacrosstheback
oftheman’sleg.
Cryingoutinpain,the
knightswungagain,butthis
timehewasoffbalanceand
hisswordhitthewooden
beamabove.Thebladebit
deeplyintothewoodandhe
couldnotreactasHasim
dartedpasthim.Frombehind,
theKaresianwrappedanarm
roundhisneckand,with
near-surgicalprecision,slid
hisknifeundertheman’s
armourandupintohisside.
Theknightspewedup
bloodasHasimwrenchedthe
bladeinsidehimandroughly
jerkeditfree.
ThemanHasimhad
restrainedwithhiskneewas
coughingandtryingtocatch
hisbreath,ashefeltonthe
floorforhissword.Ashis
gauntletedfistfoundthe
weapon,Bronwynadvanced
andthemanlookedup.
‘Knight!’Hasimroaredat
theman,whoturnedfrom
Bronwyntostareatthe
Karesian.Hasimheldupa
handtotellBronwyntostay
backandtookasteptowards
theRedknight.
‘Timetodieforyour
heresy,godlessKaresian.’
‘I’mnotahundredyears
oldandIseenoharemof
beautifulwomen,soit’s
definitelynotmytimetodie,’
Hasimshotbackinreply.
Theknightthrustforward
withstrength.Hasim
deflectedtheblowwithhis
scimitarandattackedwithhis
knife.Theknightgrabbedhis
wristandkickedHasim
solidlyinthechest,sending
himbackdownthetunnel.
BronwyngaspedasHasim
felltothefloor,losinghis
footingashetrippedoverone
ofthefallenknights.
Shedidn’treact;hershort
swordfeltsmallinherhand
nowthattheknightwas
armedandaware.Hasimtried
torollbackwardsandregain
hisfeet,buttheknightwas
quicklyuponhim,levelling
anothersolidkickatthe
Karesian’sside.Hegasped
forbreath,thewindknocked
outofhim,ashelosthisgrip
onhisscimitar.
Bronwynthoughtshesaw
panicinhiseyesforasecond,
beforehelungedforwards
andwrappedhimselfaround
theknight’slegs.Thetwo
menfellbackagainstthewall
withHasimentangledaround
theknight’slowerbody.The
armouredmangrowledin
angerandswiped
downwards,causinga
vicious-lookingcutacross
Hasim’sback.TheKaresian
didn’tmakemorethana
slightgruntingsoundatthe
wound,butwriggledhimself
roundtheknight,who
growledwithfrustrationashe
struggledtofreehisarmfor
anotherstrike.
Hasimfoundanexposed
areaoflegandsavagely
buriedhisteethintheman’s
flesh,causinghimtoraisehis
headandcryoutinpain.
Bronwyndartedforward,
anxiousthatHasimcouldnot
bestthismannowthat
surprisewasnolongeronhis
side.Hedidn’tseeheratfirst,
butherthrustwasdelivered
withashakinghandand
causedonlythesmallestdent
inhisbreastplate.
‘Isaid,staythere…’
Hasimgrowledashejammed
hiskrisbladeupintothe
knight’sgroin.Hiscrywas
louderthistimebutended
sharplyinagurgle,asthelife
lefthiseyes.
Hasimshovedtheknight
awayandfelltothefloor,
bloodcoveringmuchofhis
body.Bronwynmovedtohis
sideandhelpedhimsit
uprightagainstthetunnel
wall.Mostofthebloodwas
nothis,butthewoundsinhis
backandlegweredeepand
jagged.
Hasimbreatheddeeply.
‘It’snoteasy,isit,killing
men?’Hesmiledand,
wrappinganarmround
Bronwyn’sshoulder,pulled
himselftohisfeet,wincingin
painashedidso.
‘We’realive,they’re
not…simpleifnoteasy,’
Bronwynreplied.
Hechuckledandwinced
again.‘Don’tmakemelaugh,
yourladyship.Ithurts.’
Hesurveyedthefivedead
knightsandtookamomentto
listen.Nosoundscouldbe
heard,buthisexpression
madeBronwynthinkthey
shouldbemovingquickly
awayfromthescene.
‘Youdidwell,my
sweet…thatfirstknightshit
himselfwhenhesawa
womanstickinghimwitha
shortsword.’
‘Don’tcallmethat,’she
said.
‘Apologies,mylady,
bloodlosssoftensaman’s
headandcauseshimtospeak
outofturn.’Hasimwasstill
tryingtosmileashespoke.
‘Weneedtomove.’
Hewasstrongand,though
hiswoundslookedbad,he
movedasquicklyashecould
downthepassage.Bronwyn
helped,lettinghimleanon
herandcarryinghisweapons.
Asthetunnelturned
wheretheknightshad
emerged,theysawstairs
leadingdownandanopen
dooronthelandingbelow.
‘Wheredoesthatlead?’
Hasimasked.
‘I’mnotsure,maybethe
baseofoneofthewall
turrets,’Bronwynanswered.
‘Well,theonlywayis
down,’hesaidwithanother
smile.
BronwynledHasimdown
thestairs,wheretheystopped
severalfeetbeforethedoor.
Shehelpedhimrestagainst
thewallandquietlycreptup
toinvestigate.
Thedooropenedoutonto
abackstreetunderthefar
wallofthecity,andbeyond
shecouldseecobbledstreets
leadingtothekeep.Smoke
rosefromthetownsquare
severalstreetsawayasthe
funeralpyresburnedand
Bronwynidentifiedseveral
landmarkssherecognized.
ThetowerofBrytagthe
WorldRaven,patrongodof
Canarn,wasnearby,aswas
thecrossed-swordsemblem
oftheStreetofSteel.Noone
wasinthelittlestreetandshe
guessedtheymustbecloseto
wherethesecretpassage
enteredthecave.Takinga
quicklookalongthestreetin
bothdirectionssheretreated
intothetunnelandclosedthe
doorbehindher.
Hasimwasleaningagainst
thewallandhisbreathing
wasslow.Hewasholdingthe
woundonhisbackwithone
handandwincinginpainas
hetriedtomove.‘Bronwyn,I
dobelievethatknightofthe
Redcutmegoodandproper.’
Hetriedtostand.‘Idon’t
thinkIcanmovethatfast
withoutlosingblood.’He
smiledaweaksmile.‘And
thatdressofyoursisalready
bloodstainedenough.’
Bronwynleantdownto
helphimasbestshecould.
Hewasheavyandshecould
barelystandasshetriedto
takehisweightonher
shoulders.‘IfIcan’tcry,then
youcan’twhinge…andthat
isthat,mylordKaresian,’she
saidthroughgrittedteeth.
‘InthenameofJaa,
Bronwyn,I’mcutandI’m
bleedingandIwillslowyou
down,’Hasimsaidthrough
thepain.
Shepulledhisarmover
hershoulderandtensedher
backagainstthewallasshe
begantohefthisweight
upwards.Hasimtriednotto
cryout,butthewoundonhis
backwasbleedingheavily
andhisstrengthwasebbing
away.
‘Look,yourladyship,Iam
notdeadyet,butIcan’thelp
youlikethis.There’sa
chanceyoucangetoutof
hereifyoumovequickly,but
withmeonyourshoulder…’
Hefellbackagainstthewall.
Bronwynnotfindingthe
strengthtoholdhim,they
bothsliddownintoaseated
position.
‘Icanstayalive…trust
me,Ican…butyouhave
otherthingstoworryabout,
mylady.Tothenorthisa
blastedtree,splitdownthe
middlebyalightningstrike.
Findthetreeandtakethe
tracktothewest.’
‘Shutup,Hasim.Ijust
needtoputyouonahorse
andyou’llbeabletorideas
wellasme.’Thethoughtof
havingtoescapethecityon
herownwasterrifying,as
wasthethoughtofthisman
dying.Hehadsavedherlife
inthegreathallandagainin
thesecrettunnel.Thealliesof
herhouseweredead,
imprisonedorscattered,and
shecouldnotaffordtolose
anotherhere.
‘Listentome,woman,
I’vehadbadwoundsbefore
andI’mnotdeadyet,butI
willbeifItrudgealongthis
tunnelanymore.Youneedto
run,Ineedtofindahealer;it
seemsourpathsarenolonger
entwined.’Hiswordswere
cold,asifhe’dalready
decidedwhatneededtobe
done.
Bronwynlookedathim
withhardeyes,tryingtothink
ofanobjectionthatwould
makehimchangehismind
andleavethecitywithher.
Shecouldthinkofnothing.
Hasimwasaclevermanwith
awell-definedsurvival
instinctandsheknewthathe
wasright.Shehadseenfew
suchwoundsinherlife,but
enoughtoknowthatthosethe
Karesianborewouldbefatal
withoutproperattention.
‘Andthen…?’sheasked.
‘Andthenwhat?Make
sense,woman.’Hiseyeswere
closedandhewassweating
profusely.
‘Igowestattheblasted
tree,andthen?’sheclarified.
Hecoughedashelaughed,
asmalldropletofblood
appearingatthecornerofhis
mouth.‘AsIsaid,Bronwyn,
you’veyourbrother’s
coldness.ButcurrentlyI’m
gladofit.Asthetrackturns
west,ridehardtowardsthe
mountains.Therivermarks
theborderoftheFreelands
andtheruinsofRoHailarea
fewleaguesbeyond.It’sa
two-weekrideandIcan’t
guaranteewhatreception
you’llreceive,butWraith
Companyholdstheruins.
FindCaptainHorrockGreen
Bladeandtellhimwhatyou
sawinthegreathall…
especiallyabouttheKaresian
enchantress,don’tmissthat
bitout.’
Bronwynnoddedand
beganmentallypreparingfor
herescape.Alone,shecould
movequickly,butwithout
Hasim’sscimitarandhis
handtowielditshewouldbe
vulnerable.Sheknewtheway
outofthetunnelsandhoped
thattheRedknightshadnot
yetfoundthecaveortheexit
bytheouterharbour.Ifthey
werestilllookinginthe
tunnelsofthekeep,shehada
chanceofescape.Findinga
horsewouldbeherbiggest
challenge,andshethoughtof
thestablesbythedocksand
wonderedifthey’dbeen
burnedduringtheassault.If
shehadtogofurtherafield,
therewasapossibilityoneof
theouterfarmswouldstill
havetheirhorses.Theywould
bepackanimals,notusedto
beingridden,butwouldhave
todo.
‘Youneedtomove
quickly,Bronwyn.The
knightshavenoreasonto
watchthenorthyet,butthe
longeryou’remissing,the
morelikelytheyaretothink
you’veleftthecity.Ifthey
postcrossbowmenonthe
northernrampartsyou’llbe
luckytotravelhalfanhour
withoutbeingshotorridden
down.’Hasimsplutteredas
hespokeandcoughedup
moreblood.‘Go,woman,get
yournoblearseoutofthis
deathtrap,’hesnapped.
‘Ihopeyoustayalive,
Karesian,’Bronwynsaid,
placinghisscimitarandkris
bladeonthefloornextto
him.Shedidn’tlookback,
andheardnoresponseasshe
movedquicklyalongthe
tunnel.
***
Al-Hasim,Princeofthe
Wastes,washurt.He’dbeen
hurtbefore,butrarelyina
situationwheregettinghealed
wouldbesuchanendeavour.
He’dwatchedBronwyn
disappearintothedarkness
and,nomatterwhathe’dled
hertobelieve,hethoughtit
unlikelythatshe’descapethe
city.TheKaresianwitch,
AmeiratheLadyofSpiders,
wasprobablyusingherdark
magictotracktheyoung
womanevennowandwould
findherwithinthehour.
He’ddonehisbesttohelp
her,nearlydyingasaresult,
butheowedhertwinbrother
muchandconsideredhima
friend.Hasimwasn’tsureif
hehadanysistershimself,
buttrustedthatBromwould
havedonethesameiftheir
situationswerereversed.As
helaybleedingagainstthe
woodenwall,itoccurredto
himthatdyinginasecret
passageinabackwatercityof
TorFunweirwasadeeply
undignifiedwaytomeetJaa,
thoughhesmiledatthe
thoughtofhavingbestedfive
Redknightswithonlya
coupleofcutstoshowforit.
Theirfabledskillwasallvery
wellonthebattlefield,but
theylackedthecunningof
thosewhohavelivedbytheir
witssincechildhood.
Desperationwasagreat
motivatorandHasimhad
beenadesperatemanfor
muchofhislife.Hisgreatest
regret,ashesatinapoolof
hisownblood,wasthathe
hadn’thadthepresenceof
mindtosaysomethingwitty
totheRedknightbeforehe’d
puncturedhisgroin.Hasim
pridedhimselfondoing
thingswithacertain
elegance,buthehadneeded
toshelvethistraittemporarily
inordertostayalive.
‘Right,yousonofa
whore,getyourarseupand
let’sseehowlongwecan
stayalive,’hesaidtohimself,
tensinghisarmsagainstthe
wallandedgingslowlyup
intoastandingposition.
Thepainwastremendous
andeveryslightmovement
wasaccompaniedwitha
floodofgrimaces,wincesand
gruntsofexertion.Hasimhad
longagocometotermswith
painandhadtrainedhimself
nottocryout,buthewasstill
bleedingandfeltweak.
Lookingdownatwherehe’d
beensitting,hesawa
disconcertingamountof
blood.
Removinghisswordbelt,
hebuckledittightlyroundhis
legtostopthebleeding.The
painwasmaskedbylightheadednessandhisdeeprootedsurvivalinstinct.He
stumbledforseveralsteps
andfellagainstthewallashe
struggledtotakeanyweight
onhisleg.Edgingalong,he
cametorestnexttothedoor
thatBronwynhadclosed.He
heldhiskrisbladeinhis
teeth,butsilentlylamented
thefactthathisscimitar
wouldhavetostaywhereit
was,asitwastoo
cumbersometocarryinhis
currentstate.
Hesteadiedhimselfand
grippedtheedgeofthedoor,
pullingitslowlyinwards.The
tunnelwasdarknowandthe
moonlightoutsideprovided
onlyminimalillumination.
Hecouldhearthecrackleof
fireasheduckedunderthe
lowdoorframetopeerout
intothestreet,butcouldnot
seetheflames.Hewouldbe
luckynottorunintoanyof
thecompaniesofknights
currentlyinthecity.
AsBronwynhad
discovered,thestreetwas
empty.Theknightswerebusy
andtheremainingpeopleof
Canarn,thosewhohadnot
fought,wouldbebarricaded
intheirhomesorhuddledin
BrotherLanry’schurch.
Hasimfoundhisbearings
quickly,identifyingtheStreet
ofSteel,thetowerofthe
WorldRavenandatavern
ownedbyamanofthename
ofFulton.Hehadtwoallies
inthecity,menwhowould
probablystillbehidden,but
lookingforthemnowwould
benearlyimpossible.He
knewtheBrownchapel
wouldhavebeenleftalone
andwouldbeasafeplaceto
healhiswounds,butitlay
closetotheinnerkeepand
wouldcertainlybeguarded.
Asheinchedalongthewall,
heleftasmearofbloodalong
thestone.
Thestreetwasunlitandas
hereacheditsendhe
crouchedintotheshadowsas
besthecouldandlookedout
atthecrossroads.Afenced
oaktreesatinthemiddle,the
onlysignofgreeneryinview.
Restingnexttothetreewas
anuntendedwoodencart
containinghalfadozendead
menofCanarn.Hasim
scannedalineoflowstone
buildings,dark-fronted,with
alltheirwindowsanddoors
lockedtightlyshut.Ifpeople
werealivewithin,theywere
sittinginthedark.
RoCanarnhadbeena
livelycoastalcity,fullof
activityandrarelyquiet.
Hasimhadspentmanyhappy
nightshere,drinkingand
laughingwithMagnusbefore
DukeHectorhadmadehis
fatalmistakeandtriedto
breakawayfromthekingof
TorFunweir.Hehadbeenin
thecityinsecretwhenthe
warninghornhadsounded
fromthesouthernbattlements
andtheRedbattlefleethad
appeared.Andnow,fourdays
later,thecitywaslikeatomb,
deathlyquietandsafeonly
fortheknightsoftheRedand
theirallies.
Hasimhadnotknown
aboutthefleet,buthehad
knownabouttheKaresian
enchantress.She’dentered
thecityquietlyafewweeks
beforethebattleandhadsent
wordtoRoTirisofthe
duke’splans.Hasimhadnot
knownthiswhenheheardthe
warninghorn,butonlywhen
he’dseenherandRillionina
passionateembraceafterthe
battle.Shehadenchanted
Rillioninthesamewayher
sisterhadenchantedtheking,
andnowitseemedtheyhad
gotwhattheywanted–the
attentionofAlgenon
Teardrop.
Magnus’selderbrother
hadpaidHasimasubstantial
amountofgoldtofindthe
witch,buthisplanshadbeen
interruptedbythearrivalof
theRedbattlefleet.Exactly
whytheRanenwarlordand
theKaresianwitchhatedeach
otherwasnotsoclear,but
Hasimhadoverheardseveral
conversationssincethebattle
thatmadehimcertainthat
RillionwaskeepingMagnus
alivebecausetheenchantress
wantedtosendamessageto
Algenon.
Hasimhadbriefly
consideredtryingtokillher,
butthoughtbetterofit.The
SevenSisterswere
supposedlyimpossibleto
strikewithweapons.He’d
seenmenfromhishomeland
trytocutthemwithswords,
shootthemwithbows,even
throwrocksatthem,andall
attemptshadmissed.Jaagave
hispowersparingly,buthad
giftedtheSisterstheabilityto
avoiddeath,evenifthey
didn’tknowitwascoming.
Al-Hasimhadheardstoriesof
menhidingonrooftopsand
behindbuildings,remaining
silentastheystruck.The
blowsstillmissedand,
withoutexception,themen
haddiedshortlyafterwards.
Theonlytimeonehad
successfullybeenkilledwas
whenanoldfriendof
Hasim’s,aKirinscoundrel
calledRhamJasRami,had
shotoneintheforeheadwith
hislongbow.Tothisday
neitherHasimnorRhamJas
knewhowhe’dmanagedit.
TherewasmuchHasim
didn’tknow,thoughhehadto
confessthatknowledgewas
currentlyofsecondary
importance.Whatevergames
wereafoot,Hasimhadbeen
thrustintothemunwillingly,
andheallowedhimselfa
painedlaughathis
predicament.
Hereachedthecornerof
thelineofbuildingsandtook
severaldeepbreaths.The
untendedcartwashisbest
option,thoughtheRedknight
itbelongedtowouldnotbe
faraway.Hehadtocrossthe
streettoreachitandthere
wasnothingtoleanon.
Hesteeledhimself,feeling
nauseousandweak,andtried
hisbesttostandunaided.He
baulkedatthepainandfell
backagainstthecornerofthe
lastbuilding.Hebriefly
consideredhoppingacrossthe
opengroundtokeepthe
weightoffhisleg,but
thoughtthatafoolishidea
andtriedtostandagain.This
timeheswayed,butdidnot
fall,andbegantohobble
forwards.
Hearingthesoundof
clankingmetaltohisleft,
Hasimstoppedandfell
forwards,stayingaslowto
thegroundashecould.The
Karesianwasinthemiddleof
thestreetbuttherewerefew
lightsinthecityandhe
thoughtaquickglancewould
notrevealhispresence.
Thesoundcamefroma
knightoftheRed,bearinga
flamingtorchandinspecting
afallenwoodenbuildingon
thefarsideofthefencedoak
tree.Hasimcrawledforward,
keepinghislegstraightand
tryingnottoaggravatehis
woundsanyfurther.The
knighthadhisbacktohimas
heplacedthetorchonthe
floorandleantforwardinto
thewoodenrubble.
Hasimpulledhimself
forwards,armoverarm,
usinghisremainingstrength
toreachthecart.Thesmell
wasbadandheguessedthe
deadmenhadbeenlying
untendedforseveraldays.
Mostweremissingbody
parts,andfromthesizeand
severityoftheirwounds
Hasimguessedtheyhadbeen
causedbycatapultstonesand
splinteredwoodratherthan
longswords.
Placinghiskrisblade
insidehistunic,Hasimhauled
himselfupontotheflat
woodenbaseofthecart.He
layacrossthebackofa
headlesscorpse,lettinghis
armsgolimpasheplayedthe
partofadeadman.Hetried
toslowhislaboured
breathingashewriggledinto
thepileofdeadmenof
Canarn.
Withinmomentshewas
fightingtoretain
consciousness,hisvision
blurringnowhehadceasedto
moveandhisheadswimming
fromlossofblood.
Hewokesharplyasthe
armouredknightoftheRed
heftedthewoodencartinto
motion.Hehadbeen
unconsciousonlyafew
seconds,butwasasnear
deathashehadeverbeen.
Hisonlyhopewasthatthe
knightwouldunwittinglytake
himsomewherehecouldget
help.Thecartmovedslowly,
rockingfromsidetosideas
thewheelsranroughlyover
unevencobblestones.Hasim
allowedhisheadtomove,
givinghimaviewofthecity
pastthedistendedand
bloodiedarmlyinginfrontof
him.
Hecouldseeplumesof
smokefromthetownsquare,
closernow,andhecould
sensetheheatfromthefires.
Therewasanareaofrubble
aroundthesquarewherethe
woodenshopsandstallshad
beentorndown.Theonly
structuresleftbetweenhim
andthekeepweremadeof
stone.
Hecouldseesquadsof
Redknightsandmercenaries
tendingthefiresandchained
corralsofthefewpeople
they’dtakenalive.Men,
womenandchildren–from
thelookofthem,noneof
themhadbeencombatants
andallhadbeenstrippedto
theirundergarments.The
mercenariesjeeredatthem,
brandishingthearms,legs
andheadsofthedeadas
trophies.
Acallof‘wasthisyour
brother?’fromoneofthem
causedawomantobreakinto
tears.
Theknightstendingthe
fireswereunconcernedatthis
behaviourandseveralof
themjoinedinasthe
prisonersweretormented.A
fewofthemercenarieswere
eyeinguptheyounger
womencaptives,arguing
loudlyaboutwhowouldget
torapewhom.Thesewerethe
bastardswhofollowedSir
HallamPevain,andHasim
thoughtthemthelowestform
ofscum.
Severalknights,whom
Hasimtooktobe
commanders,werestanding
onthelowereddrawbridge
thatleduptothekeep.They
haddisapprovinglookson
theirfacesastheysurveyed
thescenebelow.Manyofthe
Redknightsinthesquare
weremenboundtothe
churchfrombirth,ratherthan
truefightingmen,andtheir
behaviourdidnotimpress
theirleaders.
Hasimsawamanin
leatherarmour,caughtinthe
actofrapingayoungwoman,
havehisthroatslitbya
knightlieutenantoftheRed.
Another,whohadsmashed
outtheteethofanolder
captive,hadhisfaceslammed
againstthecobblesandhis
handcrushedbyanarmoured
foot.
‘Letnomantakehis
paymentinbloodandflesh,’
shoutedaseniorknightfrom
thedrawbridge.
Hasimhadseenmuchpain
anddeathinhislife;he’d
beenamercenary,abrigand
andevenathief,butthe
treatmentshowntothepeople
ofCanarnappearedvileeven
tohim.Theseniorknights
weredisplayingalittle
honourbytryingtostopit,
buttoHasim’sminditwas
enoughtocondemnallof
them.
Thecartwaspulledacross
theedgeofthesquareand
Hasimsawcrossbowmen
movingalongthebattlements
oftheinnerkeep.Theywere
spreadingoutandemerging
ontothecitywallsandhe
worriedthattheywould
patrolthenorthern
battlementsandseeBronwyn
asshemadefortheplains.
Shewasagoodrider,buta
crossbowboltflewfasterthan
ahorsecouldrunandthey’d
surelycaptureher.
Hasimbreathedheavily
andspatoutrancidblood.He
couldn’thelpBronwyn,but
thinkingabouthersafetyhad
quickenedhisheartand
drivenawaythepainofhis
wounds.Forabriefmoment,
hethoughtclearly.Thecart
wasmovingpastthehuge
wallsoftheinnerkeepandhe
couldseedowntothecell
windowsafewfeetabovethe
cobbles.Thewallswere
hollowandwide,andthe
keepheldthreelevelsof
dungeonsbelowgroundlevel.
Eachbarredwindowwasat
thebottomofashallow
trough,downwhichfood
couldbethrownfromthe
city.Itwasthewayprisoners
hadbeenfedbytheRanen
lordswhoheldthekeeplong
ago.
Hasimblinked;thelight
fromnearbyfiresandthe
stenchofdeathmadetheair
shimmer,buthesawalineof
cellwindowsthroughthe
haze.Insometheoccupants
werestandingdefiantly,still
wearingtheremnantsoftheir
armour.Othersappearedto
beemptyortocontainthe
deadordying.Hasimhada
chance;ifhecouldlocatethe
cellthatcontainedFather
Magnus,heknewthatthe
Ranenwouldbeableto
summonthevoiceof
Rowanocotohealhis
wounds.
Thecartwaspulledaway
fromthemainsquare;the
Redknightwasgoingtothe
southerncornerofthecityto
collectmoreofthedead.
Hasimwriggledbackwards
andpositionedhimselfatthe
edgeofthecart.Noonewas
payinganyattentionandhe
tensedhisbodytorollonto
thecobbles.Heestimatedthat
he’dhitthegroundonthe
oppositesidetothetown
squareand,ifhemoved
quicklyandstayedlowtothe
ground,hehadachanceof
stayinghidden.
Heheldhisbreathand
rolledoffthecart,bitinghis
lipashefelltostophimself
screaminginpain.Thecart
continuedtomove,theRed
knightpullingitunawarethat
oneofhisdeadbodieshad
shownitselftobealive.
Hasimbegantocrawlweakly
towardsthedungeons.He
couldnotfeelhiswounded
leg,andmostofhisbodyhad
gonenumb.Hewascoldand
knewhe’dsoonbedead.
Atthebaseofthewall,he
crawledintotheshadowsand
pulledhimselfintooneofthe
feedingtroughs.Herolled
severalfeetandcametorest
nexttoasmallbarred
window.Withinthecellwas
amanoftheduke’sguard,
batteredandstrippedofhis
armour.Hasimrecognized
himasHaake,asergeantof
thekeep.
‘SergeantHaake…’he
whisperedthroughhispain.
Theduke’smanstarted
withsurpriseandturnedto
lookatthebloodyfaceathis
cellwindow.‘Who’reyou?’
heaskedsoftly.
‘I’mafriendofFather
Magnus,calledHasim…I
boughtyouamugofRanen
wheatbeerontheduke’s
birthday.’
‘Iremember…You’re
wounded,sir,’Haakesaid
withconcern.
‘Indeed,Idoappeartobe.
Sergeant,I’mleakingblood
allovertheplaceandneedto
findthepriest.IsMagnuson
thislevel?’heasked.
Haakecametostandnext
tothewindowandinspected
thewoundedKaresian.‘Aye,
lad,he’sdowntheendofthe
corridor.Theybroughthim
backmaybetenminutesago.
Hewasunconsciousand
didn’tlookinagoodway
himself.’
Hasimwincedinpainand
narrowlyavoidedlosing
consciousnessagain.‘Which
waytohiscell?’heasked.
SergeantHaakeplaceda
handonhischestandpointed
totheleftwithhisindex
finger.‘Becareful,Hasim,
thegaolerisafuckingpig,’
hewarned.
‘Songswillbesung,
Haake,theywillbesungloud
andtheywillbesungoften,’
hesaidinthanks.
Theduke’smannodded.
‘Brytaggowithyou,brother,’
hesaid,turningfromthe
window.
Hasimlookedalongthe
lineofwindowstotheleft
andbegantomove.Hecould
onlyedgealongthebottomof
thestonetroughsusingthe
windowbarsasaladderto
pullhimalong.Therewere
sixorsevenwindowsand
Hasimfeltlight-headedashe
passedthethirdonealong.
Thecellcontainedamortally
woundedman,bleedinghis
lastonthedustystonefloor.
Thenextwindowgaveonto
anemptycell.Hasimfelt
himselfbeginningtolose
consciousnessandlunged
forwardsasfaraspossible.
Hedoubtedhe’dbeableto
moveagainandhoped
Magnuswaswithinreach.
Hasim’sheadhadjust
landedinfrontofthelastcell
windowand,althoughhewas
fading,hecouldstillmake
outtheenormouslumplying
inthemiddleofthesmallcell
below.
FatherMagnuswasface
downandclearlywounded.A
crossbowboltwasprotruding
fromhisrightleg.Hasimhad
notseenexactlywhathad
happenedinthegreathall
earlierintheevening,buthe
hopedhisfriendwasokay.
‘Getup,youRanen
fathead…I’mmorewounded
thanyou.’Hechokedthe
wordsout.
Magnusturnedwitha
terrifyingscowlonhisface
accompanyingadeepred
bruisewherehe’dbeenstruck
acrossthetemple.Heblinked
afewtimesandmovedintoa
crouchedposition.
‘Hasim?’heaskedinhis
heavyRanenaccent.
‘Yup,thinkso…just
about…I’m…dead,’his
friendreplied.
Magnuslookedoutofthe
celldoorand,seeingnosign
ofthegaoler,stoodand
movedtothewindow.Hasim
smiledatthesightofhisold
friend,butthatwasallhe
coulddobeforeheslouched
againstthebarsandlost
consciousness.
***
Magnustriedtoremainas
quietashecouldwhilehe
reachedthroughthebarsto
investigateHasim’swounds.
TheKaresianwascutbadly
acrosshisleftthighand,
althoughhe’dstoppedmuch
ofthebleedingwithhisbelt,
thewoundwasugly-looking.
Thecutonhislowerback
wasofmoreconcernandit
wasstillbleeding.Magnus
knewHasimwasstrongand
wouldn’tgivehislifeaway
easily,buttheRanenwas
nonethelessimpressedthat
hisfriendwasstillalive.
TheRanenpriestclosed
hiseyesandattemptedto
calmhismind.Hehadnever
calledonthebattlerageand
thevoiceofRowanocointhe
sameday,andheknewhe
neededtobeatpeaceforthe
healingtowork.
Hasimwasanoldfriend,
fromthedayswhenMagnus
hadjourneyedwithBrom
and,althoughhe’dnotknown
thattheKaresianwasinthe
city,hispresencemadesense.
Thelasthehadheard,Hasim
wasinFjorlan,samplingthe
localwheatbeerandtelling
Ranenwomenoutrageouslies
abouthisheritage.
Hasimhadgotonwell
withAlgenon,Magnus’s
elderbrotherandthainof
Fredericksand,andMagnus
knewHasimwouldbethe
idealpersonforhisbrotherto
sendsouth.Magnusdidnot
concernhimselfwithHasim’s
mission.Hewasasimple
man,notgiventoworrying
aboutthingsbeyondhis
control,andcurrentlyhe
neededtofocuson
summoningthevoiceofhis
god.
Withahandplaced
throughthebars,heliftedthe
remainsofHasim’stunicand
touchedthewoundonhis
back.‘Rowanoco,theearth
shakesatyourpassing,letit
behealedbyyourvoice.’
Hishandremainedonthe
wound,butthevoicedidnot
come.‘Rowanoco,hearme
now.Iamyourchild,your
servant,yourhandandyour
will.Thismanismyfriend
andIwouldseehimlive.
Talktohimnow,lethim
receiveyourvoiceandbea
managain.’Thewordshe
spokecausedtearstoappear
inhiseyesashelethimself
feelpain,anguishandregret
attherecenttreatmentmeted
outtothosehehelddear.
Rowanocowouldlendhim
hispoweronlyifhispriest
wastrulyinneed,and
Magnusknewthismeanthe
neededtosoftenhisironwill
andlethisemotionsflow
throughhim.
‘Rowanoco,fatherofall,
blessedoftheLowKast,of
theplateausofUrsa,ofthe
frozenwastes,visitusnow
andhealthisman…please.’
Thelastwordstretchedon
theRanenpriest’slipsandhe
felthishandbecomewarm.
Inthedeeprecessesofhis
mindheheardadistant
rumbleasifanearthquake
wereechoingthroughhis
head.ThevoiceofRowanoco
theEarthShaker,godofthe
Ranen,begantofillhim.
Moretearscameintohis
eyesashisgodleantdown
andspoketohim.Hefelt
peace,calmandtranquillityat
thesoundoftheGiant’s
wordsand,althoughhecould
nothopetounderstandwhat
wasbeingsaidtohim,he
sensedastrengthofpurpose
thathehadrarelyfelt.His
handbegantoglowashe
becameaconduitforthe
god’spower.
Rowanoco,theIceGiant,
reachedacrossuncounted
layersoftheworldandlent
hispowertothepriest.
Magnus’shandsmoothlyran
acrossHasim’sbackandthe
woundbegantoclose.Slowly
atfirst,hefeltthebloodstop
flowingandthefleshknit
itselfbacktogether.Heheard
Hasim’sheartbeatquickena
paceasthedeepcutbecame
nomorethanascarandthe
bloodarounditdisappeared.
Withoutthinking,Magnus
movedhisglowinghandto
restonHasim’slegand,with
merelyatouch,thesecond
woundwashealed,leaving
onlyamarkthatlookedasif
ithadbeenthereforyears.
Hasimcoughedas
Magnusfellbackontothe
floorofhiscell.TheRanen
glancedaroundandwasglad
toseethathe’dbeenquiet
andhadnotalertedCastus,
thegaoler.
Hebreathedheavily,
shakinghisheadtocleara
slightresidualdizziness.
Above,hesawHasimslowly
openhiseyesandblink
rapidly,hisfacepressed
againstthebarredwindow.
TheKaresiangroanedand
movedonlytentatively,
slowlylettinghissenses
reorderthemselves.He
lookeddownatthebeltstill
tiedtightlyroundhisleg.
Withasmileheturnedto
lookthroughthebarsat
Magnus.Thepriestsmiled
backandthetwooldfriends
lookedateachotherforafew
momentsbeforeHasim
spoke.‘IthinkBronwynis
safe,IgotherasfarasI
could,’hesaidweakly.‘Ijust
hopeBromisstillalive
somewhere.’
CHAPTER5
RHAMJASRAMI
INTHECITYOF
ROWEIR
Weirwastheonlycityinthe
landsofRowhereaKirin
mancouldlivewithoutbeing
constantlyhoundedby
clerics.TheKirinwerethe
mongreloffspringof
KaresianandRo,andthey
weregenerallydismissedas
criminalsandslaversbyboth
theirparentraces.RhamJas
wasnoslaverandthought
that,onsomelevel,hewasa
goodman;however,hehad
toconcedethathewas
currentlyworkingasan
assassin.
WeirrestedontheKirin
Ridge,anarrowseachannel
betweenTorFunweirandthe
aridexpanseofKaresiatothe
south.Itwasahot,dirtyand
dangerouscity,andKirin
criminalsandKaresian
mobsterscontrolledatleasta
thirdofit.RhamJasdespised
themajorityofthem,buthe
wascleverenoughtotradeon
themisplacedsenseof
brotherhoodtheyshowed
towardshim.Heknewhewas
safeaslongastheKirinhated
theRomorethantheyhated
eachother.
LikeallKirin,RhamJas
wasdark-skinned,lighter
thanthemenofKaresiabut
swarthyincomparisontothe
Ro.Hewastall,butslender,
andhadeyesthatwerenever
stillandanear-permanent
grin.Hishairwaswavyand
thin,hanginginlankcurlsto
hisshoulders.Hewas
approachinghisthirty-sixth
yearoflife,butfeltmuch
olderandenjoyedmoments
ofimmaturitytoremindhim
thatagewasnotagoodthing.
Currently,hewassitting
intheshadowsontheroofof
aparticularlynastyinncalled
TheDirtyBeggar.He’dbeen
uphereforaboutanhourand
wasbeginningtothinkthat
he’dbeengivenbad
information.RhamJashad
beenpaidadecentamountof
goldtokilladrunkardnamed
Lyle.Apparently,Lylehad
gotintodebttothewrong
peopleandwashavinghis
accountclosed.InWeir,that
tendedtomeandeathor
somethingapproximating
permanentincapacity.Rham
Jashadcertainlybeenhired
tocutofflegsinthepast.
Hehadbeenmakinga
livingfromthemobstersof
RoWeirandother
undesirablesfornearlyten
years.Inthattime,he’d
discoveredthathehada
knackforassassination.
Previouslyhe’dbeenahunter
andafamilyman,livingina
smallvillageinaparticularly
isolatedspotalongtheKirin
Ridge.Nowhewas
discoveringthatalongbow
wasalsoanexcellentwayto
killpeople.
RhamJasalsocarrieda
katanaathisside.Itwasa
giftfromhiswifeand,though
herarelyusedit,hethoughtit
wisetocarryaswordwhen
onajob–anditheldcertain
sentimentalvalue.
Hepulledhiscloaktightly
aroundhisshouldersand
peeredovertheedgeofthe
buildingtothestreetbelow.
TheDirtyBeggarwasfull
andsoundsofdrunken
revelryfilledthenightair.
Outsidestoodagroupof
leather-armouredthugs,a
localgangpaidtokeeporder
inthestreet.Severalpatrons
ofthetavernwerebeingtold
toleave,andseveralmore
werevomitingonthe
flagstones.Itwasgettinglate
andRhamJashopedhe’dbe
abletofinishthejobtonight.
Havingtoreturntokillthe
mantomorrowwouldbe
annoying.
Agentlebreezepassed
overheard,carryingwithit
thescentofanearbyman.
RhamJashadanexcellent
senseofsmellandguessed
thatsomeonewastryingto
sneakuponhimfromacross
theroof.Hespunround
quickly,levellinghisbow
withlightningspeedatthe
darkfigureseveralmetres
away.
‘Youspeakoryoudie…
it’sthatsimple.’
Thefigureheldhishands
wideinagestureof
submissionandstepped
closer,pushingbackthehood
ofhiscloakandrevealinga
youngface,nomorethan
twenty-fouryearsold.Hehad
curlyblackhairandcarried
anornatelongsword.Rham
Jasrecognizedhimand
slowlyloweredhisbow.
‘Andwhatdoyouwant
metosay,youKirinhorsefucker?’Theyoungman
smiled,revealingyouthful
goodlooksdespitehisfull
beard.
‘Perhapstellmewhat
you’redoinghere,youRo
bastard.’RhamJassatonthe
ground,leaningagainstthe
sideoftheroof,andloosened
hisholdonthelongbow.He
regardedthemanclosely.He
hadnotseenhimforatleasta
yearandwasimpressedwith
howhecarriedhimself.He
hadalwaysbeendangerous,
despitehisyears,andnowhe
hadanairofmenacethat
RhamJasthoughtsuitedhim.
‘I’mgladyou’restillalive,
Brom.Iheardwhathappened
atCanarn,’theKirinsaid.
Theyoungmanlooked
down,showingsignsof
anguish.‘MayIsit?’
RhamJasreachedforthe
bottleofwinehekeptforjobs
thatinvolvedlotsofwaiting
andmotionedtotheground
nexttohim.‘Please.Butkeep
yourheaddown,I’mona
job.’
LordBromvyofCanarn,
sontoDukeHector,ducked
intotheshadowsandsaton
thedirtytavernroofnextto
hisoldfriend,leaningagainst
astoneledgewhich
concealedthemfromthe
streetbelow.
Theysatsilentlyfora
minute,thebottleofwine
passedbetweenthem,until
RhamJasjudgeditwastime
tospeak.‘Whatofyour
father?’heaskedgently.
Bromshookhishead.‘I
don’tknow.ThelastIheard,
theknightsoftheRedhad
takenthekeepandarrested
him.IwasinRoTiriswhenI
gotthenews.LittleIcoulddo
butrunhere.’Hetookadeep
swigofwine.‘There’saprice
formycapture,thefucking
Purplehaveenlistedevery
disease-riddenmercenarythis
sideofKaresiatohuntme
down.’
‘You’reworthsomething
atlast.I’dbeflattered,
Brom,’RhamJassaidwitha
grin.
‘That’sbecauseyou’rea
worthlessKirinmongrel,’his
friendrepliedwithlittle
humour.
RhamJas’ssmiled
broadened.‘Trueenough,but
I’mnotyetaBlackGuard.’
Thetermwasusedforthose
whosefamilyhadbetrayed
thecrown.Itwasabrand
placedonthecheekto
identifyamanasbelonging
toadishonourablehouse.
Bromhadbeennamedtothe
BlackGuard,butnotyet
capturedandbranded.Rham
Jasassumedthattheyoung
lordwasunlikelytoturn
himselfin.
Movementfromthestreet
belowcaughttheKirin’seye
andheplacedafingeracross
hismouth.Withslow,
deliberatemovements,Rham
Jasstoodandpositioned
himselfabovetheledge.
Drawingbackonhis
longbow,hescannedthe
street.Hesawafatman,
dressedinabrightgreen
robe,accompaniedbytwo
paidwomen.Lyledidnot
lookworriedandRhamJas
guessedhewasnotawareof
thegrievousinsulthe’dgiven
tothelocalmobster–norof
thefactthathewasaboutto
die.
‘What’sthismandone
exactly?’Bromwhispered.
Withouttakinghiseyes
fromhistarget,RhamJas
said,‘Notsure,’before
releasinganarrowfromhis
hunter’sbow.Ithitthemark,
justaboveLyle’srightear;a
goodshot,thoughttheKirin,
asblooderuptedfromthe
wound.Lylewasclearlydead
andthetwowomenscreamed
andlookedinhorroratthe
piecesofskullandfleshthat
nowcoveredtheirclothes.
‘Right,offwegothen,’
RhamJassaidcheerfully.
HewinkedatBromand
dartedbackacrosstheroof,
grabbinghisbackpackand
duckingtoremaininthe
shadows.Atthefarsideof
theroofwasawooden
staircasewhichsnakedits
wayroundthecornerofthe
building.RhamJasdidn’t
lookbacktoseeifhisfriend
hadfollowedashedartedoff
theroofanddeftlydescended
thestairs.Hecouldhear
distantsoundsofcommotion
fromthestreetandknewhe
neededtoremovehimselfas
quicklyaspossible.
HeheardBromrunning
behindhim,makingmore
noisethanRhamJasthought
waswise,astheyleaptoffthe
staircasetolandonalower
buildingopposite.
RhamJaslovedthe
feelingofhavinggotaway
withacrime.Healsoloved
thefeelingofshootingan
arrowthroughtheheadofa
Ro.Herarelytookjobsthat
requiredhimtokillKaresians
orRanen,andhisinherent
hatredoftheRohadearned
himacertainreputation
amongstthemobstersofRo
Weir.Prejudicewasgreatly
prizedwhereassassinswere
concerned.
Thetwomenmoved
quicklyacrossthesecond
roofandcametoastopata
windowleadingtoan
adjoiningtower.RhamJas
hadproppedthewindow
openearlier,andnowhe
swiftlyjumpedtograbthe
robehe’dfastenedtoabeam
within.
Bromlookedimpressedas
theKirinclimbednimbly
throughtheopenwindow.He
disappearedinsidefora
momentbeforereappearingat
thewindowledge.‘Doyou
wantafuckinginvitation,
yourlordship?’hesaidto
Brom.
Themanbelowsmiled
andbeganclimbingtherope.
OnceBromhadjoinedhim
inside,RhamJaspulledup
theropeandclosedthe
window.
Theroomtheyhadentered
wasastorageroomofsorts,
withseveralracksofclothing
andseveralmoreofdried
foodrations.Bromlooked
aroundwithcuriositywhile
RhamJasremovedhis
armouranddressedinasetof
commoner’sclotheshehad
preparedbeforehand.
‘RhamJas,whereexactly
haveyoubroughtus?’he
asked.
‘It’sthelowerlevelofa
drunktank,wherepeople
withnowhereelsetogoend
upwhenBrownclericsfind
thembeingsickinback
alleys.Thisiswherethey
keepthecraptheygive
homelessfolk.Thefoodcosts
money,butoccasionallya
drunkhasafewcoinson
him.’
‘Andwhyarewehere
exactly?’Bromasked.
RhamJassatonthefloor
andremovedhisswordbelt,
placinghiskatanaonarack
behindastackofclothes.
‘Well,Ithoughtbeingdrunk
inthetankwasagoodalibi
whenthewatchmencome
andaskmeifIshotamanin
thehead.Istashedmyarmour
andbowhereearlierandthen
vomitedinanalleyoutside.
TheBrownclericsushered
mein.’Hisconstantsmile
beamedbrighterthanusualas
helookedathisfriend.‘I
stayedupthereagoodhour
orsoandthencamedown
here,gotmystuffandkilled
thatman.’Hereachedunder
oneoftheracksandproduced
abottleofstrongRanen
whisky.
‘Drink?’heaskedwith
goodhumour.
Bromshookhishead.‘I
don’tthinkI’llbejoiningyou
inthetankandIdon’twantto
seeanywatchmen,whether
they’relookingforyouor
me.’
Aquizzicallookcrossed
RhamJas’sfaceashespoke.
‘Yes,you’rethewantedone.
Whatexactlyhappenedin
Canarn?’
Bromlookedasthoughhe
didn’twanttorevisitwhat
hadhappenedtohis
homeland,buthegathered
himselfandfacedRhamJas.
‘Magnuscamesouthagain
andmyfatheraskedfor
sanctuary.Theoldfool
actuallytriedtojointhe
FreelandsofRanen.’Hetried
tosmile,buttheexpression
neverreachedhiseyes,and
RhamJasthoughthewas
closetotears.
Helookedoutofthe
window,intotheloudnight
ofRoWeir,andcontinued,
‘Someonebetrayedthemand
abattlefleetofRedknights
attacked.Rillionandthat
bastardPevainmassacred
anyonewhotriedtodefend
thetownandtheknightstook
thekeep.’
RhamJasknewhowmuch
thefallofRoCanarnwould
affecttheyounglordandhe
feltamomentarypangof
concernforMagnus.The
dopeyRanenwasfartoo
proudtoleavethecityand
actuallystayalive.‘Ibet
Magnusdidsomefucking
damagebeforetheytookhim
down.I’veseenthatmantake
adozenswordsandstick
themuptheirowners’arses.’
Bromlookedup.‘Idon’t
knowwhathappenedtohim.
Istilldon’treallyknowwhat
happenedafterthebattle
ended.Ijustknowthatthey
tookmyfatheralive.’
‘Yoursister?’askedRham
Jas.
‘She’dhavedrawna
swordandfoughtifFatherlet
her…’Heshookhishead.
‘ButIdon’tknowwhether
they’dkillherornot.’
‘KnightsoftheRedaren’t
squeamishaboutkilling
women,’offeredRhamJas,
withlittletact,causingBrom
todirectahardlookathim.
‘What?Ifyouexpectmeto
holdyouandmake
everythingbetter,you’re
talkingtothewrongKirin.’
RhamJasfeltforhisfriend’s
loss,buthehadconcernsof
hisown.‘Look,Brom,Iwish
Icouldhelp,butI’vereally
gottogoupstairsandpretend
tobedrunk.’Hefinished
gettingdressedandstoodup.
‘Now,howdoIlook?’
‘LikeafilthyKirin
scumbag.’Bromspokewith
nohumourandRhamJasfelt
guiltyforbeingsodismissive
ofhisfriend’spain.
Hetookamomentto
considerhiswordsandspoke
again.‘Brom,Ioweyoua
lot…youknowIdo,but
we’realongwayfromRo
CanarnandIdon’tseehowI
canhelp.IfMagnusandyour
fatherarebothcapturedor
killed,thenyouandIshould
begratefulweweren’tthere
atthetime.’Heputa
comfortinghandonBrom’s
shoulder.‘You’rea
dangerouslittlebastard,I
reckonyoucouldmakea
decentlivingwiththatoverly
shinyswordofyours.’
‘Goandpretendtobea
drunk,RhamJas.Maybeit
wasamistaketolookfor
you.’Bromstoodupand
graspedhisoldfriend’shand.
‘Now,canIgetoutthrough
thatdoororshouldIclimb
backoutofthewindow?’
RhamJaswasnotusedto
feelingguilt,buthewas
pragmaticenoughtoknow
thatwhatevertheyounglord
wasplanningwouldbevery
unwiseindeed.RhamJaswas
aclevermanandwasnot
giventofoolishdisplaysof
courage.Hehadstayedalive
formostofhisthirtyorso
yearsthroughhiswits,skill
andgoodhumour,andhe
didn’twanttomakeafoolish
movenow.
‘Gothroughthedoorand
takethestairstothestreet.
Thedoor’sinabackstreet
behindabrothel.Noonewill
seeyou.’
Brommaintainedeye
contactforamoment,but
turnedtoleavethestoreroom
withnomorewords.‘Brom,’
RhamJasspokeashisfriend
openedthedoor.‘Whatdid
youwantfromme?’
TheyounglordofCanarn
lookeddown,thenbackathis
friend,buthesaidnothing
andlefttheroom,closingthe
woodendoorsoftlybehind
him.
RhamJaslethissmile
disappearandkickedapileof
clothesoutoffrustration.He
pacedbackandforthinfront
ofthewindowforseveral
minutes,tryingtoconvince
himselfthathehaddonethe
rightthingandthatnothing
Bromcouldhavehadtosay
wouldbeforhisbenefit.But
RhamJasowedhimhislife.
Theyounglordhadsaved
himfrombeinghangedthree
yearsago.RhamJasanda
KaresianbastardcalledAlHasimhadfoolishlybroken
intoaPurplechurchinthe
cityofRoTiris.Theywere
drunkandwerefollowinga
tip-offthatthechurchhad
littlesecurityandeasily
accessiblecachesofgold.
Hasimwasnothiefand
RhamJaswasnotstupid,but
they’dpliedeachotherwith
justenoughdrinktomake
themthinkitwasanamazing
idea.Thetwoofthem,more
outofboredomthanneedfor
gold,hadclimbedupa
neighbouringbuildingand
jumpedthroughaglass
windowtoenterthechurch.
RhamJashadn’tthought
abouttheincidentforawhile
andfoundhismemories
difficulttoputinorder.He
rememberedHasimlaughing
whilesittingonthealtarand
pretendingtodefecate,andhe
rememberedtheshoutsof
angerfromthePurpleclerics
whoemergedfrombelowthe
knave.
Therewasdefinitelya
fightand,asRhamJaslooked
downatafaintscaronhis
chest,hethoughthowlucky
he’dbeennottodieright
there,inthesightofagodhe
didn’tfollow.ThePurple
clericshadprobablybeenso
takenabackbythesightof
twolaughingforeigners
pissingonaneffigyofthe
OneGodthattheydidn’t
fightattheirbest.
RhamJastookaswig
fromhisbottleofRanen
whiskyandsatonthefloor,
temporarilyforgettingthat
he’djustkilledamanand
wouldbebeinghuntedbythe
citywatch.Histhoughtswere
elsewhere,asheremembered
beingdraggedfromthe
church,bloodcoveringhis
clothesandvomitbarely
containedbehindhislips.
Theclericshadbeatenthe
twooftheminsensibleand
thememoryofexactlyhow
RhamJashadendedupwith
anooseroundhisneckwas
ratherfuzzy.Hewassurethat
Hasimwasunconsciousand
vaguelyrecalledalistof
chargesbeingreadout.He’d
beentoldsincethattheclerics
hadn’twaitedforanykindof
officialjusticeandwere
simplygoingtohangthetwo
foreignersfromawooden
beaminthechurchstables.
Whathappenednexthad
beentoldtohimbyBromand
Magnusonanumberof
occasionsandhestilldidn’t
knowwhichversionto
believe.Whatwascertain
wasthattheyounglordhad
takenhisRanenfriendona
visittothecapitalinorderto
helphimunderstandtheRo.
They’dbeendrinkingtoo,
thoughnottotheextremesof
RhamJasandHasim,and
theyhadfoundthemselvesin
thestreetsofRoTiris,alerted
tothesoundsofswearingand
commotionfromthePurple
church.
Bromhadalwaysclaimed
thathetriedtoreasonwith
theclerics,consideringithis
dutyasanobletostopwhat
hesawasamiscarriageof
justice.WhereasMagnus
rememberedthefightstarting
almostinstantly.Eitherway,
MagnusandBromfoughtand
bestedfourPurpleclericsand
rescuedthedrunkenthieves
fromapatheticdeath.
Thefirstclearmemory
RhamJashadwasofBrom
throwingabucketoffreezing
wateroverhimandMagnus
barkingoutsomethingabout
Rowanoco.Thefourmenleft
RoTiristhenextdayandhid
inthetownofCozzfor
severalweeksuntilBromwas
suretheencounterhadnot
beenseenbyanyoneandno
onewaslookingforthem.
RhamJashadingratiated
himselfwithBrom
straightaway,theyounglord
appreciatingtheKirin’ssense
ofhumour.MagnusandAlHasimsharedaloveof
alcoholandwomenthatmade
themnear-instantfriendsand
thefourmenspenttheirtime
inCozzlaughing,drinking
andmockingtheclerics.
AKaresian,aRanen,aRo
andaKirinwereanoddmix
inanyofthelandsofmen,
buttheydevelopedaswift
andstrongbondovertheir
sharedhatredofthelawsof
TorFunweir.
Thefourmentravelled
togetherforoverayear,
Magnuslearningaboutthe
cultureofTorFunweir,Rham
JasgettingBromintotrouble,
andAl-Hasimexploringthe
countrythroughthemedium
ofwhoresandwine.They
teasedBromforbeingaRo
andantagonizedMagnusinto
morethanonepointless
tavernfight,butthey
remainedfriends.
RhamJashadfewgenuine
friendsandcountedBromas
oneofthebest.AKirin
assassinandaRolordwere
unlikelycompanions,butthe
varioustimestheyhadmet
sincetheirinitialencounter
hadsimplyconfirmedthat
Bromwasanhonourableman
andoneofthefewthatRham
Jascouldtrust.
Anoisepulledhimfrom
histhoughtsandcausedhim
tostandupquickly.Hecould
hearthesoundofchainmail
andmetal-shodfeetfromthe
street-leveldoorthreestoreys
below.
Hesworetohimselfashe
realizedthathe’dlingeredin
thestoreroomtoolong.
Quicklycheckingthatallof
hisgearwashidden,Rham
Jasopenedthedoorandstole
apeekdownthewooden
staircase.Hesworeagainas
heglimpsedasquadof
watchmenascendingthe
stairs.
Takingaquickswigof
whisky,helefttheroom.
Silentlyclosingthedoor,he
tookthestepsleadingupto
thedrunktankthreeatatime.
Hewasnowbarefootand
madelittlesoundashe
splashedwhiskyonhis
clothessoastosmelllikea
drunkard.
TwofloorsupandRham
Jasemergedintothetank.
Withinwerefivelong
woodenbenches,eachseating
adozenorsodrunkenmen,
securedinanuprightposition
byalengthofthickrope
stretchedacrosstheirchests.
RhamJaswasgladtoseean
arrayofblankfacesasallthe
menwereeitherasleeporin
variousstatesofinsensibility.
ThespotleftbytheKirin
twohoursagowasstillempty
andRhamJashopedhis
absencehadnotbeennoticed.
TheBrownclericswho
maintainedthetankwould
notreturnuntildaybreakto
checkontheoccupants.
RhamJassplashedmore
whiskyonhisfaceand
downedasmuchashecould
withoutvomiting.He
droppedthebottleinalarge
piss-potandtiptoedacross
theroomtohisseat.With
greatdexterityhewriggled
undertherestrainingropeand
tookhisplaceamongstthe
facelessdrunksofRoWeir.
Leaningforwardagainstthe
rope,helookeddown,letting
hishairfalloverhisface.
Hedidn’tsparealookup
asthedooropenedandfive
watchmeninchainmail
enteredtheroom.They
spreadoutloudlyacrossthe
tank,shakingafewmeninto
vagueconsciousnessasthey
begancheckingfaces.
RhamJaskeptcooland
shookhishead,playingthe
partofadrunkwho’dbeen
rousedfromhissleep.Hefelt
ahandgrabhishairandhis
headwaspulledback.
Throughfeignedbleariness
helookedintothefaceofthe
watchman,amanwearinga
beltedchain-mailshirtand
thetabardofRoWeir,ablack
crowinflight.
‘Sergeant…overhere,’
thewatchmansaid,still
holdingRhamJas’shead
back.
Twoofthewatchmen
remainedbythedoorwhile
theothertwomovedoverto
standinfrontofRhamJas.
Severalofthedrunkswere
nowawake.Afewmumbled
swearwordsandrequestsfor
quiet,andwereanswered
withanarrayofkicksand
slaps.
‘Well,well,ifitisn’tour
Kirinfriend,’thesergeant
saidwithasneer,ashe
levelledhiscrossbowat
RhamJas.
Inresponse,theKirin
groanedandshookhishead,
makingsomeshowoftrying
toraisehisarmsandrubhis
eyes.Theroperestricted
movementandRhamJas
pretendedhehadjustwoken
upandwasn’tsurewhatwas
happening.
‘Straightenyourselfup,
youKirinpiss-stain.’The
sergeantslappedRhamJas
hardacrosstheface.
‘Where’syourbow?’
RhamJasblinkedrapidly
severaltimesandtastedthe
bloodonhislowerlip.‘I
don’tknowwhat…’The
Kirinaccentuatedhisaccent
andmadeashowof
appearingtheignorant
foreigner.
Thesergeantturnedtoone
ofhismen.‘Gethimup,
soldier.’
Thewatchmangrabbed
RhamJasbythethroatand
pulledhimupright,therope
restrictinghisstomachand
makingitdifficulttostand.
Thesmellofwhiskywas
strongandthewatchmanheld
RhamJasatarm’slength.
‘HestinksofcheapRanen
shit,sir.’
Thesergeantleantinand
immediatelybaulkedatthe
smell.‘RhamJas,yousmell
likeyou’vebeenswimming
inthestuff.’
TheKirinsmiledand
madeashowofretching.All
threewatchmensteppedback,
leavingRhamJastofall
theatricallytothefloor.
‘Athousandapologies,my
noblelords…Iseemtobein
astateunsuitedforthe
companyofdignifiedmen
suchasyourselves.’Hespat
onthefloorandretched
again,holdinghishandupto
thewatchmenandaskingfor
amoment.
‘Kirin,lookatme,’the
sergeantsaid.‘Amangota
longbowarrowinthehead
lessthanhalfanhourago.’
Heheldoutthebloodiedshaft
ofoneofRhamJas’sarrows.
‘Knowanythingaboutthat,
boy?’
RhamJaslookedup,
lettingahelplessandpathetic
expressionflowacrosshis
face.‘Sorry,milord,Isold
mybowtobuythecheapshit
I’vebeenswimmingin…
whiskyisamuchbetter
masterthandeath.’Hissmile
wasbroad,butunfocused,
andRhamJasretchedagain,
thistimesummoningasmall
amountofvomitandaiming
itatthesergeant’sfeet.
‘Getthefuckawayfrom
me,youfilthyKirin.’The
sergeantroughlypushed
RhamJasbackandturnedto
hismen.‘Thispieceofwork
canbarelystand,letalone
stringabow.Hecouldmaybe
vomitamantodeath,but
he’snotourkiller.’
RhamJassalutedina
mockinggestureandfell
face-firstontothefloor,
droolingandmakinglow
groaningsounds.
Thewatchmenlaughed
andmockedhimloudlyas
theywalkedbacktothedoor.
Theroomfilledwith
swearingfromtheassembled
drunksforafewmoments,
butsilencequicklyreturned
tothetankandthesoundof
themetal-cladwatchmen
disappearedbelow.
RhamJasallowedhimself
asmile,butremainedonthe
ground,thinkingafew
momentsofrestwouldn’t
hurt.
***
SeveralhourslaterandRham
Jasfoundhimselfsitting
outsideatavernonthefar
sideoftown.He’dretrieved
hisweaponsandarmour
whentheBrownclerichad
cometowakeeveryoneup,
andtheKirinhadswiftly
removedhimselfandhis
belongingstoaplaceof
relativesafety.
Thesunhadbeenupfor
lessthananhourandRham
Jashadenjoyedwatchingthe
nightturntodayfroma
woodenbenchoverlooking
theport.Thetavernwasnot
yetopen,buthelikedthe
viewofstonehouses,tall
shipsandlifeslowlycreeping
intothestreets.
RoWeirwasbuiltona
hillwithallthecitystreets
slopingdowntowardsthe
largeharbourandtheKirin
Ridgebeyond.
Hishomelandwasover
theseaanddeepinthe
primevalforeststhatlinedthe
Ridge.Therewasawaterfall
andanarrowwoodedvalley
throughwhichranasparkling
river.Hisfarmwasoneof
severalatthesouthernendof
thevalley.Itwasaland
calledOslanbythosethat
livedthere,Lislanbythe
Karesians,andsimplythe
KirinwoodsbytheRo.
He’dnotbeenbackthere
formanyyearsandhe
doubtedtherewouldbemuch
leftofhishome.Hiswifewas
dead,aswereallhisfriends
andneighbours,killedbythe
Purpleclericswhohad
assaultedhisvillagelooking
forrisenmen.Hischildren
hadsurvived,butweretaken
afterthebattlebyKaresian
slaversastheytriedtofind
theirfatherinthewoods.
Purpleclericswereoften
followedbysuchmen,who
thoughtaclericattackagood
opportunitytosecurenew
slaves.
RhamJashadbeendeep
intheforestsofOslan
huntingGorlanwhenhe’d
seentheplumesofsmoke.
He’dknownwhatitmeantas
he’dpersonallyhelped
repulseseveralsuchattacks
inthepast,buthearrived
onlyintimetoseethetracks
ofaslaverwagonandthe
ruinsofhishome.
Theclericsofnobility
dislikedpeoplefollowing
deadgods,andthestrange
darkwoodtreethatlayinthe
middleofthevalleyhadlong
beenafocusofworshipfor
theKirinwholivedthere.
Thenameofthegodit
symbolizedwasnotknown,
butthesimplepeopleof
OslandidnotneedtheOne,
RowanocoorJaatohelp
themsowcropsandprayfor
amildwinter.Therisenmen
whosharedthevalley,called
theDokkalfarintheirown
language,hadlongbeenallies
oftheKirinandletthem
worshipatthefootoftheir
sacredtree.
ThefirsttimethePurple
hadattacked,yearsbefore
RhamJaswasafather,the
Kirinhadendeduppinnedto
thetreeitselfbyacrossbow
bolt.He’dhungtherefor
severalhours,astheother
farmersheldthevillage,
gettingweakerwitheach
minute.However,the
experiencehadchanged
RhamJas.Hisbloodhad
mixedwiththesapofthe
strangetreeandsomethingin
thatunionhadgivenhim
sharperreflexes,akeener
mindandacertainknowledge
thatothergodshadonce
existed.Evennow,thirteen
yearslater,hestillfeltthe
strengththatthetreehad
givenhim.Hehealedquickly
andhad,morethanonce,
survivedwoundsthatwould
killanormalman.
Ashethoughtofhispast,
RhamJasshookhisheadasif
toclearhismind.Hedisliked
thethoughts,whichwere
inevitablyoftheheatof
burningwoodandthe
bloodiedbodyofhiswife.
HernamewasAlice,andhe
missedhermorethanhe
couldadequatelyexpress.His
lifesinceherdeathhadbeen
full,buthehadneverlostthe
feelingthat,withouther,no
onetrulyunderstoodhim.
RhamJassmiledasthe
breezehithisfaceandhe
picturedAlice’sbeautiful
features.Thegriefhefeltfor
hischildrenwasdifferent,
somehowmorehollow,
becausehehadnever
avengedthem.He’dtracked
theslaverstothecityof
Kessia,thecapitalofKaresia,
buthehadlethisangeratthe
clericstakeoverandhadleft.
Hischildrenhadbeenlostto
theslavemarketsand,when
RhamJasreturnedtopursue
them,heandAl-Hasimhad
runintotroublethatmade
returningtoKaresiaalmost
impossible.
Al-Hasimusedtotryand
getRhamJastotalkabouthis
grief,asifitwouldhelphim
overcomeit.Whathisfriend
didn’tunderstandwasthat
RhamJashadalready
overcomehisgrief.He’d
spentsixyearshuntingdown
everysinglePurplecleric
whohadcometohisvillage
andhadkilledthemall.Rham
Jashadlostcountofhow
manychurchmenhaddiedat
thetipofanarroworthe
pointofhiskatana,butitwas
atleasttwenty.He’dhunted
onethroughthewildsofthe
Fellonfootforthreedays,
killingthemanwithhisbare
handswhenhebackedhim
intoawolfsnareand
strangledhim.Anotherwas
asleepinataverninRo
ArnonwhenRhamJas
coveredhismouthandslithis
throat.He’dpaidagroupof
mercenariestoassaulta
squadofwatchmeninorder
togettotheclerictheywere
escortingandeventuallyhe’d
foundthecommander
coweringinanoldchurch
beyondtheplainsofLeith.
Theleaderofthesquadthat
hadburnedRhamJas’s
villageknewthatdeathwas
lookingforhim;heworehis
purplerobesonlytoweekly
prayersandhadlethis
armourrust.Hehadeven
pleadedwiththeKirin,saying
thathehadrenounced
violenceandaskedtheOne
forforgivenessdaily.Rham
Jasrememberedwithexact
detailwhathe’dsaidtothe
clericbeforehe’dcutoffhis
armsandlegsandwatched
himbleedtodeath.
Theclerichadlookedhim
intheeyeandsaidthatthe
OneGodwaswatchingand
wouldforgivehimhis
heathenworshipofadead
god.RhamJashadreplied
simply,‘Yourgodalready
hasatasteforblood,sohe
shouldenjoythis.’
Oncethelastclericwas
dead,RhamJaswasno
longerthemanwhohadlosta
wifeandtwochildren.He
becametheKirinassassin
RhamJasRamiandhadno
furtheruseforsofttalkof
grieforkindwordsof
comfort.He’dgivenupon
goodnessandhadcometo
believethatnoamountof
gooddeedscouldmakea
differencetotheworld.
Thehappiesthe
rememberedbeinginthe
yearssincehiswifehaddied
wasthetimehe’dspent
travellingwithAl-Hasimand
laterBromandMagnus.He
mettheKaresianfirst,some
monthsafterhe’dkilledthe
commander,andtheybonded
quickly.Bothmenhada
hatredofthechurchofRo
andbothhadreasonsfornot
beingabletoreturntotheir
ownlands.
They’dspentmany
monthsmovingthroughout
TorFunweir,sharingstories,
alcoholandwomen.They’d
beenthieves,brigands,
mercenariesandconmen,
neverstayinginthesame
placeforlongandconstantly
seeingthespectreofthe
clericsroundeachcorner.
RhamJashadneverbeen
chargedwiththenumerous
murdershe’dcommittedand,
aftersevenyears,hethought
hisfacilityforstealthand
assassinationprecludedany
chanceofthePurpleclerics
arrestinghim.Heguessed
thatthevariedwaysinwhich
he’dkilledhiswife’s
murderers,andthetimehe’d
waitedinbetween,hadbeen
sufficienttoconfuseany
clericswhohadsoughtto
investigatethekillings.
Nomenknewofwhat
he’ddone;evenAl-Hasim
knewonlythathe’d
wanderedthroughthelands
ofmenafterhisvillagehad
beenburned,butnotthetrue
purposeofhiswandering.
Whentheyreturnedto
Karesiatogethertolookfor
hischildren,RhamJashad
liedaboutwhathe’dbeen
doingtodelaythesearch.
‘Brom,areyougoingto
hideinthatalleywayandspy
onmeallmorning?’Rham
Jashadalreadyseenthe
younglordofCanarnseveral
timesashe’dwalkedaway
fromthedrunktank.
Bromwasadangerous
man,butstealthwasnotone
ofhisgifts.Nowhestepped
outfromhisplaceof
concealmentandcametosit
onthebenchnexttoRham
Jas,sharingtheimpressive
viewofRoWeir.
‘Yourbootshavesteel
bucklesonthem,muchbetter
qualitythanmostaroundhere
canafford.Theymakea
cleanersoundanddon’tgrate
asmuchascheaperones,’
RhamJassaidasheturnedto
lookathisfriend.‘Youlook
tired.Maybeyoushouldgeta
fewhours’restbeforeyoutry
topersuademeagain.Idon’t
wantyourmindtobeaddled
byfatigue.’
Bromdidn’tsmileorturn
tofacehisfriend.Heshielded
hiseyesfromthesunand
continuedtogazedownover
theroofsofstonehousesto
thetallshipsatanchorinthe
harbour.TheKirinthoughthe
sawatearinhisfriend’seye,
butitmayhavebeenatrick
ofthelight.Bromwasa
guardedman,notgivento
displaysofemotion,and
RhamJasguessedthathewas
composinghimself.With
patienceandarare
acknowledgementthathehad
nothingimmediatelypressing
toattendto,RhamJaswaited,
givingBromasmuchtimeas
heneeded.
‘Thisisasfarsouthasthe
knightsoftheRedhaveever
been.Didyouknowthat,
RhamJas?’Bromasked.
TheKirinknewlittleof
thehistoryofTorFunweir,
buthe’dcertainlyneverheard
oftheknightscrossingthe
Ridge.‘Meninsteelarmour
don’tfightwellinthedesert,
Isuppose,’hereplied.
‘Toocoldortoohotand
theygohome.It’sstrange
thattheirsupposedhonour
takesabackseatto
temperature.Theynevergot
asfarnorthasFjorlan
either…toocold,’Bromsaid.
RhamJashadendured
manynightsofMagnusgoing
onandonabouthisland
beingunconquered.Themen
ofRanenthoughtitagreat
thingthatthenorthofthe
Freelandshadneverbeen
invadedbytheRo.
‘Idon’tlikethecold
either,’RhamJassaid,‘but
thenI’mnotaconquering
armyofwarriors…Isuppose
I’mprobablyapoor
example.’
Bromdidn’tsmile.‘Even
theKirinwoodsand
scablandsaretoohotfor
them.I’mamazedthey’ve
heldontoRoWeirforthis
long…though,Isuppose,the
seabreezedoescooltheplace
down,’hesaid.
RhamJashadfirst-hand
experienceofthePurple
clerics’variouslow-key
expeditionsintoOslanonthe
farsideoftheRidge,butthey
hadnevergonethereinforce.
Bromwasprobablyright–
bringingthewordoftheOne
wasapparentlyconditionalon
thetemperaturebeingjust
right.
‘Isthisasfarsouthasyou
wereplanningtorun?’Rham
Jasasked.
Bromleantbackandlet
thebrightmorningsunshine
playacrosshisface.‘Iwasn’t
running.Iwaslookingfor
you,’hereplied.
RhamJaswas
uncomfortablewith
responsibilityandthoughthis
friendwasfartoodistraught
tobethinkingclearly.He
decidedtotryandlightenthe
mood.‘Howaboutwegoand
getproperlydrunkandleta
fewwomentellushow
amazingweare?’he
suggestedcheerfully.
‘There’sawhorearoundhere
somewherecalledJacinta…
seriously,thewayshepurred
mynamemadememelt.I
reckonshecouldrollLord
BromvyofCanarnaroundher
mouthafewtimes,yes?’
Again,Bromgaveno
reactiontohisfriend’s
attemptathumour.He
breathedindeeplyandshifted
hisweight,pullinghis
longswordacrosshislap.
‘Howmuchgolddidyou
makeforkillingthatmanlast
night?’heasked.
‘Enoughforustogeta
womaneach,justlikeold
times…well,without
Magnusentertaininghalfa
dozenoftheminthenext
room.’
Bromfinallydecidedto
smileandturnedtofacehis
friend.‘RhamJas,I
appreciateyourattemptsat
makinglightofabsolutely
everything,butIdon’twanta
womanandIdon’twanttobe
cheeredup.You’rewelcome
togoandvisitJacintaifyou
wish,butI’llbewaitingfor
yououtsidewhenyou’re
finished.’
RhamJasstoodup
sharply.‘Thenwhatthefuck
doyouwant,Brom?You
didn’tcomeallthewayhere
todrink,fuckandbemerry,
andyoucertainlydidn’tcome
formycompany,’herattled
offangrily,missingafew
syllablesandlettinghisKirin
accentbecomebroad.
Forasecond,Brom
lookedconfusedashetriedto
makesenseofhisfriend.
‘RhamJas,sitdown,anger
doesn’tsuityou,’hesaid
calmly,‘andyounevercould
curseconvincingly.’
RhamJasfeltamomentof
childishpetulanceatbeing
toldoff,butheslowlysat
downnonetheless.Hecrossed
hisarmsandadoptedarather
comicaldisplayof
annoyance.Hehadnever
beengoodatshowing
concernorbeingseriousand
hewishedthatBromhad
soughtoutsomeoneelse.His
friend’spainwasdifficultfor
RhamJastounderstand;he
hadlongsincereconciledhis
owngrief,anddidnotlike
seeingitinothers.
‘Brom…Idon’tknow
whattosaytoyou,’hesaid
withasmuchsincerityashe
couldmuster.‘Yourfather,
yoursister,yourpeople…I
wouldn’tknowwhattosayto
themeither…that’swhyI’m
hereandnottakingpartin
gloriousbattlesandhopeless
defences.I’mjustaloneman
withabowandabadattitude.
Ikillformoney…I’dkillyou
ifIwaspaidenough.’
Bromraisedaneyebrow.
‘You’dtry,’hesaid,patting
thehiltofhissword.‘Rham
Jas,I’mnotleavinguntilyou
agreetohelpme.Now,I’m
preparedtofollowyou
aroundWeirforafewdaysif
that’swhatittakes,butI’d
ratheryoujustgaveinnow.’
RhamJasconsideredit.
Hisfriendhadnottoldhim
whathewantedandtheKirin
reallydidn’twanttoknow.
Bromwasbrave,cleverand
impulsive,amixtureoftraits
thatRhamJasknewwelland
heartilydisliked.Heletthe
momentstretchandthought
aboutthefacesofhisfew
livingfriends.Magnusmight
bedead,Al-Hasimwas
probablyonhisbackin
Fredericksand,andBromwas
sittingnexttohim.One
couldn’tbehelped,theother
didn’tneedhelp,andthethird
wasaskingforhelp.Muchas
RhamJaswouldhavelikedto
believethathewasacold,
heartlesskiller,itsimply
wasn’tthetruth.
‘Tellmewhatyouwant,’
hesaidquietly.
Bromnoddedandhiseyes
softenedslightlybeforehe
spoke.‘Ineedtoknowhow
youmanagedtokilloneof
theSevenSisters.’
RhamJasraisedhis
eyebrows.‘Er…Iputan
arrowinherforehead…that
was…maybefouryearsago,
notlongbeforeImetyou,’he
replied.
‘Iknowyoushotherin
thehead,buthowdidyou
managetodoit?AsfarasI
know,noonehasever
succeededinkillingone
beforeorafteryou.Anyone
whoswingsabladeorpulls
backonabowstringmisses.
Jaagivesthemsomewayof
avoidingdeath,’Bromsaid
angrily.
RhamJaswasalittle
confusedbythis.He’d
thoughtthatBromwould
wanthishelpinexacting
revenge,orsomething
similar.Tohearthathewas
tryingtokillaKaresian
enchantresswasalittle
concerning.
‘Look,I’vebeenasked
aboutthisbefore,youknowI
have.AllIcantellyouisthat
Istood…maybe…tenfeet
fromher.Shesmiledatme
forsomereason,perhaps
thinkingIwouldbe
bewitchedandbeunableto
letthearrowgo…thenIjust
shotherintheforeheadand
shedied,’hesaid.‘Brom,
whatdotheSevenSisters
havetodowithyou?’
‘That’swhyIwasn’tin
Canarnduringthebattle.I
sawtheLadyofSpidersin
thetownandwenttoTiris
lookingforyouorAl-Hasim.’
Helookeddownathisfeet
andshieldedhisfacefromthe
heatofthesun.‘WhenIsaw
theRedfleetlaunchIsaw
anotherKaresianwitchatthe
king’sleftshoulder,’hesaid.
‘ThatmakestwooftheSeven
Sisterssomehowinvolvedin
theattackonmyhomeland.’
RhamJasconsideredit.
Notmuchsolidinformation
wasknownaboutthe
enchantressesortheir
designs,butRhamJasand
Hasimhadgotonthewrong
sideofoneinKessia.Shehad
beenabeautifulwoman,
despiteherfacialtattoos,and
Al-Hasimhadmadean
inappropriatesuggestionto
her.Neitherofthemhad
knownwhoshewas,andthey
weresurprisedwhenshe
spokesomewordsandmade
bloodappearfromHasim’s
mouthandeyes.RhamJas
hadwarnedherand,when
she’drefusedtoreleasehis
friend,he’dshother.Itwas
onlyafterwardsthattheyhad
learnedofwhoshewasand
theenormityofherdeath.It
meantlittletoRhamJas,
exceptthathecouldnever
safelyreturntoKaresia.AlHasim,however,hadnever
acceptedthefactthathe
couldnotreturntohis
homelandforfearofreprisals
fromtheSisters.The
Karesian’sfatherhadbeen
taskedwithexecutingAlHasimand,inan
uncharacteristicshowof
paternalaffection,hadlethim
fleetoTorFunweirinstead.
‘Whichonedidyouseein
Tiris?’heaskedBrom.
TheSevenSistersrecycled
thesamefewnames,using
themasanhonorific.Theone
RhamJashadkilledwas
calledLilliantheLadyof
Deathandhe’dheardof
anothersincewiththesame
name.
‘Ididn’tgetcloseenough
tointroducemyself,Ijust
recognizedthetattooonher
faceandthedumbgrinshe
putontheking’sface,’he
replied.
‘Idon’tunderstandwhy
theSevenSisterswouldgive
apeasant’spissforRo
Canarn.It’saverylongway
fromKessia,’RhamJassaid,
shakinghishead.
‘True,buttheyareless
botheredbythecoldthanthe
knightsoftheRed.Ididn’t
knowwhyAmeirawasin
Canarn.Itneveroccurredto
methatthecitywouldbe
destroyedwhileIwasaway.
Magnuswasthere,I
thought…Idon’tknowwhat
Ithought.’Herubbedhis
eyesandpantedheavily,
showingtheexhaustionhe’d
beenhiding.‘Ishouldhave
toldsomeone…’
‘Brom,don’thavean
emotionalbreakdownnow.
Youweredoingsowellat
beingallcoldanduncaring.I
likethecryingBromsomuch
less,’RhamJassaidwitha
broadgrin.‘Ifyou’dtold
someone,andthey’d
approachedher,she’dhave
bewitchedthem.Ifyou’d
approachedheryourself,
she’dhavebewitchedyou.As
farasIknow,they’venever
beeninvolvedinthiskindof
thingbefore.Youhadnoway
ofknowingwhatwasgoing
tohappen.’Hethoughtfora
second.‘Ifanything,you
weresensibletoremainfree.
Thatwayyoucanmaybeget
help.’
Bromturnedtohisfriend
andnodded,makingRham
Jasrealizethathehadbacked
himselfintoacornerandwas
nowobligedtohelp.‘It’sme,
isn’tit,I’mthehelpyou
sought?’heaskedwith
resignation.
Bromcontinuedtonod.
‘We’reanarmyoftwo,Rham
Jas.’
‘Thisissomuchhorseshit
Icanbarelytalkbecauseof
thesmell,’RhamJasreplied,
‘butokay,anarmyoftwowe
are.’Heheldouthishandand
theysharedafirmhandshake.
‘So,whatdowedonow,my
lord?’
‘Mylandhasbeentaken,
myhousehasfallenandmy
familyareimprisoned…we
dowhatmyfatherwanted,
wegainfreedomforthe
peopleofCanarn,’hesaid
grandly.
‘Andafterthat?’RhamJas
askedwithasmile.‘Canwe
atleastspendafewdaysin
thebottomofabottleor
betweenawoman’slegsin
celebration?’
‘GetmebackintoCanarn
andhelpmekillthewitch
andwecandowhateveryou
like,’heanswered.
‘We’llhavetogobackvia
Cozz,’RhamJassaid,deepin
thought,‘there’sablacksmith
therewhodoesanicesideline
infraudulenttravel
documents.Unlessyouwant
touseGlenwood,butIdon’t
trustthatlittlesnake.’
Bromchuckled.‘Hegot
meoutofTiris,’hesaid,
reachingintohistunicand
producingtheforgedRed
churchsealhe’dusedtoleave
thecapital.Oncloser
inspection,theclaytabletwas
ofpoorqualityandGlenwood
hadleftouttwoofthesix
churchbannersthatofficial
sealsusuallycontained.
‘ThatstreakofRoshit
couldn’tforgemyarseifI
shoveditinhisfaceandgave
himareallycloselook,’
RhamJassaid,shakinghis
headattheforgedseal.‘You
werelucky,thegateguardsin
Tiriswereprobablydrunk.
No,ifwe’replanningasea
voyage,I’drathergetclay
thatdoesn’tturntomud
withintwentyminutes.’Asif
toemphasizethepoint,he
pulledoffacornerof
Glenwood’sforgeryand
crumbleditintoreddishmud
betweenhisfingers.
‘Okay,sowetakethe
KirinruntoCozz,’Brom
replied.
‘And,justsoI’mclear,
we’rekillinganyonethattries
tostopus,right?’RhamJas
knewhisfriendwasacold
bastardbutBromcouldalso
bekind-heartedand,ifthey
werebeinghuntedbyPurple
clerics,itwasunlikelythey
wouldbeabletotalktheir
wayoutoftrouble.The
churchmenoftheOneGod
weredetermined,andRham
Jasshookhisheadashe
thoughtofkillinganother
Purpleclericortwo.
‘Hopefully,theywon’t
findusandwewon’thaveto
decidewhethertokillthemor
not,’repliedBrom.
RhamJasnoddedand
reconciledhimselftothefact
thathewouldalwayshave
helpedhisfriend;hejust
neededalittletimetorealize
hewasn’tacold,heartless
assassin.
Somethingoccurredto
himandheleantforwardand
saidconspiratorially,‘Doyou
thinktheyknowwho
Magnus’sbrotheris?’
‘I’venoidea,’replied
Brom,‘but,fromwhatI
rememberofAlgenon,he’s
notsomeonetotriflewith.’
RhamJashadonlymetthe
highthainofRanenonce
beforeandwascertainthat
AlgenonTeardropdidnot
likehim,buthewasa
fearsomemantobeonthe
wrongsideofandadevoted
elderbrothertoMagnus.
PART2
CHAPTER6
ALGENON
TEARDROP
RAGNARSSONIN
THECITYOF
FREDERICKSAND
TheRanenassemblysaton
thecoastoftheFjorlanSea.It
wasoneofonlytwostone
buildingsinFredericksand,
theotherbeingachapelto
Rowanoco,theIceGiant.
Algenonstoodintheheavy
woodendoorwayand
wrappedhisbearskincloak
aroundhim.Theicehad
comeearlythisyearandthe
woodenhousesofhiscity
werecoveredwithalayerof
snow,brokenonlyby
chimneysandplumesof
smoke.Thecityrosefromthe
lowfjordsandspreadoutasit
creptuptherockycoastof
Fjorlan.
Algenonheldthetitleof
thain.Hewasthechieftainof
therealmofTeardrop,high
thainofRanen,andbearerof
hisfather’sname.Amanof
oversevenfeettall,he
hunchedoftenand,duetoan
oldshoulderwound,foundit
difficulttostandfully
upright.Hishairwasblack,
ashadbeenhisfather’s,and
wellgroomed,longandtied
backinabraid.Themenof
Ranenworebeardstoguard
againstthecoldand
Algenon’swasthickand
plaitedandfleckedwithgrey.
Hisyoungerbrother,
MagnusForkbeard,had
inheritedthegoldenhairof
hismother,Ragnar
Teardrop’sthirdwifeanda
womanonlyalittleolderthan
Algenon.Thebrotherslooked
littlealikeasidefromtheir
heightandsize,but
nonethelessthethainloved
hisyoungerbrotherdearly.
Theirpathsinlifehad
beenradicallydifferent,too,
withMagnusacceptingthe
voiceofRowanocofroma
youngageandjoiningthe
OrderoftheHammer.
Algenonhadstayedathis
father’ssideandhadknown
thathewouldrulewhenthe
timecame.Magnushadbeen
aprecociouschild,fighting
andarguingateveryturn.
Algenonhadtriedtolook
aftertheboy,butaftertheir
fatherdiedhe’dbeenmore
concernedwithhisdutiesas
thainandhadlargelyignored
theboy.Asaresult,Magnus
hadbecomestrongand
independent.Hewaswidely
travelledforaRanenandhad
spentlittletimeinthe
Freelandsafterhehadfirst
visitedCanarnsomeeight
yearsago.
Incontrast,Algenonhad
alwaysbeenaquietman,
consideringhiswords
carefullyandnotbeinggiven
totheviolenceforwhichhis
peoplewereknown.Whenhe
foughthedidsotokill,and
hehadneverfelttheneedto
bragorimpresswithdeedsor
skill.Withanaxeinhishand
hewasstillthemost
dangerousmanin
Fredericksand,buttheolder
hehadbecometheless
combathadfilledhismind
andthemorelikelyhewasto
trytotalkhiswaypast
obstacles.
‘Mylordthain.’The
wordscamefrombehindhim
andAlgenonrecognizedthe
speakerasWulfrick,oneof
hisbattle-brothersanda
trustedfriend.
Thethaindidnotturn,but
kepthissteelygazeontheicy
seasofFjorlan,deepin
thoughtandlettingimagesof
hisbrother’ssternfaceplay
onhismind.Hehadnotseen
Magnusfornearlyayear,but
hadreceivedfrequent
messagesregardinghis
foolishendeavoursinthe
south,andAlgenonwished
thathe’dforbiddenhimfrom
leavingFredericksandall
thoseyearsago.
‘Algenon,’Wulfrickspoke
again,moreinsistentthis
time.
‘Whatdoyouwant?’he
askedwithoutturning.
‘Theassemblyawaitsyou,
mythain.’Wulfrickbowed
hisheadashespoke.
Algenontookonelast
longlookouttoseaand
turned,marchingforcefully
throughthehugewooden
doorsoftheRanenassembly.
Hischainshirtwascovered
withmouldedleatherarmour,
containingsteelplates,and
thesoundofmetalonmetal
wasloudasheenteredthe
hall.
TheRanenassemblywas
ahigh-ceilingedbuildingof
whitestonethatroseina
circletoaskylightfiftyfeet
abovethefloor.Thelordsof
Ranensatonstonebenches
risingfromanopenfloorand
onaraisedplatformwasthe
singlechairreservedforthe
thainofFredericksand.
Theysatinfurandhide
clothing,beardedandbattlehardened;thethainsand
battlelordsofFjorlanwerean
intimidatingpresencefor
mostmen.Algenonhad
calledthemherefortwo
reasons,oneofwhichwas
unlikelytowinmuchsupport.
Asheapproachedhischairhe
hopedthatthenewsof
Magnus’simprisonment
wouldbeenoughtoconvince
thelordstolaunchthedragon
fleet.
Inunisonthetwohundred
Ranenlordsstoodandheld
theirfistshighinagestureof
respect.Theonlymanwho
remainedseatedwasThorfan,
thelore-master,amaninhis
eightiethyearoflifewhowas
boundtoholdthebooksof
theEarthShaker,thefew
textsthatchronicledthewill
ofRowanoco.
Wulfrickmovedpast
Algenontositatthefrontof
theraisedauditorium.Asaxemasterhewastheonlyman
permittedtofacethelords
ratherthanthethain.His
positionrenderedhishonour
unquestionable.
Thelordsremained
standingasAlgenonreached
intohiscloakandremoved
twosmallthrowing-axes,one
fromeachhip,andplaced
themonthefloorinfrontof
hischair.Inresponse,eachof
theassembledlordsheldaloft
asingleaxeandplacediton
thewhitestonefloorofthe
assembly.Thesoundwas
clearanddroveallothernoise
fromthehall,withonlythe
whistlingcoldwindechoing
aroundthebuilding.
Thisopeningritual
complete,Algenontookhis
seatatthefrontofthe
auditoriumandlookedupat
thesemicircleofRanenlords
seatedbeforehim.Wulfrick
unslunghishugetwo-handed
axeandbangedthehafttwice
onthestonefloor.Hewasthe
biggestmanintheassembly
andhisjobwastomaintain
theritualsandlawsof
Rowanoco.
‘Mylords,’Wulfrick
began,‘ourthainhascalled
forthisassembly.’Hespoke
clearlyinthearchaicRanen
languagereservedonlyfor
officialbusiness.‘Wewill
hearhiswordsinreachofour
axesandinsightofourgod.’
Athirdbangofhisaxe
accompaniedhisclosing
words.‘Rowanoco,lookon
yourpeoplewithprideandlet
usnotdisappointyou.’
Algenonrestedoneleg
acrossthearmofhiswooden
chairand,withcoldeyes,
lookedoverthefacesbefore
him.Heletthesilencelinger
andthecoldwindswirl
aroundthehallbeforehe
spoke.
‘Brothers,fartothesouth
liesthecityofRoCanarn.’
Recognitiononmanyfaces
showedthatthesemenknew
ofthecity.‘Therulerofthat
city,anhonourablemanof
RocalledHector,hasasked
mybrotherforsanctuary.’
Algenonpausedasthe
lordsgaspedandwhispered
commentsofincredulityat
thenews.Anotherstrikeon
thefloorfromWulfrick’saxe
andsilencereturnedtothe
hall.
Algenonglancedaround
theroom,hiseyesfallingon
thefigureofLordAleph
SummerWolf,anoldand
respectedthainfromthe
ancientcityofTiergarten.
Alephwasnotgaspingor
whispering,butlookedwith
interestathislord.Algenon
knewthemanwelland
smiledattheexpressionon
hisface.Ifhecouldinterest
allpresentinthesameway,
heknewhiswordswould
carryenoughweightto
persuadetheassembly.
Alephmaintainedeye
contactwiththethainand,
afterasecondofthought,
returnedhisthinsmile.Then
hestoodandreachedforhis
hand-axe.Withhisheadheld
high,hebangedthehaftof
hisaxeonthewhitestonein
frontofhim.Wulfricklooked
upandnodded.
‘Mylords,youknow
me…’Alephspokeloudly
andwithagravellyvoice.
‘LordAlgenoniswise,but
giventotheatrewhenthe
moodtakeshim.Iaskthathe
telltheentirestoryandnot
pausefordramaticeffect
morethantwicemore.’He
smiledandathinlaugh
echoedaroundtheassembly.
Algenonchuckledas
Wulfrickonceagaincalled
forsilence.Theassembled
lordsofRanenturnedbackto
thehighthainandawaitedhis
words.
‘Well,’Algenonsmiled
andstraightenedinhischair
ashespoke,‘Alephmakes
hispointwiththeeleganceof
anaxetotheface,butheis
wiserthanI.’Hestoodand
begantopaceinfrontofthe
assembly,steppingoverhis
twothrowing-axes.‘Magnus
isayoungmanwiththe
exuberanceofamountain
wolf,butheisnotstupid,nor
ishegiventolendinghis
hammertodishonourable
men.’Algenonpausedfora
secondtojudgethereaction
ofthosebeforehim.Hesawa
seaofnoddingheadsasall
presentsignifiedtheir
acceptancethatMagnuswas
amanofhonour.
‘Thatmakeswhathas
happenedallthemore
disturbing.’Thiscausedthe
lordstolookintentlyatthe
thain.‘Magnusofferedthe
blessingofRowanocoto
DukeHectorandhecalled
himbrother.’Algenon
returnedtohischairand
almostgrowledthenext
sentence.‘TheKnightsofthe
OneGodthendescendedon
thecityandmassacredthe
menofCanarn.’
Thereactionwas
instantaneous.Theassembled
lordsstoodandbeganto
shoutcursesandchallengesat
thegodofthesouth-men.The
FreelandsofRanenhadonce
beenunderthecontrolofthe
OneGodandhisclerics.All
theassembledlordsknewthe
stories–howthePurplehad
torndowntheshrinesto
Rowanoco,howtheBlack
haddesecratedtheirfuneral
mounds,andhowtheRed
hadenslavedanyable-bodied
Ranenman.Ithadbeentwo
hundredyearssincetheFree
Companieshadformedand
boughtbacktheirlandswith
bloodanddeath,butthemen
ofRanenstillfeltasmuch
hatefortheclericsand
knightsnowastheyhaddone
then.
Alephheldouthishands.
‘Brothers,Icallforsilence,’
hebellowed.‘Donotlet
angerdisplacewisdom.These
hallsdonotcursewithout
reasonandweshouldfollow
theirexample.LordTeardrop
hasmoretotellus,Iamsure.
Weshouldtakeourseatsand
listen;maybewewillhear
whythistragedyhastaken
place.’Hespokewith
wisdom,butAlgenonknew
thathewasapotentialrivalin
theassembly.
Hepickeduponeofhis
axesandlookedintentlyat
thefloor.‘Mybrotherstands
inacell.Thismakesme
angry.ThismakesRowanoco
angry.MagnusisoftheOrder
oftheHammerandisworthy
ofmorethanastoneroom
andalockeddoor.’
Thelordsagainshowed
theirdispleasure.Acagewas
themostinsultingthingtoa
Ranenandapriestinacage
wasthegravestinsult
imaginable.Deathwasa
thingtobecelebratedand
sungabout,whereastobe
defeatedandimprisonedwas
tobewithouthonourinthe
sightofRowanoco.Themen
ofRoknewlittleoftrue
honourandhadunknowingly
committedoneofthemost
heinouscrimes.
‘Mylords,thereis
more…’Algenonhadthought
agreatdealabouthowto
approachtheissueofthe
SevenSistersandhewasstill
unsureastothebestwayto
explainit.Al-Hasim,hisspy
andhisbrother’sdearfriend,
hadtoldhimlittleinhislast
messagesavethatthewitch
hadenchantedatleastoneof
theseniorknights.‘TheRed
knightshaveamongstthema
Karesianwitch,oneofthe
SistersofJaa,andherhand
touchestheweakmindsof
themenofRo.Herdesigns
areatworkhere,’hesaid,just
loudenoughtobeheard.
Oneofthelordstohisleft
stoodandbangedhisaxeon
thestone,askingtobeheard.
Wulfrickacknowledgedhim
andallturnedtohearhis
words.
ThemanwasLordRulag
Ursa,chieftainofJarvik.He
wasnotathain,butwas
knownandfearedforhis
prowessinbattle.Rulag
commandedafleetofdragon
shipsandfifteenthousand
warriors.Hescannedthe
room,lookingatthefacesof
hisfellowlords.
‘Iamasaggrievedatthe
treatmentofthepriestasany
manhere,’hebegan,‘butI
muchquestionLord
Teardrop’smotivation.Ifhis
intentionistogotowarover
aninsultpaidtohimbya
witch—’afewlords
consideredhiswordsand
severalnoddedinagreement
—‘maybeheshouldgothere
himselfandcallthiswoman
out.Doestheassemblyneed
tomeetinordertopanderto
ourthain’sego?’Hisvoice
roseinvolumeashefinished
speaking.
Shoutingeruptedfromthe
menasseveralcameto
Algenon’sdefence,andthose
seatedaroundRulagstood
andshoutedchallengesacross
thehall.
Axeswerebrandishedand
insultsexchangedasAlgenon
satquietlyandwaited.He
hadfearedthisreactionand
knewthatnotallthelordsof
Ranencaredfortalkof
sorcery.Manyweresimple
warriors,believingonlyin
whattheycouldsee,hearand
kill.TheOrderofthe
Hammerpossessedcertain
divinegifts,buttherageand
thevoiceofRowanocowere
thingstheRanenhadgrown
upwithandmostdidnot
considerthemsorcery.
Wulfrickletthechallenges
go,becauseaxeswerebeing
brandishedandRowanoco
haddecreedthatcastingone’s
axetosettleanargumentwas
anhonourablewayof
decidingmatters.Nonehad
beenthrownyet,butAlgenon
couldseethatthehallhad
becomesplitdownthe
middle,withhalfwanting
Rulagtoretracthisinsultand
theotherhalfcomingtohis
defence.
Wulfricksparedaglance
overhisshouldertolookat
Algenon.Bothmenknewthat
theonlywaytosilencethe
lordswouldbeforanaxeto
becastorforAlgenonto
speak.Noaxeswerethrown
andthethainwaitedfor
severalmoments,assessing
thestrengthoftheopposition.
Breathingindeeply,he
rosefromhischairand
pickedupbothofhis
throwing-axes.Wulfrick,
withaslightsmileathis
thain,bangedhisaxeonthe
whitestonefloorandallthe
lordsweresilent.Most
remainedstandingandRulag
thrustouthischintowards
Algenon,displayinghis
reluctancetoretractthe
insult.
‘Mylords,’Algenonsaid
loudly,‘thepointisafair
one,thoughthemannerofits
deliverycouldhavebeen
betterconsidered.’This
causedalowrumbleof
laughterfromcertain
quarters.‘WhethermyLord
Ursawantstoacceptthefact
ornotisirrelevant,the
witchesofJaahavetakena
handinthis…theyhave
brokenalawlaiddownby
Rowanocohimself.’Algenon
deliberatelyinvokedthename
oftheIceGiant,knowingthat
thelordswhosupportedhim
wouldnowdosoevenmore,
andthosewhosupported
Rulagwouldbehaving
doubts.
Wulfrickbangedthehaft
ofhisaxeonthefloorthree
timesbeforehespoke.‘The
wordofRowanocohasbeen
spoken.Thelawwillbe
stated.’
Thorfan,thelore-master,
whohadvirtuallyfallen
asleepinhischair,jolted
himselfuprightandreached
foraheavyleather-bound
bookonastandtohisleft.
Heclearedhisthroatand
placedthebookinhislap.
Openingit,heproclaimed,
‘ThewordofRowanoco,as
passeddowntousbyKalall
oftheLegion,thefirstlore-
masterofFredericksand,will
beheard.’Heleafedthrough
thepages,takinghistimeas
helookedfortherelevant
passage.Hiseyeswere
narrowandhesquintedto
readthearchaicscriptofthe
book.Makinglowmuttering
soundstohimself,hecleared
histhroatagainbefore
continuing,‘TheIceGiant
decreedthatthemenof
Ranen,thefreemenofthe
north,thoseoftheLowKast,
theclansofthePlateauof
Ursa,themenoftheDeep
Cross,thepriestsandlordsof
Hammerfall…’hebreathedin
sharplyandletacough
escapehislipsbefore
continuing,‘shallneverallow
aman,awomanoran
instrumentofanothergodto
imprisononeoftheirownor,
throughdesignoraction,
makewarorforce
subjugationontheir
brothers.’
Thispassagewaswell
knowntomostofthemen
present.Ithadbeen
paraphrasedahundredtimes
overtheyearsandusedasa
rallyingcryforallmannerof
inadvisableendeavoursandat
leastonetrulyjustcause.
ThisdecreeofRowanocohad
beenthespurforthe
formationoftheFree
Companiesandhad
ultimatelyledtotheRobeing
thrownbackacrosstheseato
TorFunweir.
ThelawsoftheIceGiant
werechaoticandopento
interpretation,servingnoble
thainandviolentwarlord
alike.Algenonknewthatit
wasariskyploytousethe
decreeofRowanocointhis
way,buthealsoknewthat
thealternativewastokill
Rulag.
AlephSummerWolfstood
andbrokethesilenceby
strikinghisaxeagainststone.
RulagUrsaalsostillstood,as
didhalfadozenother
warlordsfromaroundJarvik.
AlgenonsawRulag’sson,
Kalag,clenchinghisfist
angrilyaroundhisthrowingaxe,seeminglywaitingforan
opportunitytothrowit.The
lordsofJarvikwerefeared
enoughtomakeseveralofthe
neighbouringrealmsally
themselveswithhimforfear
oflaterretribution,and
Algenoncountedfifteenlords
whoweresupportingRulag.
Alephlookedoveratthe
otherstandingmenandthen
flashedAlgenonaknowing
look;he,too,hadassessedthe
strengthofthehighthain’s
opposition.
‘Weknowthislaw,
brothers,’Alephbegan,‘and
weknowhowithasbeen
usedandmisusedinthepast.’
Heshotanotherglanceat
Algenon,asiftosaysorryfor
whathewasabouttodo.
‘LordAlgenonseemstothink
weareallassimpleasLord
GanekofTiergarten,anold
lordlingofminewhoused
thisdecreetokilla
neighbouringlordfor
imprisoninghiswinterpigs,’
hesaidwithasmile,asat
leasthalftheassembled
Ranenbegantolaugh.
‘Apparently,asthepigs
providedfoodforhiswife
andtwofairdaughters,he
consideredthempartofthe
familyandtherefore
brothers.’Thelaughterrose
andAlgenonthoughtthat
evenRulaglookedamusedat
thestory.
‘Mylordthain,’Aleph
addressedAlgenondirectly,
‘Ihavegreataffectionfor
yourbrother.Iwoulddoubt
thatthereisamanherethat
doesnotfeelpersonally
insultedbyhistreatmentat
thehandsoftheOne.’He
addressedtheotherlords,
‘Butifthethainwishesto
launchthedragonfleet
againstthecityofRoCanarn
andtheknightsoftheOne—’
allweresilentashespoke
—‘thenImustvoicemy
consideredobjection.A
singlepriestoftheHammer
doesnotwarrantthedeathsof
hundredsofmen.’Hesat
down,asshoutingerupted
fromtheotherRanen.
Algenonsatbackdownas
twohundredRanenlords
shoutedateachother.
Followingthewordsof
Aleph,theoppositionto
Algenonhadbecomestronger
thanhissupport,andRulag
Ursafelthehadrightand
wisdomonhisside.
Wulfrickwassilent,but
theglancehedirectedathis
thainshowedhisconcernthat
Algenoncouldnotout-think
Aleph.
ThethainofFredericksand
consideredhisnextmove
carefully.Hesawlittleoption
andstoodupwithpurpose,
pickinguphisaxesand
keepinghiseyesonthefloor.
Wulfrickbangedhisaxe
loudlyonthefloortwiceand,
whensilenceonlyslowly
returnedtothehall,shouted
inaboomingvoice,‘The
highthainwishestospeak.’
Algenonwasgladofthe
axe-master’ssupport,evenif
itwasmoreceremonialthan
tangiblyuseful.Heheldboth
histhrowing-axeslooselyin
hishandsashestepped
forwardsandcametostand
beforetheraisedseats.‘Lord
Alephonceagainshowshis
cunning,hiswitandhis
considerablewisdom.Isalute
you,mylord,butImeanto
launchthedragonfleetand
rescuemybrother.’
Theassembledlordswere
nowdeathlysilent,knowing
thatAlgenonwasnotaman
totriflewithwhenhehad
madeuphismind.They
begantotaketheirseatsas
thethainraisedhiseyesand
lookedoverthefacesofthe
menwhohadspokenagainst
him.Rulagmethisgazefora
secondbeforeturningaway
andsittingdown,restinghis
axeonthefloor.KalagUrsa
appearedsurprisedthathis
fatherhadyielded,but
followedhisleadandsat
down.
Aleph,whohadalready
takenhisseat,looked
suspiciouslyatAlgenon,his
eyesnarrowingasheglanced
athisownthrowing-axeon
thestonebeforehim.
Algenonlookedattheold
lordandfeltamoment’s
regretbeforehetookastep
forwardsandlaunchedoneof
hisaxesatAleph.Theaxe
spunthroughtheairasAleph
widenedhiseyesand
followeditstrajectoryintohis
chest.Itwasagoodthrow
andAlephwasallowedonlya
momenttogaspforbreath
beforeheslumpedforwards,
dead.
Hisrobesweredark
brown,coveredinbearskin,
andthebloodthatflowed
freelyoverhisbodyleftlittle
evidentstainbeforeitspilled
ontothewhitestone.The
lordsaroundhimmoved
alongintheirseats,butthey
didsoonlytoavoidhisblood
andeveryoneelsebowed
theirheadsinsilentrespect.
Algenonheldhisotheraxe
tightlyinhisfistandswungit
slowlybackandforth,
allowinganyonewhowanted
tocasthisaxeinreturntodo
so.Nonedid,and,aftera
minute,Wulfrickstruckthe
flooragain.
Thorfan,thelore-master,
saidwithpractisedformality,
‘Anaxehasbeencastin
favourofthemotionand
nonehavebeencastagainst.
ThemotionisasLord
Teardropsays.’
Algenondidnotletany
doubtshowonhisface,but
hefeltfoolishforhaving
resortedtokillingAleph.In
theeightyearshe’dbeen
thainofFredericksandthis
wasonlythethirdtimehe
hadcastanaxe,andhe
thoughtthelordsnowfeared
himmorethantheyhaddone
before.He’dbeencarefulto
cultivateanimageof
inscrutabilityand
ruthlessness,buthadrarely
hadtoresorttohisweapons.
Whattheothersdidn’t
understand,andwhathe
couldnevermakethem
understand,wasthatAlgenon
spokeforRowanoco,andthe
IceGianthadaskedhimto
sailforRoCanarnandstand
againsttheKaresian
enchantress.
HewasnotoftheOrderof
theHammer,buthehad,
sincehehadcometothe
officeofhighthain,amore
directwayofcommunicating
withhisgod.
Silently,heresumedhis
seat.‘Iexpectallwarlords,
battle-brothersandfleet
captainstoattendmeinmy
hallbeforemorning.’He
turnedtothemanseatedto
therightofAleph.‘Lord
BorrinIronBeard,’hesaidto
theaxe-masterofTiergarten,
‘youwillspeakforyourland
inyourmaster’splace.’
Borrinwasyoungerthan
Aleph,barelyinhisthirtieth
year,buthiseyeswerethose
ofaseasonedwarrior,andhe
glaredatAlgenon.‘Your
wordismylaw,’hesaid
quietly,‘andtheaxeof
Tiergartenisyours,mylord.’
Nomorewordswere
spoken.Algenonstoodand
turnedbacktothehuge
woodendoorsofthe
assembly.Thesoundof
Wulfricksignallingtheendof
thesessionwithhisaxe
echoedaroundthehallas
Algenonstrodefromthe
Ranenassembly.
Outsidetheharshwind
onceagainstruckhisface,
andheallowedhimselfa
momentofquietreflection
whilelookingouttosea,
beforemakinghiswayback
toFredericksandandthe
dutiesthatlaybeforehim.
***
ThehallofTeardropwasa
longwoodenbuildingwith
high-vaultedceilingscoming
toapoint,andadozen
chimneystoletthesmoke
fromthefire-pitsescape.
Ancientweapons–axes,
spears,falchionsand
hammers–hungfromthe
walls,andtheskullsoftrolls,
Gorlanspidersandlesserknownbeastsadornedthe
hall.Noneoftheweaponsor
killsbelongedtoAlgenon,
buthekeptthemthereasa
testamenttotheoldlordsof
Fjorlan,menwho,itwassaid,
hadfoughtfromonesideof
theLowKasttotheotherto
clearalandforthemenof
Rowanoco.
Tapestrieshungfromthe
highceilingdepictingGiants
inbattleandtheKrakensof
theFjorlanSeadevouring
ships.Thehallwasusedfor
meetings,feastsandritual
combat,anditwaswhere
AlgenonTeardropheldcourt.
Hishomewasinasmall
adjoiningbuildingand,ashe
satonhisfather’schairatthe
farendofthehall,hewished
thathehadleisuretogoand
spendafewuncomplicated
hourswithhischildren.
Unfortunately,hehadcasthis
axeandthewayforwardwas
nowwrittenintherockof
Fjorlan.
Wulfrickstoodathisright
sideandallowedtheRanen
lordstoenteronebyoneto
pledgetheirsupporttothe
highthain.Eachmanwalked
withasmallretinuefromthe
opendoorstowhereAlgenon
sat.Thehallwasotherwise
empty,andthelordshadto
passsevenlongfeasttablesas
theywalkedtowardshim.
Wulfrickhadoften
commentedthatAlgenon’s
ancestors,whohadbuiltthe
hall,hadawayofmaking
theirbattle-brothers
uncomfortable,asthewalk
waslongandtheyremained
inthethain’ssighttheentire
way.
RulagUrsaandthelords
ofJarvikappearedtohave
beenreconciledtotheplan,
andtheynowhungeredfor
combat.BorrinIronBeard,
Aleph’saxe-master,wascurt
butrespectfulandhad
pledgedthreedragonships
andfivehundredwarriors.
ThelordsoftheLowKast
andHammerfellhadbeen
lesskeentopledgetheirfull
support,butthreatsand
remindersoftheirdutyhad
gainedafurtherthirtyships
withbattle-hardenedcrews.
‘Howmanyisthat?’
Algenonaskedhisaxemaster.
‘That’sfifteenlordsand
theirbattle-brothers,my
thain.’Hewaslookingovera
pieceofparchmentthatsaton
atableinfrontofhim.‘We
haveahundredandtwelve
shipsandnosmallamountof
bloodlust.’
Algenonshotadark
glanceatWulfrick.‘You
thinkI’mwrongtodothis?’
‘Yes,mylord,youare
wrongtodothis,’hesaid
withnohumour,‘butyou
knewthatwhenyoudidit.’
Wulfrickhadknownthethain
allofhislifeandfeltfreeto
speakhismind.‘Idon’tknow
whatSamsontheLiartold
youthatpushedyouintothis,
butwe’regoingtowar
againsttheknightsofthe
One.Youcanrationalizeitas
adecreeofRowanoco,or
evensayyou’regoingtotry
andkillanimmortalKaresian
witch,buttherealityisthat
we’regoingtowarwiththose
Redbastards.’
Algenonlookeddownat
thefloor.‘Samsoniscloserto
Rowanocothananypriestof
theHammerandhis
counsel…oncertain
matters…iswithoutequal.’
Hemayhavepushedthe
lordsintowar,buthehadnot
donesoonawhim.Hewas
followingthewillofhisgod
andhehadneverfelthecould
questionsuchacommand.He
wishedhecouldtellWulfrick
abouthisduty,buthewas
forbiddenfromdoingso.
TheonlyRanenwhoknew
ofthelegacyofthethainsof
FredericksandwastheoldbloodedSamson.Hehadthe
bloodofGiantsand,through
thousandsofgenerations,
couldclaimafamilialbond
withtheancientIceGiants
thatoncewalkedtheland.He
waslargelyinsaneandwas
seenasadishonourableold
liarbymost,buthehadcome
toAlgenononthedayof
RagnarTeardrop’sdeathand
toldhimofhishereditary
duty–thatthehighthainof
Ranenistheexemplarof
Rowanocoandispledgedto
theLongWar,theendless
battlebetweentheGiants.
‘Telltheotherlordsto
returntomorrow.’Algenon
rubbedhiseyes.‘I’mtired
andnightiswellintothe
sky.’Hegotupslowly.
‘You’remyfriend,butIneed
trustnowandnotfriendship,’
hesaidtohisaxe-master.
‘Youwillalwayshave
both,mylord,’Wulfricksaid
plainly,‘butafriendtellsa
friendwhenhe’sbeing
foolish,andsoIthinkwe’ll
stayfriendsforawhile.’He
offeredhishandtoAlgenon
whotookitwarmly.
Thebattle-brothersstood
facetofaceforamoment
beforeWulfrickspokewitha
smile.‘Iassumeyouhad
consideredtalkingtoAleph’s
daughter?’
‘Ihadconsideredit,yes.
That,too,canbedealtwith
tomorrow,’Algenonsaid
withnosmile.
Wulfricktookthelong
walktotheentranceandleft
thehall,leavingAlgenon
standingbyhischair,deepin
thought.Hehadmuchtodo
beforehecouldsailforthe
landsofRoandmostofit
neededtobedoneinprivate.
SpeakingtoHallaSummer
Wolf,Aleph’sdaughter,was
necessary,butnotlikelyto
endinbloodshed.Theaxemaidenwasahardwoman
andknewthewayofthings,
havingfoughtinmany
conflictsbetweenrivallords.
Algenonhopedshewould
accompanythefleetanddo
herfatherhonour.
Hetriedtorubthefatigue
fromhiseyes,butwithhis
mindabletofixonnothing
butthenight,Algenon
TeardropRagnarsson,high
thainofRanenandexemplar
ofRowanoco,decidedtogo
tobed.
Hewalkedfromthecentre
ofthelonghalltothetall
woodendoorbehindhis
chair.Thedoorwasclosed,
butnotlocked,andAlgenon
pausedasecondtolisten
againstthewoodbefore
knockingquietly.Hestepped
backasthecircularhandle
wasturnedandthedoor
swungslowlyoutwards.
Towardsthebottomofthe
doorthefaceofachild
peeredout.
‘Ihopeyourbrother
knowsthatyou’restillawake
andthatyou’vebeenlistening
atdoors?’heaskedhis
daughter.
IngridTeardropwasnine
yearsoldandwasbecoming
moremischievouswitheach
passingwinter.Shehadher
father’sblackhairandher
mother’sdeepblueeyes,but
thegrinwasallherown.
Shelookedatherfather
withwide-eyedfearfora
second.‘Erm,Alahan’s
asleepandIthoughtIshould
listentowhatwasgoingon.
Tofindoutaboutthings,’she
said.
‘Things?’queried
Algenon.
‘ForwhenI’mthainess,’
shesaidproudly.
‘I’vetoldyoubefore,
Ingrid,thereisnosuch
positionasthainess.The
positionisthainand,asI’ve
toldyouathousandtimes,a
womancannotbecomeone,’
heansweredwithasmile.
‘Butthat’sstupid.I’m
clevererthanAlahanandI’m
fasterand,whenI’molder,I
betI’llbebetterwithanaxe.’
Shehadanexpressionof
mockhurtonherfaceand
Algenonpulledthedoor
furtheropenandputhisarm
roundher.
Shewaswearingclothes
handeddownfromher
twenty-four-year-oldbrother
andwastryingtolookmore
likeaman.Shewasbarefoot,
clearlyinanattemptto
remainsilent,andherknees
borescrapemarksfrom
whereshe’dbeenclambering
aroundthegreathall.Shewas
veryquickandagileforher
age,andAlgenonhadgiven
uptryingtochaseherwhen
shemisbehaved.
‘Littlewolf,’hesaid
affectionately,‘you’llgrow
strongandtallandgivebirth
tomightyRanenchildren.’
Sheshothimadisgusted
expression.‘Iwillnot.I’llbe
thefirstthainessof
Fredericksand.’
‘Ingrid,’hesaidseriously,
‘doyouthinkcombatand
deathholdsmorehonourthan
bringinglivesintothisworld
andtreatingthemwithlove?’
Ingridlookedasifshe
wereabouttobreakintoa
grinatherfather’s
seriousness,butinstead
wriggledunderhisarmand
dartedbackintothehouse.
‘Ifyougetoutofbed
again,youwillhavenostory
beforebedtomorrow,’he
chidedgently.
Shelookedslightlyhurtat
herfather’sdispleasureand
saidinatimidwhisper,‘But
youweretellingmeaboutthe
Krakens.’
‘Andifyouwanttohear
anymoreabouttheKrakens,
littlewolf,you’lldoasIsay.’
Algenon’shomewasa
simpleplace,afarcryfrom
hiscavernousfeasthall.It
hadthreeroomsarounda
centralareausedforallthings
fromcookingtobathing.The
twosmallestroomsslept
IngridandAlahan,andwere
largeenoughforhisdaughter
tokeepuntidyandhissonto
useonlyrarely.Theroomhe
hadsharedwithhiswifewas
nowjustabarechamberwith
abedinit.He’dremovedall
ofthedecorationswhenshe
diedandhadneverspent
morethananightinthere
since.
Ingriddisappearedintoher
roomandthenslowlypoked
herheadbackroundthedoor.
‘Father,thatmonsterman
cametoseeyouagain,’she
said,referringtoSamsonthe
Liar.‘Hegibberedabitat
Alahanandthenleft.Ithink
hewasannoyedyouweren’t
here.ImissHasim,ishe
comingbacksoon?’
‘Gotobed,littlewolf.’
Al-Hasimhadbeenan
infrequentguestoverthelast
fewyearsandhadgrownto
becomeanuncleofsortsto
Ingrid.Hetoldheroutrageous
liesabouthisadventuresand
waspunchedbyAlahanona
numberofoccasions.
Shegrinnedandclosedthe
door,thoughAlgenon
doubtedshe’dgotosleep.He
brieflyconsideredwakinghis
sontodiscusshis
responsibilitieswhilehis
fatherwasaway,butthought
betterofitasheyawned
again.
Thesmallfireplaceinthe
centralroomburnedallday
andnighttokeepoutthecold
andAlgenonwarmedhimself
foramomentbeforeclumsily
removinghisarmour.The
outerleatherwasheavyand
themetalplateswithinmade
itawkwardasheplacedit
overachair.Oncehischain
mailwasunbeltedatthe
waist,itcouldsimplybe
shruggedoffandlefttofallto
theground,makingaloud
clankasithitthebearskinrug
underhisfeet.Now,wearing
asimpleblackshirt,Algenon
lookedintoasmallmirrorfor
amoment.Thescarredand
beardedfacehesawlooking
backathimseemednothing
butatiredoldmanand
eventuallyhetrudgedacross
theroomtohisbed.
***
Itwasacoldandclear
morningasHallaSummer
Wolf,axe-maidenof
Rowanocoandbearerofher
father’sname,cametothe
greathallofFredericksandto
meetwithLordAlgenon.
Shestoodatthehugeoak
doorswithherbearskincloak
wrappedtightaroundherand
herredhairflowingdownto
thesmallofherback.Halla
wasawomanofsixfeetin
heightandthirtyyearsofage.
Herchainmailandbattleaxe
wereconstantadornments
andshetookherroleasaxemaidenveryseriously.She’d
lostherlefteyetoathrown
axesomeyearsagoandwore
ablackeyepatchacrossthe
emptysocket.Shewasstill
occasionallycalledone-eye
theaxe-woman,buthad
perfectedherglare
sufficientlytorenderthe
insultinfrequent.
Herfatherhadproduced
nosonsandHallafeltthe
weightofhernamemore
acutelyasaresult.Shewas
quicktofightandcultivateda
reputationforbeingbadtemperedandviolent.
Thegreathallsatonahill
overlookingthetownandwas
setbackfromthelowwooden
buildingsthatstretcheddown
totheFjorlanSea.Hallahad
receivedthenewsofher
father’sdeathlatethe
previousnight,whenBorrin
hadcometospeaktoher.
She’dcometoFredericksand
withherfatherfromtheir
homeinTiergartenthreedays
beforeinanswertothehigh
thain’ssummons.They’d
travelledupthecoastwitha
smallcontingentofbattlebrothers,unawareofwhat
awaitedthem.AlephSummer
Wolfhadtoldhisdaughterto
remainawayfromthe
assembly,knowingthatmany
ofthelordswouldbeangryat
thepresenceofawoman.The
Tiergartenassembly,though
halfasbigasthe
Fredericksandhall,sat
severalwomen–Halla’saxemaidensandsomeofthe
bravestfightersinFjorlan.
However,shewasstillseen
asacuriositybymost,rather
thanatruewarrior.
She’dmetAlgenon
Teardropbeforeandfound
hisinscrutableface
disconcerting.Itwasasifhe
alwaysknewwhatsomeone
wasthinking,andherfather
hadoftensaidhewasthe
mostdangerousmanin
Fjorlan.
Thedoortothehall
openedandWulfrick,the
axe-masterofFredericksand,
tookastepoutintothecold
morningair.Heraisedhis
eyebrowsatseeingHallaso
earlyinthemorning.He
movedslowlyfromthe
doorwaytostandbeforeher,
pushingthedoorclosed
behindhim.
‘Coldthismorning,isn’t
it?’Hepulledhisownheavy
cloakaroundhisshoulders.
‘Theicecameearlythisyear.
Ithinkwe’reinforabad
winter.’Hedidn’tlookat
Hallabutkepthisgaze
directedovertheroofsofthe
towntotheFjorlanSea
beyond.
Wulfrickwassometimes
jokinglycalledthehalf-giant,
duetohissize.Hewasn’t
exceedinglytallforaRanen,
buthisshoulderswere
enormousandhisarmswere
thesizeoftreetrunks.He
wasn’tatrueold-blood,but
hewasthemostimposing
manHallahadeverseen.His
unkemptbrownhairwas
nevertiedbackandhewore
troll-hidearmourthatgave
outaconstantbackground
odour.
‘IneedtospeaktoLord
Algenon,’shesaid.
Hesmiledbeforehe
spoke.‘AndIthoughtwe
werehavingapleasantchat
abouttheweather,’hereplied
withoutlookingatHalla.‘I
assumethatBorrinhas
spokentoyou?’
Hallanoddedandlooked
down,refusingtoletgrief
showonherface.‘Iwanted
tospeaktothethain…’
‘Forwhatreason?’
Wulfrickinterrupted.‘You
knowwhathappened,so
you’llonlytortureyourself
bypryingintothedetails.’He
turnedtofaceher.‘You’ve
satintheassemblybeforeand
you’veseenmendietosecure
lesserobjectivesthanthis.’
Hewasspeakingabruptly,
butHalladetectedconcernin
hiseyes.‘Hewasplanningto
speaktoyoutoday,butit’s
notappropriateforyoutobe
here.’
‘I’mnotgoingtoaskhim
whyhekilledmyfather.I
knowwhyhekilledmy
father.Iwasgoingto…I
don’tknow…lookintohis
eyesorsomething.’Hallahad
notthoughtaboutwhatshe’d
saywhenshefacedher
father’skiller.Allsheknew
wasthatsleephadleftheras
thesunhadrisenandshehad
feltcompelledtoaddressthe
highthain.
‘Myfatherhadnosons
andTiergartenneedsathain.
Maybeyoucantellmewhat
thatmeans?’sheaskedcurtly.
Wulfricklookeddownat
her.‘Itmeansthatthelordsof
therealmofSummerWolf
willfightuntiloneemerges
strongestandthatmanwillbe
thain.BorrinIronBeardisa
goodmanandagoodaxemaster,he’llmakesurethings
aredoneproperly,’Wulfrick
saidwithadegreeof
formality.
Hallamaintainedeye
contactwiththehugeaxemaster.‘Andwhatofme,doI
gettobecomebattle-sisterto
thenewthainandforever
lamentthatIwasborna
woman?’
Hesmiledwarmly.‘You
soundlikeAlgenon’s
daughter–Ingridthinksthat
thainesssoundsmuchbetter
thanthain.’Herelaxedhis
gaze.‘There’swisdomin
youthandoftenfoolishnessin
tradition,butweareboundby
thelatter.Iknowhewould
wantyoutojointhedragon
fleet.’
Hallaconsideredtheaxemaster’swordsforamoment
andthenturnedandmarched
pasthim.‘Thenlethimtell
methat,’shesaiddefiantly.
Wulfrickdidn’tstopher,
butsimplyfollowedbehind
asshepulledthehuge
woodendooropen.‘This
won’tendwell,Halla.You
shouldreturntoyourown
hallandwaitforhim.’
Shedidn’treplyand
marchedintothegreathall,
herleatherbootsechoingoff
thestonefloor.Shehadbeen
hereoncebefore,whenshe
wasagirl,andrememberedit
beingimpossiblylarge.Now
itlookedonlyslightlybigger
thanherfather’shallin
Tiergarten.
Anoldgrey-robedman
wasbusylightingthethree
fire-pitsthatranalongthe
lengthofthehall.The
warmthfromthefireshadnot
yetfullyfilledtheroomand
thehallwasalmostascoldas
thestreetoutside.Theold
manquicklybecameflustered
asHallamarchedpasthim,
butacalminghandfrom
Wulfricksilencedany
objectionbeforeitcame.She
strodepasttheemptyfeast
tables,sparingonlythe
slightestglanceatthehuge
trollskullsthathungfromthe
ceiling,andslowedasshe
reachedthehighthain’schair
attheendofthehall.
ThreeRanenwarriorssat
atasmalltableofftotheside
andalllookedupasHalla
approached.Sherecognized
twoofthemasRulagUrsaof
JarvikandhissonKalag.The
thirdmancarriedahugeaxe
acrosshisbackandHalla
guessedhewastheiraxemaster.RulagandKalagboth
haddeepgreeneyes,a
remnantoftheoldthainof
Jarvik,GolagEmeraldEyes,
amanwho’dbeenhangedby
Rulagfromhisowndragon
ship’smastwhenhe’dstolen
controlofthetown.The
OrderoftheHammerhad
condemnedthefamilyof
Ursatobearforeverthesame
deepgreeneyes,tomark
themoutasthekillersoftheir
thain.
Theaxe-masterstrode
towardsHalla.‘Thisisa
placeformen,one-eye.You
maywaitoutsideuntilwe
needaservingwenchforour
meat.’
Wulfrickstoodnextto
Halla.‘Yousee,you’renot
thefirsttoarrivethis
morning,norareyouthefirst
tobetoldtowait.’Heignored
theaxe-masterofJarvik.
Hallalookedpasttheaxemasterandlethergazeflow
overRulagandhisson.
‘Whensomemengethere,
I’llgladlyservethem,’she
said.Theinsultwas
deliberate.
Kalag,amanofnomore
thantwentyyears,stoodwith
angerandroared,‘Iwillcut
outyourothereye,red
woman,andseehowquick
yourtongueisthen.’
Hallasmiled.‘Theyoung
lordseemstohaveforgotten
hismanners.Withhisfather’s
permission,I’llgladlyteach
himtheproperwaytoaddress
anaxe-maidenofRowanoco,’
shesaid,casuallyremoving
herbattleaxe.
Wulfricklaughedatthis,
butputarestraininghandon
Halla’sshoulder.‘Enough,
it’stooearlyandtoocoldto
bekillinglordlings,’hesaid,
witharelaxedwaveofhis
hand,whichwassufficientto
giveKalagpause.
Rulag,thelordofJarvik,
wassmilingandhadnot
takenanygreatoffenceat
Halla’swords.Hestoodand
usheredhissonbacktohis
chair.‘Apologies,Master
Wulfrick,mysonis
exuberantwhentalkofbattle
fillstheair.Wewere
discussingthedeploymentof
ourshipsalongtheFjorlan
coastandyourwoman
interruptedatatense
moment.Kalagisalittle
anxiousthathewon’tbeat
thevanguardofthefleet,at
leastuntilwepassSamnia.’
Kalaghadapetulant
expressiononhisfaceashe
satdownandturnedhisfiery
glareawayfromHalla.
Hisfatherslappedhimon
theback.‘Cheerup,son,oneeyeherewouldhavecutyour
cockoffbeforeyouhada
chancetodrawyouraxe,’he
saidwithgoodhumour.
TheJarvikaxe-masterstill
stoodclosetoHallaandhis
stareremainedhostile.As
Rulagresumedhisseat,Halla
tookastepforwardandstood
nosetonosewiththeaxemaster.
‘Yourlordmaycallme
whathewishes,littleman,’
shesaid,staringhimdown.
‘You,however,willaddress
measLadyHallaoraxemistress.’Shepaused,
deliberatelysizinghimup.‘If
youcallmeone-eyeagain,
I’llkillyou…andIwon’t
breaksweatdoingit.’
RulagandWulfrickboth
laughedatthis,thoughthe
axe-masterofJarviklooked
asifhewereabouttoburst
withrage.Halladidn’tsoften
hergazeasshespoke.‘Go
on,callmeone-eyeagain…’
Hallawasnottheequalof
thesemenforstrength,but
sheknewthatshewasfaster
andmoreskilful.
Rulagalsoknewthisand
hebarkedathisaxe-master,
‘Jalek,sitdown.’Thelordof
Jarvikthenturnedto
Wulfrick.‘Funasallthis
cockwavingis,doweknow
whenLordAlgenonwillbe
returning?’
Hallashotadarkglareat
Wulfrick.‘He’snothere?’
‘Ididtellyoutowait,but
you’reanimpatientsort,
Halla,’herepliedwitha
smile.
‘Father’sgonetoseethe
monsterman,’saidachild’s
voicefromthebackofthe
feasthallandIngrid
Teardrop,littlewolfof
Fredericksand,walked
towardstheseatedmen.
Hallawasslightly
uncomfortableinher
presence,asIngrididolized
theaxe-maiden.Theyhad
metonlyafewtimes,butshe
constantlyaskedquestions
aboutcombatandaboutthe
traditionsofRowanoco.
Thechildcametostand
nexttoWulfrickandsmiled
warmlyatHalla.Shewore
simpleclothesofspunwool
andatight-fittingcloak
crestedwithwolffur.She
wasbarefoot,aswasoftenthe
case,andHallathoughthow
coldhertoesmustbe.
‘Imightattachatrollbell
toyourankle,littlewolf;that
wayyouwon’tbeableto
sneakuponpeople,’
Wulfricksaidwiththestern
lookofafavoureduncle.
Ingridwasabashedand
lookeddownatthefloor.
‘Butit’shardertolistento
whatyou’resayingwhenyou
knowI’mthere.’
RulagUrsalaughed
loudly.‘Algenonhasa
buddingspy,’hesaid,
chewingonapieceofcrusty
bread.‘Shecanjointhat
Karesiantrollcuntandgospy
ontheRo.’
BothWulfrickandIngrid
glaredatthelordofJarvik,
andHallasensedthatbothof
themlikedthatKaresian,
whoeverhewas.
Ingridturnedbacktolook
upatthehugefigureof
Wulfrick.‘He’snice,isn’t
he?Don’twelikeHasim?’
‘Whetherwedoornotwe
shouldmindourmanners
aroundchildren,’theaxemastersaid,withoutaverting
hisglarefromRulag.
Hallasmiledathimand
placedahandonhis
shoulder,causingWulfrickto
turnaway.‘AsIsaid,men
seemtobeinshortsupplyin
thishallatpresent,’shesaid
quietlyenoughforthelords
ofJarviknottohearher
properly.
Ingridinterposedherself
betweenHallaandWulfrick
andlookedupdefiantlyat
Rulag.‘Well,welikeHasim
andmyfatherlikeshimtoo.’
Rulagscowledatthethree
ofthemandhissonlooked
deeplyoffended.Hethrewhis
half-eatenbreaddownona
mapoftheFjorlancoastand
rosefromhisseat.
‘MasterWulfrick,Ican
saywhatIpleaseto
whomeverIpleaseandthere
isnothingyouoryour…’he
glancedfirstatHallathenat
Ingrid,‘yourwomencando
aboutit.NowwhereisLord
Algenon?Itireofbeingmade
towait.’
Wulfricksmiled,butmade
aslightnodofdeferenceto
Rulag,andHallathoughthe
appreciatedhispositionas
axe-masterwasinsufficientto
challengeabattle-lord.He
turnedandlookeddownat
Ingrid.
‘Wouldthemonsterman
beSamson?’heaskedthe
girl.
Ingridsimplynodded.
ThelordsofJarvik
exchangedglancesatthe
mentionoftheold-bloodand
Kalagstoodfromhischair.
‘Hetakescounselfromthe
liar?ArenottheOrderofthe
Hammersufficientwisdom
forhim?’
‘He’llbebacksoon,my
lords.Inthemeantime,hehas
leftinstructionsaboutthe
deployment,’Wulfricksaid
whileuntanglinghislegs
fromIngrid.‘Littlewolf,
pleasegobacktobed,andno
morespying.’Hegently
shovedhertowardstheback
ofthehalland,afterlooking
hurtforamoment,sherushed
tothedoorthatledtoher
home.
WulfrickturnedtoHalla.
‘I’mafraidyou’llhaveto
waitoutside,’hesaidplainly.
‘Youhaven’tevenagreedto
joinusyet.’
Hallaconsideredsaying
somethingcutting,andeven
thoughtaboutmakingafuss
oraccusingWulfrickof
havinginsultedher,butshe
bitherlipanddecidedtosave
heranger.Withashallownod
toRulagandhissonshe
strodefromthefeasthall.
Herfatherwasdeadand
sheknewshewouldgetno
answersastowhy,whether
shewasinsistentornot.As
sheopenedthehugewooden
doorsandfeltthefreezingair
hitherface,shehopedonly
thatherfatherhaddiedto
secureanhonourablecause
andthatLordAlgenonwas
worthyofheraxe.Theway
southtoRoCanarnwaslong
andtreacherous,passing
dangeroussemi-submerged
rocks,sheeticeanddense
fog.Ifshewastotakeher
peopleandtheirships
throughsuchdangers,she
neededtoknowitwasworth
therisk.Herfather’ssea
chartswerefamiliartoher,
butshewasnoexpertand
wouldneedBorrin’shelpif
shewasgoingtojointhe
fleet.
Somewhere,deepinthe
backofhermind,Hallafound
theideaofsuchavoyage
exciting.She’dneversailed
pastKalall’sDeeporseenthe
icystraitsofSamniawhere,
accordingtohalf-whispered
stories,theblind,mindless
Krakensstilldwelt,aremnant
oftheGiantagethatRanen
sailorssoughttoavoid.
***
AlgenonTeardrop,highthain
ofRanen,hadamaster.To
thepeopleoftheFreelands,
thethainofFredericksand
wastheall-highofthedragon
fleetandlordofallfree
Ranen.Therealitywasthat
Algenonhimselfwasnota
freeman.Hewasboundto
theserviceofRowanocoina
waythatnopriestofthe
OrderoftheHammercould
hopetounderstand.Hecould
notsummonthebattlerageor
healwoundsbychannelling
thevoice,buthewas
compelledtofollowamore
literalavatar.
He’drisenearly,before
firstlight,andwalkedintohis
town.Withhisblackhood
obscuringhisface,Algenon
wasananonymouspresence
inthequiet,snow-covered
streets.He’dwalkedpastthe
steelshopswherethe
furnaceswerealreadylitand
working.He’dtakentimeto
stopatAlguin’sMount,
wheretheIceGiant
supposedlyfirstappearedto
theRanen,andnowhewaited
outsideRowanoco’schapel.
Thesunwasjustpeeking
overthehighplateauandthe
snowyforestsbeyondwere
glintinginthelight.
Fredericksandwasabeautiful
placeintheautumnmonths,
beforetheicetookhold
completely.Algenonknew
thatwithinafewmonthsno
shipwouldbeabletolaunch
fromtheFjorlancoast,and
onlyVolkice-breakerswould
beabletotraversethesea.
Theicethatcameeachwinter
wasthegreatestdefencehis
realmhadand,oncethe
passesoftheDeepCross
wereicedover,noarmy
couldmarchnorth.
Algenonjudgedthathe
hadwaitedlongenoughand
bangedhisfistagainstthe
smallwoodendoorthatled
downintothechapel.The
buildingwasbuiltlargelyinto
therock,withonlyasmall
whitedomeprotrudingabove
theground.Allchapelsto
Rowanocowerelikethis,
unadornedbuildingsduginto
thestoneofRanen.Theonly
signofitsimportancewasthe
shallowstonereliefofa
hammeretchedontothe
surfaceofthedome.The
woodendoorsrequiredall
whoenteredtoduck,andthe
stairsdownweresteepwith
worn,roundededges.
Algenonbangedasecond
timeandaddedasolidkick.
SamsontheLiardidnotsleep
andAlgenoncouldonly
assumethattheold-blood
wasmakinghimwaiton
purpose.Hemayhavebeen
summoned,buthewasstill
highthainofRanenand
wasn’tpreparedtolet
Samsontreathimlikean
errandboy.
Thedoorsbegantoopen
andAlgenonwonderedhow
Samsonhadmanagedto
ascendthestairssosilently.
Thedoubledoorswere
shovedroughlyoutwards,
pushingsnowacrossthe
street,andahugeheadpoked
outofthedarkness.
SamsontheLiarhadthe
bloodofGiants,something
thepeopleofRanen
consideredbothagreatgift
andatremendouscurse.
Throughathousandthousand
generations,Samsoncould
claimtoberelatedtotheIce
Giantsthatlivedinthelands
ofFjorlanbeforethemenof
Ranen.Hewashugeinsize,
approachingninefeettall,but
ungainly,andhislimbswere
swollenandoversizedrather
thaninproportion.Hewas
flabby,withlittlemuscle,
thoughstillimmensely
strong.Hishairwasgreyand
hisbeardcoveredmuchofhis
faceandneck,makinghim
looklikeawildmanashe
gruntedatAlgenon.
‘Theexemplarishere,’he
saidinavoicedeeperthan
anyman,andwavedan
enormoushandatthethain.
‘Hecomesin,outofthe
cold.’
Samsonlopedbackdown
thestairs.Hewasbentover
andneededtouseallfourof
hislimbstocrawlupand
downthenarrowspace,
thoughhisshouldersstill
rubbedagainstthewalland
gavetheimpressionthathe
wassqueezinghimselfdown
atunneltoonarrowforhis
passing.Algenonducked
underthedoorframeand
steadiedhimselfbefore
gingerlydescendingthestairs
aftertheold-blood.
‘Samson,isthereanyway
youcouldwalkbackwards
downthesestairssoI’mnot
facedwithyourenormous
arsetheentireway?’
Samsoncranedhisneck
roundtopeerbackupatthe
thain.‘Heisinbadspirits,’
hesaid,beforehurryingdown
thestairswithunusual
dexterityforamanofhis
size.
Algenonwasmore
tolerantofSamsonthanwere
manyothers,buthestill
dislikedhispeculiarmanner.
Acrossthenorthofthe
Freelandsmaybefivemenin
recentmemorycouldclaimto
betrueold-bloods,andallof
themhaddisplayedthesame
swollenappearanceand
strangespeechpatterns.
Samsonwastheoldestknown
–severalhundredyearsby
hisownreckoning–andwas
theonlyoneevertobe
permittedtoliveinatown.
Algenonknewofanotherthat
hadoncehauntedthewoods
ofHammerfall,aferal
creatureknownasLouhithe
Beast–moreofawildanimal
thanaman.Al-Hasimusedto
talkaboutaKaresianoldbloodhe’dknownnearthe
townofRikarainthesouth.
ThosewithFireGiantblood
intheirveinswereevenmore
unstable,andthemanhad
beenknownforwaylaying
andeatingtravellersbefore
hewasexecutedbythe
HoundsofKaresia.Asfaras
thethainknew,themenofRo
hadhunteddownandkilled
anymenwithGiantblood
longago,andSamsonandhis
Ranenkinremainedtheonly
reallegacyoftheLongWar.
Atthebottomofthe
narrowstaircasethechapel
waswarm,heatedbythe
ever-burningbrazierthat
Samsonmaintained.The
rockycavehadsmoothwalls
andlowpassagewaysleading
inaweboutfromthecentral
chamber.Fewmenwere
permittedtoenter,andmost
preferredsimplytostand
aroundthedomeiftheyfelt
theneedtopray.Rowanoco
wasnotademandinggodto
worshipandjustrequiredthat
hisfollowerstaketimeto
drink,feastandsing,ashad
alwaysbeentheRanenway.
ThepriestsoftheOrderof
theHammerweretheonly
mentoshowanyformalityin
theirworship,andeventhey
tendedtomerelydrink,eat
andsingingreaterquantities.
Samsonhadbeenallowed
toliveinthechapelby
RagnarTeardropsomefifty
yearsagoand,thoughthe
menofFredericksandknew
hewasdownthere,hewasa
largelyinvisiblepresenceto
allbutAlgenon.
Thethainstoodinfrontof
thefireandwarmedhis
hands,givingSamsontimeto
haulhisenormousbulk
aroundthecaveandget
comfortable.Theold-blood
hadasimplebedrollanda
woodentable,uponwhich
wereameagreamountof
personalpossessions:asmall
hourglass,abookofpoems
andarubypendant,eachwith
theirownsignificanceto
Samson.Onthefloorsata
hugewar-hammer,anornate
weaponwithwell-wornsilver
engravingsofGiantsinbattle,
andtotheold-blood’sleftsat
asimplecookingpot.Itwasa
humbleplaceforamighty
beingtolive,butAlgenon
knewthatSamsonhadlittle
needofcomfortsandwas
happiestwhenatrest.
‘Theexemplarhasdone
well,’Samsongruntedashe
satonthestonefloor.
‘Willyounowtellme
more,orshouldItakemento
theirdeathsignorant?’
Algenonwasnotbitter,but
neitherwashenaiveandhe
knewhowimportantsuch
informationcouldbe.
‘TheIceFatherwished
it…itisdone,’theold-blood
answeredcryptically.
‘It’snotdoneyet,Samson,
there’salotofbloodbetween
nowandthisbeingdone,’the
thainquicklyreplied.‘The
dragonfleetwilllaunch.A
hundredshipsandoverfive
thousandbattle-brotherswill
descendonRoCanarn.’
Samsonsmiledbroadly
andclappedhishandslikean
excitedchild.‘Itiswell,itis
well.TheIceFatherdesires
it.Thewitchisnotoutside
thewordoflaw.Youwill
showher.’
Algenonsighed.Theoldbloodwasgiventohysteria
andoftenappearedquitemad.
However,hisconnectionto
theGiantscouldnotbe
ignoredand,onthefew
occasionswhenhe’dshared
hisvisionwithAlgenon,he’d
seemedthewisestmaninthe
Freelands.Hestopped
clappingandletafrown
intrudeuponhisoversized
face.
‘Theexemplarneeds
more?’heaskedwitha
cunningglintinhiseye.
Algenonconsidereditand
said,‘Yes,Ineedmore,’with
alownodofhishead.
Samsonpulledhimself
acrossthefloor,usingonly
hishugearms,andlooked
throughtheflickeringbrazier
atthethain.Heleantona
singlearmandreacheda
handroundthefire,inviting
Algenontotakeit.He
hesitatedasecondbefore
placinghishandintheoldblood’s.
Samsondidnothearthe
voiceofRowanocoeither.
Instead,heknewthewillof
Rowanoco.Itwasagiftthat
onlyold-bloodscould
possess,andmostofthem
wentinsanethefirsttimethey
usedit.TheGiantbloodthey
possessedmadeitpossible
forthemtoreachacross
countlesslayersoftheworld
andcontactthegods
themselves.
Algenonclosedhiseyes
andfelthisbodyrelaxashe
waspulledbySamsoninto
theicehallsbeyondtheworld
wheresatRowanocothe
EarthShaker.
Hefeltdetachedashe
droppedthroughlayersof
rockandearth,following
Samsonintorealmsthatmen
couldnotknow.Hismind
wasprotectedfromthewillof
hisgodbySamson’spower,
andAlgenonhadfelt
increasinglyhumbleand
insignificanteachtimehe’d
experiencedit.He’dtaken
Samson’shandfourtimes
before,oneachoccasion
learningmoreaboutthe
natureofhisgodandthe
positionofexemplar.Eachof
thethreehighestgodsofmen
possessedone,andtheyhad
beenthegods’generalsinthe
LongWar.
Thethaindidn’tquestion
Rowanoco’smotiveswhen,
throughSamson,theIce
Giantlethiswillbeknown,
butAlgenonhadoverthe
yearsbeguntothinkofthe
racesofmenasmerepuppets
inthewarfoughtovertheir
landbytheGiants.Algenon
hadevenstoppedthinkingof
theworldasthelandsofmen
andwasnowoftheopinion
thatthelesserspeciessimply
lookedafteritfortheir
masters.
Deepinhismind,
Algenonfeltcold,asifhis
thoughtsthemselvesnow
lackedabodyinwhichto
staywarm.Hecouldn’t
perceiveshapesorcolours,
butsimplythesensationof
beingtinyinthepresenceof
enormity,asifshapesbeyond
asizehecouldcomprehend
stoodoverhim.Hewas
awarethatSamsonwasstill
withhim,theold-blood’s
powertheonlythingthatkept
himwholeandsane,buthe
stillfeltvulnerableand
helpless.
Whenitcame,thevoice
wasfeltratherthanheard,
anditwasthatofSamson.
‘Youhavequestions?’He
wasclearerandmorelucid,
asiftheedgeofinsanitythat
heworeinthelandsofmen
hadbeenshruggedoff.
‘IwouldknowwhyItake
mybattle-brotherstowar,’
Algenonsaidinhismind.He
felthislipsmovebutwas
unsurewhetherornothewas
actuallyspeaking.
‘Theruleoflawhasbeen
broken,youwillredressthe
balance,’Samsonsaid,
channellingthewillof
Rowanoco.‘Itwasnot
thoughtpossible,butithas
happened.’
Hesensedfearand
somethingakintoannoyance.
Thesewerenothisemotions
andhedoubtedtheybelonged
toSamson.
‘ThenIwouldknowwhat
hashappenedinthelandsof
mentocausesuchareaction
inthelandofGiants.Iknow
onlythataservantofJaahas
swayedtheservantsofthe
One,thoughIdonotknow
why…whytheyhavedoneit
andwhyitconcernsmygod.’
Algenonnowsensedpride
mixedwithcuriosity.
Unwittingly,hehadsaid
somethingcleverand
impressedRowanoco.
Samson’svoicehadan
edgeofhumourtoit.‘Your
wordshavethesharpedgeof
anaxe,exemplar,andcutto
theheart.’
ThevoiceinAlgenon’s
headhadanothervoice
cuttingthroughit,asifnot
everysoundcamefrom
Samson’smouth.‘The
exemplaroftheOneis
chargedwithstoppingsuch
interference,muchasyouare
chargedwithstoppingthe
servantsofothergods
influencingmypeople.Itis
thefirstruleoflaw,thatthe
LongWarwillbefought
directly.IfJaa’switchesare
coercingtheOne’spriests,it
bodesillfortheexemplar…
anditmeansthatthewordof
Jaaisbeingignoredbyhis
followers.’
Algenonconsideredthis
foramoment.Notinhis
lifetimehadtheSevenSisters
influencedtheclerics,nor
viceversa,andherecalledno
talesofithavinghappened.
TheRanen,theKaresiansand
theRohadbeenatwarwith
eachothernumeroustimes;
theRohadsubjugatedthe
Ranenand,longago,the
Karesianshadnearly
subjugatedtheRo,butithad
alwaysbeendonedirectly.
Histhoughtswerenot
privatewithintheicehalls
andheagainsensedpride.
Algenonfeltevensmalleras
thecrushingsenseofhis
god’sapprovalwashedover
him.Itwasafeelingthat
everypriestoftheOrderof
theHammerspenthislife
seeking,butAlgenonfoundit
uncomfortableanddifficultto
comprehend.
Heprojectedhisnext
wordsgently.‘Itisnot
possibleandyetitis
happening…sohewhois
chargedwithstoppingitmust
notbeableto…’hepaused,
‘orisbeingstoppedfrom
doingso.’
Samson’svoiceflowed
intoalaughandAlgenon
almostcriedoutashismind
bentintoimpossibleshapes
tryingtounderstandthe
conceptofthegod’shumour.
AlgenonfeltSamson
standingoverhiminaneffort
toshieldhismind.Hetriedto
asktwofinalquestions.His
mindwasweakandthewords
werequietandmumbled,but
heasked,‘Whathas
happenedtotheexemplarof
theOne?Andhowcanthe
SistersactagainstJaa?’
Ashefellintoadeep
sleep,largelyoblivioustohis
surroundings,Algenon
thoughtofhisbrotherand
hopedthattheworldhadnot
shiftedsufficientlyforhonour
tonolongermeananything.
Magnuswouldgivehislife
forRowanoco,aswouldany
trueRanen,buttheirfatewas
beingmanipulatedbyothers
andAlgenonfearedthatthe
menofRoweredeepwithin
thedesignsoftheSeven
SistersandthatRoCanarn
wasmerelythebeginning.
CHAPTER7
SIRWILLIAMOF
VERELLIANIN
THECITYOFRO
CANARN
WilliamhadbeeninCanarn
fivedays.Hehadbeenatthe
vanguardoftheassaulting
armyofknightsandhewas
oneofthefirsttoenterthe
innerkeep.He’dseenmuch
deathsincehearrivedinthe
cityandhadcausedhisfair
share.Hewasaveteranof
manycampaignsandhad
seenboththebestandthe
worstthattheknightsofthe
Redcoulddo.Ashestoodon
theheavywoodendrawbridge
oftheinnerkeep,Williamof
Verellianthoughtthatthe
sackingofRoCanarnwas
oneofthedarkerdayshehad
witnessed.
TheknightsoftheRed
werepledgedtotheOneGod
aswarriorsandconquerors.
Theyservedtheaspectofwar
andwerecalleduponbythe
kingwheneverbattlewas
required.Williamhadbeen
fromanoblehouseofTiris
andhadjoinedtheknightsat
theageoftwelve.Hisfamily
hadservedtheOneforas
manygenerationsascouldbe
counted,thoughWilliamwas
thefirstofhislinetowearthe
redtabard.
Hewasamanofnearly
fortyyearsinageandhadthe
scarredfaceofaseasoned
soldier.Hisheadwasshaved
andheworenobeard,
makinghimdistinctive
amongtheRedknights.
Ashelookeddownfrom
thekeepintothetownsquare
beyond,hewasstruckwitha
senseofshame,somethinghe
rarelyfelt.Hecouldsee
funeralpyresofmen–
hundredsofburnt,distended
bodieslitteringthecobbled
streets.Themercenaries
commandedbySirPevain
weretakingtheirpayment
fromthepopulace,rapingand
stealingastheypleased.The
citywasdarkandoutsidethe
centralsquarenolifecouldbe
seen.
Williamthoughthimselfa
truefightingman,amanwho
hadjoinedtheRedknights
fromchoice,unlikethebound
menbelow.Hethoughttheir
behaviourdeplorableandthat
theredtabardstheywore
shouldcountformorethan
this.
LieutenantFallon,who
stoodnearby,hadhishandon
thehiltofhislongswordand
wasglaringatthe
mercenariesbelow.
‘Fallon,’Williamsaid
sharply.
Theknightsalutedhis
captain.‘Mylord?’
‘Keepthathandsteady,’
Williamsaid,pointingtohis
longsword.
‘SergeantCallis,getthose
scumawayfromthewomen.
Letnomantakehispayment
inbloodorflesh,’hesaid
quietlytothemanathisleft.
Callisnoddedandturned
toissueorderstoother
knights.‘Right,lads,the
captainwantsthose
mercenariestaughtabout
propermanners.Getyour
bootsinandlet’scauseafew
wounds,’hesaidplainly,with
thepractisedblusterofthe
seasonedsoldier.
Fiveknightsdrewtheir
swordsandmarcheddown
thedrawbridgetothesquare
beyond.SergeantCallis
beganshoutingordersatthe
mercenariesasheenteredthe
square.Theyweresilhouetted
againstthefireasWilliam
lookeddown,agrim
expressiononhisface.
Fallonnoddedapprovalat
hiscaptainandreleasedhis
griponhisswordhilt.Hewas
agoodsoldierandhadbeen
William’sadjutantforsix
years.Thecaptainthought
thatifFallonwereinthe
squarehe’dprobablykillany
manthatlookedathim,
whereasCalliswouldsimply
followordersandstopthe
worstatrocities.
Themercenariesarguedas
theknightsapproached,
sayingthatthewomenwere
spoilsofwarandtheirsby
right.Callisignoredthemand
simplykickedthenearestone
inthegroin.
‘Listen,youfilthy
bastards,youwillstopthis
heathenshitrightnoworI
willpersonallyremoveyour
fuckingeyeballs.’Hedirected
hisknightstovarious
mercenarieswhohadignored
himandstoodwithhischin
thrustout.
Williamwatchedas
severalmercenarieswere
beatenandonewaskilled,
thoughhefeltnobetternow
thatanelementofcalmhad
returnedtothesquare.He
wasstillaknightcaptainof
theRedandfeltthata
vanquishedfoeshouldbe
treatedwithrespect.Hewas
consideredold-fashionedby
manyoftheotherknights,but
hecaredlittlefortheir
approvalandpreferredsimply
tochallengeandkillanywho
questionedhisethicstoo
hard.
KnightCaptainNathanof
DuBanappearedover
William’srightshoulderand
surveyedthesquarebelow.
‘Youcan’tstopthis,you
know?’
‘Ican,’Williamreplied
plainly.
‘Thosemenhavebeen
promisedplunder.That
meanstheygettorape,
tortureandstealtotheir
hearts’content.’
‘They’revultures,picking
onthebonesofadefeated
enemy.’Williamwasangry
andletitshowinhiswords.
‘Verellian,youwould
gladlykilltheprisonersif
theyraisedaswordtoyou.
Whyareyousosqueamish
abouttheafters?’heasked.
‘Ifyouwereincommand,
youcouldwatch.Iamin
commandandIcan’t.It’s
simple.’Williamwasnot
naive,buthedidnotlike
needlesssuffering.
Nathansmiledand
realizedhewasn’tgoingto
wintheargument.‘How
manydead?’heasked.
‘Twohundredandfifty
duringthebattle,ahundredin
thekeepandaroundtwo
thousandinthelastfour
days,’Williamanswered.
‘Wetookthecityeasily.
Thesemenwerefarmersand
tradesmen,notwarriors.The
meninthekeepfoughtwell,
buttheywereoutmatched.
FatherMagnuswastheonly
mantogiveourknights
pause.’
Nathansneeredatthe
mentionoftheRanenpriest.
‘He’sabigboy,butIdon’t
believehekilledtenknights.’
‘Hekilledtwenty-three
knightsandfourteen
mercenaries.Hehadahuge
war-hammerandapparently
hiseyesturnedblack.It’sa
giftoftheRanenpriests,their
godgivesthemstrengthwhen
theycallonit.’
Williamhadseenthehuge
Ranenkillanumberof
knightsbuthadbeen
occupiedwiththeduke’s
guardforthemajorityofthe
battle.Havingspokentothe
Ranenbrieflybeforehe
enteredthehall,Williamdid
notdoubtthereportshe’d
heard.‘Itdoesn’tmatternow,
Rillionwilllikelytorturehim
todeathforwhathappenedin
thegreathall.’
‘Idoubtit,’Nathan
replied.
Williamlookedathim,his
eyesbetrayinganelementof
suspicion.‘Whatdoyou
know,captain?’
‘JustthattheKaresian
witchseemsintenton
preservingthebigman’s
life…Tobiaswasonguard
dutyoutsidethecommander’s
roomafterthebattleand
swearsheheardRillion
gruntinglikeanovicewhore
withinfiveminutesofthe
bitchgoingtoseehim.’
Williamshookhishead.
KnightsoftheRedwere
forbiddenfromtaking
women,andalthoughpast
commandershe’dknownhad
ignoredtherule,hewas
disappointedthatRillion
wouldbesobrazen.Itwasan
insulttotheOne,whohad
decreedtheknightswereto
pledgealltheirenergyto
worshipandtofulfillingthe
wishesoftheirgod.TheGold
churchpriestswereinfamous
fortheirwhoringandthe
Blacktriedtotakeasmuch
outoflifeastheycould,but
theknightsoftheRedwereto
remaincelibate.
Addedtothatwasthe
unpleasantrealityofwhothe
womanwas.Williamwasnot
schooledinthewaysofthe
Karesianwitches,buthad
heardahundredtalestomake
himfearanddislikethe
SevenSistersofKaresia.
Ameirahadhadtoomuch
influenceoverRillion’s
actionsandWilliamthought
hishonourhadnowcome
intoquestion.Ifthecompany
hadbeenstillinRoArnon,
Williamwouldhavegoneto
seetheabbotabouthis
commander’sbehaviour;but
asitwas,theywerefarfrom
home,inacitythathadjust
beensacked,andWilliamhad
nooptionbuttoaccept
Rillion’sactions.
‘Areyougoingtohave
Calliscleanupthewhole
city,oriswatchinghimbeata
fewheadsinsufficient?’
Nathanqueriedinamocking
tone.‘Isupposewecould
fightthemercenariesnow
therearen’tanymenof
Canarnleft…theymightput
upabetterfight.’
‘Hastheabbotfoundout
aboutyourbastardsonyet,
Nathan?’Williamaskedwith
venom.
Theotherknightscowled
andmovedtoblock
William’sviewofthesquare.
‘Thepietyisgettingold,
Verellian.Halfthemenunder
yourcommandhavebastards,
andtheotherhalfhaven’t
fatheredanysimplybecause
they’retooscaredofyou.It
mightmakeyoubetter
companyifyougotyourcock
wetoccasionally.’Nathan
castaviciousgrinatWilliam.
Hewasofthesamerank
asVerellianbutcommanded
aseparateunit.Hismenwere
inthegreathall,standing
guardoverthecommander
andtheyhadbeenstationed
insidethecityduringthe
attackonthekeep.Nathan’s
home,thetownofDuBan,
wasseveralleaguesnorthand
westofArnonandfamedfor
producingarrogantand
violentknightsoftheRed.
KnightLieutenantFallon,
whohadheardthe
conversation,approachedthe
twocaptainsandshotadark
lookatNathan.
Williammaintainedeye
contactwiththeothercaptain,
buthetriednottoletthe
insultmakehimangry.The
manwasafool,butWilliam
thoughtthatbeingfoolish
shouldnotbeenoughtoget
yourlegsbroken.
Hetookastepforwards.
‘Ifyoumistakehonourfor
pietyagain,brotherknight,
I’llcallyououtandkillyou
infrontofallyourmen.You
mightevendiewithhonour.’
Fallondrewhisswordand
stoodnexttohiscaptain.
StaringintentlyatNathan,he
said,‘Iwouldgladlyfightthe
duelinyourstead,mylord.I
thinkIcouldteachmy
brotherknightaboutrespect
anddevotiontotheOne.’He
swunghisswordsuggestively
ashespokeandWilliam
smiled.Nathanwasnotthe
firstmantoinsulthimand
Verellianthoughthima
streakofpissnexttoanytrue
fightingman.
Nathansneeredandtried
tolookdownhisnoseat
Williamandhislieutenant.
Hebrieflyconsideredsaying
somethingclever,butthe
confidentsmileonWilliam’s
facepersuadedhimotherwise
andheleftquickly,hissteel
armourloudlysoundinghis
retreatonthewooden
drawbridge.
Fallonsheathedhissword
andchuckledtohimselfashe
watchedNathango.Hethen
turnedtohiscaptainand
bangedhisfistonhisred
tabardinsalute.‘ShallIgo
andslithisthroat,mylord?’
‘Maybelater,’replied
William.
***
Severalhourspassedand
Williammaintainedavigil
overthetownsquare,
orderingCallistointervene
wheneverthemercenaries
becametoorowdy.
Hehadbeenorderedto
enterthegreathallat
midnight,butdecidedtobe
slightlylate.William
consideredhiscommandera
manoflittlehonourandfelt
hewouldbeallowedten
minutesoftardiness.
‘Fallon,you’rewithme,
Calliscanhandlethis,’he
said,turningsharplyand
walkingbackupthe
drawbridge.
MostofWilliam’smen
weresittingroundsmall
cookingfiresinthecourtyard
ofthekeep,tryingtowardoff
thecold.Thewindblowing
offtheseaofCanarn
penetratedthestonewallsand
madethetemperaturedrop
sharplyduringthenight.
Thesemenwerenot
interestedinpillagingthe
fallencityandmostwere
simplywaitingfortheir
orderstoreturntoRoArnon.
Williamwasproudofthe
waytheyhadconducted
themselves.Theyhadfought
hardandwithruthlessskill,
buttheyhadalsotreated
fallenenemieswithrespect.
‘CaptainVerellian,dowe
haveordersyet,sir?’asked
anoldknightsergeantcalled
Bracha.
‘Notyet,Sergeant,there’s
nosignofthewayhome.
Thoughthecommandermay
yethaveordersforme.’
Helookedoverthefaces
ofhismen.Theyworehard
expressionsandWilliam
guessedthatthey,too,found
thetreatmentofthepeopleof
Canarndistasteful.
‘Ifanyofthose
mercenariesorboundmen
findtheirwayintothekeep,
besuretoremindthemthat
wecommandhere,notthat
horse-fuckerPevain.
Understood,sergeant?’
Brachasmiledashe
saluted.‘Perfectlyclear,sir,
we’llmakesurethey
remembertheirmanners.’
Williamcommandeda
companyofonehundred
men,thoughonlytwenty-five
ofthemhadcometoRo
Canarn.Therestwerestillin
Arnon,probablygladthey
hadstayedinbarracks.Four
ofhismenhaddiedinthe
attackonthekeepandthey
hadalreadybeenburned.
Theirfuneralpyrewasnow
justasmallmoundof
blackenedwood,andthe
knights’asheshadbeen
gatheredandscatteredfrom
thehighbattlements.
‘Howlongdowehaveto
stayhere?’Fallonaskedas
theywalkedacrossthe
courtyard.‘Iobjecttoseeing
mendietosecureapointless
objective.’
‘Pointless?’William
questioned.
‘Whatwouldyoucallit,
mylord,astrategic
campaign?’
Williamallowedhis
lieutenanttospeakhismind
andwashappywithwhatever
hewantedtosayinprivate,
solongashefollowedorders
anddidn’tquestionhis
captaininpublic.
‘I’dcallitwhatitis…we
sackedRoCanarnbecause
wewereorderedtodoso,’
Williamanswered.‘Ifwehad
theleisuretochoosewhere
wefight,wewouldn’tbevery
goodknights,wouldwe?’
‘Sir,Iamaknightofthe
RedandIfightanddiewhere
I’mtoldto,butachildwitha
farmingtoolcouldhave
bestedmostofthedefenders
andthecityhasdonenothing
towarrantthetreatmentit’s
getting.I’mnotacomplete
bastardwhoenjoyskilling
weakermen.’Hepaused.
‘I’mabastard,admittedly,
but…’
‘Fallon,couldweleave
thisfornow?I’msurewe’ll
behereawhileandI’llno
doubthaveampleopportunity
tohearabouthowunfairyou
thinktheworldis.’
Williamwasusedto
hearingtheman’scomplaints
andhehadlongsincerealized
thatmostofthemwere
simplyapleaforaworthy
opponent.Fallonwasthebest
swordsmanWilliamhadever
knownandwasrarely
challengedwhenhehadhis
bladeinhishand.Hetook
greatoffenceathavingto
watchamismatchedfight,
andthisextendedtoseeing
mercenariesrapeandtorture
captiveswhocouldnotfight
back.
‘Whycan’twefightmen
worthyofoursteel?Isittoo
muchtoask,amIbeing
arroganttowanttotest
myself?’heasked,seemingly
addressingthequery
skyward,towardstheOne
God.
‘Ifyouwaitlongenough,
hemightgiveyouasign.’
Williamsaidironically.‘Or
youcouldjustshutup.’
Fallonscreweduphisface
asifthechoicewerea
genuineone.‘Ibelieve,on
reflection,I’llshutup,my
lord.’
‘Goodnewsatlast,
perhapsCommanderRillion
willpromoteyouforshowing
suchwisdom,’Williamsaid
asthetwoofthemreached
thewoodenstaircaseleading
fromthecourtyardtothe
greathall.
Williamhadbeeninhis
armourforfourdays,
removingitonlytosleepand
wash,andhisunder-tunicand
leggingswerestucktohis
skinwithsweatandgrime.
Helookeddownathis
tarnishedbreastplateandthe
redtabardthatcoveredit–
bothwerebadlyinneedof
repair.Fallonwasinasimilar
state.Onofficialoccasions,
andwhenrequiredtostand
beforetheircommanders,it
wasnormallythedonething
forknightstoappearattheir
best.Currently,theirbestwas
severalhundredleaguesaway
inthebarracksofRoArnon.
Williamstillworehisred
cloak,thoughitwasstained
andtorn.Fallonhadlosthis
atsomepointsincethebattle
andhadnotthoughttofinda
replacement.Astheywalked
upthestairsandreachedthe
firstofthreelandings,
Williamstoppedandlooked
criticallyathislieutenant’s
appearance.
Inresponse,Fallonheld
hisarmsoutandasked,
‘What,amInotsuitably
attiredtomeetmenof
quality?’
‘You’reneverattiredto
meetmenofquality,butright
nowneitherofuslooksany
betterthatacitywatchman.’
‘IputonmybestformenI
respect,mylord.EvenifIdid
havemyceremonialcloak,
I’dprobablyfindareasonto
loseit,’Fallonsaidwitha
hardlookinhiseyes.
‘That’senoughofthat…I
thinkhe’sashit-stainaswell,
butwewillshowhimevery
courtesytohisface.Clear?’
Williamspokewithpractised
authority.
‘AstheRanensea,my
lord.’
Williamchuckledand
resumedhismarchupthe
stairs.Thiswasthesecond
timehehadwalkeduphere
sincenightfall.Thefirsttime,
hehadbeenescortingFather
Magnus,theRanenpriest
whohadkilledtwomembers
ofhiscompany.Nowhewas
toreceiveordersfromKnight
CommanderRillionandhe
doubtedhe’dbetreatedtothe
samedisplayofknightsin
ceremonialgarbastheRanen.
Rillionwasinclinedtoshow
offfordefeatedenemies,
confidentthatitwould
discouragefurtherconflict.In
fact,itservedmostlytoanger
peoplewhohatedtheRoand
theirOneGod.
Thesametwoguardsmen
wereondutyoutsidethedoor
tothegreathallandWilliam
oncemorethoughtitstrange
thattheking’sguardshould
beinRoCanarn.Itwas
probablethatifthekingwere
cominghere,Williamwould
havebeentold.However,
KingSebastianwasacunning
manandhisleavingRoTiris
insecretwouldnotbeoutof
character.
‘YouknowwhatBracha
thinks?’Fallonaskedasthey
nearedthedoor.
‘No,lieutenant,whatdoes
Brachathink?’Williamsaid
withagroan.
‘Heswearsthattheking’s
guardareherebecausethe
kingisbringingahugearmy
totheGrassSea.Hesayshe
heardoneofNathan’s
sergeantstalkingaboutan
actualinvasion,’Fallon
repliedinaconspiratorial
whisper.
Theguardsmensalutedas
thetwoknightsapproached,
theirfistsstrikingfirmlyon
theirgoldbreastplates.Both
WilliamandFallon
respondedinkindandthe
doorwasswiftlyopened.
Astheyenteredthegreat
hall,Williamleanttowards
Fallonandsaidquietly,
‘Don’tyouthinkwe’dknow
ifweweregoingtobe
invadingtheFreelands?’
Fallonrespondedwitha
scepticallook,theexpression
ofasoldierwhoexpectsthe
worstofhissuperiors.
Within,thehallwascold
anddark,litonlybyafew
flickeringtorchesheldindark
metalbraziers.Thelineof
crossbowmenwasgoneand
Williamwalkedslowlyacross
thedarkstonefloor.The
bannersofCanarnnow
appearedmoresombre:dark
imagesofBrytag,horsesand
swordsincoloursofgreen,
blackandbrown.Threeranks
ofwoodenpillarsspread
awayfromthecorridorand
littlecouldbeseeninthe
darknessbetweenthem.
‘Beforewecamehere,I
heardthatDukeHector’shall
wasoneofthemost
welcomingplacesinTor
Funweir,’saidFallonwitha
sneer.
‘Itwasbrighterafew
hoursago.Rillionputonabit
ofashowfortheRanen,’
Williamreplied.
‘Dowenotwarrantabit
ofashow,then?’
‘Webarelywarrantany
lights,apparently,’William
said,sharingFallon’slaugh.
‘CaptainVerellian,’a
voicebellowedfromthehall,
‘thisisnotthepropertimefor
laughter.’Thevoicecame
fromanoldmanseatedby
thefeasttables.‘Menare
deadandtheOneis
displeased.’Hemumbledto
himselfbeforehecontinued.
‘Thoughheseemsdispleased
bymuchthesedays…
perhapslaughteristheproper
response.’Hewavedafrail
handtowardsthetwoknights
andbeckonedthemoverto
him.
Hewasamanofatleast
seventyyearsandhisplain
whiterobeshowednosignof
anyoftheclericalorders.If
themanwasachurchman,he
wasverymuchoffduty.
Williamraisedhis
eyebrowsandglancedat
Fallonbeforewalkingoverto
theoldman.Hesatalonein
thegreathall,surroundedby
theremnantsofalargefeast.
Thecentralfire-pitwasdown
tosmoulderingembersand
alltheassembledknightshad
leftforotherduties.Thehuge
vaultedceilingrenderedthe
hallcavernousanddark;the
onlylightswereatground
level.
‘Youwearnorank,sir,to
whomdowespeak?’William
askedpolitelyoftheoldman.
‘Youspeak…youspeak
asamanofimport,young
sir,’hemuttered,looking
throughnarroweyesat
William.‘YouareMarcusof
Verellian’sson?’
‘Iam,sir,thoughI’venot
seemyfatherformany
years,’Williamreplied,
althoughhismannerwas
abrupt.Theoldmanhadnot
identifiedhimselfand
Williamwassuspiciousof
suchmen,nomatterhowold.
Theman’sbreathcarried
thestenchofwineand
Williamguessedthathewas
alittledrunk.
‘Iheardthatyouandyour
knightswerehereandIsee
nowthattheswordyoucarry
lookedbetteratyourfather’s
waist.’Hesquintedtogeta
betterlookatWilliam.
‘Thoughyoulooknothing
likehim,’headded
venomously.
Fallonchuckledand
Williamshotaglareathis
lieutenant,beforeturning
backtotheoldman.‘No,sir,
Istillhavebothofmylegs
andmyfatherhasnotspoken,
letaloneheldasword,for
sometenyears.’
‘Well,youarethelordof
Verellian,whetheryou
deserveitornot.Now,
smartenyourselvesup,the
nobleLordMortimerRillion
awaitsyou.’Helookedatthe
tarnishedandbatteredarmour
wornbythetwoknights.
‘Hopefully,he’llremember
thatheisagentlemanashe
assessesyourworth.’
NeitherWilliamnorhis
lieutenantlaughedatthis,and
theoldmanappeared
obliviousofthefactthatboth
oftheknightswerethinking
aboutpunchinghim.He
chuckledtohimselfand
reachedforagobletofwine.
Fallontookastepforward
andlookeddownattheseated
man.‘Telluswhoyouare,
oldman,orImayhaveto
becomeunpleasant.’
Themandidnotstop
chuckling.Henoisilytooka
gulpofwineandsquintedup
atthelieutenant.‘Putyour
cockaway,boy,I’mnota
fightforyou.I’mRoderickof
theBlack,aclericwithfar
toomuchtimetodrinkand
insultknights.’
Fallontookastepback,
butdidn’tretreatentirely.
‘Youwereinthesquare
earlier,givinglastritestothe
funeralpyres.’His
demeanoursoftened.
TheBlackclericstarted
laughing,tookanotherswig
ofwine,andhadbegun
cryingbythetimethegoblet
lefthislips.
BoththeRedknightshad
seenthisbefore;clericsofthe
Blackhadanabilitytofeel
theemptinessofdeathand
couldbecomequitevolatile
whenfacedwithlarge
amountsofit.Mostbecame
crusadersorministerssoasto
avoidsuchthingsanditwas
unusualtoseeaBlackcleric
ofsuchanageaccompanying
abattlefleet.
‘BrotherRoderick,
perhapsyoushouldsleep.It
isdarkoutsideandI’msure
yourbedispreferabletoan
emptyhall,’Williamsaid
gently.
HenoddedtoFallonto
helphimandreachedforthe
cleric’sshoulders.Thetwo
knightshelpedtheoldmanto
hisfeetandledhimaway
fromthetable.
‘Icanmanage,I’mstillfit
enoughtobestanymanyou
caretoputbeforeme.I
certainlydon’tneedanyhelp
gettingtobed,’hesaidwith
irritation,pushingaway
WilliamandFallon.He
stumbledforwardsafew
steps,aimingatasidedoor.
BeforeWilliamcould
speak,BrotherRoderick
stoppedandswunground.
‘KnightCommanderRillion
awaitsyouinthe
antechamberyonder.’He
gesturedextravagantly
towardsanopendoorway
behindtheraisedplatform.
Williamraisedhis
eyebrowsatFallonand
startedtowardstheopendoor.
BrotherRoderickmadeitto
thesidedoorandleant
heavilyonthedoorframe,
beforeclumsilyleavingthe
hall.
‘I’mnotsurethechanceto
fuckanddrinkisworth
havingtoexperiencethat,’
Fallonsaidgrimly.
‘Heshouldhaveretiredto
anice,cosychurch,’William
replied.‘Though,ifhe’sthe
SirRoderickfromtheFallsof
Arnon,Imayhaveheardof
him.’
‘Ohreally,what’she
done?’
‘Ithinkhewasacrusader,
theabbotoftheGrayKeep,
andfromwhatIhearacleric
whorefusedtocontinue
killingrisenmen.’
Itwasunusual,butnot
unheardof,foraBlackcleric
toseesomehumanityinthe
facesoftherisenandtofall
fromthecrusade.
‘Hewasthemanwho
claimedhesawthelightofa
deadgodintheeyesofthe
lastonehekilled,’William
added.
‘Yeah,yeah,I’veheard
thatswillbefore.Ileave
weightymatterstomy
betters,sir.Ipreferjustto
thinkofthemasundead
monstrositiesandleaveitat
that.’Fallonwasasimple
manandhadnotgiventhe
otherclericalordersmuch
thought.
Hescreweduphisfaceas
hespoke.‘Although,it
explainswhythey’vegothim
ministeringtofuneralpyresat
hisage…formerabbotor
not,hedisobeyedorders.’
Thetwoknightsofthe
Redcrossedthehalland
approachedtheopen
doorway.Theraised
platform,whereDukeHector
oncesat,hadbeenstrippedof
adornments.Thebloodstains
hadbeenrecentlycleaned
fromtheflagstonefloor
wherethedukehadbeen
executedandFatherMagnus
hadenteredhisbattlerage.
‘Hekilledfourknights
apparently,’Williamsaidto
hislieutenant.‘Hebrokehis
chainswhenRashabald
beheadedtheduke.’
Fallonshookhishead.
‘Anyknightwhowantstobe
anexecutionerisnotfitto
executemen.’
Williamknewhis
lieutenanthadanextreme
dislikeforSirRashabaldand
had,onmorethanone
occasion,triedtocallhimout
andkillhim.Rillionhad
alwaysintervenedand
protectedtheoldexecutioner:
helikedamanwithasadistic
streaksimilartohisown.
Thedoorwayledthrough
totheduke’spersonal
chamberswhereSirRillion
hadpositionedhimself.The
darkwoodendeskhadbeen
clearedofHector’s
belongingsandnow
containedpilesofpaper,
trooprosters,mapsandinjury
reports.Twomembersof
Nathan’scompanystood
guardwithintheroom,their
armouruntarnishedbybattle
orfromsleepinginthe
courtyard.Fallonglaredat
themandpickedan
imaginarybitofdustfromthe
armourofone.
Withintheroomsat
Rillion,BrotherAnimustusof
theGoldchurch,andAmeira,
theKaresianwitchWilliam
hadheardcalledtheLadyof
Spiders.Twomoreknights
stoodguardinceremonial
armourbehindtheir
commander,andthecrossed
swordsandclenchedfistof
theRedchurchhung
defiantlyfromtheceiling.
CommanderRillionstill
worehisarmourandlooked
upacrossthelightofseveral
candlestoWilliamand
Fallon.Theroomwas
primarilylitbyflaming
braziersinthefourcorners,
butRillionhadclearlybeen
studyingpapersandsquinted
tofocusonthetwoknights
beforehim.
‘Verellian,pleasecome
in,’hesaidwithawaveofhis
hand.‘I’lltrytoignorethe
latenessandputitdowntoa
headinjuryduringthebattle.’
Histonewasmockingandhis
scarredfacetwistedinan
unpleasantsneer.
WilliamandFalloncame
tostandinfrontofthedesk
andboththeknightsbanged
theirfistsontheirbreastplates
insalute.Animustus,the
Goldcleric,wasdrinking
winefromalargebrass
gobletandbarely
acknowledgedthetwo
knights.
‘Mylord,we’vebeen
busysupervisingthe
mercenariesinthetown.It
takesmoreworkthanwe
thought,’Williamsaid.
‘Yes,CaptainNathan
stompedthroughherea
minuteagocomplaining
aboutyoursupervising
tactics.Hethinksyou’retoo
soft,’Rillionreplied,leaning
backinhischair.
‘CaptainNathanshouldbe
carefulwhathesays.I
alreadyhaveseveralreasons
tocallhimout.’William
couldseethesmileon
Fallon’sface.
Rillionchuckledandthe
Goldclericgaveanamused
snort,showingthathewas
listening.‘Well,then,I’dsay
CaptainNathanshouldthank
mefortheordersI’maboutto
giveyou.’Thecommander
shiftedhisweight,flexinghis
necktoremovethestiffness.
‘Theduke’sdaughterhas
eludedthesquadsofknights
sentintothetunnels.’He
turnedtotheKaresian
enchantress.‘Thenoblelady
Ameirabelievesthatthe
BlackGuardBronwynhas
alreadymadeitoutofthe
city.’
Williamdislikedtheway
thecommanderlookedat
Ameiraandagainsensedthat
sheexertedmoreinfluence
overhimthanhisknights
knew.
Ameirasteppedforward
andWilliamthoughtfora
momentthatshehaddetected
whathewasthinking.The
witchhadlustrousblackhair
anddeepgreeneyes.Her
robeswereblackand
flatteringinawaythatwas
clearlynotaccidental.
Williamdislikedherspider’s
webtattooanddidnotwant
tobetooclosetoher.Hewas
notnaiveenoughtobelieve
everystoryhehadheard
abouttheSevenSisters,but
hedidnotdoubtthatJaahad
giftedthemwithstrange
hypnoticabilities.
Thewitchlockedeyes
withhimforasecondand
Williamlookedawaysharply.
‘Mylord,Iamnot
comfortableinthepresence
ofanenchantress,’hesaid
withconviction.
Ameiralaughed,alyrical
soundthatmadeRillionsmile
withaslighteuphoria.She
steppedforwardandstoodin
frontofthecommander’s
desk,makingitdifficultfor
Williamtonotlookather.
‘SirVerellian,surelyyoudo
notthinkmeadanger?’
‘Enoughofthis,’Rillion
interruptedsharply.‘Ameira,
pleasedon’tteasethecaptain.
William,youaretotravel
northandapprehendthegirl.
Clear?’
Thewitchsmiledand
backedaway,returningto
standatthecommander’s
shoulder.
‘Itisclear,mylord,’
Williamsaid.‘Doweknow
whereshewent?’
‘Shehadhelpescaping.A
KaresianspycalledAl-Hasim
killedeightknightsandthen
escapedsomewhereintothe
town.WhenPevainfinds
him,we’llknowwhereshe
went.’
‘Surelyhelefttownwith
Bronwyn?’Fallonasked.
SirRillionlookedatthe
lieutenantasifhedisliked
beingspokentobyan
adjutant.Hiseyesnarrowed
andhisfacefellbackintoits
customarysneer.
‘Well,LieutenantFallon
ofLeith,Iimaginewemust
appearverystupidtoyou.
Hasimwasseenshortlyafter
FatherMagnushadhealed
him.Castus,thegaoler,saw
thespyleavingviathefood
troughbuthecouldn’tlevel
hiscrossbowintimetokill
thedog.Itseemstheheathen
powersoftheRanenmakea
considerableglowwhenthey
areused,andCastuswas
alerted.SirPevainwas
despatchedanhouragoand
willcapturethemanand
extractthenecessary
information.
‘Inthemeantime,youwill
ridenorthtotheGrassSea.’
Hestrokedhisbeardashe
spoke.‘Wewillsendafast
riderwithnewsofher
locationwhenweknowit.
Pevainhasmenwithhimwho
areskilledat…extracting
information.’
Theeuphemismfortorture
botheredWilliam.Heknew
thatitwasoftenthoughtokay
forthoseunderthecommand
ofknightstoengageinsuch
activities,solongasthe
knightsthemselvesdidnot,
butthepracticewasvery
muchagreyareawithinthe
church.
‘Isthatall,myLord
Rillion?’Williamasked.
‘Travelnorthandtrytofind
thegirl?’
Thecommanderglanced
atAmeirabeforehe
answered.‘Andyouareto
killanymembersofWraith
Companyyouencounter.’
Williamnarrowedhiseyes
andconsideredtheorderfora
secondbeforehespoke.‘My
lord,Iwasn’tawarethatwe
wereatwarwiththeFree
Companies?’
‘Wearenot,andifyou
keepthemawayfromthe
city,hopefullywewillremain
notatwarwiththem.’
‘Ifthoseareyourorders,
mylord.’Williamwasa
seasonedknightandwasn’t
goingtoargue.‘We’llmuster
themenandleavewithinthe
hour.’
Rillionwavedhishandas
iftodismissthem.William
andFallonrepeatedthesalute
andturnedtoleave.
Williamgaveinto
curiosityashewenttoexit
theroomandturnedbackto
hiscommander.‘Mylord,am
Itounderstandthattheking
iscominghere?’
Rillionscowledatthe
knightand,withanother
glanceatAmeira,said,‘Yes,
Verellian,he’llbeherewithin
thenexttwoweeks.The
deathofHectorthebetrayer
wasonlythebeginningofour
workinRoCanarn.King
Sebastianhasotherdutiesfor
ustoperform.’Henarrowed
hiseyesandbecameguarded.
‘Donotworry,Captain
Verellian,bythetimeyou
returnfromtheGrassSea,
ourdutywillbeclear.’
‘Yes,sir,’Williamsaid
wearilyasheturnedaway.
Oncetheknightswereout
ofearshot,Fallonturnedto
hiscaptain.‘Whatabout
him,’hesaidwithanger,‘can
Islithisthroat?’
‘I’mnotsurewecan
justifykillingthenewknight
protectorofRoCanarn.’
Williamwasdeepin
thoughtandgreatlytroubled
thatthewordsofafollower
ofJaashouldholdsomuch
influenceoveraknightofthe
Red.Evenmoreworrying
wasthatFallon’sgossip
mightbetrue,andthatthe
kingmightbeintendingto
attacktheFreelands.
‘So,whatdowedo,sir?’
Fallonasked.
‘Wefolloworders,my
dearboy,’hereplied.‘We
followordersanddiewhere
we’retoldtodie.’
***
Al-Hasimhadseenthetwo
knightsentertheantechamber
andhadwaitedinthesecret
passageforthemtoemerge.
Hehadheardmuchofwhat
they’dspokenaboutwith
theircommanderandwas
worriedforanumberof
reasons.Hehopedthatthe
twohours’headstart
Bronwynhadwasenough,
andthatWraithCompany
wouldfindherbeforethe
knightsdid.Itwasatleasta
two-weekjourneytoRoHail
andBronwynwouldnot
knowthatshewasbeing
pursued.Eitherway,Hasim
coulddolittletohelpherand
shewouldneedtoshowher
mettleinordertoremainfree.
Thesecretpassages
providedanexcellentwayto
movecovertlyaroundthe
keepandhe’dspenthalfan
hourorsocurledupinaball
lookingoutofasecretdoor
highintheraftersofthegreat
hall.Magnushadhealedhim
justintime,astheRedpig,
Castus,hadappearedand
firedhiscrossbowatthe
Karesianamomentlater.
Sincethen,he’dtriedtofind
KohliandJenner,the
Karesianbrotherswho’d
smuggledhimintothetown
inthefirstplace.
SirHallamPevainwasa
tenaciouspursuerandHasim
hadbeenclosetocapture
twice.First,whenhe’d
hauledhimselfoutofthe
trough,ashoutfromCastus
hadalertedthemercenaries
above.He’dnotstayedto
fight,buthadthrownhimself
intoanearbysewerwhichran
alongthewallsofthekeep,
andthesmellhadbeen
enoughtodissuadethe
mercenariesfromfollowing
him.Aroundanhourafter
that,ashe’demergedfrom
thesewerintoastablenear
theblacksmith’sguild,he’d
beenspottedbyPevain’s
bastardsandhadtoruninto
thedarkstreetsofCanarn.
He’dnotknownthat
Pevainwasafterhim
personallyuntillater,when
hewashidinginthetunnels
ofthekeepandoverheard
Rillionshoutingatthe
mercenaryknightfortaking
toolonginfindinghim.
Hehadnotyethadtimeto
worryabouttheLadyof
Spiders.Algenonhadtold
himlittleaboutthewitch.
Hasimbelievedthatshewas
manipulatingRillion–that
muchwasobvious–butto
whatend,hewasnotsure.
ThethainofFredericksand
wasinscrutableatthebestof
timesand,wheretheSeven
Sisterswereconcerned,he
wasdownrightmysterious.
HasimtrustedAlgenon,
though,andwasnowofthe
opinionthathisnextmove
shouldbetofreeMagnus
fromhisgaolcell.
KohliandJennerwould
havegonetogroundduring
thebattle,andHasimwas
certainthey’dhavefounda
warmplacetohidewith
plentytodrink.Thebrothers
werefromThrakka,acity
severalleaguestothesouthof
Al-Hasim’shomeofKessia,
andwerethekindofKaresian
scumthatHasimliked.They
workedformoneytobuy
alcoholandwomen,making
themverypredictablein
Hasim’seyes.Theyalso
ownedaboat,whichwould
bealikelyescaperouteonce
Magnuswasfreed.
Hasimbackedawayfrom
thehatchwayhighabovethe
greathallandcrawledback
downthenarrowtunnel.He
wonderedwhowouldhave
installedsuchacovert
listeningpoint,buthewas
gladtheyhaddone.He’d
foundseveralsuchplaces
throughoutthekeep–narrow
passageways,largeenoughto
crawldown,whichlookedin
onmostoftheroomsinthe
building.He’devenfound
severalspy-holesthatlooked
inontheothersecrettunnels,
andhadmorethanonce
observedPevain’s
mercenariesastheysearched
forhim.He’dremained
hiddenthusfar,notwanting
toalertthemtohispresence
bykillinganyofthem.
However,hewasbecoming
frustratedwithhisinabilityto
movefreely.Hasimwasnot
usedtobeinghuntedand
founditanunpleasant
sensation.
Asheleftthewatch-hole,
hewasfacedwithasteepset
ofstairsthatledbackdownto
themainbodyofsecret
passages.Beyondwasasmall
woodendoor,nomorethan
fivefeethighandlargely
invisiblefromtheotherside.
Eachofthedoorstothe
watch-holeshadasmall
peephole,throughwhich
Hasimcouldmakesurethe
waywasclear.
Ashewalkeddownthe
smallstaircase,hethought
quickly.Magnuswouldnot
beeasytobreakoutofhis
celland,evenifHasimcould
freehisoldfriend,their
positionwouldstillbea
difficultone.Hehadtoleave
thecityandhecouldn’tleave
withouttheRanenpriest.He
wasfondofMagnusandhad
growntovaluehimasa
friend.He’dmissthedrinking
sessionsandtalkofwomen
beddedandbattleswon.
OtherthanBromandRham
JasRami,Magnuswasthe
onlyothermanHasimhad
evercalledbrother,andthat
stillmeantsomethingtohim.
Helookedthroughthe
peepholeandsawnothingbut
adarkpassageway.Beyond,
heknewthetunnelledalong
thesideofthegreathalland
thendownthroughthewalls
adjacenttothekeep.AlHasimhadbeeninthetunnels
forseveralhoursandhad
alreadyidentifiedthebest
exitsandtheplacesleast
likelytobeguarded.He
neededtofindKohliand
Jennerfirst,whichmeant
exitingneartheport.The
Karesianswouldhave
retreatedtotheirboat,hoping
theknightswouldn’tcheck
theharbour.Hasimthoughtit
unlikelythatthey’dhave
beenabletoleavetheport
afterthebattleandimagined
they’dbecoweringbelow
deckswithseveralbottlesof
wine.
Hasimopenedthedoor
slowlyandimmediately
stopped.Hefeltpressure
againstthewoodandwas
thenflungbackasthedoor
wasshovedbackintohim.
Someonehadbeenhiding
beneaththepeephole,waiting
forhimtoleave.
Hasimhithisheadfirmly
againstthewoodenstepsand
lostvisionforasecondashe
heardavoiceshout,
‘Sergeant,I’vefoundthe
Karesian!’followedbythe
soundofarmouredsteps
movingquicklyalongthe
woodentunnelbeyond.
Hetriedtogettohisfeet,
butfellbackasanarmoured
knightoftheRedflungthe
dooropenandadvancedupon
him.Thesoundofother
knightsapproachinggrew
louderasHasiminchedback
upthestepstowardsthe
watch-hole,drawinghiskris
bladeandtryingtofocuson
theadvancingknight.
‘You’remine,boy,’said
theknightashedrewhis
sword,duckedunderthe
smallwoodendoorway,and
crouchedatthefootofthe
stairs.
Hasimshookhisheadand
heftedhimselfbackwardson
handsandknees.Hewasstill
dazedandonlyvaguely
awareoftheknight
attemptingtograbhisfootas
hescuttledbackupthestairs
tothewatch-hole.Hekicked
outwithasmuchstrengthas
hecouldmanageandhearda
solidsteelclangandasharp
intakeofbreath.
Theknightstumbledback,
gettinghisarmourandsword
tangledupinthenarrow
tunnel.Hasimsworeto
himselfandrubbedhiseyes.
Hecouldfeelbloodonthe
backofhisheadandwasin
considerablepain.Hasim
turnedandrapidlydartedup
thestairs.
‘I’llmakeyoubleedfor
that,horse-fucker,’shouted
theknightasheadvanced
againtowardsthewatch-hole.
Hasimbrieflyconsidered
throwinghisknifeinorderto
silencetheknight,but
thoughtbetterofitashe
reachedthetopofthenarrow
staircase.Therewasnowhere
togo.Thetunnelendedinthe
watch-holeoverlookingthe
greathallandtherewasno
waydown,justasmall
gratingthroughwhichthe
hallcouldbeseen.Hehadto
thinkfast,asreinforcements
hadreachedthehatchwayat
thebottomofthestairs.
‘Hecrawledupthere.The
scum’strapped,sir,’saidthe
knightwho’dfoundhim.
‘There’snowheretogo,
boy,surrenderandyoumay
survivethis,’saidanolder
voicefromthetunnel.
Moremenwere
convergingonhislocation
andHasimcouldhearshouts
andorderspassedloudly
alongthetunnels.He
breathedinheavilyandshook
hishead.Hiswoundwasnot
badandhebegantothink
quickly.
Crouching,hemovedas
rapidlyashecoulddownthe
tunneltowardsthewatchhole.Theknightsbelow
beganmovingthroughthe
hatchwayandhecouldhear
moremenapproaching.
Holdingthekrisblade
betweenhisteeth,hereached
thegratingthatoverlooked
thegreathallofRoCanarn
andstopped.
‘We’recomingforyou,
littleboy,’calledthefirst
knight,ashebeganascending
thecrampedstaircase.
Hasimcouldn’tfighthis
waythroughtheknights.He
wasarealistandknewthat,
eveninclosequarters,there
weretoomany,andthistime
hedidn’thavetheadvantage
ofsurprise.Multipleshadows
flowedoverthetopofthe
stairsandhecouldmakeout
thevoicesofperhapsasmany
astenknightsapproaching
him.Hestartedtolaugh,an
outburstofhysterical
desperation.
Hasimglanceddown
throughthewatch-hole,took
hiskrisbladefrombetween
histeethandsmashedit
againstthewoodofthegrate.
Thewoodwassolid,but
Hasimwasstrongandhe
quicklybrokeoffapiece.He
hititagainand,asthefirst
knight’sheademergedatthe
topofthenarrowstairs,he
feverishlysmashedatthe
woodengrating.Notenough
ofagaphadopenedandhe
laydownonhisbackand
kickedhisfeetintothewood.
Hisleftbootbrokethrough,
sendingsplintersintothehall
below.
‘Sergeant,theKaresian’s
tryingtobreakthroughinto
thegreathall.’
Thesoundofwood
breakingwasloudandHasim
couldnothearifanyofthe
knightswereleaving.He
sparedaquickglancebehind
himandsawtwomenofRo,
theirupperbodiessqueezed
intothenarrowpassageway
atthetopofthestairs.They
beganclumsilycrawling
towardshimashechangedto
acrouchedposition,braced
himself,andflunghis
shoulderatthebroken
woodengrate.Hisweightwas
sufficienttofinishthejobhis
knifehadstartedand,witha
loudshout,heplummeted
intothegreathall.
Helandedfaceup,witha
thud,ononeoftheduke’s
feasttables.Thefallhad
windedhimandhisshoulder
feltasifitmightbe
dislocated.Above,hesawthe
faceofaknightpoking
throughthebrokenwatchhole.
Hasimrolledoffthetable,
gottohisfeetandquickly
glancedaroundthehall.The
maindoorswereopenand
beyondhecouldseethe
night.Behindtheduke’s
platformseveralfigureswere
emergingfromananteroom.
‘You…Karesian,’shouted
avoicefromthe
antechamber,‘stopthere!’
Hasimturnedandsaw
Rillionandthreeknights,
swordsdrawn,advancingon
hisposition.Heturned
quicklyanddartedacrossthe
greathall.Asheapproached
thedarknessbeyondthemain
doors,forasecondhe
thoughthemightactually
escape.Ashebegantosmile
helookedupandsawafigure
approachingthroughthe
doors.
SirHallamPevainentered
thegreathallslowly,histwohandedswordheldcasually
acrosshisshoulderblades.
‘You’remine,Hasim,’he
saidwithagrowl.
Abellhadbeguntosound
andHasimcouldhear
armouredfeetapproaching
throughseveralsideentrances
andantechambers.Therewas
noobviouswayofescape.
Behindhimstood
CommanderRillionandthree
knightsoftheRed,with
Ameira,theKaresian
enchantress,positionedinthe
doorway.Theknightsstood
ontheraisedplatform,bythe
duke’schair,contentjustto
cutoffHasim’sescape.In
frontofhim,blockinghis
pathtothemaindoor,was
Pevainandadozenofhis
mercenaries.Onbothsidesof
thegreathall,otherRed
knightsappearedand
encircledhim.Hasimjudged
thathewasfinallycaptured.
Rilliondrewhissword
andsteppedwithintenfeetof
theKaresian.‘Al-Hasim,you
aretostanddownandbe
subjecttotheking’slaw,’he
saidwithsmugauthority.
‘AndifIdon’t?’Hasim
replieddefiantly.
‘ThenI’llcutyourarms
offandgivetherestofyouto
myboys,’Pevainbuttedin,
grinningviciouslyand
noddingathismercenaries,
whosmiledandlookedat
Hasimasifhewereapieceof
meat.
‘Pevain,weneed
informationfromthisspy,’
Rillioncountered,causingthe
mercenaryknighttolookat
thefloorandnodwith
frustration.‘Don’tkillhim
outright.Getthelocationof
thegirlfromhimandyoucan
letyourdogsturnhimintoa
woman.Clear?’
Pevainandhismen
evidentlylikedthisorder.The
bastardswereknownfornot
beingtoochoosywhenit
cametorape,andHasimhad
heardstoriesofmenbroken
tothepointofsuicideafteran
encounterwiththem.Eachof
thedirty,grim-faced
mercenarieswassmilingat
him,andafewevenwinked
andlickedtheirlipsin
anticipation.
Pevainadvancedtowards
Hasim,hisswordheldlow
andhisfacetwistedina
grotesquegrin.Hasimhad
onlyhiskrisbladewithwhich
todefendhimself.
‘Doyouyield?’Pevain
askedmockingly.
‘Doyou?’Hasimshot
backwithvenom.
Hesawagroupoffive
moreknightsoftheRedenter
thehallbehindPevain’s
mercenariesandstandin
frontofthelargewooden
doors,peeringoverthemen
infront.
Pevaindidn’thesitatefor
morethanasecondbeforehe
lungedforwardandaimeda
powerfulthrustatthe
Karesian’schest.Hewasa
hugemanandaskilled
swordsman,butHasimwas
fasterandsimplyrolledtohis
rightandacrossthewooden
tablehe’dlandedon.
Twomercenariesmoved
tocuthimoffandPevain
shouted,‘Wecandance
aroundthehallallnight,
Hasim,butyou’regoing
nowhere.’
Hasimfoundhisfeeton
theothersideofthetableand
crouched,spunround,and
directedalightning-fastkick
atoneofthemercenaries.
Theman’slegbuckledandhe
fell,lettinghislongsword
clattertotheground.A
secondpursuerswung
downwardsatHasimbut
missedashedartedback
underthetable,grabbingthe
fallenswordashedidso.
Pevainlaughedashesaid,
‘Thelongeryouwaitthe
angriermymenwillget…
andtheyaren’tgentlewhen
they’reangry.Ifyougiveup
now,youmightmakeafine
littleKaresianwife.’
Hasimmovedquickly
alongthefloorasthe
mercenariesbegantocircle
thetable.Swordswereswung
athim,buteitherstruck
woodenchairsormissed
entirely.Hasimhadnoreal
delusionsaboutescaping,but
wasnotgoingtogiveup
easily.Hedidaforwardroll
outfromunderthetableand
knockedanothermercenary
tothefloorastheothers
movedquicklyinpursuit.
Pevainletoutaroarof
exertionandswunghishuge
sworddownwardsatthetable
betweenhimandHasim,
splinteringthewooddown
themiddle.Hasimdidn’tturn
toengagethehugemercenary
knightbutinsteaddivedback
acrossthebrokentableand
rolledpasthim.Hewasmet
withagroupofknightswho
hadenteredthehallfroma
sidedoorandwere
brandishingweapons.
Hasimstopped,hewas
surroundedandoutof
options.Themercenariesand
knightshadhimencircledand
hisroomformovementwas
gettingsmallerandsmalleras
theypennedhimin.Hehelda
longswordinonehandand
hiskrisbladeintheother,but
hewasfacedwithtwentyor
soRedknightsandseveral
dozenmercenaries.
Heturnedandwasmet
withapowerfulpunchtothe
facefromSirPevain.Hefelt
bloodflowfromhisnoseand
mouthandlostthestrengthin
hislegsforamoment,
crumplingtoaheaponthe
floor.
Helookedupandrubbed
thebloodfromhisface,and
sawdarkfacesloominto
view.Akicktothestomach
andhelosthisbreath,akick
tothebackandhelosthis
griponhisweapons,anda
kicktothegroinandhe
exhaledsharplyand
involuntarilycurledupintoa
ballonthestonefloor.
‘Don’tkillhim,youdogs,
weneedinformationfrom
him,’orderedRillion.His
voicesoundedcloseand
Hasimwasvaguelyawareof
himshovingthemercenaries
aside.‘Pevain,controlyour
bastards.’
Hasimwaspulledroughly
tohisfeetandreceived
anotherpunchintheface
fromPevain,thoughthistime
hewasheldandnotallowed
tofall.Hewasshoved
betweenthemercenariesfora
fewminutes,punched,
kicked,insultedandgoaded
withpromisesofrapeand
worse.Thenhewasthrown
againstanothertableand
doubledover,wheezing
heavilyandspittingblood.
Pevaingrabbedhimbythe
neckandheldhimuptohis
face.‘Whereistheduke’s
slutofadaughter?Wheredid
yousendher?’
Hasimlaughedweakly
andspatbloodinPevain’s
face.‘Afewkicksand
punchesIcanhandle,you
sorryexcuseforaknight,’he
said,withasmuchbravadoas
hecouldmuster.
Anotherpowerfulpunch
tothefaceandHasimspat
outatoothandfelthislips
andjawswellup.
Pevainturnedbackto
Rillionandsaid,‘Mylord,we
needtoapplyabitmore
pressuretothisKaresianpigfucker.He’satoughlittle
bastard.’
RillionnoddedandHasim
wasthrownbacktothe
mercenaries.
‘Breakhim,’commanded
Pevainsimply.
Hetriedtoresist,but
manyhandsheldhimandhe
wasweakandunfocused
fromtherepeatedblowsto
hisheadandbody.Helashed
outandstruckwildlyatthe
facesaroundhim,buthis
armswerequicklywrenched
behindhisbackandaforearm
waswrappedroughlyround
hisneck.Vilecallscame
fromthemercenariesasthey
arguedwhowouldgetto
violatehimfirst,andRillion
andhisknightssimply
watched.
Hasimdidn’tstop
struggling,butheknewhe
hadnochanceofresistingas
hewaspunchedrepeatedlyin
thestomachandbentovera
feasttable,hisarmsheld
firmlyandaroughhand
graspinghishair.
Justashebegantoprayto
Jaaforaswiftdeath,heheard
amanshout,‘Lethimgo!’
Hasimturnedhisheadand
identifiedthespeakeras
WilliamofVerellian.The
hawk-facedknightcaptain
wasstandingjustinsidethe
greathallwithfiveofhis
knights,wholookedat
Pevain’smenwithdisgust.
‘Notyourbusiness,
Verellian,’saidPevainin
response.
Thecaptainstepped
forwardandglaredatthe
hugemercenary.‘Noman
willtakehispaymentin
bloodorflesh.Thatappliesto
youandyourmen.Cagehim,
imprisonhim,questionhim,’
hesaidwithmenace,looking
directlyintoPevain’seyes,
‘butcausehimtobleedagain
orviolatehisfleshandI’ll
killyou.’
Verellian’smendrewtheir
swordsandfacedoffagainst
themercenaries,mostof
whomweredecidedlyafraid
atthesightofFallonofLeith,
amanrenownedasoneofthe
finestswordsmenamongst
theknightsoftheRed.
‘Captain,’barkedRillion,
‘youoverstepyourbounds.
Weneedinformationfrom
thisman.He’sacriminaland
yourknightlycodedoesnot
apply.’
Verellianlookedoffended,
butmaintainedhis
composure.‘Apologies,my
lord,butmyknightlycode
appliesinallsituationsand
withallprisoners.Iwillnot
disobeyadirectorderfrom
mycommander,butneither
willIstanddownandlet
theseanimalscauseanymore
paintoacaptive,criminalor
not.’
FallonandVerellianboth
lookeddangerouswiththeir
swordsdrawn,andthemen
withthemwouldclearlythink
nothingofkillingthe
mercenariesiftheywere
orderedtodoso.Pevain
glaredatthecaptain,buthis
menwereunsure,asifthey
wouldrathernothavetotest
themselvesagainsttrue
fightingmen.
Hasimremainedstill,but
chancedaquicklookat
Ameira.Shewasstanding
behindRillion,evidently
enjoyingtheconfrontation.
Thiswastheclosesthehad
beentohersincehehad
arrivedinRoCanarnandhe
wonderedifsheknewthathe
workedforAlgenon
Teardrop.
Rillionsteppedforwardto
standnexttoPevain,
consideringwhattosayto
Verellian.Henarrowedhis
eyesandslowlysmiled.
‘I’mhonestlynotsure
whowouldwinifIletthe
twoofyoufight.’Hesizedup
thetwoarmouredknights.
Pevainwaslargerby
nearlyafoot,butWilliamof
Verellianwasahardmanand
hadareputationasa
swordsmanwhocouldkill
quicklyandefficiently.
Pevainwasyounger,though
notbymuch,andthematch
waseven.
Williamtookastep
forwardandstaredupatthe
mercenary.LieutenantFallon
letahardglareplayoverthe
facesoftheothers.
Verelliandidn’tmovehis
eyesfromPevainashespoke
tohiscommander.‘MyLord
Rillion,Iwillgladlykillthis
manandallhisbastardsifit
willconvinceyouthatthe
Karesianshouldbetreated
withhonour.’
Pevainsmirked,showing
thathewasn’tscaredofthe
Redknight.‘Commander,let
thisboy-fuckertryandI’ll
makehimmylittlewhorethe
sameasthatKaresianpig.’
Verelliandidn’tchange
hisexpressionasherammed
hisforeheadintoPevain’s
nose.Hehadtoriseonto
tiptoestoreachthetaller
man,buttheblowlanded
solidlyandsentPevaintohis
knees,clutchinghissmashed
nose.
Twooftheclosest
mercenariesautomatically
movedtoattackVerellian,
theirswordsbrandishedand
eyeswildwithanger.Fallon
grabbedthefirstbythethroat
andcasuallykickedawayhis
sword.Thesecondturnedto
thrustathim,butwasmet
withaparryandFallon’s
ripostewasaswiftcuttohis
neck.Thewoundwasclearly
fatalandtheassembled
knightsandmercenaries
pausedandstaredasthe
dyingmanslowlyfell.
Pevaingatheredhimself
and,pantingheavily,roseto
hisfeet.Fallontookastep
towardstheremaining
mercenaries,steppingover
thedeadmanandtwirlinghis
longswordwithskill.
Verelliandidn’tmoveaninch
asPevainagainstoodnoseto
nosewiththeknight.
CommanderRillionbegan
tolaugh,breakingthe
ominoussilence.‘Pevain,if
youstrikeCaptainVerellian,
he’llkillyou.Fallonandthe
otherswillthenkillallof
yourmenandnoorderfrom
mewillstopthem,’hesaid
withquietauthority.‘Put
yoursworddownandtake
yourdeadmanoutofmyhall.
Enoughbloodhasbeen
cleanedoffthefloortoday.’
‘Youshouldlistento
him,’saidVerellianinanearwhisper.
Fallonsimplysmiledat
themercenaries,and
Verellian’sotherknights
stoodwithswordsdrawn.
Themanrestraining
Hasimhadturnedawayand
theKaresianhadslumpedto
thefloor,leaningagainsta
woodenchair.Hemanageda
slightsmileattheideaofhis
honourbeingdefendedby
knightsoftheRed.
Themercenariesall
lookedtowardsSirPevain
andHasimsensedthey’d
rathertheirleaderdidnot
continuetheargument.They
weretoughmen,butno
matchforagroupof
hardenedknightsoftheRed,
especiallynotthisparticular
groupofknightsoftheRed.
WilliamofVerellianhad
beenknowntoHasimeven
beforeheoverheardhim
talkingtothecommander.
Hisskillandhonourwere
wellknowninTorFunweir.
Pevainwasgruntingunder
hisbreathandnodoubt
imaginingallmannerof
unpleasanttormentshewould
visituponVerellian,buthe
turnedtohismenandwaved
themoutofthemainhall.He
thennoddedtoCommander
Rillionandleft,gingerly
touchinghisbrokennose.
***
Hasimhadbeentiedtoa
horseandhefoundhimself
waiting,flankedbyknightsof
theRed,atthegatehouse
leadingnorthoutofRo
Canarn.Itwasjuststartingto
rainandhewasstillsore
fromthebeatinghehad
taken.
KnightCommander
Rillionhadnotbeenpleased
withWilliamofVerellian’s
interferenceand,as
punishment,he’dgiven
Hasimintothecareofthe
knightstobetakennorthin
pursuitofBronwyn.Rillion
evidentlythoughtthat
threateningHasim’slife
wouldmakeBronwynless
inclinedtorun.Whathedid
notrealizewasthatVerellian
wasaknighttowhom
displaysofterrordidnot
comenaturally.
Hasimwasusedtohaving
hisfatedictatedtobyothers,
buthedislikedthethoughtof
thosepeople’sstringsbeing
heldbyaKaresian
enchantress.Ashesatonthe
horse,Hasimwondered
wheretheotherSevenSisters
were,andwhatinterestthey
hadinRoCanarn.
CHAPTER8
ZELDANTORIN
THECITYOF
KESSIA
Slaverywasarealitytomany
Karesians.Zelhadbeena
slavesincehewasachildand
hadneverquestionedhis
position.Hismotherwasa
Kirin,livinginthewoodsof
Lislan,andhadapparently
beenkilledbychurchmenof
Ro.Slavers,followingthe
clerics,hadtakenZelwhen
hewastoosmallto
remember.Zelwasnotbitter
aboutthis,primarilybecause
hehadneverknownhis
mother,butalsobecausehe
foundthelifeofaslavetobe
arelativelypleasantone.The
slavershadgivenhimtoa
mobsterinKessiaasashow
ofrespectandhe’dservedthe
manfaithfully.
Henowservedawoman
calledSaara,thoughshewas
oftenreferredtoasthe
MistressofPain.Shewasof
theSevenSistersandhad
purchasedZelfromthe
mobstershortlybeforeZel’s
twelfthbirthday.Hewasnow
fifteenandlargelyenjoyed
hisduties.Previouslyhe’d
beenrequiredtocareforthe
fatoldmobster,cleaninghis
tatteredclothesandfetching
hismeals.Onoccasionhe’d
evenhadtowashtheman,
scrubbinghisbackand
shoulderswhilesinging
soothingsongsorreciting
poetry.Whenhewasn’tbeing
abodyslave,he’dbeen
trainedintheuseofa
scimitarandtoldthat,when
hegrewstronger,he’dbeone
oftheman’smany
bodyguards.
ZelwasgladthatSaara
didnotrequirehimtobathe
her,orevenrepairher
clothing.Shelikedhimto
wakeherwithbreakfastand
thegentleringingofabell,
butherdailydemandswere
few.SherequiredthatZel
accompaniedhervirtually
everywhereandtrustedhis
discretion,evengoingsofar
astoaskhisopinionon
matterswhentheywere
alone.Inthetimethey’dbeen
together,Zelhadstoodnext
toheratallmannerof
interestingmeetingsand
encounters.
TheSevenSisterswere
theenchantressesofJaaand
universallyfearedby
commonKaresians.Theyhad
thepoweroflifeanddeath
overallthosewhoclaimed
Jaaastheirgodandtheywere
abletomakedemandsof
virtuallyeveryone.Evenin
Kessia,wherethemerchant
princesruled,Saarawas
treatedwithnervousrespect.
‘Slave!’Thevoicecame
fromoneoftwowindclaws
waitingoutsideSaara’s
chambers.
TheMistressofPainhad
chosentostayinanopulent
residenceinthesouthofthe
city,aquietplacebuiltinthe
formofthreetowersaround
threegardensofmeditation.
Saarahadaskedforthetop
floorofoneofthetowersto
beclearedandshenowheld
courtoverlookingabeautiful
fountainandacarefully
tendedgardenofbrightly
colouredplants.
Zel’smistresshadjust
finishedtalkingtoamerchant
princecalledZamamandhad
requestedashortbreak.She
hadspokentoanumberof
princesduringthemorning,
andseveralmobstersthe
previousevening,andZelhad
advisedthatshetakean
hour’srest.He’dseenher
throughtohermarble
bedroomandhadthentaken
sometimeforhimself.
Currently,hewasonthe
terracethatledfromthetop
floortothestairsandtheten
floorsbelow.
Theinnerwallsofthe
towerwereopen,allowing
gueststolookdownonthe
garden,andZelfoundthelow
babblingofwaterfromthe
fountainmostrelaxing.
‘Slave,areyoulistening,
boy?’oneofthewindclaws
askedagain.
Zelsighedatbeingpulled
awayfromhisquiet
contemplation,turnedand
boweddeeplytotheman
beforehim.Thewindclaws
weretallmen,wearingthe
flowingblackrobescommon
totheirorder,andboth
carriedtwowavykrisblades
ateachhip.Themanwhohad
spokenhadlongblackhair,
tiedinabraidedtopknot.
‘Manyapologies,master,I
wasdeepinthought,’the
slavesaid.
‘Aslavetoanenchantress
isstillaslave,boy.Please
rememberyourmannersor
I’llhaveyoubeaten.’
Itwasnotasmuchofa
threattoZelasitwouldhave
beentoayoungerslave.A
beatingwasasimplething,
easilyenduredandsoon
forgotten,andyetthenobles
ofKaresiaevidentlyfound
thenotionpleasingonsome
level.
‘Imeantnooffence,noble
master,’Zelsaid,bowing
evendeeperandholdinghis
armswideinafawning
gesture.‘Wereyouwaiting
formymistress?’
‘Well,Iwasconsidering
waitingforher,butafterthe
processionofmerchant
princesI’veseenwalkingup
thosestairs,I’dimaginemy
presencewouldbepositively
boringbycomparison,’the
windclawsaid,clearlydeep
inthought.
‘Ifyougivemeyour
name,master,I’llbesureto
tellmymistressthatyouare
waiting.She’srestingatthe
moment,butwillbeavailable
againshortly.’
Thewindclawlookedat
him,lettinghiseyesnarrow
andhisspeechbecome
suspicious.‘IamDalian,
calledtheThiefTaker.She
willknowme.’
Hespokewithlittle
ceremony,butZelhadheard
thenamebefore.TheThief
Takerwasaninfamousman
inKessia,amanwho
enforcedthewillofJaaand
wasfrequentlybrutalindoing
so.Hewasnotgiftedbythe
FireGiant,asweretheSeven
Sisters,buthadchosento
servefaithfully,frequently
questioningtheenchantresses
andtheiruseofthepowers
grantedtothem.Hewasthe
greatestofthewindclaws,
themenwhomadesurethat
commonKaresiansadhered
tothewordofJaa.
‘ThisisLarix,calledthe
Traveller.Hehasjust
returnedfromTorFunweir
withamessagefromKatja
theHandofDespairforyour
mistress.’Thesecondwind
clawwasayoungerman,
withlighterskin.Hisblack
robeswereinpristine
condition,suggestingtoZel
thattheyhadnotbeenworn
recently.
‘I’llbesuretotellherthat
youarewaiting,masters,’Zel
saidwithdeference.Hehad
metwindclawsbefore,but
nevertheThiefTaker
himself,andZelwas
moderatelyimpressedathis
bearing.
Theslavecontinued
bowingashebackedaway
fromDalianandLarixand
approachedtheornatewhite
doorsthatledtoSaara’s
chambers.Heturnedslowly
andopenedthedoors,not
lookingbacktoseeifthe
windclawshadanyother
wordsforhim.Zelenjoyeda
degreeofarrogance,being
slavetooneoftheSeven
Sisters,but,facedwithaman
ofsuchreputation,hefelthis
self-confidencewither.
TheThiefTakerhad
recentlybeenresponsiblefor
thedeathofanold-blood,an
insaneKaresianwiththe
bloodofGiantswho’dbeen
houndinganoutlyingvillage.
AnotheroftheSevenSisters
hadaskedhimtodosoand,if
rumourweretobebelieved,
Dalianhadburnedtheoldbloodalive.Thisbrutality
wasapparentlytypicalofthe
manandZelwasgladtobe
outofhispresence.
Hewalkedthroughthe
whiteandgoldsittingroomto
thebedroomdoor.The
quarterswereopulentand
spotlesslyclean,withfour
quiltedchairspositioned
roundacentraltable.Zelwas
notpermittedtositonanyof
thechairsandhadonlybeen
presentinthesittingroom
whilestandingbehindhis
mistress.
Hestraightenedhislight
bluetunicandknockedgently
atthewoodendoor.At
fifteen,Zelwasalmostaman
inKaresia,thoughhismixed
lineagemeantthatlittlewas
expectedofhim.Evenasa
slave,beingaKirinmeant
he’dbelookeddownonfor
therestofhislife.Hewas
shortandslimfromyearsof
hardworkandmeagrediet,
buthismindwassharpand
histimewithSaarahad
taughthimmuchofthe
world.
Zelknockedagainand
heardhismistressstirring.
Shecoughedandsaid,‘Zel,I
needtorest.Whateveryou
wantcanwait.’
‘Manyapologies,mylady,
buttwowindclawsare
waitingoutsideandIbelieve
oneofthemiscalledDalian
ThiefTaker.’
Therewasamomentary
pause.‘Verywell,comein.’
Zelopenedthedoor
slowlyandpeeredin.Seeing
Saaralyingacrossawhitesheetedbedofexpensive
fabrics,hemovedtostand
insidetheroom.
‘Thesecondmaniscalled
Larixandhasamessagefrom
yoursisterinTorFunweir,
mistress.’
Saarasmiled,athin
expressionmaskedalittleby
sleep.‘Excellent,’shesaid,‘I
thinktheTravellermayhave
goodnewsforus.’
‘Mistress…’Zelsaid,not
movingfromhispositionby
thedoor,‘I’mconfused.’
Saararubbedthetiredness
fromhereyesandsatup,
lettingthecoversfallfrom
herbody,exposinghernaked
breasts.
Shesmiledwarmlyather
slave.‘Youareoften
confused,youngZeldantor.
Come,rubmyshouldersand
tellmewhatyouareconfused
about.’
Theslavewalkedround
thelargebedandpickedupa
smallvialofscentedoilfrom
Saara’sbedsidetable.The
enchantressremovedthe
bedclothesentirelyand
shiftedpositiontositnaked
andcross-leggedinthe
middleofthebed.Zel
removedhissandalsand
climbedontothemattress,
kneelingbehindhismistress.
Herskinwassmoothand
lightforaKaresian,andher
lustrousblackhairwas
delicatelyplacedaroundher
necksoastoallowZelto
reachhershoulders
unhindered.TheyoungKirin
hadseenhernakednumerous
timesandnolongerfelt
embarrassedatthesight;in
fact,he’dcometoenjoy
seeinghismistressunclothed,
assherepresentedtheidealof
womanhoodtohim.Though
mostmenwouldneveradmit
it,forfearofretribution,the
SevenSisterswereall
beautifulwomen.Eventhose
whowereplainwhenthey
werechosengraduallytook
onthesamebeautywithina
fewyears.Itwasapartof
theirgift,andZelassumedit
wastomaketheactof
seductionandenchantment
easier,forthatwasthewayof
theSevenSisters.
Zeluncorkedthevialof
oil,pouredasmallamount
intothepalmofhishandand
begantorubitsmoothlyinto
herbareshoulders.Saara
leantforwardandclosedher
eyesashebegantomassage
herskin.
Afteramomentortwo,
hismistressstraightenedher
neck.‘So,letustalkabout
thisconfusionofyours,Zel.’
‘Itcanwaitifyou’drather
batheandpreparetoreceive
thewindclaws,mistress.’
Sheturnedherheadand
smiledwarmly.‘Daliancan
wait.Iwouldrathermybody
slavewasfullyinformedof
myactionsbeforeIseeany
moremen.’
‘Verywell,mistress.
Thankyou.’Hebowedhis
head.
‘Aslongasyoucantalk
andmassageatthesame
time,’shesaidwithaslight
chuckle,alyricalsoundthat
remindedZelofthewaya
songbirdcallsforamate.
‘Ofcourse,mistress,your
wordstomyactions,’he
repliedformally,ashe
continuedtomassageher
shouldersandback.‘I’m
confusedaboutsomeofwhat
hastranspiredsincewe
arrivedinKessia,mistress,’
hebegan.‘Iunderstandthat
yoursisterhadDalianandthe
windclawskillJennekthe
old-blood,andIremember
fromameetingyouheldwith
LilliantheLadyofDeath,
thattheintentionwastocause
someonetoleavethecity…’
HepausedasSaarahalf
turnedtolookathimmore
directly.
‘And?’shesaid.
‘Well,Iamconfused
aboutwhythewindclaws
neededtobetrickedandwhy
youdesiredthatthevizierof
JaaleaveKessia,’Zel
continuedpolitely.
Zelhadbeenpresentwhen
Saarahadinstructedher
youngersisterLillianto
enchantDalianThiefTaker
intohuntingdownJennekof
themist,astrangeold
KaresianwithFireGiant
blood.Thegoalhadbeento
causethespiritualleaderof
thecitytoleaveinsearchof
anotherold-blood,thoughZel
hadbeenunabletodiscern
whyhismistresshaddone
this.
Thevizierwascalled
VoonofRikara.Hewaschief
advisertotheemperoranda
manwhosewordcouldsway
allbuttheSevenSisters.
VoonhadleftKessiashortly
aftertheold-bloodhadbeen
killedandthecommonbelief
wasthathe’dhadaspiritual
crisisofsomekind,butZel
knewhisdeparturehadbeen
adeliberatedesignofthe
enchantresses.
Saarasmiledtolerantly
andgentlypattedZelonthe
cheek.‘It’sreallyvery
simple,youngZel.Withno
old-bloodtocounselhim,
Vooncannothearthewillof
Jaa.Now,doyouremember
whenwespokeabout
exemplars?’
Zelnodded.‘Yes,
mistress,theywerethe
Giants’commandersinthe
LongWar.Theknowledgeof
themandtheirpurposeis
hiddenfrommostmen
becausethegodsdisliketheir
intentionstobeknown.’Zel
recitedthisverbatimfromthe
timehe’dbeenschooledby
hismistressonthenatureof
thegods.‘Butifweallserve
Jaa,whywoulditbe
necessarytoremovetheonly
maninKaresiawithadirect
conduittotheFireGiant?’
‘You’restillyoung,Zel,
andthoughItrustyouasonly
amistresscantrustherslave,
Icannottellyoueverything,’
shesaid,peeringintohis
eyes.‘Ifyouhadthechance
tolivefreeandwholewithout
theinfluenceofthosewho
wouldseektouseyou,would
youtakeit?’
‘I’mnotsureIunderstand,
mistress.’Zelshookhishead
andscreweduphisfacein
confusion.‘I’myourslave
andexistonlytoserveyour
needs,’hesaidwithgenuine
sincerity.
‘ButIamahumanofthe
landsofmen.Thebeingsthat
trytocontrolusareneitherof
thosethings.TheyareGiants
oftheirownrealmsandlack
understandingofourlands.’
Saarahadspokenofthis
beforeandZelhadcometo
acceptthattheSevenSisters
hadadifferentperspectiveon
thegodsfromthatofthe
commonpeople.Saara
generallyreferredtothemas
Giants,andwaslessthan
happytoacknowledgetheir
divinity.Zelhadalways
imaginedthatthiswasa
luxuryaffordedonlytothe
highestfollowersofJaa,but
hewasunsurewherethis
beliefhadcomefrom.The
SevenSisterswerethe
priesthoodofJaa,muchas
theclericsofRoorthepriests
oftheOrderoftheHammer
weretheservantsoftheother
gods.
SaarasensedZel’s
confusionandpattedhis
cheekagain,moretenderly
thistime.‘MydearZel,the
daymaycomewhenthe
worldwillnotbeasyou
imagineit.Onthatday,you
willunderstand;untilthen,
youmustlistenandlearnall
youcan.’
Zelhadleftthebedroom
dooropenandaloudbangon
theouterdoorsofSaara’s
apartmentcausedboth
mistressandslavetojump.
‘IthinktheThiefTaker
maybegettingimpatient,
mistress,’saidZelashe
climbedoffthebed.
‘Well,perhapsmaking
himwaitwillhelphimto
learnhisplace,’Saarareplied
withanarrogantsmile.
Sheslidgracefullytothe
floorandstretchedherarms
andback,leaningforwardin
aposethatwouldhave
causedmanymenofKaresia
tofeeluneasy.Hernaked
bodywastoned,withlittle
fat,andsheboreatreeshapedscaronherlower
back.Zelhadaskedherabout
itbeforeandhadbeentold
thatitwasadarkwoodtree,
andthatalltheSevenSisters
hadasimilarmark.
Dalianbangedloudlyon
theouterdoorasecondtime
andSaaraglaredacrossher
apartmentsangrily.‘Zel,
pleasegoandtellthewind
clawthatIwillbewithhim
presentlyandthathis
insistenceisbeginningto
irritateme.’
Zelmadehiswaytothe
apartmentdoorsandgathered
himself,adoptinghis
customaryexpressionof
serenity,beforeheopenedthe
doorandsmiled.Thewind
clawsbothlookedirritated,
thoughLarixstoodfurther
backandappearedlesskeen
toknockonthedoor.
Dalian,however,hadan
imperiousexpressiononhis
faceandlookeddownhis
noseatZel.‘Mustwewaitall
day,Kirin?’
‘Notallday,no.I
shouldn’tthinkyou’llhaveto
waitmuchlonger,master,’
Zelrepliedwithashallow
bow.
Daliansteppedcloser
towardshim,tryingtoexert
hisauthorityovertheslave.
Zelmerelysmiled,notletting
thewindclawintimidatehim.
‘Dalian,there’snoneed
foryoutowait,Icanseethe
enchantressonmyown,’
Larixsaidinanattemptto
calmhiscompanion.
TheThiefTakerdidn’t
movehiseyesfromZeland
hespokeslowlyand
deliberately.‘Yourmistress
shouldremembertotreat
Larixwiththesamerespect
withwhichshe’dtreatme.Is
thatclear?’
***
LarixtheTravellersatona
lowrecliningchair.Hedidn’t
leanbackorrelax,butmerely
perchedontheedgeofthe
chair,acontrolledlookonhis
face.Zelplacedajugof
sweetdesertnectarandtwo
glassgobletsonthetableand
thenwenttostandbehind
Saara.Larixavertedhiseyes
fromtheenchantressandkept
hisgazedirectedatthefloor.
Itwasacommontacticwith
thosewhosoughtanaudience
withtheSevenSisters,as
generalwisdomheldthatthe
Sistersrequiredeyecontactin
ordertoenchantpeople.Zel
knewthatthiswasn’tthe
case,buthealsoknewthat
Saaralikedmentothinkthat
itwas.
‘Mylady,Ibringnews
fromthenorth,’Larixbegan.
‘Really?Newsfromthe
north.Isee,’Saarareplied
withjustahintofmock
naivety.‘Pleasetellmeyour
newsfromthenorth.’
Larixlookedbrieflyup,
beforepursinghislipsand
lookingbackdownatthe
floor.‘YoursisterAmeira
sendswordthatherworkis
nearingcompletioninRo
Canarn,andKatjasendsword
fromRoTiristhattheyhave
beguncapturingrisenmen
andhavelocatedtheGhost.It
seemsthatwhateverdesigns
youhaveinTorFunweirare
proceedingsmoothly.’The
wordswerespokenplainly,as
ifLarixdidnotknowthe
meaningbehindtheSisters’
actionsandwasmerely
presentingfactsashehad
beentoldthem.
‘Isenseyourconfusion,
sweetLarix,’Saarasaidina
low,huskyvoice.‘IbelieveI
alsosenseyourdisapproval.’
TheTravellershookhis
headandsuddenlyappeared
tobeinsomediscomfort.Zel
noticedSaarasmileandsaw
herslenderhandmakesubtle
patternsintheairbetween
them.Larixheldthesidesof
hisheadfirmlyand
involuntarilylookedup,
lockingeyeswithSaarafor
thefirsttime.Theenchantress
openedhermouthand
breathedout,agentle
distortionoftheair,visibleas
itpassedfromherlipsacross
thelowtabletoLarix.Asshe
workedhersubtlemagic,Zel
wonderedifLarixknewhe
wasnowinthralltotwoof
theSevenSisters.
‘LarixtheTraveller,
warriorofthewindclaws,
youarealoyalanddutiful
servantofJaa…’sheclosed
hereyesandletoutasmall
whimperofpleasure,‘and
youshouldberewardedfor
yourfaithfulservice.The
viewfrommywindowis
mostenchanting,pleasego
andseeforyourself.’
Larixnowlookedwith
blankeyesatSaara.His
handshadfallenlimplybyhis
sidesandhewasenteredinto
atrance.Withlittlepause,he
stoodandwalkeddirectlyto
theopenwindowwhich
lookedoutoverthe
meditationgardentenfloors
below.Placingbothhandson
thewindowsill,hepeered
down.Saaradidnotstandor
turntolookathim,but
continuedtomoaninpleasure
asthefeelingofenchanting
anotherfilledherbody.
Shesquirmedslightlyin
herchairandbreathedthe
words,‘Thegardenis
beautiful,dear,sweetLarix.
Youmusttakeacloserlook.’
LarixtheTravellerdidn’t
lookback,hesimplyhefted
himselfupontothewindow
ledgeandflunghimselfout,
makingnosoundashefell
untilhislifeendedwiththe
soundoftheimpactbelow.
Zelheardscreamingfromthe
gardenandrantothe
window.Tenfloorsbelowhe
sawthesmashedbodyofthe
windclawlyingacrossthe
rimofanornamental
fountain.Hisbloodwas
spreadingintothewaterand
thedarkredformedanugly
contrasttothelight-coloured
bloomsofthegarden.
Asoundfromhismistress
madehimturnbackandhe
sawherwrithingwith
pleasureonherchair,eyes
closedandinastateofbliss.
Zelconsideredsaying
something,butthoughtbetter
ofitandturnedbacktothe
window.Asmallgroupof
peoplehadgatheredround
Larix’sbodyandseveral
guardsmenweretryingto
makesenseofwhathad
happened.
‘Zel,comeawayfromthe
window,’saidSaarabetween
deep,pleasurablebreaths.She
hadexertedherself
considerablyandlooked
flushed.Herslavemoved
quicklytokneelonthefloor
infrontofher.
‘Areyouwell,mistress?
Perhapsanothershortrest
mightbeinorder,’hesaid
withconcern.
Shesmiledthinly.‘Ithink
Iam,butthankyouforyour
concern.Maybejustanhour
ortwowouldbewise.’
Zel’smindswamwith
questions,buthethoughtof
hisdutiesfirst.Hemust
ensurethatSaarawaswell
andrested;questionsabout
Larix’sdeathwouldhaveto
wait.Hismistresswouldtell
himingoodtime,hethought,
ashepouredheraglassof
desertnectarandstoodbefore
herwithhisheadbowed.
Saaratooktheglassand
drankdeeplyofthesweet
liquor,pantingbetween
mouthfuls.SheletZeltake
herarmassheswayed
towardsthebedroom,gently
pushinghimawayattheedge
ofthebed.
Zelclosedthedoorquietly
asSaaralaydownonherbed.
Theslaveknewthatusingher
powerswasanexhausting
activityandthatshe’dbetoo
fatiguedtorisefromherbed
forseveralhours.Hedid
worry,however,thatDalian
ThiefTakerwouldreturnto
findoutwhathadhappened
toLarixandthatthe
enchantresswouldhaveto
riseearlytodealwiththe
windclaw.
SaarahadalreadytoldZel
that,dependingonwhatnews
shereceived,theywould
probablybetakingatripto
TorFunweirinthenear
future;he’devenheardhis
mistresstalkingtoawhipmasteroftheHoundsabout
thepackofsoldiersthat
wouldbeaccompanying
them.ExactlywhySaarawas
planningtosailacrossthe
KirinRidgetoRoWeirwith
tenthousandHoundswasnot
clear.Zeldidnotthinkitan
invasion,nordidhethink
they’dbeoccupyingthecity.
Fromwhathecouldgather,
thekingofTorFunweirhad
giventheHoundspermission
tocrosstheseaandthewhipmasterhadbegunpreparing
hispackseveralweeksago.
Zelthoughtitinconceivable
thatsuchabuild-upof
soldierswouldremain
invisibletotheRo,sothey
mustbecomplianttosome
degree.
OftheSevenSisters,two
werecurrentlyinTor
Funweirandtheotherfour
wereinKessiaawaiting
instructionsfromSaara.The
newsLarixhaddeliveredwas
clearlyfavourableandthe
finalstagesofalonggame
werebeingplayedoutinthe
landsofmen.
***
Severalhourspassedbefore
Saararosefromherbed.Zel
hadbeensittingonthe
balconyoftheirapartment
watchingthescenebuildup
aroundthedeadbodyof
Larix.Guardsmenhadarrived
quicklyandusheredawaythe
variousonlookers;the
residentsofthebuilding–
richmerchantsforthemost
part–hadbeguntoleave
whentheyrealizedwhohad
died.Thedeathofawind
clawwasnotaninsignificant
thingandmanyhadsimply
wantedtodistance
themselvesfromthescene.
Thebodyhadbeen
removedwithinthehourand
severalguardsmenhad
tentativelyenquiredafter
Saara,thoughmosthad
simplyknockedandleftwhen
Zeldidn’tanswerthedoor.
Zelthoughtthathismistress
wastheonlypersoninthe
buildingnottohavebeen
spokentobythecity
officials.Hehadwitnessed
thequestioningtakeplace,
withonlyavaguelevelof
interest,asiftheguardsmen
knewthatsoonerorlaterthey
wouldhavetospeaktothe
enchantress.
DalianThiefTakerhad
notreappearedandZelhoped
hewouldn’tlearnofhis
companion’sdeathuntillater,
allowingSaaratimetobe
fullyrestedbeforethe
inevitableconfrontation.Zel
hadtoadmittohimselfthat
hewasafraidofthewind
clawandwouldrathernot
havetoexplaintohimhow
Larixhadfallentohisdeath.
‘Zel,hasthecommotion
playedoutyet?’Saaraasked
assheenteredthesittingarea
andtookherplaceona
luxuriouscouch.Shewas
wearingathinsilkdressing
gownandhadalookof
naturalbeautyabouther.
‘Notyet,mistress,Ithink
theguardsmenarejust
wastingtimeinterrogatingthe
residentsuntiltheycanspeak
toyou.I’veignoredtheir
knocksatthedoorsofar,’the
Kirinslavereplied,turningto
smilebroadlyatSaara.
‘Verywell,maybeyou
couldgoandsummonthe
headguardsmanformeand
wecansortthisoutquickly,
before…’shepaused,looking
atthesundialpositionednext
toZelonthebalcony,‘my
appointmentattheWellof
Spells.’
‘Atonce,mistress,’Zel
saidwithanodofhishead
whichflowedintoadeepbow
ofrespect.
Hebackedawayfrom
Saaraandopenedthe
apartmentdoor.Steppingout
ontothelanding,hewas
greetedbyfourguardsmen
waitingnervouslyoutside.
Theyhadbeenquietasthey
waitedandZelthoughtthey
mustjustbestayingonthe
off-chancethatthe
enchantresswouldbewilling
tospeaktothem.They
lookedupastheslave
emergedandsmiledserenely
atthem.
‘Mymistresswouldliketo
speaktowhicheverofyouis
incharge,’hesaidwitha
shallowbow.
Theguardsmenlookedat
eachotherbeforeoneofthem
movedtotherailingthat
overlookedthegardenand
shouteddowntohis
commander.‘Master
Lorkesh,theenchantress
wantstoseeyou,’hesaid
loudly.
Theothermenwere
relievedthattheywouldnot
berequiredtoenterSaara’s
roomsandZelthoughthe
heardaquietprayertoJaa
fromoneofthem.Common
menofKessiaweredeeply
superstitious,apredilection
activelyencouragedbythe
windclawsandtheSeven
Sisters,whobothunderstood
thatJaavaluedfearaboveall
things.
ThemancalledLorkesh
walkedslowlyupthestairsto
thetenthfloor,whereZel
waited.Theslavecontinued
tosmilecalmlyandenjoyed
thethoughtthathewas
makingtheguardsmen
nervousbymaintainingdirect
eyecontactwitheachof
them.Zelwasproudofthe
sinisterairhe’dcultivated
sincehehadbegunworking
forSaara.
Ittooksometimefor
Lorkeshtoreachthetenth
floorofthebuilding.Hewas
olderthanthemenoutsidethe
apartmentandwaswheezing
asheemergedatthetopof
thestaircase.
‘Whyisitthatpeopleof
stationalwaysfeeltheneedto
stayashighupaspossible?’
heaskedrhetorically.‘Isthe
groundsomehowoffensiveto
importantpeople?’
Oneoftheothermen
salutedhimandmotioned
towardsZel.‘Theslavetells
usthattheenchantresswill
seeyou,sir,’hesaid,gladto
beabletoturnawayfrom
Zel’sserenegaze.
Lorkeshstood,leaning
againsttheopenledgeand
breathingheavilyfromthe
ascent.Thewayheaverted
hiseyesfromlookingdown
madeZelthinkthemanwas
uncomfortablewithheights.
Hepuffedouthischestand
turnedtoZel.Lorkeshwasa
ratherfatman,notas
vigorousasaguardsman
shouldbe,andhisworldwearyfeaturessuggested
someonebuiltforwitrather
thanaction.
‘You’reslavetothe
enchantress?’heasked.‘But
you’reaKirin.’Heraisedhis
eyebrowsatZel’smixed
lineage.
‘Indeed,sir,’Zelreplied.
‘IseetheguardofKessiaare
ruthlessintheirpursuitof
truth.’
Lorkeshwasuncertain
whethertheslavewastrying
tobefunny,butmadeaslight
gruntanddismissedthe
comment.
‘Verywell,showme
throughtoyourmistress.’He
leantinclosetooneofthe
othermen.‘What’sthisone
called?’
‘SaaratheMistressof
Pain,sir,’theguardsman
replied.
‘Wonderful,’Lorkeshsaid
ironically,ashefollowedZel
intotheapartments,his
breathingnowmoreshallow
andregular.
Saarastillsatonthe
couch,herlegscrossedand
severalinchesofthigh
showingunderherdressing
gown.ShesmiledasZeland
Lorkeshenteredand
beckonedfortheguardsman
tocomecloserandsit
oppositeher.Zelremainedby
thedoor,closingitwitha
thudthatmadeLorkeshjump.
‘Please,haveaseat,’
Saarasaidinhersensual,
lyricalvoice.
Lorkeshwasmakingsome
efforttonotlookatthe
enchantressashenervously
crossedtheapartmentandsat.
‘Right,your…Sister-ness,
ladyship…er,hello.’He
smiledslightly.‘Amanwe
believetobeLarixthe
Travellerofthewindclaws
wasfounddeadbeneathyour
balconysometimeago.I
obviouslyneedtoaskyou
somequestions,’hesaidwith
practiseddiscretion.
TheguardsmenofKessia
wereprofessionalmen,
neithernoblesnorslaves,and
maintainedorderinthe
dangerouscity.Lorkesh
clearlytooknopleasurein
talkingtoSaara,buthisoath
asavizier’smanmadeit
impossibletooverlookthe
deathofawindclawandthe
presenceofanenchantress.
‘Youhaveneedof
answersandIwillprovideall
theanswersyouneed,’Saara
saidquietly.
Zelonceagainsawher
movingherhandsasshe
breathedoutandbeganto
workherenchantmenton
Lorkesh.Theguardsman
lookedupinvoluntarilyanda
farawaylookflowedacross
hisface.Hewasnotawind
clawandhisresistancewas
minimal.Therewasnopain
andnoattempttobreakaway,
andtheeffect,whenitcame,
wassubtle.
Saaraleantforwardand
said,‘Themanyouseekis
DalianThiefTaker,he
betrayedhisbrotherand
threwhimfromawindowof
thisbuildingbeforehefled
intothecity.’
Zelwasalittlesurprisedat
this,buteagerlyawaitedhis
mistress’snextwords.
‘Youwillassemblethe
necessarysquadofmenand
arresttheThiefTaker;ifhe
resists,youwillkillhim;if
hisbrotherwindclaws
attempttointervene,youwill
killthemtoo,’shesaid
throughpursedlipsandwith
hereyesclosed.‘Youhave
spokentoseveralresidentsin
thisbuilding,allofwhom
confirmthattheThiefTaker
washerewithLarixshortly
beforehisunfortunatedeath.’
Saaraopenedhereyesand
smiledattheblank,compliant
lookthatcoveredLorkesh’s
face.‘Isthisclear?’sheasked
withlessseductivenessand
moreauthority.
‘Itisclear,’heresponded,
speakinginamonotone.
‘Youmayleaveandgo
aboutyourworknow,’Saara
concludedwithawaveofher
hand.
Theguardsmanstoodup
inonejerkymovementand
walkedblanklyawayfrom
theenchantress.Hiseyes
blinkedslowly,andZel
thoughthewasgradually
regaininghissensesashe
openedthedoorandleftthe
apartment.
Zelwalkedovertostand
beforehismistress.‘ShallI
layoutsomeappropriate
clothesforyourappointment
attheWellofSpells,
mistress?’
Sheconsideredthisfora
momentbeforesaying,‘Yes,
IbelieveI’llwearsomething
bluetoday.’
***
Kessiawasbuiltinaseriesof
walledcircles,stretchingout
fromtheimperialcompound
andtheTowerofViziersat
itscentre.Thefirsttwo
circleswerehometothe
richestmerchantprincesand
mostinfluentialmobsters,
housingtheminopulent
luxury,surroundedbyslaves
andarmiesofpaid
guardsmen.Thethirdand
fourthcircleswereforthe
lesswell-off,andbytheouter
wallofthefourthcirclethe
sprawlingrainbowslum
stretchedacrossthearid
plain.
Classwaseverythingin
Kessia,andtheseKaresians
wouldspendasmuchtime
amassingafortuneaslooking
overtheirshoulderstomake
surenoonewasplanningto
takeitfromthem.Itwasa
paranoidcitywhichlacked
thestrictlawsofTorFunweir
andthehonour-bound
traditionsoftheFreelands.
Zeltriednottohavetoo
manyopinions,preferringto
relysolelyonwhathis
mistressinstructedhimto
think;however,hedisliked
thecapitalandthepervading
auraoffearthathungoverit.
TheseKaresianshadnotime
torelaxandenjoytheirlives.
Norcouldtheyraisetheir
familiesinanykindof
positiveatmosphere.Atall
times,thepeopleofKessia
wereobsessedabouttheir
placeinthelargerorderof
thingsandhowsomeone
mightbetryingtodothem
outofit.
TheWellofSpellswas
situatedinthemiddleofthis
carouselofstatusandfear.It
wasoneofthreebuildings
thatdominatedthecentral
piazzaofKessia,theothers
beingtheimperialpalaceand
theTowerofViziers.The
WellwashometotheSeven
Sisters,andonlytheyand
theirservantswerepermitted
toenter.Itexercisedthe
highestauthorityinKaresia,
thoughSaarahadfrequently
instructedherslavetokeep
thisknowledgesecret,asthe
commoncitizenrypreferred
tobelievethatthewindclaws
andthehighvizierheldthe
power.Inreality,nothing
happenedinthevastlandsof
Karesiawithoutoneofthe
SevenSisterswillingitto
happen.
TheWellwassmall
comparedwiththehuge
whitemarblepalaceandthe
loftytower,butnoless
significantforitssubtlety.
Thearchitecturewasstrange,
notemployingtheclean,
roundedlinesoftraditional
Karesianbuildings,andno
balconies,minaretsoropen
terracescouldbeseen.It
formedaheptagonwitha
featurelessgreywalloneach
side,possessingnodoorways
orwindows.Lookingup,Zel
hadalwaysfoundthe
castellatedrooftopfive
storeysfromthegroundmore
reminiscentofaRofortthan
aKaresianbuilding,andthe
Wellwasruggedand
somehowmoresolidthanthe
neighbouringbuildings.
Saarawaswearingher
customaryblackrobe,chosen
tokeepheridentityamystery
asshewalkedamongstthe
peopleofthecity.She
enjoyedtheanonymityand
Zeloftensawhersmilingto
herselfastheypassed
guardsmen,windclawsand
otherswhowouldhavebeen
shockedtoseeanenchantress
intheirmidst.
Shedidn’tstopasthey
approachedtheWellof
Spells,causingpassers-byto
lookwithinterestatthe
womanwhosteppedcloserto
thebuildingthanmostwould
dare.Theareaimmediately
aroundtheWellwasalways
deserted,forpeoplefearedto
steptoocloseandriskthe
Sisters’wrath.Withherslave
closebehind,Saarastrode
acrosstheemptygroundand
stoppedwithinafewfeetof
thefeaturelesswall.
Withadozenorsoofthe
peopleofKessiawatching,
Saaraheldoutherhandfor
Zeltotake.Theslave
compliedandshecradledit
tenderlybeforeclosingher
eyesandwillingthetwoof
theminside.
Zelhadbeentransported
insidethebuildingseveral
timesinthepastandwas
alwaysdisappointedthathe
nevergottoseethereactions
ofthecommoncitizenry
whentheysawawomanand
herslavevanishbeforetheir
eyes.
Within,theWellofSpells
wasradicallydifferentfrom
itsoutwardappearance.
Sparklingwhitecolumns
emblazonedwitharcane
symbolscircledanopen
centralyard,andthe
darkwoodtreeinthecentre
waswellmaintainedand
tendedbyastonegolem.The
golemwaslarge,overseven
feettall,andpossessed
shiningredeyes.Itwas
constructedtobeafacsimile
ofaman,buthadnofeatures
saveforarudimentarymouth,
anditslimbswerehugewith
stonehingesreplacingthe
joints.Thebuildinginwhich
itlivedhadnointeriorwalls
andwasspaciousandairy,
withapermanentandbarely
perceptiblechimeinthe
background.
Thegolemrosefromits
crouchedpositionatthebase
ofthetreeandmoved,ina
jerkyfashion,acrosstoSaara.
Thecreaturehadbeen
constructedlongagobythe
firstoftheSevenSistersto
serveallthosewhocame
after.Zelfoundtheconstruct
fascinatingandenjoyed
talkingtoitwhenhehadthe
chance.
‘MistressofPain,
welcome.ZeldantorofLislan,
welcome,’theconstructsaid
inarumblingvoicethat
echoedfromallaroundthe
building.‘Youareexpected.’
Thestonegolemslowly
turnedbacktothetreeand
loudlyreturnedtoitswork.
SaaraandZelwalked
roundtheouterlineofpillars
toaraisedplatformagainst
oneofthesevenwalls.The
MistressofPainwasthe
eldestsisterand,assuch,held
thehighchairandwas
responsibleforallofthe
enchantresses’designs.
Astheywalkedupthe
whitestepstothehighchair,
Zelcouldhearthegolem
talkingtoitself.‘TheSisters
meet.Whatwilltheydiscuss?
TheSistersmeet.Wetendthe
treewhiletheSistersmeet.
Wewillbequietandthetree
willbecaredfor.’
‘Mistress,’Zelsaid,as
Saaratookherseat,‘how
muchdoesthegolemknow…
abouttheworldoutside,I
mean?’
Saarasmiledwarmlyat
herslave.‘Thegolemhas
beenhereforaslongasthere
hasbeenaWellofSpellsand,
inallofthosehundredsof
years,ithasneverventured
outside.Idon’tthinkit’seven
awareofthelandsofmen.It
livesonlytomaintainthetree
andtoprotecttheWellfrom
thosewhowouldseek
improperlytogainentrance.’
Zelhadoftenwondered
aboutthedarkwoodtreethat
stoodinthecentreofthe
WellofSpells.Hehadeven
askedSaaraaboutit,
confusedaboutherbirthmark
andthesignificanceofthe
tree.Inresponseshe’dalways
spokenvaguelyaboutadead
god;thetreewasthelast
remnantoflostdivinepower
–thepriestandthealtar,she
hadoftensaid.Infact,she
hadoncetoldZelthatthe
placeofhisbirth,deepinthe
forestsofLislan,hadbeen
peopledbyKirinwhorevered
asimilartree.Zelknewthat
thiswaspartofthereasonhe
hadbeenselectedtobea
slavetotheMistressofPain,
buttheexactdetailsaboutthe
treeandthegoditsymbolized
hadneverfullybeen
explainedtohim.
Thetreewasblackand
gnarled,withathicktrunk
andastrangelysquat
appearance.Theonly
branchesithadprotruded
directlyfromthetopofthe
trunkandsnakedoutinan
irregularfashion,creatingthe
impressionofblack,writhing
tentacles.
Thegolemrosetoitsfeet
againandseveralslight
distortionsappearedintheair
aroundtheouteredgesofthe
Well.TwomoreoftheSeven
Sistersappearedandwere
approachedbythegolem.
‘IsabeltheSeductress,she
iswelcometotheWellof
Spells,’theGolemsaidtothe
youngerofthetwo
enchantresses.Itthenmoved
jerkilytothesecondwoman
andsaid,‘ShilpatheShadow
ofLies,sheisalsowelcome
totheWellofSpells.’
IsabelandShilpaboth
bowedwithdeeprespect
towards,firsttheGolem,then
theseatedformofSaara.
Neitherofthesewomenhad
slavesandZelwasagain
remindedofthefactthathe
wasunique,beingtheonly
manevertohavebecome
slavetooneoftheSeven
Sisters.
Saararosefromherchair
andcrossedtheopenspaceto
greetheryoungersisters.The
greetingwasformalatfirst,
witheachsisterbowing
respectfully,butthemask
crackedquicklyandthethree
womensharedsmilesand
hugsofgenuinewarmth.
‘Ithasbeen,what,three
yearssincewemetasa
group?’Saaraaskedher
sisters.
‘Ithinkfourofusmetlast
winter,’repliedIsabel,
‘thoughmymemorymaybe
faulty.’
Shilpanoddedandsaid,
‘Yes,thatsoundsright.Last
winterwaswhenAmeiraand
KatjaleftforRoTiris.’
Saaralaughedasilvery
pealofamusement.‘Ah,yes,
IrememberKatja
complainingabouttheneed
togosomewheresocold.’
‘It’sAmeiraIfeelsorry
for,she’sbeenwiththemen
ofCanarn.Thatlandiscold
anduncivilized.Atleast
Katjahasbeenaffordedthe
comfortofKingSebastian’s
hospitalityinacivilized
land,’respondedShilpa,as
shejoinedinhereldersister’s
laugh.
Zelwasstruckwithhow
similarthethreewomen
appeared.Allweretall,with
lustrousdarkhairand
curvaceousbodies.Isabelwas
alittleyoungerandhada
playfulglintinhereye;Saara
haddeepgreeneyesthat
stoodoutnexttotheblue
eyesoftheothertwo,and
Shilpapossessedalanguid
grace,asifshewerealways
dancingasshemoved.Saara
hadnofacialtattoo,a
privilegeofbeingtheeldest
sister;theothertwobothhad
intricatepatternsinblackink
acrosstheirleftcheeks.
Shilpa’swasaseriesofbirds
inflight,andIsabel’sacoiled
snake.Bothshonebrighter
withintheWellofSpellsand
Zelcouldn’ttakehiseyes
fromthebeautifuldesigns.
Despitethedifferences,Zel
thoughtthereweremany
moresimilaritiesandfroma
distanceitwouldbedifficult
totellthemapart.
‘Andhowisyoung
Zeldantortoday?’asked
Isabelwithagirlishsmile.
‘He’swell,’repliedSaara.
‘Zel,comeandpayyour
respectstoIsabelandShilpa.’
TheKirinslavebowedhis
headandglidedacrossthe
floortostandinfrontofthe
threeenchantresses.‘Itisan
undreamtofhonourtosee
youbothagain,mostnoble
sistersofmymistress,’he
saidwithformality.
AllthreelaughedandZel
closedhiseyesforamoment
toenjoythesound.Their
voicesharmonizedandrose
involumebeyondasimple
laughtobecomesomething
magicaltoZel’sears.
‘Andwillyourother
sistersbejoiningustoday,
mistress?’heaskedSaara.
‘Thetwootherswho
remaininKaresiahaveall
beensummoned.Katjaand
Ameiraareotherwise
occupiedand,basedonthe
newsIreceivedfromLarix
earliertoday,Iwouldsurmise
thattheyhavemetwith
successintheirendeavours.’
ShilpaandIsabelhadnot
heardthisnewsandbothhad
eagerandexcitedlookson
theirfaces.Zelknewthat
whateverhadtranspiredinRo
Canarnhaddonesoatthe
Sisters’urgingandtheplan,
whateveritwas,was
proceedingwell.
Moresubtledistortionsin
theairfollowedandtwomore
beautifulwomenappearedat
oppositesidesofthecentral
room.Thegolemroseand
approachedeachinturn.
‘LilliantheLadyofDeath,
sheiswelcomeintheWellof
Spells,’itsaidinitsrumbling
tones,beforequicklycrossing
theroomtostandbeforethe
lastofthesisterstoarrive.
‘SashatheIllusionist,she
isalsowelcomeintheWell
ofSpells.’
Thegolemreturnedtoits
tree-tendingduties,removing
mossandlichengrowing
aroundthebaseofthesacred
tree,asSashaandLillian
movedtooccupytwoofthe
sevenfacesofthecentral
room.
Saarasatinherraised
chairandlookedoutwith
fondnessatherfoursisters.
Zelstoodbehindherleft
shoulderandglancedaround
theroom,witnessingpossibly
thelargestmeetingofthe
SevenSistersinseveralyears
andcertainlythefirstto
includeamaleslave.Onall
ofthepreviousoccasionsthat
ZelhadbeentotheWell,it
hadbeentoaccompanyhis
mistressduringatimeof
contemplation,buthe’dnever
feltasdwarfedbypoweras
hedidnow.
Thelasttwosisterslooked
muchastheothersdid,
althoughLillianwasthe
tallestandSashahadslightly
darkerskin.MuchlikeShilpa
andIsabel,theirfacialtattoos
appearedlesssubtlewithin
theWellofSpellsandZel
foundhimselfstaring.Lillian
wastohisrightandwasthe
closesttohim.Herdesign,
featuringahanddrawnasif
graspingherface,wasthe
mostsinister-looking
amongstthemandinsharp
contrasttothebeautiful
floweringroseonSasha’s
cheek.
‘Sisters,’Saarabegan,‘we
arefive.Letuslookatthe
emptyspacesandincludein
ourdeliberationstheshadows
ofourabsentsisters.’
Thefiveenchantresses
turnedtothevacantspaces
andZelthoughthedetected
warmremembranceontheir
faces,asiftheywereall
recallingsomepleasant
memoryofKatjaandAmeira.
Saaraletthesilencelinger
forseveralminuteswhileall
presentclosedtheireyes,and
Zelimaginedacollective
workingofmagicwasbeing
undertaken,thoughhecould
notperceiveitseffects.When
theyopenedtheireyesitwas
cleartheyhadbeen
communicatingwitheach
otheronaleveltheslave
couldnotdetect,andthe
smilestheyworelightened
theroom.Zelfoundit
disconcertingthatseveralof
themglancedathimwith
interest,andSaaranoddedas
iftoconfirmsomethingtoher
fellowenchantresses.
‘Ithasbeenfiveyears,’
saidSaara,‘fiveyearssince
wefoundthetrue
significanceofthistreeand
allthoselikeit;fiveyears
sinceweuncoveredthegrand
deceptionofourformer
master.’Herwordsmadethe
smilesonhersisters’faces
turntohardandresolute
expressionsofdefiance.‘And
now,’shecontinued,letting
hervoiceriseinvolume,‘our
planisnearingitsend.’
‘Whatnews,sister?’
Shilpaaskedeagerly.‘What
newsfromthenorth?’
Saarasmiledasshe
replied.‘Goodnews,yes,
goodnewsindeed.Ameira
hassuccessfullyenchanted
theRedknightsofRoand
theirheartsarehers.Katja
hassuccessfullyenchanted
thekingandhisfoolson;
theseweakmenarehersto
command.AndBartholomew
Tiris,theexemplarofthe
One,istrappedbyoneofthe
DarkYoung.Hecanbeofno
furtherusetohisgod.His
son,KingSebastian,signed
theordertocage
Bartholomewpersonally.The
houseofTirisisours.’
‘AndtheOne’slast
remainingold-blood?’asked
Shilpa,theeagernessonher
faceturningtonear-euphoria.
‘TheStoneGiantoldbloodthatBartholomewkept
chainedunderthehouseof
Tirishasbeenexecutedby
orderoftheking.Evenifthe
exemplarwerefree,his
channeltotheOnehasbeen
severed.’
Achorusofchuckles,
laughsandsoundsofgleeful
excitementfilledtheroom.
Zelbegantopiecethings
together.Hefounditstrange
thatthesistershad
orchestratedthe
imprisonmentofone
exemplarandtheforcedexile
ofanother.Intheslave’s
estimation,thatonlyleftthe
exemplarofRowanocothe
IceGiant.
VoonofRikarahadbeen
theexemplarofJaa,
supposedlythefatherofthe
SevenSisters.However,
throughthedeathofhisold-
blood,thevizierhadbeen
forcedtojourneytothesouth
andwas,toallintentsand
purposes,inert.Thismeant
thattwoofthethreeGiants
hadnowayof
communicatingwiththeir
followers,whetherthe
commonpeoplerealizeditor
not.
Zelfoundthisdisturbing
andthemotivationsofhis
mistresswereobscureinthe
extreme.TheSistershaddone
thispurposefully,buttheir
designswereamysterytothe
slave.
‘ThekingofTorFunweir
willsoonbeinRoCanarn
himselfwithanarmyofRed
knightssufficienttoassault
theFreelands,’Saara
continued.
Thiscausedconcernon
thefacesofsomeofthe
enchantresses,andZel
thoughthedetectedfearin
Isabel’seyes.
‘Mydearsister,’said
Isabel,‘whatofTeardropand
hisunwashedberserkers?
Surelytheywillresist.’
ShespokeofAlgenon
Teardrop,anamewellknown
toZelandoneofthefewmen
theSevenSistersheldin
respect.Hewastheexemplar
ofRowanocoand,byall
accounts,amostdangerous
man.
Saarasmiledagainand
noddedtowardsLillianthe
LadyofDeath.‘Sister,ifyou
wouldalleviatedearIsabel’s
fears.’
‘Ofcourse,beloved
sister,’beganLillian.‘Last
yearIhadoccasiontovisita
particularlyunpleasant
mercenaryknightnamed
HallamPevain.SirPevain
has,inthepast,lenthissword
tovariousRanenwarlords
andweareassuredthatone
ofAlgenon’sbattle-brothers,
abarbariancalledRulag
Ursa,is,infact,ourman.’
Thelasttwowordswere
spokenwithdeliciousrelish
andZeldetectedpridein
Lillian’sdemeanour.
‘Iamassuredthat,should
itbelaunched,thedragon
fleetwillnevermakelandfall.
IbelievethatUrsaplansto
waketheKrakensofthe
FjorlanSea,’Lilliansaid,
evidentlyrelishingthe
prospect.
ZelhadreadaboutIthqas
andAqas,theblindand
mindlessKrakensofthe
FjorlanSea,andhehadinthe
pastbeenassuredbySaara
thatthemonsterswerevery
realandwokeeveryfew
yearstodevouranythingin
theirpath.Heshudderedas
herecalledthestrange
picturesoftentacledmonsters
risingfromthewaters.
Lillianwassmiling
broadlyasshecontinued
speaking.‘OnceAlgenonand
hisfleetaregone,byaxeor
bytheKrakens,theRed
knightsneedonlydealwitha
fewragtagFreeCompanies.
Ursarequiresonlythatwe
assisthimtobecomethenew
highthainofRanen.His
vanityandambitionhave
madehimaneasyally.’
AllfiveoftheSisterswere
lookingpleasedwith
themselvesandSaaranodded
withpleasureatLillian’s
words.Shethenlooked
towardsIsabeltheSeductress
andmotionedforhertotalk.
‘Mysisters,Ihavemade
allthenecessarypreparations
fortheoccupationofRo
Weir.TheHoundsare
suppliedandtheirkennelmastersunderstandwhatis
expectedofthem.Duke
LyamofRoWeiris…’she
smiledbroadly,‘mostpleased
toacceptouroccupation.’
Zelknewwhatthismeant,
thatIsabelhadenchantedthe
dukeandhehadagreedto
allowthearmyofHoundsto
sailacrosstheKirinstraits.
Thebloodlessoccupationofa
majorcityofTorFunweir
wastoZelaningenious
scheme,wellworthyofthe
SevenSisters.
Saaraclosedhereyes,lost
inconcentration.Theother
enchantressesjoinedherand
togethertheSistersthrew
backtheirheadsandspokein
unison.‘WearenotofJaa.
Wepossessthepowerofa
GiantkilledbyotherGiants.’
Theyalmostsangthewords.
NowZelwasevenmore
startled.TheSevenSisters
werethepriesthoodofthe
FireGiant,Jaa.Atleast,that
waswhatZelhadalways
thought,andwhatthepeople
ofKaresiaandthelandsof
menhadalwaysthought.
‘Wepledgeourselvesto
theDeadGod,theForest
Giantofpainandpleasure
withathousandyoung.We
areyourservantsintheLong
Warandwewillclaimthese
landsinyourhonour.’
AsSaarafinishedher
prayertotheDeadGod,Zel
gaspedashesawtheblack
treemove.Thegolemstepped
awayandstoodsilently,asall
oftheenchantresseslooked
oninsilenteuphoria.
Thebarkofthetree
crackedandsplintered,
flowingmorelikefleshthan
wood,andthebranchesbegan
tocoilup.Adeeprumbling
soundaccompaniedthe
movement,likethethroaty
growlofabeast,indistinct,
butorganic.
‘AsJaastoleyourpower
andgiftedittous,’
proclaimedSaara,‘wenow
useittoawakenyourDark
Youngandworshipattheir
feet…thepriestandthe
altar…thepriestandthe
altar.’
Zelfrozeinplaceasthe
DarkYoungoftheDeadGod
shruggedoffitstorpidstate
andrearedup,itsmanythick,
branch-liketentacles
thrashingintheair,before
firmlybracingonthemarble
floorandslowlyliftingthe
trunkoutoftheearth.
Thebaseofthetreeshook
offtheearthandZelsawa
massofsmallertentacles,like
feelers,andinthecentreof
thetrunkagapingmawwas
revealed.Themouthand
feelershadbeenburiedinthe
ground,somehowproviding
thecreaturewithnutrition
andkeepingitalive.
Thetrunkswivelled
forwarduntilitwas
horizontalandthetentacles
couldfunctionaslegs.The
DarkYoungnowresembleda
treeonlyvaguely,andZel
couldnolongercomprehend
thatithadeverbeenanything
otherthanthetentacled
monstrositybeforehim.Its
mouthwastoothlessbuteach
ofitsnumerousfeelerswas
tippedwithafine,needle-like
appendage.
Therealizationthathewas
tobeasacrificeonlyslowly
dawnedonZel,asSaara
lookedwithgenuine
tendernessatherslave.
‘Youarethesonofaman
calledRhamJasRami,my
dearZeldantor,’shesaid.
‘Youhaveservedmewell,
butwenolongerhaveany
needtokeepyouclose.Your
fatherwillnowbepowerless
toharmusandtheDark
Youngishungry.’
‘Thepriestandthealtar…
thepriestandthealtar,’
chantedtheSevenSisters.
Zeltriedtomaintainhis
serenityastheDarkYoung
movedtowardshim,its
mouthgrowingwiderandits
feelerswrithingintheair.
Therewasnopain,onlya
sweettasteinhismouth,
whentheneedlesenteredhis
bodyandhebecamelimpand
beganslowlytodissolve.
CHAPTER9
RANDALLOF
DARKWALDIN
THEMERCHANT
ENCLAVEOF
COZZ
JustoutsideCozztherewasa
strangelocalcuriosity,long
agopurchasedbyanaffluent
Rosilkdealer.Itwas
supposedlytheonly
remainingdarkwoodtreein
TorFunweirandthesilk
dealerhadfoughtforyearsto
keepitsafefromthePurple
clericswhodesiredits
destruction.Randallhad
neverseenonebefore,though
he’dknownpeoplewho
claimedtohaveseenthemin
theDarkwald.Itlookedlike
notreehe’deverseen,witha
short,squattrunkandstrange
branchesthatborenoleaves
orfruitofanykind.
‘Peopleactuallypayto
climbit,youknow,’said
Elyotashepulledhishorsein
nexttoRandall.
‘Why?’Randallwas
unnervedbythetreeand
couldn’timaginewhyanyone
wouldwanttobeclosetoit.
‘Becauseit’sforbidden,I
suppose.Theclericsclaimit
isblasphemyjustto
acknowledgeit.’Hegestured
towardswhereTorianand
Utharode,justaheadofthe
others.
Neitheroftheclericshad
slowedtolookatthetreeand
theywerefocusedonthe
townofCozz,justoverthe
nexthill.
Ithadtakentwoweeksfor
themtoreachCozzand
Randallwassaddle-sore.The
merchantenclavewasatthe
halfwaypointbetweenRo
TirisandRoWeir,andUtha
hadinsistedtheystopforthe
night.Thewatchmenhad
beengoodcompanyonthe
journey,assistingRandall
eachnightwitherectingatent
forBrotherTorianand
lightingacampfire,buthe
missedthecomfortofa
properbed.
Elyot,theyoungestofthe
watchmen,hadriddennextto
Randallformostofthe
journeyandtheyhad
developedafriendshipof
sorts.Hewasagood
swordsmanforhisageand
delightedinappearingthe
seasonedsoldiernextto
Torian’sinexperienced
squire.
SergeantClementhad
spentmuchofthetime
complainingabouthispoor
treatmentatthehandsofthe
clerics.Thenameshecalled
theminprivatewerealways
whisperedandRandallknew
hewasterrifiedthathewould
beoverheard.Clementwas
particularlyafraidofBrother
Uthaandalwaysreferredto
himastheGhostwhenthe
clericwasoutofearshot.
Randallhadhearda
hundredstoriesinthelasttwo
weeks,mostlyaboutrisen
menandUtha’slegendary
exploits.Strangely,noneof
thewatchmencouldagreeon
preciselywhatthoseexploits
were.ElyotclaimedthatUtha
wasacrusaderfortheOne
andhunteddowntherisen
throughoutTorFunweir.
Whereasanotherman,called
Robin,wascertainthatUtha
hadspenttwoyearsliving
amongsttherisenmen,
learningtheirwaysinorder
thebettertohuntthem.The
mostconsistentstorywasthat
BrotherUthahadoncemade
afriendofarisenmanduring
thesiegeofKabrin,when
he’dbeenwoundedbya
Karesianhorsearcher.
Randallhadheardthe
storytoldafewdifferent
ways,butthedetailswere
alwaysroughlythesame–
thatUthahadbeenshotfrom
hispositioninawatchtower,
nearthetown,andhadfallen
intodenseforestbelow.As
theKaresianspassedhim,he
wasdraggedintothewoods
byarisenmanandhis
woundsweretreatedandhe
wasnursedbacktohealth.
Elyotbelievedthathiswhite
hairandpaleskinwerea
legacyfromthisencounter.
Strangely,thiswastheonly
thingthatUthahimself
deniedwhenheoverheard
themtalkingonenight.The
Blackclerichadapparently
beenbornanalbinoandtook
offencewhenitwas
suggestedotherwise.
Randalldidn’tlikethe
Blackcleric.Hetookpleasure
inmockingothermenand
usedthefactthatmostwere
afraidofhimtodisplayhis
wit.HealsothoughtRandall
shouldattendtohimasmuch
ashedidtoBrotherTorian.
Hewasclearlyawareofwhat
asquirewassupposedtodo,
andforwhom,buthetookthe
opportunitytomakeRandall
feeluncomfortable.
‘Ithinkthere’sacosylittle
placeneartheriver,can’t
rememberthename,butthe
womanthatrunsitis
definitelycalledBeatrix,’
Uthasaidfromhorsebackas
theyapproachedCozz.
‘Isitacleanandmoral
establishment,’askedTorian,
‘oramIgoingtohaveto
sharelodgingswithwhores
anddrunkards?’
‘ThisisCozz,brother,not
thebackstreetsofRoTiris.
WhenIsaycosyImeanithas
anicedrinkingterraceanda
roaringfire,notahundred
willingwomen.’
UthaandTorianalways
rodeinthelead,withthe
watchmenfannedoutbehind.
TheyletRandallposition
himselfwhereverhewanted,
whichnormallymeantatthe
backsincehewasanaverage
rideratbest.
Theclericshadslowedas
theyreachedthegrassyverge
beyondwhichsatthe
merchantenclaveofCozz.It
wasamoderate-sizedtown,
withnodukeandnochurch,
havingbeenfoundedbythe
traders’guildsomefiftyyears
before.Itfunctionedasaway
stationformostofthetrade
thatpassedthroughthe
westernduchiesofTor
Funweir.Themerchantsof
Cozzsetthepricesforgoods
alloverthecountry,with
tradersfromRoLeithtoRo
Tirishavingtokeeptheir
chargesatthesamelevel.
Randallhadbeenherebefore
withSirLeonandhewasnot
fondoftheplace.Hewasnot
agreedypersonandfoundthe
avariciousnatureofthe
tradersannoying.
Thetownwaswalled,with
fouropengatesatthepoints
ofthecompass.Signsatthe
northerngateindicatedthat
Cozzwasnomorethantwo
weeks’travelfromanyofthe
greatcitiesofTorFunweir:
RoArnontotheeast,Ro
Harantothewest,andRo
Weirtothesouth.Randall,
thewatchmenandthetwo
clericshadtravelledalongthe
King’sHighwayfromRo
Tirisandwerestilltwoweeks
fromtheirdestination.
Thegroupmovedslowly
alongthehighwaytowards
thenortherngateofCozzand
Randallfoundhimselfriding
closetoallmanneroftraders
comingandgoingfromthe
enclave.TorianandUtha
woretheircloaksgathered
aroundtheirarmourandwere
notobviouslychurchmen,
meaningthatthecommon
peoplenolongergavethema
wideberthormadewarding
signsatthesightofaBlack
cleric.Ifanything,Utha’s
whitehairandpinkeyes
madepeoplelookathimwith
interest,evenpointinghim
outtotheirfriendsand
sharingalaughatthealbino.
Uthadidn’tappeartonotice,
althoughRandallhadspent
enoughtimewiththeBlack
clerictothinkitlikelythathe
sawandheardmorethanhe
leton.
Randallwassurprisedto
seemanydifferentracesof
menonthehighwayleading
toCozz.Ranensteel
merchantsfromthenorth
mixedhappilywithKaresian
spicetradersandRo
craftsmen.Hesawwagons
containingracksofswords
andblacksmithingequipment
queuingtoberegisteredto
tradeinCozz.Mostwere
ownedbyRanen,andtheRo
watchmenonthegatewere
beingdeliberatelyawkward
inlettingthenorthmen
proceed.MerchantsofRo,
manyfromTiris,were
allowedinwithnothingbuta
cursoryglance,andRandall
guessedthatbeingforeign
wasnotanadvantagein
Cozz.Thewatchmenwere
acceptingmoneyfromthe
Ro;thebriberywasovertand
RandallwonderedifBrother
Torianwouldtakeoffenceat
theevidentcorruption.
‘Howoldareyou,
Randall?’askedElyotasthey
approachedthenorthgate.
Randallthoughtfora
secondandrealizedthat,with
theupheavalofthelastfew
weeks,he’dfailedtonotice
thathiseighteenthbirthday
wasfastapproaching.
‘I’llbeeighteenbefore
winter,’hereplied,pulling
backonhisreinsandmoving
toridenexttotheyoung
watchman.‘SometimesIfeel
older.’
Elyotspokeloudersothe
otherwatchmencouldhear.
‘Isthisthefirsttimeyou’ve
grownabeard?’heasked
withgoodhumour,evokinga
rippleoflaughterfromthe
othermen.
UthaandTorianwere
furtheraheadandwere
engagedintheirown
conversation,thougha
backwardglancefromUtha
showedthathehad
acknowledgedthelaughter.
Randallsmiledpolitely,
butdidn’tlikebeingmade
funof.Heturnedawayfrom
Elyotandlookedattheroad
aheadbeforehespoke.‘My
oldmasterdidn’tletmegrow
abeardandbeforethatIwas
tooyoung.’
‘Don’tworry,lad,’said
SergeantClement,‘we’ll
makeamanoutofyouwith
allthistravelling.Younever
know,agoodfightmight
makethatbeardsproutfull
andbushy.’
Randallshiveredatthe
thoughtofhavingtofight.He
knewthatClementwastrying
tobekind,buthehadstillnot
drawntheswordofGreat
Clawandwasafraidofdoing
so.
Thechattercontinuedas
Randallandthewatchmen
followedtheclericsoffthe
mainKing’sHighwaytoride
pasttheapproaching
merchantsandenterthetown.
***
Randallbreathedindeeplyas
hesteppedoutofthetavern
andintothedustystreetsof
Cozz.Hewastiredandhis
headwasmoreofablurthan
usual,filledwithallmanner
ofthings,fromclericsto
watchmen,theBlackGuard
andrisenmen.Heknewhe
shouldgoandsleep,but
sharingaroomwithfive
othermendidnotgivehim
thepeacehecurrentlycraved.
Hewantedsometimealone
withhisthoughts,towalkand
thinkandrelaxintohis
currentposition,maybeeven
tospareafewmomentsto
rememberSirLeonGreat
Claw.
UthaandTorianhad
sequesteredthemselvesaway
intheloftroomofthetavern,
andthewatchmenhad
claimedalargeareaofthe
commonroominwhichto
drinkandrelax.Itwasrapidly
growingdarkandRandall
wantedtospendthetwilight
hourwalkingaroundCozz
beforereturningtohisduties.
Theregisteredmarket
squarewashalfempty,with
mostmerchantshaving
alreadyclosedtheirstallsand
returnedtowarehouses,
homesandtaverns.Afew
remained,thoughRandall
thoughttheymustbethe
lesserstallholders,perhaps
relyingontheextracustom
thatwouldappearlateinthe
day.
Asthesquireambled
alongtheouterroadofstalls
hethoughtthatnight-time
businesslookedthinonthe
ground,andhesawseveral
merchantsnervouslycounting
theirday’stake.Afew
lookedupashewalkedpast,
hopinghe’dhavebusinessfor
them,butmostsatbehind
theirstallsbemoaningtheir
badluck.
Theregisteredmarketwas
atoughplacetodobusiness
asthepriceswereallsetby
themerchants’guild,making
competitionfierce.Thecloser
tothecentreofthespiral
marketyourstall,thegreater
yourbusiness.Thosethat
languishedontheouterring
hadtorelyonleftover
businessandopportunistic
shoppers.Thealternativewas
theunregisteredmarket,
towardsthesoutherngate.
There,goodsandpriceswere
notregulated,anditwasfull
ofunscrupulousmerchants.
Randallquickenedhis
pacetoleavethemarket
squareandfindanicerarea
forawalk.Hewasstilla
simplemanatheartand,for
thefirsttimeinweeks,
admittedtohimselfthathe
reallyneededarest.
Beyondthesquarethe
townwastingedwithgreen,
andseveralsmallhills,each
surmountedwithamanor
house,rosearoundthewalls.
ItlackedtheopulenceofRo
Tirisasthemoneywasmade
herebycommonmenrather
thannobles,andtheyhada
differentideaofhowtolive
wellontheirfortunes.
Randallstoppedonaleafy
roadencirclingaruggedlookinghill.Thestreetlamps
werebeinglitbyboundmen
andthecobbledroadwas
pleasantlyfreeofrubbish.
Randallwastheonlyperson
outforawalkandhe
breathedin,enjoyingthe
quietstreet.Heperchedona
wallandlookedaround,
watchingadarkeningskyand
hearingthemerchants’bell
tollingtheendofregistered
tradingfortheday.Afew
shopsintheblacksmiths’
quarterwerestillopen,but
themarketstallswereobliged
toclosebythissametime.
Oncethebellhad
sounded,themerchant
enclaveofCozzbecame
quiet,theonlysoundsof
activitycomingfromthe
taverns.Afewboundmen,
performingthefunctionsof
watchmen,begantopatrolthe
streets,wearingroughleather
armourandcarrying
crossbows,butotherwise
Randallwasmostlyalone.
Hesettledbackontothe
lowstonewall,raisinghis
feetoffthegroundand
slouchingover,aposition
Torianwouldhavechided
himforadopting.ThePurple
clericinsistedthathissquire
situpstraightatalltimes,and
Randallsmiledasherealized
he’dmissedbeingableto
slouch.
Theswordathisside
madehispositionslightly
awkward,butheftingthe
scabbardacrosshislapmeant
hecouldgetcomfortable
fairlyeasily.Hesatbelowa
flickeringstreetlight–alarge
candleinaglassorb–oneof
themanythatilluminatedthe
area.Hisseatedpositionwas
betweenthemarketsquare
andthestreetofblacksmiths,
onawindingroadflankedby
well-maintainedshrubbery
andtalltrees.
Randallwastootiredto
thinkofanythinginmuch
detail,buthewasenjoying
beingawayforawhilefrom
theteasingofthewatchmen,
Utha’sinsultsandthework
requiredbyTorian.
Herubbedhispatchy
beardandgazedblanklyinto
thegreytwilight.Hecould
feelhiseyelidsbegintodroop
andheknewthatshortlyhe’d
needtobeheadingbackto
thetavern.
JustasRandallmadea
movetostandup,hehearda
soundfrombehindthewall.
Turninground,hecouldsee
overalargebramblebush
intotheyardofasmithy,
apparentlystillopenfor
business.Threemenstood
talkingunderawoodenleantoinasecludedareaofthe
yard,withtheirbackstohim.
Oneofthemenwasafat
blacksmith,stillwearinghis
stainedapronandabsently
toyingwithahugehammer
restingonananvil.Theother
twowereobviouslynot
tradesmen.OnewasaKirin
andhadalongbowslung
acrosshisbackandacurved
katanabeltedathisside.The
otherwasatallmanofRo
withcurlyblackhairanda
fierce-lookingbeard.He
lookedyoung,buthissteelreinforcedleatherarmourand
ornatelongswordmade
Randalltakenote.Thesword
hadacastofaravenonits
hiltandlookedtobethe
weaponofanoble.TheKirin
wasglancingaroundtheyard
andsomethingabouttheway
hiseyesdartedfromsideto
sidemadethesquirethink
himadangerousman.The
youngRowasengagedin
animatedconversationwith
theblacksmithandRandall
gaspedwhenheheardthe
nameBrom.
Thesquireleantinand
listenedasbesthecould
acrossthesmallareaofgrass
betweenthewallandthe
yard.
Theblacksmithwasupset
aboutsomething.‘I’mnot
yourdad,yourbrotheror
yourfriend,sotellmewhyI
shouldhelpyou…forsolittle
money?’
ThemanofRoconsidered
foramomentandRandall
sawayouthfulsmileappear
onhisface.‘Becauseyou
hatetheknightsoftheRedas
muchasIdoandyouknow
wehavefewotheroptions.’
TheKirininterjectedina
thickaccent,‘Andifyou
don’thelpus,Tobin,I’m
goingtoshoveyourheadinto
youranviluntilbothyouand
itareveryredindeed.’
Randallduckeddownand
thoughtforamoment.He
wassurehehadn’tbeenseen
andthedarknesswouldactas
coverifhetriedtogetcloser.
However,hewouldlookvery
foolishifheweretobefound
outandgivetheBlackGuard
achancetoescape.Weighing
uphisoptions,hedecidedto
runbacktothetavernand
alerttheclericsthathe’dseen
LordBromvyofCanarn.
***
‘Howthefuckdidhegethere
soquickly?’Uthademanded
inirritationashehurriedly
pulledonhisblackarmour.
‘Ittookustwoweekstoget
herefromTirisandthat
bastardhasmadeittoWeir
andback.’
‘Thecriminalclasseshave
theirways,brother,’Torian
replied.
Randallhadbeenallowed
toentertheloftapartmentand
hadfoundtheclericsdeepin
conversationaboutsomething
relatingtoUtha’spast.The
squirehadinterruptedand
weatheredabarrageofabuse
fromtheBlackclericbefore
hemanagedtoexplainthat
he’didentifiedtheirquarry.
Thewatchmenwaitedby
thedoor,havingonlytopull
ontheirchainmailtobe
ready.However,Randallwas
sureseveralofthemwerethe
worsefordrinkandnotin
primefightingcondition.
‘Ayardinthestreetof
smiths,yes?’Torianaskedhis
squire.
Randallnodded.‘Alittle
waypastthemarket.Isaw
themfromtheroad.’
‘Andyou’resureyou
remainedunobserved?’
Torianpressed.
‘AssureasIcanbe.I
didn’thangaroundbecause
theKirinmanlookedquite
watchful.’
‘ThatwouldbeRhamJas
Rami,then,’exclaimedUtha.
‘Onelessassassininthe
worldisnobadthing.’The
Blackclericpickeduphisaxe
andplaceditacrosshisback.
‘So,wegivethemthechance
tostanddownandthenkill
theKirinandcapturethe
younglord?’
ThePurplecleric
consideredit.‘Let’sjusthope
theyarestillthere,brother.’
Randallspoke.‘Theywere
arguingwiththeblacksmith,
soI’dsaythey’llbetherea
while,atleastuntiltheir
businessisconcluded.’
Theclericsfinished
gettingready,makingsure
theywereidentifiableasmen
oftheOneGod,andleftthe
room.
Clement,Elyotandthe
watchmenfollowedthem
downthethreeflightsof
stairstothetavern’scommon
roomandthegroupexited
intothenowdarkstreetsof
Cozz.Randalltriedtosmile
atthemenintherear,but
sensedtheywerenothappyat
beingdraggedfromanightof
leisure.Clementwas
certainlyalittledrunkand
onlyreluctantlyaccompanied
theclerics,whileshooting
hardglancesatthesquire
responsibleformakinghim
leavethewarmthofthe
tavern.
‘Randall,comehere,lad,’
orderedTorianfromthefront
ofthegroup.
Thesquirejoggedpastthe
watchmenandfellinnextto
theclericsastheywalked
quicklytowardsthemarket.
‘Thiswilllikelyturn
nasty.Bromisknowntobea
dangerousmanandaKirin
assassinwouldn’tthinktwice
aboutkillingallofus,so
don’tdoanythingstupid,’
Toriansaidplainly,causing
Uthatochuckletohimselfas
theyspedalongthecobbled
streets.
‘Andwhatstupidthings
areyouexpectingmetodo,
master?’askedRandall,with
alittlemorecheekthanhe
intended.
Torianraisedhiseyebrows
atthecomment,butletthe
toneslide.‘Well,youcarrya
swordandyoutravelwith
truefightingmen.Don’t,
however,gettheideathatyou
areoneyourself.’Itwassaid
sharply,butRandallknewit
wasmeantasakindness.If
fightingbegan,thesquire
wouldjustgetintheway.
‘I’lltrytokeepmy
stupidityincheck,master,’
thesquirerepliedashumbly
ashecould.
‘Keepthatbrainofyours
active,though,boy,’said
Utha.‘You’vegotmoreofa
mindthanthesemen.’He
gesturedatthefivegrumbling
watchmen.‘Andyou’llno
doubtgetachancetoproveit
soonenough.Fightscanbe
wonwithwordsaseasilyas
withblades.’
TheBlackclericwasstill
amysterytoRandall.He
sometimesappreciated
Randall’squickwitandsharp
tongue,butatothertimeswas
highlyirritatedbythem.
Thegroupofmenhurried
roundtheouteredgesofthe
marketandquicklyreached
thestreetwhereRandallhad
satlessthantwentyminutes
ago.Toriansignalledthat
theyshouldstopandgestured
toseveralnearbyboundmen
todisperse.Theboundmen
lookedsurprisedatthesight
oftwoarmouredclericsand
obeyedinstantly,quickly
meltingawayintotheside
streets.
‘Showmewhereyousaw
him,Randall,’Toriansaidin
alowwhisper.
Randalltookastep
forwardandpointedalittle
wayalongthestreet.‘The
fourthstreetlightalong,
there’sabramblebushbehind
itandIcouldseethroughtoa
yardopposite.’
Toriannoddedandturned
toSergeantClement.‘Take
yourmenroundthatway,’he
said,pointingalongtheedge
ofthemarket.‘Comeintothe
yardfromthenorth.We’ll
headdownthisstreetand
approachfromthesouth.Do
notengageanyone,doyou
understand,sergeant?’
‘Ofcourse,sir,’Clement
replied.‘Withme,lads.’
‘Clement,’saidUtha.‘I
knowyou’vebeenattheale,
butjuststandthereblocking
hisescapeandtrytolook
mean.’
Clementlooked
embarrassed,butnoddedas
heandhismenmoved
quicklytowardsthenorthern
edgeofthemarket.
Torian,UthaandRandall
beganmovingslowlydown
thecobbledstreetand
Randallfelttheadrenalin
risinginhim.Hepaused
brieflybythebramblebush
andpointedacrossthegrass
towardstheyard.Uthaand
Toriancrouchedandpeered
intothedarkness.The
blacksmith,Tobin,wasstill
there,perchedontheedgeof
hisanvil,swiggingfroma
bottleofwine,andLord
Bromvywasleaningagainst
theuprightsupportofthe
woodenlean-to.
‘Well,paintmycock
green,thebastardisactually
here,’Uthasaidwithobvious
surprise.‘Where’stheKirin?’
‘Notseen,’repliedTorian.
‘Nomatter,let’sapproach
quietlyand,Randall…keep
youreyespeeledforthe
assassin.’
Randallsimplynodded,
notknowinghowhewould
goaboutlookingfortheman
calledRhamJasRami.
UthaandTorianlookedat
eachotherandbeganslowly
andquietlytomovetowards
theyard.Randalllistened.He
couldn’thearClementand
thewatchmeneither,andhe
begantothinkthatLord
Bromvymightjustsurrender
atthesightofeightarmed
men–thoughhehesitatedto
numberhimselfasoneofthe
eight.
Hecroucheddowntostay
hiddenbythewalland
followedcloselybehindthe
twoclericsastheyreached
thebottomofthestreetand
turnedsharpright.The
entrancetotheblacksmith’s
yardwaslitbytwowooden
postsholdingglobedcandles,
andbeyondwastheglowof
severalforgesstillburning.
Uthawasintheleadand
sneakeduptooneofthe
posts,makingsuretostayin
thedarknessashepokedhis
headroundthecornertolook
intotheyard.
‘He’srightwhereweleft
him,’Uthawhisperedto
Torian.
ThePurpleclericglanced
towardstheyardandasked,
‘ShouldwegiveClement
timetogetintoposition?’
Uthasmiled.Beforethe
Purpleclericcouldobject,
Uthahadturned,stridinginto
theyardwithnofurther
attempttostayquiet.Torian
shookhishead,butquickly
stoodandfollowedhis
brothercleric.
Randallwasalittleway
behindandtriedtokeephis
eyesonthesurrounding
buildings,watchingforsigns
oftheKirinassassin.The
yardwascomprisedof
severalwoodenlean-tos,each
containinganvils,stored
weaponryandblacksmithing
equipment.Allbutoneofthe
buildingswasdesertedand
Randallcouldseenoother
peopleintheyard.Theleantoshadflatroofsandhe
identifiedanumberofplaces
wherealongbowcouldbe
usedtodevastatingeffect.
‘BromvyofCanarn,’
bellowedTorianashestrode
forward.
Bromandtheblacksmith
bothjumpedatthesightof
theclerics,buttheyounglord
quicklyregainedhis
composureandsteppedout
fromthesmithyintotheyard.
Theblacksmithhurried
away,saying,‘Sorry,Brom,I
don’tneedthiskindof
trouble.’
Hispathwassuddenly
blockedbyClement,Elyot
andthethreeotherwatchmen
ofTiriswhohadquietly
positionedthemselvestocut
offanyescape.The
blacksmithsworetohimself
andturnedtolook
imploringlybothatBromand
attheclerics.
‘Theblacksmithcan
leave,’saidTorianquietly.
Clementsteppedasideand
motionedforthemanto
depart.Hesparedan
apologeticglancebackat
Brom,butdartedquicklyout
oftheyardandRandallsaw
reliefonhisface.
UthaandTorianwalkedto
themiddleoftheyardand
Bromvystrolledslowlyto
meetthem.Hewastalland
carriedhimselfwiththe
practisedstepofaskilled
swordsman.Hisblackcurly
hairwasunkemptandalittle
wild,buthisbeardwas
trimmedcloseandgavehima
fiercelookintheglowofthe
streetlights.Theswordathis
sidewasclearlytheweapon
ofanobleandhecasually
restedhisrighthandonthe
hiltashestoppedafewfeet
infrontofTorian.
‘Where’syourfriend,
BlackGuard?’askedUtha
withscorn.
‘Ihavemanyfriends,
cleric,you’llhavetonarrow
downthequestion,’Brom
replieddefiantly.Heshowed
nofearoftheBlackcleric,
thoughRandallthoughtthat
hehaddislikedbeingcalleda
BlackGuard.
Torianhadnotdrawnhis
swordandwascalmashe
motionedaroundtheyard,
pointingoutthewatchmen
andindicatingthatBromwas
trapped.
‘Youcan’tescape,my
lord,surrenderyourbladeand
youwillnotbeharmed,’he
saidslowlyanddeliberately,
emphasizingeachword.
Bromglancedatthe
watchmenbehindhimand
tooknoteoftheweaponson
display.Hewasn’tconcerned
bythemacecarriedby
ClementorbyElyot’stwin
shortswords.However,he
frownedatthethreeloaded
crossbows.
Heturnedbacktofacethe
clerics,assessinghisoptions.
Randallwasgladthatthe
BlackGuardhadnotnoticed
him–or,ifhehad,heclearly
didn’tseehimasathreat.
Totheyoungsquire,the
oddsappearedoverwhelming
–asinglemanfacingagroup
ofwell-trainedwatchmenand
twodangerousclerics.
RandallhadseenTorianfight
SirLeonandheknewhow
formidablehewaswithhis
longswordinhand.Utha,too,
wasclearlynotamantobe
trifledwith,andBromhad
takennoteoftheBlack
cleric’saxe,which,though
notinhand,couldbedrawn
swiftlywithashrugofthe
shoulders.
‘Ihavenodesiretofight
twoclerics,butIcan’tletyou
takeme,’theBlackGuard
saidregretfully.‘Theknights
oftheReddestroyedmy
homelandandIcannot
abandonmyfatherandmy
peopletodishonourand
imprisonment.’
Theclericslookedateach
otherandRandallthought
Bromcouldnotknowabout
DukeHector’sexecution.
Torianshookhisheadto
silenceUthaandtookastep
forwardtostandclosetothe
BlackGuard.
‘Yourfather,DukeHector
ofCanarn,hasbeenexecuted
fortreason,’hesaidformally.
Theyounglorddidn’t
reactstraightaway,butsimply
lookedatthegroundandtook
adeepbreath.Randall
thoughthesawatearappear
inhiseye,butnoothersign
ofemotioncouldbeseen.
WhentheBlackGuardraised
hishead,hehadathinsmile
onhislipsandahardlookin
hiseyes.
‘Andthere’snowayIcan
persuadeyoutoforgetthat
youfoundme?’heasked,
withobviousgallows
humour,elicitingalowsnort
ofamusementfromUtha.
‘Notachance,mylord,’
repliedTorian.‘However,we
havenointentionofharming
youunlessyouresist
capture.’
Bromnoddedandagain
scannedtheyard.Randall
followedhiseyesandthought
hesawashapemovingacross
oneoftherooftops,thoughit
mayhavebeenatrickofthe
light,forhecouldhearno
accompanyingsound.
Bromturnedbackto
Torian.‘What’syourname,
cleric?’
‘IamBrotherTorianof
Arnon,clericofthequestand
noblemanoftheOneGod,’
heansweredwithpride.
‘Well,BrotherTorian,I’m
sorryyouhavetodie,’hesaid
quietly,justasRandallsawa
definiteshapeemergeontop
ofawoodenbuilding
opposite.
‘Master…’hecalledout
justasthesoundofabow
stringbeingreleasedandthe
whistleofanarrowreached
everyone’sears.
Torianhadheard
Randall’swarning,butturned
toolateasthearrowhithim
inthethroat.Bromdidn’t
turnawayorlooksurprisedas
thePurpleclericgaspedfor
breathandwithwide,staring
eyesslowlyfelltothedusty
ground.
‘No…’Randallcriedout.
Uthaandthewatchmen
turnedinvoluntarily,stunned
forasecondbywhathad
happened.
Bromhadclearlyknown
RhamJaswasthereashe
reactedquickly,levellingan
elbowatUtha’sface,
smashinghisnose,and
sendingtheBlackcleric
staggeringtohisknees.
Twoofthecrossbowmen
firedwildlyattherooftopbut
bothboltshitthewoodand
Randallsawadarkshaperoll
backwardsintotheshadows.
Thethirdcrossbowmenfired
atBrombutmissed,ashe
dartedtothesideanddived
overtheanvil,doinga
forwardrollunderthe
blacksmith’slean-to.
Uthagrabbedhisbroken
noseandtriedtofocus
throughtheblood.TheBlack
clericlookedatthebodyof
BrotherTorianstaring
blanklyfromthegroundand
roaredasheunsheathedhis
battleaxe.
Turningtothe
crossbowmen,hebarked,
‘KillthatfuckingKirin.’
Thethreewatchmen
quicklyreloadedtheir
weaponsandadvancedina
linetowardstheopposite
building.Theassassin,Rham
Jas,haddisappearedandthe
menappearednervous,each
withaneyeonthebodyof
thePurpleclericlying
spreadeagledonthefloor.
ClementandElyot,
weaponsattheready,
advancedonBrom,whohad
stoodupinsidethelean-to
andswiftlydrawnhisornate
longsword.Clementswung
hisheavymaceinawide
overheadarcdirectedatthe
younglord’shead,butforall
hisstrengththeblowwas
poorlytimedandgaveBrom
theopportunitytoparryand
drophisshoulderintothe
watchman’schest,shoving
himbackwardsintoawooden
supportingbeam.Elyot
quicklyattackedtheBlack
Guard,usinghisyouthand
speedmomentarilytodrive
himback.
Randallheldhisbreath
andlookedonterrifiedas
Elyotrealizedhewas
outmatchedbytheyounglord
ofCanarn.Thetwoshort
swordshecarriedallowed
himtokeepBromfrom
makingariposte,untilaswift
kicktothegroinwindedthe
watchmanandapowerful
downwardswingofthe
longswordseveredElyot’s
rightarmjustbelowthe
elbow.Theyoungwatchman
criedoutinpainandfell
againstthewall,thrashing
aroundasbloodsprayedfrom
thestumpofhisarm.
Thecrossbowmenturned
toseewhathadhappened,
andasecondlongbowarrow
appearedfromnowhereand
piercedthestomachofthe
mancalledRobin,who
shoutedoutbeforedropping
hiscrossbowanddoubling
overontothefloor.
Randalldidn’tseewhere
thesecondshothadcome
from,butitwasatground
level,indicatingthattheKirin
hadquicklychangedposition.
Thetworemaining
crossbowmenfiredintothe
darknessbetweentwo
woodenbuildingsand
Randallthoughthehearda
gruntofpain.
Torian,ElyotandRobin
hadbeenkilledor
incapacitatedinamatterof
moments.Randallfeltpanic
risingwithinhim.Hedrew
theswordofGreatClaw
almostasareflex,butmade
noattempttoattackeither
BromortheunseenKirin
assassin.Helookedatthe
bodyofhismasterandthenat
Utha,astheBlackcleric
pulledhimselfuprightand
shookhishead.
Clementhadagain
engagedBromandtheolder
watchmanwasroaringwith
angerashedelivereda
freneticseriesofblowsatthe
younglord.Bromparrieda
fewofthem,buthewasfast
enoughtoavoidallofthem
andlettheheavymacestrike
woodinsteadofflesh.Each
striketookconsiderableeffort
andClementwastiring
quickly.
Thewatchmanglanced
overBrom’sshoulderand
sawthatUthawas
approachingthefighton
unsteadyfeet.Brom,too,
realizedthis,andwithaquick
looktoassesstheremaining
menarrayedagainsthim,he
attackedClementfuriously.
Theyounglordwasa
fearsomeswordsmanand
Randallcouldbarelyseeall
ofthelightning-fastblows
thatraineddownonClement.
Theoldwatchmanheldhis
maceabovehisheadina
desperateattempttostay
aliveuntilUthaarrived,but
Bromwasnowtryingtokill
andapivotofhisshoulder
allowedhisswordtoslip
underClement’smaceand
digdeeplyintohisside.The
watchman’schainmailmade
agratingsoundasthe
longswordtoreintoit,and
Randallsawbloodappearat
thecornersofClement’s
mouthandthelifequickly
drainfromhiseyes.
‘BlackGuard,’roared
Utha,‘timetodie.’
Heheftedhisaxeand
shovedthemetalanviloutof
theway.Steppingpastthe
nowunconsciousformof
Elyot,hestoodinaguarded
pose.Thetworemaining
watchmenhadenteredthe
gapbetweenbuildingsand
Randallhadlostsightofthem
astheylookedfortheKirin.
Afewsharpsoundsofsteel
onsteelindicatedthatthey’d
foundhim.
Allthesquirecoulddo
wastostandthere,swordin
hand,andwatch.Heknewhe
couldn’thelpinanyuseful
wayand,withhiseyesstill
fixedonBrotherTorian’s
body,hedoubtedhislegshad
thestrengthtomove.
Thesquiremanagedto
forcehisheadtoturnand
focusonUtha.Thebodiesof
ClementandElyotwere
sprawledacrossthesmithy
andRandallcouldn’tbelieve
howmuchbloodtherewas.It
wasprovinganobstacleto
Bromashestoodawaiting
theBlackcleric.
Uthawasaspectacleof
rageasheswunghisaxewith
skillandgrowledattheBlack
Guard.‘Torianwasmyfriend
andyourfatherwasasonofa
whore.’
Bromlookedangry,but
controlled,asUthareached
himandtheirweapons
clashed.Thebattleaxeswung
highandBrombuckledunder
thestrengthofUtha’sattack,
hislongswordbarelykeeping
theblowfromlanding.
Randalllookedonasthey
foughtfuriously.Bromwas
thefaster,butUthabyfarthe
stronger,thoughbothmen
wereskilled.
Theduelcontinuedwith
eachmanholdinghisground,
asUthacarriedonroaring
challengesandBromdidhis
besttostayonthemoveand
avoidtheviciousbattleaxe.
Acrosstheyard,Randall
sawamanemergetentatively
fromthegapbetween
buildings.HewasaKirinand
heldablood-coveredkatana
looselyinhishand.Randall
couldseeacrossbowbolt
protrudingfromhissideand
helookedtobeingreatpain.
Withoutthinking,Randall
steppedintothemiddleofthe
yardandbrandishedhis
longsword,tryingtosummon
uphiscourageandtokeep
RhamJasfromattacking
Utha.Nooneelsewasalive
andhefeltthathehadno
choicebuttojointhefight.
TheKirinwaswoundedand
thesquirethoughthemight
beableatleasttodelayhim
untilUthahaddealtwith
Brom.
TheKirinwasswarthyskinnedwiththin,blackhair
fallinglooselytohis
shoulders.Hewassweating
andwincingwithpainashe
walked.Randallturnedhis
backonBromandUthaand,
inspiteofthesoundof
shoutingandsteel,triedto
clearhismindandfocuson
defeatingtheKirin.Hecould
seethebodiesoftwo
watchmenlyinginthe
darknessbetweenbuildings,
testamenttothespeedwith
whichtheassassinhadkilled
them.
RhamJasmovedtowards
theyoungsquireandshothim
aconfusedlookbefore
directinghiseyestothe
frenziedduelbetweenBrom
andUtha.Randalllookedat
himwide-eyedandforced
himselftotakeasteptowards
theKirin,holdinghis
longswordattheready.
‘Randall…stepback,
boy,’shoutedUtha,asagrunt
ofpainfromBromindicated
thattheBlackclericwas
gainingtheupperhand.
‘Youshouldlistentohim,
lad,’saidtheKirin.‘Iwon’t
killaboywhosehandshakes
holdingalongsword.’
Randallglanceddownat
hishandandsawthatitdid
indeedshakeviolently,
makinghisgriponthesword
tentativeatbest.Glancing
behindhim,hesawUthahad
backedBromintoacorner
andtheBlackGuardwas
tryingtodefendhimselffrom
repeatedaxeblows.Thelord
woreonlylightleather
armour,insufficientto
withstandasingleblowfrom
Utha’sbattleaxe.AsRandall
steppedasideandletthe
swordofGreatClawfall
fromhishand,Uthabegana
combinationofoverhead
blowsthatmadeBromshrink
asheraisedhisswordinboth
handstoblockthestrikes.
RhamJasranpast
Randall,wincingwithpain
andgrabbingtheprotruding
crossbowboltashedidso.
Beforehereachedthelean-to,
Uthadeliveredafeintwith
hisaxeandrammedthehilt
upintoBrom’schin,causing
teethtoflyfromhismouth,
andafollow-upkicktohis
chestsenttheBlackGuardto
thegroundasRhamJas
advanced.Bromwas
unconsciousandUthaturned,
hisfacestillamaskofrage.
‘Youkilledmyfriend,’he
saidtoRhamJasthrough
grittedteeth.
‘I’msurehe’ddone
somethingtodeserveit,’the
Kirinrepliedwitha
maddeninggrin.‘Puttingon
thatpurpletabard…itwas
onlyamatteroftimetill
someoneputhimdown.’
Randalllookedagainat
hismaster’sbodyandfelt
shameatnotbeingableto
fighttheKirin.Hestillshook
ashewatchedUthaand
RhamJascircleeachother.
ThekatanaheldbytheKirin
wasavicious-looking
weaponwithalonghandle
andanarrowcurvedblade.
Hismovementsweregraceful
ashesteppedonefootover
theotherandhiseyeswere
fixedontheBlackcleric
beforehim.
‘Nooneneededtodie
here,youKirinpig,’said
Utha.‘Deathshouldnotbeso
casuallyhandedout.’
Randallcouldseereal
paininUtha’seyes,notfrom
anywound,butfromthe
experienceofbeingaround
swiftdeath.Foramoment,
theyoungsquiredidn’tsee
thecausticmanwhohad
bulliedhim,justanenraged
clericofdeath.
‘TellittoyourOneGod,
becauseI’mnotfucking
listening,’repliedRhamJas,
ashepulledthecrossbowbolt
fromhisside.
Uthadidnotattackwith
theferocityhe’dlevelledat
Brombutwasincreasingly
measured,asifheconsidered
theKirinthemoredangerous
opponent.Thekatana,too,
wasaweaponthatrequireda
differentapproach,andUtha
adoptedadefensivestance.
Astheycircledeachother,
theKirin’sfacecameinto
viewandRandallthoughtfor
amomenthelooked
confused.
‘You’reUthatheGhost!’
theKirinsaid.‘I’veheardof
you,you’refriendtothe
Dokkalfar.’
Thewordmeantnothing
toRandall,butUtha’s
reactionwasinstant.He
levelledtheheadofhisaxeat
theKirinanddemanded,
‘Wheredidyouhearthat
name?’
RhamJasmerelysmiled
andnimblydartedforward
withtheeleganceofadancer.
Uthapulledbackhisaxejust
intimetodeflectthekatana
asitwhirledwithininchesof
hisface,andRhamJas
disengagedtobegincircling
himagain.
‘Theywouldn’tlikeitifI
killedyou,cleric…butI
doubtyou’djustletmeleave
withBrom,soI’mafraidI
mustputyoudown,’hesaid,
hisgrinreturning.
Randallcouldbarely
believehowfastRhamJas
moved–healmostblinked
fromonespottoanotheras
helaunchedsingleattacksat
Utha.Nocombinations,justa
seriesofswift,dartingruns
fromonesidetotheother.
EachattackleftUthaoff
balanceandhisaxewasnow
cumbersomeandillsuitedto
duellingwiththeKirin.
‘Stayfuckingstill,you
coward,’theclericshouted
withfrustration,asaglancing
blowfromRhamJasopened
upashallowcutonUtha’s
leftcheek.
‘Yes,thatsoundslikea
goodidea.I’lldefinitelydo
that,’mockedtheKirin.
Hepressedahandtohis
sideandcheckedhiswound.
Nobloodwasvisibleand
Randallthoughtthearrow
holehadbeguntoclose.
RhamJasdidn’tstop
smilingasheranatUtha
again,thistimespinningat
thelastmomentand
deliveringasolidblowtothe
cleric’sback.Hisarmour
borethebruntofit,butUtha
wasstillpushedsharply
forwardsandlosthisfooting,
stumblingawkwardlytothe
ground.
TheKirinwasquicklyon
himandkickedoutathisaxe,
sendingtheweaponskidding
fromUtha’shand.Hethen
drovehiskatanadownward,
piercingthecleric’sshoulder
andpinninghimtothe
ground.
Uthashookviolently,but
remainedstill,andslowly
turnedhisheadtolookatthe
bladeprotrudingfromhis
shoulder.‘Doitclean,you
Kirinhorse-fucker.’
‘AsIsaid,theforestdwellerswouldn’tlikeitifI
killedyou.Theyseemto
thinkyouareworthy.
Personally,Ithinkyouarea
trollcunt,butwhatdoI
know?I’mjustaman.’Rham
Jasgraspedthehiltofhis
katanaandpulleditquickly
fromUtha’sshoulder,making
theclericcryoutinpainand
movehishandtothe
bloodstainbetweenthesteel
plates.
‘Boy…’RhamJascalled
outtoRandall,‘you’dbetter
helphimgethisarmouroff
andcleanthatwound.’
Randallwasstuckinplace
withfear,barelyabletofeel
hislegs,astheKirinassassin
calmlysheathedhiskatana
andcrossedtheyardto
retrievehislongbowand
quiver.
‘Gettoit,lad,we
wouldn’twantthefabled
UthatheGhosttodiesucha
pointlessdeath,wouldwe?’
Randallslowlywalked
towardstheshakingformof
Utha.Hetriednottolookat
Torian’slifelessbodyashe
wipedthesweatfromhiseyes
andknelttopickupthe
swordofGreatClaw.He
couldn’tfocusclearlybuthe
sawRhamJasstowhis
weaponryandmovetohelp
LordBromvyofCanarn,who
wasjustregaining
consciousnessandspitting
outblood.
‘YoukilledaPurple
cleric,RhamJas,’saidUtha
weakly.‘TheOnedoesn’t
forget.’
RhamJashelpedBromto
hisfeet.‘TheOnecango
fuckhimself.Praytohimand
tellhimthat,Ro.’
Randallreachedthe
bleedingbodyofUthaand
kneltdown,allowingthe
Blackclerictograsphishand
firmly.Thesquirefocusedon
Utha,buthecouldhearRham
JasandBromleavingand
Utha’shate-filledeyesdidn’t
movefromthedepartingpair.
Thewoundlookedbadand
bloodwasflowingontothe
dustyflooroftheyard.
Slowly,andwithhiseyesstill
focusedoverRandall’s
shoulder,BrotherUthathe
Ghostlostconsciousness.
***
Boundmenbegantoappear
assoonasRhamJasand
Bromhadleft.Menholding
crossbowsinshakinghands
andwearingill-fittingchain
coatsandpothelmets
appearedfrombothsidesof
theblacksmith’syard.Twoof
themwereinstantlysickat
thesightofthemutilated
bodiesandcopiousblood.
Anotheroneleftquickly
whenhesawadeadPurple
cleric,andseveralmore
lookedaroundnervously,
tryingtofathomwhat
circumstancescouldhaveled
toaclericofnobilitybeing
shotintheneckwithan
arrow.Tenormorebound
menspreadaroundtheyard,
butthiswasclearlyan
uncommonsightinCozzand
itwasafewminutesbefore
theynoticedthatthreemen
werestillalive.
Randallwasunhurtand
satcradlingtheunconscious
Utha.Nearby,Robinwas
lyingonhisbackwithan
arrowprotrudingfromhis
stomach,callingweaklyfor
help.Withintheblacksmith’s
lean-to,Elyotlayagainsta
woodenwall.He’dregained
consciousness,buthewas
deathlypalefromlossof
bloodandfightingtostay
awakeasheheldthestumpof
hisarmfirmlyunderhis
armpittostopthebleeding.
Randallwascertainthat
Clement,Torianandtheother
twowatchmenofTiriswere
dead.RhamJashadcutone
ofthemintwoandhelayin
anundignifiedslumpinthe
smallspacebetweentwo
woodenbuildings.Theother
manhaddiedfromakatana
thrusttotheheadandhisface
wasmostlyunrecognizable.
‘TheOnepreserveus,’
saidoneoftheboundmenas
hemovedtohelpElyot.
‘Whathappenedhere,lad?’
heaskedRandallacrossthe
yard.
Thesquiredidn’tanswer
straightaway.Hetooka
minutetolookaroundhim
beforehesaid,‘Whatdoyou
thinkhappened?Peopleare
dead.Maybeyoushouldhelp
thosethataren’t.’Hespoke
withdeliberateangerandthe
noteofauthorityinhisvoice
surprisedtheboundman.
Ifhisheadhadbeen
clearer,hiswordswouldhave
surprisedhimselfaswell,but
withsomuchbloodanddeath
Randallhadnotimefor
propriety.
‘Yes…ofcourse,sir,’said
theboundman,unawarethat
Randallwasjustacommoner.
‘Getsomemoremen
here…andahealer,’Randall
grunted.‘Now!’heshouted.
Severalofthemensaluted
andmovedquicklyoutofthe
yard,whileothershelped
ElyotandRobinintomore
comfortablepositions,lying
flatonthefloor.Torianwas
notmovedatfirstasthe
boundmenclearlydidn’t
wanttotouchaPurplecleric,
deadornot,soRandall
walkedslowlyovertothe
bodyofhismaster.
BrotherTorianofArnon
waslyinginapoolofblood
spreadingfromthewoundin
hisneck.Thelongbowarrow
hadhithisjugularand
travelleddownwards,exiting
closetotheanglebetween
shoulderandneck.Randall
guessedhe’ddiedquicklyas
thearrowheadwaswideand
designedtocauselargeentry
andexitwounds.Hissword
wasstillinitsscabbardand
hisarmourwasunmarked.By
anydefinition,theclerichad
notdiedwell;hehadnoteven
seenthefaceofhiskiller.
Randallthoughtamanlike
Toriandeservedbetter.
Twoboundmenhelped
himmovethebodyandplace
itinadignifiedpositionnext
totheotherdeadmen.
Randallthenturnedhis
attentionbacktoUtha.The
Blackclericwashurt,but
withpropercarehiswounds
wouldnotbefatal.Hewas
stillunconsciousfromthe
painandthewoundinhis
shoulderwaswideand
jagged.
‘Youthere,’shouteda
manfromtheyardentrance,
‘explainthismess
immediately.’
HewasafatmanofRo
wearingaheavyfeltovercoat
andcarryingaslenderrapier.
Thetabardheworeacrosshis
chestshowedthathewasa
townofficialofsomekind.
Cozzhadnotraditional
heraldrylikethemajorcities
ofTorFunweir,althoughthe
merchantsinchargehad
adoptedtheimageofapurse
astheirsymbol.
Withoutpayingmuch
attentiontotheman,Randall
replied,‘Whatkindof
explanationwouldyoulike?
Ashortexplanation,along
explanation,ormaybeyou
couldtellmewhyyourbound
menweresocloseathand
andyetdidnothingtohelp.’
Randall’svoicerosein
volumeashefinished
speaking.
Thefatmansplutteredas
hereplied.‘I…er,we…
didn’tthinkitourplaceto
interfere,’hesaid,withless
confidencethanhe’dinitially
displayed.‘Weonlyarrived
attheendoftheencounter
anyway.Wecouldhavebeen
norealhelp.’
Randalllookedupand
glaredattheman.‘Andyou
didn’tthinktoapprehendthe
menthatdidthis?Themen
thatkilledaclericofthe
fuckingPurple.’Thelast
wordswereshoutedand
Randallchidedhimselffor
lettinghisangershow.
Hiswrathhadthedesired
effectandtheofficialquickly
barkedoutorderstothe
boundmentoclosethetown
gatesandmakeaneffortto
stopRhamJasandBrom
fromleavingCozz.Randall
thoughtitalittletoolate.
***
Itwaswellpastdawnbefore
Utharegainedconsciousness.
Randallhaddriftedoffintoa
restlesssleepseveraltimes
sincearrivingintheguildhall
ofCozz.Althoughhehadnot
beengivenabed,hehad
managedtopositiontwo
woodenchairstogivehima
degreeofcomfort.Thetown
official,whohadidentified
himselfasMarshalLynch,
wasawkward,disrespectful
and,inRandall’sestimation,
anidiot.
ThetownhadnoWhite
chapelandnodedicated
healer.Thetownsfolk
acceptedtheinevitabilityof
havingtoridetotheduchyof
Voy,somedays’travel
northwards,iftheyneeded
serioushealing.Allother
woundswerepatchedupby
theboundmen,unlessthe
injuredpartywaslucky
enoughtoemployahealerof
hisown.Randallhaddirected
astringofcoarseinsultsat
Lynch,whichrathertookthe
manaback,inanattemptto
getahealer,anyhealer,to
comeandtendtoUtha.The
manwhohadbeensentwas
intheemployofahorse
traderfromLeith,moreused
towoundsfromriding
accidentsorhorseshoestothe
facethanfightinginjuries,but
hisskillwassufficienttostop
thebleedingandstabilizethe
Blackcleric.
Theyhadbeengivena
chamberinwhichto
recuperateintheguildhall,
ordinarilyusedforprivate
businessdealings,and
Randallhadinsistedthata
bedbepositionedinthesmall
room.Onreflection,the
squirewishedthathe’d
insistedontwobedsashis
neckwasstifffromsleeping
onthewoodenchairs.Elyot
andRobinwerebackatthe
innandthehealerassured
Randallthatbothwould
recoverfullyintime,though
Elyotwouldbewithouthis
leftarm.
ThebodiesofTorianand
thewatchmenhadbeen
stored,withasmuchdignity
aspossible,intheonly
churchbuildingintown–a
smallchapeltotheGold
aspectoftheOneGod–and
Randallhadinsistedthat
Torian’scorpsebeguarded
untiltheywerereadytoclaim
himandleaveCozz.
‘IassumeI’mstillalive…
orthattheOnehasnot
blessedmewithaplaceinhis
hallbeyondtheworld,’said
Uthaweakly,joltingRandall
awake.
‘You’reawake,’thesquire
saidexcitedly.
‘Where’smyarmour?’
Randallpointedtoa
crumpledpileofblackplate
steelinthecornerofthe
room.‘Idon’tknowhow
muchuseyoucansalvage
fromit,wehadtocutalotof
itoffyou.TheKirinwas
strongerthanhelooked.’
Uthalookedpalerthan
usual,ifsuchathingwere
possible,andhelayonthe
bedinnothingbutasimple
bluecottongown.Randall
hadbeencloseathandwhen
thehealerhadseentohim
andthesquirerepeatedlyhad
totellhimtoshutupwhen
Utha’sreputationandhis
albinismwerementioned.
‘Where’sTorian?’Utha’s
eyesbetrayedthefondnesshe
haddevelopedforhisbrother
cleric.
‘Imadesuretheywill
keephisbodysafeuntilwe’re
readytoleave.Thesepeople
aren’tusedtoclericsand,
betweenyouandme,mostof
themaren’toverly
encumberedwithbrains.’
Uthalaughed,wincingas
hedidso.‘Itoldyoutokeep
yourmindsharp,lad,itlooks
likeyoutookthatadviceto
heart.’Henarrowedhiseyes.
‘Well,withtheexceptionof
tryingtofightthatKirin.’
‘Ididn’tknowwhatelseto
do.Iwasn’tthinkingvery
clearly.’Randallwas
splutteringabitandtryingto
thinkofajustificationforhis
foolishattempttotakeon
RhamJas.
‘Randall,’Utha
interrupted,‘youdidwell.
I’maliveandTorianisbeing
treatedwithrespectin
death…’hepauseda
moment,‘thoughthedeathof
aPurpleclericisnosmall
thingand,markmywords,I
atleastwillhavetoaccount
forwhatwedidhere.’
‘Youdidnothingwrong,’
Randallsaidwithoutreally
thinking.
‘DidInot?’Uthaasked
rhetoricallywithraised
eyebrows.‘Igothimkilled.
Whicheverwayyoulookat
it,myrecklessinsistenceon
makingashowgavethe
assassinhisshot…andhe
tookitwell.’
Randallhadnot
consideredthisandfelta
suddenpangofangeratthe
ideaofUthabeingblamedfor
theencounter.Hehadmany
reasonstodisliketheBlack
cleric–hisconstantteasing,
hisaggressivemanner–but
heknewthatUthaandTorian
hadbeenfriends,almost
brothers,andtoblameonefor
thedeathoftheotherwas
unfair.
‘Don’tworry,young
Randall,anyrecriminations
arefaroff.Ineedtorestand
weneedtoconspireawayto
returntoTiris,’hesaid,ashis
eyesclosedagainand
wearinesstookhold.
‘BrotherUtha,’Randall
began,withaquestioning
tonetohisvoice.
‘Yes,Randall…’said
Uthawearily,notopeninghis
eyes.
‘Whatdoesthatword
mean?TheoneRhamJassaid
toyou,Dokkal…something.’
Uthaturnedtothesquire,
openedhiseyes,andgrew
morealert.Randallthought
theclericwasaboutto
unleashastringofhis
customaryinsults,butinstead
hepausedandconsideredhis
reply.
‘Dokkalfar…it’savery
oldwordinaveryold
language.Notawordyou’ll
hearonthestreetsofanyof
thecitiesofmen.’
‘Thewordseemstobother
you,’Randallpointedout,
‘butitalsoseemedtobethe
reasonRhamJasdidn’tkill
you.’
Uthasmiledthinlyand
shookhishead,asif
concedingdefeat.‘You’retoo
clevertobeasquire,Randall
ofDarkwald,butyoushould
becarefulwhereyoudirect
thatmindofyours.’Uthawas
stillsmilingbutseriousness
showedinhispaleeyes.
‘Someknowledgeis
dangerous…andsome
knowledgecangetyou
killed.’
‘Hesaidthatyouwere
theirfriend.’Randallwas
surethatUthadidn’twantto
talkaboutthis,buthisnatural
curiositygotthebetterof
him.‘Whoarethey?’
TheBlackclericflexedhis
neckandmovedthewhite
pillowbeneathhimintoa
moreuprightposition,the
bettertodirecthispaleeyes
atRandall.‘DidToriantell
youwhyIwassentto
accompanyhim?Itmusthave
lookedstrangeforaclericof
deathtobehelpingtotrack
downoneoftheBlackGuard.
Notourusualkindofwork.’
Randallhadnotreally
thoughtaboutit.Uthawasthe
firstBlackcleriche’dmet
and,formostoftheweeks
they’dspenttogether,Randall
hadtriedtoavoidthecaustic
churchman.‘Ididn’t…’
‘No,Isupposeasimple
squirewouldhavelittle
knowledgeoftheclerical
orders,’Utharepliedgently,
andRandallthoughtthathe
waslessonguardthanusual,
probablyasaresultofhis
weakenedcondition.‘Iwas
disgracedandrelievedofmy
previousduties.Torianwas
anoldfriendandneededhelp
soIrequestedIbeallowedto
accompanyhimwhilethe
BlackcardinalofTiris
decidedwhattodowithme.’
Hehadalookofshameinhis
eyesandRandallagain
thoughtthattheclericdidn’t
wanttotalkaboutit.
‘Idon’tmeantopry.We
canleaveitfornow,ifyou
wish,’thesquiresaid.
Uthasmiled,more
genuinelythistime.‘I’mnot
yourmaster,Randall,and
givenafewweeksto
recuperate,IsuspectI’llbe
ministeringdeathrightsto
pigsinRoLeith,sodon’t
worry.’
Randallsharedthecleric’s
smileandpouredaglassof
waterfromthejughe’d
placedonanearbytable.He
resteditnexttoUtha’slips
andhelpedhimdrink.‘The
healerputsomekindof
soothingrootmixtureinthe
water.Hesaidit’llhelpyou
relax.’
‘Idon’trecalldoing
anythingtowarrantsuchkind
treatment,lad.Infact,I’m
fairlysurethatI’vegivenyou
everyreasontohateme.’
Randalldidn’treplyto
this,butsatbackdowninhis
woodenchairandwaitedfor
Uthatocontinue.Thecleric
blinkedafewtimestoregain
somefocusandmadean
efforttositmoreupright.
‘Iwasacrusader,ahunter
ofrisenmen.Itwasmy
calling,my…duty.Fromas
earlyasIcanrememberIwas
trainedtofindthemand…
killthem.’Hesaidthelast
twowordswithadeepwell
ofregretinhiseyes,andfor
thefirsttimeRandallsawa
simplemanunderthearmour
ofcausticwitthechurchman
usuallywore.‘Ihavescars
fromfightingthemandburn
marksfromkillingthem,’he
said,showingRandallan
unpleasantmarkonhisleg.
‘Whywouldyouhave
burnmarks?’
‘Dokkalfarburstinto
flameswhentheydie.It’snot
somethingthatwetellpeople
about.Itmakesthemseem
strange,andtheOnedislikes
deviance.’
Randallwaslistening
intentlyandagainthought
thattheworldwasamore
complicatedplacethanhe
couldhaveimagined.
‘IwasdisgracedbecauseI
disobeyedordersandrefused
tocontinuekillingthem…’
Hepaused,asif
remembering.‘Ibetrayedthe
One,Ibetrayedmychurch…
and…’heclosedhiseyes,‘I
knowIwasright.’Thelast
wordswerespokenwith
stubbornindignation.
‘Butwhy?’askedRandall.
‘Therisenaremonstersthat
preyontheliving,aren’t
they?’
Uthakepthiseyesclosed
andrubbedthestiffnessfrom
hiswoundedshoulder.‘The
listofpeoplewhohavesaved
mylifeisashortone.You
canmakeaclaimtoit–
gettingahealer,stoppingmy
woundfromfestering,
insistingIbecaredfor
properly.Butbeforetoday
onlyonenamewasonthat
list,arisenmancalledTyr
Weera.’
Randallwasshockedat
this.Shockedthatthe
creatureshadnames,and
equallyshockedthatone
woulddeigntohelpacleric
oftheOne.‘Idon’t
understand.’
‘ThePurpleclericshave
longbelieved,muchasyou
do,thattherisenareundead
monstersdeservingof
nothingbutdeath.It’snota
lieoradeception,because
theygenuinelybelieveit.The
Onedecreedit,theclerics
maintainitandnoone
questionsit.
‘Dokkalfaristheirname
forthemselves…andIonly
knowthatbecauseIlivedfor
ashorttimeinavillageofthe
creaturesintheFell,’hesaid,
asifdivulgingadarksecret.
‘Iwasdying.Thewound
downmyback…youmay
haveseenit.’Hepointed
vaguelytowardsthevicious
scarthatRandallhadseen
whenhefirstmettheBlack
cleric.‘AKaresianHound
attackedmefrombehindand
nearlysplitmeintwowith
hisscimitar.Iwasleftfor
deadontheedgesoftheFell
untilWeeradraggedmeinto
thewoods.’
Randallconsideredit.The
risenwerethestuffofmyths
andstories,rarely
encountered,butalways
fearedasiftheywerethe
remnantsofsomeancient
evil.Evenwhenhewasa
boy,Randallhadonlyhalf
believedthestorieshe’d
heardaboutthemlivinginthe
Darkwald.Now,notonlywas
hefacedwiththerealityof
theirexistence,butalsowith
theirstatusasmorethan
simplemonsters.
‘Idon’tknowwhatto
ask,’hesaidbluntlytoUtha.
‘Itseemsthatalotofpeople
havethewrongidea.Butwhy
wouldthismeanyour
disgrace?SurelythePurple
shouldbetoldsothatthey
stoporderingthemtobe
killed.’
Uthaopenedhiseyesand
laughed.‘That’salittlenaive,
don’tyouthink?Try
convincingaPurpleclericof
anythingotherthantheword
oftheOneandyou’llgomad
beforetheyyield.Itriedto
tellthem…reallyIdid.I
evenfoundanoldBlack
clericwhothoughtasIdid,
buthewasquicklyushered
outofArnonandgivensome
spurioustasktokeephim
quiet.’Hebowedhishead.
‘Andnowthey’lldothesame
tome.Torian’sdeathjust
givesthemonemore
justificationforhidingmein
ashit-stainedvillage
somewhere.’
‘AndRhamJas,whatdoes
heknowofthem?’
Uthashrugged.‘Idon’t
know.Icanguess,butIdon’t
know.He’slikelyfromthe
Kirinwoodsfartothesouth
andIwastoldthatmany
Kirindowntherestilllive
sidebysidewiththerisen
andcouldevenclaim
friendshipwiththem.It’s
anotherreasonwhythe
Purpleclericsoccasionally
crosstheKirinRidgeand
clearthevillages.
‘Randall,Iappreciateall
you’vedone,butIneedto
rest.SoonenoughI’llreturn
totheBlackcathedralinTiris
andI’llbegivenrobesand
toldtoleavemyaxeinthe
careofamoreworthyman.’
Hesliddownthebedtolieon
hisback.
‘Andwhatofme?’
Randallasked,instantly
feelingselfishashedidso.
‘We’llsee,young
squire…we’llsee,’Utha
said,beforedriftingoffto
sleep.
CHAPTER10
RHAMJASRAMI
INTHEWILDSOF
TORFUNWEIR
RhamJasRamiwastired.
He’dpulledaconcussed
Bromacrossthesaddleofa
stolenhorseandriddenoutof
Cozzseveralhoursbefore.
Hisownhorsewasa
cantankerousoldbastard,
chosenprimarilybecauseit
hadbelongedtoacityofficial
anditpleasedtheKirinto
stealfromthoseinauthority.
Theboundmenwho’dcome
lookingforthemafterthe
fighthaddonearatherpoor
jobofsecuringthetownand
RhamJashadeasilymanaged
toleadBromoutofahorse
merchant’sprivateyard.Cozz
wasnotasecurewalledcity
likeTirisorWeirandthere
weredozensofwaystoleave
quietlyifamanwas
sufficientlymotivated.
Bromrodebehindhim
overuneventerraintothe
northandwestofthe
merchantenclave.Theyoung
lordhadsaidlittleandRham
Jasdecidedtolethimprocess
thedeathofhisfatherin
peace.RhamJasknewthatin
anycaseBrom’spathetic
attemptsatnavigatinginthe
wildswouldbeofno
assistance.Bromhadmany
gifts–hewasclever,tough
andruthless–butsurvivalin
thewildernesswasnotoneof
hisskills.
‘Idon’tmindhandlingthe
navigation,butifyou’re
goingtoridebehindmeyou
couldatleastsaysomething
nowandthen,’RhamJassaid
inaslighthuff.
Theywereapproachinga
low,forestedgullythatled
betweenhillsawayfrom
Cozz.Twodaysaheadof
themweretheWallsofRo,
themountainsthatlednorth
andsignalledpartoftheKirin
run.RhamJasknewtheroute
wellandestimatedthatthey’d
beapproachingRoTiris
withinaweek.
‘Idon’tfeelliketalking.’
Bromhadtakenanastyblow
tothejawandhiswordswere
muffled.He’drecover
quickly,buttheBlackcleric
wasastrongbruteandhad
knockedoutoneofhisteeth.
‘Well,it’llbealongand
lonelyjourneyifyoukeep
sayingthat.’TheKirinwas
grumpyandletitshowashe
spoke.
‘Justride,RhamJas…just
ride.’Bromsoundedtiredand
hiswordswereindistinct.
RhamJasletitdropand
lookedaheadtothedarkening
skyabovetheWallsofRo.
Hedidn’tthinktheywere
beingfollowedandtheway
aheadwasclear,withonlya
fewbigGorlanspidersand
theoddbandittoworry
about.
Ashereplayedthefightin
hishead,RhamJasregretted
notkillingtheBlackcleric.
Hefeltnocompunction
whatsoeverabouttaking
downthePurpleman,buthe
hadbrokenhisownrulesby
leavingawitness.Killinga
Purpleclericwasnosmall
thinginTorFunweirandhe
silentlylamentedthefactthat
hisfacewouldbeadorning
wantedposterswithinafew
days.
Asherodequietlydown
thegullytowardsthethinly
spacedtrees,herolleduphis
rightsleeveandsurveyedthe
twentyorsocutsalonghis
forearm–eachaPurple
cleric’sdeathmark–cutinto
hisfleshsothathewould
neverforgetwhomhehad
killedandwhy.Graspinghis
horse’sreinsinhisteeth,he
unsheathedasmallhunting
knifeanddrewitslowly
acrossanemptypieceofskin
nearhiswrist.Hewas
runningoutofspaceand
wonderedhowmanymoreof
thebastardstherewerefor
himtokill.Hemusedthat
placingthedeathmarkson
hislegsmightbeasolution,
ormaybeevenhischest,
thoughthatideawasless
appealing.
Rubbingthenewwound
torelievetheslightpainit
caused,heretrievedthereins
androlleddownhissleeve.
Thecutwouldhealwithina
fewminutesandtheslight
scarwouldbetheonly
testamenttothedeathof
BrotherTorianofArnon–
whichRhamJasthoughtwas
astupidname.ThemenofRo
wereobsessedwith
lengtheningtheirnamesby
addingtitles,locations,job
descriptionsandallmanner
ofunnecessaryappendages.
EvenBromhadatendency
towardsextravagancewhere
hisnamewasconcerned.
LordBromvyofCanarn,
protectorofthenorthern
markandscionoftheduchy
ofCanarnwent,intheKirin’s
estimation,farbeyondthe
informationnecessaryina
name.Theonlyappendageto
hisownwastheadditionof
thewordRami,meaning
archerinoldKaresian.
‘Whydidn’tyoukillthe
Blackcleric?’askedBrom,
echoingRhamJas’sown
doubts.
‘Decidedtotalk,have
we?’
‘He’slikelytocauseus
trouble,nottomentionthat
wedidn’tgettheclayfor
passagetoCanarn.’
Theblacksmithhadstill
beenarguingoverthedetails
whenRhamJashadgonefor
somefood,andthenhad
comebacktofindBrom
beingquestionedbythe
clerics.Theywerewithout
thenecessarydocumentsand
theKirinknewthatgetting
outofTirisbyseawouldbe
difficultwithoutthem.
‘Ididn’tkillhimbecause
we…sharesomeofthesame
friends,’RhamJassaid,
immediatelyrealizinghow
foolishitmustsound.
Bromlaughedforthefirst
timesinceleavingCozz.
‘Sorry,Ididn’trealizeyou
werearegularattheBlack
churchmen’sannualparties.’
‘It’snotlikethat,’Rham
Jasmuttered,againlettinghis
petulanceshow.‘I’veheard
ofhimisall.’
‘SohaveI,thoughIwould
stillhavekilledhim.’
‘Thenmaybeyoushould
practiseabitmoresohe
doesn’tbeatthesnotoutof
younexttimeyoumeet.’
RhamJasspokewithmore
venomthanhehadintended.
Bromreinedinhishorse
andstoppedafewfeetbehind
hisfriend.‘IknowI’mbeing
quiet,butkeepthatshitto
yourself.’
Bromwasmorethan
physicallywoundedbyhis
encounterwithUthathe
Ghost.RhamJasdidn’tstop,
butspokeoverhisshoulderas
heledthehorsefurtherinto
thesecludedgully.‘I’mjust
pointingoutthat,ifyouwant
todecidewhogetstoliveand
whogetstodie,maybeyou
shouldgetbetterwiththat
shinysword.Ibeathim,soI
gettodecidewhetherhelives
ornot.’
RhamJasheardBrom
grunt,asoundthatwasequal
partsangerandagreement.
Thesoundthatfollowed,as
Bromkickedhisheelsinto
thehorse’sflanks,waspure
angerandtheKirinturned
justintimetoseeBromjump
fromhishorsetotacklehim
totheground.
Thefriendslandedina
heaponthegrassytrack,with
Brompositionedontopof
RhamJas.‘Icanstillpummel
alittleshitlikeyou,Kirin,’
theyounglordshoutedashe
smashedhisfistintoRham
Jas’sface.
Theblowwassolidand
unexpected,andRhamJas
hadtorolltothesidetoavoid
furtherpunches.Heraisedhis
legsharplyandkickedBrom
inthebackbeforeshoving
himroughlyofftotheside.
‘Isthatthebestyou’ve
got,Ro?’RhamJasshouted
back,ashegottohisfeetand
kickedBrominthestomach,
knockingthebreathoutof
him.
Bromgrowledinanger
anddivedattheKirin’slegs,
againtacklinghimtothe
ground.
‘Ittakesabravemanto
shootalongbow,youhorsefucker.’
Brompunchedandkicked
wildlyatRhamJas.Mostof
theblowslanded,butthey
causedminimaldamage.The
Kirinheldhishandsupto
protecthisface,butgota
nastykneetothesidewhich
madehimwincewithpain.
HegrabbedoutattheRo’s
neck,causingBromtopull
hispunchesandtrytowrestle
freefromthechokehold.A
solidpalmstrikefromRham
JassentBrombackwardsand
allowedthetwomentogetto
theirfeet,panting.
Theystoodlookingat
eachother.Bothmenwere
bleedingfromvariousminor
wounds.
‘Areyoufinished?’he
askedtheyounglordof
Canarn.‘Becausethisisn’t
terriblyhelpful.’
Bromwasscowlingand
touchinghisjaw.RhamJas
haddeliberatelystruckhim
onhisexistingwoundand
madeitworse.Bloodwas
visibleatthecornersofhis
mouthandhisbeardwas
stainedred.Hestood,
scowlingforafurther
moment,beforestraightening
upandspittingoutaglobule
ofblood.
‘Doyouhaveanythingto
drink?’heasked.
TheKirinturnedtowhere
theirhorsesstoodgrazing
nexttoacopseoftrees,
oblivioustothefight.
‘There’sabottleofDarkwald
redinmysaddlepack,’Rham
Jasreplied,lettinghis
customarygrinreturn,‘butI
stoleit,soIgetmorethan
you.’
‘Idon’tgiveashit,Ijust
wantsomethingthat’llmake
medrunk.’Bromsatdown
heavilyonthesideofthe
track.
RhamJasshookhishead
andwalkedawayfromBrom
tofetchtheirhorses.Heled
themoffthetrackandashort
wayintothetrees,making
suretheywereoutofthe
sightofanyothertravellers
whomightbeusingtheKirin
run.HethenturnedtoBrom,
whohadn’tmovedfromhis
positiononthegroundand
wasstillspittingoutblood.
‘Getoffthetrack,Brom.
Ifwe’regoingtogetdrunk,
weshouldmaybetakesome
sortofcover.’
RhamJastiedthehorses’
reinstoathicktreetrunkand
Bromstoodup.Hewas
rubbinghisbackwhereRham
Jashadkickedhimandhis
jawwaspossiblynowbroken.
RhamJasknewthatthe
bumpsandbruisesBromhad
givenhimwoulddisappear
quicklyandhe’dbeableto
teasehisfriendabouthis
weakconstitution.
Theysettleddownquickly
andRhamJassensedhis
friendwouldmuchrather
drinkthantalk.
‘Onebottleofwineisn’t
enoughtoforgetanythingof
note,RhamJas,’Bromstated.
‘True,butthekindlyold
gentlemanIstoleitfromhad
otherintereststoo.’TheKirin
retrievedasmallleather
pouchfromhissaddlebag.
‘Doyouknowwhatthisis?’
Bromlookedatthepouch
andshookhishead.‘Isita
verysmallbottleofVolk
whisky?’
RhamJasopenedthe
pouchandproducedabronze
pipeandacircularcontainer.
‘This,mydearboy,is
rainbowsmoke.Itseemsthat
drugsarerifeinyourcountry,
whethertheclericswantto
admititornot.’
Bromlaughed,shiftinghis
positiontoleanmoreeasily
againstatree.‘So,ifweget
caught,we’llbebabblinglike
fools?Ilikeit.’
‘Don’tworry,we’reinno
realdangerofgettingcaught,’
RhamJasrepliedashe
unscrewedthecontainer.
‘Cozzhasnoclericsandthe
boundmentherewouldnever
chaseusuphere.TheBlack
churchmanwillhavetoget
backtoTirisbeforetheycan
seriouslystartlookingforus
again.’
Bromconsideredthisand
didn’tlookespecially
reassured.‘That’swhere
we’reheadingtoo.We’re
walkingintothetroll’s
mouth,wouldn’tyouagree?’
RhamJaslikedBroma
greatdeal,buttheyounglord
couldbeterriblydim-witted
sometimes.‘We’llgetthere
daysaheadofthemand,as
farasIremember,youdidn’t
explainyourplantothem.
They’lljustassumewe’llgo
intothewildsandlielow.
TheideaofusgoingtoTiris
issostupiditwon’toccurto
them.’
‘So,ourstupidityis
what’sgoingtokeepus
alive?’Bromraisedan
eyebrow.
‘Precisely…Iwouldn’t
haveitanyotherway.’
RhamJasrealizedBrom
mustbeinturmoilnowthat
heknewhisfatherwasdead,
butifhisfriendcouldtake
awaysomeoftheburdenwith
humour,drugsandalcohol,
thenhewould.
RhamJascarefullyloaded
thepipewithapinchof
brightlycolouredpowderand
satbacknexttoBrom.
‘We’regoingtodie,you
know,’theKirinsaid,withno
realbuild-up.
Bromlookedathim.
‘What?’
‘Well,thereareonlytwo
ofus…yourfatherisdead,
whichmeansthecityhas
likelybeensackedand,bythe
timewegetthere,theremay
notbeanyonetosave.’
Brombowedhishead.‘It
meanssomethingelseas
well.’Hiswordswerequiet
andsolemn.‘Itmeansthat
I’mnowthedukeofCanarn.’
RhamJasofferedhis
friendthebronzepipe.
‘Dukesfirst,mylord,’hesaid
withagrin.
Bromtookthepipeand,
usingaflintandsteelfrom
thepouch,touchedasmall
flametothebowl.Hedrewin
adeepbreathandRhamJas
sensedthefamiliarsmellof
high-qualityKaresian
rainbowsmoke.Bromheld
hisbreathinforamoment
andnearlycoughed.Thenhe
slowlybreathedoutaplume
ofsweet-smellingsmokeand
lethisheadfallbackagainst
thetreetrunk.
‘Doyouthink
Bronwyn…?’RhamJas
began,onlytobecutoffby
Brom.
‘Don’t,’hesaid.‘As
thingsstand,Icanimagine
she’sstillalive,hiding
somewhereinthesecret
tunnels.Maybesheevengot
outofthecity.’
RhamJastookthepipe.
‘Whereasmycustomary
brandofoptimismwould
paintarathergrimmerpicture
ofthings?’Hetappedthepipe
againsthisboottoremovethe
burntcrustofpowder.
‘Exactly…justletme
thinkhappythoughtsfora
moment.’
RhamJastookadeeppull
onthepipeandlettheeffects
washoverhim.
***
Karesianrainbowsmokewas
consideredadecadent
pleasureinTorFunweir,
illegalandpossibletoobtain
onlyfrommobstersandother
shadycharacters.RhamJas
likeditasanaidtorelaxation
andfoundtheRoobjectionto
itbizarre–probablyjust
anotherexampleoftheclerics
dislikingsomethingsimply
becauseitwasforeignand
theydidn’tunderstandit.
Theeffectsweremild.A
feelingofcomfortable
lethargymadethinking
happenslowlyandan
elevatedmoodusually
followedwithinafew
minutes.Thestrongerstuff
producedmoreofamellow
highthatenabledlong
periodsofsittingaroundwith
fewcaresandatendencyto
babble.
RhamJasandBromhad
emptiedthepouchwithinthe
hourand,withbreakstopass
roundthebottleofwine,had
successfullyachieveda
degreeofcalm.
They’dtiedthehorses
securelyandretreateddeeper
intothetreestolieacrossa
grassyhillockwelloffthe
track.They’driddenaway
fromCozzthroughthenight
andnow,astheylaylooking
upatthecloudysky,Rham
Jasestimatedthatitwas
nearlymidday.Neitherman
hadsaidmuchastheyletthe
rainbowsmokeflowthrough
theirbodiesand,withthe
exceptionoftheoccasional
contentedexhalation,theylay
insilence.
RhamJaswasstillworried
abouthisfriend.WhenBrom
hadarrivedinRoWeir,
severalweeksago,his
intentionhadbeentoreturn
homeasaliberator.Now,
withtheknowledgethatDuke
Hectorhadbeenexecuted,the
younglordwouldhaveto
reassesshisplan.RhamJas
thoughtthatgettingintoRo
Canarnwouldnotbetoo
tricky–findingashipfrom
Tiriswouldbepossibleandit
shouldbefairlyeasytostay
hiddenwhiletheydidso.The
uncomfortabletruththat
informedtheKirin’sthinking,
however,wasthatthetwoof
themwouldneedhelpto
makeanyimpactwhenthey
reachedCanarn.RhamJas
wasakillerwithfewequals
andBromwasadangerous
swordsman,butanarmythey
werenot.
‘Whatdidyoumean?’
Brombrokethesilence.
‘WhatdidImeanabout
what?’repliedRhamJas
vaguely,rubbinghiseyesto
focusthroughthedruginducedhaze.
‘TheBlackcleric…Utha
theGhost.Yousaidyou
knewhim.’
‘Actually,Isaidthatwe
havesomefriendsin
common,’correctedRham
Jas,‘butIgetwhatyou’re
saying.’
Bromhalfturnedand
restedhisheadonhishand.
‘So?’
‘It’squitealongstory…
andImaynotbeinthebest
conditiontodoitjustice,’
RhamJasansweredwitha
dopeygrin.
Bromlaybackdownand
breathedout,lettingamanic
chuckleescapehislips.
‘Hasimalwayssaidyouwere
nogoodtoanyoneafter
rainbowsmoke.’
‘Iwouldn’tlistento
Hasimabout…well,
anything,really.’RhamJas
didn’tlosehisgrin,butsat
up,immediatelyfeelinglightheaded.
‘Ididn’tkillUthabecause
somepeopleIrespectthink
wellofhim.’TheKirinknew
thattherisencouldbefound
intheDeepWoodofCanarn,
buthedoubtedBromwould
everhavehadcontactwith
them.‘Doyourememberthat
treeItoldyouabout?’he
asked.
‘Theblackheartwood
tree,’repliedBrom
‘Well,itwas…sortof
sacredtomypeople…andto
someotherpeoplethatlived
inOslan.’
‘Otherpeople?Make
sense,man.’Bromwas
becomingirritable.
RhamJashadlong
thoughtthetreesextinctin
TorFunweir,thatthePurple
clericshadcutdownor
burnedeveryonetheycould
find.Theycouldstillbe
foundinsomeplacesin
Ranen,butthemain
concentrationwasinthe
Kirinwoods.
‘Theforest-dwellers
reverethetrees.Theycall
themtheDarkYoungofthe
DeadGod.Isupposethey’re
afraidofthem,asifthey’re
notexactlywhattheyseemto
be.Theyjustlookedlike
ancient,strange-lookingtrees
tome.’
Bromwasconfusedand
gazedupatthedarksky.
‘Whatdoesthishavetodo
withUtha?’
RhamJassmiled.‘Idid
sayIwasalittletoofargone
tobeagoodstoryteller,’he
said,wishingtheyhadsome
morewineandrainbow
smoke.‘Ilivedsidebyside
withtherisenmostofmy
younglife.Ihadn’teven
heardthetermrisenmenuntil
IcametoTorFunweir;they
werealwaystheDokkalfarto
me.’
Brom’sexpression
showedthathe,likemost
menofRo,believedthe
church’spropagandathatthe
risenweremonstrousbeings.
‘Ithought…’hebegan.
‘Yes,yes,youthought
theywereundeadmonsters.
Everyoneinyourstupid
countrydoes.Exceptmaybe
UthatheGhost.’
Bromlookedevenmore
confused.‘He’sacrusader,
RhamJas,whichmeanshe
huntsandkillsrisenmen.’
‘AllIknowisthatthey
likehim.Theirtastemaybe
suspect,Igrantyou,butthey
seehimasamanofhonour
andIwon’tkillamanwhois
countedamongstthe
Dokkalfar’sfewfriends.’
RhamJashadnotasked
exactlywhytheyconsidered
theBlackclericafriend,but,
duringarecenttriptothe
Fell,he’dheardthename
UthatheGhostspokenwith
fondness.TheDokkalfar
wereparanoidanddidnot
givetheirtrustorfriendship
easily–theirtreatmentatthe
handsofmenhadtaughtthem
tobewary–butUthahad
donesomethingtomakeup
forthedozenshe’dkilled.
RhamJashadneverhadto
earntheirfriendshipashis
firsttwentyyearsoflifehad
beenspentlivingalongside
them,andtheirstrangetree
hadgiftedhimwith
extraordinaryabilities.
Hiswifeusedtoenjoy
walkingintheOslanwoods
andlisteningtothestrange
beingssinging,asoundRham
Jas,too,missedwhenhewas
awayfromthemfortoolong.
Evennow,helookedforany
opportunitytoreturntothe
deepestwoodsandspend
timewiththeDokkalfar.
‘Wasitworthit?’Brom
asked.‘Leavinghimaliveto
continuechasingus?’
RhamJaslaybackdown.
‘Ihaveafeelingaboutthat
cleric,’hesaidmysteriously.
‘Isuspecthewon’tbe
chasingusanymore.’
‘Youstillshouldhave
killedhim…butIdon’twant
anotherfightaboutit.’The
laughaccompanyingBrom’s
wordsshowedthatthe
rainbowsmokehadrelaxed
himconsiderably.
‘Maybe.ButIdidn’t,’
repliedtheKirin.
Somethingoccurredto
Brom,andheagaindirecteda
puzzledlookathisfriend.
‘HowisitthatIdon’tknow
youatall?’
‘You’veknownmefor
years,youidiot,’RhamJas
answered.
‘ButIdidn’tknowanyof
that.IdoubtHasimor
Magnusknewanyofthat
either.Doesanyoneactually
knowyou,RhamJas?’Brom
waspryinginawaythatthe
Kirindidn’tlike,buthe
meantwell,soRhamJasletit
slide.
‘Therewassomeone,but
shewaskilledbyPurple
clerics…’
‘Oh,I’msorry,’saidBrom
quietly,restinghisarms
underhishead.
Hisfewfriendsknewthat
therewerecertainlines
beyondwhichRhamJas
shouldnotbepushed.He
rarelytalkedabouthiswife
andhadlongagolearnedthat
themerementionofher
wouldcausepeopletostop
talkingtohim.
RhamJasshookhishead
andanideabegantoformin
hismind–thekindofidea
thatonlyoccurredtohim
whenhismindwastotally
relaxedwiththedrug.
‘Brom…’hebeganina
quizzicalfashion.
‘Yes,RhamJas.’
‘IthinkImayknowwhere
wecangetsomehelp.’The
Kirinknewthatitwasapoor
idea,butmarchinginto
Canarnalonewasworse.
‘Doyouhaveanarmyof
assassinfriendssomewhere
aroundhere?’Bromasked
withagormlesssmile.
‘No,butIknowa…
well…aman…notthatthe
wordmanreallyapplies,’he
answered.‘Hisnameis
Nanonandhelivesinthe
DeepWoodofCanarn.’
‘Hehasastrangename.’
Bromsuddenlylooked
suspiciousandsatuptolook
downatRhamJas.‘Whois
he?’
TheKirinsighed.‘He’s
Dokkalfar…intheirlanguage
he’saTyr,whichsortof
translatesaswarrior.’
Brom’sdruggedstate
softenedhisreactiontothis
informationandhemerely
directedadoubting
expressionathisfriend.‘And
helivesinthewoodsofmy
homeland?’
‘Notjusthim.Hetoldme
therewasabigsettlement
there–maybeafewhundred
ofthem–deepinthewoods.’
‘Surelywe’dknowifthere
wasavillageofrisenmen
thatclosetoRoCanarn.’
Brom’sexpressionwas
sceptical,andRhamJasknew
theyounglordwascynical
andnotgiventowhathe
thoughtofasfantasy.
‘They’requitegoodat
stayinghidden.Yourgodis
obsessedwithhuntingthem
down.’
Bromsuddenlylooked
offended.‘DoIlooklikea
clerictoyou?’
‘No,butyou’restillaRo.
Icansensethewanton
arrogancecomingoffyou
fromhere.’RhamJasgrinned
broadlyandmadehisfriend
laughinspiteofhimself.
‘Okay,sohowcanarisen
manhelpus?’Bromasked
whenhe’dstoppedlaughing.
‘Well,ifIcanpersuade
him,hemayhaveafew
friends.’RhamJasclosedhis
eyestoshieldthemfromthe
sunasitpokedoutfrom
behindacloud.Itwasgoing
tobeahotday.‘It’sthebest
plan…ifyoucancallit
that…thatIcanthinkof.’
‘Whywouldhewantto
helpmereclaimmyhome?’
‘Well,theyhavenolove
forthechurchofRo,sothe
chancetokillabunchofRed
knightsmightappealto
them.’RhamJasgrinned.
‘Anditmighthelpifyou
promisedthemsanctuaryin
thewoodswhenyoubecome
duke.’
Bromshookhisheadand
rubbedhiseyes.‘Idon’tthink
I’llbecomedukeanytime
soon.Canarnwilleitherbe
independentorRanen.’
‘So,you’llbeathain.’
RhamJaswasstillgrinning,
whichonlymadeBrommore
irritable.
‘IthinkIknowwhowe
needtospeaktowhenweget
toCanarn.It’sbeenrolling
aroundmyheadsinceweleft
WeirandI’mfairlysurehe’ll
stillbealive,’theyounglord
said,tryingnottolookathis
friend.‘Theknightswouldn’t
killotherchurchmen,so
BrotherLanryshouldstillbe
somewhereinthetown.’
‘Browncleric?’asked
RhamJas,vaguely
rememberingthemanfrom
thelasttimehehadbeenin
RoCanarnwithAl-Hasim
andMagnus.
‘Hewasmyfather’s
chaplainandheprobably
hatestheRedknightsmore
thanyou.’Bromatleasthada
smileonhisfaceandRham
Jasguessedthattherainbow
smokewouldstophim
gettingtooannoyednow.
‘Okay,soiftheyhaven’t
killed,buggeredorcaged
him…’RhamJasdirectedhis
grinupwardashespoke.‘He
mighthave…what,asecret
wayin?’
Bromshothimadarklook
andcameoutofhisdrugged
stateforamoment.‘Rham
Jas,RoCanarnhada
populationoffivethousand
men,womenandchildren.If
it’sallrightwithyouI’dlike
toseeifanyofthemarestill
alive.’Hisvoiceroseinpitch
andhiseyesconveyedanger.
RhamJaswasn’t
comfortablewithgriefandhe
hadtriednottobroachthe
subjectofRoCanarn’s
citizens.They’dhavefought
whentheRedknights
appearedandRhamJas
doubtedthesurvivorswould
havebeentreatedkindly.The
cityhadformerlybeena
vibrantplace,withtaverns,
shopsandapopulaceof
good,honestpeople–very
differentfromtheparanoid
socialclimbersoftherestof
TorFunweir–andRhamJas
hopedsomeoftheirspirit
mightremain.Brom,asthe
nascentrulerofthecity,hada
differentperspective–hesaw
apopulationinneedofrescue
fromanoccupyingforce.In
manyways,RhamJas
thought,healreadyresembled
aRanenthainmorethanaRo
duke.
‘Okay,Iapologizefor
my…idioticrambling,
broughtonby…youknow,
drugsandstuff.’RhamJas
wincedathisterrible
apology,butdecidedto
soldieron.‘We’llgoandsee
theBrownclericwhenweget
toCanarn.He’llatleastbe
abletotellushowmanyRed
fuckerswehavetokillandif
Magnusisstillinonepiece.’
BromsnortedandRham
Jaswasgladthathisfriend’s
druggedhazewasrapidly
returning.‘Ifhe’sstillalive,
Magnusisthesecondperson
weshouldgoandsee.Spring
himfromprisonandhe’s
worthfourorfiveknightsof
theRed.’
‘Ifhe’sstillalive…andif
wegethelp…andifwedon’t
getkilledonourwaythere.’
RhamJaswaspessimistic
aboutalltheifs,buthewas
beyondthepointwherehe
couldjustleaveBromand
returntoRoWeir.Hewas
committedtoseeingthis
through.
Bromconsideredthelast
wordsspokenbytheKirinfor
alongmoment,gazingoffthe
hillockanddownintothe
looselyspacedtreestothe
north.‘Youareawarethat
ourhorsesmaywellhave
beeneatenbyGorlanwhile
we’vebeenlyinghere?’he
said,tryingtofocuson
somethingmoreimmediate
thantheirstrategyfor
retakingCanarn.
‘Doubtful.Horsesmakea
hellofasoundwhentheysee
thenastylittlefuckers…
we’dhaveheard,’RhamJas
replied,withoutmuch
certainty.
Bromraisedhiseyebrows
andtheysharedadoubtful
look,beforetheKirinsaid,
‘Okay,we’dbettermove,just
incase.Idon’tfancywalking
toRoTiris.’Heretrievedhis
longbowandquiverofarrows
fromtheground.
Thetwofriendspulled
themselvesheavilytotheir
feetandtrudgedslowlyback
tothetrees.Thehillockwas
onlyslightlyraisedfromthe
forestfloor,butthegentle
gradientwasenoughtocause
bothmentostumble.Atthe
treelinebelow,RhamJas
peeredintotheforestbefore
slowlywalkingtowardsthe
horses.
Theywerepicketedtoa
lowtreetrunk,nexttoadense
bramblebush,andBrom
steppedpastRhamJasand
drewhisswordawkwardlyas
theyapproachedthesmall
clearing.
‘Oh,trollshit,’saidthe
younglord,astheybothsaw
thedensewebthatwasbeing
wrappedroundthetwitching
bodyofBrom’shorse.
Theotheranimalwas
unharmedandwassnorting
quietlyandkickingatthe
groundasthreelargeGorlan
spiderscrawledalloverthe
fallenanimal.Eachwasthe
sizeofalargedogand
coloureddeepblackwitha
brightflashofredonits
bloatedabdomen.Theywere
sleek,ratherthanhairy,and
weren’tquitelargeenoughto
attackmen;buttheir
oversizedfangs,currently
stuckintheflanksofthe
horse,couldnonetheless
causeaviciouswoundand
recoveryfromtheir
paralysingvenomwould
requireseveraldaysinbed.
Thelargestofthethree
rearedupatthesightof
RhamJasandBrom,raising
itsfronttwolegsoffthe
groundandbearingitsfangs
inathreatdisplay.Itmadea
loudhissingsoundandpoised
tostrikeiftheycametoo
close.
‘Look,youlittleeightleggedbastard…fuckoff,’
saidRhamJasirritably.‘We
haveenoughproblems
withoutyouaddingtoit.’
‘Idon’tthinkitspeaks
Ro,’Bromsaid,without
takinghiseyesfromthe
Gorlan.
RhamJasguessedthathis
friendwasalittlescaredof
spidersandsecretly
determinedtoteasehimabout
itlater.
RhamJaswavedhisarms
intheairtoattractthe
attentionofallthreespiders,
andclappedhishands
togetherinanattemptto
spookthem.
‘Idon’twanttokillyou,
spiders,’hesaid,almost
regretfully,‘butIwillshoot
youupifyoudon’tleave.’He
slowlypulledanarrowfrom
hisquiverandnotcheditto
hisbow.
‘RhamJas,justshootthe
spiders,’Bromsaid,
brandishinghissword.
TheKirindidn’tlike
killinganimals,butGorlan
wereaggressivepredatorsand
wouldnotleaveafeastthe
sizeofafullygrownhorse
withoutafight.
Heslowlydrewbackon
hisbowandpursedhislips
beforeshootingthespider
betweenitsfangs.The
creatureinstantlyflew
backwardsanditslegscurled
up,becamerigid.Theother
twoquicklyfledintothe
bramblesandthesoundof
themscuttlingaway
disappearedafterafew
seconds.
Bromloweredhissword
andbreathedeasiernowthat
thecreatureswereoutof
view.‘Ireallyhatethose
things.’
‘They’renottoobad.It’s
thereallybigonesyouneed
toworryabout.Thereare
GorlaninLob’sWoodthat
takethreeorfourarrowsto
putdown…tasty,though,’
RhamJasaddedwithasmile.
***
RhamJasenjoyedfried
Gorlanlegs–theywere
crunchyandsurprisingly
meaty.Theabdomencouldbe
slicedanddeep-fried,but
withoutpropercooking
implementsthey’dhadto
throwitaway.Bromwas
noticeablylesskeenoneating
thespider.He’deaten
sparingly,concentrating
mainlyonthedriedbeefin
theirsaddlepacks.RhamJas
hadteasedhimaboutbeing
scaredofGorlan,buthe
didn’tseemtomindsolong
astheothersdidn’tcome
back.
RhamJaswasusedto
themandhadseenhuge
specimensinhistime.He’d
evenheardrumoursthatsome
ofthelargest,fartothesouth,
hadaprimitiveabilityto
speak.Whetherthatwastrue
ornot,theKirinofOslanhad
longrealizedthatthebigger
theywere,thelesshostile
theywere,asifintelligence
wereaprivilegeofsize
amongsttheGorlan.
Theyrode,Bromsitting
behindRhamJas,ontheonly
horsetheyhadleft.Thelow
woodedgullybecameadense
forestadayorsobeyond
Cozz.RhamJaswasnot
overlyconcernedabout
enteringthewoodsofVoyas
therewasunlikelytobe
anythingtherethatwould
causeagenuinethreattothe
twoofthem.Anybandits
wouldprovideaquickfight
andmaybeevenasecond
horse,butthekindofscum
whopreyedontheKirinrun
wereusuallybrokenmen,
withfewoptionsbuttorisk
death.Notmenwhowould
causeRhamJastosweat.
‘Stopmovingsomuch,’
Bromsaidgrumpily.
‘Ididn’teatyourhorse,
don’tblameme.’RhamJas
gentlyelbowedhisfriendin
theribs.
‘Justrideandtrytokeep
still.’Bromhadstillnotfully
regainedhiscomposureand
hadbeensilentforseveral
hoursastheyrodeawayfrom
thedeadhorse.
RhamJashadtoadmit
thathewantedtofilltheair
withpointlessconversationin
ordertonothavetothink
aboutcontactingthe
Dokkalfar.Itwouldbean
awkwardencounter,bringing
alordoftheRointotheDeep
Wood,butRhamJasknewa
littleabouthowtheythought
andhadhighhopesthatthey
wouldhelp.Nanon,in
particular,favouredtheidea
offightingbackoverjust
sittinginthewoodstobe
pickedoffbyclerics.Sofar,
hismoreviolentimpulseshad
beencurtailedbytheirVithar
shamans–theeldestoftheir
people,whosecounselwas
alwaysthattheDokkalfar
mustsimplyendureuntilthe
timeisright.Theyhada
strangeviewofvengeance
andweremorepatientthat
anypeopleRhamJashad
met.AslongasBromwas
quietandletRhamJasdothe
talking,theyshouldbeokay,
hethought.Theymighteven
standachanceofassaulting
Canarnandkillingenoughof
theknightsmoderatelyto
inconveniencethechurch
beforetheywerehackedto
piecesbylongswords.
***
Thedayspassedslowlyas
BromandRhamJasmade
theirwaythroughthe
foothillsoftheWallsofRo
andontotheforested
northernplainsofTor
Funweir.TheKirinrunwas
decidedlyemptyandRham
Jaswasgladnottoencounter
anyrandombanditsorlarger
Gorlan.Itsuitedthose
travellerswhousedtheroute
tofostertheimageofthe
Kirinrunasadangerousand
hostileenvironment.In
reality,ifyouwerewell
enoughconnectedtoknow
aboutit,andtoughenoughto
useit,youwereprobably
safe.RhamJashadtravelled
TorFunweirwidelyandthe
wildsheldnofearforhim.He
wasacrackshotwithhis
longbowandanightmare
withhiskatana,andhehad
well-placedconfidencewhen
itcametokillingthings.
Bromwasstillquietand,
asidefromtheoddcomment
abouthisfatherorsister,he’d
remainedmoroseandsullen
sinceCozz.Theyhadmeagre
dailyrationsandtheyoung
lordofCanarnhadsteadfastly
refusedtosupplementhisdiet
withGorlan.He’deven
turnedhisnoseupatRham
Jas’snutritiousspiderand
nettlebroth,arichconcoction
thatwasquiteadelicacyin
Oslan.ThesmallerGorlan
theyencounteredinthe
woodswereperfectfor
eating,butBromwasclearly
botheredbythecreaturesand
becametwitchywhenever
theyapproachedanest.
‘RhamJas,what’sthat?’
Brompointedthroughthe
treesofftotheirleft.
Itwasjustapproaching
twilightandtheyhadbeen
talkingaboutfindingaplace
tocamp.Thewoodlandthey
travelledthroughhadthinly
spacedtreesandwasdotted
withrockycrevicesanddry
riverbeds.
Bromwaspointingtoa
slightglowemanatingfroma
lowfireinthedistance.‘Is
thatacampfire?’
‘Ishouldthinkso,unless
themosshasstartedtoglow,’
RhamJasrepliedflippantly.
Thefirewasflickering
closetothegroundandfar
enoughawaythatthey
couldn’tseeanymovement
aroundthearea.RhamJas
reinedinthehorseandleant
forwardtostroketheanimal’s
muzzletokeepitquiet.
‘Holdthereins,’hesaid
overhisshouldertoBrom,
andbegantodismount.
Onceontheground,
RhamJascrouchedandtried
tofocusthroughthegrey
eveningairtoseethe
campfire.Theskywas
rapidlybecomingdarkand
RhamJascouldn’tmakeout
anydefiniteshapesthrough
thetrees,thoughhecould
heardistantrustlingand
footstepsconsistentwitha
smallgroupofpeople.
‘Ineedtogetclosertosee,
butit’sprobablyjustabandit
gangoragroupoftravellers,’
RhamJaswhisperedtoBrom.
‘Ifwe’regoingtobesleeping
aroundhereaswell,I’dlike
toknowwhoourneighbours
are.’
Bromdismountedand
pulledthehorseovertoa
nearbyrock,tyingthereins
securely,beforedrawinghis
swordandcrouchingdown
nexttoRhamJas.
‘Iknowstealthisn’ta
specialityofyours,Brom,but
trynottomaketoomuch
noise…letmegofirst,’
RhamJassaidwithhis
customarygrin.
‘Oh,justshutupandget
onwithit,’hereplied,clearly
notinajovialmood.
RhamJasquickly
retrievedhislongbowfrom
thehorseandnotchedan
arrowlooselyagainstthe
stringbeforemakinghisway
intothetrees.Hewalked
slowly,onefootoverthe
other,movinginthepractised
fashionofamanusedto
sneakinguponpeopleinthe
dark.Bromstayedalittleway
backandRhamJaswasglad
thathisblunderingthrough
theundergrowthproduced
onlyalittlesound.
Asheedgedclosertothe
fire,RhamJascouldhear
wordsspokenintheaccentof
Ro.Severalmenwere
standingaroundthefireand
twoweresittingonbedrolls.
Atfirstitappearedasifhis
guessaboutagangofbandits
hadbeencorrect,butashe
passedabramblethicketand
secretedhimselfbehinda
thicktreetrunk,itbecame
clearthatonlythosemen
standingupwerebanditsand
thosesittingdownwerebeing
robbed.
Fivemen,withcrossbows
andshortswords,stoodina
roughcircleroundthefire,
aimingtheirweaponsatthe
twoseatedmen.
RhamJasdecidedtogeta
littlecloserandheldahand
uptoBrom,indicatingthathe
shouldholdhisposition.The
Kirinassassinmovedswiftly
andsilentlytostandbehinda
rockyprotrusionwithin
earshotofthecamp.
Thebanditswereingood
humourathavingfoundtwo
menaloneinthewildsand
RhamJasguessedthatthe
victimswerenotfighting
men.Oneofthebanditshad
hisbacktoRhamJasandthe
Kirincouldjustaboutmake
outaseatedKaresiannotfar
infrontofhim.
‘You’realongwayfrom
home,desertmen…maybe
youshouldthinktwiceabout
comingthroughourland
again,hey?’saidagruffman
ofRo,smirkingandshowing
brownteethandgums.
‘Mott,thesebastardsain’t
gotmuch.’Theotherman
wasrifflingthroughaseries
oflargerucksacksnexttothe
fire.‘Exceptwine,they’ve
gotalotofthat.’
‘Where’syourcoin,
Karesian?’saidtheman
identifiedasMott.
RhamJasestimatedthat
thetwoKaresianswerea
littledrunk,astheywere
gazingoffintothenight
ratherthanfocusingonthe
menrobbingthem.He
couldn’tmakeouttheirfaces,
butthoughttheylooked
ratherrelaxed,recliningin
frontoftheirfireandmaking
noparticularefforttostopthe
robbery.
‘I’mtalkingtoyou,’Mott
said,slappingoneoftheir
faces.
‘Iknowyou’retalkingto
me,youstupidRo.Ichose
nottoanswer.Brainsare
clearlynotrequiredfor
banditry,’slurredoneofthe
Karesiansinavoicethat
RhamJasvaguely
recognized.
TheKaresianreceived
anotherslapandtoppledover
onhisbedroll.‘Hittingmeis
notgoingtomakefindingmy
coinanyeasier,fuckpiece,’
hesaidwithvenom,theinsult
indistinctwiththe
combinationofaccentand
alcohol.
Thespeakerwascalled
KohliandRhamJasguessed
thathiscompanionwouldbe
Jenner.TheywereKaresian
brothersandsmugglersfrom
thefarcityofThrakka,
thoughwhattheyweredoing
herewasamystery.Thelast
timeRhamJashadmetthem,
they,andAl-Hasim,had
swindledaboatoutof
someoneandwererunning
illegalKaresiandesertnectar
intoRoTiris.RhamJas
rememberedthemwell
enoughtoknowthatfighting
wasnotcountedamongst
theirskills,andhedecidedto
intervene.
HewavedbackforBrom
toapproachthroughthetrees
andthenmovedtoposition
himselfasclosetooneofthe
banditsaspossible,crouched
indarknessafewfeetfrom
theman’sback.
‘Wedon’tlikeKaresian
scuminthesewoodssoyou’d
bettercomeupwith
somethingormyboyswill
havetotakepaymentin
blood,’Mottgrowledatthe
seatedKaresians.
RhamJasplacedhisbow
onthefloorandsilentlydrew
hiskatana.Thefivebandits
wereallfacinginwardsand
wereclearlynotpreparedfor
anambush.Hetookafurther
stepclosertothenearest
man’sbackandthendarted
forward,wrappingonearm
aroundhisneckandswinging
hisbladeroundtorestagainst
theman’scheek.
‘Andhowdoyoufeel
aboutKirin?’heasked
loudly,asallthemenpresent
turnedtolookathim.
‘Wherethefuckdidyou
comefrom?’Mottloudly
retorted.
Kohliclappedhishands
drunkenly.‘RhamJas,perfect
timing.Willyoujoinmeand
mybanditfriendsinadrink?
Theyaremostinterestedin
coin,butI’msurethey’rejust
misunderstood.’
Theotherfourbandits
pointedtheircrossbowsat
RhamJasandmovedtostand
inalineoppositehim.‘Let
himgo,Kirin,andyoumay
live.’
‘Fuckoffandyoumay
live,’repliedRhamJas
quickly.
Thebanditslaughedwith
misplacedconfidenceas
Bromsuddenlyappeared
fromthedarkness,swordin
hand.Hehadnocoverfrom
thecrossbows,andtoRham
Jashiseyeslookedcolder
thanusual.
‘ListentotheKirin,he’s
notasstupidashelooksand
you’renotasdangerousas
youthinkyouare,’saidthe
lordofCanarn.
‘That’sanicesword.I
thinkI’lltakeitfromyou
whenyou’relyingbleedingat
myfeet,boy,’Mottsaid,
levellinghiscrossbow.
‘Comeandtakeit,little
man.’Bromhadmurderin
hiseyes.
Themachoposturingwas
becomingtiresometoRham
Jas.‘Oh,thisisgettingsilly,’
hesaid,realizingthathis
friendwasgoingtoget
himselfshotfulloffboltsif
hewasn’tcareful.
Withaswiftjerkofhis
swordarmhecutthethroatof
themanhewasholdingand
shovedthedyingbanditinto
thefire.Theotherswere
sufficientlydistractedbythe
eruptionofsparksandsmoke
forRhamJastodarttothe
sideandkickaburning
branchintothefaceofa
secondbandit.
Bromalsousedthe
distractiontomoveroundthe
othersideandroaran
unnecessarychallengeatthe
bandits.RhamJasshookhis
headatBrom’sdisplay,asthe
Kirindeliveredafatal
downwardstriketoone
man’schestandspun
dexterouslytogiveasecond
manasolidkickinthe
stomach,windinghimand
sendinghimtothefloor.
Twocrossbowboltswere
loosed,butthesewerenot
truefightingmenandthe
distractionoftwokillers
settingaboutthemwas
sufficienttocausetheshotsto
misstheirmark.
Bromengagedastartled
Mottandproceededtoteach
himalessonin
swordsmanship,effortlessly
disassemblingthebandit’s
techniqueandknockingaway
hisshortswordwithin
moments.Brompunchedhim
viciouslytothefloor.
‘Brom,that’senough,
they’reonlybandits.Not
worthmorethanaquick
scrap.’RhamJascouldsee
realangerinhisfriend’seyes
andguessedthatthiswasthe
eruptionofseveraldays’
worthofpent-uprage.
Mottheldhisfaceand
wincedinpainasBrom
levelledhislongswordatthe
bandit’sneck.Thetwoothers
whowerestillalivestayedon
thefloor,lookingupinfearat
RhamJas.
‘Oh,stopthat,’hesaidto
thecoweringpair.‘Ifyour
idiotbosshadn’tmentioned
takingmyfriend’ssword,you
mightallhavegotaway
alive.’RhamJasdidn’tlike
unnecessarydeathandthese
menweresimplycommon
folkmakingadirtyliving.
‘You…Mott,whatever
yournameis,’orderedRham
Jas,‘pickupyourmenand
leave…now.IfIseeyou
again,I’llwearyourskinasa
hat.Doyouunderstandme?’
RhamJaswasirritatedat
havingtorescuetwodrunken
friendsandstopasoberone
fromgivingintobloodlust.
Mottnodded,nottaking
hiseyesfromBrom’ssword
asitswayednexttohis
throat.Thetwootherbandits
stoodupand,inobvious
distress,pickeduptheirtwo
deadcompanionsandbegan
tobackoutoftheclearing.
Mottmovedawayfrom
Brom,notthinkingtopickup
hisweapons,quicklydarted
pasthismenanddisappeared
intothedarkeningforest.
‘You’reLordBromvy?’
askedKohlifrombesidethe
fire.
NeitheroftheKaresian
brotherswasoverly
concernedaboutthefight
theyhadwitnessed,RhamJas
thought.Jennerwasmostly
preoccupiedwithkeeping
himselfuprightandnotbeing
sick.
Bromdidn’tanswerthe
questionandglaredatthe
patchofdarknessthrough
whichthebanditshad
retreated.
‘Yes,heis,’saidRham
Jas.‘AndKohli,whatareyou
doinghere?Isn’tthereachild
inneedofdrugssomewhere?’
Kohliblinkedafewtimes.
He,too,wasconsiderablythe
worsefordrink.‘Welostour
boatinTiriswhen…’heshot
adarklookathisbrother,
‘someonedemandedwestop
forsomefemalecompany
andtheportauthorities
impoundedit.’
‘Thesameboatyouand
Hasimstolelastyear?’asked
RhamJas.
‘Yup,Ithinksomeoneat
thelordmarshal’soffice
recognizeditandwehadto
runfromthecity.Luckily,
theseRoaren’ttoobothered
byforgedclaydocuments.’
‘Glenwood?’TheKirin
wasamazedthatsuchapoor
forgerwasstillinbusiness.
‘Wedidn’tknowanyone
elseandhetoldusyouwere
probablyinWeir,sowe
thoughtwe’dcomeandfind
you,’hesaidwithadrunken
grinwhich,forsomereason,
madeRhamJasirrationally
annoyed.
‘Youthoughtyou’dcome
andfindme?UsingtheKirin
run,aroutethetwoofyou
arespectacularlyunsuitedto
travel?’heaskedwiththe
toneofadisapprovingparent.
Jennerretchedacoupleof
timesandheldhishands
againsthishead,rubbinghis
temples.‘What’sgoingon?’
heaskedvaguely.‘Arewe
beingrobbed?’
Kohlilookedacrossathis
drunkenbrotherandsmiled.
‘Gotosleep,Jenner,we
haven’tbeenrobbed.Rham
Jasishere.’
ThetwoKaresianshadthe
deeplybloodshoteyesofmen
whodrinktoexcessandeach
wasthin,withfraillimbsand
blotchyskin.Thelasttime
RhamJashadseenthem,
they’dbeencelebratingtheir
twenty-fifthbirthdaysinRo
Weir.Theyearthathad
passedsincethenhadnot
beenkindtothebrothers.
Theirclotheswerepoorand
travel-stained,andtheir
belongingsconsistedmostly
ofwine.RhamJascouldn’t
seeanyweaponsandneither
wasinanyconditionto
defendhimselfifattacked.
Jennerstraightenedand
said,‘RhamJas,excellent.
WetoldHasimthatwe’dfind
him.That’s,that’sreally
good.’Thelastfewwords
weresaidwithadopeygrin
andJennertoppledoverwhen
he’dfinishedspeaking.
Bromdirectedaquizzical
lookatthenowunconscious
formofJenner.RhamJas
raisedhiseyebrowsand
steppedinfrontofKohli,
whowasswaying
contentedly.
‘What’shetalkingabout?’
RhamJasasked,pointingat
Jenner.
‘WewereinRoCanarn
withHasim,’Kohlisaid,asif
itwerethemostnormalthing
intheworld.
Bromnearlydroppedhis
swordasheclumsilymoved
acrossthesmallcampand
kneltdowninfrontofthe
swayingKaresiansmuggler.
Holdingthemanbythe
shoulders,hedemanded,
‘When?’
‘Weleftabouttwoweeks
ago,justafterHasimgot
capturedbytheRedknights.’
Kohli’seyesbecame
unfocusedandRhamJas
guessedhe’dsoonpassout
fromthewine.
‘Whywereyouthere…
whywasHasimthere?’Brom
tumbledoverthewordsashe
triedtofindoutwhatthe
drunkenmanknew.
‘Easy,Brom,hewon’tbe
muchuseuntilhe’ssober.’
RhamJaswasalmostas
interestedashisfriend,but
knewKohliwellenoughto
realizehewasunlikelyto
provecoherent.
Hiswordsappeared
prophetic,asKohlicollapsed
forwardsintoBrom’sarms,
hiseyesglazingoveranda
foamofvomitappearingat
hismouth.
‘Wakeup,youfucking
shit-stain,’shoutedBromat
theunconsciousman.
RhamJaslethisfriend
shoutracialinsultsatKohli
forafewminutes.Hethought
that,sincehe’ddeniedBrom
thechanceofkillingthe
bandits,heshouldatleast
allowhimtoscreamata
drunkensmuggler.TheKirin
assassinsimplysheathedhis
katana,retrievedhislongbow,
andsatdownbythefire.
KohliandJennerwere
humanrefuse–menwho
wereusefulifyouneeded
somethingdonequietly,but
otherwiseRhamJasdespised
them.Theyhadnocause
beyondmoney–andwine–
andtheironlyloyaltylaywith
whoevergavethemcoin.AlHasimhadoftentriedto
defendthem,tellingRham
Jasthattheyweresimplymen
outsidethelawwhohatedthe
Ro.Thismightbetrue,but
theywerestillannoying
drunkardswithfew
discernibletalents.
AfterafewminutesBrom
slumpeddownontheuneven
ground.Hedidn’tlookaway
fromthetwounconscious
Karesiansandwaspanting
rapidly,clenchingand
unclenchinghisfists.Rham
JastookabottleofKohli’s
wineandpulledoutthecork
withhisteeth.Itwasof
decentqualityandhetooka
deepswigbeforepassingitto
hisfriend.
‘Ihatethis…’Bromsaid
darkly.
RhamJasknewwhathe
meant,butaskedanyway.
‘Whatdoyouhate?’
‘Allthis,’hesaid,pointing
toKohliandJennerandthen
gesturingaroundtothethinly
spacedtreesoftheKirinrun.
‘Thethieves,therunning,the
death…theclerics,allofit.’
RhamJasnoddedand
realizedthatanyresidual
excitementBrommighthave
feltabouttheitinerant
lifestylewasrapidlywearing
off.TheyounglordofCanarn
hadspentmuchofhislife
withRhamJas,Magnusand
Hasim,andhadessentially
livedthelifeofacriminal–
travelling,causingtrouble
andhavingagoodtime.But
thiswasdifferent.Brom
finallyknewwhysomemen
hadtolivethislife.Before,
he’dbeendoingitfrom
choice,fortheadventureor
justsoastospendtimewith
hisunlikelyfriends.Nowhe
wasnamedtotheBlack
Guard,wantedbytheclerics,
andwithashattered
homeland.
‘Yougetusedtoit,my
friend,’RhamJasreplied
gently.
‘Idon’tthinkIwanttoget
usedtoit.’Bromshifted
himselfaroundandkicked
Kohlioffhisbedroll.Taking
aswigofwine,helayonhis
back,lookingupatthethin
canopyofbranchesabove.
‘Justbepatient,these
idiotswillwakeupinafew
hoursandtheycantellyou
everything.’
RhamJas,too,was
surprisedtohearthatAlHasimhadbeeninRo
Canarn.Thelasthe’dknown,
theKaresianscoundrelhad
beeninFredericksand,
enjoyingAlgenonTeardrop’s
hospitality.
‘WhywouldHasimbe
there?’Bromasked,not
expectingananswer.
‘Notsure,butatleastwe
mayfindoutwhetheryour
sisterisstillalive.’RhamJas
wasspeakingquietlyandnot
pushingBromanymore.
RhamJasknewthesignsand
couldseehisfriendwasclose
totheedge.Allheneeded
wasforsomethingelsebador
frustratingtohappenandhe’d
havesomekindof
breakdown.
‘Tryandgetsomesleep,
Brom,allthesequestionswill
waituntiltomorrow.’
***
RhamJasdidn’tsleepatall.
Hesatinthesameposition
forseveralhours,whileBrom
slowlydriftedoffintoafitful
slumber.ThentheKirin
decidedtogoforawalkin
thewoods.
Alittlemoonlightshone
throughthetrees,butthethin
forestwasotherwisedarkand
RhamJasghostedthroughthe
woods,makingnosound.He
didn’treallyknowhowhe
hadfoundhimselfinthis
situation,accompanyinga
BlackGuardtoawalledcity
occupiedbyRedknights.
Despitehisskillandbravado,
RhamJaswasmostly
concernedtobeleftaloneto
livehislifeandnotto
becomeinvolvedinsuch
foolishendeavours.
Bromknewvirtually
nothingaboutwhathad
happenedinRoCanarn,other
thanthecertaindeathofhis
father,andRhamJas
wonderedifanythingthe
drunkenKaresianswould
havetosaywouldlessenthe
younglord’sanger.
EPILOGUE
Bronwynhuddledascloseas
possibletothesoft,mossy
treetrunk.Thecanopyabove
shelteredherfromtheworst
oftherain,butfrequentdrips,
enoughtopreventher
sleeping,keptfindingtheir
waythroughthebranches.
Shewasfarenoughfrom
theroadanddeepenough
withinthesmallwoodtofeel
moderatelysafefrom
discovery,buttheweather
andtheneedtosleeprough
hadsouredtheyoung
noblewoman’sdispositionto
apointwhereshealmost
wishedforcapture.Atleasta
gaolcellinCanarnwouldbe
outoftheweather.
She’dseennosignof
pursuit,thoughshewassure
knightswouldhavebeensent
afterher,andhadfocusedon
theadvicegivenherbyAlHasim.He’dtoldhertoturn
duewestattheblastedtree
andcontactWraithCompany
intheruinsofRoHail.
Whetherthatwaswisdomor
desperationdidn’treally
matter–eitherway,Bronwyn
wasgettingfurtherfrom
homeandgrowingmore
miserablewitheachstep.
Asthedarknessgrewand
themoonlightwasobscured
bybranches,Bronwynof
Canarndriftedintoarestless
sleep.
Herdreamswhengrowing
uphadalwaysbeencuriously
vivid,andfrequentlyshared
byhertwinbrother.Their
fatherusedtosaythat
BromvyandBronwynwere
boundbymorethansimply
theirblood,andthatBrytag
theWorldRavenallowed
themtoexperienceeach
other’sworriesandfears.
Whetherthatwasjustanold
man’sstoryoratrue
reflectionofthetwins’bond
wasnotclear,butshehadfelt
bettereverytimeshehad
sharedadreamwithher
brother.
Shefoundherselfviewing
RoCanarnfromabove,a
lumpofstoneandsmoke
perchedonalowcliffside
andbatteredbywaves.Itwas
darkandlifeless,with
individualbuildings
impossibletodiscern,though
thetoweroftheWorldRaven
actedasalighthouseofsorts
forherdreaming
consciousness.
Assheplummetedfurther
down,thesoundofthesea
growingtoaroarandthe
darkstonegainingtexture,
shesawpeopleinthestreets
ofherhome.Thefigures
werearmoured,thoughnone
worethetabardofCanarn–a
ravenwithtalonsbared–and
mostwereevidently
foreigners.Theypatrolledthe
emptystreets,betweenruined
buildingsofwoodandstone,
theireyeswaryandtheir
weaponsready.
Bronwynfoundherselfat
streetlevel,driftingbetween
mercenariesandknights,
tryingtogetherbearings.Ifit
weren’tfortheWorldRaven
shiningoverhead,shethought
shewouldeasilyhave
becomelost,forCanarnhad
changed.Itwasnolonger
vibrantandfriendly–those
thingswereforapeacefuland
stablepopulation–instead,it
wasdarkandbrooding,and
shethoughtitowedits
continuedexistenceto
stubbornness:the
stubbornnessofBrother
Lanrydeterminedtokeephis
chapelsafeandthe
populationalive;the
stubbornnessofFather
Magnus,whorefusedtobe
cowedbyRillion;and,most
ofall,thestubbornnessof
Bronwynandherbrother,
whowerebothstillfree.
Theentrancetothekeep
wasstainedwithbloodand
sherememberedthedesperate
fighttoholdthedrawbridge.
Dozensofmenhaddied,
standingtheirgroundagainst
theknightsoftheRed.Even
now,astackofcrossbows,
swordsandshieldswaspiled
nexttothedrawbridge.Each
itemboretheravenofCanarn
–theheraldrymost
prominentontheshields–
butmosthadswordcutsand
puncturemarkswhich
defacedtheimageofBrytag.
Thecentralsquarewas
muchassherememberedit
fromherflightwithAlHasim,thoughthefuneral
pyreshadnowreducedto
embersandthecorralled
populationhadbeenallowed
sanctuaryintheBrown
chapel.
Ifshe’dbeenawake,
Bronwynknewshewouldbe
reducedtotears.Asitwas,
sheallowedherdreamto
remindherofwhyshemust
remainfree.
‘Thisisn’ttheendofthe
tale.’Thevoicewasfamiliar.
Sheletherselfturnand
identifiedthespeakerasher
brother,Bromvy,standing
nexttothedrawbridge.
‘Itseemsliketheend,’she
replied.
Bromworehisarmourof
steel-reinforcedleatherand
hisswordwassheathed.He
wasdressedashehadbeen
themorningheleftforRo
Tiris,shortlybeforethe
assault,andBronwynwas
gladtoseehim.
‘Areyoudreamingas
well,brother?’sheasked.
Helookedupwardsand
smiledatthetowerofthe
WorldRaven.‘Itwould
appearso.’
‘Fatherisdead.’Bronwyn
spokeplainly.‘Thatmakes
youthedukeofCanarn.’
Brombowedhishead.‘I
don’tfeellikeaduke.Ifeel
likeacriminal…andmy
back’ssorefromsleeping
rough.’
‘Butyouaresafe?’she
pressed.
‘Afterafashion.I’mstill
alive…andIplantoremain
so.’
Shewishedthatshecould
flingherarmsaroundhis
neckandcrylongandhard
intohisshoulder.Shewished
thatherdreamwouldallow
hertogrieve,toweep,even
tofeelvulnerablefora
moment,butallshecoulddo
waslookathim.
‘Andyou?’heasked.
‘Pleasetellmeyou’renotthe
trophywifeofsome
mercenary.’
Amomentofsilence,
beforelaughtererupted
suddenlyfrombothofthem.
‘Thankyouformakinga
joke,’Bronwynsaidwearily.
Theireyeswereboth
drawntotheWorldRaven,
lookingdownonthem.The
towerwasanunassuming
structure,withasmallstatue
ofBrytag,wingsspreadand
talonsbared,perchedonaflat
plinthhighabove.Intheir
dream,thetowerwastaller,
itslinesstarkeragainstthe
darkgreysandbrownsofRo
Canarn,andBrytaghimself
wasmuchlarger,looming
overhistowntolookdownat
thetwins.
‘Arewereallydreaming?’
askedBronwyn,notsure
whethertoaddressthequery
toBromortotheWorld
Raven.
‘Hewantsusbothtosee
something,’repliedBrom.
‘Fatheralwayssaidthat
Brytagwasfondoftwins.’
Theyweredrawntowards
thekeep,theirfeetbarely
touchingthebloodstained
cobbledstreets.Bronwynfelt
noseabreezeandnocold
touchedherlimbs,making
thecityofherbirthfeelalien
andfar-off.Herbrother
glidednexttoherandthe
twinsemergedintothe
centralkeepofCanarn,a
squarecourtyardframedby
highstonewalls.Thearea
wasdominatedbycooking
firesandstowedweaponry,as
knightsoftheRedcampedon
thecoldstone.
‘Bronwyn,’saidBrom,
pointingintotheshadowy
courtyard,‘doyouseethose
shapes?’
Shedirectedhereyes
wherehepointedandsawa
numberofstrange,indistinct
figuresmovingaroundthe
edgesofthekeep.They
movedwithinhumangrace
andwieldedleaf-shaped
knives.Sheperceivedthatthe
knightshadnotseenthem
andsomethingabouttheir
presencewascomfortingand
strangelyalien.
‘Iseethem,’shereplied,
‘butIdon’tknowwhat…
whotheyare.’
Thescenefrozeandthe
twinstriedtogetaclearlook
attheshadowyfigures,only
tobedeniedbyarapid
movementthatwhiskedthem
awayfromthekeepand
towardstheBrownchapel.It
wasclearthatthisdream,if
thatwerewhatitwas,was
beingdirectedbyaforcethey
couldn’ttrulyunderstand.
Thechapelwas
unmolested,thoughthe
greenerythatusedto
surrounditwasnowmud,
trampledbypatrolling
mercenaries.Theyjokedand
cursed,waitingfortheorder
toclearthechapel–anorder
thatwouldhopefullynever
come.Bronwynknew,from
thetimeshe’dspentin
Canarnafterthebattle,that
CommanderRillionwas
reluctanttodefilethehumble
Brownchapel.
Bromlookedatthemen,
hishandstwitchingwith
angerandadeep-seated
desiretodrawhisswordand
killtheseinvaders.Hisanger
wasdifferentfrom
Bronwyn’s,itcamefroma
senseofdutyimpartedby
theirfather.Hewastheduke
andhishonourwouldforever
belinkedtoRoCanarn.He
couldliveasoneoftheBlack
Guard,orhecouldretakehis
city–therecouldbenoinbetween.
‘Settle,brother.Brytag
isn’tshowingusthisto
increaseouranger.’Sheagain
wishedshecouldreachoutto
touchBrom.
‘IwishIcouldturnit
off…justforawhile,butI
can’tseebeyondtherage.’A
tearappearedatthecornerof
hiseye.‘IhopeLanryisstill
alive.’
‘Letussee,’replied
Bronwyn.
Theymovedsmoothly
overthemudandpastthe
mercenaries.Thechapelwas
largeenoughtohousemany
people–butitwasnota
tavern,andthoseinsidecould
hopeonlyforshelter,notfor
comfort.
Thescenewithinmade
Bronwyngasp.Theseatshad
beenshovedtothesidesof
thenaveandintheirplacelay
ahundredhastilylaid
bedrolls,occupiedby
quiveringbodies.Therewere
fewlightsandafigure,robed
inbrown,hunchedhiswayto
eachpersoninturn,usinga
globedcandletominister
healing.Somewoundswere
minor,bruisesandcuts,but
manyofthecommoners
withinhadseriousinjuries
andmissinglimbs.
‘Theknightshaven’t
allowedthemproperhealing,’
saidBrom,lettinghistearfilledeyesplayoverthe
gruesomescene.
Gatheredaroundthe
humbleBrownaltarwere
uninjuredcitizensofCanarn,
andthestaircaseleading
downshowedthatmanymore
wereresidentinthechapel’s
undercroft.
‘Thisisn’twar…Idon’t
knowwhatitis.’Bromno
longerlookedangry.Instead,
hiseyesweredowncastand
hishandshook.
Fivethousandpeoplehad
livedinRoCanarn,with
manymoreinthe
surroundingfarmlands.The
survivors,huddledinthe
Brownchapel,numbered
fewerthanfivehundred.
Bronwynhopedthatmore
hadsurvivedthebattleand
werehiddenelsewhereinthe
town,buttheknightshad
donetheirworkwell.
Thebrown-robedfigure
lookedup.BrotherLanrywas
anoldman,butheappeared
evenolderintheminimal
candlelight,thelinesonhis
facedeeperandthepainin
hiseyesmorepronounced.
Foramoment,Bronwyn
thoughthesawthem,butshe
knewthatwasn’tpossible.
Thesoundofaraven
callingjoltedboththetwins
awayfromthechapel.
***
Bromwokesuddenly,light
raincaressinghisneck.The
faceofhissisterandthe
callingofBrytagfadedonly
slowly,andtheBlackGuard
satinamomentofquiet
remembrance.
Abovehimweretrees,
nexttohimtheunconscious
Karesiancriminalsandhis
friend,RhamJasRami.
Somewheretothenorth,over
thesea,andoccupiedby
knightsandmercenaries,was
hishome.Asheblinkedhis
eyestofocusinthemorning
gloomoftheKirinrun,Lord
BromvyBlackGuardof
Canarndecidedthathewould
notyield,hewouldnot
surrender.Hewouldnotstop
untilhispeoplewerefreeand
theOnehadpaidforwhathis
knightshaddone.
BOOK2
DAUGHTER
OFTHEWOLF
THETALEOFTHE
WATERGIANTS
Asgodsslowlyascendedand
empiresofmightandterror
wereformed,theGiantsdid
waruponeachother.
Thebattlegroundsofair,
fire,earthandwaterwere
joinedbyshadow,forest,dust
andvoiduntilallthelandwas
broken.Allianceswere
formed,Giantsfell,andthe
warsragedlongerthanthe
understandingofmortalmen.
EachGiantsawhimselfa
godandeachgodgrewstrong
ordied,fallingtothe
inexorablepassageofDeep
Time.
TheWaterGiants,more
alienthanmost,foughtwith
maligncunningandchosethe
IceGiantsastheirchieffoe,
doingwaruponthemas
mountainsroseandtheland
changedshape.
Asagespassedand
Rowanocoascendedtothe
icehallsbeyondtheworld,
theWaterGiantssensedthat
theirendwasnear.Their
race,whohadmissed
godhoodbyahair’sbreadth,
criedtearsofpainandtheir
tearsbecametherollingseas
ofthenorth.Theirleaders,
thetwinGiantsIthqasand
Aqas,werefelledby
Rowanocohimselfandsent
tothebottomofthedeepest
seastognawonrockandfish.
Rowanocogaveno
thoughttohisfallenfoes,but
thetwinsremained,mindless
andprimal,swirlingendlessly
amidstthewaterytearsof
theirlong-deadkin.
PROLOGUE
TheBrownchapelofRo
Canarnwasneverawarmor
comfortingplace.Itwas
cheaptobuild,cheapto
maintain,andpossessedfew
accoutrementsofwealthor
prosperity.Itwastheonly
buildingofworshipinthe
cityand,assuch,waslarge
andfunctional.Ithadalso
beenthehomeofBrother
Lanryformanyyears,though
itwascurrentlymuchmore
crowdedthanithadever
been.
Thepopulationofthecity
–thosewhohadnotbeen
imprisonedormurderedby
theknightsoftheRedand
theirmercenaryallies–had
soughtrefugeintheonly
buildingthateventhe
invadersrefusedtoviolate.
Lanrywasgladthatsome
thingswerestillsacredand
theknightshadlefthischapel
anditsseveralhundrednew
inhabitantsalone.They’d
stationedguardsoutsideand
takencarefulnoteofthe
familiesthatshelteredwithin,
buthadnotsoughtentrance
orquestionedtheclericof
poverty’smotivesinallowing
thecommonfolksanctuary.
‘BrotherLanry,’saida
child’svoicenexttotheold
cleric.
‘Yes,Rodgar,’hereplied
withanaffectionatesmile.
‘Whencanwegohome?
Thestonefloorishurtingmy
mum’sfeet.’Theladwasno
morethansixyearsoldand
hadnotfullygraspedwhat
wasoccurringinhishome
city.
Eithersideoftheold
clericwerearoundadozen
children,rangingfrom
youngsterswhocouldbarely
talktoyoungteenagers.
Manyoftheirparentswere
eitherdeadorcaptive,and
Lanrywouldtellthechildren
storiestokeepthemamused.
TheotheradultsintheBrown
chapelweredoingtheirbest
aswell,butLanryhada
peacefulandfatherlyquality
thathelpedrelaxtheyounger
citizensofRoCanarn.
‘You’llbehomeinno
timeatall,mydearboy,’he
replied,‘andyourmothercan
putherfeetupinfrontofa
niceroaringfire.’
Aslightsneerfromoneof
theoldergirlsmadeitclear
thatnotallofthechildren
wereastrustingasyoung
Rodgar.Thegirl,whose
namewasLyssa,wasthe
childofablacksmith–aman
missing,presumeddead–and
she’ddevelopedahardand
uncaringedge.
‘I’msorry,youngLyssa,’
saidLanrytenderly.‘Weall
needdifferentkindsof
encouragement.’
‘We’llneverbeabletogo
home,’shereplied,folding
herarmsandglaringatthe
oldcleric.‘We’llbeslaves…
orworse.’
‘Now,that’senough,’said
Lanry,bywayofagentle
reprimand.
Rodgarsatupalittleand
lookedatLyssawithinnocent
eyes.‘ButLordBromvyand
LadyBronwynarestillalive.
Theywon’tletussuffer…
isn’tthatright,Brother
Lanry?’
‘That’sright,mylad.’The
clericruffledRodgar’shair
andsmiled.‘Thehouseof
Canarnwillnotabandonits
people.’Hethoughtfora
moment.‘HaveItoldyou
childrenthestoryofLord
BullvyandLadyBrunhilde?’
Afewshooktheirheads.
Theyoungerchildrenlooked
upatLanry,eagerlywanting
astory,whiletheteenagers
rolledtheireyes.TheBrown
clerichadremained
stubbornlyoptimisticandso
farhadchosenserenelyto
ignorethecynicismthat
surroundedhim.Thishad
becomeharderasthedaysof
occupationhadturnedinto
weeks,buthewasdetermined
toactasDukeHectorwould
havewanted.
‘LordBullvywasthefirst
dukeofRoCanarn.Avery
longtimeago,twohundred
yearsatleast,thekingofTor
FunweirruledtheFreelands
ofRanen.Doesanyoneknow
whattheFreelandswere
calledinthosedays?’
‘TorRanen?’answered
Rodgar.
‘That’sright,lad,Tor
Ranen.’Lanrykeptsmiling.
‘Thingswereneverpeaceful,
though,andthemenofRanen
didn’tlikebeingruled…
freedomisveryimportantto
thechildrenofRowanoco.
‘TheRanenwere
organizedintoworkgangsby
thePurpleand,oncethey
rebelled,thosegangsbecame
thefirstFreeCompaniesand
foughtbackhard.’
Afewoftheteenagershad
softerfacesnowandwere
listeningtotheoldcleric’s
story.
‘IbetthePurpledidn’t
likethat,’saidLyssa,
thinkingshewasbeing
clever.
‘No,no,theydidnot,’
repliedLanry.‘They
massacredhundredsofRanen
andcalledontheknightsof
theRedtokilltherest.Many
lordsofRowenttofight,
seekinghonourorglory,and
theRanencouldneverwin.’
Rodgarandtheyounger
childrenwereenjoyingthe
tale,especiallythebitsthat
involvedbloodanddeath.
Lanryoccasionallylamented
thatsomanystorieswere
stainedinbloodandthathe
knewsofewtalesofloveand
peace.
‘LordBullvyandhistwin
sisterwereminornoblesfrom
Hunter’sCrossandwentto
warwhentheywerecalled
upon.’
Lyssayawnedtheatrically,
causingseveraloftheother
girlstogiggle.Lanryjoined
inthelaughandwasgladof
thejollity,evenifhewasthe
buttofthejoke.
‘Thestorydoesgetmore
exciting,Iassureyou,’said
theclericwithachuckle.
‘JustwhenRanenwasa
breathawayfrombeing
reconquered,theclericsand
knightsbegantofeelacold
windblowfromthenorthand
thebattle-brothersofFjorlan
joinedthefight.Theirdragon
shipslandedallalongthe
coast,theirberserkersflooded
outoftheDeepCrossand
theirpriestsandwarriors
threwdownthebannersof
theOne.’
Lyssasnortedatthestory.
‘Howcouldtheybeatthe
knights?’sheasked,asifno
forcecouldstandagainstthe
OneGod’saspectofwar.
‘Theywerestronger,I
suppose,’repliedLanry.‘It
suitsthearroganceoftheRed
toimaginetheyare
unstoppable…therealityis
opentoquestion,itwould
seem.
‘Anyway,wherewasI?’
Theoldclericfoundhis
memoryfalteringalittle.‘Ah,
yes,theRedknightswere
forcedtoretreatfromthe
rampagingFjorlanders.They
abandonedRoHail,leaving
onlyaminornobleandhis
sistertoholdthetownagainst
thousandsofRanen.’
‘AndthatwasLord
Bullvy?’askedRodgar
eagerly.
Lanrynodded.‘Heandhis
twinsister,awomanwho
couldshootthelegsfroma
Gorlanatahundredpaces,
refusedtosurrender.They
heldRoHailforthirtydays
withbarelyahundredmen.
Onthethirty-firstday,a
priestofBrytagtheWorld
Ravenarrivedatthesiegeand
stoppedtheRanenattacking.
Brytaghasafondnessfor
twins,yousee,andthepriest
demandedtheybegivensafe
passagetoRoCanarn.’
‘Theywerespared?’asked
Rodgar,bitingonhis
thumbnails.
‘Theywere.TheRanen
escortedthemalltheway
southandtreatedthemwith
highhonours.Theclericsand
knightshadpulledbacktoRo
Tirisandleftthetwinsand
theirmentoholdCanarn.The
Ranenwouldn’tattackthe
citywhileBullvyand
Brunhildewerethere,sothe
kinghadnochoicebutto
namehimduke.’
Itwasanoldtaleandone
thatLanryenjoyed
remembering.Hectorwas
descendedfromBullvy,a
manwhohadfoughtonlong
afterheshouldhave
surrenderedandwhohad
earnedtherespectofthe
Ranen.ThehouseofCanarn
hadbeenabastionofpeace
betweentheRoandthe
Ranenfortwohundredyears,
witheachsuccessiveduke
strengtheningthetruce.
WhetherBrytag,theslyold
RavenofRowanoco,had
knownofBullvyand
Brunhilde’simportance,orif
hejustlikedtwins,Lanry
didn’tknow.Eitherway,the
peacehadbeenhardfought,
andtheoldclerichopedit
hadnotyetended.
Rodgarclappedhishands
excitedly.‘Brytagwilllook
afterLordBromvy,won’the?
AndLadyBronwyn…they’ll
bothbeokay,won’tthey?’
‘Ialwaystrytoputmy
faithintheOne,but,asIsaid,
theWorldRavenisfondof
twins.Brytagbelievesthat
luckandwisdomarethesame
thingintheend,andHector’s
childrenseemtohaveboth.’
Therewasstillmuchwork
tobedone–manypeopleto
behealedandcaredfor,and
manymorestorieshe’dneed
totell,butfornowhefelt
better.Ifafewwordsfroman
oldBrownclericcouldhelp
calmthechildren,maybe
theirsituationwasn’t
hopelessafterall.
PART1
CHAPTER1
LADYBRONWYN
INTHERUINSOF
ROHAIL
Ithadstartedrainingwithina
fewhoursofBronwyn’s
escapefromCanarnandhad
notstoppedfortwoweeks.
Herhorse,alarge,sadlookingworkanimaltaken
fromadiscardedsupplycart,
hadshownhisdispleasureat
therainandhaddecidednot
tomoveanyfurther.
Shehadstoppedonthe
edgeofaclusteroftrees,too
smalltobecalledaforestand
toowidelyspacedtoafford
muchshelter,butthehorse
washappierwithafew
branchestohideunder.
Bronwynsat,leaningagainst
atreetrunkwithhercloak
pulledtightlyaroundher.She
feltnoguiltathaving
acquiredthehorseand
supplies–afterall,thebeast
wouldhavediedwithnoone
totendit–butshedidfeel
sadnessforthedeadmen
fromwhomshehadtakenthe
clothing.Shedidn’tknow
theirnames,orwhytheyhad
fought,buttheyhadallbeen
hackedapartwithlongswords
andleftbytheroad.The
knightsoftheRedhadkilled
indiscriminatelyanditwas
possiblethatthedeadmen
hadjustbeencommonfolk.
She’dtakentrousers,
boots,acloakanda
crossbow.Therehadbeenno
armourtospeakof,buta
heavyleatherwaistcoatwas
sturdyenoughtobeagood
substitute.Thedressshe’d
escapedinhadbeentorn
aroundthewaistandnow
servedasalightvest,withthe
restofthefabricfashioned
intoahoodofsorts.The
bloodstainsthatremained
wouldserveBronwynasa
reminderofwhathad
happenedtogetheroutofthe
city.ShethoughtthatAlHasimwouldprobablyhave
beenkilledorcaptured,and
thatFatherMagnuswould
stillbeinacell.
Shewouldnotadmit,even
toherself,thatshehadlittle
hope.Bronwynwasstubborn
andhadlearnedfromher
fatherthatsurrenderwasa
poorsubstitutefordeath.She
hadn’tactuallyseenhimdie,
thoughtheRedknights
blockingherviewhaddone
littletomaskwhathad
happened.
Hewasdead.Herfather,
DukeHectorofCanarn,had
beenbeheadedbyRed
knights.Thisfacthadkept
hergoingintotheendless
GrassSealongaftershehad
wantedtogiveup.
Shehadtakenplentyof
supplies,butdriedbread,fruit
andporridgewouldonlyget
hersofar.Shehadreached
theblastedtreeafteraweek
andhadtravelledwestfor
anotherweek,buthadnotyet
seentheruinsofRoHailand
onlyhadAl-Hasim’sword
thatthedirectionswere
correct.She’dhadample
opportunitytoimproveher
skillwiththecrossbowshe’d
acquired,andshewasnow
abletohitrabbitsandother
game.Sofar,however,she’d
beenloathtomakeafireof
sufficientsizetocookthem
properly.Porridgeneeded
onlyasmallflameandabit
ofrainwater,butcooking
meatmightwellalertanyone
whowaspursuingher.
She’dseensmallnestsof
Gorlanspidersthroughoutthe
twoweeksshe’dbeen
travellingbuthadnotquite
summonedthecourageto
snareone.Al-Hasimhadtold
herseveraltimesthatin
KaresiafriedGorlanlegs
wereadelicacy.However,
thesizeandferocityofthe
bloatedarachnidswasenough
toputheroffapproachinga
nest.Eveninthesmallwood
shewasshelteringinthere
werecobwebs,andshe
guessedthattheGorlan
claimedmuchofthe
southlandsofRanenastheir
huntinggrounds.
Bronwynfeltadropof
rainhitthebackofherneck
andsheshivered
uncomfortablyasitmadeits
wayinsidehercloak.She’d
sleptroughbefore;many
timesinherlifeshe’dcamped
outwithBromvy,andthey’d
bothenjoyedthefeelingof
freedomthattheopen
expanseoftheGrassSea
gavethem.Thiswas
different,though.Shedidn’t
haveatent,orachangeof
clothes,orherbrothertokeep
herspiritsup,andtheonly
thingshehadtofocusonwas
tostayatlibertyandgetto
theruinsofRoHail.Even
thatwasonlythevaguestof
goalsandshehadnoidea
whatshewoulddoifshedid
actuallymanagetomake
contactwithWraith
Company.
Theabilityofmenlike
BromandHasimtostay
cheerfulinthefaceofdespair
wasatrickshe’dnever
learned.Hermotherhad
offeredfewwordsofwisdom
onthesubject.MarlenaofDu
Banhadnotbeenalovingor
attentivemother.She’ddied
whenBronwynandher
brotherwerebarelytenyears
old,butshe’dspokenofa
woman’sdutyasifshe
believeditwastheonething
shehadtoofferherdaughter.
Theplaceofthe
noblewomenofRoisto
supportthenoblemenandto
remainsilent,she’dsaid.
Theymustshowtheir
emotionsandneverforget
thattheyarethegentle
counterpointtothewarrior
menofTorFunweir.
Bronwynhaddislikedthis
adviceandhadneverreally
acceptedthatherplacewas
dictatedbybirthandgender.
However,despitehersword
andcrossbow,shefeltalone
andvulnerable.
Astheskybeganto
darken,Bronwynlether
eyelidsdroopandshe
suddenlyfeltexhausted.The
adrenalinthathadkepther
goingsincesheleftherhome
hadsteadilydwindledaway
andnowallshefeltwastired.
Herhorsewaswhinnying
quietlyanddirectedaglareat
Bronwyn,asiftoremindher
howmuchhedislikedthewet
weather.She’dfedhimsome
ofthebaleofstrawshe’d
recoveredfromthewagon
andhopedhe’dallowhera
fewhours’sleep.
Asshesettledbackagainst
thetrunkofatreeandtriedto
achieveadegreeofcomfort,
thehorserearedhisheadand
madealoudwheezingsound,
sprayingspittlefromhis
mouth.Hisnostrilswere
twitchingandthewayhis
hoovespawedatthemuddy
earthmadeBronwynsitup.
Thehorsehadcaughtthe
whiffofsomethingonthe
windand,thoughBronwyn
wasnotanexperienced
tracker,sheknewenoughnot
toignorethekeenersensesof
hermount.
Shepulledherhoodup
overherheadandscannedthe
horizontothesouth.The
GrassSeawasavast,open
plain,dottedwithsmall
farmsteads,woodsandhills.
She’dbeencarefultostayoff
themainroutenorthandhad
avoidedsettlementsandthe
better-travelledareas.The
southernplainsseemedto
stretchforever,withonlythe
cityofRoCanarnandthesea
toendtheemptiness.
Thehorsebecamemore
agitated.Bronwynpickedup
hercrossbowwithshivering
hands,carefullyplacedabolt,
andpulledbackonthe
drawstring.Sheglancedto
thewestandhopedthatRo
HailwasnearbyasAl-Hasim
hadledhertobelieve,though
itofferednoguaranteeof
safety.
Thensheheardasound.It
wasdistantandindistinct,but
itmadeBronwynstandand
starttopackupherthings,
readytomoveifneedbe.
Somewherealongthe
southernhorizon,beneatha
rapidlydarkeningskyand
relentlessrainclouds,shewas
sureshecouldhearthe
movementofhorses.There
wasalowaccompanimentto
thenoise,reminiscentofthe
soundofarmouredmen.She
knewthatthefarmersofthe
duchywouldnotbesoattired
andbegantofeel
apprehension.
Shewrappedupher
bedrollandfastenedittoher
saddle.Hershortswordwas
athersideassheplacedthe
strawanddriedrationsback
inthesaddlebagandtooka
firmholdonthereins.
Shewaited,standing
behindtheanimal,withher
crossbowpointingsouth,
restingacrossthesaddle.A
fewtensemomentspassed
withthesoundof
approachinghorsesgrowing
involumeuntilasmall
companyofmencameinto
view.Theyrodeslowlyand
lookedtobefindingthegoing
difficult,weavingleftand
righttoavoidtheboggy
groundunderfoot.
Bronwynbeganbreathing
heavilyasshesawthedark
redcloakstheriderswore,the
soundofmetalonmetalnow
indicatingthatthemenwere
heavilyarmoured.Theywere
knightsoftheRed,some
twentyofthem,althoughshe
wastoofarawaytomakeout
theirfaces.Sheclenchedher
fistsandtriedtocalmherself
asshebackedawayfromthe
treeline.Theywerestillfar
off,movingslowly,andhad
probablynotseenher.She
placedahandacrossthe
horse’snose,gently
encouraginghimtoremain
silentasshebegantolead
himbackintothetrees.The
horsecompliedandthey
madetheirwayintothesmall
wood.Bronwynthoughtthe
menweremostprobably
lookingforher,but,given
thattheyweremovingslowly
andmakingnoeffortto
remainhidden,sheguessed
thattheydidnotthinkshe
wassoclose.
Leadingthehorsethrough
thetrees,sheglancedbackto
thesouthandwasgratified
thatshecouldnolongersee
theknightsthroughthewood.
Therainwasnowheavierand
madethegroundtreacherous
asshetriedtoleadthehorse
downasteepincline.He
buckedathersharply,nearly
causinghertoloseher
footingandslidedownthe
smallhill,butsheheldthe
reinsfirmlyandslowly
coaxedtheanimaldownthe
slope.
Ashallowstreamran
alongthebaseandthesound
ofrainhittingthewater
coveredthestubborn
complainingsoundsofher
mount.Shepulledhimdown
intothestreamand,stepping
onrocksandthenarrow
muddybanks,turnedtothe
westandmovedthroughthe
woodasquicklyaspossible.
Shehopedthewesterntree
linewasoutofsightofthe
directionfromwhichthe
knightswereapproaching;
shecouldnolongerhear
them,butknewthey’dbe
movingdirectlytowardsher
position.Iftheyhadn’t
capturedHasim,shethought
theymightnotknowwhere
shewasheadingandthere
mightbeachanceofescape.
Bronwynnearlyfell
severaltimesassheledthe
horsethroughthenarrow
streamand,afterafew
minutes,shecouldseethe
westernedgeofthesmall
wood.Thehorsewasstill
complaining,andnowthat
therewasnorealtreecoverto
keepthemoutoftherain,
bothhorseandriderwere
soakingwet.
Shecoulddistantlyhear
thesoundofarmouredmen
movingslowlyacrossboggy
ground,butwasshielded
fromthembyblack,leafless
treetrunksandtheshallow
inclineshe’ddescendedto
reachthestream.Beyondthe
woodtothewest,Bronwyn
couldseelittlesavefora
sheetofrainandtheendless
GrassSea.
Thestreamcontinuedpast
thetreesandthesteepbank
turnedintoalowrocky
hillsidewithinafewfeet.If
shebrokecover,theknights
wouldprobablynotbeableto
seeherprovidedshe
remainedbehindthehill,and
shewashopefulthatRoHail
wasnearby,perhapsobscured
bytherain,thehillsandthe
approachingdarkness.
Bronwynbreathedindeeply,
tookafirmgripofthereins
andwalkedslowlytowards
thetreeline.Shewas
tentativeassheexitedthe
wood,restingonehandonthe
horse’snosetokeepitfrom
makingasound.She
proceededclosetotherocky
bank,walkingtothewestas
theraingrewevenharder.
Bronwynsquintedtosee
throughthegloom,wiping
rainwaterfromherfaceand
keepingacomfortinghandon
thehorse.Theanimalwas
grumpyandhisdarkbrown
eyesconveyedworldsof
anger.Shedecided,almost
absent-mindedly,togivehim
aname,callinghimMoody
underherbreathasshegently
strokedhisnose.
Therainmadea
considerablenoiseandshe
couldnolongerhearthe
knights.Shehopedshecould
simplyslipaway,leavingher
pursuersbehind,thoughher
optimismwastemperedwith
thefearofbeingcaughtand
brandedaBlackGuard.
Therainmadeitdifficult
toseefarahead,butasshe
leftthewoodbehindand
movedacrosstheGrassSea
shethoughtshesawabreak
inthecloudandbeneathit,
perhaps,shadowsindicatinga
structureofsomekind.Ifthe
ruinsofRoHailwereclose
by,Bronwyncouldperhaps
hideandmaybeevenfind
shelterfromtherain.She
pausedbrieflytolookback
andsawnosignsofthe
knights.Placingafootinthe
stirrupshedecideditwould
bewisetorideawayfromthe
wood,figuringthatshecould
movefasterandthatitmight
evenimproveMoody’s
disposition.Hewouldatleast
havesomethingelsetothink
aboutasshepulledherselfup
intothesaddleandduginher
heels.Shemovedforward,
slowlyatfirst,lettingthe
horsefindhisfeetonthe
unevenground.Attheheight
shesat,Bronwyncouldsee
overthebankandwas
gratifiedthatshecouldseeno
knightsoftheRed.
Suddenlyasoundfrom
abovemadeherlookup.A
shapeappearedthroughthe
gloom.Theman’smetal
armourmadeadistinctive
soundbuttherainhad
maskedhispresenceuntilhe
wasvirtuallyontopof
Bronwyn.Moodyrearedup
andsnorted,causingtheman
topullbackonhisownreins
andpeerdownintothe
darkness.
Bronwynfroze,therain
flowingdownoverherface
asshelookedupatthe
knight.Shecouldn’tbesure
ifhewaslookingbackather,
buthegesturedoverhis
shoulderandshouted,
‘Captain,Ibelievethereisa
rain-soakedgirlhidingunder
thebank.’
Thewordswerespoken
withamusementand
Bronwyndidn’tknowhowto
reactforamomentasshe
heardotherarmouredmen
approaching.
Asoundfrombehind
causedhertoturnandshe
sawtwoknightsoftheRed
movingswiftlydownthe
rockybankbehindher.
‘BronwynofCanarn…’
Thevoicecamefrombehind.
‘You’llbecomingwithus.’
Bronwynthoughtshe
recognizedthespeakerasSir
WilliamofVerellian.
Moreknightsappearedat
thetopofthebankand
Moodyrearedupagain,his
snortloudenoughtobeheard
overtherain.Bronwyndidn’t
waitformorethanasecond
beforesherammedherheels
intothehorse’sflanks.
Moodybegantorunforward
withBronwynclingingonto
hisneckashardasshecould.
Theknightsshoutedafter
herandshecouldclearlyhear
armouredmenmovingdown
thebankinpursuit.
‘Run,youmiserableold
horse,’sheshoutedto
Moody,asshepulledhim
awayfromthebankandlet
himstretchhislegsacrossthe
muddyground.
Sparingaglancebehind,
shesawshapesmoving
quicklytoassembleatthe
bottomofthebank.Shehad
stolenamarchonthemand
Moodywasabighorse,with
alongstride,enablinghimto
movequicklyawayfromher
pursuers.Thegroundwas
boggy,butMoodywas
unconcernedandBronwyn
eventhoughthewascheering
upattheopportunitytorun.
Holdingontight,shelooked
upthroughtherainandsaw
nothingbutadark,featureless
plain.Behind,thesoundof
theknightssuggestedthey
hadallmadeitdownthe
inclineandwerenowinfull
pursuit.
Ahead,adarkshape
loomedthroughthesheetof
rainandBronwynthought
shecouldmakeoutastone
structurealittlewayaheadof
her.PullingbackonMoody’s
reins,sherodehardtowards
thebuilding,hopingitwas
morethanjustalone
structure.Shealmostsmiled
asshesawotherbuildings
appearingthroughthegloom.
Thehorse’shoovesstruck
stoneandBronwynlooked
downtoseetheremnantsofa
road,partiallyobscuredby
mudandgrass.Moodyputon
aburstofspeedacrossthis
moreevengroundandthey
plungedintotherain-soaked
ruinsofRoHail.
Bronwynlookedupand
sawdark,moss-covered
brickwork.Shewasriding
towardsalowgatewaywitha
long-brokenwoodengate
hangingfromrustedhinges.
Crumblingbuildings
stretchedoutfromthe
gatehouseandtheremnants
ofbattlementscouldbeseen
above.
Bronwynhadneverbeen
thisfarnorthandhadonly
heardaboutRoHailin
stories.Asherhorseran
throughthegateway,she
rememberedherfathertelling
hertalesofthemenofRo
whohadheldthetownlong
aftertheRanenhaddefeated
theknightsoftheRed.Hail
wasthelasttowntofallwhen
theFreeCompaniesroseup
againsttheknightsandthe
defendershadfoughtwith
suchferocitythatWraith
Companyhadallowedthem
toreturntoCanarnunder
truce.
Toherperception,asshe
rodehardovertheuneven
cobbledstreets,itwas
nothingbutamoundofrocks
shapedroughlylikeatown.
Thebuildingshadlongago
fallenintoruinandfew
completestructurescouldbe
seen.Bronwynscannedthe
rain-soakedcourtyardfora
placetohideamidsttheruins.
Moodyhadhisownideas
abouttheirdestinationand
didn’tstoprunning,heading
towardsahalf-destroyed
buildingwithanintactroof.
Thehorseshookhishead,
sprayingwateroverthemosscoveredground,and
Bronwynquickly
dismounted.Shepulled
Moodyfurtherintothe
buildingandfoundadark
recessbeyondacollapsed
walltohidein.
Thesoundofarmoured
menandhorseswasnowloud
onthecobblesasVerellian
andhisknightsreachedthe
gatehouse.Theyslowedas
theyenteredthecourtyard,
andBronwynpeeredthrough
agapinthecrumbled
brickworktoseethemfanout
andstop.Shecountedtwenty
knightsandamanwho
lookedtobeaprisoner,
boundandgagged,hishorse
ledbyaknight.Astheycame
closer,shegaspedtoseethat
theprisonerwasAl-Hasim.
Shenotedafewwoundson
hisfaceandneck.Theywere
mostlyhealed,thoughthe
Karesianlookedasifhe
wouldhaveacoupleofnew
scars.Shewasgladtosee
himalive,butthoughtit
likelythathehadbeen
torturedtorevealher
location.
‘LadyBronwyn,youwill
notbeharmed,’shoutedSir
Verellian,‘butyouwillbe
comingwithus.’Henodded
tothemanathisleft.‘Fallon,
totheleft.Callis,takethe
right.Thesoonerwefindher,
thesoonerwecangetoutof
therain.’
‘Soit’scometothis,’said
themancalledFallon,
‘searchingforawomanina
fuckingpileofrocks.’
‘Enough,’shouted
Verellian.‘Let’sjustgetit
done.’
‘Captain,sir,shecouldbe
anywhere,’saidanotherman,
movingslowlytotheright
sideofthecourtyard.
‘Maybe,butthathorseshe
wasridingwouldstruggleto
hidearoundhere.’Verellian
kickedtheflanksofhisown
mountandadvancedintothe
ruinsatawalk.
Bronwynstrokedherhand
overMoody’snosetoquieten
him.Theyhidwithina
buildingthatmightoncehave
beenahouse,thoughnowit
waslittlemorethanawall
withtwohorizontalplatforms
toshowthatithadbeena
three-storeybuilding.The
insidewallwasmostlydebris
andBronwynknewthatifa
knightweretolookcloselyhe
wouldseeMoodynomatter
howquiethewas.
Asshehuggedthewall,
andtriedtogetherselfand
herhorseasdeepintothe
ruinedbuildingasshecould,
asoundfromthebattlements
abovealertedher.The
knightsclearlyheardittoo,
andallofthemwerelooking
warilyatthebrokencity
walls.Fromseveralhidden
locationsamongtheruins
menappeared,carrying
weaponsandwearingchain
mail.
ThesewereRanenmen,of
WraithCompany,protectors
oftheGrassSea.Allwore
darkbluecloaksandthey
cameonslowly,clearlynot
intendingsummarilytokill
theknightsoftheRed.One
mansteppedforwardand
separatedhimselffromthe
otherRanen,walking
decisivelytowardsKnight
CaptainWilliamofVerellian.
Themanmotionedtothe
twentyorsoRanenwhohad
appearedaroundtheknights
toholdtheirpositions,asif
assessingtheknights’
strength.Verellianremained
calm;thoughhe,too,looked
asifhewascountingthe
Ranenmenbeforehimand
takingnoteoftheirweapons.
Themanapproaching
Verellianwasonfootand
appearedunconcernedthat
theknightwasmounted.
Severalotherswereemerging
fromthebrokenbuildings,
guardtowersandthe
battlementsofRoHail.
BronwynthoughttheRanen
musthaveseentheRed
knightsapproachingand
waiteduntiltheywerewithin
thecourtyard.Theyhefted
axesofvarioussizesanda
fewofthelargermencarried
massivewar-hammers.
AbovewhereLieutenant
Fallonsatonhishorse,a
smallgroupofRanen
appearedfromthegatehouse
andheldsmallthrowing-axes
attheready.
‘Knights,tome,’ordered
Verelliancalmly,causinghis
mentore-formbehindhim.
Noneoftheknightshad
drawntheirswords,butthe
atmospherewastense.
TheRanenwho
approachedtheknightcaptain
wasalargeman,oversixfoot
inheight,andcarriedatwoheadedaxelooselyinboth
hands.Piercingblueeyes
peeredoutfromamatted
brownbeardandwavyhair
felloverhisshoulders.He
wasperhapsfortyyearsold
andworethedarkbluecloak
ofWraithCompany.
Bronwynthoughtthatshehad
maybeseenhimbefore,asa
companionofMagnuswhen
he’dfirstcometoRoCanarn
totalktoherfather.
Therainstillfellheavily
andtheskywasblack,though
themenofWraithappeared
lessconcernedwiththe
weatherthantheknights,who
shifteduncomfortablyintheir
saddles.
TheRanendidn’tappear
tobeinanyrushashisdeep
blueeyesslowlytookinthe
twentyknightsbeforehim.
HetookaninterestinAlHasim,narrowinghiseyesat
thesightofaKaresian
prisoneraccompanying
knightsoftheRed.
VerellianandtheRanen
beforehimlookedateach
otherforseveralmoments,
beforethemanofWraith
spoke.
‘That’sanicehorse,Red
man,’hesaid,withonlya
slightaccent.
‘Itisaveryfineanimal,
yes.Butit’smyanimal,’
repliedVerellian.
TheRanensmiledand
wavedahandoverhis
shoulder,signallingtosome
moreofhismenwhohad
emergedfromaruined
buildingbehindhim.
Bronwynhadlostcountof
themenofWraith,butthey
nowoutnumberedtheknights
byatleastthreetoone.
‘You’renotinTorFuckweiranymore,sir…or
whateverI’msupposedtocall
you,’herespondedwith
venom.
AnothermanofWraith,
carryingalargewar-hammer
andwearingheavychain
mail,steppedforwardfrom
thegatehousetostandbehind
Fallon.Hehadfourmenwith
him,eachholdingapairof
throwing-axes.Thelieutenant
wheeledhishorseroundand
sawthathewassurrounded.
Themanwiththehammer
wasolderthanhisfellows
andhadonewhiteeyewitha
deepscaracrossthesocket.
‘NomanintheGrassSea
isfoolishenoughtocome
hereunannounced,Redman.
Areyoueagertodie?’he
askedwithabroadgrin,
causingadozenofthemenof
Wraithtolaugh.
Fallondrewhissword.
‘Watchyourmouth,whiteeye,’hebarked.
‘Fallon,sheathethat
weaponnow,’ordered
Verellian.
Fallondidashewastold
butkeptahardstaredirected
throughtherainattheman
withthehammer.Therestof
theknightsformedupina
roughcircle,facingoutwards
towardsthemenofWraith.A
fewun-slungshieldsfrom
theirsaddlesandheldthem
defensively,takingheedof
thenumerousthrowing-axes
heldbytheRanen.
‘TowhomamI
speaking?’askedVerellian,
stillmaintaininghiscalm.
‘MynameisHorrock.I’m
calledGreenBlade.Thisis
mylandandthesearemy
people,’hesaidloudly,
evokingamutedcheerfrom
therestofWraithCompany.
‘Youarenotwelcomehere,
Redman.Thesearethe
FreelandsofRanenandyour
godhasnopowerhere.’
ThemenofWraithwere
evidentlyreadyforafight.
Bronwyncroucheddownin
herplaceofconcealment,not
wantingtobecomeinvolved
ifbloodweretobespilt.She
knewthattheknightswould
notbackdown,asitwasthe
wayoftheRedtoanswera
challengeandnottoyield,
evenwhenfacedwith
overwhelmingodds.
Moodywashappiernow
thathewasoutoftherainand
waskeepingquietas
Bronwynwatchedthe
confrontationunfold.
Verellianwasstony-faced
ashesurveyedthemenof
WraithCompany.‘I’vebeen
orderedtoapprehenda
fugitivefromRoCanarnand
Iplantocarryoutmyorders.’
HeshotaglanceatFallon–
asiftheyhadreceivedother
orderstheyweremore
reluctanttofollow.‘Idonot
wishtofightyou,butthisis
notyourconcern.’
Horrocklaughedatthis
andheftedhisaxe
threateningly.‘Idon’tgivea
troll’scockforyourorders,
Ro.Thisistherealmof
WraithCompanyandyou
willeitherturnroundordie.
It’ssimple,really.’
AtHorrock’swords,the
othermenofWraithclosedin
roundtheknights.Fiftyor
morebeardedmen,cladin
chainmailandfurcloaksand
bearingwell-usedweapons,
surroundedtwentyknightsof
theRed.Afurtherthirty
Ranenstoodonthe
battlementsandontopof
pilesofrubble,readyto
throwtheirhand-axeswhen
theorderwasgiven.
Theraincontinuedtobeat
downonthestonecourtyard
ofRoHail.TheRanen
displayedanarrayofvicious
smiles,buttheRolooked
grim.
Hasimwascastingglances
aroundtheruins,beyondthe
menofWraith,andBronwyn
thoughthewaslookingfor
her.Therewasnowayshe
couldsignaltohimwithout
givingawayherhidingplace,
butshehopedthat,when
swordsweredrawn,he’dbe
abletofindcover.Thesteel
manaclesthatboundhis
handswerelinkedtoachain
heldlikeadog’sleadinthe
handofoneofVerellian’s
sergeants.
Horrockrelaxedhisgrip
onhisaxeandwalkedcloser
toVerellian.Hewasnow
withinstrikingdistance,but
hedidnotlookconcernedas
helockedeyeswiththe
mountedknight.
‘Tellmesomething,
knight.Whathappenedtothe
menofRanenwhostayedin
CanarnwithFatherMagnus?’
Hespokeinaquietand
ominousvoice.‘Ithink
fifteenofthemstayed,maybe
thinkingyouRedbastards
wouldputupagoodfight.If
theydiedinbattle,Imaylet
youlive.Ifnot…’Heleftthe
sentenceunfinished.
Bronwynknewthatthe
Ranenwhohadnotdiedin
battlehadbeentorturedand
executedbyPevain’s
mercenariesandboundRed
knights.She’dseensomeof
themmutilatedasalessonto
thepeopleofCanarnthat
resistancewouldbeunwise.
Verellianknewthisaswell,
andhepausedandlooked
solemnlyatthegroundashe
consideredhisreply.
Theknightcaptainwas
abouttospeak,butsomething
seemedtodispleasehimand
insteadheturnedto
LieutenantFallonand
directedathinsmileathim.
‘Fallon,arethesemen
worthy…’hebegan.
‘…ofmysteel?’Fallon
finishedthequestion.‘Wedie
wherewe’retoldto,Captain.
Thatdoesn’tmeanwehaveto
dieeasy.’
Ablurofmotionfollowed
asKnightLieutenantFallon
drewhissword,wheeledhis
horseround,andstruck
downwardsattheold,whiteeyedRanen.Thesword
connectedwiththetopofthe
man’sskull,makinga
sickeningnoise,andkilling
themaninstantly.
‘Knights,wefight,’
shoutedVerellian,drawing
hisswordandroaringa
challengeatHorrock,who
wasbackingawayfromthe
mountedknight.
Thescenebecamechaotic
astheRanenthrewtheiraxes,
clearlysurprisedbythe
knights’suddenferocity.Two
knightsfellquicklyasaxes
hittheirexposedheads,but
mostofthosethatwere
thrownbouncedharmlessly
offraisedshieldsandplate
armour.
Twoaxes,thrownbythe
RanenbehindHorrock,
caughtVerellian’shorseon
theflanksandcausedthe
animaltosnortloudlyand
buckletotheground,
throwingitsriderforward.
Verellianfellclumsilyonto
therain-soakedcobblesand
wasimmediatelyattackedby
twohammer-wieldingRanen.
Theknightroaredagain,
thistimeinfrustration,
narrowlyavoidingthefirst
hammerblow.Thesecond
strikecaughthiminthe
shoulderandsenthim
backwardsintohisdying
horse.
BronwynsawHasim
deliberatelyrollfromhis
saddleandpulltheman
holdinghischaintothe
ground.TheKaresianthen
kickedtheknightsquarelyin
thefaceandranforcover,
divingoveramoundof
rubble.
Fallonhadadvancedinto
thegatehouseandhadalready
killedtwooftheRanen
behindhim.Anotherwas
tryingtopullhimfromhis
horse,butreceivedafatalcut
tothebackforhistrouble.
Themainbodyofknights
werestillinaroughcircle,
holdingoffthemenofWraith
withdesperateparryingand
swordthrusts.Theywere
severelyoutnumberedand,
thoughBronwynthought
themthemoreskilled
fighters,itlookedasifthey’d
beoverwhelmed.
ItappearedthatVerellian
knewthisaswell,and
Bronwynsawconcernonhis
faceashegottohisfeetand
sawhisknightspulledfrom
theirsaddlesandkilledbythe
menofWraith.His
expressionturnedtooneof
grimdeterminationashe
pointedhisswordatHorrock.
‘WeareknightsoftheRed
andwewillmakeyoupayfor
eachofourdeaths,’hecried.
Horrockheftedhisaxe
andranattheknight.
Verellianparriedthefirst
blowandansweredwitha
quickripostetoHorrock’s
side.TheRanenspunwith
thestrokeandminimizedits
effect,slashinghisaxeat
Verellian’slegs.Theknight
jumpedovertheattackand
kickedout,sendingHorrock
backalittle.Verellianthen
launchedaseriesofhigh
attacksontheRanen,who
barelymanagedtoresistthe
weightofthepersistent
blows.Verellianwasaskilled
swordsmanandHorrock
quicklyrealizedhewas
outmatched.
AsFalloncontinuedto
clearthepathbehindthem,
andotherknightsbeganto
gaintheupperhand,afurther
volleyofthrowing-axes,
betteraimedthanthefirst,
wasdirectedattheknights.
Threefellquickly,theirblood
sprayingacrosstheground
andminglingwiththerain.
Anothertwowerethrown
whentheirhorsesreceived
wounds,andVerellianwas
caughtinthebackbya
glancingblow.
Bronwynhadseencombat
before,butthiswasbrutal
andsomehowdirtierandless
noble.Menhackedateach
otherwithaxesandswords;
bloodflowedintothegaps
betweentheflagstones.She
sawtheremainingknights
fightingdesperatelyandthe
bodiesofdeadmen,bothRo
andRanen,litteringthe
courtyard.
Verellianwashurtbut
didn’tstopattackingHorrock,
thedentinhisarmour
deprivinghisthrustsofsome
oftheirpower.Horrocknow
parriedhisblowsmoreeasily
andhisownripostesdrove
theknightbackwards.
Anotherthrowing-axehit
Verellian,catchinghishand
andcausinghimtodrophis
swordandcryoutinpainas
twoofhisfingerswere
severed.Horrockresponded
quicklyandhisaxehitthe
knight’schest,bucklinghis
breastplateandsendinghim
totheground.
Bronwynwatched,wideeyed,asVerellianlookedup.
Hisfacewaswetwiththe
rainandhisexpressionwas
oneofpainandresignationas
helookedacrossthe
courtyardtowardsFallon.His
knightswerenearlyalldead
andtheRanenwereclosingin
onhisadjutant.Fallonmet
hiscaptain’slookandpaused
foramoment,realizingthey
hadlost.Thewaybehindhim
wasclearofRanenand
Verelliannoddedacrossthe
battleground,signallingthat
heshouldridetosafety.
Thefewremainingknights
oftheRedweresurrounded
andpulledfromtheirhorses
tomeetaviolentdeathonthe
cobbles;onlyFallon
remained,astridehishorsein
thegatehouseofRoHail.
‘Ride,youpig-fucker,’
Verellianshoutedacrossthe
courtyard.
Fallontookonelastlook
atthedyingknightsandatthe
remainingmenofWraith
beforehewheeledhishorse
androdeunderthegate,his
longswordstillinhishandas
heretreatedfromtheruined
city.
MenofWraithbeganto
pursuehim,butonfoot,and
hequicklyleftthembehind.
OnlyKnightCaptain
Verellianremainedalivein
thesoaking-wetcourtyard.
TheknightoftheRedwas
badlyhurt,butHorrock’saxe
blowhadnotpenetratedhis
breastplatemorethanafew
inchesand,althoughblood
wasvisible,thewoundwas
notfatal.Ofmoreconcernto
themanofRowasthewound
tohishand,andhelookedat
thebloodiedstumpswhere
twoofhisfingershadbeen.
Thenherolledontohisback
andbegantolaughloudly,
therainfallingheavilyonhis
face.
Al-Hasimwasstill
crouchedbehindthemound
ofrubbleinfrontandtothe
leftofwhereBronwynand
Moodywereconcealed.He
peekedouttowherethemen
ofWraithweredelivering
deathblowstoanyonewho
hadnotyetfullyexpired.
Bronwynthoughthewas
talkingtohimself,maybe
tryingtothinkofthebest
approachtotheFree
Companymen.Aftera
minuteofcontemplation,the
Karesiansteppedout.
‘CaptainHorrockGreen
Blade,’hesaidloudlyacross
thecourtyard.
SeveraldozenbloodsoakedRanenturnedtowards
him,brandishingaxesand
growlingchallenges.Horrock
wavedasilencinghandathis
menandsteppedoverthe
still-laughingformof
Verellian.
‘Identifyyourself,manof
Jaa,’Horrockcommanded
suspiciously.
Hasimraisedhiseyebrows
andpointedtoWilliamof
Verellian.‘Don’tyouwantto
dealwithhimfirst?Killhim
ormakehimshutup?He’s
notabadmanforaknight…
honourable,clever…stilla
knightoftheRed,though.’
Horrockpulledasmall
hand-axefromhisbeltand
threwitwithtremendous
strengthtowardsHasim.The
axehitthegroundbetween
hisfeetwitharesounding
thump.
‘Isaid,Identifyyourself.
Don’tmakemesayitagain,’
hesaidinamannerthatdid
notencouragedissent.
Hasimraisedhishands
andsmilednervously.‘I’m
Al-Hasim,calledthePrince
oftheWastes.Iamfriendto
MagnusForkbeardandLord
AlgenonTeardrop.’
Thenameswereclearly
knowntothemenofWraith
andallturnedandlooked
throughnarroweyesat
Hasim.
‘Thosearestrongnames
tobethrowingaround,
Karesian,’saidHorrock.
‘Whyareyouridingwith
thesemen?’
‘IhelpedDukeHector’s
daughterescape.Theknights
inCanarnwantedherback,
sotheybroughtmewiththem
tofindher.’Hasimwas
talkingquickly,asifhe
thoughtthesemenwouldkill
himiftheydidn’tlikewhat
hesaid.
Horrocknodded.‘Well,
let’sgetoutoftherainand
discussit,shallwe?’He
glancedupattheblacksky.
‘StoneDog,’hecalledtoone
oftheRanenbehindhim,‘go
fetchthegirlandthatstupid
bighorsefromtheold
bakery.’
TheRanenhe’dspokento
wasyoungandlithe,instark
contrasttotheburlymen
aroundhim.Hehadtwo
throwing-axesinhisbelt,
neitherofwhichhe’dthrown,
andavicious-looking,hookpointedLochaberaxeinhis
hands.Bronwyndidn’tmove
ashewalkedtowardsher
placeofconcealment.
StoneDogapproachedthe
holethroughwhichBronwyn
hadobservedthefightand
leantforwardstopeerintothe
darkness.‘Hello,sweetness,’
hesaidwithagrin.‘Areyou
goingtocomeoutlikeagood
littlegirloramIgoingto
havetocomeinafteryou?’
Moodymadean
unimpressedsoundand
Bronwynglaredathim.‘You
comeinafterme,littleboy,
andI’llmakeyoubleed,’she
shotback.
Severalofthenearby
Ranenburstoutlaughing.AlHasimlookedacrossat
Horrockandchuckled.
‘She’snottooladylike,
I’mafraid,’hesaidtothe
manofWraith.
‘Evidently,’replied
Horrock.‘StoneDog,stop
flirtingwiththeyoung
noblewomanandgetherout
here.’
Hasimsmiledandwalked
overtotheyoungRanen.
‘Allowme,’hesaidtoStone
Dog.
‘Bemyguest.’Theyoung
manofWraithdidn’tappear
offendedbyBronwyn’s
words.
Hasimleantcasually
againstthewallnexttothe
brokensection.‘Bronwyn,
mydear,wouldyoumind
comingout,soIcangetmy
sensitivearseoutofthis
fuckingrain?’
Bronwynsuddenlyfelt
ratherfoolish,asakickto
Verellian’sheadrenderedthe
knightunconsciousandhis
laughterstopped.
***
Ittookoveranhourforthe
courtyardtobeclearedof
bodies,andtheraindidn’t
stop.Twentyknightsofthe
Redandhalfasmanyagain
oftheRanenhadbeenkilled,
andseveralmorehad
receivednear-fatalor
cripplinginjuries.Theinjured
Roweredespatchedquickly
andtheinjuredRanentaken
indoors,downasteepsetof
stairsthatledtointact
basementswhereWraith
Companyhadmadetheir
home.
Theonlysurvivingknight
wasWilliamofVerellian,and
Horrockagonizedaboutwhat
todowithhim.Intheend,his
unconsciousbodywastaken
withtheinjuredRanen.The
knightlookedlesslikeabird
ofpreywhenhewasn’t
standingupright,glaringat
people,andhisshavenhead
wascoveredinblood.
Bronwynhadstoodoffto
thesidewithHasimandthe
mancalledStoneDog.
Moodywasnotallowedinto
theRanenheadquartersand
thelargehorsehadbeentied
toawoodenpost,undera
partialstoneroof,nearthe
staircase.
BronwynandHasim
shelterednearthegatehouse
asthemenofWraithsaid
prayerstoRowanocooverthe
fallen.Bronwynwas
impressedthattheyshowed
equalrespectforthedeadRo,
andsheheardseveralwords
suggestingtheythoughtthese
particularknightswere
fearsomeopponentsandmen
ofhonour.
‘Seethemanwithone
whiteeye,’StoneDogsaidto
Hasimastheyquickly
crossedthecourtyardto
followHorrockandhismen
intoshelter.
‘What,themanFallon
splitdownthemiddle?’asked
Hasim,withagesture
towardstheoldmanwhowas
beingcarriedreverentlyunder
cover.
StoneDogwasannoyedat
theKaresian’sflippancy,but
hesmiledafteramoment.
ThemenofRanenwere
famousforfindinghumourin
deathandBronwynwas
pleasedthattheywereless
piousthanthemenshewas
usedto.
‘HisnamewasDorron
MoonEyeandhewasour
priest.YourmanFallonkilled
amanoftheHammer.’
Hasimfrowned,clearly
awareofthesignificanceof
suchadeath.
Bronwyninterjectedas
theyreachedthetopofthe
staircaseleadingdown.‘He
wasofthesameorderas
Magnus?’
StoneDogusheredthe
twoofthemdownthestairs
andglancedaroundthe
courtyardtomakesurethey
werethelast.
‘Dorronwouldn’tcome
withuswhenwewentto
Canarn.Hesaiditwasfoolish
toacceptthehandofaduke
ofTorFunweir.’Hefaced
Bronwyn.‘AndMagnustold
himhewasanoldfoolwho
shouldstoplivinginthe
past.’Hesmiled.
Thestairsdivedsteeply
intoanoldstonebasement
underneaththecourtyardand
openedupintoaseriesoflow
roomsandpassageways.The
arealookedextensiveand
Bronwynsawmorehomely
comfortsthanshemighthave
expected.Roomswithsolidly
builtdoorsandcosysitting
roomsmadethebasement
appearlikeawell-maintained
tavernorevenasmall
settlement.
Shealsosawnumerous
peoplewhohadnotbeenin
thecourtyardduringthefight.
Womenandchildren,most
wearingthebluecloaksof
WraithCompany,rushedto
thereturningwarriorsand
tearsflowedfromthewives,
sonsanddaughtersoffallen
men.Theinjuredweretaken
quicklytoplacesofhealing.
Mugsofstrongbeerwere
passedroundandmostofthe
warriorsdrankdeeplywhile
theirchainmailwasremoved
andtheirwoundstended.
OnlyStoneDogpaid
BronwynandHasimany
attentionamidstthe
commotion,andthistookthe
formofkeepingthemoutof
theway.Nowomanorchild
cametogreettheyoung
Ranen,andBronwyndetected
ahintofemotioninhiseye,
asifoncehe’dhadsomeone
torushuptohimwhenhe
returnedfrombattle.Hedid
acknowledgeanolderRanen
woman,whoshothimaquick
glanceandreceivedinreturn
anodtosignalthathewas
uninjured.
WilliamofVerellianwas
stillalivebutBronwyncould
seelargeamountsofblood
seepingthroughtheaxe
woundinhisarmour.
‘StoneDog,issomeone
goingtoseetohim?’she
asked,gesturingtowardsthe
knight,who’dbeenplacedon
theflooratthefootofthe
stairs.
TheyoungRanenlooked
acrossattheotherinjured
men.‘They’llgettohim.
He’snotapriority,’hesaid,
showinglittleregardforthe
lifeofamanofRo.‘Dorron’s
dead,whichmeanshealing
thesemenisgoingtotake
time,rest,recuperation.All
thatstuffwedon’toftenneed
tobotherwith.’
BronwynturnedtoHasim
andwordlesslyconveyedher
concernthattheknightwould
diebeforehe’dbeentended.
TheKaresianfrownedand
shookhishead,asifhewere
wrestlingwithsomething.
‘He’saknightoftheRed,
Bronwyn,keepinghimalive
mightbeamistake.’He
paused,breathinginsharply.
‘But…’
Hasimcrossedfromwhere
theystood,negotiatingthe
peopleofWraithstruggling
outoftheirarmour.Afew
glancedupathim,registering
surprisethataKaresian
shouldbeintheirmidst,but
mostwerelostinpost-battle
wearinessandsimplyignored
him.Bronwynfollowed,
tryingtostaybehindhim.
TheyreachedVerellian
andHasimcroucheddown
nexttothebrokenknight
beforespeakingquietly.‘You
probablysavedmylifein
Canarn,’hesaidtothe
unconsciousman,‘so,asa
manofatleastsomehonour,
Ishouldnowsaveyours.’He
inspectedtheknightand
turnedtoBronwyn.‘Helpme
gethisarmouroff.Ineedto
seehowbadthataxewound
is.’
Togethertheywrestedthe
batteredarmourfrom
Verellian.Itwasbadlydented
andtwocutsappeared,onein
thechestwhereHorrockhad
struckhimandoneinthe
backfromathrownaxe.
Bronwynknewalittleof
armourandthoughtitlikely
thatthebreastplatewasnow
useless.Theknightwasstill
unconsciousanditwasa
struggletoremovethesteel
fromthelargeman.Hasim
heldbothhisarmsoutand
Bronwynunfastenedthe
shoulderstraps,lettingthe
frontplatedetach,and
allowingHasimtopulloffthe
segmentedarmguards.Then
theylaidtheknightdownon
hisbackandinspectedhis
chestwound.Itwasanugly,
jaggedlineacrosshischest
andstomach–notdeep,butit
bledprofuselyandBronwyn
thoughthewoulddiefrom
lossofbloodifitwerenot
treatedproperly.
‘Lookslikeyou’llbealive
awhileyet,Rohorse-fucker,’
murmuredHasim,mostlyto
himself,asheinspectedthe
wound.
TurningbacktoBronwyn
hesaid,‘Wateranddressings.
Theymusthavesomething
aroundhere.’
Bronwynstoodupand,
movingquickly,returnedto
StoneDog,whowasstillby
thestairs.
‘Ineedsomethingtotreat
theknight’swounds,’she
saidquickly.‘He’lldieifwe
don’tstopthebleeding.’
‘Andweshoulduseour
meagresuppliestosavea
knightofRed?’StoneDog
repliedangrily.‘Idon’tthink
so.Weneedeverything
we’vegotforourownmen.’
‘Keeptheknightalive.’
Thewordscamefrom
Horrockwhowasstanding
nearbywithawoman
massaginghisshoulders.
StoneDogpauseda
moment,clearlynothappy
abouthavingtousetheir
suppliesonamanofRo,but
hedidn’targuewithhis
captain.Hesnappedhis
fingersatayoungladwho
wasrunningaroundtheroom
withbandagesandbucketsof
water.
‘Boy,tendtotheknight
whenyou’refinishedover
there,’hesaidreluctantly.
Horrockusheredawaythe
womanbehindhimand
steppedclosertoHasimand
Bronwyn.Thecaptainof
WraithCompanywasnot
woundedandhispiercing
blueeyesregardedthetwo
outsiderswithinterest.
Bronwynfoundhisface
inscrutableandcouldnotread
hisintentions.
‘Isupposeweneedto
haveaconversation.Would
youagree,yourladyship?’he
askedher.
SheglancedatHasimand
wassurprisedthatHorrock
hadaddressedherfirst.The
Karesiansmiledreassuringly
andnodded.
‘Ofcourse,Captain
Horrock,’shereplied,
‘though,Iwouldliketosee
theknighttendedtofirst.He
willdieifsomeonedoesn’t
lookafterhim.’
Ithadoccurredto
Bronwynthatshewasstill
technicallyanoblewomanof
TorFunweirandshehada
certainobligationtoseethat
WilliamofVerellianwas
caredforproperly.
Horrockgruntedasound
thatmighthavebeenoneof
amusementorofannoyance.
‘Softheartsdon’tlastlong
aroundhere,’hesaid,witha
shallownodofhishead,
makinghiswordsevenmore
ambiguous.
‘Neitherdomenwithaxe
woundstotheirbackand
chest,’Bronwynshotback,
elicitingagood-naturedlaugh
fromHasim,whichmade
severalofthenearbyRanen
glareathim.
‘Sorry,’theKaresiansaid
withanawkwardsmile,‘I
can’thelpmyself.’
‘Noneedtoapologize,
Karesian,’saidHorrock,‘but
youmustunderstandthat
manyofmypeoplehavelost
brothers,husbands,sonsand
friends.Humourisnoteasily
foundatsuchtimes.’
Bronwynlookedoverthe
facesofthepeopleofWraith
and,foramoment,she
thoughtherinsistenceon
propercarefortheknightwas
petty.Shecouldseemany
tearfulfaces.Thesepeople
werenotnobles,knightsor
soldiers.Theywerecommon
menandwomenwhohad
chosentofighttoprotectthe
Freelands.
‘StoneDog,’ordered
Horrock,‘carefortheknight.
Seethathedoesn’tdie.’
TheyoungRanen
grumbledbuthedidn’targue
ashemovedtograbawet
towelandseveralbandages
fromtheboy.
‘He’llneedthosewounds
sewn,Horrock.’StoneDog
kneltdownnexttothe
unconsciousknight.
‘Youcanhandleaneedle,
boy.Gettoit,’repliedthe
captainofWraithCompany.
‘Youtwo,’hepointedat
HasimandBronwyn,‘come
withme.’
‘Dispossessedminor
noblesfirst,’Hasimsaidto
Bronwyn,ashemotionedfor
hertofollowHorrock.
Bronwynshothima
narrowglare,lettinghim
knowthatshedidn’t
appreciatehisattemptat
humour,andthenwalked
aftertheRanen.Thetwoof
themfollowedHorrock
throughthelargeentrance
room,pastwoundedmen
lyingonmakeshiftbedrolls
andhastilyerectedtables.
Manyofthewoundswere
minor–thincutsandshallow
thrustsfromtheRedknights’
longswords.Afewlooked
moreserious–severedlimbs
andwoundsdeepenoughto
belife-threatening.The
womenofWraithwere
responsibleforthecareofthe
woundedandBronwynwas
impressedwiththeirmanner.
Orderswerebarkedalmostin
militaryfashion,andthe
uninjuredmenwhoremained
inthebasementwerequickly
madetohelptendtheir
fellows.Concoctionsand
poultices,producingstrange
earthysmells,werebeing
preparedbyseveralofthe
olderwomen.Bronwyn
realizedtheabsenceofa
priesttohealthewounded
wasamajorproblemforthe
peopleofWraith.
TheRanenbarely
registeredthepresenceof
BronwynandHasim,
standingonlytonodto
Horrockbeforereturningto
theirbloodywork.TheRanen
captainledthemthroughthe
mainareaanddownanarrow
stonecorridorlitbyglobed
candlesandadornedwithall
manneroftrophies.TheFree
Companieswererenowned
fortakingitemsfromfallen
foestoremindthemoftheir
needtobeevervigilant,and
thecorridorwasagrimsight
forawomanofRo.
Multiplebroken
longswords,someincredibly
old,hungfromthewalls.
Severalflattenedsuitsof
armourhadbeenrivetedto
thestoneandBronwynwasa
littletakenabackbythe
coloursondisplay.Itwas
clearthatintheirtimeWraith
Companyhadkilled
churchmenofmultiple
orders.Thoughredwasthe
mostcommoncolour,
Bronwyncouldalsoidentify
purplearmour,thebrown
robesandevenasinglesuit
ofblackarmour,indicating
thataclericofdeathhad
fallenbeneathaRanenaxeat
somepointinthepast.
Horrockstoppedata
heavystonedoor,clearly
morerecentthantherestof
thebasementcomplex,and
reachedinsidehistunicfora
largeironkey.Heopenedthe
doorandBronwyncould
instantlysmelltherainagain
asshesawastonestaircase
leadingbackuptowardsthe
ruinedtownofRoHail.
‘Thingsalwayslook
differentwhenobservedfrom
higherup,’Horrocksaid
withoutturning,ashebegan
toascendthestairs.
BronwynandHasim
followedandfound
themselvesstandingonthe
shatteredbalconyofalarge
stonebuildinglookingout
towardswhathadoncebeen
thenorthernwallofthetown.
Itwasstillraining,thougha
cleverlybuiltawning
protectedthemfromthe
weather.Thebalconywas
largeenoughcomfortablyto
seatadozenormorepeople
anditheldseveralchairs,a
largestonetableandanopen
cupboardcontainingbottles
ofdarkliquid.
‘Doyousouthfolkdrink
ale,wineorsomething
stronger?’askedHorrock,
sittingdowninthelargest
chairandgentlynudgingthe
cupboardwithhisfoot.
Hasimcroucheddownin
frontofthebottlesandbegan
lookingthroughthevarious
kindsofliquor.Hepickedup
alargebottle,whichlooked
toBronwyntobemadeof
stoneratherthanglass,and
heldituptowardsHorrock.
‘ThisisVolkfrostbeer.
It’sworthasmallfortunein
RoTiris,’hesaidwitha
twinkleinhiseye.
‘I’dbetterfinishitbefore
youstealit,then,’said
Horrock,grabbingthebottle
fromHasim’shandand
removingthestopper.
Bronwynsatoppositehim
andsuddenlyfeltexhausted.
Sherubbedhereyesand
breathedinandoutheavily.
Hasimputacomfortinghand
onhershoulderbeforetaking
aseathimself.
‘Ithinkyou’resaferthan
you’vebeenforafewweeks,
yourladyship,’hesaid
gently.‘Adrinkcouldn’t
hurt.There’ssomegood
Darkwaldredinhere.’
‘That’stheonlybottleI
havethatwaslegally
obtained,’Horrock
interjected,andBronwyn
againfounditdifficulttotell
whethertheRanenchieftain
wasjokingornot.
Eachofthemselecteda
drinkandwithinminutesthe
rainchangedfroma
persistentannoyancetoa
relaxingaccompanimenttoa
well-deservedrest.Bronwyn
sippedonaglassoffullbodiedredwine,Hasimdrank
someKaresiandesertnectar
straightfromthebottleand
Horrocktooksmallmouthfuls
ofthefieryVolkfrostbeer.
‘Now,amIexpectedto
askyouquestions?’Horrock
suddenlyasked.‘Orcanwe
justassumeI’veaskedthem
allandthetwoofyoujusttell
methewholestory?’
Bronwynnoddedat
Hasim,signifyingthathe
shouldbegin.
‘Well,it’squitesimple
really,AlgenonTeardropsent
metofindoutwhya
Karesianenchantresswasin
Canarn.’Helookeddownat
thefloorandcontinued.‘It
seemsshewasthereto
orchestratethesackingofthe
cityandthemurderand
imprisonmentofitspeople.’
Therewasregretinhisvoice.
‘Ifoundthisoutabitlate,
though…aroundthesame
timeIfoundoutthatthebitch
hadacompanyofRed
knightssucklingonhertits.’
Horrocknarrowedhis
eyes.InBronwyn’s
estimation,themanofWraith
wouldhaveknownaboutthe
assaultonherhome,butnot
abouttheSevenSisters’
involvement.TheRanen
consideredtheenchantresses
theirenemiesandtheir
presencewasnottoleratedas
itwasinTorFunweir.The
OneGod,itseemed,wasless
quicktoangerthan
Rowanoco.Longago,the
OrderoftheHammerhad
forbiddentheSistersfrom
enteringtheFreelands.
‘Andyou’vetoldTeardrop
this?’Horrockasked.
Hasimnodded.‘Hegave
meacloudstone.Iusedit
afterthebattle,soheknows
roughlywhathappened.’
Ranencloudstoneswere
madefromthedeepiceof
Fjorlanandthenorthernlords
oftenusedthemto
communicateacrossgreat
distances.Bronwynhadseen
afewinhertime,and
Magnushadexplainedthat
theyallowedwordstotravel
throughthevoidoftheGiants
toreachanyonethespeaker
desired.Hehadevidently
thoughtthatwasanadequate
explanation.Sufficetosay,
theywerepowerfuland
much-coveteditems.
‘I’mmoreconcernedwith
theballsittakesfora
companyofRedknightsto
marchintoRoHailandstart
throwingtheirweightaround.
Whethertheyacceptitornot,
thisisnotTorFunweir.’
Horrockhadclearlytaken
offenceattheideaofmenof
Robeingintherealmof
Wraith.‘Howmanyofthem
tookthecity?’heasked.
‘AknightcalledRillion
ledtheassaultwithacouple
ofhundredRedmen.Itwas
themercenariesthatcleaned
upthough–abastardcalled
Pevainandhissadistichired
swords.’
Horrockshotaninterested
lookattheKaresian.‘I’ve
heardofthisPevain.Helent
hisswordtoRulagUrsawhen
heseizedJarvik…theman’s
atrollcunt.’Horrocktooka
largegulpoffrostbeerand
lookedoutovertheruined
townofRoHail,deepin
thought.
Bronwyntookthebreakin
conversationasacuetorelax
intoherchair.Thewineshe
drankwasfullandrichand
madethetirednessshe
alreadyfeltflowoverher
moreacutely.Hasimlooked
equallytired,buthewasalso
alertinawaythatBronwyn
wasnot.Thiswasallnewto
her–theriding,thesleeping
rough,thebrutalbattle–and
allshereallywantedtodo
wassleep.
Shelookedatthecaptain
ofWraithCompanysitting
oppositeher.Hewasahardlookingman,tallandbroad-
shouldered,withmanyscars,
butBronwynthoughthiseyes
betrayedathoughtfulnessthat
struckherasoutofplace.
He’dorderedVerelliankept
alive,somethingthatmany
Ranenwarriorswouldhave
foundunthinkable,andshe
guessedthatCaptainHorrock
GreenBladeofWraith
Companyhadachievedhis
positionthroughbrainsas
wellasbrawn.
‘So,allmymenwho
stayedbehindaredead…and
FatherMagnus?’heasked,
withoutturningbackto
HasimandBronwyn.
‘Isuspectthat’swhy
Verellianattacked.Heknew
thatallyourRaneninCanarn
hadbeenkilledbyPevain’s
men.Magnuswasbeingkept
aliveforsomereason–I
thinkattheurgingofthe
enchantress–buthewaswell
whenIleft,’Hasimreplied.
‘Hopefully,thepileofred
meatdownstairscantellus
whatthebastardsareupto
when…if…hewakesup.’
Horrockdrankdeeplyagain
andlookedasifhehad
finishedspeakingfornow.
CHAPTER2
SIRWILLIAMOF
VERELLIANIN
THERUINSOFRO
HAIL
Williamwokeupslowly,his
headpounding,hislegsweak
andhisvisionblackand
cloudy.Hecouldtasteblood
onhislipsandhisrighthand
feltnumbandpainful.He
wascoldandcouldn’tfeelhis
armourorgreavesagainsthis
skin.Abovehimtherewasa
lightandcrouchingnextto
himwasayoungRanenman,
lookingintentlyatalarge
whitedressingacross
William’schest.
Anotherfigurestood
nearbyand,throughhis
blurryvision,William
thoughtthatthiswasa
womanandthatshewas
carryingsomething.Hetried
tospeakbutthesoundcame
outasabarelyaudiblegrunt
andWilliamwashitbya
waveofextremefatigue.The
womanheftedtheobjectshe
wascarryingandabucketof
freezing-coldwaterflooded
overtheinjuredRedknight.
‘Well,Idobelieveour
Redmanisstillalive,’said
themancrouchingnextto
him.
Williamspluttered
throughthewaterandpanted
heavilyashisvisionbeganto
clear.Hewasinastone
basement,surroundedby
otherinjuredmen,andpeople
wearingthebluecloakof
Wraithwerefeverishly
runningaroundtendingtothe
wounded.Asfarashecould
tell,Williamwastheonly
knightthereandasinking
feelingfilledhimashe
realizedhismenwereall
dead.
‘Don’ttrytomove,’said
thewoman,‘you’vebeen
leakingbloodalloverthe
floor.’
ShewasanolderRanen
woman,perhapsfiftyyears
old,andherhandswere
gnarledandbloodstained.She
boreaslightresemblanceto
theyoungmanofWraith
crouchingnexttohimand
Williamthoughttheywere
probablyrelated.
He’dbeenpositioned
awayfromthemajorityofthe
injuredRanenandcouldsee
nofewpairsofeyesglaring
athim.
‘Ineedadrink,’hesaid
weakly.‘Inacupratherthan
abucket,ifthat’spossible.’
TheyoungRanen
chuckledatthis.‘Gethim
somewater,Freya.Maybein
agoldengobletorsomething
elsesuitedtoaknightofTor
Funweir.’
Thewomansmiledand
Williamlostsightofher
amidstthepressofRanenin
thestonebasement.
‘Don’tgetdelusions,Red
man.Ionlysavedyourlife
becausethecaptainaskedme
to.I’dhappilycleaveyour
headin.’TheyoungRanen
punctuatedthisstatement
withanaggressivegrowl.
Williamshiftedhisweight
andtriedtoraisehimselfup
onhishands.Henoticedthat
hisrighthandwasbandaged
andvaguelyremembered
losingsomefingerstoa
thrownaxe.Thepainwas
dullandeasyenoughto
ignoreforatruefighting
man,butWilliamwas
concernedthathissword
handwasbadlyimpaired.
Hemanagedtopull
himselfintoaseatedposition
andshuffledagainstthewall.
TheRanenlenthimahelping
hand,whichWilliamfeltwas
strangegiventheattitude
he’dshownsofar,buthe
clearlyhadnointentionof
disobeyinghiscaptain’s
orders.
‘What’syourname,man
ofWraith?’Williamasked,
tryingtoshowgratitudefor
havinghiswoundstreated.
‘I’mMicah,calledStone
Dog.Andyou’re…
somebodyofVerellian?’he
asked,makingaslightmess
ofthepronunciation.
‘SirWilliamofVerellian,
knightcaptainoftheRed.’
Hespokehistitlewithlittle
grandeur,knowingitmeant
littleamongtheFree
Companies.‘WillIlive?’
‘Unfortunately,yes.It
seemsI’mactuallyquitea
goodhealer.It’sashame
really.Yourbackwoundis
minor,butHorrocksplityour
breastplatewithhisaxeand
youhadsteelshardsinthe
wound.’
Williambegantoplaythe
fightthroughinhismind,
fromFallon’sinitialattackto
theaxeblowthatendedthe
encounter.Heremembered
seeingSergeantBracha
pulledfromhishorseand
beheadedinthestone
courtyard,andCallistakea
throwing-axetothebackof
thehead.HehadleftRo
Arnonwithtwenty-fivemen,
allofwhomwereprobably
nowdead,althoughhestill
hopedthatFallonhad
somehowmanagedtoescape.
Hislieutenantwasacunning
bastardandWilliam
suspectedhe’dbeokay.
‘WhyamIbeingkept
alivewhenallmymenare
dead?’heaskedinalow,
tiredvoice.
StoneDogconsidered,
whilehelookedatWilliam’s
bandagedrighthand.‘You’re
incharge,right?Thatmeans
youcantellthecaptainwhy
youdecidedtobreakatruce
thathaslastedtwohundred
years.’
Williamtriedtoreply
quickly,butcoughed
involuntarilyinstead,and
againfeltdeeplyfatigued.
Afteraminuteoflaboured
coughing,hesaid,‘Ididn’t
breakanytruce.Wecame
herelookingforafugitive
andyourmenweregoingto
killus.Theonlychanceof
survivalwehadwastostrike
first.’
StoneDogchuckledagain.
‘Turnedoutwellforyou,
strikingfirst,’hesaidplainly,
remindingWilliamthathis
menwerealldead.
Theolderwomanreturned
withasmallclaycupand
passedittoWilliam.He
couldgraspit,buthishand
feltweakandthewateronly
justreachedhislips.He
lookedathisintactlefthand
andwishedhe’dpaidmore
attentiontousingbothhands
whenhewasonthetraining
groundsofRoArnon.
Learningtofightleft-handed
wouldbedifficultfora
seasonedknightlikeWilliam.
Hewassetinhiswaysandhe
wonderedwhetherhe’dever
bethesamefearsome
swordsmanhe’doncebeen.
‘You’relucky,Redman,’
saidthewoman.‘Myboy
hereiswellschooledinthe
healingartsand,sinceyour
mankilledourpriest,itwas
touchandgowhetherwe
couldstopthebleeding.’She
glancedaroundthestone
basement.‘Plentyofourmen
weren’tsolucky.Weused
valuablesuppliestokeepyou
alive.’
Williamleantbackand
tookanotherdrinkofwater,
feelingstrengthreturntohis
limbs.‘Doyoureallyfeelthe
needtoremindmethatI’m
anoutsiderhere?Andthat
I’mluckytobecaredfor?
Andthatyou’dbothrather
seemedead?’
StoneDogandFreya
lookedateachotherbefore
theysharedalaughat
William’swords.TheFree
Companieswereknownfor
theirboisteroussenseof
humourandcavalierattitude
todeath.Infact,theirability
tolaughinthefaceofblood
andslaughterwasinfamous.
‘Ofcourse,it’spossible
Horrockwillstillkillyou…if
hedoesn’tlikewhatyouhave
tosay,’saidStoneDog.
‘Idon’tknowwhathe
expectsmetosay.He’s
surelynotanidiotandhewas
there.Hesawwhathappened
asmuchasIdid.’
Williamhadacertain
instinctforsurvivaland,like
allknightsoftheRed,he
wouldnevergivehislife
awayeasily.Thethoughtof
beingsummarilyexecuted
botheredhimandhebegan
thinkingofwaystoescape.
However,hisvariouswounds
madeitunlikelyhe’dbeable
towalkunaided,letalone
run,anytimesoon.He
resignedhimselftohis
predicamentandtriedto
relax.Fornowatleast,he
wasn’tgoinganywhere.
Thebasementwas
becomingprogressively
emptierasthedeadwere
removedandthosewhohad
beenhealedweretakento
bedsandroomselsewhere
withintheunderground
complex.Williamhadno
hatredforthepeopleof
Wraithandhedislikeditthat
he’dbeenforcedintoa
positionwhereconfronting
themwastheonlyoption.
ToughasthemenofWraith
Companywere,heknewthey
couldn’tstanduptoafocused
assaultand,giventhe
situationinRoCanarn,he
wassurethey’dhavetorunif
facedwithanarmyofRed
knights.Aninvasionof
Ranen,whichhadbeen
vaguelysuggestedbyKnight
CommanderRillion,was
clearlynotsuspectedbythese
people.Williamconsidered
whetherornotheshouldtell
them.Inhisestimation,that
wouldnotbeabetrayal
becauseultimatelyitwould
resultinfewerdeathsanda
swiftresolutiontothe
campaign.WraithCompany
wouldnotbeabletoholdthe
GrassSeaagainstthekindof
armythekingwouldbring
withhim.Tostayandfight
wouldresultinamassacre.
Ashethought,William
begantofeelhiseyelids
droopandhisfatigueturn
intoadesperateneedfor
sleep.Thefloorwascoldand
hewasdressedonlyin
woollenleggingswitha
Wraithcloakwrappedaround
hisshoulders,buthewas
tiredenoughtosleep
regardless.
StoneDogandFreyatook
alastlookathisdressings
andthenreturnedtotheir
businesselsewhereinthe
ruinsofRoHail.Williamwas
leftmoreorlessalone,
thoughtheheavywooden
doorthatledupfromthe
basementwassecurely
locked,makingescape
impossibleforthetimebeing.
Allthingsconsidered,Sir
WilliamofVerelliandecided
hewouldbebestservedby
sleepingandtryingtorecover
hisstrength.
***
Hewaswokensharplywitha
lightkicktohislegs.
Standingoverhim,aloafof
breadinhishand,wasthe
Karesianprisoner,Al-Hasim.
Hewasdressedinlight
leatherarmour,presumably
acquiredfromthemenof
Wraith,andhehadfounda
scimitarfromsomewhere.
‘Eat,’Hasimsaid,
throwingthebreadinto
William’slap.‘It’sfreshand
youneedtogetsomething
otherthananaxeinyour
belly.’
‘Thankyou,’William
said,lookingupatthe
Karesian.
Hewasunsureaboutthe
prisoner.He’dstoppedhim
beingrapedinRoCanarnand
hadfoundhimlittletrouble
onthewaynorth,buthewas
stillacriminalandhad
thrownhislotinwithWraith
Company.
‘Ourpositionsseemtobe
somewhatreversed,Hasim,
wouldn’tyouagree?’Hetore
offachunkofwarmbread
withhisteeth.
Hasimpointedtoalength
ofchainthathadbeen
attachedtoWilliam’sleg
whileheslept.Itwasfastened
toasteelbracketonthewall
andwasaclearmessagethat
theknightwasaprisoner.
‘Ishouldprobablythank
youasecondtime,Verellian.’
TheKaresiansatdownonthe
stonefloornexttoWilliam.
‘IfIhadn’tbeenbrought
northwithyouandyourmen,
I’dprobablybePevain’swife
bynow.’Hewassmilingand
Williamfoundthesituation
bizarre,maybeevenalittle
funny.
‘So,whathappensnow?’
heaskedtheKaresian.
‘Ithinkthatdependson
you.Horrockdoesn’tappear
tobeinanyrushtokillyou,
buthe’sangryatthe
incursion.ThisisRanen,not
TorFunweir.’
HasimwasaKaresianand
furtherfromhomethan
William,makingtheRed
knightwonderwhathad
causedhimtotravelthisfar
north.
‘Wheredoyoufitinto
this,Hasim?’Williamasked
plainly.
Hesmiledandoffered
Williamabottleofdark
liquid.‘It’sVolkwhisky.I
stoleitfromHorrock.Drink
it,it’llhelp.’
Williamhadheardabout
theVolkandtheirhabitof
brewingharshliquorusing
frostedbarrels,buthisoathto
theOneprecludedhimfrom
tastingalcohol.Hewavedhis
handweakly,refusingthe
offereddrink.
‘Ah,yes,that’sright,your
godprefersbloodtobooze,’
Hasimsaid,takingadeep
slugfromthebottle.
‘Don’tmoralize,Karesian.
I’vefoughttheHoundsand
webothknowthatJaais
perfectlycapableof
bloodlettingwhenthemood
takeshim.’Williamwasa
realist,butwasn’tinclinedto
putupwithhypocrisy.‘Not
drinkingalcoholisafairly
minorrestrictioninthegrand
schemeofthings.’
‘Okay,okay.Maybewe
shouldstartwithwhatwedo
haveincommon.Neitherof
usisRanenandthisisnotour
land.Agreed?’Hasimasked
withafriendlytonetohis
voice.
‘Agreed,’William
conceded,buthewasunsure
ofthepointHasimwastrying
tomake.
‘So,youandyoursdid
rideintoHailandstarta
fight,’hesaidgrimly.‘You
havetoacceptthattheyhad
aslittlechoiceasyou.’
‘Twentyormoreofmy
menwerekilled.Don’t
expectmetoforgetthattoday
ortomorrow.’Williamwasa
prisonerandplannedto
survive,buthestill
consideredtheRanenhis
enemies.
‘Andthefortyorsomen
ofWraithyoutoreapartare,
what,insignificant?’Hasim
shotbackquickly.‘You’re
oneofthefewRowho
doesn’tmakemesick,but
stopthinkingyou’retheonly
meninthisworld.Everyone
bleeds,Verellian:Ro,Ranen,
Karesian…evenKirin.Our
bloodisthesameasyours.’
Hewasclearlyangryand
Williamrealizedhe’dnever
reallytakenanoutsider’s
viewofhisownpeople.
TheRedknightlooked
aroundthebasementandsaw
bloodstainsbeingscrubbed
fromthefloorandtheresidue
ofadozenorsobodiesthat
hadlainthere.Nearthe
doorwayleadinguptothe
courtyardwasayoung
womanwithbloodonher
handsandforearms.Shewas
justsitting,lookingather
reddenedpalmswithwide
eyesandwithtearsrolling
downherface.Therewere
othersinthebasement,
mostlysittingorlyingagainst
thewallswithavarietyof
exhaustedanddespairing
expressionsontheirfaces.
Williamwasnotastranger
tobattle,ortheaftermathof
blood,bandages,screaming
anddeath,buthehadnever
seenwomencryingovertheir
lostlovedonesorcommon
folktryingtosavethelivesof
part-timewarriors.His
experienceshadalways
involvedthehealingpowers
oftheWhiteclericsandan
orderlytriagewithwell-
tendedrecoverytime.These
peoplehadgoodhealing
skills,buttheironepriestwas
deadandbandageswould
onlygosofarwithserious
wounds.
HeturnedbacktoHasim
andgavehimashallownod,
beforequietlysaying,‘Okay,
I’msorryformyflippancy.
Thisisnewtome.’
‘You’veneverbeen
capturedbefore?’heasked.
‘I’veneverbeendefeated,
letalonecaptured.Ihadafew
badinjuriesacoupleofyears
ago,butI’veneverbeenon
thelosingsideofa
confrontation.’Williamfound
thepositionofdefeated
prisoneranuncomfortable
one.
‘Well,I’vebeeningaols
anddungeonsinmorethan
onecountry,sotakemyword
forit,thingswillgetworse
beforetheygetbetter.’Hasim
offeredthebottleagain.
‘I’mnotgivinguponmy
oathjustyet,Karesian,’
Williamreplied,withanother
waveofhishand.‘Istillhave
anobligationtotrytoescape
andreturntoRoCanarn.’
Hasimdirecteda
questioninglookattheRed
knight.‘Optimism,Irespect
that,butdon’tdoanything
stupid.It’dbeashameifyou
gotyourselfkilledafterI’d
stuckmyneckouttokeep
youalive.’
Williamrockedback
againstthewallandclosed
hiseyes,lettingairfillhis
lungsandtryingtoregain
somestrengthbytensinghis
armsandlegs.Hewasstill
tiredandthoughtHasimhad
wokenhimprematurely.
‘Where’sHorrock?’he
asked.
‘Probablysleepingoffthe
firsthalfofthisbottle,’
Hasimreplied,indicatingthat
thebottleofVolkwhiskywas
nearlyempty.‘It’sstillearly
morningandwewereuplate
discussingwhat’stobedone
withyou.Bronwyn,you’llbe
pleasedtoknow,agreedwith
meandthinksyoushouldbe
spared.’
‘She’sbeennamedtothe
BlackGuard,likeher
brother.’Williamrealized
thatthelawsofTorFunweir
meantlittlehere,butitwas
easiertoclingtodutyandthe
lastordershehadbeengiven
thantoacceptdefeat.‘Unless
somethingchanges,she’sa
criminalinthelandsofRo.’
‘I’msureshegivesa
massiveshitaboutthat,Red
man,’Hasimreplied,witha
good-humouredlaugh.‘I’ll
leavethishere,justincase
youchangeyourmind.’He
placedthebottleofwhiskyon
thefloornexttoWilliam.
‘Getsomerest.Horrockwill
comeandgetyouwhenhe’s
ready.’
Hestoodupand,witha
mockingsalute,leftWilliam
aloneinthebasement.
Withadeepbreath,the
Redknightclosedhiseyes
andfeltsleeprapidlycome
overhim.Beingforcedtosee
theaftermathofthebattle
fromanotherpointofview
hadbeenaneye-opening
experience,andWilliamfelt
humbledashetriedtoshift
himselfintoamore
comfortableposition.
Hewasnoclosertoa
decisionaboutwhathe
shouldtellHorrockGreen
Blade.Ifhetoldthemanof
Wraithabouttheimpending
invasionoftheGrassSea,he
wouldbenomoreorless
likelytobeexecutedandhe
mightindirectlysavemany
lives,thoughhehada
naggingsuspicionthatthe
Ranenwouldchoosetostay
andfightratherthanrunfor
safetyfromtheknights.
CommanderRillionwould
probablyassumeWilliamhad
beenlost.UnlessFallonmade
itbacktoRoCanarnand
orchestratedarescue,he
wouldbeaprisonerforthe
foreseeablefuture.Thatmade
thedecisionaboutwhattotell
Horrockalittleeasier,
becauseheknewhewouldn’t
bedonninghisRedarmour
andmarchingintobattleany
timesoon,andany
informationhedidgive
wouldnothelptheRanen
holdtheirlandsagainsta
concertedassaultbyseasoned
knights.
***
WilliamwasgladHorrock
hadgivenhimtimetorest.
Hehadnoillusionsthatthe
manofWraithwasbeing
charitable,butheneededtime
toclearhisheadandalleviate
theextremefatigueboughton
byhiswoundsandthelossof
blood.
He’dwokeneveryfew
hoursandhadshakenoffa
littlemoreofhisweakness
eachtimehe’ddoneso.
Ranenfolkhadcomeand
gonethroughoutthenext
morningand,asidefromthe
occasionalinsultor
questioninglook,theknight
captainhadlargelybeenleft
alone,stillchainedtothewall
andwithonlytheremainsof
Hasim’sbreadforsustenance.
He’dseenMicahStoneDog
severaltimes,goingupinto
theruinedtown,andFreya
hadcometocheckonhis
dressingstwiceduringthe
morning.
Williamwascoldandhe
hadtoremindhimselfthathe
wasfurthernorththanhe’d
everbeen–acrosstheGrass
SeaofRanen–andthathe
wasaforeignerinthe
Freelands.HethoughtofRo
Arnonandthesecurityhe’d
alwaystakenforgrantedasa
knightoftheRed.Hethought
ofFallonandofhisdead
men,theirbodiesprobably
stackedonapyrebynow.He
didn’twanttoadmitthathe’d
beendefeatedandcaptured,
butrealitywasahard
mistressandnotgentlewhen
amanwasfinallyforcedto
admitdefeatafteryearsof
victory.Themostdisquieting
thought,though,wasthe
rapidlygrowingempathy
Williamwasfeelingtowards
thesimplemenofWraith
Company.Asachurchmanof
theOneGod,Williamhad
alwaysbeeninsulatedfrom
whathappenedtotheenemies
oftheRedknights;andnow
toseethembleedanddie,
tryingtosavetheirloved
ones,haddeeplyaffected
him.
‘Canyoustand?’asked
StoneDogfromnearby.
Williamfelthislegsand
rubbedhiswoundedchest
beforeanswering.‘Ithink
so.’
‘Well,upyouget,then.
Horrockwouldlikeachat,’
hesaid,producingalarge
ironkeytounlockWilliam’s
chainfromthewall.
‘Areyougoingtounlock
thataswell?’William
pointedtothemanacle
aroundhisankle.
‘Don’tthinkso,youmay
dosomethingstupidwitha
fullstride.’StoneDog’ssmile
wasgood-natured.
‘Don’tworry,I’m
perfectlycapableofdoing
stupidthingswhetherIcan
walkornot.Myfatherlost
bothhislegstoaKaresian
Houndandhedidstupid
thingsformanyyears
afterwards.’Williamwasnot
tryingtobeespecially
friendly,but,reluctantlyor
not,StoneDoghadsavedhis
lifeandsowasworthyof
politenessatleast.
‘So,stupidityrunsinthe
family,Redman…Imayget
achancetokillyouyet.’The
ideaclearlystillappealedto
theyoungmanofWraith.
Williampulledhimself
heavilytohisfeetand
instantlyvomitedonthefloor
asawaveofpainflooded
throughhim.Itwasnottoo
pleasant,butWilliam
instantlyfeltbetter,despite
thelaughterfromStoneDog.
‘Isthathowtough
churchmentrytoescape,
pukingontheirenemies?’he
asked,withabroadgrin.
‘It’sthefirststage,yeah,’
repliedWilliamashespaton
thefloor,tryingtoclearthe
unpleasanttastefromhis
mouth.
StoneDogpickedupthe
endofthechainattachedto
William’sankleandruffledit
ashewouldadog’schain.
‘Comeon,boy,let’sgofora
walk.’Hewasenjoyingthe
powerheexercisedoverthe
Redknight.
‘Don’tpushme,Ranen,
I’mnotplanningtodo
anythingstupidjustyet,butI
maychangemymindifyou
talktomelikeadogagain,’
Williamsaidwithan
intimidatinggrin.
Forasecondheactually
sawahintoffearinthe
youngRanen’seyes,before
heturnedandledWilliamof
Verellianfromthebasement
wherehe’dbeenchainedfor
almosttwelvehours.
Heledhimoutofthe
roomanddownalong
corridorwherenumerous
exoticandmundaneweapons
hungonthestonewalls.
Thereweretabardsandsuits
ofarmouralso,andWilliam
narrowedhiseyesatthe
presenceofclericaland
knightlyarmouramongthe
trophies,showingthatthis
wasnotthefirstfightthese
menhadhadwithchurchmen
oftheOne.
StoneDogledhimalong
thecorridorandthrougha
heavystonedoorandupthe
stairsbeyond.Williamcould
heartalkingaboveandhe
begantoseethebrightnessof
daylightspreadingdownthe
stairs.He’dbeeninadark
basementwithnowindows
andhefoundhiseyesalittle
sensitivetothelight.
Williammovedhisinjured
handuptohisfacetoshieldit
fromthesunshinewhenthey
emergedatthetopofthe
stairsandontoastone
balcony.Theviewwasa
sombreoneashelooked
throughthebright,cold
morningatthebrokentown
ofRoHail.
Ithad,longago,beena
mightyfortressoftheRed
knights,fromwherethe
subjugationoftheRanen
peoplehadbeenorchestrated.
Centuriesafterthat,ithad
beenheldbyDukeHector’s
ancestorsinaninfamous
siegewhentheyhaddefended
thetownforthirtydays
againsttheFreeCompanies.
Itwasnowlittlemorethan
astonerelic,withlessthana
handfulofbuildingsstill
standinginanykindof
recognizableform.William
understoodwhyWraith
Companylivedunderground
andheguessedthatthey
knewthecitywellenoughto
beabletoappearand
disappearwitheaseamong
theruins.
Sittinginacasualcircle
onthebalconywereCaptain
Horrock,Al-Hasimandthe
LadyBronwyn.Therewere
twoothermenofWraith
whomWilliamdidn’t
recognize.Allpresentwere
armedandarmoured.
Horrock’sdeepblueeyes
struckhimassomehowmore
piercinginthedaylight,
despitetheresidualfood
lodgedinhishugebeard.
Bronwynhaddressedherself
inleatherarmourandlooked
morelikeaRanenwarrior
womanthananobleofTor
Funweir.Al-Hasimwas
yawningextravagantlyashe
leantbackinhischair.
‘Haveaseat,Redman,’
saidHorrockinacasual,
almostfamiliar,toneofvoice.
StoneDogthrew
William’schaintooneofthe
othermenofWraithand
quicklyleftthebalcony.
Verelliansurmisedthatthe
youngRanenwasnotasenior
memberofWraithCompany,
althoughhehadnotheard
mentionofanyrankorchain
ofcommandbeyondCaptain
Horrock.
William’schainwasheld
looselybyanaxe-manwho
leantonthebalcony’srailing.
Hemadenoparticulareffort
tokeepthechaintautorto
restricttheknight’s
movements,butmerely
motionedforhimtositinone
oftheemptywoodenchairs.
‘MynameisWilliamof
Verellian,’hesaid,sitting
downcarefullytoavoid
aggravatinghischestwound.
‘So?’repliedHorrock.
‘So…Ipreferitto
constantlybeingcalledRed
man.’Williammaintained
eyecontactwiththemanof
Wraithandtriedhisbestto
conveythathewasn’tgoing
tobecowedmerelybecause
hewasaprisoner.
‘Fairenough,’said
Horrock,withnohintof
humour.‘So,Williamof
Verellian,howareyou
feeling?’
TheRedknightlaugheda
littleandheldhisarmswide
tosurveyhisvariouswounds.
Hestillworeonlywoollen
leggingsandacloakdraped
aroundhisshoulders,making
thelargedressingacrosshis
cheststandout.
‘Youraxeshearedmy
breastplate,but,solongasI
havetimetohealwithout
makingitworse,I’llsurvive.’
Helookedathisinjuredhand
andcontinued,‘ThoughI
doubtI’llbedrawingmy
swordanytimesoon.’
OneoftheRanenwarriors
whomWilliamdidn’t
recognizesnortedwith
amusementandsaid,‘Your
swordgotshatteredaswe
movedthebodies,Redman.
Howaboutanaxe?’
Thiscausedarippleof
laughterfromtheRanen,
thoughneitherHasimnor
Bronwynjoinedin.Horrock
merelysmiledanddirecteda
tolerantglanceattheother
menofWraith.
‘ThisisHaffenRedFace,
myaxe-master.He’shereto
killyouifIdecideheneeds
to.’Horrockshowedno
emotioninhispiercingblue
eyes.
‘Andwhatconditionsneed
tobemetformetodie?’
askedWilliam,stony-faced.
HasimandBronwynboth
lookedatHorrockand
Williamguessedthatneither
ofthemhadanyparticular
desiretoseetheknight
executed.
‘Iprobablywon’torder
youkilled,’thecaptainof
WraithCompanysaidquietly,
‘butItrytokeepmyoptions
openwhendealingwithRo…
andHaffenisitchingtokill
anotherknight.’
Asiftoemphasizethis
point,Haffengrinned
wickedlyatWilliamand
twirledthechaininhishands.
‘Well,Iplantolive
beyondtoday,’saidWilliam,
stilllookingdirectlyat
Horrock.
‘Canwedispensewiththe
posturing,please?’asked
LadyBronwynwithaslight
shakeofherhead.‘Sir
Verellian,Iknowyouhad
orderstoapprehendmeand,
fromwhatHasimsays,you’re
notadishonourableman;but
youareaknightofTor
FunweirintheFreelandsof
Ranen,soplease…tellme
whatSirRillionplanstodo
withmyhome.’Hervoice
hadaslightcatchtoitand
Williamfeltamoment’spity
fortheyoungwoman.Her
fatherwasdead,herbrother
outlawed,andherhomeall
butdestroyed.
‘It’snotRillionandit’s
notaboutRoCanarn,’
Williamreplied,hiseyes
directedatthefloor.‘It’sthe
king.’
Thisimmediatelycaught
theattentionofallpresent,
evenAl-Hasimwhomust
havesuspectedthatKing
SebastianTiriswasinvolved.
‘Speakplain,Verellian,’
saidHasim.‘Thekingwasn’t
therewhenweleft.’
‘No,butIknowthesigns.
Hisguardsmenhadarrived
and,ifrumourand
implicationaretobetrusted,
thekingplanstomarchinto
theGrassSea.’Williamdid
notdoubtthiswastrue,buthe
hadnosolidproof,sohe
stateditinassimpleand
unadornedamanneras
possible.
Horrocksatforward.It
wasthemostanimated
Williamhadseenhimsince
theyhadfought.Thetwo
otherRanendirectedangry
glaresattheknight,and
Bronwyngaspedinsurprise.
‘Hewouldn’tbeso
stupid,’saidHorrock.‘That
wouldjustleadtobloodand
nothingelse.Hehasnothing
togain.’
‘NeitherhenorRillion
confideinme,butIwouldn’t
besurprisedtohearthatthe
Karesianwitchhassomething
todowithit,’responded
William.
HorrockandBronwyn
bothlookedatHasim,and
Williamguessedthatthe
Karesianwasasconcerned
abouttheenchantressashe
was.Al-HasimgaveHorrock
ashallownodbeforehe
turnedtoaddressWilliam.
‘IknewshehadRillion’s
ballsinherhand,butto
invadeRanen…what’sthe
objective?’askedthe
Karesian.
‘Thereisnone,’replied
Horrock,unableto
comprehendwhytheking
wouldbreakthetruce.
‘Algenonathisbackandthe
FreeCompaniesathisfront.
Evenifhewon,he’dget
thousandskilledandwould
stillgetstoppedattheDeep
Crosswhenwintercame.’
Williamchancedhisluck
andinterruptedthemanof
Wraith.‘Ifyoubelievethat
I’manhonourableman,’he
said,glancingatHasimand
Bronwyn,bothofwhom
seemedtoconfirmthathe
was,‘thenbelievewhatIsay.
KingTirisintendstoinvade
and,Iwouldassume,he’llbe
attheheadofalargeforceof
knights,clericsandyeomanry
–Darkwald,Hunter’sCross,
he’sgotnoshortageof
pressedtroops.’
Williamwassilentfora
momentastheothersthrew
commentsbackandforth,
arguingoverhowandwhy
thekingofTorFunweircould
besoreckless.Williamcould
tellfromthewayHasimsat,
mostlyinsilence,witha
troubledlookonhisdark
features,that,besides
himself,healonerealizedthat
AmeiratheLadyofSpiders
wasbehindthis.
Horrockstayedinhis
chairasHaffenRedFace
growledoutoathsofviolence
andchallengesdirectedat
KingSebastianTiris.The
captainofWraithCompany
lethismanswearforafew
minutesbeforehesilenced
himwithasharpmotionof
hishand.
‘Haffen,that’senough.
Weallhaveworktodoand
defencestoprepare,’hesaid,
hismindclearlyracing.
AsWilliamhadfeared,it
lookedasifWraithCompany
wouldnotberetreatingtothe
safetyoftheeastern
Freelands,ornorthto
HammerfallandFjorlan.
Horrockevidentlyhadno
intentionofleavingtheruins
ofRoHailortherealmof
Wraithtobeoverrunby
knightsoftheRed.
‘Youcouldfallback,’said
Williamhesitantly,causing
thethreeRanenmentostop
talkingandturntohim.
‘Silence,Redman,’roared
Haffen.‘You’vesaidallyou
needtosay.’Heturnedback
toHorrock.‘ShallIchainhim
updownstairsagain,captain,
ormaybecleaveinhishead?’
ToWilliam’ssurprise,
Horrockstoodandslapped
Haffensharplyacrossthe
face,causingbloodtoappear
atthecornerofhismouth.
‘Calmdown,’said
Horrockquietly,maintaining
aserenedemeanourashe
reprimandedhisaxe-master.
ThebigRanenshookhis
headandthenlooked
apologeticallyatthefloor.
‘I’msorry,Horrock.I’m
angryandIletitshowinmy
words.Itwon’thappen
again.’Withhisheadbowed,
Haffenlookedlikeascolded
child.
‘Don’tworry,justkeep
yourheadtogetheranddoas
Isay.Doyouunderstand?’
Henodded.Therespect
themenofWraithhadfor
theircaptainwasevidentin
theirfaceswheneverthey
spoketohim,butWilliam
wasstillalittletakenabackat
thewaytheFreeCompany
operated.Theyhadnoranks,
savecaptain,andclearly
functionedonthebasisof
mutualneedandrespect.It
wasafarcryfromthe
enforcedservitudeoftheRo
churchandtheausterelifeof
salutesandbowedheadsthat
theknightsoftheRedhadto
endure.
HorrockturnedtoWilliam
andsaidsoftly,‘Yes,Sir
Verellian,wecouldfallback.
ButuntilIknowmorethanI
doatthismoment,we’renot
goingto.’
Heclearlydidn’tfeelthe
needtoexplainhimself
furthertoWilliam,ashe
turnedbacktoHaffenand
said,‘Sendafastriderto
JohanLongShadowatSouth
Warden.Heneedstomuster
ScarletCompanyandride
west.Tellhimwhathas
happenedhere.I’llwaitfor
himtotalktomethroughhis
cloudstone.’
Haffenstoodlisteningto
hiscaptainspeak.Whenhe
hadunderstoodeverything,
henoddedandquicklyleft
thebalcony,deliberatelynot
lookingatWilliamashedid
so.
Horrockthenspoketothe
otherman,justascalmly.
‘It’lltakeoveramonth,but
ridehardforRanenGarand
GreywoodCompany.Stopin
theDeepCrossandhave
themgetwordtoFjorlan.Go,
now.’
ThesecondRanenleft
withhisinstructionsand
Horrockslowlyresumedhis
seat.Hasimwasstilldeepin
thoughtandLadyBronwyn
justlookedupset,asifher
worldwascollapsingaround
her.
Williamdidnotinterrupt
thesilence,butmerelylooked
outoverthebalconytowards
thebrokentownbeyond.Ro
Hailwasameagreand
unattractiveprize,butan
importantone.Itwastheonly
stagingpointnorthofCanarn
fromwhichaninvasionof
Ranenwouldstandachance,
anditscapturewouldhave
hugesymbolicvaluetoeither
side.
WraithCompanycoulddo
hugedamageifanarmy
simplyrodeintotheruins,but
theRanencouldnotpossibly
winifalargeforceofknights
weretoencirclethetown,
intentonitscapture.IftheRo
tooktheruinedpositionand
fortifiedit,theywouldbe
veryhardtoshift,evenifthe
menofFjorlancamesouthas
theyhaddonetwohundred
yearsbeforewhenRoHail
lastchangedhands.Ithad
beenattackedanddefended
numeroustimessincethen
but,fornearlyfiftyyears
now,ithadbeensafein
Ranenhands.DukeHectorof
Canarnandhisfatherhad
bothbeenmoderaterulers,
fosteringfriendlyrelations
withtheFreeCompaniesand
strengtheningthetruce.
‘Andwhattodowith
you,’Horrocksaidsuddenly,
lookinguptofocushis
piercingeyesonWilliam,
whowasabsentlyrubbinghis
shavenhead.
‘Iaskfornothing,unless
you’dconsiderlettingmego,’
theknightsaidwithathin
smile.
TheinscrutableRanen
showednosignthathewas
amusedbythiscommentand,
afteramoment,turnedto
LadyBronwyn.‘Hewasyour
pursuer.Perhapsyoushould
havethefinalsayonhisfate.’
Bronwynlooked
uncomfortablewiththe
responsibilityforaman’slife
andinvoluntarilyturnedto
Al-Hasim,whomerelyheld
hishandswide,indicating
thathewasn’tgoingtobe
muchhelp.
‘Idon’twanttosee
anyoneelsedead,’shesaid
quietly,‘butwecan’tlethim
go.He’djustresumehis
commandandyou’dhaveto
captureorkillhimagain.’
‘Wisewords,’said
Horrock.
‘So,wekeephimasa
captive?’sheasked,clearly
unsureofherself.
Hasimleantinandsaid,in
aslightlypatronizingtone,
‘Hegaveyoutherightto
decide,mylady.Youdon’t
needtoaskpermission.’
‘AndIdon’tneedyour
commentary,Karesian,’she
shotbackwithauthority.
Horrockletoutaslight
laughatthis.‘Shedoeshave
anoblestreak,afterall,’he
saidcasually,beforeturning
backtoWilliam.‘Lady
BronwynofCanarnhas
spokenandyouarenowa
captiveofWraithCompany.’
Williamshookhisheadat
theexchange.‘Iknewthat
already,butthankyouforthe
clarification.’
‘Butnow,SirVerellian,
youdon’tneedtoworry
aboutmeoranyofmymen
killingyouonawhim,’
Horrocksaid,asifitmadeall
thedifferenceintheworld.
‘AndifIgiveyoumy
wordthatIwon’ttryto
escape,willyouallowmeto
takeoffthischainand…
maybeputonsomeproper
clothing?’Williamasked.
‘No,Iwillnot,’Horrock
replied,withnohintof
humour.
‘Good,I’msoglad.’
Williamwas,tosomedegree,
resignedtohisfate,buthe
wouldstillhavelikedtobe
treatedwiththerespectdueto
hisrank.‘I’mnotsureyou
realizehowcolditisinthe
northandthiscloakislittle
protectionagainstthe
weather.’
Hasiminterjected,‘Ican
findyouatunicorsomething
downstairs,butnoarmour…
butyou’dhaveguessedthat
already,’headdedwitha
broadsmile.
Horrocksizedupthe
knightoftheRed,notinghis
shavenheadandlackoffacial
hair.‘Youshouldgrowa
man’sbeard,it’llhelpwith
thecold.’Again,hespokein
suchawaythatWilliam
couldn’ttellifhewasjoking.
‘Well,assumingyoudon’t
havearazororsoapformeto
use,thatdecisionmaywellbe
takenoutofmyhands,’he
respondedwithawrygrin.
‘You’dlooklesslikea
hawkandmymenwouldbe
lesswaryaroundyou.Most
ofthemwereraisedneverto
trustaRooramanwithno
beard,soyouaredoubly
distrusted,’Horrocksaid,
reachingforaglassof
somethingrestingonalow
tablenexttohim.‘Hasim,if
you’dtakeaninstruction
fromme,goandseethe
knightproperlyattired.Ineed
awordinprivatewithher
ladyship.’
Hasimnoddedandplaced
areassuringhandon
Bronwyn’sshoulderbefore
standingandpickingupthe
lengthofchainstillattached
toWilliam’sankle.
Ashewasledbackdown
intotheruinedbuilding,the
knightcaptainthoughthe
shouldpray.He’dbeentaught
alwaystoretreatintothe
orderedembraceoftheOne
attimesofstress;buthe
couldn’t.He’dseenthingsin
thelastfewhoursthata
knightoftheRedisnot
supposedtosee,andithad
weakenedhisfaith.
CHAPTER3
MAGNUS
FORKBEARD
RAGNARSSONIN
THECITYOFRO
CANARN
Magnushadlosttrackofthe
dayshe’dspentinthefilthy
cell,butitwasprobablyat
leasttwoweeks.Williamof
Verellianhadmadesurethat
hehadwatertowashhimself,
beforetheknightoftheRed
hadjourneyednorthin
pursuitofBronwyn,andthe
luxuryofcleanwatereach
daymadeMagnus’s
incarcerationmorebearable.
Castus,thegaoler,was
lessbotheredaboutMagnus’s
desireforcleanliness,butthe
blackeyehe’dwornfor
severaldaysafterVerellian’s
lieutenanthadstruckhimwas
enoughmotivationforhimat
leasttofolloworders.The
gaolerhadevenbegun
feedingtheprisonerproperly,
ratherthansimplythrowing
thefoodonthefloor.
Magnuswastiredand
weakfromlanguishingina
celltoosmallforexerciseand
toobaretosleepin
comfortably.Hisshoulders
achedandhisthroatfelt
scratchyandrawfrom
breathinginthedustand
debrisfromthefuneralpyres
thatburnedconstantlyinthe
squarebeyondhiscell
window.SirRillionhad
securedthetownwith
brutalityandthepromiseofa
painfuldeathforanyonewho
resistedhisoccupation.Now,
weeksaftertheassault,Ro
Canarnwasashadowofthe
townithadoncebeen.
TheBrownchapelhad
remaineduntouchedand
BrotherLanryhadbeen
allowedtoreturntothetown
toassistthepopulace.Those
whohadhiddenintheir
homesduringtheassault
werebeginningtoemerge
andfoodwasinshortsupply,
withalltheshopsand
businessesshutdown,
destroyedorpillagedcleanby
themercenaries.Thecleric
wasagoodmanandhad
quicklybegunorganizingthe
peopletomakesureeveryone
wasfed.He’dprobably
buttedheadswiththe
mercenaries,buteventhey
wouldn’tthinktokillacleric
oftheOneGod.
Magnushadseenmuch
fromhiscellwindowandhad
piecedtogetherapictureof
Rillion’sactions.Hehadleft
theworstatrocitiestoSir
HallamPevain’smercenaries
andMagnusthoughttheblind
eyethecommanderturnedto
Pevain’sactionscowardly
andvile.Theknights
wouldn’ttorture,killandrape
thedefeatedpopulace
themselves,buttheyopenly
allowedsuchbehaviouron
thepartoftheirallies.
Thelevelofdungeonsin
whichMagnuswas
imprisonedhadbecome
progressivelyemptierover
theweeks.Withnofightleft
inthetown,themercenaries
hadbeguntoquestion,torture
andthenkilltheduke’s
guard,leavingMagnus
almostalonewithdozensof
emptycellsaroundhim.The
commandershadbeentaken
first,draggedfromtheircells
byPevain’smenandtied
alivetowoodenstakesinthe
square.Thelastonehadbeen
burnedseveraldaysago–for
noreasonotherthantoamuse
themercenaries,thought
Magnus.Therankandfile
soldiersofCanarnhadmeta
similarfate,thoughtheyhad
beenburnedingroupsof
threeorfour,andthenoiseof
theirdeathshadpained
Magnusgreatly.Heknewthat
withoutVerellian’smenin
thekeep,Pevainandhis
mercenarieshadlittletofear.
Eventheotherknightsofthe
Redhadslowlydisappeared
fromthetown.Magnus
thoughtRillionmustbe
pullingthembacktothegreat
hallforsomereason,leaving
thetowntotheravagesofthe
mercenaries,withonlythe
oldBrownclerictostandup
forthepopulace.
Magnus’sthoughtswere
interruptedbysoundsfrom
theendofthecellblockand
hecouldheararmouredmen
movingwithpurposealong
thehall.Thereweremorefeet
thanjustthoseofCastusand
hismenapproaching
Magnus’scell,andhewas
filledwithforeboding.With
nooneelselefttointerrogate,
hethoughthistimehad
finallycomeandhewould
welcometheopportunityto
standbeforeRowanocoinhis
icehallsbeyondtheworld.
Thefirstknighttoappear
wasNathanofDuBan,a
wormofamanaboutwhom
Verellianhadwarnedhim.
BehindhimwasRashabald
theexecutionerandtrailing
alongatthebackwereCastus
andhismen.
‘MagnusForkbeardof
Fredericksand,brotherto
AlgenonTeardropand
priestlypainintheOne’s
holyarse,’Nathanbegan,his
blondehairruffledbythe
windthatperpetuallyblew
alongtheprisoncorridor.
‘Youhavebeensummoned
byLordCommanderRillion.’
Magnussteppedforward
andregardedtheknight.He
wasundoubtedlyatrue
fightingman,aswasthe
executioner,butbothhadthe
smugexpressionsofmen
whohadnevertrulyknown
hardshiporhadtheirrolesin
lifequestioned.Thesewere
high-bornmen,ofthenoble
warriorclassoftheknights,
eachwithanumberof
personalinsigniaand
individualheraldicdevices
displayedontheirarmour.
Theywerenotclericsofthe
Purple,butamonglessermen
theywieldedalmostasmuch
power,andMagnusknewthat
theyhadcometocollecthim
personallyformorereason
thanjusttheRanen’s
fearsomemartialprowess.
‘So,Iamtodietoday?’
Magnusaskedgrimly.
Nathansmiledand
Rashabaldlaughed.Castus
begantojoininthelaughter,
butahardglarefromthetwo
knightsshuthimup.Magnus
wasagaingratifiedthatthe
boundmanwasnotheldin
highregardbyhissuperiors.
‘Idon’tbelieveso,Ranen.
ThoughLordRilliondoesnot
divulgehismindtome,soit
ispossible,’Nathan
responded.‘Youaretobea
trophyofconquest,asymbol
ofourgreatvictoryoverthe
traitorousmenofCanarn.’
Magnussnarledand
lungedforward,clampinghis
hugehandsontothecellbars
andcastingbalefuleyesover
Nathan’sface.Theknightdid
notreactwithanythingmore
thananamusedsmile,but
RashabaldandCastusboth
jumpedatthesudden
movement.
‘WhyamItormentedby
pettymen?HaveInotdone
enoughtowarrantacleanand
honourabledeath?’Magnus
addressedthequeryskywards
andalmostshoutedeach
wordinangerandfrustration.
Nathanturnedto
Rashabald.‘Yousee,brother,
theinstinctsofacaged
animalarecommonamong
thebarbariannorthmen.I’m
frequentlyamazedthatthey
haveprovensuchathornin
oursideforsolong.’
Theexecutioner
respondedwithanervous
smile.ToMagnushe
appearednothingmorethan
anoldmandoingacoward’s
job.Hewaslivingon
borrowedtime,inMagnus’s
estimation,forhisbeheading
ofDukeHectorand
numerousotherhonourable
men.Magnuswasignorantof
whathadhappenedoverthe
lasttwoweeks,asidefrom
thefactthatBronwynhadnot
yetbeenfoundandHasim
hadbeentakennorthwith
Verellian,buthecouldbarely
tolerateanothermomentin
hiscellandhismindwas
filledwiththoughtsofblood
andvengeance.
‘Stepback,Ranen,’said
Nathan,withscorn,ashe
drewhislongsword.
Magnusdidn’tmove;
instead,hegrippedthecell
barsevenharder,turninghis
knucklesredandgrowling
downatthemenofRo.
Nathansmiledviciouslyand
steppedforward,comingtoa
stopwithinafewinchesof
thehugeRanen.
Nathanwasalargeman,
thoughstillsmallcompared
withMagnus,buthisbearing
andevidentconfidence
renderedhimamantobe
takenseriously.
‘Iamnotafraidofyou,
FatherMagnus.Ifyoutry
anythingIdon’tlike–andI
domeananything–Iwill
gladlykillyou,andLord
Rillioncanparadelessermen
beforetheking,’hesaid
menacingly.
Magnushadsuspected
thatKingSebastianTiris
wouldbearrivinginCanarn
atsomepoint,sothiswasnot
asurprise.Rillion’sorderthat
theknightsshouldpullback
fromthetownandleaveitin
thecareofPevain’smenwas
mostlikelyinpreparationfor
theirmonarch’sarrival.
‘Yourkingishere?’asked
theRanenpriest,lettinghis
growldiedownandhishands
relaxslightlyonthebars.
‘He’llbearrivingwithin
thehour,attheheadofaRed
fleet,andyouaretobe
broughtbeforehimasasign
ofourvictory,’Rashabald
said,withanoteofpridein
hisold,croakyvoice.
‘Ifyourkinghasaslittle
honourasyou,Iwouldrather
spitinhisface,’Magnussaid
indefiance.
Nathandidn’treacttothe
insultandtoldRashabaldto
besilentwhenthe
executionerbegantosplutter.
Castustookastepforwards
andhalfdrewhislongsword.
‘Mylord,shallIcuthis
filthytongueout?’thegaoler
asked,bravernowthathehad
thebackupoftheknights.
‘Idon’tthinkthatwould
bewise,’Nathanreplied,
maintaininghiscalm.‘Rillion
wantshimunspoiledwhen
he’spresentedtotheking.’
Magnuswasledfromhis
cell,alongtheemptycorridor
andupintothekeep.Itwas
earlymorningandtheair,
thoughcrispandclear,still
heldtheodourofdeaththat
hungacrossthecourtyard.
Theknightswerenowinfull
dressuniformandarrayedin
shallowcolumnsliningthe
pathfromthedrawbridgeup
tothegreathall,thoughthe
cityitselfhadbeenleftinthe
chargeofHallamPevainand
hismercenaries.
Alltheknightssported
freshlycleanedredcloaks
andtheirarmourhadbeen
mendedandpolishedtoa
burnishedshine,withthe
tabardofcrossedlongswords
overaclenchedfistvisibleon
everychest.Magnus
estimatedthattheknights
werepreparingforfurther
action.
Darkthoughtsagain
enteredhismind,muchas
theyhadwhenhehadbeen
ledtowitnessDukeHector’s
executionseveralweeksago,
thoughwhathenow
suspectedwasapotential
invasionoftheGrassSea.
Magnuscouldn’tthinkofany
otherreasonfortheknights’
continuedpresenceinthe
brokenremainsofRoCanarn
andforthearrivalofKing
SebastianTiris.
Thecourtyardhadbeen
leftmuchasitwasthelast
timeMagnushadseenit,and
itslackoforderand
cleanlinessspokevolumes
abouttheknights’intentions.
Theyhadnotmadeany
particularefforttooccupythe
city,beyondsubjugatingits
populace,andtheruined
woodenbuildingsvisible
beyondthekeephadbeenleft
wheretheyhadfallen.If
Rillionandthekinghadtruly
caredaboutCanarn,they
wouldnothaveallowedits
rapeandpillageatthehands
ofPevain.
‘Whyhaveyourknights
nottriedtorepairthecity?’
MagnusaskedofCaptain
Nathanasthesmallgroup
moveddownthelineof
knightsandacrossthe
courtyardtothedrawbridge
leadingintothetown.
‘Whyshouldwe?We’re
knightsoftheRed,not
carpentersandmasons,’
Nathanrepliedwith
arrogance.
‘It’llteach’emalessonto
seetheirhomesburning,’
suppliedCastus,withavile
grin.
Nathanagainshotthe
gaoleraquestioninglook,but
itturnedtoasmileof
agreement.
‘Istillplantokillyou,
gaoler,’saidMagnus,without
turningtolookatthe
unpleasantlittleman.
‘Stop!’orderedNathanas
hesteppedinfrontofthe
chainedRanenandglaredup
intohiseyes.
Rashabaldtuggedonthe
chain,causingMagnustohalt
infrontoftheknightcaptain.
‘Lookaroundyou,priest.’He
gesturedatthehundredor
morearmouredknightslining
thecourtyard.‘Youareaman
tobefeared,nodoubt,but
thisisnotafightforyou.
Castusisamanboundtothe
Redchurchandisaccorded
privilegeassuch.Onemore
wordofthatkindandIwill
havetopunishyou.’
Magnusglaredatthe
smallerman.Nathanwasnot
makingidlethreatsor
exercisinghisauthorityfor
thesakeofitandMagnus
detectedasincerityinthe
knight’swords.TheRanen
hadtoconcludethatNathan
wasaprofessionalsoldierand
meanteverywordhesaid.
‘I’llsaythesethingsto
myselfinfuture,then,’
MagnusrepliedinhisRanen
drawl.
Nathansmiledinspiteof
himself.‘Verywell,just
don’tthinkthatI’lllet
anotherwordofdisobedience
pass.Ican’tandIwon’t.I’m
notWilliamofVerellianand
you’llfindmelessimpressed
withyou.’Heturnedsharply
andmotionedforRashabald
toleadMagnusbehindhim.
Atthetopofthe
drawbridgestoodasmall
groupofknightsandothers,
waitingforthekingtoarrive.
Standinginthecentreand
wearinganornatelydecorated
redbreastplatewasKnight
CommanderMortimer
Rillion.Helooked
impressive,eventoMagnus,
andhishigh,crestedhelmet
displayedoldheraldry,
indicatingthattheknightwas
ofanoblerlineagethanhis
fellows.Histabardhadthe
samecrossedswordsasthe
othermen,butitalsohada
laurelwreathplacedabove
theclenchedfist,themarkof
ahighnobleofTorFunweir
andadistantrelativeofthe
houseofTiris.
Tothecommander’sleft
stoodAmeiratheLadyof
Spiders.Shewasstandinga
littlewayfromtheothers,
eagerlyawaitingthearrivalof
theking’sparty.Magnus
thoughthedetectedanoteof
jealousyinRillion’seyesas
helookedattheKaresian
witch.Thisagaincaused
Magnustoquestionthe
motivationoftheknights,as
Ameiraheldapositionon
equalfootingwithFather
Animustus,theGoldcleric
whostoodontheotherside
ofRillion.Twoothersenior
knightsoftheRedstoodwith
thecommanderinguarding
positionsandbothturned
withhardlooksasMagnus
approached.
Nathansalutedthe
commanderashearrivedand
Rashabaldhandedthechain
tooneofRillion’sguards.
‘MyLordRillion,’Nathan
said,‘theprisonerhasbeen
fairlywellbehavedthusfar,
thoughIechoVerellian’s
wordswhenIsaythatCastus
hasnotendearedhimselfto
theRanen.’Thelastwas
spokenwithasmileand
causedbothRillionandthe
Goldclerictolaughquietly.
‘Verywell,captain,please
remainhereincloseguard.I
don’twantarepeatofhis
performanceinthegreat
hall,’Rillionsaid,referringto
theknightswhohaddied
tryingtorestrainMagnusthe
lasttimehehadbeenbrought
outofhiscell.‘Makesurehe
iswellsecured.’The
commanderpointedattheleg
andwristmanaclestheRanen
priestwore,causing
Rashabaldtodouble-check
thesteelrestraints.
Magnusdidnotresist.He
wasgladtobeoutofhiscell
andtrustedthatRowanoco
hadplansforhimthatdidn’t
involvehisimmediatedeath.
Theknightslookedathim
warilyandheheardafew
sergeantsordertheirmento
keeptheireyestothefront
andignorethehugeRanen.
Hefoundthisamusing,but
didn’tletitshow;nordidhe
lettheenchantressseethathe
thoughtherthemost
dangerousplayerinthisgame
ofconquestandsubjugation.
Beyondthetown,pastthe
toweroftheWorldRaven,
Magnuscouldjustmakeout
thehighriggingoftallships
intheharbourofCanarn,
shipsthathadnotpreviously
beenthere.Thebannerof
Tiris,awhiteeagleinflight,
wascaughtinthebreezeand
indicatedthatKingSebastian
Tiris,rulerofTorFunweir,
hadlandedinRoCanarn.
RillionusheredNathan,
RashabaldandMagnusoffto
thesideandstoodwithhis
chestthrustoutatthetopof
thedrawbridge.Thecolumns
ofRedknightscameto
attention,theirsteelarmour
clankingloudlyinunison,
andMagnusbegantosee
movementinthecity.From
thesouthernharbourpeople
emerged,walkinginordered
fashionwithpennantsheld
abovethemarchingsoldiers.
Magnusnarrowedhiseyes
thebettertolookacrossthe
townandwastakenabackby
thenumbersofsoldiershe
couldseeapproaching.He
guessedthat,alongsidethe
tallships,therewouldbe
trooptransportsnestledjust
outofview.Thered
breastplateshecouldsee
marchingthroughtheruined
cityindicatedanarmyof
considerablesize,perhaps
fivethousandmen,with
severaldistinctcompaniesof
knightsoftheRed
accompanyingtheking.To
therear,supplycartsand
engineerscouldbeseen,with
sappingtoolsandsmelting
equipment–anvils,portable
forges,blocksofsteeland
sparesegmentsofarmour–
allthenecessary
paraphernaliaofasizeable
army.
Thiswasaninvasion
force,andMagnusfidgeted
uncomfortablyasthearmy
marchedtowardsthekeep.
Hecouldnowmakeout
individualsamongthe
advancingknights–captains,
lieutenantsandseveral
commanders,besidestherank
andfileknightsoftheRed.
Attheheadofthecolumn,
seatedonawhitehorse,one
ofonlytwomenridingand
notwalking,wasafigure
resplendentingoldarmour.
Oneachsideofhis
breastplatewhiteeagles
flankedanornatecrown
design,andathissidehunga
jewelledscabbard.Hewasa
manofperhapsfortyyears,
thoughhehadneitherscars
norabeardtolendany
seasoningtohisface,and
Magnuswasunimpressed
withhisbearing.
Eithersideofthe
advancingcolumn,Pevain’s
bastardswerepeeringout
frombetweenbuildingsto
takealookattheking,and
manyofthemseemed
particularlyinterestedinthe
Purpleclericwhorodenextto
themonarch.Thoseknights
inthekeepwhowereclose
enoughtoseetheriders
begantowhisperamongst
themselvesandMagnusheard
thenameCardinalMobius
attachedtothecleric.The
cardinalworeunadornedsteel
armour,thoughhispurple
tabard,displayingthesceptre
ofnobility,wasenoughto
makehimstandout.
‘What’shedoinghere?’
RillionaskedofAnimustus.
TheGoldclericwas
evidentlydistressedatthe
presenceofthePurple
cardinal,amanwhoclearly
outrankedhim,buthe
mumbledareply.‘Not
known,butitdoesn’tbode
wellforyourcontinued
command,Mortimer,’thefat
mansaid.
‘Yourhighness,welcome
toRoCanarn,’Rillionsaid
withadeepbow,causingthe
knightsinthecourtyardto
snapabruptlytoattention.
Magnusstooddefiantlyto
oneside,hisrestrainingchain
heldbySirNathan,with
Rashabaldandtwoother
knightsstandinginclose
guard.TheRanenpriest
didn’tturnawayfromthe
kingoraverthiseyesasdid
mostoftheRo,butinsteadhe
glareddownatthemonarch,
lettingthehatredandanger
showinhisdarkeyes.
‘CommanderRillion,my
mostloyalservant,itisa
pleasuretoseeyouagain,’
KingSebastianstated
grandly,lettinghisvoicerise
tobeheardthroughoutthe
keep.‘BrotherAnimustus,I
hopethattheassaultonRo
Canarnhasprovedprofitable
foryourorder?’Hespoketo
theGoldclericinatonethat
suggestedtoMagnusthatthe
kingdidnotholdtheGold
churchinhighregard.
‘Absolutely,your
highness,thetraitor’sgold
andvaluableshavebeen
appropriatedtothegloryof
theOne,’Animustusreplied
withevidentrelish,rubbing
hischubbyhandstogether
andlookingmostpleased
withhimself.
CardinalMobiushanded
thereinsofhishorsetoa
lesserPurpleclericwhostood
behindhimandmovedto
standnexttotheking.Rillion
andAnimustusbothlookedat
thecardinalwithamixtureof
distrustandreverence,asif
assessingwheretheystoodin
relationtotheseniorPurple
churchman.Mobiusdidn’t
paymuchattentiontothe
lookshereceived,butsimply
stoodclosetotheking’sright
shoulder.
‘Myking,weshouldget
themensettledbeforewe
dealwiththepleasantries,’he
saidquietly,beforeturningto
CommanderRillion.
‘Mortimer,Iassumethatyou
havedoneasweasked.’His
tonesuggestedpast
familiaritybetweenthetwo
men.
Rillionnodded,butdidn’t
takehiseyesfromthe
cardinal.‘Ofcourse,the
musterfieldisclearforyour
men…thoughIwasn’t
expectingsomany.’
Thekinglaughed.Itwasa
practisedsound,whichstruck
aslightlyfalsenote.‘One
cannotinvadeacountry
withoutanarmy,mydear
Mortimer,’hesaid,withjust
ahintofarrogance.
Ameirasharedhislaugh
andallthemenpresentturned
tolookather.‘Andyoumust
betheLadyAmeira.’King
Sebastianreachedforher
handandkisseditwarmly,a
vaguelyeuphoriclookinhis
eyes,whichMagnushad
cometoexpectfromthose
whofellundertheswayof
theSevenSisters.
‘Indeed,yourhighness,it
isapleasurefinallytomeet
you,’Ameirasaid,holdingon
tohishandandlaughingina
girlishfashion.
Rillionlookeddecidedly
jealousbutremainedsilent.
OnlyAnimustusandMagnus
noticedhisreaction,and
Magnusreleasedalowsnort
ofamusement.SirNathan
tuggedonthechainand
steppedbacktostandasclose
totheRanenashedared.
‘Keepquiet,priest,you’re
inthepresenceofroyalty,’he
saidthroughgrittedteeth.
‘Andwhoisthisbrute?’
thekingasked,doinghisbest
tolookimperiousashe
surveyedtheRanenwarrior.
Rillionmotionedto
NathanforMagnustobeled
forwardandatugonhis
chainbroughttheprisonerto
withinafewfeetofKing
Sebastian.‘ThisisMagnus
Forkbeard,aRanenpriestof
theirIceGiant.Webelievehe
wasDukeHector’scoconspirator,’Rillionsaid,
clearlystilljealousofthe
attentionAmeirawaspaying
totheking.
Mobiusmovedquicklyto
standbetweenMagnusand
theking.‘Weshouldbewary
ofthisone,myking.The
LadyKatjawarnedusabout
him.’Herestedagauntleted
handonthehiltofhis
longsword.
Ameirasmiledatthe
mentionofhersister.‘My
belovedsisterismostwise,
highness,thoughFather
Magnuscanbeofnoreal
dangertousanymore,’she
saidcryptically.‘Perhapswe
shouldgoanddiscusswhatis
tobedonewithhim.In
privatewouldbebest.’
Ameirastillheldtheking’s
handandMagnuscouldsee
herfingerslightlycaressing
hisskinasshespoke.
Rillionclearlywantedto
object,buthehadsimplyto
watchasKingSebastianTiris
wasledawaybythe
enchantress.CardinalMobius
issuedanordertoasquadof
guardsmentoaccompanythe
kingandthegroupquickly
disappearedthroughadoor
andintotheinnerkeepofRo
Canarn.
Mobiusthenturnedback
toRillion.‘So,nowthathis
highnessisotherwise
occupied,wecandispense
withthefeignedpoliteness,
Mortimer.’
‘Whatareyoudoinghere,
Mobius?ThisisaRedmatter.
Don’tyouhaveKirintohunt
downorsomething?’Rillion
askedwithvenom.
ThePurplecardinal
chuckledtohimselfand
turnedbacktothelesser
clericsbehindhim.‘Brother
Jakan,havetheadvance
guardsetupinthegreathall
inpreparationfortheking’s
addresstothetroops.Send
therestoftheknightstothe
musterfieldwithKnight
CommanderTristram.’
Theclerictowhomhehad
spokenwasayoungman
wearingthepurplesceptreof
nobilityandhesaluted
formallybeforeturningtothe
otherclericsandrelaying
orderstotheassembled
knightsandguardsmen.
Magnusthoughtitastrange
hierarchy–Purpleclericsin
commandofknightsofthe
Red.Allwerechurchmen,but
he’dneverseencooperation
onthislevelbefore.Tohis
perceptionthePurpleclerics
werewarriorsbutnot
soldiers,andhethoughtthis
workmoresuitedtotheRed
knightsalreadyinthetown.
Mobiuslethisclerics
moveamongthewaiting
armyand,afteramoment,
steppedforwardintothe
courtyardtostandwith
RillionandAnimustus.
‘Youhavehaditallyour
waysofar,killingand
destroyingtoyourheart’s
content,’hesaidoutof
earshotofmostoftheother
knights,‘butI’mherenow
andthingswillchange.Do
youunderstandme?’
Rillionsneeredatthe
cardinalandglancedat
Animustus,makingsurehe
wasnotalone.‘Youhaveno
claimonmeormyknights,
Mobius.Becarefulabout
throwingordersaround,’he
said,withanintentional
threatinhiswords.
‘Thiscampaignwillbe
conductedwithefficiency,’
thePurplecardinalsaidwith
aglancetowardsthe
destroyedtownbelow.‘And
preferablywithout
mercenariesbeinginvolved.
Wehavemorethanenough
knightsforthejoband,with
accurateintelligenceprovided
byourKaresianallies,weare
optimisticofafavourable
outcomebeforewinter.Ifwe
needadditionalforces,Lord
CorkosonofDarkwaldwill
besentforwithhis
yeomanry.’
Magnusgrowledatthe
suggestionthatthisarmywas
goingtoinvadetheFreelands
ofRanenandhemadesure
thecardinalheardhis
displeasure.
Nathanagainyankedon
hischainandbarked,
‘Silence,priest,Iwon’ttell
youagain.’
Mobiusturnedawayfrom
Rillionandstoodfacing
Magnus,hisexpressionone
ofhaughtysuperiority.Asa
Purpleclericthemanwasof
thehighestlevelofRo
nobility,achurchmanwhose
wordwasabsolutelawfor
anyonelackingroyalblood.
‘Katjatoldmeaboutyou,
priest,andaboutyour
brother.AlgenonTeardrop
isn’tit?’heasked.
‘LordAlgenonTeardrop
Ragnarsson,highthainof
Fjorlanandcommanderof
thedragonfleet,’Magnus
corrected,statinghiselder
brother’stitlewithpride.
‘Well,ifwe’rethrowing
aroundnames,IfeelIshould
introducemyselfproperly.I
amCardinalMobiusof
Arnon,clericofthesword
andnoblemanoftheOne
God,’heansweredwithequal
pride.‘Youmustbe
uncomfortablewithdefeat
andevenmoreuncomfortable
withbeingparadedaroundas
atrophy.’
Magnusscowled,thinking
thecardinalwasstatingthe
obvious,buthewasatleast
beingpolite.‘Ihavelong
sincestoppedexpecting
honourfromtheseknights,’
Magnussaid.‘Theyare
cowardsandmurderers,and
theiralliesarevilerapists.’
CardinalMobiusnodded
hishead,considering
Magnus’swords.‘Well,
worrynot,priest,theinvasion
ofyourlandswillnotbe
undertakenbymercenaries
andyouhavemywordthat
alldefeatedopponentswillbe
treatedwithappropriate
honour.’
Magnusgrowledagainat
thenewsofthisinvasion.He
wasunsurepreciselywhat
washappeninghere.The
knightsoftheRedhad,long
ago,subjugatedthesouthern
landsofRanen,butfor
centuriestheFreelandshad
existedwithoutinterference
fromtheRo.
‘Whycausesomuch
bloodanddeath?’heasked
Mobius.‘Thereisnogoalor
objectiveinmylandsworth
anyofthis.Sowhyinvade?’
Magnuswasangrybut,more
thanthat,hegenuinely
couldn’tcomprehendwhythe
Rowoulddosuchathing.A
warbetweentheRanenand
theRowouldbedevastating
toboth.
Mobiusflashedhima
knowinglookanddirecteda
haughtysmileatRillionand
Animustus.‘Perhapsyou
shouldwaitfortheking’s
addressbeforeyouputtoo
muchfaithinyour
countrymen,’hesaid,with
confidence.
***
ThegreathallofRoCanarn
wasdeathlyquiet,withno
manofRodaringtospeak
untilthekinghadbrokenthe
silence.HesatinDuke
Hector’schair,surveyingthe
assembledknightsbefore
him.Mostofthosethathad
arrivedwiththekingwereon
themusterfieldtothenorth
ofthetown,butthosewithin
thehallstillnumberedclose
tofivehundred,organizedin
columnsstretchingbackto
thepillaredentrancewayand
fillingthehugehall.Magnus
washeldatthefront,his
chainstillinthehandofSir
NathanofDuBan.Noneof
Pevain’smercenarieshad
beenallowedtoenterthe
king’spresenceandMagnus
thoughttheymusthavebeen
giventhejobofkeepingorder
inthetown–notthatitwould
beadifficultjob,sincemost
ofthepopulace,notalready
killedorimprisoned,would
becoweringbehind
barricadeddoorsintheir
homesorelseclusteredin
Lanry’schapel.
Thedisplayofornatered,
goldandpurplearmourwas
impressive,eventothe
worldlyRanenpriest,andhe
imaginedthatsomeofthese
well-adornedmenmighthave
honourandbrains,moreakin
toVerellianthantoRillionor
Nathan.However,thepower
intheroomdefinitelylay
withKingSebastianTirisand
withCardinalMobius,who
hadadoptedasubservient
positiononalowerchairto
themonarch’sleft.The
Purplechurchmanhelda
reputationamongtheknights
and,asMagnuslookedacross
theirfaces,heguessedthat
themajorityofthemwere
scaredofMobius.Knight
CommanderRillionwasmore
hisequalinstatusandthe
lookstheyexchanged
betrayedadeep-seated
rivalry.Rillionstoodoffthe
raisedplatformattheheadof
thecolumnofknightsanddid
notlookpleasedathaving
hadtogiveuphisseat.
Aswiththelasttime
Magnusstoodinthehall,the
presencethatworriedhimthe
mostwasAmeiratheLadyof
Spiders,theKaresian
enchantress,whosedesigns
werebeingplayedoutatthe
heartofthischarade.Shesat
nexttothekingandthetwo
exchangedstrangeglances
andthinsmileswhilethe
knightswaited.
WhenTirisstoodup,all
knightssalutedwiththeirfists
strucksolidlyagainsttheir
breastplates,andMobius
bowedhisheadslowlyina
well-practisedgestureof
respect.
‘Myknights,myclerics,’
heglancedatMagnus,‘and
mycaptive.TorFunweir
thanksyouforyour
unswervingloyaltyand
diligenceinbringingto
justicethetraitor,Hectorof
Canarn.’
Magnusscowledbut
remainedsilentastheking
continued.
‘However,muchstill
needstobedone.TheRanen
warlordshaveconspiredwith
thetraitorousformerduketo
supplantmeandstealour
land,’hesaidinavoicethat
roseinvolumetosomething
approachingashout.‘Andwe
willnotallowthesenorthern
barbarianstoactwithout
punishment.’Hestepped
fromtheplatformandwalked
deliberatelytowardsMagnus.
‘Tellme,priest,didyou
expecttogetawaywith
stealingmyland?’
Magnuslookedaroundthe
hallandsawhundredsofeyes
regardinghim,waitingforan
answerthatwouldplaytothe
king’swell-practisedoration.
Insteadofgrowlinganoathof
challengeorattemptingto
breakfree,asheguessedthey
feared,Magnusleantforward
andsaid,asquietlyashe
could,‘Youareinthralltoa
Karesianenchantress,your
highness.Shewillhaveyou
invademylandsandsee
thousandsofyourmenkilled
tosecurenoobjectiveandto
advancenocause.’
Forabriefmomentthe
kinglookedconfused,but
quicklyregainedhis
composureandglancedback
uptowardstheseatedfigure
ofAmeira.Theyexchanged
smilesofchildlikeadoration
beforeTiristurnedbackto
Magnusandspokeagain,this
timewithhischinraisedina
self-righteouspostureof
authority.
‘Yourpoisonouswords
serveonlytodamnyou
further,priest,’hesaid,loud
enoughforalltohear,‘and
yourlandswillcomeunder
theswayoftheOneGod,as
alllandseventuallywill.’He
thenspokemorequietly,so
thatonlythoseimmediately
aroundhimcouldhear.‘And
thethousandsdeadwillbe
yourbarbariancousinswho
presumetodefythemightof
TorFunweir.’Alookof
euphoriaenteredhiseyesas
hesteppedbackontothe
raisedplatformandbegana
lengthyandarroganttirade
againsttheFreelandsof
Ranen.
Magnusstraightenedashe
feltapresenceenterhismind
andafemalevoicespoke
clearly.‘Youarewrong,
FatherMagnusForkbeard,’
saidAmeira,throughameans
ofcommunicationthatnoone
elseinthehallcouldhear.
‘Thereisindeedanobjective,
aclearandachievableone.’
Magnuslookedpastthe
rantingkingandlockedeyes
withtheenchantress.
Allowinghismindtorelax,
heformedaquestionforher.
‘Whatisallthisfor?Whatdo
youhopetogain?Your
peoplehavenostakein
RanenandJaacaresnothing
fortheselands,’hesaid,with
genuineconfusion,finally
sickofallthehalf-whispered
gamesplayedaroundtherape
ofCanarn.
Shesmiled,thoughthere
wasnohumourasherwords
formed.‘Jaa?Isthatthelimit
ofyourvision?Jaaisanold,
decrepitFireGiant,lamenting
thelossofhissupremacy.
Rowanocoisadull-witted
axe-hurler,andasforthe
One,helosttouchwiththis
worldlongago,hispeople
justhaven’trealizedityet.’
Magnusnarrowedhiseyes
astheenchantressdecriedhis
godand,moresurprisingly,
herown.‘Youspeakin
riddles,witch.Makesense.’
Anothersmile,and
MagnussensedthatAmeira
consideredhimmoreworthy
thanmanyofthemenofRo
listeningtotherantingof
theirking.‘Youareaman
aftermyownheart.Ifthings
hadbeendifferent,perhaps
wewouldhavebeenallies.
WebothdisliketheseshortsightedmenoftheOneand
theremighthavebeenaplace
foryouintheDeadGod’s
empireofpleasureand
blood.’
‘Younolongerfollowthe
FireGiant?’Magnusasked,
withcoldeyesdirected
towardstheenchantress.
‘Andtheaxefinallyfalls.
Ithoughtyouclevererthan
this,FatherMagnus.Themen
oftheOneareourstocontrol,
themenofJaaaredeeply
withinourdesign.Allthat
leavesisyourpitifulnationof
farmersandmindlessaxemen.AssistmeandIwill
sweartoyouthatnomore
Ranenwilldiethanis
necessary.’
Magnusturnedawayand
lookedatthefloor.Around
him,knightsoftheRed
cheeredandbangedtheir
breastplatesinloud
agreementwiththeirking’s
words,wordsdesignedbythe
enchantresstofacilitatethe
invasionandsubjugationof
Magnus’speople.Thesemen
wereloyaltotheirkingand
thepriestcouldn’tfaultthem
forthat,buttheysat
unknowinglywithinthethrall
ofawitchwhosegoalwas
nottheirown.Closetofive
thousandknights,clericsand
guardsmenweremassedon
theplainsofCanarn,readyto
advanceintotheGrassSea
andtherealmofWraith
beyond.Horrock’smen
wouldbenomatchforthis
army,andMagnus’sthoughts
turnedtohisbrotherandthe
fearsomewarriorsofFjorlan.
‘Yourplanhasaflaw,
witch,’Magnusstatedplainly
inthedarkrecessesofhis
mind.‘Youmayhavethe
knightsandtheirking,you
mayevenhavetheHoundsof
Karesiaandthepeopleof
yourhomeland,butyouwill
neveradvancepasttheDeep
CrossandtakeFjorlan,not
whilemybrotherdraws
breathandthedragonfleet
sails…yourempireofblood
andpleasurewillforeverbe
confinedtothesouthwhile
Rowanocoholdsswayinthe
north.’Itwasasmallvictory,
butonethatgaveMagnus
heartforthecomingwar.
‘Apologies,LordMagnus,
wemustappearveryfoolish
toyou,nottohaveconsidered
thedangersposedby
Algenon.’Herwordswere
mockingandMagnusfelta
chilltraveluphisspineasif
somethingbeyondhis
perceptionwasatwork.
‘Therearemanyambitious
meninyourhomeland,men
preparedtodomuchtogain
power.Yourbrothershould
choosehisalliesmore
carefully.’
Magnusfeltragerise
withinhim,butheclosedhis
eyesandsuppressedit.He
knewthathe’dbekilledifhe
weretochanneltherageof
Rowanocointhepresenceof
theking,andnothingwould
begainedbykillingahandful
ofknightsbeforehefell.His
mindracedashesearchedfor
themeaningofAmeira’s
words.TheSevenSistershad
clearlyplannedthisinvasion
longbeforeCanarnhadbeen
assaulted–thewitch’s
confidenceinherstatusin
KaresiaandTorFunweirwas
testamenttothat–buthedid
notknowhowshecouldhave
neutralizedAlgenon.Ifthe
dragonfleethadlaunchedit
wouldbeonlyamatterof
daysbeforeitreachedRo
Canarnandthekingandhis
knightswereuptotheirnecks
inblood.IfthemenofRoleft
toinvadetheGrassSea,
they’dleavetheirrear
exposedtothebattle-brothers
ofFjorlanandthepossibility
thatthefleetcouldturnround
andsackRoTiriswould
quicklyhalttheiradvance.
Magnushadseenthebarracks
ofTirisandknewthatfew
knightswouldremainthere.
IfhisbrotherfoundRo
Canarnemptyandanarmy
advancingnorth,hewould
blockadethecapitalofTor
Funweirandbombardthecity
untilthekingretreatedsouth.
Itwasthestalematethathad
existedforcenturies:theRo
werebetteronlandandthe
Ranenwerebetteratsea.If
thedragonfleetwere
removedfromtheequation,
however,theFreelandswould
bevulnerableintheextreme.
‘Icankeepyoualivefor
aslongasIwillit,Father
Magnus.Yourfateistiedto
mywhim.Howdoesthat
makeyoufeel?’Thequestion
Ameiraaskedwas
accompaniedbyalookof
pleasureinhereyeswhichno
onebutMagnussaw,andit
madehimevenangrier.
‘Youhavenothingover
me,witch.Allyoucandois
killmeandIamnotafraidof
that,’Magnusrepliedwith
sincerity.
Ameira’seyesdisturbed
Magnus.Shewasattempting
toreachintohismindand,
althoughhefeltstrong,he
knewshewaspowerful
enoughtoinfluencehim–but
itwouldtaketimethatshe
didn’thave.Hiswillwas
greaterthanthatofthese
weakmenofRo,andthe
voiceofhisgodflowed
throughhim,strengthening
hisresolveagainstthe
enchantment.
Hesmiledwickedlyatthe
enchantressandhisthoughts
wereviolent.‘Tryit.
Rowanocodaresyou,bitch.
Youcan’thidebehindthese
knightsforeverandIwillfind
awaytokillyou.’
‘No,FatherMagnus,you
willnot.Iamuntouchableby
yourhandand,ifyouwillnot
assistme,youwillrotina
cell.’
Magnus’sthoughtsturned
toRhamJasRami,theKirin
assassinhe’dnotseenfor
overayear,theoneman,he
wasassuredbyAl-Hasim,
thatcouldkillthe
enchantresses.Wherethe
Kirinwasnow,Magnus
didn’tknow,butaslongashe
existedsomewhereinthe
landsofmen,theSeven
Sisterswouldbevulnerable.
Heheardalaughinthe
deeprecessesofhismindand
Ameiraspokeagain.‘Your
Kirinfriendisnowpowerless
toinjureus,hissonsawto
thatwhenweboughthim
fromaKaresianslaver.The
DeadGodgivesusfresh
powertoresisthisfeeble
attemptstokillus.’
MagnusknewthatRham
Jashadoncehadchildren,but
theywerethoughtlost
followingtheassaultonthe
Kirin’svillage,somewherein
Oslan.TohearthattheSeven
Sistershadfoundhisson
wouldnodoubtmakeRham
Jashappyandferociousin
equalmeasure.
‘Maybeyoushouldbe
moreworriedabouthisbow
thanmyhammer.’Magnus
projectedhisthoughtwitha
thinsmile.‘He’sacunning
bastard,witch,morethana
matchforyou.’
‘Thatmayoncehavebeen
true,butnolonger.Lethim
drawhisbowandyouwill
seehimaspowerlessasany
inourpresence.’
Magnusretainedhissmile,
whichappearedtoinfuriate
theenchantress.TheRanen
priestknewRhamJaswell
enoughtoknowthathewas
notamanwhoseactionswere
easytopredict;Magnushad,
morethanonce,heard
someonesayhewasn’t
worriedabouttheKirin,only
tobefoundwithanarrowin
hisheadshortlyafterwards.
‘Maybethiswillsilence
you,’shesaid,reaching
behindherchairandslowly
producingSkeld,Magnus’s
war-hammer.‘Iplannedto
giveittoKnightCommander
Rillionbut,afteryourilladvisedinsults,Imaygiveit
toSirHallamPevain.’
Magnusstoppedsmiling
andthethoughtofsucha
dishonourablemanwielding
Skeldcausedhimtobreathe
deeplyinordertostop
himselfchannellingthebattle
rageofRowanocoandgetting
himselfkilled.
Hegrittedhisteethand
projectedhisansweras
calmlyashecouldmanage.
‘Giveittowhomeveryou
wish,butIassureyouthey
willdieatmyhandbeforeI
takeitback.’
AmeiratheLadyof
Spidersdidnotlook
impressedatthethreatand,
turningtolookatthestill
rantingkingofTorFunweir
andthecheeringcrowdof
churchmen,shesaid,‘Iwill
besuretomakeyour
countrymenbleed,justsoyou
maywatch.’
***
Ameiraleftsoonafterthe
kinghadstoppedspeaking,
andMagnuswasthenforced
toendurehoursofRobackslapping,knighthoodsgiven
out,boundmenpromotedto
sergeantandpromisesof
positionsinthenewduchyof
Canarn.
KnightCommander
MortimerRillionwasnamed
marshalofthecity,with
NathanofDuBanashis
secondincommand.Theking
declaredthathiscousin,
JeremiahTiris,wouldbe
nameddukeandMobius
wouldappointasuitable
Purpleclerictooverseethe
city’sspiritualwell-being.
AnimustusofVoy,thefat
Goldcleric,wouldbe
returningtoRoArnonwith
allofhisplunderedcoin,and
Pevainwouldreceiveanother
meaninglesstitletoaddtohis
listofaccolades.The
mercenaryknightwasalso
presentedwithSkeldasa
markofhisvaluableservice
toTorFunweir–agiftthat
Magnusknewwouldseehim
killedmoresurelythanhis
existingdishonour.
Themajorityofthe
knightsoftheRedwouldbe
travellingnorthwithKing
SebastianTiris,Knight
CommanderTristramand
CardinalMobius,leaving
Rillionwithfiftyknightsand
ahundredboundmenasan
occupyingforceinRo
Canarn.Pevainandhis
bastardsweretobepaidfora
furthermonth’swork,
apparentlytoassistRillionin
keepingorderinthecity,but
Magnusknewthatthey
wouldstaybecausethecity
hadnotyetbeenbled
completelydry.Rillion’s
commandwouldbeapaltry
threehundredandfiftymen,
andMagnuswasamazedthat
nooneseemedtoregardthe
dangerthatthedragonfleet
wouldposetosofew
defenders.
Magnuswasnotso
arrogantastothinkRillion,
Mobiusorthekingstupid,so
heimaginedtheymustbe
privytosomeinformation
thusfarhiddenfromthe
priestofRowanoco.
Strangely,Ameira,the
enchantress,wasalsoto
remaininRoCanarn,andnot
toaccompanythekinginto
theGrassSea.Magnus
thoughtthatRowanoco’sold
decreethatnowitchwould
eversetfootintheFreelands
ofRanenmightstillhold
someswayandperhapsthe
SevenSisterswerenotasfree
anduntouchableasthey
mightthink.
Ashewasledbacktohis
cell,Magnusthoughtofhis
brotheronceagainandsaid
quietlytohimself,‘Pleasebe
wary,brother,thesemenhave
nohonourandsomethingisat
workherebeyondwhatIcan
see.’
CHAPTER4
HALLASUMMER
WOLFABOARD
THEDRAGON
FLEET
AllRanenchildrengrewup
hearingtalesofmonsters.
Hallarememberedhaving
badgeredhermotherfora
storyeachnightbeforeshe
wouldagreetogotobed,and
hermotherhadalwaysbeen
willingtositatherbedside
andtellhertalesoffearsome
creaturesandtheRanen
heroeswhohadvanquished
them.
ThepriestsoftheOrderof
theHammermaintainedthe
traditionthatthechildrenof
Ranenshouldneverforget
thattheywerenotalonein
theworldandthatmendid
notholddominionoverthe
land,norhadtheyevenheld
theirportionofitforlong.
Hallarememberedtalesof
trolls,theIceMenof
Rowanoco,whowandered
theLowKast,feedingon
rocks,treesandunwary
travellers.Shelovedthe
storiesofthegreatGorlan
spidersthatappearedoutof
nowhereduringthesummer
monthsandbuilttrapdoors
fromwhichtohuntacrossthe
landsofHammerfallandthe
DeepCross.Sheremembered
huddlingunderherblanketas
hermothertoldherofthe
scarredcannibaltribesof
Jekkafartotheeast,beings
notentirelyhumanwhich
struckatsettlementsandate
theinhabitants.Hermother’s
favouritestorieswereofthe
risenmen,timidbeingswho
livedinthedeepestforests,
hadclaimedthelandfor
longerthanmen,andwere
huntedalmosttoextinction
bytheclericsofRo.
Shelovedhearing
fabulousstories,butofall
thosesheremembereditwas
theonesherfatherhadtold
herthatstayedtheclearestin
hermind.AlephSummer
Wolf,thenowdeceasedthain
ofTiergarten,wouldwait
untilhiswifewasasleepto
tellhisdaughteraboutIthqas
andAqas,theblind,mindless
KrakensoftheFjorlanSea.
Halla’smotherdidnot
approveofsuchstories,for
theKrakensweremorethan
simplemonsters.Theyoung
axe-maidenlovedthetales,
however,andshewouldoften
pretendtobeasleepinthe
hopethathermotherwould
leaveandthatAlephwould
takeoverthestorytelling.
TheKrakenswere
supposedlyoldgods,Giants
worshippedbycreatureslost
inthemistsofDeepTime.
Theywerecastdownby
Rowanocoandmadetognaw
onfishandrockinthe
deepesttrenchesoftheocean,
theirmindsbrokenbytheIce
Giant’swrath.OftenRanen
sailorswouldreturnfrom
theirvoyageswithterrifying
storiesofencountersatsea,
brokenmasts,rupturedhulls
andlostmen.Sometimes
thesewereattributedtothe
Krakensandsometimesnot,
butHallawasfondofplaying
onthedocksinthehopeof
seeingareturningshipand
hearingastoryaboutthe
Krakens.
Themostinfamoustale
hadcomefromawinter
voyagewhenHallawasonly
sevenyearsold.Fiveships
hadleftTiergarten,boundfor
themountainousislandsof
Samnia,butonlyonehad
returned,awoodenshellwith
acrewhuddledbelowdecks,
halfmadfromthesightofthe
Krakens.Noneofthe
survivorscouldputinto
wordswhattheyhadseenand
theyalldiedshortlyafterthey
returned,theirbodieshaving
simplygivenuponlifeand
wastedaway,whiletheir
mindscouldsummononly
shoutedwarningsoftentacles
anddeath.Nooneknew
exactlywhathadhappened,
buttheirravingshadbeen
recordedbyapriestand
enteredintothewritten
recordofTiergartenasa
warningforsailors.The
ancienthornofthedeep,a
twistedbrassinstrument
hangingoutsideatidalcave
onthecoastofSamnia,was
saidtosummonthebeasts,
andfromancientdaysthe
hornhadbeenguardedatall
timesasahereditarytaskby
theOrderoftheHammer.
Onlyoncehaditbeenblown,
byamadaxe-masterof
HammerfallduringtheRo
occupation,andhe’dhadto
killtwoprieststogettoit.
TheKrakens,whenawoken,
hadprovidedtheRanenwith
littleinthewayofhelp
againsttheRo,fortheyhad
simplyeatentheaxe-master
andsunkhisshipbefore
returningtothedeep.
Hallastoodagainstthe
railingsofherfather’sship
andlookedoutacrossthe
slowlyrollingseasofFjorlan.
Itwasnowhershipand,
althoughshewasproudtobe
onboard,itstillfeltstrange.
She’dfoughtallherlifetobe
regardedasequaltomen,but
nowthatshewaspartofthe
battlefleetshecouldonly
thinkoftheoldstoriesof
monsters.
Thefleethadassembled
quicklyinFredericksand,
AlgenonTeardropcallinghis
lordstocomeswiftlyand
withasmanymenascouldbe
spared.They’dsetsailalittle
overaweekbeforeandwere
nowapproachingthestraits
ofSamnia;beyond,theseas
ofCanarnandTirismarked
thenorthernborderofTor
Funweir.
Hership,calledtheSea
Wolf,wastowardstherearof
thedragonfleet.Sheknew
thatifAlephwerestillalive,
thewarriorsofTiergarten
wouldhavebeenclosertothe
vanguard,butwithnothainto
representthemthey’dbeen
pushedintoalessglorious
position.Shehadthree
hundredandtwenty-five
warriorsspreadacrossthree
shipsandtheyformedthe
rearguardofthefleet,not
generallyconsidereda
positiontobecoveted.Borrin
IronBeard,axe-masterof
Tiergarten,wasactingas
captainandhadgiventhe
sailorstounderstandthata
singlederogatoryword
directedtowardsHallawould
resultinsummarydeathby
drowning.Hewasagood
man,pledgedtoservethe
familyofSummerWolf,and
he’dknowntheaxe-maiden
allherlife.
Fartothefrontshecould
seethebannerofTeardrop,a
blackflagdisplayinga
weepingdragon.Thefoghad
notyetfullyencompassedthe
fleetandAlgenon’sship,the
HammerofFjorlan,wasjust
aboutvisibleinthedistance.
SheknewthatWulfrick,
Algenon’saxe-master,had
triedtospeakforherand
secureamoreprestigious
positionforthebattlebrothersofTiergarten,but
RulagUrsaandthemenof
Jarvikhadbulliedthehigh
thainintoassigninghertothe
rearguard.Thewarlordof
Jarvikhadtakengreatoffence
atanaxe-maidenbeing
treatedasheirtoathain,but,
withnobrothers,Hallahad
nochoicebuttospeakforher
people.Tiergartenwasthe
secondcityofFjorlanandshe
wasnotgoingtoallowher
father’sdeathtoaffectthe
honourofhislands.The
realmofSummerWolfwas
thebread-basketofFjorlan,
theonlyplacenorthofthe
DeepCrosswherecrops
couldbegrown.Thesoilwas
darkandrichand,whenthe
snowsthawed,theforestsand
fieldsprovidedfoodformuch
ofthenorthlandsofRanen.
Therewerealsofewtrolls,
whichmeantthatsettlements
wouldrarelyjustdisappear
overnightassometimes
happenedintheLowKast.
Thefogbegantogrow
thickerandHallacouldhear
bellsrungthroughoutthe
fleettoalertthehelmsmento
eachship’slocation.Behind
her,dark,hardfaceslooked
upfromtheiroarsandslowed
theirrowing.Whenthefog
grewthickaroundSamnia,
thedangerofhittingasemisubmergedrockwasever
present.
BorrinIronBeardstoodat
theaftoftheship,lookingout
tosea.Heslowlybeganto
makehiswaypastthe
oarsmentotheforward
platformwhereHallastood.
‘Easy,lads,’hesaidashe
walkedpastthefrontrowof
oarsmen.‘I’veseenfog
thickerthanthis.Thisis
barelyawispofcloud.’
Hewaslying,butHalla
appreciatedhisattemptto
calmthecrew.Shewasnot
yetcomfortablewiththe
shoutingandbullyingthat
wasrequiredofaship’s
captainandwasgladofher
axe-master’sassistance.
‘Youlookalmostasgrim
asthosedirtybastards,’
Borrinsaidashecametoa
haltnexttoHalla,joiningher
inlookingforward,beyond
theship’srampantwolf
figurehead.
‘I’llbelessgrimwhenwe
clearSamniaandcansee
wherewe’regoing,’Halla
replied,rubbingunderher
eyepatch.
‘Justhopewedon’tget
eatenbyKrakens,’hesaid
withanironicgrin,causing
Hallatolookdispleased.
‘It’sill-advisedtojoke
aboutGiants,Borrin.’The
commentwasmeantkindly,
buttheaxe-maidencouldnot
shakeoffhernervousness
abouttravellingthroughthe
Krakenwaters.Itwasa
childishfear,andsheknewit,
butshe’dneverfully
reconciledtherealityof
IthqasandAqaswiththe
storiesshe’dbeentoldasa
child.
Thefogbellscontinuedto
soundupaheadandHalla
thoughtthevanguardofthe
fleetmusthavereachedthe
islands.Herthreedragon
shipswereclosetogether,
keptwithinvisualrangeby
theirhelmsmen.
‘IhopeUrsacansailas
wellasheshouts,’Borrin
saidofthelordofJarvikfar
tothefrontofthefleet.
‘Algenon’smencannegotiate
thesewaters,butwithRulag
andhisidiotsontotakecare
of,it’llbeasqueezetogetus
allthroughtheKrakenwaters
toKalall’sDeep.’
Thefleethadslowed
considerablyandHalla
thoughtitwasmorethana
simpleprecautionagainstthe
fog.IfRulagUrsawasbeing
awkwardaboutthesailing
orderoftheships,thenit
couldbealongwaittogetthe
wholefleetthroughthe
narrowchannelsofSamnia.
AlgenonandtheHammerof
Fjorlanwereattheheadof
thefleet,buthisbattlebrotherswereflankedbythe
shipsofJarvikandRulag’s
men.
Theringingofbells
becamemorefrequentand
erraticandBorrinflasheda
concernedlookatHalla.
‘Whataretheyplayingatup
there?’heaskedquietly.
‘Soundsliketheshipsaretoo
thinlyspreadorthey’relosing
sightofeachotherinthefog.’
Hallasteppedtotheside
andtriedtofocushersingle
eyeforwardintothedense
mist;seeingonlyvague
shapesinfrontoftheSea
Wolf,sheturnedbackto
Borrin.
‘Thosearewarningbells,’
shesaid.
Therhythmicsoundof
bellswasbeingechoed
throughthefrontfewranksof
ships,indicatingthatthey
weretryingtowarnthoseon
theflankstostayclose.
‘Onlyafoolwouldbreak
offinthis,’Borrinsaid,going
tothelargebrassbellthat
hungfromapost.
Heheftedtheropeand
rungthebelltwice,loudly,a
soundrapidlyechoedbythe
othershipsofTiergarten.
Hallawasconfused.The
fleetshouldbestayingclose
inpreparationforthejourney
throughthenarrowchannels
ofSamnia.Itmadenosense
thatanyshipsshouldbe
breakingoff,andyetthe
warningbellscontinuedto
sound.Shesteppedtotheport
sideofhershipandtriedto
makeoutsomekindof
markerorfeaturethatwould
tellherhowclosetheywere
toland,butallshecouldsee
wasfogandtheroughoutline
ofanothershipfrom
Tiergarten,equallyconfused
astowhatwasgoingon.
‘Mystomach’srumbling,
Halla,’saidBorrin.‘That
eithermeansI’mhungryor
thatsomethingbadisaboutto
happen.’
Theaxe-masterof
Tiergartenwasasuperstitious
man,verymuchofthe
opinionthathisstomach
coulddetectdanger.Halla
hadneverbeensurewhether
hewasjokingornotwhenhe
claimedtohaveastomachrelatedpremonition,butnow
shehadasimilarsenseof
foreboding.
Borrinturnedtoaddress
thebattle-brothersoftheSea
Wolf.‘Steady,lads,we’llbe
pasttheKrakenseabefore
youknowit.’
Hiswordsdidlittleto
calmthesailors,butHalla
guessedhe’dsaiditasmuch
forhisownbenefitastheirs.
Bellswerenowbeingrung
rapidlyandwithapersistence
thatindicatedsomethingwas
genuinelywrong,thoughthe
densefogmeantthatHalla,in
therearguard,couldonly
guessatwhatwascausing
AlgenonTeardropand
Wulfricktoringsuchan
insistentwarning.
Borrinwasdeepin
thoughtashestoodnextto
theaxe-maidenandpeered
intothefog.
Suddenlyhepointedtothe
portsideoftheshipandsaid,
‘Halla,look.Whatdoyou
makeofthat?’
Shehadtoblinkseveral
timestofocusproperly,but
sureenough,faraheadofher
ship,ontheportside,roughly
wheresheimaginedtheinlets
ofKalall’sDeepmustbe,
Hallacouldseewhatlooked
likefire.Itwaslittlemore
thananorangeglow,but
certainlyfire.Thenanother
dotoforangeappeared,and
thenanother,untiladozenor
morefierypointscouldbe
seenthroughthefogtothe
portsideofthedragonfleet.
Borrinlookedconfusedat
firstandthen,asgrim
realizationdawnedonhim,he
turnedtoHallaandsaid,
‘Rowanocosaveus,thoseare
catapults.’
Ashespoke,thedotsof
firemoved,shotsharply
upwardsintothefog,
illuminatingtheskyasthey
becameballsoffireflying
towardstheshipsofthe
dragonfleet.Adozenormore
catapults,hiddensomewhere
inthefog,firedoneafter
anotherandthesailorsofthe
SeaWolfstoodandwatched
dumbfoundedasashipof
Hammerfallwashit
amidshipsbyahugecaskof
flamingpitch.Ranensailors,
nowvisibletoHalla,ranin
panictryingtoputoutthe
fire,buttheshipwasablaze
andmanyofthemensimply
jumpedoverboard.
‘Launchboatsandhelp
thosemen,’orderedHalla.
‘Toolate…look,’
answeredBorrinasmore
shipswerehitandthedragon
fleetcameunderfirefrom
severalhiddeninletsoffthe
coastofSamnia.
Thecatapultsshotvolley
aftervolleyintothefleetand
shipandmanalikewerehit.
ThescreamsofRanen
burningtodeathtookover
fromthebellsandHalla
couldnowseewherethe
shotshadcomefrom.Thefire
hadclearedaportionofthe
fogandshecouldseea
tightlypackedgroupofsmall
shipsemergingfromanarrow
channel.Theyflewthe
bannersofUrsa,andHalla
roaredangrilyasshe
recognizedthetreachery
amongtheRanenlords.
‘ThoseareRulag’s
cutters,’exclaimedBorrin.
Catapultsfiredfromthe
starboardsideofthefleet
now,andHallasawnew
cuttersappear.Thesmaller
shipswerefasterandmore
manoeuvrablethanthelarge
shipsofthedragonfleetand
eachcarriedacatapultwitha
tremendousrange.
TheshipsofTiergarten,
beingintherearguard,had
notbeenhitbytheflaming
casks,althoughaheadoftheir
positionnumerousships,now
burningfuriously,hadnot
beensolucky.Hallalooked
onhelplesslyasshesawmen
onfiredivingintotheicy
water,andthewaytheships
slowlyburneddowntothe
waterlinemadehereven
angrier.Thiswasdestruction
bydegrees,acarefullylaid
ambushdesignedtocatchthe
shipsinthenarrowest
channelwheretheycouldn’t
manoeuvretoavoidthe
flamingcatapults.
Battlechantscouldnow
beheardassomeofthe
captainstriedtobreakaway
toengagetheshipsofRulag
thebetrayer.Ashipof
Fredericksand,oneof
Algenon’s,withflamingsails
andrapidlytakingonwater,
plungedthroughthefleetto
gettothecutters,butitwas
toobigtoavoidtheother
boatsanditschargeended
abruptlyasithitanothership.
Thecriesofsailorsechoed
throughthefleetasboth
vesselsquicklysank.
‘Fightorflee,Halla?’
Borrinaskedplainly.
Hallaignoredhimfora
momentandshieldedher
eyesfromtheblazingfiresin
frontofher.Shewastryingto
findtheHammerofFjorlan
andhopingthatAlgenonand
Wulfrickhadmanagedtoget
away.
‘Halla!’
‘Ican’tseethevanguard.
Wecan’tleaveuntilIknow
whathashappenedtothe
highthain.’HallawasanaxemaidenofRowanocoandwas
notafraidofdeath.
Shesteeledherselfand,
steppingpastheraxe-master,
shoutedtothecrew,‘Toyour
oars,now!Weneedtogetto
thefrontofthefleet.Lord
Algenonneedsourhelpand
Tiergartenwillnotdisappoint
himorRowanocoby
running.’
Hermenpausedfora
moment,mostofthemstill
standingandstaringatthe
burningshipsaheadofthem.
‘Move!’shoutedBorrin,
causingeachmanquicklyto
regainhisseat.‘Ifthisship
isn’tmovingforwardintwo
seconds,you’llhavetoworry
aboutmeandfire–andIam
muchscarier.’
Hedidn’tquestionHalla’s
decisionandshewasdeeply
gratefulforheraxe-master’s
support,evenasshe
strengthenedherselffor
battle.
TheSeaWolfspranginto
motionandmovedquickly
towardsthewreckageof
severalshipsfrom
Hammerfall.Herothertwo
shipsfollowedsuitandthe
threedragonshipsof
Tiergartenenteredthefray.
‘Keepusinthechannel,’
shesaidquicklytoBorrin,
whorelayedthemessageto
thehelmsman.
Aflamingballflew
overhead,narrowlymissing
themastandthuddinginto
theseaoverthestarboard
side.Eitherside,theflaming
shellsofotherRanenships
continuedtoburnasthe
cuttersofJarvikmaintained
theirbombardment.Thefog
wasdense,butbrokenby
shootinglinesoffire,and
Hallacouldsensethefleet
wastrappedbetweenrocks
aheadthatrequiredcareful
navigationand,oneitherside,
thesmall,fastcatapultships
hiddeninnarrowinlets.She
couldmakeoutthelooming
cliffsofSamniaandknew
thatthewaterherewasdeep
andfreezing;amaninchain
mailcouldsurviveforno
morethanafewminutesifhe
weretogooverboard.The
cutterswerenotcomingclose
enoughtobeboardedandthe
remainingdragonshipswere
movingincircles,attempting
tofindawayoutofthe
killingzonebetweenthe
cliffs.
BannersoftheDeepCross
andtheHammerfall
intermingledascaptains,
lordsandbattle-brothers
roaredfutilechallengesand
triedtokeeptheirmenalive.
Severalshipshadbeenholed
bythesemi-submergedrocks
andwereslowlysinking
whiletheircrewsattempted
tolaunchrowingboatsto
escapethefreezingwater.
Manywerestillundamaged,
butweresailingincirclesas
theSeaWolfplungedpast
them.
Hallaun-slungheraxeand
begantobangarhythmon
thewoodendeck.Sheturned
towardsthecrewandsaw
theywerestartingtorowwith
morepurpose,keepingpace
withheraxerhythmand
gatheringspeed.Overonthe
portsideacryofwarning
cametoolatetostopacaskof
flamingpitchsmashinginto
oneoftheotherTiergarten
ships.
Borrinreactedquickly,
roaring,‘Eyesfront,lads,we
willhonourthembystaying
alive.Now,forward!’
Hallaglancedthroughthe
fogtoseetheothership’s
captainraisehisaxeinsalute
toherbeforehisvesselbegan
tosink,withallhands
feverishlytryingtolaunch
boats.Anotherflamingcask
hitthemamidshipsandHalla
wincedasshesawthecaptain
suddenlyengulfedinflame.
Themenabandonedthe
flamingboatsandsimply
jumpedintothefreezing
watertoawaitdeathor
rescue.
ThemenoftheSeaWolf
lookedgrim,yetdetermined,
astheyrowedonintothe
narrowchannelwherethe
majorityofshipswerestill
trapped,manyablazeorholed
bythehiddenrocks.Halla
couldseethelargerdragon
shipsofRulagUrsa.The
traitorouslordhadbrokenoff
fromthevanguardandleft
Algenon’sshipsisolatedand
trappedbetweenthecliffs,
withfirerainingdownonall
sides.
‘Faster,’roaredBorrin,as
hestraddledthesideofthe
shipandbegantostrikehis
axeonthehull,mirroringthe
temposetbyHalla.
Ahead,shecouldseethe
bannerofTeardroppeeking
outfrombetweenburning
shipsandtheencircling
cutters.TheHammerof
Fjorlanwasnotablazeand
Hallasuspectedithad
deliberatelynotbeen
targeted.Beyond,theKraken
seawascleartothesouth,but
Algenon’ssingleshipwas
trappedbyRulag’shalfdozenandnoaidwas
anywherenear,themajority
ofshipsinthechannelbeing
nowablazeorsailingin
circlestotrytoavoidrunning
aground.Shecouldseethe
darkcoastlineofKalall’s
Deepoverherportside,but
thetoweringcliffsmeantthat
escapeoverlandwouldbe
difficult.TheHammerof
Fjorlancouldnotlastlongif
allofRulag’sshipsclosedin
onit.
‘Pullforthehighthain,’
Hallashouted.
Asickeningsoundcame
fromhersecondescortship
asitshullwastornbysemisubmergedrocksanditbegan
tolistbadlytooneside.The
sailorshadtimetolaunch
boatsandescape,butthey
couldbeofnofurtherhelpto
theSeaWolf.Bellswere
beingrungontheattacking
shipsofJarviktoalertRulag
thatanotherdragonshipwas
approaching.
Theambushhadbeenwell
planned,withmanycutters,
toosmalltobeseenandin
anycasehiddenbythefog,
assaultingfromallsides
whilestayingoutofthereach
ofthecumbersomedragon
fleet.Rulag’slargerships,all
ofwhichhadbeeninthe
vanguard,hadbrokenoff
beforetheyhadreachedthe
narrowchannel,causingthe
HammerofFjorlanto
becomeisolated,alongwith
theothershipsof
Fredericksand,whenthe
bombardmentbegan.The
traitorouslordhadthen
turnedaboutandencircled
Algenon,allowingnomeans
ofescape,whilepanichad
grippedthefleet.
Hallacouldseeaxes
thrownfromRulag’sships
thinningtheranksof
Algenon’sbattle-brothersand
softeningthemupforthe
inevitableboarding.Around
her,shecouldseenoother
shipsafloatsavetwothathad
managedtofindtheirway
downasidechannelandwere
nowoutofrangeofthe
catapults.Shefeltrage
growingwithinheratthe
sightofburningwoodandthe
smellofburningflesh.Many
weredeadandmanymore
wouldnotsurvivethewater.
Behindher,shehopedsome
oftheshipsofHammerfall
andtheDeepCross,which
hadbeenclosertotherear,
mighthavebeenabletoturn
andfleetothenorth.
Shebreathedindeeply
and,withaxeheldaloft,
roaredachallengeatthe
nearestdragonshipofJarvik.
SeveralofRulag’sbattle-
brothershadturnedtomeet
theSeaWolf’schargeandshe
couldseefaces,readyfor
battle,beckoningher
onwards.
‘Aimforthegapand
punchthrough,we…will…
not…die…today.’Her
wordswereloudandwere
spokenwithdeepconviction,
makinghermenrowallthe
fasterandchantoutoathsof
battleandpledgesto
Tiergartenandthehouseof
SummerWolf.
Borrincontinuedtobang
hisaxeonthehull,whipping
himselfupintoafrenzyashe
joinedinthechanting.‘I’ll
tearyourfuckingfacesoff,
youturncoatbastards…no
softdeathforbetrayers.’
ThewarriorsofJarvik
begantoshoutback,unaware
thatthetwoshipsthathad
brokenawayhadseenHalla’s
chargeandwerenowturning
torejointhebattle,quickly
makingtheirwayoutofthe
narrowinletandintothe
channelbehindtheSeaWolf.
SixdragonshipsofJarvik
encircledtheHammerof
Fjorlanandtwohadbegun
throwinggrapplinghooksand
preparingtoboard,the
remainderpoisedtomeetthe
oncomingattackofHalla’s
ship.
‘Halla,moreapproach,’
shoutedBorrin,pointing
behind.
Hallasawseveralships
flyingthebannersofthe
DeepCrossplunging
forward,shoutingtheirown
battlechants.Theyhadnot
turnedtofleewhentheyhad
thechance,buthadtaken
theircuefromtheSeaWolf
andwerecomingtoassist
theirhighthain.
Sevendragonshipswere
nowsailinginloose
formationtowardsthe
vanguardandthestricken
HammerofFjorlan.
‘Throwyouroars…draw
axes,’Hallaordered,causing
hermenquicklytopulltheir
oarsintotheshipandacross
theirbenches,beforestanding
asoneandheftinganarrayof
vicious-lookingweapons.
Thelastfewfeetpassedin
slowmotionandHallasaw
facesfixedinbattlefervour
waitingontheshipsofJarvik.
TheSeaWolfhitthegap
betweentwooftheships,and
splinteredwoodflewfromall
threevesselsastheflagship
ofTiergartenbrokethrough.
Othersfollowedbehindand
thebattlebegan.
Hallacouldseefighting
onthedeckoftheHammerof
Fjorlanandcouldevenmake
outthefigureofAlgenon
Teardrop,swinginghisaxein
widearcs,severingmenat
theneck,tryingdesperatelyto
repulsetheboarders.Themen
ofFredericksandwere
outnumberedbutwith
TeardropandWulfrickinthe
fraytheywouldalwaysstand
achance.Theaxe-masterwas
animmensepresence,
standingnexttohisthainand
killinganyonewhocame
closewiththunderingblows
fromhisgreataxe.
Moregrapplinghooks
werethrownanditlookedto
HallaasifAlgenonwould
quicklybeoverwhelmed.Her
ownmenhadmovedtothe
sidesoftheSeaWolfand
werewaitingfortheir
opportunitytostrike–an
opportunitythatcamequickly
whentheirshipabruptly
stopped,wedgingitself
betweenthesternofthe
HammerofFjorlanandthe
portsideofoneofthe
attackers.Herbattle-brothers
roaredoutchallengesand
floodedfromtheirshiponto
therearofthehighthain’s
vessel,joiningthefight
alongsidethemenof
Fredericksand.
Theothershipsthathad
joinedthemwereengaged
againsttheencirclingvessels
andaconfusingmelee
ensued.Nomoreflaming
caskswerebeingfiredand
thetreacheryhadcomedown
tosteelagainststeel.
‘Halla,covertherear.’
Thecommandcamefrom
Wulfrickashebarrelledtwo
attackersoverthesideand
intothewater.
Sherespondedby
swingingherselfintothe
midstofagroupofattackers
andshoutingabattlecry.The
menofJarviklooked
surprisedforasecondandshe
didn’tgivethemachanceto
recoverasheraxemoved
quickly,beheadingthe
nearestmanandcleaving
throughintothechestof
another.Borrinwaswithher
and,shoutinginsultsatthe
RulagUrsa’smen,hebegan
tohackatlimbsandbodies.
Hermenwerewhippedup
intoabattleragebyher
actionsandshefeltprideas
theythrewthemselvesatthe
attackers,caringlittlefor
theirownsurvival.Their
ferocityhadstolenamarch
onRulag’sbattle-brothers
andshethoughttheymight
juststandachance.
RulagUrsacouldnotbe
seen,thoughJalek,hisaxemaster,wasleadingthemain
assaultandHallasawhim
killingmenofFredericksand
deftlyandwithskill,showing
thathewasaformidable
opponent.Sheparriedan
incomingblowandquickly
kickedtheattackeroverboard
asshemovedthroughthefray
toreachAlgenon.Borrin
remainedbehindher,
coveringanyattempttostrike
atherandhelpingclearthe
wayformoreofherwarriors
tojointhefight.
Itwasimpossibletotell
howtheywerefaringas,in
everydirection,allshecould
seewasRanenkillingRanen,
inaseriesofbrutalandoften
desperateencounters.The
menofFredericksandwere
surroundednowandonly
AlgenonandWulfrick
preventedthemfrombeing
overwhelmed.
Anothervolleyof
throwing-axeswaslaunched
fromashipofJarvikand
moreofthehighthain’smen
fellontothewidewooden
deck.
‘Mylifewillnotbegiven
easily,yousonsofwhores,’
roaredAlgenonTeardropas
heengagedthreemen,killing
twoquicklyandthenslicing
thethirdalmostcompletelyin
two,splatteringbloodover
hisface.
Hallahadneverseenhim
fightbeforeandhis
reputationhadbeenthatofa
manwhowouldgenerally
avoidviolence,butnowhe
appearedasdangerousaman
astheaxe-maidenhadever
seen.
‘Andminewon’tbegiven
atall,’shoutedWulfrick,now
standingbacktobackwith
histhain.
HallaandBorrinwere
tryingtocuttheirway
throughtojoinAlgenonand
Wulfrick,butthesheer
numbersofmenintheirway
slowedthemconsiderably.
Moreaxeskilledallbuta
handfuloftheHammerof
Fjorlan’screwandHalla’s
mennowoutnumbered
Algenon’s.
TheRanenwhohadjoined
Halla’schargewerebusy
fightingonthedecksoftheir
ownships,preventingthe
betrayersfromreachingthe
highthain,andtheirefforts
werecausinggenuineconcern
toRulagUrsa’smen–men
whonowrealizedtheymight
notbeabletowin.
Jalek,theaxe-masterof
Jarvik,barkedoutanorderto
agroupofmentodealwith
Halla’sapproachingwarriors,
beforemovingtoengage
Wulfrickhimself.Eyes
turnedtoseetheweaponsof
thetwoaxe-mastersclashand
thesoundwasdeafening.
Bothwerehugemenandboth
werefightingfortheirlives,
thoughWulfrickwasthe
morefearsomeopponentand
Jalekwastakenabackbyhis
ferocity.
Halla,Borrinandtheir
battle-brothersmoved
forwardinawedgeshape,
hackingattheswarmof
Rulag’smen.Moreaxeswere
thrownandseveralofthe
menofTiergartenfell,and
Borrintookasolidblowto
theback.Theaxe-master
wenttohisknees,but
motionedforHallato
continueashewincedwith
painandpulledhimselfback
tohisfeet.
WulfrickhadpushedJalek
backtotherailingoftheship
and,withashoutofdefiance,
heraisedhisaxehigh
overheadandcleavedinthe
otherman’sskull.Menof
Jarvikroaredinangeratthe
bloodiedmessthatusedtobe
theiraxe-masterandthefight
becameevenmorebrutal.
Nowitwasdeeplypersonal
onbothsides.
ThenAlgenonjumped
atopanearbycrateand
growledoutoverthemelee,
‘IamAlgenonTeardrop
Ragnarsson,highthainofthe
Ranen,andInameyou
traitorsandcowards.’Hewas
clearlyinjured,withblood
seepingoutfromunderhis
cloakandacutvisibleacross
hischest.
Anansweringroarof
agreementsoundedfromthe
loyalmenaboardthe
HammerofFjorlan,anda
shoutofdefiancecameback
fromtheattackers.Halla
joinedinasshekilledanother
man,beginningtolosetrack
ofthedeadaroundher.
Borrinhaddisappearedinto
thescrumofbodiesandshe
hopedhewouldfindawayto
stayalive.
Wulfrickwasred-eyed
andfoamcouldbeseenatthe
cornersofhismouth,hisaxe
movingindeadlycircles,
killingmenbythethreeand
four,notwaitingtofight
individuals.Slowlythe
attackerswerepushedback
untilthemajorityofRanen
aboardtheshipwere
defenders,mostlybattlebrothersofTiergarten.
Thenadistanthorn
sounded.Thenoisewasdeep
andrumbledupfromrock
andearth,cuttingthroughthe
fighttobeheardoversteel
bitingfleshandmen
screamingchallenges.Almost
instantly,thetraitorousmen
ofJarvikbegantowithdraw,
turningbacktotheirown
shipsandfleeingfromthe
defenders.Thedragonships
oftheDeepCrossthathad
joinedthefighthadcleared
oneoftheattackingships,
andanotherwaslosttoa
floodofloyalwarriors,but
fourofRulag’sshipsquickly
disengagedinaplanned
manoeuvre.
Thesoundofthehorn
stoppedanycelebratory
cheeringfromAlgenon’sship
andthehundredorso
warriorswhoremainedonthe
HammerofFjorlanfell
deathlysilent.EvenWulfrick
juststood,blood-coveredand
panting,withnoinsultsor
shoutstoseeofftheattackers.
Algenonsteppeddown
fromthecratetostandwith
hismenasHalla’sbattlebrothersmingledwiththe
thain’s.‘Goodtoseeyou,
SummerWolf,’hesaid
quietly.‘Doyouknowwhat
thatsoundis?’Sweatwas
pouringdownhisfaceandhe
hadalookofintensepainin
hiseyes.
SheglancedatWulfrick
who,forthefirsttimesince
she’dmethim,lookedafraid.
Thehugeaxe-masterof
Fredericksandhadfrequently
saidhefearednothingthat
couldbekilledwithhisaxe,
andHallabegantofeelher
owndreadrising.
‘That’sthehornofthe
deep,’Algenonalmost
whispered.‘Rulagistryingto
waketheKrakens.’
Halla’sbreathingspeeded
upandshelookedacrossthe
deck.Behindherlaythebody
ofBorrinIronBeard,face
down.Anaxewasburiedin
hisbackandhisbrowneyes
werestrangelypeaceful.
Wulfrickdartedback
acrossthedeckandlookedup
atthebrokensail.Theship
couldnotmoveandthe
vesselsarounditwereinno
conditiontomakeway,with
hundredsofmendeadand
morethanoneoftheships
slowingsinking.
‘Halla,willtheSeaWolf
sail?’Wulfrickasked.
Severalofhermenhadsat
downheavilywhenthefight
hadendedandshesawthe
lightleavingtheireyesasthe
adrenalinofbattleleftthem.
Oneofthemnoddedat
Wulfrick’squestion.
‘She’ssplintered,but
whole,mylord.’
‘Getasmanyascanbe
savedtoyourship.Doit
now.’Hemovedquicklyto
Algenon,whowasleaning
againsttherailingofhisship.
Hallawasgladofthe
obscuringfogassheordered
hermen,‘Getthewounded
over,anyonethatstill
breathes.’
Herhelmsmantookover
fromBorrinandallof
Algenon’smenjoinedin,
movingmentoowoundedto
walkandthosestandingin
shockamidsttheirdead
battle-brothers.Deathhada
strangeeffectonthewarriors
andthebloodiedfleshand
bonedisquietedthemevenas
theypreparedtheirescape.
Menfromtheotherships
beganthrowingropesacross
totheSeaWolfandleaving
theirownstrickenvessels.
WarriorsoftheDeepCross,
Hammerfall,Fredericksand
andTiergartenmovedin
groupstothebenchesof
Halla’sship.Theoarswere
stillintactandtheysat
quicklyandstowedtheir
weapons.
Thesoundofthehorn
trailedoffandsilenceonce
againcameoverthefogshroudedseachannel.Halla
movedtojoinWulfrickin
assistingAlgenonandthe
threeofthemwerethelastto
leavetheHammerofFjorlan.
‘I’msorryIhadtokill
yourfather,’thehighthain
saidweakly.‘Hedeserved
better.’
‘Later,mylord,later…we
needtoleave…now,’she
replied,aslightpanic
soundinginhervoice.
Herarmwasround
Algenon’swaistandshe
couldfeelthewetnessof
bloodflowingdownhisback.
Hewasstrong,butshecould
tellhewasbadlyhurt,and
Wulfrick’stightjawandgrim
expressionshowedthathe,
too,thoughtthethainwould
notsurvive.
Alittlemorethantwo
hundredwarriorshad
survivedthebattleandthe
SeaWolfwasfulltobursting
asWulfrickplacedAlgenon
downonthedeckandstood
facingthecrew.
‘We’restillalive,boys,no
drinkingwiththeIceGiant
forus.’Thewordswere
boisterousandHallaenvied
himhiscommanding
presence,butfearremainedin
hiseyes.‘Now,rowforall
you’reworth.’
Algenon’seyeswere
beginningtocloseasthe
loyalmenofFjorlanextended
theoarsandheavedaway.
Hallacroucheddownnextto
thedyingthainandraisedhis
chinthebettertolookathim.
‘Youdidwell,Halla,’he
said,registeringherpresence.
‘Maybeitistimefora
thainessafterall.’Hewas
smilingandHallathoughthe
nolongerfeltthepainofhis
wounds.‘Staycloseto
Wulfrick.Ifthere’sawayto
survive,he’llfindit.’
‘Aretherenopriests
amongyourmen?’sheasked,
withanoteofdesperationin
hervoice.
‘Therewere,buttheywere
thefirstkilled.Iamspent,
Halla…nopriests,no
healing,notomorrow.’The
lastwordstrailedoffashis
eyelidsdroopedagain.
Wulfrickcametojoin
Hallanexttothedyingthain.
TheSeaWolfbegantomove
awayfromtheHammerof
Fjorlanastheaxe-master
firmlygraspedthehandofhis
lord.
‘We’restillalive,
Algenon,’hesaidgently.
‘Speakforyourself,’the
thainrepliedwithapained
chuckle.‘Iamleakingall
overyourship,Halla.I
deeplyapologize.’
Thepoolofbloodwas
spreadingfromAlgenon’s
backandhisskinwaspale
andhiseyesdark.Wulfrick’s
jawwastightandthehuge
axe-master’sknuckleswere
turningwhiteashegripped
Algenon’shand.
‘Idon’tknowwhattodo,’
hesaid,withtearsappearing
inhiseyes.‘Ialwaysknow
whattodo…’Hallathought
hewaswaveringontheedge
ofdespairashelookedatthe
dyingman.‘I’veletatraitor
killyou.Myhonouristiedto
yoursandI’veletyoudie.’
Algenon’seyeswidened
andheturnedtowardshis
axe-master.Grabbinghis
shouldershepulledhimself
uptolookintoWulfrick’s
eyes.‘Youaremybattlebrotherandmyfriend.You
arestrongandyouremainso.
Tellmyson…’Hespluttered
asbloodappearedatthe
cornersofhismouth.‘Tell
Alahan…torulewell…
and…tokeephisaxesharp.
Keephimalive,Wulfrick…
keephimalive.’Hisvoice
trailedoffandhishead
rockedlimplyforwards.Halla
waitedformorewords,but
nonecameandAlgenon
TeardropRagnarsson,high
thainofFjorlan,wasdead.
Wulfrickdidn’tmove
fromAlgenon’ssideandsat
withhisheadbowed,
mouthingasilentprayerover
thefallenthain.
‘MyLordWulfrick.’The
wordscamefromRexel
FallingCloud,anaxe-master
ofHammerfallwhohad
approachedtheposition
wheretheysat.‘Wearebut
twohundredmenandno
thainhassurvived.Whatdo
wedo?’Therewasanoteof
desperationinhisvoice.
Wulfrickignoredhimand
continuedhisprayer,hiseyes
closed.Hallatookadeep
breathandstoodtoface
FallingCloud.
‘Werowforthecoastas
swiftlyasourbackswill
allow,’shesaidina
commandingvoice.
FallingCloudlookedasif
heweregoingtoobjectto
Halla’simpertinence,but,
afteramomentarypause,he
salutedherbysmackinghis
fistonhischainmail.‘You
areabravewoman,oneeye…youfoughtwhenyou
shouldhaverun.’Henodded
hisheadinapproval.
Hallaletthenameslide
andsteppedpastFalling
Cloudtolookatthe
frightenedfacescrammed
intohership.
‘Rexel,’shesaidoverher
shoulder,‘checkhowmany
axe-masterswehaveand
organizethesemenproperly,
strongmentotherearand
axe-mentothefore.’
RexelFallingCloud
steppednexttoherandsaid,
‘You’veastomachofiron,
SummerWolf,butyour
wordsarewise.Itshallbeas
yousay.’
Hemovedquickly
betweenthelinesofbenches,
barkingoutordersatthe
rabbleofmentryingtorow.
Afewaxe-mastersfrom
minortownsintheDeep
CrossandHammerfall
identifiedthemselvesand
werequicklysenttoHallafor
instructions.Noneofthem
arguedatbeingordered
aroundbyawoman,asthe
nameofSummerWolfmade
hertheseniorwarrioraboard
theship.EvenWulfrickwas
merelyanaxe-masterwithno
claimtoleadershiponceout
ofFredericksand,whereas
Hallawastheonlychildofa
deceasedthainandher
lineagewassufficientto
makethesemenlistentoher.
Itwaspossiblethatthainshad
survivedonotherships,or
hadfoundawaytoescape
north,butthesurvivorsofthe
HammerofFjorlannumbered
nolordsamongthem.
‘TheSeaWolfis
overburdenedandcannot
moveswiftly,thereforewe
mustreadyourselvesfor
furtherattack,’shesaidtothe
assembledaxe-masters.No
onementionedtheKrakens,
butallknewtheywerewhat
shewasreferringto.
‘Whatofthebetrayer?’
askedRexelangrily.
‘TimetohuntdownRulag
Ursaisaluxurywedonot
have,FallingCloud.Hisday
willcome.Fornowwemust
focusonkeepingourselves
andourmenalive.’
Hallawastryingnotto
thinktoodeeply,buttolether
instinctcometothefore.She
knewwhattodo,buthad
alwaysbeenafraidofdoingit
forfearofappearing
inadequate.However,asshe
lookedintothethickfog
aroundhershipandsawno
signoflandorofotherships,
sheknewthatsomeonehadto
takecharge,andWulfrick
wasstillsilentlyprayingover
Algenon’sbody.Borrinwas
deadandcouldnolongerlend
hisvoicetoherinstructions,
leavingheraloneandin
command.
‘Thosebenchesare
overcrowded.Nomorethan
fourmentoanoar.Seetoit
atonce,’shesaidtoaminor
axe-master,whoinstantly
movedtocarryouther
orders.
‘You,’shepointedtoa
manoftheDeepCross,‘seta
faststrokeatthefore,enough
togetusmovingquickly.’
‘Rexel,makeacheckof
weaponsandarmour…and
movetheinjuredaft.’
‘Atonce,mylady,’
FallingCloudreplied
formally.
Hallawasgladofhis
assistanceasitencouraged
thelesseraxe-mastersto
complywithherorderswith
equalalacrity,andwithina
fewminutessomesemblance
oforderwasrestored.Halla
didn’twanttoadmitthat
ordersandactivitywereways
todistractthemenfrom
thoughtsofthehornofthe
deepandtheblind,mindless
KrakensoftheFjorlanSea.
AstheSeaWolfbeganto
pickupspeedandtomovein
thedirectionofKalall’s
Deep,Hallaturnedher
attentionbacktoWulfrick.
Theaxe-masterof
Fredericksandwassitting
nexttohislord’sbodywitha
lookofdespaironhisface.
Hallaofferedhimherhand.
‘Wouldyoulikeassistance
instandingup,Master
Wulfrick?’sheasked.
Heslowlycasthiseyes
upwardstoglareather.‘Ican
stand,’hesaidsoftly,pulling
himselfup,leaningonhis
hugeaxe.‘Youseemtohave
foundyourballs,young
Halla.’Therewaslittle
humourinhiswords,
however.
‘ShouldIbeinsultedat
yourcomparingmetoa
man?’sheasked,witha
similarabsenceofhumour.
‘Don’ttakeitpersonally.
You’vedonewell.’Wulfrick
noddedwithtacitapproval,
composinghimself.‘Howfar
fromlandwouldyousaywe
are?’
‘That’snottheimportant
question,Wulfrick.The
importantquestionishowfar
fromalandingarewe…we
sawcliffsoneithersideaswe
cameintothechannel.There
wasnolowgroundorbeach
thatIcouldsee.’
BeforeWulfrickcouldsay
anythingmoreasoundwas
heardfrombehindtheSea
Wolf.Itstartedasalow
rumble,accompaniedby
rushingwater,andbeganto
riseinpitchtosomething
akintoathroatywhine,
echoingthroughthefog.The
sailorspausedintheirrowing,
andthesoundfeltlouder
withoutthenoiseofoars
breakingthewater.
‘Whotoldyoutostop
fuckingrowing?’roared
Wulfrick,instantlymaking
everymanresumehisduty.
Thesoundofdisplaced
watercontinuedfrombehind
theSeaWolfandHallapeered
intothefoglookingforsigns
ofpursuit.Shegaspedasa
shapedartedacrossherfield
ofvision,appearingand
disappearingwithinasecond,
thefogrenderingthe
movementindistinct.Then
cameanothersound,deeper
andmoreresounding–it
seemedtobecomingfromall
aroundtheshipandthe
huddledmenofRanenlooked
closetopanicasFalling
Cloudranamongthem,
slappingbacksandurging
themtocontinuerowing.
Hallafeltherbreathing
quickenasshestaredintothe
fogbehindthevessel.Aroar
soundedfromsomewhere,a
terrifyingsoundthatno
humanmouthcouldmake,
growingfromagrumbling
murmurtoaprimalsoundof
anger.
Wulfrickhadalookof
sterndefianceonhisfaceas
hecametostandnextto
Halla.‘Rowanocosaveus,’
hesaid,asbothofthemsawa
hugeshaperearupintothe
fogbehindthem.
Theshapewastallerby
halfthanthemastoftheship
andwiderthanthebanksof
oars.Hallawasthankfulfor
theobscuringfog,butthe
soundpenetrateddeeplyinto
themindsofalltheRanen–a
soundthatnonecouldignore
andnonewouldforget.Itwas
agrowl,asifabeasthadbeen
awokenfromitsslumber,and
itcontinuedtogrowlouder
andlouderuntilasingle
greenishtentacle,thesizeofa
broadtreetrunk,swung
sharplydownwards,smashing
intotherearoftheSeaWolf,
feetfromwhereHallaand
Wulfrickwerestanding.
Shoutseruptedfromthe
oarsmen.Wulfrickcontinued
tomouthprayersto
RowanocoashepulledHalla
againsttherailingandaway
fromthesplintereddeck
wheretheKrakenhadstruck.
‘Rowforallyou’reworth,
youtroll-fuckers…rowfor
Fjorlan…forRanenandfor
Algenon…’Wulfrickwas
wide-eyed,buthewas
thinkingclearly.
Theybothleantoverthe
rearoftheSeaWolftolookat
theimmenseblackshape
undulatingandwrithing
withinthedensefog.
Thenamomentarybreak
inthemistgavethema
glimpseofthecreature.Allat
onceandwholetheysawthe
Krakenthatpursuedthem.It
waslargerthananyshipand
rose,asacolumnofflesh,up
fromtheoceantomove
quicklyforwardsbyan
unseenmeansoflocomotion.
Itappeared,toHalla’seyes,
tohaveonlyavaguephysical
formandtocompriseapulpy
massofgreenish-blackooze,
withgummy,toothless
mouthsandsicklygreen
tentaclesappearingand
disappearingwithinits
gelatinousbody.The
oarsmen,allofwhomwere
lookingback,screamedin
abjecthorrorastheKraken
roared.Severalmenlosttheir
sensesuponseeingthebeast
anddivedoverboardtotheir
deathsinthefreezingwater.
Severalmoreclaspedtheir
handstotheirheadsand
screamedasifthebeasthad
enteredtheirminds.
Hallaturnedawayand
pulledWulfrickdownafter
her.Theysat,theirbacksto
therailing,lookingattwo
hundredRanensailorswith
madnessintheireyes.
‘Don’tlookatit,’shouted
Wulfrick,buthiswordswere
largelyuselessasthemen
wereunabletoteartheireyes
fromthehorrorthatpursued
them.
FallingCloudwas
standinginthemiddleofthe
deck,followingtheerratic
movementsoftheKraken
untilthefogoncemorebegan
toengulfthecreature.
WhetheritwasIthqasor
Aqas,Halladidn’tknow,but
whicheveroftheblind,
mindlessKrakenschased
them,itwasfarremoved
fromthestoriesshe’dbeen
toldasachild.Therewas
nothingexcitingoraweinspiringaboutthebeast,only
primalterror.
Thenanothersoundarose
frominfrontoftheshipand
twohugetentacles,dripping
withblackslime,slammedon
tothedeckandsentadozen
ormoreRanenintothewater.
ThesecondKrakenwasin
frontofthemandtheSea
Wolfwasswiftlymoving
towardsitsdestruction
betweenthetwomindless
beasts.Theshipwasholed
andwaterbegantoshootup
inaplumefromthemiddleof
thedeck.
Hallaheldtightlyonto
Wulfrickandtheylooked
deepintoeachother’seyesas
theshipbegantolistandthe
soundofsplinteredwood
signalledthattheSeaWolf
wasstricken.
Shewasgladthefoghid
theapproachoftheKrakens
asWulfrickroughlygrabbed
herandjumpedoverboard,
holdingherinhisarms.She
felttheicywaterfillher
mouthandpullthebreath
fromherlungsbeforeshe
blackedout.
***
Hallaawokeslowly.Her
singleeyeopenedbydegrees
andshesawabright,glaring
sky.Shewasnumbwithcold
andcouldfeelnothingbelow
herneckassheblinked
quicklyandturnedherhead.
Shelayonarockybeachwith
snowanddriftwoodall
aroundher,herlegsresting
withintheslowlyrolling
washofthesea.Itmusthave
beenfreezingcoldbutshe
couldbarelyfeelit,andher
breathingwasshallowand
causedagratingsensationin
herthroat.Hallacouldhear
moaningandthesoundsof
discomfortcomingfrom
nearby.Onbothsidesofher
wereothersurvivorsofthe
dragonfleet,washedupona
ruggedcoastsomewherein
thesouthlandsofRanen.
Therewasnolongerany
fogandshecouldseeacross
thelow,featurelessexpanse
oftheocean,wheretherewas
nolandmarkinview.She
begantomoveslowly,first
herfingersandthenher
hands,graduallyflexingher
armstorelievethestiffness.
Shereachedtoherhipand
wasgratifiedtofeelthather
axewasstillatherside.With
enormouseffortsheplaced
bothhandsontherocky
groundandpushedherselfup
intoaseatedposition.
Afreshbreezehitherface
andsheclosedhereyeand
breathedindeeplybefore
openingitandlooking
around.Therockycoast
stretchedasfarasshecould
seeinbothdirections,and
alongthelengthofthebeach
laysmashedwoodand
brokenbodies.Axe-heads,
rippedchainmail,planksof
woodwithsplinterededges
and,neartowhereHallalay,
shecouldseethehugefigure
ofWulfricklying
spreadeagledacrossthe
rocks,stilladornedinhis
smellytroll-hidearmour.Just
pastthemotionlessaxemasterofFredericksand,
HallacouldseeseveralbattlebrothersofTiergarten,her
menfromthedestroyedSea
Wolf.Someweremoving,but
mostweremangledinto
grotesqueshapesandclearly
dead.Moreworryingwere
thosewhowerealivebutwho
satstaringblanklyouttosea
withderangedandbloodshot
eyes.Thesightoftheblind,
mindlessKrakenshadrobbed
manyofhermenoftheir
sanity,andHallawas
thankfulthatsheatleastfelt
clear-headed.
FallingCloudwassitting
uprightseveralfeetaway,
withhisheadinhishands.He
wasshiveringviolentlyand
lookedtohavealarge
woodensplinterstuck
throughhisshin.Theman
wasunawareofthewound
andHallahopedhismindhad
beenstrongenoughto
weatherthesightofthe
Krakens.
‘RexelFallingCloud,axemasterofHammerfall,’she
calledout,spittingoutsalt
waterasshedidso.
Helookeduphesitantly,
andHallasawtearsfrozenon
hischeeksandhiseyes
reddenedandhalfclosed.He
rubbedhisfaceandturnedto
theaxe-maiden.
‘My…lady,’he
respondedwithweariness.‘I
amalive.Iamalive.’
‘Yes,youarealive,andI
needyourhelp,’shesaid
loudly,beforepointing
weaklytohiswound.‘That
needsseeingto.’
FallingCloudlooked
downandregisteredthe
woundforthefirsttime.
‘Yes,thoughitdoesn’thurt,’
hesaid.‘Thewateriscold,
butithasstoppedthe
bleeding.’Hiseyeshada
farawaylook,butHallawas
gladtoseehecouldstillthink
clearly.
‘Weneedtoseewhois
aliveandwhoisdead,and
whereinthenameof
Rowanocowe’veendedup.’
Shecranedherneckroundto
lookinland.
Thecoastlinewasrocky
forawayupthebeachand
endedinaseriesoflowcliffs,
toppedwithsnow-covered
trees.
‘IsthisHammerfall?’she
askedtheaxe-master.
‘No,mylady,there’dbe
moresnow.We’refurther
south,’hereplied,shakinghis
headandtryingtogethis
bearings.‘Andthereareno
cliffslikethatonSamnia,so
we’reonthemainland
somewhere.’
Menlyingontherocks
aroundthemnowregistered
theconversationandafewof
themsatup,wincinginpain
astheybecameawareoftheir
woundsthroughthecold.
‘I’mfreezingmyfucking
ballsoff…andwhere’smy
fuckingaxe?’shouted
Wulfrick,withoutmoving.
‘MasterWulfrick.Still
alive,Isee,’respondedHalla
withagratifiedsmile.
Thehugeaxe-masterof
Fredericksandturnedhishead
andsaidclearly,‘Someone
tellmewhereIamandwhere
isthepersonIshouldbe
killing.’
FallingCloudletaslight
laughescapehislipsandfora
momenthisheadfeltclearer.
‘Ithinkwe’resouthof
Hammerfall,maybeonthe
coastofWraithland.’
‘Andmyaxe?’Wulfrick
asked,stillnotmovinghis
enormousbodyfromthe
rocks.
‘MasterWulfrick,your
axeisnotcurrentlyof
primaryimportance.Please
pullyourselftogether,’Halla
responded,makingno
particularefforttobegentle.
Helookedhurtfora
momentandswungroundto
situp,facingFallingCloud
andtheaxe-maiden.‘I’m
together.Ittakesmorethana
fewtentaclestogetthebetter
ofme.’
***
Barelytwohundredofthe
Ranenhadsurvivedtheinitial
attack,theKrakensandthe
subsequentshipwreck.More
hadperhapswashedupon
othercoasts,orhadmanaged
tofleebeforethehornwas
blown,butHallatriednotto
thinkaboutthem.The
situationcouldnotbe
changedbyhopingforathain
ortwotoappearoverthe
hills,andsheknewthatif
nonedid,shewasincharge.
Mostofthosewhohad
gatheredonthebeachhad
beenwashedashorefrom
othershipsandhadnothadto
witnesstheKrakens–though
themaintopicof
conversationwhilethemen
ofFjorlanwerecarryingout
theordersHallagavethem
wasoftentaclesandterror.
Ofherownmenfewerthan
twentywerestillalive,and
shefoundherselfgiving
orderstomenfrom
Fredericksand,Hammerfall
andtheDeepCross.
FallingCloud’sinjurywas
notbadandhefashioneda
rudimentarysplintthat
enabledhimtowalkacross
therockswithrelativeease.
Hallathoughthimquieterand
moresolemnthanhehad
been,butatleasthewas
beinghelpfulashemoved
amongthebodieslookingfor
survivors.Wulfrickdidn’t
movemorethanafewfeet
fromwherehe’dwashedup
andremaineddeepinthought
forsometimebeforehe
joinedtherest.
Hallaissuedmanyorders
tothebattle-brothersaround
heranddidn’tgivemorethan
acursoryacknowledgement
whentheywerecarriedout.
Thenshejustfoundother
thingsforthementodo,and
theyseemedhappyenoughto
bemovingwithpurpose.A
roughshelterwasfashioned
toprotectagainstthecold
wind,thebodieswere
assembledinseveralpyres,
andshesentmentoscout
furtherinland.Thevarious
injurieswerebeingtendedto,
buteveryfewminutesHalla
heardanotherdyingRanen
offerafinalprayerto
Rowanoco.
AdozenormoreRanen
hadlosttheirmindsatthe
sightoftheKrakensandthey
satinaroughcircle,just
insidethewash.Noneof
themhadspokenandthey
hadignorednumerousshouts
fromtheothers.Hallahad
decidedtoleavethembefor
now;iftheycouldn’tbe
rousedwhenthetimecameto
move,she’dcountthem
amongthelost.
Thehourspassedquickly
andnowthesunwas
beginningtofallinthesky,
causingthetemperatureto
dropsharply.Closetoa
hundredshiveringRanen
huddledintheshellofahull,
draggedfurtherinlandand
proppeduptoforma
rudimentarywindbreak.
Othersmallgroupsof
survivorsweresimilarly
shelteredalongthebeach.
ThebodyofAlgenon
Teardrophadnotbeenfound
andWulfrickwaswandering
thesurflookingforhislord,
refusingcallstocomeoutof
theweatherandwarm
himselfbythelargefirethey
hadnowmanagedtolight
withintheshelter.
Oneofthefewmenof
Fredericksandtohave
survivedwasOleffHard
Head,anoldchain-master
fromAlgenon’sdungeon,and
he’dbeengiventhetaskof
scoutingfurtherinland.The
oldaxe-manwasgruffand
surlywhenhereturnedtothe
shelterafterseveralhoursof
exploring.
‘Tellussomegoodnews,
Oleff,’saidFallingCloud
whileheadjustedhisleg
brace.
HardHeadnestledas
closetothefireashecould
andrubbedhisredhands
togethervigorously.Thenhe
lookedupatHallaandsmiled
thinly.
‘MyLadySummerWolf,
itseemswearesouthofthe
DeepCross.Icanjustabout
seethemountainstothenorth
and,ifmygeographyisright,
we’reintherealmofWraith.’
Afewofthemensmiled,
afewmorelaughedwith
relief,andHallanoddedat
Oleff.
‘Good,we’llmoveinland
tomorrowandsetupcamp
overthecliffs.Thewounded
needtimetorecoverordie,
and,’shegesturedacrossto
themenwhohadlosttheir
minds,‘theyneedtimeto…I
don’tknow,butI’mnot
preparedtogiveuponthem
justyet.’
Halladidn’tknowifitwas
thepredicamenttheyfound
themselvesin,butthemenof
Fjorlanhadnotonce
questionedherordersor
shownanysignofdoubtthat
shewasincharge.Even
Wulfrickhadnotmadeany
movetowardstakingover,
andsoHallaSummerWolf
steeledherselfformoredays
ofkeepingthesementogether
andalive.Shehadnoreal
planbeyondthatbut
entertainedavaguenotionof
reachingtheruinsofRoHail,
makingcontactwithWraith
Company,andfindingaway
northtoseewhatRulagUrsa
haddoneinAlgenon’s
absence.
Maybefourdays,ora
weekatthemost,wouldbe
neededtohealtheirinjuries
andpreparethementomove
asaunit.Hallalooked
silentlyoverthefacesofher
newsubordinatesandbegan
assessingwhowouldmake
appropriatelieutenantsinthe
weekstocome,astheymade
theirwaynorth.
RexelFallingCloudwasa
goodmanandalreadyanaxemaster,sohe’dbean
invaluableadviser.Wulfrick
wouldtakewhateverposition
hedeemednecessaryand
Hallawasawareoftheneed
tobecarefulwhenordering
himaround.Hehad,afterall,
beenthehighthain’sclosest
allyandwasthemightiest
warriorofthemall.Oleff
HardHeadwasaseniorman
ofFredericksandandwould
beagoodandknowledgeable
presenceatherside.The
otherswouldhavetowaitfor
theresultsofhersilent
assessment.
‘Getsomesleep,
gentlemen,’shesaidthrough
ayawn.‘Tomorrowwemove
inland.’
CHAPTER5
SAARATHE
MISTRESSOF
PAININTHECITY
OFROWEIR
SaaracradledtheRanen
cloudstonegentlyinher
handsandpeeredthroughit
intotheeyesofRulagUrsa,
battlelordofJarvik,the
traitorouswarrior
communicatingwithherfrom
halfaworldaway.
‘Ineedyourassurancethat
AlgenonTeardropisdead,’
sheaskedtheindistinctimage
thatappearedinthestone.
‘Wehavewokenthe
Krakens,witch,’hesaid
angrily,‘anddon’tmakethe
mistakeoftalkingtomelike
yourservant.’
‘Imeantnooffence.Ijust
needtoknowthattheservice
wehavepaidforhasbeen
carriedout,’repliedSaara,
filingawaytheinsultfor
futurerepayment.
‘You’vepaidfor?Iamto
behighthainofFjorlan.This
isnotsomefuckingbusiness
deal.Rowanocoonlyvalues
strength,andIamthe
strongest.’
TheRanenwasawormof
aman,buthewasanecessary
toolindealingwiththe
exemplarofRowanocoand
Saaraknewthathecouldbe
easilymanipulatedwith
promisesofpower.
‘Pleaseanswerthe
question,myLordUrsa.It’s
asmuchinyourinterestas
minetoseeTeardropdead.’
Saaratriedtosoundpatient
andrelaxed,thoughintruth
shefeltnothingbutdisgust
fortheFjorlander.
‘He’sdonefor.Mostof
hismenareinpiecesandthe
lastanyonesawhetookan
axetohisbackandwas
bleedingoutoverthedeck.
IthqasandAqasdidthe
rest…ifahundredmenmade
ittoshore,I’dbefucking
surprised.’Rulagwas
decidedlypleasedthathehad
massacredhundredsofhis
ownpeople,andSaarafelta
momentofpityforthosewho
wouldhavetoliveunderhis
tyrannicalrule.
‘Verywell,’shereplied
meekly,‘youmayproceed
withyourplan.Communicate
withmeagainwhen
Fredericksandisinyour
charge.’Saarawaitedforan
insult,butnonecameandshe
guessedRulagwasbusy
thinkingabouthisimpending
elevationtothepositionof
highthain.
Thecloudstonefadedinto
mistyblackandRulagwas
gone.Saarasmiledtoherself
andtookamomentto
appreciatethefloweringof
herplan.Algenonwasno
longerathreatandthedragon
fleethadbeenneutralized.
TheinvasionoftheFreelands
couldnowtakeplacewith
minimalresistance,andthe
SevenSisterswouldsoonbe
abletokillthefewremaining
old-bloodsandbringthe
worshipoftheDeadGodto
allthelandsofmen.
Shereplacedthecloud
stonewithinherrobesand
leftthebuildingwhereshe
hadpaidforaroom–an
unremarkabletavern,chosen
simplysoshecouldbealone
whileshespokewithRulag.
She’dslippedawayfromthe
tenthousandHoundsthathad
travelledwithherandshehad
anumberofthingsthat
requiredherattention.Most
importantly,thedealstruck
betweentheSevenSisters,Sir
HallamPevainandRulag
Ursahadbeensuccessful.
Nowshehadfurtherbusiness
intheoldtownofWeir.From
withinhercloakSaara
retrievedasmallpieceof
paperwithhastilydrawn
directionsscrawledonit.
Outside,thestreetsofRo
Weirwerequietanddark.
Buildingsloomedinwards
overthecobbles.Saarawas
usedtothewideboulevards
andairycourtyardsofKessia
andfoundtheclaustrophobic
backstreetsofWeiran
unwelcomecontrast.Shehad
beenhereforseveraldays
now,implementingthecity’s
occupationbyherpackof
Hounds.DukeLyam,theold
noblenominallyincharge,
hadaweakermindthanshe
wasusedtoandSaarafound
shehadtobegentlewithhim
soasnottoturnhimintoa
gibberingmess,incapableof
signingthedecreesshe
required.
MasterTurve,thewhipmasteroftheHounds,had
takencommandofthecity’s
musterfieldandwasmaking
useofthebarrackspreviously
occupiedbytheknightsofthe
Red,whowerenow
accompanyingthekinginto
theFreelandsofRanen.
Turvewasusingthecity
watchmantoimplementa
low-keymartiallaw,
designedtokeepthecitizens
calmandundercontrolwhile
Saaramadesurethetransition
wentsmoothlyandwithlittle
disruption.DukeLyamhad
pledgedhisandtheking’s
supportfortheenchantress’s
designsand,withafewkey
peopleinafewkeyplaces,
Saarawashappywiththe
wayRoWeirwascoming
underhercharge.Thehuge
populationofKirincriminals
andKaresianmerchantsin
WeirhadmadeSaarasmile,
forsherealizedthathertask
washalfcompletedbefore
sheevenarrived.Thiswas
notRoTiris,andthese
citizensofTorFunweirwere
accustomedtosharingtheir
streetswithnon-Ro.
Officially,KingSebastian
Tirishadagreedatreatyof
mutualcooperationwiththe
SevenSisters.Inreality,he
hadcomeunderthethrallof
firstKatjaandnowAmeira,
andthefewdissentingvoices
hadfallensilentforfearof
beingaccusedoftreasonto
thecrown.
Allthingsconsidered,the
planwasproceedingata
pace.Saaradoubtedthat
anyonecouldnowstopthe
SevenSistersfrom
succeeding.Bythetimethe
Freelandsweresubdued,the
DeadGodwouldvirtually
havewontheLongWar,
supplantingthemurderous
Giantswhohadstolenhis
powersolongago.Saarahad
evenbeguntohopethatfresh
worshipfromthelandsof
menwouldreturntheir
benefactortohisrightful
placeastheonlypermissible
god–wouldbreathefreshlife
intothelostgodofpleasure
andbloodwithathousand
young.
Saarawassmiling
contentedlytoherselfasshe
proceededdownanotherdark
streetandenteredtheslum
areacalledtheKirinTor,a
placebuiltspecificallyto
housethenumerousitinerant
Kirinwhomadetheirhomein
RoWeir.Shewaswalking
alonethroughthemidnight
alleywayswithherblack
cloakpulledtightlyaround
hershoulderstoguardagainst
anyonewhomightrecognize
her,andshesilentlylamented
thelossofherbodyslave.
Zeldantorhadbeenpleasant
companyintheyearsthey’d
beentogetherand,although
hissacrificehadbeen
necessarybothtoappeasethe
DarkYoungandtoprotect
theSevenSistersfromthe
wrathofZeldantor’sfather,
shemissedhisconstant
presenceatherside.Even
now,asshepassedthe
gloomysidestreetsanddirty
alleyways,shelongedforhis
upbeatcommentaryonevents
andhisunwaveringloyalty.
Hisfatherhadbeen
responsibleforhisdeath,and
Saaraconsoledherselfwith
theknowledgethatRhamJas
Ramiwouldnowbe
powerlesstostrikeatthe
SevenSisters.
Shestoppedata
crossroadsandcheckedthe
directionsshe’dbeengiven.
Toherleft,severalrainbow
junkieslookedatherthrough
redeyes–Kirinmenwith
dirtyfacesandfew
possessionsstandingarounda
poorlyconstructedhut.
Furtheraheadwereanumber
ofstonebuildingsnestled
amongrudimentaryhomes
madeofwoodandscavenged
metal.Herdirectionshad
beengivenherbyaRothief
who’dbeenspyingonanold
booksellerforher,andshe
guessedhe’dnotbeenpaying
muchattentionwhenhe
wrotethemdown,sincethey
didnotappeartocorrespond
withtheactualstreets–
althoughthepossibilityalso
existedthatthesemakeshift
buildingswouldmovearound
fromtimetotime.
Saarapulledherhoodup
thebettertoobscureherface
assheapproachedtheKirin
junkies.‘Iseekabookseller,’
sheaskedinheavilyaccented
Ro.
OneoftheKirin,fatter
andmorediseasedthanthe
others,grinnedandshowed
severalmissingteethand
stainedgums.
‘You’reinthewrongpart
oftownforlearning,
sweetheart…whydon’tyou
comeandjoinus,’he
responded,withadeeply
unpleasantleer.
‘Yeah,wedon’tgetfinelookingbitcheslikeyoutoo
often,’saidasecondKirin,
lickinghislips.‘Don’tworry,
we’llbenicetoyou.’
Therewerefourofthem,
menevidentlyofvileintent
andlittleinthewayof
brainpower,butSaarawasin
ahurryandnotinthemood
toplaygames.
‘IsaidIseekabookseller,
ifyoucanassistme…’she
heldherhandswide,awaiting
aresponse.
‘Oh,wecanassistyou,
youfine-lookingcunt,’thefat
Kirinsaidandstepped
forward,reachingforthe
enchantresswithhisgrubby
hands.
Saarasteppedbackand
slappedhimhardacrossthe
face.‘Iwillsayitoncemore
andifIgetaresponsethatis
nothelpful,Iwillcauseeach
ofyoupain,’shestated
calmly.‘Now,canyouassist
me?’
ThefatKirinshothera
lookofdeepindignationfrom
hisbloodshoteyes.‘I’llcut
yourfaceupforthat,you
Karesianwhore,’hesaid,
removingarustyknifefrom
insidehiscoat.
Theotherthreegrunted
agreementandonejumpedup
anddownexcitedly.‘Let’s
fuckthebitch…let’sfuckher
now,’hecriedgleefully,
spittingoverhimselfatthe
prospectofviolatingthe
enchantress.
TheKirinshe’dslapped
steppedforwardandmoved
toplacetheknifeatSaara’s
neck.Shedidn’tmove,but
smiledwithapredatorycurl
toherlipsasthefatman
paused,stoppedbysome
invisibleforce.Hebeganto
winceinpainashetriedto
raisetheknifetostabher.
‘Grabher…whatyou
waitingfor?’askedanother,
asthefirstKirinwas
overcomewithfearathis
inabilitytostrikethewoman.
Slowlyandgently,Saara
tooktheman’shandand
placedtheknifenexttoher
breast.‘Killme…ifyoucan,’
shechallenged.
‘I…can’t…move,’he
almostshoutedwithrising
panic.
Hisfellowsmovedto
flanktheenchantressandone
ofthemaimedsomepunches
ather,butnoneoftheblows
landed,andtheconfidence
drainedfromtheireyesas
theyfoundthemselvesrooted
tothespotandunableto
strike.
Saaragesturedslightly
withherhandandsaid,‘You
arevenomouslittlemen,you
willdieinanappropriate
fashion.’
ThefirstKirinstartedto
retchasSaaracaused
poisonousGorlanspidersto
appearinhisthroat.Hiseyes
widenedandhecoughedout
severalspidersthesizeofa
fist,lookingdowninhorror
astheycrawledoverhis
body.Hetriedtoscream,but
thesoundwaslostunderthe
pressureofspiderserupting
fromhisthroatandrapidly
coveringtheupperpartofhis
body,bitingandcrawling
overeachothertogetinside
hisclothing.Hisarmsshot
outandshookviolentlyasthe
venomflowedthroughhis
body,andhefelltothe
groundinconvulsions.
Saaralettwooftheothers
runawaywithlooksofabject
terrorontheirfaces.Another
hadhiseyesfixedonhis
friend’sbody,whichwas
disappearingunderthe
crawlingmoundofspiders.
‘Lookatme.’Shespoke
withmenace.
ThislastKirinwasthe
youngestandhiseyeswereas
wideascouldbe,watching
hisfriendbeingconsumed
beforehiseyes.Hesitantly,he
lookedupattheenchantress.
‘Iseekabookseller.Do
youknowwhereIwouldfind
suchamaninthesestreets?’
sheaskedwithavicious
smile.‘HisnameisKabrizzi.’
TheyoungKirinforced
hisleftarmtoriseandpoint
towardsoneofthestone
buildings.
Saaraturnedtolookin
thatdirectionandsmiled,
moregenuinelythistime,as
shesaid,‘Thankyou,you
havebeenmosthelpful.’
Anotherwaveofherhand
causedthemassofGorlan
spiderstoleavethedeadman
andscurrytowardstheyoung
Kirin.
‘But…Ihelpedyou,’he
protested,asspidersswarmed
uphislegs.
‘I…don’t…care,’Saara
replied,withoutturningback,
astheKirinbegantoscream
inpain.
Hiscriesendedina
grotesquegurgleandSaara
walkeddowntheadjacent
streettowardswhichtheman
hadpointed.Shethought
allowingtwoofthemtoleave
hadbeenawisemove,
becausetheywouldtell
otherswhattheyhadseen.
Sheenjoyedthemysterious,
half-whisperedrumoursthat
followedheraroundKaresia
and,ifsheweretocommand
TorFunweirinthesameway,
thepeasantrywouldneedto
fearherjustasherown
peopledid.
Kabrizzi’sshopwasan
unadornedstonebuilding
withfewsignsthatitwas
anythingmorethanasquat
forjunkiesandwhores.There
werenolightsinthestreet
andthedarknessfilledevery
cornerandcrevice.Asmall,
rottenplaquenexttothedoor,
whenSaarahadrubbedit
clean,read:EmanizKabrizzi,
purveyorofrarebooksand
occultitems.Hewasnota
famousman,nora
remarkableone,buthehad
onevaluableassetthatmeant
Saaraneededhisassistance.
Herthiefcontacthad
confirmedthatKabrizzihad
comeacrossanoldbook,
hiddeninthebowelsofa
BluechurchinRoHaran.The
book,seeminglyoflittle
interesttoRoscholars,was
calledArKralDeshJekin
theancientJekkanlanguage,
whichtranslatedroughlyas
TheBookoftheLost.Saara
hadnotinformedhersisters
aboutthebook,andshewas
eagertopossesitforthe
knowledgeitcontained.
Asingleknockonthe
doorwasenoughforherto
hearmovementfromwithin
andacrotchetyvoice,witha
slightKaresianaccent,
barked,‘Fuckoff,we’re
closed…we’realways
closed…sofuckoff.’
‘Pleaseopenthedoor.I
amnotathiefandyouwill
likewhatIhavetosay.’Saara
spokecalmly.
Thevoicedidn’trespond
foramomentandsheheard
heavy,throatybreathingfrom
behindthewood.Aboltwas
movedandakeywasturned
andthedoorinchedopen,
displayingseveralheavy
chainsdesignedtokeepit
frombeingflungopenbyan
intruder.Throughthenarrow
gap,anoldKaresianface
squintedattheenchantress.
‘Fuckme,it’soneofthe
SevenSisters.Whichoneare
you,JezebeltheBitchor
HarlottheNotParticularly
Pleasant?’Kabrizzidisplayed
thecarelessnessaboutinsults
thatonlytheveryold
possessed.Hechuckledto
himself.
‘MynameisSaarathe
MistressofPain,andifyou
insultmyorderagain,old
man,I’llmakeyoueatyour
owncockbeforeIeatyour
heart,’sheanswered,
narrowinghereyesintoa
girlishsmile.
‘Allright,don’ttakeit
personally,witch.Whatdo
youwant?’heasked,not
visiblyconcernedabouther
threat.
‘Iamtoldthatyou
recentlycameintopossession
ofaveryrarebook.Iwishto
buyitfromyou.’Saara
steppedforwardsotheold
mancouldseeherbetterin
thedarkstreet.
‘Showmeyourcoin,’he
saidsuspiciously.
Saaraproducedaheavy
purseandweighedit
suggestivelyinherslender
hand.ItssizemadeKabrizzi’s
eyeslightupandagrotesque
smileappearedthroughthe
gapinthedoorway.Saara
wasgratifiedthat,despite
livinginTorFunweir,theold
Karesianhadnotlosthis
people’savariciousstreak.
‘Openthedoor,’Saara
saidplainly,notwantingto
converseacrossthechains
anylonger.
Kabrizzipursedhislips
andsizeduptheenchantress,
lookingheroverfromheadto
toe,assessingthedangersof
allowingoneoftheSeven
Sistersintohisshop.
‘Youhavenothingtofear
fromme,oldman,Imerely
wishtoseethebook.You
are,inasense,merelya
glorifieddoormaninthis
encounter.’
Herconfidentmannerdid
nothingtospeedup
Kabrizzi’smusings.‘IfIlet
youin,youcouldbewitch
me,orwhateveritisyoudo.’
Saaranodded.‘Indeed,I
could,’shereplied,‘but
what’stostopmemerely
makingyouopenthedoor?
You’llnoticethatyoustill
havefreewillandIambeing
polite.’
Thatplacatedtheoldman
alittleandhenoddedand
disappearedinsidefora
moment.Saaraheardthe
heavychainsbeingunlocked
andamomentlaterthedoor
wasopenedfully.He
beckonedherinwithafrail
oldhandandsheleftthedark
streettoenteranequallydark
shop.
‘Doyounothaveany
lanterns?’sheasked.
‘No,lanternsare
expensive.Ihavecandlesand
books.Ifyouwantcandlesor
books,I’myourman.Ifyou
wantanythingelse,youcan
fuckoff,’hesaid,shuffling
inside.
‘Yes,Ibelievewe’ve
coveredthat,thankyou.’
Saaracouldtoleratetheold
man’sabrasivemannerso
longasshegotwhatshe
wanted.
Theshopwasalowceilingedroomwithseveral
equallycrampedrooms
spreadoutaroundit.She
couldseeafilthy-lookingbed
inthefurthermostroom,
meagrewashfacilitiesin
another,buteveryother
conceivablespacewastaken
upwithbooks,someon
bookshelvesorinchests,but
mostsimplypiledfromfloor
toceiling.Kabrizzihadthree
orfourcandleslitatvarious
pointsaroundthecentral
room,buttheillumination
theyprovidedwasscant.
‘Closethedoor,witch,’
Kabrizzisaidashemoved
slowlytoagnarledold
woodendeskthatmay,atone
time,havebeenashop
counter.
Saarastolealookoutinto
thedarkstreettomakesure
shehadnotbeenfollowed
andthenclosedthedoorand
replacedtherustybolts.
‘Now,whatwasthe
book’sname?’theoldman
asked,openingalarge
leather-boundtomeonthe
desk.
‘ArKralDeshJek,’Saara
answered,makingsureto
pronounceeachwordslowly
anddeliberately.
Kabrizzilookedupand
narrowedhiseyes.Saara
thoughtshedetectedahintof
fearastheoldmanlookedat
her.
‘Somebooksare
dangerous,witch…some
booksshouldn’tberead.’He
closedthetomeandsatback
inaricketychairbehindthe
desk,reachingforaclaypipe
tohisleft.
‘Iamawareofthat,but
myrequeststands.’Saarawas
eagertoreadthetextand
triednottoletherexcitement
show.‘You’vereadit?’she
asked.
Kabrizzifilledhispipe
withsweet-smellingrainbow
smokeandtouchedataperto
thebowlwhileinhaling
deeply.Heleantbackand
peeredatSaarathroughthe
cloudofsmoke.
‘AncientJekkanis
difficulttotranslate,mydear.
Itrequiresadetailedcodeto
makesenseofthecharacters.
Luckily,Ihavesuchacode,’
hesaid.
Hetookseveralmoredeep
puffsonhispipeandhis
pupilsdilatedastherainbow
smokeflowedthroughhis
bodyandcausedhimtorelax
alittle.
‘Idecodedenoughnotto
wanttodecodetherest,’he
added,withacatchtohis
voice.
‘Showmethebook,’
Saarademandedwithanote
ofauthority.
NowthatKabrizziwas
easiertosee,hisface
illuminatedbyaflickering
candle,Saaraguessedhis
rainbowsmokehabitwas
morethanjustrecreational.
Hehaddeeplybloodshoteyes
andthesmokewasofavery
highgrade,thekindofdrug
thatonlyalifelonguser
wouldneed.
‘Moneyfirst,’hesaid,his
handsvisiblyshaking.
Saarasmiledanddropped
herbagofcoinontherickety
desk.Itmadeasatisfying
thumponthewoodand
Kabrizziquicklypulleditinto
hislapandundidthetieto
lookinside.
‘Asmallpricetopayfor
yoursanity,’hesaidwitha
viciousgrin.
‘Iwouldn’tconcern
yourselfwithmysanity,old
man.Now,thebook,ifyou
please…’Sheheldouther
hand.
Kabrizzistoodupslowly
andSaarainferredthathewas
givingherampleopportunity
tochangehermind.Whenit
becameclearthatshewasn’t
goingto,heshookhishead
andmovedtoaclosedoak
chestnexttoarottingwooden
bookcase.
‘IlockeditinherewhenI
startedhavingstrange
dreams.Itdoesn’tstopme
havingthem,butitmakesme
feelbettertoknowit’slocked
away.’
Kabrizzi’shandshookas
heremovedalargekeyfrom
abookshelfandslowlyturned
itinthelock.Within,Saara
couldseetwobooks,onewas
wellwrappedinwhitecloth
andtheotherwastightly
lockedwithanironclasp.
Kabrizzigingerlypickedup
thecloth-wrappedbookand
helditatarm’slength.Saara
didn’ttroubleherselfwiththe
otherbook.Shefelther
excitementrisingasKabrizzi
crossedbacktohisdesk.
‘Ittookmealongtimeto
findthisand,mostdays,I
wishI’dneverheardofit,’he
said,withfearinhiseyes.
‘TheBlueclericIgotitfrom
washalfmad,livingina
basementunderthelibraryof
RoHaran.Heclaimeditwas
theonlyremainingcopy.’
Saaradidn’treplyatfirst
butmerelygazedatthetome,
sensingastrangeaurainthe
room.Shelookedupatthe
oldKaresianbookseller.
‘Stepaside,Kabrizzi.’
Hedidn’targue,butheld
hishandsawayfromthebook
andtooktwowidestepsto
theside.
Saaramovedroundthe
deskandbrusheddustfrom
thechairbeforesittingdown,
elegantly,withherfingerson
thewhitecloth.Shebeganto
unwrapit,windingthefabric
aroundherhandstorevealthe
frontcoverofthebook.It
wasleather-bound,withdark
embossedwriting.Rusted
fromyearsofneglect,the
metalprintwasgrainyand
indistinct,butitnonetheless
readArKralDeshJek,words
oftheancientJekkan
language,longunspokenin
thelandsofmen.Thebook
wassaidtocontainthe
chroniclesoftheLost,those
Giantswhoneverbecame
godsorelsewerecastdown
orkilledbyRowanoco,Jaa
andtheOne.Thebookwas
dangerousbecausetheLost
werestrange,alienentities
whoseexistencewas
unknowntoallbutthemost
learnedscholars,andthefew
whostudiedsuchbeingsran
theriskofexposuretothings
thatmenwerenotmeantto
know.
Saarawasnotafraid,as
theDeadGod’snamewas
containedwithin,andshewas
guidedbyhishandacross
countlesslayersoftheworld
andcountlessmorebeyond
death.Hehadledherfar,
directedtheSevenSistersto
killold-bloods,tocage
exemplars,tohuntthe
Dokkalfarandtoinvadethe
FreelandsofRanen.Nowhe
haddirectedhertoanold
booksellerintheKirinTorof
RoWeirandtothebookthat
wasinherhands.
Kabrizzihadbackedoffa
fewstepsandwastoofar
awaytoreadoverSaara’s
shoulder.
‘I’lljustbebackhere…
closethedoorwhenyou
leave,’hesaidashemoved
quicklyoutofthecentral
roomanddisappearedinto
thebedroom.
Saaracomposedherself
andopenedthebook.Within,
shesawstrangeJekkan
symbolsandmagicalglyphs
designedtocompelthereader
andtodamagefragileminds.
Saarahadlearnedtoreadthe
languageoverthepastfew
yearsandsheknewthather
mindwasstrongenoughto
resistthebook’smagical
protection.
Thepageswereofthick,
palewhitepaperwithrough-
cutedgesandnumerousdark
stainsandfingermarks.The
firstfewpagescontaineda
warningthatmenwerenot
meanttoreadthisbook–that
theirmindswerenot
sufficientlyadvancedto
comprehenditsmeaning.The
bookwasmeantforother
beings–forDokkalfar,
Jekkan,maybeevenfor
Giants–butithadoutlived
itspreviousreadersandwas
nowinthehandsofawoman.
Shebentforwardoverthe
deskandmovedacandlethe
bettertoseethestrange
writing.ItspokeoftheWater
Giants,IthqasandAqas,the
creaturesnowcalledthe
Krakens,whohadascended
togodhoodbuthadbeen
struckdownbyRowanocoin
anhonour-fuelledrage.
Sheturnedthroughpages
ofgrotesquemonstersfrom
thefarreachesoftheworld,
creaturesthathadoncebeen
godsintheagesofDeep
Timebutwerenowmerely
numberedamongtheLost,
thelosersintheLongWar.
StormGiantswhoflewin
packsoverthehighestpeaks,
ScaledGiantswhoforgedan
empireintheforgotteneast,
andstrange,namelessbeings
thathadoncewalked,
crawled,flownorswum.
Sheleafedthroughthe
pages,keepinghermindclear
andherwillstrong,asshe
searchedfortheForest
Giants,theGiantsofpleasure
andbloodwhobirthedthe
DarkYoungandwere,long
ago,worshippedoutoffear
bytheDokkalfar.
Thelorecontainedwithin
thebookdidnotprovidea
timeframeorascaleof
thingsthatanyhumancould
comprehend.Itspokein
termsoftheagesoftheworld
andoftheDeepTime
betweenthem,when
mountainsroseandfelland
thecontinentsformed.Ifthe
landsofmenhadexistedfor
onlyablinkofaneye,the
bookinSaara’shands
detailedbeingsthathadlived
millionsofblinksago.To
men,theGiantsweresimply
anancientraceofbeings.The
book,ArKralDeshJek,
however,spokeofthemasa
collectionofraces,andthe
word“Giants”wasnomore
thanacollectivetermforthe
varietyofmonstrousspecies
thathadlivedduringDeep
Time.
Saaraturnedawayand
tookamomenttocalmher
mind,realizingthatevenshe,
thegreatestoftheSeven
Sisters,wasnotaltogether
immunetothebook.Ittried
toscratchawayathermindin
awayshehadnotpreviously
experienced.Therewasno
deliberateintentor
enchantmentatwork,buta
constantbackgroundgrasping
thatshehadtoconcentrateto
avoid.Themagicinthebook
wasoldandwasnotdesigned
formen.Itwaslikeaweight
pressingdownonherhead,
oppressingherrationalmind
andmakingherlight-headed
andchaotic.
Saaraclungtothepower
oftheDeadGodthatdwelt
deepwithinherandclenched
herfists,breathingslowlyand
keepingherwillstrong.She
neededtofindthename,the
lostnameofhergod,the
namethatnomortalbeing
hadspokeninmanymillions
ofyears.Itwaswithinthe
pagesatherfingertipsand
sheknewthatthehigh
priestessofagodcouldnever
becompletewithoutthename
ofhermaster.
Leaninginagainandwith
asteelystrength,Saarathe
MistressofPaincontinuedto
read.Shereachedpagesthat
spokeoftheDokkalfar,the
ancientandimmortalforestdwellers,remnantsofthe
Giantagestillpresentinthe
world.Tohersurprise,they
werelinkedtoJaaandtothe
deathoftheDeadGod.The
bookchronicledanuprising
whentheDokkalfarhad
realizedtheywereneededto
birththeDarkYoungandthat
withoutthemtheDeadGod
couldnotspawnnewYoung.
Sheleantinevenfurtherand
readthattheforest-dwellers
hadbeencreatedonlytobe
slain,theirdeathreleasingthe
sporesthatwouldultimately
giverisetonewDarkYoung;
andthatwhentheFireGiant
hadslaintheirgod,Jaahad
giftedthemwithimmolation
attheirdeath,agiftthat
stoppedthesporesfrombeing
produced.Thissimpleacthad
preventednewYoungfrom
beingbornandhadenabled
theDokkalfartosevercontact
withtheirformermaster.
Saarareadallthisandsat
backinherchair.Allatonce,
sheknewwhytheDeadGod
hadledhertothebookand
whyshehadbeendrawninto
huntingtheDokkalfar.With
theSevenSisters’designs
nearingcompletion,Jaahad
beenseparatedfromthe
worldofmen,hisold-bloods
deadandhisexemplarinert.
Saaraknewthisalsomeant
thatthepowerhehadgifted
theforest-dwellersmustalso
havebeensevered.Killa
Dokkalfarnow,shethought,
andunlessheisburntafter
hisdeathhewillproducethe
sporesthatwillenablenew
DarkYoungtoflourishand
grow.
Shesmiledtoherself,
almostforgettingaboutthe
dangersofthebookinher
hand.Ascratchingsensation
inhermind,however,made
herquicklystrengthenher
resolveoncemore,closeher
eyesandbreathedeeply.
Theknowledgecontained
withinArKralDeshJekwas
anancientartefactofgreat
power,whichhadchanged
handsthroughouttheworld
forcenturies,movingfrom
onescholartoanotheruntil
someonecapableof
understandingitshould
appear.Saaraknewitwasnot
meantforher,butshealso
knewthattheloreit
containedwasnecessaryfor
theDeadGod’swork.
Sheforcedherselfto
continuereadingandturned
thepagesquickly,lookingfor
theentryconcerningthe
ForestGiants.Eachpage
containeddepictions,invivid
colour,ofnameless
monstrositiesandstrange
shapeswhichthebookcalled
livingbeings.
Thenshepaused.Atthe
bottomofapagewasa
referencetotheDark
Young’sfather,afleeting
mentionthatconveyedlittle
saveaname.Shereadit
slowly,repeatingthe
syllablesandlettingher
mouthbecomeusedtothe
strangewords.Thebook
spokeofaForestGiantthat
ascendedtogodhoodandwas
slainbyJaa,theFireGiant,as
asinglemoveintheLong
War.TheGiant’snamewas
Shub-Nillurath.Saarafelta
euphoriaassherepeatedly
spokethename.
‘Yourname…Iknow
yourname,’sheshouted
upwards,hervisionclouding
overaspleasureandpainin
equalmeasureflowedover
theenchantress.‘ShubNillurath,theBlackGodof
theForestwithaThousand
Young,’sheproclaimedto
thesky.
***
DalianThiefTakerdisliked
thesmellinRoWeir.Hehad
stowedawayaboardaHound
troopcarrier,disguisedasa
whip-master,andwasnow
searchingforawaytoslip
outofthenewlyerected
barracksonthemusterfield
ofWeir.Hehadnarrowly
evadedcaptureinKessia
whentheSevenSistershad
seenfittoframehimforthe
murderofLarixtheTraveller,
andifithadn’tbeenforhis
willingnesstokillmanyof
hispursuers,Dalianhadno
doubthe’dhavebeenburned
todeathbynow.He’dfound
masqueradingasaHound
veryeasy–allheneededto
dowasscowlalotandappear
slightlypsychotic.Both
thingswerepartofhis
generalmake-upanyway,so
hispresencewasnot
questioned.
IzraSabal,thesadistic
whip-mistress,actingas
MasterTurve’sadjutant,was
Dalian’sbiggestproblem.
Shewasabrutalkillerwhose
eyesneverremainedstilland
shehadtakenaninterestin
thenewwhip-masterwiththe
scarredfacewhomshedidn’t
recognize.IfDaliancould
findanopportunity,he’dkill
thebitchinaheartbeat,but
thewhip-mistresswas
constantlysurroundedbyher
Houndsandhethoughtitthe
wisercoursetoslipaway.
JaawasDalianThief
Taker’smasterandhad
alwaysbeenso.Hehadno
doubtthattheSevenSisters
hadbetrayedtheFireGiant,
buthewasunabletopersuade
theotherwindclawsofthis.
Hisorderwasnowdeeply
drawnwithinthedesignsof
theenchantresses,anditwas
hewhowasthetraitor,tobe
found,torturedandkilled.He
didnotdoubthisduty.If,as
hesuspected,hewasJaa’s
onlyservantnottobeso
enthralled,itwasuptohimto
preservethedivinefearofthe
FireGiantandtoeliminate
thesepretenders.DalianThief
Taker,greatestofthewind
claws,feltrevitalizedand
strongofpurpose,forcinghis
bodyandmindtobehaveasif
hewereyoungerthanhisfifty
yearsasheprayedforaswift
endforJaa’senemies.
‘Iamyourstocommand,’
Daliansaidquietlybywayof
aprayer,‘butIwouldhave
answeredthiscallingmore…
lustily,wereItwentyyears
younger.’
AstheThiefTakerlooked
outfromthecanvastent
wherehewaslyinglow,he
rememberedaconversation
he’dhadwithhisson,many
yearsago.Dalianhadbeen
giventhetaskofexecuting
hisboyfortreasonagainstthe
SevenSistersanditwasthe
onlytimeinthewindclaw’s
lifewhenhehaddisobeyed
anorder.Hehadneverbeena
lovingfather,largelyleaving
hissontodowhateverhe
pleased,aswasoftentheway
inKaresia.However,hehad
foundhimselfunableto
deliverthekillingblowand
hadinsteadallowedhischild
toescapetoTorFunweir.
Dalianhadneverbeencalled
toaccountforhisdisloyalty;
hissuperiorshadbelieved
himwithoutquestionwhen
hehadliedaboutkilling
Hasim.Hisson’sKirin
companionhadkilledan
enchantress–sofarasDalian
knew,theonlymaneverto
havedoneso–andequal
blamehadfallenonAlHasimofKessia.
Dalianhadnotspokento
hissoninnearlytenyears
andhadnoideanowhowto
goaboutfindinghim,buthe
wasconvincedthatfinding
thenamelessKirinwho’d
managedtokilloneofthe
SevenSistersshouldbehis
primarygoal.
TheSevenSistershad
beendispersedthroughout
TorFunweirbySaarathe
MistressofPainandthey
werenowspeedingtothe
citiesoftheRo.Theywould
beabletoswaydukesand
clericstotheirwillwith
minimaleffortnowthatthe
kingofRohadbeen
enchanted.LilliantheLadyof
DeathhadbeensenttoRo
Arnon,ShilpatheShadowof
LieswasonherwaytoRo
Haran,andIsabelthe
Seductresswastravellingeast
toRoLeith.KatjatheHand
ofDespairwasalreadyinRo
Tiris,andAmeiratheLadyof
Spidersresidedoverthesea
inRoCanarn.Heknewitwas
onlyamatteroftimebefore
allthecivilizedlandsofmen
wouldbeundertheirsway,
withonlythebarbariannorth
freefromtheirinfluence.
Daliansteeledhimselffor
abrashescapeandmarched
outofthetent.Themuster
fieldofRoWeirwasaseaof
tentsaccommodatingten
thousandHoundsofKaresia,
fullyarmouredandreadyfor
action.Thiswasnotan
invasionandtheHounds
wereunsurehowtoactasan
occupyingforce.Theywere
allconvictedcriminalsor
low-bornpeasants,keptin
linebyenchantments,drugs
andthesavagewhip-masters.
Mostwerebrutalandsemisuicidal,gladtogivetheir
livesforKaresiathemoment
theywererequired.Each
woreblackarmourandafullfacehelmet,andcarrieda
heavybladedscimitar,sothat
theyappearedalmost
identical.
Dalianwalkedconfidently
throughthecamp,keeping
halfaneyeonIzraand
Turve’scommandtentatthe
endoftherow.Hecouldsee
agreatdealofactivityin
frontofthelargetentandit
lookedasifthewhip-masters
weresendingsquadsof
Houndsintothecityto
suppressthesmalloutbreaks
ofdisobediencethathad
arisensincetheKaresianshad
arrivedinRoWeir.
Hemovedbetweentents,
stackedscimitarsandsmall
cookingfires,tryingto
identifythebestwaytoleave
themusterfield.Heknew
thatthehorseswerecorralled
tothenorthandneartothe
King’sHighway,butthey
wereguardedandtheHounds
ondutywereunlikelytolet
himtakeone.TheKaresian
Houndsrarelyusedhorses,
butSaarahadinsistedthey
werenecessary.Shehadalso
sentmessages,viafastriders,
toKatjaandAmeira.The
MistressofPainwasvery
concernedtolocateaman
theycalledtheGhost.
Apparently,hewasaCleric
oftheOneandSaarahad
instructedhersisters,already
installedinTorFunweir,to
apprehendhimatallcosts.
TravellingtowardsRoTiris
wasallDalianhadmanaged
tolearnconcerningtheGhost
fromareturningmessenger
whomhe’dtorturedfor
information.
Hesmiledashe
approachedthehorses,
thinkingtheunderworldof
Tiriswouldbetheperfect
placetostartlookingforhis
son.Dalianevenbeganto
thinkwhathe’dsaywhenhe
camefacetofacewithAlHasim.
‘Iamyourservantas
always,mylord.’Dalianonce
againspokeskywards,
addressingtheFireGiant.
‘Butaglassofwineand
someonetomassagemyfeet
wouldbewelcomebeforeI
setoff.’
PART2
CHAPTER6
RANDALLOF
DARKWALDIN
THECITYOFRO
TIRIS
ReturningtoRoTiriswasnot
ahappyhomecomingfor
Randall.Ahardnesshad
comeoverhimsinceleaving
Cozz,buthedidn’tlikehis
newviewoftheworld.Each
timehe’draisedamirrorto
hisfaceduringthejourney,
he’dseenamanhedidn’t
recognizelookingbackat
him–beardedandsolemn,
withasadnesspreviously
unknowntohim.
BrotherTorian’sbodywas
wrappedinawhiteshroud
andlaidacrossawoodencart
whichRandallwasdriving.
ThePurpleclerichadbeen
treatedwithvarious
preservingointmentsandan
imageofhissereneface
couldbemadeoutthrough
theweaveoftheshroud.
Uthahadrefusedtotalk
abouthisfriend’sdeathsince
leavingCozz.TheBlack
clerichadchangedinmanner
andappearanceoverthelast
fewweeks.Withno
replacementarmour,hewore
asimplegreyrobeandnow
lookedlesslikeawarriorand
morelikeamonkorBrown
cleric.He’dbeguntoteach
Randallhowtoholdasword,
concernedatthewayhe’d
thrownhimselfintothefray
againstRhamJas,andthe
youngsquirefinallyfelt
comfortableholdingthe
swordofGreatClaw.
Uthahadbecomeless
causticandshowedmore
respecttowardsRandall,asa
resultofthewaythesquire
hadhandledhimselfduring
thefightinCozz.Heeven
grudginglyacceptedthatthe
squirehadprobablysavedhis
life.
‘Now,attackhigh,’Utha
said,astheyengagedintheir
dailypractice.
RandallswungatUtha’s
shoulder,meetinghisaxein
mid-swingandholdingthe
position.
‘Good,nowanswermy
riposte.’Theclericswung
lowtowardsRandall’sbody
andtheirweaponsclashed
again.‘Moveyourfeetmore,
don’tstaytoostill.’
Theywerealittlewayoff
theKing’sHighway,afew
hoursfromthesoutherngate
ofthecapital,andhadspent
thenightundercanvasrather
thanenterthecityafterdark.
Itwasabrightandclear
morningandRandallcould
seeplumesofsmokerising
fromTiris.
Randallsteppedtotheside
anddeliveredathrusttowards
Utha’sside,hisaxeswinging
downtoanswertheattack.
‘Excellent,we’llmakea
swordsmanoutofyouyet,’
Uthasaidwithasmile.‘Just
don’tattackanyKirin
assassinsandyoushouldbe
fine.’
‘Theswordisstillheavy
inonehand,’Randallsaid.
Hehadtriedusingthe
bladewithbothoneandtwo
handsandfoundthesinglehandedtechniquemadehis
shoulderache.
‘Ofcourseitis,it’sabig
chunkofmetal.Ifitwastoo
light,it’dbreak.’
Uthahadn’tentirelygot
overhisdismissiveattitude
towardstheyoungsquire,but
Randallthoughtthatnow
therewasanoteofgood
humourtohisjibes.
ElyotandRobinhad
remainedinCozztorecover
fromtheirwounds,so
Randallhadhadonlythe
Blackclericforcompany
duringthetwoweeksithad
takenthemtoreturntoRo
Tiris.Ithadbeenadifficult
journeyforthefirstfewdays,
withUthasayinglittleand
Randalldeepinthought.
Aftertheypassedthetownof
Voy,theBlackclerichad
loosenedupalittleandbegun
tochatwithRandall.The
changehadtakensome
gettingusedto,butthesquire
hadfoundUthapleasant
enoughcompanywhenhe
wasn’tdeliveringbarbed
insults.
Hehadtalkedbriefly
aboutwhatwouldhappen
whentheyreachedthe
capital,andRandallthought
Utha’sinsistenceonstaying
outsidethecityforonemore
nightwaslargelytodowith
himnotwantingtohastenhis
ownpunishment.Thedeath
ofaPurplecleric,addedto
thetroublehewasalreadyin
fordisobeyingorders,didnot
bodewellfortheBlack
churchman.Uthafearedhe’d
beblamedforTorian’sdeath
and,despiteRandall’s
insistencethatithadn’tbeen
hisfault,hismoodremained
grimwhenhespokeofit.
Secretly,Randallwas
terrifiedatthethoughtof
accompanyingUthatothe
BlackcathedralinTiris,but,
astheonlywitnessableto
speakaboutwhathad
happened,heknewhehadno
choice.Ifhistestimonycould
saveUtha’shonour,thenit
wouldbeworthafewhours
ofdiscomfort.
Theycontinuedtheir
morningpracticeforanother
hour,untilthesunwasjust
visiblethroughthethincloud.
Utha’stutelagewasgoodand
Randallfeltcomfortablewith
hisswordinhand.His
strengthhadgrownoverthe
lastmonth,andUtha’spatient
styleoffencinghadsuited
Randall’sinitialhesitancy.
Thecleric’saxewascalled
Death’sEmbrace,and
Randallhadcometorealize
thatifUthawerefurther
disgracedasaresultofhis
actionsinpursuitofBrom,
hisweaponwouldbetaken
fromhim.Thisevidently
worriedtheclericand
Randalloftencaughthim
gazinglovinglyattheaxe,in
amannersimilartotheway
SirLeonhadstaredathis
longswordbeforeRandall
inheritedit.
‘You’restilloverextendingyourarm,’Utha
said,afterRandallhadlost
hisfootingattemptingahigh
strike.‘Don’tletthebladeget
toofarawayfromyourbody.
It’salongsword,remember;
ithasenoughreachwithout
youstickingyourarmout.’
‘That’swhathappenedto
Elyot,isn’tit?’Randall
rememberedthewaythe
youngwatchmanhadbeen
openedupbyBromandhad
losthisarm.
Uthanodded.‘Yes,he
reliedonhavingtwobladesto
Brom’sone,butforgotabout
thereachhewasconcedingto
thelongerblade.Never
assumeyouhavethebetterof
youropponent,justfightand
letyourskilldecidethe
result.’Hesmiled.‘Anddon’t
beafraidtokickorpunch.
You’reusingaone-handed
blade,soit’snotlikeyour
otherhandisdoinganything.
RememberhowBromvy
knockedmedown?’
Randallfoundrevisiting
theencounterstrange,though
heknewthatmanyvaluable
lessonscouldbedrawnfrom
thecombat.
‘Hetookyououtofthe
fight,’herepliedplainly.
‘Indeed.Herecognized
measthegreatestthreatand
putmedownsohecoulddeal
withElyotandClement,
neitherofwhomwashis
equal.’
Swordplay,Randall
realizednow,wasabout
muchmorethanjusthacking
atmenwithablade.
‘How’stheporridge?’
Uthaasked,ashesatdownon
hisbedrollandplacedhisaxe
carefullyonthesaddleofhis
horse.
‘It’sdone.’Randall
spoonedalargeportionintoa
smallwoodenbowl.
Theyhadeatenporridge
everymorningsinceleaving
Cozz.Tomorrowtheywould
beinRoTirisandcouldeat
heartilyataninn–an
enticingthoughtafterthe
thick,slimysubstancethey
hadbeenlivingon.
Theyateslowlyandwith
littletalk,bothofthemin
theirownworldof
contemplation.Randall
thoughtofhislifeandthe
unexpectedturnshe’d
enduredoverthepastmonth,
andheguessedthatUthawas
worryingabouttheBlack
cathedral.TheBlackclerics
hadtheirheadquartersinRo
Tiris,unliketheotherclerical
orders,whichwerebasedin
RoArnon.Uthahad
frequentlyspokenaboutthe
traditionofkeepingthe
clericsofdeathclosetothe
kingandawayfromthe
Purplecardinals.Hehadbeen
evasiveastothereasonfor
thistradition,butthe
implicationwasthatthey
weretheoneorderthatwas
alwaysundertheeyeofthe
king.
‘Timetogo,young
Randall,’Uthasaid,finishing
hisporridge.‘Getthecamp
togetherandI’lldealwiththe
fire.’
Uthawaswearinghis
cleric’sboots–toughleather,
withtightsteelbuckles–the
onlyremnantofhisarmour
thatremained.Hewasstilla
huge,broad-shoulderedlump
ofaman,butwithouthis
blackarmourhelookedless
intimidating.Hispaleskin
andpinkeyeswereless
strikingandthescardownhis
neckwashiddenbythehood
ofhisgreyrobe.
Theypulleddownthe
smallcampquicklyand
largelyinsilence.Randall
triedtospeak,buthislight
attemptsatconversationmet
withaglarefromUtha.The
clericspokenowordsashe
packeduphisfewbelongings
andsheathedhisaxe,takinga
momenttolookatthedoubleheadedweaponbeforehe
stoweditforwhatmightbe
thelasttime.
‘Right,justsowe’reclear,
Randall,asweridethrough
Tiris,keepyourmouthshut.I
don’twanttotalktoyou.
Understood?’Hedidn’tlook
atthesquire.
‘Iunderstand,butremind
meagainwhyIshouldobey
yourorders?’
TheBlackclericshothim
athreateninglook.‘BecauseI
willknockyourteeththrough
yourheadifyoudon’t.’
‘Ineedtobeabletospeak
todefendyou,remember?’
Randallhadlostmuchofthe
fearheusedtofeeltowards
Uthaandhadnocompunction
aboutspeakinghismind.‘It’s
notlikeI’masquireany
more.’
Theclericstoodupand
flexedhisback,makinga
showofconsidering
Randall’swords.Thenhe
turnedandcrossedquicklyto
standinfrontofthesquire.
Hesawthepunchcomingbut
couldn’tgetoutofthewayin
timetoavoidbeingknocked
tothefloor.Hetastedblood
onhislips,buttheblowhad
notbeenmeanttoinjurehim.
‘We’regoingtoridetothe
Blackcathedralandyou’re
goingtokeepyourfucking
mouthshutuntilItellyouto
speak.’Uthareachedinside
hisrobeandthrewagold
pieceonthefloorinfrontof
Randall.‘There,nowyou’re
mypaidsquire,sodoas
you’refuckingtold.’
***
Randallkepthismouthshut
asthetwoofthemrodeinto
RoTiris.Hekeptfeelingthe
swellingonhislipandtesting
histeethtomakesurethe
punchhadn’tloosenedanyof
them.Uthawasnotamanto
arguewith,butRandallwas
fairlysuretheBlackcleric
hadlashedoutfromfearof
returningtothecathedral.
Theyenteredviathe
southerngate,thewatchmen
ondutyrecognizingUthathe
Ghostandnotdaringto
approachhimastheyrode
intothecity.Randallheard
thecustomarywhispered
commentsabouttheBlack
cleric–otherworldly
suspicionsandstoriesofrisen
men–buttheyoungsquire
hadbecomeimmunetothe
auraoffearthatsurrounded
hisnewmasterandhebarely
listenedastheyrodealong
theKing’sHighwayintothe
capitalofTorFunweir.
TheBlackcathedralwasa
smallerbuildingthanRandall
hadexpected.Itwasnestled
westoftheguildsquare,in
theshadowofthehuge
barracksoftheknightsofthe
Red.Thestreetswerelargely
emptyandRandallsurmised
thatonlytheknightsusedthe
roadbetweenthetwo
churches,renderingitoff
limitstothecommonmenof
Tiris.Thecathedralwasa
plainbuildingofblackstone,
withnoadornmentsother
thanasingleirregularspire
whichroseatananglefrom
thecastellatedroof.
Hethought,astheyrode
throughthestreets,thatthe
traininggroundsoneachside
ofthemwerestrangely
empty.Theknightsofthe
RedwerebasedinRoArnon,
butthebarracksofRoTiris
werehugeandheldtheking’s
army.
Uthanoticedtheempty
streetstoo,andtookagood
lookatthetraininggrounds.
‘Alotseemstohave
happenedwhilewe’vebeen
huntingtheBlackGuard,’he
said.‘ThelasttimeIwas
here,thebarracksheldeight
orninethousandknights.’
‘Wherewouldtheyhave
gone?’Randallaskedthe
cleric,momentarilyforgetting
thatUthahadorderedhimnot
totalk.
‘I’mnotsure,butthe
cynicinmesuspects
northwards.Lookatthat.’
HepointedtotheWhite
SpireofTiris,themarkofthe
king.Thebannersdisplaying
thewhiteeagleofRoTiris
wereflyingathalfmast,
indicatingthatKingSebastian
Tiriswasnotcurrentlyinthe
city.
‘Ithinksomeonehasmade
ahugemistake,’Uthasaid,
shakinghishead.‘Imight
havecaredaboutthatamonth
ago.’Henudgedhishorse
onwards.
Aheadofthem,asmall
groupofguardsmenstood,
formallyattiredingold,
outsidethevault-likedoorto
theBlackcathedral.There
weresixofthem,each
carryingalongswordathis
sideandatalllanceinhis
hand.
Theleaderofthegroup,a
grey-hairedwarriorwithouta
helmet,noticedthe
approachingclericand
steppedintotheroad,
motioninghismentofollow.
‘UthatheGhost,’hestated
withaformalnod.
‘It’sactuallyBrotherUtha
ofArnon,’saidRandall
withoutthinking.
Theguardsmenalllooked
atthesquireandthegreyhairedleadershothimahard
glance.‘Silence,boy.’
‘That’smysquire,
guardsmen.Ifanyonetells
himtoshutup,it’llbeme,’
Uthasaid,turningtolookat
Randall.‘Thankyou,lad.I’m
gladsomeoneremembersmy
actualname.’Hesmiled
thinlyatthesquirebefore
turningbacktotheleading
guardsman.‘Whatdoyou
want,lieutenant?’
‘ByorderofPrince
ChristopheTiris,youareto
betakenintocustody.’The
sixguardsmenhadmovedto
formuproundUthaand
Randall,theirlancesheldin
practisedfashion,pointing
inwardsatthetworiders.
Uthadidn’tmoveandkept
hishandsinviewasthe
lieutenantmovednexttohim.
‘I’llhavetotakeyouraxe,
brother.’
‘Careful,guardsman,I
don’tanswertoyou.My
authorityisinthatbuilding
andIcouldwithalllegality
takeyouandyourmenapart
forhinderingme.’Hespoke
quietlyandRandalldetected
fearintheguardsmen’sfaces.
‘Now,whyamIbeing
arrested?’Uthaaskedcalmly.
‘Hishighnessdoesnot
revealhismindtome,
brother,butyouwillbe
comingwithme.’
Thehugeblackdoorthat
ledtothecathedralofdeath
begantoopenandeveryone
presentturnedtolook.A
black-robedfigurehad
appearedinthedoorway.His
featuresweremaskedandhis
handsremainedinsidethe
sleevesofhisrobe,buthe
spokeclearly.
‘BrotherUthaisnotyet
expelledfromthechurch,
whichplaceshisfateinmy
hands…notyours,
guardsman.HeisGod’sman,
notking’sman.’Thespeaker
didnotraisehisheador
identifyhimself.
‘Brotherabbot,wehave
instructionstoarrestthis
clericandifyouinterfere,we
arepreparedtouseforceto
doso.ThehouseofTiris
ruleshere,nottheBlack
church.’Theguardsman
spokeconfidentlyand,from
whatRandallknew,the
king’smenwere
unswervinglyloyaltothe
crownandunlikelytobe
cowedbytheclerics.
Uthareachedbehindhis
backandplacedhishandon
thehiltofDeath’sEmbrace.
‘Youareclosetoactionsthat
willgetyoukilled,
lieutenant,’hesaidwithanger
inhispaleeyes.‘Theprince
isbraveindeedifhethinkshe
canoverruletheOne.’
Thegrey-hairedlieutenant
bangedhislongswordloudly
onhisgoldbreastplateand
withinmomentsanothertwo
squadsofguardsmenhad
appearedfromeitherside.
They’dbeenhiddenand
waitinginthesidestreets
shouldtheircommandercall
foraid,andnowtheylowered
theirlancesandjoinedthe
firstsquadencirclingRandall
andUtha.
‘Please,BrotherUtha.
Thiscanbecordialoritcan
bebloody.’Theguardsman
spokewithsincerity.‘Noone
needstodie.’
TheBlackabbot,standing
inthedoorway,raisedhis
headandRandallsawdark
eyesregardingthelarge
groupofking’smen.Utha
slowlymovedhishandfrom
Death’sEmbraceandheldhis
armswide.
‘Youhadbetterbesureof
youractions,lieutenant,’he
said.
‘IamassureasIcanbe,
brother…assureasmy
orderscamefromthehouse
ofTirisandmustbefollowed
totheletter.’Hecontinued,
‘And,now,BrotherUtha,I
musttakeyouraxe.’
Withlightningspeed,
UthadrewDeath’sEmbrace
andhelditatarm’slength,
makingtheguardsmenjump.
Whenitbecameclearthatthe
Blackclericdidnotintendto
fight,thelieutenantmovedin
andgraspedthehiltofUtha’s
axe.
‘Takecareofthat
weapon,’thealbinocleric
said.‘Itisdeartome.’
***
RandallandUthahad
dismounted,beendisarmed
andwereledunderclose
guardthroughthestreetsof
RoTiris.Uthawassilent
duringthejourney,taking
noteoflandmarksandthe
routetheyhadtaken,asifhe
wasattemptingtoascertain
wheretheywerebeingled.
Astheyturnedfroma
wideboulevardnorthofthe
guildsquare,Randallwas
takenabackforamomentas
theroyalcompoundcame
intoview.ThehouseofTiris
wasalargewhitebuildingset
backfromtherestofthecity
andoverlookingtheharbour.
Thesmelloftheseacarried
downthestreetandhit
Randall’snostrils,masking
thecity’susualodourand
makinghimsmile.Heturned
toUthabutsawnosignofa
smileoranythingotherthan
concernonthecleric’sface.
Hedidn’tappeartobe
surprisedbytheirdestination,
andRandallwishedhehadn’t
agreedtoaccompanyhim
intothecity.
‘Utha,’Randall
whispered,‘whyarewebeing
takentothepalace?’
‘Idon’tknow,Randall,
butPrinceChristophemust
haveeitherlosthismindor
elsebeprivytomore
informationthanustotreat
theBlackchurchwithsolittle
respect.’Hespokequietlyso
theguardsmencouldn’thear,
andhiseyeswerenarrowand
suspicious.‘Keepyourmouth
shutwhenwegetinsideand
letmedothetalking.
Understand?’
Randallnoddedandtheir
marchcontinuedtowardsthe
WhiteSpireofTiris,towering
overtheroyalcompound.
Thegateswereopenand
withintheornatefence,a
largeareaofcourtyard
separatedthestreetfromthe
hugegoldendoors.Ranksof
armouredking’smen
patrolledthearea,walkingin
stepandturningtosalutethe
WhiteSpirewheneverthey
passedthefrontofthepalace.
Thebarrackslayofftothe
side,behindasecondfence
and,justashehadattheRed
cathedral,Randallthoughtthe
placestrangelyempty.
Moststrangeofall,
however,werethecovered
prisonwagonsstanding
withinthecourtyard.They
wereempty,butRandall
notedthatallofthewindows
hadbeenboardedshutandon
theoutsideswereodd-shaped
knivesthathadbeenthrown
ateachofthewagons.As
theywereledthroughthe
gatesandintothecourtyard,
hecouldseeguardsmenon
stepladderstryingtopullthe
weaponsfromthewood.
Theywerestruggling,forthe
leaf-shapedkniveshad
evidentlybeenthrownwith
someconsiderableforce.
Uthanoticedtheknives
too,andturnedtoaddressthe
lieutenant.‘Sincewhendo
guardsmenhuntrisenmen?’
heasked,havingrecognized
thestrangelyshaped
weapons.
‘Sincewewereordered
to,’themanreplied.‘The
houseofTirishasanew
adviserwhohasprovided
intelligenceonthemonsters,
enoughtomakehuntingand
capturingthemeasier.’
‘Doesthisadviserhavea
name?’askedUtha.
‘She’saKaresian
enchantresscalledKatja…
theHandofDespair,or
something.Ithinkshe’sof
theSevenSisters.’The
lieutenanthadspokenthe
namewithlittlejudgement
andRandallcouldn’tbesure
howheviewedthiswoman.
Uthahadrecognized
somethingintheman’s
words,however.Itmayhave
beenthewoman’snameor
thenameofherorder,buthe
visiblyclenchedhisjawatthe
news.
Randallmovedtowalk
nexttotheclericandasked,
underhisbreath,‘Whoare
theSevenSisters?’
‘Enchantressesthat
shouldn’tbehere…shouldn’t
becounsellingtheprinceand
shouldn’tbehelpingthem
huntDokkalfar,’he
answered.‘She’llenteryour
mindifyoulether,soifwe
shouldhavetoaddressthe
witch,keepyourwillstrong.’
‘AndhowdoIdothat?’
Randallasked,unsurehowhe
wouldkeephiswillstrong.
‘Juststandnearmeand
lookatthefloor,’Utha
respondeddismissively.
Thehugegoldendoorwas
openedwithanaudiblecreak
astheyapproached.Asthe
interiorcameintoview,the
squiregaspedoncemoreat
thegoldenopulenceon
display.Thiswasthehouse
ofKingSebastianTiris,his
wife,theLadyAlexandra,
andtheirson,Prince
Christophe.Itwasformaland
decorativeinequalpartsand
Randallcouldseelittleinthe
wayofcomfort.
Therewereservants
movingthroughthewide,
carpetedrooms,cleaningand
polishingthewoodenand
goldsurfaces,andtherewere
nosmallnumberof
ceremoniallyattired
guardsmenonduty.The
squirethoughtitoddthat
they’dbeenledhererather
thantoaprisoncelland
wonderedagainwhat
businesstheprincecould
havewiththem.
Theentrancehallwas
dominatedbyahugestaircase
thatledupfromthefloorand
curvedround,forminga
circularbalconyabove.The
guardsmenledthempastit
andtowardsalessornate
dooratgroundlevel.
‘We’renotgoingtothe
bedchambers,then?’Utha
askedwithirony.
Oneoftheguardstook
offenceatthisattemptat
levityandslappedUtha
acrossthebackofthehead.
Severalothersglaredathim,
challengingtheBlackcleric
toreact.
Uthachuckledtohimself
andreacheduptofeelwhere
he’dbeenhit.Hishandcame
awaywithnobloodonitand
henoddedbeforeturningto
themanwho’dstruckhim
andpunchinghimsquarein
theface.Theguardsmanfell
loudly,droppinghislanceon
theornatecarpet.
Uthajuststoodthere,
handsheldwideinagesture
ofsubmissiontotheother
men,andmadenofurther
attempttoattacktheman
who’dfallen.
‘Youhitme,Ihityou,it’s
reallythatsimple,boy.’The
imposingclericspoke
confidently.
Thelieutenantinterrupted,
‘That’senough.Soldier,keep
yourhandstoyourself.’He
pointedtothemanonthe
floor.‘Anyreprimandswill
comefromme.BrotherUtha,
Iapologize,thismanwillbe
whippedforstrikingacleric
oftheOne.’Hespoke
formally,showingrespect.
‘You,getupandreporttothe
guardmarshal.’
Theguardsmanstood
quickly,salutedandleft,
nursingwhatwasquite
possiblyabrokenjaw.Utha
didn’tlookparticularlyhappy
orcontentwiththeresult,and
Randallguessedhewasstill
deepinthought.
Thedoortheyapproached
wasmadeofwoodandiron,
andwasinsharpcontrast
withtheopulence
surroundingit.Itwas
reminiscentofadoortoa
dungeonandRandalldidn’t
likewhatthatimplied.The
lieutenantopeneditandthey
wereledquicklydownsome
narrowstonesteps.The
detachmentofguardsmen
spreadout,withafew
remainingatgroundlevel,
closingthedoorbehindthem.
Thestairsweredimlylit
andthebrightmorning
sunshinedidnotpenetrate
intothebasement.Theywere
ledinsinglefileintoalong
corridor.Asthegroupmade
itswayfurtherintothe
dungeon,oneachsideofthe
passagewayRandallsaw
doorswithsteelgratings,
indicatingprisoncells,
althoughtheywereallempty.
‘We’rebeingtakentothe
oubliette?’askedUthaasthey
nearedasingledoorinthe
middleofthecorridor.
Thelieutenantnodded.
‘Theprincewantstomeet
youasfarawayfromothers
aspossible.Heseemstothink
you’redangerous,Brother
Utha.’
‘What’sanoubliette?’
askedRandall,suddenly
feelingafraid.
‘Aplaceofforgetting,’
repliedtheBlackcleric.‘It’s
theworstkindofdungeon.
Thekingusesitonlywhen
someonehascommitted
treasonandhewantstoforget
aboutthem.’Helockedeyes
withthelieutenant.‘Havewe
committedtreason?’
‘Iwasonlyinstructedto
bringyouhere.’The
guardsmanwasjustfollowing
ordersandwasunlikelytobe
abletoanswermore
questions.
TheBlackclericlookedat
Randallandraisedan
eyebrow.
Themaninthelead
reachedthedoorattheendof
thecorridorandproduceda
key.Thedoorwaswellused
andbuiltforsecurityrather
thanelegance.Thekeyturned
readilyandthelargedoor
openedoutwards,revealinga
sizeablesquareroombeyond.
Thelieutenantstepped
insideandmotionedforthe
otherguardsmentoleadUtha
andRandallintotheoubliette.
TheBlackclericwashesitant
foramoment,thenheentered
slowly,placinghishandon
hissquire’sshoulderand
usheringhimin.
Randallwasafraid,buthe
triedtonotletitshowashe
tookinhissurroundings.The
roomwaslargeandfilthy,
withstrawpalletsarrayed
acrossthefloor.Aroundthe
edgesoftheroomwerea
dozenorsocells,each
separatedfromthemainroom
byasteelgate.Randall
thoughthecouldseefigures
inmostofthecells,butthey
wereallhunchedoveror
wrappedinbrownblankets
andhecouldn’tseewhothey
were.Inthecornerofthe
oubliettewasastaircase
leadinguptoalarge
hatchwayintheceiling,
whichappearedconsiderably
moreornatethantherestof
thedungeoncomplex.
‘Okay,we’rehere.You
havedoneyourduty,nowtell
mewhatthefuckisgoing
on?’Uthademanded.
‘Youaretowaithereuntil
theprinceisreadytoseeyou.
Now,ifyou’llexcuseme…’
Thelieutenantmovedtothe
staircaseandclimbedupto
thehatch.Heknockedand
thedoorwasunboltedand
openedfromtheotherside,
allowinghimtodisappear
above.HehadtakenDeath’s
Embracewithhim.
Theremainingguardsmen
placedtheirlancesagainstthe
wallandencircledUthaand
Randall.Theireyeslooked
hostileandUthaspokewitha
wrysmile.‘Idon’tthinkyour
lieutenantwouldlikeitifyou
decidedtogiveusabeating.’
‘Maybeyoutriedto
escape,’saidoneofthe
guards,abeardedman,
removinghisgauntletsashe
spoke.
‘AndmaybeI’llbreak
yourfaceifyoutakeanother
steptowardsme,piss-stain,’
Uthasaidvenomously,
clenchinghisfists.‘You’ve
onlygotninefriends,areyou
sureyoudon’twanttogoand
getafewmoretomakeit
fair?’
Randallwaswithinthe
circle,standingnexttoUtha,
andwastrembling.Hedid
notsharehisnewmaster’s
bravado.
Whenthehatchreopened,
Randall’sbreathingslowedas
herealizedtheyhadprobably
beensavedabeatingatthe
handsoftheking’smen.Utha
lookeddisappointedand
continuedtoclenchhisfists
ashestareddowneachofthe
guardsmeninturn.
Theyretrievedtheirlances
and,stillglaringatthecleric,
resumedtheirguardduties.
‘Rememberwhoyouare
andrememberwhoIamand
we’llgetalongfine,’Utha
saidwithaviciousgrin,
turningtoseewhowas
comingthroughthehatch.
Outofthecornerofhis
eyeRandallcaught
movementsinseveralofthe
cells,andinthenearestone
hesawdarkeyespeerout
fromunderathinblanket.It
lookedtobeaman,butinthe
minimallighthisskinlooked
greyandRandallcouldn’t
makeouthisfeaturesorguess
wherehecamefrom.
Thefirstfiguretodescend
thestairsmadeaconsiderable
noise.Hewasquickly
identifiableasanarmoured
Purpleclericofmiddleyears.
Hislongswordwassheathed
anditsscabbardboreelegant
picturesoframpantlions,
embossedinsilver.Hewas
olderthanUthaandthe
possessorofamanglednose.
Behindhimcamea
beautifulKaresianwoman,
whomadeRandallgasp.She
swayedherhipsasshe
walkeddownthestairsand
woreafigure-huggingdress
ofdeepred.Asshereached
thebottomofthesteps,
Randallcouldseeatattooon
herfaceshowingahowling
wolfandstretchingfromher
neckacrossherleftcheek.
Onseeingthewoman,
Uthasteppednexttohis
squireandwhispered,‘We
areinthepresenceofan
enchantress,youngRandall,
sokeepyourwitsaboutyou.’
Again,Randallwondered
howhewasgoingtodothis,
buthetriednottolookatthe
womanonceshehadnoticed
himandsmiled.
Thegrey-hairedlieutenant
hadcomebackthroughthe
hatchwaybutstoodatthetop
ofthestairs,asifwaitingfor
someoneelsetoenter.He
wasnolongercarrying
Death’sEmbrace.
‘Ithinkwecandispense
withtheguards,’saidthe
Purplecleric.‘Goaboutyour
duties,gentlemen.You’llbe
summonedifnecessary.’
Thearmouredmen
appearedreluctanttoleave,
buttheydidsowithonlya
moment’shesitation.The
doorwasagainclosed,
leavingonlythePurplecleric,
theenchantressandthe
lieutenantintheoubliette
withtheprisoners.
‘BrotherUtha,’saidthe
Purplecleric,bowinghis
headinagestureofrespect.
Recognitionhadappearedon
boththeirfacesanditwas
cleartoRandallthatthetwo
clericskneweachother.
‘BrotherSeveren,’replied
Utha,thoughhedidnotbow
hisheadanddisplayedlittle
evidentaffectionfortheolder
cleric.‘Thisismysquire,
RandallofDarkwald.Say
hellotoSeverenofTiris,the
prince’sconfessor.’
Randallmanagedto
stumblethroughthemoment
andsay,‘Hello,mylord.’
‘Asquire,Utha?Thatis
highlyirregular.’Severen
spokewithadecidedlyupperclassaccent.
‘Sowasthemeansofhis
employment.Hewas
Torian’ssquire,’Utha
replied.‘Thatis,untilTorian
waskilledbytheBlack
Guard’sfriend,aKirincalled
RhamJasRami.’
Severenshowed
displeasureatthenewsthat
Torianwasdead,butthemost
interestingreactionwasthe
expressionthatcameoverthe
enchantress’sfacewhen
RhamJasRamiwas
mentioned.Sheseemed
momentarilyafraidatthe
name,thoughshequickly
recoveredherpoiseand
resumedsmiling.
‘Andyouwerewith
BrotherTorianwhenhe
died?’Severenasked.
‘Iwasstandingafewfeet
awaywhenalongbowarrow
piercedhisneck.’Uthawas
solemnandkeptatightrein
onhisemotionsashespoke
ofhisfriend’sdeath.
‘Andyetyoustilldidnot
apprehendBromvy,’
interjectedtheKaresian
womaninasultrydrawl.
‘Andwhoareyoutoask
anythingofme?’Utha
growled.
‘Mindyourmanners,
Utha,’barkedSeveren.‘This
isKatjatheHandofDespair.
Sheisadvisingthehouseof
Tirisoncertainmattersand
she’sworthyofyourrespect.’
Randallthoughtthename
sharplyatoddswiththe
woman’spleasingappearance
andgirlishsmile.Shewasa
Karesianandhadanexotic
beautythatfewwomenofRo
couldmatch,buttherewas
nothinginherdemeanourto
indicatethatshewasahand
ofdespair.
‘TheSevenSistersare
advisingtheprince?’Utha
askedsuspiciously.
‘Andtheking,’stated
Katja,withanotherdisarming
smile.‘Wehavebeen
welcomedfortheknowledge
wepossessandtheadvicewe
cangive.’
‘Andwhyistheoubliette
filledwithrisenmen?’Utha
gesturedtothecellsaround
them.
TheBlackclerichadnot
previouslypaidattentionto
thesmallcagesandRandall
thoughtitstrangeheshould
knowwhowasinthem
withoutlooking.
‘I’msurprisedtoheara
crusaderconcernedwiththe
fateoftherisen,’Severen
respondedwithanimperious
glare.
‘I’mnotacrusaderany
more,asyouwellknow.’
Uthawasnotcowedbythe
Purpleclericorthe
enchantress,butRandallalso
notedthathismasterwason
edge,keepinghisfists
clenchedandtryingnotto
lookatKatja.
‘Therisenmenarea
dangertothestabilityofTor
Funweirand,withour
assistance,thechurchofRo
hasbeenabletohuntthem
withmoresuccessthan
before,’Katjaresponded.
‘Weplantohavethemall
imprisonedorkilledwithin
theyear.’
Uthaglaredatherbefore
addressingSeverendirectly.
‘Brother,youandIhave
neverbeenfriends,but
answermethis,whyisthis
witchaffordedsuchrespect?’
Katjalaughedandthe
roombrightenedvisiblyas
shedidso.Severendirecteda
gleefulsmileatherandthe
lieutenantraisedhisheadthe
bettertohearthesoundofher
laughter.RandallandUtha
lookedateachotherandthe
squiresensedthatsomething
wasverywronghere.
‘Answerme,Severen,’
repeatedUtha,moreinsistent
thistime.
‘Allanswerswillcomein
time,mydearGhost,’replied
Katja,notallowingthePurple
clerictoanswer.
‘Idon’trecallspeakingto
you,witch,’shoutedUtha,
becomingangrierwitheach
passingmoment.
Severenwasstillsmiling
euphoricallyashestepped
forwardandslappedUtha
hardacrosstheface.‘Mind
yourmanners,Ghost,’he
said,withamaddeningsmile.
Uthalookedasifhewere
abouttoattackSeveren,but
wasinterruptedbymovement
fromabove.Thelieutenant
heldthehatchwayopenasa
manemerged.Hewasyoung,
barelyolderthanRandall,and
hisornategoldarmourspoke
ofceremonyratherthan
action.Hecarriedaswordat
hisside,butthehiltand
scabbardlookedunusedand
hisfacebetrayedlittle
experienceofhardship.He
wasblonde-hairedandcleancut,withnobeardor
blemishesonhisface,lending
himanalmostangelic
appearance.
ThiswasPrince
ChristopheTiris,heirtothe
throneofTorFunweir.Both
KatjaandSeverenbowedas
theprinceenteredthe
oubliette,butUthamerely
gavehimashallownod.
‘Myprince,’saidSeveren
respectfully.‘ThisisBrother
UthatheGhost,betrayerand
turncoat.’
Uthanearlyexplodedwith
angeratthesewords,buta
raisedhandfromPrince
Christophecutoffhis
response.
‘BrotherUtha…whydo
theycallyoutheGhost?’
Christopheaskedwithalisp.
Hehadevidentlynot
registeredthefactthatUtha
wasanalbino.Theprince
worethesamelookofgleeful
euphoriaonhisfaceas
Severen.
‘HeiscalledtheGhost
becausehewascursedat
birth,myprince,’responded
Katja,levellingherbeautiful
browneyesatUtha.
‘Ah,Isee…yes,theOne
canbecrueltounworthy
men,’theprincesaid,
sneeringdownattheBlack
cleric.‘Doesheknowwhyhe
ishere?’
‘No,myprince,wewere
awaitingyourarrival.’
Severenmadesurehewas
standingbetweenUthaand
theprince.Randallthought
whatevertheybelievedhis
masterhaddonemustbevery
seriousindeed.
‘Well,nowthatIamhere,
wecanbegin,yes?’
‘Indeed,yourhighness.’
SeverenturnedtoUtha.
‘BrotherUthatheGhost,you
areherebyfoundguiltyof
treasonagainstthecrownand
peopleofTorFunweir.’He
spokethewordsformallyand
motionedforthelieutenantto
entertheoublietteandstand
incloseguardbehindUtha.
Randallhadbeenignored
upuntilthispointandhewas
consciousofthefactthathis
longswordhadnotbeen
taken.Uthaseemedtorealize
thisaswell,andRandall
caughthismasterglancing
towardstheswordofGreat
Claw.
ThenUthalaughed.
‘Treason?AndherewasI
thinkingwewerebeing
serious.Yourhighness,Ido
notknowthepurposeofthis
charade,orwhyyouand
Severenbendyourkneeto
thiswitch,butIdonot
answertothePurple.Iama
clericoftheBlackandI
demandtobetakenbackto
myorder.’
Theprinceappearedlivid
attheinterruptionandputa
handtohisswordhiltina
well-practiseddisplayof
indignation.‘Silence,traitor.’
‘I…am…no…traitor,’
Uthashoutedbackin
defiance,carelessofthefact
thathewasaddressing
royalty.
Severensteppedpastthe
princeandstruckUthaagain.
Thistimewithaclosedfist,
andtheBlackclericdropped
awkwardlytothegroundand
spatoutblood.
‘It’scometothis,then…
beatinganunarmedmanina
filthydungeon?’askedUtha.
‘Hownobleofyou…Torian
wouldbeproud,youpigfucker.’Utha’seyesflashed
onceagaintotheswordof
GreatClawatRandall’sside.
Katjastoodinchesfrom
thefallenBlackcleric.‘Dear,
sweet,gentleUtha,’shesaid
withaglintinhereye.‘You
areguiltyofaidingand
shelteringrisenmen.Itisa
mostheinouscrimetochoose
undeadmonstersoveryour
ownpeople,butwithproper
guidanceI’msureIcancure
youofthisevilailment.’
Uthalookedconfusedfor
asecond,beforestandingto
facetheenchantress.‘So,
you’veenchantedtheprince,’
hestated.‘AndSeverentoo…
and,I’llwarrant,manymore
weak-mindedmenofRo.’
Shecontinuedtosmileat
himbutdidn’tnodtoconfirm
hissuspicion.‘Therisenare
bornevil.It’snottheirfault,
anymorethanit’syourfault
thattheyusedtheirmagicon
you.’Shespokelyrically,
withaffection.
‘Wehavequestionedand
torturedmanyoftherisen
overthepastfewweeks,
Utha,’saidSeveren,‘and
yournamekeptcomingup.It
seemsthemonstersconsider
youanally.Afriendtothe
forest-dwellers,theysay.’
Uthaclosedhiseyesand
breathedin,composing
himself.‘Don’twejustkill
themanymore?Questioning
therisenisunheardof.’
‘TheLadyKatjahas
advisedusofabetterwayto
proceed,’Severenresponded.
‘Wenowcagethemanduse
paintoextractinformation.
Theyarenothuman,soour
clericalcodedoesn’tprohibit
suchthings.’
Uthatookastepbackand
stoodnexttoRandall,judging
theheightofhisscabbardand
theeasewithwhichhecould
acquiretheswordofGreat
Claw.
‘Youarenotthefirst
formerlyhonourablemanto
befoundguiltyonthese
charges,Utha,’Severen
stated,returningtoamore
formalmodeofspeech.
‘Othershavebeenimprisoned
forassistingtherisenmenin
theircampaignofterror
againstthenoblemenofRo.’
‘Theyhavenocampaign
ofterror,’Uthagrowledin
frustration.
‘Youaredamnedbyyour
ownwords,Ghost,’shouted
theprince,inahigh-pitched
whine.‘Youknownothingof
thewaysoftheundead–
cunningandevil,theywill
swaythewillofweakmen
suchasyou,andmy
grandfather.’
Atthementionofthe
prince’sgrandfather,Utha
turnedaquestioninglookon
Severen.Randallhadheardof
BartholomewTiris–hewas
KingSebastian’sfatherand
wasconsideredawiseman.
‘Bartholomewdoesn’t
haveatraitorousboneinhis
body,’saidUtha.‘Thisisa
joke…oritwouldbeifit
werefunny.’
Katjaremainedcloseto
Uthaandherwordswere
whispered.‘Youcannot
win…youwouldbewell
advisedtoacceptyour
punishment.’Shepaused,
beforecontinuingina
whisperonlyUthaand
Randallcouldhear.‘Your
landistoovaluabletobeleft
inthehandsofRo…oldblood.’
Uthatriedtostrikethe
enchantress,buthishands
wouldn’tmoveandRandall
sensedhisexertionashetried
tolashout.Hehadheardtales
oftheSevenSistersandtheir
reputationasbeingsitwas
impossibletokill,a
reputationhewasbeginning
tobelieveashewatchedhis
masterstruggletogain
control.
‘MydearKatja,weshould
showhimwhathappensto
traitors,’saidtheprince
excitedly,pointingtoa
lockedgatethatledaway
fromtheoubliette.
‘Iwouldbehappierifhe
wereshackledfirst,my
prince,’saidSeveren.‘Utha
isadangerousman,nottobe
treatedlightly…Lieutenant,’
headdressedthegrey-haired
guardsman,‘besureheis
undercloseguard.’
Thelieutenantcrossedto
thedoor.Heopeneditand
summonedtwoofthemen
fromoutside.Again,noone
hadpaidanyparticular
attentiontoRandall,andhe
realizedhe’ddughis
fingernailsintohispalms
withthetension.
‘Maybeyouwillbemore
humblewhenyouseehow
thehouseofTirisdealswith
traitorstothecrown,’said
PrinceChristophe,likea
petulantchild.‘Leadtheway,
BrotherSeveren.’
ThePurpleclericlocked
eyeswithUthaforamoment
beforehecrossedthe
oublietteandunlockedthe
irongate.Itwasthesameas
thecelldoorswheretherisen
menwereimprisonedbutled
intoanunlitstonecorridor.
Randallchancedalook
intooneofthecellsand,for
thefirsttime,hadaclearlook
atarisenman,oneofthe
beingsUthahadcalled
Dokkalfar.He–forit
appearedtobeamale–was
hunchedover,but
nonethelesslookedtobetall
andgangly,withcleargrey
skinandroundblackeyes
whichhadneitherpupilsnor
irises.Thecreaturedirecteda
questioninglookatthesquire
andtiltedhisheadashe
watchedthempasshiscell.
Randallthoughthelooked
littledifferentfromaman,
althoughhiselongated,leafshapedearsandlongfingers
gavetheDokkalfaran
otherworldlyappearance.
AsUthaapproachedthe
door,hepausedandturnedto
lockeyeswiththerisenman.
Severenmovedtostophim
butUthaquicklycrouchedin
frontofthesmallcelland
reachedthroughthebars.
‘Iamsorry…Itriedtotell
them.IsweartoyouItried.’
Randallsensedadeep
sadnessbothinUtha’swords
andinthecreature’sblack
eyes,asSeverenroughly
grabbedtheBlackclericand
marchedhimaway.
‘Yousee,’proclaimedthe
prince,‘hecaresforthe
beasts…touchesthemand
treatsthembetterthanhis
ownpeople.’Randalldecided
thathedislikedPrince
Christopheintensely.
‘Theyarenotbeasts…
highness.’Uthavirtuallyspat
outthelastword.
Severendrovehisfistinto
theBlackcleric’sstomach
andUthadoubledoverashe
losthisbreath.
‘Idon’twanttokeep
hittingyou,brother,’hesaid
ashepulledUthauprightand
heldhimfirmly.
Uthacoughedandnodded.
‘So,stophittingme…
brother.’HepushedSeveren
awayandleantonRandall
instead.Thesquirelooked
angrilyatthePurplecleric
andtriedtohelpUtha
upright.Hewaswinded,but
recoveredhiscomposure
quickly.
Theguardsmenledthem
downthecorridor,past
rottingbrickwork,mossand
damp.AttheendRandall
couldseeabarreddoor,
woodenandmoresolidlookingthantheirongrates,
whichappearedtobe
securelylocked.Thegreyhairedlieutenantbeganto
openthedoor,beforeturning
totheprinceandasking,‘Are
werequiredwithin,my
prince?’Therewasatraceof
fearinhiseyesandRandall
wonderedwhatlaywithin.
‘Yes,youare,
guardsman,’Prince
Christophereplied,asifthe
questionhadbeenastupid
one.‘Youmustkeepthe
traitorunderguard.’
Thethreeking’smen
lookedwary,buttheywere
notgoingtodisobeythe
prince’sorders.Theyformed
uproundUthaandthedoor
wasopened,releasinga
noxiousodourthatassaulted
thesquire’snostrilsandmade
himfeelsick.Itwasdark
withinandRandallcouldsee
nothingexceptaswaying
distortionintheairandthe
glowfromasingletorch.
‘Move,’orderedSeveren
fromtherear,shovingUtha
intothedarkness.
Theyenteredoneatatime
untilallwerewithinthe
room.Katjamovedroundthe
wallswiththetorch,lighting
halfadozenironbraziers
aroundthecircularspace.
Asthelightspread,the
roombecameilluminatedand
Randall’seyeswidenedashe
sawahugedarkwoodtree
sproutingupfromapatchof
earthatthecentre,anda
decrepitoldmantangledup
initsbranches.Themanwas
Roandworeasimplepurple
robe,thoughitwassplitin
places,andthetreeappeared
tobeconnectedtotheman’s
fleshbyneedle-likegrowths
alongitsblacksurface.
Themanwasn’tmoving,
buthiseyeswereopenand
hischestroseandfell,
showingRandallthathewas
stillalive.Heboreaslight
resemblancetoPrince
Christopheandthesquire
guessedthatitmustbe
BartholomewTiris.Hiseyes
werebloodshotandshowed
nosignthathewasawareof
theirpresence.
Katjasteppedforwardand
raisedherhandsinan
extravagantgestureof
worshiptowardsthestrange
tree.Severendrewhissword
andplaceditagainstUtha’s
back,forcinghimforward
withagruntofexertion.
‘Whathaveyoudone,
prince?’demandedUtha,as
helookedwithhorroratthe
king’sfather,tangledinthe
black,tentacle-likebranches.
‘Silence,’theprince
ordered,withacackle,
mimickingKatja’sgestureof
worship.‘WaketheYoung,
Katja,waketheYoung.’
Theylookedwith
astonishmentattheprinceas
aninsanefireappearedinhis
eyesandhiscacklinggrew
louder.
Randallsparedaglanceat
thethreeguardsmenandsaw
thatallwereavertingtheir
eyesandmakinganeffortto
lookatthefloor.Brother
Severenhadalookofinsane
gleeonhisface,andRandall
guessedthatbothprinceand
clericofnobilitywereunder
Katja’sspell.Heturnedto
Uthaandtriedtoconveyhis
fear,buthismasterwas
focusedonthetreeasthe
gnarledbranchesbeganto
move.
‘Wehavefoundthe
Ghost,’Katjascreamed.‘We
havefoundtheold-bloodof
theShadowGiants…heis
yourstoconsume.’
Herwordscausedthetree
toshiftviolentlyandrearup,
itsbranchesstartingtowrithe
intheairanditstrunkslowly
undulating.Thebodyof
BartholomewTiriswas
droppedtothefloorandthe
pulsatingtentaclesmoved
downtoconnectwiththe
ground,actinglikelegsas
theywrenchedthewidetrunk
fromtheearth.
SeverenshovedUtha
forwardwithhisswordand
theBlackclericappeared
transfixedbythehorror
beforehim.Thetrunkwas
nowintheair,shakingoff
mudlikeabeastasittilted
forwardstorevealaneedlefilledmawreachingforthe
cleric.Randallwasrootedto
thegroundwithterrorand
couldonlywatchasKatja
dancedaroundthefloorand
theprinceclappedhishands
togetherlikeaderanged
child.Thetwoofthemhad
movedawayfromthedoor
andwerenowoneitherside
ofthetree.
Severenhadamalevolent
grinonhisfaceashepushed
Uthaforwards,towardsthe
thingthatusedtobea
darkwoodtree.
‘Thepriestandthealtar,’
screamedKatja,‘thepriest
andthealtar.’
Randallwastransfixed
untilastrangemomentof
remembranceconjuredupan
imageofBrotherTorian.The
Purplecleric,whohadbeen
Randall’smasterforlessthan
amonth,hadheldasenseof
rightandwrongforwhich
Uthahadfrequentlyteased
him–butatthatmoment,in
theoublietteofTiris,the
memoryofhisfaceshook
Randallfromhisterrorand
enabledhimtothinkclearly.
Theneedlesprotruding
fromthebeast’scircularmaw
werereachingforUtha,
extendingandproducinga
sicklygreenfluid.
Randalldidn’tpauseto
thinkformorethananother
momentbeforeheroared,
‘Utha…’atthetopofhis
voice,anddeftlydrewthe
swordofGreatClaw.
Theguardswerestill
lookingatthefloorand
Severenreactedonlyslowly,
turninghisheadashe
apparentlynoticedRandall
forthefirsttime.Hisown
swordwasatUtha’sbackand
hecouldn’traiseittoparryas
thesquirestruck.Randallwas
youngandstrongandhis
swordflewdownwards,
strikingthePurpleclericat
theshoulderandmakinga
gratingsoundasitcut
throughtheplateofhis
armourandbitintohisflesh.
Severen’sbloodsprayed
acrossUtha’sfaceandthe
Blackclericshookhishead,
quicklyregaininghissenses
andbackingawayfromthe
monster.
‘Randall,sword,’he
barked,holdingouthishand.
Thesquirethrewhis
longswordtheshortdistance
intohismaster’shands.The
guardslookedupandRandall
guessedthattheywerenot
immunetothetransfixing
powerofthemonstroustree.
Thegrey-hairedlieutenant
wasincontrolofhissenses
buttheotherswererootedto
thespotwithfear.
Uthaturnedawayfromthe
treeand,withcold,angry
eyes,attackedthelieutenant.
BrotherSeverenwasalivebut
thrashinginpainonthestone
floorandRandallknelt
quicklyandseizedthePurple
cleric’slongsword.
‘No…theYoungmust
feed,’screamedKatja.‘The
DeadGoddemandsblood.’
Theprincehadalsodrawn
hisswordbutwasreluctantto
advanceontheBlackcleric,
andhispathwasblockedby
thewrithingmonstrosityin
thecentreoftheroom.The
treewasstillreachingfor
Utha,buthe’dmovedoutof
itsreachandwasnolonger
lookingatit.
Randallmovedquickly
withhisnewlyacquired
swordandshovedoneofthe
transfixedguardsmenoutof
thewaytoclearthedoorway.
Themandidn’tresistbutjust
felllimplytotheflooras
Randallgrabbedtheiron
handle.
‘Getitopen,boy,’shouted
Utha,ashedrovethe
lieutenantagainstthewall
withbrutallyefficientskill.
Thedoorcreakedand
Randallhadtothrowallof
hisstrengthintoonehuge
heave.Itbegantoopenand
hesawthreemoreguardsmen
standingbeyond.Behindhim,
Uthahaddespatchedthe
lieutenantwithacutacross
hisneckandwasturningto
receivetheprince,who’d
workedhiswaypastthe
monsterand,withawildlook
inhiseyes,leaptattheBlack
cleric.
Randallheldhisbreathas
UthaparriedPrince
Christophe’sclumsyattack
andkickedhimsolidlyinthe
chest.Theprincelooked
deeplyindignantfora
momentbeforethepainhit
himandhefellbackintothe
pathofthetree.
Katjascreamed,‘No…
thiscannotbe,’asthe
writhingbeastgrabbedthe
crownprinceofTorFunweir.
Theneedle-likefeelersin
itsmouthattachedtothe
prince’sbodyandinasecond
hehadslumpedinto
unconsciousnessasthe
creaturebegantoconsume
himwhole,pullingthebody
head-firstintoitsgrotesque
maw.
Uthawatchedfora
momentasthebeastslowed
todigestitsmeal,beforehe
turnedsharplyandkickedthe
lastguardsmanoutofthe
way.
‘Moveordie,it’sthat
simple,’Utharoaredatthe
king’smenwhostoodintheir
way.
Allthreepaused,butthey
wereprofessionalsoldiers
andthethreatfellondeaf
ears.Theycouldn’tseeinto
theroomandthetreewasno
longeradvancingasthey
drewtheirswords.
Uthathrustforward,
piercingtheleadmaninthe
stomachbeforehewithdrew
thebladeandansweredahigh
attackfromanotherofthem.
Randalldidn’tstoptothinkas
hejoinedhismasterinthe
corridorandengagedthelast
guardsman,swingingfrom
highandkeephisarmsas
closetohisbodyaspossible.
Theyfought,sidebyside,
andRandallfeltexhilaration
ashisswordclashedwiththe
guardsman’s.Hislackofskill
wasoffsetbythecramped
conditionsand,asUtha
clubbedhisownopponentto
theground,Randalllashed
outwiththehiltofhissword
andconnectedwiththeman’s
jaw.
Oneguardsmanwas
dying,buttheothertwowere
merelydazedasUthaand
Randalljumpedoverthem
andrandownthenarrow
stonecorridor,withthe
Karesianenchantress
screamingbehindthem.
‘Youhurt?’Uthaaskedas
theyapproachedthemain
roomoftheoubliette.
‘No,no,Idon’tthinkso,’
repliedRandall.
Hequicklychecked
himselfandfoundnoblood
orwounds,althoughhismind
wasswimmingwithfearand
exhilaration.
Theyreachedthegatethat
ledtotheimprisoned
DokkalfarandUthakicked
openthedoor,sendingdust
anddebrisflyingfromthe
filthydungeonfloor.The
Blackclericrantothenearest
cellandcrouched,extending
hishandashehaddone
before.
‘Randall,helpmegetthis
cellopen.’
Thesquirewasfranticto
escapeandthoughttheidea
ofpausingtorescuetheother
prisonersfoolish.
‘Didyouhearme?’Utha
shouted.‘Jamthatswordin
thehingesandhelpme
wrenchthedooropen.’
Hedidashewastold,
automaticallyfollowinghis
master’sorders,andthrusthis
newlyacquiredswordinto
thethickironhingeatthe
baseofthecelldoor.Utha
stoodandkickedattheblade
withallhisstrength,jamming
itbetweentheironrivetsand
bendingthehinge.Thenhe
grabbedthehiltofthesword
andpulleditsharplyaway
fromthecelldoor,causing
thehingetobreakandthe
doortobuckle.
‘Helpme,’heshoutedto
Randall,andthetwoofthem
pulledfranticallyuntilthe
doorwasbentsufficientlyto
allowthebeinginsideto
escape.
‘Quickly,wehaveto
leave,’Uthasaidtothe
creature.
Nowatitsfullheight,
Randallcouldn’tbelievehow
talltherisenmanwas–seven
footatleast,withaslender
build.Itmovedtowardsthem,
itsheadtiltingasitstudied
theirfaces.
‘UthatheShadow…you
areourfriend.’The
Dokkalfar’svoicesangfrom
itsthinandsensualmouth,
thoughitsaccentwasstrange,
placingstressesinthewrong
places,Randallthought.
TheDokkalfarlanguishing
intheothercellshadallstood
andlookedsilentlyintothe
centralroomasUthahelped
thenewlyfreedcreatureout
ofthecell.TheBlackcleric
turnedtotheothersand
lookedflusteredashe
registeredhowlongitwould
taketorescuethemall.His
breathingquickenedas
shoutingsoundedfromthe
chamberbehindthem.The
guardsmenhadrecovered
enoughtobegintopursue
them.
‘Utha,wehavetogo,’
shoutedRandall,grabbinghis
master’sarmandtryingto
pullhimtothedoorofthe
oubliette.
‘Weneedtosavethem,’
Uthasaidquickly.
‘Ifwetry,they’llcatch
us…comeon,’Randall
shoutedagain,pullingmore
forcefullyatUtha’sarm.
Themuscularcleric
movedawayonlyreluctantly,
withthesinglefreed
Dokkalfarfollowingclose
behind.
‘I’msorry,’hesaidquietly
tothecreatureswho
remained.
Aguardsman,groggily
swayingonhisfeet,appeared
inthedoorwayandshouted,
‘Youkilledtheprince…’
Uthaturnedand,with
angerinhiseyes,hurledthe
swordofGreatClawatthe
man.Thelongswordthudded
intohimandskeweredhim
throughthechest.Thecleric
thengrabbedtheswordin
Randall’shandandpulled
openthedoorthatledoutof
theoubliette.
Randallfoughthisrising
fearandranbackacrossthe
centralroomtoretrievehis
sword.Heremovediteasily,
buthadtoturnawaytoavoid
thebloodspraythatcame
withit.Downthecorridorhe
sawtwoguardsmenrisingto
theirfeetand,attheendof
thepassage,justemerging
fromthedoorway,wasKatja
theHandofDespair.The
Karesianenchantressglared
atRandallwithstaringeyes
andthesquirequicklylooked
awayinordertoavoidfalling
underherspell.
‘Randall,hurrythefuck
up,’shoutedUthafromthe
door.
‘They’recoming.’Randall
wasbreathlessashejoined
hismaster.
Outofthecentralroom,
Randallshutthedoor,
jamminghisdaggerintothe
locktokeepitfrombeing
openedagain.Theyranoutof
theoubliette,thefreed
Dokkalfarbehindthem.
Randalldidn’tlookatthe
risenmanandtriedtofocus
ongettingoutoftheroyal
compoundalive.Whenhe
reachedthedoorthatledup
tothehouseofTiris,Utha
franticallyflungitinwards.
‘Stop.’Randallplacedhis
handonUtha’sshoulder.
‘Thereareguardsand
servantsupthere.Howare
wegoingtogetout?’
Uthagrowled,‘I’mgoing
tokillanyonethattriesto
stopmeandthenwe’regoing
tostealthatwagon.’Withno
morewords,heslappedaway
Randall’shandandranupthe
stairs.
Thesquirewipedsweat
fromhisforeheadandwentto
followhim,butwasstopped
byarestraininghandfromthe
risenman.Thetallcreature
hadbeensilentasheranand
Randallfelthispresence
intimidating.Thecreature’s
skinwasgrey,andasmore
lightplayedacrosshis
featurestheyoungsquire
couldseenopigmentor
colourofanykindinthe
Dokkalfar’sface.Hewas
simplyanon-human,aliving
beingnotoftheraceofmen,
andRandallinvoluntarily
shiedawayfromthecreature.
‘Donotthinktostopthe
Shadow,youngmanofRo,’it
saidinasonorousvoice.‘His
nowismoreimportantthan
yoursormine.’
Randalldidn’ttryto
understandashewriggledout
ofthecreature’sgraspand
ranupthestepsafterUtha.
TheBlackclericwas
moving,swordinhand,
acrossthecarpets.Hewas
coveredinbloodandlooked
terrifyingasherantowards
thecourtyard.Randall
followedandsawservants
cowering,unwillingto
challengetheenragedcleric
andtooafraidtorunforhelp.
Theycrossedtheentranceway
quickly,reachingthedoor
unchallenged.
Uthapausedatthedoor
untilRandallandthe
Dokkalfarhadjoinedhim.
‘Thereareatleastadozen
guardsmeninthiscourtyard,’
hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.
‘There’salsoawagon.You
goforthewagon,I’llgofor
theguards.Clear?’
‘Asitneedstobe,’replied
Randall,toofrantictobe
scared.
Uthanoddedandputhis
handonRandall’sshoulder.
‘You’vesavedmylifetwice,
boy,nowgetinthewagon
andlet’sstayaliveawhile
longer.’
Randalllookeddownto
seethathishandwasno
longershakingandthe
longswordofGreatClawfelt
lighterinhisfist.
Uthabreathedindeeply
andscowled,openingthe
largedoorwithanaggressive
growlandtighteninghishand
aroundhisnewlongsword.
Theglareofsunthathitthem
astheyenteredthecourtyard
madeRandallsquintashe
followedhismaster.
Beyond,thegatewas
closed,andmorethana
dozengold-armouredking’s
menstoodingroupsor
walkedinlonepatrolaround
theyard,evidentlyunaware
ofwhathadtranspiredinthe
oubliette.Thewagonwas
close,withthreehorses
attachedtothefrontandtwo
guardsmenremoving
Dokkalfarknivesfromthe
carriage.
Uthadidn’tpausebefore
runningatthefirsttwo
guardsmen.Theysawhimtoo
late,andRandallsawthe
otherking’smenslowly
realizethataroaringBlack
clericwasintheirmidst.
Uthaswungwithpowerat
thefirstman,halfsevering
hishead,beforespinning
roundanddrivinghisblade
throughthebreastplateofthe
secondman.Inamoment
he’dclearedthewagonof
guards.
‘Guardsmen,toarms,’
roaredoneoftheking’smen,
standingatthemaingate.
‘Randall,thewagon,’
Uthashoutedashekickedthe
deadbodiesoutoftheway
andturnedtofacetheother
guards,whowerebeginning
togathertheirsenses.
Thesquiredidn’ttakein
theoverwhelmingodds
arrayedagainsttheclericas
heclimbedintothewagon’s
drivingpositionandgrabbed
thereins.TheDokkalfar,his
facestillmaskedbyhishood,
wrenchedtwoknivesfrom
thewoodandjumpedupto
sitnexttoRandall.
Uthapickedupasecond
longswordfromafallenman
andswunghistwoblades
withintimidatingskill,
roaringattheguardsmen
whilerunningatthem.The
Blackclericmovedlikean
enragedmonsterandRandall
sawfearcomeintotheeyes
ofthosewhowerepreparing
tofighthim.
Uthadidnotwaitforthe
mentooverwhelmhimashe
plungedintothemassof
them.Helashedoutwithboth
blades,aimingtomaimrather
thankillasheseveredone
man’sswordarmattheelbow
andcutanotherviciously
acrosstheface.
‘Thegate,’heshoutedto
Randall,withoutlooking
back,andthesquireflicked
thereinsroughlytospurthe
threelargehorsesinto
movement.
Asthewagonmoved
acrossthecourtyard,two
crossbowboltsthuddedinto
thewoodinchesfromwhere
Randallsat.Lookingup,he
sawmorearmouredmen
emergefromthebuilding
behindhim,reloadingtheir
crossbows.Thesquire
recognizedoneofthemfrom
theoublietteandguessedthat
theenchantresswouldalsobe
inpursuit.
Tohissurprise,the
Dokkalfarstoodupgracefully
onthewagon’sforwardseat
andlaunchedbothhisnewly
acquiredknivesatthemen
surroundingUtha.Twodied
instantlyastheywerestruck
intheneck,andUthakilled
anotherwhohadturnedtosee
wherethekniveshadcome
from.TheBlackclericwas
nowsurroundedandonlythe
twolongswordshewielded
kepthisadversariesfrom
closingin.
‘Holdtight,’Randallsaid
totheDokkalfar,asthe
horsesbarrelledintothe
ornategatesoftheroyal
compound.
Thewagonjuddered
violentlyasthemetalbent
andbuckledundertheweight
ofthehorsesandtheheavy
wagon.
‘Utha,move,’roaredthe
squireoverhisshoulder.The
wayaheadwastantalizingly
clear.
Hepulleduponthereins
toslowthecarriageand
turnedtoseeUtha
surrounded.Without
thinking,Randallleaptfrom
hisseatanddrewhissword.
Aguardsmanwithhisbackto
thesquirebecamethefirst
manRandallhadwilfully
killedwhentheswordof
GreatClawstruckhimatthe
neckandsheareddowninto
hisbody.Asecondturnedto
engagethenewcombatant,
butamomentlatercaughta
Dokkalfarknifeintheneck.
Utharoaredagainasan
openingappearedamongthe
encirclingguardsandhe
plungedforward,deflecting
thrustsfromtheothermen.
Withaskillandferocity
Randallhadneverseen,
BrotherUthatheGhost
engagedfivemenatonceand
foughttoreachthecarriage.
Aglancingblowtohisleg
madetheclericbuckleandit
lookedasifhe’dbedriven
backuntilRandallmovedin
tojoinhismaster.Hetried
nottothink,lettinghismind
forgetUtha’slessonsandjust
relyingoninstinct.Hewas
notamatchforthesemenin
termsofskillortraining,but
thedistractionprovidedby
theferociousclericofDeath
gaveRandallthechancehe
needed.Hissecondkillcame
intheformofathrustthat
piercedayoungguardsmanin
theside,throughtheexposed
middlesectionofhis
breastplate.
Throughthepressof
guards,RandallsawUtha
takeanotherblow,thistimea
deepcutacrosshischest.The
clericforcedhimselfupright
andwhirledhistwoswordsin
wide,skilfularcs,pushingthe
guardsmenback.
Thenanotherknifewas
thrownand,forasecond,
therewasnoonebetween
UthaandRandall.They
lockedeyesandUtharan
forwards.Hecaughtseveral
blows,butdeterminationand
angerspurredhimonandhe
divedpasttheencircling
knightsintoanungainly
forwardrollontheflagstone
courtyard.
Randallcouldseemen
emergingfromthecompound
withdrawncrossbows,and
standingbehindthemwasthe
cacklingfigureofKatjathe
HandofDespair.Witha
wildnessinhervoice,she
wasdirectingmentostop
Utha.
‘Hekilledtheprince,stop
himatallcosts.’Hervoice
crackedasshespoke.
RandallgrabbedUthaand
heftedhimupasthe
Dokkalfarthrewhislasttwo
knives,killingtwomoremen
andbuyingthemamomentto
haulthemselvesupintothe
wagon.
‘Move,’shoutedUtha
weakly,andthecarriage
sprangintolifeagainasthe
risenmangrabbedthereins
anddrovetheprisonwagon
forward.
Boltsthuddedintothe
wood,buttheshouting
quicklydieddownasthey
madetheirescape.Uthawas
bloodiedandpaleevenforan
albino,asRandallpulledthe
wagondoorshutandpushed
openthefrontwindowto
addresstheDokkalfar.
‘Justgetoutofthecity.
Don’tstopforanything.’He
hadtoshouttobeheardover
thenoiseofhoovesonstone.
‘Wewillnotstopandthey
willnotstopus,’thecreature
replied,asRandallslumped
backinsidethewagonbeside
Utha.
‘That’sthreetimes,young
Randall.’Theclericworea
thinsmile.‘Takemyhand.’
Utharaisedablood-covered
handtothesquire,which
Randallgraspedfirmly.‘I
wouldcallyoubrother,
RandallofDarkwald,’hesaid
quietly,ashiseyesbeganto
close.
CHAPTER7
RHAMJASRAMI
INTHESTRAITS
OFCANARN
RhamJaswascoldand
dislikedtheweatherofthe
north.Theshipwascheap
andthecaptainhadaskedno
questions,butcomfortwasin
shortsupply.Itwaslateand
thetemperaturehaddropped
sharplyasdarknesshad
fallen.Theirjourneythrough
Tirishadbeenswiftand,with
alittlecointhrownaround,
relativelyeasy.Kohliand
Jennerhadremainedinthe
city,planningtofindawayof
returningtoKaresiaand
leavingRhamJasand
BromvywiththewordsDon’t
getkilledandsayhellotoAlHasim.
Thisadvicehadbeen
playingontheKirin’smind
andhehadspentthepast
week,asthey’dcrawled
slowlynorthacrossthestraits
ofCanarn,thinkinghowbest
tokeepBromandhimself
alive.
Theywereclosenow,
withinadayofthecoastand
thebeachwhereRhamJas
hadinstructedthecaptainto
putthemashore.Theforests
ofCanarnweresmall,but
theirdense,talltreesprovided
perfectcoverforthe
Dokkalfarthatlivedthere.
RhamJasrememberedthe
directionoftravel,buthis
headwasfullofwaysin
whichhisplancouldgo
wrong.Buthe’dagreedto
helphisfriendand,try
thoughhemight,RhamJas
couldnotbringhimselfto
abandonBrom.Ithadceased
tobeaboutrepaymentforthe
younglordhavingsavedhis
lifeandhadbecomea
personalgoal–toseethis
done,totakeBromtohis
homeandtoplaywhatever
partfatehadinstoreforhim.
Itwasapproaching
middayandRhamJascould
feelnowarmth.Thesunwas
permanentlybehindthe
rollinggreycloudsandthe
skywasdark.Bromwas
belowdeck,ashe’dbeen
mostofthepastfewdays.
He’deatenandslept,buthad
otherwisedoneverylittle
savesitinhiscabinand
mope.RhamJaswasusedto
spendingtimeonhisown,but
stillhewouldhavelikeda
moretalkativetravelling
companion.TheKirinhad
hopedforarelaxingevening
ofwhoresandwineinRo
Tiris,butBromhadnotbeen
keenandinsistedtheyleave
straightaway.RhamJashad
beenforcedtowatchKohli
andJennerstrollintotheredlightdistrictwithsmileson
theirsmugKaresianfaces.
‘RhamJas…’Thewords
camefromCaptainMakad,
theKaresiantraderwhoowed
himafavourandhadagreed
todothejobforlittlemoney.
‘Theseawillbegetting
choppy.Ifyouwantmetoput
youashoreonthatbeach,
you’regoingtohavetorow.
I’mnotgettingnearthe
rocks.’
‘Don’tworry,captain,
we’llrow,’heresponded.
‘Andyou’dbetterstayclear
ofCanarn.’
‘Thatwastheplan,’the
captainsaidwithasmile,
beforereturningtohisduty.
Theyhadnotbeenableto
reachthebarracksorthe
king’sharbour,soneither
RhamJasnorBromknew
howmanyknightswereinRo
Canarn.IfCaptainMakad
weretocometooclose,he
wouldriskbeingspottedand
boardedbyknightsofthe
Red,andRhamJashadno
doubtthatthecaptainwould
sellthemoutforverylittle
money.Notthattheknights
wouldbeabletofindthemin
theDeepWood,butitwas
stillbetterifheandBrom
remainedinvisiblefornow.
Theseawasstartingtoget
roughandRhamJasdoubted
hewouldbeabletosleep.
They’dreachthecoast
tomorrow,andtheDeep
Woodafewhoursafterthat,
andhehopedhe’dhearthe
songoftheDokkalfarfora
fewmomentsbeforethey
kickedhimandBromoutof
theirrealm.
***
Theforestwasdarkand
RhamJasdislikednotbeing
abletoseethesunthrough
thedensecanopy.Thetrees
intheDeepWoodweretall
andimposing,havingbeen
therelongbeforetheduchyof
Canarnhadbeenfounded,
andtheyhadasoliditylike
towersconstructedofwood
andbark.Theforestfloorwas
freeoftheusualdetritusof
fallenbranchesanduneven
ground,withonlyathick
scatteringofleavescovering
agrassyfloor.
Despitehavingspentmost
ofhisyounglifewithinafew
hours’traveloftheDeep
WoodBromhadnever
venturedintoitbefore,and
thelookofaweonhisfaceas
heperceivedthehuge,
majestictreeswastestament
totheirnear-magical
presence.
Eachtreehadanamein
theDokkalfarlanguageand
thoughRhamJashadnever
triedtolearn,oreven
pronounce,theirnames,he
knewthatthereverencein
whichtheDokkalfarheldthe
treeswasmorethanasimple
respectfornature.Longago,
theDokkalfarhadbeen
boundtoaForestGiantand,
unlikemen,theyunderstood
thatnaturewasbothbeautiful
andterrible,deservingoffear
aswellaslove.Animalsof
theforestwerelockedina
dailystruggleforsurvival,
constantlyhuntingandbeing
huntedinanendlessgameof
lifeanddeath.Thishadmade
theDokkalfarsuspicious,on
edgeatalltimes,neverat
rest.
RhamJaslikedthem.
Despitetheopinionthe
majorityofothermenheld,
herespectedtheirsynergy
withthewoodsandtheir
ancientacceptanceof
persecutionassomethingthat
hadtobeendured.Asheled
Bromdeeperintothewoods,
theKirinassassinfeltasense
ofcalmthatherarely
experienced.Aquicklook
behindshowedthatBromdid
notsharethisfeeling,and
RhamJashadtoremind
himselfthatotherhumans
wereuneasyaroundthe
forest-dwellers.
‘Howmuchfurther?’
askedtheyounglord.
‘Idon’tknow…maybe
anotherhour,maybetwo.
They’llapproachuswhen
andiftheychooseto.’Rham
Jasknewthatactually
lookingforthemwasrather
pointless.TheDokkalfar
couldremainhidden
indefinitely;theyhadn’t
survivedforsolongbybeing
easytofind.
‘Thisforestremindsmeof
theFell.’Bromwaswalking
slowlybehindhisfriendand
craninghisnecktolookupat
thetoweringtreetrunks.
‘That’sbecausethesame
treesgrowhere.Ithinkthe
Fellistheir…homeland,I
suppose.ThoughI’mnotsure
ifthetermreallyapplies.’
RhamJasslowedhispaceto
allowBromtotakeintheir
surroundings.
‘Thisforesthasnever
beenhuntedbytheBlack
clerics,sofarasIknow,so
theyshouldbemore
relaxed…shouldn’tthey?’
RhamJasraisedan
eyebrow.‘Itdoesn’treally
worklikethat,I’mafraid.
Theycommunicatesomehow
overlongdistances;each
settlementsharesthepainof
everyothersettlementthat’s
attackedandeveryDokkalfar
that’skilled.Theycallitthe
SlowPain.’
‘Interestingpeople,’Brom
repliedsimply.
‘They’renotpeople,my
friend,they’reDokkalfar.’It
wasabasicdistinction,buta
veryimportantone.‘They
don’tlikebeingcomparedto
men.’
‘Buttheylooklikemen,
don’tthey?Imean,I’ve
neverseenone,butIalways
imagined…twoarms,two
legs,ahead.’Bromwas
nervousandRhamJas
allowedhimtoaskhis
questions.
‘Theyhavethesamelimbs
androughlythefeaturesas
us,justabit…different,’the
Kirinreplied,realizingthat
thisanswerwasnothugely
helpful.‘They’retallerthan
youorIandthey…they’re
justnothuman.You’llsee.’
Theywalkedthroughthe
densewoodslowly,RhamJas
takingnoteoffamiliar
landmarks,butmakingno
particularefforttobe
stealthy.Heknewthattotry
andremainhiddeninthe
Dokkalfarwoodswaslargely
pointlessasthey’dprobably
alreadyhavebeenseen.He
guessedthatthedecision
aboutwhattodowiththetwo
humanswhohadwandered
intotheDeepWoodwas
currentlybeingmade
somewhereoutofview.He
knewthathewouldn’tbe
killed,butworriedabout
Brom.Theyounglordwasan
outsiderhereand,asanoble
ofTorFunweir,hewas
directlyrelatedtothenoble
familiesthathadhuntedthe
forest-dwellersthroughout
theirlands–andthe
Dokkalfarwereabletosense
suchthings.
RhamJasstoppedasthey
reachedasmallpatchofopen
ground,aclearingbetween
thehugetrunksofhalfa
dozentreeswhereasingleray
ofsunshinelanceddown
throughthecanopy.The
forestfloorwasflatand
featureless,savefortheeverpresentcarpetofgreenand
brownleavesuponwhich
theywalked.RhamJas
recognizedtheplaceand
decidedtostopforarest.
‘Let’sstophereforan
hourortwoandgivethe
watchersachancetogeta
goodlookatus.’Heremoved
hislongbowandsatatthe
baseofatree.
‘They’rewatchingus?’
askedBrom,alittlealarmed
bythenews.
‘Theyhavebeensincewe
enteredthewoods.It’stheir
way.’RhamJasknewthathis
friendwasimpatient,butthe
Kirinwasnotgoingtorush
thisencounter.Themore
insistentthevisitortothe
DeepWood,thelesslikelyhe
wastosurvive.
‘Sitdown,Brom,wemay
aswelltakesomerest.’
Hesitantly,hejoined
RhamJasagainstthebroad
treetrunk.Fromgroundlevel,
theforesthadastrange
etherealqualityandthesingle
rayofsunlightmadethe
leavesglintandshine.
Distantly,RhamJascould
hearaslightsound,the
rhythmicchantingofthe
Dokkalfar.Itsoundedlikeno
othernoisetheKirinhadever
heard–achorusofhighpitchednotesthatroseand
fellwithbeautifuland
elongatedtiming,eachnote
swellingbeforelowering,
onlytoriseagain.
Bromheardthesoundtoo
andraisedhisheadthebetter
tolistentothebeautifulsong
oftheforest-dwellers.His
eyesclosedinvoluntarilyand
hisheadbegantosway
slightlyastherhythm
increasedintempoand
volume.
‘It’sbeautiful,’Bromsaid
ashelistened.‘Isthatreally
themsinging?’
RhamJasnodded.‘They
saythatit’showtheytalkto
thetreesandpassmessagesto
otherDokkalfarsettlements,’
hesaidquietly,soasnotto
interruptthesong.‘Mywife
usedtospendhoursjust
listeningtoitinOslan.’
Theysatandletthesong
flowoverthem,neitherof
themspeaking.RhamJassat
cross-leggedandBromlay
backasifbathinginthe
etherealglow,lettingtheray
ofsunlightplayoverhisface.
Thesonghadcalmedthe
younglordconsiderably,and
RhamJasallowedhimselfto
hopethattheywouldindeed
findhelpfromtheforestdwellersofCanarn.
Theminutesstretchedand
flowedtogetherasthetwo
friendslistened,untilanother
soundcamefromhighabove.
Thissoundwasnotmusicand
itcausedBromtositup
sharplyandreachforhis
sword.
‘Easy,’saidRhamJas
quietly.‘Keepitsheathed.’
Theybothlookedupand
RhamJassawashapesitting
inahighbranch.Thefigure
wascrouchedandholding
twoleaf-shapedblades,one
ineachhand,heldacrosshis
chest.Nofaceorfeatures
werevisibleinthehigh
shadows,butthefigure
cockeditsheadtooneside,as
ifstudyingthetwohumans.
Sizewasdifficulttogauge
acrossthedistance,butthe
figureappearedlargeandwas
cloakedinshadow,looming
overthem.
‘RhamJas…’saidBrom,
nottakinghiseyesfromthe
figure.
‘Relax.They’dhavekilled
youbynowiftheywere
goingto,’theKirinreplied
simply,causinghisfriendto
dartaquestioninglookat
him.
‘Don’tyoumeanthey’d
havekilledusbynow?’
‘Oh,no,Iwasn’tinany
danger,’RhamJasanswered
withabroadgrin.‘You’re
Ro,remember–everyone
hatestheRo.’
BromglaredatRhamJas
beforeturningbacktothe
figureabove.‘CanIsay
hello,oristhatbad
etiquette?’
‘Youcansaywhatyou
like,butdon’texpecthimto
answeruntilhe’sready,’
RhamJasreplied.
Amomentlaterthefigure
hadblurredintomotion,
flexinghislegsandjumping
downtolandgracefullyon
theforestfloor.Hecrouched
withonebladeinfrontofhis
faceandtheotherbehindhis
back,inaguardedpose.
Bromgaspedashelooked
intothefaceofaDokkalfar
forthefirsttime.
Itwasamale,maybe
sevenfeettall,withlong,jetblackhairhangingloosely
downhisback.Hiseyeswere
alsoblack,reminiscentof
poolsofinkywater,which
seemedtoflowfromsideto
sideashelookedatthe
humans.Hisskinwasgrey
andhewasslenderwithlong,
dextrous-lookingfingersand
sharp,talon-likenails.Ashe
stood,hishairmovedslowly
toreveallarge,leaf-shaped
earsandnofacialhairofany
kind.Hisclothingwasdark
green,withflashesofblack
andgreyinlaidwithinthethin
fabric.
Bromdidn’ttakehiseyes
fromtheforest-dweller,and
RhamJascouldtellthathis
friendwastryingtoreconcile
thegracefulbeinginfrontof
himwiththeoft-toldstories
ofrisenmen.
TheDokkalfarmaletilted
hisheadandlookedfirstat
Brom,andthendirecteda
long,disquietinglookat
RhamJas.TheKirinsmiled
awkwardly,hopingthe
creatureknewwhohewas.
RhamJashadvisitedseveral
differentDokkalfar
settlementsandtheirTyr
warriorsalwaysseemedto
knowhim,havingreceived
theinformationfromdistant
forests.ThefactthattheTyr
hadnotattackedthusfar
meantRhamJaswasfairly
optimistic,buthewishedthe
creaturewouldspeakand
lessenthetension.
Whenhedidspeak,itwas
inadeep,sonorousvoice.
‘Paivaa,RhamJasRami.
Hauskatutustua.’The
Dokkalfarspokealanguage
unknowntomanandBrom
shothisfriendaconfused
look.
‘Erm…hello,’replied
RhamJas.‘Sorry,Idon’t
speakyourlanguage.Nanon
triedtoteachmeonce,butI
havenoearforit.’RhamJas
clearedhisthroatandtriedto
saytheonephrasehehad
memorized.‘PuhutkoRo?’
heasked,inanattempttofind
outwhetherthecreature
spokethecommontongue.
TheDokkalfarappearedto
smile,thoughtheexpression
wasthinandconveyedlittle
friendliness.‘Iknowyour
speech,’hesaid,thewordsof
mansoundingsomehow
wrongashespokethem,with
thestressesinthewrong
places.
‘ThisisBromvyof
Canarn,alordoftheRo,’
RhamJassaid,anticipating
somekindofreactionfrom
thecreature.Whennone
came,hecontinued.‘Weask
anaudiencewithyour
Vithar.’
‘Youarefriendtous,
RhamJasRami.Thismanis
notknown.’TheDokkalfar’s
headwastiltingfromsideto
sideashespokeandRham
Jasthoughthemustbe
assessingBrom.
‘Ihaveneedofyou,’said
Brom,unsureofhiswords.
‘Needisastrangeconcept
amongstyourpeople,’the
forest-dwellerreplied.‘You
areimpatientandyourneeds
mustalwaysbenow…now
youwilldosomething,now
youneedhelp,nowyouact.I
havenointerestinthenowof
men.’
‘Nevertheless,westillask
anaudience,’RhamJas
repeated.
TheDokkalfarstepped
gracefullywithinafewfeet
ofBrom,hisheight,hisgrey
colouringandhis
expressionlesseyesmaking
himappearhugeand
intimidating.Hestillheldhis
twoknives,buttheywere
looseinhishandsandRham
Jasdidnotthinkhewasabout
toeruptintoviolence.Brom
didn’ttakehiseyesfromthe
creatureandheraisedhis
headthebettertolookupinto
hisface,refusingtobecowed
bytheDokkalfar.
‘Andwhatisyournow,
BromvyofCanarn?’the
Dokkalfarasked.
Bromglancedacrossat
RhamJasandtriedtoconvey
thathedidn’tunderstand.The
beautyandotherworldly
qualitiesofthecreaturehad
clearlyshakentheyounglord,
butRhamJasfeltitwasn’t
hisplacetointerfere.He
stoodofftothesideofthe
forestclearing,gazinginto
thewoods,asBromandthe
forest-dwellersearchedfor
somethingineachother’s
face.
WhenthelordofCanarn
spokeitwaswithhard-fought
confidence.‘Mynowisa
needtohelpmyhomeland
andfreemypeople,’hesaid
withconviction.‘Andto
makethosedishonourable
menwhomurderedmyfather
pay.’
TheDokkalfarpaused,his
headnolongertilting,and
RhamJasguessedthathewas
thinkingaboutBrom’swords.
‘IamcalledTyrSigurd,it
is…interestingtomeetyou.’
Theforest-dwellergavea
shallowbowofhishead.
‘Youwillfollowme.’Sigurd
turnedsharplyandstrode
acrosstheclearing,placing
hisleaf-bladesacrosshis
backashedidso.
‘Whatdowedo?’Brom
askedRhamJas.
‘Wefollowhim,I
suppose,’theKirinreplied.
‘Oh,andBrom…welldone,
hedidn’tkillyou.’RhamJas
smiledbroadlyandreceiveda
playfulpunchtotheshoulder
inreturn.
Sigurdwalkedslowlyand
frequentlylookedbehind
him,makinganeffortto
moveatapacethehumans
couldmatch.Hisstridewas
hugeandheeffortlessly
avoidedobstaclesonthe
forestfloorwithoutlooking
down.Hemovedacross
fallenbranchesandthecarpet
ofleaves,makingnomore
thanaslightrustleofsound,
andhisfootstepsdidnothing
todisturbthedetritusofthe
DeepWood.
Theyfollowedhim
throughtightlypackedtrees
anddownasharpinclineinto
anarrowvalley,protected
fromthesunbyaneven
densercanopythanbefore.
Thetreetrunksherewerethin
androseupfromtheflat
valleyfloorwithfewrootsat
theirbase.RhamJasknew
thatthissignifiedaDokkalfar
settlementunderthecarpetof
leaves.Thetalltreeshadtheir
rootslowerdownanda
constructedfloor,built
halfwayupthetrunks,made
thesettlementallbut
invisible.
Sigurdstoppedbyoneof
thetreesandturnedbackto
thetwohumans.‘Youwill
notbeabletofindthis
locationagain,sodonot
try…ifyoutryandsucceed,
youwillbekilled,’hesaidin
amatter-of-factway,before
reachingdowntoreveala
woodenhatchwayhidden
amongsttheleaves.
Thehatchwascircularand
hadbeenwovenoutofthin
branches,makingiteven
moredifficulttodetectwitha
cursorylook.Beneath,all
RhamJascouldseewasa
slightyellowglow,thoughhe
smelledthetelltalescentof
Dokkalfarfood–aformof
nutritionthatinvolvedboiled
vegetablesandherbs,withno
meatorbreadbutwitha
heartyflavour.
Sigurdjumpeddown,
makingnosoundashelanded
below.BromlookedatRham
Jas,andtheKirinsmiled
beforehetoojumpeddown,
makingaconsiderablenoise
ashethuddedontothe
tightlypackedearthbelow.
Bromfollowedamoment
laterandthetwohumans
pausedtogettheirbearingsas
thehatchwayclosed.
Theforestfloorabovehad
givennoindicationofthe
hugespacebeneath,andboth
RhamJasandBromgasped
astheglowincreasedin
brightnesstoilluminatethe
Dokkalfarvillage.Startinga
littlewayinfrontofthem,the
rootsofthetreesservedas
pillars,stretchingawayin
chaoticlines.Aroundthebase
ofeachtreeweresimple,
organic-lookingstructures
whichappearedatonce
beautifullyconstructedand
entirelynatural.Therewere
nostraightlinesandneither
windowsnordoors,butleaf
motifswereinabundance
throughoutthesettlement.
Theforestfloorabovewasa
highceiling,perhapstwenty
feetfromtheactualground,
andRhamJascouldsee
beamsandstrutsoftwisted
woodandearthactingas
supportsforthebedofleaves
abovetheirheads.Hefoundit
difficulttotellwhetherornot
thesupportingbeamswere
naturalorhadbeenbuiltby
thecraftoftheDokkalfar.
Theexpressionofaweon
Brom’sfaceindicatedthathis
friendwasjustasconfused.
Sigurdstoodalittleway
aheadofthemandwaved
elegantly,indicatingthatthey
shouldfollowhimdeeper
underground.Neither
followedstraightaway,as
otherDokkalfarwerevisible
inthesettlementand,without
exception,theyhadall
directedtheirblackeyes
towardsthetwooutsiders.
Thestructuresofwhich
RhamJashadtakennote
werelittlemorethancanopies
orlargeawnings,andall
kindsofDokkalfarwere
peeringoutfromtheirhomes.
RhamJasfeltself-conscious
asseveraldozenheadstilted
toregardthehumans.
‘Youwillfollow,’Sigurd
stated.‘Nooneherewill
harmyou.’Thewordsdidn’t
reassureBrom,butwitha
gentleshovefromRhamJas
theywalkedfurtherintothe
Dokkalfarvillage.
Cookingpotsofamber
andbakedmudhungfrom
carefullyconstructed
apparatusaboveglowing
rocks.Itseemedtheydidnot
usefire,buttheircraft
nonethelessenabledthemto
heatthingstoasufficient
temperature.
RhamJaswalkedafter
Sigurd,smilingnervouslyat
thenearestDokkalfar,and
Bromfollowedclosely
behind.Theforest-dwellers
followedtheirmovements
andRhamJassawboth
curiosityandangerintheir
eyes,thoughhesensedno
immediatedanger.
Sigurdledthemthrough
thethinlyspacedtreetrunks
pastaDokkalfarpresenceas
diverseasanyhuman
settlement.RhamJassaw
childrenplayingwith
branchesandtwigsasifthey
wereswords,runningacross
thedarkforestfloor,andTyr
warriorsatworkbeside
heatedrocksthatservedas
forges.
Bromwasrightwhenhe
saidthatBlackclericshad
neverhuntedintheDeep
WoodofCanarn.Duke
Hectorhadalwaysresisted
attemptsbythechurchtoset
upaBlackkeepinthearea,
andalthoughthemenof
Canarnwerenotawareofthe
forest-dwellers’presence,
theirdistrustoftheclerics
hadinadvertentlyprotected
theirDokkalfarneighbours.
Thelooksdirectedatthe
twomenwerehostile,
however,andthechildrenin
particularwhisperedquiet
insultsatthehumans.
‘Theydon’tseemtolike
us,’saidBrom,statingthe
obvious.
‘Justbethankfulit’sour
racetheydislikeratherthan
us,’repliedRhamJas.‘Ifit
werethelatter,ourheads
wouldlikelybeadorninga
hightreetopbynow.’
‘WhoaretheVithar?’
Bromasked,astheyfollowed
Sigurddownaninclinewhich
ledawayfromthemajorityof
thedwellings.
‘Shamans,’answered
RhamJassimply.‘The
Dokkalfardon’thaveleaders
assuch,theytakecounsel
withtheVitharshamansifa
courseofactionisnotclear.
TheVitharinvariablycounsel
patienceandendurance.’
Bromnodded,butRham
Jasthoughthewasonlyhalf
listeningandhadbeentalking
mainlytoalleviatehis
nervousnessinthealien
environment.
Astheyfollowedthe
Dokkalfarmaleawayfrom
thehabitations,thesettlement
openedoutastheground
slopedsharplyawayfrom
them.Theforestfloorabove
wasstillatthesameheight,
butthetreetrunksbelow
groundwerenowvast
woodenpillars,astallasthe
towersofCanarn,andadeep
depressionintheground
providedanawe-inspiring
vistaofwalkways,galleries
andplatformsbuiltinand
aroundthetrunks.
‘Well,fuckme,’Brom
said,ashepausedandlooked
intotheheartoftheDeep
Wood.‘HowdidInotknow
thiswashere?’
‘Becausetheforestfloor
aboveisnaturalandflat.Men
havewalkedoverthisground
athousandtimes,never
knowingwhatwasbeneath.’
RhamJaswastryingtoact
asifallthiswasonlytobe
expected–inreality,he’d
neverseenanythinglikeit
either.TheDokkalfar
settlementshe’dseeninthe
FellandinOslanwere
humbletreehousesby
comparison.
‘Anyclericbloodlefton
thosedirtyhandsofyours,
RhamJasRami,Kirinman?’
Thevoicecamefroma
Dokkalfarperchedona
branchoverlookingwhere
theystood.
Sigurddidn’tlookup,but
pausedasBromandRham
Jasbothcranedtheirnecksto
seewhohadspoken.The
Dokkalfarjumpeddownfrom
hisperchandlandednoseto
nosewithRhamJas.
‘Youlookolder,’Nanon
stated,lettinghiseyesmove
slowlyfromtheKirin’sfeet
tohishead.
‘Youlookthesame,’
repliedRhamJas,‘butthen
youwould.’
He’dnotseenNanonfor
severalyears,whenthe
Dokkalfarhadhelpedhim
ambushaPurpleclericnear
RoLeith.Helookedexactly
thesameashehaddonethen
–shortforaforest-dweller,
justoversixfoottall,andhis
greyskinwasscarredin
places.RhamJasknewthat
Nanonhadtravelledwidely
fromhishomeintheDeep
Woodandthathehada
fascinationwithhumansthat
wascuriouslyoutofplace
amongsthispeople.
‘IamasoldasIchooseto
appear,Kirinman.Thenow
ofmanistheforeverofthe
Dokkalfar,’hesaidwitha
smile,thefirstgenuine
displayofemotionthateither
ofthemenhadseensince
theyencounteredSigurd.
Bromrelaxedslightly,for
Nanonspokethelanguageof
Rowithlessofanaccentand
hadafriendlierdemeanour.
RhamJasknewthattheTyr
wasmoredangerousthanany
ofthem,buthewasalsomore
worldlyandmoretolerantof
men.
‘WhyareyouandlordRo
manhere?Thisisa
dangerousnowformen.’His
eyeswerejustasblackas
Sigurd’sbutsomehow
conveyedmorefeeling,and
helackedthestrangeheadtilt
commontomostofthe
forest-dwellers.
‘BromvyofCanarn,’
Bromsaidbywayofan
introduction.
‘Weknowyourname,Ro
man,andweknowyour
anger…perhapsyoushould
relaxalittle.’Heturnedfrom
RhamJasandstoodequally
closetoBrom,assessinghim
inmuchthesamewayashe’d
donewiththeKirin.
‘Tyr,Imusttakethemto
theVithar,’saidSigurd.
Nanondidn’t
acknowledgethisatfirstand
continuedstaringatthelord
ofCanarn.RhamJasthought
Bromwasbecomingalittle
nervousundertheTyr’sgaze,
buthemaintainedhiscool
andsimplylethimselfbe
studied.
‘Verywell,’saidNanon
withanothersmile.‘Iwill
accompanyyou.’
TheoldTyrmoved
quicklytostandnextto
Sigurd,andthetwo
Dokkalfarresumedwalking.
TheyledRhamJasandBrom
downtheslopetowardsthe
baseofthelargertrees.All
aroundthemnewvistascame
intoviewwitheachstepas
highplatformsandstrange
organicstructuressnaked
theirwayacrossthe
settlement.Dokkalfar,mostly
wearingsimplegreenrobes,
madetheirwayacross
platformsandwalkways
betweenthethicktreetrunks,
goingaboutunknowable
businessandscarcely
acknowledgingtheoutsiders
below.
Itwasbewilderingto
RhamJasthatthehugeroof
ofthesettlementwasalsothe
forestfloorabove;hesimply
couldn’tconceiveofthe
bizarrecraftitmusthave
takentokeepthefloor–or
ceiling–stableandinvisible
whileallmannerofanimals
andmenwalkedacrossit.It
wasaknottedlatticeofwood
andsproutingplants,with
nothingtogiveawayits
presence.He’dseensimilar
undergroundsettlementsin
thesouth,butneveranything
onthisscale,andhe
wonderediftheDeepWood
heldsomeparticular
significanceforthe
Dokkalfar.
Aheadofthem,RhamJas
couldseetheforestfloor
levellingoutandthehuge
rootsoftreesbecamevisible.
Ashelookedup,heestimated
theheightofthetreestobe
fiftyfeetatleastandaslight
feelingofvertigocameover
himattheenormityofthe
place.NexttotheKirin,
Bromwassimilarly
impressedandwasstanding
withhismouthopenandhis
eyeswideashestaredupat
thetrees.RhamJasdidn’t
knowwhethertheVithar
wouldagreetohelpthem,but
hewassurethatBrom’snew
stationasrulerofRoCanarn
wouldbethekey.Ifthey
weretosucceedinliberating
thecity,andifBromwere
installedasduke,hewould
havetheopportunitytotake
theunprecedentedstepof
declaringtheDeepWooda
sanctuaryfortheDokkalfar.
Though,asRhamJaslooked
aroundtheimmense
settlement,hewondered
whethertheforest-dwellers
wouldcareaboutsuchthings.
‘Follow,’orderedSigurd,
andheandNanonsteppedon
toawoodenplatformsecured
toatreetrunkbythickvines.
BromglancedatRhamJas
andthetwooutsiders
likewisesteppedontothe
platform–andnearlyfell
overasitbegantoriseand
moveacrossthesettlement.
Bromgraspedavineto
steadyhimself.
Lookingup,RhamJas
couldseeadensetangleof
similarvinesallacrossthe
village.Theyranthelength
ofthetreetrunksandheld
numerousplatformsand
hangingbridgeswithintheir
mass.Someweremoving,but
mostsimplylookedasifthey
werepartofthetreesto
whichtheywereattached.
Again,thiswaslikenothing
RhamJashadeverseen.
‘Impressive,isn’tit?’
Nanonasked,withadegree
ofprideastheplatformsped
throughthetrees.
‘It’smakingmesick,’
jokedRhamJas.‘Couldyou
getthemtoslowitdown?’
Sigurdlookedconfusedat
theKirin’shumour,but
Nanonlaughedloudly–a
soundthatcarriedafair
distancethroughthetreesand
soundedstrangecomingfrom
aDokkalfar.
‘You’restillfunny,Kirin
man.Imissthewitofyour
people.’
‘I’vebeenwithhimfora
monthandI’mgettingsickof
it,’mutteredBrom,still
clingingontothevineand
tryingnottolookdowntothe
forestfloor.
RhamJaswasmoresurefootedthanhisfriend,but
evenhewasclumsyin
comparisonwiththe
Dokkalfar.SigurdandNanon
stoodwithnoassistanceand
appearedtoknowintuitively
whentomaketheslight
adjustmentsneedednottofall
fromtheplatform.Their
gracewasathingofalien
beautyandBromstruggledto
reconciletherealityofthese
creatureswiththestorieshe’d
heardabouttherisenmen.
JustwhenBromlookedas
ifhewereabouttobesick,
theplatformcametoasudden
haltonahighterrace.The
twoDokkalfarsteppedoffas
soonasitstoppedandthetwo
menalmostflewofftheedge.
RhamJaswassavedbyhis
abilitytobalanceandBrom
bythefirmgripheheldon
thevine–butbothlooked
ungainlyandfoolishasthey
stumbledaftertheforestdwellers.
RhamJastookaquick
lookaroundandsawthey
wereabouthalfwayupahuge
treetrunkandwithinsightof
agreenauditoriumarranged
betweenbranches.Thebridge
thatledtotheauditoriumwas
hungwithvinesandswayed
ominouslyastheDokkalfar
madetheirwayacrossit.
‘Didyouknowallthis
washere?’Bromasked.
‘Ofcourse…doesn’t
everyone?’RhamJaslied
withamaddeninggrin.‘Well,
notthisprecisely,no,but
somethinglikeit.’
RhamJascouldseeseated
Dokkalfarwithinthe
auditoriumandguessedthat
theVitharshamanswere
arrayedbeforethem.
‘Letmedothetalking
untiltheyaddressyou,okay?’
‘Noproblem,’replied
Brom.‘Butifitlooksasif
they’regoingtoattackus,try
andgivemesomewarning.’
RhamJasthoughthewas
joking,buthecouldn’tbe
sure.
Theysteppedontothe
swayingbridgeandfollowed
theTyrontoamorestable
platformatthefrontofthe
auditorium.Galleries
comprisedoftwistedwood
roseaboveitandspreadout
inirregularfashion,providing
seatsforseveraldozen
Dokkalfar,thoughonlya
handfulwerecurrently
occupied.NanonandSigurd
heldtheirpositionatthebase
oftheauditoriumand
motionedforRhamJasand
Bromtopassthem.
TheKirinputahandon
hisfriend’sshoulderandthe
twoofthemsteppedinfront
oftheraisedseating.There
waslittlelightinthe
settlement,butsomething
aboutthisareamadetheir
featuresstandoutasifthey
wereheldbyagazethat
penetratedtheobfuscating
darkness.Beforethemsat
green-robedDokkalfar.
‘RhamJasRamidarkbloodandfriendtothe
Dokkalfar,’saidthefigure
seatedinthemiddle.‘Youare
welcomeintheHeart.’
‘Thankyou,’RhamJas
replied,immediatelythinking
itafoolishthingtosay.‘I
wishtoasksomethingofyou
andyourpeople.’
TheDokkalfarwhohad
spokenraisedhisheadand
RhamJassawhisdarkgrey
skin;blackerthantheothers,
hemeldedintothedarkness
aroundhim,becoming
distinctonlywhenhespoke.
‘IamcalledJoror,’hesaid
inafalteringaccent,and
RhamJasguessedhehadnot
spokenthelanguageofRofor
sometime.‘Wearethe
Vitharandwewillhearof
yournow.’
‘Wait,’roaredanother
voicefrombehind.
RhamJasandBrom
turnedtoseealargeTyr
stridepastNanonandSigurd,
comingtoastopnexttothe
humans.Hewasthelargest
DokkalfarthatRhamJashad
everseen–notjusttallbut
muscularandbroadshouldered.Heworealarge
leaf-swordacrosshisback–a
weaponthattheKirin
doubtedcouldbeliftedbya
man,letalonewieldedin
combat–andhisblackeyes
lookedatthehumanswith
disdain.
‘Youmayspeak,Rafn,’
saidJororwithabowofhis
head.
‘Ididn’taskpermission,’
repliedthehugeTyr.‘Iam
nothereforcounsel.Iam
heretostopthenowofthese
ignorantcreaturesbeing
heard.Theirpoisonouswords
willserveonlytodamageus
andIwillseethemkilled
beforetheytalk.’
RhamJasraisedhis
eyebrowsandturnedaway
fromtheseatedDokkalfarto
lookupintothefaceofthe
creaturecalledRafn.
‘Thosearebigwordsfora
littlegirl,’hesaid,withouta
smile.
FrombehindhimNanon
laughed,buteveryother
Dokkalfarremainedsilent
whileRhamJasstaredupat
Rafn.
‘YouareRhamJasRami
dark-blood,friendtothe
Dokkalfar,’saidRafn.‘But
heisaRomanofnobleblood
andIwillkillhimforhis
people’smurderousways.’
TheTyrwasangryatthe
humanintrusionintohis
homeandRhamJassized
himup,lookingforthebest
andquickestwaytokillhim
iftheneedpresenteditself.
Hewashuge,buttheKirin
assassinknewhewouldbleed
anddielikeanyother
creature.
‘Iamyourfriendandheis
mine.’RhamJasspokeloudly
andwithdefiance.‘Ifour
presencebothersyouthat
much,Iinviteyoutostayand
hearourwords…alongwith
yourVithar.’
‘Youinviteme?You
inviteme?’Rafnshouted.
RhamJasdidn’tback
away,thoughhecouldsense
thatBromhadtakenastepto
theside,tryingtokeepcloser
tothefriendlierpresenceof
SigurdandNanon.
‘I’mnotalittleboywhois
scaredofyou,greyskin.
Don’tforgetthat,’RhamJas
saidashestareddownthe
hulkingDokkalfarinfrontof
him.‘Thismanismyfriend
andIwilltakeyouapart
beforeIseeyouharmhim.’
TheVitharcalledJoror
stoodfromhisseatand
approachedtheconfrontation.
RhamJasknewtheshamans
hadnoauthorityoverthe
otherDokkalfar,exceptwhen
counselwasneeded,buthe
hopedtheirwisdomwould
stophimhavingtofightRafn.
‘Thisisfoolish,’said
Joror.‘Thismanisknownto
you…toallofus.Heisour
friendandifhesaysthatthe
nowoftheotherisworth
listeningto,wewillhearit.’
Rafnhadnotturnedfrom
theKirin,buthewas
evidentlyreluctanttoanswer
thechallengewithviolence
and,afteranothermoment’s
tiltinghishead,helowered
hiseyesandsteppedback.
‘RhamJasRamidarkblood,Iwillnotstrikeyou.’
HeturnedtoJororandsaid,‘I
willremainandhearthenow
oftheRoman.’
Calmreturnedtothe
platformandRhamJaswas
secretlythankfulhehadn’t
neededtotesthisskillagainst
sointimidatinganopponent.
Bromalsorelaxedalittleas
hesteppedbacknexttohis
friend.
‘Couldyouhavebeaten
him?’heaskedinawhisper.
‘Noidea,’repliedRham
Jas,‘butIstoodmoreofa
chancethanyou.’Hiswide
grinreturnedandBrom
chuckledinvoluntarily.
‘Whydotheycallyou
dark-blood?’heasked.
‘I’mnottotallysure.I
thinkit’sgotsomethingtodo
withadarkwoodtreeIwas
pinnedagainstforafew
hours.’Hehadbeencalled
dark-bloodbeforeandhad
nevergivenitmuchthought.
‘Theyfearandrespectthe
tree,somyhavingsomeofits
sapinmybloodstreamisa
bigdealtothem,Isuppose.’
Rafntookaseatnextto
Jororand,withNanonand
Sigurdstandingbehindthem,
thetwomensteppedforward
tobeheardbytheassembled
Vitharshamans.
‘Myfriendiscalled
BromvyofCanarn,heisa
nobleofTorFunweir,the
landsofRo,andhehasneed
ofyourhelp.’RhamJastried
tospeakasloudlyandas
formallyashecould.‘Heis
anoutlawinhisownlands,a
BlackGuardinthelanguage
oftheclerics,andhisfather
hasbeenmurderedbyRed
knightsoftheOneGod.’This
causedaslightrippleamong
theDokkalfarandRhamJas
wasgladtheforest-dwellers
stillloathedthechurchofRo.
‘Whydoesthisconcern
us?’askedRafndismissively.
‘RokillingRosimplymeans
theywillleavetheforests
aloneforatime.’
Afewnodsfromthe
othersshowedRhamJasthat
theDokkalfarwerestilltoo
concernedwiththeirown
survivaltocareaboutBrom’s
predicament.
‘Ihavewords,’said
Nanonfrombehindthem.
‘TyrNanonmayspeak,’
announcedJororwithawave
ofhishand.
‘IknowthisKirinman
betterthanmostandIseehis
heartinhiswords.Heis
concernedbyamaleficium
thatabidesinthecityof
men.’
RhamJashadnotheard
thetermbefore,butthe
reactionoftheDokkalfarwas
instantandstartling.The
Vitharclenchedtheirfistsand
shivereduncomfortably,and
theTyralmostinvoluntarily
adoptedaprotectiveposture.
Thereactioncalmeddown
afteramoment,butRhamJas
hadneverseenanythinglike
thisamongtheforestdwellers.
Nanonwaslookinginto
RhamJas’seyes,searching
forsomething.TheKirin
knewthatthelongeraman
spentwithaDokkalfar,the
moreunderstandingwould
existbetweenthetwo.Inthis
case,itmeantNanon
understoodhishumourbetter
thantheotherDokkalfarand
hadarudimentaryabilityto
knowhismind.
‘SheiscalledtheLadyof
Spidersandshehasthehearts
oftheRedmeninherevil
hands,’hesaid,pluckingthe
knowledgefromRhamJas’s
mind.
‘YouknowoftheSeven
Sisters?’askedBrom,
forgettinghisfriend’sadvice
tostayquiet.
‘Silence,lesserbeing,’
commandedRafn,still
uncomfortablewithBrom’s
presence.‘Youcouldnot
hopetounderstandwhatthis
beingiscapableof.’Hewas
obviouslydisturbedbytalkof
themaleficium–apparentlya
Dokkalfartermthatreferred
totheenchantressesof
Karesia.
Bromtookastepforward.
‘Thiswomanhasmanipulated
theknightsoftheRedinto
invadingmyhomeland,
slaughteringmypeopleand
executingmyfather.Iknow
whatsheiscapableof.’He
spokedefiantly.
Rafnwassilentfora
momentashestudiedBrom’s
face.ThenheturnedtoJoror
andsaidquietly,‘Thenowof
mancoincideswiththe
foreveroftheDokkalfar…I
wouldneverhavethoughtit
possible.’Thenalaugh
eruptedfromthehugeTyr
andRafnstoodandstrode
purposefullytowardsBrom.
RhamJasmadeamoveto
intercepthim,butNanonheld
hisarmandstoppedhim.
Rafndidn’tattackandBrom
wasinanycasetooangryto
becowedbythehugewarrior
beforehim.
‘Tellmeyournameagain,
Roman?’askedRafnina
lowgrowlingvoice.
‘IamLordBromvyof
Canarn,sontoDukeHector,
andBlackGuardofTor
Funweir.’
Itwasthefirsttimethat
RhamJashadheardBrom
admittobeingoftheBlack
Guardandhethoughthis
friend’spredicamentmust
havefinallysunkin.
‘Bromvy,’repeatedRafn,
soundingoutthestrange
humanname.‘Yournowis
moredangerousthanyou
know,forthemaleficiumseek
tobringyourlandscrashing
downandyourgodstoruin.’
‘Iaskforyouraidagainst
theLadyofSpidersandher
Redknightthralls.’Brom
spokewithconviction,
fightingtheurgetoback
awayfromthehugeTyr.
Afemalevoicespoke
fromunderahoodseveral
seatsdownfromJoror.
‘Listentoourforever,
BromvyandRhamJasRami
ofthelandsofmen.’The
wordsweremorelyricaland
softerthanthoseofthemale
Dokkalfar.‘Thebetteryou
willunderstandwhywewill
helpyou.’
Thespeakerpushedback
herhoodtoreveallighter
greyskin–almostwhitein
comparisonwiththemales–
andherearsweremore
elongated,partingherblack
hairastheyroseinanelegant
leafshape.
‘IamcalledJofnandI
speaktheforeverofages
past,’thefemaleDokkalfar
began,holdingtheattention
ofallthosepresent.
‘Weweremuchasyour
kindarenow–withbirth,
life,loveanddeath.Wehad
lands,societyandhomesto
callbyourownnamesanda
godwhomwecherished.’
Shespokeofthings
unknowneventoRhamJas.
Hehadalwaysthoughtthe
forest-dwellerstobealost
remnantoftheDeadGod’s
followers.
‘OurShadowGiantdeity
wasslainagespastbythe
beingyouknowastheDead
God–aForestGiantof
pleasureandblood,achaotic
beingofpurestmalevolence,
whomweservedoutoffear.
Ourowngodwaslost,oneof
manycausalitiesoftheLong
War.’
TheotherDokkalfar
bowedtheirheadsin
remembrance,thoughRham
Jascouldnottruly
comprehendthetimescaleof
whichshespoke.Heknew
thattheforest-dwellerswere
long-livedandthattheyhad
dweltinthelandlongbefore
theriseofmen,butthespan
ofmillenniaitwouldrequire
forgodstoriseandfallmade
hisheadspin.
‘TheDarkYoungofthe
DeadGodwereourstobirth.
Hetwistedourformsfrom
beingsoflightandbeauty
intotheblackcountenances
youseebeforeyouandused
ourdeathstocreatemoreof
hismonstrousservants.’
RhamJashadheardthe
term‘DarkYoung’appliedto
thedarkwoodtrees,buthe
wasconfusedastotheir
significance.
‘Andthen,inthegaps
betweenDeepTime,other
godsroseand,asaboldmove
inthegametheynamedthe
LongWar,thoseGiantsyou
callRowanoco,Jaaandthe
Oneconspiredtoslaythe
ForestGiantandhistwisted
servitors,justashehaddone
toourforgottenShadow
Giantgod,theoneweloved.’
Ablacktearappearedinher
eyeassherecountedthe
oldesttalesoftheDokkalfar.
‘TheOnefoundhim,
Rowanocofoughthimand
Jaastolehispower,thinking
himdead.ThearrogantFire
GiantgiftedtheDokkalfar
withimmolationupondeath,
sowewouldnolongerspawn
theDarkYoung,andthatwas
howtheworldremainedfor
countlessmillennia.
‘Then,withtheriseof
man,thethreeGiantschose
followersfromtheyoung
racesandgavethempowerto
enforcetheirlawsandtofight
theLongWar.Rowanocoand
theOnegaveoftheirown
beingtostrengthentheir
priesthoods,butJaa…Jaa
soughttogainadvantageby
givingnoneofhisown
strength.Heusedthestolen
poweroftheDeadGodto
empowerhisenchantresses,
unknowinglyfreeingthem
fromtheFireGiant’slaws.’
BromandRhamJas
lookedatoneanotherin
surpriseandconfusionatthe
Vithar’swords.Shespokeas
iflegendandmythwere
history.
‘Wearebutmenandyou
speakofthingsbeyondus,’
saidRhamJasasrespectfully
ashecould.
‘Themaleficiuminyour
city,BromvyofCanarn,
seekstoseverthepowerof
thethreeandtobringback
theworshipoftheBlackGod
ofthewoodswithathousand
young.ThenotsoDead
God.’
‘ButthatGiantwasslain,
howcanitcomeback?’
RhamJasasked,already
suspectingtheanswer.
‘ThepowerJaastole
resideswithinthemaleficium
witches–theSevenSistersof
Karesia–andsolongasthey
livetheDeadGodcannever
trulybedead.’Shepaused
andadeepsadnessentered
herblackeyes.‘Instrange
aeonsevendeathmaydie.’
RhamJasfelttheenormity
oftheVithar’swordsand
knewthathewasasnobody
incomparison–aKirin
assassinwhohad,for
whateverreason,decidedto
helponeofhisfewfriends.
‘RhamJashaskilledone
before,’saidBrom,making
theKirinsmileawkwardlyas
allthosepresentturnedto
lookathim.
ThefemaleVitharcalled
Jofnreturnedhissmile,
thoughherswassomehow
moreknowing.
‘Youalsopossessthe
poweroftheDeadGod,
RhamJasRamidark-blood.
TheessenceofaDarkYoung
flowswithinyourbody,
giftingyoustrength,speed
andresilience.Theirstolen
powersdonotworkonyou
andyouwillneverbetheir
thrallandyouwillneverbe
helplessintheirpresence.’
Shesnappedouttheselast
wordsasifshewerespeaking
tospitetheenchantresses.
‘Ourgoalscoincide,forthe
maleficiumwitcheshave
realizedtherealitiesoftheir
powerandhavewillingly
turnedasidefromJaatolay
themselvesatthefeetofthe
DeadGod.’
TyrRafn,whohadbeen
silentthroughoutthetale,
nowraisedhischinandspoke
clearly.‘These…witches
havedesignedtheseveringof
thethreeGiantsandtheirevil
schemenearsitsend.They
haveonlytoseverthepower
oftheIceGiantRowanoco
andtheywillbefreeto
implementfreshworship
throughoutyourlandsof
men.’
‘Youknewthisbefore
today,’statedBrom.‘Why
haveyounotacted?Isee
strengthinyourpeople,
strengthIhadn’tdreamtof.’
TheothersturnedtoJoror,
who,RhamJasguessed,was
asclosetobeinganelder
shamanasanyofthem.
TheDokkalfarVithar
clearedhisthroatandsaid,
‘Thenowofmanisablinkof
aneyetous.Themaleficium
witchesarehumanandtheir
movementsaretoofastand
tooerraticforustokeepup
withthem.Dokkalfardonot
adaptwelltochange.We
knowittobetrue,aseachof
uscanfeelthatJaa’sgiftof
immolationupondeathhas
leftus.Thiswouldonlybe
possibleifthelastFireGiant
old-bloodhadbeenkilled.’
RhamJasknewalittleof
theold-bloods,buthecould
seeconfusioninhisfriend’s
eyes.However,thelordof
Canarnshookoffthe
confusionandstepped
forwardtostandcloseto
Joror.
Lookingdownatthe
seatedDokkalfar,Bromvy
said,‘Whatwillyouaskof
meinexchangeforyouraid?’
‘Askofus,’corrected
RhamJas.
Jorordidn’tturnfrom
Bromvy.‘Youmustgiveus
yourwordthatyouwilljoin
usinopposingthe
maleficium.TheHeartwill
remainfreefromthe
interferenceofmenandin
returnwewillaidyou.Rham
JasRamidark-bloodmaybe
theonlycreatureabletoslay
thewitchesandwewould
allywithhim.’
RhamJasagainfeltthe
unwelcomeweightof
responsibilityonhis
shoulders.Hecouldhandle
killingandhadhurtall
mannerofpeopleinall
mannerofways,buttothink
thathewasinanyway
specialorsignificantmade
himfeelnauseous.
‘IthinkIneedadrink,’he
saidsuddenly,causing
everyonetostareathimwith
varioussortsofdisapproving
looks.‘Justtosteadymy
nerves.’Hegrinned
nervously.‘SomeDarkwald
redwouldbenice.’
***
TheDokkalfarwerenot
particularlyinterestedin
alcohol.Afterafewhoursof
tryingtoconvincethemthat
drinkingoneselfinsensible
wassometimesadesirable
thing,RhamJashadgivenup
andsettledforsomekindof
strangeplanttea.
NanonhadtakenBrom
andRhamJastoahigh
balcony,wellabovethe
Vitharauditorium,andthey
satlookingoutoverthe
beautifulDokkalfar
settlement.RhamJaswasn’t
surewhetherornottheHeart
wastheirnamefortheplace
orjustadescriptionofits
importance,buteitherway
he’dlearnedmoreaboutthe
forest-dwellersinthepast
fewhoursthanintheentirety
ofhislife.
Hetriedtofocusonthe
factthatJororhadagreedto
helpthemandnottodwellon
theRhamJasRamisavesthe
worldelement.He’dkilled
oneoftheSevenSisters,
almostbyaccident,butto
conspiretokillthemall
struckhimasalittleoutof
hisleague.
BromandNanonhadbeen
talkingaboutCanarnandthey
hadsimilarideasabouthow
toapproachapotential
assault.Nanonhadspent
enoughtimewithRhamJas
tohaveagoodgraspof
humourandirony,andBrom
hadrespondedwelltothe
forest-dweller’sblunt
appraisaloftheirchances.
‘Ifwekillenoughofthem
quickly,wecanwin,’Nanon
wassaying.‘Ifnot,we’llall
getkilled.’
‘Wedon’tknowhow
manythereare,’responded
Bromashetookasipofhis
owntea.‘AndJororhasyetto
tellmehowmanyofyouwill
becomingwithus.’
Nanontiltedhishead,
indicatingthat,despitehis
peculiarities,hewasstill
Dokkalfar.
‘Doesitmatter?’heasked.
RhamJasknewthatthe
forest-dwellershadastrange
graspofnumbers.Theyfound
theconceptofarmiesdifficult
tounderstand,becausethey
generallythoughtintermsof
individuals.Asalong-lived
race,theydidnotthinkof
anyoneasexpendableorless
importantthananyother,
whereastheraceofmenhad
ahabitoffieldingmassesof
facelesssoldiers.Rank,
wealthandlawlefthumans
constantlyquestioningtheir
stationinlife,andthehabitof
placingonemanabove
anotherinevitablycreateda
structureofperceived
importance.Thiswas
bewilderingtotheDokkalfar,
whohadnoconceptof
leadershiporseniority,but
ratherasocietybuilton
sharedneedandrespect.
Bromwasunawareofthis
andsaid,‘Ofcourseit
matters.Iftheyhavetwo
thousandknights,weneed
enoughtostandagainst
them.’
‘We’llhavewhoever
comeswithus,’responded
Nanon,inawaythat
infuriatedBrom.‘Andthat
willhavetobeenough.’
‘Enough?’Bromasked
withirritation.‘Enoughis
whatevertakesbackmy
home.’
‘Thenwhoeverwehave
willhavetobeenough,’
Nanonrepeated.
RhamJasthoughthe
shouldinterjectbeforeBrom
becametooannoyed.‘Your
Brownclericfriendwillbe
abletogiveusanideaof
numbers.IfyouandIgoand
seehimfirst,we’llforma
planbasedonthat.’This
calmedhisfriendsomewhat.
‘Nanon,doyouhaveany
blackwart?’RhamJasasked,
hisever-presentgrin
becomingbroadenoughto
coverhiswholeface.
Bothofthemlookedupat
theKirin–Nanonsmiling
andBromlookingconfused.
‘I’msureIcouldfind
some,’repliedtheDokkalfar.
‘Whatareyouthinking,Kirin
man?’
‘I’mthinkingaboutaway
tothintheranksofknights
andgiveusachance.’Rham
Jaswasusedtocomingup
withcreativewaysofkilling
peopleandafewsacksof
Dokkalfarblackwartwould
makealovelysurpriseforthe
knightsoftheRed.
‘IknowI’monlyan
ignorantRo,’saidBrom,
exasperated,‘butwhatthe
fuckisblackwart?’
‘It’slikeKaresianfireor
Ranenpitch,but…’RhamJas
lookedatNanonandgrinned,
‘it’salittlemoreexplosive
thanflammable.’
Somethingseemedto
occurtoNanon.‘That
remindsme,everyDokkalfar
thatfallsmustbeburnedto
ashwithinafewhoursof
death.’
Bromlookedbackathim.
‘That’stheRowayofdoing
thingsanyway.Isita
particularfuneralriteofyour
people?’
‘No,it’ssimplythebest
wayofstoppingahundred
newDarkYoungsprouting
upfromourbodies,’hesaid
withdeepsorrowinhiseyes.
‘OurgiftfromJaacausedus
toburstintoflameupon
death.Butnowweare
withouttheFireGiant’sgift,
andweneedtothinkofother
solutions…inyour
terminology,it’squiteshit.’
***
Theyhadspentarestlessfew
hourstryingtosleepinthe
hightreesandnow,justafter
midnight,theyfound
themselvesattheedgeofthe
DeepWood.
BromstoodnexttoRham
Jasandthetwoofthem
lookedoutacrosstheduchy
ofCanarn.Theyounglord
waswistfulashehadhisfirst
glimpseofhishomesincehe
hadbeennamedtotheBlack
Guard.
Oneithersideofthema
lineofTyremergedfromthe
trees,eachcarryingseveral
smallwovensackscontaining
explosiveDokkalfarblack
wartaswellasanumberof
knivesforthrowingand
fighting.Theirbladeswere
heavyandleaf-shapedwith
ornatelydesignedhandles,far
morebeautifulthanthe
functionalweaponsofmen.
Bromhadacquiredoneofthe
bladesandworeitinhisbelt
asasecondaryweapon,and
RhamJashadbeengivena
freshquiveroffinelycrafted
arrows,severalofwhichhad
blackwartontheirtips.Both
theirswordshadbeen
sharpenedandtheirarmour
reinforcedwithhardwooden
struts.Thetwomenfeltas
readyforcombatasthey
wouldeverbe.
TheyhadfortyDokkalfar
Tyrwiththem,including
Nanon,Sigurdandthehuge
figureofRafn.Theywerean
intimidatingpresence,evento
RhamJas,buthewas
scepticalwhethertheir
numbersweresufficient.As
thingsstood,theydidn’teven
knowhowmanyknightsheld
Canarnanditwouldrequirea
stealthyincursiontosee
BrotherLanrybeforethey
couldevenbegintoformulate
aplan.
‘Bronwynhadbetterstill
bealive,’gruntedBrom,
focusingonhissister’ssafety
todistracthimselffromthe
dangerousjobathand.
RhamJassimplynodded.
CHAPTER8
LADYBRONWYN
INTHERUINSOF
ROHAIL
Bronwynroseearlyfromher
bedandwalkeduptothe
forwardbattlementsofRo
Hail.Shehadbeensharinga
smallroomwithStoneDog’s
mother,anoldwise-woman
ofWraithcalledFreyaCold
Eyes,whileAl-Hasimsleptin
thecommunalroom
surroundedbytheFree
Companymen.
They’dbeinRoHailfor
nearlytwoweekswhile
HorrockGreenBladeand
HaffenRedFacesupervised
thefortificationsoftheruined
city.Thegatehadbeen
rebuiltusingsolidplanksof
hardwood,thebattlements
reinforcedwithfallenstones
andmortar,andthebuildings
surroundingthecentral
courtyardturnedintoaxethrowingplatforms.Thetwo
hundredandfiftymenof
WraithCompanyhadgone
abouttheirtaskswithgusto
andsolidarity,dailyprepared
toundertakeback-breaking
workinordertodefendtheir
land.Now,astimewas
beginningtorunout,thecity
lookedlikeafortratherthan
aruin.
‘Youcan’tholdit,you
know,’Hasimwassayingto
HaffenasBronwynwalked
upthestonestaircaseleading
tothegatehousebattlements
overlookingtheGrassSeato
thesouth.
‘Horrockthinkswecan,’
repliedthemanofWraith.
Hasimlookeddoubtful.
‘No,hedoesn’t,he’sjust
hopingthatyoucanhold
themofflongenoughfor
ScarletCompanytoarrive.’
‘What’swrongwiththat?’
Haffenaskedwithslight
annoyance.
‘Howmanymendoes
JohanLongShadow
commandatSouthWarden?’
Haffenshrugged.‘Idon’t
know…maybeathousand
axe-men.’
‘Athousand…addedto
yourtwohundredandfifty
makesonethousandtwo
hundredandfifty–against
fivethousandknights,clerics
andguardsmen.Youcan’t
win,’Hasimsaidplainly.
‘AndtheFjorlanders?’
Haffenshowedastubborn
refusaltoacceptdefeat,atrait
Bronwynhadnoticed
frequentlyamongthemenof
WraithCompany.
‘Iftheycome,they’ll
comebyseaandattack
Canarn,whichmeansthey
won’tbehereforamonthat
least.Youcan’tholdoutthat
long.Ihatetosayit,butyou
shouldlistentoVerellian.’
Hasimhadcounselleda
withdrawalinlinewiththe
Redknight’sinsistencethata
massacrewouldhelpnoone.
‘Horrocksayswestay,so
westay,’Haffengrunted.
Bronwynreachedthe
battlementsandapproached
thetwomen.Itwasjust
startingtogrowlightandthe
windwasbitingandcoldasit
whistlednorthofftheGrass
Sea.Bothmenworearmour,
thoughHasim’swaslightand
madeofleather,insharp
contrasttotheheavychain
mailwornbyHaffen.
Bronwynhadnotyetdonned
herarmourandworeasimple
cottondresswhichFreyahad
provided.
‘Wecouldstillfallback,’
shesaidbywayofagreeting.
‘Don’tyoustart…’
snappedHaffen.‘Youtwo
don’trepresentthebraveryof
RoandKaresians,doyou?’
‘Doyourepresentthe
stubbornpig-headednessof
theRanen?’Bronwynshot
back.
‘Yousaystubbornness,we
sayhonour…didyouroll
overandaccepttheRed
knightswhentheymarched
intoyourhome?’Haffen
asked,nothappyatbeing
gangedupon.
Bronwynsmiledslightly
andshookherhead.‘Ididn’t
getmuchchancetofight,but
no…Ididn’t,’sheconceded.
TheGrassSeawasbarren
andquietasthethreeofthem
gazedsouthwards.Therain
hadstayedawayforthepast
fewdaysand,thoughamist
clungstubbornlytothe
plains,theweatherhadbeen
kindtothedefendersofRo
Hail,allowingthemfair
conditionstofortifytheir
base.Mostoftheentrancesto
theundergroundcomplexhad
beensealedandFreyahad
beengiventhetaskof
protectingtheyoungand
infirmoncethetimecameto
fight.Behindthem,menof
Wraithbegantheirdaily
dutiesofpatrollingand
construction,intendedby
Horrocktokeepeveryman
readyforwhenthearmy
arrived.
Bronwynlikedthesemen
–theywerecommonerswho
hadchosentojointheFree
Companiesandtodefendthe
landsofRanenfrominvaders.
Althoughtheyhadnotbeen
requiredtorepelanattacking
armyfordecades,theywere
stubbornnowthatthetime
wasrapidlyapproaching
whentheymightberequired
todiefortheirland.
‘Al-Hasim,’shoutedStone
Dogfrombelow,‘Horrock
wantsyoudownstairs.’
TheyoungmanofWraith
hadbeenassignedbythe
captaintolookafterWilliam
ofVerellianduringthe
knight’sincarcerationand
thismeantbothBronwynand
Hasimhadspentmuchtime
withhim.Hewasaproud
youngmanwhospokewith
convictionabouthisdutyto
WraithCompanyandthe
FreelandsofRanen,andhe
neverwentanywherewithout
hislarge,hook-pointedaxe.
‘Whatdoeshewant?’
askedHasim.
‘Idon’tknow,justget
yourarsedownhere.’Stone
Dogwasfrequently
aggressiveandbluntinhis
language,buthewasa
consummatesoldieranddid
whateverHorrockaskedof
him,whetherhethoughtit
worthwhileornot.
‘Allright,givemea
minute,’repliedHasim
wearily.‘MaybeI’llgetsome
sleeponeofthesedays.’He
winkedatBronwynbefore
turningtowalkdownthe
stairs.
‘LadyBronwyntoo,’
shoutedStoneDog.
‘Whatdoeshewantwith
me?’
‘HowamIanymore
likelytoknowthatthanwhat
hewantswiththeKaresian?’
heaskedironically.‘Justget
amoveon,he’simpatient.’
Haffensmiledbroadlyand
pulledhisbearskincloak
tightlyaroundhisshoulders
asthewindpickedupand
BronwynandHasimturned
toleave.
Theywalkeddownthe
newlyrepairedstonesteps
whichranparalleltothe
forwarddefencesandheaded
acrossthecourtyard.Either
sideofthem,wherebefore
therehadbeenonly
crumblingstoneruins,there
nowstoodwooden
constructionsbuilttodefend
inwardsshouldtheknights
breachthecitygates.
Bronwyncouldseemenof
Wraithmovingbundlesof
throwing-axesaroundand
stowingtheminhidden
placesbehindthe
fortifications.Themenwere
allcladinchainmailand
Bronwynknewthey’dbeen
onhighalertforseveraldays
now,expectinganattackat
anymoment.Fromthenewly
constructedwoodenwalls,
stairshadbeenbuiltleading
uptothestonebattlements
thatlookedoutovertheGrass
Sea,andmenstoodatthe
highpoints,keepingawatch
ontherealmofWraith.
Althoughthecitywasnow
welldefended,Bronwyn
couldstillnotconceivehow
sofewmencouldturnback
fivethousandknightsofthe
Red.
‘YouandIcouldleave,
youknow?’Hasimsaid,
echoingherthoughts.‘None
ofthemwouldblameusifwe
flednorth.’
Bronwynlookedathim
andconsideredchidinghim
forcowardice,butshehadto
admittoherselfthattheidea
ofescapehadoccurredtoher
overthepasttwoweeks.
‘Icouldn’tdoit,’shesaid.
‘EvenifIwantedto,I
couldn’tbringmyselfto
abandonthem.’
Hasimstoppedandheld
Bronwyn’sarm,pullingher
tofacehim.‘You’renot
thinkingaboutdrawingthat
toothpickandattackingthe
knightsareyou?’
‘I’mnotstayinginthe
basementwithFreya.Ihave
asmanyreasonstowantto
fighttheknightsasanyman
ofWraith.’Bronwynknew
thatHasimwouldplaythe
partofaprotectorsooneror
later,becausehisfriendship
withherbrotherdictatedthat
heshouldtrytotakecareof
her.
‘Theywon’tthinktwice
aboutcuttingyoudown,
nobleornot.Thesemenare
notcomingheretomakea
point:thefuckersare
marchingtowar;theywantto
invadeandconquerRanen.’
Hasimhadadeadlyserious
lookinhiseyesashespoke.
StoneDogwasalittleway
aheadofthemandhad
reachedoneofthefewdoors
tothebasementthatwasstill
visible.Henoticedthat
BronwynandHasimhad
stoppedinthecourtyardand
theyoungmanofWraith
turnedbacktofacethem.
‘AmIinterrupting
something?’heasked,witha
mockingtoneinhisvoice.‘I
knowyoutwoforeigners
needyoursexualtensionin
ordertofunction,buthurry
thefuckup.’
Al-Hasimlaughedand
playfullyslappedBronwyn’s
behind.Shedidn’twaitfor
morethanasecondbefore
turningandpunchinghim
hardintheface.StoneDog
eruptedinlaughterand
Hasimstaggeredback,
feelinghisbloodylip.
‘Bromwouldkillyouifhe
sawyoudoingthat,’she
threatenedwithasmile.‘And
Imightifyoutouchmyarse
again.’
StoneDogsauntered
slowlyovertostandnextto
Hasim.‘Whenyou’vequite
finishedyourbizarreflirting
ritual,’hesaidwithagrin.
‘Horrockislong-suffering,
buthedidsaytohurryup.’
Theyenteredthe
undergroundcomplexand
walkedquicklythroughthe
nowmostlyemptybasement.
Healingsupplieshadbeen
preparedandbandagesand
threadlayinbasketsaround
thecentralroom,butthe
placewasotherwisebare.
HasimandBronwyn
enteredHorrock’schamber
behindStoneDogand
immediatelyheardthecaptain
ofWraithCompanytalkingin
aquietandgentlevoice.He
wascradlingaRanencloud
stoneandtherewasalookof
deepconcerninhiseyes.
‘Wait,’hesaid,‘Ihave
somefriendsherenow…try
tostopcrying,okay?’
Horrockrarelyshowed
emotionandBronwynwas
takenabackbythisdisplay.
StoneDogstoodatthe
doorasHorrockmotionedfor
BronwynandHasimtocome
andjoinhim.Astheysat
downaroundthecentral
woodentable,Bronwyncould
hearthesoundofachild
crying.Itsoundedlikeagirl,
andhersobswerequietand
indistinctwhenfiltered
throughthecloudstone.
‘Hasim,Ihaveafriendof
yourshere…andshesays
she’llonlytalktoyou,’
Horrocksaid,withaconfused
expressiononhisface.‘My
childrenareallgrownupand
IthinkIlackthegentle
touch.’Heplacedthestone
onthetableandsaid,‘AlHasimishere.’
‘Al-Hasim,’achild’s
voiceexclaimedexcitedly
throughhertears.
‘Whoisthat?’Hasim
askedwithnarrowedeyes.
‘IngridTeardrop,’wasthe
reply,causingHasimand
Bronwyntolookateach
other.
‘Ingrid,whatareyou
doing?’theKaresianasked
gently.‘Howdidyougethold
ofyourfather’scloudstone?’
Moretearscouldbeheard
fromthestoneandBronwyn
leantforwardtoseethehazy
imageofayounggirl.She
wasblack-hairedandblueeyedandhadtearsstreaming
downherface.
‘Idon’tknowwhattodo,’
shewhimpered.‘Tellme
whattodo.They’rehitting
peoplewithaxesandIhid
andIcan’tfindAlahanandI
tookthestoneandIhid.’The
wordstumbledoutoneafter
theother.
‘Ingrid,’snappedHasim,
‘calmdown.Ineedyoutotell
mewhat’shappened.Breathe
deeplyandstartagain.Can
youdothatforme?’
Bronwynwasimpressed
withthewayHasimdealt
withtheyoungRanengirl.
AlgenonTeardrop’s
daughterpausedandsniffed
loudlyseveraltimes,rubbing
thetearsfromhereyeswith
thesleeveofherbluetunic.
‘Fatherleftafewweeks
agoinhisship.Hehadlots
andlotsofmenwithhimand
theyweregoingtorescue
UncleMagnus.Ioverheard
themtalking,theydidn’t
thinkIwaslistening,butI
wasandIheardthem.’
Horrockleantback.
Bronwynguessedhewas
pleasedtohearthenewsof
Algenon’slaunch,but
concernedaboutwhatwas
happeninginFredericksand.
‘Okay,thenwhat
happened?’Hasimasked
gently.
Ingridstartingcrying
againasshesaid,‘Thenthe
menfromJarvikturnedup
yesterdayandstartedhurting
peopleandtheybrokeinto
thehallandsmashedfather’s
chairandtheywerelooking
forme,buttheycouldn’tfind
mesotheyburntdownour
houseandstartedchanting
thingsaboutanewhigh
thain.’Again,thewordswere
jumbledandHasimshookhis
headtryingtomakesenseof
thechild’sspeech.
‘MenfromJarvik,what
aretheyplayingat?’Horrock
directedthequestionatno
oneinparticularandwas
growingmoreandmore
concernedwitheachpassing
moment.
‘Ingrid,you’reokay,I
won’tletthemhurtyou,’said
Hasimwithsincerity,‘but
youneedtofocus.Imagine
you’reathainessand
Fredericksandisyourcity.
Okay?’
Ingridnoddedandstopped
cryingmomentarily,herbig
blueeyespleadingforHasim
tohelpher.
TheKaresianpickedup
thecloudstoneandtriedto
smile.‘Whathappenedto
yourfather?’
Ingridwasfightingback
tearsandshelookedaway,
bitingherlipandsniffing
again.
‘Thebigmanthatkicked
overhischairwasshouting
aboutfatherbeingatthe
bottomoftheKrakensea.It’s
nottrue,isit?Itcan’tbetrue.
Fatheristhestrongestmanin
theworldandnothingcankill
him.’Herwordswereatthe
veryedgeofdespairandshe
desperatelywantedsomeone
totellherthatherfatherwas
aliveandwell.
Hasim,Bronwynand
Horrockshareddarklooks
acrossthetable,butnoneof
themsaidanything.Bronwyn
couldtellthatHorrockwas
fightingbackhisangerand
Hasimwasclosetotears
himselfashespoketoIngrid
again.
‘Whereareyourightat
thismoment,littlewolf?’
Hasimasked.
‘I’mhidinginthemonster
man’schapel.Idon’tthink
themenwithaxeswilllook
formehere.Ineedtofind
Alahan,he’llknowwhatto
do.’Shewasalittlecalmer
nowshehadHasimtotalkto,
butshewasstillnottheideal
conveyerofdarknewsfrom
Fjorlan.
‘Monsterman?’queried
Horrock.
‘It’swhatshecalls
SamsontheLiar,’Hasim
replied,nottakinghiseyes
fromthecloudstone,‘the
old-bloodofFredericksand;
shewasalwaysfascinatedby
him.’
Bronwynknewofoldbloods–thosewhohadthe
bloodofGiants–butshehad
neverseenone.Theywere
supposedlyextinctinTor
Funweir,thoughstories
occasionallysurfacedof
strange,semi-humanbeings
hidingincavesorhighupin
mountainpasses.
‘Doyouknowwhothebig
manwas?’Hasimasked
Ingrid.‘Themanwhosaid
yourfatherwas…dead.’He
saidthelastwouldinalow
whisper,tryingtonotmake
Ingridcryanymore.
‘Yes,Isawhimwith
fatherbeforetheshipsleft.
He’scalledRulagUrsa.I
thinkhe’sabattle-masteror
somethingbutWulfrickand
Hallathoughthewasanidiot.
Hewasmeanaboutyoutoo.
Hesaidyouwerejustaspy
butIstuckupforyou.’
Hasimflashedaweary
smileather.‘I’mluckyto
havefriendslikeyou,little
wolf.’Hewasconcentrating
hardonthecloudstoneand
Bronwyncouldseehewas
strugglinghardtothinkwhat
tosaytothegirl.
‘IfAlgenon’sdead…’
beganHorrock,‘Idon’twant
tothinkaboutwhathappened
tothedragonfleetinthe
Krakensea.Ursawouldhave
hadtokillthousandsofmen
togettothehighthain.’He
wasspeakingquietlyand
mostlytohimself,keeping
thewordsfromIngrid’sears.
‘Ingrid,doyouknowwhat
happenedtoWulfrick?’
Horrockasked.
‘HeleftwithFatheron
boardtheHammerofFjorlan.
Hewouldn’tletthemhurt
Father,wouldhe?’
Anoisestartledtheyoung
Ranengirlandsheturned
awayfromHasim.
‘Someone’scoming.Ican
hearthemonthestairs.’She
wasclearlyfrightened.
‘Ingrid,stayquietandfind
somewheretohide,’Hasim
orderedwithauthorityinhis
voice.
Thenaloudnoiseand,in
theflowingmistsaroundthe
imageofIngridTeardrop,
Bronwyncouldseeahuge
figuremovepasther,holding
anoversizedhammer.Ingrid
movedtostandbehindthe
hugebeing,whoputa
protectivearmaroundher.
‘Samson,keephersafe,’
shoutedHasim,recognizing
thefigureofSamsontheLiar.
Theimagesbecameeven
moreblurredasothermen
enteredthechapelandstarted
toattackSamson.Theycould
hearIngridscreamingandshe
droppedthecloudstoneather
feetandhuddledinthe
corner.Theviewtheywere
affordedwasoftheold-blood
roaringandsmashinghis
hammerintothetraitorous
battle-brothersofJarvik.
Thendarkness,asastray
axeblowsmashedthecloud
stoneandcutofftheirview.
Hasimroaredandthrew
thetableacrosstheroom,
breakingitagainstthewall.
‘I’llfeedthebastardstoa
fuckingtroll,’heshouted.
‘She’sjustachild.’Hewas
addressingthenowsilent
cloudstone,wishinghis
wordstobeheardbytheaxemenwhopursuedIngrid.
‘Thisisnothonour…whatis
Rowanocoforifnotfor
honour,youtreacherous
cunts.’
Horrockstoodand
grabbedholdofHasim.The
captainofWraithCompany
wasseveralinchestallerthan
theKaresianandheheldhim
firmlybytheshoulders.
‘Getaholdofyourself,
Hasim,orI’llthrowyou
againstthewall,’hesaidwith
customarycalmness.
Hasimwasbreathing
heavilyandhiseyeswere
filledwithrage,butheslowly
slumpedandjuststaredat
Horrock.
‘We’reintrouble,
captain,’hesaidquietly.
Bothmensatdownand
Bronwynsawavarietyof
expressionsflowacrosstheir
faces.Hasim’swasstilla
maskofanger,buthewas
alsodeepinthought.
Horrock’spiercingeyesshot
fromsidetosideasif
consideringhisoptions.
Bronwynherselfwastrying
nottogiveintodespair.If
thedragonfleethadbeenlost,
herhomelandwouldremain
inthehandsoftheknights,
andRoHailcouldnotbe
held.Thelastfewweekshad
beenfilledwithhalfwhisperedhopethatthe
Fjorlanderswouldcome
southandexpeltheknights
fromtheFreelandsofRanen.
Ithadhappenedoncebefore,
longago,whentheRohad
lasttriedtosubjugatethe
Ranen.ThemenofFjorlan
werebrutalandfearsomein
battle,morewarrior-likethan
thecommonmenoftheFree
Companies,andeven
Horrocklookedtothemas
theirlasthopeforvictory.
‘HowlonguntilJohan
LongShadowgetsherewith
ScarletCompany?’asked
Hasim,afterseveralminutes
ofsilence.
‘Hesaidthey’dleavejust
afterIspoketohim…that
wasfourdaysago.Ifthey
ridehard,it’llstilltakea
weektogethere.’Horrock
shrugged.‘Ifwecan’tcount
onhelpfromFjorlan…’
‘We’refucked,’supplied
Hasim,unhelpfully.
‘Weare,asyouso
eloquentlysay,fucked,’
Horrockagreed.‘Either
RulagUrsahasgonemador
heismorepowerhungrythan
Ithought.Notcontentwith
stealingtherulershipof
Jarvik,thebastard’sgetting
delusionsofgrandeur.’
‘Ursausedtobeafriend
ofHallamPevain,didn’the?’
askedHasim.
Horrocknodded.‘Stillis,
asfarasIknow.Pevain
helpedhimsecureJarvik,and
theyshareasimilarlylax
attitudetohonour.’
Bronwynsensedthat
HorrockandHasimwereof
theimpressionthataplotwas
beingplayedoutbehindthe
scenes–aplotthathadledto
AlgenonTeardrop’sdeath
andwouldsoonleadtothe
sackingofRoHail.
Horrockstartednoddingto
himself,asifhe’ddecidedon
acourseofaction.‘Okay,we
leave,’hesaid.‘Wecanpack
upfoodandprovisionsandbe
outofthisdeathtrapby
nightfall.We’llheadeastand
joinupwithJohanand
ScarletCompany.’
***
Timemovedatan
agonizinglyslowpaceasthe
peopleofWraithCompany
feverishlygatheredtheir
belongingsandloadedcarts
withfoodandsupplies.Word
ofAlgenon’sdeathandthe
presumedlossofthedragon
fleetspreadquicklythrough
thecityandBronwyn
detectedadefinitechangein
thedemeanouroftheRanen.
Before,theyhadstubbornly
heldontothebeliefthatif
theycouldholdRoHailfora
dayortwo,helpwouldcome,
firstfromScarletCompany,
thenfromthenorth,andthe
knightsoftheRedcouldbe
pushedback.Asshelooked
overtheirfacesnow,shesaw
menandwomenfearfulfor
theirlivesintheknowledge
thattheysimplycouldn’twin.
Haffenstillwantedtostay
andhedidn’tjointheothers
inpackingforaswiftretreat.
Instead,hestayedathis
positionontheforward
battlements,keepingasilent
vigilouttowardstheGrass
Sea.Horrockassuredthem
thatHaffenwouldbeatthe
frontoftheretreating
companyandsimplyneeded
timetocomeroundtothe
ideaofrunningawayrather
thanfighting.Thesewere
toughpeople,andBronwyn
couldseethatnoneofthem
likedthesituation,where
fightingwassimplynotan
option.TheFreeCompanies
couldnothopetomatchthe
armiesofTorFunweirwhen
itcametoskill,equipmentor
tactics,buttheyhadalways
hadanindomitablespiritthat
madethemfearsomein
combat.Asthepeopleof
WraithCompanysaid
goodbyetotheirhome,the
hardestthingofallwasthe
realizationthattheywould
probablyneverreturn.Aside
fromthetwohundredand
fiftywarriors,Wraith
Companynumberedsome
fourhundredmen,women
andchildrenwhowerenot
fighters,whowere
undertakingmostofthe
preparationsforthe
evacuationofRoHail.
Hasimhadbeenquiet
mostoftheday,confining
himselftoassistingby
loadingcartsandweaponry
forthelongjourneyeast.
WheneverBronwynhadseen
himhe’dlookedcloseto
tears,andsheguessedthatthe
probabledeathofIngrid
Teardropwasaffectinghim.
TheroguishKaresianhad
oftenspokenofhisfondness
forFredericksandandhis
respectforthehouseof
Teardrop,whetheritwashis
friendMagnus,thehighthain
Algenon,orthechildren.The
youngwarriorAlahanandthe
spiritedIngridwerelike
familytohim.Hewasunique
amongKaresiansinthathe
didn’tseemtomindthe
weatherinthefarnorthand
preferredthefoodanddrink
ofFjorlantothatofhisdesert
homeland.
Aseveningfast
approached,Bronwynfound
herselfwithStoneDogand
Freyahelpinganoldmanof
Wraithtoclimbthestepsout
ofthebasement.
‘I’velivedhereallmy
life,’theoldmanmutteredas
hesawthedarkeningsky.‘If
Iwereafewyearsyounger,
I’dshowthosedamnable
knightsathingortwoabout
WraithCompany.’
‘Andthey’drun,shrieking
interror,I’msure,’quipped
StoneDog,asheheldthe
man’sarmsandusheredhim
towardsanemptywooden
cartinthecentralcourtyard.
Nexttoitwereseveral
dozenothercartsloadedwith
allmannerofbelongingsand
supplies.RoHailmayhave
beenaruin,butithadalso
beenhometoseveralhundred
people,andBronwynfeltsad
lookingatthepilesofitems
ofpersonalsignificance.She
sawamud-stainedtoybear
sittinginabasketnexttoan
oldfluteandadirtyrocking
horse.Anothercartcontained
tablesandchairstakenfrom
theundergroundrooms,anda
thirdwasfulltoburstingwith
clothingandlinen.
Plentyofcartsalreadyhad
driversanditlookedasifthe
populationwouldbereadyto
leavebynightfall.They
clusteredinsmallfamily
groupsaroundtheircarts,and
whilemostwereunhappyto
beleavingtheirhome,
Bronwyncouldsensea
communityspiritthatenabled
themtoremainupbeatasthey
wrappedupwarmand
preparedtostrikeouttowards
therealmofScarlet
Company.
Nearerthecentral
courtyard,waitingbythe
gate,werethewarriorsof
Wraith.Allwereattiredin
chainmailandheavilyarmed
withaxes,hammersandshort
bowsforhunting.Therewas
littletalkamongstthem,save
foroccasionaljokesaboutthe
knightsoftheRedand
vaguelyformedplansto
defecateinthecourtyardasa
welcominggifttotheRo.
Haffenstillstoodonthe
battlementsabovethe
gatehouse,thoughhewas
nowlittlebutashadowinthe
twilight.Hisbackwasfacing
thecourtyardandHorrock
hadtoldthemhe’dkeep
watchuntilthelastpossible
moment.Bronwynthought
thattimewasrapidly
approaching,andshesaw
Hasimmountingthesteps
towardsHaffen.
Theyhelpedtheoldman
intoaseatedpositioninthe
backofthecartandBronwyn
watchedHaffenandHasim,
waitingforthemtocome
downandsoundthe
evacuation.Instead,however,
theywerediscussing
something,andHaffenwas
gesturingofftothesoutheast.Hasimwaspeeringinto
thegreyeveningandthetwo
menwerebecominganimated
astheyspoke.
Allofasudden,Haffen
turnedsharplyandscanned
thecourtyard.Hiseyesfixed
onHorrockGreenBlade
standingamongthecartsand
heshouted,‘Horrock,getup
here.’Hisvoicewasurgent.
ThepeopleofWraith
stoppedtheirown
conversationsandcranedto
lookupatHaffen.The
captainofWraithCompany
appearedconcernedashe
walkedrapidlyfromthecarts
tothestonesteps.Bronwyn
quicklyleftStoneDogand
movedtojointhecaptain,as
she’ddecidedshortlyafter
arrivingthatshewasn’tgoing
toletanythinghappen
withoutherknowingaboutit.
Shewasstillanobleandshe
feltthattheleastshecoulddo
wastolistentotheothersand
offercounselifshewereable.
Horrockglancedatheras
shejoinedhim,butsaid
nothingasthetwoofthem
rapidlyascendedthesteps.
Oncetheyreachedthe
battlements,Bronwyn
glancedoutacrossthe
darkeningGrassSeaand
breathedalittleeasierwhen
shedidn’tseeanyimmediate
causeforalarm.Nocampfires
orotherindicatorsofan
advancingarmywerevisible
andshehopedwhatever
Haffenhadspottedwasnota
precursortoanimminent
attack.
‘We’rereadytoleave,
Haffen.What’sthealarm?’
Horrockaskedwearily.
Haffenwasstillpointing
offtowardsthesouth-east,
roughlythesamedirection
fromwhichBronwynhad
approachedRoHailtwo
weeksago.Hasimwas
standingnexttohimand
peeringalongthelengthof
hisarm.
‘Lookoverthere,bythe
firstlineoftrees,’Haffensaid
tohiscaptain.
Horrockleantforward
overthebattlements.
‘Areyousureyou’renot
justlookingforareasonto
stay,’BronwynaskedHaffen,
tryingtomaintainalight
mood.
Heglaredatherand
replied,‘Justlookoverthere,
Bronwyn,andtellmeifyou
seesomethingbythetree
line.’
ShestoodnexttoHasim
andtookalonglookoutinto
thetwilight.Thetreesbegan
atthefurthestextentofher
visionandshecouldbarely
makeouttheareaasthesky
rapidlydarkened.
Thesmallcopsewas
arrangedinseverallinesand
blowinggentlyinthewind.
Astheyblewback,Bronwyn
thoughtshesawsomething
shininginthedarkness–a
dull,silverysurfacewhich
wasoutofplaceamongthe
trees.Allthreeinvoluntarily
leantforwardandBronwyn
heldherbreathasshesaw,in
agapbetweenthebranches,
anarmouredknight,on
horseback.witharedtabard.
Itwasamomentaryglimpse,
nothingmore,butaquick
glanceattheothers’faces
toldhertheyhadseenittoo.
‘Rowanocosaveus,’said
Haffen,‘that’saknightofthe
Red.’
Theireyesremained
lockedonthetreelineasthe
quickeningwindrevealeda
secondknightandthenathird
andthen,withaheavygust,a
fullcolumnofknightswas
brieflyvisibleinthedistance.
Theyremainedsilentfora
momentbeforeHorrock
turnedswiftly,strodetothe
inneredgeofthebattlements,
androareddownatthe
assembledpeopleofWraith.
‘Thetimetofleehas
passed…themenofRohave
comeandwemustfightfor
ourland.’Hepausedfora
momentwhilethosebelow
lookedupwithastonishment
ontheirfacesandfearintheir
eyes.‘Strength,myfriends,’
shoutedHorrock.‘Strength
foroursonsandour
daughters…ifwearetodie
onthisground,defendingthis
land.’Hisvoicerose.‘We
willmakethosethattakeour
livesrememberthenightthey
foughtthefreepeopleof
Wraith.’Hiswordscarried
convictionandBronwyn
couldseethepeoplestirred
withanticipation,fearand
risingbloodlust.
Haffenmovedtojoin
Horrock.‘Wedefendthis
ground,’orderedthecaptain.
‘Getthewagonsoutofsight,
thewomenandchildreninto
thebasementandyoulot,’he
pointedtothebattle-brothers
ofWraith,‘killanythingthat
triestobreachthewall.’
‘Toyourstations,’Haffen
saidquietly.
Movementeruptedfrom
belowastheyhurriedly
carriedouttheirinstructions.
Thewagonswerehastily
pulledoutofthewayandinto
coveredbuildingstothenorth
oftheruinedtown.The
women,childrenandothers
whocouldn’tfightwere
corralledbyFreyaColdEyes
intothebasementcomplex,
andBronwynsawtheaxemeninthecourtyardmove
quicklytothewooden
fortifications.
‘GowithFreya,’Hasim
saidtoBronwynastheystood
ontheforwardbattlements.
‘YouknowI’mnotgoing
to,sowhydoyouask?’she
repliedpetulantly.
Heturnedtodirectahard
stareather.‘Becauseyou’re
theladyofRoCanarnand
nothingwouldbeservedby
youdyingunderaknight’s
blade.’Hewasdeadlyserious
andBronwynnotedthereal
concernforhersafetyinhis
words.
‘Getthethrowing-axes
stowed,bundlesatevery
pointofthecourtyard,’
Haffenwasshoutingnearby.
‘StoneDog,you’reuphere
withme.’
Bronwynsteppedcloseto
Al-Hasimtospeakmore
privately.‘Iknowyoucare,
Karesian.ThoughI’msure
notwantingtoannoymy
brotherhasalottodowith
it…butIknowyoucareall
thesame.’
‘JustgowithFreya,’he
repeatedtenderly,slowly
reachingdowntoholdher
hand.
Bronwyninvoluntarily
pulleditaway.‘Don’tdo
that,’shesaid.‘You’re
worriedabouttheknightsand
it’smakingyourheadgo
soft.’Shesmiledatthe
Karesianscoundrel–aman,
farfromhome,who’dfound
himselffightingalongside
Ranenforapatchoflandthat
wasnothisown.‘Ifthelast
fewweekshavetaughtus
anything,it’sthatsurvivalis
alwayspossible,nomatter
whattheodds.’
‘Thisisn’tanadventure,
Bronwyn,’hesaidwith
sadnessinhiseyes.‘Thisisa
war.I’veneverfoughtinone
before,either.I’vealways
goneoutofmywaytoavoid
them.’Hereachedforher
handagain.‘Lookaround…
lookatHaffen,atHorrock,at
allthosepeopledownthere…
bymorningtheywillallbe
dead.Ifyou’reinthe
basementwiththeothers,
theymayjustspareyourlife.’
Theystoodlookingat
eachotherforseveral
moments,sayingnothing,
untilBronwynsawsomething
brightonthedistanthorizon
andturned.Hasimwasstill
holdingherhandandshe
foundthatshelikedthe
warmthofit.Thetwoofthem
movedsidebysidetolook
southwardsandsawalineof
fireinthedistance.
‘Haffen,’Hasimcalled
overhisshoulder.‘The
knightsmeantobombardus.’
Hiswordswerequietand
solemn,andasBronwyn
peeredintothetwilightshe
couldmakeoutaheavy
catapultundereachfiery
glow.
Haffenlookedandswore
loudlytotheskybefore
quicklyturningandshouting
tothecourtyard,‘Catapults,
takecover.’
Themenbelowranforthe
coverofstonejustasthe
audiblesoundofwood
flexingsignalledtherelease
offlamingrocks.
Theskyeruptedinlightas
severaldozencatapultsshot
trailsoffirefromthehorizon
towardsthecity.Bronwyn
watchedwithwideeyesas
thefiremovedslowly
throughtheskyandthen
thunderedoverherhead.
Horrockappearedbehind
themanddraggedherand
Hasimbehindthe
battlements.
‘Incoming!’shoutedthe
captainofWraithCompany.
Themenbelowtookcover
asthefirstflamingrock
crashedintothecourtyard,
scatteringtheremainingcarts
andlightinguptheruinsof
RoHail.Morerocksfollowed
andwoodandflameerupted
acrossthecourtyard,crushing
menandbreakingthe
fortifications.Menaflameran
franticallytofindwateror
droppedtorollontheground.
Mostofthewooden
constructionswerestillintact,
butsomewereonfireand
Bronwyngaspedasshesaw
Freya,stillaboveground,
runningtoawaterbarrel.The
menofWraithhadsecreted
barrelsofflammablepitch
aroundthecourtyardin
preparationforuseagainst
theknights,andtheyhurried
tomovethemawayfromthe
fires.
Thenahornsoundedfrom
theGrassSeaandaroar
followed,signallingthe
knights’advance.
‘Toyourstations,’
Horrockorderedquietlyashe
unsheathedhistwo-headed
axeandmovedalongthe
battlements.
Haffentookalastdeep
breathandturnedtoBronwyn
andHasim.‘Let’sdiewell,
shallwe?’hesaidwitha
viciousgrin.
HasimandBronwyn
sharedameaningfullookand
sherealizedhewasstill
holdingherhand.
***
ThemenofWraithwere
poisedbehindthebattlements
asmorerocksthuddedinto
theouterwallsandthe
reconstructedgates.Bronwyn
wascrouchedabovethe
gatehousenexttoAl-Hasim,
withHaffenandadozen
moremembersofWraith
Companyonguardnextto
them.Theknightswere
arrayedacrosstheplaintothe
south,maybefivehundredof
them,identifiedbyHasimas
thearmy’sadvanceguard.
TheknightsoftheRed
shoutedchallengesatthe
battlementsandbangedtheir
longswordsontheirred
tabards.Thecatapultshad
beenwheeledcloserbutnow
threwnofire.Instead,they
heavedhugerocksintothe
air,designedtosmashthe
wallsandopenthegate.
Therehadbeennoofferof
parleyandBronwynsurmised
thattheknightssimply
plannedtoclearRoHailand
holditasastagingarea.They
hadnotsurroundedtheruined
town,buttheRanenmadeno
attempttoescape.The
knightshadlargewarhorses
andcouldeasilyridedown
anyonewhotriedtobreak
freefromthebarricades.She
consideredcounselling
surrender,butthefacesofthe
Ranenwarriorsaroundher
toldoftheirintentiontostay
hiddenuntiltheysawthe
chancetokill.
Theyhadnocatapultsor
artillerywithwhichtoanswer
thebombardmentand
Horrockhadquicklyordered
themtotakecoverand
remainpatient.Theknights
wouldnothaveseenthe
majorityoftheRanen,and
Horrockwashopingthey
wouldenterthecityunaware
ofthoselyinginwaitfor
them.Histacticalmindwas
focusedonhowtocausethe
mostdamagetotheadvance
guardofknightsandtobuy
timeforthecartstoescape
viathenorth,whereFreya
hadledmostofthenoncombatantsthroughthe
undergroundcomplex.
Bronwyncouldbarelysee
downintothecourtyard,but
shecouldmakeoutalarge
spacefilledonlywiththe
burningremnantsofsmashed
cartsandafewdeadbodies.
Patiencewasclearlynota
commontraitamongtheFree
Companiesandthemenwere
shakingwithbattlefervouras
theywaitedfortheknightsto
enterthekillingground.
Thewallshookasmore
bouldersthuddedintothe
stoneandBronwynhunkered
downbehindthebattlements.
Hasimwasstillwithherand
hadadoptedaprotective,
crouchedpositionaboveher,
hisscimitarheld
threateninglyinhishand.
Thenthesoundof
splinteredwoodsounded
frombelowandthemain
gatesofRoHailflew
inwards.Theknightsofthe
Redletoutaraucouscheer
andahornsoundedtosignal
thecharge.Inunison,the
columnoffivehundred
knightswheeledtheirhorses
androdehardfortheopen
gates.
‘Steady,’shouted
Horrock,astheadvance
guardformedintoaline
narrowenoughtopass
throughthegatehouse.‘Mark
yourtargetswellandmake
youraimtrue…Iwantfifty
deadinthefirstvolley.’
TheRanen,hiddenbelow
raisedwoodenfortifications,
werepoisedforaction.Each
manheldtwothrowing-axes,
oneineachhand,andcloseto
ahundredofthebattlebrothersofWraithhadbeen
designatedasaxe-hurlers.
Theirjobwastothinthe
ranksinpreparationfora
secondlineofRanento
emergeatgroundleveland
rollbarrelsofflamingpitch
towardsthemountedknights.
Ifthatdidn’tforcetheknights
toretreat,thethirdrank,
whichincludedHasim,
HorrockandHaffen–and
Bronwyn–wouldemerge
andengagetheknightsin
closecombat.
Horrockheldhisaxeupin
readinessandshouted,
‘Hold…’
Theknightsreachedthe
southernwallandturned
sharplytoaimtheirhorsesat
thegateway.
‘Hold,’roaredHorrocka
secondtime,astheknights
reachedthegateandbeganto
enterthecourtyard.
‘Hold,’heshoutedforthe
lasttime,hisvoiceraised
abovethesoundofthe
armouredknights.
ThemenofRofloodedin.
Bronwynwastakenabackmy
howmanytherewere.Five
hundredfullyarmoured
knightsoftheRedrodeinto
thecourtyardandfannedout
inpractisedfashion.They
heldlongswordsaloftand
roaredchallengesand
promisesofdeathatthemen
ofRanen.
‘Now,’bellowedHorrock,
andhestoodandturnedto
facetheadvanceguardof
knights.
Therewasbarelya
momentbetweenhis
commandandthefirstvolley
ofaxes.TheRanenroseas
onefromtheirplacesof
concealmentoverlookingthe
courtyardandshoutedwords
ofdefianceasonehundred
axeswerehurledatthe
knights.
Theruinedcityburstinto
lifeasthemenofWraith
Companyunleashedtheir
pent-upangeragainstthemen
ofRo.Thesoundwas
deafeningandBronwyn
couldn’thearanyofthe
knightsovertheshoutingof
theaxe-men,buthervantage
pointgaveheragoodviewof
thecourtyardandshesaw
menandhorseshitbyrazorsharpthrowing-axes.
Horrock’sdemandthat
therebefiftydeadinthefirst
volleywasclosetothemark,
asheadswerecleaved,
armoursplit,limbssevered
andhorseslamedorkilled.
‘Thisisthelandof
Wraith,’roaredHaffen,
standinghighontheforward
battlementsandraisinghis
axeabovehishead.‘Youwill
nottakeitwhilewelive.’
Theknightshadbeen
takenabackbythefirst
volley,butrecoveredquickly
andBronwynsawtheir
captain,protectedbya
circularshield,giveordersto
stormthebarricadesandkill
theRanen.
Thenthesecondvolley.
Theiraimwastruernowand
nofewheadsweresplitby
thewhirlingsteelofWraith
Company.
‘That’sit,lads.’Haffen
continuedtoshoutfromthe
gatehouse.‘Showthe
bastardshowtheRanendo
things.’
BronwynandAl-Hasim
werestillbehindtheforward
battlements,thoughless
concernedtohidenowthe
traphadbeensprung.
Bronwyncouldstillseethe
catapultsacrossthemisty
plainstothesouth,butthe
bombardmenthadstopped
oncetheknightshad
breachedthetown.
Thetwovolleysof
throwing-axeshadkilledor
incapacitatedmorethana
hundredoftheknightsand
riderlesshorseswereloosein
thecourtyard.Knightswho
wereunhurtbuthadbeen
unhorsednowpulled
themselvestotheirfeet.
‘Firethebastards,’
shoutedHorrockfromhis
positiononthestairs.
Allaroundthegroundlevelbarricades,flaming
torchessprangintolifeasthe
secondwaveofWraith
Companyopenedwooden
hatchwaysandrolledheavy
barrelsattheknightsofthe
Red.Eachwaslitbyalong
wickattheendandseveral
hadbeenbreachedwithaxes
tohastenthespreadofthe
fire,astwentyorsobarrelsof
sticky,flamingpitchraced
towardstheattackers.
Theknightscouldn’treact
quicklyenoughandwere
engulfedinflameswithin
seconds.Screamingfilledthe
courtyardasfrightenedhorses
rearedandthrewtheirriders.
Oneclumsilystampedona
flamingbarrelandsprayed
stickyflamesacrossthe
cobbles,settinglighttoa
groupofknightswhowere
gettingbacktotheirfeetin
themiddleofthekilling
ground.
Orderdisappearedfrom
theknights’advanceas
flamingmenandhorses
flailedaroundinanattemptto
dousethefire.Bronwyn
wincedandturnedawayfrom
thegrislyscene.
Thewoodenbarricades
weresplashedwithwaterto
stopthefirespreadingtothe
Ranendefences,andthefew
knightswhoattemptedto
climbthefortificationswere
swiftlycutdownbythe
defenders.Theknightcaptain
wasaliveandwhirlinghis
longsworddefiantly
overhead,mimicking
Haffen’sgesture.
‘Rallytome,’heshouted
athisremainingknights.
Lessthanhalfofthefive
hundredknightswerestill
readyforcombatandmanyof
thosehadbeenunhorsedor
werecorralledbylinesof
flameanddeadhorses.The
firebarrelshadrobbedthem
ofanyimmediatechanceof
stormingthebarricades,but
nowtheyregrouped.
‘Toarms,’commanded
Horrock,drawinghisdoubleheadedaxeanddescending
thestairstotheraised
woodenfortifications.
‘That’sus,’saidAl-Hasim
quietlytoBronwyn.‘Take
this.’Hehandedherasmall
woodenshield.‘You’vea
betterchanceofstayingalive
withthisthanifyoujustrely
onthatbigknife.’Hepointed
tohershortsword.
‘Afteryou,’said
Bronwyn,afteradeepbreath.
Haffenwasnearbybuthad
alreadybeguntosprintacross
thehighwallstojoinhis
captain.OthermenofWraith,
wieldingavarietyofheavy
axesandhammers,moved
quicklytodefendtheinner
fortificationsandBronwyn
couldseelongspearsbeing
usedbytheaxe-hurlers.
Assheturnedfromthe
gatehouse,somethingcaught
hereyeandshepaused.
‘Hasim,’sheshouted.‘Look!’
Acrossthemistyplain,
justbeyondthepositionof
thecatapults,dustwasrising
fromtheGrassSea.Bronwyn
couldseeanenormouslineof
horsesridingintoview.They
weretoonumerousforherto
count.Highoverhead,two
bannersflewerraticallyinthe
eveningwind.Onewasthe
whiteeagleofRoTirisand
theothertheominouspurple
sceptreoftheclericsof
nobility.Bronwynsworeto
herselfasthebulkofthe
king’sarmyappearedwithin
sightofRoHail.
Hasimjoinedherand
lookedoutatthearmyofRo
arrayedacrosstheGrassSea.
‘Jaapreserveus,’hesaid.‘So
many…’
Bronwynthoughtshe
detectedfearonthe
Karesian’sface.
‘Horrock,’heshouted,‘it
seemsthekinghasarrived.’
Ifhiswordswereheard,
therewasnosignthatthe
captainofWraithCompany
wasgoingtoalterhisplan.
Instead,hejoinedthethird
waveofdefendersandbegan
hackingatthefewknights
whoweretryingtobreachthe
fortifications.
‘Comeon,theyneed
help.’Hasimgrabbed
Bronwyn’sarmandledher
downthestonestepstothe
innerbarricades.
Shesteadiedherselfand
feltherhandshakingasit
grippedthehiltofhershort
sword.She’dkilledbefore,in
thetunnelsofRoCanarnas
sheandHasimweremaking
theirescape,butthiswas
different–thiswasabattle
and,ifshecouldnotstriketo
kill,sheknewshe’dbe
useless.
Theyreachedthe
battlementsandjoinedthe
otherdefenders.Theknights
hadregroupedandwere
attemptingtofighttheirway
ontothewoodenramparts.
Theyhadonlylimited
successasthelongspears
heldbytheaxe-hurlerswere
keepingthematadistance,
butBronwynthoughtitcould
onlybeamatteroftime.
Theknightcaptainwas
stillonhishorsedirectinghis
troopsanddeterminationwas
onthefacesofthemenofRo
astheirprofessionalismand
skillreturned.Theyhackedat
theground-levelwooden
hatchesandseveralofthe
Ranenwhohadlitthebarrels
diedaslongswordssmashed
andcutatthegapsbetween
thewoodenplanks.
‘Getthosehatchesopen,’
orderedtheknightcaptain,
shoutingatthetopofhis
voicetobeheardoverthe
melee.
Bronwynfoundherselfat
theedge,lookingdownon
theknightstryingtobreak
openthedefences.Shelocked
eyeswithamanofRo,burnt
fromthefireandangrily
hackingatthewood.A
momentlaterhetookaspear
tothechestandfelltothe
cobbledfloor.Asecondman
tookhisplaceandthen
anotherjoinedhimasthey
begantosmashopenthe
hatch.
Hasimappearednextto
herwithaspearinhishands
andgruntedwithexertionas
heskeweredamanthrough
theneck.Thebloodsprayed
overhisfellowknights,who
yelledangryinsultsand
challengesfrombelow.
Thenabarrelofpitchthat
hadn’tsplitopenwasthrown
fromthecourtyarduponto
thewoodenbattlements.
Bronwynheldherbreathas
shesawitsmashneartoher
anderuptintoflame,sending
twoRanendivingforward
fromtheirpositionsofsafety.
Theflamesspreadquickly
andshehelduphershield
armtoblocktheheatofthe
fire.
‘Putthatfireout,’shouted
Horrockfromnearby.
Severalmenrantograb
bucketsofwater,butthe
stickypitchhadquickly
attacheditselftoalargearea
ofwoodandthefirewas
spreading.
Witharoarofdefiance,
CaptainHorrockGreenBlade
jumpeddownfromthe
battlementsandbecamethe
firstmanofWraithtoengage
theknightsinclosecombat.
Hekilledonequickly,
cleavinginhischestwitha
mightyblowfromhisaxe,
butotherknightsmovedto
engagehim.
‘Timetogetbloody,lads,’
announcedHaffenwitha
grimsmile,ashejoinedhis
captaininthefray.
Othersfollowed,chanting,
‘ForWraith!’astheyset
abouttheknightsoftheRed,
untilthemajorityofthethird
wavehadleftthe
fortificationsandenteredthe
courtyard.
‘Stayhere,’ordered
Hasim,droppingthespear
anddrawinghisscimitarand
krisblade.
‘Notonyourlife,’
Bronwynreplied.
Heshotheralookof
frustrationbutdidn’targueas
thetwoofthemjumpeddown
together.
‘Stayclosetome,then,’
heconceded.‘Strikeatthe
neckandheadandkeepthat
shieldup.’
Thefighttheyjoinedwas
brutalanddesperate,with
manyRanengoingberserkas
theyhackedatthearmoured
knights.Haffenwas
particularlyviciousandfoam
begantoappearatthecorners
ofhismouthashegrasped
hisaxeinbothhandsand
whirledround,killinganyone
closetohim.Theknights
initiallybackedawayfrom
theferociousaxe-man,but
Bronwyncouldtellthatthe
menofWraithwere
outmatchedintermsofskill.
ShecouldseeMicah
StoneDogfighting
desperately,withhisbackto
awall,againstayoung
knight.Nearby,Horrockwas
engagedagainsttwoRo,his
sizeandstrengththeonly
thingpreservinghim.As
Bronwynbegantosensehope
slippingawayshewasfaced
withabatteredknight
launchingahighattackather.
Withoutthinking,sheraised
hershieldandbuckledunder
thestrengthoftheblow.
Anotherhighswingfollowed,
andanother,untilshewas
barelyabletostand.
‘Nowaytotreatalady,
youhorse-fucker,’shouted
Hasim,asheappearedbehind
theknightanddeftlyopened
theman’sthroatwithasingle
cut.
‘Isaid,staynearme,’he
repeatedashepulled
Bronwyntoherfeet.‘Iwill
notletyoudiehere.’
Theyfoughtbacktoback,
bothrelyingonspeedtokeep
theknightsatbay.Bronwyn
begantousehershieldmore
andmore,withonly
occasionalswiftswordcuts
directedattheattackers’faces
andnecks.Sheblindedone
manandseveredanother’s
ear,butreceivedseveral
smallwoundsherself.Hasim
wasfaringbetterandwas
largelyunhurtashekilled
anothermanwithawellplacedthrustofhiskrisknife.
Kickingthemanoffhis
blade,heshovedBronwyn
backoutofthewayasahuge
knightchargedatthem.
‘Fightme,youKaresian
whoreson,’theknight
shoutedashesmashedhis
sworddownatHasim’shead.
Henarrowlyavoidedthe
blowbydartingbackwards
andstickinghisscimitarinto
theknight’sside.Thehuge
mancriedoutinpain,but
grabbedtheprotrudingblade
andwrencheditfrom
Hasim’sgrasp.Kickingout,
hesenttheKaresiantumbling
totheground.
‘Bronwyn…’heshouted,
astheknightadvancedonthe
youngladyofCanarn.
TheRowastoocaughtup
inbattlefervourtonoticethe
woundHasimhadgivenhim
andhelikewiseignoreda
glancingblowfromathrown
axe.
‘Timetodie,Black
Guard,’theknightsaidwitha
grotesquegrin.
Asheraisedhissword
overheadtodeliverakilling
blow,hepausedandhiseyes
grewwideasaknifepushed
itswayintohisneckand
FreyaColdEyesappeared
overhisenormousshoulders.
TheoldRanenwoman
twistedtheknifetomakesure
theknightwasdeadbefore
shepulleditbackandlethim
droptothefloor.
‘Freya…’Bronwyn
breathedwithgratitudeasshe
quicklystoodup.
‘Don’tthankme,young
lady,justbemorecareful.’
Theoldaxe-maidenwas
smilingbuttheblood
spreadingdownherfacetold
Bronwynshehadbeen
fightingashardasanyof
them.
Hasimretrievedhis
scimitarfromthefallen
knightandpulledBronwyn
backoutofthemelee.
‘It’snotjustaboutBrom,
okay?Iwillnotletyoudie.’
Herepeatedthesamephrase
andBronwyncouldsense
deepsincerityintheKaresian
scoundrel’swords.‘Now,I
knowyouwon’ttakecover,
butatleaststayawayfrom
bigbastardslikehim.’He
gesturedtothelargedead
knight.
Bronwynnoddedand
tenderlytouchedHasim’s
face.Withoutmorewords,
theyreturnedtothe
courtyard.Itwasdifficultto
seewhohadtheupperhand,
butHorrockandHaffenwere
stillaliveandcausingtheir
fairshareofslaughter.She
couldnolongerseeStone
Dog;andthemajorityofthe
knightswerenowonfoot,
withtheirwarhorseseither
runninginwildcirclesor
havinglefttheruins
altogether.
Thenextfewminutes
passedagonizinglyslowlyas
hackedbodypartsand
sprayedbloodturnedthe
courtyardofRoHailintoa
butcher’syard.Bronwyn
stayedclearofthecentral
meleeandremainedwith
Hasimonthefringes.
Somewhereinthemiddle,she
couldhearHorrockroara
challengeattheknight
captain,andthescrumparted
brieflytoallowthetwo
captainstomeetinthecentre.
Theaxe-hurlershadjoined
thefightandtheknightswere
largelypennedin.As
Horrockandtheknight
captainclashed,theother
fightsslowedtokeephalfan
eyeonthetwomen,eachside
investingheavilyinthe
survivaloftheircommander.
EvenHaffenhadpulledback
totheedgeofthemeleeto
takeamoment’srestand
wipethebloodandsweat
fromhisface.
Horrockdidnotfightashe
hadagainstVerelliantwo
weeksbefore,butrather
foughtdirty,employingkicks
andpunchestokeepthe
knightoffbalance.Bronwyn
sensedthemanofWraithwas
afastlearner.Theknight
captainquicklybecame
frustratedwithHorrock’s
dishonourablefightingstyle,
butwashelplesstostophim
asaxeblowsbegantolandon
hisplatearmour.Ashis
breastplatebecamedented,
hisparriesgrewmore
awkwarduntilafeintopened
himupandathunderous
downwardstrikesplithis
headdownthemiddle.
Asthebloodymessthat
hadbeentheircommander
fellinaheaptotheground,
theremainingknightsofthe
Redbrokeandbegantofall
back.Itwasadisorderly
retreat,withmostofthemen
onfoot,andseveralmore
diedastheyturnedtoflee.
Theknightsrantowardsthe
opengatewayandfledinto
theGrassSeabeyond,as
WraithCompanyheldtheir
weaponsaloftandroared
theirvictorytothesky.
‘Stopfuckingcheering,’
shoutedanexhausted
Horrock.‘Putthatfireout
andbarricadethegate.’His
menpausedforamoment,
lookingattheircaptain.
‘Move!’hebellowed,causing
everymantohurrybackto
hisposition.
Haffenledagroupof
warriorstothegatewayand
piledthebrokenwoodupin
somesemblanceofagate,
usingspearstowedgethe
makeshiftdoorinplace.
Severaldozenmenshuttled
bucketsofwatertothe
burningbarricades.The
remainderfelltotheground
fromsheerexhaustion.
HasimandBronwynmade
theirwayacrossthekilling
groundtowhereHorrocksat,
pantingheavily.
‘Thatwasjusttheadvance
guard,’saidtheKaresian.
Horrocklookedupasif
thisinformationwasnot
helpful,but,afteramoment,
hesmiledathinsmile.
‘Iknow,butatleastwe’ve
madethempause.’Hestood
againandsurveyedthe
defences.
Bronwynthoughtthat
onlyaroundhalfoftheinner
woodenfortificationsnow
providedsomecover,andthe
firehadcausedalargesection
tocollapseentirely.The
courtyardwaslitteredwith
thedeadand,thoughthere
weremanymoreRobodies
thanRanen,shewasstill
shockedathowmanymenof
Wraithhadfallen.
‘Wecan’tholdifthey
stormagain,’shesaidwithout
thinking.
‘Trueenough,’replied
Horrock,standingnexttoher,
‘buttheydon’tknowthat.’
Hewasstillpanting,but
Bronwynsensedsteely
resolveinhispiercingblue
eyes.
‘IfIknowtheknightsof
theRed,’beganHasim,‘andI
thinkIdo,Idon’tthink
they’llriskanotherfrontal
assault.’Hepointedtothe
gatesthatHaffenwashastily
rebuilding.‘Ifwegetthose
lookingsolidagain,Ithink
they’lltrysomething
different.Theknightsdon’t
likegettingabloodynoseand
theywon’triskitagain.’
‘Sothey’lljustthrow
morerocksatus?’Horrock
askedwithgallowshumour.
Hasimnodded.‘Probably,
yes.Butthey’remorelikely
toencirclethecityandstarve
usout.Theyhavethe
numberstodoitandnow
theyknowwe’repreparedto
fight…’
‘Ofcourse,thereis
someonewhosecounselmay
beusefulrightnow,’
Bronwyninterjected,
referringtoSirWilliamof
Verellian.
Theybothlookedather
withdoubtontheirfaces.
‘He’sstillaknightofthe
Red,Bronwyn,’responded
Hasim.‘Hewouldn’twantto
betoohelpful,I’dguess.’
‘True,buthe’s
honourable.Ithinkhe’dhelp
inanywaythatmeantfewer
peoplewerekilled.’She
consideredandcontinued,‘At
leasthe’dbeabletotellus
whatthey’relikelytodo
next.’
Hasimsmiled.‘So,you’re
sayingyoudon’ttrustmy
knowledgeofknightly
tactics?’
AmanofferedHorrocka
bowlofwaterandhe
immediatelywashedhis
bloodstainedfaceandthen
shookhisheadrapidlyfrom
sidetoside.Ashewipedhis
facewitharaghestoodup.
‘Yourknowledgemaybe
extensive,Hasim,butyou’re
notactuallyaknight,’hesaid.
Hismenwerebusily
movingaroundthe
fortifications,repairing
whatevercouldbequickly
mended,movingbodiesfrom
thecourtyardandcollecting
throwing-axes.
‘Ifyou’lltakeanorder
fromme,Karesian,goand
fetchtheredman,’said
Horrock,withoutturning
awayfromhismen.‘Find
StoneDogandtakehimwith
you…andkeeptheknight
chained.’
Al-Hasimwasnota
Ranen,letaloneamanof
WraithCompany,buthe
respondedtoHorrock’sorder
withonlyaslightpause,
movingquicklyawayand
acrosstothenorthsideofthe
courtyard.Bronwynfollowed
hismovements,mostlyto
confirmthatStoneDogwas
stillalive.
‘Youdidwell,mylady,’
Horrocksaidsuddenly.
‘You’recoveredinblood,
havedentsinyourshieldand
you’restillalive…thisbodes
well.’
‘Freyahadtosavemylife
andItriedtostayawayfrom
themainfight,butyes,I’m
stillalive.Alotofyourmen
aren’t,’sherespondedsadly,
unabletoturnawayfromthe
butcheredmeninthe
courtyard.
Freyaandseveralyoung
Ranenfromthebasement
weretakingnoteofthedead
andmovingthewoundedto
thesafetyoftheunderground
complex.Thedeadknights
weretreatedwithrespect,but
withnospacetotakethem
inside,theyweresimply
stackedofftothesideina
roughpyre.Haffenwasstill
doinghisbesttorepairthe
maingate.Thewooden
fortificationswouldfunction
asaxe-throwingplatforms,
butwouldbeuselessasa
defensiveposition.
‘Youneedalongerreach,’
Horrocksaidtoheroutofthe
blue.
‘Er,sorry…whatdoyou
mean?’Bronwynasked.
‘Theshieldworksfine,but
youactuallyneedtoattack
occasionally,andthatshort
swordandyourshortarms
don’thelp.’Bronwynlaughed
athisfamiliarmanner.‘Ever
swunganaxe?’heasked.
‘Mybrothertaughtme
howtouseasword,butI
hadn’tattackedtokilluntila
monthagowhenweescaped
Canarn,’shesaidquietly.‘I
hadn’treallythoughtabout
killingmen.Isupposethere
weretoomanyotherthingsto
thinkabout.’
Horrocknarrowedhisblue
eyes.‘ImetBromonce.A
coldbastardfromwhatI
remember.’Hesmiled.
‘You’rethesame.Most
peopleagonizeovertheirfirst
kill.Youdidn’teventhink
aboutit.’
‘There’salotatstake…
myhome,mypeople,my
family’shonour…’She
bowedherhead.‘While
Canarnisoccupied,I’mnot
allowedtobesqueamish.’
CHAPTER9
BROTHERLANRY
INTHECITYOF
ROCANARN
Itwasjustbeginningtoget
darkasLanrybeganhis
nightlywalktothemarshal’s
office.SirPevaininsistedhe
arrivebeforethemercenaries’
nightlydrunkenritualbegan.
Theyweredifficultenoughto
dealwithwhensober,but
Lanrydislikedthe
viciousnessthataccompanied
theirmoredrunkenmoments.
Hehadagreatneedofextra
foodandwater.Thepeopleof
RoCanarnwhohadstayed
indoorsduringthebattlewere
beginningtosufferstarvation.
Themercenaryknighthad
turnedoffthewaterpumps
andwasusinghiscontrol
overfoodandwatertokeep
thepopulationinorder.The
commonpeoplewerebeing
deniedbasicnecessities,and
thosewhohadrecentlylost
theirhomesandfamilies
facedanuncertainfuture.
‘Fulton,hurryup,’Lanry
saidtotheformertaverner
whopulledthecartbehind
him.‘It’sgettingdark.’
‘Whydon’tyoupullthe
cart?’Fultonshotback,with
dropletsofsweatformingon
hisforehead.
Lanryputahandonthe
man’sshoulderandsmiled.
‘BecauseI’mafatoldman
withabadbackand,ifIwas
pullingit,we’dnotgetthere
tilltomorrow,’theclericsaid
withhumour.
Lanrytriedtostayjolly
despitethebrokentown
aroundhim,andsincethe
deathofDukeHectorthe
peoplehadlookedtothe
clericforleadership.Hewas
notamantoabandonhis
hometotheravagesofwar,
andbeingachurchmanofthe
Brownmeanthewaslargely
immunetothetortureand
deaththathisfellowmenof
Canarnhadtoendure.He’d
seenmuchofbothoverthe
lastmonthandhadcometo
realizethattheknightsofthe
Redhadaverydifferentway
ofdoingtheOne’swork.The
Brownclericsrepresentedthe
One’saspectofpovertyand
charity,andLanryhad
devotedhislifetothecareof
thepeopleofRoCanarn.He
hadbeentheonlychurchman
inthetownandDukeHector
hadallowedhimtostayon
sufferance.IthadtakenLanry
severalyearstoconvincethe
dukeofhisgoodintentions
andnow,twentyyearsafter
hehadbuiltthesmallBrown
church,hewasneededmore
thanever.
Hesmiledtohimselfashe
recalleddrawinghisheavy
quarterstaffandjoiningthe
duke’sguardindefenceof
thetown.Hefeltalittle
embarrassedathaving
actuallyclubbedaRedknight
overtheheadandhesecretly
hopedthatthemanwasall
right.Lanrywasnotafighter,
buthehadfeltitwashisduty
tofightforhishomeasmuch
asanyothermanofCanarn.
Theyledthecartpastthe
mainsquareandtowardsthe
lordmarshal’soffice
overlookingthedocks.
Pevainhadkilledthemarshal
andtakenoverthestone
building,holdingcourtlikea
conqueringheroand
dispensingrandomjustice
uponthosewhodispleased
him.Themercenaryknight
hadexecutedmorepeople
thanLanrywishedtorecall,
andhefoundhimself
ministeringnowtolessthan
halfthepopulation.Theystill
lookedtohimforguidance,
buthewassecretlycrying
overthetormenthispeople
hadtoendure.He’dseen
childrendieofstarvation,and
withthelackofcleanwater
diseasewasbeginningto
appear.Pevaingavehima
dailyration,butitwasbarely
enoughforahundredpeople
andLanryfoundhimself
havingtoarrangearota
systemforthesurvivors.Ifa
mangotwateroneday,he’d
havetodowithoutthenext.It
wasapainfulthingforthe
clerictohavetodo,butsofar
ithadkeptmostofthem
alive.
‘Whatifwejustwaituntil
theypassoutwiththewine
andthenhelpourselves?’
suggestedFulton,asthey
nearedthetoweroftheWorld
Raven.
‘Interestingidea…though
pleasebegoodenoughtotell
mewhathappenstheday
afteryoupassoutfrom
drinking?’respondedLanry,
tryingtobeastolerantas
possible.
‘Youwakeupwitha
headache…Ido,anyway.’
‘Andwhatdoyouthink
thesemenwilldowhenthey
wakeupwithaheadacheand
realizewe’vepilferedtheir
foodandwater?’
Thetavernerconsidered
this.‘Isupposethey’dcome
lookingforus,’heeventually
conceded.
‘Enduranceisourgreatest
weaponnow,myfriend,’
Lanrysaidgently,placinga
reassuringhandonFulton’s
shoulder.‘Markmywords,
yourtavernwillbeopenfor
businessagainoneofthese
days.’
Lanrytriedtoremain
optimisticwhenhewas
aroundtheothermenof
Canarn,evengoingsofaras
tosuggestthatyoungLord
Bromvywouldreturntoset
themfree.Inprivate,
however,theBrowncleric
wasclosetodespairandheld
outpreciouslittlehopethat
theirsituationwould
improve.
Theyroundedastreet
cornerandthemarshal’s
officecameintoview.
Previously,theareahadbeen
athrivingport,withseveral
good-humouredtavernsanda
smallauditoriumforfish
trading.Now,everywhere
wasboardeduportorndown
andtheonlyactivitywasin
theofficeitself,whichhad
beenturnedintoan
improviseddrinking
establishmentand
headquartersforPevain’s
mercenaries.Lightswereon
throughoutand,evenhalfa
streetaway,activitycouldbe
seenandheard.The
mercenariesweretoo
numerousforallofthemto
findquarterswithinthe
buildingandsoaroughcamp
hadformedintheopen
squareoutside.Theylounged
aroundsmallfires,passing
bottlesofstolenwineand
tellingunlikelytalesoftheir
sexualprowess.Lanry
recognizedthefacesof
rapists,murderersandthieves
–menwhohadbeenliving
offthebonesandfleshofRo
Canarnformorethana
month.Withtheexceptionof
thedozenorsomenonpatrol
inthetown,theycouldallbe
foundhere,andLanrygritted
histeethashepreparedto
walkamongthem.
‘Justkeepyourheaddown
andignorethem,’hesaid
overhisshouldertoFulton,
whowasbecoming
increasinglyagitated.
Theywerenoticedquickly
andLanryheardanumberof
off-colourcommentsthrown
atthem–nastychallengesto
theirmasculinityandsome
physicalgesturesthatthe
Brownclericdidn’tfully
understand.Dirty,bearded
faceslookedupatthem,
displayingunpleasantsneers.
Lanrysmiledpolitely,aware
thatthesemenwouldn’tharm
him,butmakingsurethat
Fultonstayedclosebehind
him.
‘Whatdoyouwant,boyfucker?’barkedatoothless
mercenarywhostoodnearby,
onguardoutsidethe
marshal’soffice.
Hewasoftenthemanwho
greetedBrotherLanryashe
arrivedforsupplieseach
evening.Themercenarywas
illiterateandhadnodoubt
hadapoorstartinlife,but
BrotherLanrystillsmiledat
thethoughtofsmashinghis
quarterstaffintothe
scumbag’sface.
‘I’msorry,areyoutalking
tome?’Lanryreplied
absently.
‘YouknowI’mfucking
talkingtoyou,cleric,’said
themercenarywithwellpractisedaggression.
‘AndyouknowwhatI
want,sowe’rebothbeing
stupid.’Lanrydirecteda
laconicexpressionattheidiot
andthenshooedhimaway
dismissively.‘I’mnothereto
speaktoyou…Idon’teven
likelookingatyou,sogetout
ofmyway,’theBrowncleric
added.
Fultonnarrowly
suppressedalaughandthe
mercenarylookedconfused,
confirmingLanry’s
suspicionsabouthislackof
education,buthegotoutof
thewayandtheyproceeded
towardstheopendoorway.
‘Howdoyougetaway
withthat?’askedFulton
quietly,withanervoussmile
onhisface.
‘Becausethesepeopleare
worthyofnothingbutscorn
andsharpmetalimplements,
mydearFulton,andthey’re
stupidenoughnottorealize
howhatefultheyare.’He
pausedandturnedtodirecta
serenesmileatthetaverner.‘I
liketothinkthat
subconsciouslytheyknow
theydeservetheseinsults.’
Lanryresumedwalking,
leavingFultonlooking
confusedashefollowedon
behind.
Thedoortothemarshal’s
officeusedtobepermanently
openandanycitizenof
Canarnwasabletoenter
freely.SinceSirPevainhad
takenover,he’dstationed
guardsoutsideandonly
admittedpeoplehewantedto
see.Thedailyinquiriesabout
food,waterandhousing
botheredthemercenary
knightandhehadkilled
severalmenwhohad
complainedthattheirwine
storehousehadbeenpillaged
andburneddown.
Subsequently,thedoorhad
remainedclosed.Brother
Lanrywastheonlycitizenof
RoCanarnwhoPevainwould
tolerate,andthatwasonly
becausethemercenarywas
underordersnottoharmhim.
AsLanryandFulton
entered,anoverpowering
stenchofwineandvomit
assaultedtheirnostrilsand
bothmeninvoluntarily
movedtheirhandstotheir
mouths.
‘Dotheyevercleanthe
place?’Fultonaskedquietly.
‘Aboutasoftenasthey
cleanthemselves,’replied
Lanry,‘andthat,bythestate
ofthem,isinfrequent.’
Thedooropenedintothe
oldtownhallofRoCanarn–
alarge,airyspacethathad
beenusedvariouslyasfish
market,meetingplaceand
assemblyhall.Thefishermen
hadstoppedfishingnowand
thehallwaslittlemorethana
dosshouseforPevain’smore
trustedlieutenants.They
loungedaroundonpillaged
furniture,drinkingstolen
wineandeatingstolenmeat.
ThesemenwereallofRo,but
belongedtothelowestlevel
ofsociety.Theywereswords
forhire,menwho’dfounda
waytoindulgetheirfondness
forkilling,stealingand
rapingwhilestillsomehow
remainingwithinthelaw.
Lanryknewthatcriminality
wasasketchyconceptwhere
warwasconcerned,buthe
stillhopedthatthesescum
wouldsomedaybemadeto
answerfortheircruelty.
Theywalkedthroughthe
entrancehall,pastsmall
groupsofblack-armoured
mercenaries,mostofthemthe
worsefordrink,andascended
thecentralstairstothe
marshal’sofficeonthefirst
floor.Nomorecomments
weredirectedatthemand
Fultonappearedalittlemore
relaxedoncetheywereaway
fromthemainforceof
mercenaries.
Thetavernerstoppedat
thetopofthestairsandLanry
sawanexpressionofsurprise
andangercomeoverhis
friend’sface.
‘Fulton,whatisit?’the
clericasked.
‘Thatman…’hereplied,
pointingwithashakinghand
atalarge,beardedmercenary
slouchingonabenchoutside
Pevain’srooms.‘He’stheone
who…tookBella.’
Lanryfrownedand
rememberedFulton’s
cheerfulwife.Shewasacook
whoworkedwithher
husbandinthetavernthey
hadowned.Amercenaryhad
smashedhiswayintotheir
homeonthenightofthe
attackandBellahadtriedto
fighthimoffwithakitchen
knife.Asaresult,she’dbeen
takentotheprisonpensinthe
townsquare.Fultonhadbeen
trappedintheBrownchurch
atthetimeandhadonlyseen
hiswifeagainseveralnights
later,asshewasrapedand
beheadedbythemanshe’d
triedtofightoff–theman
nowlaughingatsomeoffcolourjokewhilerelaxing
outsidehismaster’snew
office.
Lanryplacedarestraining
handonFulton’sshoulder.
‘Nothingwillbeservedby
youdyingtoday,myfriend,’
theclericsaidinawhisper.
‘Justkeepyourheaddown
anddon’tlookathim.’
Fultonbegantosob
quietly,buthenoddedand
tookheedofLanry’scounsel.
TheBrownclericwasas
closetoaleaderasthepeople
ofRoCanarnhadleft.Fulton
wasnowarriorandheknew
fullwellthatLanry’s
instructionwaswise.
Theywalkedpasttheman,
whobarelylookedupfrom
theconversationhewas
havingwithanother
mercenary,andBrother
Lanryknockedontheoffice
door.
‘I’mbusy,’wasthe
immediateresponsefrom
within.
‘He’sbusy,brother,’
repeatedthemanoutside.
‘Pissoffandcomeback
later.’
‘IfIdothat,I’llbetold
thathe’sstillbusy,’said
Lanrywithasmuchpateince
ashecouldmuster.‘Wedo
thiseveryday.Can’tIjust
glidepasttheusualdanceof
cock-wavingandgettothe
partwhereIreturntomy
churchwithfoodandwater?’
Themanlaughedheartily
andslappedLanryonthe
back.
‘You’reallright,cleric,’
hesaidwithasmile,and
bangedonPevain’sdoor
himself.‘Hallam,it’sthat
Browncleric.’
Therewasamomentary
pauseandthenafrustrated
voicefromwithinsaid,‘All
right,Lanry,getyourclerical
arseinhere.’
Lanrysmiledpolitelyat
themercenary,takingcareto
keepFultonasclosetohimas
possible,turnedthedoor
handleandenteredthe
marshal’soffice.
Within,heimmediately
avertedhiseyesfromthe
spectacleofSirHallam
Pevain,loungingbackonhis
chair,hisroughhandonthe
backofayounggirl’shead.
Pevain’sleathertrouserswere
pulleddownandthegirlwas
crouchedbetweenhislegs.
Therewasalookoftwisted
pleasureonhisfaceashe
roughlyjerkedthegirl’shead
backandforth,andshe
grippedhischairwithred,
tremblinghands.
‘Ihopewe’renot
disturbingyou?’askedLanry
throughgrittedteeth,looking
downatthefloor.
‘IsaidIwasbusy,
cleric…’Hedidn’tlookat
them.
Hegrabbedahandfulof
thegirl’shairandpulledher
away,makingaloathsome
soundofcontentmentashe
didso.Lanryglancedupand
recognizedthegirl.Shewasa
servantfromtheinnerkeep,
oneofLadyBronwyn’s
attendants.Thecleric
couldn’trememberhername,
butrecalledhavingheardher
singatDukeHector’s
birthdaycelebrations.
AsPevainroughlyshoved
hertowardsthedoor,thelook
onherfacewasoffearand
revulsion.BrotherLanry
stoppedhermomentarily,
whispering,‘Strength,sister,
strengthandwewill
overcome.’
Hehopedthewordsmight
help,buthealsoknewhow
pettytheymustsoundtoa
younggirl,nomorethan
sixteen,whowasdailybeing
abused.
‘Sametimetomorrow,
darlin’,’saidPevainwitha
chuckle,asthegirlhurriedly
lefttheroom.
Fultonhadn’tlookedup
andLanrythoughtthathe
oughttocomealoneinfuture,
oratleastleavehis
companionoutsidewiththe
cart.
Lanrytriednottoshowhis
angerashecrossedthesmall
officetostandinfrontofthe
desk.Pevainstyledhimselfas
somekindofmilitary
governor–alessermasterof
CanarnnowthatSirRillion
hadmadeitclearhecared
nothingforthecommon
people.Theknightsofthe
Redweremorehonourable
and,intheirownway,kinder
thanthemercenaries.
However,Lanryhadnotseen
anyofthemsincethelarger
forcehadmovedthrough
sometwoweeksago,and
he’dbeenstuckwithPevain
andhisbastards.Lanry
wasn’tsurewhetherthe
bastardswasactuallytheir
nameorjustafitting
description,buteitherway
thetermhadenteredcommon
usage.
‘Foodandwaterisit,
Lanry?’askedPevain,
makingashowofstandingto
fastenhistrousersandstretch
hisbackandarms.
‘Itisindeed.Alittlemore
thanyesterdaywouldbe
appreciated,’repliedthe
cleric.
‘You’llgetwhatyouget.’
Pevainremainedstandingand
gloweredatLanry.‘Ionly
havesomanysuppliesand
mymenneedtoeatanddrink
too.’
‘Butyourmentakeit
whentheywantit,mypeople
havetorationthelittleIam
allowed.Peoplearedying,
Pevain.’
Thematterwasserious
andLanrywasresponsible
fortheirwell-beingnowthere
wasnoduketospeakfor
them.
Themercenarylaughedas
thoughLanryhadsaid
somethingfunny.‘So,some
peasantcuntsloseabitof
weight…what’sthebig
deal?’
Lanryclenchedhisjaw
andfeltasuddenurgetohave
awashwhenhegothome.
Havingtobeinthepresence
ofsorefinedascumbageach
daywasnotaneasythingto
putupwith.
‘Justbecauseyou’ve
killedhalfthepopulation,it
doesn’tmeantheremainder
needanylessfoodand
water,’Lanrysaid,withas
muchrestraintashecould
manage.‘Winewecando
without,hugefeastsofmeat
andfisharebarelyadistant
memory,butbread,grainand
waterareessential…sir
knight.’
Pevainmovedroundthe
deskandstoodcloseto
BrotherLanry.Theknight
wasaverytallmanand
carriedanunpleasantodour
withhim.Theclerichad
wonderedrecentlywhether
Pevainactuallycultivatedthe
smellinordertomake
himselfmorememorable.
‘Don’ttakethingsso
seriously,Lanry.Whydon’t
weopenabottletogetherand
getsomepeasantbitchto
makeusgladwe’remenfora
coupleofhours?’Pevain’s
smilewasalmostasbadas
thesmell,anddirty,rotten
teethpokedthroughhis
stragglyblackbeardashe
spoke.
‘Iamaclericofthe
Brownfirstandforemost.I’ll
besuretoremindmyselfthat
I’mamanatalaterdate.For
now,canIpleasehavesome
supplies?’Lanryasked,
allowingsomeoffenceto
showinhisvoice.
Fultonwasstilllookingat
thefloorand,asidefromthe
oddfrownofdiscomfort,the
tavernerhadremainedsilent
andexpressionless.Pevain
hadnotpaidanyparticular
attentiontohimuptothis
pointbutnowhedirecteda
questioninglookatLanry.
‘Yourfriendlooks
nervous.Maybeheshouldbe
theonetorememberhe’sa
man.’Themercenarystepped
infrontofFulton.‘How
aboutit,littleman?Youwant
agirltofuck?’
LanrymovedFulton
gentlytothesideandtookhis
placeunderPevain’sglare.‘If
youcould…weareina
hurry,’hesaidpolitely.
‘Verywell.’The
mercenaryknightwas
irritated.‘You’reallbusiness,
youchurchtypes.Follow
me.’
Lanrybreathedalittle
easierasPevainwalkedtothe
sidedooranddownthestairs
beyond.Themarshal’soffice
wasastonestructureonthe
outsidebutinsidea
latticeworkofwooden
staircasesledtovariousgrain
silosandfoodwarehouses.In
timesofpeacethestorage
spaceswereusedforsalting
andsmokingmeatandfish,
andforstockpilinggoodsfor
theharshwintersofCanarn.
Whileundertheknights’
occupation,thewarehouses
werelargelyusedasameans
tocontrolthestarving
population.
LanryandFultonwalked
afterPevainanddescended
twoflightsofwoodenstairs
toatunnelbelow.Thisled
underthecobbledstreetsof
theportsideofRoCanarn
andwasoneofseveral
entrancestothegrainsilos.
Theyhadbeenbuilt
undergroundbyDuke
Hector’sfatherinorderto
protectagainsttheftandto
helppreservethegoods.
Formerly,thelordmarshal
hadbeenresponsiblefor
them,butovertheyears
Lanryhadbeeninthetown
they’dbeenusedlessand
less,asbusinessflourished
andthepeoplehadenjoyed
severalgoodharvests.
Attheendofthetunnel
morewoodenstaircasesled
backuptothestreets.Asmall
groupofmercenarieswas
hangingaround,watchingthe
warehouseswhiledrinking
themselvesinsensible.
‘Allright,boss,’saidone
ofthemercenariesbywayof
greetingtoPevain.
Theknightignoredhim
andmotionedforLanryto
ascendthenearestsetof
stairs.
‘Arewenotgoingtothe
warehouse?’theclericasked.
‘No,’repliedPevain.‘I
thoughtthatI’dhaveafewof
myladsprepareyoursupplies
aheadoftime.It’llstopyou
lookinglonginglyatthestuff
youcan’thave.’His
grotesquesmilereturnedand
Lanryfeltalittlesick.‘You
see,brother,’hesaid,placing
apatronizingarmroundthe
cleric’sshoulders,‘youneed
toknowyourplace.I’min
chargehereandthat’snot
goingtochange.Getit?’
Lanrydidn’tlookaway
fromPevainandsmiled
throughgrittedteeth.‘Andif
thesuppliesyourmenhave
preparedarenotenough?’
‘Thenpeoplemaygo
hungry.It’suptoyouto
makesureitgoesfarenough,
brother.Isn’tthatwhatyou
Brownfuckersareallabout?
Charityandthat?’
Pevainwasasignorantof
charityashewasofkindness
orhonour,andLanryagain
hadtoforcehimselfnottobe
rudetothemercenary.
Nottrustinghimselfto
engageinfurtherdialogue
withthebastard–aterm
Lanrywasbeginningtothink
increasinglyappropriate–the
Brownclericpulledhimself
upthesteepwoodenstaircase
andbackuptothestreet.
Fultonfollowedandthey
returnedtotheeveningairof
Canarn.Theywerejustoff
thedocksandunderneaththe
toweroftheWorldRaven.
Lanrylookedupwardsand
saidaquietprayertoBrytag,
theRanengodofluckand
wisdom,beforehewas
shovedoutofthewayby
Pevainastheknightcameout
ofthetunnelbehindthem.
Atthesideofthestreet,
flankedbythreemercenaries,
wereanumberofbarrelsand
afewsacks.Lanryestimated
thecontentswouldbebarely
enoughforfivehundred,let
alonethetwothousand
hungrypeoplewhowere
waitingforfood.
‘Pevain,isthisall?’Lanry
askedwithoutturninground.
‘Itis,’hereplied.‘And
youcanaddressmeassir
knight,cleric.’
‘Verywell.Thisisn’t
enoughtostopstarvationand
Ihumblyrequestmore…sir
knight.’Lanryknewhisduty
tothepeopleofCanarnmust
comebeforehispersonal
feelings.
‘Comebacktomorrow,
sametime,andI’llseeabout
aloafortwoextra,’Pevain
replied,andthethree
mercenariesnearbychuckled
tothemselves.
‘Fulton,gofetchthecart.
I’llwaithere,’Lanrysaidto
thetaverner.
Hisfriendleftquickly,and
Lanrythoughthe’dbe
happieroutofthepresenceof
themercenaryknight.
PevainletFultonwalk
awaytowardsthefrontofthe
marshal’sofficetoretrieve
thecartbeforehemovedto
standinfrontofBrother
Lanry.
‘Right,youlittleshit-stain,
nowwecantalkwithoutthe
commoncitizenrylistening,I
wanttomakeyouanoffer,’
hesaidconspiratorially.
‘Idon’tthinkI’dbe
interestedinyouroffer,sir
knight,’Lanryresponded,
withaslightbowofthehead.
‘Waittillyouhearit.’
Pevainwasgrinningbroadly
andhisbreathmadeLanry
feelnauseous.‘Itmightbea
wayforyoutomakethings
easierforyourself.Afterall,
there’snoreasonwhyyou
andIshouldn’tbefriends.’
‘Icanthinkofseveral,sir
knight,butnonethatIcareto
repeattoyourface.’
Lanrywasskirtinground
theedgesofbeingrude,but
hedidn’twanttopushhis
lucktoofar.Pevainwas
unstableand,givensufficient
motivation,Lanrywassure
he’dignoreRillion’sorder
andkilltheBrownclericas
soonashe’dkillanyoneelse.
‘You’renotanidiot,
cleric,’saidtheknight,
ignoringLanry’shalf-insult.
‘Andyoumustappreciate
thatI’minchargehereand
amgonnabeforawhileyet.
Sowhymakethingsdifficult
betweenus?Ifyouplaythis
right,IcanseeBrotherLanry
becomingarichmanifhe
makestherightfriends.’
Lanrysmiledagain,this
timewithhiseyeslockedon
Pevain’s.Theknightwasa
largeman,easilyafoottaller
thantheBrowncleric,but
Lanrydidn’tfeardeathand
theswordandarmour
matteredlittletohim.
‘Youarea…singular
man,withsingularskills,sir
knight.Ahumbleclericsuch
asmyselfdoesnotthinkof
richesorstation.Wepreferto
gainourrewardinthe
gratefulfacesofourflock.’
Inwardly,Lanrylikedtoplay
thepietycard,andhesawa
lookofconfusioncomeover
Pevain’sface,asifthe
mercenarysimplydidn’t
understandamantowhom
moneymeantnothing.
‘Theremustbesomething
youwant,cleric.Canthe
Browntakewomen?’he
asked,raisinghiseyebrowsin
asuggestivelyvulgar
expression.
‘Wecanmarry,yes,’
Lanryreplied.‘Butnotuntil
ourworkfortheOneis
completed,andIhavemuch
worklefttodo.’
Fultonappearedagainat
thecornerofthemarshal’s
office,pullingthecartbehind
him.Beforehecamewithin
earshot,Pevainsteppedcloser
toLanryandwhispered,‘All
right,cleric,Iunderstand.
JustknowthatHectorisdead,
BromvyisdeadandI’mall
you’vegotleft.You’dbetter
getusedtoit.’
‘Bromvy…?’queried
Lanry,whohadnotheardthat
Hector’ssonhadbeen
captured,letalonekilled.
‘Youknowthis?’
‘It’sonlyamatteroftime.
Purpleclericshavebeen
despatchedafterthelordling.
Evenwiththenastyfriends
he’sgot,he’sdonefor.’
Pevainshowednorespect
towardsthehouseofCanarn.
‘So,unlessLadyBronwyn
wantstorideintothecity,I’d
saythehouseofCanarnis
deadandgone,’headded
withasnarl.
‘We’llsee,sirknight,’
wasallLanrysaidbefore
turningtoloadthemeagre
suppliesontotheircart.
***
ThewalkbacktotheBrown
churchwasasombreone.
Thestreetsweredesertedand,
oncetheywereoutofsightof
themarshal’soffice,eerily
silentaswell.Fultonsaid
nothingandmerely
concentratedonpullingthe
heavycartovertheuneven
cobbles.Itwasalighterload
thanLanryhadsecuredon
previouseveningsandhe
genuinelydoubtedthepeople
ofCanarnwouldsurvive
muchlonger.Pevainhad
giventhemnonewhealing
suppliesandLanry’sskill
wouldonlygosofarin
helpingthosewhowere
malnourishedorinjured.It
wouldbeadifficultnight
and,theclericthought,it
wouldgetmuchworsebefore
itgotanybetter.
TheBrownchurchof
Canarnwasasmallbuilding
ontheedgeofthetown
square,previouslyajoyous
placeofmarketstallsand
colour.Now,itresembleda
crossbetweenabuilder’s
yardandabattleground,with
woodendebrisandthe
remnantsoffuneralpyres
spreadhaphazardlyacrossthe
cobbles.Thepensthathad
beenusedtoconfine
dissentingcitizenswerenow
empty,andthemajorityof
thepopulacehadreturnedto
theirhouses,steadfastly
refusingtogivethe
mercenariesanyexcusefor
furtherbrutality.Thosewho
hadlosttheirhomesduring
thebattleorintheweeksthat
followedwerestayinginthe
vaultsoftheBrownchurch,
whichhadformerlybeen
usedforstorageandwere
nowheavingwithdisplaced
commonfolk.
‘It’snotenough,’said
Fulton,breakingthesilence
astheyapproachedthe
churchdoors.‘There’retwo
pregnantwomen,dozensof
childrenandoldpeople,and
I’velostcountofhowmany
injuredorstarving.Wecan’t
liveonporridge,driedfruit
andwaterforever.’
‘Iknow,’wasLanry’s
simplereply.
TheBrownclericpaused
beforethedoortohischurch
andturnedtofaceFulton.He
putanarmroundthe
taverner’sshoulder.
‘Doyourememberwhen
LordBromvyhadthat
tournamentforhiseighteenth
birthday?’
Fulton’seyeswidened
slightly,asifheweretrying
torecall,andnoddedslowly
inresponse.
‘Greatfun,fromwhatI
remember,’suppliedLanry.
‘DukeHectorallowedanyone
totakepart.’Thecleric
smiled.‘Ievenhadagoat
duellingwithBrom.Ilost,
buthewasniceenoughnotto
crowaboutit.’
Fultonsmiledweaklyas
hebroughttomindtheevent
thathadtakenplacefive
yearsbefore.‘IthinkI
unhorsedHaakeinthejoust,’
hesaid.‘ThoughI’mpretty
suretheguardsmanletme
win.’
‘Doyourememberwhat
DukeHectorsaidashegave
outtheprizes?’Lanryasked.
Fultonshookhisheadand
Lanryplacedacomforting
armroundhisfriend’s
shoulder.Lookingoutacross
thedesertedcityofCanarn,
theBrownclericsaid,‘My
memorymaybefailingme,
butIthinkhesaid,“Brothers
andsisters,friendsand
family,westandtogetheras
peopleofCanarn,people
withanunbreakablespirit
andinexhaustiblewarmth.”’
Lanrywasparaphrasing,but
thewordshadstuckwithhim
andhehadrecalledthem
often,particularlyoverthe
pastmonth.
‘Spiritandwarmthneedto
befuelledbyfoodandwater,’
Fultonrepliedwithafriendly
smile.
‘Thatmaybetrue,but
let’skeeptheoldduke’s
wordsinmindaswetryto
makethisstuffstretch,shall
we?’Hekepthisarmround
Fulton’sshouldersandled
himtowardsthedoor.
Within,theBrownchurch
wasquiet,andbothmen
breathedasighofreliefasif
theyfeltsafeoncetheywere
withinitswalls.Thefacesof
menandwomenofCanarn
lookedupastheyenteredand
Lanrysawweaksmiles
acrossthefloorofthechurch.
Theseatshadbeensetaside
ormadeintomakeshiftbeds,
andtheweakestandmost
needyhadcalledthisplace
homeforseveralweeks.In
thevaultsbelowwerethose
whosimplyneededaplaceto
stay–men,womenand
childrenwhosehousesand
businesseshadbeenpillaged
anddestroyed.
Ablacksmithnamed
Carahanandhisheavily
pregnantwife,Jasmine,were
closestandLanrysaw
concernontheman’sfaceas
helookedatthemeagre
supplies.
‘Isthereanothercart
outside,brother?’Carahan
asked.
‘I’mafraidnot.Itseems
SirPevainisnotfeeling
especiallycharitablethis
evening,’Lanryreplied,
directingathinsmileat
Jasmine,whoshifted
uncomfortablyonherrickety
bed.
‘Anymorehealing
supplies?’askedthe
blacksmith.‘We’realmost
outofetterrootandthe
crampsaregettingworse.’
Lanryshookhisheadand
sawrealconcernon
Jasmine’sface.Etterrootwas
apainkillerwhichwasneither
expensivenordifficultto
find,butnowtheonly
apothecaryintownhadbeen
destroyedandPevain
controlledthesupply,ithad
becomeasrareasgold.
‘Imaybeabletofind
someupstairs,butit’llbethe
lastuntilthemercenarieslet
ushavemore.Unfortunately,
Istillhavewoundedwho
needitaswell.’
Lanryhatedhavingto
rationmedicine.Itwasthe
wayoftheBrownclericsto
wanttocareforallpeople,
andtohavetodecidewho
wasthemoredeservingof
painreliefwasoneofLanry’s
mostunpleasant
responsibilities.
‘Fulton,’hesaidtothe
taverner,‘Carahanwillhelp
youdistributewhatwehave.
Givetotheneediestfirst,then
thosewhohadnothing
yesterday.Ifthere’sanything
left,rationitasusual.The
samewiththewater.’
Fultonnoddedand
motionedfortheblacksmith
toassisthim.BrotherLanry
walkedpastthemenand
approachedthestairsleading
uptohispersonalchamber.
Hegreetedpeoplewhostood
eagerlyawaitingarationof
grainandsomethingtodrink.
Attheendofthenave,the
tubsforcollectingwaterhad
beenboughtdownfromthe
roofandhesawthesupplyof
rainwaterwaspitifullylow.
‘Icanprayforsalvationor
Icanprayforrain,’hesaidto
himself,ashebegantowalk
upthewoodenstairs.‘I
wonderwhichismorelikely
toyieldresults.’
Atthetopofthestairshe
openedthesimpleoakdoor
thatledtohischamber.Ithad
fewcomforts–allofhislinen
andclothinghadalreadybeen
distributedamongsttheneedy
–butthesmallroomwasstill
amuch-neededrefugefrom
thedespairallaroundhim.
BrotherLanry,Brown
clericoftheOneGod,sat
downheavilyinhisold
rockingchairandloosened
theneck-fasteningsofhis
robe.Onasmalltablebyhis
rightarmwereanoillantern
andhisclaypipe.Allowing
himselfamomentofcalm,
Lanryloadedthepipewith
sweet-smellingtobaccoand
touchedamatchtothebowl.
Herockedbackonhischair
andturnedtolookoutofthe
shutteredwindow.Seeingthe
dark,ghostlytownbeyond,
heinhaleddeeplyandtriedto
thinkhowtokeepthe
people’sspiritsup.The
weekssincethebattlehad
passedslowly.Lanrythought
thepeopleofCanarnhad
enduredmorethantheirfair
shareofhardshipsatthe
handsof,first,theknightsof
theRed,andnowthehateful
mercenariesofSirHallam
Pevain.
Ashemusedonthe
situationandpuffedonhis
pipe,Lanrysensedsomeone
behindhimandbegantoturn
round.Hewasstoppedbya
handonhisshoulderandan
armroundhisneck.Thegrip
wasnottightorconstricting
andwasmostlydesignedto
stoptheclericfromturning
round.
‘Whoeveryouare,you
sneakedinherewithout
makinganysound.Thatisto
becommended,’Lanrysaid.
‘Ihavelittleofvaluetosteal,
I’mafraid,soifburglaryis
yourintention,mayI
recommendthelord
marshal’soffice.Anythingof
worthleftinthetownis
probablytheresomewhere.’
Heignoredtherestraining
armandmovedhispipeback
uptohismouth.
‘Youshouldlockyour
window,Lanry,’saida
familiarvoice,atwhichthe
clericswiftlyremovedthe
armandspunroundinhis
chair.
‘MyLordBromvy!’Lanry
exclaimedwithemotionin
hisoldface.‘Itis…beyond
words.’Theclericabandoned
anysenseofproprietyand
flunghisarmsextravagantly
roundtheyounglord.
‘Easy,brother,’said
Brom.‘YoulookthinandI
wouldn’twantyoutohurt
yourself.’
Lanrylookeddownathis
shrinkingwaistline.‘Yes,I
havebeenonanenforceddiet
foramonth,’hesaidwitha
smile.
LordBromvyofCanarn
lookeddifferent–tallerand
moregrizzledthanthelast
timeLanryhadseenhim,
withahardlookinhiseyes
andafewnewscarsonhis
face.Hisarmourwasof
leather,withhardened
woodenstrutsofastrange
design.Lanrygrinned
broadlyashesawthecastof
BrytagtheWorldRavenon
thehiltofBrom’ssword–an
insigniaofthehouseof
Canarnthathadbeen
presentedtohimbyDuke
Hectoronhissixteenth
birthday.Itwasstrangetosee
theyounglordagain,and
strangerstillthatBromhad
managedtokeepholdofhis
longsword–aweaponnoble
inappearanceanddangerous
foraBlackGuardtocarry.
‘Didyoureturnwithan
army?’Lanryasked,onlyhalf
joking.
‘No,butI’mhere,’said
anothervoicefromashadow
inthecorneroftheroom.
‘Who…?’beganthe
cleric,beforeaswarthyKirin
mansteppedintothelight.
Hewasshorterandthinner
thanBrom,withlankblack
hairhangingtohisshoulders.
Hecarriedalongbowacross
hisbackandathin-bladed
katanaathisside.The
strangestthingaboutthe
Kirinwasthebroadgrin
splashedacrosshisface.
‘RhamJasRami.Pleased
tomeetyou,BrotherLanry,’
saidtheKirin,extendinghis
hand.‘I’dintroduceyouto
ourotherfriends,buttheyare
alittleshy,sothey’rewaiting
inthecity.’
Lanrywasperplexedat
thenotoriousKirinassassin
accompanyingLordBromvy,
butheshookhishand
nonetheless.Anyalliesare
goodallies,thoughtthe
cleric.
‘Doyourfriendsnumber
inthehundreds?’heasked.
‘Forty…notincludingus
two,’saidBrom,‘butwe
haveaplan.’
CHAPTER10
HALLASUMMER
WOLFINTHE
REALMOF
WRAITH
Thesnowhaddisappeared
swiftlyastheymovedinland
andheadedsouth-eastfrom
thefrozencoastline,
progressingslowlyandwith
increasingcautionasthedays
wenton.Hallahadinsisted
thathergroupofbeleaguered
Fjorlandersholdadefensive
positionclosetotheseafor
nolessthanaweekinorder
toallowwounds,bothmental
andphysical,tohealasbest
theycould,andnow,afurther
weekintotheirunplanned
expedition,theywere
approachingtheGrassSeaof
WraithCompany.
Twohundredandfive
menofFjorlanwereallthat
hadbeenaccountedfor.A
furthertwentyhadnotleftthe
beachandsixhadneeded
assistancetocomethisfar.
MostoftheRanenhadtaken
offtheirarmourandstowedit
incartstheyhad
manufacturedoutofthe
wreckageoftheships.They
hadnooilormetalworking
equipmenttocarefortheir
chainmailandbreastplates,
andHallahadorderedittobe
preservedincaseofneed.
Theycarriedtheirweapons,
thoughoverthelastweek
mosthadbeenusedas
walkingsticksorforhunting,
andthefewwhetstonesthat
remainedhadbeenpassed
aroundtokeeptheirblades
sharp.
Huntinggameonthelow
grassyplainswasachallenge,
andwithnohuntingbowsor
netsthepartyhadbeen
relyingonstationarytargets
likeGorlannestsandedible
mushrooms.Wulfrickhad
managedtosneakupona
deerandfellitwithawellaimedthrowofhisaxe,but
themeathadbeentoughand
hadnotlastedlongwhen
dividedamongsolargea
group.Halla’smen,asshe
hadbeguntothinkofthem,
hadnotcomplainedabout
theiremptybellies,andeach
haddonehisbitduringtheir
forcedmarchinland.
RexelFallingCloudwas
stilllimpingbutheactedas
aninvaluablelieutenantto
Hallaandshewasgratefulto
havesomeoneelsedothe
shouting.OleffHardHead,
thechain-masterof
Fredericksand,haddisplayed
anunlikelytalentforsinging
duringtheirjourneyandhad
donehisbittokeeptheir
spiritsup.Hissongswere
usuallyvulgar,butamusing,
andhehadmadethemen
laughatthemost
inappropriatetimes.Even
Wulfrickhadbeencaughtin
themidstofaraucousbelly
laughatoneofOleff’ssongs
–oneofthefewmoments
whenhe’dnotbeenbrooding
overthelossofhisthain.
‘WeshouldsightRoHail
tomorrow,mylady,’said
FallingCloud,astheysettled
downforthenightamongthe
rockyprotrusionsattheedge
oftheGrassSea.
‘Havethemendonarmour
inthemorning,Idon’twant
anysurprises,’repliedHalla,
inthecommandingvoice
she’dadoptedsincetaking
chargetwoweeksbefore.
Therocksrosefromthe
grassinirregularpinnacles
andprovidedoneofthebetter
restspotsoftheirjourney.
Theywereoutofthewind
and,withswiftlyarranged
canvas,outoftherainthat
frequentlysweptthisland.It
waswarmerthanTiergarten
andtherewasnosnow,but
withoutcold-weatherclothing
themenwerefeelingthe
bitingbreeze.
Wulfrickcametojoin
HallaandFallingCloud,
plonkinghisenormousframe
downonthegrassnextto
theirsmallcookingfire.
‘Doweactuallyhave
anythingtocookonthat?’he
asked,pointingtothelow
flames.
Hallashookherhead.‘No,
we’reoutofGorlanpartsand
there’sbeennosignofgame
foracoupleofdays.You’d
knowthatifyouhadn’tbeen
offsulking.’Shewasn’tbeing
mean,butwasbecoming
increasinglyannoyedwith
Wulfrick’smood.
‘Sulking?Cheekybitch,’
hesaidwithamockhurt
expression.
‘MyLordWulfrick,’
interjectedFallingCloud,‘I
mustcautionagainstspeaking
tomybattle-mistressinthat
manneragain.’Hewas
smiling,butthesentiment
wasappreciatedbyHalla.
‘Okay,soImayhavebeen
alittle…outofsorts,’
Wulfrickconceded.‘Still
alive,though.’Theaxe-
masterhadusedthisphrase
severaltimessincethe
shipwreckandseemedtotake
comfortinthesimplefactof
hiscontinuedexistence.‘I’ll
bebetterwhenIgetbackto
Fredericksandandhavea
littlechatwithRulagUrsa.’
‘That’salongwaynorth,
brother,’saidFallingCloud,
whooftenprovidedthelevel
headamongtheboisterous
axe-men.
‘Indeed,butthat’swhereI
needtobe.Alahanneedsme,
ashisfatherdid,andI’mstill
pledgedtoFredericksandand
thefamilyofTeardrop.’
Hetookcomfortinhis
honour,andHallafoundthat
easiertodealwiththanhis
earliercomplainingabout
howhehadgotAlgenon
killed.
‘I’mquiteeagertosee
whoelsegotawayaswell.A
shiportwoofmentally
unbalancedberserkerswould
beratherhandywhenIcall
outthetraitorousbastard.’He
hunghisheadforamoment.
‘AndIneedtotellAlahan
andIngridthattheirfather
hasfallen.’
‘Later,Wulfrick,’said
Halla.‘Canwenothavea
singledaypasswithout
musingontheunfairnessof
oursituation?Wehave
pressingissuesofsurvivalto
consider.Foodisgettingthin
onthegroundandifwedon’t
reachRoHailsoon,menare
goingtobetooweaktomake
itthroughtheDeepCross.’
Themountainpassesthat
ledfromthesouthlandofthe
FreeCompaniestothenorth
landofFjorlanwereanatural
defensivelineandduringthe
coldermonthstheywere
impossibletotraverse.Halla
knewthatiftheydidn’treach
thelowlandsoftheDeep
Crosswithinamonth,with
thestrengthrequiredto
weatherthehighpasses,
they’dbetrappedbysnow
andwoulddieunremarked
deaths.
‘Findatrollandfollow
him,’FallingCloudsaidwith
asmile.‘Ifyoucanstandthe
smell…’
‘Haveyouevermetatroll
withasenseofdirection,
Rexel?’askedWulfrickwith
agrin.‘I’veseenoneofthe
bigidiotsdiveoffacliffin
pursuitofabird.’
Thiscausedarippleof
laughteramongthemen
withinearshotandHallawas
againimpressedattheir
abilitytolaughinthefaceof
adversity.
‘I’veneveractuallymet
one,’interjectedHalla.‘I’ve
seenthemfromadistance,
butnevercloseup.’
‘You’renotmissing
much,’saidFallingCloud.
‘InHammerfall,welose
settlementstothethings
everysooften.’
‘Trollbells,’supplied
Wulfrickunhelpfully.‘At
leastyou’llbeabletohear
themcoming.’
‘Youneedtoshootthe
bellintothemfirstandwe’re
abitshortofballistaethatcan
piercetheirhides.
Hammerfallisnot
Fredericksand,remember.’
Hallahadbeentoldbyher
motherofthetroll-wranglers,
whowouldenterthehigh
passeswithheavy,winchoperatedballistaedesignedto
attachlargebronzebellsto
thetrolls.Theoversized
arrowsdidn’tkillthe
creatures,buttheyweretoo
dim-wittedtorealizewhatthe
ringingsoundwas,and
storiesexistedoftrolls
remainingaliveforcenturies
withballistaarrowsstuckin
theirdensebodies.
‘That’sanobscure
strategy,’Wulfrickmused
cryptically.
‘Whatis?’askedHalla.
‘Well,ifyoucould
shepherdabunchoftrolls
south,wecouldunleashthem
attheRo.’Thelaughter
causedbythiscommentwas
loudandechoing,sendinga
good-humouredrippleacross
thecamp.‘Ibetthey’denjoy
eatingsteelplatearmour.’
‘Wouldn’tthescrawny
southernbastardsgetstuckin
theirteeth?’FallingCloud
joked.‘Atrollwith
indigestion…notapretty
sight,I’dbet.’
Thelaughtercontinued
wellintotwilightandHalla
foundherselfenjoyingthe
companyofthesemen.
They’dalllosttheirfamily
andfriendstothetraitorous
lordofJarvikortothe
Krakens,butdespitetheir
circumstancesthemenof
Fjorlanwereupbeatandglad
simplytobealive.Wulfrick
wasjustaboutrecognizable
onceagainastheboisterous
axe-masterhe’dbeenbefore,
andHallathoughthimmore
focusedanddriventhanhe
hadbeenaweekago.The
lossofhisthainwasstilla
topicofconversation,but
he’dceasedtobeoffended
whenHallatoldhimtoshut
up,andnowsheregardedhim
asavaluableallyratherthan
abroodingdeadweight.If
theyweretoreturnhomeand
bringRulagUrsatojustice,
thegroupwouldneedtheir
mostfearsomewarrior–and
noonedeniedthatWulfrick
hadatotemicqualitywithhis
axeinhand.
Shehadalsolearnedfrom
Oleffthereasonwhy
Wulfrickhadnofamilyname
–ananomalyamongthe
Fjorlanders,whowere
traditionallyveryconcerned
withtheirfamilyheritage.
Hallawasproudtobea
SummerWolf,justasRexel
wasproudtobeaFalling
Cloud.Wulfrick,however,
wasonlyevercalledbyhis
firstnameandHallahadbeen
toldnottoaskthereasonfor
this.Thestory,apparently,
wasthatWulfrickthe
Enraged,sonofLarsthe
Enraged,hadbeendestined
forgreatnessuntilhisfather
hadledafailedcoupagainst
RagnarTeardropandhad
beenexecuted.Wulfrickhad
beenspared,buthehadhad
topledgehislifetoservethe
familyofTeardrop.He’d
givenuphisfather’snameas
awayofwipingawaythe
dishonour.InHalla’s
estimation,thisalso
explainedhisfanaticism
aboutservingAlgenonand
hischildren,andtheextentof
hisindignationatRulag’s
treachery.
Shelookedacrossthefire
atthedark,beardedfaceof
theaxe-masterandfound
herselfvaluinghispresence.
Atthebackofhermindwasa
half-whisperedcomment
she’dheardjustaftertheyhad
leftthebeach.Ayoungman
fromHammerfallhadsaidto
acompanion,‘We’llbeokay,
Wulfrickisstillwithus.’
Hallaknewthatthis
sentimentwassharedby
othersandsheknewthather
groupwouldbemuchless
intimidatingwithoutthehuge
axe-man.
‘It’llbewarmer
tomorrow,’FallingCloud
saidabsentlyafterthe
laughterhaddieddownand
nighthadbeguntofall.
‘Hopefully,WraithCompany
canlayonaheartymealfor
us.Ithinkmybellymaystop
talkingtomeifIdon’tgiveit
somemeatsoon.’
Hallasmiledandrealized
thatshetoowasstarving.
‘Whatdowehaveleft?’
‘Notmuch,’hereplied.‘A
fewsacksofnettlesand
mushrooms,nothingtoo
nutritious.We’reokayfor
rainwater,butmenneedfood
aswellasdrink…women
too.Youallright?’
Shewasalittlesurprised
attheshowofconcernand
realizedhersexhadnotbeen
anissuesincetheshipwreck.
She’djustbeenoneofthe
men–infact,she’dbeenin
chargeofthemen,andifany
doubtedherabilities,they’d
keptitquiet.
‘I’masfineasyou…but
thankyoufortheconcern,’
shesaid,scratchingbehind
hereyepatch.Hallahadfound
hermissingeyegrowmore
andmoreitchyoverthepast
fewdaysandshewonderedif
itwasanervousticboughton
bytheunexpectedcommand.
Justastheywere
beginningtosettledown
againsttherocks,adistant
soundwasheardacrossthe
camp.Itwasfaraway,butit
waslikethenoiseofan
impact,perhapsalandslideor
stonestrikingstone.
FaceslookedupfromlowburningcampfiresandHalla
perceivedquestioninglooks
onthefacesofhermen.No
onesaidanythingatfirstand
theyalllistenedasanother
soundwasheardinthe
distance.Awhistlefollowed
byadullimpact.Itwasn’ta
loudnoise,butitcarried
acrossthestillnightairofthe
GrassSea.
‘Where’sOleff?’Halla
askedFallingCloud.
‘Hetookahandfulofmen
tohigherground,scoutingfor
tomorrow.’Hepointedtoa
juttingrockypromontory,just
visibleinthedistance.‘He
leftafewhoursago.High
placesarerarearoundhere
andIthinkhewantedto
makesurethereweren’tany
surprises.’
Hallaconsideredand
quicklydecidedtogoand
investigate.‘FallingCloud,
stayhere.Wulfrick,come
withme.Let’sgoandfind
outwhatwecansee.’
Neitherofthemenargued
andWulfrickswiftlypicked
uphisaxeandaccompanied
herthroughtherocky
pinnacles.Theypassedsmall
campfiresandgroupsof
Ranenshakenfromtheir
dozingbythesamedistant
sound.
‘Easy,lads,’Wulfricksaid
quietly,astheypasseda
grouppreparingtoputon
theirarmour.‘Noalarmsjust
yet.’
Hallareceivedrespectful
nodsofacknowledgementas
theymadetheirwaythrough
thecampandoutontothe
plainbeyond.The
promontorywasstilla
distanceawayandHalla
brokeintoagentlerunto
coverthegroundquickly.
Darknesshadnow
descendedandtheGrassSea
wasmist-shroudedand
sinister-looking,dewyand
wetunderfoot,withlittlein
thewayoflandmarkssavefor
thejuttingrocksaheadof
them.
‘FallingCloudthinks
we’llsightRoHail
tomorrow,’Hallasaidto
Wulfrickastheyjogged
acrosstheplain.‘I’venever
beenthere.’
‘Iwentoncelongago.It
waslittlemorethanaruin,
fromwhatIremember.The
menofWraithlivedin
tunnelsbeneaththecityand
didn’tbotheraboutrepairing
theplace,’Wulfrick
responded,asheheftedhis
axeacrosshisshouldersto
runwithgreaterease.
‘They’llbesurprisedtosee
us,though.’
‘Aslongasthey’renottoo
surprisedtoofferusfood.’
Hallaknewthemenwere
countingonWraithCompany
tosupplythemwith
provisionsandrest,andshe
prayedtheirhopewasnot
misplaced.
Astheynearedtherocks,
Hallacouldseeasmallfigure
climbingdownandmoving
towardsthem.Hewas
makinglittleefforttobe
stealthyandwasrunningwith
adegreeofurgency.She
turnedtoWulfrickandsaw
hiseyesnarrowwithinterest
asthefigureapproached.
‘LadySummerWolf,’the
Ranenmansaid,clearlya
littleagitated.‘Oleffsentme
togetyou.’
‘Well,you’vegotme.
What’sthenoise?’sheasked.
‘You’dbettercomeand
see.Followme.’Hequickly
spunroundandranbackto
therocks.
‘Shouldwebe
concerned?’Wulfrickasked
astheyspedup.
‘Justfollowme,’theman
repeated.
Atthefootofthe
promontory,Hallalookedup
andsawjaggedrocksrunning
inalineacrossherfieldof
vision.Thereweresmall,
irregulartreessproutingalong
thetop,providingcoverfor
Oleff’sscouts,andnumerous
littlecranniesthatmade
climbingrelativelysimple.
Shegotafirmhandhold
andpulledherselfup.Itwasa
shortclimbandbythetime
they’dreachedthetopshe
couldtellwhyOleffhad
chosenthisforascouting
point.Itwasthehighest
groundanywherewithin
sight,andshecouldseethe
vastplainsoftherealmof
Wraithstretchingoutonall
sides.
Crouchingdown,she
movedslowlythroughthe
trees,awareofthehuge
figureofWulfrickbehindher.
Hewasfindingitmore
difficulttohaulhismassive
bodythroughthetreesand
shecouldhearwhispered
swearwordsashecaught
himselfonsomethorns.
‘Halla,isthatyou?’asked
avoicefromalittleway
throughthetrees.
‘Oleff…’sherepliedby
wayofgreeting,asshejoined
thechain-masterbehinda
rockyprotrusionfacing
south-east.
Wulfrickcametocrouch
nexttoherandtheyboth
lookedwithastonishmentat
thesourceofthenoisethat
hadarousedthem.
AcrosstheGrassSea,a
fewhundredpacesdistant,
wasamassofcampfires.
Tentsandfortificationsfor
severalthousandmenhad
beensetupontheplainsand
Hallagaspedasshesawthe
flutteringbanneroftheRed
knightsofRoflying
overhead.Therewereother
bannersshedidn’trecognize,
andsiegeequipmentwas
visibleatthefrontofthe
camp.Holdingherbreath,
Hallasurveyedthescene
beforeher.Thelowwalled
shapeofacitywasjust
visibleinthedistanceandthe
encirclingarmyhadbegunto
hurlhugerocksagainstthe
walls,whichmadea
whistlingsoundastheysped
throughtheairandadull
thudastheystruckstone.
‘Rowanocosaveus,’
whisperedWulfrick.‘That’s
RoHail.’
ThecityofWraith
Companywasundersiegeby
anarmyofknightsofthe
Red,itswallsbatteredby
hugebouldersandits
defendersnowheretobeseen.
Thecampwasvastbut
wasnowlargelydesertedas
themajorityofthetroopshad
beencommittedtoencircling
thetown.Hallahadnever
seensomanyknightsinone
place,andasshelookedover
thewidecirclesetbackfrom
RoHail,sheturnedtoOleff
andaskedinawhisper,‘How
manyarethere?’
‘Fivethousand,bymy
reckoning.Mostlyknights,
buttherearePurpleclerics
andadetachmentofking’s
guardaswell,’heanswered,
withouttakinghiseyesfrom
thesiege.
‘King’sguard?’
questionedWulfrick.‘What
aretheydoinghere?’
Oleffpointedtotheother
bannersflyingoverthecamp.
‘Youseethewhitebirdon
thatflag?That’sthebannerof
KingSebastianTiris.’
Halladirectedheroneeye
backtowardsthecampand
couldseeonlyaveryfew
armouredmenaroundseveral
largepaviliontents.Wulfrick
wasdirectinghisgazeatthe
king’sheraldryandalookof
angerhadcomeoverhisface.
‘ThekingofTorFunweir
hasmarchedintotheGrass
Sea?’heaskedthrough
grittedteeth.‘Suchathing
hasnothappenedfortwo
hundredyears.’
AllFjorlandersshareda
commonknowledgeofthe
agestheirsouthernbrethren
hadspentundertheyokeof
Rooccupationandallwere
deeplyoffendedbythenotion
thatitmighthappenagain.
Wulfrickwasclenchinghis
fistsandHallaevensawhim
reachforthecomfortinggrip
ofhisaxe.ThehugeaxemasterofFredericksand
inchedforwardandcraned
hisnecktoseebetter.
‘TheWraithmenare
trapped…theseRobastards
willstarvethemout,bombard
themtilltheycan’tholdthe
wallsandthenslowlysweep
itclear.’Hewasclearly
itchingtogetinvolved.‘Ro
battletacticsrelyonnumbers,
andcowardicewillseeyou
through…WraithCompany
willfallwithouthavinghada
chancetofight.’
OleffandWulfrick
embarkedonalengthytirade
againstthedishonourable
tacticsoftheRo,making
eachothermoreandmore
angryattheirown
helplessness.
Hallatunedouttheir
whispersasanideabeganto
form.Sheturnedawayfrom
thetownandtriedtofocuson
thecampbelowthem.Few
fireswerevisible,except
aroundthepavilions,andshe
guessedthattheknights
surroundingRoHailwould
campintheircurrent
positions,maintainingthe
siegeforaslongasnecessary.
Anoccasionalsuitofgolden
armourwasvisible,glinting
inthemoonlightthroughthe
tents,asshetriedtoassessthe
numbersremaininginthe
camp.Judgingbythefew
firesandtheceremoniallook
ofthegold-armoured
guardsmen,Hallathought
thatonlytheking’spersonal
guardwasleft–nomorethan
threehundredmen,maybe
fewer.Ofmostinterest,
however,weretheadditional
ballistaeandcatapultsthat
stoodunusedattheedgesof
thecamp.Theyhadnocrews
butatleastonelookedasifit
wereloadedandreadytofire.
Itlookedasiftheartillery
beingusedagainstthetown
comprisedmostlyshort-range
enginesdesignedtobreach
defences,whilethelarger
contraptionsleftatthecamp
weretallerandcouldhurl
rocksmuchfurther.
‘Ihaveanidea,’shesaid
quietly,causingthetwomen
tostoptalkingandturntoher.
‘Wulfrick,returntothe
pinnaclesandmusterthe
men.Armsandlightarmour
only,weneedtobestealthy.’
Helookedconfused.
‘Halla,I’mallforfacing
overwhelmingodds,but
attackingthoseknightsis
suicide.’
‘Idon’tthinkweshould
attackthoseknights,’she
responded,pointingatthe
city.‘Ithinkweshouldattack
thoseknights.’Shethen
pointedwithagrinatthe
king’scamp.‘Thekingwon’t
actuallybeinvolvedinthe
siege,no?’
Oleffshookhishead.‘I
imaginehe’llbesippingwine
infrontofhistentandbeing
toldhowcleverheisbythe
Purpleclerics.’
‘Andwecouldendthis
siegeswiftlyifwewereto
capturehim,yes?’sheasked
withatoneofauthorityinher
voice.
Thetwomenrealized
whatsheplannedand
Wulfrickbithisliptostop
himselferuptingintoa
viciouslaugh.
‘AlephSummerWolfis
aliveandwellandtalkingto
usthroughhisdaughter,’he
saidwithabroadsmile.
‘No,he’sdeadandthe
voiceyouhearisHalla
SummerWolf,axe-maidenof
Rowanocoandladyof
Tiergarten,’sheresponded
withpride.
Wulfricksmiled.‘Yes,my
lady.’
Oleffpeeredacrossthe
darkplaintowardsthecamp,
assessingtheirstrength.‘If
wemovearoundtheserocks
andcomeatthemdirectly
east,we’llbemaskedby
darkness,mistandthose
boulders.Ifwekeepquiet,
theywon’tknowwhat’shit
them.’HeturnedtoHalla.
‘I’mimpressed,mylady.The
camp’sjustfarenoughfrom
thesiegethatit’sdoubtfulthe
bodyofknightswillnoticeus
killingtheirmen.’
‘Waituntilyouhearthe
planforthosecatapultsthe
knightshavesocarelesslyleft
unmanned.’Hallahad
countedtencatapultsandfive
ballistae,enoughtocausereal
damagetothebesieging
knights.‘Oleff,you’lltake
twentymentotheartillery
and,oncewehavetheking,
you’llannounceourpresence
tothearmy.Thintheirranks
asmuchasyoucanbefore
fallingbacktoourposition.’
Thiselicitedamenacing
chucklefromallthreeof
them,andHallawasgratified
thattheydidn’tquestionher
ordersortrytousurpthe
commandnowthatbattlewas
planned.
‘Andifthekingisn’t
cooperative,I’llstartcutting
offfingerstillheis,’said
Wulfrick,clutchinghisaxe
menacingly.
Halladirectedahardlook
atWulfrick.‘Igaveyou
orders,axe-master…whatare
youstilldoinghere?’The
hardlookturnedintoasmile
asWulfrickbangedhisfiston
hischestinsaluteandbacked
away.‘Bringthemtothebase
oftherocks…remember,no
heavyarmour,weneedtobe
quietuntilthelastpossible
moment.’
Hallakeptawatchfuleye
onthescenebeforeher,
tryingnottothinkaboutall
thethingsthatcouldgo
wrongwithherplan.If
capturingthekingallowed
thepeopleofWraith
Companytoescapeeastto
theotherFreeCompanies,
she’dstillhavetheissueof
wheretotakeherownmen.
Hallahadnodoubtthatthe
kingofTorFunweirwould
placehisownsurvivalbefore
thatofhisknights,butshe
suspectedthey’dhavetokeep
himhostageforlongenough
tosecuretheescapeofallthe
Ranen.Ultimately,the
Fjorlandersneededtohead
northtotheDeepCrossand
tobepursuedbyfive
thousandRowouldnotmake
thejourneyapleasantone.
Thealternativewastogive
themonarchtoWraith
Companyastheymovedeast,
practicallyensuringthatthe
Rowouldfollowinthat
direction.Thesimple
conclusionwasthat,
whereverthehostagewas
taken,thearmyofRed
knightswouldsurelyfollow.
‘Oleff,howfartothe
DeepCrossfromhere?’she
asked,assessingheroptions.
‘Maybethreeweeks…if
wereallymoved.South
Wardeniscloser,butifwe
don’tgetnorthofthepasses
soon,winterwillarriveand
we’llbestuck,’heresponded.
‘Andthesafestplacefor
WraithCompanyisSouth
Warden,yes?’Hallaknew
thatthecombinedmightof
theFreeCompanieswouldbe
enoughtoengagethearmyof
knights,buttheywerespread
thinlyalloverthesouthern
Freelandsandrarelymassed
asasingleforce.
‘I’dsayso,yes.It’sa
fortress–highwalls,
catapults,everythinga
defendingforcecouldneed.
Notenoughmentofacethat
lotdirectly,butthey’dhave
moremenandabetterchance
thandefendingRoHail.’
Oleffwasoriginallyfrom
RanenGar,thegreatsouthern
strongholdofGreywood
Company,andheknewthe
Freelandsbetterthanmost
Fjorlanders.
‘Okay,sowedemandthe
kingliftsthesiegeandallows
thepeopleofWraithtogetto
SouthWardenasquicklyas
possible.Oncethey’reoutof
sight,wegonorthwiththe
hostage.’
Itwasaboldplanand
reliedheavilyontheknights
notbeingwillingtoriskthe
lifeoftheirking,butthese
menwereRotowhom
proprietyandstatusmeant
everything.Hallawas
preparedtogambleonthe
king’slifebeingmore
importantthantheneedtokill
Ranen.
‘They’llfollowus,you
know?’hecautioned.
‘Good.It’llgivetheFree
Companiestimetomuster.’
Shetriedtosoundas
confidentaspossible.
‘Andwhatdowedowith
thekingoncewereachthe
DeepCross?’heasked,
echoingHalla’sown
thoughts.
Shewasn’tsurehowto
answerandhadtoadmitto
herselfthatthispartofthe
planwas,asyet,unformed.
Shetriedtolookconfidentas
shereplied,‘Maybewe’ll
releasehimintrollcountry
andlettheknightsbangtheir
headsagainstthemountains
forafewweeks.’
Olefflaughedquietlyand,
afteramoment’sthought,
said,‘I’mgladyou’rein
charge,LadySummerWolf.
You’regoingtosavealotof
Ranenlives.’
Itwasacomplimentthat
madeHallaglowwithpride,
thoughshesuppressedthe
urgetogrinbroadlyand
merelynoddedformallyat
thechain-masterof
Fredericksand.
***
Ittooklessthanhalfanhour
toassemblethemenof
Fjorlanatthebaseofthe
rockyoutcropandHallahad
watchedeverymanarriveto
ensurethatnonewere
wearingheavymetalarmour.
Wulfrickhadmadeherorders
clearandmostoftheaxe-men
woreonlytoughenedleather
breastplatesornoarmourat
all–eventheaxe-master
himselfhaddiscardedhis
heavytroll-hidearmour.They
alllookedleanandhungryfor
combat–heftingaxes,
grittingtheirteeth,flexing
theirmuscles.Thepeopleof
Fjorlanwerewarriorsfrom
theirfirststepsandHalla
thoughthercompanylooked
asintimidatingasanyarmy.
‘Silencefromthispoint
on,’shesaidunderherbreath.
‘Wehaveafewhundred
pacesofopengroundtocover
beforewegettothecamp.
Oleff,takeyourmentothe
rearandsecuretheartillery.
FallingCloud,you’reonthe
northsidetoguardagainstthe
knightsreturning–signalif
theygetwindofwhatwe’re
doing.Everyoneelse,you’re
withme.Wekilleveryoneas
quicklyandquietlyas
possibleandsecuretheking.’
Awaveofexcited
anticipationflowedoverthe
waitingwarriors;severalof
themwerefightingtheurge
toroaroutachallenge.With
awaveofherhand,sheand
Wulfrickmovedtothefront
andbegantomovealongthe
baseoftherocks.Hallawas
impressedathowquietlythe
warriorsproceededandshe
hadtoturnbackandcallfor
silenceonlyoncebeforethey
reachedopenground.
Crouchingattheedgeof
therocks,shecouldjustmake
outthecampthroughthe
mistydarkness.Thesiegeof
RoHailwasproceedingto
thenorthandcouldmostlybe
observedasaseriesof
campfiresandtheoccasional
boulderlaunchedthroughthe
air.Atgroundlevel,shewas
nowevenmorecertainthat
they’dremainunseenasthey
assaultedthecampand,
wavingtohermentofollow,
shebrokeintoadeadrun.
Theyfannedoutacrossthe
dew-coveredgrassand,with
abrightmoonoverheadand
weaponsattheready,the
Fjorlandersspedtowardsthe
unsuspectingcamp.Wulfrick
heldhistwo-handedaxe
bracedacrosshisshoulders.
Hallafeltbetterforhaving
himatherside;theshudder
ofanticipationwasvisiblein
hishugebodyasheran.
Hallafeltnobloodlustas
sheapproachedthecamp,but
ratherasolemnsenseof
responsibilitytowardsher
menandanimpatiencetosee
theirbloodyworkbegin.The
king’sguardsmenwouldbe
toughopponents,butifthey
werecaughtunawaresshe
knewthemenofFjorlan
wouldbemorethanamatch
forthem.
Thelineofdesertedtents
appearedjustinfrontofthem
andHallascannedherfieldof
vision,lookingforsentries.
Shecouldseenoneandhoped
thearroganceofroyalty
meantthekinghadlefthis
perimeterunguarded.
Slowingdown,shesignalled
behindhertoFallingCloud,
whobrokeoffwithtwenty
mentocircletowardsthe
northtocoverthem.Another
signalandOleffheaded
towardstheunmanned
catapultsandballistae.The
menofFjorlanmovedwith
purposeandHallacouldsee
convictionontheirfacesas
theyfollowedhercommands,
withoutquestion.
‘There,’saidWulfrick,
pointingtoaguardjust
visibleattheedgeofthe
emptytents.‘Silence,’he
signalledtothemenbehind
him.
Theystoppedand
Wulfrickpassedhisaxeto
Hallabeforedrawingaheavy
daggerfromhisbelt.Moving
aslowtothegroundashe
could,Wulfrickbrokeoff
fromtheothersandsneaked
upbehindthenearesttent.
Wulfrickmovedstealthily
betweenthedarktentsand
emergedbehindthesingle
sentry.Withahugehand
placedoverhismouth,he
easedthedaggerintothe
guardsman’sneckandcuthis
windpipe,holdingthebody
tightlyasthelifeebbedfrom
themanofRo’seyes.
Wulfrickwasimmensely
strongandthemanlooked
likeachildincomparisonas
thehugeaxe-masterkilled
him.
Hallamotionedtheothers
tofollowandquicklycrossed
theremaininggroundtothe
tents.Throwingtheaxeback
toWulfrick,shemoved
betweendarkcanvasand
smokingcampfires.Themen
behindfannedoutagainand
sweptthroughthecamp,
stayinginshadowsand
keepingasquietasthey
could.Hallacouldseethe
banneroftheking,awhite
eagle,flyingoverheadasthey
madetheirwaytowardsthe
largepavilionsatthecentre
ofthecamp.Anotherflag,
showingapurplesceptre,was
flyingbelowtheroyalbanner,
signifyingthataseniorPurple
churchmanwasalsopresent.
Shecouldseelightfrom
betweenthetentsasthey
approachedtheking’s
pavilion.Asshehoped,the
king’smenweretotally
obliviousandhadnotbeen
expectinganattack.
SignallingtoWulfrickto
moveroundthesidewithhalf
themen,shetookadeep
breathandadvancedonthe
pavilion.
Herestimateofthree
hundredguardsmenlooked
aboutright,buttheywerenot
preparedforactionandmost
werenotevenarmedor
armoured.ThemenofRo
weresittingroundtheir
campfiresorwithintheir
whitefabrictentsand
somethingaboutthewaythey
werecasuallyrelaxingwhile
RoHailwasundersiege
annoyedtheaxe-maiden
greatly.Shemovedwithher
mentothelastlineof
desertedtentsandpaused
untilshewassurethat
Wulfrickandtheotherswere
inposition.
‘Firstbloodismine,’she
saidtothemenbehindher
andstood,heftedheraxe,and
rantowardsthefirstgroupof
guardsmen.
AssoonasHallaemerged
throughthelineoftentsand
intothelight,closetotwo
hundredmenofFjorlan
followedherandquickly
floodedtheareafromall
directions.AmanofRo,
recliningnexttoacampfire
andholdingabottleofwine,
lookeduptostareather.She
gruntedathimbefore
severinghisheadwitha
powerfulswingofheraxe,
signallingthestartoftheir
assault.
Shoutsofalarmonly
slowlywentupfromthe
king’smen.Bythetimethey
realizedwhatwashappening,
therampagingaxe-menhad
killedanyoneintheirpath.
OnlyafewofthemenofRo
hadweaponsatthereadyand
mostofthemmettheirdeaths
swiftly,withouteven
standingup.
Halladidn’tstopmoving
anddrovehermenforward
towardsthecentreofthe
camp,despatchinganyone
whoclumsilyattemptedto
standintheirway.Shekilled
amanashetriedtopullon
hisgoldbreastplateand
anotherashewrestledwitha
stubbornscabbard.Shecould
seeWulfricknearby,asthe
hugeaxe-mastercleareda
widepathfromthenorth
towardstheking’spavilion.
Then,allofasudden,
Halla,Wulfrickandtheirmen
werestandingonthecentral
groundinfrontoftwolarge
whitepavilions,directly
beneaththebannersofTor
Funweir.ConfusedPurple
clerics,armedandarmoured,
stoodintheirpathanda
detachmentofspearmen
closedranksroundthemain
pavilion.
‘Killthemall,’roared
Wulfrick,notmissingastep
asheswunghisaxeskilfully
andadvancedonthenearest
cleric.
Thesilenceevaporatedas
oathswereshoutedandbattle
wasjoined.They’dkilled
numerousguardsmenand
Hallawasgratifiedtoseethat
nowtheclericsandspearmen
wereheavilyoutnumberedby
rampagingFjorlanders.
ThePurpleclericswere
skilledswordsmenandthe
thesoundofsteelonsteel
soundedthroughthecamp.
Assheengagedacleric,
Hallahopedtheyweretoofar
awayfromRoHailtoalert
themainarmy.
Shewasshakenbackto
mattersmorepressingwhen
theclericshewasfighting
deflectedheraxeandopened
uphershoulderwithaskilful
thrust.Cryinginpain,the
axe-maidenfelltotheground,
butwasrelievedtosee
anothermancleavethecleric
tothegroundbeforemoving
on.Hallaquicklygottoher
feetandtriedtoblockoutthe
painassherejoinedhermen.
Theiradvancehadslowed
anditwasnowagrimpush
throughthelastlineof
defenderstogettotheking’s
pavilion.Hallatriedtofavour
heruninjuredshoulderasshe
parriedaspearthrustandthen
severedthewielder’sarm
beforekickingtheguardsman
outofherway.
Toherleft,Wulfrickwas
difficulttomiss–towering
overtheothermen,theaxemasterofFredericksandwas
anightmareofwhirlingsteel
andrageasheannihilatedany
manfoolishenoughtostand
inhisway.Hallacouldsee
severalclericswholooked
olderandmoreskilledthan
therestandoneofthem,a
dark-hairedmanwearing
ornatearmour,wasmoving
intentionallytowards
Wulfrick.ThePurplecleric
killedseveralofHalla’smen
withlightningspeedashe
focusedonthehugeaxe-man.
‘Barbarian,’heroared,by
wayofachallenge,‘Iam
CardinalMobiusofthe
PurpleandyourIceGiant
holdsswayherenolonger.’
Wulfrickroaredskywards
andHallasawthefoamof
frenzyappearatthecorners
ofhismouthashebeheaded
twoclericsandmovedto
engagethePurplecardinal.
Therewerestillmenbetween
them,buttheirintentionwas
tofighteachother.Shetried
tofocusonthemeninfront
ofher,butsecretlyshe
worriedforherfriend.Itwas
strangethat,inthemidstof
brutalcombat,ithadoccurred
toherthatWulfrickhad
indeedbecomeherfriend.
Shewrestedaspearfroma
guardsmaninfrontofherand
threwitataclericstanding
overafallenaxe-man.The
Ranenwaswoundedbut
alive,andweaklynoddedhis
thankstoHallabefore
dragginghimselfawayfrom
themaincombat.Shespun
roundandsawnoothermen
tofightinherimmediate
vicinity.Theentrancetothe
mainpavilionwasstill
guardedbyclerics,though
Wulfrickandhismenhad
pushedthembackbefore
CardinalMobiushad
appearedandstoppedtheir
advance.Allaroundherlay
deadmen,mostlyRo,andthe
king’spavilionwasnow
dangerouslyisolated.
‘Helpthem,’sheordered
allthemennearby,pointing
totheRanenatthepavilion
entrance.
Anaxe-man,noticingher
wound,offeredheranarm
andHallaSummerWolfleant
heavilyagainsthimbefore
turningtoseeWulfrick
approachCardinalMobius.
Theotherwarriorsparted
asthetwomenclashed.The
soundofaxestrikingsword
rangoutloudlyandHalla
realizedthecardinalwas
everybitasdangerousas
Wulfrick.Thetwomen
foughtinwildlydifferent
styles.Wulfrickreliedon
superiorstrengthand
unnaturalspeed,whereas
Mobiuswasaduellist,giving
andtakinggroundina
complexdanceofsteel.Their
weaponsdifferedtoo–atwohandedaxeversusa
longswordandshield–and
Hallathoughttheclashmore
thanasimplefightbetween
men.
Theremainingspearmen
wereboxedinandwerekilled
withoutmercy,leavingonlya
handfulofclericsinfrontof
thepavilion,wheretheywere
swiftlyoverwhelmedby
Halla’smen.Tothenorth,the
axe-maidensawthesignal
fromFallingCloudindicating
thattheyhadclearedthefew
sentriesandguardsmenin
thatdirection,andsheknew
Oleffwouldbeloadingthe
catapultsandmakingreadyto
fire.
Mobiusdodgedtotheside
ofapowerfulaxeblowand
nimblythrusthisbladeinto
Wulfrick’sside.Itwasa
glancingblow,butonethat
madetheaxe-masterwince
andgavethesurrounding
Fjorlanderscausefor
concern.
‘You’requick,purple
man,’spatWulfrick,asthe
twomencircledeachother.
Bothmencouldseethe
fightwasover,withthe
Ranendefiantlyvictorious.
TheFjorlanderssurrounded
thepavilionandstoodback
fromwhereWulfrickand
Mobiusweresizingeach
otherup.
‘Wulfrick,we’redone,’
Hallashoutedacrossthe
camp.‘You,’shenodded
towardsMobius,‘stand
down,you’velost.’
‘IamaclericoftheOne
God,bitch,’heroared.‘Iwill
neversurrendertoa
barbarian.’
TheRanenshothimangry
looksandmovedintoisolate
theRo.Hallaheldupahand,
indicatingtheyshouldn’tkill
him.
‘Takehisswordandtie
himup,’sheorderedthe
closestgroupofmen.
Afewofthemensmiled
astheygottheirfirstsightof
aPurplecleric–menofRo
closelyassociatedwiththe
age-oldoppressionofthe
Ranenpeople.Ropeswere
retrievedfromnearbytents
andtheRanenbegantocircle
theclericwithquickly
fashionedlassoes.Halla
movedpastthemand
motionedforWulfricktojoin
her.Thewoundedaxe-master
torehimselfawayfromthe
corneredmanofRoand
steppedintothepavilion
entrancewithfourotheraxemen.
‘Myking,weare
defeated,’CardinalMobius
shoutedintothetent.
Atangleoflegsandrope
madehimbuckleawkwardly
tothegroundanddrophis
longsword.
‘Youcannotwin,
barbarians,’hegrowled
angrilyashisfacehitthe
muddygroundandthemenof
Fjorlanquicklyswarmedover
him.
Kickingandpunching,
theyrenderedhim
unconsciousinamatterof
momentsandsecuredropes
roundhisarmsandlegs.
‘Iwouldhavewon,’said
Wulfrickquietly.‘Itwasjust
amatteroftime.’
‘Timewedon’thave,’
repliedHalla.‘Let’sgetthis
done.’
Wulfricknoddedand
flungopenthetentflapacross
thepavilionentrance.Halla
andfivemenfloodedintothe
commandtentandWulfrick
followed.Observingagarish
habitationoffursand
heraldry,theyquickly
searchedforthekingofTor
Funweir.
Thepavilioncontaineda
largemap,onalowtable,
showingthesouthlandsof
Ranen.Aroundtheedgesof
thetentwerebannersofTiris
andtheotherhousesofTor
Funweir–birdsforthemost
part,ofmanydifferent
coloursandbreeds.Alarge
featherbedofwhitelinen
lookedasifithadbeenslept
inandonatablenexttoit
wasahalf-eatenmealofwhat
lookedlikevenison.Halla
movedtothefarsideofthe
tentandheardwhatsounded
likecryingcomingfromthe
floorbeneaththebed.She
raisedhereyebrowsand
pointedinthedirectionofthe
sound,causingWulfrickto
stridenexttoherandtipover
thewoodenbed.
Coweringonthefloor,his
headburiedinhisarms,and
wearingasimplewhiterobe,
wasamaninhismid-fifties,
clean-shavenandsmelling
lightlyofperfume.Thefigure
ofKingSebastianTiriswas
notanoblesightandapool
ofliquidspreadingoutbyhis
legindicatedthatthe
monarchwasveryscared
indeed.
‘Havewepissed
ourselves,yourhighness?’
askedWulfrickwithavicious
smile.
‘Please,’thekingcried,
‘don’tkillme…Icangive
yougold…goldandjewels…
justsparemylife.’Helooked
upatthemthroughbloodshot
eyesandHallafeltangerthat
suchacowardlywormcould
beresponsibleforsomuch
death.
‘We’renotgoingtokill
you…mylord.’She
practicallyspatoutthe
honorific.‘Youarenowa
prisoner.Getusedtoit.My
nameisHallaSummerWolf
andthisisWulfrick,axemasterofFredericksand.’She
turnedbacktoWulfrickand
saidwithaggression,‘Grab
thislittleboyandbringhim.’
‘Comeon,yourhighness,
meandyouaregoingtobe
goodfriends.’Theaxe-master
roughlypulledthekingtohis
feetandturneduphisnoseat
thepoolofurine.
‘Arekingsnottaughtto
usethetrenchinTor
Funweir?Ithoughtwewere
thebarbarians,’Wulfricksaid
withasneer.
Hewrappedahugearm
roundthecoweringmonarch
andledhimoutofthe
pavilion.Outside,amuted
cheerrosefromthe
assembledFjorlandersasthey
sawtheterrified,captive
figureofthekingofTor
Funweir.Hiseyesopenedas
wideastheywouldgowhen
hesawthemassofRanen,
whowouldallhavegladly
killedhimattheslightest
opportunity.Helookedacross
thedeadguardsmenand
clericsandsawtheboundand
unconsciousformofCardinal
Mobiusheftedoveraman’s
shoulder.
‘Now,yourhighness,’
saidHalla,‘weneedyouto
calloffyourattack.’Shetried
toconveyasmuchmenaceas
possible,despitethe
increasingpaininher
shoulder.‘Ifyoudon’tdo
exactlyasIsay…thisman,’
shegesturedtothehulking
formofWulfrick,‘isgoingto
startcuttingthingsoff.’
Wulfricksmiledand
tightenedhisgriparound
KingSebastian’sneck.‘I’ll
startwithyourfingers…then
yourhands…andbythetime
theygettoidentifyyour
body,therewon’tbemuch
left.’
Thekingwasshaking
violentlyintheaxe-master’s
graspandhenoddedatHalla.
Hewasutterlybroken,and
themenofFjorlanwere
lookingatherwithsilent
admiration.Herplanhad
workedthusfar,withonlya
handfulofRanendead.
Thecompanyofmen
sheathedtheirweaponsand
madetheirwayquickly
throughthetentstothenorth.
FallingCloudjoinedthem
afteramomentandlooked
withconcernatWulfrick’s
sideandHalla’sshoulder.
‘Youtwoneedhealing,’
hesaid.
‘Thatcanwait,’replied
Halla.‘RexelFallingCloud,
mayIpresentKingSebastian
Tiris.’
Wulfrickshovedthe
monarchforwardandFalling
Cloudlookedathim,raising
hiseyebrowsbeforesmiling.
‘Notverynoble-looking,is
he?’
‘Rexel,don’tbemean,’
saidWulfrick.‘Thelittle
lambiscoveredinhisown
piss…thatwouldruin
anyone’sday.’
Alaugheruptedfrom
severalofthenearby
Fjorlanders.
‘Therearestillalotof
thingsthatcangowrongwith
this,’saidHalla,more
nervouslythansheintended,
‘solet’skeepalertuntilit’s
done.’
Oncetheyemerged
throughthelastlineof
desertedtentsandpastthe
bodiesofthosekilledby
FallingCloudandhismen,
Hallasawthewidevistaof
knightsandcatapultsarrayed
acrosstheplainbeforethem.
Theencirclingtroopswere
stilldistant,butHalla
neverthelessgaspedatthe
enormousnumbersoftroops
layingsiegetoRoHail.
Immediatelyinfrontof
themweretencatapults–tall
woodenenginesdesignedto
throwbouldersagreat
distance–andOleffHard
Headgrinnedviciouslyas
Hallaarrived.
‘LadySummerWolf,
artilleryattheready,’hesaid
cheerfully.‘Who’syour
friend,Wulfrick?’
‘This?Oh,don’tyou
worryabouthim,he’sjusta
kingIfoundcoweringina
tentandbeggingforhislife,’
repliedthehugeaxe-master.
Olefftookasteptowards
thecaptivemonarchand
paused,nosetonosewiththe
king.‘Goodevening,you
cowardlytrollcunt,’he
grunted,showeringtheking
withspit.
‘Please,’KingSebastian
pleaded,‘mylifeisworth
much…youwillberichif
youleavemeunharmed.’
Olefferuptedintoanger
andsaidloudly,‘Lookaround
you,shit-stain,dowelook
likemoneymeansanythingto
us?’
‘Enough,Oleff,’ordered
Halla.‘Arethecatapults
ready?’
Thechain-masterbrought
hisangerundercontroland
turnedbacktoHalla.‘Sorry,
mylady,it’srareIgettolook
intothefaceofaman
responsibleforsomuch
needlessdeath…killingRo
makesmelosemymanners.’
Hebreathedindeeplyand
continued,‘Tencatapults
sightedandready.They’re
pointedatthenearest
companyofknightsand
shouldgettheirattention.’
‘Verywell.FallingCloud,
assemblethemenincolumns
behindus.Lookmean,but
don’tstartanything.’
Rexelnoddedandturned
toissueorderstothemenof
Fjorlan,whoquickly
respondedbyforminginto
looselypackedlinesbehind
thecatapults.
‘Wulfrick,Iimagine
they’llchargeusassoonas
theyrealizewhat’sgoingon,’
shesaidtotheaxe-master,
whowasnowholdingthe
kingoffthegroundwithan
enormousarmroundhis
waist.‘Assoonastheyget
closeenough,showthemour
captive.’
‘Let’sjusthopetheystop,’
Oleffjoked.
‘Theywill…theywill,’
splutteredthekingfromhis
undignifiedpositionunder
Wulfrick’sarm.‘I’llorder
themtostopandthey
wouldn’triskmysafety.’
KingSebastianwaslessa
kingandmoreofasheltered
noble–afarcryfromthe
rulersHallaSummerWolf
hadbeenusedto.Algenon
Teardropwouldhavegiven
hisliferatherthanbe
capturedandtheaxe-maiden
momentarilypitiedthemen
ofRoforhavingtoliveunder
theruleofsuchaman.
Shecroucheddownnext
toKingSebastianandlether
singleeyestareintohisface.
‘You’dbetterscreamyour
ordersatthetopofyour
lungs,yourhighness,’she
saidquietly.‘Wewouldn’t
wanttheknightsnottohear
younow,wouldwe?Ifthey
don’t,Ipromiseyou,you’ll
bethefirsttodie.’
Hermenshowedprideon
theirfacesandsheheard
whisperedwordsoftriumph
behindher.Thesurvivorsof
theKrakenseahadhadlittle
tobehappyaboutforweeks,
butastheylookedattheir
commandersandatthe
brokenking,eachbattlebrotherworeanexpressionof
elationattheoverwhelming
oddstheyhadovercome.
‘Oleff,sendtheknights
mywarmestregards,’Halla
ordered.
‘Apleasure,mylady,’he
responded,givinghera
respectfulsalute.
Asimpledownwardwave
ofhisarmandtheRanenat
thebaseofeachcatapult
leveredtheengineintolife.
Eachartillerypiecegaveout
aloudnoiseasthewoodof
thearmstruckthepadded
braceratthetop,andthe
catapultsjumpedforwardsas
tenhugeboulderswere
launchedhighintotheair.
Hallasmiledtoherselfand
followedtheirtrajectoryas
theyflewintothedarksky,
beforearcingsharplydown.
Thefirstimpactwasloud
andcouldbeheardclearly,
evenattheirdistantposition.
Hallasawarmouredmenfly
inalldirectionsasthe
boulderssmashedintothe
knightsoftheRed.She
couldn’tseetheirfaces,of
course,andcouldonlyguess
attheconfusioncausedbythe
unexpectedbombardment,
butthosecompaniesthathad
beenhitlosttheirformations
instantlyandothers,notyet
hit,begantomoveawayfrom
thecitywallstoregroup.She
heardtrumpetssound–no
doubtanalarmcall–and
withinmomentsagood
quarteroftheencircling
troopsweremakingtheirway
quicklybacktowardsthe
camp.
Theknightsweremounted
anddrewlonglancesasthey
plungedacrossthemuddy
ground.Itwasunlikelythat
theycouldseewhohadfired
onthem,butthefactthatthe
shotshadcomefromthe
king’spositionhadclearly
causedwell-foundedalarm.
‘Holdyourground,lads,’
orderedWulfrick,stillfirmly
holdingtheking.‘Itlooks
scary,butthey’llpullupsoon
enough.’
‘Showthemtheprisoner,’
Hallaorderedquietly.
‘Getreadytoshout,your
highness.’
Wulfrickpulledthe
smallermanroundandheld
himupeffortlessly.King
Sebastianwasnotespecially
diminutive,butinWulfrick’s
grasphelookedlittlemore
thanachildashewasheld
aloft.
Theknightscharged
towardsthelineofcatapults
atanalarmingspeed,andthe
assembledFjorlandersstood
theirgroundnervously,
ferventlyhopingthecharge
wouldstoponcethemenof
Rosawtheircaptured
monarch.Hallacouldidentify
aPurpleclericamongthe
ridersandadecoratedolder
manwhosheguessedwasa
knightcommander.
‘Halt,’shoutedtheking
throughafilteroftearsand
fear.
‘Louder,’prompted
Wulfrick,punchinghim
lightlyintheribs.
‘Myknights,halt,’the
kingrepeatedloudly,
genuinelyshoutingasloudas
hecould.
ThePurpleclericwasat
theheadoftheknightsand
squintedtoseewhowas
shouting.Hallasawthe
realizationonlygradually
dawnonhisdeterminedface,
asheraisedhislanceand
forcefullypulleduponhis
horse’sreins.Theknight
commanderlookedwitha
mixofangerandsurpriseas
hesawthelineofFjorlanders
standinginranksbehindthe
capturedking,andtheknights
thatfollowedbegantopull
backontheirreinstoo.
Severalhorsesbuckledand
threwtheirriders,andseveral
othersrodeatfulltiltintothe
meninfrontastheorderto
haltonlygraduallyreached
thebackranks.
Aroundathousand
mountedmenofRostopped
onthedarkplaininfrontof
thelineofcatapults.Atleast
ahundredofthemhadbeen
thrownandsomeofthosehad
beentrampledtodeathbythe
heavywarhorses.
‘Ithinkwegottheir
attention,’quippedOleff
nervously,ashelookedatthe
largecompanyofknights.
ThePurplecleric,ayoung
manwithanelaborately
crestedhelmet,rodepastthe
bulkoftheridersandwas
joinedbytheolderknight
commander.Theybrokeoff
fromtheknightsandrodeata
trottowardsHalla’sposition.
TheothermenofRo
followedonlyslowly,many
ofthemstillconfusedatwhat
wasgoingon.
‘Releasetheking,Ranen
heretic,’orderedthecleric,
drawinghislongsword.
‘BrotherJakan,’saidKing
Sebastianinatrembling
voice,‘sheatheyoursword
immediately.’
Wulfrickslowlylowered
thekingtothegroundand
heldhimroughlywithanaxe
bladeacrosshisthroat.
Theknightcommander,
lessimpetuousthanthecleric,
kickedhishorsealittle
furtherforwardsandlooked
attheRanenwarriorsbefore
him.Hiseyewasdrawnto
thedeadguardsmenlittering
thegroundbehindthemand
theunconsciousbodyof
CardinalMobius,casually
thrownoveraman’s
shoulder.
TheknightoftheRedwas
olderthantheclericandbore
numerousscars,including
onethatranthelengthofhis
leftcheek.
‘KnightCommander
Tristram,’thekingsaid,
addressinghim,‘youareto
liftthesiegeandstanddown.’
Hisvoicewaspanickedand
hiseyeshadnotmovedfrom
thebloodstainedaxethat
restedagainsthisneck.
‘We’realongwayfrom
Fjorlan,’theknightstated
calmly,addressingWulfrick.
‘Andthat’sbarelya
company…youhaveno
armyandnohopeof
survival.’
‘Iwouldlistentoyour
king,redman,’growledHalla
fromherpositionnextto
Wulfrick.‘Liftthesiegeand
nooneelseneeddie.’
‘Silence,one-eye,’barked
thecleric,causingevery
Fjorlanderpresenttohefthis
axeandstandattheready.
Thechurchmanwas
clearlytakenabackbythis
showofsolidarityandhis
horserearedastwohundred
axe-mengrowledathimwith
angerintheireyes.
‘Talktoherlikethat
again,’shoutedOleff,‘and
myfriendherewillcut
somethingoffyourking.’
Toemphasizethepoint,
Wulfrickgrabbedoneofthe
king’shandsandbentback
thefingers,withavicious
grinonhisface.Theking
howledinpainandthemen
ofRobaulkedatthesight.
‘Enough,’shoutedBrother
Jakan.‘ReleasetheKing…
now!’Hestillheldhissword,
despitethecommandto
sheatheit,andHallathought
himlikelytodosomething
foolish.
Shesteppedclosetothe
knightcommander’shorse
andspokequietly.‘Thisis
whatisgoingtohappen,Sir
Tristram,youaregoingto
callallofyourmenbackto
thiscamp.Wearegoingto
takeyourkingandenterRo
Hail–andyouaregoingto
letus.’
HallaglaredattheRoas
shespokeandsawaserious
look,tingedwithconfusion,
staringbackather.Tristram
wasassessinghisoptionsas
helistenedtotheaxe-maiden,
andheappearedtohermuch
morelevel-headedthanthe
Purplecleric,whowasstill
holdinghisswordnearby.
‘Verywell,’hesaid
plainlyandwithobvious
reluctance.‘Ifthekingishurt
inanyway,Iwillhuntyouto
theendsoftheearth,axebitch.’
Hallasmiled.‘I’dexpect
noless.Wewillreleasehim
whenWraithCompanyisa
week’straveltotheeastand
weareasimilardistance
north.Understood?’
Tristramgrittedhisteeth
andnodded,tryingtokeep
hisangerincheck.
‘Thisisheresyagainstthe
One,’roaredthePurple
cleric.‘Youwillreleasehim
now.’
Thefrontlineof
Fjorlanderstookastep
forwardatFallingCloud’s
instruction,andWulfrick
grabbedtheking’shead,
pullingitbacktoexposehis
neck.
‘ThisisRowanoco’sland,
boy,’saidtheaxe-master.
‘Yourgoddoesn’tlikethe
cold.’
Hallasteppedawayfrom
theknightandturnedto
addressBrotherJakanashe
glaredatWulfrick.
‘IfIseeanyoneleaving
thiscampwhileweareinthe
city,thekinglosesahand.If
youtrytofollow,helosesan
arm,’shesaidloudlyenough
forallpresenttohear.‘I
expectyoutosendsomeone
tocollecthiminaweek–no
morethanfivemen.’She
smiled.‘We’lltiehimtoa
treeandyou’dbettergetto
himbeforethetrollsdo.’
BrotherJakanwasabout
tosaysomething,buthis
wordswerecutoffbySir
Tristramgrabbinghissword
armandpullinghimback.
TheknightsoftheRed
lookeddejectedandHalla
breathedalittlemoreeasily.
‘Dowhatshesays,’cried
KingSebastianinthemanner
ofafrightenedchild.
CHAPTER11
MAGNUS
FORKBEARD
RAGNARSSONIN
THECITYOFRO
CANARN
Magnuslookedupthrough
thefeedingtroughandsaw
thebackoftheguard
silhouettedagainstthemoon.
SirNathanhadinsistedthata
boundmanbestationedthere
atalltimes,followingAlHasim’sappearance,andfor
almostamonthhehadbeen
theonlyregularfigure,aside
fromCastus,inMagnus’s
life.
Ifescapeorrescuewere
stillapossibility,theRanen
priesthadlargelystopped
thinkingaboutit.Instead,his
headhadbeenfilledwith
concernforthefateofhis
peoplesincehehadseenthe
king’sarmyridenorthinto
theGrassSea.Captain
Horrockwasanexcellent
commander,buthewasstilla
commonmanleadingother
commonmen.Ifthe
Fjorlanderswereunableto
help,asthewitchinsisted,
MagnusknewthatWraith
Companywouldeitherbe
wipedoutordrivennorthinto
themountains.Addedtothis
washisconcernforthefate
ofAl-HasimandBronwyn.
Hehadheardnothingofthem
sinceVerellianleftalmosta
monthago,andtheirfate
wouldnowbetiedtothatof
Horrockandthemenof
Wraith.
Theworldwaschanging
andhehateditthathewas
stuckinacellwhilewheels
turnedandgameswere
played.Hewantedtofeelthe
sunonhisfaceandSkeldin
hishand.Therewasmuch
combatandglorytobehad
andtheOrderoftheHammer
werenotanimalstobe
ignored,butrathermentobe
onthefrontline,displaying
themightofRowanocotothe
enemiesoftheRanenpeople.
Hecouldseethedarksky
ofCanarnovertheshoulder
ofhisguardandthesmellof
saltwaterhadreturnedafter
weeksofnothingbutthe
scentofdeath.Thingsinthe
townweremoderatelystable
withPevainandhisbastards
basedintheoldlord
marshal’sofficeonthe
waterfrontandtheknights
largelyconfinedtotheinner
keepandthegreathall.The
peopleofCanarnwho
remainedfreewerelockedin
thedailyritualofqueuingfor
themeagrefoodandwater
thatPevainallowedthem,and
almosthalfthepopulation
wereeithercorralledlike
cattleandstarvingtodeath–
oralreadydead,theirashes
adorningthetownsquare.
RillionandNathancared
nothingforthecommonfolk
ofCanarn.Magnushadnot
seenorheardanythingfrom
theseniorknightsfornearly
twoweeks.Heguessedthat
Rillionwasstillannoyedat
beingconfinedtothecity
whilethekingandCardinal
Mobiusmarchednorth.The
knightcommanderhadbeen
leftwithjustaskeleton
garrisonandtheactualwork
wasbeinglefttothe
mercenaries,whilethe
knightssataroundand
lamentedtheirmiserable
assignment.
Theenchantresswasstill
hereandherassurancethatno
battlefleetofFjorlanderswas
likelytoshowupanytime
soonhadallowedtheknights
torelax.Theplaintruth,as
Magnussawit,wasthatno
onewouldbecomingtohis
aidorthatofCanarn.
Themoonwasfullandthe
lackofcloudmadeforacold
night,thoughnothinglikethe
extremetemperaturesof
Magnus’shome,fartothe
north.Hemissedthefieldsof
iceandsnowandrealized
he’dnotseenhisbrotheror
hishomelandforalongtime.
Beinginacellwasdeeply
insulting,butbeinghelpless
whilehisbrotherandhis
peoplestruggledforsurvival
wasalmosttoomuchforthe
priesttobear.
Hestillworethesame
woollenleggingsandblack
shirtaswhenhe’dbeen
incarceratedoveramonth
before,andthesmell
botheredhimalmostasmuch
ashisimprisonment.Hisface
andskinwerecleanenough
andhestillreceivedfresh
watereachday,alongwith
thin,waterygruelandbread,
butnochangeofclotheshad
beenprovided–andhe
longedforthecomfortingfeel
ofchainmail.
Ashelookedoutofthe
smallcell,overtheshoulder
oftheboundman,Magnus
momentarilythoughthesaw
movementfurtheralongthe
feedingtrough.Ashetriedto
focus,adarkshapeappeared.
Mostlyhiddeninshadow,the
figurewassilentlymoving
towardstheguard.Magnus
squintedandthoughthecould
identifythesilhouetteofa
longbowasthefigure
crouchednexttothe
adjoiningcell.Hecouldn’t
seethesilentintruder’sface,
butheknewofnomanofRo
whowouldusesucha
weaponandathinsmile
crossedhisfaceashealso
madeoutasheathedkatanaat
thefigure’sside.Therewas
noindicationthatthebound
manwasawareofthe
intruder’spresenceandhe
wasleaningagainstthestone
wall,fedupwithanother
night’smundaneguardduty.
Whatthemandidn’tyet
realizewasthathisnightwas
abouttobecomeratherless
mundane,asRhamJasRami,
theKirinassassin,startedto
ascendthefeedingtrough
towardstheguard’sback.
Ithadbeenseveralyears
sinceMagnushadseenthe
Kirin.RhamJas’sfacewas
coveredbythehoodofa
blackcloakandhecreptlike
apredatorashecamecloseto
theguard.Hemovedwith
stealthtowithinafootofhis
target,beforeslowlyand
silentlydrawinghiskatana
andgraduallystandingup.
Theguardwascompletely
unawareofthefigureathis
backandthemanofRoeven
yawnedandpuffedouthis
cheeksinanunconscious
gestureoftirednessand
boredom.
RhamJasheldhiskatana
withthebladepointingdown
andgraduallymovedhisarm
roundtheguard’sneckuntil,
atthelastpossiblemoment,
hishanddartedtocoverthe
man’smouthandtheblade
enteredhisside,justunder
thearmpit,andangled
sharplydownwards,killing
himinstantly.Thedeadman
madenosoundbeyondafaint
groanasRhamJascarefully
removedhisswordand
cradledthebodytothe
ground.TheKirinthenpoked
hisheadouttocheckthatno
onehadseenhistargetfall,
beforemovingbackintothe
shadowsandcarryingthe
deadmandownthefeeding
troughtoMagnus’swindow.
‘Youstink,’hesaid,with
thesameinfuriatinggrinthat
hadmadeMagnuspunchhim
inthepast.
‘Andyou’reugly,’the
priestreplied,offeringhis
handtohisoldfriendthrough
thebars.‘Goodtoseeyou,
Kirin.’
‘Andyou,Ranen,’Rham
Jasreplied,withaneven
broadergrinashegrasped
Magnus’shandandshookit
warmly.
‘Ihavenoideawhyyou
arehere,butit’sanice
surprise.Didyoubringan
armywithyou?’Magnus
asked.
‘Notexactly.’RhamJas
pointedtosomethingbehind
thepriest.
Magnusturnedquickly
andsawCastus,thegaoler,
standingwide-eyedinthe
dungeonpassageway.He
wasn’tmovingandhismouth
wasopen,withaslight
drizzleofbloodonhislips.
Thenhecrumpledlimplyto
thegroundandbehindhim
appearedthefigureofLord
BromvyofCanarn,holdinga
bloodiedlongsword.
‘Brom!’exclaimed
Magnus,louderthanhehad
intended.
‘Stealthwasneveroneof
yourgifts.’Bromsmiled.
‘Don’tworrytoomuch,
though,theboundmenthat
werewiththispigareboth
dead.’Hekickedthelifeless
bodyofCastustoemphasize
thathe’dtakencareofthe
otherguards.‘RhamJas,get
toit,’hesaidtotheKirin
throughthecellwindow.
RhamJastookaquick
scanbehindhimtomakesure
thewaywasclear,then
dartedbackoutofthefeeding
troughandintothecity.
‘Howdidyougetinhere?’
MagnusaskedBrom,unsure
whathistwofriendsintended.
‘Letmegetyououtof
therefirst,’hesaid,retrieving
thecellkeyfromthegaoler.
‘Where’sSkeld?’
Magnusscowled.‘Pevain
wasgivenhimasatrophy.’
Thefactthatthe
dishonourablemercenary
knighthadhiswar-hammer
stillbotheredMagnusgreatly.
‘Well,Ihopeyou’vebeen
practisingwithalongsword,’
Bromsaidwithasmile,
kickingthegaoler’ssword
towardsthecell.
TheyounglordofCanarn
waswearingtough-looking
leatherarmourandcarrieda
heavy-lookingleaf-shaped
bladeinhisbelt.
Bromunlockedthedoor
andthegratingsoundwas
likeastrangekindofmusic
toMagnus’searsas,forthe
firsttimeinamonth,heset
footoutofhiscellwithouta
guardofRedknightsfor
company.
‘You’reawantedman,
Brom.Comingherewasnot
wise.’Magnuswasdeeply
gratefultoberescued,butthe
lastthinghewantedwasto
seeeitherofDukeHector’s
childrencapturedand
brandedaBlackGuard.
Bromshothimaserious
lookastheRanenpriest
pickeduptheRolongsword.
‘YoudoubtedI’dcomeback?
TheRedbastardskilledmy
father,Magnus…they
beheadedhimasatraitor.’
Brom’sfacehadalways
lookedfierce,butMagnus
thoughthe’dgainedanextra
edgeofdarknesssincethey’d
lastmet.
‘Theymademewatchas
theykilledhim…Imourn
himtoo.’Hedirectedagrim
lookathisfriend.
‘Iknowyou’dhave
stoppedthemifyoucould.’
Brombegantowipethe
gaoler’sbloodfromhissword
andturnedtolookdownthe
narrowstonepassageway.
‘Whyaretheresofewknights
here?’heasked,changingthe
subject.‘Lanrysawamassive
armypassthrough,buthe
didn’tknowwhatwasgoing
on.’
‘Rillionwasleftwithonly
atokenforcetoholdthecity
whilethekingwentnorth,’
Magnusreplied.
Bromlookedgenuinely
surprisedbythisnews.‘The
king?AsinthekingofTor
Funweir?AsinKing
SebastianTiris?’
‘Ithinkthat’swhatyour
peoplecallhim,yes,’replied
Magnus.‘There’smuchyou
don’tknow,myfriend.’
‘Thatgoesforyouas
well,’Bromsaid,still
processingthenewsthatthe
kinghadpassedthroughthe
city.‘WeranintoKohliand
Jenner,soweknowHasim
washereandtookmysister
north.Pleasetellmeyou
knowwhathappenedtoher?’
Theybegantowalkback
alongthedungeon
passageway.‘Pleasetellme
she’sstillalive.’
‘IwishIcouldanswer
you,myfriend,butIhaven’t
seenhersinceHasim
smuggledheroutofthecity.’
‘WillshebesafeinRo
Hail?’
Magnusfrowned.‘Hardto
say.Iftheygotoutbeforethe
kingarrived…’Hepaused.‘It
takestimefortheFree
Companiestomuster.’
Bromresumedwalking
towardstheguardstationat
theendofthepassageway
andMagnuscouldseetwo
moredeadknights,propped
upagainstthewallwiththeir
throatsslit.Theyounglordof
Canarnwasjustascoldand
dangerousasMagnus
remembered,andthepriest
wasimpressedattheway
he’denteredthedungeonand
killedthethreeboundmen
withoutmakingasound.
‘Let’skeepthingssimple
fornow,’Bromsaid,ashe
steppedoverthedead
knights.‘Howmanyfighting
menareleftinthekeep?’
‘FiftyRedknightsanda
hundredboundmen.Ithink
Pevainhasacoupleof
hundredmercenariesinthe
city…morethanwecan
handle.’
‘IknowaboutPevainand
hisbastards–Lanryhasa
surpriseforthem,’Brom
stated.
‘Afewcommonmen
don’taddmuchtoour
fightingstrength,’Magnus
said,beginningtowonderif
Bromintendedsomekindof
gloriouslaststand.
Bromturnedoffthe
passageway,beforethestairs
thatleduptothekeep,and
steppedintoadusty
antechamberthatcontaineda
disusedslittrench.
‘Wehaveafewfriends
hereaswell.They’rewaiting
forthesignaltojoinusinthe
keep.We’vegotachance,
that’sall.’
Hehadaviciouslookon
hisfaceandMagnusthought
Bromwasverymuchon
edge,wantingtogetbloody
assoonaspossible.Infact,
hisfriendwasshakingwith
anticipation.
Magnusnoticedthatthe
irongratingabovethedisused
toilettrenchhadbeenopened
fromwithinandrealizedhow
Bromhadsneakedinwithout
havingtopasstheknightsin
thecourtyardabove.
TheRanenpriestpaused
ashewatchedBromquickly
movetotheopengrating.
‘Brom,’hesaidquietly,
makinghisfriendturnbackto
him.‘Youneedtosettle
down.Yourhandisshaking.’
Bromlookedathissword
handandsmiled.‘Ifeellike
I’mgoingtowarforthefirst
time.’
‘Rillionandhisknights
aretruefightingmen.They’ll
killyouifyou’renotfocused.
YouandIarenotburdened
withRhamJas’sgifts,
Brom…simplemenlikeus
needtorelyonskill,steeland
luck.Takeamomentto
focus,myfriend.’
Theyounglordhadto
wrestlewithhisimpatience
beforehesatdownheavilyon
thegrating.Hewasbreathing
deeplyandMagnusrealized
hehadbeenfunctioning
largelyonadrenalinuptothis
point.
‘RhamJasiswaiting
upstairs,wecan’ttaketoo
long,’hesaid,glancingupat
thehugeRanenpriest.
‘Apparentlyhe’sgotaplan.’
‘He’spatient.Thelonger
wegivehim,themoretime
he’llhavetorubhishands
togetherandbeimpressedat
hisowncleverness.’
Thedisusedslittrenchled
outfromtheinnerkeepandit
lookedasifBromhad
bypassedthecourtyard
entirelywhenhecameto
rescueMagnus.
‘Doeshisplaninvolve
gettingoutalive?’Magnus
asked.
ThelordofRoglancedup
andsmiledthinly.‘Iftheplan
works,weshouldbealive
andabletostayinthecity.’
‘Soundslikeagoodplan,
then,’Magnussaid.‘Ifit
works.’
‘Well,youdon’tjusthave
meandtheKirintorelyon…
don’tworry.’Brompuffed
outhischeeksandstoodup
slowly.‘We’vefoundsome
unlikelyallies…andwegave
Lanrysomethingthatshould
dealwithPevain.’
Magnuswascuriousbut
alsoeagertoexperience
freedom.Iftheyhadallies
andaplan,thatcouldonlybe
agoodthing.
‘Weneedtomove,’said
Brom,asheslidthesteel
gratingaside.
‘Areyoucalm?’asked
Magnus.
‘No,notatall…butwe
stillneedtomove.’
Magnuswasn’tgoingto
patronizetheyounglord.He
hadgothimselftoRoCanarn
andsneakedintothecitywith
onlyaKirinscumbagfor
company.Ifhecoulddothat,
thoughtMagnus,maybehe
wasn’tjustaRolordplaying
atbeingabrigand.
‘Okay,solet’smove,’he
said,asBrombegantoclimb
intotheslittrench.‘Andyour
allieshadbetterbesomething
special.’
Theyclimbeddownintoa
narrowstonetunneljustlarge
enoughtoaccommodate
Magnus’shugeshoulders.It
wasalmostpitch-black,with
onlyinfrequentshardsof
moonlightpenetratingfrom
above,andMagnuswasglad
hisfriendknewthepassages
aroundhisfather’skeep.The
trenchhadnumerousside
tunnelswhichsnakedround
thecastle,buttheywere
headingnowdownashallow
inclinethat,longago,had
beenpartofthesewersystem
ofCanarn.DukeHectorhad
notusedthedungeonfor
manyyearsandthetrenches
wererottenandgrownover
withmoss.
Bromstoppedafterafew
minutesofuncomfortable
crawlingandpokedhishead
upoutofthetrench.Thenhe
duckedbackdownandwaved
Magnusforwardtojoinhim.
AstheRanenpriestmoveda
partofthesteelgratingoutof
theway,hestraightenedand
joinedBrominlookingout
ontoRoCanarn.Therewasa
ropesecuredtothegrating
whereBromhadclimbedup
frombelow,andthetown
squarecouldbeseenbetween
buildings.Magnusquickly
gainedhisbearingsandsaw
thedrawbridgetohisright
andthekeepbeyond.They
hadcomeoutonthesame
levelasthecourtyard,and
lowcookingfireswerejust
visiblethroughanotherstone
tunnel.
Bromtuggedontherope
andsignalledtosomeone
below.Magnuscouldn’tsee
thefaceofthemanstanding
atthebaseofthewall,buthe
wastallandcloaked.
‘Who’syourfriend?’he
askedBrominawhisper.
‘Hisname’sTyrNanon.
I’llintroduceyoutohimif
wedon’tgetkilled,’theRo
lordreplied,withgallows
humour.
‘What’stheKirin’splan?’
Magnuswasstillwhispering
andhecouldseenoarmyto
cometotheiraid.
‘Itinvolvesexplosions
andsurprise.’Bromturnedto
lookatMagnus.‘Whodowe
needtoworryabout?’
‘RillionandNathanare
theseniorknightsand
Pevain’sinthetown
somewhere,’Magnus
responded,secretlylonging
forachancetokillthe
mercenaryknight.
‘Okay,let’sgetinto
position.’Bromhadalookof
extremeconcentrationonhis
faceandMagnusrealizedhis
friendhadbeenwaitingfor
thisopportunityforawhile.
Theyclimbedoutofthe
slittrenchandenteredthe
semicirculardrainagetunnel
thatledtotheinnerkeepand
pastthedrawbridge.Onthe
otherside,Magnusgaspedas
hesawdarkshapesmoving
likeshadowsthroughthe
streetsofRoCanarn.Allthe
figuresweretallandthey
movedwithaninhuman
graceastheymadetheirway
towardsthedrawbridge.
Magnussawthree
mercenarieshangingaround
bytheentrancetothekeep
andallthreediedsilently,
pulledintothedarknessand
despatchedbytherapidly
movingfiguresbelow.Some
ofBrom’smysteriousallies
werecarryingsacksslung
acrosstheirbacks,andall
wieldedlarge,leaf-shaped
blades.
‘Brom,didyouenlista
companyofghoststohelp
you?’heasked,ashecrawled
aftertheyounglordtowards
thecookingfiresinthe
courtyard.
‘They’refriendsofRham
Jas…andmeaswell,I
suppose.Risenmen,
Dokkalfar,forest-dwellers–
I’veheardafewnamesfor
themoverthelastcoupleof
days.’
Magnuswasstruckbythis
strangenews,butasked
pragmatically,‘Arethey
trustworthyandhonourable?’
‘Ibelieveso.They’ve
beenfairlystraightwithusso
far,’answeredBromoverhis
shoulder.‘AndRhamJas
truststhem.’
‘Ha,thetrustofafilthy
Kirin,Ibetthatishard-won,’
Magnussaidwithasmuch
humourashecouldinthe
circumstances.
RhamJaswashisfriend,
buttheirrelationshiphad
beenbasedonmutualteasing
andtheoccasionalfistfight.
Bromknewthisandsnorted
quietlywithamusementashe
reachedtheendofthetunnel.
Insilence,thetwoofthem
crawledoutofthe
semicirculardrainagetunnel
andcrouchedindarknessin
thecourtyard.Opposite,
Magnuscouldseethetower
thatledtothegreathalland
thewoodenstairsthatsnaked
theirwayupwardsfromthe
dustyinnerkeep.Aroundthe
edgesofthecourtyardsat
groupsofboundsoldiers–
nottruefightingmen,but
knightsoftheRed
nonetheless,eachcarryinga
longswordandwearinga
steelbreastplate.Magnus
countedsomefiftymenand
wonderedhowmanyofthe
strangeforest-dwellershad
cometohelp.Thedrawbridge
wascloseby,maybeten
pacesfromtheirposition,and
hecouldjustaboutmakeout
darkfiguresformingatthe
toponthewoodenramp.
Bromgaveasignalthat
thenearestfigureregistered,
beforemovingsilentlytothe
winchthatcontrolledthe
drawbridge.Theplanwas
clearlytocutoff
reinforcementstothekeep
whiletheydealtwiththe
smallergroupofknights
within,withoutinterference
fromPevain’sbastards.
Therisenmandidn’traise
thewoodenramprightaway,
butappearedtobewaitingfor
something.Magnusthought
thatsomethingmustbethe
smallfiguremovingacross
thebattlementshighabove–
whomthelongbowinhis
handsidentifiedasRhamJas.
‘Stayagainstthewalland
bereadytoduckbackintothe
tunnel,’Bromsaidina
whisper.
Someoftheshadowy
figuresmassingjustinside
thekeepmovedslowly
forward,takingcaretostay
outofthelightandremain
hidden.Theyheldsmallsacks
and,oncetheyhadcomeas
closeastheydared,they
threwthemtowardsthe
campfires.
Beforethesackslanded
therisenmenhaddarted
swiftlybackandMagnussaw
confusiononthefacesofthe
Redknightsastheparcels
flewsedatelypastthemand
explodedwhentheytouched
theflames.Magnushadseen
pitchandKaresianfireused
inasimilarwaybefore,but
neverwithsuchexplosive
results.
Sound,fireandlight
eruptedinthedarkcourtyard
asoneafteranotherthe
campfiresexplodedandmen
weretorntopieces.The
knightsreactedwithnothing
butpanicandhalfofthem
haddiedwithinmoments.In
lessthanasecond,thedark,
silentkeephadexplodedinto
flames.Bromdrewhissword
asthesignaltoraisethe
drawbridge.Asitcreaked
intolife,asecond,louder
explosioncouldbeheard
fromthetown.Magnus
glancedbackoutofthekeep
andcouldjustseetheedges
ofthemarshal’soffice
burningviolentlybythe
docks.Lanryandthepeople
ofCanarnhadevidently
decidedthattheydidn’twant
Pevainaroundanymore.
Noiseandfirehadburst
uponthequietoftheevening,
andBromwasframedinlight
asheshoutedadefiant
challengeatthepanicked
knightsinthecourtyard.The
risenmenwereastepbehind
himandMagnusgrinned
broadlyashejoinedthem.
Thesackshadexploded
violentlybutthefireshad
quicklyburneddown.Brom
wasshoutingashehacked
twoknightstodeathwith
swipesofhislongsword.
Magnusdislikedusinga
sword,buthewasstillmore
thantheboundmencould
handleashecleavedhisway
throughtheirranks,barely
takingtimetoparryastheir
wildattackswerebluntedby
aswiftdeath.
Itwasabizarresensation
tobefreeandfightingafter
somanydaysofcaptivityand
theRanenpriestwasenjoying
thefeelingofmenfalling
underhisimmensestrength.
Theboundknightswerepoor
enoughopponentsand
Magnuscouldallowhimself
aglanceacrossthecourtyard
toseetherisenmendealing
outdeathfromtheshadows.
Therelookedtobearound
twentyofthemandthey
whirledtheirleaf-bladeswith
graceastheykilledthe
startledmenofRo.The
Ranenpriestwastakenaback
bythecreatures’otherworldly
mightandmomentarily
wonderedwhysuchpeople
wouldallythemselveswith
anidiotlikeRhamJas.
Magnusdeflecteda
clumsyblowfromabadly
burnedknightanddecapitated
himwithapowerful
backwardswingofhissword.
Nearby,Bromwasholdinga
leaf-bladeinhishandashe
furiouslykilledanybound
menwhocameacrosshis
path.
‘Isthisthebestthey’ve
got?’heshoutedacrossthe
melee.
Asifinanswertothe
question,Magnushearda
shoutfromthewoodenstairs
thatledtothekeepand,
lookingup,sawmoreknights
oftheRedemergingfromthe
greathallofCanarn.The
churchmenthatappeared
werenotboundmenbuttrue
knightsoftheRedand
dangerousfoes.Magnus
recognizedthemassomeof
SirNathan’scompanyand
guessedthatRillion’s
adjutantwouldbeclose
behindhismen.
Highabove,Magnussaw
RhamJasdrawaflaming
arrowandshootacrossthe
keeptowardsthestairs.The
arrowhadsomethingattached
toitwhichexplodedon
impact,blowingseveralof
theknightsbackwards,their
brokenbodiesinflames.
Severalmorefledbackinside
andMagnusexperienceda
momentofrespectforthe
Kirinandhisplanning
abilities.Raisingthe
drawbridgehadcutoffthe
mercenariesandawell-aimed
explosivearrowortwowould
cutoffthetruefightingmen,
leavingBromandMagnusto
finishoffthoseinthe
courtyard.TheoldBrown
clericinthetownmusthave
killedahugenumberofthe
mercenarieswhenhe
detonatedthemarshal’s
office.
Asmendiedaroundthem,
itoccurredtoMagnusthatif
theyweretokillthesenior
knightsandretakeCanarn,
someonewouldhavetofight
Rillion–andhewasnotkeen
toseeBromtakeafoolish
steptowardshisowndeathby
challengingtheknight
commander.Hackingapart
boundmenwasonething,
defeatingacompanyoftrue
fightingmenwassomething
else.RhamJaswasakiller
withoutequal,Bromwasa
skilledswordsmanand,from
whathe’dseen,theforestdwellerswereformidable,but
Magnusdoubtedtheyhadthe
strengthtowinagainst
overwhelmingodds.Also,it
wouldbeonlyamatterof
timebeforePevainfounda
wayofloweringthe
drawbridge,orapaththrough
thesecrettunnels,andjoined
theminthecourtyardwithhis
men–althoughjudgingby
theexplosionsstillsounding
inthetownbelow,Brother
Lanrywasprovingmorethan
aminorinconveniencetothe
mercenaries.
Helookedupandwiped
bloodfromhisface.Around
himwereslaughteredbound
menand,ataquickglance,
hecouldseenonedeadonhis
ownside.Bromwas
conservinghisenergyand
expendingminimumeffortin
despatchingthefrantic
knights,whilehighabove
RhamJaswasfighting
severalmenwhohad
emergedfromtheguard
towers.TheKirinwasevery
bitasdangerousasMagnus
remembered,andhiskatana
dealtoutdeathwithchilling
precision,quicklyclearing
thebattlementsofbound
men.
Magnuspaused.The
numberofknightsremaining
wasnegligibleandtheywere
coweringanddroppingto
theirkneesinsurrender.
‘Killthemall,’shouted
Bromcoldly,andMagnus
turnedsharplytofacehis
friend.
‘No,’heresponded,more
loudlythantheyounglord.
‘They’vesurrendered.’
Bromwasdoubledover
andsweatwasstreaming
downhisface.Hekickeda
pleadingknightoutofthe
wayandquicklysheathedhis
sword,beforestraightening
upandbreathingdeeply.
‘Yourpriestiswise,
Bromvy,’saidoneofthe
risenmen,abeingshorter
thanhisfellowsbutstilltall
anddangerous-looking.The
risenmenassembledthe
remainingknightsintoa
groupandMagnuscouldsee
thatnomorethansixhad
survivedtheinitialassault.
‘Yes,’wasallMagnus
saidinresponsebeforehe
turnedbacktotheyounglord
ofCanarn.‘Brom,youneed
tocalmdown.Theplanis
workingthusfar.What’s
next?’
‘Magnus,thisisTyr
Nanon,’Bromsaidquietlyby
wayofintroduction.The
risenman’sskinwasgreyand
hisearswerepointed,but
MagnuswasaFjorlanderand
lessstartledbynon-humans
thantheRo,havinggrownup
aroundtrolls.
‘Wellmet,Ranenman,’
Nanonsaid,withastrange,
thinexpressionwhich
somehowresembledasmile.
Aroundthem,the
courtyardranwithblood–
lessthanhadbeenspilta
monthbefore,whentheRed
knightsfirsttookthekeep–
butstillagrislysceneof
slaughter.Therisenmenhad
takencoverbyalineof
barrelsatthebaseofthe
woodenstairsandRhamJas
wasmakinghiswayacross
thebattlementstowardsthe
greathall.
‘TheotherDokkalfarare
inthesecrettunnels.Igave
themdirectionstogettothe
greathall,’saidBrom,ashe
movedtowardsthelineof
barrels.
Theyallduckeddownat
thebaseofthestairsand
paused.RhamJashad
disappearedagainandthefire
fromhisexplosivearrows
wasjustdyingdown.
‘Howmanymoreare
there?’Magnusasked,
cleaningbloodfromCastus’s
longsword.
‘Anothertwenty.They’ll
havestartedclearingthe
tunnelsofknightsbynow,’
hisfriendreplied.‘Let’sgo
andseeRillion,shallwe?’
Bromhadcalmedhimself
down,butMagnusdecidedto
remainathissideforaslong
ashecould.
Moreexplosionssounded
beyondthekeepandMagnus
guessedthatBrotherLanry
andthecommonfolkof
Canarnweretakingbacktheir
townwithDokkalfar
explosives.TheRanenpriest
smiledatthethoughtof
Pevain’sbastardsbeing
killed,butheregrettedbeing
unabletofightPevain
himself,andhewasresigned
totheideathathewouldhave
tosiftthroughtherubbleto
findSkeld.
Bromtookthelead,with
MagnusandNanonclose
behind,andascendedthe
woodenstairstowardshis
father’sgreathall.Thebodies
ofdeadknightswerestrewn
acrossthefirstlandingand
theyhadtostepoverbloodied
chunksoffleshtoreachthe
maindoor.Theking’smen
whohadbeenstationedatthe
doorhadgonenorthwiththe
armyandNathanhadnot
postedanotherguard–not
thatanothermanortwo
wouldhavemadeany
difference.
Bromreachedthedoor
andcroucheddownatthe
sidewithhishandonthe
handle.Hemotionedfor
MagnusandNanontojoin
him,andtheotherrisenmen
gracefullyadoptedcombat
poseseithersideofthe
landing.Bromlookedbehind
himandMagnussawRham
Jaswasinpositionbehinda
turret,withanotherflaming
arrowdrawnonhis
bowstring.Hehadtakenupa
positionwherehewouldbe
abletofiredownthroughthe
doorwayand,having
confirmedthattheKirinwas
ready,Bromflungthedoor
open.
Instantlyaflamingarrow
flewpastthem.Shotwith
skill,itflewthroughthedoor,
justundertheframe,and
travelledashortwayintothe
hallbeforeitthuddedintothe
carpetedfloorandexploded
violently.
Magnusmomentarily
shiedawayfromthebright
flamesandheheardscreams
fromwithinasknightsofthe
Redwerecaughtinthe
explosion.Tworisenmen
steppedforwardandthrew
theirsacksintothehall,
causingmoreloudexplosions
within,andmorescreamsof
pain.Aquicklookthrough
thedoorshowedMagnusthat
Nathan’smenwerearrayed
within,waitingforthemto
enter.Theexplosionshad
causedpanicanddisorder,
butNathanandtheother
seniorknights–Rashabald
theexecutionerandRillion–
werevisiblethroughthe
flamesatthebackofthehuge
hall.
Twomorearrows,firedat
thesametime,flewthrough
thedoorfromalowerangle
andMagnussawthatRham
Jashadquicklychanged
position.Thearrowstravelled
furtherintothehallandone
thuddedintothebreastplate
ofaknightbeforeit
exploded.
Knightsdroppedtothe
floortoextinguishtheflames
andranbacktogetaway
fromthefires.Rillionwas
roaringatthetopofhisvoice,
shoutingattheknightsto
formadefensiveline.Several
menwerestillstrugglingto
putontheirarmour.
Magnussearchedthe
sceneforAmeiratheLadyof
Spiders,butshewasnowhere
tobeseenandhewouldhave
tokeephiswitsabouthim
untiltheenchantress
appeared.Shewasthe
unknownquantityinthe
assault–theonepersonwho
genuinelyworriedtheRanen
priest.
RhamJashaddisappeared
againandMagnusthoughthe
musthaveduckedintothe
secrettunnelsthatledalong
thegreathall.Thefireswere
quicklydyingdownwithin
thehallandbeyondhecould
seetheremainingknightsof
theRedformingupinfront
oftheraisedplatform.
Nomoreexplosivesacks
werethrownandtherisen
menwerewaitingsilently,
fannedoutoneithersideof
thelanding,behindBromand
Magnus.
Thenaboomingvoice
soundedfromthehall.
‘BromvyBlackGuard,’
shoutedKnightCommander
Rillion.‘Iassumethatit’s
yououtthere.’
Alookofgrimconviction
hadreplacedBrom’ssmileas
hepreparedtoadvanceonthe
knights.Heheldhis
longswordlooselyinone
handandtheheavyleaf-blade
intheother.Magnusknew
Bromwellenoughtoguess
he’dbepreparinghimselffor
afight,theoutcomeofwhich
wouldbeuncertain.Rillion
wasrenownedasoneofthe
finestswordsmeninTor
FunweirandMagnusdoubted
whetherBromcouldbest
him.Overandabovethiswas
thequestionofAmeirathe
LadyofSpiders.Hehadnot
seenherinthegreathallbut
suspectedthatherfoulcraft
wouldyetplayapartinthis
encounter.If,asshehad
boasted,RhamJaswas
helplessagainsther,thewellplannedassaultwouldhave
allbeenfornothingandthe
witchwouldbeabletosway
theirmindsandescape.The
peopleofCanarnmightbe
freeoftheknights,butthe
enchantresswouldbeableto
continueherdesigns
elsewhere.
‘Don’tforgetaboutthe
enchantress,’Magnussaidto
Bromacrosstheopen
doorway.
‘RhamJashasaplanfor
hertoo,’hereplied.
‘Shewasconfidentthat
theKirinwouldbehelpless
againsther.’Magnuskeptthe
matterofRhamJas’ssonto
himselffornow,knowingit
wouldaddunnecessary
tensiontoanalreadyfraught
encounter.
‘LettheKirinworryabout
thewitch.YouandIhaveto
worryabouttheknights,’
Bromresponded,clenching
andunclenchinghisfistsas
hebegantoprepareforthe
hardestfightofhislife.
‘Okay,butatleastletme
handleRillion,’saidMagnus
withsomeinsistence.
Bromturnedtolookat
him,adarkglareacrossthe
opendoorwayintohis
father’shall.
‘YouknowIcan’tdo
that,’hereplied.‘Thebastard
hastobemine.Thereare
plentyofknightsforyou,my
friend.’Hetriedtosmile,to
suggestitwasjustaquestion
ofMagnus’svanity.
‘Don’tbeafool,Brom,’
saidtheRanen,‘youcan’t
handlehim.’
Brom’ssmilegrewmore
genuineashenoddedtohis
friendbeforesaying,‘Then
I’lldie.’Theyounglordof
Canarnsteppedboldly
throughthedoorandintothe
greathall.
‘Rowanoco’scock,’
mutteredMagnusbefore
joininghisfriend.
Therisenmenmovedas
onetofollowthemandasa
groupoftwentyorsothey
strodeintothehall.
Thefireswereburning
lowandwerenowmostly
confinedtothebacksofdead
menandafewitemsof
woodenfurniture.Thepillars
leadingfromthedoortothe
mainhallwerelargely
untouchedandMagnussaw
Bromglanceattheheraldry
ofhishouseashemadehis
waythroughthecarpeted
entrance.
Theknightsstoodinaline
beforetheraisedplatformand
madenoefforttointercept
them,fearfulofcomingtoo
closeandexperiencingmore
explosions.ThemenofRo
justwaitedforthestrange
groupofwarriorstoenterthe
greathall.Magnusnotedthat
theforest-dwellersheldno
moresacksandhesuspected
thatonlyRhamJaswasstill
inpossessionofexplosives.
‘WelcometoRoCanarn,
BromvyBlackGuard,’
Rillionshoutedfrombehind
thelineofknights.‘Myhall
mayhavelostsomeofits
hospitality,butIassureyou
thatyouarewelcome.’
Bromsteppedintothe
lightofthemainhall.He
lookedaround,takinginthe
hugespacethathadbeenhis
homefortwenty-fouryears,
andbrieflyclosedhiseyes.
Magnusandtherisenmen
steppedafterhimandformed
alinesometenpacesinfront
oftheknights.Theoddshad
evenedoutconsiderablyafter
afewwell-aimedarrows
fromRhamJas,andthetrue
fightingmenarrayedagainst
themnownumberedonlya
handfulmorethantwenty.
Magnusknewthatothers
wouldstillbeinthekeep,but
Brom’sassurancethatmore
forest-dwellerswouldbe
dealingwiththemrendered
thefightpleasinglyeven.
‘SirRillion,’saidBrom
formally,‘Imeantokillyou.’
Thewordswerespoken
calmlyandmomentarilytook
theknightcommanderby
surprise.
‘Youandyour…friends
willmeetonlythejusticeof
theOnetoday,BlackGuard,’
shoutedRashabaldfrom
nearby.
MagnusnotedthatSir
Nathanwasglaringacrossthe
groundandfocusingonthe
Ranenpriest.
‘Youconsortwiththe
risen…Ithoughtaduke’sson
wouldknowthemforthe
undeadmonsterstheyare,’
Rillionsaidfrombehindhis
knights.
TyrNanonwasstanding
nexttoMagnusandwasthe
onlyoneoftheforestdwellerstoreacttothis.‘I
forgiveyouyourignorance,
Roman,’hesaidwitha
smile.‘Yourmindisnotyour
own.’
‘Silence!’shoutedthe
commander.
Thelargestoftherisen,a
hugecreature–tallerthan
Magnusbynearlyafoot–
steppednexttoNanonand
heldhishugeleaf-bladein
frontofhisface.
‘IamcalledTyrRafn,
greatestofthedefendersof
theHeart,andIsayyouare
cowardswhopreyonthe
weak.’Hiswordsweredeep
andgruff,likethegrowlofa
troll.‘Igiveyouthechanceto
proveyourselvesworthywith
bloodandsteel,’hesaid
calmly,bywayofchallenge
totheknights,wholookedill
ateaseinthepresenceofthe
hugecreature.
‘Willyoustaybehindyour
knightsallevening?’asked
Bromwithasneer.
Slowly,andwiththe
movementsofaseasoned
soldier,KnightCommander
MortimerRillionsteppedoff
theplatformandaddedhis
swordtothelineofknights.
NathanofDuBanand
Rashabaldtheexecutioner
followed.Forthefirsttime
sinceMagnushadbeen
captured,hesawthesenior
knightsjointheirtroops.
Thetwoforcessizedeach
otherupandMagnustook
noteofNathanoppositehim,
clearlyintendingtosingle
himoutforcombat.The
knightcaptainsmiledand
helduphislongswordin
salute.Magnusdidn’t
respondandplannedtokill
theknightquicklysohecould
gettoRillionandassist
Brom.
Thestand-offlastedonly
momentsbeforeBromyelled,
‘ForCanarn!’andranat
Rillion.
Theothersfollowedand
thetwolinesofwarriors
clashedinthemiddleofthe
greathall.Magnusmet
Nathanandparriedafurious
seriesofhighattacksfromthe
knight’ssword.TheRanen
wasalittlestartledby
Nathan’sskill,butgathered
himselfquicklyandheldhis
ground.Tohisleft,Bromand
Rillionexchangedbarbed
insultsastheyfought,Brom’s
secondbladetheonlything
preventingRillionfrom
quicklykillingtheyoung
lord.Therisenmenwereless
dangerouswhennotattacking
fromshadowsandemploying
theelementofsurprise,but
thefightwasstillagonizingly
even.Nanonkilledaknight
withhisfirstattack,running
himthroughwitha
manoeuvreresemblinga
dancemove,andMagnus
surmisedthattheforestdwellers’styleofduelling
wascompletelyalientothe
menofRo.Thehugefigure
ofTyrRafnwasthemost
intimidatingpresenceontheir
sideandonlySirRashabald
waspreparedtofighthim,
usinghistwo-handedsword
tokeeptherisenmanatbay.
Menandforest-dwellers
diedasswordsandknives
whirled,cuttingandstabbing
fleshasthehallbecamea
battleground.Thetwolines
brokeupquicklyandMagnus
founditdifficulttokeeptrack
ofwhowasaliveandwho
wasdead.Nathanwasa
dangerousswordsmanandhe
neededtoconcentrateon
bestingtheknight,reluctantly
turninghisbackonBrom
whowasbeingmethodically
pushedbackbyRillion.
‘Youcan’twin,priest,’
growledNathan,ashe
levelledathrustatMagnus’s
side.‘Idon’twanttohaveto
killyou.’
Magnuslaughedashe
fought.Itwasaboisterous
soundthatcutthroughthe
noiseofsteelonsteel.‘Ifyou
don’twanttokillme,you’ve
alreadylostbecauseIwantto
killyou,’heroared,
redoublinghiseffortsand
usinghissuperiorstrengthto
unbalancetheknight.
Nathanfellbackagainst
theedgeoftheraised
platformandrolledtothe
side,narrowlyavoidinga
highswipefromMagnus.The
knightgottohisfeetandthey
squaredoffagain,though
Nathanwasnowmoreonthe
defensiveasherealized
Magnushadbeenkeeping
halfaneyeontherestofthe
fightandnotgivinghisfull
attentiontotheknight
captain.
OverNathan’sshoulder,
Bromcouldbeseen.Thelord
ofCanarnwasfightingwith
hisbacktoalargewooden
feasttableandtherewasa
nastycutonhisface.Rillion
haddisarmedhimofhisleafbladeandBromwasfuriously
tryingtoresisttheknight’s
superiorskill.
‘Timetodie,knight,’spat
Magnus,intendingtofinish
offNathanandgotohis
friend’sassistance.
Nearby,asickeningsound
ofsteelcleavingflesh
soundedoverthemeleeand
MagnussawTyrRafnhad
deliveredahugeoverhead
strikeatRashabald.The
forest-dwellerhadstruckwith
suchpowerthathe’d
shatteredtheexecutioner’s
swordandsplithisheadin
two,drivinghisbladedown
pasttheknight’snecktoend
upwedgedinhisbreastp