{"id":3747,"date":"2026-01-03T23:46:48","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T23:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/sparhawk-universe-04-domes-of-fire-eddings-david\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T23:46:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T23:46:48","slug":"sparhawk-universe-04-domes-of-fire-eddings-david","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/sparhawk-universe-04-domes-of-fire-eddings-david\/","title":{"rendered":"Sparhawk Universe 04 – Domes of Fire – Eddings, David"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Book Preview<\/h3>\n
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\nDomes of Fire<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThe Tamuli<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nBook One<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nDavid Eddings<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nDanger stalked Queen Ehlana\u2019s realm. When an ambasador from the far-off Tamul Empire begged for help, Sparhawk, Ehlana\u2019s champion and Prince Consort, was the Emperor\u2019s last hope. For surely the knight who had killed the evil God Azash could prevail against the terror in Tamul. But waiting for him was a glittering court seething with corruption, treachery\u2014and the greatest danger Sparhawk would ever face!<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nPrologue<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nExcerpted from Chapter Two of The Cyrga Affair: An Examination of the Recent Crisis, Compiled by the Contemporary History Department of the University of Matherion.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nIt was quite obvious to the Imperial Council at this point that the empire was facing a threat of the gravest nature a threat which his Imperial Majesty\u2019s government was ill-prepared to confront. The empire had long relied upon the armies of Atan to defend her interests during the periodic outbreaks of incidental civil disorder which are normal and to be expected in a disparate population ruled by a strong central authority. The situation facing his Majesty\u2019s government this time, however, did not appear to arise from spontaneous demonstrations by a few malcontented hotheads spilling out into the streets from various university campuses during the traditional recess which follows final examinations.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThose particular demonstrations can be taken in stride, and order is usually restored with a minimum of bloodshed. The government soon realized that this time, however, things were different. The demonstrators were not high-spirited schoolboys, for one thing, and domestic tranquillity did not return when \u2018classes at the universities resumed. The authorities might still have maintained order had the various disruptions been the result of ordinary revolutionary fervour. The mere presence of Atan warriors can dampen the spirits of even the most enthusiastic under normal circumstances. This time, the customary acts of vandalism accompanying the demonstrations were quite obviously of paranormal origin.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nInevitably, the imperial government cast a questioning eye at the Styrics in Sarsos. An investigation by Styric members of the Imperial Council whose loyalty to the throne could not be questioned, however, quite clearly indicated that Styricum had had no part in the disturbances.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThe paranormal incidents were obviously coming from some as yet to be determined source and were so widespread that they could not have emanated from the activities of a few Styric renegades. The Styrics themselves were unable to identify the source of this activity, and even the legendary Zalasta, pre-eminent magician in all of Styricum though he might be, ruefully confessed to total bafflement.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nIt was Zalasta, however, who suggested the course ultimately taken by his Majesty\u2019s government. He advised that the empire might seek assistance from the Eosian continent, and he specifically directed the government\u2019s attention to a man named Sparhawk.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nAll imperial representatives on the Eosian continent were immediately commanded to drop everything else and to concentrate their full attention upon this man.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nIt was imperative that his Majesty\u2019s government have information about this Sparhawk person. As the reports from Eosia began to filter in, the Imperial Council began to develop a composite picture of Sparhawk, his appearance, his personality and his history.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nSir Sparhawk, they discovered, was a member of one of the quasi-religious orders of the Elene Church. His particular order is referred to as \u2018The Pandion Knights\u2019.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nHe is a tall, lean man of early middle years with a battered face, a keen intelligence and an abrupt, even abrasive manner. The Knights of the Elene Church are fearsome warriors, and Sir Sparhawk is in the forefront of their ranks of champions. At the time in the history of the Eosian continent when the four orders of Church Knights were founded, the circumstances were so desperate that the Elenes set aside their customary prejudices and permitted the Militant Orders to receive instruction in the arcane practices of Styricum, and it was the proficiency of the Church Knights in those arts which helped them to prevail during the First Zemoch War some five centuries ago.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nSir Sparhawk held a position for which there is no equivalent in our empire. He was the hereditary \u2018Champion\u2019 of the royal house of the Kingdom of Elenia. Western Elenes have a chivalric culture replete with many archaisms. The \u2018Challenge\u2019 (essentially an offer to engage in single combat is the customary response of members of the nobility who feel that their honour has been somehow sullied. It is amazing to note that not even ruling monarchs are exempt from the necessity of answering these challenges. In order to avoid the inconvenience of responding to the impertinences of assorted hotheads, the monarchs of Eosia customarily designate some highly-skilled (and usually widely-feared) warrior as a surrogate. Sir Spar_hawk\u2019s nature and reputation is such that even the most quarrelsome nobles of the kingdom of Elenia find after careful consideration that they have not really been insulted. It is a credit to Sir Sparhawk\u2019s skill and cool judgement that he has seldom even been obliged to kill anyone during these affairs, since, by ancient custom, a severely incapacitated combatant may save his life by surrendering and withdrawing his challenge.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nAfter his father\u2019s death, Sir Sparhawk presented himself to King Aldreas, the father of the present queen, to take up his duties. King Aldreas, however, was a weak monarch, and he was dominated by his sister, Arissa, and by Annias, the Primate of Cimmura, who was also Princess Arissa\u2019s surreptitious lover and the father of her bastard son, Lycheas. The Primate of Cimmura, who was the de facto ruler of Elenia, had hopes of ascending the throne of the Archprelacy of the Elene Church in the Holy City of Chyrellos, and the presence of the stern and moralistic Church Knight at the court inconvenienced him, and so it was that he persuaded King Aldreas to send Sir Sparhawk into exile in the Kingdom of Render.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nIn time, King Aldreas also became inconvenient, and Primate Annias and the Princess poisoned him, thus elevating Princess Ehlana, Aldreas\u2019 daughter, to the throne. Though she was young, Queen Ehlana had received some training from Sir Sparhawk as a child, and she was a far stronger monarch than her father had been. She soon became more than a mere inconvenience to the Primate. He poisoned her as well, but Sir Sparhawk\u2019s fellow Pandions, aided by their tutor in the arcane arts, a Styric woman named Sephrenia, cast an enchantment which sealed the queen up in crystal and sustained her life.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThus it stood when Sir Sparhawk returned from exile.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nSince the Militant Orders had no wish to see the Primate of Cimmura on the Archprelate\u2019s throne, certain of the champions of the other three orders were sent to assist Sir Sparhawk in finding an antidote or a cure which could restore Queen Ehlana to health. Since the queen had denied Annias access to her treasury in the past, the Church Knights reasoned that should she be restored, she would once again deny Annias the funds he needed to pursue his candidacy.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nAnnias allied himself with a renegade Pandion named Martel, and this Martel person was, like all Pandions, skilled in the use of Styric magic. He cast obstacles, both physical and supernatural, in Sparhawk\u2019s path, but Sir Sparhawk and his companions were ultimately successful in discovering that Queen Ehlana could only be restored by a magical object known as \u2018The Bhelliom.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nWestern Elenes are a peculiar people. They have a level of sophistication in worldly matters which sometimes surpasses our own, but at the same time, they have an almost childlike belief in the more lurid forms of magic. This \u2018Bhelliom\u2019, we are told, is a very large sapphire which was laboriously carved into the shape of a rose at some time in the distant past. The Elenes here insist that the artisan who carved it was a Troll. We will not dwell on that absurdity.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nAt any rate, Sir Sparhawk and his friends overcame many obstacles and were ultimately able to obtain the peculiar talisman, and (they claim) it was successful in restoring Queen Ehlana\u2014although one strongly suspects that their tutor, Sephrenia, accomplished that task unaided, and that the apparent use of the Bhelliom was little more than a subterfuge she used to protect her from the virulent bigotry of western Elenes.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nWhen the Archprelate Cluvonus died, the Hierocracy of the Elene Church journeyed to Chyrellos to participate in the \u2018election\u2019 of his successor. Election is a peculiar practice which involves the stating of preference. That candidate who receives the approval of a majority of his fellows is elevated to the office in question. This, of course, is an unnatural procedure, but since the Elene clergy is ostensibly celibate, there is no non-scandalous way the Archprelacy can be made hereditary. The Primate of Cimmura had bribed a goodly number of high churchmen to state a preference for him during the deliberations of the Hierocracy, but he still fell short of the needed majority. It was at this point that his underling, the aforementioned Martel, led an assault on the Holy City, hoping thereby to stampede the Hierocracy into electing Primate Annias. Sir Sparhawk and a limited number of Church Knights were able to keep Martel away from the Basilica where the Hierocracy was deliberating. Most of the city of Chyrellos, however, was severely damaged or destroyed during the fighting.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nAs the situation reached crisis proportions, help arrived for the beleaguered defenders in the form of the armies of the western Elene kingdoms. (Elene politics, one notes, are quite robust.) The connection between the Primate of Cimmura and the renegade Martel came to light as well as the fact that the pair had a subterranean arrangement with Otha of Zemoch. Outraged by the perfidy of the man, the Hierocracy rejected his candidacy and elected instead one Dolmant, the Patriarch of Demos. This Dolmant appears to be competent, though it may be too early to say for certain.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nQueen Ehlana of the Kingdom of Elenia was scarcely more than a child, but she appeared to be a strong-willed and spirited young woman. She had long had a secret preference for Sir Sparhawk, though he was more than twenty years her senior, and upon her recovery it had been announced that the two were betrothed.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nFollowing the election of Dolmant to the Archprelacy, they were wed. Peculiarly enough, the queen retained her authority, although we must suspect that Sir Sparhawk exerts considerable influence upon her in state as well as domestic matters.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThe involvement of the Emperor of Zemoch in the internal affairs of the Elene Church was, of course, a casus belli, and the armies of western Eosia, led by the Church Knights, marched eastward across Lamorkand to meet the Zemoch hordes poised on the border. The long-dreaded Second Zemoch War had begun.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nSir Sparhawk and his companions, however, rode north to avoid the turmoil of the battlefield, and they then turned eastward, crossed the mountains of northern Zemoch and surreptitiously made their way to Otha\u2019s capital at the city of Zemoch, evidently in pursuit of Annias and Martel.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThe best efforts of the empire\u2019s agents in the west have failed to reveal precisely what took place at Zemoch. It is quite certain that Annias, Martel and Otha himself perished there, but they are of little note in the pageant of history. What is far more relevant is the incontrovertible fact that Azash, Elder God of Styricum and the driving force behind Otha and his Zemochs, also perished, and it is undeniably true that Sir Sparhawk was responsible. We must concede that the levels of magic unleashed at Zemoch were beyond our comprehension and that Sir Sparhawk has powers at his command such as no mortal has ever possessed. As evidence of the levels of violence unleashed in the confrontation, we need only point to the fact that the city of Zemoch was utterly destroyed during the discussions.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nClearly, Zalasta the Styric had been right. Sir Sparhawk, the prince consort of Queen Ehlana, was the one man in all the world capable of dealing with the crisis in Tamuli. Unfortunately, Sir Sparhawk was not a citizen of the Tamul Empire, and thus could not be summoned to the imperial capital at Matherion by the emperor. His Majesty\u2019s government was in a quandary. The emperor had no authority over this Sparhawk, and to have been obliged to appeal to a man who was essentially a private citizen would have been an unthinkable humiliation.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThe situation in the empire was daily worsening, and our need for the intervention of Sir Sparhawk was growing more and more urgent. Of equal urgency was the absolute necessity of maintaining the empire\u2019s dignity. It was ultimately the Foreign Office\u2019s most brilliant diplomat, First Secretary Oscagne, who devised a solution to the dilemma. We will discuss his Excellency\u2019s brilliant diplomatic ploy at greater length in the following chapter.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nPart One: Eosia<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nChapter 1<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nIt was early spring, and the rain still had the lingering chill of winter. A soft, silvery drizzle sifted down out of the night sky and wreathed around the blocky watchtowers of Cimmura, hissing in the torches on each side of the broad gate and making the stones of the road leading up to the gate shiny and black. A lone rider approached the city. He was wrapped in a heavy traveller\u2019s cloak and rode a tall, shaggy roan horse with a long nose and flat, vicious eyes. The traveler was a big man, a bigness of large, heavy bone and ropy tendon rather than of flesh. His hair was coarse and black, and at some time his nose had been broken. He rode easily but with the peculiar alertness of the trained warrior.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThe big\u2019 roan shuddered, shaking the rain out of his shaggy coat as they approached the east gate of the city and stopped in the ruddy circle of torchlight just outside the wall. An unshaven gate guard in a rust-splotched breastplate and helmet and with a patched green cloak hanging negligently from one shoulder came out of the gate house to look inquiringly at the traveler. He was swaying slightly on his feet. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Just passing through, neighbour,\u2019 the big man said in a quiet voice. He pushed back the hood of his cloak.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Oh,\u2019 the guard said, \u2018it\u2019s you, Prince Sparhawk. I didn\u2019t recognise you. Welcome home.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Thank you,\u2019 Sparhawk replied. He could smell the cheap wine on the man\u2019s breath.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Would you like to have me send word to the palace that you\u2019ve arrived, your Highness?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018No. Don\u2019t bother them. I can unsaddle my own horse.\u2019 Sparhawk privately disliked ceremonies\u2014particularly late at night. He leaned over and handed the guard a small coin. \u2018Go back inside, neighbour. You\u2019ll catch cold if you stand out here in the rain.\u2019 He nudged his horse and rode on through the gate.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThe district near the city wall was poor, with shabby, run-down houses standing tightly packed beside each other, their second storeys projecting out over the wet littered streets. Sparhawk rode up a narrow, cobbled street with the slow clatter of the big roan\u2019s steel-shod hooves echoing back from the buildings. The night breeze had come up, and the crude signs identifying this or that tightly-shuttered shop on the street-level floors swung creaking on rusty hooks.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nA dog with nothing better to do came out of an alley to bark at them with brainless self-importance. Sparhawk\u2019s horse turned his head slightly to give the wet cur a long, level stare that spoke eloquently of death. The empty-headed dog\u2019s barking trailed off and he cringed back, his rat-like tail between his legs. The horse bore down on him purposefully. The dog whined, then yelped, turned and fled. Sparhawk\u2019s horse snorted derisively.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018That make you feel better, Faran?\u2019 Sparhawk asked the roan.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nFaran flicked his ears.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Shall we proceed then?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nA torch burned fitfully at an intersection, and a buxom young whore in a cheap dress stood, wet and bedraggled, in its ruddy, flaring light. Her dark hair was plastered to her head, the rouge on her cheeks was streaked and she had a resigned expression on her face.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018What are you doing out here in the rain, Naween?\u2019 Sparhawk asked her, reining in his horse.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018I\u2019ve been waiting for you, Sparhawk.\u2019 Her tone was arch, and her dark eyes wicked.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Or for anyone else?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Of course. I am a professional, Sparhawk, but I still owe you. Shouldn\u2019t we settle up one of these days?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nHe ignored that. \u2018What are you doing working the streets?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Shanda and I had a fight,\u2019 she shrugged. \u201cI decided to go into business for myself.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018You\u2019re not vicious enough to be a street-girl, Naween.\u2019 He dipped his fingers into the pouch at his side, fished out several coins and gave them to her. \u2018Here,\u2019 he instructed. \u2018Get a room in an inn someplace and stay off the streets for a few days. I\u2019ll talk with Platime, and we\u2019ll see if we can make some arrangements for you .\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nHer eyes narrowed. \u2018You don\u2019t have to do that, Sparhawk. I can take care of myself.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Of course you can. That\u2019s why you\u2019re standing out here in the rain. Just do it, Naween. It\u2019s too late and too wet for arguments.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018This is two I owe you, Sparhawk. Are you absolutely sure . . . ?\u2019 She left it hanging. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Quite sure, little sister. I\u2019m married now, remember?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018So?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Never mind. Get in out of the weather.\u2019 Sparhawk rode on, shaking his head. He liked Naween, but she was hopelessly incapable of taking care of herself.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nHe passed through a quiet square where all the shops and booths were shut down. There were few people abroad tonight, and few business opportunities. He let his mind drift back over the past month and a half. No one in Lamorkand had been willing to talk with him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nArchprelate Dolmant was a wise man, learned in doctrine and Church politics, but he was woefully ignorant of the way the common people thought. Sparhawk had patiently tried to explain to him that sending a Church Knight out to gather information was a waste of time, but Dolmant had insisted, and Sparhawk\u2019s oath obliged him to obey. And so it was that he had wasted six weeks in the ugly cities of southern Lamorkand where no one had been willing to talk with him about anything more serious than the weather. To make matters even worse, Dolmant had quite obviously blamed the knight for his own blunder.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nIn a dark side-street where the water dripped monotonously onto the cobblestones from the eaves of the houses, he felt Faran\u2019s muscles tense. \u2018Sorry,\u2019 he said quietly. \u2018I wasn\u2019t paying attention.\u2019 Someone was watching him, and he could clearly sense the animosity which had alerted his horse. Faran was a war-horse, and he could probably sense antagonism in his veins.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nSparhawk muttered a quick spell in the Styric tongue, concealing the gestures which accompanied it beneath his cloak. He released the spell slowly to avoid alerting whoever was watching him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nThe watcher was not an Elene. Sparhawk sensed that immediately. He probed further. Then he frowned. There were more than one, and they were not Styrics either. He pulled his thought back, passively waiting for some clue as to their identity. The realization came as a chilling shock. The watchers were not human. He shifted slightly in his saddle, sliding his hand toward his sword-hilt. Then the sense of the watchers was gone, and Faran shuddered with relief. He turned his ugly face to give his master a suspicious look.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Don\u2019t ask me, Faran,\u2019 Sparhawk told him. \u201cI don\u2019t know either.\u2019 But that was not entirely true. The touch of the minds in the darkness had been vaguely familiar, and that familiarity had raised questions in Sparhawk\u2019s mind, questions he did not want to face.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nHe paused at the palace gate long enough to firmly instruct the soldiers not to wake the whole house, and then he dismounted in the courtyard.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nA young man stepped out into the rain-swept yard from the stable. \u2018Why didn\u2019t you send word that you were coming, Sparhawk?\u2019 he asked very quietly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Because I don\u2019t particularly like parades and wild celebrations in the middle of the night,\u2019 Sparhawk told his squire, throwing back the hood of his cloak. \u2018What are you doing up so late? I promised your mothers I\u2019d make sure you got your rest. You\u2019re going to get me in trouble, Khalad.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Are you trying to be funny?\u2019 Khalad\u2019s voice was gruff, abrasive. He took Faran\u2019s reins. \u2018Come inside, Sparhawk. You\u2019ll rust if you stand out here in the rain.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018You\u2019re as bad as your father was.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018It\u2019s an old family trait.\u2019 Khalad led the prince consort and his evil-tempered warhorse into the hay-smelling stable where a pair of lanterns gave off a golden light.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nKhalad was a husky young man with coarse black hair and a short-trimmed black beard. He wore tight-fitting black leather breeches, boots and a sleeveless leather vest that left his arms and shoulders bare. A heavy dagger hung from his belt, and steel cuffs encircled his wrists. He looked and behaved so much like his father that Sparhawk felt again a brief, brief pang of loss. \u2018I thought Talen would be coming back with you,\u2019 Sparhawk\u2019s squire said as he began unsaddling Faran.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018He\u2019s got a cold. His mother\u2014and yours\u2014decided that he shouldn\u2019t go out in the weather, and I certainly wasn\u2019t going to argue with them.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Wise decision,\u2019 Khalad said, absently slapping Faran on the nose as the big roan tried to bite him. \u2018How are they?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Your mothers? Fine. Aslade\u2019s still trying to fatten Elys up, but she\u2019s not having too much luck. How did you find out I was in town?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018One of Platime\u2019s cut-throats saw you coming through the gate. He sent word.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018I suppose I should have known. You didn\u2019t wake my wife, did you?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018Not with Mirtai standing watch outside her door, I didn\u2019t. Give me that wet cloak, my Lord. I\u2019ll hang it in the kitchen to dry.\u2019 Sparhawk grunted and removed his sodden cloak. \u2018The mail shirt too, Sparhawk,\u2019 Khalad added, \u2018before it rusts away entirely.\u2019 Sparhawk nodded, unbelted his sword and began to struggle out of his chain-mail shirt. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\u2018How\u2019s your training going?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\nKhalad made an indelicate sound. \u201cI haven\u2019t learned anything I didn\u2019t already know. My father was a much better instructor than the ones at the chapterhouse. This idea of yours isn\u2019t going to work, Sparhawk. The other novices are all aristocrats, and when my brothers and I outstrip them on the practice field, they resent it. We make enemies every time we turn around.\u2019 He lifted the saddle from Faran\u2019s back and put it on the rail of a nearby stall. He briefly laid his hand on the big roan\u2019s back, then bent, picked up a handful of straw and began to rub him down.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Wake some groom and have him do that,\u2019 Sparhawk told him. \u2018Is anybody still awake in the kitchen?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The bakers are already up, I think.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Have one of them throw something together for me to eat. It\u2019s been a long time since lunch.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018All right. What took you so long in Chyrellos?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I took a little side trip into Lamorkand. The civil war there\u2019s getting out of hand, and the Archprelate wanted me to nose around a bit.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You should have got word to your wife. She was just about to send Mirtai out to find you.\u2019 Khalad grinned at him. \u201cI think you\u2019re going to get yelled at again, Sparhawk.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There\u2019s nothing new about that. Is Kalten here in the palace?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nKhalad nodded. \u2018The food\u2019s better here, and he isn\u2019t expected to pray three times a day. Besides, I think he\u2019s got his eye on one of the chambermaids.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That wouldn\u2019t surprise me very much. Is Stragen here too?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018No. Something came up, and he had to go back to Emsat.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Get Kalten up then. Have him join us in the kitchen. I want to talk with him. I\u2019ll be along in a bit. I\u2019m going to the bathhouse first.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The water won\u2019t be warm. They let the fires go out at night.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We\u2019re soldiers of God, Khalad. We\u2019re all supposed to be unspeakably brave.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ll try to remember that, my Lord.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe water in the bathhouse was definitely on the chilly side, so Sparhawk did not linger very long. He wrapped himself in a soft white robe and went into the dim corridors of the palace and to the brightly-lit kitchens where Khalad waited with the sleepy-looking Kalten.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Hail, Noble Prince Consort,\u2019 Kalten said drily. Sir Kalten obviously didn\u2019t care much for the idea of being roused in the middle of the night.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Hail, noble Boyhood Companion of the Noble Prince Consort,\u2019 Sparhawk replied.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Now there\u2019s a cumbersome title,\u2019 Kalten said sourly. \u2018What\u2019s so important that it won\u2019t wait until morning?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk sat down at one of the work tables, and a white-smocked baker brought him a plate of roast beef and a steaming loaf still hot from the oven.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Thanks, neighbour,\u2019 Sparhawk said to him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Where have you been, Sparhawk?\u2019 Kalten demanded, sitting down across the table from his friend. Kalten had a wine flagon in one hand and a tin cup in the other.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Sarathi sent me to Lamorkand,\u2019 Sparhawk replied, tearing a chunk of bread from the loaf.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Your wife\u2019s been making life miserable for everyone in the palace, you know.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s nice to know she cares.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not for any of the rest of us it isn\u2019t. What did Dolmant need from Lamorkand?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Information. He didn\u2019t altogether believe some of the reports he\u2019s been getting.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What\u2019s not to believe? The Lamorks are just engaging in their national pastime\u2014civil war.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There seems to be something a little different this time. Do you remember Count Gerrich?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The one who had us besieged in Baron Alstrom\u2019s castle? I never met him personally, but his name\u2019s sort of familiar.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He seems to be coming out on top in the squabbles in western Lamorkand, and most everybody up there believes that he\u2019s got his eye on the throne.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018So?\u2019 Kalten helped himself to part of Sparhawk\u2019s loaf of bread. \u2018Every baron in Lamorkand has his eyes on the throne. What\u2019s got Dolmant so concerned about it this time?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Gerrich\u2019s been making alliances beyond the borders of Lamorkand. Some of those border barons in Pelosia are more or less independent of King Saros.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Everybody in Pelosia\u2019s independent of Saros. He isn\u2019t much of a king. He spends too much time praying.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s a strange position for a soldier of God,\u2019 Khalad murmured.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019ve got to keep these things in perspective, Khalad,\u2019 Kalten told him. \u2018Too much praying softens a man\u2019s brains.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Anyway,\u2019 Sparhawk went on. \u2018if Gerrich succeeds in dragging those Pelosian barons into his bid for King Friedahl\u2019s throne, Friedahl\u2019s going to have to declare war on Pelosia. The Church already has a war going on in Render, and Dolmant\u2019s not very enthusiastic about a second front.\u2019 He paused. \u201cI ran across something else, though,\u2019 he added. \u201cI overheard a conversation I wasn\u2019t supposed to. The name Drychtnath came up. Do you know anything about him?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nKalten shrugged. \u2018He was the national hero of the Lamorks some three or four thousand years ago. They say he was about twelve feet tall, ate an ox for breakfast every morning and drank a hogshead of mead every evening. The story has it that he could shatter rocks by scowling at them and reach up and stop the sun with one hand. The stories might be just a little bit exaggerated, though.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Very funny. The group I overheard were all telling each other that he\u2019s returned.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019d be a neat trick. I gather that his closest friend killed him. Stabbed him in the back and then ran a spear through his heart. You know how Lamorks are.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s a strange name,\u2019 Khalad noted. \u2018What does it mean?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Drychtnath?\u2019 Kalten scratched his head. \u201c\u2018Dreadnought\u201d, I think. Lamork mothers do that sort of thing to their children.\u2019 He drained his cup and tipped his flagon over it. A few drops came out. \u2018Are we going to be much longer at this?\u2019 he asked. \u2018if we\u2019re going to sit up talking all night, I\u2019ll get more wine. To be honest with you though, Sparhawk, I\u2019d really rather go back to my nice warm bed.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018And your nice warm chambermaid?\u2019 Khalad added. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018She gets lonesome,\u2019 Kalten shrugged. His face grew serious. \u2018If the Lamorks are talking about Drychtnath again, it means that they\u2019re starting to feel a little confined. Drychtnath wanted to rule the world, and any time the Lamorks start invoking his name, it\u2019s a fair indication that they\u2019re beginning to look beyond their borders for elbow room.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk pushed back his plate. \u201cIt\u2019s too late at night to start worrying about it now. Go back to bed, Kalten. You too, Khalad. We can talk more about this tomorrow. I really ought to go pay a courtesy call on my wife.\u2019 He stood up.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s all?\u2019 Kalten said. \u2018A courtesy call?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There are many forms of courtesy, Kalten.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe corridors in the palace were dimly illuminated by widely-spaced candles. Sparhawk went quietly past the throne-room to the royal apartments. As usual, Mirtai dozed in a chair beside the door. Sparhawk stopped and considered the Tamul giantess. When her face was in repose, she was heart-stoppingly beautiful. Her skin was golden in the candlelight, and her eyelashes were so long that they touched her cheeks. Her sword lay in her lap with her hand lightly enclosing its hilt.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Don\u2019t try to sneak up on me, Sparhawk.\u2019 She said it without opening her eyes.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How did you know it was me?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I could smell you. All you Elenes seem to forget that you have noses.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How could you possibly smell me? I just took a bath.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Yes. I noticed that too. You should have taken the time to let the water heat up a little more.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Sometimes you amaze me, do you know that?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019re easily amazed, Sparhawk.\u2019 She opened her eyes. \u2018Where have you been? Ehlana\u2019s been nearly frantic.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How is she?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018About the same. Aren\u2019t you ever going to let her grow up? I\u2019m getting very tired of being owned by a child.\u2019 In Mirtai\u2019s own eyes, she was a slave, the property of the Queen Ehlana. This in no way hindered her in ruling the royal family of Elenia with an iron fist, arbitrarily deciding what was good for them and what was not. She had brusquely dismissed all the queen\u2019s attempts to emancipate her, pointing out that she was an Atan Tamul, and that her race was temperamentally unsuited for freedom. Sparhawk tended strongly to agree with her, since he was fairly certain that if she were left to follow her instincts, Mirtai could depopulate several fair-sized towns in short order.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe stood up, rising to her feet with exquisite grace. She was a good four inches taller than Sparhawk, and he felt again that odd sense of shrinking as he looked up at her. \u2018What took you so long?\u2019 she asked him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I had to go to Lamorkand.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Was that your idea? or somebody else\u2019s?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Dolmant sent me.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Make sure Ehlana understands that right from the start. If she thinks you went there on your own, the fight will last for weeks, and all that wrangling gets on my nerves.\u2019 She produced the key to the royal apartment and gave Sparhawk a blunt, direct look. \u2018Be very attentive, Sparhawk. She\u2019s missed you a great deal, and she needs some tangible evidence of your affection. And don\u2019t forget to bolt the bedroom door. Your daughter might be just a little young to be learning about certain things.\u2019 She unlocked the door.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Mirtai, do you really have to lock us all in every night?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Yes, I do. I can\u2019t get to sleep until I know that none of you is out wandering around the halls.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk sighed. \u2018Oh, by the way,\u2019 he added, \u2018Kring was in Chyrellos. I imagine he\u2019ll be along in a few days to propose marriage to you again.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s about time,\u2019 she smiled. \u201cIt\u2019s been three months since his last proposal. I was beginning to think he didn\u2019t love me any more.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Are you ever going to accept him?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We\u2019ll see. Go wake up your wife, Sparhawk. I\u2019ll let you out in the morning.\u2019 She gently pushed him on through the doorway and locked the door behind him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk\u2019s daughter, Princess Danae, was curled up in a large chair by the fire. Danae was six years old now. Her hair was very dark, and her skin as white as milk. Her dark eyes were large, and her mouth a small pink bow. She was quite the little lady, her manner serious and very grown-up. Her constant companion, nonetheless, was a battered and disreputable-looking stuffed toy animal named Rollo. Rollo had descended to Princess Danae from her mother. As usual, Princess Danae\u2019s little feet had greenish grass-stains on them. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019re late, Sparhawk,\u2019 she said flatly to her father. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Danae,\u2019 he said to her, \u2018you know you\u2019re not supposed to call me by name like that. If your mother hears you, she\u2019s going to start asking questions.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018She\u2019s asleep,\u2019 Danae shrugged.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Are you really sure about that?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe gave him a withering look. \u2018Of course I am. I\u2019m not going to make any mistakes. I\u2019ve done this many, many times before, you know. Where have you been?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I had to go to Lamorkand.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Didn\u2019t it occur to you to send word to mother? She\u2019s been absolutely unbearable for the last few weeks.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I know. Any number of people have already told me about it. I didn\u2019t really think I\u2019d be gone for so long. I\u2019m glad you\u2019re awake. Maybe you can help me with something.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ll consider it\u2014if you\u2019re nice to me.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Stop that. What do you know about Drychtnath?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He was a barbarian, but he wasan Elene, after all, so it was probably only natural.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Your prejudices are showing.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Nobody\u2019s perfect. Why this sudden interest in ancient history?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There\u2019s a wild story running through Lamorkand that Drychtnath\u2019s returned. They\u2019re all sitting around sharpening swords with exalted expressions on their faces. What\u2019s the real significance of that?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He was their king several thousand years ago. It was shortly after you Elenes discovered fire and came out of your caves.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Be nice.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Yes, father. Anyway, Drychtnath hammered all the Lamorks into something that sort of resembled unity and then set out to conquer the world. The Lamorks were very impressed with him. He worshipped the old Lamork Gods, though, and your Elene Church was a little uncomfortable with the notion of a pagan sitting on the throne of the whole world, so she had him murdered.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The Church wouldn\u2019t do that,\u2019 he said flatly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Did you want to listen to the story? or did you want to argue theology? After Drychtnath died, the Lamork priests disembowelled a few chickens and fondled their entrails in order to read the future. That\u2019s really a disgusting practice, Sparhawk. It\u2019s so messy.\u2019 She shuddered.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Don\u2019t blame me. I didn\u2019t think it up.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The \u201cauguries\u201d, as they called them, said that one day Drychtnath would return to take up where he\u2019d left off and that he\u2019d lead the Lamorks to world domination.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You mean they actually believe that?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018They did once.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There are some rumours up there of backsliding reversion to the worship of the old Pagan Gods.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s the sort of thing you\u2019d expect. When a Lamork starts thinking about Drychtnath, he automatically hauls the old Gods out of the closet. It\u2019s so foolish. Aren\u2019t there enough real Gods for them?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The old Lamork Gods aren\u2019t real, then?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Of course not. Where\u2019s your mind, Sparhawk?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The Troll-Gods are real. What\u2019s the difference?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There\u2019s all the difference in the world, father. Any child can see that.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Why don\u2019t I just take your word for it? And why don\u2019t you go back to bed?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Because you haven\u2019t kissed me yet.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh. Sorry. I had my mind on something else.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Of course not.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Then give me a kiss.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHe did that. As always she smelled of grass and trees. \u2018Wash your feet,\u2019 he told her.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, bother,\u2019 she said.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do you want to spend a week explaining those grassstains to your mother?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s all I get?\u2019 she protested. \u2018One meager little kiss and bathing instructions?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHe laughed, picked her up and kissed her again\u2014several times. Then he put her down. \u2018Now scoot.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe pouted a little and then sighed. She started back toward her bedroom, negligently carrying Rollo by one hind leg. \u2018Don\u2019t keep mother up all night,\u2019 she said back over her shoulder, \u2018and please try to be quiet. Why do you two always have to make so much noise?\u2019 She looked impishly back over her shoulder. \u2018Why are you blushing, father?\u2019 she asked innocently. Then she laughed and went on into her own room and closed the door.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHe could never be sure if his daughter really understood the implications of such remarks, although he was certain that one level at least of her strangely layered personality understood quite well. He made sure that her door was latched and then went into the bedroom he shared with his wife. He closed and bolted the door behind him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe fire had burned down to embers, but there was still sufficient light for him to be able to see the young woman who was the focus of his entire life. Her wealth of pale blonde hair covered her pillow, and in sleep she looked very young and vulnerable. He stood at the foot of the bed looking at her. There were still traces of the little girl he had trained and moulded in her face.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHe sighed. That train of thought always made him melancholy, because it brought home the fact that he was really too old for her. Ehlana should have a young husband\u2014someone less battered, certainly someone handsome. He idly wondered where he had made the mistake that had so welded her affection to him that she had not even considered any other possible choice. It had probably been something minor\u2014insignificant even. Who could ever know what kind of effect even the tiniest gesture might have on another?<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I know you\u2019re there, Sparhawk,\u2019 she said without even opening her eyes. There was a slight edge to her voice.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I was admiring the view.\u2019 A light tone might head off the incipient unpleasantness; though he didn\u2019t really have much hope of that.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe opened her grey eyes. \u2018Come over here,\u2019 she commanded, holding her arms out to him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I was ever your Majesty\u2019s most obedient servant.\u2019 He grinned at her, going to the side of the bed.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, really?\u2019 she replied, wrapping her arms about his neck and kissing him. He kissed her back, and that went on for quite some time.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do you suppose we could save the scolding until tomorrow morning, love?\u2019 he asked. \u2018I\u2019m a little tired tonight. Why don\u2019t we do the kissing and making up now, and you can scold me later.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018And lose my edge? Don\u2019t be silly. I\u2019ve been saving up all sorts of things to say to you.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I can imagine. Dolmant sent me to Lamorkand to look into something. It took me a little longer than I expected.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s not fair, Sparhawk,\u2019 she accused. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I didn\u2019t follow that.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You weren\u2019t supposed to say that yet. You\u2019re supposed to wait until after I\u2019ve demanded an explanation before you give me one. Now you\u2019ve gone and spoiled it.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Can you ever forgive me?\u2019 He assumed an expression of exaggerated contrition and kissed her on the neck. His wife, he had discovered, loved these little games.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe laughed. \u2018I\u2019ll think about it.\u2019 She kissed him back. The women of his family were a very demonstrative little group, he decided. \u2018All right then,\u2019 she said. \u2018You\u2019ve gone and spoiled it anyway, so you might as well tell me what you were doing, and why you didn\u2019t send word that you\u2019d be delayed.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Politics, love. You know Dolmant. Lamorkand is right on the verge of exploding. Sarathi wanted a professional assessment, but he didn\u2019t want it generally known that I was going there at his instruction. He didn\u2019t want any messages explaining things floating around.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I think it\u2019s time for me to have a little talk with our revered Archprelate,\u2019 Ehlana said. \u2018He seems to have a little trouble remembering just who I am.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I don\u2019t recommend it, Ehlana.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m not going to start a fight with him, my love. I\u2019m just going to point out to him that he\u2019s ignoring the customary courtesies. He\u2019s supposed to ask before he commandeers my husband. I\u2019m getting just a little weary of his imperial Archprelacy, so I\u2019m going to teach him some manners.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Can I watch? That might just be a very interesting conversation.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Sparhawk,\u2019 she said, giving him a smouldering look, \u201cif you want to avoid an official reprimand, you\u2019re going to have to start taking some significant steps to soften my displeasure.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I was just getting to that,\u2019 he told her, enfolding her in a tighter embrace.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What took you so long?\u2019 she breathed.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nIt was quite a bit later, and the displeasure of the Queen of Elenia seemed to be definitely softening. \u2018What did you find out in Lamorkand, Sparhawk?\u2019 she asked, stretching languorously. Politics were never really very far from the queen\u2019s mind.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Western Lamorkand\u2019s in turmoil right now. There\u2019s a count up there\u2014Gerrich, his name is. We ran across him when we were searching for Bhelliom. He was involved with Martel in one of those elaborate schemes devised to keep the Militant Orders out of Chyrellos during the election.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That speaks volumes about this count\u2019s character.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Perhaps, but Martel was very good at manipulating people. He stirred up a small war between Gerrich and Patriarch Ortzel\u2019s brother. Anyway, the campaign appears to have broadened the count\u2019s horizons a bit. He\u2019s begun to have some thoughts about the throne.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Poor Freddie,\u2019 Ehlana sighed. King Friedahl of Lamorkand was her distant cousin. \u2018You couldn\u2019t give me that throne of his. Why should the Church be concerned, though? Freddie\u2019s got a large enough army to deal with one ambitious count.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s not quite so simple, love. Gerrich has been concluding alliances with other nobles in western Lamorkand. He\u2019s amassed an army nearly as big as the king\u2019s, and he\u2019s been talking with the Pelosian barons around Lake Venue.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Those bandits,\u2019 she said with a certain contempt. \u2018Anybody can buy them.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019re well-versed in the politics of the region, Ehlana.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I almost have to be, Sparhawk. Pelosia fronts my northeastern border. Does this current disturbance threaten us in any way?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not at the moment. Gerrich has his eyes turned eastward toward the capital.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Maybe I should offer Freddie an alliance,\u2019 she mused. \u2018If general war breaks out in the region, I could snip off a nice piece of southwestern Pelosia.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Are we developing territorial ambitions, your Majesty?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not tonight, Sparhawk,\u2019 she replied. \u2018I\u2019ve got other things on my mind tonight.\u2019 And she reached out to him again.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nIt was quite a bit later, almost dawn. Ehlana\u2019s regular breathing told Sparhawk that she was asleep. He slipped from the bed and went to the window. His years of military training made it automatic for him to take a look at the weather just before daybreak.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe rain had abated, but the wind had picked up. It was early spring now, and there was little hope for decent weather for weeks. He was glad that he had reached home when he had, since the approaching day looked unpromising. He stared out at the torches flaring and tossing in the windy courtyard.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nAs they always did when the weather was bad, Sparhawk\u2019s thoughts drifted back to the years he had spent in the sun-blasted city of Jiroch on the arid north coast of Render where the women, all veiled and robed in black, went to the well in the steely first light of day and where the woman named Lillias had consumed his nights with what she chose to call love. He did not, however, remember that night in Cippria when Martel\u2019s assassins had quite nearly spilled out his life. He had settled that score with Martel in the Temple of Azash in Zemoch, so there was no real purpose in remembering the stockyard of Cippria nor the sound of the monastery bells which had called to him out of the darkness.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThat momentary sense of being watched, the sense that had come over him in the narrow street while he had been on his way to the palace still nagged at him. Something he did not understand was going on, and he fervently wished that he could talk with Sephrenia about it.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nChapter 2<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Your Majesty,\u2019 the Earl of Lenda protested, \u2018you can\u2019t address this kind of language to the Archprelate.\u2019 Lenda was staring with chagrin at the piece of paper the queen had just handed him. \u2018You\u2019ve done everything but accuse him of being a thief and a scoundrel.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, did I leave those out?\u2019 she asked. \u2018How careless of me.\u2019 They were meeting in the blue-carpeted council chamber as they usually did at this time of the morning. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Can\u2019t you do something with her, Sparhawk?\u2019 Lenda pleaded. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, Lenda,\u2019 Ehlana laughed, smiling at the frail old man, \u2018that\u2019s only a draft. I was a little irritated when I scribbled it down.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018A little?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I know we can\u2019t send the letter in its present form, my Lord. I just wanted you to know how I really felt about the matter before we rephrase it and couch it in diplomatic language. My whole point is that Dolmant\u2019s beginning to overstep his bounds. He\u2019s the Archprelate, not the emperor. The Church has too much authority over temporal affairs already, and, if someone doesn\u2019t bring Dolmant up short, every monarch in Eosia will become little more than his vassal. I\u2019m sorry gentlemen. I\u2019m a true daughter of the Church, but I won\u2019t kneel to Dolmant and receive my crown back from him in some contrived little ceremony that has no purpose other than my humiliation.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk was a bit surprised at his wife\u2019s political maturity. The power structure on the Eosian Continent had always depended on a rather delicate balance between the authority of the Church and the power of the various kings. When that balance was disturbed, things went awry. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Her Majesty\u2019s point may be welltaken, Lenda,\u2019 he said thoughtfully. \u2018The Eosian monarchies haven\u2019t been very strong for the last generation or so. Aldreas was\u2014\u2019 He groped for a word. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Inept,\u2019 his wife coolly characterised her own father.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I might not have gone quite that far,\u2019 he murmured. \u2018Wargun\u2019s erratic, Saros is a religious hysteric, Obler\u2019s old, and Friedahl reigns only at the sufferance of his barons. Dregos lets his relatives make all his decisions, King Brtsant of Cammorta is a voluptuary and I don\u2019t even know the name of the current King of Render.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Ogyrin,\u2019 Kalten supplied, \u2018not that it really matters.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Anyway,\u2019 Sparhawk continued, sinking lower in his chair and rubbing the side of his face thoughtfully, \u2018during this same period of time, we\u2019ve had a number of very able churchmen in the Hierocracy. The incapacity of Cluvonus sort of encouraged the patriarchs to strike out on their own. If you had a vacant throne someplace, you could do a lot worse than put Emban on it\u2014or Ortzel\u2014or Bergsten, and even Annias had a very high degree of political skill. When kings grow weak, the Church grows strong\u2014too strong sometimes.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Spit it out, Sparhawk,\u2019 Platime growled. \u2018Are you trying to say we should declare war on the Church?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not today, Platime. We might want to keep the idea in reserve, though. Right now I think it\u2019s time to start sending some signals to Chyrellos, and our queen may be just the one to send them. After the way she stampeded the Hierocracy during Dolmant\u2019s election, I think they\u2019ll listen very carefully to just about anything she says. I don\u2019t know that I\u2019d soften her letter all that much, Lenda. Let\u2019s see if we can get their attention.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nLenda\u2019s eyes were very bright. \u2018This is the way the game\u2019s supposed to be played, my friends,.\u2019 he said enthusiastically. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You do realise that it\u2019s altogether possible that Dolmant didn\u2019t realise that he was stepping over the line,\u2019 Kalten noted. \u2018Maybe he sent Sparhawk to Lamorkand as the interim preceptor of the Pandion Order and completely overlooked the fact that he\u2019s also the prince consort. Sarathi\u2019s got a lot on his mind just now.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018If he\u2019s that absent-minded, he\u2019s got no business occupying the Archprelate\u2019s throne,\u2019 Ehlana asserted. Her eyes narrowed, always a dangerous sign. \u2018Let\u2019s make it very clear to him that he\u2019s hurt my feelings. He\u2019ll go out of his way to smooth things over, and maybe I can take advantage of that to retrieve that Duchy just north of Vardenaise. Lenda, is there any way we can keep people from bequeathing their estates to the Church?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s a long-standing custom, your Majesty.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I know, but the land originally comes from the crown. Shouldn\u2019t we have some say in who inherits it? You\u2019d think that if a nobleman dies without an heir, the estate would revert back to me, but every time there\u2019s a childless noble in Elenia, the churchmen flock around him like vultures trying to talk him into giving them the land.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Jerk some titles,\u2019 Platime suggested. \u2018Make it a law that if a man doesn\u2019t have an heir, he doesn\u2019t keep his estate.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The aristocracy would go up in flames,\u2019 Lenda gasped.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s what the army\u2019s for,\u2019 Platime shrugged, \u2018to put out fires. I\u2019ll tell you what, Ehlana, you pass the law, and I\u2019ll arrange a few very public and very messy accidents for the ones who scream the loudest. Aristocrats aren\u2019t very bright, but they\u2019ll get the point\u2014eventually.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do you think I could get away with that?\u2019 Ehlana asked the Earl of Lenda.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Surely your Majesty\u2019s not seriously considering it?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I have to do something, Lenda. The Church is eating up my kingdom acre by acre, and once she takes possession of an estate, the land\u2019s removed from the tax rolls forever.\u2019 She paused. \u2018This could just be a way to do what Sparhawk suggested\u2014get the Church\u2019s attention. Why don\u2019t we draw up a draft of some outrageously repressive law and just \u201caccidentally\u201d let a copy fall into the hands of some middle-level clergyman. It\u2019s probably safe to say that it\u2019ll be in Dolmant\u2019s hands before the ink\u2019s dry.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s really unscrupulous, my Queen,\u2019 Lenda told her.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m so glad you approve, my Lord.\u2019 She looked around. \u2018Have we got anything else this morning, gentlemen?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019ve got some unauthorised bandits operating in the mountains near Cardos, Ehlana,\u2019 Platime rumbled.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe gross, black-bearded man sat with his feet upon the table. There was a wine flagon and goblet at his elbow. His doublet was wrinkled and food-spotted, and his shaggy hair hung down over his forehead, almost covering his eyes. Platime was constitutionally incapable of using formal titles, but the queen chose to overlook that.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Unauthorised?\u2019 Kalten sounded amused.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You know what I mean,\u2019 Platime growled. \u2018They don\u2019t have permission from the thieves\u2019 council to operate in that region, and they\u2019re breaking all the rules. I\u2019m not positive, but I think they\u2019re some of the former henchmen of the Primate of Cimmura. You blundered there, Ehlana. You should have waited until you had them in custody before you declared them outlaws.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh well,\u2019 she shrugged. \u2018Nobody\u2019s perfect.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nEhlana\u2019s relationship with Platime was peculiar. She realised that he was unable to mouth the polite formulas of the nobility, and so she accepted a bluntness from him that would have offended her had it come from anyone else. For all his faults, Platime was turning into a gifted, almost brilliant counsellor, and Ehlana valued his advice greatly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m not surprised to find out that Annias\u2019 old cronies have turned to highway robbery in their hour of need. They were all bandits to begin with anyway. There have always been outlaws in those mountains, though, so I doubt that another band will make all that much difference.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Ehlana,\u2019 he sighed, \u2018you\u2019re the same as my very own baby sister, but sometimes you\u2019re terribly ignorant. An authorised bandit knows the rules. He knows which travellers can be robbed or killed and which ones have to be left alone. Nobody gets too excited if some overstuffed merchant gets his throat cut and his purse lifted, but if a government official or a high-ranking nobleman turns up dead in those mountains, the authorities have to take steps to at least make it appear that they\u2019re doing their jobs. That sort of official attention is very bad for business. Perfectly innocent criminals get rounded up and hanged. Highway robbery\u2019s not an occupation for amateurs. And there\u2019s another problem as well. These bandits are telling all the local peasantry that they\u2019re not really robbers, but patriots rebelling against a cruel tyrant\u2014that\u2019s you, little sister. There\u2019s always enough discontent among the peasants to make some of them sympathetic toward that sort of thing. You aristocrats haven\u2019t any business getting involved in crime. You always try to mix politics in with it.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018But my dear Platime,\u2019 she said winsomely, \u201cI thought you knew. Politics is a crime.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe fat man roared with laughter. \u201cI love this girl,\u2019 he told the others. \u2018Don\u2019t worry too much about it, Ehlana. I\u2019ll try to get some men inside their band, and when Stragen gets back, we\u2019ll put our heads together and work out some way to put those people out of business.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I knew I could count on you,\u2019 she said. She rose to her feet. \u2018If that\u2019s all we have, gentlemen, I have an appointment with my dressmaker.\u2019 She looked around. \u2018Coming, Sparhawk?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018In a moment,\u2019 he replied. \u201cI want to have a word with Platime.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe nodded and moved toward the door.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What\u2019s on your mind, Sparhawk?\u2019 Platime asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I saw Naween last night when I rode into town. She\u2019s working the streets.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Naween? That\u2019s ridiculous! Half the time she even forgets to take the money.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s what I told her. She and Shanda had a falling out, and she was standing on a street corner near the east gate. I sent her to an inn to get her out of the weather. Can we make some kind of arrangement for her?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ll see what I can do,\u2019 Platime promised. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nEhlana had not yet left the room, and Sparhawk sometimes forgot how sharp her ears were. \u2018Who\u2019s this Naween?\u2019 she asked from the doorway with a slight edge to her voice.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018She\u2019s a whore,\u2019 Platime shrugged, \u2018a special friend of Sparhawk\u2019s. \u2018<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Platime.\u201d Sparhawk gasPed.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Isn\u2019t she?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Well, I suppose so, but when you say it that way\u2014\u2019 Sparhawk groped for the right words.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh. I didn\u2019t mean it that way, Ehlana. So far as I know, your husband\u2019s completely faithful to you. Naween\u2019s a whore. That\u2019s her occupation, but it doesn\u2019t have anything to do with her friendship\u2014not that she didn\u2019t make Sparhawk some offers, but she makes those offers to everybody. She\u2019s a very generous girl.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Please, Platime,\u201d Sparhawk groaned, \u2018don\u2019t be on my side any more.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Naween\u2019s a good girl,\u2019 Platime continued to explain to Ehlana. \u2018She works hard, she takes good care of her customers and she pays her taxes.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Taxes?\u2019 Ehlana exclaimed. \u2018Are you telling me that my government encourages that sort of thing? Legitimises it by taxing it?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Have you been living on the moon, Ehlana? Of course she pays taxes. We all do. Lenda sees to that. Naween helped Sparhawk once while you were sick. He was looking for that Krager fellow, and she helped him. Like I said, she offered him other services as well, but he turned her down politely. She\u2019s always been a bit disappointed in him about that.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You and I are going to have a long talk about this, Sparhawk,\u2019 Ehlana said ominously.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018As your Majesty wishes,\u2019 he sighed as she swept coolly from the room.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018She doesn\u2019t know very much about the real world, does she, Sparhawk?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s her sheltered upbringing.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I thought you were the one who brought her up.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s right.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Then you\u2019ve only got yourself to blame. I\u2019ll have Naween stop by and explain it all to her.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Are you out of your mind?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nTalen came in from Demos the next day, and he rode into the courtyard with Sir Berit. Sparhawk and Khalad met them at the stable door. The prince consort was making some effort to be inconspicuous until such time as the queen\u2019s curiosity about Naween diminished. Talen\u2019s nose was red, and his eyes looked puffy.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I thought you were going to stay at the farm until you got over that cold,\u2019 Sparhawk said to him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I couldn\u2019t stand all that mothering,\u2019 Talen said, slipping down from his saddle. \u2018One mother is bad enough, but my brothers and I have two now. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever be able to look another bowl of chicken soup in the face again. Hello, Khalad.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Talen,\u2019 Sparhawk\u2019s burly young squire grunted. He looked critically at his half-brother. \u2018Your eyes look terrible.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You ought to see them from in here.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nTalen was about fifteen now, and he was going through one of those stages. Sparhawk was fairly certain that the young thief had grown three inches in the past month and a half. A goodly amount of forearm and wrist stuck out of the sleeves of his doublet. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do you think the cooks might have something to eat?\u2019 the boy asked. As a result of his rapid growth, Talen ate almost constantly now. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ve got some papers for you to sign, Sparhawk,\u2019 Berit said. \u2018It\u2019s nothing very urgent, but I thought I\u2019d ride in with Talen.\u2019 Berit wore a mail shirt, and he had a broadsword belted at his waist. His weapon of choice, however, was still the heavy war-axe slung to his saddle. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Are you going back to the chapterhouse?\u2019 Khalad asked him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Unless Sparhawk has something he wants me for here.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ll ride along with you then. Sir Clart wants to give us more instruction with the lance this afternoon.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Why don\u2019t you just unhorse him a few times?\u2019 Berit suggested. \u2018Then he\u2019ll leave you alone. You could do it, you know. You\u2019re already better than he is.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nKhalad shrugged. \u2018It\u2019d hurt his feelings.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not to mention his ribs, shoulders and back,\u2019 Berit laughed. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s a bit ostentatious to outperform your instructors,\u2019 Khalad said. \u2018The other novices are already a little sulky about the way my brothers and I have outstripped them. We\u2019ve tried to explain, but they\u2019re sensitive about the fact that we\u2019re peasants. You know how that goes.\u2019 He looked inquiringly at Sparhawk. \u2018Are you going to need me for anything this afternoon, my Lord?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018No. Go ahead on out and dent Sir Clart\u2019s armour a bit. He\u2019s got an exaggerated notion of his own skill. Give him some instruction in the virtue of humility.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m really hungry, Sparhawk,\u2019 Talen complained. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018All right. Let\u2019s go to the kitchen.\u2019 Sparhawk looked critically at his young friend. \u2018Then I guess we\u2019ll have to send for the tailor again,\u2019 he added. \u2018You\u2019re growing like a weed.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s not my idea.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nKhalad started to saddle his horse, and Sparhawk and Talen went into the palace in search of food. It was about an hour later when the two of them entered the royal apartment to find Ehlana, Mirtai and Danae sitting by the fire. Ehlana was leafing through some documents. Danae was playing with Rollo, and Mirtai was sharpening one of her daggers. \u2018Well,\u2019 Ehlana said, looking up from the documents, \u201cif it isn\u2019t my noble prince consort and my wandering page.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nTalen bowed. Then he sniffed loudly. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Use your handkerchief,\u2019 Mirtai told him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Yes, ma\u2019am.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How are your mothers?\u2019 Ehlana asked the young man. Everyone, perhaps unconsciously, used that phrasing when speaking to Talen and his half-brothers. In a very real sense, though, the usage reflected reality. Aslade and Elys mothered Kurik\u2019s five sons excessively and impartially.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Meddlesome, my Queen,\u2019 Talen replied. \u201cIt\u2019s not really a good idea to get sick in that house. In the last week I think I\u2019ve been dosed with every cold remedy known to man.\u2019 A peculiar, squeaky noise came from somewhere in the general vicinity of the young man\u2019s midsection.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Is that your stomach?\u2019 Mirtai asked him. \u2018Are you hungry again?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018No. I just ate. I probably won\u2019t get hungry again for at least fifteen minutes.\u2019 Talen put one hand to the front of his doublet. \u2018The little beast was being so quiet I almost forgot it was there.\u2019 He went over to Danae, who was tying the strings of a little bonnet under the chin of her stuffed toy. \u2018I\u2019ve brought a present for you, Princess,\u2019 he said.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHer eyes brightened. She set Rollo aside and sat waiting expectantly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018But no kissing,\u2019 he added. \u2018Just a \u201cthank you\u201d will do. I\u2019ve got a cold, and you don\u2019t want to catch it.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What did you bring me?\u2019 she asked eagerly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, just a little something I found under a bush out on the road. It\u2019s a little wet and muddy, but you can dry it out and brush it off, I suppose. It\u2019s not much, but I thought you might like it\u2014just a little.\u2019 Talen was underplaying it for all he was worth.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Could I see it, please?\u2019 she begged.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, I suppose so.\u2019 He reached inside his doublet, took out a rather bedraggled grey kitten and sat it on the floor in front of her. The kitten had mackerel stripes, a spiky tail, large ears and an intently curious look in its blue eyes. It took a tentative step toward its new mistress. Danae squealed with delight, picked up the kitten and hugged it to her cheek. \u201cI love it!!\u2019 she exclaimed.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There go the draperies,\u2019 Mirtai said with resignation. \u2018Kittens always want to climb the drapes.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nTalen skilfully fended off Sparhawk\u2019s exuberant little daughter. \u2018The cold, Danae,\u2019 the boy warned. \u2018I\u2019ve got a cold, remember?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk was certain that his daughter would grow more skilled with the passage of time and that it wouldn\u2019t be very long until Talen would no longer be able to evade her affection. The kitten had been no more than a gesture, Sparhawk was certain, some spur-of-the-moment impulse to which Talen had given no thought whatsoever. It rather effectively sealed the young man\u2019s fate, however. A few days before, Sparhawk had idly wondered where he had made the mistake that had permanently attached his wife\u2019s affection to him. He realised that this scruffy-looking kitten was Talen\u2019s mistake\u2014or at least one of them. Sparhawk mentally shrugged. Talen would make an adequate son-in-law\u2014once Danae had trained him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Is it all right, your Majesty?\u2019 Talen was asking the queen. \u2018For her to have the kitten, I mean?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Isn\u2019t it just a little late to be asking that question, Talen?\u2019 Ehlana replied.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, I don\u2019t know,\u2019 he said impudently. \u201cI thought I\u2019d timed it just about right.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nEhlana looked at her daughter, who was snuggling the kitten against her face. All cats are born opportunists. The kitten patted the little girl\u2019s cheek with one soft paw and then nuzzled. Kittens are expert nuzzlers. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How can I say no after you\u2019ve already given it to her, Talen?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It would be a little difficult, wouldn\u2019t it, your Majesty?\u2019 The boy sniffed loudly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nMirtai rose to her feet, put her dagger away and crossed the room to Talen. She reached out her hand, and he flinched away. \u2018Oh, stop that,\u2019 she told him. She laid her hand on his forehead. \u2018You\u2019ve got a fever.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I didn\u2019t get it on purpose.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We\u2019d better get him to bed, Mirtai,\u2019 Ehlana said, rising from her chair.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We should sweat him first,\u2019 the giantess said. \u2018I\u2019ll take him to the bathhouse and steam him for a while.\u2019 She took Talen\u2019s arm, firmly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019re not going into the bathhouse with me!\u2019 he protested, his face suddenly aflame.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Be quiet,\u2019 she commanded. \u2018Send word to the cooks, Ehlana. Have them stir up a mustard plaster and boil up some chicken soup. When I bring him back from the bathhouse, we\u2019ll put the mustard plaster on his chest, pop him into bed and spoon soup into him.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Are\u2019 you going to just stand there and let them do this to me, Sparhawk?\u2019 Talen appealed.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019d like to help you, my friend,\u2019 Sparhawk replied, \u2018but I\u2019ve got my own health to consider too, you know.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I wish I was dead,\u2019 Talen groaned as Mirtai pulled him from the room.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nStragen and Ulath arrived from Emsat a few days later and were immediately escorted to the royal apartment. \u2018You\u2019re getting fat, Sparhawk,\u2019 Ulath said bluntly, removing his ogre-horned helmet. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ve put on a few pounds,\u2019 Sparhawk conceded. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Soft living,\u2019 Ulath grunted disapprovingly. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How\u2019s Wargun?\u2019 Ehlana asked the huge blond Thalesian. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018His mind\u2019s gone,\u2019 Ulath replied sadly. \u2018They\u2019ve got him locked up in the west wing of the palace. He spends most of his time raving.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nEhlana sighed. \u201cI always rather liked him\u2014when he was sober.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I doubt that you\u2019ll feel the same way about his son, your Majesty,\u2019 Stragen told her dryly. Like Platime, Stragen was a thief, but he had much better manners. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ve never met him,\u2019 Ehlana said. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You might consider adding that to your next prayer of thanksgiving, your Majesty. His name\u2019s Avin\u2014a short and insignificant name for a short and insignificant fellow. He doesn\u2019t show very much promise.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Is he really that bad?\u2019 Ehlana asked Ulath. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Avin Wargunsson? Stragen\u2019s being generous. Avin\u2019s a little man who spends all his time trying to make sure that people don\u2019t overlook him. When he found out that I was coming here, he called me to the palace and gave me a royal communication to bring to you. He spent two hours trying to impress me.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Were you impressed?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not particularly, no.\u2019 Ulath reached inside his surcoat and drew out a folded and sealed sheet of parchment.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What does it say?\u2019 she asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I wouldn\u2019t know. I don\u2019t read other people\u2019s mail. My guess is that it\u2019s a serious discussion of the weather. Avin Wargunsson\u2019s desperately afraid that people might forget about him, so every traveller who leaves Emsat is loaded down with royal greetings.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How was the trip?\u2019 Sparhawk asked them. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I can\u2019t really say that I\u2019d recommend sea travel at this time of year,\u2019 Stragen replied. His icy blue eyes hardened. \u201cI want to have a talk with Platime. Ulath and I were set upon by some brigands in the mountains between here and Cardos. Bandits are supposed to know better than that.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018They aren\u2019t professionals,\u2019 Sparhawk told him. \u2018Platime knows about them, and he\u2019s going to take steps. Were there any problems?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not for us,\u2019 Ulath shrugged. \u2018The amateurs out there didn\u2019t have a very good day, though. We left five of them in a ditch, and then the rest all remembered an important engagement somewhere else.\u2019 He went to the door and looked out into the hall. Then he closed the door and looked around, his eyes wary. \u2018Are there any servants or people like that in any of your rooms here, Sparhawk?\u2019 he asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Mirtai and our daughter is all.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s all right. I think we can trust them. Komier sent me to let you know that Avin Wargunsson\u2019s been in contact with Count Gerrich down in Lamorkand. Gerrich\u2019s taking a run at King Friedahl\u2019s throne, and Avin\u2019s not quite bright. He doesn\u2019t know enough to stay out of the internal squabbles in Lamorkand. Komier thinks there might just possibly be some sort of secret arrangement between them. Patriarch Bergsten\u2019s taking the same message to Chyrellos.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Count Gerrich\u2019s going to start to irritate Dolmant if he doesn\u2019t watch what he\u2019s doing,\u2019 Ehlana said. \u2018He\u2019s trying to make alliances every time he turns around, and he knows that\u2019s a violation of the rules. Lamork civil wars aren\u2019t supposed to involve other kingdoms.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s an actual rule?\u2019 Stragen asked her incredulously. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Of course. It\u2019s been in place for a thousand years. If the Lamork barons were free to form alliances with nobles in other kingdoms, they\u2019d plunge the continent into war every ten years. That used to happen until the Church stepped in and told them to stop.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018And you thought our society had peculiar rules,\u2019 Stragen laughed to Platime. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018This is entirely different, Milord Stragen,\u2019 Ehlana told him in a lofty tone. \u2018Our peculiarities are matters of state policy. Yours are simply good common sense. There\u2019s a world of difference.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018So I gather.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk was looking at all three of them when it happened, so there was no doubt that when he felt that peculiar chill and caught that faint flicker of darkness at the very outer edge of his vision, they did as well. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Sparhawk!\u2019 Ehlana cried in alarm.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Yes,\u2019 he replied. \u201cI know. I saw it too.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nStragen had half-drawn his rapier, his hand moving with cat-like speed. \u2018What is it?\u2019 he demanded, looking around the room. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018An impossibility,\u2019 Ehlana said flatly. The look she gave her husband was a little less certain, however. \u2018Isn\u2019t it, Sparhawk?\u2019 her voice trembled slightly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nI certainly thought so,\u2019 he replied. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018This isn\u2019t the time to be cryptic,\u2019 Stragen said. Then they all relaxed as the chill and the shadow passed. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nUlath looked speculatively at Sparhawk. \u2018Was that what I thought it was?\u2019 he asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018So it seems.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Will someone please tell me what\u2019s going on here?\u2019 Stragen demanded.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do you remember that cloud that followed us up in Pelosia?\u2019 Ulath said.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Of course. But that was Azash, wasn\u2019t it?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018No. We thought so, but Aphrael told us that we were wrong. That was after you came back here, so you probably didn\u2019t hear about it. That shadow we just saw was the Troll-Gods. They\u2019re inside the Bhelliom.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Inside?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018They needed a place to hide after they\u2019d lost a few arguments with the Younger Gods of Styricum.\u2019 Stragen looked at Sparhawk. \u201cI thought you told me that you\u2019d thrown Bhelliom into the sea.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We did.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018And the Troll-Gods can\u2019t get out of it?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s what we were led to believe.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You should have found a deeper ocean.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There aren\u2019t any deeper ones.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s too bad. It looks as if someone\u2019s managed to fish it out.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s logical, Sparhawk,\u2019 Ulath said. \u2018That box was lined with gold, and Aphrael told us that the gold would keep Bhelliom from getting out on its own. Since the Troll-Gods can\u2019t get out of Bhelliom, they were down there too. Somebody\u2019s found that box.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ve heard that the people who dive for pearls can go down quite deep,\u2019 Stragen said. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not that deep,\u2019 Sparhawk said. \u2018Besides, there\u2019s something wrong.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Are you just now realising that?\u2019 Stragen asked him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s not what I mean. When we were up in Pelosia, you could all see that cloud.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, yes,\u2019 Ulath said fervently. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018But before that\u2014when it was just a shadow\u2014only Ehlana and I could see it, and that was because we were wearing the rings. This was definitely a shadow and not a cloud, wasn\u2019t it?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Yes,\u2019 Stragen admitted. \u2018Then how is it that you and Ulath could see it too? Stragen spread his hands helplessly. \u2018There\u2019s something else too,\u2019 Sparhawk added. \u2018The night I came home from Lamorkand, I felt something in the street watching me\u2014several somethings. They weren\u2019t Elene or Styric, and I don\u2019t think they were human. That shadow that just passed through here felt exactly the same.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I wish there was some way we could talk with Sephrenia,\u2019 Ulath muttered. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk was fairly certain that there was a way, but he was not free to reveal it to any of them. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do we tell anybody else about this?\u2019 Stragen asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Let\u2019s not start a panic until we find out some more about it,\u2019 Sparhawk decided. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Right,\u2019 Stragen agreed. \u2018There\u2019s always plenty of time for panic later\u2014plenty of reason too, I think.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe weather cleared over the next few days, and that fact alone lifted spirits in the palace. Sparhawk spent some time closeted with Platime and Stragen, and then the two thieves sent men into Lamorkand to investigate the situation there. \u2018That\u2019s what I should have done in the first place,\u2019 Sparhawk said, \u2018but Sarathi wouldn\u2019t give me the chance. Our revered Archprelate has a few blind spots. He can\u2019t seem to get it through his head that official investigators aren\u2019t going to ever really get to the bottom of things.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Typical aristocratic ineptitude,\u2019 Stragen drawled. \u2018It\u2019s one of the things that makes life easier for people like Platime and me.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk didn\u2019t argue with him about that. \u2018Just tell your men to be careful,\u2019 he cautioned them. \u2018Lamorks tend to try to solve all their problems with daggers, and dead spion don\u2019t bring home very much useful infornation.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Astonishing insight there, old boy,\u2019 Stragen said, his rich voice dripping with irony. \u201cIt\u2019s absolutely amazing that Platime and I never thought of that.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018All right,\u2019 Sparhawk admitted, \u2018maybe I was being just a little obvious.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We saw that too, didn\u2019t we, Platime?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nPlatime grunted. \u2018Tell Ehlana that I\u2019m going to be away from the palace for a few days, Sparhawk.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Where are you going?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018None of your business. There\u2019s something I want to take care of.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018All right, but keep in touch.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019re being obvious again, Sparhawk.\u2019 The fat man scratched his paunch. \u2018I\u2019ll talk with Talen. He\u2019ll know how to get in touch with me if the queen really needs me for something.\u2019 He groaned as he hauled himself to his feet. \u2018I\u2019m going to have to lose some weight,\u2019 he said half to himself. Then he waddled to the door with that peculiarly spraddle-legged gait of the grossly obese. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He\u2019s in a charming humour today,\u2019 Sparhawk noted.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He\u2019s got a lot on his mind just now,\u2019 Stragen shrugged. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How well-connected are you in the palace at Emsat, Stragen?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I have some contacts there. What do you need?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019d like to put some stumbling blocks in the way of this accommodation between Avin and Count Gerrich. Gerrich\u2019s beginning to get a little too much influence in northern Eosia. Maybe you ought to get word to Meland in Acie as well. Gerrich\u2019s making alliances in Pelosia and Thalesia already. It doesn\u2019t seem reasonable that he\u2019d overlook Deira, and Deira\u2019s a little chaotic right now. Ask Meland to keep his eyes open.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018This Gerrich\u2019s really got you concerned, hasn\u2019t he?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There are some things going on in Lamorkand that I don\u2019t understand, Stragen, and I don\u2019t want Gerrich to get too far ahead of me while I\u2019m trying to sort them out.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That makes sense\u2014I suppose.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nKhalad came to his feet with his eyes slightly unfocused and with a thin dribble of blood coming out of his nose. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You see? You over-extended again,\u2019 Mirtai told him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How did you do that?\u2019 Sparhawk\u2019s squire asked her. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ll show you. Kalten, come here,\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not me,\u2019 the blond Pandion refused, backing away.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Don\u2019t be foolish. I\u2019m not going to hurt you.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Isn\u2019t that what you told Khalad before you bounced him off the flagstones?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You might as well do as I tell you, Kalten,\u2019 she said. \u2018You\u2019ll wind up doing it in the end anyway, and it won\u2019t be nearly as painful for you if you don\u2019t argue with me. Take out your sword and stab me in the heart with it.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I don\u2019t want to hurt you, Mirtai.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You? Hurt me?\u2019 Her laugh was sardonic.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You don\u2019t have to be insulting about it,\u2019 he said in an injured tone, drawing his sword. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nIt had all begun when Mirtai had passed through the palace courtyard while Kalten was giving Khalad some instruction in swordsmanship. She had made a couple of highly unflattering comments. One thing had led to another, and the end result had been this impromptu training session, during which Kalten and Khalad learned humility, if nothing else. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Stab me through the heart, Kalten,\u2019 Mirtai said again. In Kalten\u2019s defence it should be noted in passing that he really did try. He made a great deal of noise when he came down on his back on the flagstones. \u2018He made the same mistake you did,\u2019 Mirtai pointed out to Khalad. \u2018He straightened his arm too much. A straight arm is a locked arm. Always keep your elbow slightly bent.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We\u2019re trained to thrust from the shoulder, Mirtai,\u2019 Khalad explained.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There are a lot of Elenes, I suppose,\u2019 she shrugged. \u201cIt shouldn\u2019t be all that hard to replace you. The thing that makes me curious is why you all feel that it\u2019s necessary to stick your sword all the way through somebody. If you haven\u2019t hit the heart with the first six inches of the blade, another yard or so of steel going through\u2019 the same hole won\u2019t make much difference, will it?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Maybe it\u2019s because it looks dramatic,\u2019 Khalad said. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You kill people for show? That\u2019s contemptible, and it\u2019s the sort of thinking that fills graveyards. Always keep your blade free so that you\u2019re ready for your next enemy. People fold up when you run swords through them, and then you have to kick the body off the blade before you can use it again.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ll try to remember that.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I hope so. I rather like you, and I hate burying friends.\u2019 She bent, professionally peeled Kalten\u2019s eyelid back and glanced at his glazed eyeball. \u2018You\u2019d better throw a bucket of water on our friend here,\u2019 she suggested. \u2018He hasn\u2019t learned how to fall yet. We\u2019ll go into that next time.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Next time?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Of course. If you\u2019re going to learn how to do this, you\u2019d better learn how to do it right.\u2019 She gave Sparhawk a challenging look. \u2018Would you like to try?\u2019 she asked him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Ah\u2014no, Mirtai, not right now. Thanks all the same, though.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe went on into the palace, looking just slightly pleased with herself.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You know, I don\u2019t think I really want to be a knight after all, Sparhawk,\u2019 Talen said from nearby. \u2018It looks awfully painful.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Where have you been? My wife\u2019s got people out looking for you.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Yes. I saw them blundering around out in the streets. I had to go visit Platime in the cellar.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He picked up something he thought you ought to be aware of. You know those unauthorised bandits in the hills near Cardos?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Not personally, no.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Funny, Sparhawk. Very funny. Platime\u2019s found out that somebody we know is sort of directing their activities.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh? Who\u2019s that?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Can you believe that it\u2019s Krager? You should have killed him when you had the chance, Sparhawk.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nChapter 3<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe fog drifted in from the river not long after the sun went down that evening. The nights in Cimmura were always foggy in the spring when it wasn\u2019t raining. Sparhawk, Stragen and Talen left the palace wearing plain clothing and heavy traveller\u2019s cloaks and rode to the southeast quarter of town. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You don\u2019t necessarily have to tell your wife I said this, Sparhawk,\u2019 Stragen noted, looking around with distaste, \u2018but her capital\u2019s one of the least attractive cities in the world. You\u2019ve got a truly miserable climate here.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s not so bad in the summer-time,\u2019 Sparhawk replied a little defensively.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I missed last summer,\u2019 the blond thief said. \u2018I took a short nap one afternoon and slept right through it. Where are we going?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We want to see Platime.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018As I recall, his cellar\u2019s near the west gate of the city. You\u2019re taking us in the wrong direction.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We have to go to a certain inn first.\u2019 Sparhawk looked back over his shoulder. \u2018Are we being followed, Talen?\u2019 he asked.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Naturally.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk grunted. \u2018That\u2019s more or less what I expected.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThey rode on with the thick mist swirling around the legs of their horses and making the fronts of the nearby houses dim and hazy-looking. They reached the inn on Rose Street, and a surly-appearing porter admitted them to the inn yard and closed the gate behind them. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Anything you find out about this place isn\u2019t for general dissemination,\u2019 Sparhawk told Talen and Stragen as he dismounted. He handed Faran\u2019s reins to the porter. \u2018You know about this horse, don\u2019t you, brother?\u2019 he warned the man.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He\u2019s a legend, Sparhawk,\u2019 the porter replied. \u2018The things you wanted are in the room at the top of the stairs.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How\u2019s the crowd in the tavern tonight?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Loud, smelly and mostly drunk.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There\u2019s nothing new about that. What I meant, though, was how many of them are there?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Fifteen or twenty. There are three of our men in there who know what to do.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Good. Thank you, Sir Knight.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019re welcome, Sir Knight.\u2019 Sparhawk led Talen and Stragen up the stairs.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018This inn, I gather, isn\u2019t altogether what it seems,\u2019 Stragen observed.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The Pandions own it,\u2019 Talen told him. \u2018They come here when they don\u2019t want to attract attention.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There\u2019s a little more to it than that,\u2019 Sparhawk told him. He opened the door at the top of the stairs, and the three of them entered. Stragen looked at the workmen\u2019s smocks hanging on pegs near the door. \u2018We\u2019re going to resort to subterfuge, I see.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s fairly standard practice,\u2019 Sparhawk shrugged. \u2018Lets get changed. I\u2019d sort of like to get back to the palace before my wife sends out search parties.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe smocks were of blue canvas, worn and patched and with a few artfully-placed smudges on them. There were woollen leggings as well and thick-soled workmen\u2019s boots. The caps were baggy affairs, designed more to keep off weather than they were for appearance. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019re going to have to leave that here,\u2019 Sparhawk said, pointing at Stragen\u2019s rapier. \u2018It\u2019s a little obvious.\u2019 The big Pandion tucked a heavy dagger under his belt.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You know that there are people watching the gate of the inn, don\u2019t you, Sparhawk?\u2019 Talen said.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I hope they enjoy their evening. We aren\u2019t going out through the gate, though.\u2019 Sparhawk led them back down to the inn yard, crossed to a narrow door in a side wall and opened it. The warm air that boiled out through the doorway smelled of stale beer and unwashed bodies. The three of them went inside and closed the door behind them. They seemed to be in a small storeroom. The straw on the floor was mouldy.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Where are we?\u2019 Talen whispered. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018In a tavern,\u2019 Sparhawk replied softly. \u2018There\u2019s going to be a fight in just a few minutes. We\u2019ll slip out into the main room during the confusion.\u2019 He went to the curtained doorway leading out into the tavern and twitched the curtain several times. \u2018All right,\u2019 he whispered. \u2018We\u2019ll mingle with the crowd during the fight, and after a while, we\u2019ll leave. Behave as if you\u2019re slightly drunk, but don\u2019t over-do it.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m impressed,\u2019 Stragen said.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m more than impressed,\u2019 Talen added. \u2018Not even Platime knows that there\u2019s more than one way out of that inn.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe fight began not long after that. It was noisy, involving a great deal of shouting and pushing and finally a few blows. Two totally uninvolved and evidently innocent by-standers were knocked senseless during the course of the altercation. Sparhawk and his friends smoothly insinuated themselves into the crowd, and after ten minutes or so, they reeled out through the door. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018A little unprofessional,\u2019 Stragen sniffed. \u2018A staged fight shouldn\u2019t involve the spectators that way.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It should when the spectators might be looking for something other than a few tankards of ale,\u2019 Sparhawk disagreed. \u2018The two who fell asleep weren\u2019t regular patrons in the tavern. They might have been completely innocent, but then again, they might not. This way, we don\u2019t have to worry about them trailing along behind us.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There\u2019s more to being a Pandion Knight than I thought,\u2019 Talen noted. \u2018I may like it after all.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThey walked through the foggy streets towards the rundown quarter near the west gate, a maze of interconnecting lanes and unpaved alleys. They entered one of those alleys and went through it to a flight of muddy stone stairs leading down. A thick-bodied man lounged against the stone wall beside the stairs. \u2018You\u2019re late,\u2019 he said to Talen in a flat voice.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We had to make sure we weren\u2019t being followed,\u2019 the boy\u2019 shrugged.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Go on down,\u2019 the man told them. \u2018Platime\u2019s waiting.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe cellar hadn\u2019t changed. It was still smoky and dim, and it was filled with a babble of coarse voices coming from the thieves, whores and cutthroats who lived there. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I don\u2019t know how Platime can stand this place,\u2019 Stragen shuddered. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nPlatime sat enthroned on a large chair on the other side of a smoky fire burning in an open pit. He heaved himself to his feet when he saw Sparhawk. \u2018Where have you been?\u2019 he bellowed in a thunderous voice. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Making sure that we weren\u2019t followed,\u2019 Sparhawk replied. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe fat man grunted. \u2018He\u2019s back here,\u2019 he said; leading them toward the rear of the cellar. \u2018He\u2019s very interested in his health at the moment, so I\u2019m keeping him more or less out of sight.\u2019 He pushed his way into a small, closet-like chamber where a man sat on a stool nursing a tankard of watery beer. The man was a small, nervous-looking fellow with thinning hair and a cringing manner. \u2018This is Polk,\u2019 Platime said. \u2018He\u2019s a sneak-thief. I sent him to Cardos to have a look around and to see what he could find out about some people we\u2019re interested in. Tell him what you found out, Polk.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Well sir, good masters,\u2019 the weedy man began, \u2018it tuk me a goodly while to git close to them fellers, I\u2019ll tell the world, but I made myself useful, an\u2019 they finally sort of assepted me. They was all sorts of rigimarole I had to go thee\u2014swearin\u2019 oaths an\u2019 gettin\u2019 blindfolded the first couple times they tuk me to their camp an all, but after a while, they kinda let down then guard, an\u2019 I come an\u2019 went putty much as I pleased. Like Platime prob\u2019ly tole you, we figgered a\u2019t first they wuz gist a buncha amachooms what didn\u2019t know nothin\u2019 about the way things is supposed to be did. We sees that sorta thing all the time, don\u2019t we, Platime? Them\u2019s the kind as gits thenselves caught an\u2019 hung.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018And good riddance to them,\u2019 Platime growled.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Well sir,\u2019 Polk continued, \u2018like I say, me\u2019n Platime we figgered as how them fellers in the mountings was gist a buncha them amachoors I tole you about\u2014fellers what\u2019d took up cuttin\u2019 th\u2019oats fer fun an\u2019 profit, don\u2019t y\u2019know. As she turns out, howsomever, they was more\u2019n that. Then leaders was six er seven noblemen as was real disappointed \u2018bout the way the big plans of the Primate Annias fell on then faces, an\u2019 they was powerful unhappy \u2018bout what the queen had writ down on the warrants she put out fer \u2018em\u2014nobles not bein\u2019 accustomed to bein\u2019 called them sorta names. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Well sir, t\u2019 short it up some, these here noblemen all run off into the mountings \u2018bout one jump ahead of the hangman, an\u2019 they go t\u2019 robbin\u2019 travellers t\u2019 make ends meet an\u2019 spent the resta then time thinkin\u2019 up nasty names t\u2019 call the queen.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Get to the point, Polk,\u2019 Platime told him wearily.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Yessir, I wuz gist about to. Well now, it went on like that fer a spell, an\u2019 then this here Krager feller, he come into camp, an\u2019 some of them there nobles, they knowed him. He tole \u2018em as how he knowed some furriners as\u2019d help \u2018em out iffn they\u2019d raise enough fuss here \u2018in Elenia t\u2019 keep the queen an\u2019 her folks from gittin\u2019 too curious \u2018bout some stuff what\u2019s goin\u2019 on off in Lamorkand. This here Krager feller, he sez as how this stuff in Lamorkand might just could be a way fer \u2018em all t\u2019 change the way then forchunes bin goin\u2019 since ol\u2019 Annias got hisself kilt. Well, sir, them dukes an\u2019 earls an\u2019 such got real innerested at that point, an\u2019 they tole us all t\u2019 go talk t\u2019 the local peasants an\u2019 t\u2019 start runnin\u2019 down the tax-collectors an\u2019 t\u2019 say as how it ain\u2019t natural fer no country t\u2019 be run by no woman an\u2019 the like. We wuz\u2019supposed t\u2019 stir up them peasants an\u2019 t\u2019 git \u2018em t\u2019 talkin\u2019 among themselves ,\u2019bout how the people oughtta all git together an\u2019 thaw the queen out an\u2019 the like, an\u2019 then them nobles, they caught a few tax collectors an\u2019 hung \u2018em an\u2019 give the money back t\u2019 the folks it\u2019d been stole from in the first place, an\u2019 them peasants, they wuz all happy as pigs in mud \u2018bout that.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nPolk scratched at his head. \u2018Well sir, I guess I\u2019ve said m\u2019piece now. At\u2019s the way she stands in the mountings now. This here Krager feller, he\u2019s got some money with \u2018im, an\u2019 he\u2019s mighty free with it, so them nobles what\u2019s bin on short rations is gettin\u2019 downright fond of \u2018im.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Polk,\u2019 Sparhawk told him, \u2018you\u2019re a treasure.\u2019 he gave the man several coins, and then he and his friends left the cubicle. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What are we going to do about it, Sparhawk?\u2019 Platime asked.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We\u2019re going to take steps,\u2019 Sparhawk replied. \u2018How many of these \u2018liberators\u2019 are there?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018A hundred or so.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ll need a couple dozen of your men who know the country.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nPlatime nodded. \u2018Are you going to bring in the army?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I don\u2019t think so. I think a troop of Pandions might make a more lasting impression on people who think they have grievances against our queen, don\u2019t you?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Isn\u2019t that just a bit extreme?\u2019 Stragen asked him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I want to make a statement, Stragen. I want everybody in Elenia to know just how much I disapprove of people who start plotting against my wife. I don\u2019t want to have to do it again, so I\u2019m going to do it right the first time.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He didn\u2019t actually talk like that, did he, Sparhawk?\u2019 Ehlana asked incredulously. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s fairly close,\u2019 Sparhawk told her. \u2018Stragen\u2019s got a very good ear for dialect.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s almost hypnotic, isn\u2019t it?\u2019 she marvelled, \u2018and it goes on and on and on.\u2019 She suddenly grinned impishly. \u2018Write down \u2018happy as pigs in mud\u2019, Lenda. I may want to find a way to work that into some official communication.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018As you wish, your Majesty.\u2019 Lenda\u2019s tone was neutral, but Sparhawk knew that the old courtier disapproved. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What are we going to do about this?\u2019 the queen asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Sparhawk said that he was going to take steps, your Majesty,\u2019 Talen told her. \u2018You might not want to know too many details.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Sparhawk and I don\u2019t keep secrets from each other, Talen.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m not talking about secrets, your Majesty,\u2019 the boy replied innocently. \u2018I\u2019m just talking about boring unimportant little things you shouldn\u2019t really waste your time on.\u2019 He made it sound very plausible, but Ehlana looked more than a little suspicious.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Don\u2019t embarrass me, Sparhawk\u2019 she warned.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Of course not,\u2019 he replied blandly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe campaign was brief. Since Polk knew the precise location of the camp of the dissidents, and Platime\u2019s men knew all the other hiding places in the surrounding mountains, there was no real place for the bandits to run, and they were certainly no match for the thirty black-armoured Pandions Sparhawk, Kalten and Ulath led against them. The surviving nobles were held for the queen\u2019s justice and the rest of the outlaws were turned over to the local sheriff for disposition. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Well, my Lord of Bolton,\u2019 Sparhawk said to a earl crouched before him on a log, with a blood-stained bandage around his head and his hands bound behind him. \u2018Things didn\u2019t turn out so well, did they?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Curse you, Sparhawk.\u2019 Bolton\u2019 spat, squinting up against the afternoon\u2019s brightness. \u2018How did you find out where we were?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018My dear Bolton,\u2019 Sparhawk laughed, \u2018you didn\u2019t really think you could hide from my wife, did you? She takes a very personal interest in her kingdom. She knows every tree, every town and village and all of the peasants. It\u2019s even rumoured that she knows most of the deer by their first names.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Why didn\u2019t you come after us earlier then?\u2019 Bolton sneered. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018The queen was busy. She finally found the time to make some decisions about you and your friends. I don\u2019t imagine you\u2019ll care much for these decisions, old boy. What I\u2019m really interested in is any information you might have about Krager. He and I haven\u2019t seen each other for quite some time, and I find myself yearning for his company again.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nBolton\u2019s eyes grew frightened. \u2018You won\u2019t get anything from me, Sparhawk,\u2019 he blustered. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How much would you care to wager on that?\u2019 Kalten asked him. \u2018You\u2019d save yourself a great deal of unpleasantness if you told Sparhawk what he wants to know, and Krager\u2019s not so loveable that you\u2019d really want to go through that in order to protect him.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Just talk, Bolton,\u2019 Sparhawk insisted implacably.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2014I can\u2019t!\u2019 Bolton\u2019s sneering bravado crumbled. His face turned deathly pale, and he began to tremble violently. \u2018Sparhawk. I beg of you. It means my life if I say anything.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Your life isn\u2019t worth very much right now anyway,\u2019 Ulath told him bluntly. \u2018One way or another, you are going to talk.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018For God\u2019s sake, Sparhawk! You don\u2019t know what you\u2019re asking!\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m not asking, Bolton.\u2019 Sparhawk\u2019s face was bleak.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThen, without any warning or reason, a deathly chill suddenly enveloped the woods, and the midafternoon sun darkened. Sparhawk glanced upward. The sky was very blue, but the sun appeared wan and sickly. Bolton screamed. An inky cloud seemed to spring from the surrounding trees, coalescing around the shrieking prisoner. Sparhawk jumped back with a startled oath, his hand going to his sword-hilt.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nBolton\u2019s voice had risen to a screech, and there were horrible sounds coming from the impenetrable darkness surrounding him\u2014sounds of breaking bones and tearing flesh. The shrieking broke off quite suddenly, but the sounds continued for several eternal-seeming minutes. Then, as quickly as it had come, the cloud vanished. Sparhawk recoiled in revulsion. His prisoner had been torn to pieces. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Good God!\u2019 Kalten gasPed. \u2018What happened?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We both know, Kalten,\u2019 Sparhawk replied. \u2018We\u2019ve seen it before. Don\u2019t try to question any of the other prisoners. I\u2019m almost positive they won\u2019t be allowed to answer.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThere were five of them, Sparhawk, Ehlana, Kalten, Ulath and Stragen. They had gathered in the royal apartments, and their mood was bleak. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Was it the same cloud?\u2019 Stragen asked intently.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There were some differences,\u2019 Sparhawk replied. \u2018It was more in the way it felt rather than anything I could really pin down.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Why would the Troll-Gods be so interested in protecting Krager?\u2019 Ehlana asked, her face puzzled.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I don\u2019t think it\u2019s Krager they\u2019re protecting,\u2019 Sparhawk replied. \u2018I think it has something to do with what\u2019s going on in Lamorkand.\u2019 He slammed his fist down on the arm of his chair. \u2018I wish Sephrenia were here!\u2019 he burst out with a sudden oath. \u2018All we\u2019re doing is groping in the dark.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Would you be opposed to logic at this point?\u2019 Stragen asked him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I wouldn\u2019t even be opposed to astrology just now,\u2019 Sparhawk replied sourly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018All right.\u2019 The blond Thalesian thief rose to his feet and began to pace up and down, his eyes thoughtful. First of all, we know that somehow the Troll-Gods have got out of that box.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Actually, you haven\u2019t really proved that, Stragen,\u2019 Ulath disagreed. \u2018Not logically, anyway.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nStragen stopped pacing. \u2018He\u2019s right, you know,\u2019 he admitted. \u2018We\u2019ve been basing that conclusion on a guess. All we can say with any logical certainty is that we\u2019ve encountered something that looks and feels like a manifestation of the Troll-Gods. Would you accept that, Sir Ulath?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I suppose I could go that far, Milord Stragen.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m so happy. Do we know of anything else that does the same sort of things?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018No,\u2019 Ulath replied, \u2018but that\u2019s not really relevant. We don\u2019t know about everything. There could be dozens of things we don\u2019t know about that take the form of shadows or clouds, tear people all to pieces and give humans a chilly feeling when they\u2019re around.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m not sure that logic is really getting us anywhere,\u2019 Stragen conceded.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There\u2019s nothing wrong with your logic, Stragen,\u2019 Ehlana told him. \u2018Your major premise is faulty, that\u2019s all.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You too, your Majesty?\u2019 Kalten groaned. \u2018I thought there was at least one other person in the room who relied on common sense rather than all this tedious logic.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018All right then, Sir Kalten,\u2019 she said tartly, \u2018what does your common sense tell you?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Well, first off, it tells me that you\u2019re all going at the problem backwards. The question we should be asking is what makes Krager so special that something supernatural would go out of its way to protect him? Does it really matter what the supernatural thing is at the moment?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He might have something there, you know?\u2019 Ulath said. \u2018Krager\u2019s a cockroach basically. His only real reason for existing is to be stepped on.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m not so sure,\u2019 Ehlana disagreed. \u2018Krager worked for Martel, and Martel worked for Annias.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Actually, dear, it was the other way around,\u2019 Sparhawk corrected her.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe waved that distinction aside. \u2018Bolton and the others were all allied to Annias, and Krager used to carry messages between Annias and Martel. Bolton and his cohorts would almost certainly have known Krager. Polk\u2019s story more or less confirms that. That\u2019s what made Krager important in the first place.\u2019 She paused, frowning. \u2018But what made him important after the renegades were all in custody?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Backtracking,\u2019 Ulath grunted. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I beg your pardon?\u2019 The queen looked baffled. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018This whatever-it-is didn\u2019t want us to be able to trace Krager back to his present employer.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, that\u2019s obvious, Ulath,\u2019 Kalten snorted. \u2018His employer is Count Gerrich. Polk told Sparhawk that there was somebody in Lamorkand who wanted to keep us so busy here in Elenia that we wouldn\u2019t have time to take any steps to put down all the turmoil over there. That has to be Gerrich.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019re just guessing, Kalten,\u2019 Ulath said. \u2018You could very well be right, but it\u2019s still just a guess.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do you see what I mean about logic?\u2019 Kalten demanded of them. \u2018What do you want, Ulath? A signed confession from Gerrich himself?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do you have one handy? All I\u2019m saying is that we ought to keep an open mind. I don\u2019t think we should close any doors yet, that\u2019s all.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThere was a firm knock on the door, and it opened immediately afterward. Mirtai looked in. \u2018Bevier and Tynian are here,\u2019 she announced. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018They\u2019re supposed to be in Render,\u2019 Sparhawk said. \u2018What are they doing here?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Why don\u2019t you ask them?\u2019 Mirtai suggested pointedly. \u2018They\u2019re right out here in the corridor.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe two knights entered the room. Sir Bevier was a slim, olive-skinned Arcian, and Sir Tynian a blond, burly Deiran. Both were in full armour. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How are things in Render?\u2019 Kalten asked them. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Hot, dry, dusty, hysterical,\u2019 Tynian replied. \u2018Render never changes. You know that.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nBevier dropped to one knee before Ehlana. Despite the best efforts of his friends, the young Cyrinic Knight was stil painfully formal. \u2018Your Majesty,\u2019 he murmured respectfully. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Oh, do stand up, my dear Bevier,\u2019 she smiled at him. \u2018We\u2019re friends, so there\u2019s no need for that. Besides, you creak like a rusty iron-works when you kneel.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Overtrained, perhaps, your Majesty,\u2019 he admitted. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What are you two doing back here?\u2019 Sparhawk asked them. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Carrying dispatches,\u2019 Tynian replied. \u2018Darrellon\u2019s running things down there, and he wants the other preceptors kept abreast of things. We\u2019re also supposed to go on to Chyrellos and brief the Archprelate.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How\u2019s the campaign going?\u2019 Kalten asked them. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Badly,\u2019 Tynian shrugged.\u2019The Rendorish rebels aren\u2019t really organised, so there aren\u2019t any armies for us to meet. They hide amongst the population and come out at night to set fires and assassinate priests. Then they run back into their holes. We take reprisals the next day\u2014burn vilages, slaughter herds of sheep and the like. None of it really proves anything.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do they have any kind of a leader as yet?\u2019Sparhawk asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018They\u2019re stil discussing that,\u2019 Bevier said dryly. \u2018The discussions are quite spirited. We usually find several dead candidates in the alleys every morning.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Sarathi blundered,\u2019 Tynian said. Bevier gasped. \u2018I\u2019m not trying to offend your religious sensibilities, my young friend,\u2019 Tynian said, but it\u2019s the truth. Most of the clergymen he sent to Render were much more interested in punishment than in reconciliation. We had a chance for real peace in Render, and it fell apart because Dolmant didn\u2019t send somebody down there to keep a leash on the missionaries.\u2019 Tynian set his helmet on a table and unbuckled his sword-belt. \u2018I even saw one silly ass in a cassock tearing the veils off women in the street. After the crowd seized him, he tried to order me to protect him. That\u2019s the kind of priests the church has been sending to Render.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What did you do?\u2019 Stragen asked him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018For some reason I couldn\u2019t quite hear what he was saying,\u2019 Tynian replied. \u2018All the noise the crowd was making, more than likely.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What did they do to him?\u2019 Kalten grinned. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018They hanged him. Quite a neat job, actually.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You didn\u2019t even go to his defence?\u2019 Bevier exclaimed. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Our instructions were very explicit, Bevier. We were told to protect the clergy against unprovoked attacks. That idiot violated the modesty of about a dozen Rendorish women. That crowd had plenty of provocation. The silly ass had it coming. If that crowd hadn\u2019t hanged him, I probably would have. That\u2019s what Darrellon wants us to suggest to Sarathi. He thinks the church should pull all those fanatic missionaries out of Render until things quiet down. Then he suggests that we send in a new batch\u2014a slightly less fervent one.\u2019 The Alcione Knight laid his sword down beside his helmet and lowered himself into a chair. \u2018What\u2019s been happening here?\u2019 he asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Why don\u2019t the rest of you fill them in?\u2019 Sparhawk suggested. \u2018There\u2019s someone I want to talk with for a few minutes.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHe turned and quietly went back into the royal apartment. The person he wanted to talk with was not some court functionary, but rather his own daughter. He found her playing with her kitten. After some thought, her Royal little Highness had decided to name the small animal \u2018Mmrr\u2019, a sound which, when she uttered it, sounded so much like the kitten\u2019s purr that Sparhawk usually couldn\u2019t tell for sure which of them was making it. Princess Danae had many gifts. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018We need to talk,\u2019 Sparhawk told her, closing the door behind him as he entered. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What is it now, Sparhawk?\u2019 she asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Tynian and Bevier just arrived.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Yes. I know.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Are you playing with things again? Are you deliberately gathering all our friends here?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Of course I am, father.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Would you mind telling me why?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018There\u2019s something we\u2019re going to need to do before long. I thought I\u2019d save some time by getting everybody here in advance.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019d probably better tell me what it is that we have to do.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m not supposed to do that.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You never pay any attention to any of the other rules.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018This is different, father. We\u2019re absolutely not supposed to talk about the future. If you think about it for a moment, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll see why. Ouch!\u2019 Mmrr had bitten her finger. Danae spoke sharply with the kitten a series of little growls, a meow or two and concluding with a forgiving purr. The kitten managed to look slightly ashamed of itself and proceeded to lick the injured finger. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Please don\u2019t talk in cat, Danae,\u2019 Sparhawk said in a pained tone. \u2018If some chambermaid hears you, it\u2019ll take us both a month to explain.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Nobody\u2019s going to hear me, Sparhawk. You\u2019ve got something else on your mind, haven\u2019t you?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I want to talk with Sephrenia. There are some things I don\u2019t understand, and I need her help with them.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ll help you, father.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHe shook his head. \u2018Your explanations of things always leave me with more questions than I had when we started. Can you get in touch with Sephrenia for me?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe looked around. \u2018It probably wouldn\u2019t be a good idea here in the palace, father,\u2019 she told him. \u2018It involves something that might be hard to explain if someone overheard us.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019re going to be in two places at the same time again?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Well\u2014sort of.\u2019 She picked up her kitten. \u2018Why don\u2019t you find some excuse to take me out for a ride tomorrow morning? We\u2019ll go out of the city and I can take care of things there. Tell mother that you want to give me a riding lesson.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You don\u2019t have a pony, Danae.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nShe gave him an angelic smile. \u2018My goodness,\u2019 she said, \u2018that sort of means that you\u2019re going to have to give me one, doesn\u2019t it?\u2019 He gave her a long, steady look. \u2018You were going to give me a pony eventually anyway, weren\u2019t you, father?\u2019 She gave it a moment\u2019s thought. \u2018A white one, Sparhawk,\u2019 she added. \u2018I definitely want a white one.\u2019 Then she snuggled her kitten against her cheek, and they both started to purr.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk and his daughter rode out of Cimmura not long after breakfast the following morning. The weather was blustery, and Mirtai had objected rather vociferously until Princess Danae told her not to be so fussy. For some reason, the word \u2018fussy\u2019 absolutely enraged the Tamul giantess. She stormed away, swearing in her own language. It had taken Sparhawk hours to find a white pony for his daughter, and he was quite convinced after he had that it was the only white one in the whole town. When Danae greeted the stubby little creature like an old friend, he began to have a number of suspicions. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nOver the past couple of years, he and his daughter had painfully hammered out a list of the things she wasn\u2019t supposed to do. The process had begun rather abruptly in the palace garden one summer afternoon when he had come around a box hedge to find a small swarm of fairies pollinating flowers under Danae\u2019s supervision. Although she had probably been right when she had asserted that fairies were really much better at it than bees, he had firmly put his foot down. After a bit of thought this time, however, he decided not to make an issue of his daughter\u2019s obvious connivance in obtaining a specific pony. He needed her help right now, and she might point out with a certain amount of justification that to forbid one form of what they had come to call \u2018tampering\u2019 while encouraging another was inconsistent. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Is this going to involve anything spectacular?\u2019 he asked her when they were several miles out of town. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018How do you mean, spectacular?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You don\u2019t have to fly or anything, do you?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s awkward that way, but I can if you\u2019d like.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018No, that\u2019s all right, Danae. What I\u2019m getting at is would you be doing anything that would startle travellers if we went out into this meadow a ways and you did whatever it is there?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018They won\u2019t see a thing, father,\u2019 she assured him. \u2018I\u2019ll race you to that tree out there.\u2019 She didn\u2019t even make a pretence of nudging her pony\u2019s flanks, and despite Faran\u2019s best efforts, the pony beat him to the tree by a good twenty yards. The big roan warhorse glowered suspiciously at the short-legged pony when Sparhawk reined him in. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You cheated,\u2019 Sparhawk accused his daughter. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Only a little.\u2019 She slid down from her pony and sat cross-legged under the tree. She lifted her small face and sang in a trilling, flute-like voice. Her song broke off, and for several moments she sat blank-faced and absolutely immobile. She did not even appear to be breathing, and Sparhawk had the chilling feeling that he was absolutely alone, although she clearly sat not two yards away from him. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018What is it, Sparhawk?\u2019 Danae\u2019s lips moved, but it was Sephrenia\u2019s voice that asked the question, and when Danae opened her eyes, they had changed. Danae\u2019s eyes were very dark, Sephrenia\u2019s were deep blue, almost lavender. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019ve missed you, little mother,\u2019 he told her kneeling and kissing the palms of his daughter\u2019s hands. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You called me from half-way round the world to tell me that? I\u2019m touched, but . . .\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It\u2019s something a little more, Sephrenia. We\u2019ve been seeing that shadow again\u2014the cloud too.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s impossible.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I sort of thought so myself, but we keep seeing them all the same. It\u2019s different, though. It feels different for one thing, and this time it\u2019s not just Ehlana and I who see it. Stragen and Ulath saw it too.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019d better tell me exactly what\u2019s been happening, Sparhawk.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHe went into greater detail about the shadow and then briefly described the incident in the mountains near Cardos. \u2018Whatever this thing is,\u2019 he concluded, \u2018it seems very intent on keeping us from finding out what\u2019s going on in Lamorkand.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Is there some kind of trouble there?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Count Gerrich is raising a rebellion. He seems to think that the crown might fit him. He\u2019s even going so far as to claim that Drychtnath\u2019s returned. That\u2019s ridiculous, isn\u2019t it?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHer eyes grew distant. \u2018Is this shadow you\u2019ve been seeing exactly the same as the one you and Ehlana saw before?\u2019 she asked. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018It feels different somehow.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Do you get that same sense that it has more than one consciousness in it?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That hasn\u2019t changed. It\u2019s a small group, but it\u2019s a group all the same, and the cloud that tore the Earl of Bolton to pieces was definitely the same. Did the Troll-Gods manage to escape from Bhelliom somehow?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Let me think my way through it for a moment, Sparhawk,\u2019 she replied. She considered it for a time. In a curious way she was impressing her own appearance on Danae\u2019s face. \u2018I think we may have a problem, dear one,\u2019 she said finally. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I noticed that myself, little mother.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Stop trying to be clever, Sparhawk. Do you remember the Dawn-men who came out of that cloud up in Pelosia?\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk shuddered. \u2018I\u2019ve been making a special point of trying to forget that.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Don\u2019t discount the possibility that the wild stories about Drychtnath may have some basis in fact. The Troll-Gods can reach back in time and bring creatures and people forward to where we are now. Drychtnath may very well indeed have returned.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk groaned. \u2018Then the Troll-Gods have managed to escape, haven\u2019t they?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I didn\u2019t say that, Sparhawk. Just because the TrollGods did this once doesn\u2019t mean that they\u2019re the only ones who know how. For all I know, Aphrael could do it herself.\u2019 She paused. \u2018You could have asked her these questions, you know.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Possibly, but I don\u2019t think I could have asked her this one, because I don\u2019t think she\u2019d know the answer. She doesn\u2019t seem to be able to grasp the concept of limitations for some reason.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018You\u2019ve noticed,\u2019 she said dryly. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Be nice. She\u2019s my daughter, after all.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018She was my sister first, so I have a certain amount of seniority in the matter. What is it that she wouldn\u2019t be able to answer?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Could a Styric magician\u2014or any other magician\u2014be behind all this? Could we be dealing with a human?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018No, Sparhawk, I don\u2019t think so. In forty thousand years there have only been two Styric magicians who were able to reach back into time, and they could only do it imperfectly. For all practical purposes what we\u2019re talking about is beyond human capability.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018That\u2019s what I wanted to find out for sure. We\u2019re dealing with Gods then?\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018I\u2019m afraid so, Sparhawk, almost certainly.\u2019<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nChapter 4<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nPreceptor Sparhawk: It is our hope that this finds you and your family in good health. A matter of some delicacy has arisen, and we find that your presence is required here in Chyrellos. You are therefore commanded by the Church to proceed forthwith to the Basilica and to present yourself before our throne to receive our further instruction. We know that as a true son of the Church you will not delay. We shall expect your attendance upon us within the week. Dolmant, Archprelate.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSparhawk lowered the letter and looked around at the others. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\u2018He gets right to the point, doesn\u2019t he?\u2019 Kalten observed. \u2018Of course Dolmant never was one to beat around the bush.\u2019 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nQueen Ehlana gave a howl of absolute fury and began beating her fists on the council table and stamping her feet on the floor. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Read the full book by downloading it below.<\/p>\n

DOWNLOAD EPUB<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Preview \u00a0 Domes of Fire \u00a0 The Tamuli \u00a0 Book One \u00a0 David Eddings \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Danger stalked Queen Ehlana\u2019s realm. When an ambasador from the far-off Tamul Empire begged for help, Sparhawk, Ehlana\u2019s champion and Prince Consort, was the Emperor\u2019s last hope. For surely the knight who had killed the evil … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3746,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[213],"class_list":["post-3747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-david-eddings"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3747","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3747"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3747\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}