'No, I don't think so.'
The Grey Man leant forward. 'When they drew lots how many men moved away into the hills with Qin Chong?'
'Several hundred, I would think,' said Yu Yu. 'And the black man,' said Ustarte. Yu Yu blinked in surprise and stared at the ailing priestess. 'Yes, how did you know? I had almost forgotten myself.'
'My wounds have sapped my powers - but not completely,' she said. 'Tell us of him.'
'He was a wizard, I think. His skin was very dark. He was tall and well built. He wore a blue robe, and carried a long white staff, curved at the top. At least I think he was a wizard. He was related to someone famous. Grandson, or great grandson. Something like that.'
'Emsharas,' put in Ustarte.
'That's it!' said Yu Yu. 'Grandson of Emsharas, who was also a wizard.'
'Far more than a wizard,' said Ustarte. 'He was a lord of demons. According to legend, he rebelled against his brother, Anharat, and aided the humans of Kuan-Hador in the first Demon War. Through his power the warriors of Kuan-Hador defeated the demons, casting them from this dimension. That was in the days when Kuan-Hador was a symbol of purity and courage. When Kuan-Hador fell into evil ways and a second war broke out, the few descendants of Emsharas took arms against the empire. There were many battles. Nothing is known of the fate of Emsharas's descendants.'
'We seem to be no closer to an answer,' said Kysumu.
'I think that we are,' observed the Grey Man. He turned to Yu Yu. 'The last battle you saw was at the city of Kuan-Hador?'
'Yes.'
'In which direction did the Men of Clay walk?'
'South . . . south-west, maybe. A southerly direction anyway.'
That area is mostly forest now,' said the Grey Man. 'It covers a vast area on the way to Qumtar. Do you remember any landmarks?'
Yu Yu shook his head. 'Just a lot of hills.'
'We must travel there,' said the Grey Man. To his right Ustarte gave a low moan. Her head sagged back against the headrest of the bench. The Grey Man moved swiftly to her side. 'Help me with her,' he told Kysumu. Together, and with great effort, they lifted the priestess, carrying her back to the apartments and laying her on the bed.
Her golden eyes opened. 'I... need a little. . . rest,' she whispered.
The men left her and returned to where Yu Yu waited. 'How is your wound?' the Grey Man asked him.
'Better.'
'Can you ride?'
'Of course. I am a great rider.'
'You and Kysumu should head back to the ruins, then strike out towards the south.'
'What are we looking for?' asked Yu Yu.
'Anything that looks familiar to you. The Men of Clay walked away from the battlefield. Did they walk far? More than a day, for example? Did they make camp?'
'No, I don't think so. I think the hills were close to the burning city.'
'Then you must find those hills. I will join you in a day or two.'
Kysumu stepped in close to the Grey Man. 'What if the demons come back? You will not have our swords to protect you.'
'One concern at a time, my friend,' said the Grey Man. 'Emrin will see that you have two good mounts and a week's supplies. Tell no one where you are heading.'
Lord Aric of House Kilraith stepped past the two guards at the door, and led Eldicar Manushan through to the rear apartments, where a third guard politely relieved Aric of his ruby-pommelled dagger. Lord Panagyn of House Rishell was lounging in an armchair, his booted feet resting on a glass table-top. A big, ugly man, with iron-grey hair and a large bulbous nose, his face was given a hint of glamour by the silver patch he wore over his left eye.
'Greetings, cousin,' said Aric amiably. 'I trust you are comfortable?'
'As comfortable as any man sitting in the fortress of his enemy.'
'Always so suspicious, cousin. You will not die here. Allow me to introduce my friend, Eldicar Manushan.'
The broad-shouldered magicker bowed. 'A pleasure, my lord.'
'So far the pleasure is all yours,' grunted Panagyn, swinging his legs from the table. 'If you are looking for an alliance with House Rishell, Aric, you can forget it. You were behind the treacherous turncoat Shastar. Had he not switched sides I would have killed Ruall, as I killed his brothers.'
'Indeed so,' said Aric. 'And you are quite right. I did convince Shastar to change sides.'
'You admit it, you dog!'
'Yes, I do.' Aric sat down opposite the astonished man. 'But all that is in the past. There are far greater prizes in our grasp now. We have battled one another to gain control of larger areas of Kydor. Larger areas of a tiny nation. But suppose for a moment we could conquer the lands of the Chiatze, and the Gothir. And beyond. Drenan, Vagria, Lentria. Suppose that we could be kings of great empires.'
Panagyn chuckled, the sound rich with mockery. 'Oh, yes, cousin,' he said. 'And we could fly over our empires on the backs of winged pigs. I do believe I saw a feathered pig swooping past my window as I arrived.'
'I don't blame you for your cynicism, Panagyn,' said Aric. 'I will even give you another opportunity for jest. Not only can we rule these empires, but we will never die. We will be immortal like gods.' He fell silent for a moment, then smiled. 'You wish to make another jest?'
'No - but I would appreciate you offering me a taste of the narcotic you have obviously been imbibing.'
Aric laughed. 'How is your eye?'
'It hurts, Aric. How do you think it feels? An arrow cut through it, and I had to pluck out both shaft and orb.'
'Then perhaps a small demonstration would aid our negotiation,' said Aric. He turned to Eldicar Manushan. The magicker raised his hand. From the tip of his index finger a blue flame leapt into the air, closing in on itself and swirling, like a tiny, glowing ball.
'What is this?' asked Panagyn. Suddenly the ball sped across the room, flowing through the silver eye-patch. Panagyn fell back with a groan. He swore loudly and scrabbled for his dagger.
'No need for that,' said Eldicar Manushan. 'Stay calm and wait for the pain to pass. The result will surprise you, my lord. The pain should be receding now. What do you feel?'
'An itching in the socket,' muttered Panagyn. 'It feels like something is lodged there.'
'As indeed something is,' said Eldicar. 'Remove your eye-patch.' Panagyn did so. The socket had been stitched tight. Eldicar Manushan touched his finger to the sealed lids. The skin peeled back, the muscles of the lids swelling with new life. 'Open your eye,' ordered the magicker.
Panagyn obeyed him. 'Sweet Heaven!' he whispered. 'I have my sight. It is a miracle.'
'No, merely magic,' said Eldicar, looking at him closely. 'And I didn't quite get the colour right. The iris is a deeper blue in your right eye.'
'Gods, man, I care nothing for the colour,' said Panagyn. 'To be free of pain - and to have two good eyes.' Rising from his chair, he walked to the balcony and stared out over the bay. He swung back to the two men. 'How have you done this?'
'It would take rather an age to explain, my lord. But essentially your body regenerated itself. Eyes are really quite simple. Bones take a little more expertise. Had you, for example, lost an arm it would have taken several weeks - and more than two dozen spells - to regrow. Now, if you will, my lord, take a close look at your cousin.'
'Good to be able to take a close look at anything,' said Panagyn. 'What am I looking for?'
'Does he seem well to you?'
'You mean apart from dyeing his hair and beard?'
'It is not dye,' said Eldicar Manushan. 'I have given him back some ten years or so. He is now a man in his early thirties, and could remain so for several hundred years. Perhaps more.'
'By the gods, he does seem younger,' whispered Pana-gyn. 'And you could do this for me?'
'Of course.'
'And what do you require in return? The soul of my first-born?' Panagyn forced a laugh, but his eyes showed no humour.
'I am not a demon, Lord Panagyn. I am a man, just as you are. What I require is your friendship, an
d your loyalty.'
'And this will make me a king?'
'In time. I have an army waiting to enter this land. I do not wish them to have to fight as soon as they arrive. Far better to enter a land that is friendly, that will be a base for expansion. You have upwards of three thousand fighting men. Aric can summon close to four thousand. I do not wish for a battle so early.'
'Where is this army coming from?' asked Panagyn. 'The lands of the Chiatze?'
'No. A gateway will open not thirty miles from here. One thousand of my men will pass through it. It will take time to bring the whole army through. Perhaps a year. Perhaps a little more. But once our base here is established we will conquer the lands of the Chiatze, and beyond. The ancient realm will be restored. And you will be rewarded beyond any dream you can envisage.'
'And what of the others, the Duke, Shastar and Ruall?' asked Panagyn. 'Are they to be included in our venture?'
'Sadly, no,' said Eldicar Manushan. 'The Duke is a man with no understanding of avarice, and no desire for conquest. Shastar and Ruall are loyal to him, and will follow where he leads. No, initially the land of Kydor will be shared between you and your cousin.'
'They are to die, then?' said Panagyn.
'Indeed. Does that trouble you, my lord?'
'Everybody dies,' replied Panagyn, with a smile.
'Not everybody,' observed Aric.
In the nights that followed the attack on the palace many of the servants found difficulty in sleeping. Alone in their rooms as night fell, they would light lanterns and recite prayers. If sleep did come it was light, the merest sound of wind against the window-frames enough to have them wake in a cold sweat. Not so for Keeva, who slept more deeply than she had in years. Deep, dreamless sleep, from which she awoke feeling refreshed and invigorated.
And she knew why. When the demons had come she had not cowered in a corner, but taken up a weapon and used it. Yes, she had been afraid, but the fear had not overcome her. She remembered her uncle, and pictured his face as they sat on the riverbank. 'You'll hear people say that pride is a sin. Ignore them. Pride is vital. Not excessive pride, mind you. That is merely arrogant stupidity. No, being proud of yourself is what counts. Do nothing that is mean and spiteful, petty or cruel. And never give way to evil, no matter what the cost. Be proud, girl. Stand tall.'
'Is that how you have lived your life, Uncle?'
'No. That's why I know how important it is.' Keeva smiled at the memory, as she sat by the bed of the priestess. Ustarte was sleeping peacefully. Keeva heard the Grey Man enter and glanced up at him. He was dressed all in black, the clothes very fine. He beckoned to her and she followed him into the weapons room. 'Ustarte is in danger,' he said.
'She seems to be recovering well.'
'Not from her wounds. She has enemies. Soon they will come for her.' He paused, his dark eyes locking to her gaze.
'What do you want me to do?' she asked.
'What do you want to do?' he countered.
'I don't understand you.'
'You have a choice of two paths, Keeva. One carries you back up the steps to the palace and your room, the other will take you to places you may not want to go.' He gestured towards the far bench. Upon it was laid a pair of soft leather leggings and a double-shouldered hunting jerkin. Beside the clothes was a belt bearing a bone-handled knife.
'These are for me?'
'Only if you want them.'
'What are you saying, Grey Man? Speak plainly.'
'I need someone to take Ustarte from here to a place of - relative - safety. It must be someone with wit and courage, someone who will not panic when the chase begins. I am not asking you to do this, Keeva. I do not have that right. If you choose to return to your room I will think none the worse of you.'
'Where is this place of safety?'
'About a day's ride from here.' He moved in closer to her. 'Give it some thought. I will be with Ustarte.'
Keeva stood alone in the weapons room. Stepping forward, she laid her hand on the hunting jerkin. The leather was soft and lightly oiled. Drawing the hunting knife from its sheath, she hefted it. It was perfectly balanced, and double-edged. Conflicting thoughts assailed her. She owed her life to the Grey Man, and the debt lay heavy upon her. Equally she loved life in the palace. Proud as she was of her part in the fight against the demons, Keeva had no wish to face any further dangers. She had been lucky in.the raid upon the village. Camran could have killed her straight away. That luck had doubled with the coming of the Grey Man. But, surely, there was a limit to one person's luck? Keeva felt she would cross that limit were she to agree to escort the priestess.
'What should I do, Uncle?' she whispered.
There was no answer from the dead, but Keeva remembered his oft-repeated advice.
'When in doubt, do what is right, girl.'
Chapter Ten
Waylander moved to the bedside. Ustarte's golden eyes were open. He sat beside her. 'You were wrong to do that,' she said, her voice almost a whisper.
'I gave her a choice.'
'No, you didn't. She owes you her life. She will feel obliged to do as you ask.'
'I know, but I don't have too many choices,' he admitted.
'You could become a friend to Kuan-Hador,' she reminded him.
He shook his head. 'I would have remained neutral, but they brought death to my house and to my people. I cannot forgive that.'
'It is more than that,' she said.
He laughed then, with genuine good humour. 'I forget for a moment that you can read minds.'
'And speak with spirits,' she reminded him.
His smile faded. On the first night he had tended her Ustarte had woken and told him that the spirit of Orien, the Battle King of the Drenai, had appeared to her. It had shaken Waylander, for the same spirit had appeared to him years before, offering him the chance to redeem himself by finding the Armour of Bronze.*
* From the novel Waylander (1986)
'Has he come to you again?'
'No. He harbours no ill-will towards you. He wanted you to know that.'
'He should. I killed his son.'
'I know,' she said sadly. 'You were a different man then, and almost beyond redemption. But the goodness in you fought back. He has forgiven you.'
'Strangely, that is harder to bear than hate,' he said.
'That is because you cannot forgive yourself.'
'Can you read the minds of spirits?' he asked her.
'No - but I liked him.'
'He was a king,' said Waylander, 'a great king. He saved the Drenai, and forged a nation. When he was old, his sight failing, he abdicated in favour of his son, Niallad.'
'I know this from your own memories,' she said. 'He hid the Armour of Bronze. You found it.'
'He asked me to. How could I refuse?'
'Some men would have. And now he has asked a second favour of you.'
'It makes no sense to me. Finding the Armour of Bronze helped the Drenai overcome a great enemy. But going to a feast? Why would a dead king care about a feast?'
'He did not say. But I think you will be in danger if you go. You know that?'
'I know.'
Keeva moved in from the weapons room. Waylander turned to see her standing in the doorway. She was wearing the dark shirt and leggings and a pair of fringed riding boots. The hunting knife was belted at her waist. Her long dark hair was pulled back from her face and tied in a pony-tail. Waylander rose from the bedside. 'The clothes fit well,' he said. Moving past her he walked to a cabinet on the far wall of the weapons room. Opening it, he withdrew a small double-winged crossbow. Calling out to Keeva he carried the weapon to a bench. Under the light of a lantern he examined the crossbow, lightly oiling the bolt grooves. As Keeva came alongside he passed the weapon to her. 'I had this made for my daughter, Miriel,' he said, 'but she preferred the more traditional hunting bow. It is considerably lighter than my own bow and the killing range is no more than fifteen paces.'
Keeva hefted the bow. It was
T-shaped, when viewed either vertically or horizontally, the grip projecting down from the centre of the weapon. The rear of the crossbow was fluted back, and shaped so that it settled snugly over the wrist. There were no bronze triggers. Two black studs had been set into the grip.
Waylander handed the girl two black bolts. 'Load the lower groove first,' he advised. Keeva struggled with the action. The centre of the lower bowstring was hidden inside the mechanism. 'Let me show you,' he said.
On the underside of the bow was a catch. Waylander flicked it open and pulled it down. This engaged the lower bowstring, drawing it back into view. Slipping his fingers into the groove he cocked the weapon, then slid a bolt into place. Snapping the catch, he handed the weapon to Keeva. Extending her arm, she loosed the centre bolt into a nearby target. He watched her reload it. She still struggled with the lower section. 'Do not leave it loaded for too long,' he said, 'for it will weaken the wings. When you get time, practise loading and unloading. It will become easier.'
'I do not want it to become easier,' she told him. 'I will take Ustarte to this place you spoke of, but then you can have this weapon back. I told you once before I do not want to be a killer. That remains true.'
'I understand that, and I am grateful to you,' he said. 'I will be with you late tomorrow. After that you will be free of any obligation to me.'
Finding a stick of charcoal and a section of parchment he drew two diamond shapes, the first with a diagonal line across it running left to right, the second right to left. 'Skirt the ruins of Kuan-Hador to the south-west and head into the mountains. Follow the main road for around a mile. You will come to a fork in the road. Take the left fork and continue until you see a lightning-blasted tree. Ride on, keeping your eyes on the trunks of the trees you pass. Each time you see these symbols change direction according to the line through the diamond, left to right or right to left. You will come to a cliff-face. If you have followed the symbols correctly you will be close to a deep cleft in the rocks. Dismount and lead the horses into that cleft. Inside you will find a deep cave with a freshwater pool. There are supplies there, and grain for the horses.'
Keeva slipped the bolts from the crossbow and loosed the strings. 'I heard the priestess say you would be in danger at the Feast. Why go?'