Last question, why are you riding alone? Wouldn't things be more effective with your army?"
"I move fastest alone," he said. "And my own people are in place, and have been for some time."
I thought of Nessaren--and the fact that I hadn't seen her around Athanarel for weeks.
"When I want them," he said, reaching into the pouch at his belt, "I will summon them with this." And he held up something that glowed blue briefly: the summons-stone I had seen so long ago. "Each riding has one. At the appropriate moment, we will converge and, ah, the Marquise and her allies to accompany us back to Athanarel. It is the best way of avoiding bloodshed."
In the distance the time-change rang. "What about those Denlieff warriors?" I asked.
"If their leaders are unable to give them orders, they will have to take orders from me."
I thought about the implied threat, then shook my head. "I'm glad I have the easy job," I said. "Speaking of which…"
He smiled. "There's a room adjacent. I suggest you change your clothes and ride dry for a time." Before I could say anything, he rose, stepped to the tapestry, and summoned the maid.
Very soon I was in the little bedroom, struggling out of my soggy clothing. It felt good to get into dry things, though I knew I wouldn't be dry long. There was no hope for my cloak, except to wring it out and put it back on. But when I left the room, I found my cloak gone, and in its place a long, black, waterproof one that I recognized at once.
With very mixed feelings I pulled it on, gathering it up in my arms so it wouldn't drag on the ground behind me. Then I settled my hat on my head, and very soon I was on the road to the west.
"I move fastest alone," he said. "And my own people are in place, and have been for some time."
I thought of Nessaren--and the fact that I hadn't seen her around Athanarel for weeks.
"When I want them," he said, reaching into the pouch at his belt, "I will summon them with this." And he held up something that glowed blue briefly: the summons-stone I had seen so long ago. "Each riding has one. At the appropriate moment, we will converge and, ah, the Marquise and her allies to accompany us back to Athanarel. It is the best way of avoiding bloodshed."
In the distance the time-change rang. "What about those Denlieff warriors?" I asked.
"If their leaders are unable to give them orders, they will have to take orders from me."
I thought about the implied threat, then shook my head. "I'm glad I have the easy job," I said. "Speaking of which…"
He smiled. "There's a room adjacent. I suggest you change your clothes and ride dry for a time." Before I could say anything, he rose, stepped to the tapestry, and summoned the maid.
Very soon I was in the little bedroom, struggling out of my soggy clothing. It felt good to get into dry things, though I knew I wouldn't be dry long. There was no hope for my cloak, except to wring it out and put it back on. But when I left the room, I found my cloak gone, and in its place a long, black, waterproof one that I recognized at once.
With very mixed feelings I pulled it on, gathering it up in my arms so it wouldn't drag on the ground behind me. Then I settled my hat on my head, and very soon I was on the road to the west.
( Sherwood Smith )
[ Court Duel ]
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