Knight's Dawn (16 page)

She received a glare from the cavalry officer and threw a smirk in return. A red kerchief was dropped on the green turf and the duel began. At first both combatants were tentative with one another, circling and feinting. Gradually, as they believed they got the measure of their foe, they began more serious attacks at the body and head. It was clear to all who watched that Kaff would not be content with wounding his opponent. The imperial guard officer was going for the head. Soldier, on the other hand, was attacking the bigger target of the torso. At one point in the silent but furious double-onslaught, Kaff tripped in a rat hole on the bank. He went sprawling backwards. There was a gasp from his fellow officers as they saw he was at the mercy of his opponent. A groan came from Velion however, as Soldier stepped back, dropping his guard, and allowed the other officer .to get to his feet again. Whats this, hissed Velion. You had him! Soldier gave a brief shake of his head. Blades clashed again noisily in the dawn, interrupting the songs of the birds. The fight continued, swaying back and forth, until Kaff thought he saw a real opening. Abandoning his guard he stepped forward to decapitate Soldier. His blade came swishing across horizontally, just above the level of Soldiers shoulders. There was a sharp intake of breath from the watchers as they anticipated the kill. It seemed, in that frozen moment, that Soldier had no chance of parrying the blow. But Soldier had untapped skills learned in another life. Instinctively he skipped sideways. His sword moved with the speed of a snake. The blade came up, vertically, to protect the side of his neck under attack. Honed metal edge met flesh, but it was something slimmer than a neck. Instead of a beheading, there was a clean slice through a limb joint. Kaffs arm suddenly felt very light. His momentum made him swing right through, so that he spun on his feet. Losing his balance Kaff toppled drunkenly down onto the turf. He landed heavily right next to another object which had dropped to the ground just a moment before. Kaff blinked as he stared at this grotesque thing, which he saw was a hand severed at the wrist, still gripping the hilt of a sword. It was a few seconds before he recognised the jewellery on the third finger of the hand to be his own signet ring. Still in a kind of daze he raised his right arm up to see that the hand was missing. Blood spurted from the raw wound at the end. Then his comrades came to life, rushed in on him, staunched the blood with a towel. Pale and unsteady Kaff was helped to his feet. He stared at Soldier. You bastard, he croaked. My sword arm. Better your sword arm than my head, replied the unrepentant Soldier. Perhaps youll think better of having a man whipped publicly in the street next time. The cavalry officer stepped forward and slapped Soldier across the jaw, clearly issuing another challenge. The blow stung but Soldier was not going to be goaded. No, no, Im not going to fight every damn one of you, until finally you do have my head. Go and find someone else to bully. Ive had my fill of all of you. The officers hand came up to strike him again, but this time Soldier caught it and slammed his fist into the cavalry officers face. The man went reeling back, his nose spouting almost as much blood as KafFs wnst. You thwine! screamed the cavalry officer, almost choking on his own juices. I thould kill you now! But there was a sense of honour amongst his comrades, who held him back. They saw the need to get their wounded friend to a physician. Someone picked up the hand and the sword, wrapped them in a cloak, and then they assisted Kaff towards the castle gates. Velion heaved a sigh of relief. She had been gripping her own sword, expecting the group of Guthrumite officers to turn on them. Well, I thought wed have to fight our way out of that one. Now what are you going to do? Hes the Captain of the Imperial Guard! And Im the husband of the queens sister. Now that my marriage has been consummated I shall be taken more seriously. He wont dare move against me here again. If hes going to kill me now hell have to do it surreptitiously, or out on some remote battlefield, away from witnesses. Well, watch your back, Soldier. Soldier smiled and clamped a hand on Velions shoulder, looking straight into her eyes. Thank you for coming today, Velion. Well, it was short notice, she said, but it was worth the effort of getting out of bed early. Now Ive got to get back. Im on duty later. You look after yourself, Soldier. I intend to. They parted, he walking towards the city and she going back to the red pavilions. The raven came down to mock Soldier. Well, I hope youre happy with yourself. I saw that. You nearly lost your topknot. Yes, but I didnt, did I? Next time Ill be picking out your bonny blue eyes with my beak, reluctantly of course, but why let them go to waste? There wont be a next time, if I can help it. Hell practise with his left hand and then challenge you again. Soldier grimaced. He can challenge all he wants, I shant bite. Ive had enough of this rivalry. Now, what have you heard of the witchboy and his mother Uthellen? Are they safe? The raven wiped his beak on Soldiers tunic and then said, Nothing. They seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Soldier nodded. No doubt shes in hiding again. Her son is still vulnerable. Once hes fully grown and a wizard in his own right hell be able to defend himself, but until then those who hunt him will find him easy prey. If the woman is to be believed. What do you mean by that, raven? I mean, perhaps there isnt anyone hunting the boy? Perhaps she has other reasons for remaining out of sight? Soldier shrugged. And what might they be? If I knew I wouldnt be placing doubts in your mind, would I? Id be giving you the facts. Well, I think youre wrong, raven. Theres nothing sinister about Uthellen. The raven was not so sure. Everyone distrusts witchboys, even if they are about to grow into wizards. And by extension that means you should not trust a witchboys mum. She would sell her soul for her only child, any mother would. What do you know, youre a bird! The raven clicked its beak. Im only a bird on the outside. Inside Im a boy too. But a real boy. A human, not like that creature which Uthellen gave birth to. Lets face it, wizards are a different kind of creature from men altogether. You can never fully trust them. Theres no real heart in their chests: just a piece of rock. The King Magus is not there to ensure that the world is a happy place to live in, but to maintain the right balance between good and evil. If hes so concerned about us all, why doesnt he wipe out wickedness for good so everyone can live in peace and harmony? Soldier said, If you dont have evil, you cant have good, its as simple as that. Without one the other is meaningless. Do you want to live in a meaningless world? There will always be wickedness, its a law of the universe. What we have to ensure is that it doesnt grow beyond certain limits. We have to keep it bottled, be ever vigilant. Without evil you cant have heroes, or philanthropists, or knights in shining armour. Who needs em? Why not just graze on the delights of a life with no worries? In any case, theres enough world disasters for anyone who wants to be a hero. Earthquakes, floods, fires: theyre all out there. Go and be a hero by saving someone from a fire. But thats not what satisfies, is it, Soldier. What satisfies is pitting yourself against another man or woman - and winning. Its the competitor in you that would suffer with universal peace. Thats what you wouldnt be able to stomach: having no mortal enemies, no rivals. Nonsense, said Soldier, uncomfortably. The world needs divergence. Our spirits need legends and myths to feast on. Without wickedness to combat there can be neither. It is inside us we must conquer. There are the vast tracts of land, chasms and mountains within us which must be crossed. Without unreachable goals, without insurmountable tasks, how can the men and women make that journey within themselves, find their true worth, reach the destination which is their soul? Youre very eloquent today, for a military footslogger. So are you, said Soldier, suspiciously. Are you sure youre my raven and not a wizard in disguise? Just because I was a street urchin, it doesnt make me ignorant. As a raven I can sit in on the counsel of sages, priests and scholars. Whats your excuse? The raven made a raspberry noise with its tongue, before flying off. Its sudden departure was partly because Soldier was being approached by two men. They were members of the imperial guard. Soldiers hand immediately went to his sword, thinking that another fight was imminent. The two guards blocked his path and one acted as spokesmen for both. Queen Vanda wishes to see you. Soldier was startled. See me? Yes. You must come with us, said the second guard. Whoa, wait a minute. How do I know youre from the queen? This morning I duelled with your captain and cut off his hand. You could be trying to lure me into a trap. The news of their captain was so profoundly shocking it registered on their faces. Soldier knew the news was a surprise to them. Still, he had to be very careful. What does the queen want with me? How would we know? said the first guard. Were not privy to the queens secrets. All right. Ill come with you. But you walk in front. The two guards turned and marched towards the Palace of Birds. Soldier followed. One the guards said over his shoulder, Did you really duel with Captain Kaff? Yes. And you sliced off his hand? Yes. The guards did not pursue the matter any further. Once they were outside the room in which the queen sat, they left him without giving him their opinion on the incident. He might have guessed, reasonably accurately, what their thoughts were on the subject. However, there was little he could do to gather men like these on his side. They were KafFs men, through and through, and would always be so. The doors to the court opened. There stood before Soldier a small pasty-faced man in silken robes. He had large hands poking through the mandarin sleeves. With one of these he beckoned, the other he held palm up, indicating that Soldier should remain standing where he was. Soldier did not know whether to step forward or turn and go. I am Humbold, the queens chancellor, said the man in soft, deep tones. The queen wishes to speak to you. Come in, fall on your face, and allow the queen to address you without interrupting her. If you attempt to move or speak before you are told otherwise, you will be executed on the spot. If she asks you a question, you are bound to reply. You will address the queen as Your Highness. Am I understood?

Chapter Fifteen

Suddenly there was a white wind. A blast hit the side wall of the palace. Gold air howled through the open windows on the landing outside the court to freeze those inside. Soldier gasped for breath. The guards outside the court and those visible just inside the doorway all reeled with the shock of the wind. The doors to the court slammed shut with the force of the squall, separating Soldier and Chancellor Humbold from those still inside. Torches in the dark hallways were instantly snuffed. Some robes hanging on hooks were swept away like ghosts along the passageway. The slamming sounds continued, throughout the palace, as open doors crashed shut. One or two startled screams were heard. Outside, the air was a whirlwind of crashing ice. In the courtyard below, Soldier could see that the leaves were frozen on the branches of their trees as if they were made of thin glass. Plants stood as stiff as stone, glittering in the fading light with white crystals of frost. The fountain and its cascades were frozen in movement: water had become marble. Fish caught in the pools were locked inside blocks of ice. They were still alive and stared out with wide eyes at the wintry world. Icicles grew like quick beards from sill and gutter. Snow began to fall in large soft flakes to cover the palace grounds. What was that? cried Soldier, transfixed with fear. Has the world exploded? Darkness was now creeping across the land. It swept in like a cloud of fine soot to fill the heavens. Within a few minutes the landscape was white below a dark, heavy sky. This was not the darkness of night, but the darkness of winter days. It was a darkness with soft edges which faded into whiteness where it met the snow. Birds fell from the roof, past the windows, as they were chilled to near death. They dropped like stones to the courtyard below and, wounded by the fall, remained there as fluttering balls of feather. A whole swarm of starlings caught flying over the palace met a wall of sleet moving across the landscape and were hammered out of the air. They rained past the windows to join those who had dropped from the roof. The snow was pockmarked where iced-over bees and wasps zipped into it like small pebbles flung from a slingshot. What is it? asked Soldier, shivering in his thin clothes and plate armour. Whats happened? Winter, said Humbold. It comes suddenly these days. But why? For the same reason that unnatural things are happening in the world the King Magus is dying. Its a slow business, the death of a wizard. Someone who has lived seven hundred years is not going to leave the world quickly. Soldier huddled, wrapping his arms around himself, trying to keep warm. Why doesnt he hurry up and get it over with? Who amongst us does not want as many more seconds of life as we can possibly grasp? He doesnt want to die and will cling on to this world as long as possible. The death of a wizard is a shocking thing. There is no afterlife. Dust and bones are all that remain, the spirit having withered with the body. This is all he has and he wont let it go without a struggle. Humbold suddenly remembered the queen. We must go in, he said. Dont forget my previous instructions. Looking at Soldiers weapon the chancellor confirmed, Is your sword hilt tied to your thigh? Yes. Good. Humbold then ordered the doors to be opened. He entered first, followed by Soldier, who immediately fell on his face. The queen, sitting on fier tnrone a fong way down the room, called to him. Where are you from, Soldier? I know not, your majesty, said Soldier into the cold tiles of the floor. What is your real name? My true identity is a secret even to me. Have you come here from another country or another place altogether? Your majesty, I wish I could answer these questions, but I cannot. I am as ignorant as anyone else on these matters. I desperately wish to know who and what I am, where I come from, who was my father and mother, where my country lies . . . The queen interrupted with, Come closer, Soldier. You may rise, hissed Humbold, and move to within three body lengths of the queen. There you will again prostrate yourself. Soldier did as he was told. He was left lying there on the frozen mosaic floor for an age, while he heard courtiers and others talking with the queen around him. He seemed to be the only one kissing marble. Finally the queen ordered him to his feet. He rose and kept what he felt was a deferential pose before the throne. You may look up, into my face. He did so, and beheld a woman whose features resembled those of his wife, Layana. Queen Vandas looks were more severe and plainer than those of Layana, but they were clearly close blood relatives. She seemed less yielding in nature than Layana - more formal and stern - as befitted a queen, the ruler of a country which had once had an empire. Soldier decided she could be cruel and unfeeling if required, and he was worried now, wondering why he had been summoned. The queen was dressed simply. There were no crowns or jewels dripping from her form. She carried no mace or orb or any gem-encrusted symbol of her office. A purple dress with a white fur-lined cloak was what clothed her. Soldier suspected that before the winter blast had hit the palace the cloak had been hanging on some hook in a wardrobe. Other courtiers and soldiers in the room had also been supplied with cloaks. Only he and Humbold were without some sort of overcovering. Are you a rogue wizard? Your majesty, if I were I would not be in so much trouble, unable to enchant my way out of it. I have never met a rogue wizard, but Im sure he would have more power of personality that I own. He would have great magnetism. He would have unfathomable charisma. You see before you a humble mortal, with no pretensions to wizardry. Having met you at last, I believe you. I hear you have become my sisters third husband, said the queen. That makes me your sister-in-law. He had not thought of this and his mind raced. He was about to say something when he suddenly remembered Humbolds warning about not speaking unless he was answering a question. Had there been a question? Or was it simply a statement? Soldier glanced towards Humbold, hoping to find some encouragement, or otherwise. There was nothing. The chancellors face was bland. Soldier, do you love your wife? Definitely a question. More than my own life. Humbold rolled his eyes heavenward, not because he was nauseated by Soldiers declaration of ardour, but because Soldier had forgotten to use the formal address to the queen. Soldier made a mental note to ensure it did not happen again. Yet you have only known her some few hours. I hear you consummated your marriage last night. Then my sister lost her reason in the early hours. Is that correct? News obviously travelled fast in Guthrum. Yes, your majesty. Do you not find my sister ugly? Her scars, your majesty? They mean nothing to me. In my eyes Lay ana is the most beautiful woman in the world. There was a raising of royal eyebrows. Even more beautiful than her sister, the queen? A hush came over the court and the rustling of clothes, all other sounds, ceased as the queen waited for his answer. In my eyes, Soldier said, firmly, the queens beauty is unsurpassed . . . a relieved sigh went through the room . . . except by that of my dear wife. The sigh turned to a moan of horror. The queen pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. What kind of man . . . began Soldier, but Humbold whispered to him, Be quiet, you fool! You have been asked no question. Soldier would not be put off. What kind of man would I be if love did not blind me? I am a new husband, still caught in the heat of fresh love. Would you have a husband for your sister who was not completely enthralled by everything about her, including her beauty, your majesty? Are you saying she has put you under some kind of spell? I am under her spell, Soldier admitted, and will be to the end of my days. She has bewitched me, not with magic, but with love. Would it be right for me to yearn after my wifes sisters beauty? I think not, even were such beauty attainable for a common man such as myself. It would be entirely inappropriate. Therefore, your majesty, I must consider my wife to be incomparable, for hidden dangers lie elsewhere. You believe her to be more beautiful than me because it is expedient to do so. No because it is impossible for me to do otherwise. I am overwhelmed by passion and blinded to all other women, be they queens or maid-servants. I am totally in love with my wife, who has me in her thrall every waking hour. Every other citizen in the land believes you to be the most beautiful woman in the world, your majesty. I stand alone in my opinion and therefore in the great scheme of things my opinion is worthless. Queen Vanda smiled at this. You have a silver tongue, Soldier. Apparently not just a brute who kills and maims other warriors in war. Not just a skilled swordsman who cripples my Imperial Guard Captains. Was that what all this was about? If the queen had taken against him because of Kaff, he was lost. I have summoned you here, continued the queen, to ask of you a favour. I give you a quest. To go out into the world and seek the cure of my sisters madness, which I also share. We do not always fall out of reason at the same time, my sister and I, but our illnesses have the same root. Our mother was cursed by a wizard and that curse has come down to us. I would ask you to go out and seek the wizard who placed the curse, make him remove it. What say you, Soldier? Will you accept? With all my heart and head, your majesty. Good. I have already sent a message to the Carthagans. They will release you from their army for an indefinite period. You have our blessing. There are wizards in the western mountains. Go and seek one of them, and force or persuade him to lift the spell which has been placed on my fathers line. You may take an assistant with you, as your squire and helpmate. Do you have anyone you trust? Soldier considered first Uthellen, then Velion, but finally settled on Spagg. He would not trust Spagg as far as he could throw the queens palace, but he did not want to put the others in danger. Uthellen, even if he could find her, had her son to look after. Velion was a better choice, but the unworthy Spagg was much more expendable than the Carthagan warrior. No, Spagg it had to be, and with the queens commission behind him, the market trader would not be able to refuse. I have someone in mind, your majesty. Then go, Soldier, and good luck. Soldier backed out of the court with his head lowered, followed by Humbold. Once he was outside the Palace of Birds, Soldier hurried through the snow to the Palace of Wildf lowers. There he discovered his wife was still rapt in madness and he was advised not to see her. He was given a thick cloak to wear and, after telling Drissila and Oafo about the task the queen had given him, he went forth to seek the market trader, Spagg. In the market-place the people were huddled together, trying to clear the snow from their stalls. The sudden onslaught of midwinter had caught them unawares. They were frozen to the marrow, bad-tempered, and not inclined to answer questions. However, one woman finally turned her red nose towards her questioner, and told him where Spagg was residing. As soon as winter comes, she sniffed, he scuttles away, to the Temple of Theg, to become an apprentice priest, a learner. A novitiate? Yes, one of them things. They take im in every winter, whether it comes once, twice or three times a year, the fools, thinkin hes going to go all the way and become a proper priest. It lasts im until spring comes, then he waves goodbye to em and comes out here and starts his stall up again. Hes a fickle one, that Spagg, but hes not daft. They have coal braziers in the temple, always lit, and hes kept warm by em until the winter snow and ice has gone. You have more than one winter a year? queried Soldier in surpnse. Spaddle me stressups, yes. Weve ad as many as six. Three years ago, it was, we ad six. Bit unusual that, though. Normally its two or three. Course, they dont last long. A month or two, sometimes three. Sudden they come, sudden they go. Weve got a sayin in Guthrum if you dont like the weather, wait a minute. Soldier took his leave from the hag and, after obtaining directions, made his way to the Temple of Theg. When he got there the priests at the entrance wouldnt let him in. They told him ordinary citizens could only enter on religious feast days - and then only holidays to do with Theg. He was told that there were maidens inside who had to be protected, or the corn would wither on the stalk and the apples would shrivel on the tree. The harvest is dependent upon their virginity. For every virgin lost a field of turnips will rot. For every maiden who goes astray an almond tree will die. For every chaste girl who falls a grape vine will choke at the roots. A soldier like you might think to slake his lust on the nubile young women behind these pillars, for they are most comely. The priest licked his lips as if anticipating a very tasty meal once this stranger was out of sight. And you let men like Spagg enter? he questioned. These temple priests all wore green robes, tall green hats and green sandals made from raffia, and this one was no exception. Green was Thegs colour. He was the agrarian god and was responsible for all things to do with plants and the soil. He was also very passionate about racing horses, and so equestrian activities came under him rather than under Kist, the goddess who loved all animals except human beings, whom she despised. Spagg? I dont think we have a Spagg here. Im told he is here. Hes a novitiate. Oh, the priests face clouded over. The market trader who sells hanged mens hands. We are just about at the end of our tether with that one. It seems to us that hes using us, simply to escape the winter. And between me and you, I dont altogether trust him with the temple virgins. No, really? Yes indeed. Have you come to arrest him for something? It wouldnt surprise me in the least. I need him for the queens business. Ah, nodded the priest, as if this confirmed his ideas on the subject. Ill send for him. Another, younger, priest was despatched. He disappeared into the dark portals of the Temple of Theg, where timid young women roamed in herds, their guardians ever watchful for the wolf that might descend on the fold. He soon returned with a green-garbed Spagg in tow. As soon as Spagg saw that it was Soldier who was waiting, he attempted to retreat back into the temple. However, the priests were not about to let this man have sanctuary. They dragged him back out again and threw him at Soldiers feet. Spare me, Soldier! cried Spagg, throwing his arms over his head to protect it. Im sorry I betrayed you. Get up, ordered Soldier, embarrassed by this unseemly display. You are to accompany me on a quest. I need someone to handle the horses