Wizard's Funeral (24 page)

Chapter Twenty-three

The most joyous event to follow the battle was the recovery of the lost standards from the Wolf, the Crocodile and the Dragon Pavilions. The shame of losing them had been erased. They were now back in the hands of the Carthagans and some warriors actually wept when they were able to touch their pavilions standard once again. There was a meeting the following day, between the heads of.two armies. Marshal Kaff. Soldier. Kaff had come out with a contingent of his Imperial Guard. He stood before Soldier with a defiant look on his face, resplendent in silver and gold armour with the marshals embossed emblem on his breastplate. There was a dove screwed into his stump. Soldier was still in battle gear: plain breastplate, leathers, epaulettes and sandals. He had managed to wash, but not to bathe. Layana stood beside him, also still in her battle armour. Princess, murmured Kaff, dipping his head. He then reached out to take her hand to kiss it, without success. She glared at him. Who is this familiar person? asked Layana, staring at Kaff. Why does he leer at me? Kaff looked shocked. Of course, he knew nothing of Layanas loss of memory. He stepped back and struggled to find some words, for clearly this woman considered him a stranger. He leers at everyone, my dear, said Soldier, secretly amused. Pay him no heed. Kaffs face hardened. Clearly Princess Layana is either bewitched, or some accident has befallen her. She does not seem to know her friends. Perhaps she would allow me to escort her into Zamerkand? You, of course, he added, addressing Soldier, as head of a foreign army, are not permitted through the gates, except by special edict from the ruler. No such edict has been issued and therefore you must remain outside the walls. I have just saved your city, hissed Soldier. And Princess Layana is not going into a place where she may very well join her sister in a dungeon. I personally guarantee her safety. You, Marshal, are in Humbolds pocket. Kaff went white with fury. I am my own man. Soldier said, Then bring the queen to me. If you do not, I shall come and get her. You would not dare! In the whole history of Guthrum, the Carthagan army has never entered the gates of Zamerkand. Its unthinkable. No matter what our differences, you are still in our pay. We own you, as mercenaries, and there is an unwritten but undeniable code which states that a mercenary army never enters the city it is guarding. Especially it does not enter with the intent to interfere in local politics. It would be an invasion and we would have the right to resist by force any such hostile action. Do I make myself clear? Soldier raised his eyebrows. You would pit the Imperial Guard of Guthrum against the red pavilions of Cartharga? Are you mad? We have kept out the beast-people and the Hannacks for the last several months. We can keep out the red pavilions. Thats if you could get them to follow you. I dont think you understand whats at stake here. Cross that line, enter those gates at the head of your army, and youll bring more shame on your troops than losing a battle to savage tribes. You would sink them for ever. They know that. They would never be able to go home again, to see their families. Theyd be outcasts. Is this true? asked Soldier of Velion. Would you be outlawed? Perhaps, yes, she murmured, but these warriors would follow you into hell at the moment, without a thought for themselves. All you need to do is give the word. Marshal Kaff, said Soldier, gravely, if you do not surrender Humbold to us before the sun rises tomorrow, and release Queen Vanda into our hands, I shall have no alternative but to breach those walls. We are no savage tribe. We have engines of war. We have the power to smash our way in. We have engineers to build moles and ramps and effective battering rams. And when we do scale your walls, and break down your gates, as we undoubtedly will, I shall personally come looking for you and take pleasure in hanging you alongside Humbold. Kaff spun on his heel and marched away, followed by his friends and soldiers of the Imperial Guard. Velion said, Will you really attack?1 I dont know. I really dont know. Whatever your decision, whatever the consequences of that decision, my husband, said Layana, Guthrum cannot tolerate despots like Humbold. I hear he has made himself a jewelled sword, as a symbol of his right to kingship. If Humbold is making his own rules, you are entitled to do the same. Spagg, who had come up with the camp followers, had been about to go home. Now he stared at the gates of Zamerkand uncertainly, a sack over his shoulder. He turned to Soldier. If youre goin to attack, theres not much use me goin in there, eh? I mean, therell be a slaughter, and if I go through them gates, Ill be the enemy, wont I? We might not be able to distinguish between friend and foe. Wars are bloody and mistakes are made. However, if it does happen, I intend to forbid firing property and looting. If you lock your door and stay inside, then you should come through the conflict unharmed. Spagg nodded. He started off towards the gates. Soldier called to him. Wait. What have you got in the sack? Spagg looked defensive. Soldier called him to his side. Open it. The hand-seller reluctantly rolled back the sack. Layana said in surprise. The Soldan of Ophirias golden arm! Shame on you, said Golgath, who had just arrived. Stealing from a dead man. I didnt rob im. It was someone else. I robbed the robbers. Did you kill them? demanded Soldier. In a manner of speakin. They were targets for those throwing knives of yours? You could say that. There was two of em. Right pair of cut-throats and purse snatchers, they was. Probably assassins to boot. Worlds a better place without em. Then he added, with a touch of inspiration, Same as it would be without despots like Humbold. Soldier shook his head, wondering. If youre ever caught by Ophirians, dont come looking to me for assistance. I shant, replied Spagg, shouldering his sack again. Anyway, Im off to be rich. See you sometime, never I hope. He left. Golgath stayed. The Guthrumite had heard the news. He felt the need to argue Soldier out of any plans to invade the city. Its not worth it. Well get rid of Humbold somehow ourselves. The following morning, at sunrise, they had Raffs answer. The gates to the city usually opened at dawn. They remained shut. Shortly after dawn a message was thrown from the battlements of Zamerkand. It was not in the form of a written parchment or slate. It came down wrapped in bloody rags and bounced on the turf like a heavy ball. When the rags were unwrapped they revealed a severed head inside. It bore the face of Queen Vanda.