Adams, Robert - Horseclans 04 - A Cat of Silvery Hue

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Horseclans, Volume Four

Robert Adams

Contents

PROLOGUE

C H AP TE R I

C H AP TE R I I

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IV

C H AP TE R V

CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VII

CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER IX

C H AP TE R X

CHAPTER XI

CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XIII

CHAPTER XIV



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CHAPTER XV

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

T he s haven s calp o f t he t al l, b ro ad -s ho ul dered y ou ng w ar ri or g li nt ed i n t he l ig ht o f t he r is in g s un , as d id

t he b ur ni sh ed s ur faces o f h is s ui t o f t hr ee-q uart er arm or and t he d ol ph in -s haped s il ver g ob let i n h is r ig ht

h an d. T ho ug h h eavi er and s qu ar el y m as cu li ne, h is f ace b or e a s tart li ng s im il ar it y t o t ho se o f t he t wo t al l,

h an ds om e w om en w ho s to od b ef or e h im , t heir h ai r b ut s li gh tl y d ar ker t han h is b us hy cor ns il k eyebr ow s.

T he l ar ge, b at tl em en ted b ui ld in g, ato p t he f lat r oo f o f w hi ch t hey s to od , w as k no wn as M or gu hn H al la nd w as t he yo un g m an s a nc es tr al h om e. T he h al l c ro wn ed a g en tl y s lo pi ng hi ll a nd , t o n or th , s ou th , e as t

a nd w es t, a s f ar a s t he e ye m ig ht s ee , t he f ie ld s a nd w oo dl an ds a nd r ol li ng l ea s w er eall his d om ai n, t he

Thoheekahtohn of Morguhn.

T o t he ir l ef t, a t al l c ol um n o f s mo ke a ro se f ro m t he r ea r c ou rt ya rd , w he re in h ad b ee n l ai d t he f un er al

pyre of the man who had been husband to the two women and father to the young warrior. Though the

m an h ad d ie d o f n at ur al c au se s, t he s ix h ac ke d c or ps es w hi ch h ad s ha re d h is p yr e h ad f al le n i n b at tl e j us t

h ou rs b ef or e t he ir c re ma ti on s; a mo ng t he m h ad b ee n a y ou ng er s on o f t he t wo w om en , D je f M or gu hn .

A s t he h al l h ad b ut r ec en tl y b ee n i nv es te d, t he ba il ey t o t he ir r ig ht l ay c lu tt er ed , a nd j er ry bu il t p en s w er e

t ig ht ly p acked w it h h un dr ed s o f cat tl e, s heep and g oats . T he s mall o pen s pace r em ai ni ng w as n ow f il ledw it h abo ve t hr eescor e s tamp in g, w hi ck er in g w ar ho rs es , ast ri de m os t o f w hi ch w er e arm or ed and f ul ly

arm ed f ig ht in g m en . T he m aj or it y o f t hese r id er s w or e t hescal em ai l h au ber ks and o pen- f aced h el m s

which identified them as Middle Kingdoms Freefighters or mercenary cavalrymen-armed with

broadsword or heavy saber, two-foot hide buckler shod with iron, long, broad dirk and a few

s ho rt -s ha ft ed , w el l- ba la nc ed d ar ts . T en o f t he h or se me n w er e a li ke a s p ea s i n a p od , b ei ng

H or secl an sm en b ut r ecen tl y arr iv ed f ro m t heSeao fG rass , t ho us an ds o fk ai ee t o t h e w est .

O f t he r em ai ni ng m en , a ll s av e o ne w er e a rm ed w it h b ro ad sw or ds a nd s pe ar s, a nd w or e t hr ee -q ua rt er

plate very similar to that of the young man atop the hall. This last man, clad in a flowing white robe, was

arm ed w it h d ag gers ,a full d ozen d art s an d ado ub lecu rv ed yagh at an . W here al l o f t he o th er m en s f aces,t ho ug h t an ne d b y s un a nd w ea th er , w er e e it he r o li ve o r f ai r, h is w as t he r ic h d ar k b ro wn o f o ld l ea th er .

O ne w ho m ig ht h av e b ee n a y ou ng er d up li ca te o f t he d ar k- sk in ne d m ou nt ed m an s to od b eh in d t he

y oun g m an o n t he r oo ft op . H is n am e w as E es hm ah eh l a nd h e w as a p hy si ci an f ro m t he B la ck K in gd om s,

f ar a wa y t o t he n or th a nd e as t o f t hi s l an d. A r ai l- th in l ad , h is o wn s ki n a lm os t b lu e i n i ts b la ck ne ss , s to od

by the physicians side, holding with both hands a gleaming brass bowl. He was but recently freed from

an o di ou s b on dage t o a p er vert ed n ob leman and h ad v ol un tari ly app rent iced h im self t o t he t al l, g racefu l

brown-skinned man; his hated master had called him Peeos, but all here used his proper name, Peeair.

E e sh ma he hl w as p la ci ng a f re sh b an da ge o ve r a r ec en t w ou nd i n t he y ou ng m an s s ca lp . A s h e

performed this task, he talked constantly, explaining to Peeair just what he was doing and why, for so

had the master physician, Ahlee, imparted his extensive knowledge to Eeshmahehl. The language he

s po ke w as K we eb eh ke ek os , f or , t ho ug h P ee ai r w as f ro m a n e xo ti c l an d f ar t o t he s ou th , t hi s



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f ar -n or th er n t on gu e w as eno ug h l ik e h is n at iv e s peech t o b e eas il y com pr eh en si bl e.

L if ti ng a t hi ck clo th p ad , d am p w it h s om e l iq ui d f ro m t he b ow l h el d b y P eeai r, t he p hy si ci an b ri ef ly h el d

t he p ad u nd er t he l ad s f in e- bo ne d n os e, s li gh tl y c an te d s in ce a b lo w o f h is f or me r m as te r s f is t h ad

broken it What is the smell, Peeair?

Brandy, master.

E es hm ah eh l n od ded, p laced t he p ad o ver t he h eali ng w ou nd ,h el d i t w it h h is l ef t h an d w hi le t ak in g a

l en gt h o f r ol led b an dage f ro m t he com part ment ed b ow l. J u st s o , P eeai r, j us t s o. A nd w hy i s t he i nn er

bandage so often soaked with brandy, do you remember?

T he b oy c lo se d h is e ye s a nd k ni tt ed h is b ro ws i n c on ce nt ra ti on . To . . . b ec au se w ou nd s c ov er ed w it h

s uch d ress in gs s eem t o h eal q ui ck er and clean er ?

Ve ry g oo d, m y s on , v er y g oo d. Ah la li h as g ra nt ed y ou a go od m em or y, w hi ch m ak es m e c er ta in t ha t t he

E ld er M as ters w il l q ui ck ly con fi rm y ou as m y app rent ice, w hen y ou r et ur n w it h m e t oZ ah rt oh gah. . . .Now, set down the basin, Peeair, and hand me the thoheeks helmet.

Gingerly, the sinewy brown hands settled the weighty helm atop the thick bandages,then fumblingly

com menced t o t hr ead s t raps t hr ou gh b uckl es.

S mi li ng , o ne o f t he t wo w id ow s s tepp ed f or ward , s ay in g, Pl ease, M as ter E es hm ah eh l, all ow m e. Y ou

a re i ne xpe ri enc ed a t i t, but my s is te r a nd I he lp ed a rm ou r f at he r a nd b rot he rs b ef or e w e we re ha lf t he

age o f y ou ng P eeai r.

W hi le t he t wo w om en f as tened t he n eckp iece t o h el m, l ow er ed t hech eek pi eces , t hen s et abo ut checki ng

a nd t ig ht en in g t he f it o f va ri ous o th er c om po ne nt s o f t he ir s on s s et o f p la te , a t al l, m uc h- sc ar re d m an o f f or ty o r s o e me rg ed f ro m a c or ne r t ow er a nd s tr od e p ur po se fu ll y t he l en gt h o f t he s id e w al l, h is P it zb ur k

plate clanking and the plume on his helm nodding.

A ft er a sc en di ng t he s to ne s te ps t o t he r oo f, h e p ac ed o ve r t o t he y ou ng t ho he ek s, r en de re d a m il it ar y

s al ut e a nd s ai d, The c ol umn i s f or me d up, Duke Bi ll . Ea ch hor se be ar s a s ki n of wa te re d w ine a nd a

w al le t o f w ar r at io ns . M as te r A hl ee s ai d t ha t i t w ou ld b ene it he r pa inf ul or i nj ur io us t o t he b ea st , s o I v e

h ad y ou r b lack char ger s ad dl ed and f i tt ed w it h ach am fr on .

Th e t ho heek s n od ded cur tl y. Very g oo d, cap tain . Y ou m ay r et ur n, n ow . I l l j oi n y ou , s ho rt ly .

S al ut in g o nc e m or e, t he o ff ic er s pu n a nd r et ra ce d h is s te ps , w hi le B il i e mb ra ce d a nd k is se d e ac h o f h is

m ot hers , s ay in g, Wh en t he U nd yi ng H ig h L ad y A ld or a and h er d rago on s arr iv e, p oi nt t hem i n t he

d ir ec ti on of t he r eb el s r et re at . T el l t he m t ha t h is g ra ce r id es w it h u s a nd w is he s t he m t o j oi n u s.

Mo th er B eh rn ee s n od de d b ri sk ly . We w il l, B il i. B ut , e re y ou r id e . . . y ou r ea ll y s ho ul d m ak e y ou r

peace with Count Djeen.

B il i s m ou th t hi nn ed i nt o a g ri m l in e. T he re i s n o p ea ce t o b e m ad e, M ot he r. T he t ai l d oe s n ot w ag t he

dog . I , not Co unt Dj ee n, a m l or d he re , a f ac t w hi ch I ha d t o ma ke a bunda nt ly c le ar t o hi m!

M ot he r M ah rn ee s b lo nd b ra id s s wi sh ed a s s he s ho ok h er h ea d. Ad mi tt ed ly , h e d id p ro vo ke y ou , s on ,

but he is a very proud man. You could have taken him to a place apart. You should not have humiliated

him before everyone in the hall.



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T he t ho he ek s s no rt ed h ar sh ly . Wh en d id h e h es it at e t o c al l m e t o t as k, t o q ue st io n m y e ve ry w or d,

before whoever happened to be nearby, Mother? No, the time was overripe for him and everyone else

t o be ma de a wa re t ha t t hi s i s now my duchy a nd t hat I wi ll or de r i t a nd i ts a ff ai rs i n my w ay. Now, I mus t

go.

W hen t h e l ast s cal e-cl ad t r oo per h ad cl ear ed t he cou r ty ard ,F eelahk s S am iK ah rt uh , t he cast ell an , s awt he h ea vy , t hi ck g at es s hu t a nd t he t wo m as si ve b ar s d ro pp ed i nt o p la ce , b ut t he o ut er g ri ll e o f w ro ug ht

i ro n h e l ef t r ai sed, f or w it h t he w ou ld -b e r eb el s i n f ul l f li gh t, h ot ly p ur su ed b y D uk e B il i s s to ut l it tl e b an d,

t he re w er e n o r am s t o t hr ea te n t he e nt ry p or ta ls .

O ld K om ee s D je en M or gu hn , r et ir ed s tr ah te eg os o f t he C on fe de ra ti on A rm y a nd a s ol di er f or m os t o f

h is s ix ty -o dd y ea rs , l im pe d a lo ng t he l en gt h of t he w al l a nd u p t he s ta ir s t o t he r oo f, w he re t he l ad ie s s ti ll

s to od , w at ch in g t he ir s on s c ol um n r e- fo rm a nd s et o ff d ow n t he h il l a t a b ri sk t ro t. T he p la te s o f t he o ld

m an s s et o f pr oo f s cr ap ed l ou dl y e ac h t im e h e l ea ne d a ga in st t he w al l t o s wi ng h is s ti ff l eg u p o nt o t he

ne xt s te p. Hi s vi sor w as r ai se d s o hi s on e e ye m igh t do t he w or k of t wo, a nd t he s hi ny br as s hook w hi ch

h ad r ep laced h is l ef t h an d s park led i n t he m or ni ng s un li gh t.

H e l im ped o ver t o t he l ad ies, m ut teri ng , Damn ed f oo li sh ness , t hat s w hat i t i s, and n o m is take! P ro babl y

g et h im se lf a nd h al f h is t ro op k il le d f or a p ie ce o f s en se le ss s tu pi di ty ! T he t ow er h as a lr ea dy s po tt ed t he

van of the Confederationkahtahfrahktoee, why not let professionals handle this matter of pursuit and

harassment, eh?

Su n a nd W in d, m y l or d c ou nt , s na pp ed M ot he r B eh rn ee s, wh at d o y ou w an t? F or m or e y ea rs t ha n I

c ar e t o r ec al l, y ou c hi vv ie d o ur B il i s f at he r t o f or sa ke h is p as si ve , p ea ce fu l w ay s. N ow y ou w ou ld

c on de mn t he s on f or b ei ng a ct iv el y w ar li ke ! B ut I t hi nk y ou v e l ea rn ed b et te r t ha n t o d o s o t o h is f ac e,

h av e y ou n ot ?

T he s carr ed , w ri nk led f eatu res f lu sh ed h ot ly .Th e y ou ng w hi pp er sn ap per! T o s o ab as e m e b ef o re m y

w if e a nd d au gh te r a nd e ve ry on e e ls e i n t hi s h al l! A nd a ft er a ll I v e d on e a nd t ri ed t o d o f or h im ! T ha t a ct ,

alone,shows how dangerous is his immaturity!

No w h ol d! M ot her M ah rn ee s t on e w as col d and b ri tt le as m id wi nt er i ce. Lo rd co un t , t hi nk y ou .

W hen d id y ou ever s hr in k f ro m p at ro ni zi ng o r u pb raid in g B il i b ef or e all and s un dr y? H ow l on g d id y ou

t hi nk a p ro ud m an w ou ld s ub mi t t o s uch abu se and h um il iati on ?

T he n ob le ma n s l ip s m ad e a s i f t o s pi t. Bu t he s n o m an ,da mmi t, h e s a m ur de ro us , h ot he ad ed b oy i n a

mans body. He needs guidance, discipline!

M ot her M ah rn ee s mi led g ri ml y. Bi li , y ou r l or d, i s l es s t han t wo m oo ns s hy o f eig ht een s um mers , l or d

c ou nt , a nd h e i s a s ea son ed wa rr ior .. . a s y ou ha ve r ea so n t o kn ow, w ou ld y ou bu t a dm it t he f ac t H e ha s

f ou gh t b at tl es and s in gl e com bats ; h e h as com mand ed m en and ear ned t heir r es pect . K in g G il bu ht o f

H ar zbu rk s aw f it t o k ni ght h im on t he f ie ld , i nve st ing h im wi th t he O rde r of t he B lue Be ar !

He h as d on e a s m uc h a s a ny v et er an . H e h as b ed de d n ob le wo me n a nd t um bl ed s er vi ng g ir ls , o ne a t

l east w it hi n t hi s h al l, h e h as f ou gh t and p il laged and r azed and r ap ed h is w ay t hr ou gh at l east t wo int aki ngs

. Th ough he i s a s s ta rk a w ar ri or a s you a re l ike ly t o m ee t, he i s no br agg ar t or h ec tor , p re fe rr ing t o l et hi s

s ca rs a nd h is h on or s a nd t he s tr en gt h o f h is a rm t el l o f h is p ro we ss .

Fagh!The accomplishments of a northern barbarian pocketprinceling ! snorted Komees Djeen,

d er is iv el y. Bu t, a s I t ol d h im , a t ho he ek s m us t h av e m or e t ha n a s tr on g a rm a nd a n o ve rg ro wn b at tl e- ax e



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t o r ul e i n M or gu hn ! W hy , t he a rr og an t y ou ng p up py e ve n a tt em pt ed t o m ur de r t he H ig h L or d. S un a nd

W in d, m y l ad ies , t hi s i sn t s om e b lo od -s oaked b ar bar ian k in gd om , w here t he l or ds r ul e b y s teel and

rope!

M ot her M ah rn ee s l au gh w as h ar sh . No w on der y ou w er e s o s ucces sf ul a s tr aht eeg os -y ou r m an eu vers

w er e no thi ng s ho rt o f a ma zi ng ! U p un ti l t he e ve of t he v er y da y t ha t h is i ll ne ss c la im ed h im , w er e yo u n ot

u rg in g B il i s s ir e t o r ul e i n t hat v er y w ay y ou n ow claim t o abh or -b ad geri ng h im t o h an g t he E hl eenh oo re eo s a nd a ll hi s p ri es ts , a nd t o ha ve o ff t he h ea ds of Va hr oh nos M yr os a nd h al f a s cor e of pe tt y

l or ds o f t he o ld b lo od ! O ne m ig ht t hi nk , o n t he b as is o f y ou r p as t p re ac hm en ts , t ha t y ou d b e o ve rj oy ed

with your new lord, not ceaselessly nitpicking and criticizing him in public and in private.

T he o ld m an s ta mp ed a f oo t i n hi s a ngr y f ru st ra ti on . Bu t l as t ni gh t, t o t ry t o s la y a K in sm an o ve r s o

petty a matter-

Th e H ig h L or d d oes n ot f au lt h im , s tated M ot her M ah rn ee f latl y. Wh y t hen s ho ul d y ou ? T he H ig h

L or d t ol d m y s is ter and m e t hat, h ad h e b een i n B il l s p lace, con si deri ng l as t n ig ht s d an gers and t ur mo il ,

h e m ig ht w el l h av e d one t he s am e t hi ng t o a s ub or di na te -K in sm an o r n o- who ha d s ee n f it t o d is ob eyo rd er s a nd d es er t h is a ss ign ed p os t. I r ep ea t, C ou nt Dj ee n, w hy d o yo u c ont in ue t o ha rp o n a m at te r

w hi ch t he U nd yi ng H ig h L or d, w ho w as t he o nl y i nj ur ed p ar ty , h as s een f it t o u tt er ly d is mi ss ?

I ll t el l y ou w hy ! M ot he r B ehr ne es bl ue e ye s f la sh ed f ir e a nd h er v oi ce c ra ck ed l ik e a l as h. Pi qu e,

petulance and pettishness are what now drive our Komees Djeen, sister! So yon waste breath trying to

r easo n w it h h im . S ho wi ng h is b reed in g, B il i r es pect ed age and d ef er red t o m il it ar y exp er ience;

w he re up on t he g ood Ko me es s ei ze d up on t hi s r es pe ct a nd de fe re nc e a s a l eve r t o c an t hi s l or d i n

d ir ecti on s con tr ar y t o h is n at ur e. A ft er s wall ow in g f ar m or e cen su re and d is resp ect t han w ou ld t he

average n ob leman, o ur s on enl ig ht en ed C ou nt D jeen , m ad e i t clear t o h im w ho se h an d h ol ds t he w hi p.

C ou nt D jeen h as f or s o l on g b een i ss ui ng u ncon test ed o rd er s and m an ip ul at in g t he l iv es o f y ou ng er m en

t ha t h e i s now p ee ve d be yond be ar in g t o be c on fr on te d by a yo ung m an w ho not o nl y ow ns t he p owe r t ocom mand h im , b ut w ho r ef us es t o b e m an ip ul at ed !

Madam, y ou g o t oo f ar ! H is g narl ed r ig ht h an d h ad u ncon scio us ly s ou gh t h is d ir k h il t and h is s in gl e eye

glowered.

H ot ly , M ot he r M ah rn ee s v oi ce c ut i n. Oh , n o, C ou nt D je en , n ot n ea rl y f ar e no ug h! D o y ou t ru ly t hi nk

y ou l l n eed t hat d ir k t o s ti ll u s f ro m s tati ng t he b ar e t ru th ? O r d on t y ou t hi nk y ou v e eno ug h M or gu hn

blood on your hands?

He ope ne d hi s m ou th, bu t s o e nr age d w as h e t ha t he c ou ld n ot s pe ak, a s s he r ut hl es sl y w ent o n. Poo r B il i b la me s h im se lf f or h is b ro th er s d ea th , b ut i t i s y ou w ho m us t be ar t ha t o nu s, C ou nt D je en. Y ou a nd

S pi r os b ro wb eat h im i nt o all ow in g D jef- wh o t ho ug h b ut s ix m oo ns y ou ng er w as m uch l es s s easo ned,

h av in g b een r eared atE eree , w hi ch f ig ht s f ew er w ar s t han H ar zb ur k and i s i nt er nall y p eacefu l- to l ead l as t

nights sortie.

As y ou w el l k no w, B il i ha d e nv is age d a nd l ai d o ut a p la n t o s im pl y f ir e t he s to re s a nd e ng ine s, t he n s la y

a s m an y o f t he o ff ic er s a nd p ri es ts a s d ar ts o r a rr ow s c ou ld r ea ch , c ap tu ri ng a n o ff ic er o r t wo , i f t he y

c ha nc ed t o r un i n t he p ro pe r d ir ec ti on , b ut o n n o a cc ou nt c lo si ng w it h e ne mi es w ho s o f ar o ut nu mb er ed

t he s al ly b an d. B ut D jef, i n h is y ou th fu l i nexp er ience, cho se t o d is regard n ot o nl y h is b ro th er s v er y g oo d

plan but the equally good advice of Captain Raikuh. He charged an armed and fully aroused camp with

o nl y a d oz en d ra go on s, a nd n o o ne o f t he m e ve n m ou nt ed ! I t w as o nl y b ec au se C hi ef H wa hl tu h, s ee in g

t heir p redi cament , l ed h is clans men t o t heir aid and t hen cov er ed t he w it hd rawal w it h h is b ow men, t hat

t hey- an y o f t hem !- go t b ack h er e.



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W el l, C ou nt D je en , y ou r i ns is te nc e t ha t a ll m en s l iv es b e s o o rd er ed a s t o a lw ay s a cc or d w it h y ou r

s el fi sh d ic ta te s h as e xa ct ed a h ig h p ri ce . S ix o f t ho se b ra ve d ra go on s a re n ow d ea d, a lo ng w it h t wo o f

t he S an de rz c la ns me n. D je f p ai d t he u lt im at e c os t f or h is r as hn es s, a nd B il i, b ec au se h e i s a m an w ho

accepts full responsibility for his actions-no matter whose words may have influencedthose actions-will

probably castigate himself for the rest of his life.

A t l as t h e m an ag ed t o g et a f ew w or ds p as t t he r ag e- co ns tr ic te d t ig ht ne ss o f h is t hr oa t. I w il l n ow r et ur n

t o m y d ut ie s, l ad ie s, I -

Yo u ll w it hd ra w w he n y ou v e o ur l ea ve , C ou nt D je en ! s ta te d M ot he r B eh rn ee s. Fo r w e a re n ot t he

ba rb ar ia n t ro ll op s y ou o nc e s aw f it t o n am e u s, w he n y ou w er e a tt em pt in g t o d is su ad e o ur l at e h us ba nd

f ro m m ar ry in g u s. N o, w e a re t he g ra nd da ug ht er s o f a d uk e, t he d au gh te rs o f a d uk e, t he c ou si ns -g er ma n

of a duke, t he sis te rs of a duke, the widows of a duke a nd the mot he rs of a duke! Youll ac cord us t he

r es pe ct d ue u s o r, b y S un a nd W in d, y ou l l s uf fe r t he c on se qu en ce s!

Ye s, C ou nt D je en , y ou m igh t d o w el l t o r em em be r t ha t y ou n o l on ge r a re d ea li ng w it h p oo r,weak-willedHwahruhn , whom you could accuse of foolishness and cowardice with virtual impunity. An

ope n a ff ront t o my s is te r or me wi ll be a n ope n a ff ront to our s on; a nd Bi li, a lre ady quit e wr ot h a t you

a nd y ou r a rr og an ce s, j us t m ig ht d ec id e t o t re at y ou a s K in g G il bu ht , l on g h is m en to r, w ou ld t re at a n

impertinent noble.

No w, b y S ac re d S un , m ad am , g ra te d t he k om ee s, f ro m b et wi xt b ar ed , y el lo w t ee th , I ll n ot s ee m y

homeland ruled in the bloody manner of an unlettered northern barbarian!

It i s you who a re t he f oo l, hi ss ed Mo the r M ahr ne e, not our l at e hus ba nd! You ma ke a l oud noi se of

d es pi si ng t he E hl ee ne e a nd t he ir w ay s, y et y ou t al k j us t l ik e o ne , a s w el l y ou s ho ul d, s in ce y ou a re a t l ea st

h al f- Eh leen b y b lo od . Y ou , o f all m en i n t hi s d uchy , aft er y ou r y ears o f s ol di er in g i n t he M id dl eK in gd om s, s ho ul d b e aware t hat t hey and t heir p eo pl es are i n n o w ay b ar bari an . O ur civ il izat io n i s m uch

d if fe re nt f ro m t ha t t o w hi ch y ou w er e b or n, b ut i t i s i n n o w is e i nf er io r a nd , i n m an y w ay s, s up er ior t o

yours!

Ha te l an ce d f ro m hi s e ye a s he c ac kl ed , Ha ! H it a n er ve , d id I ? Yo ur kind have a lwa ys be en

t hi n- s ki nn ed , p ro ud as p eaco ck s o f t he s ti nk in gm id dens w hi ch s paw ned y ou . Y es, I p ed dl ed m y s w or d

f romH wehl zb ur k t o Hahr bu hn bu rk , and r ig ht o ft en d id I f in d i t h ar d n ot t o l au gh at t he u nl earn ed apes

y ou cal l n ob lemen- wh o m ar veled at a n ob le o ff icer s abi li ti es t o r ead and w ri te-even w hi le I t ri ed n ot t o

g ag a t t he s te nc he s o f t he ir l on g- un wa sh ed b od ie s! W he n d id o ne o f y ou rkind e ve r d o a ny thi ng t o

s up po rt y ou r claim o f civ il ized s tatu s, eh? T hey can b ut f ig ht and k il l, b reed and w al lo w i n t heir o wn f il thand i gn or an ce. Y ou r e, n on e o f y ou , any b et ter t han t he m ou nt ai n b ar bari an s; y ou r e even o f t he s am e

race!

Ye s, n od de d M ot he r M ah rn ee . We a re o f t he s am e, a nc ie nt r ac e a s t he m ou nt ai n f ol k, a nd y ou

E hl ee ne e w ou ld d o w el l t o r em em be r t ha t f ac t. O ur r ac e i s d es ce nd ed i n d ir ec t l in e f ro m t he d em ig od s,

the Mehruhkuhnz, untainted by the blood of effete Ehleenee.

Wh en f ir st t he E hl ee ne e c am e t o t hi s l an d, d ri vi ng o ur r ac e n or th a nd w es t, t he y w er e s tr on g a nd v al ia nt

and h on or ?ab le f oemen, b ut i n t he cen tu ri es s in ce, w hi le w e p ro gr es sed, t hey h av e eit her r em ai ned s tati c

o r h av e act uall y r eg ress ed . I t r eq ui red t he C om in g o f t he H or secl an s and t he u ns ti nt in g eff or ts o f t he

U nd yi ng H ig h L or d t o i nf us e n ew p ur po se alo ng w it h n ew b lo od and i naug ur at e t he s nail -s lo w p ro cess o f

s napp in g y ou r E hl eenee ances to rs o ut o f t heir cou rs e o f cer tain r acial s ui ci de.



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As f or what you have sa id of our pe ople , some of i t is true . No, we do not take t o books and qui lls and

s oa ps and sc ent ed wa ter , but you who do s o woul d not long be c ont ent ed or sa fe a s you now a re

w it ho ut cer tain o f t he creat io ns and p ro du ct s o f o ur o wn civ il izat io n. C ou nt D jeen .

Yo ur g oo d s wo rd b ea rs t he h al lm ar k o f t he Ki ng do mo fP it zb ur k , a s d oe s e ac h p ie ce o f y ou r a rm or a nd ,

i nd ee d, m os t o f t he d ec en t w ea pon s a nd a rm or i n t hi s d uc hy ! T ha t f in e v el ve t y ou w or e l as t n ig ht a t

d in ne r w as w ov en i n t he c ap it al o f o ur o wn h om el and , t he D uc hy o f Z un bu rk , w hi le y ou r b oo ts l oo k t obe from theCountyofPahtzburk . And who but Middle Kingdoms Freefighters fought the Ehleenees

w ar s, e re G od M il o c ro ss br ed E hl ee ne e w it h H or se cl an sm en a nd f or ce d t he m t o b ec om e o th er t ha n

effeminate fops?

An d, s pe ak in g o f G od M il o, C ou nt D je en , i nt er je ct ed M ot he r B eh rn ee s, he k no ws t he f ol k o f t he

M idd le Ki ngd om s f ar be tt er t ha n do yo u, y et he ha s ne ve r s la nde re d us . W hy, t he n, do y ou t ake s uc h j oy

i n i t, not j us t her e a nd now, but r ight of te n i n t he pa st ?

Yo u m ay b e c er ta in , t he o ld m an s mi le d t hi nl y, tha t m y d ea r l or d f ee ls p re ci se ly a s I d o, b ut h e m us t

be diplomatic in any congress with your barbarians, since your dungheaps adjoin his northern andn or th we st er n b or de rs , j us t a s h e m us t c al l c om mo n m er ce na ri es Fr ee fi gh te rs . B ut I n ee d n ot b e s o

c ar ef ul o f t re ad in g o n b ar ba ri an t oe s, f or I a m b ut -

Yo u a re b ut a f oo l! T he m in ds pe ak w as o f t er ri bl e i nt en si ty a nd w as b ro ad b ea me d i nt o t he m in ds o f

every mind-speaker in the hall. You were a hidebound, opinionated, self-righteous young fool, forty

y ea rs a go , D je en M or gu hn , a nd I c an s ee t ha t a ge h as n ot b ro ug ht y ou w is do m!

T hen t he alarm t ru mp et p ealed f ro m t he w at ch to wer and Feel ahk s S am i b el lo wed, Th ey h av e f or ded t he

s tr ea m a nd t he y n ow a pp ro ac h t he h al l. O pe n t he g at es ! N ow co me s t he Un dy ing H igh L ady A ldo ra

LinszeeTreeah-PohtohmahsPahpahs !

C HA PT ER I

V ah ro hn eesk os D rehk os D ai vi z h ad g ot ten t he l as t con ti ng en t o f h is p easant -p ik em en acro ss t he s tr eam

and j og gi ng t ow ar d M or gu hn po li s b ef or e t he V aw nee s co ut s g al lo ped i n t o r ep or t t he C on federati onc av al ry s v an t o b e n o m or e t ha n s om e t wo m il es d is ta nt . H e w as d is tr ac te dl y r ub bi ng a n u ns ha ve n c he ek

and w on deri ng w heth er h e s ho ul d t ry t o cov er t he r et reat o f t he h ap less i nf an tr y w it h h is m er e h an df ul o f

m ou nt ed m en w hen t he s en io r o f t he r em ai ni ng s ub -p ri es ts i nt ru ded u po n h is r ev er ie w it h a d em an d.

Lo rd D re hk os , i f i t b e t ru e t ha t t he h or de s o f t he c ur se d U nd yi ng be n ot a m il e a wa y, I m us t i ns is t t ha t

o ur c oa ch es b e r et ur ne d t o us , f or t he l iv es o f t ho se w ho do Go d s w or k a re c er ta in ly of m or e

i mp or tance t han are t ho se o f t he w retches y ou h av e o rd er ed o ur con veyances f il led w it h!

D re hk os w as no t a t a ll r el igi ou s. H e h ad j oi ne d t he r eb el li on f or t he a vo we d p ur po se o f g ai ni ng h is

brothers land and title. His answer was heavily larded with studied irreverence. Reverend Father, if you

and y ou r f el lo w serv an ts o f G od exp ect t o r each M or gu hn po li s o th er t han o n y ou r w el l- sh od f eet,

perhaps you had best start praying that God quickly grant you wings. You can blame Lord Myros and

F at he rRikos f or t he f ac t y ou ha ve t o w al k; f or ha d t he y n ot t ake n t he l as t o f t he s ound a nd u sa bl e



9/106

w ag on s w he n t he y- ahhhh , s ha ll w e s ay , pr oc ee de d o ur d ep ar tu re l as t n ig ht - y ou d b e a bl e t o r id e i n

t he s ty le t o w hi ch yo u f ee l e nt it le d. B ut I II b e da mn ed i f I i nt en d t o l ea ve b eh in d w ou nd ed of fi ce rs a nd

m en , s im pl y s o p ri es tl y f eet m ig ht b e s pared a f ew h on es t b li st er s!

No w, g o away and l eave m e alo ne!F veweig ht ier t hi ng s t o con si der t han y ou r p os si bl e d is co mf or ts .

W it h t he d ep ar tu re o f t he g lo weri ng p ri es t, D rehk os r et ur ned t o h is p on deri ng s. F or t he f ir st t im e i n h isl if e, h e r egr et te d no t r idi ng n or th i n hi s yo ut h t o s er ve a s a F re ef igh te r i n t he M id dl e K in gdo ms w it h D je en

M or gu hn , a s h ad s o m an y o th er s o f t he y ou ng K in dr ed n ob il it y. I f h e h ad , a t l ea st , h e m ig ht n ow h av e a

bare glimmering of his best course to follow, might not now be in this sorry mess. Finally, he sent for the

only professional officer left after the previous Bights chaos and carnage.

S ho rt ly , t he b ar bari an s ub li eu tenant amb led i n, h is b at tered h el met s it ti ng ask ew o ver h is b an daged h ead.

Yo uw an ta t alk t o m e, L or d D reh ko s ?

Dr eh ko s g es tu red at t he o th er chair , charr ed s li gh tl y, l ik e h is o wn . W hen t he s ki nn y, l on g- bo di ed m an

had seated himself, the commander outlined the overall situation, admitted his own ignorance, and bluntlya sk ed w ha t h e s ho ul d d o.

T he r ep ly w as j us t as b lu nt . Lo rd D rehk os , i nclu di ng m e, i t ain t b ut tw en ny r eal so lj er s l ef t. Mo s ta t hem

V aw ne es d on e b ee n l on g g on e, a n I c ai n t s ay I b la me s emn on e. T he on ly o ne s i n t hi s w ho le k it -a nd -

k abo od l ew hat h as any chance o f g et ti ng b ack t o M or gu hn po li s i s t he h or semen and ,m ebb e t hem t here

c oa ch es . T he m p ik e- to te rs is d ea d m ea t n o m at te r h ow y ou r ig ge rs i t, a nd y ou a nd u s a -gittin o ur se lv es

k il t l ong w it h em ai n t g on na d o n ob od y n o g oo d.

Wa y I se e s i t, t he re s t wo t hi ng s y ou c an d o, a nd I l l t el l emt o y ou . B ut I d on t t hi nk n ei th er o ne s

g on na s et i n y ou r c ra w t oo g oo d. H e p au se d, r ai si ng h is g ri zz le d b ro ws i n a n u ns po ke n q ue st io n.

Do n t f ear t o s peak , L ieut en an t H oh gu hn , s mi led D rehk os . I m n ot L or d M yr os . I d on t p un is h m en

f or s pe ak in g t he t ru th a s t he y s ee i t, n o m at te r h ow d is ta st ef ul t ha t t ru th m ay b e t o m e.

Wai, Lo rd Dr eh kos , i f I wu z y ou, I d r ide up yon de r a nd s ur re nd er a nd s ee i f I c oul dn t g it m y l or d t o

go e as y on my me n, e ve n i f he wouldnt on me !

D rehk os s ho ok h is h ead s lo wl y. Wo ul d t hat I cou ld , l ieut en an t, b ut I d on t t hi nk t hat t hat g es tu re w ou ld

accom pl is h any th in g. I v e m et T ho heek s B il i, b ot h i n f ri en ds hi p and i n enm it y, and I v e f ou nd h im h ar d as

s te el . H e w as r ea re d i n H ar zb ur k a nd t ut or ed a t t he c ou rt o f K in g G il bu ht , i f y ou k no w w ha t t ha t m ea ns .

Ho hg uh n n od de d v eh em en tl y. I s ho re d o, L or d D re hk os , I s ho re d o, a nd y ou r e r ig ht a s r ai n, t oo .

W on t d on o p ar ti cl e o f g oo d t oe xp ec k n o m er cy o ff on e of t he I ron K in g s f ol ks . O nl y t hi ng yo u a nd

y ou r o ff ic er s a nd t he m f ew Va wn ee s c an d o n ow i s m ak e t ra ck s f or M or gu hn po li s, a nd I sho re ly d o w is h

you luck.

Yo u w on t b e r id in g w it h u s t hen, H oh gu hn ?

T he l ieut en an t l oo ked t he n ob leman s qu ar el y i n t he eye. No suh , I w on t , and n ei th er w il ln on e o f m y

men.

Ma y I a sk w hy, g ood H oh gu hn ? I l l n ot ho ld y ou r a ns we r a ga in st y ou .

T he o ff icer cr acked h is s car red k nu ck les b ef or e ans weri ng . Wai, L or d D r eh ko s, i t s th is aw ay . W es all



10/106

F re ef ig ht er s a nd w e a in t b ee n p ai d i n n ea r t hr ee m oo ns , b ut w e w uz a ll w il li ng t o s ti ck a ro un d, l on g a s i t

l oo ke d l ik e w e m ig ht g et s om e l oo t, n o m at te r h ow c om mo n L or d M yr os t re at ed u s; b ut d id n t n on e o f

u s s ig n o n t o f ig ht t he C onf ede ra ti on A rm y o r t o d ie i n a l os in g f ig ht f or n o pa y b ut r ot te n r at ion s a nd

h or s ep is s w in e and h ar d w or ds .

He g lanced aro un d u ncom fo rt ab ly , t hen l eaned f or ward and s po ke i n a m uch- lo wer ed v oi ce. Lo rd

D re hk os , y ou d on e t re at ed u s b et te r a ll a lo ng t he n a ny o f t he o th er s , s o I l l l ev el w it h y ou . Y ou c ai n thold Morguhnpolis! Them old walls aint near thick nor high enough, andmosta the engineswhut wuz

burnt uplas night was took off of them walls, so Morguhnpolis aintnuthin now but a bigol rat trap.

D on t y ou g it y ou rs el f c au gh t i n i t, L or d D re hk os . Y ou j us t k ee p o n b y. Y ou d on t l oo k l ik en o E hl ee n, s o

mebbe the mountainfolksll take you in. This alls just tweenyou and me, you un-nerstan.

T he s ki nn y o ff icer s to od and ext en ded h is h an d. S ob er ly , D rehk os aro se and g ri pp ed t he o ff icer s

g ru bb y, b ro ke n- na il ed h an d a s i f h e h ad b ee n a n e qu al , s ay in g, I t ha nk y ou , H oh gu hn , I t ha nk y ou f or

e ve ryt hi ng . N ow , l et m e a dv is e y ou , i f I m ay . Y ou r m en m ay, o f c ou rs e, t ak e a ny th in g l ef t i n t he c am ps

t ha t s tr ik es t he ir f an cy , b ut d on t l in ge r t oo l on g, l es t y ou b e t ak en f or a r ea rg ua rd a nd a tt ac ke d.

Fr om t he t op o f t he h il l, t he c am ps a pp ea re d d es er te d. N on et he le ss , B il i r od e w it h h is v is or d ow n a nd

h is u ncas ed axelaid r eady acr os s h is w id e- fl ar in g p om mel. W hi le h e h ad r id den t hr ou gh t he d ar k, n ar ro w

passage to the gate, he had mindspoken his warhorse, Mahvros, reaffirming their brotherhood and telling

hi m ho w m uc h he r egr et te d t he ir e nf or ce d s epa ra ti on a nd ho w p le as ed h e wa s t o be o nc e mo re a bl e t o

r id e i nt o b at tl e a st ri de o ne o n w ho m he c ou ld d ep en d. N or w as a ny o f i t u nt ru e, f or B il i a ct ua ll y f el t

k in sh ip w it h t he d evo te d s ta ll io n, h ad f el t hi s o wn w ou nds n o m or e k ee nl y t ha n h e h ad t he ho rs e s a t t he

e mb at tl ed b ri dg e w he re h e a nd t he H ig h L or d a nd V ah ro hn ee sk os A hn de e h ad s to od o ff a s co re o r

m or e o f m ou nt ed r eb el s. H ad i t o nl y b ee n l es s t ha n a w ee k s in ce t ha t a ff ra y? I t s ee me d a l if et im e- an d h e

w el l k new h ow i mp or tant t o a w ar ri or s s af et yw as t he coo per at io n o f a d is cip li ned and cou rageou s

mount .

As f or M ah vr os , he a ll but pu rr ed ! Onc e c le ar o f t he ga te , h e a rc he d hi s s te el -c la d n ec k a nd l if te d hi s

white-stockingedfeet high in his showiest parade strut, his powerful thews rolling under his glossy black

h id e. M ah vr os l ov ed n ot hi ng m or e t han a g oo d b lo od -s pu rt in g f ig ht , and h is b ro th er h ad t ol d h im t hat

s oo n t he re w ou ld b e t wo -l eg s i n p le nt y t o s av ag e a nd k ic k.

B i li s po ke alo ud , f or t ho ug h C hi ef H wahl tu h S an derz, w ho r od e at h is r ig ht , cou ld m in ds peak , C ap tain

P aw l R ai ku h, o n h is l ef t, cou ld n ot .

Capt ai n, s ho ul d I f al l. B ar on Sp i ro s M or gu hn w il l b e act in g d uk e u nt il m y b ro th er ,T ch ar lee , can g et

h er e f ro m P it zb ur k. Y ou a re a b ra ve a nd h on or ab le m an a nd y ou h av e s er ve d m e w el l- se rv e t he mequally. Command of the presentwarband will devolve upon the Undying High Lord.

Re ga rd in g t he r eb el s, t he o nl y m en I w an t t ak en a li ve a re t ho se d am ne d p ri es ts a nd t he t re ac he ro us

nob le s, but n o m an i s t o c ha nc e undu e r is ks s imp ly t o c apt ur e t he m. I wo ul d l ik e t o ha ve t he ba st ar ds f or

public torture and execution, but none of them are worth the lives of any of your men, and Ill settle for

just their heads, if it comes to that

As f or t he c om mo n s cu m, I w an t t o s ee n o l iv in g o ne s a lo ng o ur t ra ck . U nd er st oo d? A t h is

com pani on s g ri m n od s, h e w en t o n.

Sa ve y ou r d ar ts a nd a rr ow s f or t he u nl ik el y e ve nt t ha t s om eo ne p er su ad es t he p ig s t o m ak e a s ta nd , o r

f or l at er , w he n t he h or se s a re t oo bl ow n t o r un t he m do wn ; f or no w, l et s ha ve s wor d a nd a xe a nd s pe ar

w or k. A nd , s i nce o ur n um bers b e s mall , w e d b es t s tay t og et her u nt il w e re cer tain t heres n o o rg an ized



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r ear gu ar d t o h ack t hr ou gh . W e- Wh at s t hi s?

A b ro ad beam ed m in ds peak f ro m C hi ef H wahl tu h and a h an d s ig nal f ro m C ap tain R ai ku h b ro ug ht

t ro op er s a nd c la ns me n i nt o l in e o f b at tl e o n t he f la nk s o f t he t hr ee l ea de rs . T he n e ve ry e ye w as f ix ed

u po n t he t al l, b ro ad f or m o f t he y ou ng t ho he ek s, a wa it in g h is w or d o r g es tu re t o c ha rg e t he s ma ll b an d

w hi ch h ad e me rg ed f rom a f ol d o f g rou nd a nd wa s no w m ovi ng s low ly up t he h il l.

B il i r ai se d h is v is or f or b et te r v is ib il it y a nd k ne ed M ah vr os f or wa rd a f ew y ar ds , t he n a f ew y ar ds m or e,

u nt il h e cou ld clear ly s ee t he app ro achi ng m en . O nl y t he l eadi ng s ix w er e m ou nt ed , t ho ug h s ev er al o th er s

l ed l im pi ng h or ses o r s ad dl ed m ul es .T he f or em os t, a s ki nn y m an w ho se d en ted h el met b or e t he h or sehair

c re st o f a c om mo ne r o ff ic er , w as g ri pp in g h is s he at he d s wo rd by t he t ip a nd h ol di ng i t h ig h ov er h is h ea d.

Noting Bills advanced position, the officer turned to halt his party, then spurred forward alone.

B il i u nw ou nd t he t hon g f rom h is w ri st , g ra sp ed t he c en tr al s pi ke of h is a xe a nd w ave d t he ha ft a bo ve h is

head.

No w, w ha t t he h el l i s g oi ng o n? d em and ed t he S an de rz o f R ai ku h.

H is eyes s ti ll u po n h is y ou ng l or d, t he cap tain s napp ed , Sw or d T ru ce. T ho se m en m us t b e F reef ig ht er s,

probably part of Captain Manos two troops of dragoons. But keep your eyes peeled, lord chief, and

y ou r b ow r ea dy. S wor d T ruc e i s s ac re d t o t hos e o f u s w ho w or sh ip St ee l, b ut ot he rs h av e b ee n kn ow n

t o i nv ok e i t f or p ur po ses o f u nh al lo wed t reachery .

W h en b ut a y ar d s ep ar at ed t he t wo r id er s, t he l an ky o ff ic er e xt en de d h is w ea po n, h il t f ir st , t o B il i, w ho

a cc ep te d i t w it h o ne h and w hi le pr of fe ri ng h is a xe w it h t he o th er . G ra ve ly , t he o ff ic er r ai se d t he h ea d of

t he u pe nd ed a xe t o h is l ip s a nd k is se d t he b ur ni sh ed m et al . N o l es s g ra ve ly , B il i p ar ti al ly d re w t he s wo rd

and r ev er en tl y p ress ed h is l ip s t o t he f lat o f t he w id e, w el l- ho ned b lade, g en tl yr esh eat hed i t, t hen r et ur ned

i t t o i ts o wn er , a cc ep ti ng h is a xe i n r et ur n. M ov in g u p k ne e t o k ne e, t he m en e xc ha ng ed w hi sp er ed w or dsand a complicated handclasp.

G ri nn in g, B il i l ai d h is axe b ack acr os s h is p om mel and r el ax ed again st t he h ig h can tl e o f h is w ar kak.

We ll , Sw or d Br ot he r, I ho pe t ha t, i f y ou a nd yo ur s w er e a pa rt of t ha t s or ry r abb le j us t de pa rt ed , yo u a t

l east g ot p ai d.

L ieut en an t H oh gu hn s mi led r uefu ll y. No t f or t he l as t t hr ee m oo ns , n ob le S wo rd B ro th er , b ut L or d

D re hk os , h e g iv e u s l ea ve t o l oo t t he c am p, a ft er h e uzg on e. Co ur se , w e w ou ld v ee nyhow , p ay o r n o

pay, but shewere a nice touch, having permission and all.

We ll , w ha t w an t y ou o f m e a nd t he s ac re d T ru ce , B ro th er ? a sk ed B il l, a dd in g, I m us t b e b ru sq ue , f or

t he re i s a d ay o f b la de wo rk a he ad .

H oh gu hn s no rt ed . Bu tcher s w or k, i t ll b e, and n o m is taki ng , less s om e o t hem V aw nee d ig u p

enough gumption to stand and fight.

A n i cy p ri ck li ng crept u nd er B il l sb ack pl ate . Vawn ee, S wo rd B ro th er ? I s T ho heeks V aw n i nv ol ved,

then, in this sorry affair?

If youd a-lissunedtowhatall them Vawnee said, youd of thought their Ehleengodd done in the

thoheeks and all his kin. Butiffen you uzraised in mountains, like me, youd know whatprobly really

happuned .



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Th oh eeks V aw n and h is K in dr ed are t hen d ead? B il l s v oi ce w as t ig ht .

Oh , a ye , n ob le S wo rd B ro th er , H oh gu hn s ta te d. S ee ms a s h ow h im a nd h is g ot d ro ve u pinta t he

m ou nt ai ns and h ol ed u p i n a o ld C on federati on f or t and t hey uzs tand in g o ff t he w ho le d an g E hl een f or ce,

t hen- an d t hi s h er e s w here t hem V aw neegi ts all w al leyed and s weat y- wh at I figger h ap pened w as a b ig

o le t hu nd er st or m c om e o n a nd l ig ht ni ng s tr uc k t he ir w al l. I t el l y ou , I s ee n t he l ik e h ap pe n, u p n ea r t o

P ah ku hzbu rk , w h er e I uzb or n ed , S wo rd B ro th er . A h it l ik e t hat, w it h alo tt a t h un der a- ratili ngt h e r o ck sw il l r ea l of te n s et o ff a l and sl ide , s o w he n t he m V aw ne et ol t m e p ar t o t he f or t s li d d ow n t he m ou nt ai n, I

k no wed d id n t n o E hl een g od h av enuthin t o d o w it h i t.

Bu t, any ho w, f iv e o r s ix h un dr ed o f t hem V aw nee com e a-r id in g i n l as t n ig ht ,fulla p is s and v in eg ar and

s et t o l ick t he w ho le C on federati on . L east ways t hey w uz t il lall t hat r ucku s g ot s tar ted. H al f o f emwuz

d ea d a fo re d aw n. A nd t ha t w uz a r ig ht f in e p ie ce o f w or k, t ha t s al ly . D id y ou l ea dh er . S wo rd B ro th er ?

No , s ai d B il i s im pl y. It w as l ed b y m y b ir th b ro th er , D jef, Tani st o f M or gu hn , n ow d ead.

H oh gu hn c la sp ed h is c as ed s wo rd i nb ot h h an ds , s ay in g, Ho no r o f t he S te el t o h is m em or y. S wo rdBrother.

Th an k y ou , S wo rd B ro th er H oh gu hn . B ut I r ep ea t, w ha t i s i t y ou w an t o f m e? Sa fe p as sa ge o ut o f

Morguhn, or employment?

A n ot e o fIll - co nc ea le d e ag er ne ss e nt er ed t he o ff ic er s v oi ce . Yo u . . . y ou d h ir e u s o n, t he n, S wo rd

Brother?

Of course, Bili replied shortly.Unless youve some compunction against drawing steel in my cause. Ill

con fi rm y ou as s ub li eu tenant and p ay y ou as s uch, b ut y ou l l b e u nd er t he com mand o f C ap tain R ai ku h,

w ho l eads m y d rago on s.

H oh gu hn s b us hy b ro ws r os e. Pawl R ai ku h, w hatu seta b e a g at e s erg eant at M or gu hn po li s?

B i ll s h el meted h ead b ob bed o nce. T he s am e. Y ou s ee, B ro th er H oh gu hn , m en o f p ro ven l oy al ty r is e

f as t i n m y s er vi ce.

H oh gu hn b eamed a g ap -t oo th ed s mi le. Th en B oh reeg ah d H oh gu hn s y ou r m an , and n o m is take!

B s id es , I w er en t no o ff ic er t il l I s ig ne d o n w it h C ap ta in M an os , a ny ho w. H ig he st I d e ve r b ee n a fo re

that uztroop sergeant for CaptainFeeliksKahtruhl .

N ow B il i l oo ked amazed. Yo u m ean t hat s om e o f y ou F reef ig ht er s act uall y g ot o ut o f B eh reezbu rk

ali ve?W it h o ur l in es d rawn s o t ig ht ly i t s eems h ar d t o b el ieve t hat any th in g l ar ger t han a r at cou ld h av e

wormed through them.

A ll at o nce, H oh gu hn s m ou th d ro pp ed o pen, h is s eamed and w eath er ed f ace m ir ro ri ng s ur pr is e. W hen,

a t l en gt h, he a ga in s po ke , h is t one w as l es s o f r es pe ct t ha n o f u tt er a we . By my S te el , you . . . youb e Bili

t he A xe ! I t w uz yo u w ha t s le w t he e ar l a nd t wo of h is b od yg ua rd s i n t ha t f ig ht u nd er t he no rt h w al l. I s ee n

it!

And now youb e duke he re ? We ll , m y l or d, m e a nd m y m en, wha t s l ef t of us , w e d b e pur el y hon or ed

to fight under your banner,we would!

W hi le L ieut en an t K rahn dahl con du ct ed H oh gu hn and h is m en u p t o t he h al l t o g et t hem o ut fi tt ed and



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d ecen tl y m ou nt ed , B il i and t hewar band p icked t hr ou gh w hat w as l ef t o f t he s tr in g o f cam ps , d is patchi ng

a ny w ou nd ed t he y c am e a cr os s, m ak in g c er ta in t ha t t he d ea d r ea ll y w er e d ec ea se d a nd e ar ma rk in g

u sabl e s po il s f or l at er col lect io n b y t he h al l g ar ri so n.

T hen K rahn dahl and H oh gu hn w er e can teri ng d ow n t he h il l at t he h ead o f t he r ei nf or cement s and , at

B il i s w or d, R ai ku h s b ug ler s ou nd ed t he r ecal l w hi le t he t ho heek s and M il om ind call ed t he r est . A nd t he

l ar ger- by -a-t hi rd col um n r ef or med and n eg ot iated t he f or d and s et o ff i n p ur su it o f t he q uarr y, t he g reatprairiecats -Whitetip, Lover-of-Water and Steelclaws-bounding well in the lead.

T he r oad b ey on d t he f or d w as m ud dy f or s ev er al h un dr ed y ar ds , d eepl y i nd en ted w it h i mp res si on s o f

h oo f a nd w he el , o fb oo ts ol e a nd s an da l a nd b ar e f oo t. E ve n a ft er t he m ud h ad g iv en w ay t o c ho ki ng d us t,

t he d is car ded w eapo ns and equ ip ment g av e cl ear evi dence o f r et reat b or der in g u po n r ou t.

T he n, f ro m t he f ar s id e o f a s ma ll p at ch o f w oo ds a ro un d w hi ch t he r oa d c ur ve d, c am e t he r ip pl in g s na rl s

o f t he h ug e cat s, i mm ed iately f ol lo wed b y a v er it ab le cho ru s o f s cr eams and w ai ls o f t er ro r.

W he n B il i g al lo pe d a ro un d t he t ur n, M ah vr os h ad t o m ak e a q ui ck , j ar ri ng j um p, l es t h e t ra mp leS teel cl aw s and t he w ri th in g, b lack -b eard ed m an i nt o w ho se s ho ul der t he cat h ad s un k h is l on g f an gs .

Whitetip and Lover-of-Water hadcorraled the other four-and-twenty priests into a tight, shrieking bunch

a s ne at ly a s m ight a pa ir of ve te ra n he rd dogs wi th a n e qua l num be r of s he ep.

A g la nc e b ac k a t t he b lo od -s pu rt in g m an u nd er t he y ou ng es t c at t ol d B il i t ha t h e c ou ld n ot l iv e o ut t he

h ou r b eari ng s uch t er ri bl e w ou nd s, s o h e m in ds po ke S teel cl aw s, Yo u m ay k il l h im , C at B ro th er . B ut

w ai t u nt il a ll t he h or se s a re p as t y ou ; t he n d o i t m es si ly . W el l pu t f ea r o f S un a nd W in d i nt o t he se

bastards!

B il i h ad h is w ar ri or s r in g t he k not of c le ri cs , b ut m ad e c er ta in t ha t a ll t he p ri so ne rs h ad a n u no bs tr uc te d

v iew o f S teel -claws and h is s ti ll -f lo pp in g v icti m. A t h is s il en t com mand , t he h ug e cat r ol led o nt o h is b ack,t he claws and t eeth s un k i nt o t he g or y f lesh , b ri ng in g t he p ri es t o ver ato p h im . T hen m us cl es r ip pl ed and

bunched under dusty fur as the powerful hind legs were flexed, their needle-sharp talons sinking deep,

g rati ng o n t he h ap less m an s l ow es t r ib s. T he p recedi ng s hr ieks h ad b een as n ot hi ng t o t he ear -s hatt er in g

s cr eam o f u lt im at e ago ny emi tt ed b y t he d yi ng m an w hen t he cat abr up tl y t hr us t b ackw ar d, t eari ng eig ht

g re at , r ag ge d w ou nd s f ro m c he st t o c ro tc h a nd t he n f li pp in g t he e vi sc er at ed c re at ur e t hr ee y ar ds u p t he

r oad, t rail in g g ou ts o f d ar k b lo od and coi ls o f p in ki sh -w hi te g ut s.

T he p ac kh or se s w er e r el ie ve d o f e no ug h m an ac le s t o s ec ur e e ac h o f t he l iv in g p ri es ts t o a t re e, a nd

S te el cl aw s, h is c oa t s oa ke d a nd c lo tt ed w it h b lo od , w as l ef t t o g ua rd t he m w hi le t he g ri m l it tl e b an d r od e

on.

O ut o f t he w oo ded p at ch , t hey can tered b et ween f ield s o f b ur geon in g o at s, m ai ze and r ye, b il lo wi ng l ik e

g re en l ak es i n t he m or ni ng b re ez e. B et we en f ie ld s o f f la x a nd t ob ac co , t he y s po tt ed t he f ir st o f t he r eb el

pikemen where he sat on the edge of the ditch, repairing a sandal strap. But when, alerted by the

pounding hooves, he spotted the body of horsemen and identified the Morguhn banner, he forsook

s an da l, p ik e a nd s hi el d a nd r an f or h is l if e. A c ou pl e o f t he c la ns me n u nc as ed b ow s a nd h as ti ly n oc ke d

arrows, but Bili mindspoke.

No , s av e t he s ha ft s. L et ou r C at S is te r t ak e t hi s on e.

I n a f l as h o f g ray- br ow n f ur , L ov er -o f- Wat er s b ig , s l eek b od yh ur dl ed t he d it ch and cou rs ed t hr ou gh t he

f la x, b ri ng in g d ow n h er q ua rr y b ef or e h e h ad r un t wo h un dr ed y ar ds . T he m an s cr ea me d j us t o nc e, w he n

the razor-edged steel fang-spurs-originally designed for hamstringing horses or large game-sliced the



14/106

t end on s b eh in d a k nee. B efo re h e cou ld g et o ut ano th er u tt erance, h e w as d ead .H is k il ler eff or tl es sl y

l op ed b ac k t hr ou gh t he f la x, f ee li ng t ha t s he h ad c er ta in ly d em on st ra te d h er a ge a nd e xp er ti se a t t he a rt

o f- s layi ng t wo -l eg s t o t hi s n ice y ou ng chi ef .

I n a h ig h- wall ed cut , t hey f ou nd g ri sl y evi dence o f t he r eckl es sl y r ap id p as sage o f s ev er al w heel ed

v eh ic le s, o r, r at he r, o f t ho se u nf or tu na te p ik em en t oo s lo w t o g et o ut o f t he w ay . B ro ad , i ro n- ti re d

w heel s h ad s ev er ed l im bs and m an gl ed b od ies and cru sh ed s ku ll s, g ri nd in g s hr ed s o f f lesh and b it s o f s hat tered b on e i nt o t he b lo od -m ud dy d us t. I n a b uzzin g b lack- and -b lu e- gr een clo ud , t he f l ies r os e u p

f ro m t heir f east in g b ef or e t he adv an ce o f t he M or gu hn col um n, w hi le a m ou se-g ray o po ss um s cu rr ied u p

a b an k a nd i nt o t he l ow br us h, d ra gg in g h is s ca ly t ai l a nd a c hu nk o f m an gl ed f or ea rm .

A f ew h un dr ed y ar ds f ar th er o n, a h ea vy c oa ch l ay c an te d d ru nk en ly , p ar ti al ly b lo ck in g t he r oa d. A n

e xp os ed b ou ld er h ad b en t t he i ro n t ir e a nd s pl in te re d t he h ar dw oo d f el ly b en ea th . S om e f ew o f t he c ar go

o f w ou nd ed m en h ad a tt em pt ed t o d ra g t he ms el ve s i n t he w ak e o f t he d ri ve r a nd t he t hr ee w ou nd ed

o ff ic er s h e b ad m ou nt ed o n t he h or se s b ef or e h e c ut t he m l oo se . B ut t he a rr iv al o f B il l s c ol um n e nd ed

their sufferings-permanently.

T he y ha d be en o n t he r oa d f or m os t of a n h our be for e t he y a t l as t c los ed w it h t he r ea rm os t g aggl e of

i nf an tr y, com pl et el y l eaderl es s and m os t o f t hem l acki ng arm or o r w eapo ns o f any d es cr ip ti on . A nd i t

w as t hen, j us t as L ieut en an t H oh gu hn h ad f or et ol d, a b ut ch er y , t he h or semen r id in g d ow n and s pear in g o r

sabering or axing their fleeing, screaming prey, until horses were foam-flecked and blowing, until mens

arm s ach ed w it h d eadl y eff or t

An d t he n t he y r ode o n.

T he b ro ad b la de s of B il l s h ug e a xe w er e no l on ge r s hi ny , b ei ng d im me d w it h c lo tt ed b lo od a nd d us t,

l ik e e ve ry o th er b ar ed w ea po n i n t he c ol um n. B ut t he s te el w as s oo n r in se d- w it h f re sh er b lo od , a s t he y

o verh au led ano th er f ew h un dr ed r eb el s. T hi s t im e, h ow ev er , p er haps h al f o f t heir v icti ms m ad e g oo d ane sc ape , f or m en a nd c at s a nd ho rs es , a ll we re t ir ed , a nd B il i s ti ll i ns is te d t ha t t he a rr ow s a nd da rt s be

husbanded against more pressing need.

T he n ot es o f t he r ecal l s ti ll w er e s ou nd in g w hen t he H ig h L or d l ed h is w eary m ou nt t hr ou gh t he t ramp led

cor nf ield t ow ar d t he l im pl y f lu tt er in g M or gu hn b an ner. H e car ri ed h is b ar e s ab er , n ot w is hi ng t o b ef ou l i ts

cas e w it h t he g or y s teel . W hi le w al ki ng , t ug gi ng at t he p lo dd in g h or se, h e w as i n t el ep at hi c con tact w it h

Aldora, whose troops had finally reached Morguhn Hall.

Sor ry , d ea r, t o ha ve h ad yo u p ut y our m en t o a ne ed le ss f or ce d m ar ch , b ut no ne o f u s- I, l ea st o f

a ll -h ad a ny i de a t ha t t hi ng s w ou ld w or k ou t s o w el l o r s o q ui ck ly .

Da mn yo u, M il o! s he r ag ed . Yo u j us t t el l t ha t t o t he h or se s I v e f ou nd er ed t hi s b la st ed n ig ht a nd

m or ni ng . A nd y ou a nd t he y ou ng d uk e h ad b et te r n ot b it e o ff t oo m uc h o ut t he re , e it he r, b ec au se I l l n ot

bring any more men than I can find remounts for. And I doubt therere a hundred horses here.

A lo ud , M il o s ig he d. Al l r ig ht , A ld or a, I l l s ug ge st a h al t t o r es t a nd c le an o ur w ea po ns . A s I r ec al l, t he

r oa d c ro ss es a s iz ab le r il l j us t a he ad . B ut s en d t he t ro op s, d on t c om e y ou rs el f- th er e re t wo w it ch me n i n

t he cel lars o f M or gu hn H al l and y ou r e t he o nl y p er so n I m w il li ng t o ent ru st t hem t o. T hey re d ru gg ed

n ow a nd I w an t t he m k ep t t ha t w ay u nt il w e c an g et t he m u p t oK eh no or yo s A th ee na hs .

Ti re d a nd f il th y a s I a m, I l l n ot p ro te st t ha t o rd er , M il o. B es id es , s he a dd ed , it w il l g iv e m e a c ha nc e

t o s ee s we et A hn de e a ga in . Y ou d id s ay t ha t h e s r ec up er at in g h er e, d id y ou n ot ?



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M il o g ri nn ed b ro ad ly at t he b lo od y g ro un d and b ro ken cor ns talk s b ef or e h im . Lo rd A hn dr os i s b ei ng

t en de d b y t he w om an h e l ov es , A ld or a, a nd I d on t t hi nk t he l ad y w ou ld a pp re ci at e y ou ro ve rt en de r

s ol ic it ud e f or t he w el fa re o f t he m an s he w il l w ed . W hy d on t y ou s av e yo ur se lf f or t ha t w om an s s on ,

eh? T ho heek s B il i M or gu hn i s y ou r k in d o f m an -s tr on g, b rave, o ut sp ok en , r ut hl es s t ow ar d h is f oes, v ir il e

a nd h and som e. A nd he s e ve ry b it a s b loo dt hi rs ty a s yo u a re , m y de ar . He on ly s pa re s t he l iv es of t ho se

m en he m ea ns t o s ee t or tu re d t o de at h.

If y ou d on t l ik e w hat h e s d oi ng ,M il o , w hy d on t y ou St o p h im ? A ld or a as ked.

H e s ig hed agai n, s haki ng h is s t eel- en cas ed , s weat in g h ead. No , I d on t l ik e i t, s weet heart . W hat s l eft

o f m y t went ieth -cen tu ry con science cri ng es at t hi s m or ni ng s w or k. B ut I als o r ecog ni ze f acts , n o m at ter

h ow u npa la ta bl e t o a m an o f m y c ent ur y. W ha t B il i i s do in g i s b ru ta l, bu t i t w il l b e a s e ff ec ti ve a s w as t he

G af nee aff ai r. I f h e s all ow ed t o p ut d ow n t he r eb el li on i n h is w ay , h e ll p ro vi de a m eani ng fu l examp le t o

every th oh eekaht oh n i n t he C on federati on , f or o ne t hi ng ; f or ano th er , i f h e m an ag es t o n et all t he r eb el li ou s

n ob les, t he com mo ners w il l n ev er again d ar e t o even t hi nk o f r eb el li on w it hi n h is l if et im e. N or w il l h e n eed

t o w or ry abo ut t he E hl een p ri es ts i ncit in g any m or e o f t hi s k in d o f t ro ub le.

Sacred S un b e p rais ed ! t he w om an exclaim ed f eeli ng ly . Mara w il l b e p leas ed t o k no w t hat y ou r e

finally going to scotch those black-robed vultures.

I ve ne ve r l ike d t he m a ny mo re t ha n h ave you a nd Ma ra , A ldor a, bu t t he y do ha ppe n t o h ave a

following, both noble and common. Proscribing their hierarchy without damned good cause would have

been tantamount to bringing about a Confederation-wide rebellion . . . and the directors of thatgoddam

Ce nt er kn ew t he f ac t a nd us ed i t a ga in st u s.

Gafneewas simply not enough provocation, unfortunately. You heard that mealy-mouthed

A hr k ee eh peesk oh po s Gr eh go hr eeo s w hi ne and g ro vel and avo w t hat i t w as an i so lated i ncid en t o f w hi ch

h e d h ad n o p ri or k no wl ed ge.

Ye s, a gr ee d A ld or a. I r ec al l h is p er fo rm an ce a nd I w on de re d, a t t he t im e, i f h e m ig ht n ot s in g a

d if fe re nt t une un de r t he s ki ll fu l di re ct io n o f go od M as te rFyuhs tohn . D o y ou w an t m e t o t el l M ar a t o h av e

him arrested?

L eadi ng h is d ro op in g h or se aro un d a f ly -b uzzi ng h ud dl e o f h acked b od ies, M il o s ho ok h is h ead again .

No, n ot y et , n ot u nt il t hi s pr es en t b us ine ss i s m or e w id el y pu bl ic iz ed . J us t t el l h er t o m ak e d am ne d s ur e

t he o ld b uzzard d oesn t l eave t he cit y- fo r any r easo n!

Yo u t hi nk t hen t hat h e, t oo , i s a w it ch man? A ld or a i nq ui red.

No , h e a ss ur ed h er . Ou r p re ci ou s a rc hb is ho p i sn t c le ve r e no ug h t o b e o ne o f t ho se v am pi re s. O h,

h e s s hr ew d, I gr ant y ou t ha t, b ut h e s m ad e e rr or s of j ud gm ent o f w hi ch a r ea ll y i nt el li ge nt m an w oul d

n ev er h av e b ee n g ui lt y. N on et he le ss , I m d am ne d s ur e t ha t h e k no ws f ar m or e o f t hi s c on sp ir ac y t ha n h e

would have us believe. After all, it was he who appointedour three murderouswitchmen-cum-kooreeohee

a tGa fne e , V aw n a nd h er e i n M or gu hn .

S he q ue st io ne d s ad ly , Al l o f t he C la n V aw n k in dr ed a re t ru ly g on e t o W in d, t he n, M il o?

I t a pp ea rs s o, I m s or ry t o s ay , f or t he g et o f b ra ve o ld Djoh ha ve be en good me n a nd qui te va lua bl e t o

t he C on fe de ra ti on , o ve r t he y ea rs . B ut , f ro m a ll I v e h ea rd o f t he ir p as si ng , I t hi nk h e d h av e b ee n p ro ud

of t he m. The y t oo k mo re t ha n a f ew o f t he r ebe ls wi th t he m. It s s ai d t he y he ld t he e nt ir e mob a t ba y f or

w ee ks , h ol ed u p i n o ld F or tB ro hd ee . A nd t he y d p ro ba bl y s ti ll b e t he re , h ad t he y f ac ed s te el a lo ne .



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An d t ha t r em in ds m e, A ld or a. P la ce a h ea vy r ou nd -t he -c lo ck g ua rd o n t ha t b ig , g il de d w ai n. K ee p i t

we ll a wa y f rom a ny f ir es a nd s ee t ha t no o ne t ouc he s i t o r a ny of i ts c ont ent s. Ac co rdi ng t o wha t I c an

c om pr eh en d o f t he i ns tr uc ti on s, t ho se b om bs a re a ll s af e t o h an dl e a nd t ra ns po rt , b ut w e d ar e n ot t ak e

chances , s in ce t herer e eno ug h exp lo si ves i n t hat w ai n t o v ap or ize t he h al l and t he h il l and every l iv in g

c re at ur e i n or o n o r a ro un d i t.

Bu t I v e g ot t o s pe ak t o D uk e B il i, n ow . I l l r es um e c on ta ct w he n w e h al t. A bo ut a h al f- ho ur , I d s ay .

T he s ta ll io n, M ah vr os , w as n ot a s d on e i n a s M il e s h or se , b ut h e t oo w as o bv io us ly t ir ed , s ta nd in g

d ocil el y w hi le cro pp in g h al f- hear tedl y at a p at ch o f w eeds . H e h ad l os t h is w hi te s to ck in gs ; t hey w er e

n ow r ed -b lo od r ed . H is c he ek s a nd s pi ke d f ac ep la te , h is m as si ve b ar re l a nd t he m ai l p ro te ct in g h is n ec k

and withers, all were liberally splashed with crimson gore.

A st ri de t he s ta ll io n s at a n a pp ar it io n o f d ea th i nc ar na te . F ro m s ol e t o c re st , B il i s b oo ts a nd a rm or w er e

besplattered with large splotches of dusty, crusty blood, the whole being sprinkled with gobbets of flesh

and chi ps o f w in ki ng -w hi te b on e. H is t er ri bl e axe r es ted acr os s t he s ad dl eb ow , d ri pp in g s lo w, clo tt in gdroplets onto the steelcuishe which covered his left thigh.

B ut , b en eath t he r ai sed v is or , h is b lu e eyes s park led and a s mi le o f g ri m s at is fact io n p ar ti al ly erased t he

l in es o f f at ig ue i n h is w eath er -b ro wn ed f ace. W hen h e s ig ht ed t he H ig h L or d app ro achi ng , h is s mi le

broadened and he raised his blood-slimy gauntleted hand in greeting.

Ho , m y l or d! I t s a g oo d m or ni ng s w or k t hu s f ar . I d ou bt t ha t a n e qu al n um be r o f B lu e B ea r K ni gh ts

c ou ld h av e d on e a s w el l. W hy , t he re m us t b e n ea r o n a t ho us an d o f t he w ou ld -b ep ik ep us he rs d ea d i n

this field alone!

A s ha do w g li de d a cr os s M il o s p at h a nd h e g la nc ed u p a t a w id e- ba nk in g t ur ke y b uz za rd , o ne o f a ni ncreas in g n um ber t hat w er e await in g d ie d ep ar tu re o f t he l iv in g f ro m t he cor nf ield w hi ch w as t o b e t heir

f east in g g ro un d. T he b uzzard s, at l east , w er e s il en t. U nl ik e t he b razen b lack car ri on cro ws wh o w ere

already flocking to the tons of still-quivering man-flesh, while filling the air with harsh cries.

My o nl y r eg re t, a dd ed t he y ou ng t ho he ek s, f ro wn in g f or a m om en t, is t ha t t he re w er e j us t t oo f ew o f

u s, s o f ar t oo m an y o f t ho se m ur dero us s wi ne g ot away. B ut - hi s s mi le r et ur ned- I w ar rant t hey ll n ot

s to p r un ni ng u nt il t heir d am ned l eg s w il l n o l on ger b ear t hem; t hen t hey ll crawl f or a w hi le-and i t w il l t ak e

m or e t ha n a ga gg le o f d em en te d pr ie st s a be tt ed b y a pa ck o f pe rv er te d no bl es t o pe rs ua de t he m t o a ga in

bear arms against their lawful lord!

T ho ug h h e m ad e h is l ip s r et ur n t he y ou ng w ar ri or s s mi le, M il o t ho ug ht t hat h e h ad n ot p ictu red h is

t ho heek see ever r ul in g t heir d em es nes as B il i m us t n ow r ul e t hi s o ne i n y ears t o com e- ow ni ng n ot h is

peoples love but their fear and hatred. That fear and hatred engendered by the brutal butchery, the

victims of which lay stiffening in this field, as well as by theravagings and savageries which must surely

c om e e re t he wi tc hmens p oi so n b e r oo te d o ut o f M or gu hn a nd V aw n.

I t w as a s ur face t ho ug ht and u ns hi el ded, s o eas il y g rasp ed b y B il i s s en si ti ve m in d. Bu t w hat o th er

c ou rs e c an b e t ak en , m y l or d? W ha t e ls e c an I d o? c am e h is po we rf ul m in ds pe ak. H is ow n t hou gh ts

w er e a r oi l o f d is ap po in tm en t a nd s or ro w t ha t h e h ad s o d is pl ea se d h is r es pe ct ed ov er lo rd , s impl y by

doing mat which his instinct and training assured him was right.

Bu t y ou are r ig ht , B il i, M il o b eamed g en tl y. Yo u h av e f ol lo wed t he b es t cou rs e avail ab le t o y ou , are

pursuing the only choice that this time, this place, this world will allow you. It is your lord who is truly in



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the wrong!

Ju st l as t n ig ht , I chi ded t he w it ch man w ho cal ls h im self S ki ro s f or att em pt in g t o app ly t he s tand ar ds o f a

l on g- dead t im e and w or ld t o t he h er e and n ow . T hi s m or ni ng , I f in d m ys el f g ui lt y o f t he s am e f ol ly .

If any err ed , i t w as m e, y ou ng B il i; and t hat w as l on g y ears b ef or e ever y ou r g rand fath er s g rand fath er

f ir st s aw S acred S un . I s ho ul d h av e r eali zed t hat t he E hl een C hu rch w ou ld n ev er f or get, n ev er f or gi ve m efor weakening their stranglehold on their adherents, for discrediting their motives and for depriving them

o f m os t o f t heir I l l- go tt en g ai ns .

I s ho ul d h av e k no wn t hat t hey w ou ld alw ay s p ro vi de a chi nk i n t he C on federati on s arm or and t han,

s oo ne r o r l at er , s om e e ne my w ou ld d is co ve r a nd u ti li ze t ha t o pe ni ng . A nd n ow w e k no w t ha t a n e ne my

d id j us t t hat.

Bi li , d o y ou r ec al l t he c on ve rs at io n w e h ad a t H or se H al l? H ow I c om pa re d r eb el li on t o a f es te re d

wound?

Unconsciously, the thoheeks moved his head in an affirmative, the blood-draggled plume nodding above

t he b lu ed -s teel b ear w hi ch s ur mo un ted h is h el m. Yes, m y l or d, h e b eamed.

Th en y ou a re a wa re t ha t t ha t e vi l i nf ec ti on h as a ll b ut g ob bl ed u p V aw n a nd i s d ee pl y s ea te d i n

M or gu hn . S o, r eg re tt ab ly , o ur s ur ge ry m us t b e m os t e xt re me . Y ou a nd I a nd t he U nd yi ng L ad y A ld or a

m us t b e t he p hy si ci an s, B il i. Y ou r b rave K in sm en and r et ai ners , C hi ef H wahl tu h and h is clans men, and

t he C on federati on t ro op s m us t b e o ur i ns tr um en ts .

Th e i ni ti al c ut s w er e m ad e l as t n ig ht a nd t hi s m or ni ng , b ut w e m us t c ut f ar d ee pe r, d ee pl y e no ug h t o b e

c er ta in t ha t w e h av e e xc is ed t he l as t t ra ce o f t he i nf ec ti on . S o h ee d y ou n ot t ho se w ho w ou ld g ai ns ay y ou

i n t hi s, t he w or k y ou k no w b es t. S ac re d S un w as w at ch in g o ve r o ur C on fe de ra ti on o n t he d ay y ou w er es ent t o t he c our t of Ki ng Gi lb uht, f or he ha s m ade of you t he m an whom I ne ed i n t he pr es ent

unpleasantness.

I a m d is pl ea se d, B il i, b ut b y t he c ir cu ms ta nc es o nl y. A ll t ha t I h av e t hu s f ar s ee n o f y ou i s v er y p le as in g,

a nd w he n M or gu hn a nd V aw n a re b ot h c le an se d a nd a ga in a t p ea ce , y ou s ha ll e xp er ie nc e t he g ra ti tu de

o f t he H ig h L or d.

C HA PT ER I I

S w eat - s oak ed an d d u st - coat ed. Lo rd D rehk os D ai vi z cam e w it hi n s ig ht o f t he C it y o f M or gu hn po li s and

vainly spur-raked his mounts heaving, foam-flecked barrel. Valiantly, the well-bred gray gave his best

r em ai ni ng e ff or t, l it tl e a s t ha t w as ; b ut b ot h h e a nd h is r id er m ig ht h av e s av ed t he ir e xe rt io ns , f or t he e as t

g at e r em ai ned t ig ht ly clo sed, even w hen t he_ w eary v ah ro hn eesk os d rew h is s wo rd and p ou nd ed i ts

pommel upon the thick old timbers.

K n eein g t he s tagg er in g, t remb li ng h or se o ut f ro m t he g at e arch, t he r eb el n ob leman craned h is n eck u nt il

he could s ee t o the top of the ga te t owe r.

Da mn y ou r e ye s, To or ko s ! h e r oa re d a t- th e g at e s er ge an t, w ho w as l ea ni ng o n a m er lo n. Yo u k no w



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w ho I a m! O pe n t he godda m ga te ! I t i s i mpe ra ti ve t ha t I s ee Lo rd M yr os a t o nc e!

B ut t he d ar k, c hu nk y m an s ho ok h is b al di ng h ea d. We d ar e n ot r ai se a s in gl e b ar , L or d D re hk os . W er e

w e t o s o m uc h a s c ra ck a ny of t he g at es , w e d ne ve r g et t he m c los ed , w e w ou ld n t, e re m os t o f t he

e st ee me d c it iz ens o f t hi s c it y w er e g on e, a nd L or d M yr os s ay s t ha t w e ll n ee d t he m a ll f or e it he r

defenders or hostages.

D re hk os s hr ug ge d. Th en d ro p m e a r op e, m an .

F ro m ato p t he w al l, t he cit y s tr eets r es em bl ed n ot hi ng s o m uch as an o vert ur ned ant hi ll . W om en and

chi ld ren, g ir ls and b oy s and a f ew m en s cu rr ied t o and f ro , s eemi ng ly aim less ly . T he cacop ho ny o f s ho ut s

and s cr eams and w ai ls s mo te p ai nf ul ly u po n D rehk os ear s and h el ped h im t o u nd er st an d w hy t he g at e

g ua rd s a pp ea re d s o s ur ly a nd v ic io us . H al f a d oz en a rr ow -s tu dd ed c or ps es l ay s pr aw le d o n t he b lo od y

s to nes j us t s hy o f t he g at e, and , i gn or ed b y t he t hr on gs , a m id dl e- ag ed w om an d ragg ed h er self , s lo wl y,

painfully, up High Street, a heavy iron dart shaft standing out from the small of her back.

Th e c ow ar dl y p ac k t ri ed t o r us h t he g at e, m y l or d, o ff er ed t he s er ge an t, T oo rk os , w he n h e s awD re hk os e ye in g t he c ar na ge . Tr ie d t o s hi ft t he b ar s b y b ru te s tr en gt h, t he y d id . B ut L or d M yr os g iv e u s

o ur or de rs w he n he p os te d us he re . A nd w e p er sua de d t he m t o l ea ve t he m ga te s be , w e d id !

Rath er s harp p er su as io n, I d s ay, r em ar ked D rehk os w ry ly . B ut t he w it ti ci sm w as l os t o n t he s er gean t.

D re hk os t he n o rd er ed , I ll n ee d a h or se , T oo rk os , a nd , f ro m t he l oo k o f t hi ng s, p ro ba bl y a n e sc or t, a s

well.

B ut , i gn or in gali keimpor tuni ngs and o rd er s , T oo rk os f lat ly r ef us ed t o p ar t w it h even a s in gl e archer o r

s pe ar ma n. An d of ho rs es h e h ad no ne , b ut he a t l ea st g av e D re hko s a h oo de d c loa k t o c ove r h is a rm or

and , h op ef ul ly , con ceal h is i dent it y f ro m t he u gl y, d an gero us m ob , u nt il h e m ig ht w in t o t he cit y g ov er no r s

palace.

W he n a t l as t h e s to od b ef or e t he h ug e, o rn at e, b ra ss -s he at he d d oo rs o f t he b ui ld in g, h e w as p re se nt ed

w it h ano th er p ro bl em -h ow t o r ap l ou dl y eno ug h t o g ai n t he att en ti on o f t ho se w it hi n w it ho ut als o b ri ng in g

t he m ob , w hi ch h e h ad t hu s f ar l ar ge ly a vo id ed . B ut h e h ad o nl y p ut h and t os wor dhi lt , w he n a s ma ll d oo r

s et w it hi n o ne o f t he l ar ger o nes s wu ng o pen t o r ev eal t he b eak- no sed v is age o fG ah lo sG ah lahk ti os ,

L or d M yr os g uar d capt ain .

Th an k G od y ou r e s af e, l or d V ah ro hn ee sk os ! Y ou a re . .. h e b eg an .

B ut D rehk os r ou gh ly s ho ul dered h im asi de as h e s tepp ed o ver t he h ig h s il l and ent er ed t he abb revi at edc ou rt ya rd o f t he p al ac e. Wh er e, h e s na rl ed , is y ou r t hr ic e- da mn ed c ow ar d o f a m as te r? W he re

cow er s t he s el f -p ro cl ai med, o ft -p ro cl ai med, Savi or o fM or gu bn , eh ?I n a cel lar?I n a cl os et?Un der h is

bed?

B ef or e t he s tu tt er in g o ff icer cou ld f rame an ans wer, V ah ro hn os M yr os s to od i n t he d oo rw ay o f t he

palace proper, his handsome, regular features drawn with worry and tension. But his voice was calm and

unruffled, albeit a little sad.

I a m m os t r el ie ve d t o s ee y ou, Dr ehkos . Y ou woul d ha ve r idd en wi th me , ha d w e be en a bl e t o f ind you

i n t hat u nh ol y m es s l as t n ig ht . H av e y ou s een aug ht o f N at ho s o rD jaim os o r C ap t ai n M ano s?

M yr os e vi de nt s el f- co nt ro l t oo k s om e m ea su re o f t he e dg e f ro m D re hk os a ng er , a nd h e a ns we re d

s ho rt ly , Ma no s i s d ea d, t ra mp le d t o d ea th i n a s ta mp ed e o f h is o wn t ro op s h or se s. T he v al ia nt N at ho s



19/106

w as f ou nd w an de ri ng , w it le ss w it h t er ro r; I h ad h im k no ck ed i n t he h ea d a nd p ut o n o ne o f t he c oa ch es

w it h t he w ou nd ed . O fDj ai mos I k no w n ot hi ng . B ut M yr os , w hy d id yo u n ot w ai t l on g e nou gh t o h el p u s,

at l east , i n o rg an izin g a d ecen t w it hd rawal? T he C on federati on cav al ry w er en t all t hat clo se-n ot w hen

you must have left.

E ye s w id en in g, M yr os f ac e p al ed a nd h e t ot te re d b ac k, c lu tc hi ng a t t he d oo rf ra me f or s up po rt .

Con-Confederation cavalry?You .. .youre certain?

D re hk os s tr od e f or wa rd , h is l ip s s ki nn ed b ac k i n a w ol fi sh g ri n, a mu se d a t t he a br up t c ol la ps e o f M yr os

bravado. Oh, aye, Im certain, Myros. Where else would several thousand fully armed and equipped

k ah tahf rahk to ee and s om e h un dr ed s o f l an cers com e f ro m, h ey ?

T he . .. t he t ro op s o f V aw n. . . ? T he r e- re in fo rc eme nt s we e x- ex pe ct ed . . . ? s tu tt er ed t he s ha ki ng

vahrohnos.

Drehkos laughed gratingly.Hardly, Myros, hardly. Not riding in from the northwest. And the Vawnee

s co ut s r ec og ni ze d n on e o f t he m. A nd , h e c as ua ll y a dd ed , th ei r b an ne rs b or e p ra ir ie ca ts . .. a ll s av e o ne ,a nd t ha t one wa s a f is h a nd s ome thi ng l ike a we as el , or s o I wa s t ol d. The n he f el l s il ent, a gha st , a s t he

v ah ro hn os 1 a pp ea ra nc e a nd d em ea no r u nd er we nt s o s ud de n a nd r ad ic al a c ha ng e t ha t h e s ee me d i n t he

t hr oe s o f a s ei zu re .

F eat u res co n to r ted , b od y and l im bs j er ki ng , t wi tchi ng , t he v ah ro hn os s tu mb led b ack i nt o t he f oy er , t hen

crash ed b ack f ul l- leng th u po n t he f lo or , s pr aw led acr os s a m os ai c r ep resent in g t he R ed E ag le o f

Morguhn. Abruptly, his eyes rolled back and consciousness left him.

T he s ho ck m ir ro re d o n t he f ac es o f s er va nt s a nd b od yg ua rd s a li ke , a s t he y r us he d t o t he a ss is ta nc e o f

t heir s wo on in g m as ter, ans wered D rehk os u ns po ken q uery ; s uch p ar ox ys ms m us t n ev er b ef or e h av e

o ccur red d ur in g t hei r s er vi ce t o V ah ro hn os M yr os .

Bu t, as h e h ad ear li er t hi s m or ni ng , h e i mm ed iately t oo k com mand , s napp in g, Do n t p ut h im t o b ed ,g et

h im o n a h or se l it te r. W e re l ea vi ng M or gu hn po li s a s s oo n a s t he V aw ne e r ea rg ua rd g et s h er e!

T he g ua rd c ap ta in l oo ke d u p f ro m w he re h e s qu at te d a t t he Va Kr oh no s h ea d. B ut I onl y ha ve thi rt y

m en , L or d D re hk os , a nd s om e o f t he m a re w ou nd ed , a nd t ha t s n ot e no ug h t o f ig ht o ur w ay t hr ou gh t ha t

s cu m i n t he s tr ee ts -no t a nd pr ot ec t Lo rd M yr os , t oo . Be si de s, i t wa s h is or de r t ha t w e r em ai n a nd

defend the city.

D re hk os s no rt ed d is pa ra gi ng ly . An d a p is s- po or o rd er t ha t w as , m y g oo dGa hl os . T hi s c it y i s ad ea th tr ap . I t c an t b e d ef en de d, a nd t he e st ee me d M yr os s ho ul d h av e k no wn a s m uc h, c on si de ri ng h is

t rain in g and exp er ience. A s f or t he d ear cit izen s, cap tain , i f t hey are p ro perl y h an dl ed , t hey ll p os e n o

t hr ea t t o us . I nd ee d, t he y m ay e ve n b e of he lp t o u s.

The tunne l w as ol d, ve ry ol d. So a nc ie nt wa s i t t ha t no l ivi ng ma n ha d be en a wa re of i ts e xi st enc e a yea r

before. Its rediscovery had been accidental, Myros having secretly commissioned workmen to excavate

just such a passage, as well as a clandestine meeting place and armory, below the lowest cellars of the

g ov er no r s p al ac e. B ut w he n t he f ir st h ea vy s to ne s o f t he c el la r p av in g h ad b ee n r ai se d, i t h ad b ee n

d is co ve re d t ha t u nd er t he m w as n ot t he e xp ec te d e ar th a nd c la y, b ut , r at he r, t ig ht ly p ac ke d r ub bl e. W he n

clear ed , t he f in d p ro ved t o b e an o val, h ig h- ceil in ged chamb er , w al led and col um ned and p av ed w it h

f in el y w or ked s to ne, b oast in g t wo w id e s tair cases and a l on g, g radu al r am p l eadi ng u pw ar d, r eq ui ri ng

o nl y r em ov al o f c er ta in a re as o f p av em en t t o p ro vi de e as y a cc es s t o t he s ub ce ll ar b y m an o r b ea st .



20/106

E xami nati on and car ef ul m easu rement est ab li sh ed t he s ub cell ar t o b e even l ar ger t han t he p al ace abo ve

i t. A nd i n t he cen ter o f t he n or th w al l w as p lain evi dence o f a s ealed o peni ng -u nm at ch ed s to nes o f i nf er io r

w or km an sh ip s pann in g a w id th o f t wo met ro bee and a h ei gh t o f n earl y t hr ee.

T he p as sa ge f ar e xc ee de d a ny o f M yr os e xp ec ta ti on s, b ei ng s to ne -w al le d a nd c ob bl ed f or m os t o f i ts

l en gt h. I t w as w id e e no ug h t o a cc om mo da te a wa rc ar t o r t wo h or se s a br ea st a nd e xi te d i n a

l on g- ab an do ned q uarr y a q uar ter- mi l e b ey on d t he n or th w al l o f t he cit y. M yr os h ad h ad ent rance andexi t car ef ul ly r e- camo uf laged and s een t o h t hat o nl y n ob les, o ff icer s and p ri es ts w er e app ri sed o f w here

a nd h ow t o f in d i t N or w as M yr os w or ri ed t ha t h is w or km en m ig ht b et ra y t he s ec re t- si nc e h e h ad h ad h is

bodyguards murder them all.

A t D rehk os d ir ecti on , C ap tain G ah lo s u sed t he h el io gr ap h m ou nt ed o n t he p al ace r oo f t o s ig nal t he

i mm ed iate u nb ar ri ng and o peni ng o f t he s ou th and w es t g at es . T he m es sage con ti nu ed w it h an o rd er f or

a ll g ua rd s t o r ep or t t o t he g ov er nor s p al ac e a s s oo n a s t he m ob w as o ut a nd t he ga te s a ga in c los ed a nd

secured.

W hi le car efu ll y r e- ho od in g t he d ev ice, G ah lo s ask ed , Pl eas e, m y l or d, I d on t u nd er s tand . W e u nb ar t he ga te s a nd le t the r abbl e f lee , t he n r eba r t he m on wh at wi ll s oon be a n e mpt y c it y?

Drehkos chuckled good-naturedly. And you cant comprehend, eh, Gahlos? Well, lookyou, youve

s een t he s leig ht -o f- hand p ract iced b y t he t raveli ng t ri ck st er s? S een t hem m ak e a h os t o f m eani ng less

g es tu re s t o m as k t he o ne , p ra ct ic ed m ov em en t w hi ch c au se s c oi ns o r o bj ec ts t o s ud de nl y a nd

mysteriously disappear or reappear?

G ah lo s n od ded h es it an tl y. Yes, m y l or d, b ut -

D re hk os c on ti nu ed. An d I a m e ss ay in g a s im il ar f ea t o f l eg er de ma in , a nd , G ahl os , l et u s p ra y t ha t i t

s ucceeds . Y ou s ee, w e can t f ig ht , can t d ef en d M or gu hn po li s again st t he f or ces n ow app ro achi ng i t, andn o n ob le o r o ff icer o r p ri es t i n h is r ig ht m in d s ho ul d all ow -s ho ul d even d ream o f all ow in g- Bi li M or gu hn t o

t ake hi m a li ve, s o our onl y hope i s to f le e.

But we ca n onl y mount ha lf our me n, a nd I ll be da mne d if I ll l ea ve a ny one of t he m t o t he tender

m er ci es o f t he M or gu hn s, s o w e c ou ld n t m ov e t oo f as t, e ve n w er e w e n ot b ur de ne d w it h L or d M yr os .

A nd o ur p ur su er s a re a ll c av al ry ; t he y ll b e m ovi ng f as te r t ha n w e c an .

However, Gahlos, theyll think Myros still commands and, knowing his obsession for this city, theyll be

c er ta in he l l t ry t o hol d i t. O f c our se , n one of t he m k now s a bout ou r bo lt h ol e dow n b el ow , s o l et us pr ay

t hat w hen t hey f in d t he g at es b ar red f ro m w it hi n, even w it h n o m en v is ib le o n t he w al ls , t hey ll b es uf fi ci en tl y w ar y o f a t rap t o h al t and r eg ro up and p os si bl y b ri ng u p o r m ak e s cali ng l ad ders -any th in g, any

r ea so n t ha t w il l d el ay t he m l on g e nou gh f or u s t o p ut s om e d is ta nc e b et we en u s a nd t he m.

G ah los n od de d a ga in , b ut f ir ml y t hi s t im e. So y ou f re ed t he m ob t ha t t he y m igh t n ot o pe n t he g at es o r

g iv e t he t ri ck away.

Part iall y, cap tain , p ar ti al ly , D rehk os agr eed, add in g, bu t als o b ecau se f leei ng alo ng t he s ou th and w es t

r oa ds , t he y f or ce t he g od da m M or gu hn s t o s pl it t he ir f or ce s, s in ce b ot h r oa ds l ea d t o V aw n, a nd w he n

t hey ve d is co vered w e re n ot i n M or gu hn po li s, t hey ll s ur el y k no w t hat w e re b ou nd f or V aw n.

Hmmmn. U nd er st an di ng f li ck er ed i n t he cap tain s eyes. Bu t w e ll n ot b e o n eit her r oad, t hen, m y

lord?



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Ex actl y, G ah lo s. Well hie u s o ut d ue w es t f ro m t he q uar ry , cro ss -cou nt ry . W el l cr os s t he r iv er at B lo od y

F or d, s tr ik e t he O ld T ra ce u p t hr ou gh R ai de r G ap , t he n a ng le s ou th wa rd i nt o V aw n. I t w il l c er ta in ly t ak e

l onge r, pe rha ps t wo o r t hr ee da ys , bu t i f i t s ave s our n ec ks , no ne c an s ay i t w as n t wo rt h t he e ff or t, e h?

A st ri de a b ig , r ed- ch es tn ut m ar e-t he f in es t ani mal h e h ad ever b een all ow ed t o r i de-G er os L ah vo heet os

trotted besideStaiseeEhlyuht ,prehsvootehros of the squadron of Confederation lancers, some hundred of

w ho m w er e m ar ch in g i n t he w ak e o f T ho heek s B il i and h is p ar ty .G ero s s calesh ir t w as h eavy and h otand d ev il is hl y u ncom fo rt ab le, t he w ei gh t o f t he s ab er o n h is b al dr ic m ad e i t d if fi cu lt t o k eep h is s ho ul ders

s qu ar ed -a s h e f el t t he w ar ri or e ve ry on e n ow t ho ug ht h im t o b e s ho ul d r id e- an d, i f p us h c am e t o s ho ve ,

h e h ad n o i de a o f h ow h e w ou ld c on tr ol t he m ar e, w ha t w it h s ev en f ee t o fw ol fs pe ar i n hi s r ight ha nd a nd

a n i ro n- ri mm ed t ar ge t s tr ap pe d t o h is b ri dl e a rm . B ut f or a ll t he d is co mf or ts , h e w ou ld n ot h av e b ee n i n

o th er cir cu ms tances o r ano th er p lace t han t hi s.

S in ce t he n ig ht o f t he b ri dg e f ig ht w he n, i n a p an ic o f f ea r, h e- Ge ro s t he v al et , w ho k ne w a s m uc h o f

w ea po ns a nd w ar fa re a s a t ur tl e k ne w o f f ly in g- ha d a cc id en ta ll y l an ce d o ne r eb el a nd c ut t he t hr oa t o f a

s ec on d w hi le hi s m ul e t ra mp le d d own a t hi rd , h e h ad be en l ivi ng i n t he v er y l ap o f h is f or me r f an ta si es .

W it h h is y ou ng m as ter, t heVah ro hn ee- s ko s A hn dr os , k ep t u ncon sci ou s b y t he art s o f M as t er A hl ee, t hephysician, there was no one to betray him, to reveal the sad truth that he had never been aught save a

body servant and musician, who had always privately consideredhimself to be a coward.

B ut h er e h e r od e, b oo te d, a rm or ed a nd h el me te d, w it h s hi el d a nd s pe ar , s ab er a nd d ir k, b es tr id in g a

w el l -b red and t r ai ned w arh or s e, wh os e even, d is tance- eati ng s tr id es w er e b eari ng h im t ow ar d y et ano th er

c om ba t- hi s t hi rd , n ow . A nd h e w as f ri gh te ne d, e ve ry b it a s f ri gh te ne d a s h e h ad b ee n a t t he f ir st , t ha t

n ig ht o n t he l on el y, m oo n- da pp le d r oa d. B ut , n ow , h e w ou ld d ie e re h e w ou ld a ll ow t ha t f ea r t o s ur fa ce ,

t o s ho w i ts s hamefu ln es s t o t hi s aff ab le y ou ng o ff icer and h is t ro op er s, all o f w ho m h ad i mm ed iately and

n at ur al ly accep ted h im as a w ar ri or l ik e t hems el ves.

Old Komees Djeen, himself, had commended him to the light-cavalry commander, resting his handless,a rm or ed a rm o ve r t he v al et s s ho ul de rs a nd s ay in g, My c om ra de , G er os , k no ws t ha t r oa d b et te r t ha n

m os t, h av in g r ig ht o ft en r id den i t i n t he s er vi ce o f

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