'But do not underestimate the ferocity of those who you may encounter. A half-dozen Deathpriests may not equal you individually, but as a group they will overwhelm you. They are fanatics by your measure, as is every man, woman, and child in that realm.

  'They live by a standard that can not even be called a "code" It is a set of unthinking responses honed over millennia of living in a world in which hesitation means obliteration.' He looked at the three magic-users and said, 'If you think, you die.'

  Magnus said, 'You depict a grim reality.'

  'It is all they know. It is not grim to them, for they are the living, ergo, they are the survivors, the victors - even the least among them - and in that they take pride and satisfaction. The lowest of the Lessers, given the meanest tasks to perform, can feel superior to the failed son of the TeKarana himself. It is a sense of place you cannot begin to appreciate.'

  Nakor said, 'I gathered as much hours ago, Martuch. What I would like to know is how you came to be different from your brothers?'

  'That is something for another time, but that time approaches. I have decided today to let you know my choice: I will guide you where you wish to go. And, moreover, I will give you my pledge to do all in my power to bring you home again.'

  'Speaking of which,' said Magnus, 'after we endure all these changes, how will we survive when we go home?'

  'In good order, I should think,' said Martuch. 'It is the nature of the differences between the second and first plane of reality that as soon as you return home, you will start to revert to your old state. You may wish to take to your beds for a few days, and you'll no doubt feel like dying, but you will not. Think of it as a particularly bad flux or the result of far too much drink the night before, only far more worse, lasting a week or so. Then it will pass.

  'There is an elegance in the order of nature, a stately progression of the universe which suggests that things should stay where they belong. As you seemed determined not to, the universe is inclined to forgive you and take you back once you return.' He squinted at Pug, a habit Pug had noticed usually meant he was very curious about whatever it was he was questioning. 'So, may I now know the reason you wish to venture somewhere no sane member of your race would ever wish to go?'

  Pug glanced at Nakor, who nodded assent once. To Martuch he said, 'What do you know of the Talnoy?'

  Martuch's eyes widened. 'First, that you should not even know that word, let alone what it is. Second, that it is a ... blasphemy. Why?'

  'We have one.'

  Now Martuch looked openly shocked. 'Where? How?'

  'It is the reason we must go to the Dasati world,' said Pug. 'I will tell you everything in time, but for now understand that it is the presence of the Talnoy on my world that is the cause of our concern.'

  'Well it should be, human,' said Martuch. 'It is a thing to cause fear in even the bravest Dasati hero of yore, a monstrosity from the bloodiest days in the long and murderous history of my people.' He paused, then said, 'This changes things.'

  'How?' asked Pug. 'You're not changing your mind?'

  'No. To the contrary, I am now even more determined to take you where you wish to go. I was correct in telling you that you play the Game of Gods, but now you play at a much higher stake than you ever imagined.

  'But I must go and speak to someone, and he will in turn speak with someone else. When we have conferred I will return and when I do, we shall sit and talk of things no mortal, human or Dasati, should ever have to imagine, let alone face.' He looked around, as if suddenly concerned about being overheard. The gesture was almost humorous given their present location, but the implication was not lost on Pug. 'I will return as quickly as I can. It should be obvious that you must say nothing of this to anyone else, not even to Kastor. Now, let us get back to the city and I will be off.'

  Pug and the others exchanged glances, then followed the obviously agitated Dasati.

  * * *

  Valko did not enjoy the festivities. They were odd and troubling to him, though his mother had described such social encounters before. It was as if he possessed an extraordinary ability to see what others could not, or perhaps had more ease in ignoring what blinded or gulled others. This was what his mother had called the 'social warfare' of the Dasati.

  As Hirea had predicted, most of his fellow student warriors were making tavaks of themselves, save for Seeleth, who like Valko had retreated to a corner of the room to watch and appraise.

  Several females had already made overtures to him, younger daughters of minor warriors, and one remarkably beautiful daughter of a Lesser Facilitator who specialized in wholesale arms and armour. Her father was an insect from what Valko could tell, but a very successful insect. And his daughter was extraordinarily attractive and using her beauty like a battering ram against a city gate. Valko had no doubt that given enough wine, several of his more foolish trainees would come to blows over her, perhaps even shed blood. Valko watched the way she moved, the way her otherwise very proper attire clung to every curve of her body suggestively, and the way she smiled. He reckoned she was easily the most dangerous person in the room.

  He considered what Hirea had said earlier about the relationships between families and clans, houses and dynasties. He also remembered what his mother had taught him in contradiction to the conventional wisdom: that mating with a minor warrior's daughter was not necessarily a bad thing, if that coupling produced a successful offspring who might bind that warrior and his family to you as a vassal. Breeding 'up' was not the only way to success, she had taught him. Breeding 'down' to secure a broad foundation could bring many swords to any cause you took up.

  In fact, he considered, looking around the room, there didn't seem to be much opportunity to breed up. Only one young female appeared to come close to Hirea's requirements, and she was surrounded by five of his companions.

  Seeleth came to his side. 'You do not seek to couple tonight, brother?'

  Valko cast him a sidelong glance and shook his head. He saw that Seeleth had elected to wear the badge of Remalu on his armour. There was no prohibition against it, and Valko could have chosen the Camareen badge or the badge of the Sadharin. He chose neither. But to choose to reveal his society badge rather than his kinship badge, to name his father's associations rather than his family, that was strange. Valko was tempted to ask about it, but as with all things regarding Seeleth, he thought silence the better course. Valko had decided the opportunity for a mating for advantage was slim, and he thought Hirea knew this. The old warrior stood near the table of his host, listening to whatever conversation was underway, but his eyes were constantly seeking out his charges around the room, weighing their behaviour.

  Valko knew that as the night wore on his comrades would get drunk and make foolish choices. What he didn't know was if this was something expected and that he should do the same, or whether it was something to be avoided. On one hand he did not wish to squander his time and energy on anything that was not advantageous, but on the other hand, he was mindful of Hirea's warning not to become too distinctive.

  Weighing that choice, he said to his companion, 'And are you not seeking a female, "brother"?'

  Seeleth grinned like a hungry zarkis. 'There is none here worthy of my attention, in truth. Don't you think so?'

  Valko glanced sidelong at him, then turned his attention to the floor. His decision had been made. 'I think that female talking to Tokam might be.'

  'Why? Her father is a lesser knight.'

  'But her mother is the younger sister of someone placed high in the Bloodguard, Unkarlin.' Before Seeleth could speak, Valko stepped away and moved purposefully towards the female. She was attractive and he could feel his pulse starting to rise as he anticipated the possibility of coupling with her or battling with Tokam for her. He knew he would do neither, but by appearing to show interest, he acted predictably enough to avert any suspicion should he be observed, and he avoided wasting his time on a female who really wasn't ideally placed and therefore, in the end, a waste of time.

  He glanced at Hirea, and saw the old warrior was watching him as he approached the pair who were speaking lowly, apparently lost in conversation. Could that be a hint of approval he saw in the old man's eyes?

  Valko decided they must have that private talk, and soon.

  * * *

  Tad fidgeted, Zane stared, and Jommy grinned. The reception at the palace was nothing 'modest' by the boys' standards. At least two hundred courtiers stood along either side of the long carpet leading to the throne, and along the walls two dozen royal guardsmen, the King's First Dragoons, stood at attention in full gear - short round white fur cap with a black scarf that fell from the crown to the left shoulder, cream-coloured jackets with red piping, black straight-legged trousers tucked into knee-high black boots.

  The boys were likewise turned out in their finest clothing, which they had to hurriedly purchase once the summons to the palace arrived. The monks were not happy to see their orderly schedule disrupted, but even the High Priest of La-Timsa couldn't ignore a royal summons.

  Jommy, in particular, preened like a bantam rooster, wearing his first really fine jacket, of green corduroy with golden buttons worn open, a shirt Tad thought silly, but was now the fashion in Roldem - white linen with big ruffles down the front - tight black trousers and ankle-high boots.

  Zane didn't like the boots, for as he observed, they were useless for anything that required real boots, but were not as comfortable as slippers.

  Now the boys stood ready to be presented to the King of Roldem.

  Servan appeared at Jommy's shoulder and whispered, 'This is what you get for saving a prince's life.'

  'If you'd warned me,' said Jommy, not losing his grin, 'I'd have the little rotter still sitting up there.' Servan smiled and looked away.

  Servan and Jommy had not become friends, but they had reached an accommodation. Servan and Godfrey had become civil with the three boys from Sorcerer's Isle, and Jommy had stopped hitting them.

  The Royal Master of Ceremonies struck the floor with the heel of a heavy wooden staff and the hall fell quiet. 'Your Majesties!' he announced, 'My lords, ladies, gentlemen, and all others assembled! Sir Jommy, Sir Tad and Sir Zane of the Royal House of Kesh!'

  '"Sir"?' said Tad. 'When did that happen?'

  Servan whispered. 'Well, they had to think of something to make you sound important. Now walk over to the King, bow the way I showed you, and don't trip!'

  The three boys walked down the long carpet to the designated spot, six paces before the thrones, and bowed as they had been shown. Sitting on twin thrones were King Carol and Queen Gertrude. Standing at the Queen's side was a little girl of no more than eight or nine, Princess Stephane, and at the King's right hand stood three sons: the Crown Prince Constantine, a lad almost the same age as the three boys themselves; Prince Alber, a boy two years his junior, and of course Prince Grandy, who grinned at his friends. Constantine and Alber wore uniforms of the Royal Navy, while Grandy wore a simple tunic, as long as you considered that simple included gold threads and diamond buttons.

  The King smiled and said, 'We owe you a great debt, my young friends, for saving the life of our youngest son.'

  The three had been told not to speak until asked a direct question, but Jommy couldn't help himself and blurted out, 'Not to dispute the honour, Majesty, but your son was really in little danger; he's an enterprising lad who can take care of himself. He was just in a spot of discomfort.'

  For a moment the court fell silent, then the King laughed. Grandy rolled his eyes, but grinned at his classmate.

  'As much as it pleases us to think our youngest boy can take care of himself, as you put it, we know from what was reported to us that his life was at risk and moreover you put yourself at even greater risk to save him.

  'Therefore, it is with pleasure that we reward you with the following.' He waved to the Master of Ceremonies, who stepped forward.

  'Henceforth,' cried the Master of Ceremonies, 'let it be known throughout the realm of Roldem that the three men presented here today shall be Knights of the Royal Court, vested with all the privilege and honour pertaining to that rank, with the gratitude of the court, for their heroic act in saving the life of our beloved son, Grandprey. Moreover they shall carry the title of Knight of the Royal Court throughout their lives. So proclaimed this day, by royal decree.'

  Tad whispered, 'Grandprey?'

  Zane glanced at the boy who looked skyward, as if to say he didn't pick his name, his mother did.

  The boys said nothing else, while the royal court applauded politely. The royal family, however, seemed quite genuine in their warmth and thanks, which Jommy assumed meant that Grandy had given a colourful account of their heroics on the mountain.

  The King stood up and descended the three steps to stand before the boys, while a page in royal livery appeared at his side, holding a large tray. The tray was covered in white velvet, upon which rested three golden pins with the royal crest of the nation on them. The King took the pins from the tray and personally pinned them on the collar of each of the three boys in turn, and then stepped back.

  Jommy glanced over to where Servan stood. The young man motioned for them to bow, so Jommy did so, followed at once by Tad and Zane. The King returned to his throne and said, 'A reception will begin as soon as today's court is adjourned.'

  Servan motioned for the boys to return the way they had come. They bowed as they stepped backwards, turned arid walked to the entrance of the hall.

  Once outside, Servan and Godfrey approached and Servan said, 'Well, that was good. You didn't trip, though keeping your mouth shut does seem a problem for you, doesn't it?'

  Jommy had the good grace to look embarrassed. 'Well, I know, but it wasn't that difficult a situation, and you took a lot more risk saving my arse than I did with Grandy. They should have been giving you the honour.'

  Servan shrugged. 'Well, I won't argue with you, but remember, they don't hand out honours for saving thick-headed peasant boys. Besides, I'm already a Knight of the Court.'

  'What was all that, about, then?' asked Zane.

  Godfrey said, 'What it means is you're knights until you die, but you can't pass along the title to your sons. They'll be peasants like you.'

  Zane rolled his eyes. 'Fine.'

  Tad laughed. Their relationship with Godfrey had also changed to one of guarded tolerance, if not friendship.

  'Come along,' said Servan. 'You need to be at the reception before the royal family makes its entrance. Try not to spill wine on your new clothes. The gods know when you're ever going to dress this well again.'

  Jommy clapped his hand on Servan's shoulder, just hard enough to make Servan's knees buckle ever so slightly, a semi-playful gesture. 'You're an intolerable twit. And just when I was beginning to think you were a tolerable twit.'

  Tad, Zane, and Godfrey all laughed.

  They entered the royal reception hall - a vaulted ceiling with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, through which a brilliant afternoon sun shone. The court was in full attendance, and Jommy nudged first Tad, then Zane at the number of pretty girls in attendance.

  'Girls!' Zane said just loud enough for a few nobles nearby to overhear, causing a few odd glances and a few amused expressions.

  'Behave,' said Godfrey. 'These are the finest daughters in the Kingdom and you're ill-educated louts.'

  Tad said, 'That's ill-educated lout knights, thank you very much. Besides, who helped you pass that examination on geometry yesterday?'

  Godfrey looked slightly embarrassed, but he said, 'Very well. You're well-educated louts.'

  'Well-educated lout knights,' corrected Jommy.

  The banter ceased when they reached their destined position, the centre of a circle of large round tables, each well laden. Servers waited nearby to ensure that the nobility of Roldem and honoured guests wouldn't have to actually secure their own food and drink.

  The royal family entered and everyone bowed. When the King reached the three guests of honour, he signalled to the Master of Ceremonies who slammed his staff on the stone floor. 'At their Royal Majesties' pleasure, you are welcome!'

  At once servers began loading up plates and filling cups. The boys had been instructed not to take any food or drink until after they left the King's company. Tad and Jommy waited, while Zane watched with badly-hidden alarm as the contents of the tables rapidly diminished.

  The King spoke: 'Your modesty does you well, youngster, but never argue with a king in public when he's handing out rewards.'

  Jommy blushed. 'My deepest apology, Majesty.'

  The King motioned with his right hand and a page appeared with a tray, upon which sat three small pouches. 'The offices you've been granted come with some minor properties attached, from which you'll derive an annual small stipend. This is your payment for this year.'

  He looked at a royal courtier who stood nearby, and the man said, 'A hundred sovereigns, Majesty.'

  The King nodded, picked up one bag and handed it to Jommy, then the other two to Tad and Zane. 'Your annuity can be picked up at the royal treasury each year on this date.'

  The boys were speechless. A hundred Roldem sovereigns was worth well over three hundred common pieces of gold in the Vale of Dreams where they were raised. It was an income to match that of Miller Hodover at Stardock Town, the richest man Tad and Zane ever knew. Jommy had never known anyone who earned that sort of income. All three had the same thought at the same instant: they were rich!

  The King said, 'Go and enjoy the attention. It's back to university for you this evening, and as I understand it, the monks are hardly impressed by titles and wealth.'

  The boys bowed and retreated a step, then turned and moved into the crowd. Servan and Godfrey joined them, as Grandy made his way over to the five.

  'Grandprey?' asked Tad.

  Grandy shrugged. 'My mother's grandfather's name. I wasn't consulted.'

  Jommy affected a bow. 'Your highness.'

  Grandy said playfully, 'Sir Jommy.'

  'Speaking of names,' said Servan. 'Just what sort of name is "Jommy"?'

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32