[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Kith-Kanan looked to Sithas. "This was your idea, Sith?"
His brother shrugged. "Clear reasoning pointed to you and no one
else."
Kith-Kanan ran a hand through his tousled hair. The crafty old
Dunbarth knew all through their ride this morning and hadn't said a word.
In fact, had he led the way to the Market to show Kith-Kanan the slaves at
work there? To prepare him for this?
"You can refuse," noted the speaker, "if you wish." He plainly
expected no such reaction from his stalwart son.
A rush of images and thoughts flooded Kith-Kanan's mind. In quick
succession he saw the ruined village he and Mackeli had found; Voltorno,
roving and plundering at will through Silvanesti; Anaya, mortally stricken,
fighting bows and swords with a flint knife; Kagonesti slaves, stripped of
their lives.
The prince also heard his own words: "If the people had possessed a
few spears, and had known how to fight, they might all have been saved."
Kith-Kanan's gaze remained on his twin for a long moment, then he
looked at the speaker.
"I accept," he said quietly.
* * * * *
With Mackeli at his side, Kith-Kanan spent the next few days
interviewing members of the royal guard who had volunteered for the
militia. As he had predicted, the lure of free land was a powerful
inducement to soldiers who seldom owned anything more than the clothes
on their backs. Kith-Kanan could select the very best of them as his
sergeants.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
A great public celebration had been declared, both to honor the new
agreement with Ergoth and Thorbardin and to honor Kith-Kanan's ascent
to command of the new militia of House Protector. The force was already
being called the Wildrunners, after the old name given to the armed bands
of Kagonesti who had fought for Silvanos during the wars of elven
unification.
* * * * *
"I still don't understand why we don't just fly out there," Mackeli said,
struggling under the weight of real armor and a pot-shaped iron helmet.
"Griffons are reserved as mounts of House Royal," Kith-Kanan said.
"Besides, there aren't enough of them for this whole company." He
cinched a rope tight around the last bundle of his personal gear. His
chestnut charger, Kijo, bore the weight of bedroll and armor well.
Kith-Kanan had been pleased to discover that his old mount was still as
spirited as ever.
Mackeli regarded the horses skeptically. "Are you sure these beasts
are tame?"
Kith-Kanan smiled. "You rode Arcuballis one thousand feet up in the
air, and now you're worried about riding on horseback?"
"I know Arcuballis," the boy said apprehensively. "I don't know these
animals."
"It will be all right." Kith-Kanan went down the line of horses and
warriors. The last knots were made, and the good-byes were being said.
The Processional Road was full of elves and horses. Two hundred and
fifty warriors and an equal number of mounts milled about. Unlike Sithel's
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
earlier, ill-fated expedition, Kith-Kanan's band was to be entirely mounted
and self-sufficient. This was the largest force to leave Silvanost since the
days of the founding wars.
It was a splendid spectacle, and the sides of the street were lined with
townsfolk. The warriors had discarded their fancy parade armor in favor of
more practical equipment. Each elf wore a hammered iron breastplate and
a simple, open-faced helmet. Bronze shields, shaped like hourglasses,
hung from each saddlehorn. Every warrior carried a bow, twenty arrows, a
sword, a knife, and a heavy javelin that could be used for thrusting or
throwing. The horses wore only minimal trapping, as mobility was more
important than protection.
Kith-Kanan tucked his gauntlets under his arm as he mounted the
steps to the processional entrance of the Tower of the Stars. There stood
his father and mother, Sithas and Hermathya, Lady Teralind, Praetor
Ulwen in his chair, and Ulvissen. Lord Dunbarth had begged off attending
the departure ceremony. He was afflicted with a colic, according to his
faithful secretary, Drollo. Kith-Kanan knew that the old rascal had been
living it up in the inns and taverns along the riverfront since the treaty had
been approved by the emperor of Ergoth and the king of Thorbardin.
The prince ascended the steps in measured tread, keeping his eyes
fixed on his father. Sithel was wearing the formal Crown of Stars, a
magnificent golden circlet that featured as its central stone the famed Eye
of Astarin, the largest emerald in all of Krynn. The gem caught the rays of
the midmorning sun and sent flashes of verdant light across the street and
gardens.
Beside Sithel stood Lady Nirakina. She was dressed in a gown of
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
palest blue and wore a filigree silver torc around her throat. Her
honey-colored hair was held in a silver cloth scarf. There was something
sad and remote about her expression no doubt it was the realization that
she was losing her younger son again, after he'd been home less than a
month.
Kith-Kanan reached the step just below the landing where the royal
family was gathered. He removed his helmet and bowed to his father.
"Noble father, gracious mother," he said with dignity.
"Stand with me," said Sithel warmly. Kith-Kanan made the final step
and stood beside his father.
"Your mother and I have something to give you," the speaker said in a
private tone. "Open it when you are alone." Nirakina handed her husband
a red silk kerchief, the corners of which were tied together. Sithel pressed
this into Kith-Kanan's hand.
"Now for the public words," the speaker said with the faintest trace of
a smile. Sithel looked out over the crowd. He raised his hand and
declaimed, "People of SlIvanost! I present you my son, Kith-Kanan, in
whose trust I place the peace and safety of the realm." To Kith-Kanan he
asked loudly, "Will you faithfully and honorably discharge the duties of
lord constable in all parts of our realm and any other provinces you may
enter?"
Loudly and clearly Kith-Kanan replied, "By E'li, I swear I will." The
crowd roared in approval.
Standing apart on the speaker's left were Sithas and Hermathya. The
lady, who was radiantly beautiful in cream white and gold, had a serene
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
expression on her fine-boned face. But Kith-Kanan's twin smiled on him
as he approached for a blessing.
"Good hunting, Kith," said Sithas warmly. "Show the humans what
elven mettle is like!"
"That I'll do, Sith." Without warning, Kith-Kanan embraced his
brother. Sithas returned Kith-Kanan's embrace with fervor.
"Keep yourself safe, Brother," Sithas said softly, then broke away.
Kith-Kanan turned to Hermathya. "Farewell, Lady."
"Good-bye," she replied coldly.
Kith-Kanan descended the steps. Mackeli was holding Kijo's reins.
"What did the lady say?" he asked, gazing up at Hermathya with rapt
admiration.
"You noticed her, did you?"
"Well, yes! She's like a sunflower in a hedge of thistles "
Kith-Kanan swung into the saddle. "By Astarin! You're starting to
sound like a bard! It's a good thing we're getting you out of the city. Anaya
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]