Sezioti is a scholar, and while hes well liked, hes not seen as a natural leader. But he has the support of the Master of Horses, Lord Semalcar, and the Leader of the Royal Charioteers, Lord Rawa, which is more than a match in influence for the Inner Legion.
In short, you once more have a divided Gallery of Lords and Masters and a wholesale civil war is not out of the question.
Im sorry to say that is a possibility, said Turgan Bey.
I think we have common cause, said Kaspar.
Apparently we do, said Bey. Ill have quarters made up for you and see about finding someone who can sponsor you to see the Emperor. Trust me, it will be pro forma by the time you appear before His Majesty. He paused. But what do we do about Hawkins?
Leave him about his business for the time being. Just do what you would have done had he arrived without me.
Well enough, said Bey. Ill have your servant sent for, and in a day or two well start to see what good you can be to us.
More than the safety of the Empire rests on this, I should remind you, said Kaspar. I may not be welcome in Olasko, but I love my nation and my sister, whom I cherish beyond anyone on this world, and her family are there. A war down here that spills over the borders brings threat to them. Civil war in Kesh can easily breed regional instability.
Kaspar thought it best not to mention the Talnoy and the risk from the Dasati. Bey had enough on his mind already.
Bey nodded. I long for simpler times, Kaspar, when all I had to worry about were fractious rebels in the south or ambitious Kingdom generals to the north. He waved Kaspar away and added, Border wars are so much less complex than all this magic, intrigue, and secret alliances. Rest well. Well speak again soon.
Kaspar followed a servant to his new quarters and was pleased to see they were fit for royalty. Seven rooms comprised his apartment, complete with servants some of whom were astonishingly lovely young women, all wearing the traditional Trueblood garb, the same linen kilt and bare chest affected by the men, with a torque of rank around their throat.
When Pasko arrived, he found Kaspar sitting on a divan, nibbling at a platter of fruit while two beautiful young women stood by awaiting his instructions. The former teacher of Talon of the Silver Hawk and long-time agent for the Conclave said, Did all go as planned?
As we expected, said Kaspar. Lord Bey is everything we were told he would be.
Both men looked around at their opulent surroundings. Kaspar glanced at one of the girls, who smiled back at him warmly. He then looked at Pasko and said, Had I thought it would turn out like this, I would have asked for political asylum long ago.
CHAPTER TEN
Threat
RALAN BEK WAS GONE.
Nakor sat up, looked around and saw no sign of the young man. Then something moved just over the top of a small rise to the east of the cave. As he stood, Bek hove into view carrying a large bundle of sticks.
Youre up, said the young man with a grin, adding, obviously.
Yes, said Nakor with a smile. I am.
I noticed the fire burning low and thought Id get more wood. Again he added, Obviously.
Nakor nodded. You hungry?
Always, said the young man, putting the firewood down and sitting close to where Nakor fumbled through his rucksack. No more oranges, I hope. Im getting the flux.
Nakor shook his head. Travel food. He took out a packet wrapped in oiled paper and said, Here.
Bek opened the paper and found half a loaf of bread, some hard cheese and dried beef. Not the worst Ive eaten, he said, shovelling the first bite into his mouth.
As they ate, Nakor studied the young man. There was something about him that Nakor almost understood, but he had to look hard, as if somehow it would just take a bit more will to perceive it.
What?
What?
Youre staring at me. Its odd.
Nakor grinned. You and I have had similar beginnings. My father used to beat me when I wandered off as a boy. Nakor went on to tell Bek about his own youth, being a gambler, and running into Pug and the other magicians.
So that explains why the big man in white and gold was here.
Why do you say that?
Because I dont understand half of what youre saying, Nakor, but I do understand that these are very important people youre talking about, and important people have powerful allies. And I suppose those things in the cave are important and powerful, too.
You snuck in there?
Grinning, Bek said, You know I did. You were awake, I know you were.
Why do you think that?
Because I wouldnt have slept if I had thought that someone might try to take advantage of me.
Why didnt you? asked Nakor, then he took another bite of food.
Because Im not stupid, even though sometimes things dont make sense to me.
So thats why you didnt try to attack me or flee on the first night?
Bek shrugged. I have nowhere else to be, and those things in there are as interesting as anything Ive seen in a while. And I know not to take stupid chances.
And leaving or attacking me would have been stupid?
Bek nodded. Ive met your type before, Nakor. You act silly and harmless, but you know what youre doing. You wouldnt have stayed here alone with me unless you were confident that you could keep me from hurting you, or you knew you could hurt me.
Nakor shrugged, and Bek pointed an accusing figure at him. Youre some kind of magic user, right?
Nakor shrugged again. I know some tricks.
Nodding as he chewed, Bek said, I thought so.
What are your plans, Ralan?
Bek shrugged. I dont think like that. I just go out and find some lads, find a fight, find a woman, whatever. I dont see the point in making plans. Its not as if I have anything anyone wants; I mean, I cant mill or plough, or do anything that people want to pay you to do. All I can do is fight and ride.
There are many places where a man who can fight like you can earn a living.
Soldiering! He spat. Wear a uniform and take orders yes sir, no mlord and all that? Never. I tried being a mercenary once, but that was boring. I just need He stared off into space for a moment, then his dark eyes regarded Nakor. Im not sure what I need, but something drives me.
Nakor nodded. I think I understand.
If you do, then youre the first. Then he stood up and drew his sword from his scabbard. Nakors eyes widened slightly but he didnt move. Troubles coming, said Bek.
Then Nakor heard horses on the trail. He stood as Bek crested the rise and started down the track. Nakor hurried to the top of the rise so he could see the vista below.
A hundred yards down the trail he saw two riders approaching Bek. Both reined in and stood their ground when the armed man approached them on foot. As one of them began to speak, Bek leapt an amazing distance, covering the ground between himself and the first rider. Before either horseman could react, Bek swung as hard as he could, and removed the first mans arm at his shoulder.
The other man was momentarily stunned, and then started to turn his horse to flee. Bek reached back and hurled his sword, launching it like a javelin, and the blade speared the man through the back. He fell from his horse and hit the ground before Nakor could take two steps.
By the time Nakor reached the scene of the carnage, Bek had retrieved his sword and was cleaning the blade on the tunic of one of the two men. What happened? asked Nakor.
You wanted to keep this place a secret. Bek reached down and took a hat from one of the dead men: a broad-brimmed, black felt thing with a low crown wrapped with a leather hatband and decorated with glass beadwork. I like this hat, he said, putting on his head to see if it fitted. He adjusted it, and said, Nice hat.
But
Bek shrugged. Got any more to eat?
Nakor watched as Ralan Bek calmly marched over the rise. He followed him and found the young man sitting exactly where he had been moments before, and eating what was left on the oiled paper. Got one of those oranges left?
Nakor reached in and got one and tossed it to him. Why did you kill those men? Why not just send them away?
Because they would only assume that there was something here and inevitably come back, and maybe bring more men with them. I thought Id save a lot of needless talking and took care of the problem swiftly. It was either kill two men now, or many more later. His eyes narrowed as he asked, Is there something wrong with that?
Nakor shook his head. Its murder.
Bek shrugged. If they could have killed me, they would have.
Nakors voice rose, In self defence! Ive seen you fight. You tested Tomas, and the only mortal man who could come close to doing that was Talwin Hawkins, and he was a Champion of the Masters Court! They never stood a chance!
Never heard of him.
You wouldnt have, down here. Nakor studied Bek while the young man finished his food. Bek leaned back, looked at Nakor and said, Now what are we going to do?
Nakor said, We wait.
Wait for what?
For another to come and study those things, so that I can go about some other business.
Perhaps I may go with you? said Bek, flashing a grin.
Perhaps you should, said Nakor. You have an impulsive nature and a complete lack of concern for any consequences.
Why should I worry about consequences? asked Bek. Someday Ill die; but before that I want to have things, and anyone who stands in my way will suffer for it. He smiled. And I enjoy making them suffer if it comes to that. If someone is strong enough to kill me, then it will be over.
You dont worry about what will happen when you arise in Lims-Kragmas Hall, to face your judgment?
Bek shrugged. Why should I? I am as the gods made me, arent I? If one of them has a problem with my behaviour, then let them act. I cant stand against a god, so if Im wrong why hasnt one of them turned me into a bug yet? he asked with a laugh. Because, I dont think the gods care what I do. I dont think the gods care what anyone does. He nodded, as if he had given this a lot of thought. I guess you could get into trouble if you sacked a temple, or killed a priest for no reason, but if you leave the gods alone, then they leave you alone. Thats how I see it.
Nakor said, What about friends? Family?
Bek looked at Nakor. Do you have friends and family?
Nakor said, Family, no. I had a wife once, but that was a very long time ago. But friends? Yes, I have many friends, the most and best Ive ever had, right now. People whom I trust and who trust me.
Then youre lucky, I suppose. Bek looked off into the distance as if he was seeing something in the air.
Sometimes I think that theres something about me that scares people. I never find I have much in common with most of them. He looked at Nakor. Mostly I find young bravos to ride with, looking for a good time, trouble or quick gold. From time to time I meet a few I like; usually lads who really enjoy a brawl. There was this one lad, Casamir, he liked to drink and fight. It didnt matter if there was no reason for it; he just would find somebody, hit them and start one. He really enjoyed pain. Beks eyes shone as he talked. I enjoyed watching him beat up people, until a guardsman down in Kiptak broke his head with the butt of a sword. I finished off the guardsman but had to flee Kiptak. So now I travel with whoever I find whos looking for fun, but theres nobody Id call a true friend.
Nakor was silent as he considered what he knew about this young man, which was very little, and what he suspected, which was a great deal. Finally he said, When did you start hearing voices?
Bek stared at Nakor for a long minute then said, When I was about eight or nine years old. How do you know about the voices?
Because I heard them when I was that age, too.
What did they say to you? asked Bek, looking eagerly at Nakor as he waited for an answer.
That I needed to be somewhere else.
Beks face lit up as he smiled. Thats what I hear, too. Then he lost the smile. That and other things.
What other things? asked Nakor.
I dont know. Bek shrugged and looked down. Sometimes theyre not really voices, but feelings that I need to do something. Hurt someone. Take something. Go somewhere. He looked back at the cave. Thats how I felt when I heard about this cave. Some of the boys with me didnt want to bother, but I knew I had to come here.
Nakor nodded. When did the dreams start?
Bek closed his eyes, as if something suddenly pained him. I dont remember not having them. He opened his eyes and again stared into space. Theyre
After a moment of silence, Nakor said gently, Theyre what?
Bek looked at Nakor. Its like Im looking through a window or standing on a tower looking down. I see things places people doing things. He looked away again. Violent things, Nakor. I see battles, rapes, burning cities Sometimes it can be too much for me. Its like when you meet a girl who likes to be slapped when youre coupling, and so you slap her. And then you reach the point where she wants you to stop and youre there, with your hand held back and you know that shes not enjoying it any more, but you also know that hitting her just one more time will feel so good. She gets frightened and starts crying, but that only makes you feel even better. But if you hit her now, shell stop being afraid because shell be unconscious
Or dead, said Nakor softly.
Bek shrugged. Or dead. Its that place in the middle, its being on the edge of it, knowing that in an instant everything could change. Its like jumping your horse over something that may just be a little too high, or the feeling of running through a door, knowing that just inside the room someones waiting to kill you. His eyes were wide now and he stared at Nakor with a manic expression. I always wake with a sense of dread and, as if Im waiting for something to happen?
Constant anticipation?
Yes! Anticipation, as if those scenes are just out of reach you know? He lost his frenzied expression and his face resolved into a mask of thoughtfulness.
Yes, said Nakor softly. I know.