Are you all right? Sparhawk asked her.
Ive been preparing myself for the ritual in the throne-room, she replied.
There might be some fighting, Kurik said. Is it really a good idea for us to bring Talen along with us?
I can protect him, she said, and his presence is necessary. There are reasons, but I dont think youd understand them.
Lets mount up and go, Vanion said.
There was a great deal of clinking as the hundred black-armoured Pandion Knights climbed into their saddles. Sparhawk took his customary place at Vanions side with Kalten, Bevier, Tynian and Ulath close behind them and the column of Pandions strung out to the rear. They crossed the drawbridge at a trot and bore down on the startled group of church soldiers outside the gate. At a curt signal from Vanion, a score of Pandions swung out from the column and encircled the so-called workmen. Hold them here until the rest of us take the city gates, Vanion instructed. Then bring them into the city and rejoin us.
Yes, My Lord, Sir Perraine replied.
All right, gentlemen, Vanion said then, I think a gallop is in order at this point. Lets not give the soldiers in the city too much time to prepare for our arrival.
They thundered across the rather short distance between the chapterhouse and the east gate of Cimmura. Despite Kaltens concern about the possibility of the gates being closed to them, the soldiers there were too surprised to react in time.
Sir Knights! an officer protested shrilly. You cant enter the city without the Prince Regents authorization!
With your permission, Lord Vanion? Tynian asked politely.
Of course, Sir Tynian, Vanion consented. We have pressing matters to attend to, and we dont really have time for idle chit-chat here.
Tynian moved his horse forward. The knight from Deira was deceptively moon-faced. He had the sort of countenance one would normally associate with good humour and a generally happy approach to life. His armour, however, concealed a massively-developed upper torso and powerful arms and shoulders. He drew his sword. My friend, he said pleasantly to the officer, would you be so good as to step aside so that we may proceed? Im sure none of us wants any unpleasantness here. His tone was civil, almost conversational.
Many of the church soldiers, long accustomed to having things their own way in Cimmura, were not really prepared to have anyone question their authority. It was the officers misfortune to be one of those soldiers. I must forbid your entry into the city without specific authorization from the Prince Regent, he declared stubbornly.
Thats your final word then? Tynian asked in a regretful tone.
It is.
Its your decision, friend, Tynian said. Then he raised up in his stirrups and swung a vast overhand blow with his sword.
Since the officer could not believe that anyone would actually defy him, he made no move to protect himself. His expression was one of amazement as Tynians heavy, broad-bladed sword struck the angle between his neck and shoulder and sheared diagonally down into his body. Blood fountained up from the dreadful wound, and the suddenly limp body hung from Tynians sword, held there by the crushed-in edges of the great rent in the officers steel breastplate. Tynian leaned back in his saddle, removed his foot from his stirrup and kicked the body off his sword-blade. I did ask him to move out of our way, Lord Vanion, he explained. Since he chose not to, what just happened is entirely his responsibility, wouldnt you say?
It was indeed, Sir Tynian, Vanion agreed. I see no blame accruing to you in this matter. You were the very soul of courtesy.
Lets proceed then, Ulath said. He slipped his war-axe from its sling at the side of his saddle. All right, he said to the wide-eyed church soldiers, whos next?
The soldiers fled.
The knights who had been guarding the workmen came up at a trot, herding their prisoners ahead of them. Vanion left ten of them to hold the gates, and the column moved on into the city. The citizens of Cimmura were fully aware of the situation at the palace, and when they saw a column of bleak-faced Pandion Knights in their ominous black armour riding through the cobbled streets, they knew immediately that a confrontation was imminent. Doors slammed up and down the street, and shutters were hastily closed from the inside.
The knights rode on through now-deserted streets.
There was a sudden spiteful buzz from behind them, and a heavy clang. Sparhawk half-wheeled Faran.
You really ought to watch your back, Sparhawk, Kalten told him. That was a crossbow bolt, and it would have taken you right between the shoulder-blades. You owe me what its going to cost me to have my shield re-enamelled.
I owe you more than that, Kalten, Sparhawk said gratefully.
Strange, Tynian said. The crossbows a Lamork weapon. Not many church soldiers carry them.
Maybe it was something personal, Ulath grunted. Have you offended any Lamorks lately, Sparhawk?
Not that I know of.
There wont be much point in extended conversation when we get to the palace, Vanion said. Ill order the soldiers to throw down their arms when we arrive.
Do you think theyll do it? Kalten asked.
Vanion grinned mirthlessly. Probably not at least not without several object lessons. When we get there, Sparhawk, I want you to take your friends here and secure the door to the palace. I dont think well want to chase church soldiers up and down the halls.
Right, Sparhawk agreed.
The church soldiers, warned by the men who had fled from the city gates, had formed up in the palace courtyard, and the largely ornamental palace gates were closed.
Bring up the ram, Vanion called.
A dozen Pandions rode forward with a heavy log carried in rope slings attached to their saddles. It took them perhaps five minutes to batter down the gates, and then the Church Knights streamed into the courtyard.
Throw down your weapons! Vanion shouted to the confused soldiers in the yard.
Sparhawk led his friends around the perimeter of the courtyard to the large doors that gave entry into the palace. There they dismounted and climbed the stairs to confront the dozen soldiers on guard in front of the door. The officer in charge drew his sword. No one may enter! he barked.
Get out of my way, neighbour, Sparhawk said in his deadly quiet voice.
I dont take orders from the officer began. Then his eyes glazed as there was a sudden sound like that a melon might make when dropped on a stone floor as Kurik deftly brained him with his spiked chain mace. The officer dropped, twitching.
Thats something new, Sir Tynian said to Sir Ulath. I never saw a man with brains coming out of his ears before.
Kuriks very good with that mace, Ulath agreed.
Any questions? Sparhawk asked the other soldiers ominously.
They stared at him.
I believe you were told to drop your weapons, Kalten told them.
They hurriedly shed their arms.
Were relieving you here, neighbours, Sparhawk informed them. You may join your friends out there in the yard.
They quickly went down the stairs.
The mounted Pandions were slowly advancing on the church soldiers standing in the courtyard. There was some sporadic resistance from the more fanatic of the soldiers, and the Pandion Knights provided a sizeable number of those object lessons their Preceptor had mentioned. The centre of the courtyard soon flowed with blood, and it was littered with unattached heads, arms and a few legs. More and more of the soldiers saw the direction the fight was going, threw away their weapons and raised their hands in surrender. There was one stubborn pocket of resistance, but the knights pushed the struggling soldiers up against one wall and slaughtered them.
They quickly went down the stairs.
The mounted Pandions were slowly advancing on the church soldiers standing in the courtyard. There was some sporadic resistance from the more fanatic of the soldiers, and the Pandion Knights provided a sizeable number of those object lessons their Preceptor had mentioned. The centre of the courtyard soon flowed with blood, and it was littered with unattached heads, arms and a few legs. More and more of the soldiers saw the direction the fight was going, threw away their weapons and raised their hands in surrender. There was one stubborn pocket of resistance, but the knights pushed the struggling soldiers up against one wall and slaughtered them.
Vanion looked around the yard. Herd the survivors into the stables, he ordered, and post a few guards. Then he dismounted and walked back to the shattered gate. Its all over now, little mother, he called to Sephrenia, who had waited outside with Talen and Berit. Its safe to come in now.
Sephrenia rode her white palfrey into the courtyard, shielding her eyes with one hand. Talen, however, looked around with bright vicious eyes.
Lets get rid of this, Ulath said to Kurik, bending to pick up the shoulders of the dead officer. The two of them carried the body off to one side, and Tynian thoughtfully scraped the puddle of brains off the top step with one foot.
Do you people always chop your enemies to pieces like this? Talen asked Sparhawk as he dismounted and went over to help Sephrenia down from her horse.
Sparhawk shrugged. Vanion wanted the soldiers to see what would happen to them if they offered any more resistance. Dismemberment is usually quite convincing.
Must you? Sephrenia shuddered.
Youd better let us go in first, little mother, Sparhawk said as Vanion joined them with twenty knights. There may be soldiers hiding in there.
As it turned out, there were a few, but Vanions knights efficiently flushed them from their hiding places and took them to the main door and gave them pointed instructions to join their comrades in the stables.
The doors to the council chamber were unguarded, and Sparhawk opened the door and held it for Vanion.
Lycheas was cowering, slack-lipped and trembling behind the council table with the fat man in red, and Baron Harparin was desperately yanking on one of the bell-pulls. You cant come in here! Harparin said shrilly to Vanion in his high-pitched, effeminate voice. I command you to leave at once on the authority of King Lycheas.
Vanion looked at him coldly. Sparhawk knew that Vanion bore a towering contempt for the disgusting pederast. This man irritates me, he said in a flat voice, pointing at Harparin. Will someone please do something about him?
Ulath strode around the table, his war-axe in his hands.
You wouldnt dare! Harparin squealed, cringing back and still yanking futilely at the bell-pull. Im a member of the royal council. You wouldnt dare do anything to me.
Ulath did, in fact, dare. Harparins head bounced once and then rolled across the carpet to come to rest near the window. His mouth was agape, and his eyes were still bulging in horror. Was that more or less what you had in mind, Lord Vanion? the big Thalesian asked politely.
Approximately, yes. Thank you, Sir Ulath.
How about these other two? Ulath pointed his axe at Lycheas and the fat man.
Ah not just yet, Sir Ulath. The Pandion Preceptor approached the council table carrying the case containing the swords of the knights who had fallen. Now, Lycheas, where is the Earl of Lenda? he demanded.
Lycheas gaped at him.
Sir Ulath, Vanion said in a tone like ice.
Ulath grimly lifted his blood-stained axe.
No! Lycheas screamed. Lendas confined down in the cellars. We didnt hurt him at all, Lord Vanion. I swear to you that hes
Take Lycheas and this other one down to the dungeon, Vanion ordered a pair of his knights. Release the Earl of Lenda and replace him in the cell with these. Then bring Lenda here.
If I may, My Lord? Sparhawk asked.
Of course.
Lycheas the bastard, Sparhawk said formally, as Queens Champion, it is my distinct pleasure to place you under arrest on the charge of high treason. The penalty is rather well known. Well attend to that just as soon as its convenient. Thinking about it might give you something to occupy the long, tedious hours of your confinement.
I could save you a great deal of time and expense, Sparhawk, Ulath offered helpfully, hefting his axe again.
Sparhawk pretended to consider it. No, he said regretfully. Lycheas has run rough-shod over the people of Cimmura. I think theyre entitled to the spectacle of a nice, messy public execution.
Lycheas was actually blubbering in terror as Sir Perraine and another knight dragged him past the wide-eyed head of Baron Harparin and out of the room.
Youre a hard and ruthless man, Sparhawk, Bevier noted.
I know. Sparhawk looked at Vanion. Well have to wait for Lenda, he said. Hes got the key to the throne-room. I dont want Ehlana to wake up and find that weve chopped her door down.
Vanion nodded. I need him for something anyway, he said. He put the sword case on the council table and sat down in one of the chairs. Oh, by the way, he said, cover Harparin up before Sephrenia gets here. Things like that distress her. It was yet another clue, Sparhawk thought. Vanions concern for Sephrenia went far beyond what was customary.
Ulath went to the window, jerked down one of the drapes and turned back, pausing only to kick Harparins head back over beside the pederasts body, then he covered the remains with the drape.
A whole generation of little boys will sleep more securely now that Harparins no longer with us, Kalten observed lightly, and theyll probably mention Ulath in their prayers every night.
Ill take all the blessings I can get, Ulath shrugged.
Sephrenia entered with Talen and Berit in tow. She looked around. Im pleasantly surprised, she noted. I was more or less expecting additional carnage. Then her eyes narrowed. She pointed at the draped body lying by the wall. Whats that? she demanded.
The late Baron Harparin, Kalten told her. He left us rather suddenly.
Did you do that, Sparhawk? she accused.
Me?
I know you all too well, Sparhawk.
Actually, Sephrenia, it was me, Ulath drawled. Im very sorry if it bothers you, but then, Im Thalesian. Were widely reputed to be barbarians. He shrugged. One is more or less obliged to uphold the reputation of his homeland, wouldnt you say?
She refused to answer that. She looked around at the faces of the other Pandions in the room. Good, she said. Were all here. Open that case, Vanion.
Vanion opened the sword-case.
Sir Knights, Sephrenia addressed the Pandions in the room as she laid Sir Gareds sword on the table beside the case. Some months ago, twelve of you joined with me in casting the enchantment which has sustained the life of Queen Ehlana. Six of your brave companions have gone into the House of the Dead since then. Their swords, however, must be present when we undo the enchantment that we may cure the queen. Thus, each of you who were there must carry the sword of one of your fallen brothers as well as your own. I will work the spell which will make it possible for you to take up those swords. We will then proceed to the throne-room, where the swords of the fallen will be taken from you.