Whats the name? Sparhawk asked him, opening the box and taking out his wifes ring.
Narset, Vanion replied, looking up from the map.
All right. Sparhawk took out the Bhelliom. He held it up and frowned slightly. May I borrow your handkerchief, little mother? he asked Sephrenia.
Use your own, she told him.
I seem to have left home without one. Im not going to blow my nose on it, Sephrenia. Bhellioms getting dusty. I wanted to brush it off a bit.
She gave him a peculiar look.
Its being very helpful. I dont want it to think that Im ungrateful.
Why should you care what it thinks?
Shes obviously never commanded troops, Sparhawk said to Vanion. You might want to expose her to the notion of two-way loyalty someday.
If I get around to it. Do you suppose we can go to Narset as soon as youve finished with your housekeeping?
Sparhawk brushed off the glowing petals of the Sapphire Rose. Hows that? he asked it.
I think hes losing his grip on his sanity, Kalten said to Ulath.
Not really, Sparhawk disagreed. Its got an awareness almost a personality. I could use the rings like whips and drive it, I suppose, but I think Id prefer willing cooperation. The time may come when thats important. He gave Sephrenia back her handkerchief. Hold the box open, Khalad, he told his squire. Ill want to put Bhelliom and Ehlanas ring away again just as soon as we arrive. He looked at Vanion again. Narset? he asked.
I think hes losing his grip on his sanity, Kalten said to Ulath.
Not really, Sparhawk disagreed. Its got an awareness almost a personality. I could use the rings like whips and drive it, I suppose, but I think Id prefer willing cooperation. The time may come when thats important. He gave Sephrenia back her handkerchief. Hold the box open, Khalad, he told his squire. Ill want to put Bhelliom and Ehlanas ring away again just as soon as we arrive. He looked at Vanion again. Narset? he asked.
Narset, Vanion replied firmly.
Blue Rose, Sparhawk said, taking the jewel in both hands, lets go to Narset.
The Bhelliom throbbed, and that blurred twilight came down briefly. Then it cleared again.
Narset was a small, dusty village. The houses were hardly more than mud huts, and they had flat roofs and animal pens at the rear, pens that seemed largely decorative, since chickens, pigs and goats wandered freely in the streets. There was a fair-sized city lying to the east, and all the buildings in that city were covered with white plaster to ward off the brutal desert sun. Sparhawk put Bhelliom and Ehlanas ring away and flipped the golden cap back down over his own ring.
Weve got company coming, Talen warned.
A sallow-faced Tamul in a green silk robe was approaching with a squad of Cynesgan soldiers, swarthy men in the same flowing black and white robes and intricately wound cloth headdresses as the guards at the border had worn. The Tamul had hard-looking eyes, which he tried to conceal behind a contrived expression of joviality.
Well met, Sir Knights, he greeted them in slightly accented Elenic. Weve been expecting you. I am Kanzad, chief of the local office of the Ministry of the Interior. Ambassador Taubel posted me here to greet you.
His Excellency is too kind, Vanion murmured.
All the officials of the Empire have been instructed to cooperate with you fully, Lord.. ?
Vanion.
Kanzad covered a momentary confusion. I was led to believe that a Sir Sparhawk would be in command of your party.
Sparhawks been detained. Hell be joining us later.
Ah. Kanzad recovered. Im afraid therell be some slight delay before you can enter the city, Lord Vanion.
Oh?
Kanzad smiled a thin, humorless smile. King Jaluahs feeling neglected at the moment. He threw a quick look at the squad of Cynesgans standing several paces behind him, then lowered his voice to a confidential tone. Frankly, Lord Vanion, the Cynesgans and this pest-hole they call home are so unimportant in the affairs of the Empire that no one really takes them seriously. Theyre terribly touchy about that. Some idiot at the embassy neglected to pass on a routine communication from Matherion, and now the kings sulking in his palace. His sycophants have filled the streets with crowds of demonstrators. Ambassador Taubels trying to smooth things over without resorting to the use of the Atan garrison, but things are a bit strained in the streets of Cynestra just now. His Excellency suggests that you and your companions wait here in Narset until he sends word that its safe for you to proceed.
As you think best, Vanion murmured politely.
Kanzad visibly relaxed. First of all, lets get in out of this accursed sun.
He turned and led them into the shabby village. There were no more than a couple of dozen of the mud huts surrounding a well located in the sun-baked central square. Sparhawk idly wondered if the women of the village went to the well in the first steely light of dawn as the women of Cippria in Render had, and if they could possibly move with that same fluid grace. Then, for no reason at all, he wondered how Lillias was doing.
Aphrael leaned toward him from her sisters horse. Shame on you, Sparhawk, she murmured.
Youve met Lillias, he replied easily, so you know that shes not the sort of woman you forgetno matter how much you might want to.
The only building of any substance in the village was the local police station, an ominous stone structure with black iron bars on the windows. Kanzads expression was smoothly apologetic. Its not very inviting, Lord Vanion, he said deprecatingly, but its the coolest place in this pig-sty.
Should we kill him now and get it over with? Bevier murmured to Sparhawk in Styric.
Lets hold off on that, Sparhawk replied. We have to wait for Aphraels friendwhoever he isso lets not precipitate anything just yet.
Ive had some refreshments prepared, Kanzad said to Vanion. Why dont we go inside? That sun is really growing unbearable.
The knights dismounted and followed the policeman into the large, dusty office. There was a long table set against one wall, a table laden with plates of sliced melon and figs and with flagons that promised other refreshments. The fruits and melons here arent nearly as palatable as those youd find in Matherion, Kanzad apologized, but the local wines arent entirely undrinkable.
Thanks all the same, Kanzad, Vanion declined, but we stopped for lunch no more than an hour ago. Were all just fine.
A momentary flicker of annoyance crossed the Tamuls face. Ill go make sure that your horses are being properly cared for, then, and Ill send a messenger to the embassy to advise Ambassador Taubel of your arrival. He turned and went on out.
Could you arrange some privacy, dear? Vanion asked Sephrenia in Styric.
Of course, she smiled. She quickly wove the spell and released it.
Someday youll have to teach me that one, he said.
And become redundant? she smiled. Not on your life, my love.
We appear to have taken them by surprise, Bevier noted. Kanzad doesnt seem to have had much time to knock the rough edges off those lies he told us.
I wouldnt, Ulath said as Kalten reached for one of the wine flagons. One sip of that would probably stiffen you like a plank.
Kalten regretfully pushed the flagon away. I suppose youre right, he agreed.
Were prisoners, then, arent we, Talen sighed. Thats depressing. Ive been a thief all my life, and this is the first time Ive ever been arrested.
The fact that these refreshments are probably poisoned complicates things just a bit, Ulath growled. Aside from that, Kanzads been very helpful. Hes just put us inside the strongest building in the village, and he rather carelessly forgot to take our weapons. We can hold this place for as long as necessary.
Youre a fraud, Ulath, Bevier laughed. Tynians right. You pretend to hate sieges, but youre always the first one to suggest forting up.
A true friend wouldnt mention that.
I can provide water if the worst comes to the worst, Sephrenia told them, but lets not precipitate anything just yet. She reached down and picked Flute up. Have you had any hints about the one were waiting for yet?
Flute shook her head. Nothing very specific so far. I think hes on his way, though.
Good. This isnt really a very pleasant place.
A thought, my Lords, Berit said. Wouldnt it be a good idea to have Kanzad in here with usjust as a precaution? If someone starts thinking about storming the building, that might make them give it a few second thoughts.
Good point, Ulath agreed.
Kanzad, however, did not return. The afternoon inched along, and the knights grew increasingly restless.
Hes stalling, you know, Kalten said finally. Either hes got reinforcements on the way, or hes hoping that well get thirsty.
Well just have to wait, Kalten, Flute told him. The one whos going to be joining us is on his way.
Its a race, then. We get to sit here making wagers on who gets here firstour new traveling companion or Kanzads reinforcements.
You can look at it that way if you want to, I suppose.
It was about two hours after their arrival in Narset when a large party came along the road from Cynestra. The man in the lead wore a rose-colored Tamul robe, and he was riding a spirited black horse. The ones following him were Atans.
Whose side are the Atans on? Talen asked.
That depends on whether or not word from Matherion has reached the local garrison telling them to ignore orders from the Ministry of the Interior, Khalad replied.
Things could be even murkier than that, Vanion suggested. Back in Matherion, theres no love lost between the Foreign Ministry and Interior. Kanzad was hinting at the fact that he and Ambassador Taubel are very cozy.
That might suggest that our enemies have managed to penetrate Oscagnes service, Bevier added with a slightly worried frown.
Well find out in a minute, Berit said from where he had been watching out the window. Kanzad just came out from behind the building.
They all crowded around the windows to watch. Kanzads welcoming smile crumbled from his face. What are you doing here, Itagne? he demanded of the Tamul on the black horse. I sent for Ambassador Taubel.