[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Feeling momentarily secure, Ragnarson prowled round the throne. "Hey," he said
suddenly. "I think I've found a way out." He had noticed that, from a certain
angle, he could vaguely discern a rectangle of darkness that obscured the
black pillars and walls behind it. Itseemed the same size as the curtain they
had plunged into getting here.
"Self, would be grateful for same," said Mocker. "Magic binding two localities
together is unraveling."
For some time there had been a gentle trembling in the floor. Ragnarson hadn't
paid it any heed, thinking it the demon rumbling around. "What if?..."
"If fool-headed venturers don't find exit, then long walk home from Shinsan
for same," Mocker replied.
"Here, then. Looks like the way we came in." He ran at the rectangle. The
whirling, kaleidoscopic sensations returned. After a stench-filled eternity he
stepped into the corridor where they had originally been entrapped. Mocker
appeared an instant behind him.
They were still trapped.
"Make yourself comfortable," said Ragnarson, sitting with his back to a wall
and his sword across his lap. "I'm not going back through that."
"Self, would prefer dying in west, too," said Mocker. "Though in Ruderin back
country of own stupidity? Not even battle to end heroic life with heroic
death, lots of witnesses to final bravery? Woe!"
Stone grumbled around them. Dust fell from the ceiling.
"Sounds bad," said Ragnarson.
"Crushed to death. Ignominious end for great mind. Am fool. Friend should have
pointed out same, dragged fat idiot to camp kicking and screaming if needful."
"Is the light getting weaker?"
"Verity. Magicks devolving. Portal to Shinsan weak-ening also."
Page 63
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Indeed it was, getting fluttery around the edges and occasionally showing a
swift-running shot of color.
"Maybe we can get out. If the place don't fall down first."
"Maybe so."
The curtain winked out of existence. They found themselves staring into the
startled faces of several mercenaries. "Ghosts!" one cried.
"Boo!" said Mocker, then cackled madly. "Out of way. Everybody's out of way
before very important head, headof self, gets mashed by falling castle."
Fifteen minutes later they were astride their mounts, atop a hill, watching
the castle collapse. Fogs of darkness engulfed its base, darkness untouched by
the morning sun. A plume of that blackness, like smoke, rose against the dawn
and bent its head eastward. The destruction proceeded in unnatural silence.
"Going home," said Mocker.
"We'll hear from them again," Ragnarson replied.
Tarlson and Blackfang, who had been working round the rim of the valley,
arrived. "You're lucky I mentioned the castle to the guide," said Eanred. "He
said there wasn't any such place, so I scared up a rescue party."
"I'm grateful," said Ragnarson.
They talked at some length. When Ragnarson mentioned the winged man, Tarlson
grew silent and withdrawn.
ii) Passage to Ravelin
The march to the Altean ferry was disconcerting. A regiment of Anstokin
infantry paced them along the Ruderin border, making no overt moves but
slowing their progress by forcing them to remain battle-ready. Crossing the
River Scarlotti while Anstokin's force maneuvered nearby was a laborious
business that took two days.
Tarlson grew jumpy as a cat. Still there were no messages from Kavelin, just
rumors relayed by Altean officers. Those were not good. Skirmishing had broken
out all over the kingdom. The Queen still held Vorgreberg, but the populace
were being whipped up by a dozen propagandists.' Lord Breitbarth, a cousin of
the dead King and the strongest pretender, was assembling a major force at
Damhorst, near the Kavelin-Altean border, where Ragnarson was expected to
cross. Damhorst lay on the great eastern trade route, which linked Vorgreberg
with the Altean capital and the coastal city-kingdoms.
Ragnarson, too, grew concerned at the paucity of news. He had expected to hear
from Haroun by now. All he knew was what he had coaxed from the Alteans. One
went so far as to loan him a map of the border country, a violation of his
orders. Though Kendel, Ruderin, and Altea covertly supported bin Yousif's
scheme, openly none could do more than grant passage to mercenaries. There was
a point, Ragnarson saw while studying the map, where the borders of Anstokin,
Volstokin, Kavelin and Altea all came together. It was hilly country, almost
without roads.
"What I'm thinking about," said Ragnarson, meeting with Blackfang, Kildragon,
and Tarlson, "is following the highway to this town, Staake, so it looks like
I'm committed to it. Then I'll abandon the wagons, make a night march north,
Page 64
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
and enter Kavelin through the hills above this Lake Berberich. I'll swing
around and take Breitbarth in the flank. Assuming he's surprised. Mocker'11
let us know."
Mocker had vanished at the ferry.
Tarlson paced, mumbled, shook his head. "Your men are green. They won't stand
up to it."
"Maybe not. Now's a good time to find out. I've never had much use for
positional warfare."
"Bin Yousif's influence."
Bragi studied Tarlson thoughtfully. How much did he know? Or suspect?
'"Possibly. I've followed his career."
"As you said when we met, it's your command. I'll help any way I can."
"What I want is guides. Scouts. Woodsmen for outrunners."
"That's Marena Dimura country. They're touchy-people. They could go either
way."
"How do they stand on Breitbarth?"
"They'd like his head. He hunts them like animals."
"Lesser of two evils, then. Ride over and sign them up. Promise them
Breitbarth if we catch him."
"A noble? You'd buy those savages with the life of a noble?"
"J ust another man to me." He was puzzled by Tarlson'sincredulity. Eanred
didn't hold the Nordmen in high esteem. "I'm not one of your Kaveliner
chevaliers. War's serious business. I fight to win."
"But you'll unite the Nordmen against you."
"They're unanimous already: the Queen, my employer, has to go. They're all
against me anyway." He felt like saying more, but held his tongue. They might
be enemies some day.
"All right. I'll go."
Reliable news awaited them at Staake, little of it good. None had come before
because Baron Breitbarth had intercepted all the messengers. But one of
Tarlson's men finally reached Ragnarson.
Breitbarth had convinced several barons that dispos-ing of Ragnarson was the
chief business at hand. He had gathered twenty-two hundred men at Damhorst.
Further, his claim to Kavelin's crown had been recognized by Volstokin, which
threatened intercession. There were rumors of a pact between Breitbarth and
Volstokin's King. And, grimmest news of all, Breitbarth had seized the money
meant for Ragnarson's mercenaries.
From Vorgreberg the news was better. The Queen's Own had remained loyal, and
the Queen herself had managed to still unrest by going to the people in the
streets. But bands of partisans had begun raiding in the country.
Page 65
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
And there was a letter from Haroun, that came to him he knew not how. It
appeared in his tent while he was out.
It covered the same information, in greater detail, and said more about
Volstokin.
Not only had King Vodicka made an agreement with Breitbarth, he had made
another with El Murid. After the dust had settled and Breitbarth had been
crowned, Volstokin, with aid from El Murid, would occupy Kavelin...
After reflection, Bragi called Blackfang. "Make sure there's plenty of wood
for the watchfires. I want them kept burning all night." The Kavelin border
was just two miles away, and Damhorst only ten beyond. If his ruse were
detected, Breitbarth would soon know. He needed every minute.
iii) Saltimbanco [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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Feeling momentarily secure, Ragnarson prowled round the throne. "Hey," he said
suddenly. "I think I've found a way out." He had noticed that, from a certain
angle, he could vaguely discern a rectangle of darkness that obscured the
black pillars and walls behind it. Itseemed the same size as the curtain they
had plunged into getting here.
"Self, would be grateful for same," said Mocker. "Magic binding two localities
together is unraveling."
For some time there had been a gentle trembling in the floor. Ragnarson hadn't
paid it any heed, thinking it the demon rumbling around. "What if?..."
"If fool-headed venturers don't find exit, then long walk home from Shinsan
for same," Mocker replied.
"Here, then. Looks like the way we came in." He ran at the rectangle. The
whirling, kaleidoscopic sensations returned. After a stench-filled eternity he
stepped into the corridor where they had originally been entrapped. Mocker
appeared an instant behind him.
They were still trapped.
"Make yourself comfortable," said Ragnarson, sitting with his back to a wall
and his sword across his lap. "I'm not going back through that."
"Self, would prefer dying in west, too," said Mocker. "Though in Ruderin back
country of own stupidity? Not even battle to end heroic life with heroic
death, lots of witnesses to final bravery? Woe!"
Stone grumbled around them. Dust fell from the ceiling.
"Sounds bad," said Ragnarson.
"Crushed to death. Ignominious end for great mind. Am fool. Friend should have
pointed out same, dragged fat idiot to camp kicking and screaming if needful."
"Is the light getting weaker?"
"Verity. Magicks devolving. Portal to Shinsan weak-ening also."
Page 63
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Indeed it was, getting fluttery around the edges and occasionally showing a
swift-running shot of color.
"Maybe we can get out. If the place don't fall down first."
"Maybe so."
The curtain winked out of existence. They found themselves staring into the
startled faces of several mercenaries. "Ghosts!" one cried.
"Boo!" said Mocker, then cackled madly. "Out of way. Everybody's out of way
before very important head, headof self, gets mashed by falling castle."
Fifteen minutes later they were astride their mounts, atop a hill, watching
the castle collapse. Fogs of darkness engulfed its base, darkness untouched by
the morning sun. A plume of that blackness, like smoke, rose against the dawn
and bent its head eastward. The destruction proceeded in unnatural silence.
"Going home," said Mocker.
"We'll hear from them again," Ragnarson replied.
Tarlson and Blackfang, who had been working round the rim of the valley,
arrived. "You're lucky I mentioned the castle to the guide," said Eanred. "He
said there wasn't any such place, so I scared up a rescue party."
"I'm grateful," said Ragnarson.
They talked at some length. When Ragnarson mentioned the winged man, Tarlson
grew silent and withdrawn.
ii) Passage to Ravelin
The march to the Altean ferry was disconcerting. A regiment of Anstokin
infantry paced them along the Ruderin border, making no overt moves but
slowing their progress by forcing them to remain battle-ready. Crossing the
River Scarlotti while Anstokin's force maneuvered nearby was a laborious
business that took two days.
Tarlson grew jumpy as a cat. Still there were no messages from Kavelin, just
rumors relayed by Altean officers. Those were not good. Skirmishing had broken
out all over the kingdom. The Queen still held Vorgreberg, but the populace
were being whipped up by a dozen propagandists.' Lord Breitbarth, a cousin of
the dead King and the strongest pretender, was assembling a major force at
Damhorst, near the Kavelin-Altean border, where Ragnarson was expected to
cross. Damhorst lay on the great eastern trade route, which linked Vorgreberg
with the Altean capital and the coastal city-kingdoms.
Ragnarson, too, grew concerned at the paucity of news. He had expected to hear
from Haroun by now. All he knew was what he had coaxed from the Alteans. One
went so far as to loan him a map of the border country, a violation of his
orders. Though Kendel, Ruderin, and Altea covertly supported bin Yousif's
scheme, openly none could do more than grant passage to mercenaries. There was
a point, Ragnarson saw while studying the map, where the borders of Anstokin,
Volstokin, Kavelin and Altea all came together. It was hilly country, almost
without roads.
"What I'm thinking about," said Ragnarson, meeting with Blackfang, Kildragon,
and Tarlson, "is following the highway to this town, Staake, so it looks like
I'm committed to it. Then I'll abandon the wagons, make a night march north,
Page 64
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
and enter Kavelin through the hills above this Lake Berberich. I'll swing
around and take Breitbarth in the flank. Assuming he's surprised. Mocker'11
let us know."
Mocker had vanished at the ferry.
Tarlson paced, mumbled, shook his head. "Your men are green. They won't stand
up to it."
"Maybe not. Now's a good time to find out. I've never had much use for
positional warfare."
"Bin Yousif's influence."
Bragi studied Tarlson thoughtfully. How much did he know? Or suspect?
'"Possibly. I've followed his career."
"As you said when we met, it's your command. I'll help any way I can."
"What I want is guides. Scouts. Woodsmen for outrunners."
"That's Marena Dimura country. They're touchy-people. They could go either
way."
"How do they stand on Breitbarth?"
"They'd like his head. He hunts them like animals."
"Lesser of two evils, then. Ride over and sign them up. Promise them
Breitbarth if we catch him."
"A noble? You'd buy those savages with the life of a noble?"
"J ust another man to me." He was puzzled by Tarlson'sincredulity. Eanred
didn't hold the Nordmen in high esteem. "I'm not one of your Kaveliner
chevaliers. War's serious business. I fight to win."
"But you'll unite the Nordmen against you."
"They're unanimous already: the Queen, my employer, has to go. They're all
against me anyway." He felt like saying more, but held his tongue. They might
be enemies some day.
"All right. I'll go."
Reliable news awaited them at Staake, little of it good. None had come before
because Baron Breitbarth had intercepted all the messengers. But one of
Tarlson's men finally reached Ragnarson.
Breitbarth had convinced several barons that dispos-ing of Ragnarson was the
chief business at hand. He had gathered twenty-two hundred men at Damhorst.
Further, his claim to Kavelin's crown had been recognized by Volstokin, which
threatened intercession. There were rumors of a pact between Breitbarth and
Volstokin's King. And, grimmest news of all, Breitbarth had seized the money
meant for Ragnarson's mercenaries.
From Vorgreberg the news was better. The Queen's Own had remained loyal, and
the Queen herself had managed to still unrest by going to the people in the
streets. But bands of partisans had begun raiding in the country.
Page 65
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
And there was a letter from Haroun, that came to him he knew not how. It
appeared in his tent while he was out.
It covered the same information, in greater detail, and said more about
Volstokin.
Not only had King Vodicka made an agreement with Breitbarth, he had made
another with El Murid. After the dust had settled and Breitbarth had been
crowned, Volstokin, with aid from El Murid, would occupy Kavelin...
After reflection, Bragi called Blackfang. "Make sure there's plenty of wood
for the watchfires. I want them kept burning all night." The Kavelin border
was just two miles away, and Damhorst only ten beyond. If his ruse were
detected, Breitbarth would soon know. He needed every minute.
iii) Saltimbanco [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]