скачать книгу бесплатно
‘And will you not speak – even to me?’
She raised her pipes and blew a questioning little note.
‘I see,’ Dolmant said. ‘Well, then, Flute, will you accept my blessing?’
She looked at him gravely, then shook her head.
‘She is a Styric child, Dolmant,’ Sephrenia explained. ‘An Elene blessing would have no meaning for her.’
Flute then reached out and took the patriarch’s thin hand and placed it over her heart. Dolmant’s eyes grew suddenly very wide and his expression troubled.
‘She will give you her blessing, however,’ Sephrenia told him. ‘And will you accept it?’
Dolmant’s eyes were still wide. ‘I think perhaps that I should not,’ he said, ‘but God help me, I will – and gladly.’
Flute smiled at him and then kissed both of his palms. Then she pirouetted away, her black hair flying and her pipes sounding joyously. The patriarch’s face was filled with wonder.
‘I expect that I’ll be summoned to the palace as soon as King Wargun arrives,’ Vanion said. ‘Annias wouldn’t want to miss the chance to confront me personally.’ He looked at Count Radun. ‘Did anyone see you arrive, my Lord?’ he asked.
Radun shook his head. ‘I had my visor down, my Lord Vanion, and at Sparhawk’s suggestion, I had covered the crest on my shield. I’m positive that no one knows that I’m in Cimmura.’
‘Good.’ Vanion grinned suddenly. ‘We wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise for Annias, would we?’
The expected summons from the palace arrived two days later. Vanion, Sparhawk, and Kalten put on the simple robes Pandions customarily wore inside the chapterhouse, though beneath them they wore mail coats and their swords. Dolmant and Radun wore the cowled black robes of monks. Sephrenia wore her usual white. She had spoken at some length with Flute, and it appeared that the little girl had agreed to remain behind. Kurik belted on a sword. ‘Just in case there’s trouble,’ he grunted to Sparhawk before the party left the chapterhouse.
The day was cold and raw. The sky was leaden, and a chill wind whistled through the streets of Cimmura as Vanion led them towards the palace. There were few people abroad in the streets. Sparhawk could not be sure if the citizens were staying inside because of the weather or because some rumours had leaked out about the possibility of trouble.
Not too far from the palace gate, Sparhawk saw a familiar figure. A lame beggar boy wrapped in a ragged cloak crutched his way out from the corner where he had been sheltering himself. ‘Charity, my Lords, Charity,’ he begged in a broken-hearted voice.
Sparhawk reined Faran in and reached inside his robe for a few coins.
‘I need to talk with you, Sparhawk,’ the boy said quietly after the others had ridden out of earshot.
‘Later,’ Sparhawk replied, bending in his saddle to place the coins in the boy’s begging bowl.
‘Not too much later, I hope,’ Talen said, shivering. ‘I’m freezing out here.’
There was a brief delay at the palace gate where the guards tried to deny entrance to Vanion’s escort. Kalten resolved the problem by pulling open his robe and putting his hand meaningfully on his sword hilt. The discussion ended abruptly at that point, and the party rode on into the palace courtyard and dismounted.
‘I love doing that,’ Kalten said blithely.
‘It doesn’t take very much to make you happy, does it?’ Sparhawk said.
‘I’m a simple man, my friend – with simple pleasures.’
They proceeded directly to the blue-draped council chamber where the kings of Arcium, Deira, and Thalesia sat on throne-like chairs, flanking the slack-lipped Lycheas. Behind each king stood a man in formal armour. The crests of the three other militant orders were emblazoned on their surcoats. Abriel, Preceptor of the Cyrinic Knights in Arcium, stood sternly behind King Dregos; Darellon, Preceptor of the Alcione Knights of Deira had taken up a similar position behind the aged King Obler; and the big-boned Komier, leader of the Genidian Knights, stood behind King Wargun of Thalesia. Although it was early in the day, Wargun was already bleary-eyed. He held a large silver cup in a hand that was visibly shaking.
The Royal Council of Advisors sat to one side of the room. The face of the Earl of Lenda was troubled, while that of the Baron Harparin was smug.
The Primate Annias wore a purple satin cassock, and the expression on his emaciated face was coldly triumphant as Vanion entered. When he saw the rest of them accompanying the Pandion Preceptor, however, his eyes flashed angrily. ‘Who authorized this entourage of yours, Lord Vanion?’ he demanded. ‘The summons did not mention an escort.’
‘I require no authorization, your Grace,’ Vanion answered coldly. ‘My rank is all the authority I need.’
‘That’s true,’ the Earl of Lenda said. ‘Law and custom support the preceptor’s position.’
Annias gave the old man a look filled with hate. ‘What a comfort it is to have the advice of one so versed in the law,’ he said in a sarcastic voice. Then his eyes fell on Sephrenia. ‘Remove that Styric witch from my presence,’ he demanded.
‘No,’ Vanion said. ‘She stays.’
Their eyes locked for a long moment, and Annias finally looked away. ‘Very well, then, Vanion,’ he said. ‘Because of the seriousness of the matter I am about to present to their majesties, I will control my natural revulsion at the presence of a heathen sorceress.’
‘You’re too kind,’ Sephrenia murmured.
‘Just get on with it, Annias,’ King Dregos said irritably. ‘We’re gathered here to examine certain irregularities involving the throne of Elenia. What is this burning matter that is important enough to delay our inquiry?’
Annias straightened. ‘The matter concerns you directly, your Majesty. Last week a body of armed men attacked a castle in the eastern part of your kingdom.’
King Dregos’ eyes blazed. ‘Why was I not informed?’ he demanded.
‘Forgive me, your Majesty,’ Annias apologized. ‘I myself learned of the incident only recently and I felt it wiser to present the matter to this council rather than to advise you in advance. Although this outrage occurred within the boundaries of your kingdom, the implications of it spread beyond your borders to all four western kingdoms.’
‘Get on with it, Annias,’ King Wargun growled. ‘Save the flowery language for your sermons.’
‘As your Majesty wishes,’ Annias said, bowing. ‘There are witnesses to this criminal act, and I think perhaps it were best that your Majesties hear their accounts directly rather than at second hand from me.’ He turned and gestured to one of the red-liveried church soldiers who lined both walls of the council chamber. The soldier stepped to a side door and admitted a nervous-looking man whose face went visibly pale when he saw Vanion.
‘Don’t be afraid, Tessera,’ Annias told him. ‘So long as you tell the truth, no harm will come to you.’
‘Yes, your Grace,’ the nervous man mumbled.
‘This is Tessera,’ Annias introduced him, ‘a merchant of this city who has recently returned from Arcium. Tell us what you saw there, Tessera.’
‘Well, your Grace, it was as I told you before. I was in Sarrinium on business. I was returning from there when I was overtaken by a storm, and I took shelter in the castle of Count Radun, who was kind enough to take me in.’ Tessera’s voice had the sing-song quality some people assume when they are reciting something previously committed to memory. ‘Anyway,’ he went on, ‘after the weather cleared, I was preparing to leave and I was in the count’s stables seeing to my horse. I heard the sounds of many men in the courtyard, so I peered out the stable door to see what was happening. It was a sizeable body of Pandion Knights.’
‘Are you certain that they were Pandions?’ Annias prompted him.
‘Yes, your Grace. They were wearing black armour and carrying Pandion banners. The count is well known to be most respectful of the Church and her knights, so he had admitted them without challenge. As soon as they were inside the walls, however, they all drew their swords and began to kill everyone in sight.’
‘My uncle!’ King Dregos exclaimed.
‘The count tried to fight them, of course, but they quickly disarmed him and tied him to a stake in the centre of the courtyard. They killed all the men inside the castle, and then –’
‘All the men?’ Annias interrupted him, his face suddenly stern.
‘They killed all the men inside the castle, and then – ’ Tessera faltered. ‘Oh, I almost forgot that part. They killed all the men inside the castle – except for the churchmen – and then they brought out the count’s wife and daughters. They were all stripped naked and then violated before the count’s eyes.’
A sob escaped the King of Arcium. ‘My aunt and my cousins,’ he cried.
‘Steady, Dregos,’ King Wargun said, putting his hand on the other king’s shoulder.
‘Then,’ Tessera continued, ‘after the count’s womenfolk had all been repeatedly raped, they were dragged one by one to a spot directly before where the count was tied and their throats were cut. The count wept and tried to tear his hands free, but his bonds were too tight. He pleaded with the Pandions to stop, but they only laughed and continued their butchery. Finally, when his wife and daughters were all dead and lying in their own blood, he asked them why they were doing this. One of them, the leader, I think, replied that it was on the orders of Lord Vanion, the Preceptor of the Pandions.’
King Dregos leapt to his feet. He was weeping openly and clawing at his sword hilt. Annias stepped in front of him. ‘I share your outrage, your Majesty, but a quick death for this monstrous Vanion would be far too merciful. Let us hear this good, honest man out. Go on with your account, Tessera.’
‘There isn’t much more to tell, your Grace,’ Tessera replied. ‘Once the Pandions had killed all the women, they tortured the count to the point of death and then they beheaded him. After that, they drove the churchmen out of the castle and looted the place.’
‘Thank you, Tessera,’ Annias said. He motioned to another of his soldiers, and the guard went to the same side door to admit a man dressed in a peasant smock. The peasant had a slightly furtive look and he was trembling noticeably.
‘Say your name, fellow,’ Annias ordered.
‘I am Verl, your Grace, an honest serf from the estate of Count Radun.’
‘And why are you in Cimmura? A serf may not leave the estate of his lord without permission.’
‘I fled, your Grace, after the murder of the count and all his family.’
‘Can you tell us what happened? Did you witness this atrocity?’
‘Not directly, your Grace. I was working in a field near the count’s castle when I saw a large group of men dressed in black armour and carrying the banners of the Pandion Knights ride out of the castle. One of them had the count’s head on the point of his spear. I hid myself and I could hear them talking and laughing as they rode by.’
‘What were they saying?’
‘The one who was carrying the count’s head said, “We must carry this trophy to Demos to prove to Lord Vanion that we have carried out his orders.” After they had gone past, I ran to the castle and found everyone inside dead. I was afraid that the Pandions might come back, so I ran away.’
‘Why did you come to Cimmura?’
‘To report the crime to you, your Grace, and to place myself under your protection. I was afraid that if I stayed in Arcium, the Pandions would hunt me down and kill me.’
‘Why did you do this?’ Dregos demanded of Vanion. ‘My uncle has never given any offence to your order.’
The other kings were also glaring at the Pandion Preceptor accusingly.
Dregos wheeled round to glare at Prince Lycheas. ‘I insist that this murderer be placed in chains!’
Lycheas tried without much success to look like a king. ‘Your demand is reasonable, your Majesty,’ he said in his nasal voice. He cast a quick look at Annias, seeking reassurance. ‘We therefore command that this miscreant Vanion be placed –’
‘Um, excuse me, your Majesties,’ the Earl of Lenda interposed, ‘but by law, Lord Vanion is entitled to present his defence.’
‘What defence can there possibly be?’ Dregos asked in a sick voice.
Sparhawk and the others had remained at the back of the council chamber. Sephrenia made a small gesture, and Sparhawk leaned towards her. ‘Someone here is using magic,’ she whispered. ‘That’s why the kings are so willing to accept the infantile charges against Vanion. The spell induces belief.’
‘Can you counter it?’ he whispered back.
‘Only if I know who’s doing it.’
‘It’s Annias. He tried a spell on me when I first came back to Cimmura.’
‘A churchman?’ she looked surprised. ‘All right. I’ll take care of it.’ Her lips began to move, and she concealed her hands in her sleeves to hide their gesturing.
‘Well, Vanion,’ Annias sneered, ‘what have you to say for yourself?’
‘These men are obviously lying,’ Vanion replied scornfully.
‘Why would they lie?’ Annias turned to the kings seated at the front of the room. ‘As soon as I received the reports of these witnesses, I dispatched a troop of church soldiers to the count’s castle to verify the details of this crime. I expect their report within the next week. In the meantime, it is my recommendation that the Pandion Knights all be disarmed and confined within their chapterhouses to prevent any further atrocities.’
King Obler stroked his long grey beard. ‘Under the circumstances, that would be the prudent course,’ he said sagely. He turned to Darellon of the Alcione Knights. ‘My Lord Darellon,’ he said. ‘Dispatch a rider to Deira. Tell him to bring your knights to Elenia. They are to assist the civil authorities here in disarming and confining the Pandions.’
‘It shall be as your Majesty commands,’ Abriel replied, glaring at Vanion.
The aged King of Deira looked at King Wargun and King Dregos. ‘I would strongly advise that the Cyrinics and Genidians also send forces,’ he said. ‘Let us seal up these Pandions until we can separate the innocent from the guilty.’
‘See to it, Komier,’ King Wargun said.
‘Send your knights as well, Abriel,’ King Dregos commanded the Preceptor of the Cyrinics. He glared at Vanion with hate-filled eyes. ‘I pray that your underlings attempt to resist,’ he said fiercely.
‘A splendid idea, your Majesties,’ Annias said, bowing. ‘I would further suggest that as soon as we receive confirmation of the murders, your Majesties travel with me and these two honest witnesses to Chyrellos. There we can lay the entire affair before the Hierocracy of the Church and the Archprelate himself with our strong recommendation that the Pandion Order be disbanded. Strictly speaking, that order is under Church authority, and only the Church can make the final decision.’
‘Truly,’ Dregos grated. ‘Let us rid ourselves of this Pandion infection once and for all.’
A thin smile touched the primate’s lips. Then he flinched, and his face went deathly pale as Sephrenia released her counterspell.
It was at that point that Dolmant stepped forward, pushing back the hood of his monk’s robe to reveal his face. ‘May I speak, your Majesties?’ he asked.
‘Y-your Grace,’ Annias stammered in surprise, ‘I didn’t know that you were in Cimmura.’
‘I didn’t think you did, Annias. As you’ve so correctly pointed out, the Pandions are under Church authority. As the ranking churchman present, I think it’s proper for me to take charge of this inquiry. You are to be commended for the way in which you have conducted things thus far, however.’
‘But –’
‘That will be all, Annias,’ Dolmant dismissed him. He turned then to the kings and to Lycheas, who was staring open-mouthed at him.
‘Your Majesties,’ the patriarch began, pacing back and forth with his hands clasped behind him as if deep in thought. ‘This is indeed a serious accusation. Let us, however, consider the character of the accusers. On the one hand, we have an untitled merchant, and on the other, a runaway serf. The accused is the preceptor of an order of Church Knights, a man whose honour has always been above question. Why would a man of Lord Vanion’s stature commit such a crime? Indeed, we have as yet received no substantiation that the crime did in fact take place. Let us not move in haste.’
‘As I mentioned, your Grace,’ Annias injected, ‘I have dispatched church soldiers to Arcium to view the scene of the crime with their own eyes. I have also ordered them to seek out the churchmen who were in the castle of Count Radun and witnessed this horror and to return with them to Cimmura. Their reports should leave no doubts whatsoever.’
‘Ah, yes,’ Dolmant agreed. ‘None whatsoever. I think, however, that I might be able to save us a bit of time. As it happens, I myself have with me a man who witnessed what happened at the castle of Count Radun, and I don’t think his testimony can be questioned by any man here.’ He looked at the robed and cowled Count Radun, who had remained unobtrusively at the rear of the chamber. ‘Would you be so good as to step forward, brother?’ he said.
Annias was gnawing on a fingernail. His expression clearly showed his chagrin at having the proceedings taken out of his grasp and at the appearance of Dolmant’s unexpected witness.
‘Would you reveal your identity to us, brother?’ Dolmant asked mildly as the count joined him before the kings.
There was a tight grin on Radun’s face as he pushed back his hood.
‘Uncle!’ King Dregos gasped in astonishment.
‘Uncle?’ King Wargun exclaimed, coming to his feet and spilling his wine.
‘This is Count Radun – my uncle,’ Dregos told him, his eyes still wide with amazement.
