‘You’re assuming that Annias was speaking in his own voice this morning, Dolmant. A Styric sorcerer – or some creature subject to one – would present his case in terms that would be understood by a simple Styric and then rely upon magic to induce belief.’
‘Was someone using that kind of magic in that room this morning?’ Darellon asked, his face troubled.
‘Yes,’ she replied simply.
‘I think we’re getting a bit far afield,’ Komier said. ‘What we need to do right now is get Sparhawk on his way to Borrata. The quicker we find a cure for Queen Ehlana’s illness, the quicker we can eliminate the threat of Annias altogether. Once we cut off his supply of ready cash, he can consort with anybody – or anything – he wants to, for all I care.’
‘You’d better get ready to ride, Sparhawk,’ Vanion said. ‘I’ll write down the Queen’s symptoms for you.’
‘I don’t think that’s necessary, Vanion,’ Sephrenia told him. ‘I know her condition in much greater detail than you do.’
‘But you can’t write, Sephrenia,’ he reminded her.
‘I won’t have to, Vanion, she said sweetly. ‘I’ll tell the physicians in Borrata about the symptoms personally.’
‘You’re going with Sparhawk?’ Vanion looked surprised.
‘Of course. There are things afoot that seem to be focusing on him. He might need my help when he gets to Cammoria.’
‘I’ll go along, too,’ Kalten said. ‘If Sparhawk catches up with Martel in Cammoria, I want to be there to see what happens.’ He grinned at his friend. ‘I’ll let you have Martel,’ he offered, ‘if you’ll give me Adus.’
‘Sounds fair,’ Sparhawk agreed.
‘You’ll be passing through Chyrellos on your way to Borrata,’ Dolmant said. ‘I’ll ride along with you as far as that.’
‘We’ll be honoured to have you, your Grace.’ Sparhawk looked at Count Radun. ‘Might you want to join us as well, my Lord?’ he asked.
‘No. Thanks all the same, Sir Sparhawk,’ the count replied. ‘’ll return to Arcium with my nephew and Lord Abriel.’
Komier was frowning slightly. ‘I don’t want to delay you, Sparhawk,’ he said, ‘but Darellon is right. Annias is sure to guess what our next step is likely to be. There are only so many centres of medical learning in Eosia; if this Martel fellow is already in Cammoria, and still taking orders from Annias, he’s almost certain to try to keep you from reaching Borrata. I think it might be best if you waited in Chyrellos until the knights from our other orders catch up with you. A show of force can sometimes avoid difficulties.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ Vanion agreed. ‘The others can join him at the Pandion chapterhouse in Chyrellos and ride out together from there.’
Sparhawk rose to his feet. ‘That’s it, then,’ he said. He glanced at Sephrenia. ‘Are you going to leave Flute here?’
‘No. She goes with me.’
‘It’s going to be dangerous,’ he warned.
‘I can protect her if she needs protection. Besides, the decision is not mine to make.’
‘Don’t you love talking with her?’ Kalten said. ‘All the mental stimulation of trying to puzzle out the meaning of what she’s saying.’
Sparhawk ignored that.
Later in the courtyard where Sparhawk and the others were preparing to mount for the ride to Chyrellos, the novice, Berit, approached. ‘There’s a lame beggar boy at the gate, my Lord,’ he said to Sparhawk. ‘He says he has something urgent to tell you.’
‘Let him through the gates,’ Sparhawk said.
Berit looked a bit shocked.
‘I know the boy,’ Sparhawk said. ‘He works for me.’
‘As you wish, my Lord,’ Berit said, bowing. He turned back towards the gate.
‘Oh, by the way, Berit,’ Sparhawk said.
‘My Lord?’
‘Don’t walk too close to the boy. He’s a thief and he can steal everything you own before you go ten paces.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind, my Lord.’
A few minutes later, Berit came back escorting Talen.
‘I’ve got a problem, Sparhawk,’ the boy said.
‘Oh?’
‘Some of the primate’s men found out that I’ve been helping you. They’re looking for me all over Cimmura.’
‘I told you that you were going to get in trouble,’ Kurik growled at him. Then the squire looked at Sparhawk. ‘What do we do now?’ he asked. ‘I don’t want him locked up in the cathedral dungeon.’
Sparhawk scratched his chin. ‘I guess he’ll have to go with us,’ he said, ‘at least as far as Demos.’ He grinned suddenly ‘We can leave him with Aslade and the boys.’
‘Are you insane, Sparhawk?’
‘I thought you’d be delighted at the notion, Kurik.’
‘That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life.’
‘Don’t you want him to get to know his brothers?’ Sparhawk looked at the boy. ‘How much did you steal from Berit here?’ he bluntly asked the young thief.
‘Not very much, really’
‘Give it all back.’
‘I’m very disappointed in you, Sparhawk.’
‘Life is filled with disappointments. Now give it back.’
Chapter 11
It was midafternoon when they rode across the drawbridge and onto the road leading to Demos and beyond. The wind still blew, but the sky was clearing. The long road stretching towards Demos was teeming with traffic. Carts and wagons rattled by, and drably dressed peasants with heavy bundles on their shoulders plodded slowly towards the market places of Cimmura. The raw winter wind bent the yellow grass at the sides of the road. Sparhawk rode a few paces in advance of the others, and the travellers on their way to Cimmura gave way to him. Faran was prancing again as they rode along at a steady trot.
‘Your horse seems restive, Sparhawk,’ the Patriarch Dolmant, wrapped in a heavy black ecclesiastical cloak over his cassock, observed.
‘He’s just showing off,’ Sparhawk replied back over his shoulder. ‘He has some notion that it impresses me.’
‘It gives him something to do while he’s waiting for the chance to bite somebody.’ Kalten laughed.
‘Is he vicious?’