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Authors: Russell Kirkpatrick
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take me long to recover.'
The Hermit smiled. He had grown to appreciate the Haufuth in the time he had known him, and reflected that he had met the others only once, for a total of one day, and putting himself in their service was a somewhat risky thing to do after years of solitude. To counter that unease, however, he considered the
excitement rising within him at the thought of taking such a risk. Here he sat, among people he hardly knew, with a door about to open to a new life. He determined he would meet it without flinching.
'What have you done with Wisent?' Perdu asked, worry edging his voice. 'Did you find him lodgings?'
'We did indeed,' replied the Haufuth, 'but at a price! I hope the Company has money enough to pay for his keep: the stable-master was very specific in demanding that we pay him for the rental of two stalls and for the equivalent of two horses' upkeep. I had money enough only for three days.'
'You gained a bargain,' said Perdu, a smile on his face. 'He eats at least as much as four. Now, if you will give me directions, I will go and visit him.' In a moment the adopted Fenni left to reacquaint himself with his clan chief's generous gift.
The Haufuth and the Hermit listened while Kurr told them about the adventures of the Company - how they made the Southern Run, the ambush of the Bhrudwans and the loss of Wira, the long journey across Treika and Deuverre, the escape of Leith and Mahnum from Adunlok, and their race with the Widuz to the city walls, finishing with Parlevaag's death.
Then they heard the trials endured by the Company in this city of cities, and were cheered to learn of the imminent appointment with the Council.
Kurr turned his attention to the blue-robed man from the edge of the wild. 'And you? Have you recovered?'
'Recovered and more, thanks to your leader here,' came the prompt answer, with genuine gratitude in the words. 'And I am a hermit no longer - though I will continue to wear the name until I discover what I have become.'
'You may not have long to wait,' Mahnum said quietly. 'Though if I were you I would give hasty thought to what name you would be known by, for after today ...' He left the sentence unfinished, hanging there like a presage of the executioner's sword, as a reminder of what they were about to face.
* * *
The remainder of the Company worked only half a day at the market. As the reason for this became general knowledge a small crowd gathered around Indrett's stall.
'I told you they'd see you,' one large woman held forth. 'Just spend your money wisely, that's what I said. And see? A meeting with the Council, and inside a month. Unheard of!'
'Yes, but what will they say?' said another. 'Who can know whether the Council will grant your boon? No amount of money buys the Council.'
'Who can know?' echoed an elderly man. 'But the Council is not what it was. If you would just tell us what your suit is, maybe we could give you advice . . .'
'Yes, tell us, tell us,' the crowd demanded. But Indrett remained silent, as did all the Company, knowing just how quickly the news would spread if they were in any way indiscreet. As the crowd realised that no secrets were to be revealed, the merely curious drifted away. The friends Indrett had made remained, offering their silent support. And when she closed her stall and with the others made her way back to Foilzie's tenement, a few of them accompanied her.
The Company approached the Hall of Meeting in the early afternoon, accompanied by twenty or so of their acquaintances from the market. There were few words adequate to describe the Hall of Meeting, the crown jewel of Instruere, conceived and built at the zenith of her glory. Even now, with the golden age long past and the city of cities but a shadow of what she had been, when the skill and patience that constructed the great hall had long been forgotten, Instruians still took pride in this massive building. A detail of guards was permanently assigned to keeping the
The Hermit smiled. He had grown to appreciate the Haufuth in the time he had known him, and reflected that he had met the others only once, for a total of one day, and putting himself in their service was a somewhat risky thing to do after years of solitude. To counter that unease, however, he considered the
excitement rising within him at the thought of taking such a risk. Here he sat, among people he hardly knew, with a door about to open to a new life. He determined he would meet it without flinching.
'What have you done with Wisent?' Perdu asked, worry edging his voice. 'Did you find him lodgings?'
'We did indeed,' replied the Haufuth, 'but at a price! I hope the Company has money enough to pay for his keep: the stable-master was very specific in demanding that we pay him for the rental of two stalls and for the equivalent of two horses' upkeep. I had money enough only for three days.'
'You gained a bargain,' said Perdu, a smile on his face. 'He eats at least as much as four. Now, if you will give me directions, I will go and visit him.' In a moment the adopted Fenni left to reacquaint himself with his clan chief's generous gift.
The Haufuth and the Hermit listened while Kurr told them about the adventures of the Company - how they made the Southern Run, the ambush of the Bhrudwans and the loss of Wira, the long journey across Treika and Deuverre, the escape of Leith and Mahnum from Adunlok, and their race with the Widuz to the city walls, finishing with Parlevaag's death.
Then they heard the trials endured by the Company in this city of cities, and were cheered to learn of the imminent appointment with the Council.
Kurr turned his attention to the blue-robed man from the edge of the wild. 'And you? Have you recovered?'
'Recovered and more, thanks to your leader here,' came the prompt answer, with genuine gratitude in the words. 'And I am a hermit no longer - though I will continue to wear the name until I discover what I have become.'
'You may not have long to wait,' Mahnum said quietly. 'Though if I were you I would give hasty thought to what name you would be known by, for after today ...' He left the sentence unfinished, hanging there like a presage of the executioner's sword, as a reminder of what they were about to face.
* * *
The remainder of the Company worked only half a day at the market. As the reason for this became general knowledge a small crowd gathered around Indrett's stall.
'I told you they'd see you,' one large woman held forth. 'Just spend your money wisely, that's what I said. And see? A meeting with the Council, and inside a month. Unheard of!'
'Yes, but what will they say?' said another. 'Who can know whether the Council will grant your boon? No amount of money buys the Council.'
'Who can know?' echoed an elderly man. 'But the Council is not what it was. If you would just tell us what your suit is, maybe we could give you advice . . .'
'Yes, tell us, tell us,' the crowd demanded. But Indrett remained silent, as did all the Company, knowing just how quickly the news would spread if they were in any way indiscreet. As the crowd realised that no secrets were to be revealed, the merely curious drifted away. The friends Indrett had made remained, offering their silent support. And when she closed her stall and with the others made her way back to Foilzie's tenement, a few of them accompanied her.
The Company approached the Hall of Meeting in the early afternoon, accompanied by twenty or so of their acquaintances from the market. There were few words adequate to describe the Hall of Meeting, the crown jewel of Instruere, conceived and built at the zenith of her glory. Even now, with the golden age long past and the city of cities but a shadow of what she had been, when the skill and patience that constructed the great hall had long been forgotten, Instruians still took pride in this massive building. A detail of guards was permanently assigned to keeping the
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