Read Online Lords of the Sky by Angus Wells - Free Book Online Page B

and looked back. “It was the height of summer,” Andyrt said slowly. “Two days short of the Sastaine festival, it began; it ended two days after. None come near on those nights.”
    I thought of my vision and asked, “It’s haunted?”
    “I’ve not come to find out.” Andyrt shrugged and grinned with some small resumption of his customary good humor. “Those who’ve been in sight—shepherds, late-traveling peddlers—say they’ve heard the sounds of battle, or even seen warriors fighting amongst the trees, but none have lingered to see more. Sometimes, from the keep you can see lights … like witchfire.”
    “I thought I saw …” I shook my head and grinned shamefaced.
    “Some do, if they’ve the gift.” Andyrt ran absent fingers through the stallion’s mane. The big horse tossed its headand snorted. “Perhaps that talent that shall make you a Storyman grants you the sight. Now do we return?”
    We rode back at funereal pace, and I am sure my face was a red-lit beacon as I was aided down and hobbled stiff-legged across the yard. Andyrt helped me climb the stairs to my room, our progress met with amiable derision by the soldiers lounging in the hall, and summoned servants to draw a bath. Promising to find Garat for me, he left me alone. I waited standing.
    A Changed servant brought in the tub, and others filled it with steaming water. The herbalist came, cursing my idiocy and Andyrt’s sadism in equal measure, spilling a selection of aromatic liquids into the bath, then leaving me with instructions to apply a salve to my tender parts and the observation that for all his efforts I should likely take my next few meals on my feet and sleep on my belly. I thanked him and sank hopefully into the water.
    In a while hope became gratitude, and I blessed Garat’s skill as my aches abated. I rose and dried myself, carefully applied Garat’s salve, and made my way down to the hall.
    Rekyn met me there, to advise me the merchantman on which I should travel north would dock on the morrow. I asked her how she knew, and she smiled and said, “Magic, Daviot. How else? The galley comes down the coast, and we sorcerers send word from keep to keep.”
    I thought I should not sleep that night, but I did, and soundly, thanks to Garat’s potions.

I was awake early the next morning, roused from dreamless sleep by anticipation. I hurried to the hall, my appetite somehow sharpened by excitement: I had consumed a full platter of cold meat and half a loaf when Rekyn and Andyrt came in. They smiled at the sight of me and wished me the day’s greetings. I asked when I should leave, at which Andyrt chuckled and drew out a chair for Rekyn, hooking one close for himself. “Two days, and already he tires of our company,” he said.
    I began to protest, and laughing, Rekyn motioned me to silence. “The boat’s not likely to arrive until late morning,” she advised me. “Bardan would see you ere then, to give you token of introduction. Can you curb your impatience?”
    I nodded, mumbling further apologies lest I offend my benefactors.
    Rekyn said, “Does the galley arrive as promised, she’ll catch the afternoon tide. Save the weather turns, you’ll sight Durbrecht soon after Ennas Day.”
    I suspected she looked to ease my going and smiled my gratitude, asking, “What should I do when I arrive?”
    “You’ll be met,” she answered. “A representative of the College will be at the harbor to meet you all.”
    “There are others?” I asked.
    “Two,” she said. “One from Ynisvar; one from Madbry.I’ve not their names, but the boat will collect them farther up the coast.”
    I nodded sagely, for all I had no sure idea where Ynisvar or Madbry lay. Save I was aware the waters of the Treppanek divided Kellambek from Draggonek, and those of the Slammerkin that latter from Ur-Dharbek, I had little better knowledge of my homeland’s geography.
    I’d have had a lesson there and then, but a Changed servant came with word