Read Online Scabbard's Song by Kim Hunter - Free Book Online Page B

hovels, farms and castles in their homelands. Fighting still? groaned Soldier. How terrible. They must feel they are in hell, and indeed for all eternity. A battle that lasts for ever. What can end it? Only you, and the last Drummond, can end it. How? There are two ways -friendship, or death. The death of both, or the death of one? That is unknown. Then we must put aside our old enmity and become friends, Soldier said, bitterly. It is a hard thing to bear, but it must be done. He will see that. He too has an army, has friends who have been fighting his cause forever-and-a-day. Drummond will want to see an end to this fighting, surely? One would think so, said Wo, who heard all and was as amazed and appalled by it as Soldier himself. One would hope so. The face of the sky was mustachioed by a long, thin cloud which drooped at the ends. It seemed peaceful enough up there. Whenever there was trouble between gods, wizards or magi the sky was the place where that trouble was reflected. Things had obviously quietened down since the day the magic colours had been cast over the heavens. The two creatures, the man and the dog-man, parted at the ways: there was now respect and friendship between them. Soldier continued back to the Red Pavilions where Layana was waiting for him. She had been standing on a hilltop, watching the horizon, and rode out to meet him. They embraced, exchanged frivolous love epithets, and were then interrupted by the arrival of others. Spagg came, full of excitement, wanting to hold the sword Kutrama (which Soldier would not allow him to do). Also Velion and some of his friends from amongst his troops. By the look of things, and Velion confirmed this, not a great deal had changed in the time Soldier had been away. Its good to hand back command, said Velion, as they all rode back towards the Red Pavilions. I dont enjoy all that responsibility. Can you arrange a meeting with General Kaff? asked Soldier. We need to start discussing peace plans. Peace plans? Velion, and indeed Layana and the others, were all flabbergasted. This is Humbold youre talking about. I know, I know, but up in the Seven Peaks Ive had a lot of time to think. The violence has to stop somewhere. Any agreement of course would mean that Humbold would be exiled for life . . . That evening, Soldier and Layana were alone for the first time. What has happened to you, my husband? she asked. You seem quite different from when you left us. Im still desperately in love with you, if that is what concerns you, he replied. No, it is not. She stared into his face. I can see the love still burning in your eyes. But you are strangely quiet and thoughtful. And all this talk about peace with Humbold? This has been a sudden turn-about for you. Something has happened. Is it to do with your sword? She nodded at the weapon which now lay across a stool, within reach. Partly, yes. When I returned the sword to the scabbard, Sintra began to sing to me. Now you know she has always sung, when an enemy has been sneaking up on me, as a warning. But before now I have not understood the words. This time I did, and it was not to warn me, but to tell me of my past history in my other life, my other world. Hmm. And now you know who you are? Im envious. Dont be. I can tell you your history and it is full of nothing but self-sacrifice and good. My history on the other hand is atrocious. I am a bloodthirsty barbarian was - in the other world. I pursued a family and drove them into their graves. Oh, yes, they did the same with my people, killing my newly wedded bride amongst others, but what does that signify? If I had sued for peace instead of hunting them down and slaughtering them, how different my history might have been. Can you believe the song? After all, the scabbard is surely not a living creature, in the true sense, and may be just repeating the song mechanically, like an automaton. Kutrama and Sintra were once flesh and blood, before they became a weapon they have souls