Read Online Scepters by L. E. Modesitt - Free Book Online

words was so edged that Halanat’s eyes dropped.
    The
Recorder of Deeds looked up from the crystal mist of the table, purple-tinged
eyes unblinkingly fixed on the trader. The mist swirling around the scene held
in the Table vanished, and all that remained within the smooth black frame was
an ordinary mirror, save that it was far smoother and more reflective than any
such mirror produced in recent centuries in Dekhron or Tempre or any other city
or town in the whole of Corus.
    “All
those,” continued the Recorder, after a long silence, “have reappeared, save
the scepters. For reasons best known to the ancients, there was never a record
of where the scepters were placed, not one that we have been able to find, but
they are not a myth, and they served a great purpose. As for the lamaial of the
Legacy, he will remain concealed until the conflict begins. That is according
to the words once carved in the Vault. Whether the ancients carved it as a
warning or as a prediction, we cannot know. But you must hold in mind that
those with Talent can become more than Talent-steers, and that is something
that we—that you—must prevent.”
    “The
Table is useless for that.”
    “Exactly.
That is your job. Or have you forgotten?” The Recorder smiled indulgently.
    “No,
honored Trezun.” The trader started to gnaw on his lip, then stopped and asked,
“What about this new Praetor?”
    “Young
Tyren? You will not need to worry about him. Waleryn will shortly be dispatched
to handle him. And to prepare for the next full translation.”
    “But
you can show him in the Table?” The round-faced trader’s words were formal,
stiff, and barely avoided carrying a chill. After he had spoken, his face
became impassive.
    The
Table came to life once more, with the ruby mist filling the glass, then
displayed the image of a fair-haired man, barely out of youth, in shimmering
silver and black, striding down a wide corridor flanked with tall goldenstone
columns. A silvery nimbus surrounded him.
    “The
silver around him… ?”
    “That
shows that he could use Talent but has never called upon it.”
    “What
is his Talent? Is it possible to tell?”
    The
Recorder shrugged. “The Table will not reveal what might be. We hope to avoid
his discovering it until Waleryn is there to co-opt him. With the translation
and Tyren, we will have two points of power and Pressure.”
    The
trader tightened his lips as he leaned forward to study the image displayed by
the Table. “Can you tell me where this is?”
    “Only
from what appears in the Table, Halanat. It would seem to be Alustre, but that
is not certain. Still, from the columns and the color of the stone…”
    “Does
your Table say whether he is the hero come at last? Or whether he will claim
the Dual Scepters?”
    The
Recorder of Deeds laughed ironically. “Every human conqueror of the past
millennium has claimed to be the hero—or denied it. Some have claimed to carry
the scepter, or the Dual Scepters. Others have denied the scepters even
existed. In the end, it has made little difference. Claims or no claims, what
will be will be.”
    “That
is a fine sentiment for you,” said the trader slowly, “but even as a trader I
cannot travel all of Corus chasing rumors. If he has something he calls the
scepters, that makes matters worse, because the common folk believe that the
scepters have some power. Great power, not some drizzle of vision in a mirror.
Even belief in the scepters grants power.”
    “Vision
is far from a drizzle of power, as you put it. There is much yet that you do
not understand, and for a mere shadow-translation, you presume greatly. As for
the people, they would do the same in any case, if it appears that their ruler
is indeed powerful. This Tyren could be the hero, but any conqueror could or
might be.” The Recorder’s tone turned colder. “In any case, he is a continent
away, and you are not tasked with traveling to Lustrea. Your tasks are closer.
The so-called Regent