The Warrior's Tale Part 20

We heeded The Sarzana's cautions, and didn't take any of his beast-men, not that any of us would've considered killing them, either for sport or food; nor did we hunt those animals who wore the diadem of his servitude. We also held to the code of the huntswoman, and took no animal with cubs or who was about to bear young or an unbred yearling. All the game we slew, or fish we hooked or speared, was for the pot. We paid no heed to brilliantly plumaged birds whose feathers might have graced our helmets, or exotically furred animals whose skin might have decorated s.h.i.+elds or hauberk. After gutting and skinning, animals were either smoke-dried, brine-cured or potted. Game birds we netted or quicklimed and then gutted and salted their bodies before packing them tightly into barrels.

We didn't need to spend any time fis.h.i.+ng - that task was handled by working parties of seamen and The Sarzana's dolphins. It was eerie to watch. All that was needed was for sailors to wade out on a beach. Then the dolphins would drive the fish towards them, just exactly as I'd seen dogs drive sheep into their pens in the highlands above Orissa. Suddenly there'd come a thres.h.i.+ng and splas.h.i.+ng out in the bay, rapidly moving towards us. Then we'd see the fish, forced into schools, trying to escape the diligent dolphins. Once the fish were close insh.o.r.e, and within the net's killing circle, the sailors would be ordered to drag out, and yet another bulging net of flas.h.i.+ng silver would be beached, ready for cleaning and smoking.

I noted The Sarzana always took part in these fis.h.i.+ng 'expeditions', and made sure, when the nets were dragged ash.o.r.e, a portion was taken for him. He'd wade out into the low surf, moving awkwardly for a man whose trade had been the sea at one time, and toss a fish or two to each dolphin.

I told Gamelan about this reward, and he smiled, and said, 'Didn't I tell you once before that magic held more than its share of flummery? The Sarzana, not being a stupid man, doesn't waste his strength with spells when a well-thrown tunny can keep a servant bonded to him as strongly.'

As for vegetables, these were either dried or kept fresh with a rejuvenating spell The Sarzana cast for us. They would last at least a month, perhaps two at sea. Eggs were dipped in hot tallow, and would be good for three or four months.

Finally all the galleys were nearly ready for sea, and we wanted to be on our way. Orissa lay many, many leagues away, and we still needed help in finding a course home. I think all of us knew that our time here on Tristan was at an end. Now it was time to sail on.

The Sarzana's island gave us more than just a place to refit. It also let us relax, and let the long tension of pursuit, battle and blood ooze away, even though all of us knew we were half a world from home, and the seas between us were most unlikely to be peaceful ponds.

There was one strange and ugly incident that marred the calm.

I had the night duty and had just finished changing my guard at the second gla.s.s after midnight, when two Guardswomen pelted into the guardroom. One was Jacara, the other Ebbo, a spearwoman. Both of them had been a.s.signed to Corais's detachment on the plateau above with The Sarzana. They brought themselves to attention and took several deep breaths before reporting. There'd been an attack on Corais. 'What happened, exactly?'

'We were not told the full details, Captain,'Jacara said. 'We heard shouts, turned to, and Legate Corais and Sergeant Bodilon were outside the building we're barracked in. Legate Corais ordered us to arm ourselves and make good haste to you, and report. She said she hadn't been injured, but requested your presence. She said there was no need to turn out the Guard.'

'Anything else?'

Jacara looked to either side, ensuring no one might overhear her, and even as my anger grew that someone or something had dared to attack one of my people, I noted Jacara's professionalism. 'The legate wore no armour, but was naked, except for her sword.'

I decided Corais might or might not have been right. I told the sergeant of the guard to wake all the watch, and post two sentries at each post. Then she was to wake the Guard, but without causing alarm or disturbing any of the sailors. I turned command over to Polillo, and, taking five of my steadiest women from the night.w.a.tch, went back up those long flights of stairs with Ebbo and Jacara.

Corais's detachment was quartered in a small domed pavilion made of stone that might've been intended as a trysting place. It not only gave luxurious living quarters to Corais's squad, but sat separate from the other buildings on a low rise, and was the most easily defensible structure on the plateau. Torches blazed around the pavilion, and as I trotted towards it I saw The Sarzana's mansion come to life as well.

Corais's women were ready for battle, swords unsheathed, bows strung and broadheads tucked into archers' belts. Corais, now wearing full battle array, sat, grim-faced, behind a table just inside the entrance.

She stood as I entered, and saluted. Before I could say anything, she said, 'Captain, may I report privately?'

I dismissed the others. Corais looked about her, and evidently decided she might still be overheard. She led me outside. I could see, just at the edges of the torch light, the gleam of armour, where she'd put out sentries in the darkness. I waited, but some seconds pa.s.sed before she spoke. I could see Corais's face, and it was pale, and shaken, far more than I'd ever seen her look even after a battle where we'd both lost friends. I realized something was very wrong, softened my voice, and told her to report, from the beginning.

Since the weather was so pleasant, she said she'd taken to sleeping on a cot just outside the pavilion's entrance. Perhaps it was wrong, but there were guards set at the four compa.s.s points around her, and she 'felt' no harm could come to her. 'Evidently,' she said, 'I was overconfident.'

She'd gone to sleep wearing what she normally did when on standby, as all of us were - light, quilted underclothing of silk that would serve as padding under her armour if she were called out.

'I was dreaming,' she said. She fell silent for a long rime. I was about to prod her, but something said not to. 'I dreamed of... men,' she eventually continued. 'A man, actually. I thought my mind painted him clearly, giving me ever}' detail, but I guess I was wrong. All that I can remember is that he was tall, broadly muscled, black hair close-cropped I think, clean-shaven, and with a smile that spoke of dark sins and their pleasures. He was naked.

'His... his member stood erect, and he came towards me.' Corais shuddered. 'I knew what he intended, and ... and I wanted wanted it! I wanted him to take me!' it! I wanted him to take me!'

She turned to the side and was rackingly sick, vomiting again and again, trying to purge not only her body but her mind. I shouted for Bodilon to bring a rag, a washbasin, and wine. Corais started to say more, but I motioned silence until the sergeant had left. I sponged Corais's face, and made her rinse her mouth with wine, then drink a full cup.

'How in the name of Maranonia could I have wanted that? that? she said. 'The idea of... of being with a man has she said. 'The idea of... of being with a man has always always sickened me. You know that.' sickened me. You know that.'

I did. Corais, like myself, was fortunate in that we'd never thought of the embrace of men as desirable, nor had either of our parents forced the notion on us.

'He was about to... about to touch me,' Corais went on, 'and then, for just one moment, I came back to myself, and it was as if I were struggling upward for air, through some pool of slime, and I would never wake in time.

'But I did, and the spell broke, and I saw that loathsome body for what it was. I was awake, and I was naked, and Rali, as I love you, as I love the Guard, as I love Maranonia, I swear that creature was still there, bending over me, one knee trying to force my thighs apart! I shouted, and rolled to the side, and came up with my sword in hand, ready to strike. But-'

'But there wasn't anybody there,' I finished for her. 'And your sentries were fully alert and said no one had come between them.'

I could see what Corais was about to say next, and put out a hand to touch her lips into silence.

'You weren't dreaming,' I said.

'I know that. But how can you?'

I didn't have an answer, but I spoke the truth. I did know. Something or someone had tried to rape Corais, rape or more, and it was not a nightmare, but something that stalked this island, and lived, either through sorcery or in the real world. Scribe, don't ask me where this truth came from. From my own ghosts, from the power I was learning from Gamelan, from the G.o.ddess herself, from my faith in Corais, who had told me once her only dreams were of sylvan glades with gambolling animals.

Corais's eyes were wet. She stared long into my face, and then nodded once. 'Thank you,' she whispered, 'for believing me.'

I was about to say something more, then noticed, standing beyond the sentries, one of The Sarzana's grotesquely costumed beast-men. I went to him. He held out one of the ivory tablets. I paid no mind.

'Take my greetings to your master,' I said. 'I wish an audience with him in one hour. Go!'

The creature looked at me, and I saw fear in its eyes. It bounded away into darkness.

I turned back to Corais.

An hour later, I tramped up the long path to The Sarzana's mansion. Flanking me were two squads of Guardswomen, weapons ready. There were two beast-men waiting at the steps. I paid them no mind, butstrode past them into the mansion's hall, without removing my helm.

The Sarzana was waiting. He wore gaily coloured robes, as if he'd only recendy risen from sleep.

'Someone,' I began, without preamble or polite greeting, 'tried to attack one of my officers. It was Legate Corais.'

The Sarzana's eyes widened in shock. 'Up here} 'Up here} On my plateau?' I nodded. On my plateau?' I nodded.

'G.o.ds. What did she do? What happened?'

'That doesn't matter,' I said. lShe lShe did nothing and is safe. I know it wasn't one of our men. She described the person, but I'm not sure her memory is exact.' did nothing and is safe. I know it wasn't one of our men. She described the person, but I'm not sure her memory is exact.'

'May I ask what you're thinking?' The Sarzana began, and I could see his brows furrow, that fire-ice gaze start to burn at me, and his lips form into that thin line.

'I am not accusing you, Sarzana,' I said. 'I hardly think a lord'of your powers would stoop to rape. But what of your creations? Your man-beasts?'

The Sarzana shook his head rapidly from side to side. 'Impossible. Quite impossible. When I created them, I gave them the power to l.u.s.t, and to breed. But I held it back, as a final gift for when I leave this island. No, my friends are as safe as the castrated ones who once guarded my seraglio. Safer, even, since even the knife can err. Captain Antero ... I vow that none of mine had anything to do with this. When I heard the outcries, I was in a deep slumber. I tried to use sorcery to determine what had happened, but there is ... was ... something out there in the night that clouded my vision.'

'You think Corais's attacker was magical?'

'I don't know,' he said. 'A demon? An incubus? I had no time to learn from the villagers before they were murdered what spirits might haunt this island. Nor did I perform any thaumaturgics to find out. Evidently I should have.

'Captain, I cannot say how horrified I am. I take this as an affront. I promised you safety and I failed to provide it. I am deeply ashamed. But I promise you for the rest of the time you remain on this island, nothing shall happen. I'll begin casting spells this very hour to keep your women ... and Cholla Yi's men, from the slightest jeopardy. More, I'll send my own demons, and there are some who owe me fell deeds, to cast about for whatever tried to commit this terrible thing. And when I find it, him or them, their tortures shall be beyond your most hateful dreams.'

I looked deeply into The Sarzana's eyes, and I believed believed him. I saluted formally and stalked out. him. I saluted formally and stalked out.

There were no other incidents until we left the island. In fact, even the s.e.xual attempts from the sailors stopped quite suddenly. But I no longer let any of my women go anywhere except in pairs, and, at night, no one, from Corais to myself to Dica and Ismet, was permitted to sleep beyond the sentry-ring.

The Sarzana was a constant presence, although he never intruded nor forced his company when it might not be wanted. But he was always there. The lowliest spearwoman might be walking her post at the loneliest end of the village, and The Sarzana would stroll past with a word of cheer, or a sailor might be concentrating on a splice, and find The Sarzana holding the line's end away from his knotting so it wouldn't snag. We officers ate with him often, although never so sumptuously as at that first banquet.

He never asked directly if he could accompany us when we left Tristan. But it was an idea that grew and grew, until at last we somehow all knew he'd joined the expedition, and we felt stronger and safer in that knowledge.

Just how he would help us, and just how much a.s.sistance we, in turn, were supposed to provide, was also never discussed. Not that The Sarzana was mute about his dreams, nor how one of us or all of us might be included. He systematically wooed each officer. I first saw his seduction at work one afternoon in his mansion. I'd gone looking for him at Gamelan's request to see if The Sarzana had power over windspirits, such as a seaport witch had. I found him in deep conversation with Cholla Yi, sitting in that alcove where he'd told us the story of his rise and fall.

As I approached he said, 'There's much wisdom in what you say, Admiral. Perhaps if I would have had a small cadre of loyal and skilled seamen with their own s.h.i.+ps always at my beck things might've gone differently, and I could have summoned aid from my home isles and not been driven from my throne. You've given me much to think on, sir, much indeed.'

I cleared my throat before I entered. The Sarzana stood and greeted me. I made my request, and he said such a matter was quite simple and he'd begin preparing the proper spells at once. After he left, I looked at Cholla Yi and lifted an eyebrow. I realized he'd heard me approach.

'So?' he said, without embarra.s.sment. 'So I'm looking for gold? What's the sin in that, because you choose to fight for a flag? I'm a mercenary, and we must always be looking for a new master. Certainly when we return to Orissa your Magistrates will be only too glad to see us sail away. Not that I've any great love for them anyway, to be honest. My men and I still think we were given an unfair casting of the die when we were compelled to carry you and your women over the seas chasing that d.a.m.ned Archon, instead of getting our pay and our loot as promised. Besides, do you care, Captain, what what I do, once my duty to you and Orissa is honestly fulfilled?' I do, once my duty to you and Orissa is honestly fulfilled?'

'I do not, Admiral,' I said. 'Once your duty is complete! 'Once your duty is complete! And not before!' And not before!'

'Then we are friends once more,' he said, and emitted that great boom of noise he meant to pa.s.s for jovial laughter.

That was but one instance. The Sarzana also spent a great deal of time with Gamelan. It seemed if I saw one, I saw the other. I found myself resenting it, oddly, then caught myself short. What was I thinking? Was I being basely jealous? Of course a great Evocator such as Gamelan would find more to talk about in the company of an equally gifted sorcerer rather than a beginner like myself, who had less than a village soothsayer's knowledge. But there was a very real concern after I'd overheard The Sarzana's offer to Cholla Yi. I knew what The Sarzana must be dangling in front of Gamelan.

At last I asked Gamelan direcdy. As always, the Evocator was straightforward.

'Of course, The Sarzana has been trying to win my support,' he said. 'He's offering, once he's restored to the throne and given full access to his former demons and alembics, to force a great spell against the other worlds, so that my blindness, both physical and sorcerous, will be ended.'

Another question occurred: 'All of us seem as if we've conferred on The Sarzana's fate and agreed we are to help him, even though no such discussion's occurred. That smacks of wizardry, and I'm not at all sure I like the thought of a spell touching any part of my thinking,' I said frankly.

'I, too, sensed that. He admitted his subconscious powers have perhaps sent a projection, if that's what it is. But what of it? I doubt if the man has sufficient strength to force such an opinion on all of us. My powers may be in abeyance, but I know know our minds would rail if we sensed evil intent from him.' our minds would rail if we sensed evil intent from him.'

A thought came and went, one that I didn't a.n.a.lyse until later: here it was again... again we knew something, without any firm foundation to that belief. here it was again... again we knew something, without any firm foundation to that belief. But before I could say anything, something more important came to me: 'What do you think he wants us to do, specifically, besides taking him off this island he's exiled to?' But before I could say anything, something more important came to me: 'What do you think he wants us to do, specifically, besides taking him off this island he's exiled to?'

'I've asked him that. He said very little, other than take him to an island group some distance to the south and west. These islands were among his earliest supporters, and he can use them as his base and rallying point. We'll have to sail secretly through two others first, however, since those Konyan outer islands are not only peopled by rude barbarians, but garrisoned with strong s.h.i.+ps of the Konyan barons, minions of his fiercest enemies. Once we reach the lands of his friends, we'll be free to sail on our way if we wish. As payment, he'll summon a conclave of the group's most skilled navigators and s.h.i.+p captains. Since these people are famous explorers, or so he tells me, he hopes that at least one of them will be able to help us set a true course for our home, and give us such magical aids as he can. He also vowed to help us see if the Archon still lives, and if so, to gather his wizards together to aid us in our fight.'

I thought hard. It didn't seem we had much of a choice, actually, and the longer I considered the more sure I became. We could either continue wandering these strange and deadly seas until we died, or else provide this small favour for The Sarzana. And what evil, my mind ran, would be caused by our doing this? Very little, I thought, again remembering the great respect I'd first felt for The Sarzana. If there must be kings, and from all he'd said Konya needed to be ruled firmly, there could be no better being than him. Of course he'd be far more just and merciful than any conspiracy of greedy petty lordlings, trying to force all these peoples into the wretched near-slavery of the past.

'Thank you, Gamelan,' I said finally. 'Again your wisdom has opened my mind further.'

A day later, while taking a pre-dinner stroll along the waterfront I encountered The Sarzana. I knew it was no accidental meeting, so after we exchanged courtesies, and he asked if he could accompany me, I was most gracious. Besides, I was most curious to see what he would offer, which might indicate how well he'd gauged me. The answer was very well indeed.

'You know, Captain, I have been speaking to others in your expedition.'

'Yes,' I said.

'Then you also know I've been making some of them offers of employment, or discussing other ways I might be able to help. I wish I could do the same for you.'

I said nothing.

'But I'm hardly that much of a fool,' he went on. 'I feel I know you quite well, Rali Antero, and consider you one of the most remarkable people I've ever met. Ruling is a harsh and cynical sport, and I've always believed that all men, and women, have a price. But you prove I must always allow for the exception.'

'I don't know about that,' I said, a bit tartly. 'But I do know flattery has never struck a chord in my guts.'

'I'm not flattering anyone,' he said, his voice ringing sincere. 'Although I know it sounds it. No, what I'm saying, Evidently quite badly, is that there's nothing I could offer you that you do not already have.'

I stopped and looked at him closely. I'm sure my eyebrows were lifted high. What, in fact, did I have? I slept alone, and felt that weight. The woman I once loved was lost and unknown leagues away, as were the handful of people I called family, Amalric being the only real one I cared about. Riches? I supposed I was wealthy with my share of the Antero lands and holdings. But here all I possessed were my weapons, my armour, a few clothes and what was in my warbag.

A thought struck. No, even here I was rich, at least by my own thinking. I had the respect, the obedience and, in a manner of speaking, love of all my soldiers. What more did I want, save to serve them well, and keep that love?

'Just so,' The Sarzana said gently. 'If you have a price, gentle Captain, it is beyond anything I can pay. Which is why I wish to incur a debt from you. you. If I regain my throne, I propose to establish a Guard much like the Maranon women. Its oath will not be to me, nor my descendants, if I indeed chose to have any. Instead, it will serve Konya. I would want such a force above all small concerns of men and the day-to-day rule. I think such a unit might be a great force for stability. I wonder if its greatest strength might be that it cleaves to its own, as does your Guard.' If I regain my throne, I propose to establish a Guard much like the Maranon women. Its oath will not be to me, nor my descendants, if I indeed chose to have any. Instead, it will serve Konya. I would want such a force above all small concerns of men and the day-to-day rule. I think such a unit might be a great force for stability. I wonder if its greatest strength might be that it cleaves to its own, as does your Guard.'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean men who prefer their own, or women like your Guards-women, or perhaps even those who belong to a single clan.'

I was instantly seething. 'Do you think, Sarzana, that we are what we are because of who we f.u.c.k?'

'No, no, of course not,' he said hurriedly. 'I've offended, but don't mean to. What I'm trying to say is that I do not know what what makes you and your Guardswomen what you are. But something deep inside says I must find out. Not just for me, but for all of Konya. We need to learn how to serve something greater than ourselves. And that is my request. When you and your women have returned to Orissa, and returned to your duties, would it be possible for me to send two or three of my most skilled ministers and one or two high-ranking soldiers I have in mind, if the barons haven't murdered them, to spend time with your Guard? I warn you, they will ask the most penetrating questions, trying to understand what you are and bring that knowledge back to me.' makes you and your Guardswomen what you are. But something deep inside says I must find out. Not just for me, but for all of Konya. We need to learn how to serve something greater than ourselves. And that is my request. When you and your women have returned to Orissa, and returned to your duties, would it be possible for me to send two or three of my most skilled ministers and one or two high-ranking soldiers I have in mind, if the barons haven't murdered them, to spend time with your Guard? I warn you, they will ask the most penetrating questions, trying to understand what you are and bring that knowledge back to me.'

My anger subsided. The Sarzana smiled wryly. 'You see? Just because someone is... or has been... a ruler doesn't mean he can't offend by accident. Perhaps that is why we kings know enough to surround ourselves with silk-tongued agents, so we don't say the wrong thing and end up starting a war. Again, my apologies, Rali, or, rather, Captain Antero. I shall say no more. But, when the time is right, would you at least consider my request?'

My anger was gone, and I found myself feeling quite warm. I didn't say yes, nor did I say no, and after a few more minutes one of The Sarzana's beast-men appeared with a summons and the lord left.

I stood looking after him. A most unusual man, especially for a king. A ruler of great nations, but a man who was still capable of making mistakes, and being embarra.s.sed for making them.

That night, deep in the dogwatches, I snapped awake. Nothing had happened to wake me, but I was as alert as if I'd had more than the normal four or five hours I require and a sharp round of calisthenics and a mile run as well. I dressed quietly, and went out into the village street. I stood indecisive for a moment, then started away from the waterfront towards the long stairs that led to the plateau. I came to the picket-line, and easily slipped past the sentry. She was alert, but the day I, or any of my sergeants or officers can't be more cunning than our soldiers is the day we'd best consider sheathing our blades and retiring to a room lined with thick batting. I was breaking my own orders, but felt quite safe with my sword on my hip and my dagger sheathed at the small of my back.

I went up the vast stairs leading to The Sarzana's plateau as far as the second landing, where the stairs opened again to the sky. The landing's railing faced south, and I went to it and gazed out into the night. The moon was only quartered, but there was more than enough starlight to see clearly. Down there, to the left, was the harbour, and the black dots of our s.h.i.+ps. Over there were the headlands we'd sail beyond in the next few days, headed away from the pole star. My gaze turned in that direction. At first, there was nothing but the darkness of the ocean, and perhaps a line where the horizon marked the sky and the stars began.

Perhaps what I saw was nothing more than nightfires, or phosph.o.r.escent seas. Perhaps it was a vision. I don't know to this day and think it best to let the reader, or even you, Scribe, judge what it meant, and I'll restrict myself to what I witnessed with my own eyes. Fires began, low and spattered across the horizon, as if we were travelling across a desert, and brightly lit cities were no more than a journey of a day or so further on. But then there were more and more of them, and I imagined them to be the lights of the Konyan islands, and knew the archipelago was vaster than I could imagine. Bright, and even brighter they shone, until it was as if I were on a height far greater than I was, looking over a valley.

The lights flamed, and then, from behind me, from above the plateau, came a darkness, far more Stygian than the night, swooping like a monstrous bat towards those sea fires. It swirled and dove, and then, and this was the strangest of all, that darkness was joined by an even more greater gloom, one coming from above. The two joined and dropped, and it was as if a water-soaked cloak was cast across spattered kindling, because all went quite black. No, my memory plays me false, for three or four lights flared, as if fighting that darkness, and then they, too, were gone.

I stood there for long moments, but saw nothing else. Then I noticed a sea breeze. It was chill, and I wondered why I'd not felt it before.

I went back down the stairs, past the guard, and to my bed, but slept no more, thinking about what I'd seen, without knowing what made it to be marked. I thought of asking Gamelan what he thought, but didn't. Perhaps my mind whispered that something, once spoken, is known to all, but what is in your heart can remain safely a mystery.

Cholla Yi decided we were ready to sail. The s.h.i.+ps were fully provisioned, and both the sailors and my Guardswomen as fit as they'd ever be. Finally we did hold a conference about The Sarzana, if something so short can be called that. Mostly the discussion was about which s.h.i.+p he'd sail on. Cholla Yi, naturally, wanted the honours. It didn't matter to me, other than I felt a slight niggling discomfort at this great lord (whom honestly I could hardly say I knew well, even though my guts told me I was a worrywart) and the mercenary admiral being partnered. When the meeting was over, we went to The Sarzana's mansion and formally offered ourselves as his escort, volunteering to return him to his homelands.

He was effusive to the point of tears, and behaved as if he were surprised. He swore we'd made a magnificent decision, and would be known in history as the saviours of Konya. As for himself, he could hardly find the words, and he knew that his descendants, and indeed, people who loved freedom everywhere ...

At this point, my ears closed, and I exchanged looks with Corais. At least there was one thing familiar about these lands - rulers still emoted n.o.ble speeches, full of grand words and magnificent gestures, speeches that went on and on and on. There were many ideas of what brave deeds qualified one for the Guard. Not the least was my own private one - an ability to listen to the biggest fool drone on for hours about the most empty things, while never moving a muscle from rigid attention and keeping your face bright and interested.

But at last he ran out of kingly things to say, and made a most surprising request: Would it be possible for him to sail on the same vessel as Gamelan? A look of anger flashed over Cholla Yi's face, and The Sarzana hastened to explain that he felt it his duty to attempt to restore Gamelan's powers, and wished to be close to him so their hearts could feel as one. Also, he felt it best if Gamelan was also on familiar ground, the s.h.i.+p he'd been travelling aboard since leaving his homeland. After that, there wasn't anything Cholla Yi could say, and so it was agreed.

I expected The Sarzana to ens.h.i.+p trunks and bales and cases full of everything from jewels to furs to magical volumes. There were but five boxes, and each of those could be lifted by one not terribly strong boy.

Evidently The Sarzana noted my surprise, because he smiled, and said, 'When all the world's been yours, and taken away, you learn what matters and what does not. A man travels best who travels lightest.'

The night before we were to sail, Gamelan approached The Sarzana and inquired when he planned to fulfil his promise to free his subjects. I thought I saw a momentary- frown, but knew I must be wrong. The Sarzana smiled, and said, 'On the morrow. From the s.h.i.+p.'

And so it was. Our s.h.i.+ps had upped anchor, and sat rolling in the slight harbour swell. The Sarzana had insisted the foredeck of our s.h.i.+p be set aside for him, and on it he'd put up eight torches, forming an octagon. He stood in the centre of them, and held his hands cupped, as if carrying something weighty. But there was nothing to be seen. He began chanting, but I couldn't make out his words, nor, when I asked later, could Gamelan or any of the oarsmen or sailors forward distinguish what he said.

I gasped, as I saw a torrent of creatures coming down the village streets from the plateau. At first I thought he'd invoked the ghosts of those slaughtered villagers, but then realized I was looking at his beast-men. None of us had realized how many of them he'd created, although we should've been able to, knowing how many servitors any palace requires. I couldn't say how many there were - Corais estimated five hundred, Polillo thought more, Ismet less. Most of them still wore the odd court clothing The Sarzana had made them wear.