Erland bowed. ‘Majesty, our missing friend Baron Locklear has been accused of having murdered your daughter. For those of us who know him, this is impossible. But even if some madness or evil sorcery forced him to such a deed, he could not have been the man who slew your daughter.’
‘Why?’ asked the Empress.
‘Baron Locklear’s not the kind of man who would harm a woman, even if he had cause, save to defend himself. But look, even if something …’ Erland fumbled for words. ‘Even if something caused him to act … unlike himself … he wouldn’t have broken Sojiana’s neck. He’s a master with the blade, and he’d have used his sword or dagger. He’s a skilled fighting man but lacks the brute strength to break a neck of someone who’s resisting. The Princess was not a petite woman. And if she was at all like her daughter, there was strength under that soft skin.’
The Empress nodded. ‘Sojiana was stronger than she looked. All the women on my side of the family are like that. We look soft, but we’re not.’ She was quiet for a moment, then said, ‘But if Locklear didn’t kill her, who did?’
Erland said, ‘I fear, that if I’m correct about what has happened, then Locklear is in danger … if he isn’t already dead.’ He looked around the room, then said, ‘The man who stilled the heart of the Princess Sojiana possessed the hands of an ironmonger or smith. Someone powerful enough to break walnuts with his bare hands.’ From the reaction of the gallery, it was clear that Erland wasn’t the only one to have seen the portly man crush a walnut with his bare hands.
Nirome’s voice was defiant. ‘This proves nothing!’
A guard captain in the armour of the Household Guards hurried into the room and whispered into the ear of the Master of Ceremonies. He, in turn, made a gesture requesting permission to approach the Empress. She gave permission and he hurried up the dais.
When he was finished passing on the report, the Empress sat back. ‘Well, then, there you have it. We have reports now that two companies of the Legionaries are still barricaded in one wing of the palace – in open defiance of orders to put down their arms – and armed companies of men are moving throughout the city.
‘Now,’ she said, rising from her throne, ‘we are faced with continued rebellion in our own city! The Imperial Seal of Peace is upon the city, and the man who draws sword first, or whose retainer draws sword first, that man be he base born or most noble lord, is under death sentence. Do I make myself clear?’ The last was directed at Lord Ravi and General Aber Bukar, who stood motionless.
The Empress sat again and said, ‘Again I am faced with betrayal and disloyalty, but have no means of discerning the truth.’ Finally, as if giving in to the inevitable, she said, ‘Perhaps the truth will never be fully revealed.’ She looked at her son as she spoke.
Prince Awari went livid at that point and had his hand on his sword hilt before Lord Jaka put a restraining hand upon him.
Nakor stepped away from James’s party and said, ‘Empress, may I speak?’
Lakeisha said, ‘For the return of the falcon alone you have my ear, Isalani. For those other services you’ve done, you’ve earned more. What have you to say?’
‘The why of things is often unimportant. The thing itself is important. This fat lord betrayed a trust, and if you must know why, I can help.’
‘How?’
Grinning, Nakor said to Ghuda, ‘Bring the fat lord out here, before the dais.’ As the mercenary did so, Nakor put his rucksack on the ground and began rummaging in it. After a moment of searching, he said, ‘Ah!’ and pulled something out.
All near to him reflexively stepped back, for in his hands he held a cobra of stunning beauty and impossible proportions. The snake was easily six feet in length and as thick as a man’s forearm. The back scales were the gold of beaten metal, and the inside of the hood and throat were the green of the darkest and most vivid emerald. Eyes like fire opals, blue-black with red flame dancing in them regarded the crowd, which muttered with astonishment. A blood-red tongue flicked in and out of its mouth. Then it opened its mouth with a loud and ominous hiss, revealing two terrible-looking fangs of ivory. It writhed and hissed again as Nakor set it down on the floor in front of Nirome. The courtier shrank back against the steps of the dais as Nakor said, ‘This is the Truth Snake of Sha-shu. To lie before him is to embrace death.’ With a cheery note to Nirome, he added, ‘It’s very painful.’
The serpent slithered to Nirome’s feet then raised itself up, so that it appeared to look the stout trueblood lord in the eyes. The broad hood flared out and silver sparkles danced on its golden back.
Nakor said, ‘The snake will not strike so long as you speak truth. One falsehood and you die. There is no warning. It is infallible.’
Nirome could barely move, he was so mesmerized by the swaying serpent that rose up before him. Then when it was but a foot away, he said, ‘Painful or not, this death will come faster than what she has in store for me, I am certain?’
Nakor shrugged. ‘Perhaps, but time is a funny thing when you’re lying in agony. I have heard that this creature can make minutes seem like days. Still, the choice is yours.’ Then he approached the noble and said, ‘Tell the truth. You’re to die anyway. Lims-Kramga may place you a tiny bit higher on the Wheel of Life when it comes around again if you make amends.’
Nirome glared at Nakor. Nakor shrugged. ‘It was just a suggestion.’
The cobra moved, swaying back and forth in rhythmic fashion, from left to right, then back to the left. Nirome stared at it, and the cobra flared its hood, hissing loudly and drawing back as if to strike.
On and on it held the nobleman’s gaze, and after a few minutes, everyone could see Nirome’s eyes grow hooded, as if becoming entranced by the serpent. Finally Nirome said, ‘Enough.’ His voice was exhausted, and the strength seemed to be flowing out of him. ‘I planned this from the beginning.’
Several members of the Gallery spoke in hushed whispers. The Empress said, ‘What was Awari’s part in this?’
His expression turned to bitter amusement as Nirome turned to face his Empress. ‘Awari is a strutting peacock and a fool. He thought I was but seeking to bolster his claim. I was going to place blame upon Awari for Sojiana’s death, or at least cast enough suspicion that no one would accept him as heir to the throne.’
‘So,’ said the Empress sitting back in her throne, ‘you would put Sharana in my place. But why?’
Nirome said, ‘Because Ravi and his allies would never accept another Empress. The southern nations are ready to rebel once more and with the Brothers of the Horse holding the pass through the Girdle of Kesh, Lesser Kesh would be lost for all times. And Lord Jaka and the other truebloods would never accept a non-trueblood consort. So there was only one solution.’
Lakeisha was silent a moment, then she nodded. ‘Obviously. Marry Sharana to one who is heir. Make her husband Emperor upon my death.’ She sighed. ‘And who better but the Great Conciliator, Lord Nirome. The only member of the Gallery without enemies? The one man able to speak to trueblood and non-trueblood alike?’
The Empress covered her face with her hands, and for a moment it appeared as if she might be weeping. When she at last removed her hands, her eyes were indeed red-rimmed, but no sign of tears could be seen. ‘How have we come to this, that our best plot for their own aggrandizement, and not for the well-being of the Empire?’ She sighed loudly and said, ‘My lord Ravi, would this plan have worked?’
The Master of the Brothers of the Horse bowed. ‘Mistress, I fear the traitor was correct. Until this evening, we believed the Prince, your son, to have been the one responsible for Sojiana’s death. We would not have accepted Sharana as our mistress, but we would not have allowed one who has spilled royal blood to command us. Nirome would have been the logical compromise.’
The Empress seemed to lose her strength, so far back into the throne did she slump. ‘Ai-eee!’ she half-screamed. ‘All is tumbling toward the pit! All trembles on the brink of chaos, but for the kind fortune that sent these two boys to our c
ourt!’
Erland said, ‘Majesty! If I may ask a boon?’
Lakeisha said, ‘You have been as wronged as any here, it seems. Prince Erland. What is your wish?’
‘A question of Nirome.’ To the trembling lord he said, ‘Locklear has been branded with the murder of Sojiana. I told you that only a man with powerful arms and hands could have broken her neck in such a fashion. Did you kill her and cast the blame upon my friend?’
Nirome gazed at the hovering serpent and barely whispered, ‘Yes.’
James said, ‘Where is Locklear?’
Nirome said, ‘He is dead. His body is hidden in a grain room in the lower levels. Beruck killed him and I killed Sojiana.’
Gamina’s eyes began to brim with tears and James and the twins all looked stricken at the news. They had known against all hope that Locklear was most likely murdered, but until they had actually heard the news they had held out hope. Borric was the first to speak. ‘Majesty, I know that Kesh had no part in the death of one of our Ambassadors. The Kingdom of the Isles will demand no reparation.’ He spoke calmly, but everyone close to him could see the tears that were gathering in his eyes.
Rising, the Empress turned to look at the assembled Gallery. ‘Hear my judgment!’ Pointing at Nirome, she said, ‘This man, by his own words, has condemned himself.’ Turning to stare at the traitor, she said, ‘Nirome, lord no longer, by your own words you have confessed your evil and for this you shall die.’
The stout man stiffened and said, ‘I demand my right to die at my own hands!’
‘You shall demand nothing!’ spat the Empress. ‘You are not of the blood from this moment forward. There will be no sweet death as you drift into intoxicated oblivion from a gentle poison, no lightly cut wrists in a hot bath as you drift away into eternal sleep.
‘In ancient times a punishment was decreed for those who betrayed their kings and queens. It has not been pronounced in centuries, but it shall be now. Nirome, this is to be your fate: you are to remain in a cell this night, to dwell upon your wrongdoing and your coming death, and at every beating of the quarter-hour, a guard shall repeat this sentence aloud to you, so you may have no rest. Then at dawn, you are to be taken to the temple, and there shall the guard read your sentence to the High Priest of Guis-wa, so that the Red-Jawed Hunter will hear that you are not worthy of a place in the Eternal Hunt. Then you shall be taken to the base of the plateau and stripped naked. Then shall a dozen guards of the trueblood whip you and run you through the city. Should you fall, they shall apply hot coals to your buttocks, until you rise and run again. At the gates of the city you will be hung in a cage, and your sentence will be read aloud by guards upon the hour, so that all passing may hear of your crimes. Even the lowest shall be offered sticks of bamboo with which to torment you, so you may feel the wrath of those you betrayed, yet you shall endure and no one shall grant you merciful death. When you are near unto death from exposure, you shall be taken from the cage and revived with water made bitter with vinegar and bread covered with salt. You shall be driven by lash and hot coals to the edge of the Overn Deep, to the marshes where the first Kings of the trueblood hunted. There you shall be made to drink the bitter wine of betrayal and eat the rotten meat of treason. Then shall your manhood be cut from your body. You shall then be bound and thrown into the marsh, where the crocodiles of the Overn shall devour your flesh.
‘In every royal decree and record of your time among us, your name shall be stricken so that no one shall ever speak it again. In its place will be written “one who betrayed his nation,” and the name Nirome will be forbidden to children of the true-blood from this day forward. In time, even the gods will not know who you were. And in the black void of the nameless and forgotten will your soul endure eternal confinement, alone.
‘This, then, is my decree!’
The Master of Ceremonies called out, ‘She Who Is Kesh has spoken! Now, let it be done!’
Guards hurried forward and hesitated as they reached the cobra. Nakor motioned that the snake wouldn’t touch them, and the guards seized the terrified Nirome. ‘No!’ he screamed as they dragged him from the court, and his cries echoed through the halls.
The Empress looked then at Toren Sie, who barely managed to look up as the Empress spoke. ‘You, my onetime friend, shall name every accomplice in this plot and perhaps I shall be kind to you: a quick death or perhaps even mere banishment. Otherwise you shall follow your friend in humiliation and pain.’
Lord Toren Sie spoke in a broken whisper. ‘Your Majesty is merciful. I shall reveal all.’
As he was led away, the Empress motioned to the cobra and said to Nakor. ‘Do something with that.’
The grinning wizard hurried over and said, ‘This, Empress?’ He reached down and grabbed the cobra around the middle, and when he stood, there was only a long strand of cord in his hands. ‘This is just a piece of rope.’
He coiled the line and put it back in his rucksack. Erland’s eyes were wide, but Borric said, ‘It’s only a trick.’
• CHAPTER EIGHTEEN •
Triumph
THE SERVANT BOWED.
Borric, Erland, and their companions entered a small garden, and the servant bade them sit upon soft cushions surrounding a wondrous table, with all manner of delicacies and a choice of fine wines. A cold pitcher of lager and a warm pitcher of ale were the choices of Ghuda and Nakor respectively; both wore fine robes provided for the occasion by the Empress’s staff.
When the Empress entered, carried in a sedan chair, all began to rise. She gestured for them to remain where they were. ‘There are so few occasions I can manage a little informality, I relish those times. Sit, sit.’ The servants who carried the chair placed it at the head of the low table and removed the long poles that they used to carry it.
Sharana entered a moment later, and came to sit between her grandmother and Erland. She smiled at Borric, who looked her over with open and frank appraisal.
‘I wanted a little informal chat before we return to this miserable business of the Jubilee. I can’t believe we’ll have to endure another four-and-a-half weeks of it.’
Erland said, ‘I was somewhat surprised that you ordered it continued, Majesty.’
The old woman smiled. ‘Nirome’s plotting would be nothing compared to the troubles I’d start if I tried to cancel the festivities, Erland. The Lords and Masters might wish land or power, but the common man of the Empire merely wants his fun. If we tried to take it away from him, we’d have blood in the streets. You’ve the look of a common enough fellow, Ghuda Bulé. Isn’t that true?’
Ghuda, uncomfortable at being this close to such powerful and important people, said, ‘This is true, Majesty. Most men won’t give you much trouble if they get food to eat, a roof over their head, a good woman now and again, and some fun along the way. Too much bother, otherwise.’
The Empress laughed. ‘A philosopher. And a serious one.’ To the others she said, ‘Didn’t even notice I was having fun with him.’ She sighed. ‘I think I may have lost the knack of fun.’
Looking at Ghuda, she said, ‘So then, what is your reward to be for helping save our Empire?’
Now Ghuda looked terribly embarrassed, and Borric said, ‘He was promised ten thousand golden ecu, by me, Majesty.’
‘Done,’ she said. ‘And again that much from our treasury. How would you like to stay on and help run my Inner Legion, Ghuda? I have many openings for officers, and more to come as Toren Sie confesses.’
Ghuda smiled weakly, uncomfortable to be refusing such an offer, but he said, ‘I am sorry, Your Majesty, but I’m overwhelmed.’ He glanced around, then said, ‘I think twenty thousand ecu would ruin me.’
Borric laughed. ‘This logic is lost on me, my friend.’
Ghuda shrugged. ‘I’ve spent a lot of time guarding men with money, and mostly they’re unhappy, either worrying about making more money, or fearful someone else will take what they have. I agreed to the Mad—er, Prince Borric’s promises, because I h
onestly didn’t think I’d live to see a copper.’ He smiled. ‘I’m pleased to be wrong. No, if you could see your way clear to reward me with a tenth of that amount, I think I’m going to take the money and open an inn, in Jandowae maybe. The weather’s nice there, and there’s not much trouble. I’ll get a couple of pretty serving girls and maybe even marry one of them and have some sons. I’m getting too old for travel and adventure.’
The Empress smiled warmly and said, ‘I envy you your modest ambitions, warrior. You’ll do well telling your stories around the taproom in the evening. But you have my debt and should you ever need an ear at court, send word and I’ll listen.’
Ghuda inclined his head and said, ‘Your Majesty.’
‘What about you, little man?’ she said to Nakor. ‘What can we do to thank you for your part in this?’
The Isalani wiped foam from his mouth with the back of his sleeve and said, ‘Could I have a horse? A large black horse maybe? And a fine blue robe to wear when I ride her?’
The Empress laughed and said, ‘A thousand horses if that is what you want.’
Nakor grinned. ‘No, just one will do, thank you, Empress. It’s difficult to ride more than one at a time. But one beautiful black horse and a grand blue robe would once again make me Nakor the Blue Rider. That would be a fine thing.’
‘Anything else? Gold? A court appointment?’
Reaching into his rucksack, Nakor pulled out a deck of playing cards. Ruffling them, he said, ‘As long as I have my cards, I don’t need gold. And if I take an appointment at court, I won’t have time to ride my black horse. Thank you, Empress, but no.’
The Empress regarded the two men and said, ‘The two most refreshingly original characters to walk into the palace in my life and I can’t keep either of you around. Very well,’ she said, with a hint of humour. ‘But if I were Sharana’s age still, I’d find a way to keep you here.’
Everyone laughed at that. The Empress said, ‘Lord James, I’m sorry to turn the conversation to more serious matters, but we’ve located the body of your companion. Baron Locklear will be made ready to return to Krondor and a guard of honour shall escort him to his father’s estates at Land’s End. The Empire stands ready to make any reparation your King may ask. He was a noble of the Kingdom and our guest; his safety was in our hands and we let him come to harm.’
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