Rogue Sword

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Rogue Sword Page 22

by Poul Anderson


  “How then will you seek it?”

  “I know not. Search I must, but search is useless. He will come to me if He chooses. But I don’t think He ever will. I am not worthy, and don’t know how to make myself worthy.”

  En Jaime rubbed his eyes. It left a red mask. “No one remains to me,” he said on a thin, rising note of terror. “No one but God, Who will not show Himself.”

  He dropped Lucas’ hand and walked from the room, out through the entrance hall and the broken main door. Lucas listened for the sound of hoofs, but there was none. En Jaime had gone from the house on foot.

  Orio shivered. “Move along, you scuts,” he barked to his men. “Let’s get loaded and away.”

  There was too much death in this place. Lucas went out onto the portico. The wind bit and whistled. Weariness dragged at him. A long way back, he thought; will it be as hurtful to as many as were all the miles which led me here? He leaned on a column and wished he could weep.

  A footfall sounded behind him. He turned with the jerkiness of worn-out nerves. Djansha stood there in a woolen gown and cloak.

  The clouds were breaking up. Moonlight streamed across her. “I could not wait any longer for you,” she said.

  If a man is fortunate, there are a few pure moments in his life. They do not last; the doubts and fears, guilt, loneliness, all the grubby little weaknesses return; but he has had those instants and knows life is joyous.

  The wind filled his lungs and blew the ache from his head. A good wind for their voyage. Northward glittered his oldest friend, Polaris, the wander-star. But I am bound the other way, he thought. I am going home.

  He took her arm and they walked down toward their ship, the victorious knight and his lady.

  Table of Contents

  Rogue Sword

  Prologue

  Chapter I

  Chapter II

  Chapter III

  Chapter IV

  Chapter V

  Chapter VI

  Chapter VII

  Chapter VIII

  Chapter IX

  Chapter X

  Chapter XI

  Chapter XII

  Chapter XIII

  Chapter XIV

  Chapter XV

  Chapter XVI

  Chapter XVII

  Chapter XVIII

 

 

 


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