Sword Masters
Page 42
All the Marching Night cheered.
"And, as I said, I will tell stories," Tarius said then added only half joking. "I truly believe that I am a frustrated bard."
"As long as you don't sing," Harris said pulling a face.
"I'm curious," Hestia said. "What stories will you weave of Persius, the King of the Jethrik?"
"Ah! Now you see, Hestia, the story of Persius is the greatest story of all. For it is the story of one who does a terrible wrong, but when his moment of redemption comes he seizes it and doesn't worry about the cost. His story will give hope to all who are burdened with guilt," Tarius said.
"And who will tell the story of Tarius the Black?" Harris asked.
"We all will," Hestia said.
* * *
Persius sat in his throne room. For the first time in years, the air smelled sweet to him. His heart felt lighter in his chest. These days almost everything made him smile. It was as if his soul had been returned to him clean and pure. He slept, and his dreams were sweet delight.
He must have been smiling again, for Hellibolt asked him. "Is there something that amuses you, Sire?"
"These days, Hellibolt, everything amuses me," Persius said. "I am not even annoyed that I have been waiting for Edmond and Justin for nearly an hour."
"The academy is at least half an hour's ride, Sire," Hellibolt reminded him. "Why did you send for them anyway?"
"You'll see," Persius said lightly. "I feel as if I have been reborn, Hellibolt. A dark cloud has been lifted from my spirit."
"Very good, Persius," Hellibolt said with an indulgent smile.
The court herald ran in. "Sire, Master Edmond and Master Justin, as you requested."
"Send them in at once," Persius said.
Edmond walked in carrying a scroll. Justin was right behind him.
"I'm sorry it took us so long, Sire, but I had to break up a fight on my way out the door," Justin said and added on a heavy note. "Master Darian always was better at dealing with the boys and their attitudes than I was."
"That's quite all right," Persius said. "Let me see the scroll. There are a couple of changes I want to make in the enrollment qualifications."
Edmond handed him the scroll reluctantly.
Persius opened it and read. "Here's the first one . . . Hand me a quill, Hellibolt."
Hellibolt produced a quill seemingly out of thin air, and handed it to the king, who began writing on the scroll. "No Katabull. How stupid a rule was that one? They are faster and stronger and better fighters. Of course they should be allowed to join the Swordmasters if they so desire. In fact, let us take a lesson from the Kartik. Katabull wishing to enter our academy don't have to meet any other requirements."
Edmond started to protest, and Persius held up his hand. "My mind is made up."
Persius read on. "Ah, here's it is." He started writing. When he finished he looked up at them and smiled. "If the women want to fight, then for the gods' sake, let them fight!"
THE END
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