Part 68 (2/2)

Queen Ayfa said, ”It may be true that the murderer Tony Wayland is now in our custody. If so, we will consider turning him over to you in exchange for our sacred Sword.”

”And the ten boatloads of weapons you managed to get away with,” Aiken demanded, ”before the patrols and Lord Neyal's stalwarts got their a.s.ses in gear and chased your gang of sneak thieves across the river.”

”We know nothing about any boats or weapons,” said Ayfa blandly. ”We have heard that Roniah was attacked tonight by Lowlives. But the Firvulag Nation holds to the Armistice, as always.”

”So that's the line you're going to take, is it?” Aiken's simulacrum twirled the heavy Sword, filling the mountain hall with dancing prismatic lights.

”That's it, Aik,” Sharn said. ”You want Wayland, he's yours.

You fly the Sword personally to Betularn tomorrow, the first day of the Truce. He'll meet you on the Northern Track two leagues above Roniah. He's leading a peaceful exploration party in the Hercynian Forest at the moment. That's where Wayland was captured.”

”Tony told Katlinel the Darkeyed another story,” Aiken said.

”Lowlives are such liars,” said the Firvulag King.

Ayfa said, ”We only deal on a no-questions-asked basis.

Wayland for the Sword. Take it or leave it.”

”Oh, I'll take it,” said the little man. ”Tomorrow then.

Around sunset. And no tricks, or you'll regret it.”

Ayfa's face a.s.sumed an expression of cynical solicitude. ”Are you quite sure you feel up to flying all the way from Goriah with that heavy Sword? We wouldn't want you to strain yourself, dear.”

”Your concern is touching,” Aiken replied earnestly. ”But I guess if I can sustain an astral projection through a klom and a half of solid rock, I'll be able to muddle through on the flit. See you all at the Grand Tourney.” The golden figure began to s.h.i.+mmer, then abruptly resolidified, strode over to young SharnAdor, and tapped him briefly on each pauldron with the flat of the Sword. ”Almost forgot. I hereby dub thee an honorary Tanu knight. Stride boldly, Lord Ador the Wart-Biter! Come and see me sometime, kid-and happy Nameday.”

With that, the Tanu King disappeared.

The a.s.sembly of Firvulag all began to shout at once, some in triumph, some in indignation at the brazen behaviour of the regal Foe. The child in armour turned to his parents with a s.h.i.+ning face.

”Father! Mums! Did you see what he did?”

Ayfa and Sharn's eyes met above their son's head. ”We saw,” said the King bleakly. He knelt down, grasped the child, and exclaimed: ”You will repudiate the base accolade! Aiken Drum is the Foe, destined to fall before my sacred Sword in the Nightfall War, and you are a warrior youth, not to be distracted from our glorious Way by idle gestures! Do you understand?

Say that you repudiate him!”

”I do,” cried the child. ”I do.” And he turned and ran from the dais with his visor down to hide his woe.

VEIKKO: Walter! Walter!

WALTER: ... Oh, son. Are you all right? I tried to farspeak you earlier but there was no reply, and I was so worried.

VEIKKO: We had a lot going on around here to keep us busy.

The Famorel Firvulag attacked Camp Bettaforca around 1900 hours. Another bunch of them ambushed the climbing team this morning. One of the climbers was killed but the others are all right. They've rendezvoused with Basil in Camp 1 and plan to start out for the summit at first light.

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