Part 60 (1/2)

”That dress is very becoming,” Jarrod said, ”but it's making you dramatic. There are banquets after the fu- neral both here and at the Collegium. We shall be wel- come at either.”

”Well, eat your breakfast anyway. You'll need your strength.”

”Yes dear,” Jarrod said, and went through to the bedchamber.

The procession from Magician's Court to the Burn- ing Ground outside the walls was an impressive sight.

The black-draped coffin, the gleaming unicorn, horn, hooves, mane and tail s.h.i.+ning in the sunlight, accom- panied by the woman in black, the young men and women in a double file of white, the Mages in their rune-threaded gowns and then the rulers and the n.o.bil- ity in their splendid mourning clothes, all were part of the pageantry of death.

Arabella of Arundel was escorted by Varodias of Umbria; Naxania of Paladine was accompanied by Brem Argolan, the current Thane of Talisman. They were followed by the Oligarchs of Isphardel, Olivderval among them, her bulk supported on an ebony cane.

Next came Hodman Forodan of the Territi with the newly elected Mother Supreme at his side. There was a gap and then came Saxton Horbinger, Arundel's Prince Consort. He was followed by the cream of the aristoc- racy, divided into national groups. Darius of Gwyn- dryth and Otorin of Lissen walked with their fellow Holdmasters; the Umbrian delegation included Malum of Quem, the Margrave of Oxenburg and all the Elec-

330 tors save Phalastra of Estragoth, who was absent for reasons of health. The chief families of Paladine were well represented, though their ranks had been thinned by the rebellion. After that came well-connected men and women too numerous for anyone save the Cham- berlain to list.

All along the route through Celador, on either side of the gates, up on the battlements, lining the roadway leading to the Burning Ground, the common people stood in silence as the great ones of the world pa.s.sed by. Some had traveled as much as fifty leagues to bid farewell to the Archmage and to witness the spectacle.

There were a surprising number of children, surprising until one realized that a long chapter in the history of Strand was closing. Folk wanted their children to have the link to them that Ragnor had provided between themselves and their own parents. They wanted the chil- dren to remember the Archmage, if only in death.

Jarrod, pacing slowly along among his colleagues, could feel the sadness radiating from Nastrus and knew that the unicorn was reflecting the mood of the crowd.

Ragnor, he thought, would have considered it no more than his due. The Discipline was giving the people an extraordinarily impressive show. The old man would also have approved of Jarrod's choice of robe. It was black, which suited the occasion, with a band of stars in silver thread and diamonds which ran from the right shoulder, across the body, to the hem. The ring of the Keepers, functional now that the Place of Power was back, was on his right hand and, for the first t^me, the diamond tiara of the Mages ofPaladine was on his head.

It was hard to believe that he would never hear the rheumy chuckle of approbation again.

As the bier pa.s.sed under the East Gate, there was a commotion. The crowd on the right-hand side parted to allow a young man in a travel-stained cloak to lead 331.

a unicorn through. He fell into step beside Marianna and Nastrus.

”Josceyin?” Marianna's voice was a mixture of relief and exasperation. ”What is the world are you doing and where have you been? Your clothes are a disgrace.”

”I've just come through Interim with Astarus, Mother, and I haven't had time to change my clothes,”

the youngster replied levelly. ”I only heard about Rag- nor's death yesterday. We wanted to pay our respects.”

”But where have you been all this time? You fright- ened us half to death,” Marianna said, trying to keep her face composed for the crowd.

”I went to the Anvil of the G.o.ds to look for a uni- corn,” Joscelyn said, ”and I found Astarus.” He tried to sound noncommittal, but there was no mistaking the pride m his voice.

”I'll want to talk to you when this is over, young man,” Marianna said dangerously. ''In the meantime, straighten your cloak and keep your head up and your shoulders back.”

Jarrod could not see what was happening ahead, but he was alerted by the rapid burst of thoughts from Nas- trus. It was too fast for him to follow and obviously not aimed at him, but he knew that the unicorn was asking questions.

'What's happening?' he thought out. 'Is anything wrong?'

Nastrus finished his conversation before he answered.

'One of my offspring has arrived with Marianna's son.

They have joined the parade.'

'Is the boy all right?'

'He appears to have survived Interim intact,' the uni- corn returned dryly.

'Interim?' Jarrod was startled. 'How did he learn to do that?'