Part 68 (1/2)

”There were eight others like this,” said the Bailiff.

Eight? But there had been nine. Hogan, Argoth thought, my dear friend-where have you gone?

”Captain Argoth said there were nine.”

”We only found eight, Zu.”

Argoth turned to River, ”Did I miscount? Were there eight or nine?”

River didn't miss a beat. ”Eight, I think,” she said.

Argoth turned to s.h.i.+m. ”There were eight. But we cannot leave them there. They need to be collected and destroyed. Their dark lord must not return and find them.”

The Bailiff said, ”We found a pa.s.sage beyond the chamber where the battle took place. It is deep and broad and leads into the belly of the mountain.”

s.h.i.+m nodded. ”For years we've lived with the caves of this land, ignoring them, ignoring those who disappear. Perhaps it is time we find out what lives in their depths.”

s.h.i.+m cross over the s.p.a.ce between his men and the battered party and stood before Argoth. ”You've done well, Captain,” he said. ”Very well. And you'll have your celebration feast, but not just yet.”

Argoth looked into the eyes of his old friend and found . . . honesty.

What a fool he'd been to doubt him.

”What's wrong?” asked s.h.i.+m.

”Nothing,” said Argoth.

”You don't trust me yet?” asked s.h.i.+m. ”Lords, I should take offense.”

”I-”

”I nothing,” said s.h.i.+m. He pitched his voice low. ”Of course, maybe I should take that as a good sign. If I convinced you, then I convinced all the merry fellows I brought with me.”

”Do they trust this?” asked Argoth.

”I trust it,” said s.h.i.+m. ”And they trust me.”

”You're taking a great risk,” said Argoth in a low voice.

”Such little faith,” said s.h.i.+m.

He put one of his arms around Argoth's shoulders and turned to his men. ”My Lords,” he called.

Lords?

Two men separated themselves from the other soldiers. As they approached, Argoth saw it was Bosser, a captain of the Vargon clan, and the Prime, the head of the clan council.

”Do you see?” asked s.h.i.+m. ”You are not alone.”

Both Bosser and the Prime came forward to stand before Argoth.

Bosser stroked the moustache that grew down to his chin.

”Welcome back, Captain,” said the Prime.

In a quiet voice, s.h.i.+m said, ”It it time, my friend, for us to receive a little instruction.”

Argoth should have felt hope or worry, but after all that had happened, he only felt a weariness descend upon him.

”A new order will arise in this land,” said s.h.i.+m.

The words struck Argoth. Weren't those exactly the words the woman had used? Argoth looked to Bosser. ”You don't know what you're doing.”

”Not all Glories inherited their rule,” said s.h.i.+m. ”Some of them had to take it by force.”

”There are more powers at work here than just those of men,” said Argoth s.h.i.+m shook his head. ”Then we adjust the strategy,” he said and turned round to address the larger group. ”Men of the Shoka!” he shouted. ”It is time to celebrate. Argoth the Hammer has defeated the monster that terrorized our lands!”

They did celebrate that night at the Shoka fortress Lord s.h.i.+m himself commanded. s.h.i.+m made sure to ease his men with plenty of ale. They ate and drank and danced and then Argoth told them about how the monster had come after him and Hogan, the two who had first attacked it in the tower. He described the giant night maw in the cave and its bluish light. He described the power of the monster and its beautiful master. He told of Sugar and Talen having the courage and sense to deliver the Skir Master's ravelers. Of the battle, he spoke little. Then he told of how Legs had led them out again.

He left huge gaps in the story. He had to. Over the next few days the men would begin to wonder-what of Purity, why did the beast rescue her, what was Matiga's connection, what was the Refuge? He suspected the Crab, before he died, would have revealed that the Skir Master enthralled Argoth. He was sure that report was running, even now, through the clans.

After the tale, someone called out for a song. ”That blind one's a singer,” one of the men said. ”Let him earn his keep!”

Legs sat up chewing on a mouth full of frog's leg.

”Come on, boy,” someone called. ”A song.”

Legs swallowed, put down his frog leg, and wiped his mouth. ”I shall sing, but only if you promise not to pelt me with vegetables, bones, or knives.”

A few men chuckled.

”I don't want to be blindsided,” Legs said.

More laughed at that joke.

Argoth considered Legs again. The boy was resourceful. He kept his wits. He also was a puzzle. Had the weave that changed Talen changed him as well? It was something they'd need to look into.

Legs took a big breath, made a flourish, then began a song about the Mighty One Hundred-the sleth hunters in old Cath. Again Argoth was surprised. Legs sang with strength. It wasn't the full-bodied voice of a mature man. It was simple and clear and Argoth couldn't help but feel the emotion of the story. When he finished there was silence for half a beat. Then the men cheered and called for another. But not all the men were as pleased. Some of them looked at Legs with wariness.

Legs led them in a group song about a one-legged slave who saved the village onions. Then someone called out for ”The Hogwife.” It was a humorous song about a beautiful sleth who had consumed the soul of a boar. Usually the singer s ang each verse alone, then the group came in on the choruses.

Legs paused, then started the men clapping the rhythm.

Argoth wondered if he was the only one to see Legs's brief hesitation.

Legs began.

Her face fired devotion, Her body fired blood, If only she'd cease Her rooting in the mud.