Part 13 (2/2)
”I would judge also that some may not wish to remain in Our service and that you wish them to travel safely,” Eloikas said.
This time Raihna's reply was as swift as a runner's start. ”I cannot swear to that, Your Majesty. But if there are such men, would you ask me to hold them in your realm against their will?”
”We would not. We suspect that if We did, We would hear plain words on the matter from Lord Decius.”
The only word for Eloikas's look at his captain-general was ”fatherly.”
”Your Majesty is gracious,” Raihna said. ”I would also beg that you consider taking my under-captain, Conan of Cimmeria, into your service.”
This time Eloikas's look was that of a king asking advice of a trusted counselor. The captain-general shrugged.
”Conan might have my voice in less troubled times. As matters stand, when a stranger might have more than one allegiance-”
Now it was Conan's elbow that prodded Raihna's ribs. Her outraged look did not turn into outrageous words.
”Your Majesty, if I may speak for myself... ?” Conan said.
Oyzhik hissed again. ”Who asked you-?” he began.
”Peace, Oyzhik,” Eloikas said. ”Even a condemned man may ask one final favor of the judge.”
”Your Majesty, before you condemn me to leaving Mistress Raihna's service, to which I am sworn until she sets me free, please hear from my own lips what I did.”
”You may speak.”
Conan obeyed. His account of his deeds since entering the Border Kingdom was as plain as a halberd head. No gilding that he could give it would make it more convincing. He could hope for no more or no less than persuading the king that he was not in Count Syzambry's service and never would be.
When Conan finished, the king nodded. ”You speak very freely before a king.”
”Your Majesty, I've faced men, and more than men, far more to be feared than just a king.”
”And learned flattery from them?”
”Call it what you will, Your Majesty. I call it the truth.”
Eloikas laughed softly, but it seemed that his eyes were not altogether dry. The silence lasted some good while until the king spoke again.
”We think that this Cimmerian can be trusted sufficiently to be offered a post in Our service. Oyzhik, you have spoken often of needing more seasoned soldiers in the Guard to instruct the recruits.”
Oyzhik was silent. He looked ready to deny that he had ever said any such thing until he saw Decius's eye upon him. The captain-general might have been shouting, ”Lie at your peril!”
”It is true that I can instruct the recruits only by plucking the ranks of the veterans,” Oyzhik said sullenly.
”Then We think the favor of the G.o.ds is evident in sending Conan the Cimmerian to Our realm. Conan, if it pleases Mistress Raihna, would you become Sergeant of the Second Company of Our Guard?”
Conan looked a question at Raihna. She nodded.
Conan knelt again. ”I accept with pleasure, Your Majesty. By all the lawful G.o.ds of this and other lands, I swear that you'll not regret this decision.”
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