Part 39 (1/2)

Syzambry resolved to honor them for that, the more so when he learned that among the Pougoi were two of the Star Brothers.

”Star Brothers,” he said as they were ushered into his tent. ”I hope it is good tidings that you bring me here, on the eve of final victory.”

”The tidings could be better, and likewise worse,” the elder of the two Star Brothers said. He had a beard bound with bra.s.s wire into three plaits and a fluent command of the lowland tongue.

”We have come without our beast, which cannot live away from the lake we made for it. We have also come with only part of the warriors of the tribe. The remainder were needed to guard our women and children from those tribes that would use a time of weakness to avenge themselves for our service to you.”

Syzambry had a sense of being told both less and more than the truth.

The courtly manner of the Star Brother did not ease his mind. The wizard seemed to have spent much of his life winning allies by telling them what they wished to hear.

”How many warriors have you brought, and what chiefs?” Syzambry asked.

That should smoke out some of the fleas at least-

”Fifty warriors, among the best of the tribe, but no chiefs whose names you would know.”

”Then who will lead the warriors in the final battle?”

”We shall stand close to the forefront of the battle,” the younger Star Brother said. ”As we shall also be among the warriors, what we say, they will hear easily.”

”I am sure they will,” Syzambry said. Pain throbbed in his head, not from any wound but from the old sick headache that came from rage at fools. ”But will they hear the commands of men wise in war? I doubt not your intent, but have you ever fought in such a battle as this will be?”

The two Star Brothers could do no more than shake their heads.

”I thought as much. Will you grant that I may place one of my own captains over your warriors? It will be prudent for you as well as for them.”

”You doubt our courage?” the elder asked, bristling.

”I doubt that the greatest sorcerer in the world can cast a useful spell when he is trying to keep steel from entering his guts,” Syzambry said. He tried to keep his voice level. From the look of the Star Brothers, he had not succeeded, but they recognized his authority.

”Good. Then I will chose a captain within days, and you may come to know him before we march. Is there more?”

The wizards shook their heads and withdrew. Syzambry waited for a decent interval, then summoned Zylku and told him of the meeting with the Star Brothers.

The man listened in silence, but his face grew pale. ”You want me to spy on these ragged-a.r.s.e hill men?”

”I want you to sit down with them and some good wine first. Drink lightly, see that they drink deep, and listen. Listen, and what you hear, tell me. You are no soldier, but you are something at times worth more-a man with keen eyes and ears, and a mouth he can keep shut. Also, I think you understand more of magic than you admit.”

Zylku's face said nothing to these last words, but he nodded. ”Ah. You smell something, too, about the Pougoi coming in like this?”

”You presume greatly to hint that I am a witling.”

”Forgive me, my Lord Count.”

”Earn your forgiveness, by learning what the Star Brothers are hiding.”

It might be risking much for little to offend the Star Brothers, and doing so for no more than satisfying curiosity. Yet Syzambry was certain that more was amiss with the Pougoi than the Star Brothers had told him.

He was almost certain that Eloikas and his minions had a hand in it.

And if it was something that might give new strength to the flagging royal cause and make it more formidable on the day of battle-