Part 40 (2/2)

No one but the Star Brothers and the royal house could have secrets they would kill to guard. The royal house had no magic at its command, unless the piper still served them. The Star Brothers had magic more than great enough for this dreadful work, even without their beast.

Yet the Star Brothers were his allies! The count almost choked on the word. Was this a way to treat an ally, one who had promised to raise them and their folk high in the Border Kingdom? Slaughtering a trusted man, sowing fear among the soldiers, and unsettling the count's own mind?

The Star Brothers had done it, though. Perhaps they were like their hill folk after all, with no sense of honor outside the tribes. Perhaps they did not care what they did, because the secret they wished to protect was that they could prevail without Count Syzambry's aid.

With the fire gone, the night could not have been darker. It seemed colder, though, and the count drew the furs more tightly about himself as the chill seemed to strike at his wounds. Amidst the throbbing pain, the thought of offering peace to the royal house came again.

”Tell your master that peace shall come only when he offers his sword to Our service without conditions,” Queen Chienna said.

Decius smiled at the look on the faces of the handful of surviving court officials. The royal ”We” was the prerogative of a reigning monarch, not of a regent for an underage king. Nor had it escaped their attention that Urras was still called ”Prince.”

It seemed that the matter of a regency would not arise for some time, mostly likely not until after the decisive battle against Count Syzambry. This did not displease Decius in the least.

To be sure, as captain-general, he would have been a leading member of any Council of Regency. But there would have been others, more each day as n.o.bles with more loyalty than strength rallied to the royal standard.

Some of these n.o.bles considered themselves well-versed in war. They would not seek Decius's office, but neither would they cease to advise him how to conduct it. As for what they would say to Conan being captain of the Guard, or to Raihna and Aybas being captains at all, or Marr the Piper's very presence in the camp-Decius was happy that he would not have to listen to any of it.

All he would have to listen to was Chienna saying, ”We wish it done,”

or ”We do not wish this done,” and then obey. It was enough to make a man not merely believe in the G.o.ds, but to be convinced that they had some concern for justice and decency among men.

”May my master not even expect a pardon?” Count Syzambry's messenger queried.

The queen's eyebrows drew together in a way that Decius had seen a hundred times, ever since she was a child. No furious words followed, however. Her dignity was indeed regal as she merely said: ”Our words were simple. 'Without conditions.' Are you or your master deaf, that you cannot understand?”

The messenger seemed to at least understand that he would gain no more by staying, and perhaps lose the chance to make a dignified withdrawal.

He made it, and shortly afterward the clatter of hooves told of his departure.

Decius made the rounds of the sentries, told them to keep a watch for the return of Conan's picked men from their training march, then had a brief audience with the queen. She was tr.i.m.m.i.n.g her toenails with a soldier's knife as they spoke, but it seemed to Decius that she was more graceful than ever.

”We did not ask your advice before refusing the count's offer,” she said. ”For this, We ask your forgiveness. Do you think it was worth more of a hearing than We gave it?”

Decius's laughter was a harsh bark. ”Count Syzambry is trying to enlist your aid to save a lost cause.”

”Or the tales may be true, that he has Pougoi allies as well and fears them as much as he does Us,” Chienna pointed out.

Decius's dignity would not allow him to gape, but his face revealed enough to make the queen laugh. ”Decius, I should be angry at your thinking I am not old enough to hear such things. Remember, I am Queen of the Border, a poor queen, perhaps, but all the realm has-unless you think that Count Syzambry really should rule?”

Try as he would, Decius could not laugh at that jest. ”Captain Conan would be ten times fitter for the crown than Syzambry.”

”At least,” the queen said. She put the knife away and drew her stained robe down over her bare feet. ”We are well pleased with your service and value your counsel. May We always be able to trust them as We do today.”

Decius bowed himself out, thinking that wishes, even royal wishes, could not bind the G.o.ds. He was twice Chienna's age and would be fortunate indeed if he lived to teach Prince Urras the art of war.

Perhaps he should marry again. After burying a wife and three sons, it might be tempting fate, but his children and Urras might grow together.

The prince would need friends and playmates, certainly, and-

”My lord Decius. Do you wish to be alone?”

<script>