Part 16 (2/2)

'I'm sorry.'

'And I'm not wise, Rabalyn. Had I been wise I would have stayed home with the woman I loved. I'd have farmed and planted trees. I'd have raised cattle, and sold them at market.

Instead I found wars and battles to fight. Old and wise? I've met wise men who were young, and stupid men who were old. I've met good men who did evil things, and evil men who tried to do good. It's all beyond my understanding.'

'Did you have children?'

'No. I regret that. Though I have to say that I get tense around the very young. The screaming and the squalling grates on me. I'm not a great lover of noise. Or people, come to that. They irritate me.'

'Do you want me to stop talking?'

'Laddie, you came down that tree and probably saved my life. You can talk as much as you like. Sing and dance if you want to. I may be cantankerous, but I'm never ungrateful. I owe you.'

Rabalyn felt a surge of pride. He wished he could hold on to this moment for ever. The silence grew. Rabalyn listened to the crackle of burning wood, and felt the night breeze blowing against his skin. He looked back at the axeman. 'If you truly are like those killers who attack cities then why did you help those people when the soldiers were killing them?'

'Had to, laddie. It's the code.'

'I don't understand,' said Rabalyn.

'That's the only difference between me and the killers. They see what they want and they take it. They have become just like those beasts we slew tonight. Outwardly they look like the rest of us. Under the skin they are savage and cruel. They have no mercy. That beast is in me too, Rabalyn. I keep it chained. The code holds it.'

'What is the code?'

The axeman gave a grim smile. 'If I tell you, then you must swear to live by it. Do you really want to hear it? It could be the death of you.'

'Yes.'

The axeman leaned back and closed his eyes. When he spoke it was as if he was reciting a prayer. The words hung in the air. 'Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong.

And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.'

'Did your father teach you that?' asked Rabalyn.

'No. It was a friend. His name was Shadak. I have been lucky with my friends, Rabalyn. I hope you are too.'

'Is it Shadak you are looking for?'

Druss shook his head. 'No, he died a long while back. He was more than seventy. He was knifed in an alleyway by three robbers.'

'Were they caught?'

'Two were caught and hanged. One escaped. He fled to a settlement in the high hills. A friend of Shadak's tracked him down and killed him, and the gang that he had joined.'

'So who are you looking for?'

'The young Earl of Dros Purdol. He came to Mellicane two months ago, and then went missing.'

'Perhaps he's dead,' said Rabalyn.

'Aye, the thought had occurred to me. I hope not. He's a good man, and he has an eight- year-old daughter, Elanin, who is a constant joy. Whenever I see her she makes daisy chains I have to wear in my hair.'

Rabalyn laughed, as he pictured the grim warrior with a crown of flowers. 'I thought you said you got tense around the young?'

'I do. Elanin is an exception. Last year on my farm a wild dog ran at her. Most children would have panicked. The dog was large and it would have savaged her. Even as I ran to ward it off she picked up a stick and thumped it across the nose. It yelped and fled.'

'And you like her because she's brave?'

'I admire courage, boy.' The old man sighed. '1 expect she's back in Dros Purdol now worried sick about her father. To see the two of them together lifts the heart.'

'Can I travel with you to Mellicane?' asked Rabalyn.

'Of course. But your friends will come for you.'

'I don't think so. We were scattered when the beasts attacked. I expect they'll just go on without me.'

Druss shook his head. 'As you get older you'll learn to judge men better. The man with the swords would never leave a friend behind. He'll keep looking until he finds you.'

'Unless the beasts killed him.'

'That would surprise me,' said the axeman. 'Trust me. He would be a hard man to kill. Now you should get some sleep. I'll sit for a while and - with your leave - enjoy a little silence.'

'Yes, sir,' said Rabalyn, with a smile. Settling down by the fire he tried to stay awake. He wanted to savour this night, to fill his mind with it so that not even the smallest detail would ever be lost to him.

'Was your father a king?' he asked sleepily.

'No. He was a common man, like me.'

'I'm glad.'

Rabalyn was almost asleep when the wind changed. He heard distant howling, and what sounded like a scream of pain.

'There's others fighting tonight,' said Druss. 'May the Source be with them.'

The sound of the old man's voice comforted the youth.

And he slept.

Elanin was a bright child, and, until recently, happy and contented. When her mother arrived for one of her infrequent visits to Dros Purdol she had been pleased to see her.

When Mother said she was going to take her on a trip to sea, to meet her father in Mellicane, she had been delighted. She hoped, as children do, it meant that Mother and Father were getting back together, and would be friends again.

But it had all been a lie.

Father hadn't been in Mellicane. Instead Mother had brought her to a huge palace, and there she had met the awful Shakusan Ironmask. The meeting had not, at first, been frightening. Ironmask was a big man, wide-shouldered and powerful. He was not wearing the mask that gave him his name. His face was handsome, though strangely discoloured from the bridge of his nose down to his chin. One of the servants back at Dros Purdol had a purple birthmark too, on the side of his face. But this was far worse.

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