Part 27 (1/2)

Skilgannon sighed. 'There is truth in that. Although I doubt you wish me to succeed. Be that as it may, I shall take Garianne.'

'I think she will surprise you,' said the Old Woman. 'And now let me fetch you the maps.'

Leaning heavily on her staff she made several steps towards an open door. Then her head turned and she stared at the silent Rabalyn. 'What a handsome young man,' she said. 'Can you recite the code, Rabalyn?'

'Yes, mistress,' he answered. 'I think so.'

'Say it.'

Rabalyn glanced at Druss, then drew himself up. He licked his lips and took a deep breath.

'Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak ... I don't remember the rest exactly, but it's something like don't allow money to make you evil?

The Old Woman nodded. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil. The iron code of Shadak. The simplistic philosophy of Druss the Legend. And now it is yours, Rabalyn. Do you intend to live by it?'

'I do,' said Rabalyn.

'We will see.' Then she moved away.

At first Rabalyn was pleased to be outside the ruined tavern, and back on open streets under a clear sky. The atmosphere inside had been sinister and more than a little frightening. When the ghastly face under the gauze veil had turned towards him Rabalyn had felt sick with dread.

Now, however, as the small group moved through the crowded streets, Rabalyn was less happy to be outside. He cast nervous glances at the hostile faces of the citizens as they pa.s.sed. Skilgannon and Druss seemed unconcerned, and chatted quietly. The youth looked at Garianne. She was muttering to herself, and nodding and shaking her head.

They moved on, more slowly now through the ma.s.s of people, coming at last to a wider square. Here several men were standing on the back of a wagon and addressing the crowd.

The words were angry, and, every so often, the crowd would cheer loudly. The speaker was railing against the iniquities suffered by the populace, and demonstrating how the rich were to blame for the shortage of food, and the anguish of the citizens.

No-one accosted the group, and they eased their way through, and out onto a wider avenue. Rabalyn moved alongside Skilgannon. 'There is so much anger,' said the youth.

'Hunger and fear,' said Skilgannon. 'It is a potent mix.'

'That man back there was saying the rights of the citizens had been taken away.'

'I heard him. A few weeks ago that same man would have been blaming foreigners for their plight. In a few months' time it might be people with green eyes, or red hats. It is all a nonsense. They suffer because they are sheep in a world ruled by wolves. That is the truth of it.'

Skilgannon sounded angry, and Rabalyn fell silent. They walked on, coming at last to the gates of the emba.s.sy quarter. Crowds had gathered here too, and they had to force their way through to the front. The gates were locked, and beyond them stood around forty soldiers, some in the red cloaks of the Drenai, others in the thigh-length chain mail and horned helms of Vagria. Beyond the soldiers were bowmen, arrows notched. The gates were tall, and tipped with iron points. On each side were high walls, but already some in the crowd had scaled them and were sitting on the top, shouting down at the soldiers.

Skilgannon tapped Druss on the shoulder. They won't open the gates for us,' he said. 'If they did the crowd would storm them.' Druss nodded agreement, and the small group eased their way back through the mob, moving off to the side to a jetty overlooking a ca.n.a.l.

Stone steps led down to the water's edge. Skilgannon led them down to the waterside. The angry shouting from above was more muted here, and Rabalyn sat down with his back to the stone wall, and stared out over the water. In the distance he could see more s.h.i.+ps anch.o.r.ed in the harbour, awaiting their turn to be unloaded.

'They are going to storm the gates,' said Garianne.

'I don't believe they will during daylight,' Skilgannon replied. 'They may be angry, but no- one wants to die. They will shout and curse for a while. That is all. Tonight may be different.'

Druss stood silently by. Skilgannon approached him. 'You seem deep in thought, my friend.'

'I do not like that woman.'

'Who could? She is a malevolent crone.'

'What did you make of what she said?' The older man's eyes locked to Skilgannon's gaze.

'Probably the same as you.'

'Say it.'

Skilgannon shrugged. 'She knew too much about what your friend was seeking. How? My guess would be that Orastes went to her, seeking her help, and that she then betrayed him to this Ironmask.'

'Aye, that would be my reading also,' said Druss. 'Though I cannot work out why. If she hates Ironmask, why would she deliver a potential enemy to him?'

'She is a subtle creature, Druss. She wants Ironmask dead. How better to do that than to make him an enemy of Druss the Legend?'

'There could be truth in that. However, this is a woman who once sent a demon to kill a king. I fought that demon, and, by Missael, it almost had me. Why does she not simply send another after Ironmask? She has the power.'

'The answer to that,' replied Skilgannon, 'probably lies in what she did not say. Tell me about this Ironmask. She said you met him.'

'Yes, when I came here three months ago. As she said it was at a banquet. The King did not attend, and Ironmask greeted the guests. He is a big man, but he moves well. There is an arrogance in him - a physical arrogance. I'd say he was a fighting man and a good one.'

'What was his role here?'

'He led the King's bodyguards, and also supervised the creation of the Joinings. The plan was to use them in war, but they could not tame them sufficiently. Ironmask was also the lord of some group calling themselves Arbiters. Strange bunch. Every one of them I met looked at me as if I was a demon. They have a hatred of foreigners. Diagoras thinks it ironic - since Ironmask is also a foreigner.'

'Where is he from?'

'No-one seems to know. Probably Pelucid.'

'Why do they call him Ironmask?' asked Skilgannon.

'He wears a metal mask, which covers his face. Did I not mention that?'

'No.'

'It is a close-fitting and well-made piece, beautifully crafted.'

'He is disfigured then?'

'Not really. I saw him remove it at the feast. It was hot in the hall and he wiped his face with a cloth. He bore no scars. The skin on his nose and the right side of his face is discoloured, dark, almost purple. Like a large birthmark. The mask is just vanity.'

'You say he supervised the creation of the Joinings. Is he a sorcerer himself?' Skilgannon asked. Druss shrugged.

'No-one knows. Diagoras thinks not. He says Ironmask brought a Nadir shaman to the city. From what the Old Woman said I would guess he is from this stronghold in Pelucid.'

Skilgannon turned away and gazed out over the harbour for a while. Then he swung back.

'I too know little of magic, Druss, but I would think it is this shaman who prevents the Old Woman sending demons after Ironmask. A summoned demon must be paid in death. If the attack is repulsed the demon will return to the sender and take their life. If this shaman is powerful - and judging by his creation of Joinings he is - then the Old Woman dare not attack Ironmask directly with sorcery. If the shaman repulsed her spell she would die. Therefore she needs a mortal weapon.'

From above them the shouting increased. Then someone screamed. People began running down the steps to the waterside. Others fled along the quayside. Datian soldiers in full battle garb of breastplate and s.h.i.+ning helm appeared, swords in their hands. As they marched down the steps the milling city dwellers below panicked and began to hurl themselves into the water. One man put his hands in the air. 'I meant no harm,' he shouted. A short-sword plunged into his belly. A second soldier slashed a blade through the man's neck as he fell.

Several more soldiers, swords drawn, advanced on Druss and Skilgannon. Rabalyn was terrified. Then Skilgannon spoke, his voice calm, his att.i.tude relaxed. 'Is the path to the gate now open?' he asked. 'We have been stuck here for an age.'