(eng) L. Sprague de Camp - Novarian series Jorian 03 by The Unbeheaded King

Author:The Unbeheaded King [King, The Unbeheaded]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

AFTER RIDING THROUGH THE DARK FOR HOURS, JUDGE GRALLON CALLED: “YOUR MAJESTY, HOW MUCH FARTHER WILL YOU DRAG ME? ‘TWILL TAKE ALL THE MORROW TO GET BACK!’

“You shan’t get back,” said Jorian.”I am taking you to Othomae.”

“By Imbal’s iron pizzle, what for? Mean you to slay me there?”

“Not at all, your Honor. I have a task, wherefor you are uniquely qualified.’

“Task? Art mad? What task could I possibly perform for you?”

“Service as arbitrator in a dispute. You will receive the standard fee and be sent back to Xylar no worse for wear.”

“That is the strangest proposal I have ever heard” exclaimed Grallon.”Why should you trust me to deliver a just verdict, after you have treated me so wrongfully?”

“Because I knew you of old, when I was King. Will you do it?”

Grallon hesitated.”Only if I can discharge my office honorably, without prior conditions or constraint.”

“That’s my wish, too. I ask not that you incline to my cause because of my connection with Xylar, and even less that you incline against it because of the strong measures I have taken to protect myself.”

“Very well, then,” said Grallon.”Meanwhile I am half dead from bouncing on the back of this cursed beast. At least unbind me. Do you mean to camp out?”

“Nay. We shall soon reach another inn.”

“And who is this young person?”

“You shall know in good time.”

“At least tell me whether it be male or female.”

“Not just yet. Ah, methinks I see a light through the trees! When we go in, I shall be Nikko of Kortoli, and you Master Grallon. Think not to raise an outcry of kidnapping, for we are now well within Othomaean territory. You know the love between Othomaeans and Xylarians! They’d say, give him an extra kick for me!”

At the inn, Jorian took a room for two. He offered no explanation of Margalit in her young man’s garb. If anyone noticed the unmasculine bulges beneath her jacket, they forebore to comment in the presence of one so formidable-looking as Jorian.

Leaving the tavemer to warm up leftovers for their supper, Jorian shepherded his two companions into the room. As he set down their baggage, Margalit took off her forester’s hat, so that her curly hair sprang out.

“I know you now!” said Judge Grallon, “You are the Queen’s lady-in-waiting, Margalit of Totens. I heard of your disappearance from the palace. What do you here? What of these wild tales of a scarlet demon’s snatching you from the Queen’s apartments?”

“Just a little sorcery gone awry,” said Jorian.

“But—but that does not explain her being with you on Mount Aravia! And in men’s garb, forsooth! She evanished from the palace in the month of the Eagle, and here it is almost springtime! What have you twain been up to in the meantime?”

“That’s enough questions,” said Jorian.”You forget you are my prisoner and not the other way round.”

The judge turned to Margalit.”But you, Lady Margalit? What do you here? Are you in some plot with this runaway king?”

Margalit began: “Why, as to that—”

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