C1 Saga of the First King 04 - The Bear by Salvatore R.A

Author:Salvatore, R.A. [Salvatore, R.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781429992589
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 2010-08-17T05:00:00+00:00

FOURTEEN

United Against the Other

“You cannot expect me to take him or his proposition seriously,” Bannagran said to Reandu. “Ethelbert wears his desperation clearly. He is afraid and knows the war is soon to end, and so he tries to turn us to his cause. He has nothing else to play.”

“His cause is Dame Gwydre’s cause,” Master Reandu reminded.

“Father Artolivan’s, you mean,” said Bannagran. Reandu straightened at that, unable to dispute the simple truth of it. His belief in Father Artolivan and St. Mere Abelle was surely his disadvantage in his dealings with Bannagran, but so be it. Master Reandu would not disavow the church whatever the personal cost of fealty.

“You would have me join with Ethelbert,” Bannagran accused. “You would have me turn the army of Pryd about and assault King Yeslnik for the sake of Laird Ethelbert and your church.”

“Do you think Yeslnik a more deserving king than Laird Ethelbert?” Reandu asked bluntly. “Truly?”

“I think that the ways of the world do not ask my opinion.”

“The ways of the world asked neither Delaval’s nor Ethelbert’s nor Yeslnik’s opinion!” Reandu shot back. “No divine angel swept down and told Delaval to claim the throne. No just and good god would ever ask that of the idiot Yeslnik!”

Bannagran’s stinging slap staggered Reandu back several steps. He held his balance, somehow, but came up holding his aching jaw and staring at the Bear of Honce incredulously.

Several times Bannagran—who seemed as horrified as Reandu—started to respond, but each time he just growled and scowled and shook his head.

“You cannot speak of the King of Honce such,” Bannagran finally explained, though it sounded hollow, even to him. “I have pledged my fealty to him.”

“You have often called me friend,” Reandu countered.

“And you make it a difficult proposition ever.”

“If I am your friend, then I must be able to speak my heart to you,” said Reandu. “And I did.” He rubbed his jaw again pointedly.

Bannagran glanced around to see a couple of groups looking over at him and Reandu curiously. They couldn’t hear the conversation, but they had no doubt seen the slap. The Laird of Pryd scowled at those onlookers fiercely until they retreated beyond the nearest tree line.

“I know the treachery you plan,” Bannagran whispered when he was certain they were very much alone. “You are encouraged by the arrival of Laird Ethelbert. I know that you will flee at the first opportunity with those brethren you have brought, and Ethelbert’s men will no doubt rejoin him.”

“They will not,” Reandu replied. “On their word. They are out of the war as they promised. Laird Ethelbert’s arrival here does nothing to change that.”

“We shall see,” said Bannagran. “And if not to Ethelbert, then they will go with you to your home chapel, to the side of Father Artolivan, where your loyalty truly lies.”

“I’ll not deny that,” said Reandu. “Never have I. I am a brother of the Order of Blessed Abelle. It is his path I follow above all others, and that path leads me to St.

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