Cook, Glen - Dread Empire 03 - All Darkness Met by Cook Glen

Author:Cook, Glen [Cook, Glen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Adventure, Epic
Publisher: Berkley Books
Published: 1980-05-31T23:00:00+00:00

NINETEEN: Funerals and Assassins

Haaken rode at his brother’s side. Gjerdrum and Derel trailed them. It was the morning after the day following Eanredson’s return. He had arranged the funeral quickly, for Victory Day, for whatever symbolic value that might have.

Behind them. Dr. Wachtel rode in a small carriage. He was too fragile for a horse. He would be an important speaker. His honesty was beyond question. His testimony would dispel rumors surrounding the Queen’s passing-though he wouldn’t tell the whole truth.

The word had spread quickly. The streets were human rivers flowing northward.

Ragnarson told Haaken, “Keep a sharp watch. This mess is perfect for an assassination.”

“I’m watching.” He glanced around. “Something we should talk about. Ragnar.”

“Oh?”

“He’s bound for trouble. And he won’t listen.”

“What is it?”

“A girl.”

“That all? Well. The little devil. Ain’t fifteen yet.... You remember Inger, Hjarlma’s daughter, back home? I was about his age when....”

“If you won’t take it. serious either....”

“Wait. Wait. I do. These southerners worry about that crap. Never understood why. She somebody’s daughter?”

“No. Her father’s one of Ahring’s sergeants. It wouldn’t be a political thing. I’m just thinking we’ve got trouble enough already.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to him. Where is he, anyway?”

“With Valther and his bunch.”

“Maybe I’ll keep him closer.”

“You keep saying that.”

“I get distracted. Damn, I miss Elana.” He sagged in his saddle, momentarily overwhelmed by past emotions.

They encountered Valther on the road. Ragnarson asked, “You found anything, Valther?”

“No. Except that there were three men involved in Nepanthe’s disappearance. I found their hostelry. The landlord thought they were guards off a caravan from Throyes.”

“Ah. And Throyens look pretty much like desert people.”

“Same stock. But they wouldn’t have told the truth, would they?”

“Why not? Still, even if they were, they were just hired blades. Anything else? Mist?”

“I can’t find much. No Nepanthe. No Haroun. No Mocker. Nothing here in Kavelin....”

“Trebilcock,” Valther said.

“I’m getting to it.”

“What about him?”

“I located him. He and a man named Dantice are in the Savernake Gap. Apparently following Nepanthe.”

“What the hell? I told him to keep his ears open, not to.... Following? You sure?”

“No.”

“I hope so. This could be a. real break.”

“You want I should send a squadron after them?” Haaken asked. “In case they need help?”

“Let them run free. Trebilcock don’t attract much attention. They might lead him to the guy running the assassins. But I’m not doing this right. Valther. She’s your sister. What do you think? Should we risk it?”

The spymaster pondered, looked to his wife for support, thought some more. “She seems safe, doesn’t she? If they meant her harm, they’d have done it already.... I don’t know. Using your own sister....”

“You’ve done it before. For smaller stakes.”

“All right. Let it ride. We have Turran to avenge. And my other brothers. Brock. Luxos. Ridyeh. Okay. But I hope this Trebilock is competent.”

“I think so. There’s a man under that weird facade.”

“I’m trusting you. Now, what about Oryon? He going peacefully?”

“Yes. He’s in a hurry to find out what’s up at High Crag. I don’t like him, but he’s okay. He believes in the Guild.

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