Demon King by Bunch Chris

Author:Bunch, Chris [Bunch, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4405-5356-1
Publisher: Prologue Books
Published: 1998-12-04T05:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

THE NEGARET

I am Tribune Damastes á Cimabue,” I announced boldly, “appointed ambassador plenipotentiary to the Court of King Bairan by the Emperor Laish Tenedos, in the name of Saionji the Goddess.” I added the last because I wasn’t sure these border guards had gotten word of who I was, and thought I’d invoke some protection, remembering the Maisirian’s vaunted piety. Indeed, I saw two of the horsemen flinch at the dread mention of the destroyer goddess. The bearded man looked disappointed, and lowered the lance.

“And how did you come?” he demanded.

“By boat, horse, and foot,” I retorted, and a Negaret snickered, getting a black look from his leader.

“I meant … But you will not tell me your route, eh?” I didn’t reply. “Very well. Perhaps I know it. I am Jedaz Faquet Bakr. Jedaz is my title, and means — ”

“Commander of the Threshold,” I said. “What we call Frontier.”

Bakr looked mildly pleased. “So you know of us Negaret, eh?”

“Not nearly enough.”

“Come, then. Let us learn and grow together.” He bellowed laughter. “I have been ordered by King Bairan, greatest of all monarchs, to await your arrival, to serve you in any way I can, and convey you to his officials at Oswy, where you will be greatly honored and taken to the capital of Jarrah. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Maisir.”

“I thank you,” I said.

“You’ll no longer need your horned beasts. Tell me, do your men ride, or are they raelent?” Raelent meant “less than men,” and I guessed to the Negaret that meant anyone on foot.

“They ride,” I said.

“Good. We brought horses.” He waved to his men, and two led saddled but riderless horses toward us. “Tell me, Tribune Damastes,” he asked, “what took you so long? We have been riding up and down picking our teeth for two weeks. Were the mountains harder than you expected?”

“Not at all,” I said. “We found them so entrancing we stayed to frolic in the snow as a holiday. My apologies for letting you get bored.”

Again Bakr shouted laughter. “Good. Very good. You are only the second Numantian I’ve met. I think you’ll make very good enemies when we fight.”

“But we aren’t at war,” I said.

“For how long?” Bakr said. “It’s always the nature of the strong to test their strength, is it not?”

I shrugged.

“I would have expected a more soldierly answer,” Bakr said. “We were told of your reputation as a warrior, and I expected someone far fiercer.”

“When I’m among friends,” I said, “there’s no need for ferocity.”

He looked impressed. “A warrior … and perhaps a man of words as well. Now, let us see how well you ride. Our camp is two hours distant, and let us see how much longer it takes us with our new baggage.”

• • •

We moved lower and lower through the foothills. As we descended, the rain grew lighter and then stopped altogether.

I examined the manner, dress, and weaponry of the Negaret with great curiosity. They came from wildly varying stock.

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