Khaavren Romances - 04 The Lord of Castle Black by Steven Brust

Author:Steven Brust [Brust, Steven]
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Vlad Taltos, Khaavren Romances
ISBN: 9780312855826
Publisher: New York : Tom Doherty Associates, 2003.
Published: 2003-08-04T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter the Fifty-First

How Our Friend Prepared for Battle,

With Some Discussion of How Conversation

Can Be Overheard, and How This Might Lead

To the Transmission of Significant Messages

« ^ »

While Fentor attempts to explain to Morrolan certain principles of military

science—principles which, we fear, could only interest a small fraction of our

readers—we will turn our attention to a place some fifteen miles away—because

even as Morrolan and Fentor were looking east, so Zerika and Khaavren were

looking west.

"I confess," Zerika was saying, "that I should feel better if I knew how many of

them there were."

"Well," said Khaavren. "Since you bring that up, so would I. It seems clear that

those we pursue have either joined with a larger army, or are about to do so. I, like

you, wish to know which it is, as well as the size and precise disposition of this

larger army which is, at this moment, only theoretical."

"Is there a way to learn?"

"I could go there."

"I should rather you send someone. I wish you to stay nearby in order that I

might have your advice."

"What advice can I give without knowing more about our enemy?"

"As to that, I do not know. But send someone else."

"Very well." Khaavren frowned, considered, and then gave instructions to Pel

and Kytraan, who bowed and departed without comment. Khaavren turned to Zerika

and said, "Well?"

"Yes?"

"You wished my advice?"

Zerika shook her head.

"How, you do not?"

"In fact, Captain, what I wish for is your companionship. I find that having you

nearby reassures me."

Khaavren clenched his teeth severely against the display of any emotion, and gave

the sort of grunt that he had been accustomed to make when, as Captain of the

Phoenix Guard in what he thought of as his "old life," the Emperor had uttered some

enormity to which he, Khaavren, had been unable to make any response that was

both honest and respectful.

Zerika interpreted this grunt correctly and made the only possible response—that

is to say, none at all. In this, her actions were as appropriate to her station as

Khaavren's were appropriate to his. At this point, the reader may have observed that,

in many ways, Zerika had fallen instantly into her rôle—she was acting more

Imperial, one might say, with each passing day. Was this because she came from the

House of the Phoenix, and, what is more, from a line that had produced many

Emperors? Was it a chance matter of character? Was it from certain training she had

received, perhaps unknowingly, during her youth?

Alas, this is not a question the historian can answer. We know how she acted,

because all of the records are clear on this matter, as well as countless letters and

journals that speak of interactions with her. But we cannot know why it is, and

moreover, we must look with great suspicion upon anyone who claims to such

knowledge.

An hour or two later, Pel and Kytraan returned and presented themselves, saying,

"We beg permission to report on our mission."

Khaavren nodded, and Zerika said, "I should like nothing better. Did you learn

anything?"

"Nearly," said Kytraan.

"The troop we fought with before is now scarcely two miles from us," said Pel.

"And what are they doing?" asked Zerika eagerly.

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