Revenge of the Horseclan by Robert Adams

Author:Robert Adams [Adams, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, General
ISBN: 9780451124975
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Published: 1982-03-01T06:33:01+00:00

CHAPTER IX

Bill’s party dismounted before the city palace, more than three hundred years old, dating from the period before his ancestors had crossed the mountains, when Morguhnpolis-then called Eeleeoheepolis-had been the north-western jewel of the Crown of Karaleenos. It was an impressive building, fashioned of native granite and faced with that hauntingly beautiful grey-green limestone from Kehnooryohs Ehlahs. Its main chamber was almost as large as the outer courtyard of Morguhn Hall and was columned and paved with colored and veined marbles; but it was very difficult to heat, so was seldom used for anything. The footfalls of the noblemen echoed as they traversed the length of the huge chamber and mounted the wide marble stairs toward the second floor Council Chamber.

Komees Djeen frowned at sight of the four pikemen ranged before the tall, brass-sheathed doors of the Council’s meeting room. They were not the usual Free-fighter guards, but rather civilian Spearlevymen, Ehleenoee all. A skinny corporal of the same body stood just behind the pikemen, holding his knife-edged thrusting spear as though it were a frog gig.

Eyes fixed dead ahead, Bili and Djehf clanked toward the doors, outwardly unconcerned. After nervously licking his lips, the corporal hissed a whispered order and the levymen sloppily presented their pikes, no two at the same angle. Komees Djeen snorted in disgust and made a decidedly uncomplimentary remark concerning gutter-scum playing at soldier.

Bili and Djehf marched forward until the glittering points were but inches from their breastplates. The brothers stood thus for a moment. Then Djehf suddenly grasped the crossbar of the pike before him and savagely jerked it from the hands of its wielder. The levyman spun half around and, ere he could turn back, Djehf dropped the captured pike and booted the man’s rump so hard that he went sprawling, sliding a good way down the slick floor of the side hallway on his breastplate. Grinning, he reached for a second pike, but the levymen hastily grounded their weapons and backed up until the walls ended their retreat, leaving their corporal to guard the portals alone.

“The Council Chamber,” began that worthy, in a piping falsetto squeak. He flushed, cleared his throat, presented the long, wide blade of his spear, and started over. “The Council Chamber is forbidden to any save confirmed members of the Thirds!” He spoke in Old Ehleeneekos.

Komees Djeen shouldered between Bili and Djehf, demanding, “What language are you grunting in, you puling shoat?”

Before the unhappy man could frame an answer, Djehf’s powerful hand had closed on the shaft of the short spear. In a brittle voice, he announced, “If you don’t let go of that piece of junk, dungface, by Sun and Wind, I’ll bugger you with it!”

The corporal did let go, but not quickly enough to suit Djehf, who jerked the Ehleen away from the closed door, spun him about, and jabbed a good two inches of the broad spearpoint into his seat. The man screamed, then sped down the side hall, clutching at his bleeding posterior and howling like a moon mad hound.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.