Rigante Series 03 - Ravenheart by David Gemmell

Author:David Gemmell
Language: eng
Format: epub

Kaelin felt a welling sense of disappointment as they passed through the stockade gates. Two sentries came down, and began laughing and joking with Chara. They were speaking Keltoi and Kaelin felt excluded. Worse, he felt as if he had lost something precious. The journey with Chara had been fulfilling in a way he had never experienced before. Her company was a delight to him. Now that company was being shared. Chara took one of the guards by the arm, a tall man, wolf lean and hard-featured. She led him to Kaelin. This is Rayster, my dearest friend,' she said. Kaelin struggled to be polite.

'Good to meet you,' he managed to say.

'And you, Kaelin Ring.' Kaelin looked into the man's bright blue eyes, and saw the glint of amusement there.

Rayster held out his hand and Kaelin shook it. The grip was firm. 'You've the look of the Rigante about you,' he said. 'Rare for southerners, I find.'

'Then you do not know my uncle Jaim Grymauch.'

Rayster chuckled. 'Oh, I know Grymauch,' he said. 'He's a bull-stealing drunkard, and I love him dearly. But then he's no southerner. He was born not three miles from here. I have not seen him in many months. I heard though how he thrashed the Varlish fighter. Man, but I would love to have seen that. There's no better knuckle and skull fighter than Grymauch.'

Kaelin found himself relaxing in the man's company, though he wished Chara would let go of Rayster's arm.

The other guard was a smaller wiry man. He had a thin, straggly red beard that barely disguised his receding chin. Chara introduced him as Wullis Swainham. Kaelin thrust out his hand. Wullis took it, the handshake soft and swift, then swung away to climb back to the stockade wall.

Both guards were wearing pale blue and green cloaks, chequered with red vertical and horizontal lines, and Rayster also sported a kilt crafted from the same cloth. 'I thought Rigante colours were outlawed,' said Kaelin.

'Aye, they are, but this is not Eldacre, man. This is Black Rigante country. Beetlebacks do not trouble us much now. However, we remain vigilant. There's always talk of some force or other on its way to wipe us out. They are not foolish, though, these Varlish. Take a look around you. This pass is one of only three routes into our stronghold. It is guarded - as are the others - and great would be the loss of men among the attacking company.

The pass narrows and climbs, and we have traps all the way along it. Aye, and two cannon, both equipped for canister shot.'

'What is that?'

'The Varlish developed it. Hundreds of tiny lead balls fired with a single charge. One blast could wipe out scores of attackers. My guess is they'll leave us alone for a little while yet.' He swung to Chara, leaning down to kiss her cheek. Kaelin quelled his anger and looked away. 'Time for you to take our guest up to the great house,' said Rayster. 'I'll see you at the feast.

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