Shadowfane by Janny Wurts

Author:Janny Wurts
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, General, Fiction, Fantasy, Epic
ISBN: 9780246134172
Publisher: Grafton
Published: 1988-11-15T08:00:00+00:00

* * *

Torchlight and the pinpoint gleam of wax candles lit the great hall at Cliffhaven, though the hour was well past midnight. Clad formally in robes and myrtle circlet, Taen Dreamweaver perched on the dais to the left of the Kielmark's chair while a crowd dressed in brocades and livery milled restlessly below. Royalty, the elect of the Alliance, and an assembly of town mayors, complete with servants and attendants, squabbled over seating for the council called by the Kielmark. His unreasonable choice of timing had cut sleep and tempers short. More than one delegate examined the furnishings with displeasure, recognizing prized gifts claimed as tribute, or items pirated from vessels that had attempted to run the straits without acknowledging Cliffhaven's sovereignty.

Taen smiled as the mayor-elect of Telshire squeezed into a cushioned chair too delicate for his enormous girth. Close by, the youngest crowned head in Keithland vanished between two pages, a secretary in hot pursuit; King Kisburn's untimely death had left an heir of eight, and royal advisers had their collective hands full playing nursemaid. Fifteen council members of the Alliance clustered, stiff-backed and disapproving, before a doorway guarded by the Kielmark's sentries. Beside their weaponed presence, the dignitaries seemed palsied and grey. Never had Keithland's vulnerabilities been more evident than in the diversity of rulers gathered to formulate the defence, Taen reflected. Their bickering and disorganization might easily last until dawn.

The sovereign Lord of Cliffhaven entered, shirtless but resplendent in white breeches, sea boots, and a magnificent silver-hilted broadsword. Rubies sparkled above his bronzed and muscular chest as he strode to the dais, his senior captain in full dress uniform on his right. The buzz of conversation faltered, then renewed with a note of defiance as the Kielmark reached his leopard-hide chair. He rested crossed wrists on the back, and his voice boomed out as if he stood on a ship's deck. 'Kor's grace, some of the furnishings are interesting, even familiar, I admit, but sit down, all of you, at once.'

As if the words were a signal, the sentries at the door dressed weapons. The sharp, metallic clang stilled the crowd in the chamber; faces turned forward with resentment.

The Kielmark surveyed the officials and the royalty gathered in his hall. 'That's better.' With the passionless interest of a king wolf, he sat himself; and the sentries by the doorway sheathed steel to chilly silence.

Corley took the chair to the right. Bruises from a recent fight discoloured the skin over his collar. But the death wish that had troubled him earlier now seemed utterly banished; as the Kielmark opened council, his senior captain calmly took up whetstone and knife. The Dreamweaver closed her eyes with relief.

'I called you here for the purpose of defending Keithland against Kor's Accursed.' The sovereign of Cliffhaven paused and fingered his sword; and immediately the Alliance representative from Skane's Edge disrupted order. Bald, middle-aged, and over-dressed in a robe festooned with ribbon, the man sprang to his feet.

'Pirate! How dare you preside

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