The Seer And The Sword by Victoria Hanley

Author:Victoria Hanley [Hanley, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781409048169
Publisher: RHCB Digital
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Ardesen, King of Desante, sat stiffly in the tall chair of his council room, flanked by two guards. His grey head was erect, old eyes alert and fierce. Outside, winter held the land in her frosty grip. The king was grateful for the warm blaze at his hearth.

Hadnell, one of his army captains, bowed as he was ushered in. Ardesen invited him to sit.

‘Do you know why I called you?’ the king asked.

‘I believe it’s about a soldier in my charge, sir?’

‘Yes. Bellanes.’ The king frowned. ‘He’s been fighting in the Desan games, invoking the old rule.’

‘Yes, sir. He fights till he could easily kill, then spares the lives of the criminals.’

‘And goes away as poor as he arrived.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘The people are flocking to the games, even in winter. My coffers are filled with a healthy amount of rashoes.’

‘They adore him, sir. Stand about outside his quarters for a glimpse of him, though they’re not allowed in our compound.’

‘Humph. Hero worship? How does he respond?’

‘Seems to have a distaste for it, sir. Goes about his duties as before.’

‘Tell me, how is he with his duties?’

‘Efficient.’

Ardesen stifled a grin at the fact that Hadnell had forgotten the ‘sir’. The man looked as if a simple earthen mug he drank from every day had transformed itself into a sacred chalice.

‘How many criminals has he defeated and spared?’

‘Fourteen, sir.’

Ardesen pursed his lips. ‘Fourteen men. This Bellanes could be rich by now. And the criminals are returned to prison with shortened sentences, as the rule dictates?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Can this Bellanes be beaten?’

‘An excellent fighter, sir.’

Ardesen set the tips of his fingers together. ‘Why does he do it?’

‘He doesn’t say, sir.’

‘Do we know this young man’s origins?’ the king prodded.

‘Comes from Guelhan, sir.’

‘Ah. Parents?’

‘Dead, sir.’

‘Friends?’

‘The other men like him.’

‘Who taught him to fight?’

Hadnell smiled tightly. ‘He says a bully taught him, sir.’

Ardesen grinned. ‘What else does he say?’

‘Not much, sir. A quiet man.’

The king extended his feet towards the burning logs. ‘There’s a fight tomorrow, between Bellanes and Andris the Thief?’

‘Yes, sir. Andris is a famous criminal. Stole many horses before he was caught.’

‘And Andris is a fighter as well?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘I’ll be in the king’s box. Thank you, Captain.’ He waved a hand.

Ardesen enjoyed surprises; ran his kingdom with ingenuity. He looked for inventiveness in the people round him, and seldom found it. More often, he got infuriating flattery. Sometimes, he found men and women who gave him years of trustworthy service. He never failed to promote such work. Nevertheless, he often sighed over the lack of more unusual vision.

This Bellanes must be a different sort of man. To fight death battles and forgo the gold in favour of mercy was a bold act. Risking his life for nothing, though? That had a desperate stamp.

I wonder what he wants.

King Ardesen was sure Bellanes wanted something.

In the round walled courtyard, Bellanes stood, wearing leather armour, naked sword in hand. Like sides of a great bowl, the viewing stands rose in tiers above him. A cold, grey sky looked down on cheering spectators in quilted coats.

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