Conclave 1 - Talon of the Silver Hawk by Raymond E Feist

Author:Raymond E Feist [Raymond E Feist]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-08-05T23:00:00+00:00

'No,' said Tal. 'The Duke had some relatives with him, a son I gather, because of the resemblance, but he made no introductions; I doubt I rank high enough in his estimation to have taken the bother. Who are you looking for?'

'I don't know,' said Caleb. 'There's a man . . . a magician. He and my father crossed paths before, years ago. We have reports he might be back. We thought him dead, but perhaps we were wrong . . .' A distracted look crossed his face, then he said, 'From what I've been told, this man is harder to kill than a cockroach.'

'What is his name?'

'He's used several, so I doubt he'll be using any that we know.'

'What does he look like?'

'His appearance changes.'

Tal's eyes widened, and his tone became sardonic. 'A man who may look like anyone with a name no one knows. I'll be certain to keep an eye out for him, Caleb.'

'From what Father has told me, you'll probably sense something about him the moment you meet, if you do. He's a magician, a powerful one, and his heart is as black as pitch.'

Tal was quiet, watching the contests below: four bouts in different corners of the hall. Eventually he said, 'At some point I must kill the Duke of Olasko.'

'I know. He was behind the destruction of your people, Tal.'

'Why?'

'Because they were inconvenient to his plans, nothing more. He wanted a clear road to Farinda's northern frontier, and your people were in the way. It was easier to obliterate them than to attempt to negotiate a way through the mountains. He was concerned your people might tip his hand to the King of Farinda.'

'So he killed every man, woman and child in the High Fastness.'

'Yes.' Caleb leaned forward, onto the gallery rail. 'He's been working on the invasion of Farinda for five years now. He bullied Latagore into a treaty allowing him to garrison troops there. Word is he marches in the spring against the Orodon.'

'Why?' asked Tal. 'They're not remotely close to Farinda.'

'Because he wants something they have: gold mines. War is expensive, and the Orodon hardly mine the gold in their part of the mountains. He can finance ten years of war from what he can take from there in one year.'

Tal's mind turned over. The Orodon were distant cousins of his people, and as such were the only people left alive with whom he felt kinship.

'Spring?'

'Yes, that's the rumour.'

Tal stood up. 'Caleb, let's go back to my apartment. I must talk to Robert and Magnus.'

Caleb stood up as well. 'About what?'

'About what it is you think I'm going to be doing after I win this damned tournament.'

Without looking to see if Caleb was following him, Tal quickly left the gallery and hurried down the stairs to the main atrium.

Robert and Magnus sat at the table while Pasko brewed up a pot of Keshian coffee. Caleb leaned against the wall while Tal stood facing the two magicians. 'So, if I win this tournament, what next?'

Magnus looked at Robert, who nodded.

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