Palace of the Damned by Darren Shan

Author:Darren Shan [SHAN, DARREN]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780316217323
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2011-12-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Thirteen

Vancha joked with Larten about his promotion for a while, but when he heard what had happened on the ship, he became a different person. Larten hadn’t seen much of Vancha’s serious side in the past. He’d initially thought that the scruffy General was an odd choice for a Prince, but as Vancha coolly discussed the killings with him, he came to see that the strange-looking vampire could judge as thoughtfully and wisely as Paris Skyle or any of the other Princes.

“You did wrong,” Vancha said. “You were in a perilous situation, and they shouldn’t have killed the girl, but slaughtering them all…”

“I know,” Larten replied softly. “I make no plea for mercy.”

“And that’s the only reason I’m thinking of granting it,” Vancha grunted. “We all make mistakes, though rarely as grave as yours. Those of good standing admit their errors and try to learn from them. Our laws are harsh, necessarily so, but they make certain allowances for those who are genuinely repentant.”

He debated the matter with Seba, considered it at length, then finally said that he would grant Larten pardon. “But you’ll have to atone for your sins eventually,” he added. “Destiny will probably place you in a situation at some point where you must risk all and maybe suffer greatly to help a group of humans. But if it doesn’t, you should look for such a group. Saving one life doesn’t excuse the taking of another–the universe doesn’t balance out so neatly–but it’s a start.”

Vancha was outraged when he learned of Tanish’s treachery. He wanted to send a team of Generals to track down Tanish and make an example of him, but Larten begged for a stay of execution. “I would like to settle matters with Tanish myself,” he said. “I made a promise not to kill him in the near future, so I ask that you leave his fate in my hands.”

Vancha looked uneasy. “But if he murders others…”

“I do not think that he will,” Larten said. “If he does, I will answer for those and you can punish me in his place.”

Vancha wasn’t happy, but he knew how important personal promises were, so he vowed to set the Tanish Eul matter aside and move against him only if Larten died or hesitated too long.

After that they chatted as old friends do when they haven’t seen each other for years. Vancha told Larten about his investiture and what it felt like to be a Prince—he made it sound like more of a nuisance than an honor. Larten asked about Paris Skyle and his other friends. Vancha made him tell them again about the palace of Perta Vin-Grahl. Then the ugly Prince told him to find quarters, settle down and get a good day’s sleep. “You can resume your training at sunset,” he said.

And that was that. Larten was part of the clan once more, and life continued as if he’d never been away.

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