Piers, Anthony - Kelvin Knight 01 by Piers Anthony

Author:Piers, Anthony
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER 18

Roundear

"I'VE GOT TO DO it, Kel," Hein said. "You know that!

After what happened—"

Kelvin nodded. "After they tried to poison me.

That means that Appleton was a spy for the Queen, and we'd better find out if there are any others."

"Yes. I can scout around, astrally, and see if I can locate Appleton. But mainly, I'd better spy on Zatanas, and try to learn what mischief he's cooking up next."

"Better wait a bit," Morvin said. "They have scouts out, and we can spot those, but let them go. When the first one reports to the Queen, that's when we'll likely learn something from her or Zatanas. Timing is everything, in spying as in battle."

Kelvin had to agree with the logic of that. He certainly didn't want Hein taking such a risk for nothing. Also, it meant she could wait another day or two before eating a berry. He still hated to have her go into that temporary death.

Zatanas scowled his blackest and tried his best to look the part of the menacing warlock. His daughter, unfortunately, did not seem impressed.

"I want you to drain his blood," she said.

"But why? His blood is worthless to me. Only the blood of some truly innocent person, or a virgin of either sex, has the potency required for my magic."

"Never mind that. I want revenge. He was supposed to have destroyed the upstart, claimed he did, and what had he done but send a girl on a man's mission?

No wonder it failed! Let him now take the place of the girl."

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162 Piers Anthony and Robert E. Mayrojf

"Better I work on my invincibility spell. Your agent failed, and that is unfortunate, but then the Roundear was protected by magic."

"You think so?"

"I know it," he said. "Just as I know that no part of your agent—Applebee, was that his name?—is of any worth. Perhaps my lizards can feed on him. That should cause him some reasonable agony."

"You won't take his blood?"

"No. If you want him bled, use your royal torturer.

That pig likes to waste flesh."

"But it's you he fears. He knows the royal torturer will harm only his body, whereas you—"

"I gave you my final word, daughter. I won't waste my time on worthless flesh."

"Stubborn old man!" she snapped, but she did not seem displeased.

"Bothersome witch!"

Perhaps they would not have talked that way if they had thought anyone could be overhearing.

The messenger arrived covered with dust and sweat, smelling of blood and horse. He was quickly ushered by the palace guards directly into the Queen's audience chamber.

"0 Queen," the messenger cried, falling to his knees before her throne. "I beg to inform you that the Roundear's Knights are nearing Skagmore, but one day's ride from this palace!"

The Queen scowled at the messenger and then at Peter Flick, her latest, and weakest-chinned, consort.

She liked her men servile.

"What do you think of that, Peter? The old man's magic isn't helping us."

"I say," Peter said with the high squeak that designated his excitement, "that now is the time! Use roundear magic against your roundear enemy.

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