chapter 14
“RIDE!”ALESSANCRIED,POINTINGTAPINTHEhills."Theresavillagebeyond!”
Devinswore,loweredhisheadoverhishorsesneddughisheelsintotheanimalsflanks,followingErleindiSenziowesttowardsthegapandthelowreddiskofthesun.
Behindhim,thunderingoutofthebrowntwilighthills,wereatleasteight,possiblyadozenbrigandsofthehighlands.Devinhadntlookedback,aftertheirfirststartledglimpseoftheoutlawsandtheshoutedandtohalt.
Hedidntthinktheyhadace,howeverclosethisvillagemightbe.Theyhadbeenridingatabone-jarringpaceforhoursandthehorsesAlieniventhemweretired.Ifthiswastobeaflat-outraceagainstfresh-moulawstheywereprobablydead.Hegrittedhisteethandrode,igntheahislegaingofreopesfromhisleapinthemountainsearlierthatday.
Thewindwhistledpasthimastheyrode.HesawAlessanturninhissaddle,anarrownotchedtohisfullydrawnbow.ThePrincefiredbackwardsohenagainintothetwilight,hismusclesridgedandcordedwiththeeffort.Animprobable,desperateattemptatsuchspeedinthewind.
Twomenscreamed.Devinquicklylookedbadsawohemfall.Ahandfuloferraticarrowsdroppedwellshortofthethreeofthem.
"Theyveslowed!"Erleinrasped,glangbackaswell."Howfartothisvillage!”
"Throughthegapayminutesbeyond!Ride!"Alessandidnotshootagain,bendinglowtemorespeedfromhisowheyfledintothewindalorackofthesuweentheshadowybulkoftwoheatheryhillsandintothegapbetween.
Theydid.
Justwherethepathbenttofollowthecurveoftheencroagridgeseightriderswerewaitinginalineacrossthegap,bowscalmlyleveledatthethreeofthem.
Theypulledtheirhorsesthalts.Devinflungaglancebackoverhisshoulderandsawthepursuingoutlawsenteringthepassbehiherewasoneriderlesshorse,andanothermanclutchedathisshoulderwhereanarrowwasstillembedded.
HelookedatAlessan,sawthedesperate,defiantlookinthePrinceseye.
"Dontbeafool!"Erleinsnapped."Youtrunthroughandyoutkillthismanymen.”
"Itry,"Alessansaid,hiseyesdartingacrossthedefileandupthesteephillsoherside,wildtofindawayout.Hehadstoppedhishorsethough,anddidnotraisethebow.
"Straightintoatrap.lendidendingtotwodecadesofdreaming!"Hisvoicewascorrosivelybitter,rawwithself-laceration.
Itwastruethough,Devinrealized,rathertoolate.Thispassbetweenthehillswasanaturalplaceforanambush,ariadkherewereenoughoutlawshithewildsofsoutherando,whereeventheBarbadianmerariesseldomwent,andhomenwereneverabroadthisclosetothefallofnight.
Oherhand,theyhadnthadmuchchoice,givenhowfartheyhadtogo,andhowfast.
Itdidntseemasiftheyweregoingtogetthere.Oraherewasstillenoughlighttomakeouttheoutlaws,andtheirappearancedidnotreassure.Theirclothingmightberandomandcarelesslyworn,butthehorseswerefarfromthebeaten-dowuresmandsrode.Themeninfrontofthemlookeddisciplined,andtheonryleveledatthethreeofthemwasformidable.Thishadalsobeen,veryclearly,acarefullylaidtrap.
Onemanrodeafewpacesforwardfromthesilentline."Releaseyourbows,"hesaidwitheasy
authority."Idontliketalkingwitharmedmen.”
"herdoI,"Alessanrepliedgrimly,staringattheman.Butamomentlaterhelethisbowfalltotheground.BesideDevin,Erleindidthesame.
"Andtheboy,"theoutlawleadersaid,stillsoftly.Hewasabigmanofmiddleyears,withalargefadafullbeardthatshoweddeepredinthewaninglight.Heworeadarkwide-brimmedhatthathidhiseyes.
"Idontcarryabow,"Devinsaidshortly,lettingfallhissword.Therewasmoglaughteratthatfromthemeninfrontofthem.
"Magian,whywereyourmeninarre?"Thebeardedmansaid,moreloudlynow.Hehimselfhadnotlaughed."Youknewmyinstrus.Youknoedothis.”
"Ididntthinkwewere,"cameanangryvoicebehindthem,amidaclatteringofhooves.Theirpursuershadeup.Thetrapwasclosed,beforeandbehind."Hefiredalongwayinhalf-lightandwind.Hewaslucky,Ducas.”
"Hewouldnthavehadacetobeluckyifyouhaddoneyourjobproperly.WheresAbhar?”
"Tookanarrowihighaonebackthim.”
"Waste,"thered-beardedmanscowled."Idontlikewaste."Hewasadark,bulkypresence,silhouettedagainstthelowsun.Behindhimtheothersevenriderskepttheirbowsleveled.
Alessansaid,"Ifwasteoffendsyou,youwontlikethiseveningsworkatall.Wehavenothingtogiveyoubeyondourons.Orourlives,ifyouarethesortwhokillforpleasure.”
"Sometimes,"themannamedDucassaid,notraisinghisvoice.Hesoundedulinglycalm,Devinthought,andverymutrolofhisband."Willmytwomendie?Doyouusepoisonedarrows?”
Alessansexpressionwasptuous."NotevenagainsttheBarbadians.Why?Doyou?”
"Sometimes,"theoutlawleadersaidagain."EspeciallyagainsttheBarbadians.Thesearethehighlands,afterall."Hesmiledforthefirsttime,acold,wolfishgrin.Devinhadasuddehathewouldntwanttohavethismansmemories,orhisdreams.
Alessansaidnothing.Itwasgrowingdarkerinthepass.DevinsawhimglanceoveratErlein,asharpqueryinhisface.Thewizardshookhishead,aminute,almostinvisiblegesture."Toomany,"hewhispered."Andbesides—”
"Thegrey-hairedoneisawizard!"cameanemphaticvoithelinebeyondDucas.
Aky,round-facedmanmovedhishorseforwardbesidetheleaders."Dohinkofit,"hetinued,lookingstraightatErlein."Icouldbloythingyoutried."Startled,Devinglahemanshands,butatthisdistawastoodarkforhimtoseeiftwofingersweremissing.Theywouldhavetobethough.
Theyhadeuponanotherwizard;muchgooditwoulddothem.
"AndpreciselyhowlongdoyouthinkitwouldtakeaTrackertofindyouthen?"Erleinwassaying,hisvoicesilken."Withtheback-spillofmagithebothofusleadingtothisplace?”
"Thereareasufficyofarrowstrainedonyourheartandthroat,"theleaderinterjected,"toesueventwouldnothappen.ButIfessthisgrowsmoreiingeverymoment.AnarcherandawizardridingabroadonanEmberDay.Arentyouafraidofthedead?Whatdoestheboydo?”
"Imasinger,"Devinsaidgrimly."DevindAsoli,latelyfromthepanyofMenicodiFerraut,ifthatmeansanythingtoyou."Thething,obviously,wastokeepthetalkgoingsomehow.Andhehadheardstories—wishfulthinkingontheroad,perhaps—ofoutlawbandssparingmusisinexgefhtofsong.Somethingoccurredtohim:"YouthoughtwewereBarbadians,didntyou?Fromadistahatswhyyoulaidthetrap.”
"Asinger.Acleversinger,"Ducasmurmured."IfnotcleverenoughtostayindoorsonanEmber
Day.OfcoursewethoughtyouwereBarbadians.WhoiernpeninsulabutBarbadiansandoutlawswouldbeabroadtoday?Andalloftheoutlawsfortwentymilesarouofmyband.”
"Thereareoutlawsandoutlaws,"Alessansaidsoftly."ButifyouwerehuntingBarbadianmerariesyouaremenwiththesameheartsasours.Itellyou—andIdonotlie,Ducas—thatifyouhinderushere,orkillus,youwillbegivingsuforttoBarbadior—andtoYgrath—astheycouldnothaveeverdreamtofaskingofyou."Therewas,notsurprisingly,asilehecoldwindkothepass,stirringtheyounggrassesinthegrowingdark.
"Youhavearatherlargeopinionofyourself,itappears,"Ducassaidatlength,thoughtfully."PerhapsIshouldknowwhy.Ithinkitistimeforyoutotellmeexactlywhoyouare,andwhereyouareridingatduskonanEmberDay,andIwilldrawmyownclusions.”
"MynameisAlessan.Iamridi.Mymotherisdyingandhassummooherside.”
"Howdevotedofyou,"Ducassaid."Butoneellsmenothing,aisabigplace,myfriendwiththebow.Whoareyouandwhereareyouriding?"Thevoicewasanuncoiledwhipthistime.
Devinjumped.BehindDucassevenbsweredrawnback.
Devin,hisheartpounding,sawAlessaate.Thesunwasalmostgonenow,areddiskhalfbythehorizonbeyondthepass.Thewiobeblowingharder,promisingachillynighttoeafterthisfirstday.
TherewasachillinDevinaswell.HeglaErlein,anddiscoveredthatthewizardwasstaringathim,asifwaiting.Alessanhadspoken.Ducasshiftedmeaningfullyinhissaddle.
Devinswallowedand,knowingthathoweverhardthiswasforhim,ithadtobeeasierthanitwouldbeforAlessan,hesaid:"Tigana.HeisfromTigana,andsoamI.”
Hewascarefultolohtattheoutlawwizardashespoke,notatDucasortheotherriders.HesawoutoftheerofhiseyethatAlessanwasdoingthesamething,soasnottohavetoseetheblanklookofinprehensiohknewwouldfollow.Thewizardwouldbedifferent.Wizardscouldhearthename.
Amurmurrosefromthegatheredmen,beforethemandbehind.Andthenonemanspokealoudamidtheshadowsoffallingduskinthatlonelyplace.Avoithelinebehindthem.
"Bythebloodofthegod!"thatvoicecriedfromtheheart.Devinwheeledaround.Amanhaddismountedandwasstridingquicklyforwardtostandinfrontofthem.Devinsawthatthemanwassmall,notmuchbiggerthanhimself,perhapsthirtyyearsoldoralittlemore,andthathewasmovingawkwardlyandclearlyinpain,withAlessansarrowinhisarm.
Ducaswaslookingathiswizard."Sertino,whatisthis?"hesaid,withanedgeinhisvoice."Idonot—”
"Sorcery,"thewizardsaidbluntly.
"What?His?"DuoddedtowardsErlein.
"No,nothis."Itwasthewoundedmanwhospoke,hiseyesneverleavingAlessansface."Notthispoorwizards.Itisrealsorcery,this.ItisthepowerofBrandinofYgraththatkeepsyoufromhearingthename.”
WithanangrymotionDucasswepthishatoff,revealingabaldingdomewithafringehtredhair."Andyou,Naddo?Howdoyouhearit,then?”
Themanonthegroundswayedunsteadilyonhisfeetbeforereplying."BecauseIwasboroo,andsoImimmuhespell,oranothervictimofit,whicheveryouprefer."Devihetautnessinhisvoice,asofsomeoneholdinghardtohisself-trol.HeheardthemancalledNaddosay,lookingupatAlessan."Youhavebeenaskedforyourname,andyouonlygavehimapart.Willyoutellustherest?
Willyoutellme?"Itwashardtoseehiseyesnow,buthisvoicetoldanoldstory.
Alessanwassittingonhishorsewithaneasiness,evenafteradayinthesaddle,thatseemedtodeny
eventhepossibilityofweariness,orthetensionofwheretheywere.Butthenhisrighthandcameupandpushedonsciously,throughhisalreadytangledhair,andDevihefamiliargesture,khatwhateverhehimselfwasfeelingnow,itwasdoubledandredoubledinthemanhefollowed.
Ahestillnessofthatpass,withtheonlyothersoundsthewhistleofwiweenthehillsairringofthehorsesontheyounggrass,heheard:"MynameisAlessandiTiganabarValen-tin.
Ifyouareasoldasyouappeartobe,NaddodiTigana,youwillknowwhoIam.”
rigofhairsonhisnedashiverhecouldnottrol,DevinsawNaddodroptohiskhecoldgroundevenbeforethelastwordswerespoken.
"Oh,myPrince!"thewoundedmancriedinarawvoidchisfacewithhisonegoodha.
"Prince?"saidDucas,verysoftly.Therewasarestivemovementamolaws."Sertino,youwillexplainthistome!”
SertinothewizardlookedfromAlessantoErlein,andthendownattheweepingman.Acurious,almostafrightened,expressioncrossedhispale,roundface.
Hesaid,"TheyarefromLowerCorte.IthadadifferentnamebeforeBrandinofYgrathcame.Hehasusedhissorcerytotakethatnameaway.Onlypeoplebornthere,andwizardsbecauseofourownmagihearthetruehatiswhatishappeninghere.”
"AndPrinaddocalledhimthat.”
Sertinowassilent.HelookedoveratErlein,andtherewasstillthatodd,uneasylookonhisface.Hesaid,"Isittrue?”
AndErleindiSenzio,withanironichalf-smile,replied,"Justdohimcutyourhair,brother.
Unlessyoulikebeingboundintoslavery.”
Sertinosmouthfellopen.Ducasslappedhiskhhishat."Nowthat,"hesnapped,"Idonotuandatall.ThereistoomuchofthisIdonotuand.Iwantexplanations,fromallofyou!"Hisvoicewasharsh,muchlouderthanbefore.HedidnotlookatAlessanthough.
"Iuanditwellenough,Ducas,"cameavoibehiwasMagiaainofthegroupthathaddriveothegap.Hemovedhishorseforwardastheyturolookathim."Iuandthatwehavemadeourfortuonight.IfthisisthePrinceofaprovinceBrandihenallweneeddoistakehimwesttoFortForeseacrosstheborderandturnhimovertotheYgrathensthere.
Withawizardtoboot.Andwhoknows,ohemprobablylikesboysinhisbed,too.Singingboys.”
Hissmilewasawideloosethingintheshadows.
Hesaid,"Therewillberewards.Land.Perhapseven...”
Hesaidnothingmorethanthat.Ever.InrigiddisbeliefDevinsawMagiansmouthfallopenandhiseyesgrowbrieflywide,thenthemanslidslowlysidewaysoffhishorsetofallwithaclatterofswordandbowonthegroundbesideErlein.
Therewasalong-handleddaggerinhisback.
Oheoutlawsfromthelinebehindhim,nothurryingatall,dismountedandpulledthedaggerfree.Hewipeditcarefullyonthedeadmanssurcoatbeforesheathingitagainathisbelt.
"Notagoodidea,Magians,"hesaidquietly,straighteningtolookatDucas."Notagoodideaatall.
Wearentinformershere,aservetheTyrants.”
Ducasslappedhishatbahishead,visiblyfightingfortrol.Hetookadeepbreath."Asithappens,Iagree.Butasitalsohappens,Arkin,wehavearulehereaboutonsdrawnagainsteachother.”
Arkinwasverytall,almostgaunt,andhislongfacewaswhite,Devinsaw,evenamongtheshadowsofdusk.Hesaid,"Iknowthat,Ducas.Itiswasteful.Iknow.Youwillhavetiveme.”
Ducassaidnothingforalongtime.herdidanyoneelse.Devin,lookingpastthedeadman,sawthetwowizardsgazingfixedlyateachotherintheshadows.
ArkinwasstilllookingatDucas.
Whofinallybrokethesilence."YouarefortuIagreewithyou,"hesaid.
Arkinshookhishead."Wewouldnothavestayedtogetherthislongotherwise.”
Alessalydismountedfromhishorse.HewalkedovertowardsDucas,ignthearrowsstilltrainedonhim."IfyouarehuntingBarbadians,"hesaidquietly,"Ihavesomeideaastowhy.Iamdoingthesamething,inmyownway."Hehesitated."Youdoasyourdeadmansuggested:turoYgrath,andyes,Isuspecttherewouldbeareward.Oryoukillushere,andhavedohus.Youalsoletusgoourownwayfromthisplace.Butthereisoher,quitedifferentthingyoudo.”
"Whichis?"Ducasseemedtohaveregainedhisself-trol.Hisvoicewascalmagain,asithadbeenatthebeginning.
"Joinme.InwhatIseektodo.”
"Whichis?”
"TodrivebothTyrantsfromthePalmbeforethissummerisout.”
Naddolookedupsuddenly,abrightnessinhisface."Really,mylord?Wedothis?Evennow?”
"Thereisace,"Alessansaid."Especiallynow.Forthefirsttimethereisace."HelookedbackatDucas."Wherewereyouborn?”
"InTregea,"theothermansaidafterapause."Inthemountains.”
Devinhadamomenttothinkabouthowpletelythingshadshiftedhere,thatAlessanshouldbeaskingthequestionsnow.Hefeltastirringwithinhim,ofhoperenewedandofpride.
ThePrincewasnoddinghishead."Ithoughtitmightbeso.Ihaveheardthestoriesofared-headedCaptainDucaswhowasoheleadersatBorifortinTregeaduringtheBarbadiahere.Theyneverfoundhimafterthefortfell."Hehesitated."Icouldnothelpbutnoticethecolorofyourhair.”
Foramomewomeionlessasinatableau,ohegrouheronhishorse.
Then,quitesuddenly,DucasdiTregeasmiled.
"Whatisleftofmyhair,"hemurmuredwryly,sweepingoffhishatagainwithawidegesture.
Releasinghisreinsheswungdownoffhishorseand,stridingforward,heldoutanopenpalmtoAlessan.Whometboth—thesmileandofferedhand—withhisown.
Devinfoundhimselfgaspingwiththerushofreliefthatsweptoverhim,andthencheeringwildlyatthetopofhisvoicewithtwentyoutlawsinthatdarkCertandanpass.
Whathenoticedthough,evenasthecheeringreachedacresdo,wasthatherwizardwasshouting.Erleinainosatverystill,almidontheirhorses,asiftratingohing.
Theygazedateachother,expressioicallygrim.
Andbecausehenoticed,becauseheseemedtobebeiofmanwhosawthingslikethis,Devinwasthefirsttofallsilent,andhehadeveninstinctivelyraisedahandtoquiettheothers.Ales-sanandDucasloweredtheirlinkedpalmsandgradually,assileurhepass,everyonelookedatthewizards.
"Whatisit?"Ducassaid.
Sertinoturohim."Tracker.Northeastofus,quiteclose.Ijustfelttheprobe.Hellnotfihough,Ivedonenomagicforalongtime.”
"Ihave,"saidErleindiSenzio."Earliertoday,intheBraccioPass.Onlyalightspell,asforsomeone.Evidentlyitwasenough.TheremusthavebeenaTrackerihesouthernforts.”
"Therealmostalwaysis,"Sertinosaidflatly.
"What,"Ducassaid,"wereyoudoingintheBraccioPass?”
"Gatheringflowers,"Alessansaid."Illtellyoulater.RightnowwehaveBarbadianstodealwith.
HowmanywillbewiththeTracker?”
"hay.Probablymore.Wehaveacampinthehillssouthofhere.Shallwerunforit?”
"Theyllfollow,"Erleinsaid."Hesgotmetraced.Thespillofmymagicwillmarkmeforanotherdayatleast.”
"Idontmuchfeellikehidinginanycase,"Alessansaidsoftly.
Devinturnedquicklytolookathim.SodidDucas.Awkwardly,Naddorosetohisfeet.
"Howgood,exactly,areyourmenhere?"Alessansaid,achallengeinhistoneandinthegreyeyes.
Andintheshadoasnowalmostfull-darkDevinsawtheTregeanoutlawleadersteethsuddenlyflash."Theyaregoodenough,andtospare,todealwithascoreofBarbadians.Thiswillbemorethanweveevertackled,butweveneverfoughtbesideaPrincebefore.Ithink,"headded,iativevoice,"thatItooamgrowntiredofhiding,suddenly.”
Devinlookedoveratthewizards.Itwashardtomakeouttheirfeaturesinthedark,butErleinsaid,inahard-edgedvoice:"Alessarackerwillhavetobekilledimmediately,orhellsendanimageofthisplacebacktoAlberico.”
"Hewillbe,"saidAlessaly.Andinhisvoice,too,therewasae.ThepresenethingDevinhadneverheard.Asedlaterherealizedthatitwasdeath.
Alessanscloakflappedinagustofwind.Verydeliberatelyhedrewhishoodoverhisface.
ThehardthingforDevinwasthatAlbericosTrackerturtobetwelveyearsold.
TheysentErleinridioutofthepass,asthelure.Hewastheonebeingfollowed.HehadSertinodiCertando,theotherwizard,andtwoothermenwiththem,oneofwhomwasthewoundedNaddo,whoinsistedonbeingofuseeventhoughhecouldnotfight.Theyhadtakenthearrowfromhisarmandbaasbesttheycould.Itwasclearthathewasindifficulty,butevenmoreclearthatinthepresenceofAlessanhewasnotabouttogivewaytothat.
Ashortwhilelater,uhestarsandtheloweastwardcrestofVidomni,theBarbadiaeredthepass.Thereweretwenty-fiveofthem,aracker.Sixcarriedtorches,whichmadethingseasier.
Thoughnotforthem.
AlessansarrowandDucassmetirackersbreast,firedfromslopesonoppositesidesofthedefile.ElevenofthemerariesfelluhatfirstrainofarrowsbeforeDevinfoundhimselfgallopingfuriouslydownwithAlessanandhalfadozenothermenoutoftheircealmentinhollowsinthepass.
Theyaoclosethewester,evenasDudninemensealedofftheeasterheBarbadianshadenteredfrom.
AndsoonthatEmberNight,inthepanyofoutlawsinthehighlandsofCertandofarfromhislosthome,AlessanbarValentin,Priigana,foughtthefirsttruebattleofhislongwarofreturn.Afterthedrawn-outyearsofmaneuvering,asubtlegatheringofintelligehedelicateguidis,hedrewbladeagainsttheforcesofaTyrantinthatmoonlitpass.
Nosubterfuge,nohiddenmanipulationanymorefromthewingsofthestage.Thiswasbattle,forthetimehade.
MariusofQuileiahadmadeapromisetohimthatday,againstwisdomandexperiendbeyondhope.AndwithMariusspromiseeverythinghadged.Thewaitingwasover.Hecouldloosentherigidbondsthathadheldhisheartsotightlyleashedalltheseyears.Tonightinthispasshecouldkill:inmemoryofhisfatherandhisbrothersandallthedeadoftheRiverDeisaandafter,inthatyearwhenhehimselfhadnotbeetedtodie.
TheyhadspiritedhimawayandhiddenhiminQuileiasouthofthemountains,withMarius,thenacaptainoftheHighPriestesssguard.Amanwithhisownreasonsforfandcealingayoung
Printhenorthlands.Thathadbeenalmosteenyearsago,whenthehidinghadbegun.
Hewastiredofhiding.Thetimeofrunningwasovernow;theseasonofwarhadbegun.True,itwasBarbadior,notYgrath,whosesoldiersdrewbladeagainstthemnow,butiwasallthesame.
BothTyrahesame.HehadbeensayingthatforalltheyearssincehedebaorthtothepeninsulawithBaerd.Itwasatruthhammeredintoshapelikemetalonthehardfeofhisheart.Theyhadtotakethemboth,orbenonearerfreedomthanbefore.
AndintheBraccioPassthismthetakinghadbegun.Thekeystonehadbeehearchofhisdesign.Andsotonightinthisdarkdefilehecouldunbindhispent-uppassion,hisownlongmemoriesofloss,ahisswordarmfree.
Devin,labtokeepupwiththePrince,rodeintohisfirstbatwithrawpanidexhilarationvyingformasteryinhisbreast.Hedidnotshoutasmostoftheoutlawsdid;hewastratingasmuchasanythingelseonigntheahiswoundedleg.HegrippedthedarkswordBaerdhadboughtforhim,holdingitwiththebladecurvingupwardsashehadbeentaughtinwintrymlessonsthatseemedunimaginablyremotefromthisnightshappenings.
HesawAlessandrivestraightintothecircledranksofthemeraries,unswervingasoneofhisarrows,asiftoputbehindhiminthisoofdirectrespoheyearswhensuchathingwasnotallowed.
Frantically,grittinghisteeth,DevinfollowedinAlessanswake.Hewasalohough,andhalfadozehsbehind,whenayellow-beardedBarbadianloomedupbesidehim,enormousonhishorse.
Deviinsholysomeblindsurvivalinstindthereflexeshehadbeenbornwithsavedhislife.Hepulledhishorsehardtotheleft,veeringforaspacehesaw,andthenleaningbacktht,aslowtothegroundasheanage,hecutupwardswithallhisstrength.Hefeltasearingpaininhiswoundedlegandalmostfell.ThewindrushoftheBarbadiansbladeslicedemptyairwhereDevinsheadhadbeebeatlaterDevihisownwickedlycurvedswordcleavethroughleatheryarmorandintoflesh.
TheBarbadianscreamed,aliquid,bubblingsound.Heswayedwildlyonhismountashisswordfellfromhisgrasp.Hebroughtonehandtohismouthinacuriouslychildlikegesture.Then,liketheslowtopplingofamountaintree,heslidsidewaysinhissaddleandcrashedtotheground.
Devinhadalreadypulledhisswordfree.Wheelinghishorseinatightcircle,helookedforadversaries.Noonewasingthough.Alessanaherswereaheadofhim,poundingagainstthemeraries,drivingtomeetDudArkinsgrouppressingforwardfromtheeast.
Itwasalmostover,Devinrealized.Therewasnothing,really,forhimtodo.lexmixtureofemotionsthathedidrytouandjustthechedthePrincesbladeriseandfallthreetimesahreeBarbadiansdie.Onebyoorchesdroppedtothegroundandwereextinguished.Andthen—onlymomentsaftertheyhadriddenintothepass,itseemedtoDevioftheBarbadianshadbeencutdownandslain.
ItwasthenthathesaasleftoftheTrackerandrealizedhowyounghehadbeen.Thebodyhadbeenhideouslytrampledinthemelee.Itlaytwistedandsplayedunnaturally.Somehowthefacehadbeenspared,thoughforDevin,lookingdown,thatwasactuallytheworstthing.Thetwoarrowswerestillembeddedinthechildsbody,thoughtheuppershaftofohemhadbeenbrokenoff.
Devinturnedaway.HestrokedthehorseAlienivenhim,andwhisperedtoit.Thenheforcedhimselftoridebacktowardsthemanhedkilled.ThiswasnotthesameasthesleepingsoldierintheNievolenebarn.Itwasnot,hetoldhimself.ThishadbeenopenwarfareandtheBarbadianhadbeenarmedandarmored,andhehadswunghismassivebladeseekingDevinslife.HadtheBarbadiansarackereuponhimandAlessanandErleinalohewildernessDevinhadnoillusions,all,astowhattheirfatewouldhavebeen.
Itwasnotthesameasinthebarn.Hesaiditwithinhimselfonceagain,ashegraduallybecameaware
oftheeerie,disorientingcalmthatseemedtohavedesdeduponthepass.Thewindstillblew,ascoldasbefore.Heglancedup,andrealizedbelatedlythatAlessanhadquietlyriddentohissideandwasalsolookingdownatthem松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Devinswore,loweredhisheadoverhishorsesneddughisheelsintotheanimalsflanks,followingErleindiSenziowesttowardsthegapandthelowreddiskofthesun.
Behindhim,thunderingoutofthebrowntwilighthills,wereatleasteight,possiblyadozenbrigandsofthehighlands.Devinhadntlookedback,aftertheirfirststartledglimpseoftheoutlawsandtheshoutedandtohalt.
Hedidntthinktheyhadace,howeverclosethisvillagemightbe.Theyhadbeenridingatabone-jarringpaceforhoursandthehorsesAlieniventhemweretired.Ifthiswastobeaflat-outraceagainstfresh-moulawstheywereprobablydead.Hegrittedhisteethandrode,igntheahislegaingofreopesfromhisleapinthemountainsearlierthatday.
Thewindwhistledpasthimastheyrode.HesawAlessanturninhissaddle,anarrownotchedtohisfullydrawnbow.ThePrincefiredbackwardsohenagainintothetwilight,hismusclesridgedandcordedwiththeeffort.Animprobable,desperateattemptatsuchspeedinthewind.
Twomenscreamed.Devinquicklylookedbadsawohemfall.Ahandfuloferraticarrowsdroppedwellshortofthethreeofthem.
"Theyveslowed!"Erleinrasped,glangbackaswell."Howfartothisvillage!”
"Throughthegapayminutesbeyond!Ride!"Alessandidnotshootagain,bendinglowtemorespeedfromhisowheyfledintothewindalorackofthesuweentheshadowybulkoftwoheatheryhillsandintothegapbetween.
Theydid.
Justwherethepathbenttofollowthecurveoftheencroagridgeseightriderswerewaitinginalineacrossthegap,bowscalmlyleveledatthethreeofthem.
Theypulledtheirhorsesthalts.Devinflungaglancebackoverhisshoulderandsawthepursuingoutlawsenteringthepassbehiherewasoneriderlesshorse,andanothermanclutchedathisshoulderwhereanarrowwasstillembedded.
HelookedatAlessan,sawthedesperate,defiantlookinthePrinceseye.
"Dontbeafool!"Erleinsnapped."Youtrunthroughandyoutkillthismanymen.”
"Itry,"Alessansaid,hiseyesdartingacrossthedefileandupthesteephillsoherside,wildtofindawayout.Hehadstoppedhishorsethough,anddidnotraisethebow.
"Straightintoatrap.lendidendingtotwodecadesofdreaming!"Hisvoicewascorrosivelybitter,rawwithself-laceration.
Itwastruethough,Devinrealized,rathertoolate.Thispassbetweenthehillswasanaturalplaceforanambush,ariadkherewereenoughoutlawshithewildsofsoutherando,whereeventheBarbadianmerariesseldomwent,andhomenwereneverabroadthisclosetothefallofnight.
Oherhand,theyhadnthadmuchchoice,givenhowfartheyhadtogo,andhowfast.
Itdidntseemasiftheyweregoingtogetthere.Oraherewasstillenoughlighttomakeouttheoutlaws,andtheirappearancedidnotreassure.Theirclothingmightberandomandcarelesslyworn,butthehorseswerefarfromthebeaten-dowuresmandsrode.Themeninfrontofthemlookeddisciplined,andtheonryleveledatthethreeofthemwasformidable.Thishadalsobeen,veryclearly,acarefullylaidtrap.
Onemanrodeafewpacesforwardfromthesilentline."Releaseyourbows,"hesaidwitheasy
authority."Idontliketalkingwitharmedmen.”
"herdoI,"Alessanrepliedgrimly,staringattheman.Butamomentlaterhelethisbowfalltotheground.BesideDevin,Erleindidthesame.
"Andtheboy,"theoutlawleadersaid,stillsoftly.Hewasabigmanofmiddleyears,withalargefadafullbeardthatshoweddeepredinthewaninglight.Heworeadarkwide-brimmedhatthathidhiseyes.
"Idontcarryabow,"Devinsaidshortly,lettingfallhissword.Therewasmoglaughteratthatfromthemeninfrontofthem.
"Magian,whywereyourmeninarre?"Thebeardedmansaid,moreloudlynow.Hehimselfhadnotlaughed."Youknewmyinstrus.Youknoedothis.”
"Ididntthinkwewere,"cameanangryvoicebehindthem,amidaclatteringofhooves.Theirpursuershadeup.Thetrapwasclosed,beforeandbehind."Hefiredalongwayinhalf-lightandwind.Hewaslucky,Ducas.”
"Hewouldnthavehadacetobeluckyifyouhaddoneyourjobproperly.WheresAbhar?”
"Tookanarrowihighaonebackthim.”
"Waste,"thered-beardedmanscowled."Idontlikewaste."Hewasadark,bulkypresence,silhouettedagainstthelowsun.Behindhimtheothersevenriderskepttheirbowsleveled.
Alessansaid,"Ifwasteoffendsyou,youwontlikethiseveningsworkatall.Wehavenothingtogiveyoubeyondourons.Orourlives,ifyouarethesortwhokillforpleasure.”
"Sometimes,"themannamedDucassaid,notraisinghisvoice.Hesoundedulinglycalm,Devinthought,andverymutrolofhisband."Willmytwomendie?Doyouusepoisonedarrows?”
Alessansexpressionwasptuous."NotevenagainsttheBarbadians.Why?Doyou?”
"Sometimes,"theoutlawleadersaidagain."EspeciallyagainsttheBarbadians.Thesearethehighlands,afterall."Hesmiledforthefirsttime,acold,wolfishgrin.Devinhadasuddehathewouldntwanttohavethismansmemories,orhisdreams.
Alessansaidnothing.Itwasgrowingdarkerinthepass.DevinsawhimglanceoveratErlein,asharpqueryinhisface.Thewizardshookhishead,aminute,almostinvisiblegesture."Toomany,"hewhispered."Andbesides—”
"Thegrey-hairedoneisawizard!"cameanemphaticvoithelinebeyondDucas.
Aky,round-facedmanmovedhishorseforwardbesidetheleaders."Dohinkofit,"hetinued,lookingstraightatErlein."Icouldbloythingyoutried."Startled,Devinglahemanshands,butatthisdistawastoodarkforhimtoseeiftwofingersweremissing.Theywouldhavetobethough.
Theyhadeuponanotherwizard;muchgooditwoulddothem.
"AndpreciselyhowlongdoyouthinkitwouldtakeaTrackertofindyouthen?"Erleinwassaying,hisvoicesilken."Withtheback-spillofmagithebothofusleadingtothisplace?”
"Thereareasufficyofarrowstrainedonyourheartandthroat,"theleaderinterjected,"toesueventwouldnothappen.ButIfessthisgrowsmoreiingeverymoment.AnarcherandawizardridingabroadonanEmberDay.Arentyouafraidofthedead?Whatdoestheboydo?”
"Imasinger,"Devinsaidgrimly."DevindAsoli,latelyfromthepanyofMenicodiFerraut,ifthatmeansanythingtoyou."Thething,obviously,wastokeepthetalkgoingsomehow.Andhehadheardstories—wishfulthinkingontheroad,perhaps—ofoutlawbandssparingmusisinexgefhtofsong.Somethingoccurredtohim:"YouthoughtwewereBarbadians,didntyou?Fromadistahatswhyyoulaidthetrap.”
"Asinger.Acleversinger,"Ducasmurmured."IfnotcleverenoughtostayindoorsonanEmber
Day.OfcoursewethoughtyouwereBarbadians.WhoiernpeninsulabutBarbadiansandoutlawswouldbeabroadtoday?Andalloftheoutlawsfortwentymilesarouofmyband.”
"Thereareoutlawsandoutlaws,"Alessansaidsoftly."ButifyouwerehuntingBarbadianmerariesyouaremenwiththesameheartsasours.Itellyou—andIdonotlie,Ducas—thatifyouhinderushere,orkillus,youwillbegivingsuforttoBarbadior—andtoYgrath—astheycouldnothaveeverdreamtofaskingofyou."Therewas,notsurprisingly,asilehecoldwindkothepass,stirringtheyounggrassesinthegrowingdark.
"Youhavearatherlargeopinionofyourself,itappears,"Ducassaidatlength,thoughtfully."PerhapsIshouldknowwhy.Ithinkitistimeforyoutotellmeexactlywhoyouare,andwhereyouareridingatduskonanEmberDay,andIwilldrawmyownclusions.”
"MynameisAlessan.Iamridi.Mymotherisdyingandhassummooherside.”
"Howdevotedofyou,"Ducassaid."Butoneellsmenothing,aisabigplace,myfriendwiththebow.Whoareyouandwhereareyouriding?"Thevoicewasanuncoiledwhipthistime.
Devinjumped.BehindDucassevenbsweredrawnback.
Devin,hisheartpounding,sawAlessaate.Thesunwasalmostgonenow,areddiskhalfbythehorizonbeyondthepass.Thewiobeblowingharder,promisingachillynighttoeafterthisfirstday.
TherewasachillinDevinaswell.HeglaErlein,anddiscoveredthatthewizardwasstaringathim,asifwaiting.Alessanhadspoken.Ducasshiftedmeaningfullyinhissaddle.
Devinswallowedand,knowingthathoweverhardthiswasforhim,ithadtobeeasierthanitwouldbeforAlessan,hesaid:"Tigana.HeisfromTigana,andsoamI.”
Hewascarefultolohtattheoutlawwizardashespoke,notatDucasortheotherriders.HesawoutoftheerofhiseyethatAlessanwasdoingthesamething,soasnottohavetoseetheblanklookofinprehensiohknewwouldfollow.Thewizardwouldbedifferent.Wizardscouldhearthename.
Amurmurrosefromthegatheredmen,beforethemandbehind.Andthenonemanspokealoudamidtheshadowsoffallingduskinthatlonelyplace.Avoithelinebehindthem.
"Bythebloodofthegod!"thatvoicecriedfromtheheart.Devinwheeledaround.Amanhaddismountedandwasstridingquicklyforwardtostandinfrontofthem.Devinsawthatthemanwassmall,notmuchbiggerthanhimself,perhapsthirtyyearsoldoralittlemore,andthathewasmovingawkwardlyandclearlyinpain,withAlessansarrowinhisarm.
Ducaswaslookingathiswizard."Sertino,whatisthis?"hesaid,withanedgeinhisvoice."Idonot—”
"Sorcery,"thewizardsaidbluntly.
"What?His?"DuoddedtowardsErlein.
"No,nothis."Itwasthewoundedmanwhospoke,hiseyesneverleavingAlessansface."Notthispoorwizards.Itisrealsorcery,this.ItisthepowerofBrandinofYgraththatkeepsyoufromhearingthename.”
WithanangrymotionDucasswepthishatoff,revealingabaldingdomewithafringehtredhair."Andyou,Naddo?Howdoyouhearit,then?”
Themanonthegroundswayedunsteadilyonhisfeetbeforereplying."BecauseIwasboroo,andsoImimmuhespell,oranothervictimofit,whicheveryouprefer."Devihetautnessinhisvoice,asofsomeoneholdinghardtohisself-trol.HeheardthemancalledNaddosay,lookingupatAlessan."Youhavebeenaskedforyourname,andyouonlygavehimapart.Willyoutellustherest?
Willyoutellme?"Itwashardtoseehiseyesnow,buthisvoicetoldanoldstory.
Alessanwassittingonhishorsewithaneasiness,evenafteradayinthesaddle,thatseemedtodeny
eventhepossibilityofweariness,orthetensionofwheretheywere.Butthenhisrighthandcameupandpushedonsciously,throughhisalreadytangledhair,andDevihefamiliargesture,khatwhateverhehimselfwasfeelingnow,itwasdoubledandredoubledinthemanhefollowed.
Ahestillnessofthatpass,withtheonlyothersoundsthewhistleofwiweenthehillsairringofthehorsesontheyounggrass,heheard:"MynameisAlessandiTiganabarValen-tin.
Ifyouareasoldasyouappeartobe,NaddodiTigana,youwillknowwhoIam.”
rigofhairsonhisnedashiverhecouldnottrol,DevinsawNaddodroptohiskhecoldgroundevenbeforethelastwordswerespoken.
"Oh,myPrince!"thewoundedmancriedinarawvoidchisfacewithhisonegoodha.
"Prince?"saidDucas,verysoftly.Therewasarestivemovementamolaws."Sertino,youwillexplainthistome!”
SertinothewizardlookedfromAlessantoErlein,andthendownattheweepingman.Acurious,almostafrightened,expressioncrossedhispale,roundface.
Hesaid,"TheyarefromLowerCorte.IthadadifferentnamebeforeBrandinofYgrathcame.Hehasusedhissorcerytotakethatnameaway.Onlypeoplebornthere,andwizardsbecauseofourownmagihearthetruehatiswhatishappeninghere.”
"AndPrinaddocalledhimthat.”
Sertinowassilent.HelookedoveratErlein,andtherewasstillthatodd,uneasylookonhisface.Hesaid,"Isittrue?”
AndErleindiSenzio,withanironichalf-smile,replied,"Justdohimcutyourhair,brother.
Unlessyoulikebeingboundintoslavery.”
Sertinosmouthfellopen.Ducasslappedhiskhhishat."Nowthat,"hesnapped,"Idonotuandatall.ThereistoomuchofthisIdonotuand.Iwantexplanations,fromallofyou!"Hisvoicewasharsh,muchlouderthanbefore.HedidnotlookatAlessanthough.
"Iuanditwellenough,Ducas,"cameavoibehiwasMagiaainofthegroupthathaddriveothegap.Hemovedhishorseforwardastheyturolookathim."Iuandthatwehavemadeourfortuonight.IfthisisthePrinceofaprovinceBrandihenallweneeddoistakehimwesttoFortForeseacrosstheborderandturnhimovertotheYgrathensthere.
Withawizardtoboot.Andwhoknows,ohemprobablylikesboysinhisbed,too.Singingboys.”
Hissmilewasawideloosethingintheshadows.
Hesaid,"Therewillberewards.Land.Perhapseven...”
Hesaidnothingmorethanthat.Ever.InrigiddisbeliefDevinsawMagiansmouthfallopenandhiseyesgrowbrieflywide,thenthemanslidslowlysidewaysoffhishorsetofallwithaclatterofswordandbowonthegroundbesideErlein.
Therewasalong-handleddaggerinhisback.
Oheoutlawsfromthelinebehindhim,nothurryingatall,dismountedandpulledthedaggerfree.Hewipeditcarefullyonthedeadmanssurcoatbeforesheathingitagainathisbelt.
"Notagoodidea,Magians,"hesaidquietly,straighteningtolookatDucas."Notagoodideaatall.
Wearentinformershere,aservetheTyrants.”
Ducasslappedhishatbahishead,visiblyfightingfortrol.Hetookadeepbreath."Asithappens,Iagree.Butasitalsohappens,Arkin,wehavearulehereaboutonsdrawnagainsteachother.”
Arkinwasverytall,almostgaunt,andhislongfacewaswhite,Devinsaw,evenamongtheshadowsofdusk.Hesaid,"Iknowthat,Ducas.Itiswasteful.Iknow.Youwillhavetiveme.”
Ducassaidnothingforalongtime.herdidanyoneelse.Devin,lookingpastthedeadman,sawthetwowizardsgazingfixedlyateachotherintheshadows.
ArkinwasstilllookingatDucas.
Whofinallybrokethesilence."YouarefortuIagreewithyou,"hesaid.
Arkinshookhishead."Wewouldnothavestayedtogetherthislongotherwise.”
Alessalydismountedfromhishorse.HewalkedovertowardsDucas,ignthearrowsstilltrainedonhim."IfyouarehuntingBarbadians,"hesaidquietly,"Ihavesomeideaastowhy.Iamdoingthesamething,inmyownway."Hehesitated."Youdoasyourdeadmansuggested:turoYgrath,andyes,Isuspecttherewouldbeareward.Oryoukillushere,andhavedohus.Youalsoletusgoourownwayfromthisplace.Butthereisoher,quitedifferentthingyoudo.”
"Whichis?"Ducasseemedtohaveregainedhisself-trol.Hisvoicewascalmagain,asithadbeenatthebeginning.
"Joinme.InwhatIseektodo.”
"Whichis?”
"TodrivebothTyrantsfromthePalmbeforethissummerisout.”
Naddolookedupsuddenly,abrightnessinhisface."Really,mylord?Wedothis?Evennow?”
"Thereisace,"Alessansaid."Especiallynow.Forthefirsttimethereisace."HelookedbackatDucas."Wherewereyouborn?”
"InTregea,"theothermansaidafterapause."Inthemountains.”
Devinhadamomenttothinkabouthowpletelythingshadshiftedhere,thatAlessanshouldbeaskingthequestionsnow.Hefeltastirringwithinhim,ofhoperenewedandofpride.
ThePrincewasnoddinghishead."Ithoughtitmightbeso.Ihaveheardthestoriesofared-headedCaptainDucaswhowasoheleadersatBorifortinTregeaduringtheBarbadiahere.Theyneverfoundhimafterthefortfell."Hehesitated."Icouldnothelpbutnoticethecolorofyourhair.”
Foramomewomeionlessasinatableau,ohegrouheronhishorse.
Then,quitesuddenly,DucasdiTregeasmiled.
"Whatisleftofmyhair,"hemurmuredwryly,sweepingoffhishatagainwithawidegesture.
Releasinghisreinsheswungdownoffhishorseand,stridingforward,heldoutanopenpalmtoAlessan.Whometboth—thesmileandofferedhand—withhisown.
Devinfoundhimselfgaspingwiththerushofreliefthatsweptoverhim,andthencheeringwildlyatthetopofhisvoicewithtwentyoutlawsinthatdarkCertandanpass.
Whathenoticedthough,evenasthecheeringreachedacresdo,wasthatherwizardwasshouting.Erleinainosatverystill,almidontheirhorses,asiftratingohing.
Theygazedateachother,expressioicallygrim.
Andbecausehenoticed,becauseheseemedtobebeiofmanwhosawthingslikethis,Devinwasthefirsttofallsilent,andhehadeveninstinctivelyraisedahandtoquiettheothers.Ales-sanandDucasloweredtheirlinkedpalmsandgradually,assileurhepass,everyonelookedatthewizards.
"Whatisit?"Ducassaid.
Sertinoturohim."Tracker.Northeastofus,quiteclose.Ijustfelttheprobe.Hellnotfihough,Ivedonenomagicforalongtime.”
"Ihave,"saidErleindiSenzio."Earliertoday,intheBraccioPass.Onlyalightspell,asforsomeone.Evidentlyitwasenough.TheremusthavebeenaTrackerihesouthernforts.”
"Therealmostalwaysis,"Sertinosaidflatly.
"What,"Ducassaid,"wereyoudoingintheBraccioPass?”
"Gatheringflowers,"Alessansaid."Illtellyoulater.RightnowwehaveBarbadianstodealwith.
HowmanywillbewiththeTracker?”
"hay.Probablymore.Wehaveacampinthehillssouthofhere.Shallwerunforit?”
"Theyllfollow,"Erleinsaid."Hesgotmetraced.Thespillofmymagicwillmarkmeforanotherdayatleast.”
"Idontmuchfeellikehidinginanycase,"Alessansaidsoftly.
Devinturnedquicklytolookathim.SodidDucas.Awkwardly,Naddorosetohisfeet.
"Howgood,exactly,areyourmenhere?"Alessansaid,achallengeinhistoneandinthegreyeyes.
Andintheshadoasnowalmostfull-darkDevinsawtheTregeanoutlawleadersteethsuddenlyflash."Theyaregoodenough,andtospare,todealwithascoreofBarbadians.Thiswillbemorethanweveevertackled,butweveneverfoughtbesideaPrincebefore.Ithink,"headded,iativevoice,"thatItooamgrowntiredofhiding,suddenly.”
Devinlookedoveratthewizards.Itwashardtomakeouttheirfeaturesinthedark,butErleinsaid,inahard-edgedvoice:"Alessarackerwillhavetobekilledimmediately,orhellsendanimageofthisplacebacktoAlberico.”
"Hewillbe,"saidAlessaly.Andinhisvoice,too,therewasae.ThepresenethingDevinhadneverheard.Asedlaterherealizedthatitwasdeath.
Alessanscloakflappedinagustofwind.Verydeliberatelyhedrewhishoodoverhisface.
ThehardthingforDevinwasthatAlbericosTrackerturtobetwelveyearsold.
TheysentErleinridioutofthepass,asthelure.Hewastheonebeingfollowed.HehadSertinodiCertando,theotherwizard,andtwoothermenwiththem,oneofwhomwasthewoundedNaddo,whoinsistedonbeingofuseeventhoughhecouldnotfight.Theyhadtakenthearrowfromhisarmandbaasbesttheycould.Itwasclearthathewasindifficulty,butevenmoreclearthatinthepresenceofAlessanhewasnotabouttogivewaytothat.
Ashortwhilelater,uhestarsandtheloweastwardcrestofVidomni,theBarbadiaeredthepass.Thereweretwenty-fiveofthem,aracker.Sixcarriedtorches,whichmadethingseasier.
Thoughnotforthem.
AlessansarrowandDucassmetirackersbreast,firedfromslopesonoppositesidesofthedefile.ElevenofthemerariesfelluhatfirstrainofarrowsbeforeDevinfoundhimselfgallopingfuriouslydownwithAlessanandhalfadozenothermenoutoftheircealmentinhollowsinthepass.
Theyaoclosethewester,evenasDudninemensealedofftheeasterheBarbadianshadenteredfrom.
AndsoonthatEmberNight,inthepanyofoutlawsinthehighlandsofCertandofarfromhislosthome,AlessanbarValentin,Priigana,foughtthefirsttruebattleofhislongwarofreturn.Afterthedrawn-outyearsofmaneuvering,asubtlegatheringofintelligehedelicateguidis,hedrewbladeagainsttheforcesofaTyrantinthatmoonlitpass.
Nosubterfuge,nohiddenmanipulationanymorefromthewingsofthestage.Thiswasbattle,forthetimehade.
MariusofQuileiahadmadeapromisetohimthatday,againstwisdomandexperiendbeyondhope.AndwithMariusspromiseeverythinghadged.Thewaitingwasover.Hecouldloosentherigidbondsthathadheldhisheartsotightlyleashedalltheseyears.Tonightinthispasshecouldkill:inmemoryofhisfatherandhisbrothersandallthedeadoftheRiverDeisaandafter,inthatyearwhenhehimselfhadnotbeetedtodie.
TheyhadspiritedhimawayandhiddenhiminQuileiasouthofthemountains,withMarius,thenacaptainoftheHighPriestesssguard.Amanwithhisownreasonsforfandcealingayoung
Printhenorthlands.Thathadbeenalmosteenyearsago,whenthehidinghadbegun.
Hewastiredofhiding.Thetimeofrunningwasovernow;theseasonofwarhadbegun.True,itwasBarbadior,notYgrath,whosesoldiersdrewbladeagainstthemnow,butiwasallthesame.
BothTyrahesame.HehadbeensayingthatforalltheyearssincehedebaorthtothepeninsulawithBaerd.Itwasatruthhammeredintoshapelikemetalonthehardfeofhisheart.Theyhadtotakethemboth,orbenonearerfreedomthanbefore.
AndintheBraccioPassthismthetakinghadbegun.Thekeystonehadbeehearchofhisdesign.Andsotonightinthisdarkdefilehecouldunbindhispent-uppassion,hisownlongmemoriesofloss,ahisswordarmfree.
Devin,labtokeepupwiththePrince,rodeintohisfirstbatwithrawpanidexhilarationvyingformasteryinhisbreast.Hedidnotshoutasmostoftheoutlawsdid;hewastratingasmuchasanythingelseonigntheahiswoundedleg.HegrippedthedarkswordBaerdhadboughtforhim,holdingitwiththebladecurvingupwardsashehadbeentaughtinwintrymlessonsthatseemedunimaginablyremotefromthisnightshappenings.
HesawAlessandrivestraightintothecircledranksofthemeraries,unswervingasoneofhisarrows,asiftoputbehindhiminthisoofdirectrespoheyearswhensuchathingwasnotallowed.
Frantically,grittinghisteeth,DevinfollowedinAlessanswake.Hewasalohough,andhalfadozehsbehind,whenayellow-beardedBarbadianloomedupbesidehim,enormousonhishorse.
Deviinsholysomeblindsurvivalinstindthereflexeshehadbeenbornwithsavedhislife.Hepulledhishorsehardtotheleft,veeringforaspacehesaw,andthenleaningbacktht,aslowtothegroundasheanage,hecutupwardswithallhisstrength.Hefeltasearingpaininhiswoundedlegandalmostfell.ThewindrushoftheBarbadiansbladeslicedemptyairwhereDevinsheadhadbeebeatlaterDevihisownwickedlycurvedswordcleavethroughleatheryarmorandintoflesh.
TheBarbadianscreamed,aliquid,bubblingsound.Heswayedwildlyonhismountashisswordfellfromhisgrasp.Hebroughtonehandtohismouthinacuriouslychildlikegesture.Then,liketheslowtopplingofamountaintree,heslidsidewaysinhissaddleandcrashedtotheground.
Devinhadalreadypulledhisswordfree.Wheelinghishorseinatightcircle,helookedforadversaries.Noonewasingthough.Alessanaherswereaheadofhim,poundingagainstthemeraries,drivingtomeetDudArkinsgrouppressingforwardfromtheeast.
Itwasalmostover,Devinrealized.Therewasnothing,really,forhimtodo.lexmixtureofemotionsthathedidrytouandjustthechedthePrincesbladeriseandfallthreetimesahreeBarbadiansdie.Onebyoorchesdroppedtothegroundandwereextinguished.Andthen—onlymomentsaftertheyhadriddenintothepass,itseemedtoDevioftheBarbadianshadbeencutdownandslain.
ItwasthenthathesaasleftoftheTrackerandrealizedhowyounghehadbeen.Thebodyhadbeenhideouslytrampledinthemelee.Itlaytwistedandsplayedunnaturally.Somehowthefacehadbeenspared,thoughforDevin,lookingdown,thatwasactuallytheworstthing.Thetwoarrowswerestillembeddedinthechildsbody,thoughtheuppershaftofohemhadbeenbrokenoff.
Devinturnedaway.HestrokedthehorseAlienivenhim,andwhisperedtoit.Thenheforcedhimselftoridebacktowardsthemanhedkilled.ThiswasnotthesameasthesleepingsoldierintheNievolenebarn.Itwasnot,hetoldhimself.ThishadbeenopenwarfareandtheBarbadianhadbeenarmedandarmored,andhehadswunghismassivebladeseekingDevinslife.HadtheBarbadiansarackereuponhimandAlessanandErleinalohewildernessDevinhadnoillusions,all,astowhattheirfatewouldhavebeen.
Itwasnotthesameasinthebarn.Hesaiditwithinhimselfonceagain,ashegraduallybecameaware
oftheeerie,disorientingcalmthatseemedtohavedesdeduponthepass.Thewindstillblew,ascoldasbefore.Heglancedup,andrealizedbelatedlythatAlessanhadquietlyriddentohissideandwasalsolookingdownatthem松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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