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from the armored breastplate on his chest。
Chapter 14
At the largest land gate in the walls of Tashigang； which was the Hermes Gate giving onto the great highway called the High Road； one thin stream of worried citizens was trying to get out of the city when Mark and Denis arrived； while another group； this one of country refugees； worked and pleaded to get in。 There was obviously no general agreement on the safest place to be during the war that everyone thought was ing。 The Watch on duty at the Hermes Gate were implacably forbidding the removal of foodstuffs； or anything that could be construed as military or medical supplies； while at the same time denying entrance to many of the outsiders。 To gain entrance to the city it was necessary to show pressing business … other than that of one's own survival； which did not necessarily concern the Watch … or to bring in some substantial material contribution to the city's ability to withstand a siege。 Denis； on identifying himself as an agent of the House of Courtenay； was admitted with no further argument。 And Mark； along with his escort； was passed as a representative of Tasavalta； as his and his soldiers' blue…green clothing testified。
Mark thought that some of the Watch on duty at the gate recognized Coinspinner at his side … it was not mentioned； but he suspected that the fact of the Sword's presence was quickly municated to the Lord Mayor。 Mark informed the officer who spoke to him that he too could be reached at the House of Courtenay； and alerted the guardians of the gate to expect the survivors of Sir Andrew's army。 That group； two or three hundred strong； was traveling a few hours behind Mark and Denis； it would； they agreed； make a wele addition to the city's garrison； that Denis said was chronically undermanned。
It was the first time Mark had ever entered a city as large as this one … he had heard some say that there were none larger … and he saw much to wonder at as Denis conducted him and his handful of Tasavaltan troopers through the broad avenues and streets。 This was also； of course； the first time that Mark had seen the House of Courtenay； and he was duly impressed by the wealth and luxury in which his old friends Barbara and Ben were living。 But he was given little time today in which to be impressed by that。 The household； like the rest of the great city around it； was in a state of turmoil and tension。 Soon after entering Mark got the impression that none of its members knew as yet whether they were preparing for war and siege； or for evacuation。 Packing of certain valuables as if for possible evacuation was being undertaken； by a force of what Mark estimated as at least a dozen servants and other workers； while simultaneously another group barricaded all but a few of the doors and windows as if in expectation that the House must undergo a siege。
Almost immediately on entering the building's ground floor； ing into the clamorous confusion of what must be a workshop； Denis immediately became engaged in conversation with a man he introduced to Mark as the steward of the household； named Tarim。
Denis was already aghast at some of the things Tarim was telling him。
〃Evacuation？ Tashigang？ Don't tell me they're seriously considering such a thing。〃
〃We have heard something of the Mindsword's power；〃 said Tarim worriedly。 He turned his aging； troubled eyes toward Mark。 〃Perhaps you gentlemen who travel out in the great world have heard something of it too。〃
Denis was impatient。 〃I think we've some idea about it； yes。 But we're not helpless； there are other weapons； other Swords。 We've even brought one with us。。。 and if they evacuate this city； half a million people or however many there are； where will they all go？〃
Tarim shrugged fatalistically。 〃Flee to the upper hills； I suppose； or the Great Swamp。 I didn't say that it made sense to evacuate。〃
Someone else had just entered the ground floor room。 Turning； Mark saw the man who all his life he had thought of as his father。 Who was his father； he told himself； in every sense that truly mattered。
And so Mark called him at first sight。 For the time being； the Emperor was forgotten。
Mark had been only twelve the last time he saw Jord； then lying apparently dead in their village street。 But there was no mistaking Jord； for the older man had changed very little。 Except for being dressed now in finer garments than Mark had ever seen him wear before。 And except for。。。
The really exceptional transformation was so enormous； and at the same time appeared so right and ordinary； that Mark at first glance came near accepting it as natural； and not a change at all。 Then； after their first embrace； he wonderingly held his father at arms' length。
Jord now had two arms。
Mark's father said to him； 〃What the Swords took from me； they have given back。 I'm told that Woundhealer was used to heal me as I lay here injured and unconscious。 It did a better job even than those who used it had hoped。〃
〃The Sword of Mercy has touched me too；〃 Mark whispered。 And then for a little time he could only stand there marveling at his father's new right arm。 Jord explained to Mark how the arm had begun as a mere fleshy swelling； then a bud； and then in a matter of a few months had passed through the normal stages of human growth； being first a limb of baby size； then one to fit a child。 It was as large and strong as the left arm now； but the skin of the new limb was still pink and almost unweathered even on the hand； not scarred or worn by age like that on Jord's left fist； visible below the sleeve of his fine new shirt。
Suddenly Mark said； 〃I've just e from seeing Mother； and Marian。 When they hear you have a new arm。。。〃
The two of them； father and son； had many things to talk about。 Some things that were perhaps of even greater importance than a new arm … and Mark still had one problem to think about that he was never going to mention to this man。 But they were allowed little time just now for talk。 Ben and Barbara were arriving from somewhere in the upper interior of the house to give Mark a joyful wele。
Barbara jumped at him； so that he had to catch and swing her。 She threw wiry arms around his neck and kissed him powerfully； so that he held her； as he had Jord； at arms' length for a moment； wondering if in her case too there had taken place some change so great as to be invisible at first glance。 But then he had to drop her； for Ben； less demonstrative as a rule； came to almost crush Mark in a great hug。
They were followed by a plump nursemaid； introduced to Mark as Kuan…yin who was carrying their small child Beth。 The toddler was obviously already a great friend of Jord's； for she went to him at once and asked him how his new arm was。
Kuan…yin； released from immediate duty； at once went a little apart with Denis。 Mark could see that the two of them； standing face to face amid the confusion of workers packing and barricading； had their own private greetings to exchange。
〃We'd like to get a weling party for you started right away；〃 Ben was saying to Mark； 〃but we can't。 It'll have to wait at least until tomorrow。 The Lord Mayor has called a council of leading citizens； and Barbara and I ar