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a terrible dishonor。 No； there are no words； priestly or otherwise； that will make Fikolmij forget。〃
Josua took a last look at Naidel's keen blade； then slid it back into its sheath。 He gazed around at his assembled people。 〃Heads high；〃 he said。 The prince seemed strangely clear…eyed and cheerful。 〃Death is no enemy。 God has prepared a place for us all； I am sure。〃 He walked to the gate in the fence。 Fikolmij's guards opened it； then formed a spear…bristling escort as Josua walked across the wagon…city。
A swift； cool breeze was blowing across the grasslands； an invisible hand that ruffled the meadows and thrummed in the tentlines。 The low hills were dotted with grazing cattle。 Scores of grimy children who had been dodging in and out among the wagons left their games to follow Josua and his makeshift court as they trudged toward the March…thane's paddock。
Deornoth looked at the faces of children and their parents as they came to join the swelling procession。 Where he expected to see hatred or bloodlust； he found only eager expectancy…the same eagerness he had seen as a child on his brothers' and sisters' faces when the High King's Guard or a painted peddler's wagon had passed their Hewenshire freeholding。 These people hoped only for some excitement。 It was unfortunate that it would take somebody's death； most likely that of his beloved prince； to provide it。
Golden ribbons flapped on the fenceposts of Fikolmij's enclosure； as if this were a festival day。 The March…thane sat on a stool before his wagon door。 Several more bejeweled Thrithings…men…other clan leaders； Deornoth guessed…were seated on the ground beside him。 Several women of various ages stood nearby； and one of them was Vorzheva。 The March…thane's daughter no longer wore the rags of her court dress。 She had been dressed in a more traditional clan costume； a hooded wool dress with a heavy belt studded with colorful stones and a band across her forehead that tied at the back other hood。 Unlike the other women； whose bands were of dark hues； Vorzheva wore a white ribbon…no doubt indicating； Deornoth reflected sourly； a bride for sale。
As Josua and his followers stepped through the gate； the prince and Vorzheva caught each others' eyes。 Josua deliberately made the sign of the Tree on his chest； then kissed his hand and touched it to that spot。 Vorzheva turned away as if to hide tears。
Fikolmij stood and began to speak to the assembled crowd； slipping back and forth between Westcrling and the harsh Thrithings dialect as he held forth to the seated dignitaries and the other clanfolk gathered around the paddock fences。 As the March…thane roared on； Deornoth slipped forward between the half…dozen spearmen who had followed Josua into the enclosure and moved to his prince's side。
〃Highness；〃 he said quietly； laying a hand on his shoulder。 The prince started； as if woken from a dream。
〃Ah… It's you。〃
〃I wanted to beg your forgiveness； my prince； before。。。 before whatever happens。 You are the kindest lord a man could want。 I had no right to speak to you as I did yesterday。〃
Josua smiled sadly。 〃You had every right。 I only wish I had more time to think about the things you said。 I have indeed been far too self…absorbed of late。 It was the act of a friend to point that out。〃
Deornoth fell to a knee； pulling Josua's hand to his lips。 〃The Lord bless you； Josua；〃 he said quickly。 〃Bless you。 And do not close too swiftly with that brute。〃
The prince thoughtfully watched Deornoth rise。 〃I may have to。 I fear I have not the strength to wait long。 If I see any chance at all； I must take it。〃
Deornoth tried to speak again； but his throat was too tight。 He clasped Josua's hand； then retreated。
A ragged volley of shouts and cheers rose from the crowd as Utvart climbed over the paddock fence and took his place before Fikolmij。 Josua's adversary stripped off his cowhide vest and displayed his muscular torso； which had been rubbed with fat until it glistened。 Seeing this； Deornoth frowned： Utvart would be able to move quickly； and the fat would help him keep warm。
The Thrithing…man's curved sword had been thrust scabbardless through his broad belt； his long hair pulled into a knot at the back of his head。 Utvart wore a bracelet on each arm； and several earrings dangled against his jaw。 He had daubed his scars with red and black paint； making himself seem a kind of demon。
Now he pulled his sword from his belt and lifted it over his head； engendering another chorus of shouts。 〃e； Lackhand；〃 he boomed。 〃Utvart is waiting。〃
Father Strangyeard was praying aloud as Josua walked forward across the enclosure。 Deornoth found that rather than soothing or reassuring him； the priest's words rubbed on his nerves until he had to step away； after a moment s consideration； he moved to a spot along the fence just to the side of one of the guards。 He looked up and saw Isorn staring。 Deornoth shifted his chin in a virtually undetectible nod； Isorn eased over toward the wall also； until he stood a few yards from Deornoth。
Josua had left his cloak with Duchess Gutrun； who cradled it like a child。 Beside her stood Leieth； dirty fist clutching the duchess' tattered skirt。 Geloe was a short distance away； her yellow stare hooded。
As Deornoth surveyed the group； other eyes met his and slid away； as if fearing to maintain too lengthy a contact。 Sangfugol quietly began to sing。
〃So； son of Prester John； you e before the Free Folk of the Thrithings a little less great than you once were；〃 Fikolmij grinned。 His clansmen laughed and whispered。
〃Only in my possessions；〃 Josua said calmly。 〃As a matter of fact； I would like to propose a wager； Fikolmij…between the two of us； you and me。〃
The March…thane laughed； surprised。 〃Brave words； Josua； proud words ing from a man who knows he will soon die。〃 Fikolmij looked him over calculatingly。 〃What kind of wager？〃
The prince slapped his scabbard。 〃I propose to bet on this and my good left hand。〃
〃Good； since it is your only hand；〃 Fikolmij smirked。 His clansmen roared。
〃That is as may be。 If Utvart defeats me； he gets Vorzheva and you get her bride…price； is that not true？〃
〃Thirteen horses。〃 The March…thane was smug。 〃What of it？〃 〃Simply this。 Vorzheva is already mine。 We are betrothed。 If I survive； I gain nothing new。〃 His eyes met Vorzheva's across the crowd of watch… ers； then moved back to her father with cold regard。
〃You gain your life！〃 Fikolmij spluttered。 〃In any case； it is foolish to talk。 You will not survive。〃
Utvart； waiting impatiently； allowed himself a thin smile at his thane's words。
〃That is why I wish to make a wager with you；〃 Josua said。 〃With you。 Fikolmij。 Between men。〃 Some of the clansmen chuckled at this； Fikolmij looked around angrily until they fell silent。
〃Speak on。〃
〃It will be a wager of little value； Fikolmij； the kind that bold…willed men make without hesitation in the cities of my people。 If I win； you will give me the same price you are asking from Utvart。〃 Josua smiled。 〃I will choose thirteen horses from you。〃
There was an undertone of anger in Fikolmij's hoarse voice。 〃Why should