按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
situation of the prince by forcing Josua to speak his treason in front of many witnesses。 Now the baron must sense that Josua's words might not be so easily dismissed。 It was an awkward spot。 But even now； Metessa's master did not disperse the other folk sitting at table： he had made his gambit and he would live with it。 The Duke of Elvritshalla found himself appreciating the man anew。
〃I had Deornoth tell his story to our priest before the battle for New Gadrinsett；〃 Josua said。 〃What he saw was important enough that I did not wish to chance it might die with him； as there seemed little likelihood we would survive that fight。〃 He held up the scroll； unrolling it with the stump of his right wrist。 〃I will read only the part that I think you need to hear； but I will gladly give the whole thing to you。 Baron； so that you may read it at your ease。〃
He paused for a moment； then began。 The listeners along the table leaned forward； greedy for more strangeness on what was already a night that would be discussed in Metessa for a long time。
〃。 。 。 When we came upon the field； the Nabbanai had ridden after Earl Guthwulf of Utanyeat and his men of the Boar and Spears； who were falling back with great swiftness to the slope of Bullback Hill。 Duke Leobardis and three hundred knights came at them in such a wise as to pass between Utanyeat and the High King's army； which was still some way distant； as we thought。
〃Prince Josua； fearing that Leobardis would be delayed too long and that thus the king could e against him in the unprotected open lands south of Naglimund； brought many knights out of the castle to save Nabban from the king； and also perhaps to capture Utanyeat； who was the greatest of King Elias' generals。 Josua himself led us； and Isorn Isgrimnurson and a score of Rimmersmen were with us too。
〃When we struck against the side of the Boar and Spears； we at first did bring them great woe； for they were outnumbered manyfold。 But Guthwulf and the king had prepared a trap； and soon it was sprung。 Earl Fengbald of Falshire and several hundred knights came down a…horse from the woods at the top of Bullback Hill。
〃I saw Duke Leobardis and his son Benigaris at the outermost edge of the fighting； behind their men…at…arms。 As Fengbald's falcon…crest came down the hill。 I saw Benigaris draw his sword and stab his father in the neck； slaying him in the saddle so that Leobardis fell across his horse's withers； bleeding most piteously 。。。〃
At this last sentence； the silence abruptly dissolved into shocked cries and rebukes。 Several of Baron Seriddan's liege…men stood； shaking their fists in fury as though they would strike Josua down。 The prince only looked at them； still holding the parchment before him； then turned to Seriddan。 The baron had retained his seat； but his brown face had paled except for bright spots of color high on each cheek。
〃Silence！〃 he shouted； and glared at his followers until they sank back onto their benches； full of angry muttering。 Several of the women had to be helped from the room； they stumbled out as though they themselves had been stabbed； their intricate hats and veils suddenly as sad as the bright flags of a defeated army。 'This is an old story；〃 the baron said at last。 His voice was tight； but Isgrimnur thought there was more than rage there。
He feels the snare drawing closed。
Seriddan drained his goblet； then banged it down on the tabletop； making more than a few people jump。 〃It is an old tale；〃 he said again。 〃Often repeated； never proved。 Why should I believe it now？〃
〃Because Sir Deornoth saw it happen；〃 said Josua simply。
〃He is not here。 And I do not know that I would believe him if he were。〃
〃Deornoth did not lie。 He was a true knight。〃
Seriddan laughed harshly； 〃I have only your word on that； Prince。 Men will do strange things for king and country。〃 He turned to his brother。 〃Brindalles？ Have you heard any reason here tonight that I should not throw the prince and his followers into one of the locked cells beneath Chasu Metessa to wait for Benigaris' mercy？〃
The baron's brother sighed。 He held his two hands close together； touching at the fingertips。 〃I do not like this story； Seriddan。 It has an unpleasantly truthful ring； since those who prepared Leobardis for burial spoke wonderingly of the evenness of the wound。 But the word of any one man； even Prince Josua's knight； is not enough to condemn the Lord of Nabban。〃
Wit is not lacking in the family blood！ the Duke of Elvritshalla noted。 But on such hard…headed men must our luck ride。 Or fail。
〃There are others who saw Benigaris' terrible deed；〃 Josua said。 〃A few of them are still alive； although many died when Naglimund was conquered。〃
〃A thousand men would not be enough；〃 Seriddan spat。 〃Hea！ What； should the flower of Nabbanai nobility follow you…an Erkynlander and enemy of the High King… against the rightful heir to the Kingfisher House； on the strength of the writings of a dead man？〃 A murmur of agreement rose from Chasu Metessa's other inhabitants。 The situation was growing ugly。
〃Very well；〃 said Josua。 〃I understand。 Baron。 Now I will show you something that will convince you of the seriousness of my undertaking。 And it may also answer your fears about following an Erkynlander anywhere。〃 He turned and gestured。 A hooded man seated near Strangyeard at the shadowy end of the table abruptly rose。 He was very tall。 Several of the men…at…arms drew their swords； the hiss of emerging blades seemed to make the room grow cold。
Do not fail us； Isgrimnur prayed。
〃You said one thing that was not true； Baron；〃 Josua said gently。
〃Do you call me a liar？〃
〃No。 But these are strange days； and even a man as learned and clever as you cannot know everything。 Even were Benigaris not a patricide； he is not first claimant on his father's dukedom。 Baron； people of Metessa； here is the true master of the Kingfisher House 。 。 。 Camaris Benidrivis。〃
The tall figure at the end of the table pushed back his hood； revealing a snowfall of white hair and a face full of sadness and grace。
〃What。。。 ？〃 The baron was utterly confused。
〃Heresy！〃 shouted a confused landowner； stumbling to his feet。 〃Camaris； he is dead！〃
One of the remaining women screamed。 The man beside her slumped forward onto the table in a drunken faint。
Camaris touched his hand to his breast。 〃I am not dead。〃 He turned to Seriddan。 〃Grant me forgiveness； Baron； for abusing your hospitality in this manner。〃
Seriddan stared at the apparition； then rounded on Josua。 〃What madness is this？！ Do you mock me； Erkynlander？〃
The prince shook his head。 〃It is no mockery； Seriddan。 This is indeed Camaris。 I thought to reveal him to you in private； but the chance did not e。〃
〃No。〃 Seriddan slapped his hand on the table。 〃I cannot believe it。 Camaris…sa…Vinitta is dead…lost years ago； drowned in the Bay of Firannos。〃
〃I lost only my wits； not my life；〃 the old knight said gravely。 〃I lived for years with no memory of my name or my past。〃 He drew a hand across his brow。 His voice shook。