The answer left Van confused. He cleared his throat to remind Breck he was there. Breck looked at him sideways.
‘Van, have you ever met a man of infamy before?’
Van didn’t know how, but in that instant he knew the man’s identity. He looked at the stranger, awed by the possibility as Breck confirmed his guess.
‘This is a living legend, Van,’ said the commander with some contempt. ‘This is Baron Thorin Glass.’
Van and Breck did not go to their midday meal as planned. Instead they rode up to the library in secret, letting Baron Glass trail behind them. When they got to the yard, Breck barked to a young man to take away all of their horses. Not surprisingly, Baron Glass took the unusual helmet off his saddle and kept it with him as Breck led him into the library. There were curious stares as they entered, all of which Breck waved off, ordering his men to keep quiet and not ask questions. None of them knew who their odd guest was, and Breck seemed relieved by that. He offered no explanation as he took the baron and Van to the old study, the place that had once belonged to the dead librarian, Figgis. Breck did not call any other officers to the meeting. Instead he closed the door quickly behind him, ordering his underlings not to disturb them, not even if the place caught fire. Baron Glass remained quiet throughout. He placed his helmet down on a tall stack of dusty books. As he stood there waiting, the horned thing stared at Van.
Baron Thorin Glass was more than Van expected. He had imagined the old man to be withered by now, maybe toasted brown by his days in the desert, his skin a wrinkled saddlebag. Baron Glass was none of those things. He was tall, and glowing with good health. His eyes glistened with youth that should not have been there. More importantly, he had both arms, and everyone knew that Baron Glass had lost his left arm years before. Just as Breck had not mentioned anything of Glass’ son, Aric, he pretended not to notice the miraculous appendage, though the sight of it disconcerted Van. Could the wizards of Grimhold grow back arms?
Breck had said almost nothing to Glass. Now, neither of them sat in the study’s chairs. They simply stood and looked at each other.
‘I have a million questions,’ said Breck. His tone was miserable. ‘And I don’t know where to start.’
Baron Glass replied, ‘I did not expect you to welcome me back to Koth, Sir Breck. I only expect you to listen to me.’
‘Why should I?’
‘Because I’ve come to help you.’
The answer intrigued Van and Breck both. Like his commander, Van had countless questions, but decided to hold his tongue and let Breck do the interrogating.
‘You’ve come all the way from Grimhold?’
The baron nodded. ‘Indeed I have.’
The next question surprised Van. Breck paused for a moment, then asked, ‘How is Lukien? Does he still live?’
Amazingly, Baron Glass smiled at the enquiry. ‘Lukien is well. If he knew I was coming here he would have sent his regards, I’m sure.’
‘What do you mean?’ Realising his voice was carrying, Breck glanced at the door a moment. ‘Lukien doesn’t know you’ve come here? Why not?’
‘Because I had to come and he would not have wanted me to. Because he has his hands full with his own problems.’ Glass looked at Breck seriously. ‘Because I have brought you something he did not want me to bring.’
Unable to stop himself, Van asked, ‘That armour?’
Baron Glass regarded him. ‘That’s right. And before I say another word, please tell me who you are.’
‘Lieutenant Vanlandinghale,’ replied Van. ‘A Royal Charger. I worked for Jazana Carr, after you left her.’
The mention of the Diamond Queen made Glass’ face tighten horribly. ‘Jazana Carr is the reason I’ve come. I know she is moving against Koth soon. I’m here to help you stop her.’
‘With that armour?’ asked Breck. He took a small step closer and surveyed Glass up and down. Like Van, he was clearly puzzled by its construction. It seemed to give the baron no trouble at all. It barely made a sound when he walked. Its mirror brightness was like looking at the sun, if the sun was black as hell. ‘This is a thing of Grimhold,’ said Breck, ‘a magic thing.’
‘It is,’ said Glass. ‘An amazing thing.’
Finally Breck said, ‘And your arm? Is that a magic thing as well?’
‘It is the armour,’ said Glass. ‘It has healed me.’
‘Severed arms do not heal, Baron Glass. Specifically, now — explain it to me.’
‘I cannot explain it,’ said Glass. ‘Nor would you believe me if I could. The magic of Grimhold is still a mystery to me. But it is powerful, Sir Breck. It is enough to defeat Jazana Carr.’
Breck’s eyebrows shot up. ‘That, sir, is a very tall claim. And I think you know nothing about Jazana Carr these days, or the army she has massed against us.’
‘Respectfully, Baron Glass, Breck is right,’ said Van. ‘It has been almost two years since you have seen Jazana Carr. She is more powerful now. She has defeated King Lorn. .’
Van stopped himself suddenly, remembering Lorn. He looked at Breck, who nodded.
‘You are not the only one to have come here claiming to know how to beat her, Baron Glass. King Lorn himself was here to try and aid us.’ Breck’s eyes narrowed. ‘But you must know that already.’
Glass frowned at the notion. ‘Why would I know that? Is King Lorn not dead yet?’
Breck and Van glanced at each other. ‘Apparently,’ said Breck, ‘the magic of Grimhold isn’t powerful enough to tell you everything. King Lorn left us for Grimhold some months ago, Baron. He took many others with him, people who wanted to go there to be healed.’
The news fell heavily on Glass. ‘There are many who come to Grimhold these days,’ he sighed. ‘Lorn was only one of a flood. And I could have easily missed him, or left Grimhold before he made it there.’
‘Or perhaps he didn’t make it at all,’ surmised Van, not liking that idea at all.
Breck rubbed his neck, which was turning red in all the confusion. ‘Baron Glass, none of this makes sense to me. You say Lukien doesn’t know you’ve come here? And this armour — what is it?’
‘It is a relic of Grimhold,’ said Glass. ‘And no, Lukien did not know that I was coming here. He does now, no doubt, and is probably on his way after me.’ The baron finally leaned back against the wall, as though about to make a confession. ‘This armour is called the Devil’s Armour,’ he said softly. ‘It is very ancient, very powerful. There is no one who can defeat me while I wear it, for it has a great spirit that protects me. If you took out your dagger and tried all day and night to scratch it, Sir Breck, you could not. But I stole the armour, so that I could come here and help you.’ He looked at Van this time. ‘So you see, my friend, you are wrong about Jazana Carr. No matter how many men she has made her whores, there is not one of them that can defeat me now.’
The statement truly frightened Van. Looking at the baron suddenly made him shrivel, as if every word he said was true, as if every skill Van possessed was impotent. He had fought in Jador and known the power of the people there. Those they protected in Grimhold were said to be beyond the touch of man. Now, here had come a god into his midst. He looked over at Breck, who looked reassuringly calm in the face of Glass’ boast.
‘Koth has changed, Baron Glass, but we are not weak,’ he said. ‘We have a thousand men under arms here, ready to defend this city, and if Jazana Carr comes she’ll have this hill to contend with. We’ve gotten supplies from Reec too, and a promise from King Raxor for more help if we need it.’
‘Raxor?’ Glass interrupted. ‘He is King of Reec now?’
‘His brother Karis died a year ago,’ Breck explained. ‘He’s been keeping an eye on Norvor like the rest of us. What I’m saying to you is that I do not think I want your magic here. Maybe we need it, maybe we don’t. But you stole that armour. You say that Lukien is after you, but won’t tell me why. I think you’ve brought poison into my library, Baron Glass.’
For the first time, anger flashed in Glass’ eyes. ‘This isn’t your library, Sir Breck, nor does Liiria belong to you any more than it does me. I have come to defend my country, with your help or without it.’