Playing hide-and-seek, of course.' The reply was a low rumble, sug-gesting massive pair of lungs.
The major licked his lips and gave his uniform another tug before asking, 'Hide-and-seek?'
'Hide and-seek,' confirmed the figure, head still stooped as if in prayer 'What of it!'
I… Noihing. It's just a little unusual. I was not expecting you to say that.'
'Much of what I do confounds prediction.'
Who ane you?' Who in damnation are you?'
Jachen bit back his response.Just keep your mouth shut. If Kerin's going to give you another chance, don't blow it by starting a fight before you've even reached the man's office.
'My name is Jachen Ansayl,' he replied, adding defensively, 'Major Jachen Ansayl.'
'Ansayl, eh? Bastard, are you?'
'That's rich, coming from a white-eye.' Damn. The name Ansayl marked him as a bastard (or grandson of a bastard, in Jachen's case) of the Sayl suzerainty north of Tirah. He'd grown used to the jibes, learning through bitter experience that it was better to meet them with a joke than a scowl. Either was a bad idea here.
The white-eye gave a throaty chuckle that sounded like the grating of a tomb's door to Jachen. He raised his head and looked straight at Jachen, his disconcerting eyes shining out of the gloom like Arian's cruel light on Silvernight. Jachen had never liked white-eyes, despite years of soldiering alongside them; he had never been able to get used to the dark malevolence they all exuded. Even those who weren't violent drunkards unnerved him.
This man was younger than Jachen had first thought. His features were sharp, calculating. A faint prickle of foreboding ran down Jachen's spine. The white-eye emitted a long sigh, as though only now emerging from whatever trance he'd been in, and flicked aside his cloak. A lump appeared in Jachen's throat as he saw the fine clothes His heart sank further when he saw the naked silver blade that lay across the white-eye's lap, glowing faintly in the shadows.
Damn again. All the way to the Dark Place.
'My Lord, 1-'
Jachen's apology was cut short by a raised hand. 'I can let it pass.'
Lord Isak rose and Jachen found himself edging backwards. The new Lord of the Farlan was almost as big as Lord Bahl, though not yet quite as solid. Not quite as solid? Jachen scoffed at himself. This man could tear you in two with his bare hands and your first thought is that he's not so large as another giant of a man? He forced himself to stand still as Lord Isak sheathed his sword with a flourish and began to inspect Jachen with unnerving curiosity.
'You were going to take a seat.' He indicated the bench on Jachrn's right.
A seat? Oh yes, of course. But that was… I didn't
'Sit.'
Jachen's legs started hack and he sank down on the bench, spine straight. His sword had slipped under the arm-rest of the bench and was caught; feeling foolish, Jachen tried to hide his embarrassment as he fumbled with the clasps on his scabbard before finally freeing the weapon and laying it down beside him.
Lord Isak hadn't moved. His head was cocked to one side and he had a slight smile on his lips. Finally he stepped back and eased his weight onto the corner of the oak table, which groaned and creaked alarmingly in protest.
'So, Major Jachen Ansayl, what are you doing here, apart from disturbing vital matters of state and occult importance?'
'Occult importance?' Jachen echoed. 'You said you were playing hide-and-seek.'
'Do you see a horde of children running around the palace looking for me?
'Well, no.'
'Do you expect your lord to be engaging in such childish games?'
'Of course not.'
'I was a few weeks ago.'
'()h. But you're not now?'
He smiled. Jachen felt his shoulders tense at his lord's expression, the predatory smile of a serpent. Bloody white^eyes, why do they always put me on edge? He felt his hand start to move up to his neck to tug at the high collar again, but stopped it. No need to make his nervousness
even more obvious.
'No, I'm not playing childish games. Do you know what this is?'
'I. held up what looked like a glass sphere, about the size of a normal man's fist and turned it in the rays streaming from the slit window.
Where the sunlight caught it, the object burst into a glittering display that reflec ted on the walls of the room.
Oh Gods, that's a Crystal Skull, isn't it?'
Good boy. When someone like me plays hide-and-seek, I've discovered there's rarely any fun involved. A mage called Dermeness
Chirialt is wandering the palace, trying to find me, while I use this. I'm told that channelling so much power can make me easy to find, so on
the battlefield every enemy mage will immediately have my position fixed in their mind. I'm guessing that won't be much fun either.'
'All No, my Iold.'
The Duke of Tirah continued to stare at Jachen as though the major where a new toy 'So are yon going to tell me why you're here?'
'Of course, my Lord, I'm sorry. I was summoned by Swordmaster Kerin for a meeting.'
'About what?'
'I don't really know. I've been working at ranger stations for tin-last few years now – as far from civilisation as Swordmaster Kerin could find. My current posting is on top of a mountain – it's not that far from the nearest town, but most Farlan don't go beyond the tree line, so 1 only have ghosts and daemons for company most of the year.' Jachen paused, a thoughtful frown turning suddenly into awakening anger. 'That bastard – he ordered me to come in here – he knows what my temper's like. He must have known you were in here and hoped I'd say something stupid.' jachen half-rose from his seat before a growl froze him midway.
'It looks like he was right.'
Jachen sank back down. 'But we've history, he and I. My posting wasn't the first punishment I've had since- Well, since things went bad. This is just like Kerin to let me get myself into trouble, but I can't believe he-'
Lord Isak slammed his palm against the tabletop beside him. Jachen blinked. He'd not even seen the white-eye's hand move.
'Despite what you may believe, not every action is solely about you.' He slipped from the table and advanced around the central pews:. 'According to some people, the same cannot be said for me, but that just goes to show the idiocy of some people. However, I am Lord of the Farlan, no matter how young 1 might be. Kerin is my Swordmaster, he answers to me. I am not a tool for punishing rangers with dubious records and ill-fitting uniforms. Do you understand me?'
Jachen nodded dumbly.
'Good. How old are you?'
'1- Thirty-seven summers, my Lord.'
'Thirty-seven eh? You share that with Count Vesna at least, though you look older. Still, you're younger than the last, which can't be a bad thing.'
'The last what? Count Vesna? My Lord, I doubt many nun in this palace would think I had anything in common with Countt Vesna '
'Kerin obviously does.'
'My Lord, I don't mean to be rude, but I have no idea what you're talking about.'
'Clearly not.' Iord Isak pointed to Jachen's throat, 'Loosen that top button. Perhaps you'll think a little clearer with some blood reaching your head.'
Jachen flushed as he followed Isak's instruction.
The white-eye beamed. 'See, your colour's returning already. Divinely granted infallibility is a wonderful thing.'
'Infallibility?' Jachen said, trying to catch up with the conversation. 'Again, my Lord, I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think such a thiing has been recognised by the Cult of Nartis.'
'Damn. Really? I'm finding it hard to tell whether I'm always right, or whether most people simply have more sense than to argue with a seven-foot giant capable of ripping a man apart with his bare hands and burning whatever is left to ashes.' He advanced a couple of paces, close enough to reach out and touch Jachen, and peered down to inspect him.
Jachen couldn't swallow. His throat was suddenly too dry.
'Perhaps you're right after all; your colour seems to have gone again. I must have been wrong.' He stepped back and smiled. 'Now consider this: over the last day, I have met with four men, all sent to me by Swordmaster Kerin. All of them have excellent service records, proven skills of leadership and useful political connections.'