The Phoenix Guards (41 page)

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Authors: Steven Brust

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This time they made better speed; for they all felt that they had been gone a long time and needed to report the results of their mission, as well as to find out what had been happening while they were away, and Khaavren, moreover, was anxious to see the fair Illista once more, and to explain how it had happened that he had fulfilled his promise without breaking his oath; therefore, though they were careful not to exhaust their horses in the blistering summer heat, they made stages of twenty or twenty-five leagues across the
pushta,
sometimes not stopping until full dark had fallen.
The return, notwithstanding that it took place during what was still the height of summer, and that, therefore, it was unpleasantly hot, was passed in a happier mode than the journey out had been.
Tazendra, though still annoyed that the chance for a glorious death had passed her by, was in some measure reconciled to it, and ran over and over in her mind the battles in which she had fought and been triumphant.
Uttrik’s mood was that of one who has happily put aside a vengeance, so he rode with a light heart, and, moreover, he, too, took pleasure in recalling the victories which, in retrospect, had seemed to come so easily and naturally.
Kathana had, if truth be known, been growing increasingly dissatisfied with hiding, and was now happy and content to be “face toward the fire,” as the saying is, and was composing speeches which she might have the honor to deliver before His Majesty.
Pel was ruminating all the events that had taken place, and considering how they might be turned into lasting advantages, these being more important to him than glory, which is so fleeting in any event.
Aerich, normally the most moody of companions, was, since he had killed Shaltre, always amiable and pleasant; smiling calmly to all and even sometimes engaging in small conversations with Khaavren on the people and sights they rode by.
Khaavren was constructing daydreams of Illista, and, moreover, of the honors and promotions he might achieve as a result the events of the last few days, and was even trying on the name, “Lieutenant Khaavren,” to see how it sounded in his ears.
Mica, we may be sure, was awash in pleasure at the dzur which they had had embroidered upon the breast of his tunic by a tailor they had happened to meet at a hostel at the foot of Bli’aard.
In this way, then, the return journey took its course, and before many days had passed they found themselves once more in sight of Beed’n’s Inn, which caused Mica, first, to tremble, as he remembered the beating he had received, and then smile, as he recalled what the results of the affair were. Khaavren, who, as we should comprehend by now, noticed everything, observed this reaction and said, “Well, we have made good time, and are
nearly home; let us, then, celebrate in advance by stopping here for jug of Khaav’n, or a bottle of Ailor.”
To this they all agreed, and, finding the place nearly empty, they claimed the largest table, placed, as Khaavren preferred, by a window, so he could amuse himself by watching the passersby. They did, in fact, consume a certain quantity of Khaav’n, which Khaavren preferred to most other wines, because it came from his own region, and shared a name with him, and was, besides, neither too sweet nor too dry; and although in fact it was rather fuller in body than Pel preferred, he made no complaint and drank in such a way as to keep up with his companions.
They had been at it for some time, when Khaavren said, “Well, it is clear we are nearly home, for I have observed more than one Imperial messenger travel along the road of which I have such a fine view through this window, as well as such a multitude of bourgeois and clerks that the issue cannot be in doubt.”
“Well then,” said Aerich, “if you are enjoying the view, it is just as well the landlord has not repaired the window which good Mica broke with his head. Otherwise, I think I would have preferred that it had been repaired, since the paper would do well to keep the heat out.”
“Bah,” said Uttrik. “After passing through the
pushta,
where we had to find water for our horses every three leagues, I declare that this heat doesn’t bother me all, but rather, it feels as cool as the mountains by comparison.”
“And yet,” said Khaavren, “it must still be hot, for here is a troop of Guardsmen, wearing our uniforms but Lanmarea’s badges, which must have determined to take a rest here, for, though it is not a mealtime, they are nevertheless stopping.”
“Well,” said Tazendra, “that is good; we shall get news of the city from them.”
“Perhaps not,” said Khaavren, “for, now that I look, they are merely tethering their horses, as if they don’t expect to remain long.”
“Indeed, you are right,” observed Pel, leaning over and looking out the window. “It is as if they have only stopped to ask questions, for, see, the officer alone is coming in.”
“But why,” asked Kathana, “are the rest of them moving around to the sides of the hostelry, as if to surround it?”
“I confess,” said Pel, “that I’ve no idea, unless they are searching for someone and suspect he may be here, and don’t wish to let him escape.”
“Well,” said Tazendra, “I’ve seen no one who looks suspicious.”
“There could be someone hiding upstairs,” said Khaavren, “and for my part, I declare that I will put aside all rivalry that might exist between their service and our own, and give them all the help I can.”
“They don’t seem likely to need help,” said Aerich.
“Oh, you are doubtless correct,” said Khaavren, “but it is only right to offer, and, if they need no help, why, I’ve no doubt we will be told of it.
Hullo, Sergeant,” he called to the lady who entered at that moment. “We are both servants of His Majesty, and you seem to be intent upon some business, therefore we will offer you our services, and, if these services are not needed, then, by the Shards, you may come and have a glass with us, and we will drink to the health of His Majesty and Captains G’aereth and Lanmarea, and the Warlord herself.”
“Well,” said the Sergeant, bowing to those at the table, “you may, indeed, be able to do me a service, and, if not, I will accept your kind offer.”
“That is all we ask, Sergeant,” said Khaavren. “How may we help you?”
“I am called Lebouru,” she said, “Sergeant, as you have perceived, of the Imperial Guard, and if you would do me honor of telling me your names, I will happily tell you how you could be of help to me.”
“Very well,” said the Tiassa. “I am called Khaavren, and these are my friends, Aerich, Tazendra, and Pel, as well as our companion Uttrik, and the Lady Fricorith.” He gave Kathana her assumed name because, as she intended to surrender herself, he had no wish to compromise her ahead of time.
“Your name, you say, is Khaavren?” said Lebouru.
“Exactly,” said the Tiassa.
“That falls out remarkably well, and you can indeed, do me a great favor.”
“Then I am anxious to do so.”
“That is most kind of you.”
“I wait to hear what this service is.”
“Well, I will tell you.”
“You will please me by doing so.”
“Well, this is it: if you will do me the honor to surrender your sword to me, and to cause your companions to do likewise, and then to accompany me to the city, well, I will ask for nothing further, and, moreover, will consider myself in your debt.”
“How,” cried Khaavren. “Surrender my sword?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“And accompany you?”
“I am pleased to see that I have to do with a gentleman of understanding.”
“You pretend, then, that we are arrested?”
“Nearly so.”
“On what charge?”
“As to that, I assure you I have no idea in the world. But I was told to take a troop of twenty, and to follow this road, and to question every passerby, and to stop at every inn, and to find a Guardsman who was called Khaavren of Castlerock, and who was, moreover, a Tiassa, and I was directed to arrest him and whatever companions happened to be with him. You see that I am about performing my duty.”
Uttrik, who had just begun to recover from the shock that Lebouru’s words had given him, said, “This is insupportable.”
Tazendra said, “Indeed. Bah! A troop of twenty? It is an insult.”
The Sergeant shrugged and said, “My troop is deployed around this house, so that, you perceive, escape is impossible. Furthermore, in addition to our swords, we have each a flash-stone of two charges, so that, if you resist, you will doubtless be killed. Now, I was told to return you alive if possible, but dead if necessary, so, in order to complete my task in the best way, I would prefer if you made no resistance.”
“Will you,” said Khaavren, “allow us a few moments to confer, so we can reach agreement on whether we wish to do ourselves the honor of resisting you?”
“Certainly,” said Lebouru. “There is nothing against that. Only I am under strict orders not to allow you to communicate with anyone outside of this inn. So, if you will give me your word not to do so, and will, moreover, allow me to call to my men and inform them of the state of things, well, you may take whatever time you need.”
“We give you our word,” said Khaavren, “which ought to convince you the more readily as there is no one here to communicate to.”
“Very well,” said the Sergeant, and she stepped to the doorway and called, “Hullo, we have found them. Stand ready to battle, if it should prove necessary, but take no action until you receive my order, or hear the discharge of my flash-stone.”
While she was doing this, Khaavren said, “Well, this is a turn of events that I did not, I confess, anticipate.”
“For my part,” said Tazendra, “I think we should fight. The Horse! There are only twenty of them.”
“And,” said Pel, “to be arrested, well, it is humiliating.”
“This,” said Kathana, “will console me for the fights I have missed.”
Uttrik said, “To die here, to die another place, well, it’s all the same to me. Besides, we might win, and think of how it would be to defeat twenty of his Majesty’s Phoenix Guards, armed with flash-stones?”
Aerich said, “And you, Khaavren, what is your idea?”
Khaavren sighed. “It is, my dear friend, the same as yours, I think. If we fight, win or lose, we shall be rebels.”
“That is my thought exactly,” said Aerich.
“Rebels!” said Pel. “The word is hard.”
“But none the less accurate for that,” said Aerich. “Do you agree?”
“But to allow ourselves to be arrested,” said Tazendra.
“Yes,” said Uttrik. “To be arrested, well, it is not a thing I like the sound of.”
“Well, what would you?” said Aerich, addressing Uttrik. “Are you not of the line of Lanya?”
“Well, yes.”
“And was not Lanya herself, then called Lanya e’Kieron, arrested in the third Cycle by the Athyra Emperor, Soori-Laino-Kri, for refusing to assault the fortress of the Issola, Muranda?”
“Well, that is true.”
“So, you perceive, there is no shame in being arrested.”
Uttrik sighed, “If Lanya could do it, well, I can submit as well.”
Kathana said, “For my part, I should have preferred to give myself willingly into the hands of the Guard, but since they have come, well, it will have to do.”
Aerich stood and bowed to Lebouru, “My lady, here is my sword.”
“Well, I accept it with pleasure.”
“And here is mine,” said Khaavren. “Cha! What you will do with so many swords is your affair, but for all of that, here they are.”
And, one by one, the others surrendered their swords to the Sergeant, who handed them to her men and said, “If you will do me the honor to accompany me, we may return to the city, whither, I think, you were bound in any case, only now you shall have more company than you had thought to.”
“That is right,” said Pel, “only allow us first to settle matters with our host.”
“I cannot permit that,” said Lebouru, “when I have been given six hundred orbs to see that my men are fed and their horses watered, and I have had no need to use the tenth part of it.” She called the host over to her, determined the score to be settled, and paid it to the last penny. “Now, I think, we are ready.”
“We are at your service, Sergeant,” said Khaavren.
The troop had formed by this time, except for seven who stood by, six of them to hold the horses for the prisoners and assist them to mount, the seventh to perform this service for the sergeant. In this way they left the inn, with ten Guardsmen riding ahead of the prisoners and ten behind. It should be added that, as Khaavren and his friends still wore their uniform cloaks and Uttrik and Kathana were deep in the middle of the troop, no one who saw them would perceive that these Guardsmen were escorting prisoners.
In this way, then, they traveled until they had arrived at a place in the road where Uttrik observed to Khaavren, “It is remarkable to consider that, in this spot, I attempted to take your life.”
“Well,” said Khaavren. “I am glad that you didn’t, and equally glad that I didn’t take yours.”

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