Page 307 (1/2)

He was not looking forward to the parley Indeed, the truth was, he had no real business attending it The captain at his side was now the commander of the Grey Swords His role as her adviser was dubious; she was capable of representing the company’s interests without any help froate, which now rese more than a ainst one of the burnt-out, rin on his barbed face Stonny Menackis paced nearby, apparently in a temper

’Now there’s only Humbrall Taur to wait for,’ Gruntle said

Itkovian frowned as he reined in ’Where is the Mask Council’s retinue?’

Stonny spat ’They’ve gone ahead Seems they want a private chat first’

’Relax, lass,’ Gruntle ruht?’

’That’s not the point! They hid While you and the Grey Swords here kept them and their damned city alive!’

’None the less,’ Itkovian said, ’with Prince Jelarkan dead and no heir apparent, they are Capustan’s ruling body’

’And they could damn well have waited!’

Captain Norul twisted in her saddle to look back up the avenue ’Huh, we could catch them’

’Is it important?’ Itkovian asked her

’Sir, it is’

He nodded ’I concur’

’Let’s ready our horses, Stonny,’ Gruntle said, pushing himself from the wall

They set out across the plain, Humbrall Taur, Hetan and Cafal equally aard on their borrowed hast had been none too pleased by the Mask Council’s attempted usurpation -- old enmities and mistrust had flared to life once ue, perhaps two, distant Keruli, Rath’Hood, Rath’Burn and Rath’Shadowthrone were in a carriage, drawn by the three horses of the Gidrath that had not been butchered and eaten during the siege

Itkovian recalled the last time he had ridden this road, recalled faces of soldiers now dead Farakalian, Torun, Sidlis Behind the formality imposed by the Reve, these had been his friends A truth I dared not approach Not as Shield Anvil, not as a corief, as difficult to bear as those tens of thousands of others

He pushed the thought away Control was still necessary He could afford no eht of the priests’ carriage

Stonny snarled in triuhted!’

’Ease on the gloating, lass,’ Gruntle advised ’We reach them now in all innocence-’