'You're asking me for a favor?' Tal stared at Kaspar in amazement.
'Please; you interrupted my meal. I was hoping, if you didn't mind, we could talk while I finished eating. This is simply the finest meal I've ever had.'
Tal stood in mute astonishment for a moment, then with a shake of his head he laughed. 'Improbability upon impossibility. Very well.' He called over to Magary, 'If you don't mind, would you serve this . . . gentleman the balance of his meal in the back room. And please bring two glasses for the wine.'
Keeping his sword leveled at Kaspar, Tal motioned for him to move through a door at the back of the kitchen. Inside the room beyond stood a table with eight seats around it. 'This is where the staff eat,' Tal explained.
Kaspar nodded. He pulled out a chair and sat down. Tal remained standing as Magary appeared with the wine and two glasses. Tal indicated that Kaspar should pour, and he did.
'Tal, I'll bring in the beef in a few minutes,' Magary said.
Tal nodded. 'Close the door, please.'
Kaspar took a long drink. 'Before I begin, let me say that this establishment has stunned me, young Hawkins. Your talents never cease to amaze me. The selection of food and wine is unsurpassed.'
'Been a while since you've had a good meal?'
Kaspar laughed. 'Longer than you know; but even when compared to the citadel's cuisine, this is amazing fare. Had I but known, I would never have wasted you as an agent. I'd have made you the highest-paid cook in the Eastern Kingdoms.'
'Most of the credit belongs to Lucien. We work well together, but he's the true visionary. Now, please begin.' Tal sat down but kept his sword leveled at Kaspar.
'I have a long story to tell you, so perhaps we should wait until the next course is served so as not to be interrupted? It can be told only to a few people.'
'Your request suggests as much.'
A few minutes later, Magary appeared with a steaming plate of beef in gravy, garnished with spiced vegetables. After she left, Kaspar took a bite. 'You outdo yourself with each dish, Talwin.'
'If you live long enough, Kaspar, remind me to tell you how cooking helped me get off that rock.'
'The Fortress of Despair?'
'Yes. I think you'll find the tale amusing.'
'I wish that I could say the same of my story. I'll skip the early days of my exile, save to say that it was educational. Let me begin with that small city called Simarah, where I encountered three traders from Port Vykor named Flynn, Kenner and McGoin.'
Kaspar began to tell his story.
The night passed slowly. When the last guests had departed, Teal knocked and entered to see if her husband and the man who had destroyed their people were still engaged in conversation. Tal rose and approached her immediately, turning his back on Kaspar, and leaving his sword on the table within easy reach, so Teal knew that there would be no bloodshed.
Tal told her that he might be there all night, so she went to where Amafi sat waiting patiently and said, 'My husband bids you to return to your inn. Your master will send word when it is time for you to rejoin him.' As he stood, she added, 'Both my husband and Kaspar instruct you not to try to leave the city.'
Amafi shrugged. 'I've been trying to leave for about a year now. I expect it is fate that I stay.' He bowed to the young woman and departed.
She stared for a long time at the kitchen door. She considered returning, but thought better of it, realizing that the man who had destroyed her world, and the man who had rescued her and her son from slavery were going to be in there for a long time. Eventually she turned and went upstairs to bed.
Kaspar and Tal were still at the table in the back room when Lucien, Magary and Teal entered the kitchen in the morning. Tal had boiled some coffee and the two men had consumed several full pots.
As the others entered, Tal said, 'I have something to tell you all.' He motioned his wife over to his side and put his arm around her. 'Teal, more than anyone, understands that this man is the author of unimaginable horrors.'
Kaspar sat dispassionately, his face revealing nothing.
'I once forgave him for his crimes.' Tal looked at his wife. 'But I will not ask you to do the same, Teal. While I was educated and allowed to live the life of a young noble, you endured degradation. I only ask your forbearance and understanding: I must keep this man alive for a while longer.'
At that, Kaspar smiled. 'A long while, I hope.'
'That is not in my hands. I am aiding a fugitive now, and while I do not like it, I have no choice. If the City Watch catches sight of you and word reaches Rodoski, I will have to use whatever sense of indebtedness the Duke may feel towards me to keep you off the gallows.' He paused, then added, 'Only a few can know about those things of which we spoke. I am forced to keep secrets from the woman I love,' he looked at his wife, 'who bears this insult with a dignity I could not possibly match.'
Teal smiled slightly, and Kaspar was struck by her beauty. Gods, what kind of man was I, he wondered silently, to ruin a life such as hers simply to satisfy mad political ambition?
Kaspar stood up and bowed to Tal's young wife. 'Madam,' he began, 'words will never heal the wounds I have given you. I do not expect your forgiveness. I just wish you to know that I deeply regret what I have done to you and your people, and that I feel unfathomable shame for my deeds.'
Quietly, Eye of the Blue-Winged Teal spoke. 'I am alive. I have a healthy son and a husband who cherishes me. My life has been good this last year.'
Kaspar felt the moisture well in his eyes at the woman's quiet majesty. He said, 'You put me in mind of another woman I know, to whom I owe a great deal. I will do what I can in the future to make sure that she and others like her do not suffer.'
Teal inclined her head slightly.
Tal said, 'Well, Kaspar and I have much to do in the next few days, but until then we have breakfast to make and a midday menu to prepare. Lucien, what are we serving today?'
Lucien grinned and started speaking about the ingredients they needed to purchase at the market and which dishes he thought would be likely to attract customers that day. Kaspar waited until the kitchen settled into its normal rhythm and then took Tal aside. 'I assume you have means to reach those people?'
Tal didn't need to be told to whom he referred. 'As I told you, I am no longer in their service. I have the means to let them know I need to speak to someone, but how long that will take . . . ?' He shrugged.
Kaspar stood silent for a moment. 'Could you get word to Talia that I'm still alive?'
Tal nodded. 'Yes, though I do not haunt the halls of power anymore.' He waved his hand around the kitchen. 'I find this life far more enjoyable. I think my grandfather would have difficulty understanding the appeal; the food of my people—' His eyes were distant for a moment.
Kaspar said nothing.
Tal broke from his momentary reverie. 'I'm sure she'll wish to see you, but it may prove difficult. Until we can conceive of a way to convince her husband not to hang you, you would be well advised to stay out of sight. It should be easy, as you look different enough. You might have dined in peace the entire night and left, had Magary not recognized Amafi.'
'In any event, we share a common cause until those you wish to speak with tell me otherwise.' He grew reflective, then said flatly, 'We may be allies for a while and I can live with that, but make no mistake, Kaspar: while I forgave you, I will never forget what you ordered, and to the end of my days, I will hold you in contempt.' He paused. 'As I hold myself in contempt for the things I did in your service.'
Kaspar nodded. 'Svetlana.'
Tal looked at him. 'Not a night goes by when I do not think of her murder.'
Kaspar sighed. Gently, he placed his hand on Tal's shoulder. 'It is said by some that the gods show us their bitter humor by molding us into what we hate most in others.'
Tal nodded again. 'Go back to your inn and wait quietly. Try to avoid being seen. I will send word as soon as I have been contacted.'
'I know this is difficult for y
ou,' Kaspar said, 'but believe me when I say that we do have a common cause, for my description cannot do justice to what I saw.'
'I understand. Try to keep Amafi out of sight, as well.'
'I will. Good day.'
Tal simply nodded.
Kaspar left the establishment and made his way quickly back to the inn. He strode through the common room to his own room, half-expecting Amafi to have disappeared, but instead he found the old assassin asleep on his bed. He awoke instantly when Kaspar closed the door behind him. 'Magnificence, do we live another day?'
'We live another day.' Looking at the motionless Talnoy standing in the corner, Kaspar wondered how many days they had. Then, looking back to Amafi, he said, 'We need a bigger room.'
Days went by and Kaspar waited patiently. Then, after a week of silence, a messenger arrived with a note from Tal. Come to dinner, was all it said. Kaspar said to Amafi, 'I think something has come up. We are to dine at the River House tonight.'
The rest of the day passed slowly for Kaspar, for he was anxious to get on with whatever task was necessary to see this thing to the end. The Talnoy stood in the corner, a daily reminder of the terror that was dimensions away, yet lurking in every shadow. The appearance of the rift at sea, and the terrible creature that had tried to come through it, reminded him of Kalkin's warning—that the Talnoy was a beacon to the other world and its continued existence increased the likelihood of a Dasati invasion tenfold with each passing day.
At last, early evening came, and Kaspar and Amafi dressed for dinner. They walked to the River House rather than renting a carriage. As Tal had observed, the less they did to call attention to themselves, the better.
They were almost at the restaurant when Amafi hesitated. 'Magnificence, we are being followed.'
'How many?'
'Two, at least.'
'Agents of the Duke?'
'I don't think so. These men are hunters. Turn right at the next corner, and stay close.'
As soon as they rounded the corner, Amafi grabbed Kaspar's arm and pulled him into a doorway. They waited in the shadows as the two men walked away. Both wore heavy, dark-gray cloaks and floppy hats which hid their features. They hurried along, unaware that Amafi and Kaspar had turned another corner a short distance away.
'Shall we follow, Magnificence?'
'No,' said Kaspar. 'We should not court trouble. Especially when it is looking for us.' He stepped out of the doorway. 'Come, back this way.'
They returned to their original route, and soon arrived at the River House. Once inside, they were immediately shown upstairs to a room at the rear of the house. There they found Tal waiting with his wife and a man who Kaspar had seen once before, a tall white-haired magician.
Tal nodded a greeting. 'Kaspar, I believe you remember Magnus.'
'I could hardly forget.'
Humorlessly, the magician said, 'I see you survived the nomads.'
'And many other things, too. What has Tal told you?'
'Things that should not be repeated here.' Turning to Tal, Magnus said, 'We shall return, soon.' Then, to Amafi, he said, 'Stay here with Tal.'
Magnus stepped forward and put his hand on Kaspar's shoulder. Kaspar felt a buzz, saw a sudden blur of gray, and then found himself somewhere else, in the middle of the afternoon.
He could hear the birds in the trees as he looked around his new location. A large villa rested in a peaceful valley before him. Kaspar could see people milling around the villa, as well as other creatures which he could not identify. Yet, with all that he had seen so far, nothing shocked him for long.
'Where are we?'
'On my father's estate, on an island in the Bitter Sea.'
'Your father was the short, earnest gentleman who convinced Tal to spare my life a year ago, correct?'
At that, the tall magician smiled. 'Yes, that was my father. Come, he is expecting me to return and explain Tal's cryptic message. It is better that you tell him the tale yourself.'
Magnus led Kaspar into the villa through a large rectangular building which framed a lovely garden. He led the former Duke of Olasko down a long corridor and into a very large room in which stood a desk and a massive collection of books, scrolls and parchments organized on shelves, in wicker baskets, and some just piled in a corner on the floor. A short, bearded man in a black robe sat at the desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he read something inscribed on a parchment.
When he looked up, he seemed mildly surprised. 'Magnus, I didn't expect you to return with . . . Kaspar of Olasko, if I'm not mistaken?'
'You're not, Father,' said Magnus. 'Tal Hawkins sent word that he needed to speak with a member of the Conclave, and when I answered the summons he told me a strange and terrible story. It is a tale best recounted by this man.'
'I am Pug, and this is my home,' said the short man. 'I do not recall if we were ever properly introduced,' he added dryly.
Kaspar laughed. 'I believe we were both somewhat distracted.'
'What is this terrible tale that impels my son to break protocol and invite you here without my leave?' He threw his son a questioning look.
'If what he says is true, Father, it is most vital.'
Pug said, 'Very well. Hmm . . . I can't call you "Your Grace" anymore, can I?'
'Kaspar will do.' He sat in the chair at the opposite side of the desk.
Pug waved the parchment he had been studying. 'It's a bit of a coincidence that you should appear today; I was trying to understand something left behind at your citadel by your friend Leso Varen.'
Kaspar laughed. 'The last year has left me with the decided impression that friend is hardly the right term. Manipulative parasite describes him more accurately, I believe.'
Pug sighed. 'I almost wish he was still alive, because there are many questions that I would relish putting to him.'
'Oh, he's alive.'
Pug sat up straight. 'Are you sure?'
Kaspar looked perplexed. 'I did not see his body, but I have it on good authority that he's alive somewhere. The person who told me explained that he is like a cockroach—you can stamp on him all day, but1 he just won't die.'
Pug laughed. 'I've faced him directly and indirectly upon a number of occasions, and that is as fair a description as I've heard. But I'm dubious. Who told you he was alive?'
'I believe she is called Arch-Indar.'
Pug sat back, his face a mask of open astonishment. 'She's a god.'
'And a dead one, too,' said Magnus.
'Well, I was told that she's actually just the memory of a god.'
'By whom?'
'A Keeper who dwells in the mountains below the Pillars of Heaven, under the Pavilion of the Gods. He told me that before sending me to the Pavilion to speak with Kalkin.'
Pug said, 'You spoke to Kalkin?'
'Banath, yes,' said Kaspar. 'Arch-Indar directed me to the Keepers, who in turn led me to Kalkin. He was the one who told me to find you.'
Pug sat back, then said to Magnus. 'Inform your mother and send for Nakor. I think that they, too, will wish to hear this tale.'
When his son had left, Pug said, 'We'll try to keep this civilized and convivial, Kaspar, but I do wish to impress one thing upon you.'
'Which is?'
'If your story doesn't live up to my son's estimation of importance, there will be consequences.'
Kaspar said nothing.
Pug said, 'I would like to believe that you are no longer Leso Varen's pawn, but that wish has little to do with the security of my people. If you do not convince me by the time you finish your tale you're done for, and you will not leave this island alive. Is that understood?'
'Understood.' Kaspar was quiet for a minute, then he said, 'If it's not too much trouble, I was about to dine a moment ago, before our . . . journey here.'
Pug smiled. 'I think we can arrange for some food.' Kaspar sat back. He welcomed the prospect of a meal, but regretted that, if this was to be his last, it wasn't at the River House.
Chapter Nineteen
Consultation
Kaspar waited.
He had finished telling his story to Pug and the others, and as had been the case with the Keepers, he had been asked a lot of questions. Now they sat quietly as each member of the Conclave pondered what had been said.
The woman was named Miranda; but although she was Pug's wife and Magnus's mother, she looked no older than her son. She had dark hair and a penetrating gaze, and her manner indicated that she was considered an equal here; her simple blue robe hid none of the fact that she was trim and fit, and still youthful despite her years. The short man, Nakor, Kaspar remembered from his brief encounter with the magicians after the fall of his citadel. He wore a yellow robe, cut raggedly at the knees, and carried a wooden staff. From his shoulder hung a large travel bag. He had been grinning when he had entered the room, but as Kaspar's story unfolded, his grin had faded and now his expression was one of somber consideration. Magnus never lost his serious expression throughout.
'Very well,' said Pug after a minute. 'Your thoughts?'
Miranda crossed her arms. 'I think we need to examine this Talnoy at once.'
Magnus said, 'I'm concerned about the news that Leso Varen is still alive. We have yet to uncover the location of that abominable rift he was working on in Opardum.'
Nakor shook his head. 'And I'm concerned over the fact that if he is still alive, Varen may also be looking for the Talnoy. The two men following Kaspar earlier today in Opardum may have been agents of the King of Roldem or the Duke of Olasko, but they also may have been Varen's agents.'
Kaspar said, 'Forgive me, but it's difficult to hear "Duke of Olasko" in reference to someone else. In any event, does Varen have agents?'
'His organization is as impenetrable to us as ours is to him,' Pug said. 'We have many allies, and are a council, while Varen counts no other his equal, I believe, but reigns supreme over his minions.'
'But you could be wrong,' said Nakor.
'I'm still wrestling with what Kaspar saw on this other world,' said Magnus. 'How much of it is accurate?'
'It's what I saw,' said Kaspar.
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