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them.
Always I find this unsettling, that one can sing and roister with common soldiers, and find them human
beings, and on the next day encounter them in battle and find them transformed into leems. Of course,
this holds true for the men of Zairia, and my warriors of Valka and Strombor. As for my Djangs, well,
those four-armed demons are fighting-men first and last, and warriors of the hyr Jikai in between.
A number of the men I had known when I served Gafard came up and we talked and I was seemingly
free and open in my conversation, telling them I was glad to be remitted from the galleys a stupidly
obvious statement and happy to be back with Gafard and my comrades. Presently Grogor said, The
conference is breaking up. The generals and Chuktars ride off. Soon the three leaders will appear. Then
we will know.
As though drawn by a magnet, a crowd of men gathered in a vast ring around the king s tent. When, at
last, he stepped out, a great cheer went up. Magdag! Genod! Genod!
I looked at this yetch, this nulsh, this kleesh whom I had been instrumental in bringing into this marvelous
world of Kregen. He looked handsome, puffed up with pride, garish in his green and gold. But he was a
fighting-man and could use the Genodder, the shortsword he had invented and named, with a skill no
other fighting-man of Grodnim could match.
After him stepped Prince Glycas and Gafard, together, shoulder to shoulder, and it was clear they
struggled for precedence. As for this Glycas, I remembered him. He might remember me, for all that it
was over fifty years ago I had stayed in his Emerald Eye Palace and avoided his sister, the princess
Susheeng. He was unpleasant. I would have short shrift with him.
As for my lord Gafard, Rog of Guamelga, the King s Striker, Prince of the Central Sea, the Reducer of
Zair, Sea Zhantil, Ghittawrer of Genod, and many another resounding title, he was the widower of my
daughter Velia, my son-in-law, the hulu, and ripe for mischief.
I remembered what Duhrra had said, and I, too, felt I would not willingly slay this man Gafard, for all he
was a renegade from Zair, bowing down to Grodno, a hated enemy. He was a rogue and a rascal,
intensely courageous, a Jikaidast, a man.
The noise subsided and the dust clouds settled and the king spoke. It was all fustian stuff; but it drove
heart into the men and roused them, and gave them enthusiasm. This cramph Genod, who had murdered
my daughter, was accounted a genius at war. He told the men Zimuzz had fallen, at which I let rip a few
shouts, because that was expected. Now, this very afternoon, he said, we would fly over the accursed
walls of Zandikar. Then it would be every man for himself. The city would be given over to the sack.
They started in a-yelling, Zamu! Sanurkazz! and the rast promised them those great cities for the
sacking, also.
Amid frantic scenes of wild enthusiasm the king passed among his men. They even began the great shout
of Hai Jikai! and this I would not shout. Grogor, too, did not shout. He said, sourly, Wait until the city
is ours before we shout the Hai Jikai.
Let us move nearer to my lord Gafard.
So we forced our way through the throng as the dust rose billowing and the blades flashed in the light of
the suns. For the dappled clouds had all passed away and the gloriously mingled, streaming light of the
Suns of Scorpio flooded down over that ecstatic scene as a king moved among his army.
The men were halted at last by a line of blank yellow-faced Chuliks. Their long pigtails were dyed green.
They wore mail and they would cut down anyone at the order of their Chuktar. Grogor advanced
confidently. The king and his advisers had passed beyond the line of Chulik mercenaries, into a cleared
space where a small flier rested. They were talking gravely together, with much nodding of heads and
gesticulations.
Grogor said to the Hikdar in command of the Chulik detail, Lahal, Hikdar Gachung. I must speak with
my lord Gafard. This man is with me.
Lahal, Jiktar Grogor. You may pass.
The Chuliks are usually stiff and formal in military matters.
As we passed their impressive line and walked toward the group of high dignitaries by the voller, I said
to Grogor, Nothing was said, then, about your shot at the bird? You escaped?
Gafard accepted the loss of his Lady of the Stars. It hurt him. I know that. But the king has the yrium,
and the king may do all. My lord Gafard interceded for me, and pleaded I did not know it was the king.
There were politics involved. Grogor s face showed what he thought of politics. My lord Gafard is
sorely tried by Prince Glycas.
The king plays one off against the other? This I do not like, for I believe my lord Gafard to be the better
man as mergem is better than dilse.
Aye.
And did my lord Gafard truly reconcile himself to the king, afterward? His lady was dead, and it was
the king s doing.
I did not see. No one knows how she died. They say you were with the body. But you went to the
swifters. I think Glycas had misbehaved himself at the time, and the king inclined toward our lord.
The king stood with his back to us, talking and waving his hands about in graphic gestures. His voice
was mellow and strong and everyone listened intently. Gafard saw Grogor. Then he saw me. His eyes
widened. He switched back at once to listening to the king; but I saw his hand grip the hilt of his
Ghittawrer blade.
A fussy aide bustled up and Grogor cut him to size and told him we waited for Gafard with news. The
king must be allowed to finish his instructions. We moved off and I heard Genod saying importantly, I
shall fly over the city now and inspect the defenses. The rasts of Zairians will never stand against us, as
we descend upon them from the skies. But, by Goyt, I must conserve my army against the assault on
Zamu. And there is Sanurkazz after. He swung his arms violently. You, Gafard, will accompany me.
Glycas, stung, said, I would fly with you, Majister.
If you wish, for you may see what has held you up so long.
Glycas, it was clear, was in King Genod s bad books.
During the time we waited and looked like gawping onkers at the voller, the continual hum and buzz of a
great military camp rose about us. The sense of impending great deeds filled the air with tension. The
suns-light smoked more brilliantly in every bright trapping and gem and sword-blade. We all shared the
feeling we were gods, treading no mortal path.
When we heard the sounds indicating that the group was breaking up, Grogor said, Let us go and see
my lord.
Yes, I said, and stumbled and sprawled in the dust.
Grogor laughed. Onker. Then, as I lay there, You are all right, Gadak? Nothing broken?
My leg, I said. By Iangle! It stings like the bite of a lairgodont!
Do not move and I will fetch a needleman.
As Grogor ran off I felt again that I would stay my hand in battle against him, even though he was
renegade, hulu.
I heard the men on the other side of the voller. The air-boat itself was a roomy craft, with an open
central well with seating around the sides. Her hull was wood over wooden formers. She was a simple
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