Robert Adams - Revenge of the Horseclans

“The sea-” the bard continued his news, the transmission of which between farflung duchies was one of the most valuable and welcome functions of the traveling bards “-still is rising along the coasts and more farmland is being lost each year, as the salt fens widen. Sea creatures venture ever farther up the rivers as well, and the talk in the Southern Duchies has been of the huge white shark-a full dozen meters long and far thicker and heavier than most of that ilk, with teeth half as long as a man’s finger-slain in the pleasure lake of the Ahrkeethoheeks . It overturned three boats and slew or drowned near a score of boatmen and soldiers ere all its monstrous body abristle with arrows and darts and spears it was finally driven into shallows and clubbed and axed to death.

“So many of the soldiers and waterpeople swore that the shark fought with the reasoning of a man rather than the mere cunning of a beast that the Ahrkeethoheeks had a boatload of Ehleen priests brought down from his capital, giving them leave to conduct their ceremonies for driving demons from the lake and the land. I myself saw some of those rites, and right awesome they were.”

“Hogwash!” snorted the Komees . “Young Djaimz must be as weakbrained as was his father, to put any faith in Ehleen superstitions. If he really wanted to be sure that that lake was cleared, he should have rented or borrowed some Orks from the Lord of the Sea Isles. No known waterbeast is the match of a few of those thirtyfooters!

“And it is a pure mystery to me, Bard Klairuhnz, why God Milo failed to slay every one of those pimps in priests’ clothing, those holy slavers, on whom he could lay hands a hundred years agone! All the bastards, from the lowest Eeyehrefsee to the Ahrkeeyehpeeskohpohs himself, are powerhungry and athirst for Kindred blood … or Kindred gold, whichever seems easiest to lay their scaly hands to.

“Why, that thrice accursed Kooreeos Skiros of Morguhnpolis had the nerve to come to me, no more than a year agone, and demand mind you, Kinsmen, not ask, but demand one of my daughters for a ‘bride’ for his god, complete with a dowry which was to be paid to him.”

“So what answer did you give the holy man, Father?” asked Vaskos, grinning hugely. He had obviously heard the tale before, and enjoyed it.

A harsh, humorless laugh came from the Komees . “I told him that since I did not follow or honor his stupidities, he had no claim on me or mine. That it has been known for a hundred years that he and his kind are whoremongers and slavers and that I would slay every one of my daughters, ere I consigned them to his ‘care.’ And I warned him against returning to Horse Hall, since the next time he trespassed under my roof, I’d make him ‘holey,’ in truth!”

He turned his face to Bili. “Lad, I’m sorry to have to criticize your father, but over the years he has been far too lax in his handling of potentially dangerous malcontents in this duchy. Myros of Kehnooryos Deskati, for instance, should’ve been flogged the length of these lands and hanged ten years ago. Your uncle, the Tahneest, favored it, as did Komees Djeen and I and Clan Bard Hail and even your mothers; but Thoheeks Hwahruhn would list to none of us, and now his duchy, and all of us with it, sits in the pan of a cocked catapult!

“Mark my words, Bili, bad days are coming to these lands. Myros’s agitation was bad enough, but since this arrogant Kooreeos arrived four years ago, the petty Ehleenoee nobles and most of the commoners city and rural are become secretive and surly. I fear that terrible things are afoot.”

“Aye,” agreed Klairuhnz. “Ever do the squarebeards foment unrest amongst their followers. And no matter how much freedom is given them, they demand more and ever more. Why, in Gafnee…”

Komees Hari’s bony knuckles glowed white against the sunbrowned skin of his clenched hands and his voice grated. “Yes, Kinsman, we heard even here; and my son, Vaskos, has told me still more. A nasty business. Sacred Sun grant that our troubles never get so far!”

“Heard what, Bard Klairuhnz?” asked Bili impulsively, noticing neither the rage on the face of his hostess, nor the grim set of his host’s features.

So abruptly and violently did Komeesa Hehrah arise that her chair went crashing over. In an icy voice and clipped phrases, she said, “My lords, the hour is late. Too, I have heard quite enough slander of dedicated, selfless clergymen, I beg leave to retire. Eeyohahnah, Mehleesah, Behtee… come!”

Spinning, she waddled to and through the doorway, trailed by her daughters and servingwomen, bidding a goodnight to no one.

“I take it, Lord Komees” the Bard drily remarked, “that My Lady cleaves to the Ehleen religion.”

Lord Hari made a rude noise, disgust and anger on his face. Grasping an ewer, he filled his mug to the brim, drank it all down, then slammed the empty mug onto the table with enough force to set dishes and cutlery to dancing. After taking several deep breaths, he spoke in a well controlled voice, his first words directed to Bili.

“I apologize for My Lady’s atrocious conduct, Kinsman.”

Bili squirmed in his chair. “My Lord, perhaps if I had not asked the question of Bard Klairuhnz… ?”

“No, Bili,” the old lord sighed. “It was coming, and I well knew it. My Lady ever goes out of her way to offer offense to any Kindred I entertain, only showing her good side around folk of her own ilk. In the last few years, she’s become almost unbearable.”

“But, why… ?” Bili began.

Looking as if he needed to spit, Komees Hari answered before Bili finished asking. “Because among her innumerable other failings, my cursed wife slavishly bides by every one of the old Ehleen superstitions and practices, including some of the vilest of them. Oh, warm and loving Sun!” He beat one big fist against his wiry thigh, soul deep pain shining from his eyes.

“Why, oh, why was not my father more careful? Had he but known how rotten was My Lady’s blood with all the cursed, shameful Ehleen practices, this day would see me wed to her I truly loved, Vasko’s dear mother, not to that perverted, demonridden sow, Hehrah!

“Bili, all else aside, I know why you came. Rather, why you were sent to my hall, today. Your dear mothers are wise and were thinking straight and properly, but it was not really necessary, for your House has ever had my support in Council and you will always have it. I can speak for my brother, Drehkos as well, I believe. As for…”

But then Hofos, the majordomo, advanced up the hall, bowing and wringing his hands, to announce the arrival of noble guests.

Shortly, Bili, Vaskos, and Klairuhnz were seated with wine, cheese, fruit, and pipes in the Komees’s study-cum-armory, awaiting the arrivals of Lord Hari and his guests. Once the winecups were filled and the Bard and Vaskos had their pipes going well, Bili addressed Klairuhnz.

“All right, Kinsmen, what in hell happened in the lands of Komees Gafnee that caused Lady Hehrah to take such umbrage at the mere mention of it?”

“Well I-I …” drawled Klairuhnz, with an inquiring glance at Vaskos.

The officer chuckled. “You may speak freely, Bard. I hold to Sun and Wind, like my father. I may look like an Ehleen, but my heart is that of a Horseclansman. Further, having served the Confederation for so many years, I can spare scant sympathy for those who would see its dissolution. I know of the Gafnee business, of course, for I’ve talked with officers whose units helped to mop up the mess. Bill’s a right to know, for it would appear that matters are building up to a similar problem here, unless a certain Vahrohnos you two may be unaware of the fact that the same bastard was cashiered from our army and a passel of bloodthirsty priests are right speedily executed or banished.”