David Gemmell - The Legend of the Deathwalker

'I don't get bitter at the falling of the sun, or the cold north wind. They are facts of life. I once took part in a raid that rescued a score of rich farmers from Sathuli tribesmen. Oh, they waxed eloquent about how heroic we were, how they would honour us always. There was a young soldier with us who lost an arm that day. He was from their town. Within six months he and his family had almost starved to death. Facts of life.'

'And did they die?'

'No. I went back to the Sentran Plain and spoke to the leader of the farmers. Reminded him of his obligations.'

'I am not surprised that he listened,' said Talisman, looking into Druss's cold blue eyes. 'But you will not find that with us. Nadir memories are long. You are the Deathwalker; your legend will live on with us.'

'Legends. Pah! I have enough of legends. If I had half the courage of a farmer I would be at home with my wife, looking after my lands.'

'You have no sons?'

'None. Nor will have,' said Druss coldly. 'No. All I will leave behind are those damned legends.'

'Some men would die for your fame.'

'A lot of men have,' observed Druss.

The two warriors stood in silence for a while watching the Gothir surrounding the water wagons. 'You regret being here?' Talisman asked.

'I try not to regret anything,' replied Druss. 'There's no point in it.' Twenty Sky Rider tribesmen trooped up to the ramparts, standing by quietly as the two men spoke. Druss glanced at the first, a hawk-faced young man with brown eyes. 'Were you one of those who leapt the chasm?' he asked him.

The man gave a wide grin and nodded.

'I would like to hear about that,' said Druss. 'Later, when we've seen off the Gothir, you can tell me of it.'

'I shall, Deathwalker.'

'Good. Now gather round, my boys, and I'll give you a few tips about siege warfare.'

Talisman left the ramparts. As he reached the compound below he could hear laughter coming from the men around Druss. Lin-tse joined him. 'I should be there, Talisman. With my men on the wall.'

'No.' Talisman told him to pick forty warriors from among the other tribes. 'You will lead the first group, Gorkai the second.' Then he outlined Druss's battle plan for a wall breach defence.

A young warrior moved past them, heading for the north wall. Talisman called him back. 'What is your name?' he asked.

'Shi-da, general.'

'You were a friend of Quing-chin's?'

'I was.'

'I saw you wounded yesterday — in the belly and chest.'

'It was not as deep as I feared, general. The surgeon has healed me. I can fight.'

'There is no pain?'

'Aye, there is pain. The stitches are tight. But I will stand with the Fleet Ponies, general.'

'Let me see the wound,' said Talisman, leading the man to the shade and sitting him on the table set there. Shi-da doffed his goatskin jerkin. There was blood on the bandage wrapped around his waist. The young warrior started to unravel it but Talisman stopped him.

'The wound is bound well. Do not disturb it. Fight well today, Shi-da.'

The young man nodded, his face grim, then walked away.

'What was that about?' asked Lin-tse.

'Every one of the wounded is back on the walls today,' said Talisman. 'Truly the poet is a fine surgeon. I saw Shi-da struck — I would have sworn the blade passed almost all the way through him.'

'You think he has found the Eyes of Alchazzar?' whispered Lin-tse.

'If he has, then I will take them.'

'I thought you said that Druss needed them?'

'Druss is a fighting man I admire above all others. But the Eyes belong to the Nadir. They are part of our destiny and I cannot allow them to be taken by gajin.'

Lin-tse laid his hand on Talisman's arm. 'If we survive here, my brother, and if Sieben has the jewels, you know what will happen if you try to take them. Druss will fight for them. He is not a man to be frightened by weight of numbers. We will have to kill him.'

'Then we will kill him,' said Talisman, 'though it would break my heart to do so.'

Talisman poured water from a stone jug, drained the clay cup and walked away with Lin-tse to the newly built wall around the gates. Niobe stepped from the shadows behind them and made her way to the hospital.

Sieben was sitting with Zhusai. They were laughing together, and Niobe was surprised to find a ripple of anger within herself at the sight of them. The Chiatze woman was slim and beautiful, her clothes of white silk adorned with mother of pearl. Niobe was still wearing Sieben's blue silk shirt, but it was stained now with the blood of the wounded and with sweat from her own tired body. Sieben saw her, and a broad smile showed on his handsome face. He walked across the deserted room and hugged her. 'You are a vision,' he said, kissing her.

'Why is she here?' asked Niobe.

'She has offered to help with the wounded. Come, say hello.'

Taking Niobe by the hand, he led her to Zhusai. The Chiatze woman looked nervous under Niobe's piercing gaze as Sieben introduced them.

'I should have offered help before,' said Zhusai to Niobe. 'Please forgive me.'

Niobe shrugged. 'We need no help. The po-et is very skilled.'

'I am sure that he is. But I know much of the tending of wounds.'

'She will be valuable,' put in Sieben.

'I do not want her here," said Niobe.

Sieben was surprised, but he masked it and turned to Zhusai. 'Perhaps, my lady, you should change your clothes. Blood will ruin that fine silk. You can return to us when the battle has started.'

Zhusai gave a short bow of her head and walked from the room.

'What is the matter with you?' Sieben asked Niobe. 'Are you jealous, my dove?'

'I am not a dove. And there is no jealousy. Do you not know why she is here?'

'To help. That is what she said.'

'You are in much danger, po-et.'

'From her? I do not think so.'

'Not just from her, fool. Every Nadir knows the story of the Eyes of Alchazzar, the purple jewels of power. Talisman thinks you have found them and so do I. There were men dying here yesterday who are now standing on the walls.'

'Nonsense. They were. .'

'You don't lie to me!' she snapped. 'I hear Talisman. He says that if you have the jewels he will take them, he says that they will kill Druss if he interferes. You give jewels to Talisman — then you are safe.'

Sieben sat down on the newly scrubbed table. 'I can't do that, my love. Druss made a promise to a dying man, and Druss is a man who lives by his word. You understand? But I won't keep them, I promise you that. If we survive here — which is doubtful at best — I will take them to Gulgothir and heal Druss's friend. Then I will return them to Talisman.'

'He will not allow it. That is why he sent the woman; she will watch you like a snake. You heal no more dying men, po-et.'

'I have to. That is what the power is for.'

'This is no time to be weak. Men die in battle. They go to the earth, they feed the land. You understand?' She looked deep into his blue eyes and knew she was not convincing him. 'Fool! Fool!' she said. 'Very well. Keep them alive. But do not heal them so much that they walk from here. You hear what I say?'

'I do, Niobe. And you are right. I can't risk Druss being killed for them.' He smiled and, reaching out, pushed his fingers through her dark hair. 'I love you. You are the light in my life.'

'And you are a trouble to me,' she said. 'You are no warrior, and you are soft like a puppy. I should have no feelings for a man like you.'

'But you do, don't you?' he said, drawing her in to an embrace. 'Tell me!'

'No.'

'You are still angry with me?'

'Yes.'

'Then kiss me and feel it fade.'

'I don't want it to fade,' she said, pulling away. Outside a battle horn sounded. 'It begins again,' sighed Sieben.

The Gothir infantry formed into three groups of about two hundred men. Druss watched them carefully. Only two of the groups contained ladder-bearers. 'The third group is going for the gates,' he said, to no-one in particular.