David Gemmell - Echoes of the Great Song

'It would be good to think so,' he said.

'Always the diplomat, Talaban. I hear you had an encounter with krals. Are they as ferocious as described?'

'They are fast, and very deadly.'

'I would like to kill one. Perhaps I could accompany you on your next voyage.'

'Your skills would be very useful, but that is a question for the Questor General to answer.'

The doors to the council chamber swung open. At exactly that moment Questor Ro appeared and, without a word to anyone, strode through to take his seat.

'I suppose we will all have to sit through a pompous speech from the little man,' said Viruk.

'He has earned the right to bore us rigid,' put in Talaban. Viruk chuckled, and placed his hand on Talaban's shoulder.

'I like you. I really do.' He paused, and his smile faded.

'My astrologer tells me that one day you and I will fight to the death.'

Talaban smiled. 'Let us hope he is a poor astrologer. But if he is not, rest assured I will see you buried with full honours.'

Viruk's laughter rang out. 'I really do like you, Talaban,' he said.

Viruk appeared to be listening intently as Questor Caprishan addressed the Council. In fact he was comparing Caprishan to the dead king of the Patiakes. Both were fat to the point of obscenity and both oozed sincerity like leaking oil. Viruk pictured Caprishan's bloated body under the impact of a zhi-bolt. The thought of it made him smile. Caprishan saw the smile and faltered in his speech.

'Something I have said amuses you, cousin?' enquired the councillor.

'My apologies, cousin. I was merely enjoying your rhetoric.' Viruk gave him a dazzling smile.

Caprishan returned it, then concentrated once more upon his speech. There were thirty councillors present around the table and two Avatar scribes taking notes. Viruk scanned the faces as they listened to Caprishan. The fat man was very rich and this had earned him many friends. At least eight of the listening dignitaries would vote for anything Caprishan proposed. Viruk flicked his gaze to his right where the slender Niclin sat, his chin resting on his steepled hands, his receding hair brushed fiercely back and bound by silver wire into a ponytail. He was also a man of power, with perhaps ten councillors upon whose votes he could rely. Three seats down from him sat Questor Ro. Almost as rich as Caprishan, and as cunning as Niclin, he should have enjoyed wide support.

This was not forthcoming, for few Avatars liked his pomposity. Ro was a brilliant but cold man, with little understanding of human nature. Viruk liked him. Transferring his attention to Caprishan he listened to the conclusion of his speech.

'The point I would make, most strongly, is that if Anu is correct that these newcomers are Avatars then we should welcome them warmly. Together we can ensure Avatar rule for centuries to come. Through our shared knowledge we might even advance our civilization.'

The Questor General rose. 'That would depend, cousin, on whether they perceive themselves as our equals or our betters.'

'We have no betters, Questor General,' put in Niclin.

'That may well also be their view,' replied Rael. 'However, we cannot adequately prepare a plan of action before we know whether or not the new arrivals are hostile. In the meantime I have ordered the recharging of every zhi-bow and an increase in recruitment for the Vagar army. But now let us move on to happier tidings, the triumphant return of our cousin Ro. As you will all have heard, he succeeded in recharging four chests. Hence the bright lights which surround us, and the replenishing of our weaponry.' Turning to Ro he gave a slight bow.

'Perhaps you would like to tell us of the expedition.'

To Viruk's surprise Ro's speech was not pompous. It was short and succinct. The expedition had succeeded — just — but no further voyages would yield results. There were two reasons for this: one, the volcanic eruption had destroyed the Line, and two, far more importantly, the White Pyramid was all but exhausted. Ro did not mention the fight with the krals, nor point out to the councillors that many of them had doubted his ability to achieve Communion. It was a strangely muted speech, and took them all by surprise.

When he sat down there was, at first, silence. Rael gave him a curious glance, then rose to applaud him. The other councillors followed suit. Ro sat impassively throughout. As the applause died down Rael motioned Talaban to give his report. The officer spoke from his seat: 'I cannot add much to the statement offered by the esteemed Questor. There was loss of life among the Vagar team, following an attack by creatures known as krals. These were beaten back by the efforts of Questor Ro, my scout Touchstone, and myself. The voyage home was largely without incident, save for the phenomenon of the two moons. I concur with Questor Ro that future voyages to the south would not be advisable. The eruption was colossal and the chance of finding another Line there are remote indeed.

'However, thanks to his persistence and vision we now have a Serpent under full power. I would suggest her power chest be left in place. We know that the new Avatars will be crossing the ocean. We can only assume that their ships will be powered in a similar fashion to our own. I believe it would be a mistake to have no means of fighting them at sea.'

'I disagree,' said Niclin. 'We have a mere four chests. One, I understand, has been offered to Anu for purposes the Questor General has not made clear. Another is being used to power the city's weapons. Now you want a third left in the bowels of a ship, which could be sunk in battle. No! I say the chests should be brought into the city where they can be guarded. They are too valuable to risk.'

'With respect, councillor,' said Talaban, with a friendly smile, 'I think you are forgetting the importance of a show of power. If these newcomers are anything like us they will be arrogant and convinced of their superiority and divine right to rule. Think of what might have happened had we somehow escaped the fall of the world, our empire almost intact, our capital city undamaged. We would have sailed our Serpents across the new oceans, seeking other races, and subduing them, as we have always done. And let us imagine we found a race similar to our own, save that they had no sources of power left to them, and boasted no ships, no armies, no real means of defence. Would we have welcomed them like brothers? I think not. The newcomers will not know, at first, that we have only one Serpent. They should see her in her battle glory. Then perhaps they will think of us as equals.'

'I agree with Talaban,' said Questor Ro. 'His analogy is a good one. We are arrogant — as indeed we have every right to be. But we are facing unknown dangers here. The Serpent should be battle ready — though we can pray she is not needed.'

'Perhaps we should vote on the question,' said Niclin.

'No vote is required,' put in Rael. 'This is a military decision, and that makes it mine alone. The chest will remain — for the time being — in the Serpent.'

Niclin raised his hand. 'As you will, Rael, but before we move on, may I ask a question, captain… is it true that you struck Questor Ro while upon the ice? Struck him in full view of watching Vagars?'

Viruk had heard no such rumour and was fascinated. He glanced at Talaban and saw his expression harden.

'The Questor and I fought the krals,' said Talaban, 'and then there followed the eruption. I ran to help the Questor and he stumbled as the earth cracked open. I caught him. I fail to see how that constitutes a blow, but then perhaps it looked like one from afar.'

'You are saying then that you did not strike him?'