David Gemmell - Quest for Lost Heroes

'Not so,' said Okas, 'I believe it is lack of experience which keeps him alive down there. The woman is hard, very hard. But, whatever else, she finds Kiall… of interest.'

'She wants him in her bed, is that what you're saying?' put in Beltzer.

'Perhaps; she is certainly a predatory woman and it is often the way that such people find innocence attractive. But there is more, I can feel it. She questioned him about all of you.'

'And he told her?' Beltzer hissed.

'He did. That is what, I believe, saved his life.'

'But if she is the leader,' said Chareos, 'then it is she who has been sending out the hunters to kill us.'

'Exactly,' replied Okas. 'Curious, is it not?'

'There is something missing here,' said Chareos.

'Yes,' Okas agreed. 'There is something else also. There is a man in the settlement who saved Kiall. His name is Harokas and he told Kiall he wishes to talk with you, Chareos.'

'Harokas? The name is not familiar to me.'

'He says he has a message from the Earl, whatever that may mean.'

'Nothing good, I'll wager,' muttered Beltzer. 'So, what do we do?'

'We wait,' said Chareos.

'She could have armed men moving in on us,' argued Beltzer.

'Indeed she could,' agreed Chareos. 'Even so — we wait.'

'I do not know why you are still alive, farm boy,' said Harokas, as he and Kiall sat at a bench table in the crowded eating-house. 'Tanaki is not usually so gentle with enemies.'

'I am not her enemy,' Kiall told him, spooning the last of the hot broth to his mouth.

'Are you not?'

'Why should I be?'

'It was here that your beloved was dragged to the auction block. Does that not make you angry?'

Kiall sat back and stared into the cold eyes of the scarred man. 'Yes, it does. Are you saying it was. . Tanaki. . who led the raid?'

'No,' answered Harokas. 'Tanaki merely controls the auctions. Nadren raiders travel here from all over the Steppes. You should see this place at market time; it's a revelation.'

'I still do not understand how an Earl's man is welcome here,' said Kiall.

Harokas chuckled. 'That is because you do not. . yet. . understand the ways of the world. But I see no harm in instructing you. You will learn soon enough. You know, of course, that the Lord Regent outlawed the slave trade a decade ago?'

'Yes. And ended the serf laws. It was good policy.'

'That depends on your viewpoint. If you were a slave or a serf, indeed yes. But not if you were a nobleman. The wealth of the nobility used to depend on land. Not any more — not with the fear of Nadir invasion. Crops bring profits, to be sure, but then the Gothir lands are rich and food is cheap. No, the real profit was always in slaves. The Lord Regent did not take this into account with his new laws. Are you beginning to understand me?'

'No,' admitted Kiall.

'So slow? I took you for an intelligent man — but then you are also a romantic and that must cloud your reason.' Harokas leaned forward. 'The nobility never gave up the trade; they merely found another way of continuing. The raid on your village was sanctioned by the Earl. He takes a share of the profits and I am here to make sure his share is just.'

Kiall felt the taste of bile in his mouth. He swallowed hard and took a sip of the ale Harokas had purchased. 'We pay him taxes. We look to him for protection. And he sells us out to line his pockets?'

'It is not a nice world, is it, farm boy?'

'Why tell me this? Why?'

Harokas shrugged. 'Why not? Your chances of leaving here alive are negligible. And anyway, perhaps I am sick of it too.' He rubbed his eyes. 'I am getting old. There was a time when I believed in heroes — when I was young, like you. But there are no heroes — at least not the ones we want to see. Every man has his own reason for every deed. Usually it is selfish. Take your friends. Why are they with you? You think they care about Ravenna? No, they seek to recapture lost glories, lost youth. They want to hear their names in song again.'

'I do not believe that,' said Kiall. 'Chareos and the others have risked their lives for me — and for Ravenna. And you cheapen them, merely by speaking their names. Thank you for the meal.'

Kiall rose and left the table. The air outside was crisp and fresh, and he strode to the battlements. The two sentries ignored him as he gazed out over the land. He did not look in the direction of the camp, but waited until the voice of Okas sounded in his mind.

'What do you have to tell us?' asked Okas.

'Nothing,' replied Kiall. 'Tell Chareos not to come to the wall. I am waiting to see the woman, Tanaki.'

'Be careful in her company. She has killed before, and will kill again.'

'I will be careful. But she. . disturbs me.'

He felt Okas drift from him and returned to the central square. The auction platform was large, supported by six piers of round stone. He pictured Ravenna standing upon it, surrounded by Nadir men ogling her, desiring her. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine her. But all he could see were the eyes of Tanaki, wide and slanted.

A man tapped his shoulder, making him jump.

'I thought it was you,' said Chellin. For a moment Kiall did not recognise the stocky warrior, then he smiled.

'You are a long way from the mountains, Chellin. I am pleased to see you made it safely.'

The man sat down on a bench seat and scratched at his black and silver beard. 'It wasn't easy. You came a long way. How are your friends?'

'Alive,' answered Kiall.

'No mean feat, considering the number of men sent out to kill them.'

'I'm glad you were not with them,' said Kiall.

'I was. We got back this morning. Still, with luck you'll sort out your difference with the Princess and we won't have to meet on a battlefield.'

The Princess?'

'Tanaki. Did you not know she was Nadir royalty?'

'No, I did not.'

'She's the youngest child of Tenaka Khan.'

'What is she doing here?' asked Kiall, amazed.

Chellin laughed. 'You don't know much about the Nadir, do you? To them women are nothing, worth less than horses. Tanaki had some sort of falling out with her brother, Jungir; he had her banished here.'

'She is very beautiful,' said Kiall.

'She is that — and the most desirable piece I ever saw. A man could die happy if he bedded her.'

Kiall reddened and cleared his throat. 'Where will you go from here?" he asked.

Chellin shrugged. 'Who knows? North again. Maybe not. I'm tired of this life, Kiall. I may head south, to Drenai lands. Buy a farm, raise a family.'

'And have raiders descend on you to steal your daughters?'

Chellin nodded and sighed. 'Yes. Like all dreams, it doesn't bear close examination. I hope matters work well with you and the Princess. I like you; I hope they don't ask me to kill you.' Chellin rose and wandered away but Kiall sat where he was for another hour. Then a warrior came seeking him.

'You are wanted,' said the man. Kiall stood and followed him back to the long hall.

Tanaki waited, as before, on the divan. She was dressed now in a short tunic of white linen, her legs and feet bare. She wore no jewellery or ornament, save for the silver buckle on her wide black belt.

As he approached she rose. 'Welcome to my hearth, Kiall. Sit and talk with me.'

'What would you have me say, lady?'

'Very little. Just give me a compelling reason why I should not have you killed.'

'Do you kill for no reason?' he asked.

'Sometimes,' she told him. 'Is that so surprising?'

'I am becoming inured to surprises, Princess. Tell me, will you help me find Ravenna?'

She took his hand and led him to the divan, sitting beside him with her arm resting on his shoulder. 'I am not sure that I will. You know I sent men out to kill you?'