David Gemmell - Legend

"You traitor!" shouted Reinard, dragging his sword into the air.

Grussin parried the blow with ease. "Forget it, Rein. Let's go home."

"Kill him!" Reinard ordered. The men looked at one another, some starting forward while others hesitated. "You bastard! You treacherous filth!" Reinard screamed, raising his sword once more. Grussin took a deep breath, gripped his axe in both hands and smashed the sword into shards, the axe blade glancing from the shattered hilt and hammering into the outlaw leader's side. Reinard fell to his knees, doubled over. Then Grussin stepped forward; the axe raised and chopped and Reinard's head rolled to the snow. Grussin let the weapon fall, then walked back to Rek.

"He wasn't always as you knew him," he said.

"Why?" asked Rek, lowering his blade. "Why did you do it?"

"Who knows? It wasn't just for you — or her. Maybe something inside me had just had enough. Where was this caravan?"

"I was lying," lied Rek.

"Good. We will not meet again. I'm leaving Graven. Is she your woman?"

"No."

"You could do worse."

"Yes."

Grussin turned and walked to the body, retrieving his axe. "We were friends for a long time," he said. "Too long."

Without a backward glance he led the group back into the forest.

"I simply don't believe it," said Rek. "That was an absolute miracle."

"Let's finish breakfast now," said Virae. "I'll brew some tea."

Inside the hut Rek began to tremble. He sat down, his sword clattering to the floor.

"What's the matter?" asked Virae.

"It's just the cold," he said, teeth chattering. She knelt beside him, massaging his hands, saying nothing.

"The tea will help," she said. "Did you bring any sugar?"

"It's in my pack, wrapped in red paper. Horeb knows I've a sweet tooth. Cold doesn't usually get to me like this — sorry!"

"It's all right. My father always says sweet tea is wonderful for… cold."

"I wonder how they found us?" he said. "Last night's snow must have covered our tracks. It's strange."

"I don't know. Here, drink this."

He sipped the tea, holding the leather-covered mug in both hands. Hot liquid splashed over his fingers. Virae busied herself clearing away and repacking his saddlebags. Then she raked the ashes in the hearth and laid a fire ready for the next traveller to use the hut.

"What are you doing at Dros Delnoch?" Rek asked, the warm sweet tea soothing him.

"I am Earl Delnar's daughter," she said. "I live there."

"Did he send you away because of the coming war?"

"No. I brought a message to Abalayn, and now I've got a message for someone else. When I've delivered it, I'm going home. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes," said Rek. "Much better." He hesitated, holding her gaze. "It wasn't just the cold," he said.

"I know: it doesn't matter. Everybody trembles after an action. It's what happens during it that counts. My father told me that after Skeln Pass he couldn't sleep without nightmares for a month."

"You're not shaking," he said.

"That's because I'm keeping busy. Would you like some more tea?"

"Yes. Thanks. I thought we were going to die. And just for a moment I didn't care — it was a wonderful feeling." He wanted to tell her how good it was to have her standing beside him — but he couldn't. He wanted to walk across the room and hold her — and knew he would not. He merely looked at her while she refilled his mug, stirring in the sugar.

"Where did you serve?" she asked, conscious of his gaze and uncertain of its meaning.

"Dros Corteswain. Under Gan Javi."

"He's dead now," she said.

"Yes — a stroke. He was a fine leader. He predicted the coming war. I'm sure Abalayn wishes he had listened to him."

"It wasn't only Javi who warned him," said Virae. "All the northern commanders sent reports. My father has had spies among the Nadir for years. It was obvious that they intended to attack us. Abalayn's a fool — even now he's sending messages to Ulric with new treaties. He won't accept that war's inevitable. Do you know we've only 10,000 men at Delnoch?"

"I had heard it was less," said Rek.

"There are six walls and a town to defend. The complement in wartime should be four times as strong. And the discipline is not what it was."

"Why?"

"Because they're all waiting to die," she said, anger in her voice. "Because my father's ill — dying. And because Gan Orrin has the heart of a ripe tomato."

"Orrin? I've not heard of him."

"Abalayn's nephew. He commands the troops, but he's useless. If I'd been a man…"

"I'm glad you're not," he said.

"Why?"

"I don't know," he said lamely. "Just something to say… I'm glad you're not, that's all."

"Anyway, if I had been a man I would have commanded the troops. I would have done a damned sight better than Orrin. Why are you staring at me?"

"I'm not staring. I'm listening, dammit! Why do you keep pressing me?"

"Do you want the fire lit?" she asked.

"What? Are we staying that long?"

"If you want to."

"I'll leave it to you," he said.

"Let's stay for today. That's all. It might give us time to… get to know each other better. We've made a pretty bad start, after all. And you have saved my life three times."

"Once," he said. "I don't think you would have died of the cold, you're too tough. And Grussin saved us both. But, yes, I would like to stay just for today. Mind you, I don't fancy sleeping on the floor again."

"You won't have to," she said.

The Abbot smiled at the young albino's embarrassment. He released his hands from the mind hold and walked back to his desk. "Join me, Serbitar," he said, aloud. "Do you regret your oath of celibacy?"

"Sometimes," said the young man, rising from his knees. He brushed dust from his white cassock and seated himself opposite the Abbot.

"The girl is worthy," Serbitar replied. "The man is an enigma. Will their force be lessened by their lovemaking?"

"Strengthened," said the Abbot. "They need each other. Together they are complete, as in the Sacred Book. Tell me of her."

"What can I tell?"

"You entered her mind. Tell me of her."

"She is an earl's daughter. She lacks confidence in herself as a woman and she is a victim of mixed desires."

"Why?"

"She doesn't know why," he hedged.

"Of that I am aware. Do you know why?"

"No."

"What of the man?"

"I did not enter his mind."

"No. But what of the man?"

"He has great fears. He fears to die."

"Is this a weakness?" asked the Abbot.

"It will be at Dros Delnoch. Death is almost certain there."

"Yes. Can it be a strength?"

"I do not see how," said Serbitar.

"What does the philosopher say of cowards and heroes?"

"The prophet says, "By nature of definition only the coward is capable of the highest heroism"."

"You must convene The Thirty, Serbitar."

"I am to lead?"

"Yes. You shall be the Voice of The Thirty."

"But who shall my brothers be?"

The Abbot leaned back in his chair. "Arbedark will be the Heart. He is strong, fearless and true; there could be none other. Menahem shall be the Eyes, for he is gifted. I shall be the Soul."

"No!" said the albino. "It cannot be, master. I cannot lead you."

"But you must. You will decide the other Numbers. I shall await your decision."

"Why me? Why must I lead? I should be the Eyes. Arbedark should lead."

"Trust me. All will be revealed."

"I was raised at Dros Delnoch," Virae told Rek as they lay before the blazing fire. His head rested on his rolled cloak, her head nestled on his chest. He stroked her hair, saying nothing. "It's a majestic place. Have you ever been there?"

"No. Tell me about it." He didn't really want to hear, but neither did he wish to speak.