David Gemmell – Rigante 3 – Ravenheart

‘I wish to make an appointment to see the colonel.’

‘And you are?’

‘Kaelin Ring of Ironlatch Farm.’

‘Ah, the duellist!’ came another voice. Kaelin looked round to see a broad-shouldered young officer coming down the circular stairs. ‘Come up, Master Ring. I am sure the colonel will be delighted to meet you.’ Kaelin stiffened momentarily. There was something about the dark-haired soldier that caused his stomach to tighten. The man was smiling, but his eyes were cold and hard.

Kaelin followed him. The stairs wound up to the first level, which was an open food hall where a score of soldiers were sitting at bench tables, eating their midday meal. The second level was partitioned off by several doors. One of them was open and Kaelin saw a row of pallet beds. The third level opened out onto a seating area set in a semi-circle below a series of tall windows.

‘Wait here and take a seat,’ said the officer, pausing before a door and tapping on the wood panel. Kaelin did not hear anyone call out, but the officer entered, closing the door behind him. Kaelin wandered to the first of the windows and stared down onto the parade ground. Moments later the officer returned. ‘I am Captain Ranaud,’ he said, offering his hand. Kaelin shook it. ‘Colonel Linax does not have a great deal of time to spare, but he wants to meet you.’

Kaelin entered the room. It was some thirty feet long, the floor covered from wall to wall with a thick carpet of sky blue, decorated with swirls of pale gold. Kaelin had never seen the like. The furniture was highly polished, and beautifully crafted in a rich dark glowing wood, the chair seats padded with green leather. The colonel was sitting behind a long curved desk which was also leather-topped. It was quite the most beautiful furniture Kaelin had ever seen. Colonel Linax had a thin, pale face and sunken eyes. His skin was dry and unhealthy.

‘Welcome, Master Ring,’ he said, his voice faint. ‘Do take a seat.’ Kaelin sat down. ‘We have heard of your . . . trouble . . . with Call Jace and his son. I can see from the wound on your face that it was quite a duel. You are from the south, I believe?’

‘Yes, sir. Old Hills, just outside Eldacre.’

‘I know it well. The highlanders in that area are more, shall we say, loyal to the Moidart. Educated. Have you been educated, Master Ring?’

‘I have, sir.’

‘Then you know what I mean. Let me speak plainly: the Black Rigante are not educated. They make themselves rich from extortion and robbery. You have been their latest victim, and, to be honest, I am surprised to see you alive. I understand your sword shattered and they spared you.’

‘That is so, sir. I was lucky, for I had never held a blade before.’

‘Of course not. There is no need for our highland people to have swords in the south. But you fought bravely, which does you credit. Are you still paying tribute to Call Jace?’

Kaelin’s mind worked swiftly, and he sensed there was no point in lying. ‘Yes, sir. It seems . . . prudent.’

‘Indeed so, Master Ring. So why have you come to me?’

‘To pay my respects, sir.’

‘Not then to issue a complaint against Call Jace?’

‘I did consider it,’ said Kaelin, thinking fast. ‘But the fight was fair and no-one was killed. I did not know what crime I could accuse him of.’

‘Very wise, Master Ring. Now is not the time to deal with Call Jace – though the time is coming, I can assure you.’ The colonel suddenly began to cough. His face darkened, his body spasming. He grabbed a handkerchief from his desk and held it to his face. When the paroxysm passed he fell back in his chair, and Kaelin saw blood upon the handkerchief.

Captain Ranaud tapped Kaelin on the shoulder and the young man rose from his seat, and bowed to the colonel. ‘Thank you for offering me the courtesy of your respects,’ whispered the colonel. Kaelin walked to the door, following Captain Ranaud out to the top of the stairs.

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