‘He’s too canny for that,’ said Druss. ‘A more wily warrior you will not find.’
‘You liked him?’
‘He was always fair with me,’ said Druss, keeping his tone neutral.
Delnar nodded. ‘They say he’s become a tyrant.’
Druss shrugged. ‘He once told me it was the curse of kings.’
‘He was right,’ said Delnar. ‘You know your friend Bodasen is still one of his top generals?’
‘I wouldn’t doubt it. He’s a loyal man, with a good eye for strategy.’
‘I should think you are relieved to miss this battle, my friend,’ commented the Earl.
Druss nodded. ‘The years I served with the Immortals were happy ones, I’ll grant that. And I have other friends among them. But you are right, I would hate to come up against Bodasen. We were brothers in battle, and I love the man dearly.’
‘Let’s go back. I’ll arrange some food for you.’
The Earl saluted the sentry at the mouth of the pass and the two men made their way up the slope to the camp. Delnar took him to a square white tent, lifting the flap for Druss to enter first. Within were four men. They leapt to their feet as the Earl followed Druss inside.
‘Stand easy,’ said Delnar. ‘This is Druss, an old friend of mine. He’ll be staying with us for a while. I’d like you to make him welcome.’ He turned to Druss. ‘I believe you know Certak and Archytas. Well, this black-bearded reprobate is Diagoras.’ Druss liked the look of the man; his smile was quick and friendly, and the gleam in his dark eyes bespoke humour. But more than this he had what soldiers call ‘the look of eagles’ and Druss knew instantly he was a warrior born.
‘Nice to meet you, sir. We’ve heard a lot about you.’
‘And this is Orases,’ said Certak. ‘He’s new with us. From Drenan.’
Druss shook hands with the young man, noting the fat around his middle and the softness of his grip. He seemed pleasant enough, but beside Diagoras and Certak he seemed boyish and clumsy.
‘Would you like some food?’ asked Diagoras, after the Earl had departed.
‘I certainly would,’ muttered Druss. ‘My stomach thinks my throat’s been sliced.’
‘I’ll get it,’ said Orases swiftly.
‘I think he’s a little in awe of you, Druss,’ said Diagoras as Orases raced from the tent.
‘It happens,’ said Druss. ‘Why don’t you ask me to sit down?’
Diagoras chuckled and pulled up a chair. Druss reversed it and sat. The others followed suit and the atmosphere eased. The world is getting younger, thought Druss, wishing he had never come.
‘May I see your axe, sir?’ asked Certak.
‘Certainly,’ said Druss, pulling Snaga smoothly from the oiled sheath. In the older man’s hands the weapon seemed almost weightless, but as it passed to Certak the officer grunted.
‘The blade that smote the Chaos Hound,’ whispered Certak, turning it over in his hands, then returning it to Druss.
‘Do you believe everything you hear?’ said Archytas, sneering.
‘Did it happen, Druss?’ said Diagoras, before Certak could answer.
‘Yes. A long time ago. But it scarce pierced its hide.’
‘Was it true they were sacrificing a princess?’ asked Certak.
‘No. Two small children. But tell me about yourselves,’ said Druss. ‘Wherever I go people ask me the same questions and I get very bored.’
‘If you’re that bored,’ said Archytas, ‘why do you take the poet with you on all your adventures?’
‘What does that mean?’
‘Quite simply that it seems strange for a man as modest as you seem to be to take a saga master with him. Although it proved very convenient.’
‘Convenient?’
‘Well, he created you, didn’t he? Druss the Legend. Fame and fortune. Surely any wandering warrior with such a companion could have been boosted into legend?’
‘I suppose that’s true,’ said Druss. ‘I’ve known a lot of men in my time whose deeds are forgotten, but who were worthy of remembrance in song or tale. I never really thought of it before.’
‘How much of Sieben’s great saga is exaggerated?’ asked Archytas.
‘Oh do shut up,’ snapped Diagoras.
‘No,’ said Druss, lifting his hand. ‘You’ve no idea how good this is. Always people ask me about the stories, and whenever I tell them they are – shall we say – rounded, they disbelieve me. But it’s true. The stories are not about me. They are based on the truth, but they have grown. I was the seed; they have become the tree. I never met a princess in my life. But to answer your first question. I never took Sieben on my quest. He just came. I think he was bored and wanted to see the world.’