The doors opened and a group of men entered. I tensed, for one of them was the scarred young man and he was carrying a sword. ‘Oh, no!’ I whispered. Mace saw them and turned his attention to his ale; in that moment I knew he would leave the Tuscanian to his fate. I tapped Piercollo on the shoulder and pointed to the new arrivals. There were five men, all armed with swords or daggers. Piercollo pushed himself to his feet and I rose with him, my hand upon my dagger. Ilka also stood but Mace and Wulf remained where they were, studiously ignoring the proceedings.
Piercollo said nothing as the men advanced, but I pushed my way to the front. ‘He is unarmed,’ I said, keeping my voice even.
‘He is going to die,’ said the scarred youngster.
‘You think so? Let us see,’ I said, raising my hand palm upwards. First I created a flash of white light, spearing up from the palm to the ceiling -I always find this focuses the attention of the audience. The five men jumped back in shock. ‘And now the future!’ I said this in a loud voice, keeping their gazes locked to me. Instantly the image of Horga formed upon my palm, the enchantress standing just over two feet tall, a white dress billowing in an unseen breeze. ‘I call upon you, Horga,’ I said, ‘to tell us the future, if you will. Are there any here who will die tonight?’ She floated from my hand, circling the room, pausing now and again above grim-faced men who looked away, licking their lips, trying to still the terror in their hearts. Finally she returned to my hand and shook her head.
‘But there is to be a fight,’ I said. ‘Surely if such a battle takes place, someone will die?’She nodded and spun on my hand, her finger pointing to the scarred youngster. Golden light blazed from her finger to engulf the young man and above his head appeared a skull, the universal sign of impending doom.
‘Thank you, Horga,’ I said, bowing to the image. She lifted her arms and disappeared. I turned my attention to the warriors. There has already been a fight,’ I told them, smiling. ‘An even contest that ended with broken bones. There is no need now for further violence. But if you wish it, we will oblige you.’I am not afraid to die,’ said the youngster, but his eyes betrayed the lie.
‘Of course you are not,’ I assured him. ‘You are a brave man.
You are all brave men. But death is eternal, and I like to think that when my time comes and the maggots feast upon my eyes, I will have died for something worthwhile. And I want my sons, tall sons, to stand beside my bed and bid me farewell with love in their hearts.’He should apologize to me!’ said the young man, pointing to Piercollo.
The giant spread his arms. ‘If that is what you wish, then I do so gladly,’ he said. ‘I am sorry that you were offended, and doubly sorry that your brother is hurt. And I am deeply glad that I do not have to kill you. Will you drink with us? Piercollo will pay.’The man nodded and sheathed his sword, the others following his example. They did not stay long, but they drank with us and the enmity ended there.
Just before midnight a young nun entered the tavern and moved between the tables, collecting coin. Stopping before us, she held out a leather pouch. ‘To feed the poor and the sick,’ she said.
Each of us gave a silver penny and she smiled her thanks and moved away.
Mace’s eyes never left her. ‘What order was she?’ he asked me.
‘I think she is a Gastoigne. They have braided belts with three tassels.’
‘Celibates?’ he asked. I nodded.
‘What a waste,’ he said. ‘I wonder if she lives nearby.’I know what you would be thinking, my dear ghost, were you capable of thought: Where is the princess? Where is the great love of the Morningstar for whom he risked his life on a score of occasions, climbing tall towers under silver moonlight, journeying into deep, spirit-haunted caverns, fighting men and beasts conjured by sorcerers?