MIDNIGHT FALCON by David Gemmell

‘You make it sound very tempting,’ said Bane. ‘I especially liked the reference to the pauper’s pit.’

‘I despise deceit,’ Horath told him. ‘I have little appetite for pretty falsehoods and insincere flattery. I do it, of course. In the higher circles of Stone it is required practice. But not when I can avoid it. I think you would be a valuable addition to our Circus, and you will certainly help to fill the stadium.’

‘They will come to see the savage barbarian?’ asked Bane.

‘Indeed so.’

‘What is your view?’ Bane asked Persis.

The fat man spread his hands. ‘There are only three major circuses, Palantes, Occian and Poros. Two of them want you. Both are highly respected, and both offer you a chance to become a good – and rich – gladiator. You must decide, Bane.’

‘What of Circus Orises? Do you want me to stay?’

Persis smiled. ‘I will have no more death bouts. It was good to see the stadium full, but I hated watching men die for the joy of others. No, I have other plans. You would be most welcome to stay, but I have to say that, with the money I shall receive for your contract, I can expand the circus into other areas. In short, I am the wrong person to ask for advice, for I will profit greatly by your departure.’

He chuckled and turned to Horath. ‘Damn, but this honesty business is infectious.’

Bane leaned back in his chair. In order to kill Voltan he needed to learn to fight as well as the Stone Knight. There was no better way of doing that than to join a major circus. Finally he looked at Horath. ‘If you hire Rage and Telors as my personal trainers I will accept your offer. If they refuse then I refuse.’

‘Your services do not come cheaply,’ said Horath, ‘but then nothing good ever does. Very well, I shall speak to Rage. I have to say that Circus Occian would be delighted to have him.’ He rose from his chair, and swung his cloak round his shoulders. He and Bane shook hands, and the three men walked out into the weak sunlight. Bane swung to Persis.

‘So, what will you do with all this money you are making?’ he asked.

‘I intend to buy an elephant,’ said Persis happily.

Rage was uncomfortable, and shifted uneasily in his chair. Telors was sitting on a couch, his long legs stretched out before him. ‘What do you think?’ said Bane. ‘Would you be interested?’

‘I’m interested,’ said Telors, glancing towards the old gladiator. ‘What about you, Vanni?’

‘I don’t know. I’d like to see Stone again, and it would be good to enrol Cara in a good school, prepare her for life in the city.’

‘But?’ said Telors.

Rage gave a tight smile. ‘I want to do it for the right reasons, yet deep inside I see it as a way of making Palantes pay.’

‘Nothing wrong with revenge,’ said Telors.

‘It darkens the spirit,’ said Rage, looking directly into Bane’s eyes. ‘What will you do if I refuse this offer?’

‘I will stay here, and hope that you will continue to train me. I believe you to be the best, and I will learn more from you than any other man.’

‘That is not so, Bane. Training can only carry you so far. The reality of combat will teach you much more. Let us understand something from the outset: you are a gifted fighter, with good heart and natural speed. It could be that you have the potential to be great. I don’t yet know whether that is true. What I do know is that you are a long way from being able to . . . fulfil your quest. If I do agree to train you I want your promise that you will not seek that which you desire until I say that you are ready.’

‘I’m not sure I can promise that,’ said Bane.

‘If you cannot, then we must part company.’

‘Would it be easier to talk if I wasn’t here?’ asked Telors. ‘You both seem to be skirting around something.’

Rage looked at Bane and said nothing. Bane turned to Telors. ‘A man from Stone killed a woman I had come to love. I was there. I watched his sword cleave through her ribs. It is my intention to hunt this man down and kill him.’