relevant sub-paragraphs.
Chalkin showed every fibre of his cowardice, trying to bribe one Lord
Holder after another, with hints of unusual treasure if they assisted
him. If anyone had been in the least bit tempted, their resolve was
strengthened when the broken, shivering wrecks were released from cold
storage’.
The place was full,’ Issony said, looking shattered by what he had seen
on that level. Border guards, most of them, but they didn’t deserve
that from Chalkin!” Even the hardiest of them would bear the marks of
their incarceration for the rest of their lives.
lantine? Did you bring… ah, you did. Do a quick sketch of them,
will you?” Issony asked, pointing to the two so close to death: the two
who had been castrated for rape. All that could be done for them was to
ease their passing with fell is juice. To show S’nan. In case he has
lingering doubts as to the justice of what was done here today.” Any
sign of Vergerin?” Paulin asked when all the cells had been emptied.
No,’ M’shall said grimly. That shouldn’t reassure you any.” He jerked
his thumb at some of the stretcher-bearers who had previously been the
cold storage’ guards. They said there were four dead ones who were
slipped into the lime pits day before yesterday. We may have moved too
late for Vergerin.” Paulin cursed under his breath. Did you ask if any
had heard the name?” M’shall grunted. No-one down there had a name.
Paulin winced. We’d best send for the Holder team.” I have dispatched
riders to collect the deputies already.
They should be here.
There was a commotion in the Hall, with cheering and shouts of welcome.
They can’t have got here this soon,’ M’shall said, surprised.
Both men went to investigate.
A tall man was shrugging out of thin and dirty furs and smiling at the
riders clapping him on the back or whatever part of him they could
touch.
Guess who just walked in?” B’nurrin of Igen cried, seeing Paulin and
M’shall.
Vergerin?” Paulin asked.
Optimist,’ M’shall muttered, and then, taking a second hard look at the
face no longer hidden by a big furred hat, exclaimed, It is!’ It is?”
Paulin hastened across the broad Hall.
Has the family eyebrows,’ M’shall said with a chuckle.
Where’ve you been hiding, Vergerin?” M’shall?” Vergerin peered around,
a hopeful smile breaking across his weather-beaten face. He did bear a
facial resemblance to Chalkin; as if Chalkin’s features had been
elongated and refined. You don’t know how glad I was to see all those
dragons on the heights. I figured you had to come to your senses and
get rid of him He jerked his thumb ceiling ward You’ve no idea
Where did you hide? When did you hide?” Paulin asked, clasping
Vergerin’s hand and shaking it enthusiastically.
Vergerin’s grin turned wry. I figured the safest place was under
Chalkin’s nose.” He gestured in the general direction of the cot holds
He houses his beasts better than his folk, so the smell of me is at
least clean horse manure. I’ve been earning my keep at the beast hold
But your holding has been empty By my design, I assure you,’ Vergerin
said, running a grubby hand through greasy hair and smiling
apologetically.
I’ve a strong survival streak, my Lords Holder, and when I realized my
nephew really was not going to do a single thing about the imminence of
Thread, I thought I had better disappear before he thought of possible
retaliation – – and me as his only too obvious replacement.” He had
unwound the layers that clothed him and stood with a quiet dignity in
the midst of the warmly-dressed riders and Lord Holders. It was that
innate dignity which impressed Paulin. Nor was he alone in, noticing
it.
Admittedly, my Blood claim to the Hold was squandered foolishly but
then, I should have known that Chalkin was likely to cheat that night,
if ever, with such stakes. It took me quite some while to figure out
how he managed it, for I’m not without knowing a few tricks myself, and
most of those that can be played on the unwary.” He gave a