Komees Hari shook his head. “Desist, Djeen, desist Considering Hwahruhn’s sad state of health and the perils that the Morguhn and Daiviz Kindred presently face, it’s out of the question. The place of the Chiefs son is here. Until certain matters, which need no repetition, are resolved, we will need Bili far more than will the Army … and that soon, I fear.”
“Vaskos,” he turned to his son, “please ask your man to have a servant fetch us a round of brandy, and a draught for himself as well. He’s been a good watchdog for our door, this night. When we’ve had our tipple, Kinsmen, I think we should to bed. Tomorrow will commence a very busy week for most of us.”
Rising to his feet, Bili chose his words cautiously. “Kinsman Hari, please do not misunderstand me and do not read into what I am about to say meanings which are certainly not intended. It is not that I scorn the gracious hospitality of your fine hall, nor that I fear to sleep under your protection. On the contrary …”
But the laughter of old Komees Djeen brought him up short. The retired officer wiped at his eye, admonishing, “Oh, Bili, Bili, lad, we must, I fear, reeducate you. Your Kinsman Hari is no thin skinned northern princeling, ready to shed blood or make war over some fancied slight or imagined insult.
“He-all of us-are your Kindred, son, and we’re a blunt, outspoken people. If you really want to ride home at this hagridden hour, by Sun and Wind, come right out and say so! Not that I think it’s basically a good idea for you, the hope of us all, to ride all those miles alone, on a dark night, as unsafe as our roads have been of late . .. nor with all that seems afoot in this Duchy.
“I want no harm to come to you, boy. Much as I love your father, I will say that he’s been a poor chief in many ways, too lax and soft on men who deserve, have long deserved, a strong and pitiless hand. From what I know of you, what more I’ve learned of you tonight, you’ll be the kind of chief your father should have been, the kind of chief your grandfather Sacred Sun shine always on his memory was.
“Your dear mothers should have sent a few of their Freefighters with you today. They know, even if you are too lately come to know, that the night roads are no longer safe for Kindred, in either our duchy or in that of our western neighbor, Chief Sidnee of Vawn. Now, if Hari had taken my advice and hired a few Freefighters himself, he could loan you a proper escort, but…”
Djeen’s quoted advice was obviously a sore point with his host, for the short, stocky Komees immediately lashed back angrily, “Fah! Just because you’ve made of your hall a small fortress does not signify that the rest of us must hire on a host of useless mouths, men whose only accomplishments are their expertise at eating and drinking and gambling and wenching …”
“And fighting!” snapped Komees Djeen, unfazed by the other’s anger.
His face beetred and his big fists clenched, Hari opened his mouth to say more, but Ahndros quietly said, “Kinsman Bili will not be alone, Kindred; for I too am of a mind to ride to Morguhn Hall tonight.”
The Komeesee burst into laughter, their shouting match forgotten. Vaskos showed every tooth and Drehkos chuckled. “Soooo, Ahndros, that is why you wear that new velvet suit and those new boots! By Wind, Kinsman, you shine like a new moon. Take warning, if Vahrohnos Myros sees you looking so handsome, he’ll have you bedded and buggered before you can blink!”
Komees Djeen’s laughter ceased abruptly and he spoke in a voice edged with steel. “Sun and Wind grant that I live to see the day that Myros makes advances toward Ahndros. Oh ho, that will be a sight to see! For years that degenerate boarhog has been in sore need of gelding!”
Vahrohneeskos Ahndros said nothing in response to the jesting. He but sat, sipping at his wine and smiling now and again. All that Bili had learned of the modest man’s military exploits this night had come from others, mostly from Komees Djeen and Vaskos Daiviz. But before any word had been spoken, from their first handclasp and mindspeak, Bili had known Ahndros for what he was: a quiet, unassuming and basically gentle man; but, withal, a born warrior and warleader, who would be the best of allies or the most dangerous of foemen when swords were out. And women had told him that these bravest of men were right oft the tenderest of lovers. Bili thought that Mother Mahrnee had chosen well.