‘You mean we won?’ said Sieben. ‘And we are all going to live?’
‘I believe that puts the facts succinctly,’ said Majon. ‘One small matter, Druss, my friend,’ added the ambassador, drawing the axeman away from the others. ‘Garen-Tsen asked me to mention the matter of some jewels said to be hidden here.’
‘There were no jewels,’ said Druss bitterly. ‘Just old bones and new deaths.’
‘You . . . er . . . searched the coffin, did you?’
‘Yes. Nothing. It’s all a myth.’
‘Ah, well. It matters not, I am sure.’ Returning to Talisman, the ambassador bowed again. ‘The general Cuskar has brought three surgeons with him. He has asked me to offer you their services for your wounded.’
‘We have a good surgeon, but thank the general for his kindness,’ said Talisman. ‘In return for such goodwill, do tell the general that if he brings his water wagons to the walls I will see that the barrels are filled.’
Druss and Gorkai lowered Majon to the ground. The ambassador mounted his horse, waved once, then cantered back to the Gothir camp.
Talisman sank back to the ramparts. ‘We won,’ he said.
‘That we did, laddie. But only just.’
Talisman held out his hand. ‘You are a man among men, Deathwalker,’ he said. ‘On behalf of my people, I thank you.’
‘You should get back to the hospital,’ said Druss, ‘and let our fine surgeon tend to you.’ Talisman smiled and, with the support of Zhusai and Gorkai, made his way down the rampart steps. In the compound below the Nadir had formed into loose groups, talking excitedly about the battle. Lin-tse watched them dispassionately, but in his eyes there was sadness.
‘What is wrong?’ asked Sieben.
‘Nothing a gajin could see,’ said the warrior, walking away.
‘What was he talking about, Druss?’
‘They are all with their own tribesmen. The mixing has ended. They came together for this one battle, and now they are drawing apart again – the way of the Nadir perhaps.’ Druss sighed. ‘Ah, but I am weary, poet. I need to see Rowena again, to breathe the air of the mountains. By Heavens, it would be nice to smell the sweet breeze coming over the long grass and the pine meadows.’
‘It would indeed, Druss, old horse.’
‘First we must return to Gulgothir. I want to see Klay. We’ll rest for a couple of hours, then ride out.’
Sieben nodded. ‘Niobe is coming with us. I’m going to marry her, Druss – give her babies and an iron fire-bucket!’
Druss chuckled. ‘I expect it will be in that order.’
Sieben returned to the hospital where Talisman was sleeping soundly. In the small office he found a strip of parchment, a quill pen and an inkwell that was almost dry. Adding a little water to the ink, he penned a short message upon the parchment. When the ink was dry he folded the parchment into four and walked back into the larger room. Kneeling by Talisman, he slid the message under a fold of the bandage around his chest and used the power of the Eyes of Alchazzar to heal the Nadir leader.
One by one he visited all the wounded, leaving them all asleep, their wounds vanished.
At the last he stood in the doorway and looked back, satisfied. Many men had died defending this Shrine, but there were others, Talisman among them, who would have died had it not been for him. The thought pleased the poet.
He glanced up at the battlements, where Druss was stretched out asleep. Sieben climbed the rampart steps and healed him also.
Lin-tse and his Sky Riders were dismantling the wall around the gates. Sieben sat upon the walls watching them. The sky was a glorious blue, and even the hot breeze tasted good upon the tongue.
I am alive, he thought. Alive and in love. If there is a better feeling in all the world, I have yet to taste of it, he decided.
Chapter Fourteen
Okar, the fat gatekeeper at the hospice, cursed as the pounding on the front door continued. Rolling from his pallet bed, he pulled on his leggings, stumbled along the corridor and dragged back the bolts. ‘Be quiet!’ he ordered, as he dragged open the thick door. ‘There are sick people here trying to sleep.’