[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

patience and put his men to work building a portable gangplank to bridge the defensive trench.
I spent a good deal of time telling the hours in the palace courtyard, honing the skills that had
been neglected during my tenure as Leander Maignard. I was keenly aware that in the days to come, I
would be Sidonie s sole protector. And that was the one area of the Cassiline discipline that Joscelin had
neglected to teach me the sphere of defending one s ward. He d taught me everything I needed to
know to ward my life. Neither of us had dreamed that one day I d be playing such a role.
At least I d learned how to fight from the saddle. Gods, it seemed like a long time ago that I d
advised Claude de Monluc to trick Barquiel L Envers into lending his own Akkadian-trained Captain of
the Guard to teach the Dauphine s Guard. It hadn t been much more than a whim that had led me to train
with them, posing as an anonymous guard among guardsmen. Now I was glad of it. With Liberio s
permission, I visited the armory and appropriated a small buckler, a leather hauberk with metal scales, a
helmet with a peaked crest, and a short bow and quiver.
For her part, Sidonie spent long hours in the palace s library, reading everything she could find on
the Euskerri. Whether or not it would prove of use, I couldn t say, but it helped pass the interminable
waiting.
Blessed Elua be thanked, her wound continued to heal cleanly. At her insistence, some days after
the council met, I took her to see Kratos. With Lady Nicola s assistance, he d been lodged in a
boarding-room where a good-natured Aragonian widow was paid to look after him.
 Your highness! Kratos looked thunderstruck when he answered our knock.  You came to see
me?
Sidonie laughed at his expression.  How are your burns, Kratos?
 Healing. He peered over his shoulder as though he could see through his tunic.  And your
injury? You were passing feverish, my lady. I worried.
She gave me a sidelong look.  Much, much improved.
 What about the ribs? I asked Kratos.
He took a deep breath, his chest swelling.  Better.
I was glad.
We passed a pleasant hour talking with Kratos. Somewhere in the back of my thoughts, I d
hoped he d have some clever perspective on our plan for escape that no one had conceived; but he
didn t. He merely shook his heavy head, running one hand over his cropped, greying hair.
 You were right, my lord, Kratos said soberly.  I d only slow you down. It s dicey, but I don t
see another way.
 Pray for us? I asked.
 To all the gods I know, he affirmed.
Sidonie stooped and kissed his cheek.  Remember your promise.
A blush suffused his homely face.  To dance at your wedding?
She smiled.  To dance with me at my wedding, Kratos. I mean to make it a point not to forget
those who ve saved my life. And the other thing, too. The word I taught you. Keep the knowledge quiet,
but don t forget.
 Emmenghanom, Kratos said softly.
Sidonie nodded.  Exactly right.
We didn t spread the word throughout the entire city. At this point, it was dangerous.
Blockaded, besieged Amílcar was a hotbed of gossip. If it were to fall in our absence or failure, if word
were to leak that we d disseminated the key to undoing Carthage s spell far and wide . . . well, it was
Sidonie s fear that Astegal would have every man, woman, and child put to the sword rather than risk
word carrying to Terre d Ange. And with that, I agreed.
But we made sure it wouldn t be lost.
General Liberio agreed in a bemused fashion that those soldiers serving as couriers carrying word
of Amílcar s plan to neighboring cities would carry it. I m not sure he believed, not entirely. He was a
pragmatic fellow. Still, he agreed. And Sidonie and I taught the word to half a dozen bright-eyed,
impassioned young men. If any of them survived, the word would be passed onward.
Emmenghanom.
Beholden.
We taught the word to Captain Deimos, lodged in a harbor inn, posing as the captain of a fishing
vessel. He didn t want to hear it, not really, but he d been Ptolemy Solon s man too long. In the end, the
desire for knowledge won out.
 Emmenghanom, he whispered, closing his eyes.
 If all else fails, the Wise Ape of Cythera will know what to do with it, I said.  And if we
succeed, I will keep my promise. Terre d Ange will reward you.
Deimos shuddered.  Goddess save me from wisdom. I hope to be an ignorant man in my next
life. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]