Two days after my duel in the dark Prince Vaspian required me to attend him at a court function of such importance that his presence was commanded by the Usurper. Certain officers of the Black Legion were to receive acclamation for their bravery or ability at command, and all the lords of the Chac Yuul were required to be present.
The function took place in a mighty hall, high-ceilinged and lit by a thousand tapers. The hall was thronged with barbaric warriors and splendid chieftains adorned in all their wealth of savage finery, and among them all the Prince my patron shone in the jeweled splendor of his raiment. Nodding plumes crowned his burnished helm, gems glittered from the hilt of his sword, and badges and honors of precious metals encrusted his tunic and girdle.
As he circled the hall, I paced silently behind him, a pace or two to the rear. My stay in the Black Legion had not yet covered a sufficient interval of time for me to have made the acquaintance of any of these chieftains, and thus it was with some surprise that I felt a hand clap me on the shoulder and turned about to meet a friendly smile in a familiar face.
“Ah, Jandar, it is a pleasure to greet you again!” cried a warm voice, and I realized that it was my former comrade and commander, Valkar of Ganatol.
“How do you like palace duty?” he inquired. “Somewhat different, I am certain, from the hard life of barracks and practice field, eh?” He laughed and I forced a smile, but ere we could exchange snore than a few words my Prince shrilly demanded my presence, darting a suspicious glance at Valkar, and I was forced to bid the komor a hasty adieu.
“Some night when you can get free, meet me at the wineshop beside the forum―do you recall the place where we shared a bottle after the theater that night?” he called. I smiled and nodded, but had to turn away for the Prince’s hand was on my arm and his jealous eyes were taking in every detail of my chance acquaintance.
“Who is that fellow to whom you spoke?” he hissed.
“It is the chieftain Valkar under whom I served in the third cohort, Lord―surely you recall questioning him about my record of service, after I was lucky enough to halt your runaway thaptors?”
“Ah, yes; I remember him now,” he muttered, and the light of jealousy and suspicion died from his pinched, sharp features; however he retained his clutch on my arm. “Do not stray away from my side again, Jandar; I require your constant attendance, for here I am virtually surrounded by those who call themselves my friends but who secretly plot behind my back.
I nodded and obediently fell into place behind him, and it was all that I could do to keep a wooden expression on my features. Shock, astonishment, and surprise whirled through my brain.
For it would have been indeed a pleasure to renew my friendship with the gallant, gentlemanly Valkar, had it not been for the scratch on his cheek―the scratch my sword had made two nights before, when we had battled in. the dark!
The remainder of that festive evening is but a blur to me. Strive as I may, I can recall but a giddy panorama of plumed warriors and beautiful women. Resounding speeches were made and toasts were drunk, but I recall neither the speeches nor those whom the toasts saluted.
For I could not expunge from my mind that it was Valkar whom I had battled in the darkness of the secret passage―Valkar whom I had surprised in the very act of spying upon the apartment of the Princess Darloona―Valkar who had been prowling the secret passages, masked and cloaked, in the darkness of the night!
After returning to my quarters following the close of the festivities, I disrobed and stretched out on my bed, but sleep came not easily to me. My mind was a bewildered turmoil of unanswered questions and unsolved mysteries.
I remember that night at the theater to which Valkar had made reference, and I recalled the strange intensity of his gaze and the pallor of his features as he gazed upon Darloona, seated at the side of Prince Vaspian in the royal box.
At the time his tension and the alertness of his gaze had puzzled me, but only slightly, and in the flow of events I had all but forgotten the incident, which seemed in retrospect of little importance. But now I was no longer certain just how important it might have been.
And I recalled, as well, an incident in that wineshop to which Valkar had also referred, the wineshop to which we had repaired after the play. The chance stumbling of a servant wench had spilled wine upon the features of my companion, and in wiping his face he had accidentally wiped away some of the swarthy hue of his features. And thus it seemed that Valkar, even as I, was an impostor.
Tossing and turning on my bed, unable to slumber, I puzzled over these baffling mysteries and wondered exactly who and what my friend Valkar really was, and what was his true reason for joining the Black Legion?
And even more important―was he my friend, or my foe?
Long had I anticipated a private interview with Darloona and the opportunity came about at last, but in the most unexpected manner possible.
The impending nuptials of Vaspian and Darloona were now very close. Only a week remained before they would solemnize their vows before the idol of the dark god worshiped by the Chac Yuul barbarians.
And yet another deadline was drawing close, as well. For the ultimatum delivered by Prince Thuton to the Black Legion was almost due for its answer. Thuton demanded a mighty ransom for surrendering his interests in the person of the Princess of Shondakor, and in default of the prompt payment of that price he had sworn to bring the awesome aerial navy of Zanadar down upon the city in war. Soon, very soon, the lords of the Black Legion must decide upon a course of action.
And so must I. For I could not plan any rescue of Darloona until I had heard from her own lips whether she was being forced into marriage with Prince Vaspian, or whether she truly had given him her heart and hand. But how could I get to see her?
The solution to my dilemma came from, of all persons, Prince Vaspian, himself!
He hailed me, a day or so after my chance encounter with Valkar, and bade me attend him.
“Soon, as you know, the Princess Darloona and I shall be wed,” he said, and I inwardly writhed in revulsion at the oily, self-satisfied smirk wherewith he accompanied his words. “I have a small gift for my bride-to-be; generally, my tokens are delivered by the hand of my confidential valet, Golar, as you must know; alas, he is busy on another errand this evening, so I entrust the task to you.”
I suppressed, with some difficulty, the exclamation of delight which rose to my lips. I do not think that so much as a flicker of surprise or eagerness crossed my features, although within my heart I was shaken by this sudden flash of good fortune. And I am positive that Prince Vaspian observed nothing of my feelings.
“As my prince commands,” I said quietly.
He smirked. “There’s a good fellow!” Then he pressed into my hands a gorgeous ornament that blazed with precious gems unknown to me and gave me minute directions so that I might find my way to the secluded chambers wherein the Princess dwelt, and a note from his hand that would get me past the guards.
I should explain that while Darloona was not technically a prisoner, she was kept under the closest possible watch and no one might gain entrance into her presence without passing the examination of those watchers assigned to guard her. This surveillance aside, she was permitted the greatest latitude and could command whatever she wished.
Without delay I made my way to her suite by the shortest possible route. As I approached her quarters my heart was thumping like that of a foolish schoolboy on his first date, my mouth was dry, and I was mentally composing my speech to her.