‘Think you can come and go as you please, shadow?’ he went on. ‘Waltz in on a whim and murder whoever you like? Mock us with your presence on this day of mourning? Well, Gerring here,’ he thumped his chest, ‘will not stand for it.’
‘They think I’m Losara,’ muttered Bel. How could he have been so stupid? As far as the people of Kainordas were concerned, there was only one blue-haired man, and he had recently murdered the Throne.
Bel raised his voice loud enough for all to hear. ‘My good man,’ he said. ‘I’m not who you think I am. There is a blue-haired man on the shadow’s side, true enough, but he is not the only one! Did you really think Arkus would forsake you, that there would be no deliverance from evil?’
Gerring looked uncertain, and his companions mumbled amongst themselves. All around a crowd gathered to listen, some from the street, some from windows or balconies above.
‘I have been in hiding,’ said Bel, ‘waiting until the time was right. Perhaps I was foolish to delay so long, foolish to allow the shadow to make the first strike. But I swear to you, I am born of light, and I fight for the light! Look at me – do I look like a creature of the shadow?’
Gerring frowned. ‘The shadow can take many forms,’ he said.
‘The blue-haired man is finally here!’ came a hopeful cry from above. Others echoed it, yet still there was doubt.
Bel drew his sword and Gerring tensed, his companions fumbling for their own weapons. Bel tossed his sword to the ground and stalked forward, going down on one knee before Gerring.
‘Would an enemy of Kainordas risk himself in this way?’ he asked, his voice charged with righteousness. ‘If you doubt me, strike me down …and be responsible for the fall of our great land! But if you will believe , set me on my way, and I promise you, Gerring …’ He turned to address the crowd in general, and noticed Jaya twisting a dagger in her fingers – he knew that if Gerring raised his sword, the dagger would find him before any blow fell. ‘I promise you all that the murder of our beloved Throne, the creeping evil in the south, the threat to our very way of life will not go unanswered !’
The crowd exploded.
‘Arkus bless you, deliver us from the shadow!’
‘Is it real? You’d better not be pulling some prank, boy!’
‘Spread the word! We are saved!’
Turning back to Gerring amidst the clamour of voices, Bel held out his hand. The man glanced around at the cheering people …then reached for Bel’s hand, clasped it, and hauled him to his feet. The cheer became a roar.
‘I pray you are telling the truth,’ said Gerring.
‘If I was not,’ said Bel, ‘do you think you would still be standing there?’
Gerring nodded seriously, then a slight smile cracked his features. ‘The blue-haired man has come!’ he shouted to his companions. ‘Where’s my drink?’
Quickly his mug was passed to him, and he raised it. ‘To victory over the shadow!’ he called, and messily quaffed the entire contents.
Progress was smoother after that. The crowd followed Bel and Jaya, its jubilation echoing loudly, sweeping up doubters and converting them quickly as the news spread and more came running. Bel waved here and there, laughed, and flexed his bronzed muscles at a group of girls who broke into a chorus of giggles.
‘Steady, my fine fellow,’ said Jaya through clenched teeth. ‘No need to get carried away.’
‘Don’t worry, my love,’ replied Bel. ‘There’s none who compare to a Sprite woman.’
A little girl broke from her mother’s legs, ignoring the anxious call to come back, and landed in front of them, effectively halting their progress.
‘Hello, young lady,’ said Bel.
The girl stared up at him with bright eyes. ‘Mummy says you is a …a legend.’
Bel chuckled easily. ‘I hope to be,’ he said. ‘But legends are made, not born.’
‘Is your hair really blue?’
‘It really is. See?’ Bel plucked a curly strand from his head, and held it out to her.
The girl’s eyes lit up in wonder as she touched it reverently. ‘Can I keep it?’
‘You can,’ said Bel, and she squealed with delight.
‘Not too jealous I hope?’ he asked Jaya as the girl raced away, clutching her treasure. ‘Ah,’ he added, ‘I saw what you did there.’
‘What?’ said Jaya.
‘Rolled your eyes so I could see how beautiful they are, and therefore not be tempted by other women.’
Jaya shot him a level stare. ‘Certainly,’ she said. ‘That’s exactly what I was doing.’
Soon they reached the carts; the drivers were hesitatingly watching the approaching mob with Bel at its core. Word was spreading so fast Bel wondered if they would even beat it up the hill. He slapped the shoulder of a shocked driver. ‘Stop staring, good fellow. Will you let it be said that you kept the blue-haired man waiting?’
The driver scrambled into action.
In the north-east of the Halls was the Inviolable, a beautified graveyard surrounded by high hedges cut to look like spiked walls. Inside lay the graves of nobles and notables, every headstone elaborately carved and all markedly different in their designs. Each grave was covered by a plate of glass, through which those buried could be seen, their bodies perfectly preserved by magic. Bel and Jaya passed Hedris Naphur, a thin woman lying in a velvet-lined coffin, who had ruled Kainordas a hundred years ago. Next was Gerent Morrigan, who had led the charge to turn back Assidax, and whose headstone was a birch tree with swords hanging from the branches. High Mage Reikel, a raven-haired fellow who looked to have died young, seemed somehow restless in his lasting slumber.
‘You’re sure no one’ll get their fancy pants in a bunch because I’m here?’ asked Jaya.
‘Of course they won’t,’ said Bel. ‘Besides, something tells me it’s not you they’ll be looking at.’
Up ahead people were gathering before a shining white monolith. At their approach, heads swivelled and gasps sounded. Fahren was there too, managing to look both surprised and disappointed at once. He turned to speak with the others, and Bel thought he heard assurances being made that there was nothing to fear. Finally Fahren broke from the group and hurried towards them. Bel was preparing himself for the old mage’s ire when he was suddenly distracted by a grave they were passing, and stopped.
‘Dear Arkus, Bel,’ said Fahren as he arrived. ‘What have you gone and done?’
‘Had the enchantment removed,’ said Bel, waving vaguely at his head. ‘Losara doesn’t hide himself – why should I?’
‘I tend to agree,’ said Fahren, ‘and was going to discuss this with you very soon. But I must say, Bel, you could have chosen a better moment.’
‘I’m tired of hiding who I am,’ said Bel, still staring at the grave. ‘The burden I carry is heavy enough without having to keep it a secret too.’
‘I simply meant,’ said Fahren, ‘that we are in the process of burying my very dear friend, and your Throne …and if you look at his wife over there, you will see that your thoughtless act has somewhat detracted from the occasion.’
Bel saw the Lady Raina watching him with tear-streaked cheeks, while nobles and courtiers spoke in hushed but excited tones. He remembered hearing somewhere that Naphur had only married her under pressure, for she had been the daughter of a Trusted, and he had gotten her with child out of wedlock. Even if that were true, she still looked very much like a woman who had lost the man she loved.
‘Ah,’ he said, sounding humbler. ‘Forgiveness, High Mage. I have perhaps been overzealous.’
‘To put it mildly.’
‘High Mage,’ said Bel, his voice returning smoothly to normal, ‘you never told me she was buried here.’
‘What?’ said Fahren, then glanced down at the grave Bel was indicating. ‘Oh.’ His expression became sad. ‘Yes. She was brought here afterwards and given a place in the Inviolable for her great sacrifice. It was only right, considering who she saved.’