The King Beyond the Gate

Tenaka did not turn to watch them go, and no word passed between them. The youth touched his heels to the pony and cantered into the gate tunnel and up on to the green field between Walls One and Two. There he slid from the saddle and waited for Orrin to approach.

'You are not welcome here,' said Orrin, 'but I will stand by my bargains. I have arranged a commission in the Dragon and you will leave in three months. Until then you will learn Drenai ways. I want no relative of mine eating with his fingers in the officers' mess.'

'Thank you, grandfather,' said Tenaka.

'Don't call me that,' snapped Orrin. 'Not ever! You will call me "My Lord" or in company "Sir". Do you understand?'

'I believe that I do, grandfather. And I shall obey you.' Tenaka's gaze flickered to the child.

'This is my true grandson,' said Orrin. 'All my children are dead. Only this little lad survives to continue my line. His name is Arvan.'

Tenaka nodded and turned to the dark-bearded man to Orrin's left.

'And this is a friend of the House of Regnak — the only counsellor worth his salt in the entire country. His name is Ceska.'

'Delighted to meet you,' said Ceska, reaching out his hand. Tenaka clasped it firmly, his gaze locking to the man's dark eyes.

'Now let us get inside and out of this damned rain,' muttered Orrin. Lifting the child to his broad shoulders, the white-bearded Earl strode away towards the distant keep. Tenaka gathered the reins of his pony and followed, Ceska beside him.

'Do not be upset by his manner, young price,' said Ceska. 'He is old and set in his ways. But he is a fine man, truly. I hope you will be happy among the Drenai. If ever there is anything I can do for you, do not hesitate to tell me.'

'Why?' asked Tenaka.

'I like you,' said Ceska, clapping him on the shoulder. 'And who knows — you may be Earl some day.'

'That is unlikely.'

'True, my friend. But the House of Bronze has been unlucky of late. As Orrin said, all his children are gone. Arvan alone survives.'

'He looks a strong child.'

'Indeed he does. But looks can be so deceptive, can they not?'

Tenaka was not sure he understood the meaning of Ceska's words, but he knew there were undercurrents of dark promises. He said nothing.

* * *

Later Tenaka listened in silence as Valtaya talked of the rescue in the marketplace, and of their bribing a night sentry to let them pass through the northern postern gate of the city. Ananais had brought a huge pack of food, plus two bows and eighty shafts in doeskin quivers. Valtaya had extra blankets and a rolled canvas sheet for a small tent.

After they had eaten, Tenaka took Ananais into the trees. They found a secluded spot and cleared the snow from some rocks before sitting down to talk.

'There is an uprising in Skoda,' said Ananais. 'Two villages were sacked by Ceska's Legion. A local named Rayvan gathered a small army and destroyed the raiders. They say men are flocking to him, but I don't think he can last. He's a common man.'

'Not of the Blood, you mean,' said Tenaka dryly.

'I have nothing against common men. But he has not the training to plan a campaign.'

'What else?'

'Two risings in the west — both ruthlessly put down. All the men crucified, fields sewn with salt. You know the system!'

'What about the south?'

'Difficult to say. News is scarce. But Ceska's there. On hand. I don't think they will rise. It is said that there is a secret society against Ceska, but that is likely to be no more than talk.'

'What do you suggest?' asked Tenaka.

'Let us go to Drenan, kill Ceska and then retire.'

'That simple?'

'The best plans are always simple, Tani,'

'What about the women?'

Ananais shrugged. 'What can we do? You say Renya wants to be with you? Let her come. We can leave her with friends in Drenan. I still know one or two people I think we can rely on.'

'And Valtaya?'

'She won't stay with us — there is nothing for her. We will leave her in the next town.'

Tenaka raised an eyebrow. 'Nothing for her?'

Ananais looked away. 'Not any more, Tani. Once, maybe.'

'All right. We will head for Drenan, but angle to the west. Skoda should be beautiful at this time of the year.'

Side by side they returned to the camp, where they found three strangers waiting. Tenaka spoke softly: 'Scout around, Ani. See how many other surprises are in the offing.' Then he walked forward. Two of the men were warriors, both about the same age as Tenaka himself. The third was an old man, blind and wearing the tattered blue robes of the Seekers.

The warriors approached him. They were uncannily alike, black-bearded and stern of eye, though one was fractionally taller than the other. It was the shorter man who spoke.

'I am Galand and this is my brother, Parsal. We have come to join you, general.'

'For what purpose?'

'To put down Ceska. Why else?'

'I need no help for that, Galand.'

'I don't know what game this is, general. The Golden One was in Sousa and he told the crowd the Dragon was back. Well, if that is so, then I reckon I am back too. You don't recognise me, do you?'

'In truth I do not,' said Tenaka.

'I was not bearded then. I was Bar Galand of the Third Wing under Elias. I was the Sword Master and I beat you in a tourney once.

'I remember. The half-moon riposte! You would have ripped out my throat. As it was I had a ghastly bruise.'

'My brother is a good a man as I. We want to serve.'

'There is nothing to serve, my friend. I plan to kill Ceska. That is the work of an assassin — not an army.'

"Then we will stick by until the deed is done! I was sick with fever when the call came and the Dragon re-formed. I have been sick with sorrow since. A lot of fine men were lured into that trap. It does not seem right.'

'How did you find us?'

'I followed the blind man. Strange, don't you think?'

Tenaka moved to the fire and sat down opposite the Seeker.

The mystic's head lifted. 'I seek the Torchbearer,' he said, his voice a dry whisper.

'Who is he?' asked Tenaka.

'The Dark Spirit is over the land, like a great shadow,' whispered the man. 'I seek the Torch-bearer, from whom all shadows flee.'

'Who is this man you seek?' persisted Tenaka.

'I don't know. Is it you?'

'I doubt it,' answered Tenaka. 'Will you eat with us?'

'My dreams told me the Torchbearer would bring me food. Is it you?'

'No.'

'There are three,' said the man. 'Of Gold, and Ice, and Shadow. One is the Torchbearer. But which one? I have a message.'

Scaler moved forward to crouch at the man's side.

'I seek the truth,' he said.

'I have the truth,' replied the mystic, extending his hand. Scaler dropped a small silver coin into his palm.

'Of Bronze you sprang, haunted and hunted, drawn on your father's path. Kin to shadow, never resting, never silent. Dark spears hover, black wings to devour. You will stand when others flee. It is in the red you carry.'

'What does it mean?' asked Tenaka. Scaler shrugged and moved away.

'Death calls me. I must answer,' whispered the mystic. 'And yet the Torchbearer is not here.'

'Give me the message, old man. I will pass it on, I promise you.'

'Dark Templars ride against the Prince of Shadows. He cannot hide, for the torch is bright against the night. But thought is faster than arrows, and truth is sharper than blades. The beasts can fall, but only the King Beyond the Gate can bring them down.'

'Is that all?' asked Tenaka.

'You are the Torchbearer,' said the man. 'Now I see you clearly. You are chosen by the Source.'

'I am the Prince of Shadows,' said Tenaka. 'But I do not follow the Source, or any god. I believe in none of them.'