News from the east had not yet reached Sartain in reliable form. That there had been a big battle between Nieroda and the Mindak was common knowledge, but no two accounts agreed as to site, outcome, or the part the Great Sword had played. The battle at the Karato and that at Kacalief had become confused. And as to the disappearance of Kimach Faulstich, they had outdistanced that news entirely.
Sartain was little concerned with happenings in faraway places. It had excitement enough at home.
The contest for the Fray Magistery had the whole city on tenterhooks.
Balloting had begun. Each tally shifted more and more in favor of Gerdes Mulenex. Bookmakers were giving odds that he would receive the requisite majority in the next poll.
The citizenry were not pleased, but neither were they afraid. While occupied by Klutho Misplaer the Raftery had impinged on their lives not at all. They could foresee no potential danger from any successor. Elgar had far more effect on everyday life.
His were the laws that ruled their days. His were the dreams that shaped the Queen City. His was the voice to which people listened.
"Much as I hate the idea," Rogala said, "we'd better announce ourselves tomorrow. We can't let Mulenex's play for the Raftery go unchallenged."
"Uhm." Gathrid felt he had enough evidence to abort Mulenex's election. He need but present the details he had learned from the sorcerer in Torun.
"One more cup of wine, then a last sleep in freedom."
"One more," Gathrid agreed. When the wine arrived, he touched cups with his esquire.
Tomorrow he would become Chosen of Suchara once more. He did not look forward to resuming the role.
Hildreth's messengers located them while they tarried over breakfast, loathe to plunge into the cesspool of Brotherhood politics. The chief messenger was a man Gathrid remembered as having been among the Count's escort during their tete-a-tete in the Alliance camp. He delivered a terse letter. It asked them to accompany the officer to the Raftery, where Count Cuneo would meet them.
It was signed with a squiggle Gathrid assumed to be Hildreth's personal chop.
"Give us a minute to collect our gear," Rogala said, after struggling through Old Petralian much changed since last he had had to read the language. "We don't own much more than what we're wearing, so what little we do have we like to keep with us." He hurried off.
The dwarf was gone five minutes. During four of those minutes the messenger looked like a man trying to make up his mind. Finally, he asked, "How can you be poor?"
The question so surprised Gathrid that he laughed. Then he became serious. It was a valid query.
Why were he and Theis habitually short of funds? They could take whatever they wanted. How many men had he slain? He had not plundered a one but Alfeld, and his swag bag he had left at Suftko's.
Seldom had he seen Rogala loot, and then only for small amounts. Just enough to get by. Curious.
"Lieutenant, I can't answer you. I never thought about it before. Theis," he said as die dwarf returned, "how come we're not rich?"
"Our employer doesn't pay very well. Let's get rolling."
Count Cuneo met them at the base of the Hundred Steps, among the Winged Victories of Chrismer, in the shadows of the pitted and tottering Pillars of Empire that at one time had honored Chrismer's share of the tributary principalities. It was there that Tureck Aarant had at last overcome Chrismer, after battling his way through an island-rocking storm of wizardry.
Daubendiek remembered the day. Aarant did too. The Sword hummed. Aarant radiated a diffuse unhappiness. Gathrid wondered if Hildreth had chosen the meeting place because he suspected what even Rogala did not, that Tureck Aarant had returned.
The Count had aged, but was as hard-willed as ever. "I'm afraid we're too late," he said, ignoring the amenities. "He must have heard you were here. He got the balloting moved up today. I'd really hoped you could do something to stop him."
"I could stop him cold," Gathrid replied. "I know things he doesn't believe anyone else alive knows. But I'm surprised either of you cares."
Hildreth shrugged. "I don't like what you are, and I don't like what you've done. But that business in the east did give us a respite. The pity is, we've wasted it. We've turned on one another. The Alliance is dead."
"Deader than you realize. Why don't we see what we can do? Maybe a few care who they elect."
Gathrid began the climb to the Raftery. He was mildly surprised to discover that Count Cuneo no longer awed him.
"You've grown," Hildreth said. "Come of age, perhaps." The Count's years showed in his heavy breathing. "Been tempered in the fires of Hell, I think, would be an appropriate observation." A
few steps onward, Gathrid added, "You should meet the Mindak, Count. You'd make good friends if you weren't in one another's way." "Could be. He looks more honorable than most of my so-called allies."
"But a bit mad. A bit mad."
"But you all are," Gacioch said.
"What the hell is that?" Hildreth demanded.
Gathrid had become so accustomed to the demon's irreverence that he habitually ignored it. He had forgotten the creature completely this morning. , Gacioch continued, "If you weren't.all insane, you'd be off somewhere with fishing poles, a jug of wine, or a woman. You know damned well the world can go to hell without you. It's good at that."
"What is it?" Hildreth asked again.
"A demon's head. I captured it in Ventimiglia. Theis took a shine to it." He winced. Loida had been fond of the head, too. They had spent many an hour fencing with insults.
"Is it wise to have him around? He served your enemies."
"He's been more help than trouble. Usually he doesn't get involved."
"You've got some new ghosts, haven't you?"
Hildreth was perceptive. "Too many. Way too many." They reached a portico surrounding the Raftery, that once had been the Palace of Chrismer. Surly men in red tried to keep them from entering.
Gathrid rested a hand on the hilt of the Sword. They parted.
That's real power, he thought. But how much longer would Daubendiek tolerate being used only as a threat?
Hildreth muttered, "I'd like to see those boys go through the Brotherhood entry test again. The only power they can handle is muscle power."
Delegates from the five Orders packed the Grand Forum of the Raftery, their robes forming rainbow stripes. Gathrid saw just one empty seat. That was the throne of the Fray Magister.
In days of yore it had been Chrismer's audience throne.
The waterfall roar of voices diminished as people recognized the Swordbearer. Gerdes Mulenex met Gathrid's eye. His face became as red as his robe. He controlled himself, managed a half-mocking bow.
"I don't know what you can do," Hildreth whispered. "But try something. You're the last hope. For the Raftery and the Empire."
Gathrid descended the worn marble steps leading to the main floor. The delegates were seated on benches surrounding that, rising stadium fashion. The handful of men down on the circular floor appeared to be the leaders of factions, negotiating deals.
Gathrid walked across that floor and mounted the small, circular speaker's rostrum. Mulenex sputtered, but did not stop him. He turned slowly, surveyed the silent gathering.
Daubendiek moaned. The audience heard, but appeared more interested in the other blade. It whined as well, at a higher pitch.
Gathrid said, "On the spot where I stand, where the bloodstains remain to remind us of the cost of not questioning the follies we hear, the Winged Tempter perished at the hand of my predecessor."