Fires of Justice

Part 19:  Purpose – Convergence

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Altairen of Kavendale woke refreshed, relaxed and hungry.  The sounds of a bustling camp, pierced by the laughter of children, came to him in his small tent.

No dream, then, he thought.  Jaranoris is truly ended.  And I have truly been moved to another world, given another mission.

My thanks for your faith in me, Lady Alethanna.

Altairen prayed his morning devotions while he dressed, finished the prayers kneeling in his tent, then went outside to search out breakfast.  He nodded at the big miller that Naliara had brought in last night, passed him and went towards the center of the camp, following the smell of roasting meat.

Altairen had gone most of the way to the cook fire when he heard the song – and froze.

At first he didn’t even notice the words, just the voice.  Pure, perfect, a sound like bells played by a master, flowing easily from note to note, lifting over every other sound in the camp, stilling those sounds . . . .

Then came the words, and Altairen knew what he was hearing – or, rather, whom.

“Music, sweet music, to sing down the stars,

“Bed down Lady Moon and call up the sun.

“Music, my prayers now, to start out my day,

“Thank you, Bragala, your song’s never done!”

Altairen’s eyes finally found her.  Naliara knelt outside her tent, head thrown back, eyes closed, singing with joy evident in every line of her body.  The girl she had introduced (via note) as Palenna, her “heart’s sister,” sat in the opening of their tent, a smile on her face, listening raptly to Naliara’s singing.

And the whole camp had fallen silent as well, listening.

Naliara sang for several minutes, apparently unaware that her voice had stilled every motion, silenced every conversation in the entire camp.

Eventually – all too soon, for her listeners – the song ended, and Naliara opened her eyes – to see the entire camp staring at her in something that approached awe.

“Liquid diamond,” breathed Garaken the dwarf.  He was standing a few feet away, beside Altairen.  “I swear, Lady . . . I had thought the legends of my people were only legends, that liquid diamond did not truly exist.  I was wrong.

“For no other phrase than ‘liquid diamond’ could ever describe such a voice!”

Naliara blushed furiously – and then the applause started, and she blushed more darkly.

Naliara was never sure where it started.  For three claps, there was just one person – then the whole camp joined in, clapping, cheering and whistling.  And it was better, more meaningful than any cheering she had ever received.  Even better than the time she had, at the command of her King, performed in the arena in his capital in front of 30,000 and more people – and they had all treated her the same as this tiny fraction of that number.

This meant so much more, and Naliara found herself crying tears of pure joy.

The tears blurred her vision, but she knew that it was Altairen who knelt in front of her – such a big grey blur could be no one else.

“I understand, now,” Altairen said softly.  He knelt in the position of deep respect, and spoke again before Naliara could protest his doing so.  “Your note said, ‘though I may sing to worship.’  And I understand.

“Naliara, I have never heard any voice so beautiful as yours in all my life.  I would beg you, Lady . . . worship to your heart’s content!”

Blushing so dark she was almost dizzy, Naliara, bowed to Altairen while kneeling – then again gave in to impulse, moved up on her knees and hugged him in thanks.  He chuckled, and hugged back.

“I need to speak to the . . . to those I’m thinking of as my command staff, after breakfast,” Altairen said when they parted.  “I’d be pleased if you’d join us, Naliara.”

Naliara blinked in surprise, and tapped her own chest, looking at him questioningly.

“Yes, you,” Altairen said.  “After all, you, too, were sent here by a God.  I suspect your part in what comes will be a large one – and I know that they place great stock in ‘Outworlders,’ as they call those of us who comes from other worlds, here.  Find me after breakfast, and I shall introduce you to the others.”

Altairen rose and left, after nodding a greeting to Palenna who had sat behind Naliara quietly the whole time.

“He likes you,” Palenna said to Naliara, as soon as the paladin had gone.  “A lot, I think.”

Naliara blushed again – but looked at Palenna hopefully.  The younger girl laughed at the exaggerated expression on her friend’s face, and said, “Yes, I’m quite sure!”

Then there was a child standing respectfully to one side, a girl of ten or so, waiting for the ladies to finish their conversation.  Naliara turned to the girl and smiled, while Palenna asked if they could do something for the girl.

“I was wonderin’ “ the girl said shyly, “if you know any songs about Arteneh?  My mommy . . . she’s sad because my Daddy died, and she . . . Arteneh is our God, and mommy wasn’t sad while you were singing . . . .”

Naliara nodded, smiled at the girl, and began to sing a tale of a game between Arteneh and Bragala, one that had led to the creation of a hymn to the God of the Greater Good.  The girl curtsied prettily and ran back to her mother, who sat some forty feet away, listening raptly.

Naliara sang, and, as Bragala intended . . . pain was lessened.

_________________________________________________

Kale Sword-breaker woke to the sun in his face, and sat up suddenly.

“Ax?” Kale said softly to his empty room.  “Are you . . . did I dream it?”

No dream, Kale Sword-breaker, came the voice of the Lord of Honor in his head.  No dream, no imagination in overdrive.  It was real.

“Wow,” Kale said, swinging his legs out of bed.  “For a moment there I was scared . . . .”

That I wouldn’t answer? Ax asked, his voice sounding light.  Or that I would?

“Yes,” Kale said – and was pleased to hear Davanek’s hearty laughter in his head.  When the laughter ended, Kale continued.  “But . . . Ax . . . my Lord Davanek, I am relieved that I wasn’t imagining things.  Very relieved.”

Thank you, Kale, Davanek said.  You and I . . . we should talk some, after you have broken your fast.

“I’ll come to the temple as soon as I’ve eaten,” Kale said.

You don’t have to be in the temple to talk to me, you know, Ax said.

“I know,” Kale said.  “I hear you now, sir.  But . . . I like it there.  And there are others to talk to . . . other people other . . . other worshippers.”

That word is hard for you, isn’t it?

“Yes, sir, it is.”  Kale finished pulling on his pants and grabbed his boots.  “But it doesn’t make sense to deny it.  I will follow you all my life, because you are a man – a God – of honor.”

Say follower, instead, Ax suggested, until you grow more comfortable with the idea of worship.  Please, I have . . . Kale, I did not expect you to come around so quickly.  I am proud and honored – and pleasantly surprised.  And I would have you be comfortable with this, as comfortable as you may be.  So . . . say follower, for now.

“As you wish, my Lord,” Kale said, grinning.

And lay off with the “my Lords”! Ax said.  I asked you to keep calling me Ax, did I not?

“You did, m’Lord Ax,” Kale said, grinning.  This felt very much – and very wonderfully – like the verbal teasing Kale used to engage in with his father.

Ax laughed again, and said, Enjoy your breakfast, Kale.  Then come to the temple, and we will talk.

The warm presence that was Davanek slipped out of Kale’s mind, and he went downstairs grinning like a loon.

He was surprised to see Dannej sitting at a table near the stairs.  She stood when he came down, and he went to join her.  There had been no time to talk last night, Dannej had been training a new cleaning girl, by the look of things, when Kale came in at around one in the morning.

“You’re up early,” Kale said, accepting a tight hug from the girl, and giving back as good as he got.  “You couldn’t have gotten to bed before three, with teaching the new girl, and it’s only nine.”

“I know,” Dannej said, sitting opposite Kale.  “But . . . well, there was no time to tell you last night, with teaching Parra the things to do.  And I did want to tell you, before I left.”

“Left?” Kale said, sounding surprised, and not happily so.  “I assumed you’d just gotten a waitress’s job.”

“No, I’ve . . . .”  Dannej shook her head, as though to clear it.  “My life is . . . yesterday, I did something I’ve thought about doing since . . . since my family was taken.

“I’ve decided to join the temple of Alethanna, Kale.  As a priestess.  The ceremony to induct me is this morning.  I’m going there as soon as we’ve had breakfast.”

As if on cue, a waitress appeared to take their orders.  Kale told the girl, over Dannej’s protests, that he would be paying for both meals.  When the waitress moved off to get their drinks, Kale stood, pulled Dannej to her feet, and hugged her more tightly.

“Congratulations, Dannej!  That’s great, and I hope you’re happy.”

“You seem . . . well, I’d thought you might be annoyed.  Or more surprised.  Because of your difficulty believing, I mean.”

“Hey, I was there, remember?” Kale said, sitting down again, but holding Dannej’s hand lightly in his own.  “And that . . . it opened doors in me, Dannej.  I’m glad that it opened doors for you, as well.”

“Oh, good,” Dannej said.  “Kale . . . I was wondering . . . after the Harvest Games, what will you do?  Will you leave Khorlan?”

“I don’t know,” Kale said.  “At this point, a lot of my life is . . . very uncertain.  Because something happened to me last night.  Something . . . .”  Kale took a deep breath.  “You aren’t the only one who has decided to follow a god, Dannej.  I don’t know what capacity I’ll serve in, but . . . last night, I found myself asking for Davanek’s help to save a life – and he answered me!  He gave me the power to save the life of a City Guardsman, he sent it through me, he showed me how to use it . . . and now I’m his follower.  I don’t know what he’ll ask of me – but I can’t imagine he’d ask anything I wouldn’t do.”

This time, it was Dannej who pulled Kale to his feet, and hugged him.  She kissed his cheek quickly, and said, “I’m very happy for you, Kale.  And I hope . . . our Gods have ever been allies.  I hope that our duties will not take us apart.”

Dannej sat quickly, and Kale realized that she was blushing, and looking at him from under her slightly too-long bangs.

“I find myself hoping the same,” Kale said quietly – but in a very serious tone of voice.  “I hope that whatever Ax – Davanek – requires of me, it doesn’t involve my leaving Khorlan.”

“Thank you,” Dannej near-whispered.

She was spared any further embarrassment by the arrival of their meal.  But when Kale went to pay the waitress, she refused to take a single copper.

“Your meals was included in the price of your room, Sword-breaker,” the waitress said.  “And Master Samfer says that Dannej’s is free because she always worked hard and well for him, and she wouldn’t have quit ’til he found someone to replace her, had he not had a girl asking last evening.  So you keep your coin, sir, and don’t you try to tip me a penny, either!”

“Oh, come on!” Kale said.  “Nobody said a word about tips included in with prices!”

“That’s perfectly true,” the waitress said.  “And let me tell you what else is true, Kale Sword-breaker; Rikas of the Guard is my older sister’s husband, and Ava’d be a widow today, were it not for you!  So any money you put on a table in front of me while you stay here goes straight to Davanek’s temple!”

Kale stood and bowed to the girl, and said, “It shall be as you say, then.  But I was honored to be able to help your sister’s husband.”

The waitress moved off, and Kale and Dannej set to eating, neither talking much during the meal.  They ate quickly, then stood together to leave.  Dannej stopped to hug Samfer, the owner of the inn, as they left, and he wished her well.

Kale felt Dannej take his hand as they started off towards the Plaza of the Gods, and he glanced sideways and smiled at her.  They walked hand in hand to the plaza, not speaking, just enjoying each other’s company.

They reached the temple of Alethanna, and there stood Quinaav, the High Priestess of Alethanna, waiting for Dannej.  Kale stopped some distance away, and hugged Dannej fiercely.  She clung for a long moment, then kissed his cheek.

“Hey, if you don’t have any specific duties,” Kale said, “Can you come to the Harvest games tomorrow?  It’d be nice to know someone I knew and cared about was in the stands, cheering me on.”

“I will ask,” Dannej said.  “But I’ll be new, and they may have things for me to do.  Still, it’s my birthday, and they might let me go because of that.”

“Hey, that’s right,” Kale said.  “What do you want for a birthday present?”

“Oh, you don’t have to – “

“I want to,” Kale said.  “But . . . well, what do you want?”

“I don’t know,” Dannej admitted.  She hesitated, then said, “I trust your judgment, Kale.  And . . . any gift from you would be wonderful.”

“So?” Kale said, smiling at those words.  “You do me honor by saying so, Dannej.”

Kale turned towards the Temple of Alethanna again, and this time offered Dannej his arm, instead of taking her hand.  The two walked to the temple gates, where Dannej sketched a small curtsy, and Kale dropped into the position of deep respect, and bowed his head in greeting.

“Good morning, Kale Sword-breaker,” Quinaav said, and touched his shoulder lightly.  “And rise.  I appreciate your respect, but you do not follow my Lady, and need not bow so.”

“I prefer it this way,” Kale said, rising.  “As I understand it, your Lady and Ax – Davanek, I’m sorry – your Lady and Davanek ally quite often.  And . . . High Priestess, I would not have been ready to follow Davanek so soon – if it weren’t for Alethanna.”

“I am pleased that my Lady’s . . . manifestation, yesterday, showed you the way, then,” Quinaav said.  “And please, Sword-breaker, call me Quinaav, unless I am acting in my office.”

“Thank you, Quinaav.  And I hope you’ll call me Kale.”  He glanced once at Dannej, and said, “I don’t know what time the Harvest Games start, tomorrow, but if there’s time beforehand, I’ll come by here.  If you aren’t busy . . . .”

“I hope to see you,” Dannej said.

“The Harvest Games start at noon,” Quinaav said.  “But contestants begin registering at nine.  You’d best be in line by ten, or you’ll be stuck with poor choices among the mock-weapons.  Even though the swords won’t start ’til two or even three, men get in early to pick their weapons.”

“Ah, okay,” Kale said.  “And I’ll want an early breakfast and then some time at the temple . . . .  Dannej, I’ll have to hope you’re in the stands, I think.  I’m sorry.”

“I understand,” Dannej said.  “And I will try to be there.”

“Best of luck tomorrow,” Quinaav said.

“My thanks, Quinaav,” Kale said, and bowed deeply.  “And farewell, ladies.”

Quinaav let Dannej watch the young man walk away for a moment, then gently turned her towards the gates.  “Come, Dannej.  Let us welcome you into my Lady’s service.”

The day before, the girl had listened to Quinaav detail the duties and requirements of an Acolyte of Alethanna with grave interest, taking in the duties she would be expected to perform as though it were food, and she starving. When Quinaav had finished, Dannej had said simply, “I will swear to your order, Priestess, if you will let me.”

Quinaav had instead sent the girl back to her employer’s inn, an acolyte with her as a return messenger, to ask how long Samfer of Khorlan thought it might take him to replace the girl.  The Gods were smiling, it seemed, as there was a girl there asking after a job just as the pair arrived.  Samfer had heard Dannej’s decision, hired the other girl on the spot, and asked Dannej to work one more night to train her.  Dannej agreed, and told the acolyte that she would come anytime after breakfast, if Quinaav so desired.  Quinaav had, on either impulse or a whim of her Goddess, told the girl only to be at the Temple by half-past ten.

Now, Quinaav stood at the center of a circle of eight other worshipper of the Lady Justice, and Dannej knelt before her, and swore to serve the Lady for life.

“I, Dannej of Rhydane, do this day dedicate my heart to Alethanna, She Who Burns For Justice.  I will follow the tenets of her priesthood, expecting no reward, fearing no consequence, for all of the days of my life.  If life be long, or death be swift, I will live and die burning with the Silver Fire of Justice.”

The girl was welcomed warmly by all present, then Quinaav herself took her to get robes, fighting clothes, and the like. She had told the girl to bathe, first, and helped her undress, looking her over with the eyes of a woman who had, long ago, been a tailor's daughter, and gauging her sizes.

Dannej luxuriated in the bath, and was still lounging when Quinaav returned with four everyday robes, one set of ceremonial robes, and three sets of fighting and training clothes.  The girl started to rise hurriedly when Quinaav returned, but the older woman laughed and told the girl to relax and enjoy the bath. Dannej had settled back slowly, and sighed happily, when she realized that Quinaav meant what she said.

“I've not had a proper bath in weeks,” Dannej said. “I've been bathing, but only late at night, when to make hot water is too much effort, and too noisy.  But this . . . hot water!”

Quinaav laughed and nodded, and sat on a bench next to the tub.

“Priestess,” Dannej said shyly, after a few moments, “may I ask you something?”

“Of course, Dannej” Quinaav replied. “And as I told Kale . . . you need address me so only if I am acting as such.  During ceremonies, and the like.  All other times, you may call me Quinaav.”

“Thank you,” Dannej said gravely. Then she asked, “Why didn't you ask me any questions, before you let me join?”

“Normally, I would have,” Quinaav admitted. “But, Dannej – you had just seen a miracle, heard our Ladies voice . . . I knew that your decision was not made lightly. Who could do so, after seeing and hearing what you did? There are things I would like to know, though, if I may ask?”

“Of course,” Dannej said.  “Of course you can ask.”

“Are there people who will miss you, Dannej?” Quinaav asked. “Is there someone you would like us to notify that you have joined our order?”

“No, Quinaav,” Dannej said quietly.  “My family is dead, as I told you.  Or missing past hope of finding them.  And I have not talked to my friends at home in so long, I doubt they'd remember more than my name, if that.  Here, I have only one friend, and you’ve met him.

“All right, Dannej,” Quinaav said, reaching out and touching the girls shoulder in sympathy.  “May I ask . . . what happened to your family?”

“They were taken by worshippers of the Dark Gods,” Dannej said.  “I don’t know why, but . . . I think they were meant for a sacrifice.  Something I learned later . . . it was close to the annual sacrifices to Jaranaset.”

“And you wish to prevent anyone else from going through that pain,” Quinaav said.  “I am glad you came to us, Dannej, as is the Lady.”

“Thank you,” Dannej said softly.  “I . . . I am glad to be accepted.  And more than merely glad!”

“One more question, then, Dannej,” Quinaav said.  “How old are you?”

“”I’m fifteen,” Dannej said.  “But tomorrow, I turn sixteen.”

“Ah, then we shall have to think of something to give you as a present,” Quinaav said.  “Is there anything special you’d like?”

“I . . . yes, but . . . .”

“No hesitation, Dannej.”  Quinaav smiled, and swung her legs over the edge of the tub to drop her feet in the water, hoping to make the girl realize she spoke as a friend, not a superior.  “You don’t deserve any less for your birthday because you are new here.  We are family now – and families celebrate one another’s birthdays.

“Now, there is obviously something you’d like.  Name it, and if it is reasonable, you shall have it.”

“Kale Sword-breaker would compete in the Harvest Games,” Dannej said.  “I told him I would attend, if I could . . . .”

“And you shall,” Quinaav said.  “From beginning to end, you shall be there – or until he is beaten, if you wish to leave then to . . . comfort him.”

Dannej looked down at the water, blushing fiercely.

“He’s a very handsome man,” Quinaav said softly.  “And the things he has done just since he came to Khorlan, and never mind the deeds he did outside the city . . . he is a good man, Dannej, that is obvious.  Your feelings for him are perfectly natural, and should not be a source of embarrassment . . . especially since, unless I miss my guess, they are returned.”

Dannej looked up sharply at that, eyes wide with hope.

“He’s very attentive to you,” Quinaav said.  “And very affectionate.  I know that he finds you beautiful, from the way he looks at you.  I believe that he cares for you, as more than a friend, from how he treats you.

“Now, I could be wrong, but I have never been wrong about this sort of thing in the past.  So there is at least hope, Dannej.”

“Thank you,” Dannej said.  “For the permission to attend the games, and for . . . for telling me that.”

“You’re welcome,” Quinaav said.  “Now, we won’t need to leave too early for the games, as we’ll have good seats – I would like to go with you, if you do not mind?”

“Of course I don’t mind!” Dannej said, sounding scandalized.  “But . . . how can you be sure we’ll have good seats?”

“There are boxes reserved for the priests and priestesses of each of the six faiths represented here in Khorlan,” Quinaav said.  “As well as for the Baron and his family, and the heads of the five major guilds.  Our box is big enough to seat a dozen – and more than that will have to stay here and work, tomorrow.  You and I may have the box all to ourselves.  Front row seats!”

“Oh, my!” Dannej said.  “So . . . Kale will see that I am there!”

“Yes, he will,” Quinaav said, and swung her legs out of the tub.  “Now, come on and get out of there, Dannej.  I need to get ready for the noon service – and you will turn into a prune, if you stay in there much longer.”

_________________________________________________

After breakfast, Naliara followed Altairen off to a small clearing near the main one, where there were three others waiting for them.  He quickly introduced her to the cleric Kayleen, of the Order of Arteneh, her sister, the duelist Kaylira, the rogue Terel, and the former mercenary Wellin, who was now pledged to assist Altairen in his guest to oppose the dark Gods.

“Naliara, too, is an Outworlder,” Altairen said by way of introduction.  “She was sent by her god to introduce us to his ways – which, as those of you with ears already know, are the ways of song – and music, I suspect?”

Naliara nodded, and bowed deeply to each of the others.  Both of the men and Kaylira returned her bow (the rogue Terel with an almost comic flourish), and the cleric Kayleen returned the bow with something that was half-bow, half-curtsy.

“Thanks to the hunters in the group, and those who know plants,” Altairen said, “we are now assured of having enough to eat.  The people in the group all seem determined to follow me – us, if you would – in this quest to oppose the darkness.

“My question is simple; where do we go from here?  There are a thousand things that need be done.  The question is, where can we go to do them?  Where should we start?  We need money, much money.  How do we get it?  In my own world, I once led a country in uprising against a government that endorsed slavery.  Money was easy, then – we took the coin used to purchase the slaves we freed.

“Now . . . money.  And knowledge of a place remote enough to grant us some safety from those who will surely be angered by our beliefs – but not so remote as to make us inaccessible to those who would join us.

“Any thoughts on either need?”

“I can steal quite a bit, if we get to a city where the dark ones are . . . influential.”  Terel tried to look innocent, but the grin he wore made that impossible.  “I’ve always thought that, with a tiny bit of clerical help, I could get into – and out of! – the treasury of a temple of Sebek.”

“I think we’ll have to put a hold on that one,” Kayleen said.  “Arteneh has little use for Sebek, granted – but I don’t think he’d approve of me helping you rob Sebek’s temple.”

“What about Jaranaset’s temple, then?”

Kayleen just laughed, and shook her head.  “No, Terel.  I cannot help you that way.

“Instead, I suggest we make for Khorlan.  There are temples there to Arteneh and Alethanna, as well as Davanek and Mysarra.  My temple, at least, will certainly help us with supplies and moneys.  Altairen, I know that yours will, as well – if they can.  They have had . . . monetary difficulties, these last couple of years.”

“So I had gathered,” Altairen said.  “It is my hope that I will be able to strengthen the people’s belief in justice, and thus my Lady – and perhaps she may be restored to her rightful stature.”

“Harvest Games!” Kaylira said suddenly.  “Bloody blades, the Harvest games!  They should be today or – is it tomorrow, Kayleen?”

“Tomorrow, yes,” Kayleen said.  “And Khorlan is not that far away.  We can easily be there before three of the clock, and the gates won’t be closed before half-past five.”

“What are these Harvest Games?” Altairen asked.

“Mock combat,” Kaylira said.  “Wooden weapons, so there’s less danger of serious injury.  There’s a monetary prize in each of the four categories – bare hands, blades, blunt and polearms – and then the four winners face each other for a bigger prize.”

“Is the prize big enough to help us much?” Altairen asked doubtfully.  “We’re going to need tens of thousands of g—crowns, at least.”

“The prizes aren’t,” Terel said with a grin.  “I believe m’Lady duelist is thinking of the betting that goes on!”

“Yes,” Kaylira said.  “More, I’m thinking of what you did not see last night, Terel.  I’m thinking that these contests – and they are common all over the world, Altairen – almost always go to either swords or polearms.  Occasionally to blunt category, but not very frequently.  And never, ever have I heard of a bare-hander taking the prize.  The bets would have to pay off hugely.”

“Who could possibly expect to take the prize bare-handed against weapons?” Terel asked.

“The same man who deliberately sheathed his swords and went bare handed against a man carrying two real swords last night,” Kaylira said.  “Altairen, could you do that again, or was that luck?”

“Deliberately sheathed – ?!” Terel said, before Altairen could answer.  “Oh, Fareel, you have truly dropped me in the company of madmen – and I thank you for ensuring I won’t be bored!”

“I can do it,” Altairen said.  “Against mock weapons, it should be only slightly harder than practice.”

“Then we can make a very large sum, if we’re careful about the bets, and how much we place where,” Kaylira said.  “And if more than one of us enters . . . .”

“You would enter the swords game, then?” Terel asked, and faked pop-eyed surprise when she nodded.  “My one great skill is with a sling, so I fear that I cannot help.  Any others?”

Naliara didn’t answer with words – of course – but instead snapped the staff she was leaning against out suddenly from under herself, and fired off a series of attacks that missed by inches each of the others in the circle.  Only Kaylira had her weapon even partly drawn before Naliara would have struck, and all stared at her in astonishment.

“Is a quarterstaff considered a blunt weapon or a polearm?” Altairen asked Kaylira – and Naliara had to clamp her hands over her mouth to keep from laughing.

“Polearm,” Kaylira replied, staring at Naliara with new respect.  “Okay, that’s three categories we’ve got entries for.  And I warn you, I won’t take a prize.  Bets on me should be for me to get to the quarter-finals, maybe the semi-finals.  Not to win or even take second.”

“Oddly humble, for a duelist,” Wellin said, grinning at her.  “I like it.”

“We fight for the Gods of the Light,” Kaylira said.  “I can’t exactly do that by lying to those I trust, and who trust me, now can I?”

“No, and I suppose your sister was a bad influence on you,” Terel said, smiling to take the sting from the words.  “From a duelist’s point of view, I mean.”

“I tried to be,” Kayleen said.  “And I think I have an idea about how you may help, Terel, since you’ve no great skill at arms.  You can spend tonight finding out who the most reliable oddsmen are, and tomorrow you can handle making our bets.”

“I shall do so gladly,” Terel said.

“Very well, then,” Altairen said, and clapped his hands.  “Let us get everyone together, and get on the road.  Khorlan awaits – and I would attend services at my Lady’s temple tonight.

“It has been a long time since I enjoyed the ceremonies of those who worship Alethanna.”

“Oh, darkspit,” sighed Kayleen.  “Altairen, it may not be a good idea for you to fight in the games.”

“What?”  Altairen looked shockd.  “Lady, I assure you, I will not fail.”

“Not that, Altairen.”  Kayleen smiled, and said, “I have reason to know your skill, sir, and to appreciate it.  However . . . I think you may wish to be subtle, for a time?  Less than famous?”

“It would be best, yes.  Let them come to fear me before the truly know what I am, and what I am capable of . . . and the Dark shall fear me more than they would if they knew me well.”

“Oh, orc dung,” Kaylira said, suddenly understanding where her sister was going.  “Altairen, the games are played bare-chested, unless you’re a woman.”

Naliara’s face had gone comically distressed at the beginning of that sentence, and even more exaggeratedly relieved at it’s end.  Watching her, Altairen failed to understand the significance of what the sisters were saying.

“And that’s a problem . . . why?” Terel asked.

“Oh, you didn’t see, that’s right,” Kaylira said.  “You were inside.  Altairen, show him your . . . badges of office.”

“Oh,” Altairen said, suddenly understanding.  “Damnation, I had forgotten . . . I’ve worn them for almost half my life.  They are a part of me, and I forget how . . . distinctive they make me.”

As he spoke, Altairen pulled his tunic off, and all could now see the silver tattoos he bore on his chest, back, and arms.

“Great Lockley’s missing hand!” Terel said, peering with extreme delight at the tattoos Altairen wore.  He reached a finger out, and when Altairen did not object, trace the fiery sword on the bigger man’s right forearm.  “Why, Sir Paladin, if I were you I’d not go unescorted in certain towns – you might be killed for the silver in your hide!”

“You see why he cannot fight in the Harvest Games, though,” Kaylira said.  “Can’t even hide them magically, they have a wizard test all the contestants for magic before they go in, to prevent cheating, and they dispel what they find, and disqualify you from the game.”

“No, don’t worry about it,” Terel said offhandedly.  “I can take care of it.  I know a bit about disguise, and changing skin tones and whatnot.  I’m sure that, given a couple of hours in the morning, I can do . . . something.  I’ll pick up the makeup once we’re in town . . . it will be fine.”

“Excellent,” Altairen said.  He clapped the rogue on the back, and said, “Well, then . . . let’s make for Khorlan.”

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