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Sir Terent s jaw bulged and he turned on the master of arms with a glare.
Jealous, am I? You must be afflicted with heatstroke. I had his promise that
he d come straight here and stay out of mischief. How can I protect him when
he
But you did protect me, Dain broke in quickly. You stood against Sir
Damiend exactly when I
needed you.
Sir Terent grunted, looking unappeased. That white-livered church knight with
his holy airs. I d like to run my sword up his pious
Your pardon, sirs, interrupted a young page. Dressed in the king s livery,
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his long brown curls reaching to his shoulders, the page bowed to Dain. If it
pleases you, my lord, the king requests your presence at the sword contest.
Dain blinked, thrilled anew by the honor extended to him.
Thum grinned. Aye! You re in favor, right enough. Run to
Nay! Sir Terent said sharply. No chevard of Thirst runs hither and yon like
a squire.
Sir Polquin scowled at Dain. And you not cleaned up, looking no better than
a
Stop fussing at him and help me strip off this mail, Sir Terent said.
Horrified, Dain backed up a step. You won t undress me out here!
Sir Polquin froze with an arrested look on his craggy face, then began to
laugh. Thod s bones, the lad s right.
Sir Terent laughed with him. The two men slapped each other on the back and
howled with mirth.
Dain glared at them both, then exchanged a puzzled glance with Thum.
The page, meanwhile, was hopping impatiently from one foot to the other. If
you please, he said.
The king awaits.
Of course, Dain replied, striding forward with his hand resting casually on
his sword hilt. Sir
Terent, he said over his shoulder, will you attend me please?
Still chuckling, Sir Terent broke away and came hurrying after him. Dain tried
to keep what small amount of dignity he had left as he crossed the enclosure
in his ill-fitting hauberk, his brass spurs ringing softly with every step.
He was let out between the gates, passed through a ready pen, and made his way
among the stream of people still emptying the stands.
Make way! the page shouted imperiously. His shrill, assured voice and
crimson livery made up for his diminutive size.
Dain followed in his wake, conscious of people staring and pointing at him.
He s eldin!
Look at those eyes no, don t! They ll put a spell on us.
He defeated the prince.
Isn t he handsome?
Well done, boy!
Someone whistled. A few people jeered. Others applauded him.
Embarrassed, Dain hurried along as fast as he could without stepping on the
page in front of him.
Up ahead, he could see a square that had been roped off in the meadow beyond
the tourney enclosure. It seemed that all the town and more now gathered out
here. An impromptu fair was going on already, with merry piping of music and
acrobats leaping and cavorting for the crowd s amusement.
Children darted here and there among the thronging adults. Ruffians with sharp
faces and sharper eyes sought the gullible for their con games. Ale-soaked
laborers, flushed with mer-riment and the excitement of the occasion, shouted
cheers for the king.
Haughty church soldiers, clad in their white tunics and black cloaks, strolled
about in small groups, looking offended by much of what they saw. Foreign
peddlers called out their wares, hawking them shamelessly. Beggars reached out
filthy hands, pleading for alms with tremulous voices until the guards chased
them away.
And through all this tumult, the king strolled with members of his court.
Clearly enjoying himself at this festival in his honor, the king looked at
ease among the commoners. Smiling as his subjects cheered him, he stopped
occasionally to speak to men and women alike. Sometimes he threw coins, then
laughed as people scurried and fought over them.
Dain smiled as he watched until a sudden prickle of unease crawled along his
shoulders. Instantly alert, he looked out across the sea of faces.
What s amiss? Sir Terent asked quietly. I m learning to pay heed to that
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look on your face, m lord.
Are Nonkind here?
Dain blinked at him in surprise. What makes you think so?
That look you have, all wary and tense, like you re listening to something
none of the rest of us can hear. Sir Terent frowned. But then, you being
part eld, I guess there be things that you alone hear and know. You ve shown
us that often enough now.
Dain trusted Sir Terent, but the old habits of caution had been too strongly
ingrained in him for him to confide the true extent of his abilities. Instead
he shrugged. No Nonkind. I just... Perhaps the crowd is too large for me. Too
many people are here.
Sir Terent nodded and said no more, but his eyes searched Dain s with concern
as they followed the page up to the assembly of courtiers surrounding the
king.
Gavril was not in sight. Nor was Sir Damiend or the fat man in white robes or
several others who had been present before. Relieved, Dain felt himself relax.
The king stepped inside the roped-off area and walked up to a long table. On
it were displayed a row of swords, their blades gleaming in the sun. Dain
counted forty swords, some plain, but most ornate with carving and jewels.
The chamberlain, a pudgy man with curled reddish hair and a self-important
expression, stood nearby with a sheet of parchment in his hand. No names
identified the makers of these various swords, only numbers. It seemed the
king would choose his new blade for its looks and heft alone.
Sir Terent leaned close to Dain s ear. Damne, but we forgot Lander s sword,
he whispered. He ll never forgive us for failing to include his entry.
Dain frowned. Lander s plain sword the one sent home in the baggage wagon with
Lord Odfrey s body had never really been intended for this contest. Lander s
true entry, Tanengard, was now in the hands of Gavril, and it seemed that it
would remain there.
Lord Roberd, attend me, the king commanded.
The champion joined him with a bow. How may I assist your majesty?
But the king was looking around impatiently. His gaze alighted on Dain and
brightened. You! he called out, beckoning. Come to me.
Dain hesitated, but the chamberlain gestured impatiently, and he went forward.
Sir Terent followed at his heels, until the king s protector held him back.
In all his dreams, Dain had never expected to find himself at the king s side,
here in front of so many.
The courtiers nudged each other and murmured softly. The pretty maiden with
the golden hair was not here, much to his disappointment. Instead there were
older ladies wearing painted faces and gowns so embroidered with pearls and
jewels that the skirts were stiff who stared at him with open appraisal.
Dain felt his face growing hot. He d never seen women who looked or acted like
this. His keen ears overheard their bold remarks as they made fun of his
borrowed mail or said he was handsome or speculated on what kind of lover he
would make. Dain thought them incredibly rude and cruel, and shifted his gaze
away.
Rubbing his hands together in excitement, the king glanced first at Lord
Roberd, then at Dain. You two will be my advisers today. Tell me which swords
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