The Twilight herald

'You were going to take a seat.' He indicated the bench on Jachrn's right.

A seat? Oh yes, of course. But that was… I didn't

'Sit.'

Jachen's legs started hack and he sank down on the bench, spine straight. His sword had slipped under the arm-rest of the bench and was caught; feeling foolish, Jachen tried to hide his embarrassment as he fumbled with the clasps on his scabbard before finally freeing the weapon and laying it down beside him.

Lord Isak hadn't moved. His head was cocked to one side and he had a slight smile on his lips. Finally he stepped back and eased his weight onto the corner of the oak table, which groaned and creaked alarmingly in protest.

'So, Major Jachen Ansayl, what are you doing here, apart from disturbing vital matters of state and occult importance?'

'Occult importance?' Jachen echoed. 'You said you were playing hide-and-seek.'

'Do you see a horde of children ru

'Well, no.'

'Do you expect your lord to be engaging in such childish games?'

'Of course not.'

'I was a few weeks ago.'

'()h. But you're not now?'

He smiled. Jachen felt his shoulders tense at his lord's expression, the predatory smile of a serpent. Bloody white^eyes, why do they always put me on edge? He felt his hand start to move up to his neck to tug at the high collar again, but stopped it. No need to make his nervousness

even more obvious.

'No, I'm not playing childish games. Do you know what this is?'

'I. held up what looked like a glass sphere, about the size of a normal man's fist and turned it in the rays streaming from the slit window.

Where the sunlight caught it, the object burst into a glittering display that reflec ted on the walls of the room.

Oh Gods, that's a Crystal Skull, isn't it?'

Good boy. When someone like me plays hide-and-seek, I've discovered there's rarely any fun involved. A mage called Dermeness

Chirialt is wandering the palace, trying to find me, while I use this. I'm told that cha

the battlefield every enemy mage will immediately have my position fixed in their mind. I'm guessing that won't be much fun either.'

'All No, my Iold.'

The Duke of Tirah continued to stare at Jachen as though the major where a new toy 'So are yon going to tell me why you're here?'

'Of course, my Lord, I'm sorry. I was summoned by Swordmaster Kerin for a meeting.'

'About what?'

'I don't really know. I've been working at ranger stations for tin-last few years now – as far from civilisation as Swordmaster Kerin could find. My current posting is on top of a mountain – it's not that far from the nearest town, but most Farlan don't go beyond the tree line, so 1 only have ghosts and daemons for company most of the year.' Jachen paused, a thoughtful frown turning suddenly into awakening anger. 'That bastard – he ordered me to come in here – he knows what my temper's like. He must have known you were in here and hoped I'd say something stupid.' jachen half-rose from his seat before a growl froze him midway.

'It looks like he was right.'

Jachen sank back down. 'But we've history, he and I. My posting wasn't the first punishment I've had since- Well, since things went bad. This is just like Kerin to let me get myself into trouble, but I can't believe he-'

Lord Isak slammed his palm against the tabletop beside him. Jachen blinked. He'd not even seen the white-eye's hand move.

'Despite what you may believe, not every action is solely about you.' He slipped from the table and advanced around the central pews:. 'According to some people, the same ca

Jachen nodded dumbly.

'Good. How old are you?'

'1- Thirty-seven summers, my Lord.'

'Thirty-seven eh? You share that with Count Vesna at least, though you look older. Still, you're younger than the last, which can't be a bad thing.'

'The last what? Count Vesna? My Lord, I doubt many nun in this palace would think I had anything in common with Countt Vesna '

'Kerin obviously does.'

'My Lord, I don't mean to be rude, but I have no idea what you're talking about.'

'Clearly not.' Iord Isak pointed to Jachen's throat, 'Loosen that top button. Perhaps you'll think a little clearer with some blood reaching your head.'

Jachen flushed as he followed Isak's instruction.

The white-eye beamed. 'See, your colour's returning already. Divinely granted infallibility is a wonderful thing.'

'Infallibility?' Jachen said, trying to catch up with the conversation. 'Again, my Lord, I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think such a thiing has been recognised by the Cult of Nartis.'

'Damn. Really? I'm finding it hard to tell whether I'm always right, or whether most people simply have more sense than to argue with a seven-foot giant capable of ripping a man apart with his bare hands and burning whatever is left to ashes.' He advanced a couple of paces, close enough to reach out and touch Jachen, and peered down to inspect him.

Jachen couldn't swallow. His throat was suddenly too dry.

'Perhaps you're right after all; your colour seems to have gone again. I must have been wrong.' He stepped back and smiled. 'Now consider this: over the last day, I have met with four men, all sent to me by Swordmaster Kerin. All of them have excellent service records, proven skills of leadership and useful political co

'I – I imagine you need to have a new commander of your guard.' |achen paused. 'Oh Gods.'

'A new commander!' exclaimed Lord Isak with affected delight. Correct! I must have been right about the collar after all. Now, what do you think Swordmaster Kerin was doing when he presented men who irritated me beyond measure?' He raised his finger – as white as a bone in moonlight – and began pacing, looking for all the world like a schoolmaster lecturing an errant pupil, rather than one of the most powerful men in the Land.

'Firstly, Scion Cormeh, who will soon be Suzerain Cormeh, from what I bear. I could tell from his expression that the pious little shit disapproved of my cursing; he was lucky to get out of the room without being strangled. Next, a knight from Foleh, who lacked any personal¬ity, nodded at everything and managed no more than three words in any given sentence. I can't trust any man who's going to follow every order I give without question – I am a bloody white-eye, after all.'

Jachen fIroze. Gods, I didn't say it out loud, did 1?

Lord Isak turned like a sergeant on the parade ground and con-tinued his, lecture Then there was the colonel with the ridiculous

moustache. Despite Kerin's recommendation, the man was a complete idiot. He obviously considered my opinions worthless because I was less than half his age. The last one was… well, he was ugly. Very ugly. Face like a ten-week-old side of lamb. It a

Lord Isak glanced towards the door. Jachen followed the movement, but he saw nothing untoward. The door remained steadfastly shut and he could hear nothing beyond it. When he returned his attention to Lord Isak, the white-eye was scrutinising him again.

'Kerin gave me those four, then you. You don't really fit with the rest of the list, so why?'

'I don't know,' Jachen said with feeling. 'The Swordmaster knows I have done some things right in my life, though he's no great admirer. I led a night assault on a castle. I saved the life of the former Suzerain Danva, who showed his gratitude by buying me my commission. I also served as his hurscal for a year.'