Heritage Of Hastur

DomFelix said unsteadily, “I have never had reason to doubt Lord Alton’s honor or goodwill. Then Danilo is not in Thendara?”

One of the Guards, a grizzled veteran, said, “You know me, sir, I served with Rafael in the war, sixteen years gone. I kept an eye on young Dani for his sake. I give you my word, sir, Dani isn’t there, with Comyn co

The old man’s face gradually paled to its normal hue. He said, “Then Danilo did not run away to join you, Lord Regis?”

“On my honor, sir, he did not. I saw him last when we parted in your own orchard. Tell me, how did he go, did he leave no word?”

The old man’s face was clay-colored. “I saw nothing. Dani had been hunting; I was not well and had kept my bed. I said to him I had a fancy for some birds for supper, the Gods forgive me, and he took a hawk and went for them, such a good obedient son—” His voice broke. “It grew late and he did not return. I had begun to wonder if his horse had gone lame, or he’d gone on some boy’s prank, and then old Mauris and the kitchen-folk came ru

Gabriel looked puzzled and dismayed. “On my word, DomFelix, none of us had art, part or knowledge of it What hour was this? Yesterday? The day before?”

“The day before, Captain. I swooned away at the news. But as soon as my old bones would bear me I took horse to come and hold … someone to account … ” His voice faded again. Regis drew his own horse close to DomFelix and took his arm. He said impulsively, “Uncle,” using the same word he used to Ke

When it had been brought and DomFelix had drunk a little, Regis sat beside him, near the cold hearth.

“Lord Regis, your pardon … ”

“None needed. You have been sorely tried, sir.”

“Rafael … ”

“Sir, as my father held your elder son dear, I tell you Danilo’s safety and honor are as dear to me as my own.” He looked up as the Guardsmen came into the hall. “What news, Gabriel?”

“We looked over the ground where he was taken. The ground was trampled and he had laid about him with his dagger.”

“Hawking, he had no other weapon.”

“They cut off sheath and all.” Gabriel handed DomFelix the weapon. He drew it forth a little way, saw the Hastur crest on it. He said, “Dom Regis—”

“We swore an oath,” said Regis, drawing Danilo’s dagger from his own sheath where he wore it, “and exchanged blades, in token of it.” He took the dagger with the Hastur crest, saying, “I will bear this to restore to him. Did you see anything else, Gabriel?”

One of the Guardsmen said, “I found this on the ground, torn off in the fight. He must have fought valiantly for a young lad outnumbered.” He held out a long, heavy cloak of thick colorless wool, bound with leather buckles and straps. It was much cut and slashed. DomFelix sat up a little and said, “That fashion of cloak has not been worn in the Domains in my lifetime; I believe they wear them still in the Hellers. And it is lined with marl-fur; it came from somewhere beyond the river. Mountain bandits wore such cloaks. But why Dani? We are not rich enough to ransom him, nor important enough to make him valuable as a hostage.”

Regis thought grimly that Dyan’s men came from the Hellers. Aloud he said only, “Mountain men act for whoever pays them well. Have you enemies, DomFelix?”

“No. I have dwelt in peace, farming my acres, for fifteen years.” The old man sounded stu

“No matter,” Regis said. “ DomFelix, I pledge you by the oath no Hastur may break that I shall find out who has done this to you, and restore Dani to you, or my own life stand for it.” He laid his hand over the old man’s for a moment. Then he straightened and said, “One of the Guardsmen shall remain here, to look after your lands in your son’s absence. Gabriel, you ride back with the escort to Thendara and carry this news to Ke

“Regis, I have orders to take you to Neskaya.”

“In good time. This must come first,” Regis said. “You are a Hastur, Gabriel, if only by marriage-right, and your sons are Hastur heirs. The honor of Hastur is your honor, too, and Danilo is my sworn man.”

His brother-in-law looked at him, visibly wavering. There were good things about being heir to a Domain, Regis decided like having your orders obeyed without question. He said impatiently, “I shall remain here to bear my friend’s father company, or wait at Edelweiss.”

“You ca

Gabriel’s own older sons were begi

Regis promised and, taking his leave of DomFelix, rode away. As he rode toward Edelweiss, he thought, a little triumphantly, that he had actually outwitted Gabriel. A more experienced officer would have allowed him, perhaps, to ride to Edelweiss on his promise to go directly … but he would also have made Regis give his pledge not to depart from there without leave!

His triumph was short-lived. The knowledge of what he must do was tormenting him. He had to find out where—and how—Danilo was taken. And there was only one way to do that: his matrix. He had never touched the jewel since the ill-fated experiment with kirian. It was still in the insulated bag around his neck. The memory of that twisting sickness when he looked into Lew’s matrix was still alive in him, and he was horribly afraid.

Surprisingly for these peaceful times, the gates of Edelweiss were shut and barred, and he wondered what alarm had sealed them. Fortunately most of Java

He took her hands. “Gabriel is well, and on his way to Thendara. Yes, armed men were seen at Syrtis, but I think it was a private feud, not war, little sister.”

She said shakily, “I remember so well the day Father rode to war! I was a child then, and you not born. And then word came that he was dead, with so many men, and the shock killed Mother … ”

Java

Gabriel said, “Mother said there would be war. Is there going to be war, Regis?”

“No, as far as I know, there is no war here or anywhere, and you be thankful for it,” Regis said. “Go away now, I must talk with your mother.”