Deathstalker 08 - Deathstalker Coda

always wanted to be,” said Akotai, and all the Councillors nodded. Akotai looked at Lewis. “I lead the Council, and the Council leads Mistworld. Why should we accept your leadership in the rebellion, Lewis Deathstalker? How do you justify such arrogance? With your legendary name?”
    Jesamine started to say something hot and harsh, but Lewis stopped her with a gesture. He met Akotai’s gaze calmly.
    “I lead because I have the most experience in fighting Finn and his creatures. And the most success.”
    “And then there is the matter of John Silence,” said Akotai, as though Lewis hadn’t spoken. “We know you have him on one of your ships. We have never forgotten or forgiven the things he did here, and never will. The men and women lying dead in the streets, the children burned alive in blazing buildings, the mountains of skulls the marines made to mark their victories. Have I shocked you, Deathstalker? Such atrocities were whitewashed from his legend, but we remember. He served the Iron Bitch, and served her well for many years.”
    “That was over two hundred years ago,” said Lewis.
    “No,” said Caswell. “That was yesterday.”
    “A man can change a lot, in two hundred years,” Lewis said carefully. “And we are talking about the man who led the fleet to face the forces of Shub, and the Recreated.”
    “Will that bring one dead Mistworlder back to life?” said Akotai.
    “We’ve all got pasts,” said Brett, unexpectedly. “Some of us find the strength to move beyond them. And you leave Lewis alone. He’s proven himself worthy of the Deathstalker name.”
    “How?” said Kramer. “By stealing that slut from his best friend, the King?”
    Lewis was on his feet in a moment. He grabbed Kramer by the front of his shirt, hauled him up and out of his chair, and dragged him across the table until they were face-to-face. Kramer struggled fiercely, but couldn’t break free. Lewis smiled, and Kramer suddenly froze, held by the naked threat in Lewis’s cold eyes.
    “You don’t talk that way about Jesamine,” said Lewis. “Not now, not ever. So sit down and be quiet, or I’ll do to you what I just did to the table.”
    He dropped Kramer back into his chair, and sat down again himself. Jesamine patted him gently on the arm.
    “Told you,” said Caswell. “He’s a Deathstalker.”
    “But is that enough to make him our leader?” said Gil Akotai, and again everyone’s eyes went to him. “You must understand, Lewis; I have earned my position here. A dozen years as Council leader, and a proven warrior. I was the one who trained Emma Steel, when she decided she wanted to be our first Paragon. If you are to lead here, you must prove your worth and value to us.”
    Jesamine bristled again, and Brett looked actually outraged, but Lewis just nodded calmly. “I was a Paragon on Logres, and Imperial Champion to King Douglas. I have fought off the usurper Finn’s forces, and faced the monsters on Shandrakor. I mention these things only in passing.”
    “What you may or may not have done in another place has no merit here,” said Akotai, just as calmly. “This is Mistworld, and you must prove yourself to us.”
    “We have killed soldiers and monsters,” Rose said suddenly, in her slow cold voice. “We have killed espers and ELFs and Paragons. Why should we lower ourselves to fight with such as you?”
    “Damn right!” said Jesamine. “Men! You’ll be waving your dicks at each other next.”
    “I would just like to point out that I am not in any way involved in any of this,” said Brett.
    Lewis looked at Akotai. “Do we really have to do this? Finn would laugh, to see his enemies fighting each other.”
    “This is Mistworld,” said Akotai. “We do things differently here. Make some room.”
    At this command, the other Mistworlders rose up as one and moved the ironwood table out of the way, leaving an open space in the middle of the room. The people sitting around it were forced to scatter. Brett retreated into the nearest corner, holding Rose before him as a shield. Jesamine made to draw her sword, but Lewis stopped her with a hand on her arm, and eased her gently but firmly out of the way. The Mistworlders formed a circle around Lewis and Akotai. The Councillor didn’t look calm or sleepy-eyed anymore. He drew his sword, a scimitar with a long curved blade. Lewis drew his sword, and suddenly they were fighting.
    Steel clashed on steel in the dimly lit room, and sparks flared up