The Ruby Knight

though.’
    ‘We’ll talk about it later – when Bergsten’s at prayers.’
    ‘This is the command of the Church!’ the Patriarch of Emsat roared. ‘The Church Knights will join us in this holy mission. The Eshandist heresy is an offence against God. It will die on the rocky plains of Arcium. As God gives us strength, my children, let us proceed with this great work that we are about.’ He wheeled his horse to face south. ‘Don’t forget your gauntlet, Sir Sparhawk,’ he said over his shoulder. ‘You might need it when we get to Arcium.’
    ‘Yes, Your Grace,’ Sparhawk replied through clenched teeth.

Chapter 21

    Promptly at noon, King Soros of Pelosia called a halt. He instructed his servants to erect his pavilion, and he and his private chaplain retired inside for noon prayers.
    ‘Choir-boy,’ King Wargun muttered under his breath. ‘Bergsten!’ he bellowed.
    ‘Right here, Your Majesty,’ the militaristic Patriarch said mildly from behind his king.
    ‘Have you recovered from your spate of bad temper yet?’
    ‘I wasn’t really bad tempered, Your Majesty. I was merely trying to save lives – yours included.’
    ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
    ‘Had you been foolish enough to accept Sir Sparhawk’s challenge, you’d be dining in Heaven tonight – or supping in Hell, depending on Divine Judgement.’
    ‘That’s direct enough.’
    ‘Sir Sparhawk’s reputation precedes him, Your Majesty, and you would be no match for him. Now, what was it you had on your mind?’
    ‘How far is Lamorkand from here?’
    ‘The south end of the lake, My Lord – about two days.’
    ‘And the closest Lamork city?’
    ‘That would be Agnak, Your Majesty. It’s just across the border and a bit to the east.’
    ‘All right. We’ll go there then. I want to get Soros out of his own country and away from all these religious shrines. If he stops to pray one more time, I’m going to strangle him. We’ll pick up the bulk of the army late today. They’re already marching south. I’m going to send Soros on down to mobilize the Lamork barons. You go with him, and if he tries to pray more than once a day, you have my permission to brain him.’
    ‘That could have some interesting political ramifications, Your Majesty,’ Bergsten noted.
    ‘Lie about it,’ Wargun growled. ‘Say it was an accident.’
    ‘How can you brain somebody by accident?’
    ‘Think something up. Now, listen to me, Bergsten. I need those Lamorks. Don’t let Soros get side-tracked on some religious pilgrimage. Keep him moving. Quote sacred texts to him if you have to. Pick up every Lamork you can lay your hands on and then swing into Elenia. I’ll meet you on the Arcian border. I’ve got to go to Acie in Deira. Obler’s called a council of war.’ He looked around. ‘Sparhawk,’ he said disgustedly, ‘go someplace and pray. A Church Knight should be above eavesdropping.’
    ‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ Sparhawk replied.
    ‘That’s a very ugly horse you’ve got there, you know?’ Wargun said, looking critically at Faran.
    ‘We’re a matched set, Your Majesty.’
    ‘I’d be careful, King Wargun,’ Kalten advised over his shoulder as he and Sparhawk started back to where their friends had dismounted. ‘He bites.’
    ‘Which one? Sparhawk or the horse?’
    ‘Take your pick, Your Majesty.’
    The two swung down from their horses and joined their friends. ‘What’s Ghwerig doing?’ Sparhawk asked Flute.
    ‘He’s still hiding,’ the little girl replied. ‘At least I think he is. Bhelliom’s not moving. He’s probably going to wait until dark before he starts out again.’
    Sparhawk grunted.
    Kalten looked at Ulath. ‘What’s the story behind Bergsten?’ he asked. ‘I’ve never seen a churchman in armour before.’
    ‘He used to be a Genidian Knight,’ Ulath replied. ‘He’d be Preceptor by now if he hadn’t entered the priesthood.’
    Kalten nodded. ‘He did seem to be carrying that axe as if he knew how to use it. Isn’t it a bit unusual for a member of one of the militant orders to take the cloth?’
    ‘Not that unusual, Kalten,’ Bevier disagreed from nearby. ‘A fair number of the high churchmen in Arcium used to be Cyrinics. Someday I myself may leave our order so that I can serve God more personally.’
    ‘We’re going to have to find some nice accommodating girl for that boy, Sparhawk,’ Ulath muttered. ‘Let’s get him involved in some serious sin so that he gives up that notion.