The Ruby Knight

went for their swords. ‘This is a ceremony. Stand fast.’
    The shaven-headed men came forward at a stately walk, and then at some hidden signal their horses all went down on their front knees in a kind of genuflection as the riders raised their sabres to their faces in salute.
    ‘Lord!’ Kalten breathed. ‘I’ve never seen a horse do that before!’
    Faran’s ears flicked, and Sparhawk could feel him twitching irritably.
    ‘Hail, Knights of the Church,’ the leather-garbed leader intoned formally. ‘We salute you, and stand at your service.’
    ‘Can I handle this?’ Tynian suggested to Sparhawk. ‘I’ve had some experience.’
    ‘Feel free, Tynian,’ Sparhawk agreed, eyeing the pack of savage men on the hill.
    Tynian moved forward, holding his black horse in tightly so that its pace was measured and slow. ‘Gladly we greet the Peloi,’ the Deiran declaimed formally. ‘Glad also are we of this meeting, for brothers should always greet each other with respect.’
    ‘You know our ways, Sir Knight,’ the scar-headed man approved.
    ‘I have been in times past on the eastern marches, Domi,’ Tynian acknowledged.
    ‘What’s “Domi” mean?’ Kalten whispered.
    ‘An ancient Pelosian word,’ Ulath supplied. ‘It means “chief” – sort of.’
    ‘Sort of?’
    ‘It takes a long time to translate.’
    ‘Will you take salt with me, Sir Knight?’ the warrior asked.
    ‘Gladly, Domi,’ Tynian replied, stepping slowly down from his saddle. ‘And might we season it with well-roasted mutton?’ he suggested.
    ‘An excellent suggestion, Sir Knight.’
    ‘Get it,’ Sparhawk said to Talen. ‘It’s in that green pack. And don’t argue.’
    ‘I’d sooner bite out my tongue,’ Talen agreed nervously, digging into the pack.
    ‘Warm day, isn’t it?’ the Domi said conversationally, sitting cross-legged on the lush turf.
    ‘We were saying the same thing just a few minutes ago,’ Tynian agreed, also sitting.
    ‘I am Kring,’ the scarred man introduced himself, ‘Domi of this band.’
    ‘I am Tynian,’ the Deiran replied, ‘an Alcione Knight.’
    ‘I surmised as much.’
    Talen went a bit hesitantly to where the two men sat, carrying a roast leg of lamb.
    ‘Well-prepared meat,’ Kring proclaimed, unhooking a leather bag of salt from his belt. ‘The Knights of the Church eat well.’ He ripped the lamb-roast in two with teeth and fingernails and handed half to Tynian. Then he held out his leather bag. ‘Salt, brother?’ he offered.
    Tynian dipped his fingers into the bag, took out a generous pinch and sifted it over his lamb. Then he shook his fingers in the direction of the four winds.
    ‘You are well-versed in our ways, friend Tynian,’ the Domi approved, imitating the gesture. ‘And is this excellent young fellow perhaps your son?’
    ‘Ah, no, Domi,’ Tynian sighed. ‘He’s a good lad, but he’s addicted to thievery.’
    ‘Ho-ho!’ Kring laughed, fetching Talen a clap on the shoulder that sent the boy rolling. ‘Thievery is the second most honourable profession in the world – next to fighting. Are you any good, boy?’
    Talen smiled thinly, and his eyes went narrow. ‘Would you care to try me, Domi?’ he challenged, coming to his feet. ‘Protect what you can, and I’ll steal the rest.’
    The warrior rolled back his head, roaring with laughter. Talen, Sparhawk noticed, was already close to him, his hands moving fast.
    ‘All right, my young thief,’ the Domi chortled, holding his wide-spread hands out in front of him, ‘steal what you can.’
    ‘Thank you all the same, Domi,’ Talen said with a polite bow, ‘but I already have. I believe I’ve got just about everything of value you own.’
    Kring blinked and began to pat himself here and there, his eyes filled with consternation.
    Kurik groaned.
    ‘It may turn out all right after all,’ Sparhawk muttered to him.
    ‘Two brooches,’ Talen catalogued, handing them over, ‘seven rings – the one on your left thumb is really tight, you know. A gold bracelet – have that checked. I think there’s brass mixed with it. A ruby pendant – I hope you didn’t pay too much for it. It’s really an inferior stone, you know. Then there’s this jewelled dagger, and the pommel-stone off your sword.’ Talen brushed his hands together professionally.
    The Domi roared with laughter. ‘I’ll buy this boy, friend Tynian,’ he declared. ‘I’ll give you a herd of the finest horses for him and raise him as my