[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
dastardly and in the interests of King Casmir-but you know this already, and
perhaps you can guess what is wanted of us. Still, I prefer to avoid an exact
definition of our goal until we have proceeded somewhat further. But this I
can tell you: if we succeed, we gain great rewards, and will never need to rob
or plunder again, save for recreation.
Este asked: All very well, but what are these rewards? A few more gold
pieces?
Not so. As for myself, I will be restored to the barony of Falonges. Each of
you may expect the rank and estate of a knight, in a district of your own
choosing. Such, at least, is my understanding.
Well then, what next? asked Este.
The program is simple: you need only obey my orders.
That is, perhaps, a trifle too simple. After all, we are not fresh recruits.
The details are these: tomorrow we set off across the mountains to a place of
rendezvous with others of our ilk. There we shall take advice and perfect our
plans. At last we shall act, and if we do our work with decision, we are
done.
Galgus said sardonically: Nothing could be more expeditious, as you explain
it.
Cory paid him no heed. Listen now to me. My demands are few. I ask neither
love, nor flattery, nor special favors. I require discipline and obedience to
Page 135
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
my commands, in exactitude. There must be no hesitant questions, nor
arguments, nor murmuring doubts. You are as horrid a band of brutes as ever
haunted a nightmare-but I am more vicious than all five together-if my orders
are disobeyed. So then-here and now! Anyone who finds the program beyond his
scope may take his leave;
it is now or never! Travec, do you accept my regulations?
I am a Black Eagle of the Carpathians! No man is my master!
file:///F|/rah/Jack%20Vance/Vance,%20Jack%20-%20Elder%20Isles%203%20-%20Madouc
.txt (129 of 256) [1/17/03 8:02:29 PM]
file:///F|/rah/Jack%20Vance/Vance,%20Jack%20-%20Elder%20Isles%203%20-%20Madouc
.txt
During this venture, I am your master. Accept this fact, or go your own way.
If all the others agree, I will abide by your regulations.
Este?
I accept the conditions. After all, someone must lead.
Exactly so. Izmael?
I will abide by the rule.
Kegan?
Ha! If I must, I must, though the ghosts of my ancestors cry out at the
indignity.
Galgus?
I submit to your leadership.
Travec the Dacian: once more to you?
You shall be the leader. I will not dispute your rule.
That is still ambiguous. Once and for all, will you or will you not obey my
command?
Travec said stonily: I will obey.
III
An hour after daybreak Cory of Falonges and his dreadful company departed the
Inn of the Dancing
Pig. Tern, the landlord s oldest son, served as their guide and led a pair of
pack-horses. He had stated that the journey would require two days only,
barring untoward incident and provided that the Atlantic gales held off the
full force of their blowing.
The column rode north, past the defile which led under Tac Tor into the Vale
of Evander and beyond, then turned into a trail that led up a steep gulch.
Back and forth wound the trail, among tumbled rocks, alder thickets, brambles
and brakes of thistle, with a small river gushing and gurgling always near at
hand. After a mile, the trail left the river to climb the hillside, traversing
back, forth, back, forth, to emerge at last on the upper face of a spur.
The company rested for a space, then continued: up the hump of the spur,
across barrens of scree, through dells shaded under cedars and pines, along
ridges with windy spaces to either side, then once more back against the base
mass of the Teach tac Teach, to climb by laborious slants and switchbacks, to
come out at last upon the high moors, to find the sun already behind the
western cloud banks. In the shelter of thirteen tall dolmens, the company made
camp for the night.
In the morning, the sun rose red in the east, while a wind from the west sent
low clouds streaming across the moor. The company of adventurers huddled close
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]