a loop around my fingers. Their breath, their energy, their strength, drawn out of them and held for me, until I need it. Nine lives a man can live, Finn, moving from one to another, fending off death. My father did it, I'll do it. But as yet I only have seven.'
The Comitatus eyed one another. At the back women whispered; some strained to see the rings over the heads of the crowd. The silver skulls shimmered in the drug-laden air; one winked at Finn, crookedly. He bit his dry lips and tasted ket; it was salty as blood, made blurs swim in the corners of his eyes. Sweat soaked his back. The chamber was unbearably hot; high in the rafters rats peered down, and a bat flicked out and back into the darkness. Unnoticed, in one corner, three children dug in the pile of grain.
Jormanric heaved himself up. He was a huge man, a head higher than anyone else. He looked down at Finn. 'A loyal man would offer this woman's life to his leader.'
Silence.
There was no way out. Finn knew he would have to do it. He glanced at the Maestra. She looked back, pale, her face gaunt.
But Keiro's cool voice broke the tension. 'A woman's life, lord? A creature of moods and folly, a frail, helpless thing?'
She didn't look helpless. She looked furious, and Finn cursed her for it. Why couldn't she sob and beg and whimper! As if she sensed him, she dropped her head, but every inch of her was stiff with pride.
Keiro waved a graceful hand. 'Not much strength for a man to covet, but if you want it, its yours.'
This was too dangerous. Finn was appalled. No one teased Jormanric. No one made him look ridiculous. He wouldn't be so far gone on ket not to feel that thrust. If you want it. If you're that desperate. Some of the warband understood. Zoma and Amoz exchanged covert smiles.
Jormanric glowered. He looked at the woman and she glared back. Then he spat out the red weed and reached for his sword.
'I'm not as choosy as preening boys,' he snarled.
Finn stepped forward. For a moment he wanted only to drag the woman away, but Keiro had his arm in a grip of iron and Jormanric had turned to the Maestra; his sword was at her neck, the sharp point whitening the delicate skin under her chin, straining her head upward. It was over. Whatever she knew, Finn thought bitterly, he would never find it out now.
A door slammed at the back.
An acid voice snapped, 'Her life is worthless, man. Give her to the boy. Anyone who lies down before death is either a fool or a visionary. Either way, he deserves his reward.'
The crowd parted hastily. A small man strode through, his clothes the dark green of the
Sapienti. He was old but upright, and even the Comitatus moved aside for him. He came and stood by Finn; Jormanric looked down at him heavily.
'Gildas. What does it matter to you?'
'Do as I say.' The old man's voice was harsh; he spoke as if to a child. 'You'll get your last two lives soon enough. But she'—he jerked his thumb at the woman—'won't be one of them.'
Anyone else would be dead. Anyone else would have been hauled out and hung down the shaft by his heels while rats ate his insides. But after a second Jormanric lowered the sword. 'You promise me.'
'I promise you.'
'The promises of the Wise should not be broken.' The old man said, 'They won't be.'
Jormanric looked at him. Then he sheathed the sword. 'Take her.'
The woman gasped.
Gildas stared at her irritably. When she didn't move, he grabbed her arm and pulled her near. 'Get her out of here,' he muttered.
Finn hesitated, but Keiro moved at once, pushing the woman hastily through the crowd.
The old mans grip, fast as a claw, caught Finn's arm. 'Was there a vision?'
'Nothing important.'
'I'll be the judge of that.' Gildas looked after Keiro, then back. His small black eyes were alert; they moved with a restless intelligence. 'I want every detail, boy.' He glanced down at the bird-mark on Finn's wrist. Then he let go.
Instantly Finn pushed through the crowd and out.
The woman was waiting out in the Den, ignoring Keiro. She turned and stalked in front of
Finn back to the tiny cell in the corner and he motioned the guard away with one jerk of his head.
The Maestra turned. 'What sort of Scum hole is this?' she hissed.
'Listen. You're alive ...'
'No thanks to you.' She drew herself up; she was taller than he was, and her anger was venomous. 'Whatever you want from me, you can forget it. You murderers can rot in hell.'
Behind him, Keiro leaned on the doorframe, grinning. 'Some people have absolutely no gratitude,' he said.
4
Finally, when all was ready, Manor convened the council of the Sapienti and asked for volunteers. They must be prepared to leave family and friends forever. To turn their backs on the green grass, the trees, the light of the sun. Never again to see the stars. I 'We are the Wise,' he said. 'The responsibility for success is ours. We must send our finest minds to guide the inmates.' At the appointed hour, as he approached the chamber of the Gate, they say he murmured his fear that it would be empty. I He opened the door. Seventy men and women were waiting for him. In great ceremony, they entered the Prison.
They were never seen again.
That evening the Warden held a dinner for his honored guest.
The long table was dressed with a magnificent service of silver, the goblets and plates engraved with linked swans. Claudia wore a dress of red silk with a lace bodice and sat opposite Lord Evian, while her father at the head of the table ate sparingly and spoke quietly, his calm gaze moving over the nervous guests.
All their neighbors and tenants had obeyed the summons. And that's what it was, Claudia thought grimly, because when the Warden of Incarceron invited, there was no refusal.
Even Mistress Sylvia, who must be nearly two hundred, flirted and made mincing conversation with the bored young lord next to her.
As Claudia watched, the young lord carefully stifled a yawn. He caught her eye. She smiled at him sweetly. Then she winked and he stared. She knew she shouldn't tease him; he was one of her father's attendants, and the Wardens daughter would be far above him. Still, she was bored too.
After the endless courses of fish and peacock and roast boar and sweetmeats, there was dancing, the musicians up in a candlelit gallery above the smoky hall. Ducking under the raised arms of the long line of dancers she wondered suddenly if the instruments were accurate—surely violas were from a later period? That came of leaving details to Ralph.
The old retainer was an excellent servant, but his research was sometimes hurried. When her father wasn't here, she didn't care. But the Warden was precise about detail.
It was well after midnight when she finally saw the last guests to their carriage and stood alone on the steps of the manor. Behind her, two link-boys waited sleepily, their torches guttering in the breeze.
'Go to bed,' she said without turning. The glimmer and crackle of the flames faded. The night was quiet.
