ancient glory. One hall, the Hall of Birds, was covered with swirling lines that twisted and turned into the shapes of birds that seemed to fly over their heads. Another was faced with marble that was polished so smooth that they could see their reflections. The polish extended to the dizzy heights of the ceiling.
When they reached the apartment assigned for their use Menish knew the others were completely lost except possibly Hrangil, but Menish recognised the passage outside. They were quite near the Imperial apartments. Vorish wanted them close by.
The apartment itself was typical of ones he had used on previous visits. There was an open courtyard with a fountain bubbling in its centre. It looked cool and refreshing. Shrubs grew in planters around the fountain and doorways led off beyond them into the rooms where they would eat and sleep.
With many courteous words, too many for Menish’s liking, their escort left them in the care of servants. There were more servants than there were guests here. For the next hour they were bathed, fed and dressed in the flowing robes of the court. They were only too pleased to shed their battle jerkins and travel-worn garments for the soft, clean clothes the Emperor had provided. Tenari allowed herself to be led away with Keashil and Olcish to be attended by women while the men were bathed by men servants. She had grown increasingly animated in the palace and, except for the tears Azkun had seen, seemed quite cheerful. She had nodded and smiled several times to the questions of the women but she did not speak.
When they returned to the courtyard they found a low table surrounded by cushions and laid with golden dishes containing cold game and fruit. Menish was pleased to see it for, as at Deenar, he was very hungry.
They looked an entirely different company now. Dressed in the court robes the Anthorians were changed from drab, unkempt figures (even Drinagish had neglected to comb his hair while he suffered with the sea retch) to gracious lords. Hrangil appeared a little uncomfortable in his blood-red robe with its broad gold border, as if he could not bring himself to approve of such extravagance of colour. Drinagish's hair had been arranged more carefully even than he usually managed himself.
At the table they met Keashil, Tenari and Olcish. Keashil looked years younger than she had an hour ago, although lines of old grief still marked her face. They had painted her eyelids in the Relanese manner and her white hair, brushed and clean now, gave her an air of wisdom rather than haggardness.
Tenari was transformed. Gone was the dirty, wretched flotsam from the Chasm with her old blue robe, her straggly hair and her blank face. Her black hair was combed back from her face and hung nearly to her waist. They had clothed her in white and gold with a silver circlet on her brow. While they were surprised at her change in looks her change in manner was astonishing. She looked at them with recognition, not a blank gaze, and laughed. It was the first time they had heard her voice.
Still laughing she threw herself at Azkun and boldly kissed him on the mouth. As she did so she pulled the golden cord from her waist and wrapped it around Azkun’s. Then she stepped back and said one word.
“Gilish.”
But she would not speak again, nor would she eat any of the food. Menish and the others ate heartily. They tried to coax her into saying more but Azkun knew they would have no success. When she had kissed him he had felt a door open and close. There was still no mind behind her now-dancing eyes.
Not long after they had eaten a servant arrived to summon Menish alone to Vorish. As he had noted earlier, they were not far from Vorish's apartments.
There were guards with halberds at the entrance to the Emperor’s apartments blocking the way, but a gesture from the servant made them open the doors and admit them.
He passed through two more doors that led him into a pillared room with a fountain supported by carved horses. There were rich hangings on the walls; tapestries, Menish knew, which dated from the time of Mishan IV, and an open window on the south wall flooded the room with light.
Vorish sat on cushions at a low table similar to the one that Menish had just eaten at. It was strewn with scrolls of parchment and broken seals. A goblet of wine lay near his elbow and he reached for it as he spoke to two Vorthenki who sat opposite him.
The Emperor was a lean man with a face as sharp as an eagle’s. His mouth was grim, almost cruel. For a Vorthenki he was not tall, but he always seemed taller than he was. His hair was blond like Althak’s but his eyes were as dark as Menish’s. Unlike the garish clothes the two Vorthenki wore he was dressed in a plain white tunic that reached to his feet and he wore no ornament except a jewelled knife on a leather belt.
His eyes searched the faces of his listeners as he spoke to them, weighing, measuring them always. It was said that the Emperor could know how far he could trust a man in a glance, it was also said he trusted no one. Menish knew that both stories were all but true.
As Menish entered the Emperor’s eyes caught him, a flash of delighted recognition and then an imperious gesture to the two Vorthenki to be gone. They rose and bowed to him then scurried out of the room. Menish thought he detected relief on their faces, as if they had not been enjoying their interview. It was amusing to see these two big men dismissed from Vorish’s presence by a mere wave of the hand. The Emperor’s power sprang from many things and one of them was his very presence. He was so, well, royal, and he knew it.
“Menish, Menish,” cried Vorish as he approached him, took his hands and embraced him. “Come, sit here. Make yourself comfortable. You've eaten well enough? Some wine?” A servant stood behind Vorish and he set a goblet of wine before Menish. “How are you? You look tired.”
Menish sank back in his cushions.
“Tired? Yes. You know we travelled by sea.”
“I know. And you bring a man with you that people are pleased to name ‘Kopth’, although some call him ‘Gilish’. His real name is, I believe, Azkun.” He always came straight to the point.
“That is what we named him when he came out of the Chasm of Kelerish.’
“So that part's true? And he was flamed by a dragon?”
Menish nodded.
“And the lightning?”
“You're well informed. I thought we'd told no one about the dragon.”
“A ship left Deenar just before you and arrived here yesterday. One of them remembered a remark made by this Azkun to that effect. I don't think the man who heard it realised what was meant.” That was typical of Vorish. He often found out more than his informants knew from their own words. Menish took a sip of wine and gave him a brief account of Azkun’s doings. Even now he omitted any mention of Thalissa.
“…and you'll have heard of the incident in the street below. A knife fight, one man with a knife in his chest anyway. I would have given up. Azkun revived him somehow. I don't know how he got the blood out of his lungs.”
“I was told the man actually died.”
“Dead men don't wake up. He can't have died.”
Vorish raised one eyebrow questioningly. It was a habit he had learned from Menish though neither of them realised it.
“I've given orders for the man to be taken to the infirmary. The priestesses there will examine him and we will know more.”
He was silent for a long moment, his bright eyes looking at Menish intently. Weighing and measuring again. He had always been like that, even as a child.
“What are you not telling me, Menish? What happened at Lianar? Why were you at Kelerish in the first place?”
“Dismiss the servants.”
A gesture from Vorish and they were gone. Menish drew a deep breath, preparing himself for the ordeal. Was there any way he could prevent Vorish from killing Thalissa?
“She's alive. Thalissa, your mother, is alive.”
Vorish looked at Menish blankly for a moment.
“I know.”
“What?”
“Some years ago Angoth… you remember Angoth? He was in Lianar assessing the situation with the northern chiefs. A trustworthy man. He remembered her and he brought news to me. I've had her watched from time to time but she's harmless. And,” he added with a wry grin, “she is my mother.”
“I thought you'd kill her if you knew. She would have killed you if that had been my price to rescue her from
