The One Tree

are even now being met at your decree. For this our thanks are unbounded.” Her tone held no more gratitude than an iron bar. “But your graciousness inspires me to ask a further boon, You see that my scabbard is empty.” With one hand, she held the sheath before her. “The Bhrathair are renowned for their weaponwork. And I have seen many apt blades in the Tier of Riches. O gaddhi, grant me the gift of a broadsword to replace that which I have lost.”

Rant Absolain's face broke into a grin of satisfaction. He sounded triumphant and petty as he replied, “No.”

A frown interrupted Kasreyn's confidence. He opened his mouth to speak; but the gaddhi was already saying, “Though you are my guest, I must refuse. You know not what you ask. I am the gaddhi of Bhrathairealm- the servant of my people. That which you have seen belongs not to me but to the Bhrathair. I hold it but in stewardship. For myself I possess nothing, and thus I have no sword or other riches in my gift.” He uttered the words vindictively, but his malice was directed at the Kemper rather than the First, as if he had found unassailable grounds on which he could spite Kasreyn. “If you require a sword,” he went on, “you may purchase it in Bhrathair am.” He made an effort to preserve his air of victory by not looking at Kasreyn; but he was frightened by his own bravado and unable to resist.

The Kemper met that glance with a shrug of dismissal which made Rant Absolain wince. But the First did not let the matter end. “O gaddhi,” she said through her teeth, “I have no means to make such a purchase.”

The gaddhi reacted in sudden fury. “Then do without!” His fists pounded the arms of his seat. “Am I to blame for your penury? Insult me further, and I will send you to the Sandgorgons!”

Kasreyn shot a look toward the Caitiffin. Immediately, Rire Grist stepped forward, made a low bow. “O gaddhi,” he said, “they are strangers, unfamiliar with the selfless nature of your stewardship. Permit me to implore pardon for them. I am certain that no offense was intended.”

Rant Absolain sagged. He seemed incapable of sustaining any emotion which might contradict the Kemper's will. “Oh, assuredly,” he muttered. “I take no offense.” Clearly, he meant the opposite. “I am above all offense.” To himself, he began growling words like curses in the tongue of the Bhrathair.

“That is well known,” said the Kemper evenly, “and it adds much to your honour. Yet it will sadden you to turn guests away with no sign of your welcome in their hands. Perhaps another request lies within their hearts-a supplication which may be granted without aspersion to your stewardship.”

With a nameless pang, Linden saw Kasreyn take hold of his golden ocular, raise it to his left eye. A stiffening like a ghost of fear ran through the Chatelaine. Rant Absolain squeezed farther back in his throne. But the Kemper's gesture appeared so natural and inevitable that she could not take her eyes away from it, could not defend herself.

Then he met her gaze through his ocular; and without warning all her turmoil became calm. She realised at once that she had no cause for anxiety, no reason to distrust him. His left eye held the answer to everything. Her last, most visceral protests faded into relief as the geas of his will came over her, lifted the words he wanted out of her.

“O gaddhi, I ask if there is aught your Kemper can do to heal my comrade, Thomas Covenant.”

Rant Absolain showed an immediate relief that the eyepiece had not been turned toward him. In an over- loud voice, he said, “I am certain Kasreyn will do all in his power to aid you.” Sweat made streaks through the paint on his face.

“O gaddhi, I serve you gladly.” The Kemper's gaze left Linden; but its effect lingered in her, leaving her relaxed despite the raw hunger with which he regarded Covenant. Honninscrave and the First stared at her with alarm. Seadreamer's shoulders knotted. But the calm of the Kemper's geas remained on her.

“Come, Thomas Covenant,” said Kasreyn sharply. “We will attempt your succour at once.”

Brinn looked a question at Linden. She nodded; she could do nothing but nod. She was deeply relieved that the Kemper had lifted the burden of Covenant's need from her.

The Haruchai frowned slightly. His eyes asked the same question of the Giants; but they did not contradict Linden. They were unable to perceive what had happened to her.

With a shrug, Brinn walked Covenant toward the Kemper.

Kasreyn studied the Unbeliever avidly. A faint shiver touched his voice as he said, “I thank you, Brinn of the Haruchai. You may leave him safely in my hands.”

Brinn did not hesitate. “No.”

His refusal drew a gasp from the Chatelaine, instantly stifled. Rant Absolain leaned forward in his seat, bit his lip as if he could not believe his senses.

The Giants rocked subtly onto the balls of their feet.

Explicitly, as if he were supporting Brinn, Covenant said, “Don't touch me.”

Kasreyn held his golden circle to his eye, said in a tone of tacit command, “Brinn of the Haruchai, my arts admit of no spectation. If I am to aid this man, I must have him alone.”

Brinn met that ocular gaze without blinking. His words were as resolute as granite. “Nevertheless he is in my care. I will not part from him.”

The Kemper went pale with fury and amazement. Clearly, he was not accustomed to defiance-or to the failure of his geas.

A vague uneasiness grew in Linden. Distress began to rise against the calm, nagging her toward self- awareness. A shout struggled to form itself in her throat.

Kasreyn turned back to her, fixed her with his will again. “Linden Avery, command this Haruchai to give Thomas Covenant into my care.”

At once, the calm returned. It said through her mouth, “Brinn, I command you to give Thomas Covenant into his care.”

Brinn looked at her. His eyes glinted with memories of Elemesnedene. Flatly, he iterated, “I will not.”

The Chatelaine recoiled. Their group frayed as some of them retreated toward the stairs. The gaddhi's women crouched on the plinth and whimpered for his protection.

Kasreyn gave them cause for fear. Rage flushed his mien. His fists jerked threats through the air. “Fool!” he spat at Brinn. “If you do not instantly depart, I will command the Guards to slay you where you stand!”

Before the words had left his mouth, the Giants, Hergrom, and Ceer were moving toward Covenant.

But Brinn did not need their aid. Too swiftly for Kasreyn to counter, he put himself between Covenant and the Kemper. His reply cut through Kasreyn's ire. “Should you give such a command, you will die ere the first spear is raised.”

Rant Absolain stared in apoplectic horror. The rest of the Chatelaine began scuttling from the hall.

Brinn did not waver. Three Giants and two Haruchai came to his support. The six of them appeared more absolutely ready for battle than all the hustin.

For a moment, Kasreyn's face flamed as if he were prepared to take any risk in order to gain possession of Covenant. But then the wisdom or cunning which had guided him to his present power and longevity came back to him. He recanted a step, summoned his self-command.

“You miscomprehend me.” His voice shook, but grew steadier at every word. “I have not merited your mistrust. This hostility ill becomes you-ill becomes any man or woman who has been granted the gaddhi's welcome. Yet I accede to it. My desire remains to work you well. For the present, I will crave your pardon for my unseemly ire. Mayhap when you have tasted the gaddhi's goodwill you will learn also to taste the cleanliness of my intent. If you then wish it, I will offer my aid again.”

He spoke coolly; but his eyes did not lose their heat. Without waiting for a reply, he sketched a bow toward the Auspice, murmured, “With your permission, O gaddhi” Then he turned on his heel, strode away into the shadow behind the throne.

For a moment, Rant Absolain watched the Kemper's discomfited departure with glee. But abruptly he