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Into the Thinking Kingdoms: Journeys of the Catechist, Book 2
If there was anything more depressing than his own situation, it was the
pitiful plight of Hunkapa Aub.
The big, easygoing beast was sitting hunched over and silent with his head
hung down toward his feet, exactly as Ehomba had first seen him penned back in
Netherbrae. After all he had been through, and after having his freedom
restored, he was once again destined for life in a cage, to be tormented and
jeered at by thoughtless, faceless, uncaring humans. Ehomba was glad he could
see only the solid, imposing back and not the creature s countenance.
 What have you to say before I pronounce sentence?
Turning away from his friends and ignoring Simna s unbounded ranting, Ehomba
tried to meet Count
Bewaryn Beckwith s stare with as much sincere probity as he could muster.  The
individual standing next to you does not deserve to share your presence. He is
Haramos bin Grue, a false merchant of
Lybondai.
 I know who he is, the Count replied curtly. With one hand he brushed aside a
dozen amethyst anthias who were swimming across his line of vision. Fins
twitching, they skittered silently out of his way.  He came all the way from
the far south to warn me of your coming, and to tell me the truth of what
happened to my son.
 The truth is he knows only what I told his employee, an old man with no more
scruples than himself.
Ehomba tried to shift his position and found that he could move his backside
and bound legs in concert, but had no chance of standing up. Speaking from a
seated position weakened his words, he knew, if only psychologically.  He has
twisted and distorted it for his own ends. Every time he opens his mouth, he
feeds you bullshit.
 Not only a murderer and a liar, but coarse. Using only his lips, bin Grue
manipulated the smoking cigar from one side of his mouth to the other.
 Hear my friend, great Count! Evincing impressive reserves of energy, Simna
continued to fight futilely with the ropes that bound him even as he spoke.
 He tells the truth. And if you don t release us, doom will befall you. My
friend is a great and powerful wizard!
A hand slowly massaging one temple, Beckwith regarded the herdsman coldly.  Is
that so? He looks like a common assassin to me, one who can do nothing without
stealth and a knife to slip into some innocent s back. But I am willing to be
convinced. Eyes blazing, he leaned forward on the throne.
 Your friend says you are a powerful magician, southerner. Prove his words.
Free yourself. Against the walls, a number of the vigilant soldiers shifted
uneasily.
 I am no assassin, Ehomba replied.  Hymneth the Possessed is the murderer of
your son.
 A wizard. With a blunt, humorless laugh, Beckwith sat back on his throne.
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Into the Thinking Kingdoms: Journeys of the Catechist, Book 2
Simna stopped struggling against his bonds long enough to lean to his left and
whisper to his companion.  Come on, Etjole. This be no time for reticence.
Show them what you can do. Reveal your powers to them!
The herdsman nodded in the direction of their collected kit.  What small
powers I may access lie in the bottom of my pack, Simna, which I cannot reach.
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I am sorry. Truly I am.
 Well then, remonstrate with this fool! He s so blinded by the loss of his son
that he can t think straight.
That s when slime like bin Grue can do their work.
 I will try. Redirecting his words to the dais, he spoke clearly and with the
confidence of one who speaks the truth.  Think a moment before condemning us,
noble Beckwith. If I were truly your son s killer, why would I come all this
way and present myself to your court? What possible reason could I
have for undertaking such a long and dangerous journey?
Beckwith replied without hesitation.  To claim the treasure, of course. He
glanced to his right.  Now it will go, as it rightfully should, to my new
friend here.
For the first time, Haramos bin Grue smiled. And why not? Not only was he
going to reclaim the black litah and acquire an additional attraction in the
form of the disconsolate Hunkapa Aub, there was apparently a good deal more at
stake.
 I knew it! Simna burst out. He glared murderously at his tall friend.  There
was treasure all along!
You ve been lying to me but I never believed you, you sanctimonious southern
scion of a promiscuous porker!
Honestly baffled, Ehomba gaped at his friend.  Simna, I do not know what you
are talking about. He nodded as best he was able in Beckwith s direction.  I
do not know what is talking about.
he
 But I do know now! At last I understand. Oh, you were so subtle, you were, so
adept at parrying my questions about  treasure.  Turning sharply away from
the herdsman, Simna ibn Sind gazed expectantly at the throne.  There s a
reward, isn t there? For information about your son. That s the treasure!
A wary Bewaryn Beckwith nodded slowly.  There has been for months. Knowledge
of it was spread far and wide in hopes of securing some information as to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]