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Dain heard an impatient murmur of male voices outside the door, and Sir Blait
growling a response. Fear dried Dain s mouth. If he could not sway Lord
Odfrey, how could he prove himself to the rest? Would they let Hueh speak on
his behalf? Would the child tell the truth, or lie? It took courage to accuse
the prince publicly of lying.
/
shall do it, Dain promised himself grimly.
Though they cut out my tongue for it, 1
shall make them hear how infamous their prince is.
The pounding came again on the door, more insistent this time.
Dain looked at Lord Odfrey in appeal.  Lord, tell me the law I am to be judged
by. If
I am to defend myself, I must know how.
Lord Odfrey flung his ink pot at the wall. It shattered there, blotching the
wall with a huge indigo stain.  Damne! Had you come straight to me, you would
have had no opportunity to attack Gavril. I am certain he provoked you, but
why in Thod s name were you so foolish?
 Open your ears to my words, Dain said.  I did not attack the prince. Not
once. Not in any fashion. He came to watch while Mierre and Kaltienne fought
me. Sir Roye told me I was wrong to have my weapon drawn in his presence, but
was I to sheathe my dagger to avoid offending his highness, and let them stab
me?
Lord Odfrey closed his eyes as though in pain. He drew in a sharp breath and
opened them again.  You will swear to this?
 Aye, of course I will swear to it, Dain said fervently.
 Truth is the only defense you have.
 My word against Gavril s. Dain sighed.  Will Hueh be allowed to speak for
me? Will
Sir Roye?
Lord Odfrey s eyes were dark with anguish. He hesitated a moment before he
said,  I
have sent Sir Roye away. He is delivering a message from me to Geoffen du
Maltie.
Dain stared in disbelief. Cold chills ran down his arms.  Why? he whispered.
 Thod help me, to save his life, Lord Odfrey answered. His face held
momentary despair, then it grew harsh again.  The man has been my protector
since I won my spurs of knighthood. I will not let him risk his life by
calling the prince a liar.
The coldness in Dain spread.  And Hueh? he asked.
 The child, by law, is too young to speak.
Dain shivered, turned away, and went to stand by the window. He stared blindly
outside, his heart pounding heavily.  Then I am doomed.
Lord Odfrey came up behind him. He touched Dain s shoulder, but Dain flinched
away.
 Forgive me, Lord Odfrey said quietly.  They are innocents and I cannot let
them be harmed by what has befallen you.
 Of course, Dain said bitterly.  As an eld, I am permitted no defense.
 No! Lord Odfrey spun him around and glared at him.  Damne, boy! I would
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rather fall in battle than lose you. I lost one son. I do not cannot lose
another.
 I am not your son, Dain said harshly.  No.
Dain flung up his chin, facing the man.  Would you defend me if I were?
Lord Odfrey clenched his jaw so hard a muscle leaped there.  In Thod s name,
how can I? When I became chevard of Thirst, I swore to uphold the law of the
land. I tried to protect you, but you defied me, ran away, consorted with a
foreigner, and have been traveling through Nold at a time when our lands are
under fearsome attack. You defied
Sir Terent by refusing to come straight to me. I could have protected you
then, but nay, you fell into the trap set for you. Now you would accuse me of
not defending you. How can I when you have rejected my every effort to protect
you?
Dain listened to him and felt his defiance crumble. His eyes stung, and he
turned away, silent and wretched. His mistakes loomed large, and he saw now
how wrong he d been, how unfair he d been to blame Lord Odfrey for his
problems. His own independence and defiance had played into Gavril s hands.
 What, then, can I do? he asked.  For me to tell the truth will be to accuse
the prince of lying. If I do that, will I break another of your laws?
 Yes.
Dain swore softly beneath his breath. The trap was even worse than he d
thought.
Gavril had him from every side.  If I run away, for real this time? If I never
return?
Sorrow creased Lord Odfrey s scarred face.  You will be wanted for life. You
can never cross Mandrian borders again, for the king will set a price on your
head. If I or any knight here see you, we will be bound by our duty and fealty
to seek your life. I do not want that, Dain. Do you?
 If I remain here and go through this trial, will I die? Dain asked bluntly.
 I know not. I hope not, Lord Odfrey said with a sigh.
 But you cannot promise me.
 Dain, Lord Odfrey said, his voice serious indeed,  if you wish to escape
Thirst, there is a way out, a hidden way known only by me. It was shown to me
by my father, and his father before him.
Hope flashed through Dain. He grabbed at the offer like a drowning man.  Where
is it?
 You will go, then? Lord Odfrey asked.
 What choice have I?
Lord Odfrey dropped his gaze and nodded.  Very well. I will show you the way.
The knights outside pounded on the door again.  My lord! We must have him.
Surrender him to us now!
 A moment more, Lord Odfrey called back, and strode across the wardroom to
the fireplace. He pressed a stone, and a small, concealed door opened in the
wall.  Through here. Quickly.
Dain hurried to it and had started to duck into a cramped, musty passageway
draped with cobwebs and smelling of mice when a suspicion tickled the back of
his neck. He paused, hesitating, and glanced back.
Lord Odfrey scowled at him and gestured for him to go.  Hurry. You have no
more time.
 What will become of you? Dain asked.  If I go, it will be known that you
allowed me to escape. What will befall you?
 Do not worry about me.
But Dain was thinking of what the chevard had said to Lord Renald.  You said I
was your responsibility. Will you be punished for defying the prince?
 No.
 Tell me the truth, Dain said fiercely.
 If you re going, you must go now, Lord Odfrey said with equal fierceness.
 It is the only way to save you.
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 Will you stand trial in my place? Dain asked.
Lord Odfrey said nothing. They stared at each other a long moment in the
silence, then Dain slowly backed out of the escape passage and pressed the
stone to close its door.
 Dain!
 No, Dain said softly,  I will not run if it means you will be destroyed in
my place.
 I have a better chance than you.
Dain shook his head.  You have given me much kindness this year, lord. I will
not serve you ill in repayment.
 In Thod s name, you must go!
Dain turned away from him and resolutely opened the door. He found himself
faced by a delegation of six knights, half Thirst men and half Lunt. His heart
was hammering again, and from behind him he could feel a wave of despair pass
through Lord Odfrey.
Dain s knees felt weak, and he was sore afraid, but he forced himself to face
the men with his head held high and his gaze steady.
 Take me to your assembly, he said.
The Hall of Thirst Hold stretched long and narrow, with a high vaulted ceiling
spanned by thick wooden beams and hung with Thirst banners of green. The head
of a stag bearing immense, spreading antlers was mounted at one end of the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]