Doom of the Darksword - Margaret Weis [65]
Saryon granted the prince Life, feeling a true pleasure in pouring the magic of the world into such a noble vessel. He even had the satisfaction of watching Joram struggle to control his anger and eventually get the best of it. Sitting back down among the cushions, the catalyst was able to watch and enjoy the contest between the two, learning more about the Darksword as he did so. But he knew in his heart that he had dropped a notch in Garald’s opinion. A warrior to his core, the Prince could not understand what he must consider the catalyst’s squeamish reluctance to grant Life to the sword.
To Garald, it was a tool, nothing more. He did not see it as the object of darkness, the destroyer of life that Saryon beheld when he looked at the ugly weapon.
As for what Joram thought, Saryon believed sadly that nothing he did could further lower him in the young man’s opinion.
After several hours of hard practice, Joram, the Prince, and Saryon returned to camp. During the remainder of their stay, Garald was unfailingly kind to the catalyst, but he never asked Saryon to go back to the arena with him and Joram.
The week passed uneventfully. Joram and Garald practiced with the swords. Saryon enjoyed several interesting philosophical and religious discussions with Cardinal Radisovik. Simkin teased the raven (the exasperated bird finally bit a chunk out of the young man’s ear, much to everyone’s delight). Mosiah spent the days leafing wistfully through books he found in Garald’s tent, studying the pictures and puzzling over the mysterious symbols that said so much to Joram but spoke meaningless gibberish to him. Evenings the Prince and his guests came together, playing tarok or discussing ways to enter Merilon and how to survive once they were inside the city.
“Simkin can get you through the Gate,” Garald said one night, on the eve of their departure. Mosiah and Joram sat inside the Princes luxurious tent, resting after a delicious dinner. Their idyllic time was coming to an end. Each of the younger men was thinking with regret that tomorrow night they would be fighting Kij vines and perhaps other, more fearsome monsters in the strange and foreboding wilderness. The splendors of Merilon suddenly seemed dreamlike and far away, and it was hard to take the thought of danger in that distant place seriously.
Seeing something of this reflected in their faces, Garald’s tone grew more serious. “Simkin knows everyone in Merilon and they know him — which in some instances may make matters very interesting.”
“You mean those … those outlandish stories of his are true, milord? Did you really bring a live bear to a costume ball?” Mosiah blurted out before he thought. “I beg pardon, Your Grace,” he began, flushing in embarrassment.
But the Prince only shook his head. “Ah, he told you about that, did he? Poor Father.” Garald grinned. “To this day he refuses to wear a cravat in the presence of a naval officer or anyone in a bear costume. But, to return to more serious subjects …
“Saryon is quite right when he cautions against going to Merilon. It is dangerous,” the Prince said, “and you must never relax your guard. Danger is present not only for Joram, who is one of the living Dead and as such can be sentenced to physical death. There is danger for you, Mosiah. You are considered a rebel. You fled your home, you have lived among the Sorcerers of the Dark Arts. You will be entering Merilon under false pretenses. If you are caught, you will be sentenced to the dungeons of the Duuk-tsarith, and few come out of those places unchanged. There is great danger for Saryon himself, who lived in Merilon for a number of years and could easily be recognized —
“No, Joram, I’m not trying to keep you from going,” Garald interrupted himself, seeing the young man scowl in anger. “I am telling you to be cautious. Be wary. Above all, be on your guard. Particularly around one person.”
“You mean the catalyst?” Joram returned. “I already know that Saryon was sent by Bishop Vanya….”
“I mean Simkin,” Garald said gravely, with no trace of a smile.
“There,