Doom of the Darksword - Margaret Weis [76]
The Kan-Hanar deal with all who enter in the same manner, be they highborn noble or lowborn tradesman. Everyone who arrives in Merilon is subjected to the same scrutiny, asked the same questions. The Kan-Hanar are born to the Mystery of Air, and are thus in charge of most of the transportation of Thimhallan (the exception being the Thon-Li, the Corridor Masters. They are catalysts, since the Corridors are controlled and regulated by the Church). The magi and archmagi of the Kan-Hanar serve the state; a division of the Emperor’s household guard. Among their many tasks are to care for and maintain the Ariels, those magically mutated humans with wings who are the messengers of Thimhallan. And though the catalysts guard and watch over the Corridors, it is the Kan-Hanar who expend their magical Life in keeping them operational. But guarding the city gates — not only of Merilon but the gates of all the city states in Thimhallan — is their most important task. It is a position of trust and honor, and only archmagi — those of noble birth who have attained their high rank through years of service and study — can become Gatekeepers.
For it is up to the Kan-Hanar to make certain that only those belonging in Merilon enter Merilon. Further, it is their duty to separate those who are permitted to enter City Below from those who can, literally, rise higher into City Above. Those so designated are provided with a charm that allows them to penetrate the magical, unseen barrier separating the two cities.
Those travelers who cannot prove that they have reason to be in Merilon are turned from the Gate without regard to their rank or station. The Kan-Hanar are adept at this, but, in case of undue trouble, they have support in the form of several black-robed Duuk-tsarith, who stand in the shadows; silent, unobtrusive, observant.
This day, the Gates were unusually busy, due in part to the nobility in the outlying areas fleeing the inclement winter weather which the Sif-Hanar — those magi who control the winds and clouds — had decreed was necessary for the growth of crops in the spring. Gwendolyn and her cousins, ages seventeen and fifteen, spent a merry afternoon strolling among the many shops and outdoor cafes that surrounded the Gate, watching those who entered, studying their dress and hairstyles with the critical eyes of youth, and breaking the hearts of nearly a dozen young men.
This was a particularly entertaining afternoon for Gwen, since she was not hampered in her flirtations by the presence of Marie, the catalyst. Ordinarily Marie would have accompanied her when she went out in public, as was proper for an unwed young girl. But today either the little brother or the little sister was “fractious,” due undoubtedly to teeth, and so Marie was needed at home.
At first there had been a dreadful moment when it seemed Lady Rosamund might have insisted her daughter remain at home as well. But a flood of tears with the cry that “poor Papa will be so distressed, he has planned this for so long” won the day. Lady Rosamund was much attached to her husband. The life of a Guildmaster is a demanding one, and she knew — no one better — how hard he labored to maintain their life-style. He was, in truth, looking forward to this luncheon with his daughter — a rare break in his busy life — and milady had not the heart to deprive either him or Gwen of this