Doom of the Darksword - Margaret Weis [80]
“Thank you,” said the young man, waving a negligent hand to those who were beginning to gather around him. “Yes, it is me. I have returned.” Raising his fingers to his lips, he blew kisses to several wealthy women, sitting in a carriage made of pomegranate, who laughed delightedly and tossed him flowers. “I call this,” he continued, referring to his purple clothes, “Welcome Home, Simkin. You may dispense with the formalities, my good man,” he said, regarding the Kan-Hanar with a sniff, and dabbing at his nose with the orange silk in his hand. “Simply tell the authorities that Simkin has returned and that he has brought his troupe of traveling players with him!” He made a flourishing gesture with the orange silk at the two young men and the catalyst (who appeared ready to drop from shame) standing behind him.
The crowd applauded more loudly. Women laughed behind their hands, men shook their heads over his attire, but they glanced down at their own elegant robes or brocade breeches, their faces thoughtful. By noon tomorrow, the flowing silk pantaloons would be seen on half the nobility in Merilon.
“Tell the authorities?” repeated the Kan-Hanar, not the least disconcerted by the crowd or the antics of the young man in the pantaloons. “Yes, I’ll notify the proper people, you may be certain of that.”
Making a gesture to the two black-robed figures who stood watching from the shadows, the Kan-Hanar laid his hand upon the young man’s shoulder.
“Simkin, in the name of the Emperor, I place you under arrest.”
2
Welcome Home, Simkin
Calling for the warlocks, the Kan-Hanar held Simkin firmly. The black-robed Duuk-tsarith floated toward the young man, the crowd parting at their coming like leaves driven by a storm wind. Amid the rustling murmurs of the people, the gasps of shock that were equal parts horror and delight, Gwen’s gaze was drawn from Simkin — who was staring at the Kan-Hanar in absolute astoundment — to his friends.
Standing behind Simkin, the catalyst had gone from red to a deathly pallor, his hand reaching out and resting on the shoulder of the dark young man in a manner that was both protective and restraining. The other young man, the blond one, laid his hand on his friend’s arm as well, and then it was that Gwen noticed the dark young man reached behind his back, beneath his cloak.
Weapons of any type are not used in Merilon, since they are considered to be the evil machinations of those who practice the Dark Art, the Ninth Mystery — Technology. The young girl watching had never seen a sword, but she knew of them through the nursery stories her governess told her of the ancient days. Gwen knew instinctively that this young man carried one, that he and his friends were undoubtedly bandits, and that he intended to fight.
“No!” she breathed, pressing one hand against her mouth, the other crushing the forgotten flowers.
The dark young man had turned to face the approaching Duuk-tsarith, his back was to Gwen. The warm spring wind blew his cloak aside, and she saw his hand clenched around the hilt of his sword, slowly drawing it from a sheath that surrounded the object like the skin of a snake. The weapon was dark and hideous, and Gwen wanted to shut her eyes in horror. But her eyelids were dry and burning. She couldn’t close them, she could only stare at the weapon and the young man in a dread fascination, a smothering sensation in her chest.
The Duuk-tsarith, now clear of the crowd, stretched out their hands toward Simkin, spell chants on their lips. They did not seem to be paying any attention to the dark young man, who was moving slowly up behind his friend.
“’Pon my honor!” cried Simkin. “Must be some mistake. Call me when you’ve cleared it up, there’s a good fellow.”
The air shimmered and the Kan-Hanar was left standing in front of Earth Gate, his hand resting firmly on nothing.
Simkin was gone.
“Find him!” the Kan-Hanar ordered unnecessarily, for the Duuk-tsarith were already responding. “I’ll watch his friends.”
Gwen’s eyes — opened wide at this astonishing development — went instantly