Fire Dragon - Katharine Kerr [167]
“Tell me, Councilman,” Rhodry said. “Does Rakzan Kral have the right to witness?”
“I fear me he does.” Verrarc felt suddenly sick. “There be a need on us to send a fifth crier to his camp, methinks.”
“I'll be glad to take that duty upon myself.” Rhodry suddenly smiled, and Verrarc had never seen anyone smile so brightly and yet look so cold. “To spare one of your townsfolk the danger, like.”
“Rori!” Dallandra stepped forward. “And what are you planning?”
“To do the council's bidding and naught more.” Rhodry's smile turned innocent.
“Will you swear that to me?” Dallandra set her hands on her hips and glared at him.
“I will, on my silver dagger.”
“Oh very well, then, if the council wants to take your offer, I shan't stand in your way. But you need to warn Arzosah off, too. She's someone else who needs to hear the customs of this country.”
“We discussed it last night. She knows she's not to eat any Horsekin or their mounts.” Rhodry turned to Verrarc. “Shall I be a herald or no?”
“I'll take your offer and gladly,” Verrarc said. “There were a great trouble on my heart, thinking of who might be willing to go to that camp.”
Rhodry started to answer, but suddenly Verrarc heard a sound like thunder, rising behind him. He spun around and saw the black dragon, flying from her perch. With a few wing strokes she gained height, turned, and flew steadily off to the east.
“Good,” Rhodry said. “She remembered what I told her. I thought it might ease your citizens' hearts, Councilman, not to have her so close to the Deciding.”
“My thanks.” Verrarc watched the dark shape dwindling and shuddered. “I think me it be for the best.”
In Cerr Cawnen a crier wore long strips of white linen tied round his head and fluttering behind him; he carried a staff bound with more of the same. Since the other men carried no weapons, Rhodry left his sword with Dallandra, but he kept the silver dagger at his belt. Admi repeated the ritual words several times over for Rhodry's sake.
“And do you remember,” Admi finished up, “that the town gates will be shut, lest some traveller disturb the proceedings. The witnesses must call up to the guards and state their errand within.”
The five criers rode the council's big barge across the lake. By the time they reached the farther shore, dark clouds filled the sky, and the windless day had turned hot and muggy. Rhodry was glad of the chance to get away from the steaming, stinking lake to the clean air of the water meadows beyond the gates.
The Horsekin had set up their peaked tents in a rough circle around a big fire pit. As Rhodry approached, he could see their horses grazing at tether beyond the camp. The camp itself seemed deserted at first, but when he called out a hail, one of the tent flaps opened and Rakzan Kral himself came out, wearing his gold surcoat and carrying his whip. He smiled with a show of fang, yet Rhodry could tell that he meant to be pleasant. Rhodry bowed to him.
“A good morrow to you,” Rhodry said. “I understand that you're a plaintiff at Cerr Cawnen's gates?”
“I am, truly,” Kral said. “The priestess did tell me that a herald would come unto us.”
Rhodry glanced around, but he saw only a pair of human slaves, standing between two tents and watching silently.
“I am enjoined by the Council of Five to invite your witness to the Deciding this day. The public square on Citadel is open to all who would come.”
“Good,” Kral said, nodding. “I'll just be gathering a few of my men—”
“Wait! It also is my duty to tell you that on the day of a deciding all strife is forbidden. No man or woman either may carry weapons to the council square. Any who raises his hand against a citizen or a fellow plaintiff will be subject to the laws of the town.”
“Very well. I pledge that me and mine will abide by this prohibition.”
“Well and good, then. When you come to the town, you will find the gates shut. Call up to the guards, and they will admit you and an escort of two.”
“I'll do so.”
“So be it.” Rhodry thumped the ground with the end of his staff. “Be you