Menagerie - Martin Day [6]
He sniffed and returned her gaze. 'I'll pay you. Whatever you want. Just get this disease out of my head.'
'I cannot promise that.' Her voice carried a hint of genuine regret.
'I know,' said Cosmae. He reached into his tunic, pulled out a bag, and shook a couple of coins into his hand. He held them out to her as a weak supplication.
The girl smiled sadly. 'Oh,' she said, her voice fragile with regrets and broken promises, 'let's make the best of this light, then.' She let the heavy cloak and the robes underneath drop to the floor.
Defrabax tried to cover his fear by bellowing at the young soldiers who stood to attention in the main gateway. 'I'm here to see Grand Knight Himesor,' he said in a gruff voice.
'I am Defrabax, the great mystic. Let your leader know that I have arrived, and be quick about it. I don't want to stand here in this rain any longer than I have to.'
The soldiers ushered him into a small partly covered courtyard of dark stone while one of their number hurried through the rain towards the main tower. A fitful fire spluttered in the centre of the yard, and around it clustered a number of bedraggled women and children. Their robes were torn masses of wool and frayed leather. The children had no shoes, but continued to play in the puddles with a stunted puppy. The soldiers and the women watched them with hopeless eyes.
A pot of foul-smelling broth simmered over the fire, but it was enough to make Defrabax feel hungry. He massaged his stomach. Surely this wasn't nerves? Defrabax, the great mystic, scared of the knights?
By Ukkazaal, he was nervous, but he knew that if he were to succeed he had to continue to play the part of the confident, fearless mage. He stared up at the numerous lit windows of the castle's towers, glimpsing occasional figures moving along the corridors or pacing in the rooms.
A door opened in the base of the main tower, and a knight stood illuminated in its glow. Unlike the soldiers — mere peasants with halberds and axes — the knight looked impressive. The silver armour glinted in the light, a plumed helm carried firmly under one arm. Over the armour and chain mail was a blue silk robe. A long sword hung from the belt. The knight indicated that Defrabax should come across the main courtyard towards him. Defrabax smiled confidently back at the soldiers at the gatehouse, and walked towards the tower.
'I am Commander Zaitabor, assistant to Grand Knight Himesor,' said the knight once Defrabax was within range.
'The Knights of Kuabris have many things to ask you.
Please follow me.' The knight turned sharply, and walked stiffly down the long corridor.
Defrabax followed the knight at a slight distance, marvelling at the large glass windows set into the walls and the plush carpet that extended the entire length of the corridor. Ornate stems of brass held electric lights at equal distances along the walls. They almost seemed to dim reverentially as Zaitabor's long azure cloak flicked by them.
His leather boots, covered with mail, beat out a steady rhythm as they walked.
They eventually came to a halt outside an imposing wooden door the colour of fresh blood. Zaitabor rapped on the door, and then opened it.
Defrabax peered in at a large, ornate room. The walls were of marble panels set into carved golden frames, the floor of the same polished wood as the door. The roof was a gentle dome, and was painted with stars and moons. A fire crackled in a grate set into one wall.
The room was dominated by a huge table which, at one end, formed a virtual throne of precious stones and polished metals. There sat Grand Knight Himesor, surrounded by documents and a number of advisors bent double with age.
Himesor seemed much older than Defrabax had expected, as if the weighty mantle of responsibility that had descended across his shoulders at the inauguration ceremony some years ago had month by month sapped him of life. His face was deeply lined, his hair was greying and receding, but