The Wizardwar - Elaine Cunningham [115]
"I know." She glanced up. "Tell me what to do next"
He folded his arms and scowled at her. "Move to Cormyr?"
"You know what I mean. There's got to be a stack of customs and protocols for this sort of thing."
" 'This sort of thing' hasn't been done for many years," he retorted. "But yes, there are many defining rules. A challenge cannot be issued by a powerful wizard against one of considerably lesser rank. The spell battle challenge must take place on the old dueling field outside the city walls. I believe it's been used in recent years as pasturage for a herd of crimson zebras-racing stock, mostly."
"So I’ll have to watch my step, in more ways than one," she said. "What else?"
"The Council of Elders must bear witness to the competition. Given Procopio's status, Zalathorm and Beatrix should be there as well." He broke off and rubbed both hands over his face. "Tzigone, what will this serve?"
She stood for a long moment, collecting her thoughts. "I can't be tested through magic. Not even Zalathorm will be able to take my word against Procopio. But if old Snow Hawk had anything to do with Kiva, if he had any part in Basel's death, he's going to die. It’s that simple."
He shook his head. "No, it isn't. No one's going to die, because you're going to demand a mage duel."
"What fun is that?"
"I'm serious, Tzigone! The path that begins with vengeance leads to grief!"
"I'm not interested in vengeance," she said softly, "but destiny."
Matteo fell back, startled at hearing so grim a concept fall from her lips.
"Your friend Andris would understand." Tzigone raised a hand to cut off the jordain's argument. "Hear me out. Kiva's plans focused upon Keturah in some way I don't fully understand. When my mother's magic started to falter, Kiva passed my mother's task on to me."
"Even if that is so, why challenge Procopio?"
"Because of Kiva," she persisted. "She wanted this-wizard fighting wizard.
Men like Procopio and Dhamari are feeding it. If they think they're going to get something out of it, they haven't been paying attention. Kiva might be crazy, but she's smart. She planned one diversion after another, whittling away at Halruaa's wizards, diverting attention, dividing our strength. The Mulhorandi invasion caught us on the collective privy with our britches around our ankles."
A faint smile flickered on Matteo's face, but his eyes remained somber.
"Thanks be to Mystra for that last image! For a moment I thought myself listening to a somber Halruaan princess."
She bristled like a cornered hedgehog. "You think I'm challenging Procopio to prove something about myself?"
"Not at all. But I wonder if perhaps your challenge came from a sense of noblesse oblige. You are more Zalathorm's daughter than you realize."
Her eyes narrowed. "You weren't listening the other day. Basel Indoulur was my father, and he didn't trust Procopio any farther than he could spit rocks.
Procopio wouldn't face Basel, and maybe that's another reason why this task falls to me. Enough talk," she said abruptly. "I'd appreciate it if you'd handle the details. I need to prepare for tonight."
Matteo opened his mouth to protest, then shut it with a click. Tzigone's argument had thе desired effect -pointing out that any more time wasted detracted from her chances. He bowed slightly, keeping his eyes on hers-the formal salute of a jordain to a wizard of great power and rank.
With a jolt of unpleasant surprise, Tzigone realize that if she passed this test, that was precisely how she would be regarded.
"As you say, lady, it will be done," he said softly, without a hint of friendly mockery in his manner. "May Mystra guide and strengthen you."
Tzigone watched him go, one hand clasped over her lips as if to hold back a laugh, or perhaps a sob. At the moment, she wasn't sure which way to go.
Matteo's formal farewell might sound absurd, but this was what lay ahead for them.
She shrugged. "I could always throw the mage duel and kill Snow Hawk later."
This excellent compromise, spoken only half in jest, raised her spirits considerably.