[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

fitting that Odfrey should lie in such simple state. He had lived a plain,
utilitarian life, avoiding frills and finery as much as he could. Yet there
was one thing his tomb lacked that Dain could supply.
Dain quietly slid his torch into a wall sconce, then drew his sword Odfrey s
sword from its scabbard. As plain and well-worn as its former master, the
weapon had never quite fit Dain s hand, and he knew where this blade belonged.
With reverence, Dain kissed the hilt of the sword and laid it atop Odfrey s
tomb before he knelt at its base.
It felt strange to be in a place of death without the proper Elements to
conduct a service of respect.
Dain had no salt, no stones, no basin of water, no candles, no fresh-peeled
rods of ash. He had not brought such things with him because Odfrey had not
believed in them. Therefore, he would honor the man who d befriended him and
given him so much by praying as Odfrey had taught him to pray.
Closing his eyes, he offered his short, simple request to Thod the Mighty. He
asked that Odfrey s soul abide happily in the third world, reunited there with
his son Hilard and his lady wife, who had both died years ago. There had been
much grief and loneliness hidden in the chevard s heart. Now Dain hoped his
sorrow had vanished forever.
At the end of his prayer, Dain sighed, knowing that according to the teachings
of the Reformed
Page 36
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Church, he had done his duty.
But he was not finished. Still kneeling, he bowed his head and communed with
his memories of the man who d become like a father to him, even though they
had known each other less than a year. He had respected and admired Odfrey so
much. He had yearned to please the man, to make the chevard proud of him.
Odfrey had been the first man Dain trusted, the first Mandrian to show him
kindness. It was thanks to Odfrey that Dain had discovered his own royal
heritage, for without the chevard s quest to see him officially adopted, Dain
would have never met King Verence, who d recognized his pendant of bard
crystal for what it really was.
So much had happened of late. Dain longed to be walking about the hold at Lord
Odfrey s side, seeking his counsel, for there was much ahead of him that he
did not know how to handle. He wished that, just one last time, he could see
the calm good sense in the chevard s dark eyes, could hear the man talking to
him about strategy and planning. In his young life, Dain had lost first his
true father, who left him
in the Dark Forest and never returned; then Jorb, the dwarf swordmaker who d
served as a guardian while Dain was growing up; and now Odfrey, a decent man
of generous heart and open mind who d seen past Dain s rough edges to show him
a future beyond his wildest dreams.
Suddenly, Dain could no longer hold back his feelings. He knew this was
against Writ, but he could not stop the ache in his heart. Closing his eyes,
he found himself praying fervently to Odfrey himself.
 I go to fight a great war, lord, he cast forth in his mind.  I am barely a
knight, barely a lord, barely a king, yet I must fight as all three. How can I
be seasoned and wily? What must I know? What must I
learn to prepare myself for the trials that lie ahead of me? Oh, lord, if only
your spirit could ride with me into battle, then I would not fear what is to
come.
He waited a moment, but sensed no response.  It is custom with your people and
mine that a son should inherit his father s sword. I have carried yours, lord,
the one that you used daily with honor, the one that you died with. And now I
have brought it back to you.
He paused, concentrating so hard that sweat beaded up along his temples.
Around him pressed the silence of eternity. He heard nothing but the steady
boom of his own heartbeat.
 Lord, if you are aware of me still, hear my request. I need Truthseeker in
order to fight the darkness that will be my foe. You taught me that this
weapon is not to be used for trivial battles. I ask for its use to regain my
throne, and surely that cause is worthy. If my taking it offends you, show me
the breath of your displeasure and I swear that I will not carry it away. But
if you approve, fill my heart with your strength.
He waited a long while, waited until all he could hear was the muted hissing
of the torch as it burned low. He waited until his knees ached on the stone
floor, but nothing came to him. No murmur of approval or disapproval. No
breath of benediction or protest.
Nothing at all.
Sighing, Dain had never felt more pagan and apart from the ways of Mandria
than at that moment, for surely Lord Odfrey s soul had not heard his prayer at
all.
It had been futile to believe his troubles could be eased this way. Dain
raised himself stiffly, then placed both hands on the stone box which
surrounded Lord Odfrey s bones and bade him farewell.
Although he d gained no answer, at least he d performed the courtesy of
asking. Henceforth, if
Odfrey s spirit grew wroth at Dain s use of Truthseeker and chose to haunt
him, so be it. He would take what he needed. He would take what he wanted. All
that was here belonged to him, by man-law, and he would claim it.
Page 37
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
He did not let himself glance back as he strode from the crypt. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]