Talon of the Silver Hawk (31 page)

“For now he must secure control over Farinda and complete his preparations for war with the Kingdom. So, first, he must subdue Farinda. To ensure his security in that undertaking, he must neutralize the Orodon and Latagore, and the High Reaches.''

Tal's eyebrows shot up. “So now the pattern emerges. First he obliterates my people, securing a path to Farinda.
Now he protects his right flank by ensuring that no aid can reach Farinda though High Reaches or Latagore.”

“Yes. If the Kingdom were to take a hand early, and if King Ryan is as clever as they say he is, he'd react as soon as he recognized the risk. He can't attack Olasko directly without pulling Aranor and then Roldem into the war, but he can certainly hire companies of mercenaries and run them by ship to Coastal Watch, and from there either to Latagore or High Reaches. Kaspar can't risk an army at his back.''

“Why hasn't someone dealt with this problem before?” asked Tal.

Robert looked at Magnus, who said, “I could toss a fireball into Kaspar's lap and after destroying the King, his family, and half the nobility of Roldem, Kaspar would still walk out of the ashes unscathed. The man we spoke of earlier is very powerful, and Kaspar has more wards against attack by magic than any man in the world, I'm certain. His bodyguards are fanatical, and he is never alone. Killing him will be no mean feat.''

“Is this where I come in?''

“Perhaps,” said Robert. “We don't know yet. If you win the tournament, there's a fair chance Kaspar may take an interest in you. He likes having people of great talent around him, musicians, singers, painters, chefs, magicians, and great swordsmen.”

“Well, then,” said Tal, “I can now see why you think it important for me to win this contest. It seems that both our aims are served if Kaspar of Olasko dies.''

Robert sat back and looked directly at his former student. “Yes, it seems that way, doesn't it?''

“Then here's my one condition,” Tal said grimly. “Kaspar dies last.''

“Why?” asked Magnus.

“Because from what you say, I stand the best chance of getting myself killed in reaching him, and if I am to fail to avenge my people, I'd rather die leaving one murderer alive than letting a dozen survive. Kaspar dies after Raven and his men, but first comes Lieutenant Campaneal.” Looking at Robert, Magnus, Caleb, and Pasko, Tal said, “He will not make it alive out of the tournament.”

The early rounds produced little by way of surprises, the most unexpected turn being the emergence of a young commoner from Kesh named Kakama, who had handily defeated every opponent. Those inclined to take risks in gambling bet heavily on him.

The fourth day saw Tal's first match as the final sixty-four contestants began the last three days of contest. Over four hundred swordsmen had fought in as many as three matches a day to winnow the field down to thirty-two who would be added to the thirty-two who had already been ranked. There would be matches in the morning, then in the late afternoon until the final bout on Sixthday afternoon, before the King and his court at the palace.

Tal's first opponent was a captain from the personal guard of a Roldemish baron. This was his third tournament and the first time he had made the final sixty-four places.

The matches were fought with naked steel to first blood, a yield, or a forfeiture. A contestant could yield at any time, and usually only did so for fear of injury or public humiliation. A man could forfeit by not appearing in time for a match, or by being disqualified by the judges, three Masters of the Court who supervised each bout. Ignoring the judges' instructions, intentionally trying to harm an
opponent, or refusing to remain in the described combat area were all grounds for forfeiture.

Tal let the captain enjoy a few moments of accomplishment and refused to shame him after twelve years spent in trying to better himself. But it was no contest. After exchanging blows, thrusts, and parries for three minutes, Tal could easily see many openings. Tal had noticed that the young captain had been wished good fortune by an adoring young woman, whom he assumed to be his wife or betrothed, so he decided to allow the man to lose with some dignity. He kept the match going for another two minutes, before lightly cutting the man on the arm, drawing first blood and the victory.

The young captain made a formal salute, which Tal returned, then he retired to the comforting embrace of the young woman.

Other matches were not so graceful. Several of the combatants were loud, boasting louts who had one gift: skill with a blade. Three serious injuries occurred in the first morning's contests—one man undoubtedly maimed for life—and Tal watched as many as he could, to get some sense of whom he might face in later matches.

His next opponent was a large, broad-shouldered swordmaster from the Kingdom city of Rodez, named Raimundo Velasquez. He was quiet and efficient, and was cat-quick to pounce on an opening. Tal saw he would have to be wary with this man during the afternoon's contest.

Tal retired to the cloaking room, where refreshments for the combatants were laid out in sumptuous fashion. He avoided those foods which would make him feel slow and sleepy, and ate lightly, avoiding wine or ale. He drank cold water and returned to watch the bouts.

He avoided talking to anyone, including Caleb, who kept close watch. Tal knew that Magnus and Robert were
not too far away, guarding against any magical threat, but he felt no need of idle chatter. He was in the tourney, and from everything he had seen, he must surely win.

When the last of the morning bouts was over, he retired to Remarga's for a bath and massage, so that he would be fresh when the afternoon combat began.

The next two rounds were challenging, but Tal took the measure of both men: the Rodezian swordmaster, then a captain of the guard from the Royal household. The afternoon of the second day saw attendance swell to capacity as every noble and rich commoner who could gain entrance to the Masters' Court wedged themselves inside to watch the field of eight reduced to four.

Tal's first opponent was a mercenary soldier from the Kingdom, a man named Bartlet from Hawk's Hallow. He inquired about Tal's relationship to the more famous Hawkins, and Tal told his tale as if it were common knowledge. Bartlet remarked he had never heard of the Squire's holdings, and he had been born in the region.

Tal waved off the remark with the observation that his father held lands quite distant from the more famous branch of the Hawkins family, and he avoided further conversation by saying that he had to ready himself for their coming duel.

Tal dispatched the mercenary in record time, within seconds after the judges called for combat. He took two steps forward, and rather than launching a feigned attack with a combination of blows, he lunged and struck the man in the upper left arm, drawing blood.

The gallery exploded in applause and the mercenary stood in stunned amazement, both because of the speed of
the attack and the lack of guile, which had caught him by surprise. He looked angry, more at himself for being made to look the fool than at Tal, but he saluted, and as they left the floor, he said, “Be sure to win, will you, Squire? It makes me look far less of a buffoon if I'm disposed of by the champion.”

“I'll do my best,” said Tal with a smile.

When the other three contests were over, Tal found that his opponent would be the surprising Keshian youngster, Kakama; while Lieutenant Campaneal was to face Count Jango Vahardak, the man who had finished second the year before to the retired champion.

Tal spent a restless night worrying more that Vahardak would defeat Campaneal than about his own match. He had watched the young Keshian and knew his victories were due to speed—perhaps even superior to his own—audacity, and a willingness to leave himself open when making a bid for a winning touch. Tal had already anticipated how he would defeat the Keshian.

He awoke early and dressed quickly, then roused Pasko and the others. At the Masters' Court, he put himself through a vigorous set of stretching exercises. When he had finished, he ate a light meal of fruit and juices, then took a carriage to the baths.

The two bouts to determine the finalists would start at noon, with the winners fighting before the King and his court at the palace after dark. Tal kept his mind as focused as he could on the coming match, but all he could really think about was of facing Campaneal.

Two hours before noon, he returned to the Masters' Court and retired to the room set aside for contestants. He was not the first there, for the young swordsman from Kesh was already sitting in a corner. When the first day of the contest had commenced, the room had been crowded
and loud with the chummy chatter of contestants and their servants. Today it was as silent as a tomb. Talon retired to the far corner and nodded once to Kakama. Pasko leaned over and said, “I believe that lad is Isalani, like Nakor.''

“What of it?''

“Just that if he's anything like Nakor, you haven't seen half of what he has. Just remember that.''

“You think he's been thinking that far ahead?''

“I caught him watching you watching him, just before he won his third bout. I think if you saw an opening, he wanted you to see it.''

“Why me?''

“Because you were the favorite.”

“One of the favorites.”

“Not to anyone who knew what was going on. You're vain, Tal, and show everything you have when you win. You don't hold back. That boy has a complete inventory of your moves. You have no idea what he's capable of; be careful.''

Tal sat back, then said, “Thank you. You may have saved me another time.''

“Well, at least this time I may have saved you from embarrassment, not from death.''

“No, I think not.''

“What?''

“Look at him.''

Pasko turned and regarded the young Keshian, who sat quietly watching Talon from under hooded eyes.

Talon said, “Call it intuition or my ‘bump of trouble,' but unless I'm sadly mistaken, he means to kill me today.''

The semifinal round was conducted with more pomp and ceremony than the earlier rounds. Many members of the
Royal Family were in attendance, as well as most of the important nobility.

When the combatants for the first match were announced, Tal felt his stomach flip. Campaneal and Vahardak would go first, and Tal and the Keshian afterward. He realized that as the favorite, the Masters were saving his bout for last. Even so, he wished to get it over with.

Neither he nor the Keshian watched the first match, each of them content to sit in opposite corners of the room. Vahardak and Campaneal had done the same, each taking a corner with their retainers. The Count was accompanied by at least five servants, while Lieutenant Campaneal had a batsman and a sergeant of the Olasko Household Guard with him. Tal had Pasko, and the Keshian sat alone.

From the droning voices in the distance, Tal could tell that the Master who announced the final matches to take place in the court was indulging himself in as grand a presentation as he could muster and, from the accompanying cheers, the crowd seemed eager to savor every word.