Book 2 - Lord of the Silent Kingdom by Glen Cook Read Free Book Online

resembled an
artist's caricature of death, as in some paintings hanging in the
Palace's miles of hallways. He
smelled
old, even after his
baths.
    Hecht could not imagine how Osa Stile had congress with that.
    Delari said, "If you're as unlucky as I am and survive as long as I
have, you'll be a repulsive old man yourself."
    Hecht started. Delari had a disconcerting knack for knowing what he
was thinking.
    Osa sneered.
    Herrin and Vernal arrived. Both were tall and thin. Both were of an
age where they would be expected to find other employment soon. Herrin
had blossomed dramatically of late. She was an attractive blonde
burdened by a dour personality. An eventuation Hecht thought ought to
mar all children compelled to serve in order to survive. Then
reflected that he had not turned out badly despite having been
kidnapped and sold into slavery as a toddler.
    Vernal lived up to her name. She was bright and cheerful. Evil
fortune could not crush her natural optimism. Hecht had, occasionally,
considered sending Vernal to serve Anna Mozilla. Anna could use the
help. Being what she was, and having who she had for a lover, though,
left her unwilling to have anyone stay in full time.
    Vernal shared a birthday with Herrin and was as tall but had not yet
bloomed. Hecht suspected that she would not change much once she did.
    Osa and the girls led Delari and Hecht to an unoccupied hot pool.
Once he settled, Hecht asked, "How do you think Sublime will respond to
Clearenza's defection?"
    Armand's ears pricked up. Delari seemed puzzled by the question.
    Hecht said, "The others think he'll do something stupid. You've
known him since he was a pup. Will he?"
"Probably. Thinking he's being clever."
    "But he will insist on doing something? Even if Lothar is serious
about protecting fon Dreasser?"
    Armand paid close attention.
    "Even more certainly if the Grail Empire gets involved. He's sure
Lothar is a weakling. Despite the evidence so far. He's also sure the
boy won't live much longer. Despite the contrary evidence there. If he
could hasten Lothar's passage into the hereafter, he'd probably do it.
Thinking the sisters will be weaker than the boy."
    "I don't know about Katrin. I saw Helspeth on the battlefield.
She's young and female but that apple didn't fall far from the tree."
    "As may be. Right now I want you to see what we do that could be of
more enduring consequence."
    "Since it's so secret that I don't know about it already, should we
talk about it here?"
    Armand donned a sour look.
    Delari said, "The Empire couldn't put a spy in here. Children
aren't that motivated. But what a coup if they could.
Everything
gets discussed here."
    "Uhm."
    "Later, then. If that makes you more comfortable."
    "I have the evening free."
    "Take supper with me, then."
    Hecht accepted. Anna and Redfearn Bechter alike would pout.
    Bechter wanted him to spend more time with the staff in the Castella
dollas Pontellas. Hoping to seduce him into the warrior Brotherhood.
    The Brothers there were preparing to welcome a new castellan. He
would replace Grade Drocker. Though Drocker had been but acting head of
the local chapter. The true castellan, Hawley Quirke, had been summoned
to the Brotherhood's home base, the Castella Anjela dolla Picolena on
the island of Staklirhod, in the eastern reaches of the Mother Sea.
Quirke had been lost in a sea battle with a Praman fleet. The position
of castellan had gone unfilled since.
    "Send word to Bechter about when and where."
    "You're in a hurry to go?"
    No. I want to see how Polo is. And I want to talk to Colonel Ghort."
    HECHT  ASKED,  "YOU  EVER HAVE TROUBLE WITH  THOSE
two before?"
    "Not really. They belonged to the Cologni company." The City
Regiment was a conglomerate of forces subsidized by wealthy
benefactors. "And, no, I don't think the Cologni put them up to it.
They don't have the imagination."
    Having worked with senior members of all the Five Families, Hecht
agreed. "They are a dim lot. They're lucky there aren't