Masque of Death (Kormak Book Nine) (The Kormak Saga 9) by William King Read Free Book Online Page B

last night. Like everyone else, I was somewhat the worse for wear. That is not the way things usually go round here. I can assure you, as I was just assuring the Admiral, that I run a very tight ship.”
    As he spoke more and more servants in plain black tunics entered the room, carrying a selection of dishes which they placed upon the table and then withdrew silently as they came. “Do have some of the dried fish, Sir Kormak. I think you will find it is excellent.”
    Kormak helped himself to some bread and butter and put it on a plate. “I have some questions to ask you.”
    “Of course, of course. But first Admiral Zamara gives me to understand that you have some papers for me. Credentials, as it were. It’s not that I don’t take your word, but there are protocols to be followed in matters such as this.”
    Kormak produced papers and the royal signet ring. The Governor made a great show of reading the King’s warrant and inspecting the seal. By the time he had finished, his face was pale, and he was swallowing even though there was no food in his mouth.
    “Everything certainly seems to be in order,” the Governor said. “What can I do to help you? I can assure you that all you have to do is ask, and I will move heaven and earth to get it done.”
    “I don’t think that will be necessary,” Kormak said. “All you need to do is answer some questions. Depending on your answers we shall see how things proceed.”
    “By all means, go ahead. I have nothing to hide. Nothing to hide at all.”
    “On the last treasure galleon, you sent a sarcophagus to the King.”
    “Indeed, I did. A very fine specimen it was brought in by some adventurers from upcountry. I remember thinking that it was exactly the sort of thing that King Aemon had asked me to keep an eye open for. I hope the King was pleased.”
    Either the man had no idea of what had ensued once the coffin was delivered or he was a much better actor than he appeared to be. “Initially.”
    Now the Governor looked alarmed. “Initially?”
    “The sarcophagus contained an Old One. A very dangerous one. One that killed over a score of people in the Imperial Palace and almost killed the King himself.”
    If the Governor had looked pale before, he turned white now. His eyes became very large. “I’m very, very sorry to hear that. I had no idea. Please tell the King that I had no conception that anything so dangerous could have been within that coffin. His Majesty made it very clear to me that anything I found out there was to be sent on undisturbed, and I followed his instructions to the letter.”
    “You made no attempt to check upon the sarcophagus whatsoever?”
    The Governor shook his head. “The King was quite clear. Nothing was to be disturbed. Particularly if the object appeared to be of mystical significance.”
    “And the object appeared to be so to you?”
    “I am no expert on such things. In these matters, I rely upon Frater Ramon. He is a scholar of formidable intellect and considerable knowledge. He studied these matters in depth. I sometimes think that he knows all there is to know about the Old Ones around here.”
    “I talked to him last night, and he certainly seemed knowledgeable.”
    “You are undoubtedly considerably better informed in such matters than I am.”
    “So you’re saying that Frater Ramon is the person responsible for sending this to the King.”
    For an instant, the Governor looked relieved. He had found a way to shift the blame. Kormak could almost see the gears moving inside his head. “I would hardly say he was responsible for sending it to the King. He simply advised me about it. In fact, now that I think about it, he did tell me about the seals. He said that this was a discovery of extraordinary mystical significance.”
    “You told him about the King’s interest in these things?”
    “He is my closest adviser in such matters—of course, I had told him. He was well aware of the reason I was consulting him about