ggk.thelionsofal-rassan-第43章

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attle　has　been　fought　in　this　holy　war；　we　heard　the　tidings　before　we　left　to　e　to　you。〃
　　〃Where　was　this　battle？〃　Gonzalez　again。
　　〃A　city　called　Sorenica。　Do　you　know　it？〃
　　〃I　do；〃　said　Ramiro　quietly。　〃It　is　the　Kindath　city　in　the　south　of　Batiara；　granted　them　as　their　own　long　ago；　for　aid　given　the　princes　of　Batiara　in　peace　and　war。　What　Asharite　armies　were　there；　may　I　ask？〃
　　Geraud's　smile　faded。　There　was　a　coldness　in　his　eyes　now。　The　belated　recognition　of　a　possible　foe。　Be　careful；　Ramiro　told　himself。
　　The　cleric　said；　〃Think　you　the　so…called　Star…born　of　the　desert　are　the　only　infidels　we　must　face？　Do　you　not　know　the　rites　the　Kindath　practice　on　the　nights　of　two　full　moons？〃
　　〃Most　of　them；〃　said　Ramiro　of　Valledo　calmly。　It　seemed　he　was　not　going　to　be　careful；　after　all。　His　slow；　deep　anger　was　beginning　to　rise。　He　feared　that　anger；　but　not　enough　to　resist　it。　He　was　aware　that　his　wife　was　looking　at　him　now。　He　stared　at　the　cleric　from　Ferrieres。　〃I've　given　thought　to　inviting　the　Kindath　back；　you　see。　We　need　their　industry　and　their　knowledge　in　Valledo。　We　need　all　kinds　of　people　here。　I　wanted　to　know　as　much　as　I　could　about　Kindath　beliefs　before　I　proceeded　further。　There　is　nothing　I've　ever　heard；　or　read；　to　suggest　blood　or　desecration　are　part　of　their　faith。〃
　　〃Invite　them　back？〃　Geraud　de　Chervalles's　voice　had　lost　its　modulated　control。　〃At　the　very　time　when　all　the　kings　and　princes　of　the　Jaddite　world　are　joining　together　to　cleanse　the　world　of　heresy？〃　He　turned　to　Ines。　〃You　told　us　nothing　of　this；　my　lady。〃　The　words　were　an　accusation；　stiff　and　grim。
　　Ramiro　lost　his　temper。　This　was　too　much。
　　But　before　he　could　speak；　his　queen；　his　holy；　devout　queen　from　Ferrieres　said；　〃Why；　cleric；　would　I　tell　you　such　a　thing？〃　Her　tone　was　astringent；　royal；　shockingly　cold。
　　Geraud　de　Chervalles；　utterly　unprepared　for　this；　took　an　involuntary　step　backwards。　Ines　went　on：　〃Why　would　the　plans　of　my　dear　lord　and　husband　for　our　own　land　be　a　part　of　any　munication　between　you　and　me　with　regard　to　your　pilgrimage？　I　think　you　presume；　cleric。　I　await　your　apology。〃
　　Ramiro　was　as　shocked　as　the　man　addressed。　Support　from　Ines　against　a　High　Cleric　was　not　something　he'd　ever　have　expected。　He　dared　not　even　look　at　her。　He　knew　this　ice…cold　voice　of　hers　extremely　well；　most　often　it　had　been　used　against　him；　for　one　sin　or　another。
　　Geraud　de　Chervalles；　his　color　heightened　now；　said；　〃I　beg　forgiveness；　of　course；　for　any　offense　the　queen　has　perceived。　But　I　will　say　this：　there　are　no　internal；　private　affairs　of　any　Jaddite　kingdom；　not　when　it　es　to　the　infidels；　Asharite　or　Kindath。　They　are　a　matter　for　the　clerics　of　the　god。〃
　　〃Then　burn　them　yourselves；〃　said　Ramiro　of　Valledo　grimly。　〃Or　if　you　seek　men　to　die　and　women　to　be　put　at　risk　of　losing　all　they　have　in　your　cause；　speak　a　little　more　softly；　especially　at　a　royal　court　where　you　are　a　guest。〃
　　〃I　have　a　question；〃　Ines　added　suddenly。　〃If　I　may？〃　She　looked　at　the　king。　Ramiro　nodded。　He　still　couldn't　believe　what　had　happened　to　her。　She　asked；　〃Who　is　it　has　mounted　this　war？　Who　summoned　the　armies？〃
　　〃The　clerics　of　Jad；　of　course；〃　said　Geraud；　his　color　still　high；　the　easy　smile　gone。　〃Led　by　those　of　us　in　Ferrieres；　of　course。〃
　　〃Of　course；〃　said　Ines。　〃Then　tell　me；　why　are　you　here；　cleric？　Why　are　you　not　with　that　mighty　army　in　Batiara；　preparing　to　make　the　long　journey　to　those　distant；　dangerous　eastern　lands？〃
　　Ramiro　had　never　seen　his　wife　like　this。　He　looked　at　her　again　in　frank　astonishment。　His　own　surprise；　he　saw；　was　as　nothing　pared　to　that　of　the　man　addressed。
　　〃There　are　infidels　nearer　to　home；〃　Geraud　said　darkly。
　　〃Of　course；〃　Ines　murmured。　Her　expression　was　guileless。　〃And　Soriyya　is　so　far；　and　sea　voyages　so　tedious；　and　war　in　the　desert　so　chancy。　I　think　I　do　begin　to　understand。〃
　　〃I　don't　think　you　do。　I　think…〃
　　〃I　am　fatigued；〃　Queen　Ines　said；　rising。　〃Forgive　me。　A　woman's　weakness。　Perhaps　we　might　continue　this　another　time；　my　lord　king？〃　She　looked　at　Ramiro。
　　Still　unable　to　believe　what　he　was　hearing；　the　king　rose。　〃Of　course；　my　lady；〃　he　said。　〃If　you　are　unwell　。。。　〃　He　extended　a　hand；　she　took　it。　He　felt；　unmistakably；　a　pressure　of　her　fingers。　〃Count　Gonzalez；　will　you　be　so　good　as　to　see　to　our　distinguished　guests　。。。　〃
　　〃A　great　honor；〃　said　Gonzalez　de　Rada。
　　He　snapped　his　fingers。　Eight　men　came　forward　to　flank　the　clerics　from　Ferrieres。　Ramiro　nodded　his　head　politely　and　waited。　Geraud　de　Chervalles；　still　red…faced；　had　no　choice　but　to　bow。　Ramiro　turned；　Ines　swinging　around　him；　still　holding　his　hand；　as　in　the　steps　of　a　dance…though　she　never　danced…and　they　went　out　through　the　new　bronze　doors　behind　the　throne。
　　The　doors　closed　behind　them。　It　was　a　small　retreat　they　entered；　graciously　appointed；　with　carpeting　and　new…bought　tapestries。　There　was　wine　on　a　table　by　one　wall。　Ramiro　walked　quickly　over　and　poured　for　himself。　He　drained　a　glass；　poured　another；　drained　it。
　　〃Jad　curse　that　insufferable　man！　Might　I　have　just　a　little　of　that？〃　his　queen　said。
　　The　king　wheeled　around。　The　servants　had　withdrawn。　They　were　alone。　Ines's　expression　was　not　one　he　could　ever　remember　seeing。　Covering　his　confusion；　he　quickly　poured　for　her；　mixed　water；　brought　her　the　glass。
　　She　took　it；　looked　up　at　him。　〃I'm　sorry；〃　she　said。　〃I　brought　this　upon　us；　didn't　I？〃
　　〃An　unpleasant　guest？〃　He　managed　a　smile。　He　felt　oddly　buoyant；　looking　at　her。　〃We've　dealt　with　such　before。〃
　　〃He's　more　than　that；　though；　isn't　he？〃　He　watched　her　sip　from　the　glass。　She　made　a　face；　but　took　another　sip。　His　sudden　high　spirits　faded　as　quickly　as　they'd　surged。
　　〃Yes；〃　he　said；　〃he　is　more　than　that。　Or；　not　him　alone；　but　the　tidings　he's　brought。〃
　　〃I　know　that。　A　holy　war。　All　those　armies　together。　They　will　want　us　to　join　the　cause；　won't　they？　In　Al…Rassan？〃
　　〃And　my　soldiers　will　want　it。〃
　　〃You　don't　want　to　go　south。〃　It　was　not　a　question。
　　There　was　a　discreet　knock。　The　king　spoke　and　Gonzalez　de　Rada　entered。　He　was　very　pale；　his　expression　somber。　Ramiro　went　back　to　the　table　and　poured　another　glass　for　himself。　This　one　he　watered。　It　was　not　a　time　for　indulgence。
　　〃Do　I　want　to　wage　a　holy　war　in　Al…Rassan？〃　He　framed　Ines's　question　again　for　the　constable。　〃Truthful　answer？〃　He　shook　his　head。　〃I　do　not。　I　want　to　go　south　on　my　own　terms　in　my　own　time。　I　want　to　take　Ruenda　from　my　feckless　brother；　Jalona　from　Uncle　Bermudo…may　his　fingers　and　toes　rot…take　Fezana　from　those　butchering　Cartadans；　and　then　look　further　afield；　or　let　my　sons　look　further　afield　when　I　am　dead　and　troubling　you　no　longer。〃　He　smiled　briefly　at　Ines。　She　did　not　smile　back。
　　〃If　an　army　of　kings　is　sailing　to　Ammuz　and　Soriyya；〃　Gonzalez　said；　〃it　will　be　hard　for　us　not　to　go　south　in　the　spring。　Every　cleric　in　the　three　kingdoms　of　Esperana　will　be　threatening　from　his　chapel　that　we　endanger　our　souls　if　we　do　not。〃
　　〃I　know　that；〃　Ramiro　murmured。　〃Pour　yourself　some　wine。　It　will　ease　your　endangered　soul。〃
　　〃This　is　my　fault；〃　said　Ines。　〃I　brought　him　here。〃
　　The　king　put　down　his　wine。　He　went　to　her　and　claimed　her　glass　and　set　it　down。　He　took　her　hands。　She　did　not　pull　away。　All　of　this　was　very　new。
　　〃He　would　have　e；　my　dear。　He　and　others。　If　all　the　lords　east　of　the　mountains　are　dancing　for　them　now；　why　should　we　be　allowed　to　live　free　of　the　yoke？　You　may　be　sure　there　are　men　like　this　one　in　Jalona　already；　and　on　the　way　to　Ruenda　if　not　there　by　now。　They　will　demand　a　winter　meeting　between　the　three　of　us。　Wait　for　it。　They　will　order　us　to　meet；　on　pain　of　banning　in　the　chapels；　of　losing　our　immortal　places　in　the　god's　light。　And　we　will　have　to　listen　to　them。　We　will　meet；　Uncle　Bermudo　and　brother　Sanchez　and　I　will　sit　together；　and　hunt。　They　will　watch　every　move　I　make；　and　I　will　do　the　same　with　them。　We　will　swear　a　holy　truce　amongst　ourselves。　The　clerics　will　sing　our　praises　in　rapture。　And　we　will　almost　certainly　be　riding　to　war　in　Al…Rassan　by　spring。〃
　　〃And？〃
　　She　was　direct；　his　queen。　Clever　and　surprising　and　direct。
　　Ramiro　shrugged。　〃No　sober　man　ever　speaks　with　certainty　about　war。　Especially　not　this　kind　of　war；　with　three　armies　that　hate　each　other　on　one　side；　and　twenty　that　fear　each　other　opposing　them。〃
　　〃And　the　Muwardis　across　the　straits；〃　said　Count　Gonzalez　softly。　〃Do　not　forget　them。〃
　　Ramiro　closed　his　eyes。　He　could　still　hear　the　rain。　Ferrieres；　Waleska；　Karch；　the　cities　of　Batiara　。。。　all　gathered　together　in　holy　war。　Despite　himself；　despite　all　his　sober　instincts；　there　was　something　undeniably　stirring　in　the　image。　He　could　almost　see　the　assembled　banners；　all　those　mighty　lords　of　war　brought　together。　How　could　any　man　of　spirit　not　want　to　be　there；　not　want　to　share　in　such　an　enterprise？
　　〃The　world　is　a　different　place　than　it　was　this　morning；〃　Ramiro　of　Valledo　said　gravely。　He　became　aware　that　he　was　still　holding　his　wife's　hands；　that　she　was　allowing　him　to　do　so。　〃Do　you　know　what　I　would　like　to　do？〃　he　added　suddenly；　surprising　himself。
　　She　looked　up　at　him；　waiting。　He　knew　what　she　was　thinking。　He　always　wanted　the　same　thing　when　he　spoke　to　her　like　that。　Well；　she　wasn't　the　only　person　here　who　could　offer　the　unexpected。　And　this　new　feeling　was　strong。
　　〃I　would　like　to　pray；〃　said　the　king　of　Valledo。　〃After　what　we　have　just　learned；　I　think　I　would　like　to　pray。　Will　you　both　e　with　me？〃
　　They　went　to　the　royal　chapel　together；　the　king　and　his　queen　and　their　constable。　The　palace　cleric　was　there；　having　just　arrived　from　the　audience　chamber　in　great　dismay。　He　was　as　astonished　as　might　have　been　expected　at　the　sight　of　the　king；　which　was　extremely　so。　He　took　his　place　hastily　at　the　altar　before　the　disk。
　　Each　of　them　signified　the　symbol　of　the　god's　sun　with　their　right　hand　over　their　heart　and　then　sank　down　upon　their　knees　on　the　stone　of　the　floor。　The　light　in　the　royal　chapel　was　muted。　There　were　windows　but　they　were　old；　and　smaller；　and　rain　was　falling　upon　them。
　　They　prayed　in　that　simple；　unadorned　space　to　the　one　god　and　the　life…giving　light　of　his　sun；　their　faces　turned　to　where　an　emblem　of　that　sun　was　set　upon　the　wall　behind　the　altar　stone。　They　prayed　for　strength　and　mercy；　for　purity　of　heart　and　mortal　body；　for　the　fulfillment　of　Jad's　bright　visions；　and　for　access；　at　the　end　of　their　own　days　among　the　fields　of　earth；　to　Paradise。
　　
Part　IV
Ten
　　Nino　di　Carrera；　young；　handsome　and　adept；　the　most　favored　courtier　of　King　Bermudo　of　Jalona　and　concurrently　the　latest　of　the　furtive　lovers　of　Bermudo's　demanding　queen；　Fruela；　was　in　a　condition　of　anxious　perplexity。
　　In　fact；　he　hadn't　the　least　idea　what　to　do。
　　Confusion　made　him　angry。　Anger　was　pounded　by　the　increasing　embarrassment　of　what　was　presently　taking　place。　Nino　swept　off　his　iron　helmet　and　shook　out　his　yellow　mane　of　hair；　the　envy　and　desire　of　most　of　the　women　at　Bermudo'