ggk.asongforarbonne-第42章

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usty　road。　Portezzans　were　like　that。
　　〃And　on　the　other　matter？〃　Bertran　asked；　the　faintest　hint　of　tension　in　his　voice　now。　〃The　one　we　have　been　delaying　upon？〃
　　Blaise　knew　what　the　duke　meant；　of　course　he　knew：　What　would　you　have　me　do；　declare　myself　the　true　king　of　Gorhaut？　His　own　words。
　　He　shook　his　head。　Something　in　his　chest　grew　tight　and　heavy　whenever　he　thought　about　that。　It　was　a　step　across　a　chasm　so　wide　he　had　never　thought　to　see　such　a　thing；　even　in　his　mind's　eye。　〃No；〃　he　said。　〃Leave　that。　It　is　autumn　now；　and　the　truce　of　the　fair。　Gorhaut　will　do　nothing　here；　if　any　of　them　even　e；　and　then　Ademar　will　have　to　wait　until　spring　opens　the　mountains　again。　Let　us　wait　and　see　what　happens。〃
　　Valery　said　in　his　measured　voice；　〃We　might　be　doing　things　ourselves　in　winter；　instead　of　waiting　to　see　what　others　do。〃
　　Blaise　turned　to　him。　〃I'm　sorry；〃　he　said　sharply；　〃if　my　reluctance　to　be　used　as　a　figurehead　will　spoil　your　winter。〃
　　Bertran；　on　his　other　side；　laughed　aloud。　〃Fair　enough；〃　he　said；　〃though　you　are　hardly　a　figurehead；　if　you　are　honest　with　yourself。　If　Ademar　is　seen　as　having　betrayed　his　country　with　the　Treaty　of　Iersen　Bridge；　is　there　a　man　in　Gorhaut　with　a　better　claim　to　succeed　him　than　you？　Your　brother；　perhaps？〃
　　〃Perhaps；〃　Blaise　said。　〃He　won't　do　anything；　though。　My　father　rules　him。〃　He　hesitated。　〃Leave　it；　Bertran。　Leave　it　for　now。〃
　　There　was　a　silence。　In　it；　the　three　riders　came　up；　trailed　by　young　Serlo。　They　were　clad　in　a　magnificent　black　and　crimson　livery　Blaise　knew。　He　realized　abruptly　whose　these　men　must　be。　His　heart　began　beating　quickly　again。　It　seemed　that　whatever　he　did；　wherever　he　went；　events　drew　him　back　into　his　past。　The　first　of　the　riders　pulled　up　his　horse　and　bowed　unctuously　low　in　his　saddle。
　　〃Very　well；　we　will　leave　it　for　now；〃　Bertran　said　quietly　to　Blaise。　And　then　launched　himself；　almost　before　he'd　finished　speaking；　in　a　hard；　fluid；　uncoiled　movement　from　his　horse。
　　He　slammed　into　Blaise　with　his　shoulder；　knocking　the　wind　from　him；　driving　him　from　his　own　mount。　The　two　of　them　landed　hard　in　the　dust　of　the　road　as　the　knife　thrown　by　the　second　man　in　black　and　red　whipped　over　the　bowed　head　of　the　first　and　through　the　empty　space　where　Blaise　had　been　a　moment　before。　Portezzans　were　legendary　for　their　skill　with　knives。
　　But　the　corans　of　Bertran　de　Talair　were　the　best　trained　in　Arbonne。　Valery　killed　the　knife…thrower　with　a　short；　precise　sword　thrust；　and　Serlo；　with　an　oath；　dispatched　the　third　man　from　behind　without　ceremony。　Only　the　leader　was　left　then；　as　Bertran　and　Blaise　disentangled　themselves　and　stood　up。　Bertran　winced　and　flexed　a　knee。
　　Serlo　and　Valery　had　their　blades　levelled　at　the　Portezzan　from　before　and　behind。　It　had　all　happened　so　quickly；　so　silently；　that　no　one　up　ahead　had　even　realized　anything　had　taken　place。　There　were　two　dead　men　on　the　ground；　though。　The　Portezzan　looked　down　at　them　and　then　at　Bertran。　He　had　a　lean；　tanned　face　and　a　carefully　curled　moustache。　There　were　several　rings　on　his　fingers；　over　his　riding　gloves。
　　〃I　am　perfectly　content　to　surrender　myself　to　your　mercy；〃　he　said　calmly；　in　flawless；　aristocratic　Arbonnais。　〃I　will　be　ransomed　by　my　cousin　at　a　fair　price；　I　can　assure　you　of　that。〃
　　〃Your　cousin　has　just　violated　a　truce　formally　guaranteed　by　the　countess　of　Arbonne；〃　Bertran　said　icily。　〃He　will　answer　to　her　for　that　even　more　than　you。〃
　　〃I　am　certain　he　will　answer　adequately；〃　the　man　said　blandly。
　　Bertran's　face　grew　pale；　Blaise　recognized　the　signs　of　real　rage　building。　He　was　still　too　much　in　shock　to　frame　his　own　response。
　　〃I　am　rather　less　certain　than　you；〃　the　duke　said　softly　to　the　Portezzan。　〃But　in　the　interim；　you　will　now　make　reply　to　me：　why　would　you　seek　to　kill　one　of　my　panions？　〃
　　For　the　first　time　the　man's　expression　grew　hesitant。　He　looked　sidelong　at　Blaise　as　if　to　verify　something。　His　face　cleared；　and　as　it　did；　even　before　he　spoke；　Blaise　understood　what　had　just　happened。　Something　in　him；　in　his　heart　actually；　seemed　to　make　a　sound　like　a　bowstring　plucked　or　the　string　of　a　lute。
　　〃My　lord　and　cousin　Borsiard　d'Andoria　has　a　mortal　grievance　against　this　man；〃　the　Portezzan　said。　〃It　has　nothing　to　do　with　you；　En　Bertran。　He　has　nothing　but　respect　and　affection　for　you；　my　lord；　and　for　the　countess　of　Arbonne。〃　The　words　were　honeyed；　mellifluous。
　　〃An　assault　against　a　man　in　my　pany　has　a　great　deal　to　do　with　me；　I'm　afraid。　And　words　of　respect　are　meaningless　when　an　assault　takes　place　during　the　truce　of　a　fair。　Your　lord　and　cousin　has　made　a　mistake。〃
　　〃And　I　have　never　met　Borsiard　d'Andoria　in　my　life；〃　Blaise　added。　〃I　would　be　interested　to　know　what　his　mortal　grievance　is。〃　He　knew；　though；　or　thought　he　could　guess。
　　〃It　is　not　a　matter　for　proclaiming　in　public；〃　the　Portezzan　said　haughtily。　〃Nor　do　the　Andoria　explain　themselves。〃
　　〃Another　mistake；〃　said　Bertran；　in　a　blunt　tone　of　finality。　〃I　see　no　reason　to　delay　this。　As　a　duke　of　Arbonne　sworn　to　uphold　the　countess's　peace；　I　have　an　obvious　duty　here。〃　He　turned　to　Serlo。　〃Take　three　corans　and　string　this　man　from　a　tree。　You　will　strip　and　brand　him　first。　The　whole　world　knows　the　punishment　decreed　for　those　who　violate　a　truce。〃
　　The　Portezzan　was　a　brave　man；　for　all　his　posturing。　〃I　am　a　man　of　rank　and　cousin　to　Borsiard　d'Andoria；〃　he　said。　〃I　am　entitled　to　the　treatment　appropriate　to　my　status。〃
　　Bertran　de　Talair　shook　his　head。　Blaise　registered　Valery's　look　of　growing　concern。　He　felt　the　same　anxiety　himself。　The　duke　ignored　them。　He　said；　〃Your　status　is　that　of　an　attempted　murderer；　violator　of　a　truce　all　six　countries　have　sworn　to　keep。　No　one　will　speak　for　you　today。〃　He　turned　back　to　Serlo。　〃Hang　him。〃
　　Serlo　had　already　summoned　three　other　men。　They　pulled　the　Portezzan　roughly　from　his　horse。　One　man　had　a　rope　looped　through　his　saddle。　There　was　an　oak　tree　at　the　edge　of　a　field　east　of　the　road；　they　took　him　there。
　　〃You　cannot　do　this！〃　the　Portezzan　shouted；　craning　his　neck　to　look　back　at　Bertran；　the　first　edge　of　fear　entering　his　voice。　He　had　truly　never　thought　he　might　be　in　danger；　Blaise　realized。　The　immunity　of　his　rank　and　kinship　had　led　him　to　believe　he　could　kill　freely　and　be　ransomed；　that　money　and　status　could　be　an　answer　to　anything。
　　〃Are　you　sure　of　this？〃　Valery　said　quietly　to　his　cousin。　〃We　may　need　the　Andoria　later。〃
　　There　was　something　nearly　cruel　in　the　blue　eyes　as　Bertran　de　Talair　watched　his　corans　over　by　the　tree。　They　were　stripping　the　Portezzan；　the　man　had　begun　to　shout　now。　Bertran's　voice　was　bleak　as　he　answered　Valery　without　turning；　〃We　need　no　one　so　much　that　we　lose　our　honour　in　pursuing　them。　Wherever　the　fairs　are；　the　ruler　of　that　country　is　bound　to　uphold　the　truce　that　allows　us　all　to　trade。　You　know　it。　Everyone　knows　it。　What　just　happened　was　an　insult　to　the　countess　and　to　Arbonne　so　arrogant　I　will　not　countenance　it。　Let　Borsiard　d'Andoria　do　what　he　will；　those　three　men　have　to　die。　When　we　reach　Lussan　and　Barbentain；　my　advice　to　the　countess　will　be　to　ban　the　Andoria　from　entry　to　the　fair。　I　expect　she　will　do　so。〃
　　He　walked　over　and　remounted　his　horse；　Blaise；　after　a　moment；　did　the　same。
　　From　up　ahead；　beyond　the　front　of　their　column；　a　new　motion　could　now　be　heard。　Beside　the　road；　Bertran's　corans　had　rigged　a　hanging　rope　around　a　branch　of　the　tree。　The　condemned　man　had　been　stripped　to　his　undergarments。　Now　Serlo　resolutely　pulled　a　knife　from　his　belt；　and　while　the　others　held　the　thrashing　Portezzan；　he　set　about　carving　into　his　forehead　the　brand　of　an　oathbreaker。　Blaise　had　seen　this　before。　He　resisted　an　impulse　to　turn　away。　They　heard　the　man　scream　suddenly；　high　and　desperate。　Five　riders　had　now　peeled　away　from　the　party　in　front　of　them　and　were　galloping　furiously　back　through　the　grass　at　the　side　of　the　road。
　　〃Take　as　many　men　as　you　need；〃　said　Bertran　calmly　to　Valery。　〃Surround　the　tree。　If　those　people　attempt　to　stop　the　hanging　you　are　to　kill　them。　Blaise；　wait　here　with　me。〃
　　Without　a　word　Valery　moved　to　obey。　The　remaining　corans　of　Talair　had　already　begun　moving　swiftly　into　position；　anticipating　this。　Swords　out；　arrows　to　bows；　they　formed　a　wide　ring　around　the　hanging　tree。　At　the　rear　of　the　column　beside　Bertran；　with　two　dead　men　on　the　ground　beside　them；　Blaise　watched　the　third　Portezzan　bundled　onto　the　back　of　a　horse；　his　hands　tied　before　him；　the　knotted　rope　around　his　neck。　There　was　blood　dripping　down　his　face　from　Serlo's　branding。　The　five　men　racing　back　were　shouting　now；　gesticulating　wildly。　Serlo　looked　back　to　Bertran；　for　the　confirmation。　The　duke　nodded　once。　Serlo　stabbed　the　horse　in　the　haunch　with　his　blade。　The　animal　bolted　forward。　The　Portezzan　seemed　to　actually　spring　backwards　off　the　horse　into　the　air。　Then　he　dangled；　swinging；　an　oddly　disconnected　figure。　They　had　heard　the　cracking　sound。　He　was　already　dead。
　　The　five　shouting　Portezzans　reined　up　hard　at　the　very　edge　of　Valery's　ring　of　men。　They　were　hopelessly　outnumbered；　of　course。　The　leader　screamed　something　at　Valery；　lashing　his　handsome　horse　in　impotent　rage。　Bertran　turned　to　Blaise；　as　if　bored　by　what　was　now　happening。
　　〃We　have　another　small　thing　to　sort　out　between　us；〃　he　said；　for　all　the　world　as　if　they　were　alone　in　the　pleasant　autumn　countryside。　〃I　have　only　just　realized　it　myself。　You　may　not　be　ready　to　assert　any　sort　of　claim　in　Gorhaut；　but　if　we　are　riding　to　Lussan　now　with　you　clearly　acknowledged　as　who　you　are…and　with　what　has　just　now　happened　that　decision　has　been　made　for　us…then　I　cannot　treat　you　as　simply　another　of　my　corans。　You　may　not　like　this…for　reasons　I　can　appreciate…but　it　would　ill　behoove　us　both　for　me　to　be　seen　giving　you　mands　now。　Will　you　accept　a　discharge　from　my　service？　Will　you　accept　the　hospitality　and　panionship　of　Talair　as　my　friend　and　guest？〃
　　It　was；　of　course；　the　only　action　proper　under　the　circumstances。　And　yes；　Blaise　was　bothered　by　the　change；　it　marked　a　transition；　yet　another；　in　a　year　when　his　life　seemed　to　be　careening　with　unsettling　speed　towards　some　destination　as　yet　hidden　in　the　distance。
　　He　managed　a　smile；　〃I　was　wondering　when　my　wages　would　begin　to　grate　upon　you。　I　confess　I　had　not　thought　you　were　so　careful　with　your　money；　my　lord；　it　does　go　against　the　image　all　the　world　has　of　you。〃
　　Bertran；　genuinely　startled；　laughed　aloud。　There　was；　just　then；　a　silence　in　the　gesticulating　knot　of　men　by　the　tree。　Then　sudden　laughter　carried。　The　five　Portezzans　turned　to　look　at　them。　Their　leader；　a　short；　dark　man　on　that　splendid　horse；　stared　across　the　distance　for　a　long　moment；　ignoring　the　corans　around　him。　Then　he　turned　his　horse　without　another　word　and　rode　back　north。　The　other　Portezzans　followed。
　　〃That；〃　said　Bertran；　〃was　slightly　unfortunate。〃　
　　〃Who　was　that　man？〃
　　The　duke　turned　to　him　with　surprise。　〃You　were　telling　the　truth；　weren't　you？　You　have　really