I tell Makri not to worry. "They're not pointing you out as a weird Orcish freak any more. Now they're pointing you out as a successful fighter." #51 | | |
"Thanks. That makes me feel a lot better." #52 | | |
At the Royal Record house, Cetenos is just as downcast as before, though he brightens a little on learning that I've asked Lisutaris to help. He takes us to the room where his daughter worked, then leaves us alone. Lisutaris fumbles around inside her magic purse. #53 | | |
"I can't find the handkerchief. There it is… no, that's one of mine… I'm sure it's here somewhere…" #54 | | |
"Could you learn how to use your magic purse properly?" #55 | | |
Lisutaris looks pained. "It's really large inside, I haven't got the hang of it yet. Here it is." She produces the small piece of lace then throws it into the air. It hovers in front of her. She speaks a few words in one of the arcane languages she uses. The handkerchief languidly floats over to one corner of the room where it descends onto a chair. #56 | | |
"That's where Alceten was working the last time she was here," says Lisutaris. The lace handkerchief has landed at a table beside several cabinets full of documents, and there are shelves nearby, packed with books and scrolls. #57 | | |
"Mining records," says Makri, examining the papers in the cabinet. "And some family records on the shelves. Some tax records too. This doesn't really belong here, does it?" She picks up a very weighty tome from the table. "Samsarinan Commercial Law. This should be over with the other legal books." #58 | | |
I study the huge book. It is out of place. #59 | | |
"Do you think Alceten found some sort of illegal transaction?" asks Makri. #60 | | |
"Maybe. It would have to be serious if someone killed her because of it. And I don't see how it would involve Merlione." I glance at all the other records strewn around. Lisutaris has narrowed things down but there's still a lot to examine, and I'm not at my best with ancient legal scrolls and documents. I ask the Sorcerer if she could place our bet on Makri. "It'll let me make a start here. I'll meet you later at the fight." #61 | | |
"Lisutaris can't go into a bookmaker's shop," says Makri. "It will destroy her status." #62 | | |
"You could do it." I hand our money over to Makri. "Just make sure you get it right." #63 | | |
"You make sure you get to the fight on time," says Lisutaris. "You need to lead Makri out. I can't do that either." #64 | | |
Managing a sword-fighter is regarded as a low-class occupation. Though Barons and their ilk always show an interest in the fighters, none of them would sully their reputation by leading one on to the field. #65 | | |
Left on my own in the record room, I'm daunted by the prospect of wading through so many official records. Maybe I'll get lucky. Perhaps I'll find something quickly. The first scroll I pick up is entitledAssignment of copper-mining rights in the Southern provinces in the last fourteen years of the reign of King Garasolos. My heart sinks. King Garasolos lived two centuries ago. I put it down and turn to the book on commercial law instead. It's written in the dense hand of a copyist whose writing is clear, but small, and a strain to read. I manage half a page on the rights of Port Authorities to levy taxes on incoming goods before putting it down with a feeling of despair. Perhaps instead of trying to read all these books and scrolls, I should just hang around close to Merlione, and hope someone fires another arrow at her. #66 | | |
I sigh, shake my head, and get back to work, already feeling that it was a mistake not to bring some ale with me. Sitting on my own at the desk, surrounded by scrolls, makes me remember an uncomfortable occasion, many years ago, when, having failed to complete an assignment at Sorcerer's college, I was sent to study on my own while the rest of the class practiced spells in the grounds. I never did like that tutor. #67 | | |
After reading for two hours, I have a reasonable knowledge of Samsarinan commercial law relating to imports, some insights into the complexities of copper-mining rights, and no more idea about who might have killed Alceten than I had in the first place. There's a large candle on the main desk, marked off in hours, and it's a relief when I notice it's time to go. I leave the desk neatly arranged, so I'll know what books and scrolls I've looked at. #68 | | |
By the time I arrive at the tournament, Lisutaris is fretting. "Thraxas! You're late. Have you been in a tavern?" #69 | | |
"Of course. I had to wash the dust from these books out my mouth. When's Makri fighting?" #70 | | |
"In about thirty seconds." #71 | | |
"Did you get the bet on?" #72 | | |
"Yes, Makri went into Bixo's. But I'm worried. She's been drawn against Basinos." #73 | | |
I screw up my face. That is a tough draw. The Champion of the Southern Armies is going to be a difficult opponent. "Well, she can beat him anyway." #74 | | |
"I hope so," says Lisutaris. "Basinos is sponsored by Baron Mabados. Every Samsarinan Sorcerer will be on his side." #75 | | |
"Can't you sort these Sorcerers out?" #76 | | |
"I'd rather they didn't know I suspect them of using sorcery. It'll be easier for me to negate their efforts if they don't know I'm onto them." #77 | | |
"I think we should just confront them. Get their cheating out into the open." #78 | | |
"I can't take on the whole Samsarinan Sorcerers Guild, Thraxas." #79 | | |
| | |
"No, I don't think I can." #81 | | |
I clap Lisutaris heartily on the shoulder. "I have confidence in you." #82 | | |
"How may beers did you have?" #83 | | |
"Three or four. I forget exactly. Here's Makri. Right, it's time to show these villains what three Turanians can do." #84 | | |
"So I'm a Turanian now?" says Makri. #85 | | |
"Of course. We welcome anyone. Let's go." #86 | | |
The red-shirted Marshal is waiting for us in the centre of the field. Basinos approaches slowly from the opposite direction, and he gets the loudest cheer so far. As champion of the Southern Armies he's a well-known fighter, and if not exactly local, he is Samsarinan. It's immediately obvious that Basinos is a cut above most of the fighters we've seen in the preliminary rounds. His equipment is better; he has a nicely burnished helmet, fine chainmail over his chest and midriff, and the armour plating around his shoulders and arms is good quality work. Makri looks shabby in comparison, with her long hair tumbling out of her iron helmet. Her shield is made of plain brown leather, whereas Basinos's is bright blue, with a fancy metal boss in the centre, in the shape of a roaring lion. Basinos's sword is longer and heavier. He's ten inches taller than Makri, and looks about twice as broad. He approaches slowly, milking the applause. Makri stands motionless. The Marshal raises his flag. I retreat quickly to the side of the field, and by the time I look round, Basinos has already mounted a furious attack. #87 | | |
Makri defends gamely, but it's not the easiest thing to do, defending with a sword and shield if you're not used to it. If mishandled, the shield can easily pass in front of your eyes, restricting your vision. If you try to use it offensively, and get it wrong, you leave an opening for your opponent. If you're too defensive, you constrict your own movements and can't attack effectively. Conversely, it's hard to mount an effective attack against a man who knows how to defend properly with a shield, which Basinos does. Several of Makri's previous opponents left obvious gaps which she could exploit with her speed, but Basinos is of a different calibre. Makri is forced backwards, and her occasional strikes, with which she attempts to go over or under his shield, are all blocked quite easily. #88 | | |
Lisutaris has her arms by her side, but her palms are facing forwards. She's feeling for sorcery, ready to nullify it if necessary. There's a loud clang as Basinos's sword crashes into Makri's shield. The impact forces her back. By the time she regains her stance, Basinos, in the same offensive movement, has swung his sword beneath her shield where it slams into the chainmail protecting her thigh. The crowd roar and the Marshal raises his flag. #89 | | |
"Half-point to Basinos!" he cries. #90 | | |
By now I'm frowning. I don't think that half-point arrived as the result of hostile sorcery. It came because Basinos is a very skilled fighter. The contest recommences. Makri is again forced back. The crowd are screaming, roaring him on. He's strong and fast; one of the fastest tournament fighters I've ever seen. Somewhere nearby I can hear Baron Mabados, adding his voice to the crowd. #91 | | |
"Come on Makri!" I yell. Basinos attacks, again forcing Makri back. He attempts a cut across the top of Makri's shield which she blocks, but then, with the same movement he used before, he rotates his elbow, bringing his blade down towards Makri's thigh. But this time, instead of connecting with her thigh, it thuds into her shield, which Makri has immediately, and correctly, repositioned. At the same moment she slices her blade across the top of Basinos's shield which, as a result of his attack, is hanging an inch too low. Her blade snaps against his neck guard. That should be enough for a lethal stroke but Makri, not content, or not trusting the Marshal, instantly brings her sword down onto Basinos's wrist, knocking his blade from his hand, before bringing it back up in an arc to rest once more at his throat. That makes two lethal strikes, though technically you can only have one. The crowd falls silent. Basinos stands rigid, as if in shock. The Marshal looks disappointed. #92 | | |
"Lethal stroke," he says, eventually. #93 | | |
Lisutaris and I cheer, very conspicuously given the silence around us. I rush onto the field to congratulate Makri. Unusually, she's still facing her opponent. #94 | | |
"Good fight," she says to him. He acknowledges her, before trudging off. #95 | | |
"Excellent work, Makri," cries Lisutaris. #96 | | |
Makri takes off her helmet and shrugs. "It wasn't so great. I'd have a leg wound if this was real. He was a good fighter. " She stares at her shield. "I can't get used to this thing." #97 | | |
I'm jubilant as we make our way from the field. I ask Lisutaris and Makri what odds they got at the bookmakers. #98 | | |
"Seven to Four," Makri tells me. "Basinos was favourite, two to five." #99 | | |
"But we didn't bet everything," says Lisutaris." #100 | | |
