按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
meling。 His panions would think none the less of him for that。
Especially since； Ryld noted； two of them were hurt as well； moving a trifle stiffly or slightly favoring one leg。 Perhaps they were all kinsmen； and one of the priestesses in their House had gone on a regular tear。
〃You've been asking a lot of questions about runaways；〃 the swordsman continued in a threatening drawl。
〃Have I？〃 Ryld replied。
He reflected that it was too bad the three musicians had left the stage a few minutes back。 He doubted that anyone had managed to eavesdrop on his conversations while the longhorn was shrilling away。
The other male scowled and asked； 〃Why？〃
〃Just making conversation。 Do you know something about the rogues？〃
〃No； but I know that in the Jewel Box we don't like it when people are too curious。 We don't like them hunting runaways。 We don't like them lisnottening to every private thing we say and reporting back to the Mothers。〃
〃I'm not a spy。〃
Maybe he was； but he had no intention of confessing it to this fool。
〃Ha！〃 the swordsman scoffed。 〃If you were； you wouldn't admit it。〃
〃Be that as it may； I suggest you and your friends return to your table and let this boy and I finish our game。〃
The male with the red sword swelled like an inflated bladder on the verge of bursting。 〃You're trying to dismiss me like a servant？ Do you have any idea who I am？〃
〃Of course； Tathlyn Godeep。 I trained you。 Do you remember me？〃
Ryld pushed back his cowl； exposing his hitherto shadowed features。
Tathlyn and his friends goggled at their former teacher as if he had just revealed himself to be some ancient and legendary dragon。
〃I see you do。 So I'll bid you good day。〃
Tathlyn looked as if he was groping for a ment that would allow him to terminate this confrontation with his dignity intact； but the onnotlookers started to laugh。 His fear less pelling than his pride； he screwed the sneer back onto his face。
〃Yes；〃 he said； his voice raised to cut through the laughter； 〃I know you； Master Argith； but you don't know me； not the person I have bee。 Today I am the weapons master of House Godeep。〃
House Godeep was one of the petty Houses of Narbondellyn； whose frantic rivalries on the very bottom rungs of the ladder of status were almost beneath the notice of the nobles farther up。 Ryld doubted the Godeeps would rise much higher with Tathlyn leading their warriors。 During his training； the boy had learned to swing a sword with reasonable skill； but he had always demonstrated extraordinary recklessness and gennoteral poor judgment when placed in mand of a squad。
〃Congratulations；〃 said Ryld。
〃Perhaps if you'd known I would rise to such an eminence； you wouldn't have taken such delight in smashing my knuckles and beating my shoulnotder to pulp。〃
〃I didn't do it for sport。 It was to teach you to close the outside line and to stand up straight。 I tried simply telling you to make the adjustments； but you didn't heed me。
〃Now；〃 Ryld continued； 〃I've explained I have no intention of tattling to the matrons about anything I might happen to learn in this place。 Is my word good enough for you？ If so； we should have no quarrel。〃
〃That's what you say。〃
〃Lad…excuse me 。 。 。 Weapons Master； pause； breathe； and reflect。 I sense you're feeling angry over your aches and bruises。 Perhaps you want to take it out on someone； but I'm not the person who administered the beating。〃
Tathlyn stood silent for an instant； then he said； 〃No； you're not； and I suppose all the punishment during training was for my own good。 No hard feelings； Weapons Master。 Enjoy your match。〃
He started to turn away； the