Free The Huntsman's Amulet by Duncan M. Hamilton Page A

he finally came to the last bay in the library. There was a sound of a page being flipped over. He took a deep breath and stepped past the shelf and into the bay.
    An old man sat at the desk, which was covered with stacks of books and pieces of paper. He had a neat grey beard and equally grey, swept back hair that receded at his temples. The most striking thing about him was a pair of crystal blue eyes. He held up his index finger, indicating that he was aware of Soren’s presence but too busy to address him. Soren opened his mouth in bemusement. The old man did not lift his head from the book he was reading. There didn’t appear to be any immediate threat, so there was nothing to be gained by killing the man. Still though, Soren did not know how to proceed.
    Eventually the old man spoke. ‘Take a seat. I’ll only be a moment longer,’ he said, with a smooth, rich voice and unaccented Imperial. In the absence of any better ideas, Soren sheathed his weapons, pulled a chair out from the opposite side of the desk and sat.
    The old man continued studying his book for a moment longer before closing it and switched his attention to Soren.
    ‘Well,’ the old man said, ‘I suspected someone had entered the city, but it’s been such a long time; I wasn’t sure.’
    ‘You seem to have the advantage of me, sir,’ Soren said.
    ‘Indeed I do.’ The old man looked at Soren, his blue eyes scrutinising him intensely. ‘My name is Berengarius. While I have an inkling of what you are, I’m afraid I don’t actually know who you are…’
    ‘I’m Banneret Soren.’
    ‘A banneret. As I thought. Are there many of your kind remaining?’
    ‘Yes, of course,’ Soren said. ‘A great many.’ He wondered how long the old man had been there.
    ‘Really?’ Berengarius said. ‘I had thought that after so long there would not be many of you left. None in fact. Surprising. Very surprising indeed.’
    ‘I think perhaps the title of “Banneret” as you know it, has changed,’ Soren said, suspecting now that the old man had been there for a very long time.
    ‘That might be the case,’ Berengarius said, nodding his head slowly, but not breaking his intense stare. ‘Not with you though, I think.’
    This came as a shock to Soren. He could not fathom how this man knew anything about him, or his gift.
    ‘And just what is it that you think I am?’
    ‘Well, a banneret of course. But a banneret of my meaning,’ Berengarius said. ‘Which I think you understand.’
    Soren was reluctant to reveal anything. This stranger already seemed to know far more about him than he was comfortable with. ‘I’m not sure if I do.’
    ‘Why don’t you explain your understanding of the term to me then and mayhap we will clarify things,’ Berengarius said.
    ‘A banneret is a trained swordsman, who has studied at an academy of swordsmanship and has the right to carry their own banner into battle.’
    ‘Ah. What are these academies? And there are many such men?’
    ‘They’re schools for a martial education. There are many men trained in the sword and entitled to call themselves “Banneret”.’
    ‘I understand. But how many of them are like you?’ Berengarius said, emphasising the last word.
    ‘Again, I’m not sure I understand what you mean.’ Soren felt his grip tighten on his sword.
    ‘Yes, I think you do,’ Berengarius said. ‘I also think a mere treasure seeker would have found his way to the Palace before ever seeking out a dusty old library,’ Berengarius said. He held Soren’s gaze with the faintest hint of a smile on his face. ‘Perhaps you don’t know. Only suspect. Interesting.’
    It was cryptic and tantalising, but Soren wanted to know more about this man before he revealed anything. ‘And you?’ he said. ‘You’re a mage?’
    Berengarius laughed. ‘No, not a mage. Just a librarian; tasked with the custody of this library many years ago and for some reason affected by the same power that keeps this place and