Free Rally Cry by William R. Forstchen Page A

curiosity.
    "What devilry is this?" Ivor whispered.
    "Their leader, Cane, and the healer both wear them. It confirms power on the user, and gives strength to one's eyes."
    Ivor looked darkly at Kal. It was Rasnar who had placed upon him the name Weak Eyes, and though bad eyesight afflicted many, Ivor was highly sensitive about the matter, feeling it was a sign that he was not as noble and manly as others.
    "May I?" Kal asked, taking the spectacles from Ivor's hands and extending the ear pieces. Nervously he held the glasses and slipped them onto Ivor's face.
    The boyar stepped back with a startled cry. He looked about the room, peering first at Kal and then to the tapestries on the wall.
    A grin of delight crossed his usually grumpy features, and he rushed to the window to look out over the square.
    Gasping, he looked back at Mikhail.
    "It is magic!" Ivor shouted. "Rasnar with all bis healing prayers could never do this. I can see everything!"
    Excitedly, Ivor looked back at Kal.
    "Such things are dangerous," Mikhail growled darkly.
    Ivor turned to his half brother and gave a snort of disdain.
    "And you have the weak eyes too, as did our father," Ivor chortled sarcastically. "But I no longer do."
    "May I gaze through them?" Mikhail asked, his curiosity gaining the upper hand.
    "No! Such things are only for a boyar," Ivor replied triumphantly.
    Mikhail said nothing, but Kal could see that his boyar had made a mistake. Ivor could show a fair degree of cunning when need be, Kal thought, but when it came to Mikhail he did not fully realize just how much his bastard half brother held him in secret contempt. The peasant remained silent, not wishing to draw notice by even daring a glance in Mikhail's direction.
    Ivor's display of joy lasted for some minutes, until finally the rotund boyar settled back into his audience chair.
    "Extend my thanks to this Cane when you go back to his camp," Ivor said. "And look about you sharply to see what other such gifts they might give unto me."
    "Of course I am already doing what you command," Kal replied. "But to learn all such things and to serve you best, may I offer a humble suggestion?"
    "Go on—what is it?"
    "It would be best for you if this humble servant, in the service of the lord, be allowed to live permanently among the bluecoats. Then I could watch them for you throughout the day and night. It was I who first suggested the gift of the glass objects wishing to help my lord. My presence there will mean you will have a loyal spy, who might be able to bring other such things as well, and perhaps learn the secret of their powder.
    "I am nothing but a stupid ignorant peasant, so they will trust me more readily. Far better I perhaps than one of your nobles or household who would perhaps arouse their suspicion."
    He heard a sharp intake of breath from Mikhail, who stepped forward to speak.
    "It is I who should do this instead," Mikhail said rapidly. "This stench-dripping fool is too ignorant for such a task. Better a noble of breeding and intelligence, my brother."
    Ivor looked from one to the other and smiled softly.
    "The idiot is right," Ivor said evenly. "One who looks as stupid as he will not arouse their mistrust. I therefore decree that only he alone shall be allowed to learn then-speech for now."
    And besides, Ivor thought, he is my man, and would not dare to use such knowledge against me.
    Kal breathed an inner sigh of relief.
    "Their language—is it difficult?" Andrei asked curiously.
    "Most difficult indeed," Kalencka replied, rolling his eyes. "A speech not fit for the tongue of any noble Rus."
    "Then learn it yourself, damn you," Ivor retorted, " and learn it well."
    "Only to serve my lord," Kalencka replied, bowing low.
    "You answer only to me," Ivor replied. "If I hear that you are within a hundred paces of Rasnar at any time I will have you flayed alive, and your daughter and wife held for the coming of the Tugars."
    Kal could not hide his trembling at the threat, and Ivor