Free Diamond Warriors by David Zindell Page B

oaths!'
    Lord Avijan then invited all of us to a feast. After we had ridden into the castle and given our horses to the care of the stableboys, we settled into whatever rooms or quarters that Lord Avijan had appointed for us. Half an hour later, we gathered in Lord Avijan's great hall, on the first floor of the keep. Many long tables laden with roasted joints of meat and hot breads filled this large space; many stands of candles had been set out to light it and hundreds of little, flickering flames cast their fire into the air. The great wood beams high above us were blackened with generations of soot. A hundred knights and warriors joined us there, for word of my arrival had gone ahead of me. Many til these tall powerful men I had known since my childhood. I paid my respects to a master knight named Sar Yulmar, and to Sar Vikan, whom I had led into battle at the Culhadosh Commons. Also to Lord Sharad, a very tall and lean man with hair as gray as steel, who had taken command of Asaru's battalion after my brother had been killed. He had gained great renown at the Battle of Red Mountain against Waas, and fourteen years before that, at the Diamond River, where the Ishkans had practically murdered my grandfather. Despite his years, he had a gallant manner and didn't mind taking risks in the heat of battle.
    We all filled our bellies with good food that night, and then it came time to fill our souls with good conversation. We might have hoped for many rounds of toasts, entertaining stories told and minstrels singing out the great, ancient tales. But as Lord Avijan's grooms went around filling and refilling the warriors' cups with thick, black beer, our talk turned toward serious matters. Soon it became clear that our gathering would be less a celebration than a council of war.
    After Lord Avijan's young children had been sent off to bed, he and I came down off the dais at the front of the room where we had taken the table of honor. I insisted that all present should be honored equally that night, and so near the center of the hall I found a table littered with empty cups and spilled beer, and I leaned back against it. Lord Avijan, Lord Harsha and others gathered around informally, sitting on tables or the long benches nearby - or standing all crowded-in close. Atara sat on one side of me as if she were my queen, while Maram pressed his huge body up against my other side. Master Juwain and my other companions took their places at the other end of the table. More than a few of the warriors looking on must have thought it strange that we included Daj and Estrella in our discussion, but that was because they did not know these two remarkable children.
    'Let me say, first and last,' I told the warriors gathered around me, 'that you do me a great honor in corning forth for me alter all that has happened - and in such perilous times. I will never forget this, and no matter what befalls, I will stand by you to my last breath.'
    'You will stand as king - that is what will befall!' Sar Vikan barked out. He, himself, stood a good few inches shorter than most Valari, but what he lacked in height he made up in the power of his thickly muscled body. His square-cut face seemed animated with a rage of restlessness streaming through him.
    'When Lord Tanu and Lord Tomavar hear that you have returned, they will surely step aside.'
    'They will not step aside!' Lord Sharad said. He leaned against the table opposite me, and pulled at one of the battle ribbons tied to his long, gray hair. 'Let us, at least, be clear about that.'
    'Then we will make them step aside!' Sar Vikan snapped as he grasped the hilt of his sword.
    'Just as we will make known the truth about Valashu Elahad - at last. Who, hearing this, will try to hold his warriors to oaths made under false knowledge and great duress?'
    'Well, lad, it is one thing to hear the truth,' Lord Harsha said, 'and another to take it to heart. Here's the truth that I know: Lord Tanu has hardened his heart