Monster Of The Maze

Chapter 11

Thane was right. Before dusk Richard Blade had done what he seldom did-given up, resigned to the fact that here was a situation he could not alter. The orgy of drunken soldiery must run its course. Ogier and he supped alone, preparing the meal themselves-for the servants had run off to join the drinking and raping-and discussed the day past and the day to come. Thane lay drunken in a nearby tent. They could hear him singing and cursing.

Ogier had bathed and donned fresh linen and armor, as had Blade. They ate in silence and drank little. When Ogier had finished, he tossed bones to one of his hounds and stared gloomily at Blade.

«Thane is right, you know. You are a fool to go after Bloodax. The country is treacherous and wild. There are a thousand places to hide. You will never find him unless he wants you to-and if he wants you to it will be because he is in a position of advantage. Give it up, Blade. Today we broke the Hitt power for many years to come. Let us go back now and attend to that black crow Casta. I have had word from my spies-he has moved into the palace city and again consorts with Hirga. I said it all along-we should have been killing priests instead of Hitts.»

Blade shook his head. «Your advice is no doubt good, Ogier, but I cannot follow it. I must go after Bloodax. You will remain here and whip these rebellious dogs back into some form of an army-when the beer is all gone and the women all raped.» Blade sighed. «I would have prevented that.»

A woman ran screaming past the tent, pursued by a dozen howling men. Ogier scowled.

«Not even you can do everything, Blade. The gods themselves are helpless. Do not let it fret you so-the dawn will come and it will end. And think that the Hitts would do the same in Zir, were matters reversed.»

They went to stand outside the tent. A thousand fires glowed like carbuncles in the night. A vast clamor lifted to the black sky. Laughter and screams, curses and threats, song and tears. Nearby a youth lay headless while a dozen soldiers took turns with his young sister. Blade took a step in their direction and Ogier laid a hand on his arm.

«Leave off. They will not be controlled this night and it is death to try. Believe me, Blade. I have seen such nights before.»

A woman passed them, running and pursued by men. She leaped from the cliff out into darkness. The soldiers cursed in disappointment and turned back to quarrel with the men raping the girl. There was dispute and swords were drawn and used.

Blade said nothing. He turned away, his face hard and set, and stalked to the tent of Thane. Ogier came after him.

A flambeau guttered atop a pole. Thane lay snoring on a pile of skins. Spilt wine had dyed his chest hair purple. Beside him crouched a Hitt girl. She wore an animal skin about her middle, nothing more, her hair was wild and her face caked with grime. She stared at them with enormous eyes and reached across the sleeping Thane to pluck his dagger from its sheath.

Blade made a sign to Ogier and spoke softly, smiling. «No need for that. We will not harm you. Who are you and how come you to this tent? Does the Captain Thane know you are here?»

Ogier said, «The Captain Thane knows nothing at the moment.»

Without taking his eyes off the girl, Blade told him to be quiet. The girl stared and stared, the dagger held at half length from her breasts, whether for herself or Blade he could not guess. Thane snored on.

Blade was very gentle. «Speak girl. No harm will come to you. I am the Prince Blade and you have my word on it.»

Her eyes sparked blue in the torchlight and her knuckles whitened on the dagger's hilt, then suddenly she relaxed and nearly smiled. Her voice was low and pleasant and very young-Blade guessed her at not past thirteen.

«Thane spoke of you,» she said. «He says you are as near a god as mortal can be. But now that I have seen you I do not believe-you do not look like a god to me.»

Ogier made a sound that was suspiciously like a chuckle. Blade ignored him. He smiled at the girl.

«We will discuss my godhood another time. How came you here?»

Slim shoulders shrugged and tight young breasts bobbled. «I am a Hitt. Soldiers were after me and I was caught, but the Captain Thane leaped on them and slew three. Then he brought me here. When I snatched for his dagger to kill myself he stopped me and told me that he was also a Hitt. I did not believe at first, but he spoke of many things that only a Hitt would know and at last I believed him. I promised that I would stay and not kill myself. Then he drank much wine and is as you see him.»

Ogier pushed forward. «Did he bed you, girl?»

She stared at Ogier and the corners of her mouth pulled down. «He tried. I willed it. But wine robbed him of his manhood. So now I wait and I am starving-you will give me food?» Blade bade Ogier go fetch the remains of their own supper. The Captain left, grumbling at being made an errand boy. The girl gave Blade a tentative smile. «Before Thane slept he promised that he would ask leave of you that I stay with him, to be his woman? You will permit this?»

«Do you wish it?»

Again the shrug, and her small breasts danced. «I wish it. Thane is a Hitt, even though he fights for Zir, and I would rather live than die.»

«How are you called?»

«My name is Sariah.»

Blade nodded. «Very well, Sariah. Thane has you and you have Thane, if that is the way you both wish it. But you had better think of this-when he is sober in the morning, for I will see that he is, he may have a change of mind.»

The girl nodded. «I know. We will see.»

Ogier came back with food and the girl fell on it like an animal. Blade and Ogier watched with some amusement and no little awe as her white teeth ripped at a great haunch of meat.

Ogier found a camp chair and slumped into it. «I am glad I am not at her mercy. She would eat a leg off me before I could think.»

Blade regarded the snoring Thane. «We will have to remain here and share the guard,» he told Ogier. «Thane is in no condition to protect himself or the girl. We had best take no chances.»

They listened to the howling of human wolves on the battlefield and Ogier agreed. «Yes, so be it. I will take first watch.»

«Take this with you and empty it.» He flung the wine sack at Ogier. «We must have him on his feet in the morning.»

Ogier grunted. «Nigh as great a task as winning this battle today. You have never seen Thane on a real drunk.»

«Nor will I this time. I need him. Wake me in two hours, Ogier.»

He had hardly closed his eyes before Ogier shook him awake. Thane was still snoring and the girl Sariah slept close to him. Ogier dropped on the pallet of skins and was instantly asleep. Blade drew his sword and left the tent.

It was dark and wind came cold off the channel. Stars glittered like the diamonds Blade hoped to find. He walked around and around the tent to warm himself and stay awake. There was no moon and he could not see the battlefield and thought it just as well. Ever and anon there came a cry or moan from the dark. Otherwise it was quiet but for a few fires and some drunken song. The worst was over.

At that moment he felt the tingle in his brain. The crystal was alive and receiving impulses from the computer. Blade walked and walked, concentrating, feeling the electronic field spread and usurp his cortex. The impulses were stronger than ever before.

Lord Leighton had been working hard. Certain changes had been made. The computer read Blade's brain well and the encephalographic coding was near perfect; there were lacunae, but they could be filled in or guessed at. Blade's situation was known and understood and approved. Continue progress toward diamonds.

Teleportation was now a crash program. There had been some successes and some failures, but they were pushing on. When the chances of success were improved, Blade would be instructed. Meantime push on for the diamonds. The crystal went dead.

Blade rubbed his temples, there always being some small pain, and glanced at the sky. Dawn was not far off. When it lightened enough he sought out some sleeping men and kicked them awake and sent them with tubs to the beach. Cold sea water would awaken Thane. Hot broth and walking, perhaps even a swordpoint, would keep him awake.