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.In that direction a large arc of the horizon was sullenly aglow, with what looked like an untimely dawn, or distant flames."The mountains," Mark said, understanding the origin of the glow.And then:"My home."Page 107ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlDame Yoldi, standing behind him, held him by the shoulders."In which direction exactly is your village, boy?" Her voice at first sounded almost eager."Can you point toward it? But no, I don't suppose that's possible.It's somewhere near those mountains, though.""Yes." And Mark, coniinuing to stare at the distant fires, lapsed into silence."Don't be afraid." Yoldi's tone turned reassuring, while remaining brisk, refusing to treat volcanoes as a disaster.Her grip was comforting."Your folic are probably all right.I know these foothill people, ready to take care of themselves.It might actually be a good thing for them, make them get out of DukeFraktin's territory if they haven't done so already." The enchantress turned away to the dour man, asking: "When is your next scout due back from the east?"Mark did not understand whatever it was that the man answered.He was intent on wondering what might be happening to his home, on picturing his mother and his sister as stumbling refugees."I wonder," Dame Yoldi was musing to herself, "if anyone's told Andrew about this yet.He ought to be told, but he's down there talking to the fellow from Yambu-probably wouldn't do to interrupt him now."And now Mark saw that one of the airborne scouts was indeed coming in against the fading sky; coming from the south and not the east, but approaching with weary, urgent speed.Baron Amintor, who was Queen Yambu's emissary to Sir Andrew, was a large man, the size of Sir Andrew himself but younger.The Baron with his muscles and his scars looked more the warrior than the diplomat.He had the diplomat's smooth tongue, though, and Sir Andrew had to admit to himself that the man's man ners were courteous enough.It was only the substance of what the visitor had to say that Sir Andrew found totally objectionable.The two men were conversing alone in a small room, not far above the ground level of the castle, and within earshot of Sir Andrew's armory, where the clang of many hammers upon metal signalled the process of full mobilization that the knight had already put into effect.It was a sound he did not want his visitor to miss.Not that the Baron appeared to be taking the least notice of it."Sir Andrew, if you will only hand over to me now, for delivery to the Queen, whichever of these swords you now possess, and grant the Queen's armies the right of free passage through your territory-which passage you will not be able to deny her in any caseyou will then be under her protection as regards these threats you have lately been receiving from Duke Fraktin.And, I may add, from any similar threats that may arise from any quarter.Any quarter," Amintor repeated, with a sly, meaningful look, almost a wink.At that point he paused.Sir Andrew wondered what particular fear or suspicion that near-wink had been calculated to arouse in him; but no matter, he was worrying to capacity already, though he trusted that it did not show.Baron Amintor went on: "But, of course, Her Majesty cannot be expected to guarantee the frontiers or the safety of any state that is unfriendly to her.And if for some misguided reason you should withhold from.her these swords, these tools so necessary to Her Majesty's ambitions for a just peace, then Her Majesty cannot do otherwise than consider you unfriendly." At this point the Baron's voice dropped just a little.It seemed that, bluff soldier that he was, it rather shocked him to think of anyone's being unfriendly to Yambu.' Ah," Sir Andrew remarked."The tools necessary for a just peace.I rather like that.Yes, that's quite good."Sir Andrew, believe me, Her Majesty has every intention of respecting your independence, as much as possible.But, to be unfriendly and small at the same Page 108ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmltime-that is really not the policy of wisdom.""Wisdom, is it? Small, are we?" Bards would never repeat such words of defiance; but Sir Andrew felt that the man standing before him did not deserve anything in the way of fine or even thoughtful speech.And anyway he felt too angry to try to produce it."Good sir, the fact is that your domain is comparatively small.Comparatively weak.Duke Fraktin is of course as well aware of these facts as you and I are, and the Duke is not your friend.The people of your lands-well, they are brave, I am sure.And loyal to you-most of them at least.But they are not all that numerous.And they are widely scattered.This castle-" and here the Baron, being bluff and military, thumped his strong hand on the wall °-is a fine fortress.The noise from your armory is entertaining.But, how many fighting men have you actually mobilized so far, here on the spot and ready to fight? Two hundred? Fewer, perhaps? No, of course you need not tell me.But think upon the number in your own mind.Compare it to the numbers that are ready to cross your borders now, from two directions, east and west.You can prevent neither the Queen's army crossing, nor the Duke's.And then think upon the people in your outlying villages that you are never going to be able to defend.At least not without Her Majesty's gracious help."Sir Andrew stood up abruptly.He was so angry that he did not trust himself."Leave me now."The Baron was already standing.He turned, without argument, without either delay or evidence of fear, and took a couple of steps toward the door.Then he paused."And have you any further message for the Queen?""I say leave me for now.You will be shown where to wait.I will let you know presently about the message."As soon as Sir Andrew was alone, he left the small chamber where he had been talking with Baron Amintor, and walked into another, larger room, where most of his old books were kept.There by lamplight he picked up a volume, fingered it, opened it, closed it, and put it down again.When was he ever going to have time to read again? Or would he die in battle soon, and never have time again to read another book?After that, he took himself in a thoughtful, silent, solitary walk down into the dungeon.There he stood in front of the one cell that held a human being, gazing thoughtfully at the prisoner.Kaparu his captive looked back at him nervously.Down the side corridor, workers were busy opening the cells where birds and animals were confined, preparing to set the small inmates free.War was coming, and luxuries had to go, including the dream of a vivarium in the castle grounds.At length the knight spoke."You, Kaparu, are my only human prisoner
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