Masque of Death (Kormak Book Nine) (The Kormak Saga 9) Read online

  Kormak helped himself to some bread and butter and put it on a plate. “I have some questions to ask you.”

  “Of course, of course. But first Admiral Zamara gives me to understand that you have some papers for me. Credentials, as it were. It’s not that I don’t take your word, but there are protocols to be followed in matters such as this.”

  Kormak produced papers and the royal signet ring. The Governor made a great show of reading the King’s warrant and inspecting the seal. By the time he had finished, his face was pale, and he was swallowing even though there was no food in his mouth.

  “Everything certainly seems to be in order,” the Governor said. “What can I do to help you? I can assure you that all you have to do is ask, and I will move heaven and earth to get it done.”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary,” Kormak said. “All you need to do is answer some questions. Depending on your answers we shall see how things proceed.”

  “By all means, go ahead. I have nothing to hide. Nothing to hide at all.”

  “On the last treasure galleon, you sent a sarcophagus to the King.”

  “Indeed, I did. A very fine specimen it was brought in by some adventurers from upcountry. I remember thinking that it was exactly the sort of thing that King Aemon had asked me to keep an eye open for. I hope the King was pleased.”

  Either the man had no idea of what had ensued once the coffin was delivered or he was a much better actor than he appeared to be. “Initially.”

  Now the Governor looked alarmed. “Initially?”

  “The sarcophagus contained an Old One. A very dangerous one. One that killed over a score of people in the Imperial Palace and almost killed the King himself.”

  If the Governor had looked pale before, he turned white now. His eyes became very large. “I’m very, very sorry to hear that. I had no idea. Please tell the King that I had no conception that anything so dangerous could have been within that coffin. His Majesty made it very clear to me that anything I found out there was to be sent on undisturbed, and I followed his instructions to the letter.”

  “You made no attempt to check upon the sarcophagus whatsoever?”

  The Governor shook his head. “The King was quite clear. Nothing was to be disturbed. Particularly if the object appeared to be of mystical significance.”

  “And the object appeared to be so to you?”

  “I am no expert on such things. In these matters, I rely upon Frater Ramon. He is a scholar of formidable intellect and considerable knowledge. He studied these matters in depth. I sometimes think that he knows all there is to know about the Old Ones around here.”

  “I talked to him last night, and he certainly seemed knowledgeable.”

  “You are undoubtedly considerably better informed in such matters than I am.”

  “So you’re saying that Frater Ramon is the person responsible for sending this to the King.”

  For an instant, the Governor looked relieved. He had found a way to shift the blame. Kormak could almost see the gears moving inside his head. “I would hardly say he was responsible for sending it to the King. He simply advised me about it. In fact, now that I think about it, he did tell me about the seals. He said that this was a discovery of extraordinary mystical significance.”

  “You told him about the King’s interest in these things?”

  “He is my closest adviser in such matters—of course, I had told him. He was well aware of the reason I was consulting him about the sarcophagus.”

  “We’ll come back to that then. Tell me where the sarcophagus came from originally. Tell me about these adventurers.”

  “There’s not a lot to tell really. They were typical of their sort. Rough men who spend a lot of time out in the wilderness looking for gold and ancient treasures. They claimed that they had found the sarcophagus deep in the wastelands beyond the Xilarean peaks. They claimed that they had spent a lot of time and gold getting it and that a lot of their friends had died while they were doing so.”

  “Where could I find these men? It would help me a lot, and it would not do you any harm if they could confirm your story.”

  The Governor smiled. “There are plenty of people who could confirm my story. The men brought the matter up in one of my judicial sessions. They presented themselves to me. Ezra was there. Frater Ramon was there. Half a dozen scribes were there and a group of personal servants.”

  “And all of these people saw the sarcophagus? And none of them had any opportunity to tamper with it?”

  “I’m in no position to say, Sir Kormak. I was not with the sarcophagus every minute it was within my mansion. In fact, after the initial session, I barely saw it. That was the business of Frater Ramon and the previous Admiral and all of the other people responsible for seeing that cargoes were transhipped.”

  “I get the picture.”

  “I’m sure you understand how it is. I’m a very busy man, and I can take personal responsibility for all of the little details of everything that surrounds me.”

  “Of course, Governor.”

  “That’s very understanding of you, Sir Kormak. Would you perhaps like a little wine?” The Governor appeared to think that they had passed some milestone in the conversation. Kormak saw no reason to let him think otherwise.

  “No thank you. So you have absolutely no idea where I might find these adventurers?”

  “Probably where you will always find men of that sort. They will either be frequenting the lowest dives in the city, or they will be upcountry searching for their next big find.”

  “And their names?”

  “Anders and something?” The Governor looked at Ezra.

  “Gregor, your Excellency.”

  “Gregor. Thank you, Ezra.”

  “You said that they found the sarcophagus in the mountains.”

  “Indeed, Sir Kormak. There are some villages up there as well as plantations. I believe these men had come from the wastelands beyond the mountains.”

  “I would very much like to find these men. It would certainly go a long way towards exonerating you in the King’s eyes.”

  The Governor set his goblet down. “You’re saying that I’m in trouble with His Majesty even after what I’ve told you?” There was a dangerous edge to his voice.

  “That will be up to His Majesty. I am merely reporting to him.” Kormak had conducted enough interrogations to know that he wanted to distance himself from the perceived threat here. The Governor could undoubtedly be a dangerous man if he felt at risk.

  The Governor's nod was affable. He was starting to reassert control of the situation. “I will do everything in my power to help you find the men who sold me the coffin. I will also put all of my staff at your disposal. There is nothing more important to me than getting to the bottom of this matter, and I would greatly appreciate it if you let His Majesty know that.”

  “I certainly will,” Kormak said. “He will learn of all of the cooperation you have given me.”

  Raised voices were heard outside. It sounded almost as if two people were about to come to blows.

  A large man with a dark, furious face and bristling moustaches barged into the room. He strode directly up to the table and drew back his hand as if to slap Kormak in the face. The Guardian caught his wrist. Try as he might, the man could not move his hand.

  “Unhand me, you ruffian, or I will teach a lesson.”

  “I will if you can remain calm, sir,” Kormak said.

  “How dare you speak to me of remaining calm. I demand satisfaction, sir. I demand it now.”

  Zamara stood there, mouth open, stupefied. He quite clearly did not know whether to intervene or not. Among the nobility duels were a matter governed by etiquette.

  “Satisfaction? For what?” Kormak asked.

  “For your behaviour, sir. Surely you’re not going to be so indelicate as to force me to spell this thing out.”

  “I’m afraid I am. When a man challenges me to a duel, I feel the need to ask why.”
r />   “For your behaviour towards my wife, of course.”

  “Your wife?”

  “Don’t play the innocent with me! I won’t stand for it.”

  The Governor had been watching all of this with mild amusement. Kormak suspected that Aurin would be quite happy for this man to kill him in a duel. It would certainly put an end to the investigation. He began to wonder if this had perhaps been arranged.

  “I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” Kormak said. “And I don’t fight duels.”

  “What sort of coward are you?”

  “If you want to try and kill me, go ahead. It will give me no pleasure to cut you down.”

  The man stared at him. Clearly, this was not how he expected things to go. “I do not have my duelling sword with me. Nor are you properly equipped.”

  “I have fought many a battle with this blade. And it has shed the blood of considerably more noble men than you.”

  “This is not the way such things are done,” the man spluttered.

  “Do you need an audience? If there is a matter worth killing over surely it is best to get it out of the way. If honour must be satisfied, there is no time like the present.”

  The man took a step back now and looked at Kormak as if seeing him for the first time. His expression was confused. He looked as if he suspected he was being mocked and at the same time there were something like respect in his eyes. Kormak judged his opponent. He moved very well for such a large man and doubtless he would be formidable in a fight.

  “You have no honour, sir.”

  “I’m not the one who charged in and started making false accusations.”

  “Are you calling me a liar, sir?”

  “Why? Would it give you cause to challenge me to a duel?”

  “I am sure it would.”

  “Sir Kormak is mocking you, Count Shahad,” said the Governor.

  “No man mocks me and lives.”

  The Count placed his hand upon his sword. “I want witnesses to show I cut down this clod in a lawful manner.”

  “Since I am about to die, may I ask who put you up to this?” Kormak asked.

  “No one but yourself, sir. Your behaviour with my wife was unforgivable.”

  “What am I supposed to have done to your wife?”

  “You have polluted her, sir. You have sullied my good name and dragged hers through the mud.”

  “And how exactly have I done this?”

  “In the usual way, sir. In the manner of a lustful man venting his evil desires on pure and innocent flesh.”

  “And when did I vent my evil desires?”

  “You know full well, sir.”

  “Indulge me.”

  “Last night, when in your cups, filled with drunken lust you pulled my poor wife into a darkened room and had your evil way with her.”

  “That seems very unlikely,” said Rhiana. “Sir Kormak was with me last night. And I saw your wife nowhere in our chambers.”

  Count Shahad turned to her and said, “And you are prepared to admit to such lewd behaviour? I would expect nothing less from a moonchild.”

  “I am far from the only person around here indulging in it. If the rest are hypocritical enough not to want to talk about it, that is their lookout.”

  Count Shahad shook his head. “I do not believe you.”

  Rhiana laughed at him. “I do not care. It alters the truth, not one whit, you ox.”

  “By the Light, woman, if you were a man I would call you out.”

  “Don’t let that stop you! Or the fact you have already challenged someone else. Not that I think you’ll live long enough to get to me. If you are idiotic enough to fight Sir Kormak, you deserve all that you get.”

  “I will fight any man when my honour has been besmirched.”

  “Where did you learn rhetoric? The playhouse? The only person here besmirching your honour is yourself, and you are doing it by way of your excessive stupidity.”

  Count Shahad turned away from her, face reddening, bull neck expanding. A vein throbbed in his forehead. His great black moustache bristled. His bloodshot gaze fell on Kormak, and he smiled. He had found something to focus his aggression on.

  “Well, sir, will you give me satisfaction or not? We have our witnesses and unorthodox as the situation is I will not delay our meeting.”

  “Pray take it outside, Count,” said the Governor.

  “Don’t want blood on your nice hardwood floors, eh? Can’t say as I blame you. Step outside.”

  “You still haven’t told me who accused me,” Kormak said.

  “Are you still protesting your innocence?”

  “I would hate to kill you because somebody set this fight up.”

  “Set your mind at rest then. You will soon be too dead to kill anybody.”

  “Indulge me. Tell me who told you these lies. Was it your wife?”

  The big man looked sheepish now. His face became even redder, and his moustache bristled even more. “She has not returned this morning.”

  “So who told you?”

  “One of the servant girls. When I was questioning her about my wife’s whereabouts.”

  “Is this servant girl here now?”

  “Not at the moment.”

  “And you say you have not seen your wife this morning.”

  The Count shook his head. Kormak stared hard at the Count. He did not like the way this was going. It might be a simple case of mistaken identity. Or it might be a conspiracy to discredit him.

  From the floor above a scream rang out.

  “Murder! Murder!” The shout was filled with horror.

  Chapter Six

  Kormak raced up the stairs. The others followed in his wake. A servant woman, mouth wide, howled and pointed into a room. When he got to the open door, he saw why.

  A woman lay naked on the bed. Her green costume was on the dresser beside her. Her throat had been cut, a pool of sticky blood surrounded her. Flies buzzed all around. As the heat rose, it would not take too long for corruption to take the body.

  It was Lady Khiyana. On her face was a look of surprise and horror.

  Kormak entered the room. Behind him, he heard a howl of grief and then a roar of, “Khiyana. Oh no! Oh no!”

  He turned on the people crowding into the room and put his hand on his sword. “Get out. Now. All of you.”

  The Count did not seem to hear him. He stood there shaking his head, tears running down his cheeks. The only words coming from his mouth were, “No. No. No.”

  The crowd stopped advancing but remained where they were torn between horror and curiosity.

  “I need to examine this body,” Kormak said. “And I need to look around for clues as to who did the killing.”

  “You did,” said a voice from the doorway. One of the servant women stood there pointing an accusing finger.

  “What?” Kormak said.

  “I saw you come in here with her.” A low growl sounded in the Count’s throat. Kormak turned to see the man advancing on him, fingers curled like claws, as if he wanted to tear Kormak apart with his bare hands. The Count sprang on him, a furious bestial rush. Kormak dropped him with a punch. The room went silent. Everyone except Rhiana looked at Kormak with horror-filled eyes. He advanced upon the servant, and they backed away.

  “You saw me come in here with the Countess?”

  The servant glanced around as if seeking an escape route. There were too many people for her to get away easily. The crowd hemmed her in. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and nodded. Her face was very pale and her voice came out as a squeak. “As the Holy Sun is my witness.”

  Kormak looked at the Governor and saw his smile vanish like a concealed blade being returned to its sheath.

  “When did you see this happen?” Kormak asked. He kept his voice gentle.

  The woman was afraid, and the crowd was nervous and on the edge of violence. If need be, he could cut down a few of them and make an escape through the window, but he hoped that w
ould not be necessary. He doubted he would get very far with the whole colony raised against him.

  “Last night,” the woman said.

  “When? Exactly?”

  “At the third candle.”

  “That’s not possible,” Rhiana said. “I was with the Guardian then.”

  Zamara’s face turned red. “I saw them go together.”

  “You could be in league with him,” said the servant woman.

  “And you could be mistaken,” Rhiana replied.

  “No. I am not. The Guardian is a very distinctive looking man. So tall, with those scars.”

  “How close were you to me? At a distance, you might have mistaken me for someone else.”

  “I was as close as I am to you now. I asked you if there was anything you wanted me to bring and you said no.”

  “Is it possible you might be wrong?”

  “I would know that face anywhere.”

  “The face,” Kormak said. “How was I dressed?”

  “What do you mean?” the servant asked.

  “I mean exactly how was I garbed? Was I wearing the same things as I am now?”

  The woman paused and thought about this. “No. You were wearing a dark tunic. You had your sword over your shoulder, though.”

  “Was it the same sword?”

  “Where are you going with this, Sir Kormak?” the Governor asked.

  “Was it the same sword? It’s a very distinctive blade. It has a dragon’s head on the hilt.”

  The woman looked confused. “No. It was not the same sword. It looked more like a normal sort, the kind carried by soldiers. It was definitely over your shoulder, though. Just like it is now.”

  “Governor, you saw me last night. How was I dressed?”

  “When I saw you, you were wearing the same things you are now. A leather tunic, black britches. You were carrying your sword.”

  “There are doubtless other guests who could recall seeing me garbed the same way. Admiral Zamara for one.”

  “You might have changed your clothes.”

  “And changed my sword too? I am a Guardian of the Dawn. It is my badge of office. More than that it is my protection against the Old Ones.”