‘We don’t necessarily need to tell him about it, do we?’ Sparhawk replied. ‘I needed to use the name of a kingdom a long way from Rendor. Arasham probably has only the vaguest idea of where Deira is.’

‘Why didn’t you say you were from Thalesia, then?’

‘I doubt if Arasham’s ever heard of Thalesia. Anyway, the “holy talisman” turned out to be a fake. Martel was there and he was trying to persuade the old lunatic to postpone his uprising until the time of the election of the new Archprelate.’ He went on to describe the means by which he had overturned the white-haired man’s scheme.

‘My friend,’ Kalten said admiringly, ‘I’m proud of you.’

‘Thank you, Kalten,’ Sparhawk said modestly ‘It did turn out rather well, I thought.’

‘He’s been patting himself on the back ever since we came out of Arasham’s tent,’ Sephrenia said. She looked at Vanion. ‘Kerris died,’ she told him sadly.

Vanion nodded, his face sombre. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘How did you find out?’

‘His ghost came to us to deliver his sword to Sephrenia,’ Sparhawk told him. ‘Vanion, we’re going to have to do something about that. She can’t go on carrying all those swords and everything they symbolize. She gets weaker every time somebody gives her another one.’

‘I’m all right, Sparhawk,’ she insisted.

‘I hate to contradict you, little mother, but you’re definitely not all right. It’s all you can do right now to hold up your head. About two more of those swords is all it’s going to take to put you on your knees.’

‘Where are the swords now?’ Vanion asked.

‘We brought a mule with us,’ Kurik replied. ‘They’re in a box in his pack.’

‘Would you get them for me, please?’

‘Right away,’ Kurik said, going to the door.

‘What have you got in mind, Vanion?’ Sephrenia asked suspiciously.

‘I’m going to take the swords.’ He shrugged. ‘And everything that goes with them.’

‘You can’t.’

‘Oh, yes, I can, Sephrenia. I was in the throne room, too, and I know which spell to use. You don’t have to be the one who has to carry them. Any one of us who were there can do it.’

‘You’re not strong enough, Vanion.’

‘When you get down to it, I could carry you and everything you’ve got in your arms, my teacher, and right now you’re more important than I am.’

‘But’ she started.

He held up his hand. ‘The discussion is ended, Sephrenia. I am the preceptor. With or without your permission, I’m taking those swords away from you.’

‘You don’t know what it means, my dearest one. I won’t let you.’ Her face was suddenly wet with tears, and she wrung her hands in an uncharacteristic display of human emotion. ‘I won’t let you.’