She thought, also, of what had befallen her. Alone among the nobles of Granbretan, save Shenegar Trott, she had read many old texts, some of which were legends and alleged histories of the years before the Tragic Millennium, She believed, whatever became of herself and Meliadus, that she now presided over a court entering its last stages of decadence. The wars of expansion, the internal strifeall were signs of a nation in its death throes, and though that death might not come for another two hundred years, or five hundred, or a thousand, she knew that the Dark Empire was doomed.

She prayed that something better would emerge to take its place.

Chapter Thirteen

”What Do You See?”

MELIADUS HELD THE reins of his herald’s horse. “You must not leave me, boy. You must tell me what you see and I must plan the battle accordingly.”

“I will tell you, my lord.”

“Good. Are the troops all assembled?”

“They are, my lord. They await your signal.”

“And is that cur Hawkmoon in sight yet?”

“Figures have been seen riding towards us across the Silver Bridge. They will ride directly into our ranks, unless they flee.”

Meliadus grunted. “They will not fleenot Hawkmoonnot now. Can you see them yet?”

“I see a flash like silverlike a heliograph signalonetwothree, fourfivesix. The sun makes them shine so. Six silver mirrors. I wonder what it can mean?”

“The sun on polished spears?”

“I think not, my lord.”

“Well, we shall soon know.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“What now?”

“Now I see six riders, my lord, at the head of a mass of cavalry. Each rider is crowned with flashing silver. Why, my lord, it is their helmets that shine!”

“Are they well-polished, then?”

“They are helms. They cover their faces. II can hardly bear to look upon them, they are so bright.”

“Strange. Still, doubtless the helmets will break quickly enough beneath our weapons. You have told them that Hawkmoon must be taken alive but they can kill the rest?”

“I have, my lord.”

“Good.”

“And I told them what you saidthat if Hawkmoon should clutch at his head and begin to act strangely they should tell you at once.”

“Excellent.” Meliadus chuckled. “Excellent. I shall have my vengeance, either way.”

“They have almost reached the end of the bridge, my lord. They have seen us but they are not stopping.”

“Then give the signal to charge,” Meliadus said. “Blow your trumpet, herald.

“Are they charging, herald?”

“They are, my lord.”

“And what now? Have the armies met?”

“They have engaged, my lord,”

“And what is happening?”

“I amI am uncertain, my lordwhat with the flashing of those helmets and somethere is a peculiar red light spreading over the scenethere seem to be more men in Hawkmoon’s army than we at first thought. Infantryand some cavalry. By Huon’s TeethI beg your pardon, my lordby Flana’s Breasts! They are the strangest warriors I have ever seen!”

“What do they look like?”