The Sword, The Ring And The Chalice - The Sword Part 34

"No, Truthseeker is not made of magicked metal," Dain said, wondering how Lord Odfrey could own such a holy weapon and not know what he had. The chevard released his breath. "Thod be thanked. I thought you were going to tell me of some power I didn't-" "It's made of G.o.d-steel." Lord Odfrey stared at him, looking dumbfounded. "What?"

"Aye. G.o.d-steel. Have you heard of it? It's rare and very old. The metal is so hard that dwarves who have found pieces of it in places of ancient battles cannot hammer it. They cannot soften it with fire. They cannot work it at all, despite their skill. Some ancestor of yours must have fought in the great battles of long ago."

Lord Odfrey sank down on the edge of the bed again, as though his legs would not hold him. "G.o.ds'

mercy," he whispered at last. "I cannot believe it." "The power was not mine," Dain said, surprised that Lord Odfrey had even thought so. "Everything lay inside the sword." Lord Odfrey ran his hand across his face. "My father was afraid to touch it. I have never carried it in battle."

"That's where it belongs," Dain said. "That's what it sings for." The chevard turned his gaze on Dain and frowned. "I have heard it said that the dwarves believe metal sings. You can hear it, can't you?" Dain's smile faded. He met Lord Odfrey's eyes and knew he must tell the truth. "Aye. I felt it speak to me. It told me its name, and I believed it right to use it. Or, in doing so, have I broken another law?"

"No, lad," Lord Odfrey said kindly. "You used it for the greatest good possible, that of saving someone's life."

"It is an incredible weapon," Dain said, remembering the feel of it. "I would see you use it-" "Nay!"

Lord Odfrey said hastily, standing up again. "My father warned me as his father did warn him, that it is too strong for mere men to handle. And if you are right about its being made from G.o.d-steel, then my father spoke truth. Mortals have no business with such weapons. But you swung it as though it had been made for your hand."

"Desperation, lord, that is all."

"False modesty does not become you," Lord Odfrey said. "By the laws of our church, men cannot own G.o.d-steel."

Dain looked up in alarm. "You will not destroy it, lord! You will not fling it in the river."

"I should," Lord Odfrey said, but shook his head. "Nay, I will not. My father told me it was won as a prize in battle by our ancestor." "It was a very great reward," Dain said. "Your ancestor must have fought bravely indeed."

Lord Odfrey nodded and blinked in amazement. "G.o.d-steel," he said softly, looking secretly pleased.

"Well, well. Let this be our secret, Dain, kept between you and me. Let the others think you have powers against the Nonkind if they wish."

"But I do not-"

"It does no harm. Otherwise, I must explain the sword, and I would rather not." "Of course," Dain agreed quickly. "I would not wish to cause you trouble." Lord Odfrey smiled.

"Enough about Truthseeker. You saved the prince's life. And the king has already sent his grat.i.tude."

He reached into his pocket and drew forth a rolled-up parchment, which he handed to Dain.

"How did it come so quickly?" Dain asked, puzzled. "When this all happened only last night, how did he know?"

Lord Odfrey chuckled. "Be at ease, lad. There's no magic here. You've been asleep five days since you swooned. I thought you might never awaken, but Sulein a.s.sured me you would recover."

"Five days!"

"Aye. No wonder you're hungry, eh?"

Dain nodded. He unrolled the parchment slowly, having trouble because his wounded arm was so heavily bandaged he could barely move it. Lord Odfrey held one side of the parchment while Dain unrolled the rest. There were many seals and flouris.h.i.+ng signatures, but it was all written in the same small characters that Sulein had showed him earlier, characters that Dain could not read.

He frowned in shame, realizing what it meant to be ignorant. "I cannot read this, lord," he admitted.

"No, your education has far too many gaps. That is why I wanted you to begin lessons with Sulein. If you are to live in Mandria, you must be able to read and write our language."

"Sir Terent cannot read," Dain argued, staring at the crown drawn above one signature. He guessed that it must say "Verence," and felt awed. "Sir Polquin cannot either."

"I would have you do better in life than a middle-rank knight," Lord Odfrey said firmly. "To be an educated man, Dain, is to have as much treasure as a storehouse of gold pieces."

Dain sighed, thinking of endless days cooped up with Sulein in his dark tower room, studying letters when he would rather be riding and practicing swordplay. He nodded at the paper before him. "What does this say, lord?" "It says, Dain, that I have permission to take you before King Verence and request that you be made my ward and heir."

Dain blinked, and at first he did not believe he had heard correctly. He met Lord Odfrey's dark eyes in wonder and disbelief, and felt amazed past words. "What?" he gasped.

Lord Odfrey's face held a mixture of hope and longing. "Does my pet.i.tion please you?" he asked, and his voice was vulnerable.

"Please me?" Dain echoed. "Oh, yes!"

Lord Odfrey's whole face lit up, and he held out his hand. Dain gripped it firmly, his throat suddenly too choked to speak.

"Ah, Dain, it will be good to have a son again. Since you came to Thirst, you have lightened the sorrow in my heart. I have watched you, hoping to see you prosper and develop. Many times these past months my heart longed to speak to you about this." "I didn't know," Dain said softly.

"No, it has been something for me to work out alone. That night of the trial, when you refused to flee the hold because I would have to stand accused in your place, I knew that you were as true as ash wood.

And I believed then that you might perhaps hold some fondness for me as well, as a son has for a father."

Dain opened his mouth, but his emotions were too tangled for him to speak. Lord Odfrey frowned and gazed into the distance. "You see, Dain, while you have lived here, you have acted at times like a wild spirit caged. I feared you would decide to leave us at any time. I dared not let myself become too fond of you, or start thinking of you as the son I needed to replace my poor Hilard. I didn't want to be hurt again. And then you did leave."

"Lord-"

"No, let me say this. I have nearly lost you twice now. Perhaps I have been too strict with you, as I was with Hilard. Had you been more sure of your place here, you would not have misunderstood me that day of the contest." Dain was astonished to hear Lord Odfrey apologizing to him. "Lord, don't! It is I who must ask your pardon for-" Lord Odfrey met his gaze, and Dain's sentence faltered to a halt. "Would it please you to stay at Thirst, to one day hold it after me as chevard?" "Think on it," Lord Odfrey said as though afraid that Dain would refuse. "I have told you too much too fast. You need not answer me now."

Dain struggled to swallow the lump in his throat, wanting to give his answer, but too overwhelmed to find the words he needed.

Lord Odfrey stood staring down at Dain. "If you agree, the king is willing to hear my pet.i.tion. This paper almost guarantees that he will grant it." Dain frowned. "Lord, you do me great honor. But will you not suffer by naming an eld into your family?"

Lord Odfrey shook his head. "I think not. Indeed, I care not. Mine is an old family, well established in honest service. Court politics have never interested me. Besides, the king does not hold the same views as his son, although I hope your bravery has changed Prince Gavril's opinions on many things. King Verence remembers the old days, and old alliances."

Dain thought of his vision the night of the trial, of the black-haired king who had appeared to warn him and who had called him "Faldain of the Nether." The missing prince of that troubled realm. He s.h.i.+vered, afraid to think Sulein's guess might be right. Dain thought back to the night he had dreamed himself drowning in water and a girl had summoned him forth to her bidding. Had she not also called him Faldain?

He frowned, wondering now if he should not tell Lord Odfrey of these things and ask his advice. But seeing the hope and hesitation tangled up in Lord Odfrey's face, Dain could not bring himself to speak of it. He had no proof, and in himself he was not sure. It seemed too great and wondrous an ident.i.ty to wish for. And if he made such a claim for himself, he might lose Lord Odfrey's offer altogether. No-Jorb, who was always practical, had taught Dain to always take what was sure, never what might be.

Dain looked up at the man whom he so admired, whom he'd wished could really be his father, and who had now extended that tremendous honor to him. He smiled shyly. "Lord, I would be honored past all I can say to-to be your ward."

Lord Odfrey let out his breath explosively and grinned. "Truly?"

"Aye." They gripped hands again, and tears of happiness misted Lord Odfrey's eyes. Dain could hardly meet his gaze, for Lord Odfrey shone with such pride and affection that he felt dazzled.

"My son," Lord Odfrey said softly, and his voice shook with emotion. Dain thought of the home and family he'd lost less than a year past. Now he'd gained both again-not the same ones, of course, but perhaps almost as good. Perhaps-except for Thia-better.

He drew a deep breath of happiness and looked up at Lord Odfrey. "My father."

end