Backup of Alastair J Archibald Grimm Dragonblaster 04 Truth and Deception (v5.0)

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been doing no more than discussing the weather. Uru bowed, a broad smile on
his thin face. Kindly pass the word to the Senior Doorkeeper that I wish no
more interruptions until further notice. That will be all."
The servant bowed and left, making hardly a sound as he closed the door behind
him.
Horin waited a few moments and turned his gaze back to the young Questor. The
older man's eyes looked like twin cannon-mouths, both aimed at him.
"Where were we, Questor Grimm? Ah, yes, you'd just defeated Lizaveta's plans
for suborning your Dominie, and perhaps the entire Guild! May I ask why you
didn't choose to bring this simple little prank to somebody's attention at
once?"
It is a bloody test! Oh, well, here we go.
"I went to see Prioress Lizaveta on the previous night, Dominie, to see if I
could sound her out, he confessed. She became ... amorous with me, or so it
seemed to me. I pushed her away, and she ... she told me there was no point in
complaining to you because she was in your favour. I took that to mean she had
you under some sort of control, and I thought it better if I took the
initiative."
Horin grunted. I've heard that about you, Afelnor. Capricious, headstrong and
insubordinate: those are just some of the words I've heard used to describe
you. I could also add the words impetuous, wilful and obstinate to the list.
Is that a fair assessment of your character, Questor Grimm?"
Grimm felt as if he had been punched in the face. The old man had cajoled him,
sympathised with him and led him on, only to slap him down. The young mage
knew in his heart that those harsh words had been in, all probability, quoted
from Xylox's report on his last Quest.
Perhaps Horin now regretted the largesse he had shown on the previous night
and now sought to redress his error. There would be no seventh ring for him,
no cognomen and nothing but censure for his foolish actions over the previous
two days. He had tried how he had tried! to be a good Guild Mage, but he had
failed, in the eyes of the Master of the Guild. Even with the unstinting
support of Lord Thorn, a negative report from the Dominie would finish him as
a Questor and a mage.
Damn the old man! Damn them all! The hot feelings that he had tried so hard to
suppress bubbled to the surface, and he leapt to his feet in a convulsive
movement, all but toppling the table that divided the two magic-users.
"I can see you've already made your mind up, Lord Dominie! If you can't see
that I'm a loyal Guild man, then don't play stupid bloody games with me. I've
been threatened with decades-long confinement in the Arnor scullery more times
than I can count, so please don't waste your time with me anymore. I've had
enough, Lord Horin!"
He might lose Drexelica, Redeemer, his Barony and his Guild Ring, but he no
longer cared, as the hot hormones or rage flooded through his body. He was
tired, and he had expected congratulations instead of opprobrium.
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An icy, white-hot shock of horror rose through him, as he realised what he had
done in his irritation. Surely the Dominie could not accept such a rebuke from
one of his minions!
"I see those words struck a note with you. Horin remained impassive and
unreadable. Good. Now sit down, you young idiot. I don't normally waste my
time with reprobates; I have people to do that for me. I just wanted to see
your reaction."
Despite the Dominie's quiet voice, the force of his delivery seemed to drive
Grimm back into his chair. Embarrassment washed over him as he sat back down,
and the words of his foolish outburst reverberated within his skull. He
slumped into the deep leather folds of the chair and bowed his head.
Stupid, stupid, stupid! was all that came into his head, as he closed his eyes
and waited for Horin's sentence upon him.
"Xylox is a good judge of human character, if a little harsh on occasion, the
Master of the Guild intoned. Will you tell me he's wrong in his assessment of
your character, Questor Grimm?"
The Questor shook his head. His mouth seemed unwilling to obey his commands.
"Excellent! the Dominie said. You may be just the man I need! I know from
your actions last night that you are a loyal Guild man, but I wanted to see
that you were also not some mindless automaton. Are you willing to help me?"
Grimm could do no more than nod.
What's he playing at?
"This kedgeree is delicious, Questor Grimm. May I help you to some? Come, eat;
you need to get some meat on those bones of yours. We'll discuss what I have
in mind later. Eat, I say!"
The rest of the meal passed in a blur. All Grimm knew was that the Dominie had
subjected him to a test, and that he had, somehow, passed it. If he ate or
not, he did not know, but he did know that his reckless explosion had been, in
some manner, acceptable to Horin. He had no appetite for food, but he hungered
to know what the old man had in store for him.
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Chapter 18: Trust
Grimm sat in silence and watched as the Dominie worked his way through a
mountain of food: kedgeree, poached eggs and whole lambs kidneys, amongst
other things. Horin seemed a single-minded man; he said nothing during the
meal, his attention focused on the task at hand.
At last, the Master of the Guild pushed his plate aside and smothered a
nascent eructation.
"Why, Questor Grimm, you don't seem to have eaten a thing! Breakfast is an
important meal, especially for growing youths. I insist you try something."
"Lord Dominie, you mentioned that you might require my help. That is more
interesting and important to me than food, at this time."
Horin chuckled and dabbed his lips with a white silk napkin. Ah, the
impetuosity and impatience of the young!"
He put the napkin on his plate and sat back in his comfortable armchair. Very
well, young Questor, I'll tell you, but only after you answer a question of
mine: is there any aspect of your visit that you're not telling me? I can tell
you're still hiding something from me. I need to be able to trust you without
hesitation, if I'm to make use of you as I require."
Grimm felt sure that Horin had already used the Sight on him on several
occasions during their meeting; he could not believe that the Dominie would be
prepared to entrust a callow, unknown youth with secret information otherwise.
He felt the fires of curiosity flicker in his stomach, as he yearned to hear [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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