Hart's Hope Read Free Page A

came to me because of now.”
    Sleeve pursed his lips contemptuously. “I follow the entrails of animals. I use the power of their blood and in return they teach me where to go. Whatever plans God has for you, they’re no concern of mine.” But his denial was a confirmation, for never had Sleeve bothered to explain himself before.
    A trumpet sounded outside the palisade. Count Palicrovol leapt to his feet. The treebark mantle slipped from his shoulders as he stood. “The King,” whispered some of the men, for such was the terror of King Nasilee’s Eyes and Ears that they thought he had already heard of this treason and come to punish Palicrovol. They felt no easier when they saw an army of five hundred men gathered outside the fortress.
    â€œWho are you, who bring an army to my gate!” cried Palicrovol from the battlement.
    â€œI am Zymas, once general of the King’s army. And who are you, who stand naked at the battlement!”
    Palicrovol felt the winter cold for the first time in the Feast of Hinds: the prophecy was already being fulfilled. In that moment he made his decision. “I am Palicrovol, King of Burland!”
    But the army did not raise a cheer, and Palicrovol felt the giddiness of despair: he had spoken treason in front of the King’s right hand, all because he had believed the mad prophet of a foolish God.
    â€œPalicrovol!” called Zymas.
    â€œCan these gates keep you out if you want to come in?” asked Palicrovol.
    Zymas answered, “Can these soldiers keep you in if you want to come out?”
    â€œIf these soldiers are my enemies, then I will not come out. I will stay here and make them pay in blood for every step they take inside my walls.”
    â€œAnd if we are your friends?”
    â€œWhy did you come to me?” cried Palicrovol from the battlement. “Why do you taunt me?”
    â€œI dreamed of you, Count Traffing. Why did I dream of you?”
    Palicrovol turned to Sleeve, who smiled. “It is the Feast of Hinds,” said Sleeve.
    â€œIt is the Feast of Hinds!” called Palicrovol.
    â€œThe tripes were heavy, and the womb was all but five days full,” said Sleeve.
    â€œThe tripes were heavy, and the womb was all but five days full!” called Palicrovol. As he echoed Sleeve’s words, Palicrovol was relieved. When the hind that gave herself at the Feast of Hinds was utterly full, the enterprise of the master of the feast could not go wrong. Someone’s enterprise, anyway, and it was usually polite to read all good omens for the host.
    â€œI know nothing of augury,” said Zymas. “Who is the wizard who is teaching you what to say?”
    Sleeve spoke for himself then. “I am Sleeve,” he said. “The Sweet Sisters showed me a heavy hind. God spoke to Palicrovol through an old fool. And the Hart has come to you in a dream. If all the great gods are with Palicrovol, what will withstand him?”
    Zymas had not said there was a hart in his dream. “What need has he of me?”
    â€œWhat need have you of him? It is enough that you are both committed to treason now. If you work together, you can bring down this King. If you oppose each other, Nasilee will find his work much easier.”
    Zymas thought of still another argument. Sleeve, the greatest of the living wizards, is with this Count Traffing. “Palicrovol, if you would be King, I will help you wed the King’s daughter and have the throne. Will you be a just and good king?”
    â€œI will be the same sort of king as I have been Count,” said Palicrovol. “My people prosper more than the people of any other lord. I am a just judge, as far as any man can be.”
    â€œIf that is true, I will follow you, and my men will follow you,” said Zymas.
    So the Godsman’s prophecy was perfect, though it had predicted an event as unlikely as Burring flowing backward. Zymas had come to him, and come even