The Destiny of the Sword Read Free Page B

did not draw, although the First was staring up at him in stunned fury.
    “Which friends, Captain?” Polini asked contemptuously, glancing at the other sailors.
    “That one for a start.” Tomiyano nodded at Wallie. The First wheeled around. The Fifth, suspecting a trap, did not.
    The Fust squeaked, “Mentor!” and then Polini turned. He gaped in horror—blue kilt, seven sword facemarks... and a bigger man than himself, which must be a rare surprise for him.
    For a moment no one spoke. Wallie was enjoying the effect, but also feeling rather ashamed of himself. Polini was obviously noting his battered boots, his shoddy kilt, and the contrast of the magnificently crafted harness. Then the Fifth recovered and saluted.
    Wallie made the response. It was his privilege to speak first, and the captain would expect him to send this impudent interloper off promptly with his tail down; but Wallie was now very curious, and not without admiration. Polini had a craggy, honest,looking face. The First was being impassive, but he blinked and Wallie caught a glimpse of his eyelids. Aha!
    “My congratulations, master,” Wallie said with a smile. “Not many swordsmen keep their tempers when dealing with Sailor Tbmiyano.”
    “Your lordship is gracious,” Polini replied stiffly. “I see that I unwittingly erred in choosing this vessel. Obviously it is bound for Casr.” He would be thinking of Tomiyano’s imputation of cowardice, probably suffering a thousand deaths at the thought of a Seventh having heard it and likely agreeing. “With your permission, my lord, I shall depart.”
    Wallie was not going to let him escape without an explanation, but first he must get in character for a Seventh. “No, master,” he said. “You will share some ale with me. I owe you mat much for playing tricks on you. Sailor—three tankards of the mild!”
    Tomiyano’s jaw dropped at die tone, and he lost his smirk.
    Wallie gestured to the aft end of the deck. “Come, Master Polini,” he said. “And bring bis Highness along, also.”
    tt
    The minstrels of the World sang ballads and epics of brave heroes and virtuous maidens, of monsters and sorcerers, of generous gods and just kings. Nnanji loved the heroic ones and could quote them endlessly, but one hero was conspicuously absent: Sherlock Holmes. Wallie’s remark almost caused Polini to draw. Tomiyano made the sign of the Goddess, then relaxed when he saw that Lord Shonsu was merely up to his tricks again. The boy paled.
    “No, no sorcery, Master Polini!” Wallie said hastily. “Just a good swordsman’s eye—observation.”
    Polini glanced suspiciously over his protg and back to mis strange Seventh.
    “Observation, my lord?”
    Wallie smiled. “Few mentors would dress a First so well. Fewer Fifths would even take a First as prote’ge’, and you yourself are obviously garbed as a man of high station. But I can go further: I note that his facemark has healed, yet he is so young that his swearing must have been recent. His hair is long enough to make a good ponytail, so his induction to the craft was decided at least a year ago, and only swordsmen’s sons can normally count on becoming swordsmen. Yet his parent,marks show that he is the son of a priest. Elementary, Master Polini.”
    Royal houses were usually founded by swordsmen, but kingship was a dangerous trade. No swordsman could refuse a challenge, whereas a priest was sacrosanct. Kings’ sons were mostly sworn to the priesthood.
    Polini considered this and bowed his head in agreement. He caught his protegees eye and said, “Learn!” The boy nodded and regarded the Seventh with awe.
    Confidence having now returned, Wallie directed them smoothly to the far side of the deck, which was marginally farther from the hubbub of the dock. The aft hatch cover was still open, and die planks had been stacked in a neat pile, a low wall
     
    that would suffice as a bench. But before he sat down... “Present him, master.”
    “Lord Shonsu, I