The Monster War: A Tale of the Kings' Blades Read Free

again, Stalwart had begged Master of Rituals to perform a growth sorcery on him, but every time he was refused with much the same words: “It’s not size that’s your problem, candidate, it’s just timing. If you’re still on the small side when you’ve got a beard to shave, then we can do something about it.”
    “So you are willing to serve.” Grand Master gave him a look that seemed to contain equal parts contempt and pity. “How willing? Would you tell lies to serve His Majesty?”
    Now what ? Puzzled, Stalwart said, “After I am bound I will do absolutely anything to defend him, naturally.”
    “That was not what I asked. I said serve , not defend . And I am not talking about when you are bound . I mean now. Would you lie to a friend if the King ordered you to do so?” Why was he so cantankerous this morning? Why take it out on Stalwart?
    “I can’t believe King Ambrose would ever give me such an order, sir.”
    “Can’t you? Oh, grow up, boy! Suppose I tell you that you could best serve His Majesty by kicking up dust…jumping the hill…disappearing…. Does your loyalty extend that far?”
    In this game to show anger was to lose points. A man could never win when Grand Master chose to pick on him like this, but he could play to a draw by remaining calm and courteous. That was rarely easy.
    “With all respect, sir, I should not believe you.”
    “I assure you that this is His Majesty’s wish.” Grand Master’s smile came very close to being a sneer. “And if you are going to call me a liar, the Commander will confirm what I say.”
    Dismayed, Stalwart looked to Sir Bandit, who shrugged.
    “What Grand Master says is true, Candidate, but he is not telling you the whole story.”
    Grand Master sniffed. “The story’s your business. I don’t know it and I don’t want to know. Stalwart, I was told to tell you that the Commander speaks with the King’s knowledge and approval. That’s all.”
    He strode over to the inner door and shut it behind him with a thump that was very close to a slam. Bandit did not comment, but he rolled his eyes just enough to convey his opinion of that show of temper. Stalwart was duly grateful.
    Bandit himself could hardly have been a more different person. Not in looks, of course. In appearance he was a typical Blade—graceful, athletic, neither tall nor short. His only remarkable feature was the way his eyebrows joined to make a single dark hedge across his face. He wore neither beard nor mustache. According to rumor, the Commander was one of the worst fencers in the entire Guard. There had been widespread surprise last Firstmoon when the King chose him to replace the legendary Sir Durendal, but he had proved to be an excellent choice. He had infinite patience. He spoke to the greenest recruit in exactly the same tone and manner he used to the King. His sword was named Suasion .
    He walked over to the nearer window and stared out at the moor. “This is to be in confidence, every word.”
    “Yes, Commander.”
    “You were surprised that the King knew about your lute playing.”
    “Surprised that it interested him. I suppose Grand Master described all the seniors to him this morning?”
    Bandit turned to share a smile. “He did not have to. He sends me detailed reports on all of you every week. I pass them on when the King wants to see them. He has been following your progress ever since you were promoted from fuzzy, last Thirdmoon.”
    “Oh!”
    “He knows you’ve been here not quite four years and you won’t be seventeen till Tenth-moon. He has seen Grand Master’s reports describing you as lazy, insubordinate, and disliked by both the masters and the other boys.”
    Stunned, Stalwart said nothing.
    Bandit continued: “Over the last two months he has become increasingly critical. He describes your fencing as very bad, virtually hopeless.”
    That was too much! “ Sir ! I suggest you ask the others. Master of Rapiers—”
    “Says you can beat him nine