The Phoenix Guards Read Free Page B

diminish. Khaavren, it should be noted, was hardly concerned, since the money had not been his to begin with. He had, in his purse, some ten silver orbs, which he had no intention of using in this manner. Thus he could only gain. And, he realized, should fortune smile on him, he’d be able to purchase a horse. This, if it wouldn’t make his journey shorter, would at least make it more comfortable.
    As they played, Khaavren addressed the Dzur, who was by far the more communicative of the two. “Lady Tazendra,” he said, “how do you come to be here?”
    “Eh?” she said. “But I live nearby. My—” she paused, then continued. “My home is only a few leagues away.”
    Khaavren chewed his lip. It seemed to him that she had been about to say something else. “Ah, I see,” he said to himself, remembering the strange
look that had passed over Aerich’s features. “You are doubtless the daughter of the lord of these lands, and our Lyorn friend knows it, but you wish to keep it a secret. Very well, we will see if we can discover the reason behind your reticence.”
    Now Khaavren, we should understand, had one of those searching, inquiring minds which, in a more serious or studious person, leads to work in some of the more strange and esoteric branches of magic, and perhaps the discovery of spells that had never been thought of before. But, Tiassa that he was, he had not the disposition for it. Still, he was intrigued, and he resolved to discover what he could about the lady who called herself Tazendra. None of this passed over his countenance, however, as he turned to Aerich and said, “And you, my lord? What brings you here?”
    His sharp eyes noted that Tazendra seemed curious too, from which he deduced that, if Aerich knew about Tazendra, Tazendra didn’t know about Aerich. But the Lyorn only shook his head and said, “Me? Why, I am here—because I am here. It is your throw, my good Marquis.”
    “Yes and—but hold, I believe you have addressed me as ‘Marquis’.”
    “Why, yes, I did,” said Aerich.
    “How did you know?”
    Aerich shrugged, a gesture he seemed to be fond of. “You call yourself Khaavren,” he said.
    “Well, and if I do?”
    “Khaavren is the largest district within the County of Shallowbanks.”
    “And if it is?”
    “The Count of Shallowbanks always gives his eldest son one of his districts and the title of Marquis.”
    “But,” exclaimed Khaavren, “County Shallowbanks was sold back to the Empire nearly a thousand years ago!”
    “Yet,” said Aerich, “it has not been given in fiefdom to another. You perceive, therefore, that you are entitled to the name.”
    Before Khaavren could argue further, Tazendra said, “And whither are you traveling?”
    “Eh? To Dragaera, of course. With a Phoenix on the throne, there will be places in the Guard, and I think I could use such a place.”
    Aerich frowned. Tazendra said, “In the Guard? But why?”
    “It surprises me to hear a Dzur ask,” said Khaavren. “But still, I can hardly live off lands we no longer own, and I must do something. I think my sword is long enough, and I am tolerably well acquainted with its use.”
    “But the pay, I’m told—”
    “It’s bad, I know. However, that is a beginning only. By the Orb! I don’t intend to be a mere man-at-arms all my life.”
    “You will be competing with Dragons, however.”
    “So much the better,” said Khaavren. “They will have many Dragons, but few Tiassa. Therefore, you perceive, I will stand out. Someone will notice
me, and I will take the opportunity to distinguish myself, and my career will be made.”
    Tazendra’s eyes grew wide. “Why, now,” she said. “That is hardly a plan with which I can find fault.”
    Aerich nodded, “A career in arms is certainly worthy for one of gentle birth,” he said.
    “There was a young Guardsman here, just yesterday,” said Tazendra. “Was there not, good Aerich?”
    “Not a Tiassa,” exclaimed Khaavren in