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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
have them taken back to their houses in small groups no mass departure,
and tell their masters to keep them under curfew for the next two days, unless
by my order or that of Her Serenity.
Yes, Sei General. And the corpses?
Arman had only the haziest knowledge of Darshianese funeral rites, but
they could hardly be taken back to the villages, and to have them buried in the
south might cause trouble. Have them taken out of the hall and kept
somewhere. Treat them respectfully, Captain I ll make enquiries about the
proper disposition. He looked down again at the hostages. That big fellow,
from Rutej, I think, he seems less overwrought. Send him to my office. And
Peyo, have the men treat the hostages with a little consideration we don t
want a revolt on our hands. There s no need to provoke them more than they
have been.
Peyo seemed a little surprised but made no comment on the order. No, Sei
General.
Have that hostage sent to my office. There are two others my servant,
Kei of Albon, and Jena of Rutej, I ll see to their return myself.
Yes, Sei General, Peyo said, snapping a salute and leaving.
Things seemed to be quietening a little, but the sound of weeping was
louder than ever. He thought he could see Jena at last, and it looked as if she
was cradling Kei. Gods...Karus would be hurt by this too. Arman couldn t see
a single benefit from this act today, and cursed Senator Mekus and all his
kind. This was no way to win a war.
Gonji, as the man was called, from Rutej, had been a good choice. He was
calm, although grim, and answered Arman s questions respectfully. It seemed
that Darshianese burial rites were simple, and needed no priest to officiate.
Nor was it particularly important that the hostages be buried on Darshianese
soil. Their spirits have already been freed, my lord, he explained with weary
patience.
You understand I can t allow a mass funeral. It would cause a
disturbance.
Yes, my lord.
Would it be sufficient for you and perhaps one other to attend the burial?
Whatever you direct, my lord.
Arman sighed in exasperation. I m asking you this honestly, man. I won t
punish you for your answer.
No, my lord. I answered honestly. Your offer is sufficient. Thank you. The
man hesitated. My lord more will be taken from Vinri?
Yes, of course. You know the terms of surrender.
Yes, my lord. Is that all?
Yes wait...Gonji, you must make your fellows understand that any
rebellion will end in the same way. If anyone attacks a Prijian citizen, or
absconds, all of his village will pay. He held the man s gaze, willing him to
take that message into his heart.
We all know that, my lord. None of us want to bring the wrath of the Prij
down on anyone else. I really don t know why Ai-Vinri did this. It s
incomprehensible.
As it is to me, but the reports are unambiguous. But suspiciously lacking
in detail, Arman thought. You re dismissed.
The man bowed, and left. Arman rubbed his forehead. Such dignity made
him feel ashamed to be Prijian today and then he realised just how ironic
such an idea was. Loke, my friend, are you laughing at me now? You should
be. But he was glad Loke had not had to see the executions. Arman wished
he had not either.
He called his lieutenant in and told him to bring Kei and Jena to him, and
then wrote a note to Mekus informing him of the arrangements for the burials
he planned and the curfew he had imposed, trying to keep the annoyance and
disgust he was feeling out of his written words. That was the problem with
mixed civilian and army control over a situation too many loose ends, and a
clumsy approach which served no one well. As Mekus was in control of the
matter, he should have been the one to deal with the corpses and any
potential problems caused by the executions. But as was typical of the man,
he only wanted to be the one shouting orders and pushing people around.
Arman almost wished his father had been in charge of the hostages for all
his many faults, Senator Armis was meticulous and would be disgusted by the
sloppy handling of this. But then, being Arman s father.... No, perhaps better it
was Mekus, after all.
A knock on the door and he called for them to enter. Kei and Jena were
brought in under close guard. Jena was distressed and tearful, but Arman
hardly registered that fact because Kei was barely conscious, and unable to
stand without the support of the guards. Put him in a chair, he snapped,
and send for a medic.
My lord, he needs no medic..., Jena started to say, but Arman snarled at
her to shut up, so she did. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
