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The Floodgate :: Каннингем Элейн
Страница: 57 из 212Every now and then a man's got to stop thinking and start doing. By Mystra, what this country needs is a good war!"
Dark memories of the recent swamp battles flooded into Iago's eyes. For a moment Matteo thought that Iago would draw a weapon on Themo and wash the big man's theory away with his own blood. The small jordain regained his composure quickly.
"War usually results from a cessation of thought," Iago observed. "So I suppose your argument has some basis in logic."
"Logic," Themo sneered. "I liked it better when you called me a horse's arse."
Iago smiled. "Fortunate is the man who is content with what and who he is." Though he spoke to Themo, he sent a long, somber stare in Matteo's direction.
Themo, whose enjoyment of a good insult surpassed his subtlety, heard the jest and missed the warning. Matteo marked it and would think of it often in the days to come.
The journey to Halarahh was swift and uneventful. The River Halar ran deep and fast, and the Azuthans' shallow keeled boat sped along the water like a low-flying swan. At the delta harbor, Matteo and Iago changed to a sea-going vessel. Their captain hugged the coast, for far out over the lake sullen gray clouds grumbled and clashed like titanic dwarves roused too soon from slumber. By day's end the docks of Halarahh lay within sight.
The two jordaini leaned against the ship's rail and watched the gap between ship and city narrow.
"We have not spoken of your plans, Iago. Will you return to Procopio Septus?"
The small jordain shrugged. "No doubt Lord Procopio will release me to the first minor wizard who requests my service."
Matteo shook his head. "You are a noted battlemaster, and Lord Procopio is an ambitious man. He will not lightly let you go."
"He is ambitious," Iago agreed, "and because of his ambitions he cannot afford to be tainted by failure. Zephyr was Kiva's ally. I fought for her. Although the Jordaini Council declared me innocent of wrongdoing, in the eyes of many observers it may appear that both of Procopio's errant jordaini were hit by the contents of the same chamber pot"
"You fought the laraken and won," Matteo reminded him. "Your success may go far toward canceling out Zephyr's treason. Certainly it proves your battle prowess, something Lord Procopio values greatly. He's too ambitious to see such skills as yours wasted on a midwife or an apothecary."
Iago snorted. "In truth, I would rather serve a potion peddler than a warlord."
Warlord. The title hung heavy in the silence that followed its naming. Matteo nodded grimly. "So you see it, too.
Dark memories of the recent swamp battles flooded into Iago's eyes. For a moment Matteo thought that Iago would draw a weapon on Themo and wash the big man's theory away with his own blood. The small jordain regained his composure quickly.
"War usually results from a cessation of thought," Iago observed. "So I suppose your argument has some basis in logic."
"Logic," Themo sneered. "I liked it better when you called me a horse's arse."
Iago smiled. "Fortunate is the man who is content with what and who he is." Though he spoke to Themo, he sent a long, somber stare in Matteo's direction.
Themo, whose enjoyment of a good insult surpassed his subtlety, heard the jest and missed the warning. Matteo marked it and would think of it often in the days to come.
The journey to Halarahh was swift and uneventful. The River Halar ran deep and fast, and the Azuthans' shallow keeled boat sped along the water like a low-flying swan. At the delta harbor, Matteo and Iago changed to a sea-going vessel. Their captain hugged the coast, for far out over the lake sullen gray clouds grumbled and clashed like titanic dwarves roused too soon from slumber. By day's end the docks of Halarahh lay within sight.
The two jordaini leaned against the ship's rail and watched the gap between ship and city narrow.
"We have not spoken of your plans, Iago. Will you return to Procopio Septus?"
The small jordain shrugged. "No doubt Lord Procopio will release me to the first minor wizard who requests my service."
Matteo shook his head. "You are a noted battlemaster, and Lord Procopio is an ambitious man. He will not lightly let you go."
"He is ambitious," Iago agreed, "and because of his ambitions he cannot afford to be tainted by failure. Zephyr was Kiva's ally. I fought for her. Although the Jordaini Council declared me innocent of wrongdoing, in the eyes of many observers it may appear that both of Procopio's errant jordaini were hit by the contents of the same chamber pot"
"You fought the laraken and won," Matteo reminded him. "Your success may go far toward canceling out Zephyr's treason. Certainly it proves your battle prowess, something Lord Procopio values greatly. He's too ambitious to see such skills as yours wasted on a midwife or an apothecary."
Iago snorted. "In truth, I would rather serve a potion peddler than a warlord."
Warlord. The title hung heavy in the silence that followed its naming. Matteo nodded grimly. "So you see it, too.