Book 2 - An Ill Fate Marshalling Read Online Free PDF Page A

summer color. See what I mean?"
    Aral smiled. „Be interesting to see what you could do." He scanned the castle. „You'd either have to knock down
    Fiana's Tower or build another one over on the left. To give the palace balance."
    Trebilcock looked puzzled. „Balance? What do you know about balance?"
    „What's to know, Mike? Stands to reason, don't it? You don't want it to look lopsided. What did he want, anyway?" „What did who want?" „The King. When he had you stay behind." „You won't believe it. I still don't. He wants me to play side to his right point in the Guards' Captures game this afternoon."
    Aral studied him, one cheek crinkling questioningly. „Really?" He laughed. „That's right. It's the Guards and Panthers today, isn't it? Battle of the undefeateds. The old fox is trying to sneak in some better players." Dantice leaned, punched Michael's biceps. „Put your money on the Panthers, Mike. Charygin Hall recruited the best men money can buy. Nobody will beat them for years." „What're the odds? Is there a spread?" „You can get five to one if you're stupid enough to bet Guards. Two goal spread. You can get ten to one if you bet the Guards to win."
    They rode another fifty yards before Trebilcock mused, „Think I'll have my bankers cover a couple hundred nobles. On the Guards."
    Dantice and Trebilcock went way back. It was Aral's opinion that Michael was a fool with money. „What the hell for? It's your money, and you've got more than you could throw away, but why the hell waste it?"
    „Your class chauvinism is showing, Aral. The Guards are undefeated too. Remember who's on their team when you make your bets. The King don't believe in losing."
    Michael felt Dantice studying him. He felt the question in his friend. Had he meant more than he had said? „Mike?" „Uhm?"
    „You still messing around with those Throyens? I got the feeling he was sniping at you."
    „Maybe he was. I keep in touch. I don't want to burn any bridges. Situations change. We might need them next year. What are you into, Aral?"
    „Me? Nothing but the sutler business anymore. I'm not sure why he had me come."
    Trebilcock nodded. This had become a duel of half-truths and outright evasions. „Maybe he wanted you to pass the real story to your friends. About the Gap maybe opening. So the rumors don't get too crazy."
    „That's all I could figure. How long you going to be in town? I was thinking maybe we could get down to Arsen Street some night. Remember the Fat Man's? They've done the place over. Gone class. Got in some girls from the coast. We could go tear the joint up some night, like old times."
    „I don't think I've got the energy to keep up anymore, Aral."
    „Come on, hey? You can't live forever. Might as well have fun while you can. You've got to come out of the shadows sometime."
    „I'll be around till Prataxis gets back. I'll let you know." They had ridden halfway round the palace. Michael said, „If you did it right, you could lay out lakes in each direction. Like the arms of a cross."
    Dantice could be infuriatingly practical. He asked, „What are you going to do for fresh water? You'd have to run it in steady, wouldn't you? Else your lakes would go stagnant or dry up."
    „Damned! I'm just dreaming out loud, Aral. You want to cut me down with practical, make me tell you who's going to pay the workmen."
    „Hey! Mike. I was only joking."
    „I know. I know. I'm too touchy. My people tell me all the time. I don't want to come here in the first place, then the King drafts me to play Captures. I hate Captures."
    „Why didn't you beg off?"
    Michael just looked at Dantice. That hadn't occurred to him. The King would not have asked had there been no need.
    „What do you hear out of Hammad al Nakir, Mike? You got anybody reliable down there?"
    The question sounded almost too casual. Trebilcock snap ped, „Why?"
    „You
are
testy, aren't you? Because I've got a long-term arrangement for remounts with one of Megelin's