Ilario, the Stone Golem Read Online Free PDF

of your father returning to Taraco.
    19

    But consider this. Master Honorius was twenty-five years in Castile and
    Leon.’
    Honorius gave me a small, silent shrug.
    ‘And?’ I was as bewildered.
    ‘I had some communication with scroll-collectors in Burgos and
    Salamanca and Avila, before winter set in.’ Rekhmire’’s rounded
    features smoothed into a shrewd expression. ‘They confirmed what I
    recall of Castile and Leon – a snake-pit of political alliances and
    betrayals. All of which, Ilario, your father has steadfastly ignored.’
    If Honorius spoke, it would be to snap, Of course! I quickly gestured for Rekhmire’ to continue.
    ‘King Juan the Second of Castile has one infallibly loyal man,’ the
    Egyptian said. ‘Called Alvaro, Count di Luna. Who, because of that
    position as the King’s favourite, is the most powerful single individual in
    northern Iberia. In more than two decades, Master Honorius never
    joined any conspiracy against King Juan’s favourite. More: he never tried
    to strike up a partnership with Alvaro di Luna.’
    ‘You think Rodrigo Sanguerra will draw conclusions from that?’
    Rekhmire’ handed the page of King Rodrigo’s letter back towards my
    father. ‘How many Caesars began as successful generals? A man with an
    army supporting him has always been dangerous. If the soldiers of a
    kingdom follow one man, tradition and law all make way for him. As far
    as I can discover, and as far as King Rodrigo Sanguerra’s spies in Leon
    and Castile should be telling him , the mercenary commander Licinus
    Honorius has never given any of his kings one sleepless night.’
    Honorius looked plainly embarrassed.
    A low hungry whine came from Onorata’s cot; Honorius quickly rose
    and scooped her up, letting her suck on his forefinger, and went over to
    the door to call for milk.
    Rekhmire’ directed a look at me that said I have given him somewhat to think on .
    ‘He shouldn’t go to Taraco!’ I attempted to shove hands into
    breeches-pockets, which in petticoats and a Frankish over-robe is bound
    to be unsuccessful. ‘Not with Videric as his enemy. And you shouldn’t
    be encouraging him!’
    ‘Ilario—’
    I rode over Rekhmire’’s protest. ‘This letter may just be something to
    get him on the road home! Suppose that’s all it is? Suppose it doesn’t
    matter about Taraco, because he’s not intended to reach home – Videric
    will have paid banditi, masnadiere , pirates, any kind of thugs!’
    ‘It’s possible . . . but Master Honorius is a soldier.’ Rekhmire’ came to
    stand at my shoulder, watching my father give orders to one of Neferet’s
    women. ‘Have you thought? If King Rodrigo takes his lands, and forbids
    him to cross the borders of Taraconensis – your father loses everything
    it’s taken him twenty-five years to earn by battle.’
    20

    4
    I found it impossible to persuade Honorius to leave Venice.
    Appealing to emotion, to logic; simply shouting as loudly as I could
    without breaking my scar open – nothing convinced him.
    He sat in silence while I coaxed Onorata to feed. The room’s tenseness
    made her cry and throw her arms about, spattering milk. Eventually I
    laid her across my lap, to ease her of belly-cramps as the midwife had
    suggested, but it was an hour or more before she ceased to cry, and fell
    asleep.
    That had proved enough to make Rekhmire’ descend the stairs, no
    matter how awkward he found it, and Honorius joined him. I left Neferet
    watching over Onorata – since her appetite for the bawling, squalling thing seemed inexhaustible – and took refuge in a chalk profile of
    Rekhmire’, while Honorius shuffled through his small company’s
    accounts.
    ‘I won’t leave you unprotected,’ he remarked, finally. ‘I’ve three lances
    here. Even if I split them with you, that only leaves each of us
    inadequately defended.’
    ‘ I don’t need protection!’ The proportions of Rekhmire’’s eye and
    nose in no way matched each other. I