The Chalice of Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

lingered. Navarre took the indicated seat.
    â€œSire?”
    Perspiration beaded Joroiran’s upper lip; the monarch seemed dwarfed by the stiff strutwork that held his uniform out from his scrawny body. He glanced nervously at the Earthman, then said, “You spoke to me of a Chalice today, as your reason for being late to the audience. This Chalice … is said to hold the secret of eternal life, is that not so? Its possessor need never die?”
    Navarre nodded.
    â€œAnd,” Joroiran continued, “you tell me you have some knowledge of its whereabouts, eh?”
    â€œI think I do,” said Navarre hoarsely. “My informant said he knew somebody whose father had led an earlier expedition in search of it. An unsuccessful expedition, but a near miss.” The statement was strictly from whole cloth, but Navarre reeled it off smoothly.
    Joroiran looked interested. “Indeed. Who is he?”
    Sudden inspiration struck Navarre. “His name is Domrik Carso. His mother was an Earthman, and you know of course that the Chalice is connected in some legend-shrouded way with Earth.”
    â€œOf course. Produce this Carso.”
    â€œHe was here today, Sire. He searched for pardon from an unfair sentence of banishment over some silly barroom squabble. Alas, the finger of fate did not fall on him, and he leaves for Kariad tonight. But perhaps if the sentence were revoked I could get further information from him concerning the Chalice, which I would most dearly love to win for Your Majesty …”
    Joroiran’s fingers drummed the desktop. “Ah, yes—revokement. It would be possible, perhaps. Can you reach the man?”
    â€œI think so.”
    â€œGood. Tell him not to pay for his passage tickets, that the Royal Treasury will cover the cost of his travels from now on.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œThe same applies to you, of course.”
    Taken aback, Navarre lost a little of his composure. “Sire?”
    â€œI’ve spoken to Kausirn. Navarre, I don’t know if I can spare you, and Kausirn is uncertain as to whether he can handle the double load in your absence. But he is willing to try it, noble fellow that he is.”
    â€œI don’t understand,” Navarre stammered.
    â€œYou say you have a lead on the whereabouts of this Chalice—correct? Kausirn has refreshed my overburdened memory with some information on this Chalice, and I find myself longing for its promise of eternal life, Navarre. You say you have a lead; very well. I’ve arranged for an indefinite leave of absence for you. Find this man Carso and together you can search the galaxies at my expense. I don’t care how long it takes, nor what it costs. But bring me the Chalice, Navarre !”
    The Earthman nearly fell backward in astonishment. Bring Joroiran the Chalice? Dizzily, Navarre realized that this was the work of the clever Kausirn: he would send the annoying Earthman all over space on a fool’s mission, while consolidating his own position securely at the side of the Overlord.
    Navarre forced himself to meet Joroiran’s eyes.
    â€œI will not fail you, my Lord,” he said in a strangled voice.
    He had been weaving twisted strands, he thought later in the privacy of his rooms, and now he had spun himself a noose. Talk of tradition! Nothing could melt it faster than a king’s desire to keep his throne eternally.
    For seven generations there had been an Earthman adviser at the Overlord’s side. Now, in a flash, the patient work of years was undone. Dejectedly, Navarre reviewed his mistakes.
    One: He had allowed Kausirn to worm his way into a position of eminence on the Council. Allow a Lyrellan an inch and he’ll grab a parsec. Navarre now saw—too late, of course—that he should have had the many-fingered one quietly put away while he had had the chance.
    Two: He had caroused the night before an audience day. Inexcusable. Someone—an agent