Wizard's Funeral Read Online Free PDF Page A

the simple splendour of their temporary quarters. It was indeed a pleasant enough room, with low ceilings, thick, brown, exposed beams, a tiled floor, whitewashed walls, small windows. Above all it was clean spotless in fact not a speck of dust in the corners, not a cobweb, not a dead fly on any windowsill. And the beds were squared-down at the corners, the starched white sheets like drumskins, the pillows round and hard. Welcome to the Kingdom of the Clean, muttered Spagg. Just one question where do I spit? Not if you value your life, said Soldier, flinging himself, boots and all, onto his bed. You must learn to respect the culture of other societies. Prissy missy! Spagg, get up the other end of the room. Hurry on, its quite a hike. Ive claimed this end. You would. Spagg trailed all the way down the long hostel until he found his bed in the far distance. Later, when they had eaten and rested, a male servant came to tell them that Uthellen awaited without. Soldier hurried out to meet her. Uthellen, he cried, taking both her hands in his, you still have the bloom of maidenhood upon your cheek! Liar, she said, with a wisp of smile. In fact, she looked older than he would have guessed, with grey streaks to her hair and lines to her face, though she was still not more than thirty-five years of age. However, her complexion looked ruddy enough, not pale and wan as it used to be, and she seemed fuller of figure. In fact her maturity had brought with it a different kind of beauty: the type of loveliness that caused a man of experience to choke on regret. Soldier guessed those comely age-lines had been caused by care and worry for her bastard child, who had been in danger every minute of his life until now. As he looked at her now, held her soft hands in his own, his heart was once more torn asunder. He loved his wife, it was true, but he had to tell himself that with strong conviction as he beheld this other woman. Uthellen was very dear to him. He had managed - the gods knew how - to keep himself from falling completely in love with Uthellen, who was as pure and lovely within as her outward looks promised. It was sheer force of will which kept them apart, not any natural feelings. If they had both followed their natural desires they would be infidels by now. And the boy? He has been given a name, Ixonnoxl. A perfect palindrome, sighed the Bhantanian servant in satisfaction as he was passing by. Such beautiful symmetry in the world of wizards. And he is no longer a boy, Uthellen continued, smiling. He is eighteen now. Youll meet him in a little while. Have you come to take us to Guthrum? Thats the idea. Well need an escort though. Do you think the Bhantans will supply us with one? I have no doubt of it. He noticed a wicker basket under her arm. What have you there? She smiled. Fruit. A traditional greeting gift to a friend. I bought them at the goblin market. Im glad you regard me as your friend. Spagg came down from the other end of the room. Food, eh? Id rather it was the haunch of roasted pig, but fruit will do for now. The three of them sat down to eat. There were quinces and sharp bullaces, bilberries, swarthy-looking mulberries, dewberries and sweet peaches, barberries, gooseberries and bright red cherries, medlars, plums and apples. They began eating, the juices running down their chins. Soldier could feel them doing him good, filling his veins with sunshine. Uthellen explained that no one gathered such luscious fruit as the goblins of Blackdown Wood. We just met a bunch o goblins, muttered Spagg. They was nothin but villains and thieves. Theres goblins and goblins, just as there are different shades of mortals, explained Uthellen. What a feast, said Soldier, impressed by the variety. Is this all for the three of us? What about Ix Ix . . . Ixonnoxl? He is out in the woods, beyond the city. Soldier looked up, alarmed. Wed better find him, he cried, jumping up. I havent yet told you why were here. HoulluoH is dead. Your son has