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three trap awaited them at its far end. To one side a great fire blazed in a huge fireplace. The temperature
in here might even be slightly above freezing, Ethan reflected.
"No, I shall announce you," the herald cautioned. He strode off down the tong, brightly dyed rug that
covered the bare stone floor. There was a seemingly endless table to each side, with chairs and odd
writhing candlesticks.
"Remember," Hunnar whispered to Ethan as they walked slowly behind the herald, "he's tough and
stringy, but not vi-cious. Not intentionally so, anyway. I'm told we've had harder rulers. At least he's not
an idiot, like his half-brother."
"Will we get to meet this half-brother?" asked Williams clinically.
"Not unless you've even stranger means of transport than your metal ship. When his fault became
obvious, he was put to death."
"Dear me," replied the schoolmaster, taken aback. "That seems rather extreme."
"Our way," said Hunnar simply.
"This is an extreme world," added September. "Woo don't get supported by others here, what?" Then
he spoke to Ethan. "Take your time, young Teller, and say what you think best."
The herald had stopped ahead of them. Now he turned and boomed, "Sir Hunnar Redbeard, Squire
Suaxus-dal-Jagger, and Squire Budjir Hotahg, with the party of outlanders!"
"Outlanders?" September looked askance at the knight.
"'That is what they've been calling you," Hunnar replied. "For lack of a better term. Slowly now; watch
me."
They followed the knight the last dozen meters. Ethan had a moment to scan those awaiting them. Then
Sir Hunnar boated low, crossing his arms over his head and covering himself with his wings. They all
imitated the movement as best they could, not rising until the knight had done so.
"My lord," he began, "these folk crave mercy for intruding open the province of the people. They seek
protection and mayhap service. They are en a ... " he hesitated for a second, "a pilgrimage to far parts of
the world. Their metal sky-ship was disabled as though by the Father of Rifs and they are cast upon us
for deliverance."
An old tall tran with solid gray fur put both hands on the arms of his throne. The Landgrave stood erect.
Ethan noticed that the back of the throne was carved from what seemed to be a single unbroken pillar of
ivory that rose all the way to the high roof. It was inscribed with symbols and etching as far up as he
could see. The thing was as big as a good-sized tree.
The Landgrave was dressed in flowing leather and silks. Hammered metal plate decorated with silver
thread formed a complex, flashing breastplate. A single leather hand with a bright metal rectangle of gold
set in the forehead was all that passed for a crown. He did, however, wield an elabo-rately carved
wooden staff nearly two and a half meters tall. It was thin, a polished mahogany-color, studded with
cabo-chons in red and bright blue. A few faceted gems adorned the knob at the top.
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"Sir Ethan Frome Fortune," declaimed Hunnar, pointing Ethan out before he could protest the
undeserved title, "I present you to the right-true-and-just Torsk Kurdagh-Vlata, Landgrave of Sofold,
and ''rue Protector of Wannome."
"We are honored in the presence of your father's father and self, son-of-the-wind," Ethan intoned, giving
the rehearsed speech his best sales pitch.
"You are welcome, outlanders," the Landgrave replied. His voice was startlingly high for a trap,
compared to those they'd already encountered. The Landgrave gestured to his right at an incredibly
shriveled but bright-eyed old individual dressed entirely in black silks. He wore a black headband.
"My personal adviser, Malmeevyn Eer-fvleesach."
" The honor is mine, noble sirs," responded the wizard smoothly. He was eyeing them with such obvious
naked an-ticipation that he made Ethan a little nervous. 'shat same stare had been applied to laboratory
rats with uncertain fu-tures. As it developed, he was doing the old tran an injustice.
"And this," continued Kurdagh-Vlata, turning to his left, "is my daughter and only cub, the Elfa
Kurdagh-Vlata."
The gesture was directed at a surprisingly lissome and nearly raked female tran. She gazed down at
Ethan with a stare far more disconcerting than the wizard's. Considering the temperature in the great hall,
her garb seemed an open invitation to pneumonia.
Something hit him a sharp rap in the shin and he spun. September smiled at him.
"Time enough later for sight-seeing, me lad," be murmured in Terranglo. "No wonder friend Hunnar was
convinced of our similarity."
"What?" he said brilliantly. He returned his gaze to the throne, found the Landgrave watching him
impatiently.
"Your companions," whispered Hunnar urgently.
"Oh, yes." He stepped to one side and made a grand sweep-ing gesture. "Um, Sir Skua September ... "
September performed a bow full of intricate hand gestures. It confused Ethan but the Landgrave
appeared delighted.
"Hellespont du Kane, a ... ah ... merchant of great renown on his world.His daughter, Colette du Kane
... "
Du Kane executed a marvelously supple bow that surprised both Ethan and September. Colette
hesitated, then followed with an awkward curtsey.
"And Walther, um ...
"You're still not going to learn my last name, buddy, until it's too late to do you any good," the kidnapper
muttered in Terranglo.
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