Читать книгу The Hopes of Kings - Steve Reilly - Страница 10

Chapter 3

Not many people know of Haverim. Even the residents of this tiny village give it little thought as it rests quietly, hidden away in the hills of South-West Arenia. Inside one of its few small cottages, Piaz relaxed with the group of fourteen tired men and women.

He was speaking to them, as he did in all such towns, of the importance of vigilance and the future of mankind, though the farmers paid little attention to his words. They were simple folk who worked the land each day in the hope of surviving another year.

They had little interest in the world away from their homes other than his stories of strange and exotic places, places they would never see. To those present, their village was of little value to any army, whether friend or foe, or of any king or person. And while he spoke of the dangers of animals, they saw animals as either food or to put to work. There was no time in their lives for more.

The little room was in the home of one of The Society’s members, a man named Stanley, and though he still looked to The Society for his beliefs, he saw it of no more value than the chance to have people like Piaz come to his town.

Stanley was a thin man who prided himself on his home and his family, in that order. The room was very nice by village standards, with its sturdy table and chairs that had been built by their owner or one of the other villagers. The other furnishings were sparse but equally well made and fairly new. The place gave off an odour of comfort. His wife, on the other hand, showed signs of age and misuse, and was long past being described as comfortable.

Most of the tiny village were present to hear Piaz speak and he knew they were only here for the social occasion, but that did not matter. It was not often they would have the chance to meet and hear a stranger, or learn of the greater world. They showed little interest in what he had to say or The Society’s message, but he retained hope. Piaz noted that they were all ears when he spoke of the capital and the world outside the village. For them, that was all that was worth hearing, this reminded them there was a world beyond their lives, somewhere to dream of.

But he was used to this. He received a similar reception at most of the villages where he spoke. He knew it would not matter on the day they faced their enemy but he would continue to try and raise the awareness of mankind wherever he went. And there were advantages, the people of the villages were generally warm and welcoming, and he enjoyed meeting and speaking with them of their lives and local events, while in some villages there were daughters who sought the adventure of someone new and exotic.

He had already discovered that Haverim had produced an excellent crop of maize last year, and had not declared it to the taxman, so this was to be a comfortable year for the farmers. They were happy in their lives and if the time came, they would willingly answer the call.

They waited patiently till he finished speaking before the group gathered around the table laden with an assortment of cakes and biscuits. One man opened a jug of blackberry wine and the evening was growing quite pleasant. Piaz was considering delaying moving on and enjoying time in the village for a few more days. One young girl had shown him particular interest and the coming days could be pleasant. He could make the time before duty called him to new places.

The loud crack of a fist knocking on the door brought silence to the gathering. No one more was expected, or even living nearby who could come, so whoever waited outside was not of this area. Stanley cautiously opened the door fearing raiders may be waiting, or worse, the tax man and the villagers gathered behind him, ready to offer aid.

The man outside was unfamiliar to all, but he was alone, and Piaz eyed the stranger suspiciously. There was something clearly threatening in his manner. The visitor was tall, much taller than he should have been, and his black cape, clasped at the neck by a gold triangular broach, did not hide his lean, muscular build, or the sword hanging from the man’s belt. He felt the threads of concern as they all waited for the man to speak.

“I am sorry to interrupt your dinner but I seek a man known as Piaz,” the man asked. “Does anyone here know of this man and where I might find him? Is he inside?”

“And who would be looking for him?” asked Stanley, his suspicion showing.

The man smiled a patient and indulging grin,

“We have a mutual friend and I have been sent to bring him a message. I wish him no harm.”

The villagers gathered closer behind the homeowner, suspicious of anyone who found it necessary to carry a weapon. The tall man spoke again.

“If Piaz is here, I will pass him the message before I leave you alone.”

“I don’t know of any Piaz, but if he turns up, I can give him a message,” offered Stanley.

He looked the tall man up and down in a manner he hoped was intimidating. Stanley was both cautious and courageous as he asked who sought their guest. Along with Piaz, the tall man had brought the world to Haverim, and two outsiders were one too many as far as he was concerned.

“Who believes this man to be in our small village and sends you into the world to find him? And what could be so important to require someone like you, a man so strange and of obvious strength and ability, to bring it?”

“My message comes from King Xavier of Arenia. It is important I find Piaz. Is he here?” The man was polite, but there was the strength of threat in his voice.

A buzz of voices filled the room. This was not the reply anyone had expected. One man stepped forward from the group to look up into the soldier’s cold, hard face.

“There is no need to upset these poor folk. I am Piaz.”

The soldier nodded.

“I am sorry to disturb your evening, but I bring a request from Whitebridge. King Xavier asks if you would be so good as to travel to the capital, so that he may speak with you on matters of great importance to both you and the kingdom. Now you have heard my message, my task is complete and I will be returning to Whitebridge. I would be pleased with the company if you wish to travel with me.”

“When will you be leaving?”

“I shall ride out at first light tomorrow, so you may continue with your evening if you wish.”

Piaz did not hesitate with his decision,

“I will ride with you. But you must come in and meet these fine people, and sample their excellent cooking.” Then quietly he added, “But I would remove the sword first if I were you. You will not need it here.”