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any reasonable suggestions you may have. This is a matter of vital importance,
and I don't want to rule out anything that might increase the likelihood of
success."
"I want to take my friend, Questor Dalquist, with me, the Questor said. I
would trust him with my life, and his word is his bond."
"No, Horin replied. I agree that a pair of Questors might be useful, but you
will take Questor Guy with you. He already knows what took place last night.
And you may take Necromancer Numal with you, for the same reason; I don't want
wagging tongues around here if I can avoid it. I'll brook no argument on this
score; neither Questor Dalquist nor any other member of the Guild is to be
informed of any details of the Quest."
Grimm shut his eyes, and suppressed a groan; As a young Questor who had risen
to the Seventh Rank without Horin's influence, Guy must be a powerful mage,
yet he was capricious and unreliable. Numal, on the other hand, was a rank
tyro, a ditherer who seemed quite unsuitable as a companion in a dangerous
undertaking. Nonetheless, the Dominie seemed implacable in his resolve to
inform as few Guild members as possible.
"If there are to be three mages on the expedition, one of whom is a tyro, I
want at least three warriors along with us, Grimm countered. I have three in
mind: their names are Tordun, Crest, and Harvel. All have Quested with me
before, and I trust them. They are all more than competent warriors, and they
remain cool under pressure. In addition to these men, I request permission to
take at least the leader of the Crarian army, General Quelgrum. He may be able
to suggest cunning stratagems and tactics that we can employ, so as to avoid
unwanted speculation as to our purpose."
Grimm also wanted to take along his fearsome demon Seneschal, Shakkar, but he
had to acknowledge that the towering titan would attract far too much
attention.
"This is beginning to sound like another bloody army, Horin growled. I don't
doubt Questor Guy will have his own views on the matter, and he probably has
Secular allies of his own that he will want to bring along. How do you suggest
we keep such a large party secret?"
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"We could take a covered wagon, Lord Horin. One man drives while the rest
remain in the back of the vehicle. If we wish to stay in a town, the cart is
driven through it until a resting place is found, and the others are put down
in inconspicuous locations along the way, so they can make their way there as
individuals, rather than as a suspicious group. If the wagon is searched, for
any reason, we say that we are on a pilgrimage, or that we have picked up
indigent travellers during our journey.
"We may also need to coerce a few Outsiders and take them into our confidence,
in order to gain necessary information. However, if necessary, either Questor
Guy or I should be able to persuade them to forget. Should any searchers or
inquisitors seem unduly suspicious of us, we can do the same thing."
Grimm saw that Horin's eyes were once more distant, wandering, and he guessed
the Guildmaster was mentally disassembling his proposal down to its component
parts, mulling over each one.
At last, the Dominie nodded. Very well, Dragonblaster. I have my misgivings,
but I accept your counsel. We'll proceed along those lines."
Grimm knew Horin had only used the cognomen in order to increase the Questor's
enthusiasm for the Quest, but the title still sounded fine to his ears,
pleasing him.
"What tale do you propose I tell Prelate Thorn? the older mage said. I am,
after all, depriving him of two valuable mages."
Grimm doubted the term valuable mage could be applied to Numal, but he
thought it better not to mention the fact. I'm sorry, Lord Dominie, but I'm
no politician or diplomat, and I don't think I ever will be. I owe Lord Thorn
a lot, and I don't care to lie to him."
"Are you saying . enjoy subterfuge? Horin fumed, a trace of his earlier hot
temper returning. However, he soon made a placatory gesture with his hands and
softened his tone. I'm sorry, young Afelnor; you're quite right to have such
reservations, and I mustn't berate you for the fact. May I assume you have
accepted my proposal?"
Grimm nodded. I thank you for your faith in my abilities, Lord Horin, from
the bottom of my heart. Yes, I accept the Quest. However, I ask that you give
me absolute authority over the conduct of the mission."
Horin repeated his earlier, humourless laugh. I can't do that, Questor Grimm.
Although you are my chosen weapon, Questor Guy must be ten years older than
you, and an experienced mage to boot. He must be considered the senior mage."
"Then, why did you ask me first? Grimm snapped. It appeared to him that the
Dominie revelled in building him up, just so he could knock him back down
again. I refuse to serve under Questor Guy. Tell him to carry out the Quest
under his own terms, and see just how far he gets!"
Horin bounced on the balls of his feet, his eyes blazing. You are just
impossible, you impudent young whelp! No doubt, you'll be telling me how to
run the Presidium, next!"
He could just have threatened to wipe my memory, Grimm thought, but he needs
me.
The old man screwed up his face as if he had just eaten a sour pickle. All
right; I'll consider giving you joint leadership; will that be satisfactory to
you, Lord Mage?"
Grimm suppressed a smile. No, Lord Dominie. You chose me for this mission,
and the inclusion of Questor Guy was only an afterthought. At first, you were
happy to let me act on my own."
Horin's face appeared to boil, his complexion almost matching the deep red of
his sumptuous leather armchair.
The young mage continued, his tone level and implacable: Joint jurisdiction
would just lead to inefficient disputes. There needs to be a clear leader to
make the final decision."
The old man appeared to be suffused with frustrated rage. He picked up another
small marble piece, as if he might be about to throw it through one of the
closed windows, before apparently thinking better of it. With the statue still
in his hand, he said, What you ask what you demand is a clear breach of
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protocol. Questor Guy is the senior mage; command of the mission should be
his. What reason do you, a relatively inexperienced Questor, have, to justify
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