Fighting you as you are would be like fighting a child. Hardly grist for a legend. Come.” He turned away and started back to the stairs. “I think I should like to hear the song of the Jade Princess. She’s come such a long way, it would be rude not to.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Most of those gathered under the roof of Kehlbrand’s palace-sized tent regarded him with faces of rapt awe. He seemed oblivious to it as he moved amongst them, clapping some on the back, offering brief witticisms to others. He reminded Vaelin of an affable noble meeting trusted retainers rather than a man with pretensions to godhood.
The assembly was about sixty strong in all and surprisingly varied. Stahlhast warriors in full armour, some with red eyes and hollow cheeks from the previous night’s carousing, stood alongside plainly garbed artisans. Others were dressed in the quilted, fur-lined jackets worn by the folk Vaelin had seen in the border country. Some wore leather armour and clearly hailed from one of the Steppe tribes, although their features and colouring were more akin to the border folk. He saw plenty of mutual detestation in the glowering looks each group showed the other whenever Kehlbrand’s gaze was elsewhere, but the awe they shared was disconcerting in its uniformity.
How many have touched the stone? Vaelin wondered as he surveyed the group, recalling Kehlbrand’s words from the night before. And what gifts did they receive, besides blind worship of this man?
The only exception he could discern was Obvar, who stood amongst a cluster of fellow Stahlhast, his face a dark, masklike contrast to their evident devotion.
“Little colt!” Kehlbrand said, smoothly disentangling himself from the throng to enfold his sister in a warm embrace. Like Vaelin, Sherin and the Jade Princess, she stood apart from the assembly. He saw some of the worshipful congregation regard her with a similar level of reverence, mostly amongst the artisans, but the majority either ignored her or were conscientious in avoiding her gaze.
“Did you miss me?” Kehlbrand asked, easing Luralyn back to sweep a stray lock of hair from her forehead.
“Of course not,” she replied, reaching up to clasp his hand, Vaelin finding himself struck by the genuine warmth in her eyes. She truly loves him.
“Well, your dream didn’t fail us, at least,” Kehlbrand said, glancing at Vaelin. “Nor your little stratagem. I’ll confess I was skeptical at first, but it got him here. True love in peril, promise of deliverance from an ancient princess. It was all rather perfect, I must say.”
Seeing a sudden anger creep over Sherin’s face, Vaelin clasped her forearm before she could speak, shaking his head in warning. She lowered her gaze, teeth gritted and jaw clenched.
“Friends, we find ourselves honoured this day!” Kehlbrand said, turning to address the gathering. “For here stands the fabled Blessing of Heaven.” He gestured for the Jade Princess to come forward, which she did without particular haste or hesitation, smiling demurely at the assembly.
“Can there be a truer sign of the righteousness of our cause?” Kehlbrand asked his audience, each face now riven with fascination. “The Jade Princess herself has journeyed many miles to bless us with her song.”
The Princess raised an eyebrow at this but said nothing as every onlooker sank to one knee, heads bowed low.
“Heaven, as you know, my friends, is a myth,” Kehlbrand said. “A vile lie concocted by emperors past and kings present to keep their subjects in bondage. This poor woman, this being of wisdom and power, has spent countless years dwelling in a prison her captors chose to call a temple. Now she stands before you freed by the hand of the Darkblade’s sister and we are honoured to hear her voice.”
A hiss of whispered affirmation rose from the kneeling throng. Vaelin saw some were weeping, tears leaking from tight-shut eyes as they voiced their devotion. He could hear several different languages amongst the murmuring babble, but the sentiment was clear; they all felt themselves to be present at a moment of huge significance.
The murmuration died away, however, when the Jade Princess let out a small but audible giggle.
“Sorry,” she said, covering her mouth as Kehlbrand turned to her. Her cheeks dimpled as she fought down further mirth before coughing and forcing her features into the same demure smile. For the briefest second there was a flicker of bemused annoyance on Kehlbrand’s brow before he too laughed.
“What a delight you are,” he said. Stepping back, he extended his arms in grand invitation. “And how