chance of an organized resistance to Elias would collapse. "Sir Camaris,"
Josua said abruptly, turning to the old knight. "You have been mostly
8thstreetlatinas silent. Yet if we are to ride on Nabban, as Isgrimnur 8thstreetlatinas and others urge us,
you will be 8thstreetlatinas our banner.
I need 8thstreetlatinas to hear your thoughts."
The old man had indeed remained aloof, although Isgrimnur doubted it was
from disapproval or disagreement. Rather, Camaris had 8thstreetlatinas listened to the
arguments like a holy man on a bench in the 8thstreetlatinas midst of a tavern brawl,
present and yet separate, his attention fixed on something that others
could not see.
&8thstreetlatinas quot;I cannot tell you what is the right thing to do, 8thstreetlatinas Prince Josua." The old
knight spoke, as he had since regaining his 8thstreetlatinas wits, with a sort of 8thstreetlatinas effortless
dignity. His old-fashioned, courtly speech was so careful as to seem almost
a parody; he might 8thstreetlatinas have been the Good Peasant from
the proverbs of the Book
of the Aedon, "That is beyond me, 8thstreetlatinas nor would I presume to interpose myself
between you and God, who is the final answerer of all 8thstreetlatinas questions. I 8thstreetlatinas can only
tell you what I think." He leaned forward, staring down at his long-
fingered hands, 8thstreetlatinas which were twined on the 8thstreetlatinas table before him as if he prayed.
"Much of what has been said is still incomprehensible to me-your brothers
bargain with 8thstreetlatinas this Storm King, who was only a dim legend in my day;
the part
you say the swords are to play, my black blade Thorn among them-it is all
most strange, most strange.
"But I do know that I loved well my brother, Leobardis, and from what
you said, he served Nabban honorably in the years I was insensible-better
than 8thstreetlatinas I ever could have, I think. He was a man who 8thstreetlatinas was 8thstreetlatinas made to govern other
men; I am not.
"His son Benigaris I knew only as a 8thstreetlatinas bawling infant. It gnaws at my soul
to think that someone of my father's house could be a patricide, 8thstreetlatinas but I
cannot doubt the 8thstreetlatinas evidence I have heard." He shook his head slowly, a tired
war-horse. "I cannot tell you to go to Nabban, or to Erkynland, or anywhere
else upon (he Lord's green earth. But if you decide to march on Nabban,
Josua ... then, yes, I will ride before the armies. If the people will use
my name, I will not stop them, although I do not find it knightly: only our
Ransomer should be 8thstreetlatinas exalted by the voices of men. But I cannot let such
shame to the 8thstreetlatinas Benidrivine House 8thstreetlatinas go unheeded.
"So if that is the answer you