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but the Americans hadn't moved.
Ikawa gave Mark a beseeching look as the Americans gathered around their
commander.
"Bend your knee!" Pina shouted.
Mark had to think quick. "All right, men, do you remember that asshole colonel
back at the base?"
"Yeah, dipshit Guest," Welsh mumbled.
"Dipshit Guest," Mark agreed. "
You had to salute him, had to salute him--even though he was a stinking
I
coward who pissed his way out of every combat mission we ever flew. But still
we saluted him."
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"I'd like to have saluted him with my foot up his ass," Giorgini replied.
"Right, Giorgini, so would I. Here in this place bending a knee is the same as
a salute. Now, this Allic guy strikes me as a man with some balls. Just look
at that guy fly." Mark quickly pointed towards Allic, who was already coming
in for a landing.
"He's got Pina's respect; he's got mine. I'd rather salute him than that
asshole Guest any day of the week."
Mark went to one knee and looked reproachfully at his men.
One after another they followed his lead. Mark looked over to Ikawa, who wore
a look of relief that was a reflection of Mark's own thoughts.
Allic landed by Pina's side and touched him lightly on the shoulder. Pina
arose and gave a quick nod of respect.
"You have done well, my friend."
Pina started to go back down on one knee in response.
"No, stand by my side."
Ikawa was watching this closely. This one knew how to command men, and had a
presence as well. He was half a foot taller than any of the others, with a
full mane of golden hair pulled back and held in place by a crownlike thing
that had glowing crystals in it. His face was dark, tanned as if accustomed to
being in the field. This was no palace princeling. This was a warrior, a man
worthy of his sword.
Allic recognized Ikawa's appraisal with a nod. "You are men of qualities," he
began. "Pina has told me of your fight with the demons. You will be men that I
wish by my side."
"You understand the agreement that Pina has given to you and in your pledge to
me, and through me, to my father Jartan, from whom you will find protection."
"On our world," Younger put in, "that's called a contract and it's made in
writing."
Pina stepped forward with an oath and Younger recoiled.
"Damn you, Younger, shut up!" Mark hissed.
With a wave of his hand Allic ordered Pina to step back.
Allic swept them with his gaze and there was a hint of anger in it. "Listen,
outlanders, and listen this one time. You are no longer on your world,
wherever that might be. You are on my world, and in my fiefdom. The rules are
mine, the game is mine. I approach you now in good faith: I will do it only
once.
Those who pledge their loyalty to me will have mine in return. Here on Haven
we still honor our word. If a man does not keep his word he is unta,
unspeakable. To call against a man's given word will always result in the
death of one or the other. I will however forgive you this. Just this once."
He fixed Younger with his gaze and Younger lowered his head.
"Do you understand me?" Allic asked.
"We do," Ikawa replied. "Forgive him his mistake; he is not used to your
ways."
"We understand each other, then. Do you have any questions?"
"Is there any hope of our ever getting back?" Mark asked.
"I cannot answer what I do not know. I can only pledge to you that after your
three years of service I will do what I can to aid you in that quest. That I
now swear to you."
"Then I am willing to swear service in return," Mark said quickly.
"I therefore accept you as my vassals. I shall command and you shall obey. In
return for your service I
will give you shelter, comfort, and protection from your enemies, as you will
give me protection from mine. At the end of your service I shall aid you in
your quest to return. You may stand, my warriors."
The ceremony impressed the Japanese, and just as predictably, the Americans
groused. One by one they were all brought forward and blood was taken from a
vein in their arms while they recited an oath of allegiance to Allic and the
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god Jartan. The blood was poured on crystals, two to each man. Surprisingly,
the blood was absorbed immediately. For Jose, who was still unconscious, the
crystals were gently pressed against his wounds. Each man received a wristband
with one of his crystals fixed within it. The other crystals were stored
within boxes that Allic kept.
"These are your first crystals," Allic told them. "They will provide you with
basic protection. Do not take them off without cause. You are very vulnerable
to spells right now."
Allic looked closely at Ikawa, realizing that he already liked him. He had the
strength of command--as did the leader of the other group. Pina had said that
these two bands were enemies. Looking from one group to the other, Allic hoped
he could control the animosity that both parties held repressed. Now that the
immediate danger was past, their hatred might boil over. These were good men;
it would be a shame for them to waste themselves on each other--and it would
require some attention on his part to prevent it.
After the ceremony, Pina brought over the wounded demon that his assistant had
restrained in the field of light. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]