Knights Of Dark Renown by David Gemmell

Knights will be here some time today, to finalize the arrangements for the visit. Make him welcome, would you?’
    ‘Of course, my Lord,’ Errin answered, bowing and leaving the room. Okessa was waiting in the hallway; his eyes shone with malice and sweat gleamed on his bald pate.
    ‘Do not think,’ he hissed, ‘that you fool me. You conspired to allow those Nomads to escape justice -just as you did not tell me about Ruad Ro-fhessa. But you will fall, Lord Errin, and I will spit upon your grave!’
    ‘What a charmless man you are, Okessa. And as for this Ruad, do not forget that I came to you concerning Ollathair. How was I to know that he was alive and living in the Duchy under another name? You are said to be a Seer. Surely you should have been able to find him? Or are your powers fading?’
    Okessa smiled. ‘We will see, Lord Errin. I cast your horoscope this morning. In five days your life will face a critical time - so critical that you might not survive. How does that please you?’
    Errin swallowed hard and tried to force a smile, but it did not fool Okessa, who chuckled and stalked away. Errin lifted a trembling hand to his face. He was angry with himself for showing fear, but he knew Okessa would not have lied to him. What would be his purpose? No, Errin was sentenced to death. How would it come? Poison? Suffocation? A fall? A stray arrow?
    His first urge was to run to his home and flee to Furbolg; he had friends there. But what would the Duke make of his flight? No, he was trapped. He wished Ubadai was close. The little Nomad had a nose for trouble and would die to protect him. Not that Errin wanted anyone to die for him, but it was pleasant to know that Ubadai was asleep outside his door. If an ant broke wind in the meadow outside, the Nomad would be instantly awake. Without him Errin felt isolated and vulnerable.
    That night he slept badly, his door barred, the windows shuttered and locked. In the morning he bathed and dressed in a green tunic of eastern silk embroidered with gold thread, soft boots and a cape of yellow-dyed wool edged with the softest leather. Okessa’s threat seemed less dreadful on this bright morning, and with the King’s Knight due the Lord Seer was unlikely to risk an assassination. Errin was determined to make a fine impression on the Knight; as matters stood, he needed all the friends he could get.
    It was sunset before the Knight arrived, and Errin was relieved when the guard on the watch-tower signalled a rider approaching. Errin and the Duke hurried down to the gate to greet him. The Knight wore crimson armour and rode a great black stallion of some seventeen hands. The rider’s visor was down, and the sun was setting behind him as he made his slow progress to the castle gate where he drew to a halt under the portcullis.
    ‘Welcome, sir Knight,’ said the Duke.
    ‘My horse is to be stabled alone,’ said the Knight, his voice muffled by the helm. ‘No other beast must be present.’
    ‘Of course,’ said the Duke, nonplussed, turning to Errin who whispered instructions to a sentry. The man ran off to warn the ostler.
    ‘We have a fine feast for you,’ said the Duke. ‘It will be ready within the hour. And there are rooms prepared in the north tower.’
    The Knight dismounted. ‘Where is the stable?’
    ‘Errin,’ said the Duke, biting back his anger, ‘show the King’s messenger to the stable. I will see you both in the great hall.’
    As the Duke departed, Errin approached the Knight. ‘Was your journey arduous?’
    ‘The stable, if you please.’
    ‘Certainly. Follow me.’ Errin led the Knight across the square and into the stable yard, where the other horses were being led away. As the stranger entered the yard leading the stallion, several horses began to whinny and rear. Their handlers fought to control them, but the Knight’s horse remained motionless, its head still.
    ‘He is well trained,’ said Errin.
    The Red Knight did not reply but walked past