Heriot by Margaret Mahy Page B

power to forgive all, though of course in this case, it is not his own property that has been harmed. Feo? You’re pleased, are you?’
    ‘Oh yes, my Lord,’ said Feo, sounding excited. ‘I think the boy made powerful use of some despair …’ he coughed apologetically. ‘I would surmise, that he wanted to strike at you, but he realised that, if anything happened to you, his family might suffer, so he attacked, we might say, by association.’
    ‘Might we say that?’ inquired Lord Glass, arching his brows.
    ‘The glass!’ said Dr Feo eagerly. ‘Not another thing was touched, only the glass. I think it might be a play on your name, a sort of pun.’
    Lord Glass sighed deeply. ‘There are people who suggest that, now the wars are over, I no longer take risks on behalf of Hoad.’ He stood up. ‘We must go at once. There is no need to pack anything for the boy. Hoad will provide adequately – even generously.’
    ‘Sir,’ protested Anna, angrily. ‘You took Heriot’s father for your wars, and he never came back, and now you’re taking Heriot. It’s not funny to us.’
    ‘My dear,’ said Lord Glass, speaking now in a very different voice. ‘I have a superficial nature that can’t gracefully abide some of the acts I am bound to perform. I joke about many things, including my own misfortunes. My father lost three sons in the King’s wars, and I have lost my eldest. But, like me, you have other boys coming on, and that’s why I am the King’s man, since, after all our wars, he is turned powerfully towards peace, and may well turn us all with him. His reign has brought many blessings, I think, and may bring more, no matter what you may feel at the moment.’
    ‘It’s true,’ Great-Great-Aunt Jen said with a sigh. ‘We’re bound to submit. Heriot’s our sacrifice this time round.’
    ‘And a piece of good advice from one who knows – keep your other boy away from Diamond. It seems more and more likely Heriot had a vision of a future possibility, so Diamond might not be altogether suitable for your Carron. Keep him at home or try some other city. Now, boy Heriot! We’ll sleep at my house tonight, and take you to the old battlefield tomorrow. Indeed they are hammering a primitive peace together out there, and I am expected to strike in myself on the part of the King,’ Lord Glass said. ‘Say your goodbyes rather quickly, my dear. And think of all this as an adventure – maybe the road to fortune.’
    Heriot looked deep into those smoky eyes for a moment, then let his quivering shoulders relax, and gave a long sigh.
    ‘If I must, I must,’ he said submissively. ‘May I take my cards with me? They’re out in the courtyard.’ He held his breath.
    ‘The cards,’ Lord Glass looked at Great-Great-Aunt Jen rather than Anna. She looked doubtful.
    ‘It’s an ancient set,’ she said. ‘We wouldn’t get another like that. But all right. Be quick.’
    Heriot smiled a little, turned and gave Lord Glass an appeasing glance.
    ‘That’s a good boy,’ said Lord Glass.
    Heriot moved slowly to the door, expecting that, at any moment, someone would remember he had put the cards in his pocket, and he would be called back sternly.
    However, as they began talking again behind him, he arrived safely in the kitchen.
    ‘Heriot …’ said Baba. ‘What’s happening? Are you to be taken?’
    ‘Tell us!’ cried Ashet. ‘Don’t keep us waiting. Is your fortune made?’
    Nella, with her baby in her arms, smiled at him.
    ‘I’ll tell you in a moment,’ Heriot replied, amazed at his own easy, natural voice. ‘Look, I’m to get something for them … something from outside.’ He came to the door of the kitchen where Cloud was watching the little ones, still running in circles and jumping over the tiny stick. Cloud smiled.
    Shuddering inside his clothes at the sight of an Assassin overlooking the babies, Heriot walked calmly past, offering no explanation or excuse, then out through the courtyard gates. And