Death of a Darklord (36 page)

It was Konrad. He came to stand beside him, gazing down past the city walls. It was so like old times that Calum did not question, did not want to break the silence and be strangers once again.

“Did you really think I died in Cortton?” The voice was Konrad’s; the words were not.

Calum turned and found Konrad’s face, but the smile on those lips …

“Harkon!”

The smile widened. “At your service.” He made a low, sweeping bow that looked odd without one of his plumed hats.

Calum swallowed his suddenly pounding pulse. “Are you truly engaged to Elaine?”

“Sadly, no. Konrad has grown strangely distant to our young Miss Clairn.”

Some tightness loosened in his stomach. At least he had not brought ruin to Elaine, as well. “Did you enjoy your travels outside Kartakass?”

A scowl fell over those handsome features. “Again, no. I stood at the border of Kartakass for days, but could not cross. I soon discovered that Konrad’s body was just an additional form I could take. In a day or so, Harkon Lukas will come out of hiding and take his place among the bards of Kartakass once more. I hope you are enjoying your new body better than I am.”

“Well, yes, I am. Kelric is not as strong, but I have another twenty years to practice sword work. Practice makes, well—you know.”

“Yes,” Harkon said, “I know.” He rolled back on the heels of his feet, then forward. Hands clasped behind his back, all good-natured cheer. “I am glad you are enjoying your body. You seem quite pleased with this new lease on life.”

“I am.”

“Good, very good.”

They stood in silence for a moment, but it was no longer companionable. Calum wanted to go back inside the tavern, to be surrounded by song and laughter and life. Standing out in the
dark with the creature known as Harkon Lukas was not what he wanted to be doing.

“I’m going back inside. They’re expecting another song set.”

Harkon turned to him with a smile. His hand came up too fast for Calum to react. The knife caught him just below the ribs, but he did not make that final upward thrust. The pain froze Calum in place, gasping.

“If I cannot have my heart’s desire, neither can you.” The smile was a slow spreading of lips. It was the same smile he had worn while he suffocated Kelric. The smile that had haunted Calum’s nightmares until he heard Harkon was dead.

Calum collapsed to his knees, and Harkon knelt with him, holding the knife in place. “Good-bye, Calum Songmaster.” The blade plunged upward, giving a last twist. Harkon’s mocking smile chased Calum down into the darkness.