“A message which it seems you found necessary to deliver to my sister,” he remarked. “I have not been informed of your desire to see me.”
“I should not have left the house without doing so,” Brand answered. “My message is from the King.”
“Proceed.”
Reist stood motionless before the window. In the clear daylight the physical change in the man was painful enough to witness. The flesh had fallen away from his cheeks, leaving great hollows underneath his eyes. His forehead was furrowed with lines, his pallor was unnatural and unwholesome. Brand saw these things, and wondered more than ever how the defection of such a man could have been brought about.
“The King bade me seek you out and remind you that in all human probability before to-morrow’s sun has set the great battle will have been fought. The Turks are concentrating before Solika, and it is there that we shall fight. Your men are asking for you. At such a crisis in the history of your country the King does not believe that you will be content to sit in idleness. He bids you come, and afterwards seek for redress, if any is needed, in the matters which rest between you and him.”
“I thank you,” Reist said, slowly. “To the King I return no answer to his message. To you I say this. I have lost confidence in Ughtred of Tyrnaus. I regret that my hand ever raised him to the throne. I recognize him no longer as the ruler of this country.”
“Then you are a rebel?” Brand exclaimed. “Is that what you mean?”
Reist’s dark eyes were lit with fire.
“Be careful, sir,” he said, fiercely. “Those are not the words to be used to a Duke of Reist. By inheritance and by virtue of my name I, too, am the guardian of these people of Theos. I have lived with them all my life, as did my fathers and my grandfathers before me. Their freedom and their happiness are a solemn charge to me. I have come to the conclusion that Ughtred of Tyrnaus is not able to maintain for them either.”
“Then who is?” Brand asked. “This war is none of his seeking. How in God’s name could he do more for Theos than stand at the head of her people with drawn sword, prepared to die rather than submit to this barbarous invasion? Is there higher patriotism than this?”