Youre late, Sparhawk, she said flatly to her father.
Danae, he said to her, you know youre not supposed to call me by name like that. If your mother hears you, shes going to start asking questions.
Shes asleep, Danae shrugged.
Are you really sure about that?
She gave him a withering look. Of course I am. Im not going to make any mistakes. Ive done this many, many times before, you know. Where have you been?
I had to go to Lamorkand.
Didnt it occur to you to send word to mother? Shes been absolutely unbearable for the last few weeks.
I know. Any number of people have already told me about it. I didnt really think Id be gone for so long. Im glad youre awake. Maybe you can help me with something.
Ill consider itif youre nice to me.
Stop that. What do you know about Drychtnath?
He was a barbarian, but he wasan Elene, after all, so it was probably only natural.
Your prejudices are showing.
Nobodys perfect. Why this sudden interest in ancient history?
Theres a wild story running through Lamorkand that Drychtnaths returned. Theyre all sitting around sharpening swords with exalted expressions on their faces. Whats the real significance of that?
He was their king several thousand years ago. It was shortly after you Elenes discovered fire and came out of your caves.
Be nice.
Yes, father. Anyway, Drychtnath hammered all the Lamorks into something that sort of resembled unity and then set out to conquer the world. The Lamorks were very impressed with him. He worshipped the old Lamork Gods, though, and your Elene Church was a little uncomfortable with the notion of a pagan sitting on the throne of the whole world, so she had him murdered.
The Church wouldnt do that, he said flatly.
Did you want to listen to the story? or did you want to argue theology? After Drychtnath died, the Lamork priests disembowelled a few chickens and fondled their entrails in order to read the future. Thats really a disgusting practice, Sparhawk. Its so messy. She shuddered.
Dont blame me. I didnt think it up.
The auguries, as they called them, said that one day Drychtnath would return to take up where hed left off and that hed lead the Lamorks to world domination.
You mean they actually believe that?
They did once.
There are some rumours up there of backsliding reversion to the worship of the old Pagan Gods.
Its the sort of thing youd expect. When a Lamork starts thinking about Drychtnath, he automatically hauls the old Gods out of the closet. Its so foolish. Arent there enough real Gods for them?
The old Lamork Gods arent real, then?
Of course not. Wheres your mind, Sparhawk?
The Troll-Gods are real. Whats the difference?
Theres all the difference in the world, father. Any child can see that.
Why dont I just take your word for it? And why dont you go back to bed?
Because you havent kissed me yet.
Oh. Sorry. I had my mind on something else.
Of course not.
Then give me a kiss.
He did that. As always she smelled of grass and trees. Wash your feet, he told her.
Oh, bother, she said.
Do you want to spend a week explaining those grass-stains to your mother?
Thats all I get? she protested. One meager little kiss and bathing instructions?
He laughed, picked her up and kissed her againseveral times. Then he put her down. Now scoot.
She pouted a little and then sighed. She started back toward her bedroom, negligently carrying Rollo by one hind leg. Dont keep mother up all night, she said back over her shoulder, and please try to be quiet. Why do you two always have to make so much noise? She looked impishly back over her shoulder. Why are you blushing, father? she asked innocently. Then she laughed and went on into her own room and closed the door.
He could never be sure if his daughter really understood the implications of such remarks, although he was certain that one level at least of her strangely layered personality understood quite well. He made sure that her door was latched and then went into the bedroom he shared with his wife. He closed and bolted the door behind him.
The fire had burned down to embers, but there was still sufficient light for him to be able to see the young woman who was the focus of his entire life. Her wealth of pale blonde hair covered her pillow, and in sleep she looked very young and vulnerable. He stood at the foot of the bed looking at her. There were still traces of the little girl he had trained and moulded in her face.
He sighed. That train of thought always made him melancholy, because it brought home the fact that he was really too old for her. Ehlana should have a young husbandsomeone less battered, certainly someone handsome. He idly wondered where he had made the mistake that had so welded her affection to him that she had not even considered any other possible choice. It had probably been something minorinsignificant even. Who could ever know what kind of effect even the tiniest gesture might have on another?
I know youre there, Sparhawk, she said without even opening her eyes. There was a slight edge to her voice.
I was admiring the view. A light tone might head off the incipient unpleasantness; though he didnt really have much hope of that.
She opened her grey eyes. Come over here, she commanded, holding her arms out to him.
I was ever your Majestys most obedient servant. He grinned at her, going to the side of the bed.
Oh, really? she replied, wrapping her arms about his neck and kissing him. He kissed her back, and that went on for quite some time.
Do you suppose we could save the scolding until tomorrow morning, love? he asked. Im a little tired tonight. Why dont we do the kissing and making up now, and you can scold me later.
And lose my edge? Dont be silly. Ive been saving up all sorts of things to say to you.
I can imagine. Dolmant sent me to Lamorkand to look into something. It took me a little longer than I expected.
Thats not fair, Sparhawk, she accused.
I didnt follow that.
And lose my edge? Dont be silly. Ive been saving up all sorts of things to say to you.
I can imagine. Dolmant sent me to Lamorkand to look into something. It took me a little longer than I expected.
Thats not fair, Sparhawk, she accused.
I didnt follow that.
You werent supposed to say that yet. Youre supposed to wait until after Ive demanded an explanation before you give me one. Now youve gone and spoiled it.
Can you ever forgive me? He assumed an expression of exaggerated contrition and kissed her on the neck. His wife, he had discovered, loved these little games.
She laughed. Ill think about it. She kissed him back. The women of his family were a very demonstrative little group, he decided. All right then, she said. Youve gone and spoiled it anyway, so you might as well tell me what you were doing, and why you didnt send word that youd be delayed.
Politics, love. You know Dolmant. Lamorkand is right on the verge of exploding. Sarathi wanted a professional assessment, but he didnt want it generally known that I was going there at his instruction. He didnt want any messages explaining things floating around.
I think its time for me to have a little talk with our revered Archprelate, Ehlana said. He seems to have a little trouble remembering just who I am.
I dont recommend it, Ehlana.
Im not going to start a fight with him, my love. Im just going to point out to him that hes ignoring the customary courtesies. Hes supposed to ask before he commandeers my husband. Im getting just a little weary of his imperial Archprelacy, so Im going to teach him some manners.
Can I watch? That might just be a very interesting conversation.
Sparhawk, she said, giving him a smouldering look, if you want to avoid an official reprimand, youre going to have to start taking some significant steps to soften my displeasure.
I was just getting to that, he told her, enfolding her in a tighter embrace.
What took you so long? she breathed.
It was quite a bit later, and the displeasure of the Queen of Elenia seemed to be definitely softening. What did you find out in Lamorkand, Sparhawk? she asked, stretching languorously. Politics were never really very far from the queens mind.
Western Lamorkands in turmoil right now. Theres a count up thereGerrich, his name is. We ran across him when we were searching for Bhelliom. He was involved with Martel in one of those elaborate schemes devised to keep the Militant Orders out of Chyrellos during the election.
That speaks volumes about this counts character.
Perhaps, but Martel was very good at manipulating people. He stirred up a small war between Gerrich and Patriarch Ortzels brother. Anyway, the campaign appears to have broadened the counts horizons a bit. Hes begun to have some thoughts about the throne.
Poor Freddie, Ehlana sighed. King Friedahl of Lamorkand was her distant cousin. You couldnt give me that throne of his. Why should the Church be concerned, though? Freddies got a large enough army to deal with one ambitious count.
Its not quite so simple, love. Gerrich has been concluding alliances with other nobles in western Lamorkand. Hes amassed an army nearly as big as the kings, and hes been talking with the Pelosian barons around Lake Venue.
Those bandits, she said with a certain contempt. Anybody can buy them.
Youre well-versed in the politics of the region, Ehlana.
I almost have to be, Sparhawk. Pelosia fronts my northeastern border. Does this current disturbance threaten us in any way?
Not at the moment. Gerrich has his eyes turned eastward toward the capital.
Maybe I should offer Freddie an alliance, she mused. If general war breaks out in the region, I could snip off a nice piece of southwestern Pelosia.
Are we developing territorial ambitions, your Majesty?
Not tonight, Sparhawk, she replied. Ive got other things on my mind tonight. And she reached out to him again.
It was quite a bit later, almost dawn. Ehlanas regular breathing told Sparhawk that she was asleep. He slipped from the bed and went to the window. His years of military training made it automatic for him to take a look at the weather just before daybreak.
The rain had abated, but the wind had picked up. It was early spring now, and there was little hope for decent weather for weeks. He was glad that he had reached home when he had, since the approaching day looked unpromising. He stared out at the torches flaring and tossing in the windy courtyard.