The second man, much younger, was shorter in stature but similarly clad save for a tawny jewel glittering at the front of his black cap. The jewel gathered russet glints from the man’s hair, a rusty red, the sidelocks of which were braided and hung nearly to his shoulders, slashes of russet against the somber black. His sister walked beside him, head held high, gowned in black silks very like the men, but with her face veiled so that only her dark eyes showed beneath a narrow circlet of gold.
The trio strode very nearly to the foot of the dais steps before they halted, never taking their eyes from those of the king. There the leader of the delegation made a deep bow from the waist, right hand flat against his breast. The younger man merely inclined his head, as did his sister, left hand resting easily on the hilt of his sword. The face behind the close-clipped red beard was expressionless, but the pale eyes were cold.
«Donal Haldane King of Gwynedd», the older man said, straightening. «Nimouros ho Phourstanos Padishah, King of Torenth and all its provinces, bids me give you greeting on this, the coming of age of your heir, the Prince Brion». His accent was heavy, and Donal had to concentrate to follow him.
«Nimouros sends this greeting as one father to another, in appreciation for the condolences sent by Your Majesty earlier this year when the padishah mourned the death of his own eldest son and heir». He bowed again. «Today, in return, Nimouros offers this gift to your heir, the Prince Brion, from the bounty of the lands to the east».
Clapping his hands twice, he turned and the prince and princess moved to either side so that the two soldiers could bring forward their bundle. This they deposited at the foot of the steps before withdrawing to either side. It was János himself who knelt beside the bundle and slowly reached to the curved dagger thrust through his belt, gesturing his free hand toward the bands of twine binding the bundle before slowly drawing the blade to cut the twine.
Several other hands had moved to weapons as the dagger cleared its sheath, but Donal held up a hand to stay untoward aggression as János bent to his task. The two Torenthi soldiers anxiously scanned the assembly, off-hands resting on their sword hilts, though their royal charges looked singularly unconcerned.
«They say in Torenth», said János, as he cut the last binding and began to unfold the heavy bundle, «that the carpets of Lorsöl are crafted under the All-Seeing Eye of God, and that angels assist in their weaving». He gave the bundle a shake to unfurl a cascade of crimsons and black and golds, longer than a man, which shimmered with the sheen of silk as he spread it across the steps. The queen had drawn a tiny gasp as the carpet was revealed, and Prince Brion sat forward in astonishment, but Donal only sat back, smiling, one hand stroking his close-clipped beard.
«It is a princely gift, my lord», the king said, inclining his head.
«It is a gift for a prince», János replied, standing to sweep one hand across the carpet in emphasis and then bowing slightly to Brion. «With care and luck, it will serve Prince Brion and his children and his children’s children. I trust that it is acceptable?»
Before Donal could answer, Brion rose and gave the Torenthi envoy a courteous bow. «It is, indeed, a princely gift, my lord, and one that I shall treasure. To receive such a gift is tangible sign that I have, indeed, achieved my majority, for this is no gift for a child. Pray, thank your master for his generosity, and say that I hope it may be a sign of improved relations between our two kingdoms in the future».
János inclined his head. «I shall convey Your Highness’ gracious reply». He glanced at Donal. «And now, by your leave, O King, I and my charges shall withdraw, for our mission is completed».
«You have leave, of course, Count János», Donal replied, «but will you not stay with us for a few days, having come all this distance? A tournament is planned for this afternoon and tomorrow, and you are most welcome to join us».
«I thank you, Sire, but we may not tarry», János replied, glancing at Wencit and Morag. «We are still in mourning, as you see, and it would not be seemly. I hope you will understand».
«Of course», Donal replied, inclining his head. «Then I shall give you a royal escort back to Desse and wish you Godspeed, with my thanks.
«And thank God they did not choose to stay», he muttered under his breath when the three had gone and he had retreated to the withdrawing room behind the dais with his brother and his two eldest sons. In an hour, court would reconvene on the tourney field, but Brion and Nigel were eagerly inspecting the sum of Brion’s gifts, brought back to the room after court had adjourned.
«But it is a fine carpet, Brion», Donal added, watching the boys exclaim over the gifts. «Take care, or your mother will have it in our chambers before you realize».
Brion grinned and ran a hand across the carpet’s silken pile. «I suppose I could let you borrow it, Sire», he said impishly. «At least for the next four years, I shall be very busy keeping up with Uncle Richard’s training regimen, if I hope to be ready for knighthood on time. I doubt I shall be spending much time in my own apartment».
«Probably true enough», Donal agreed, with a wink at his brother Richard. «But you’d best arm for the tournament now. I seem to recall that there is an excellent R’Kassan mare awaiting your foot in the stirrup».
«But I would only ride her for the entry procession», Richard cautioned. «She’s a fine animal, but you aren’t yet accustomed to one another. Compete on the grey you’ve been riding of late. Plenty of time for the other».
Brion rolled his eyes, but he knew that Richard was right.
«That was what I’d always planned, Uncle. But will you help me arm? I assume that I do have your leave to wear the new hauberk and vambraces, since I’ve been party to their fitting?»
«If you wish», Richard agreed. «Just remember that they are somewhat heavier than what you’ve been wearing. In this heat, you’ll feel every bit of the extra weight».
«I hadn’t thought of that», Brion replied, obviously taking his uncle’s caution to heart. «All the leather straps will be stiffer, too; not as agile. Maybe I’ll just wear them for the opening parade, and switch back to my familiar harness when it’s time to compete».
«A wise decision», Richard said with a nod. «In time, you’ll wear the new armor as easily as you wear your skin — and you’ll have several more sets before you’re fully grown. But it’s important to choose your equipment for the conditions. Today, I think you want agility».
«You’re right, of course», Brion replied. «Nigel, would you like to squire for me this afternoon?» he asked, with a glance at his younger brother. «The first thing I’ll need is some help getting these things back to my apartment».
The eager Prince Nigel beamed at being asked, and proudly scooped up the vambraces and several other items to lead the way from the room.
* * *
The afternoon’s tournament was something short, as tournaments went, and quite warm, but all were able to compete who wished to do so, especially the younger men. Prince Brion himself opened the tourney, riding onto the field in his new hauberk and vambraces and mounted on the bloodred mare. Later he and his father presided at the tourney, where Brion was permitted to award most of the prizes. Several prizes he himself competed for and won, much to his delight and the proud witnessing of his parents and uncle.
Alaric and the other younger children at court were also allowed to attend, though they spent more time running and playing with one other than actually watching. Sir Llion and Sir Xander had offered to supervise them, but several of the senior squires took over that duty late in the afternoon so that Llion and Xander themselves could compete. For these contests, the children formed an impromptu cheering section for Llion, who was a favorite of all the children, and were well rewarded for their loyalty when Llion took a prize while riding at the quintain.
But the younger children were banished to the nursery when it came time for the banquet that followed. Alaric was happy enough with that arrangement, being hot and tired and dusty, and was
quite content to be bathed and tucked up in bed by Melissa after eating with the other young children.
For the adults, that evening saw a lavish feast of many removes, at which Prince Brion sat in a place of honor between his parents and was served by Prince Nigel and then by the king’s counselors of state. More impromptu gifts followed during the course of the meal, which was also interspersed with divers entertainments. In the intervals suitable for dancing, the prince also acquitted himself well, soon losing his self-consciousness and partnering several of the younger ladies of the court with ease and grace.
«He is becoming a fine man», Kenneth murmured to Alyce as they watched the prince dancing with a daughter of the Earl of Marley.
Alyce nodded, smiling slightly. «Aye, and he will turn many a head before he weds — and not a few, even afterward».
«Pray God, he’ll prove to have his father’s discretion», Kenneth replied. «It must be a fearful thing, to be a king».
Later, when Kenneth and Alyce retired to their room, Alyce broached a delicate subject with her husband.
«Darling, I need to ask you about something», she said by way of preamble, as she brushed out her hair. «You may have noticed that I spent much of the afternoon chatting with Vera. We were lamenting the heat, and she pointed out that summer in Culdi is far milder than here in the capital or even at Morganhall. She has invited me to accompany her and Jared when they head back in a few days, to stay through the summer — maybe even until the baby arrives. It would be a change for Alaric as well; you know how he adores the company of his McLain cousins».
From the bed, Kenneth leaned back on his elbows and gazed fondly at his wife, somewhat taken aback by the prospect. With the summer shaping up to be a warm one, he had already decided that his wife and son should retreat to cooler climes to await the birth of the child Alyce was carrying, but he had thought to send her to his own keep at Morganhall, with his sisters, hardly a day’s ride north of the city.
«We had already discussed sending you and Alaric to Morganhall», he said. «’Tis far closer to court».
«True enough», Alyce agreed, «but even if I stayed with you in Rhemuth, I doubt I should see much of you, given that summer is the season when the king most needs you at his side. And so far as my health is concerned, surely the distance matters little enough in these early months. Granted, I should miss what moments we might, in fact, be able to squeeze from the king’s demands, but at least it would be cooler in Culdi». She lifted the mass of her golden hair up off her neck and tossed it over one shoulder, letting out a sigh of relief.
Kenneth pulled a sour face, but it was also one of resignation, for he knew she was right.
«Carrying a child must be difficult enough, without doing it in the heat», he said. «I shall speak to Jared in the morning».
Chapter 16
«There were two women, the daughters of one mother».[17]
In the end, Lord Kenneth Morgan decided to accompany his wife and son northward to see them safely settled for the summer. Traveling in the combined entourage of the Duke of Cassan, the Earl of Kierney, and their respective households, the journey was pleasant enough, though a sultry stillness had settled along the river, only easing as they started their ascent into the foothills above Culdi.
There Kenneth saw them ensconced at Earl Jared’s country house above the town, and left Sir Llion as governor for his young son, along with two men at arms. Entrusting wife and son and their modest household to the protection of Earl Jared, he then headed back to the capital and a busy summer of service to the king.
For young Alaric, the lazy summer days flew by in the company of his McLain cousins: Duncan, who was his own age, and the somewhat older Kevin, who was the heir. For Alyce, the ensuing weeks were to be among the most idyllic she had spent since her time at Arc-en-Ciel, made all the sweeter for the company of the sister whom she had not known until adulthood. In addition, the seclusion away from court enabled the two women to share some of their Deryni training, for the pair had been exposed to very different teachers.
The latter part of that summer also marked the beginning of Prince Brion’s official life, as he embarked with his uncle, Duke Richard, and a small entourage on an extended progress into some of the outlying areas of the kingdom he would one day inherit. He rode the bloodred mare, whom he had named Sevalla, reveling in the harmony of horse and rider that was building between them — and marveled at her easy gaits and intelligence and amiable disposition.
Riding northward first, along the River Eirian, the royal party stopped briefly at Culdi, to call on the Earl and Countess of Kierney and the Countess of Lendour, then ventured westward into restless Meara, where they were the guests of Lord Lucien Talbot, the royal governor at Ratharkin. There, attended by Duke Richard, Prince Brion sat in court for several days beside the governor and heard cases brought before the local assize. Over dinner on the evening before they were to depart, the governor offered his assessment of the prince’s performance.
«Frankly, Your Highness, I was more than pleased», Lord Lucien allowed. «You obviously have paid attention to your tutors, and have learned from the fine examples set by your father and your uncle». His gaze flicked to Richard in honest admiration. «I do not say this merely to flatter, sir. Your royal nephew bears the Haldane sense of justice in full measure».
Richard inclined his head in acknowledgment, smiling faintly. «Thank you, Lucien. It is always heartening to have one’s own opinion confirmed by an unbiased source».
«But do the Mearans agree?» Brion said impatiently. «One day I shall have to govern these people, Lord Lucien. And Uncle, you are all but obliged to tell me I am doing well, because you are my teacher».
His smile broadening, Richard leaned closer to lightly punch the prince in the left bicep. «It is precisely because I am your teacher that I must be honest in my assessment, Nephew. But granted that you still have much to learn — as have we all — your instincts are sound, and you have a good heart. Your father may be justly proud, and I am proud. I think you will make a more than passable king».
«From you, Uncle, that is high praise, indeed», Brion replied with a grin.
* * *
Another week they stayed in Ratharkin, making short excursions into the surrounding countryside to meet a few of the local folk and assess the local temper, then headed northeastward. They stopped the first night out at Oisín Adair’s stud farm of Haut Emeraud, where Brion inspected some of the other horses in Oisín’s distinguished string of breeding stock, and thanked Oisín again for finding the incomparable Sevalla.
Following the river seaward through the earldoms of Trurill and Transha, the prince and his uncle paid courtesy calls at both courts, then continued across the lush plains of the Purple March and thence northward into the mountainous lands of old Kheldour, where they spent several weeks in the company of Ewan Duke of Claibourne, come into his title earlier in the year.
«I cannot tell you how honored I am, my lords, to have two Haldane princes at my table», the duke said, after the final day’s successful hunting. Three deerhounds lay at their master’s feet, but they were dining on wild boar tonight, not venison, brought down by Duke Richard’s spear in the culmination of a most satisfactory chase. Earlier in the evening, Duke Ewan’s duchess had joined them briefly so that their six-year-old heir, Lord Graham, could bid the company good night, but now only the three men remained, two princes and a duke, savoring the last of the meal and a fine flask of Bremagni wine.
«It has been an instructive visit», Richard replied, lifting his cup in salute, «and we thank you for your hospitality».
* * *
The remainder of Kenneth’s summer was likewise well occupied with important work. In the several months after Prince Brion’s coming of age, the Earl of Lendour undertook several embassies for the king, traveling to Joux, Vezaire, and twice to the Hort of Orsal’s summer residence at Horthánthy, across the straits from Coroth, where he also met with Corwyn�
��s fellow regents. Interspersed amid trade negotiations with the nearest of the Forcinn states, he had hoped he might learn more about the death of Prince Nimur of Torenth and, more important, gain some indication of the sort of man Brion eventually would have to face in Prince Károly, the new Torenthi heir; but even the Orsal’s agents could tell him little regarding the change of succession, or Károly the man.
In all, it could be counted as a successful season’s work, though he had managed only two short side trips to Culdi to visit his family. Toward the end of September, therefore, having reported to the king on his latest mission, he requested and obtained leave to make a more extended visit, for the end of the month would see Alaric’s fourth birthday.
«Did you bring me a present, Papa?» the boy asked, tugging at his father’s boot as Kenneth dismounted.
«Oh, I think I might have a present for you», Kenneth replied. He swept the boy into a hug, returning the enthusiastic kiss that Alaric planted on his cheek, then set him down to take Alyce into his arms.
«Mmmm», he said, when he had kissed her soundly. «And here is my dearest wife, and our daughter as well», he added with a smile, splaying the fingers of one hand over her rounded belly and then bending to kiss the bulge. «Are both of you well, darling?»
«We are well, indeed, now that you are here», she replied. «Are you permitted to stay for a while?»
«Not as long as I would like», he said, bending to scoop up Alaric again and brace him on his hip, «but longer than before. But I could hardly miss being here to celebrate the natal day of our little man». He gently tousled Alaric’s white-blond head. «Has he been behaving in my absence?»
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