Part 8 (1/2)
Anna looked at the back of the door as it closed. Are you pus.h.i.+ng him away again? Why? Or is it just because you're a sorceress? She took another deep breath as she walked toward the bathchamber. Her legs were still rubbery, and she probably should eat before long.
When she had blotted and combed and straightened herself, and checked her face again to ensure that it was not blistering, she left her room, stepping past her guards, and started for the receiving room. Then she turned and headed back along the stone tiles of the corridor, past the door to her own room, striding purposefully until she reached Lady Essan's door.
Giellum and Lejun trailed her, then set themselves on each side of the door as Anna knocked, and then stepped inside.
As Anna entered, the white-haired lady turned in her seat Her eyes flicked to the middle-aged woman who had started toward the door. ”You may go, Synondra.”
The firmness in her voice reminded Anna that Lady Essan had once been the consort of the strongest ruler of Defalk in the generations before the unfortunate Lord Barjim.
”Welcome, Regent.” Synondra bowed to Anna, and then to her mistress. ”Yes, Lady Essan.” The maid stepped out of the chamber and closed the door behind her.
”Lady Essan, I'm afraid I've been neglecting you.” Anna slipped into the straight chair across from the carved and upholstered rocker that held the older woman.
”Aye... a while it's been, sorceress and near-daughter....” Essan nodded.
”Yes,” Anna admitted. ”It never seems like there's enough time.””Donjim, always he said that. Said it while he was dying, too.” Essan's laugh was both harsh and rueful.
”I'll try to keep that in mind.” Anna bent forward and took a handful of the salted nuts in the small circular dish. They'd help her falling blood sugar.
”Do that, daughter-who'd-be.” Essan smiled momentarily. ”And what bit of gossip or history might you wish today?”
Anna couldn't help grinning at Essan's knowing tone. ”You know Lysara? Lord Birfels' oldest daughter?”
”The stately young redhead...aye. Courteous... and well-spoken. She visits me at times. A good head on those shapely shoulders.”
Anna nodded. She hadn't known that Lysara visited Lady Essan, but then, there was probably all too much she didn't know. ”Did she tell you that her parents are pus.h.i.+ng for a consort for her?”
Essan frowned. 'That she did not. We had talked of her mother. Lady Trien was quite young when she died, and young Lysara wished to know more of her. The daughter is much like her lady mother, I fear.”
”You fear?”
”Lady Trien was like you-fearless and far brighter than the men around her.
Birfels took her against his family's wishes. With him, she was almost happy.
With another she might have perished.”
The sorceress nodded slowly. That figured. ”Lysara's stepmother wants to consort her to young Hoede”
”That Lady Fylena would, for should aught happen to Birke or the other boy, none would wish Abenfel to fall to Lysara's consort, were he young Hoede.” Essan laughed harshly.
”I'm opposing it, but all I've promised is to look for a suitable consort,”
Anna shook her head before helping herself to another handful of nuts.
”Finding such may be difficult.”
”Almost anyone would be better than Hoede, but I'd like to find someone to complement her.”
”Lord Dannel be a proud man, and one not to cross lightly.”
”His son's proud, too, but there's nothing between his ears except pride.” Anna snorted. ”Lysara deserves better.”
”Ah...well she might, but the old lords will be turning in their graves even afore they are laid in them, and you may have to lay some in those graves, would you support a woman's cares.” Essan arched her eyebrows. ”Would you do such?”
”I'd rather not, but I might have to,” Anna said. ”What would you suggest?”
”Find her the proper consort, and tell none of her family or his until you tell all, and decree it to be so, and that way all will blame you-as they would anyway.”
”You're so encouraging.””You would wish an old lady to deceive?”
Anna laughed. ”You know better?”
Essan nodded. ”Now... what lies ahead for you? You have that restless demeanor.”
Anna stood. ”I have to get ready for the trip to Fussen.”
”Lord Vla.s.sa's brats? They still squabble over the lands?”
”Not exactly squabble. The older one demands I recognize him: the younger suggests that the high-handed style of his brother will ruin all the craftsmen.”
”Like as both be right. You needs must recognize the older, and if he be like his father, he will ruin the lands. Donjim had to lean an axe against young Vla.s.sa's face-he was young in those years. We all were.” Essan smiled. ”I prattle on. Go and tend your work, near-daughter, and thank you for remembering me.”
Anna returned the smile, wis.h.i.+ng she'd been able to do that more often with her own mother. Then she slipped out of the chamber and turned back toward the receiving room where Jecks doubtless waited-Jecks and all the scrolls and details she still hadn't ironed out.
She took a deep breath. Behind her near-silent steps echoed the heavier boots of her guards.
13.
Thrap. A knock... more of a tap... sounded on Anna's chamber door.
Anna looked up from the seemingly endless pile of scrolls, rubbing her eyes, in the pool of candlelight that fell across the writing desk. Outside, the sky had not quite faded from deep purple into the darkness of night, although she could see the small bright disc of the larger moon-Clearsong-through the window.
Darksong, the smaller red moon a.s.sociated with the ill-regarded and self- destructive sorcery that affected living things, had not risen or had already set. Anna still hadn't exactly figured out the moons' periods.
Who could it be at the door? The guards normally announced anyone, except, sometimes, Jecks, who would announce himself. ”Yes?”
”It's Secca, Lady Anna. Might I please come in?”
”Please do.” Anna stood.
The small redheaded girl peered around the door, then stepped forward past Kerhor, bowed, and shut the door behind her. ”I heard you burned your hand and face this morning.” Secca looked at the floor, then extended a small jar. ”It's an ointment. It helps. It helped me when I picked up the kettle from the fire, and I brought it all the way from Flossbend.”
”Thank you.” Anna took the jar and unstoppered it.
”Just a little,” Secca advised.