Part 3 (1/2)
He picked out a few expensive ornaments from his chest, then locked it again and left the inn.
He guided his mount through the narrow streets to the castle gate, where he confronted a sleepy, heavily-armed sentry.
”Send word to the castle steward,” he ordered, throwing his riding cloak back, ”that Florel, younger son of the Earl of Konewar, would pay his respects to your master, the Duke of Dwerostel.”
The man eyed him for a moment, then straightened and grounded his pike with a crash.
”It shall be done, sir.” He turned and struck a gong.
A guard officer came through the tunnel under the wall. For a moment, he looked doubtful, then he spoke respectfully and ushered Derikuna through the inner court to a small apartment, where he turned him over to a steward.
”You wish audience with His Excellency?”
”I do, My Man. I wish to pay him my respects, and those of my father, the Earl of Konewar.” Derikuna looked haughtily at the man.
Like the guard officer, the steward seemed doubtful. For a few seconds, he seemed about to demur. Then, he bowed respectfully.
”Very well, sir.” With a final, curious glance at the coronet which shone in Florel's hair, the steward clapped his hands. A page hurried into the room and bowed.
”Your orders, sir?”
”We have a n.o.ble guest. Bring refreshment, at once.” The steward waved to a table. ”If Your Honor will wait here?”
Florel inclined his head, strode to a chair, and sat down. He looked amusedly after the disappearing steward. The coronet of the old Earl, he thought, was a truly potent talisman. Even the disdainful stewards of castles bowed to its force. And, thought the impostor, so would his master--when the time came.
The page reappeared with a flagon of wine and some cakes. Florel was sampling them when the steward returned. The man bowed respectfully, waited for Florel to finish his wine, and led the way through a corridor to a heavy pair of doors, which he swung open.
”Florel, Son of Konewar,” he announced ceremoniously.
The Duke flipped a bone to one of his dogs, shoved his plate aside, and looked up. Florel walked forward a few paces, stopped, and bowed low.
”Your Excellency.”
As he straightened, he realized that he was the object of an intense scrutiny. At last, the Duke nodded.
”We had no notice of your coming.”
Florel smiled. ”I have been traveling alone, Excellency, and incognito.
For some years, I have been wandering, to satisfy my desire to see the world.” He glanced down at his clothing.
”I arrived in your town last evening, and delayed only to make myself presentable before appearing to pay my respects.”
”Very good. Punctuality in meeting social obligations is a mark of good breeding.” The Duke eyed Florel's costume.
”Tell me, young man, do all your n.o.bility affect the insignia you wear?”
Florel's hand rose to his coronet. ”Only members of the older families, Excellency.”
”I see.” The n.o.bleman nodded thoughtfully. ”We have heard rumors of your fas.h.i.+ons in dress, though no member of any of the great families of your realm has ever come so far before. We are somewhat isolated here.”