Part 46 (1/2)
Fhurgen released an audible sigh.
Anna stepped forward.
If the cries of ”Honor the regent!” and ”Long live the regent!” were not overwhelming, they were at least suitable, and Anna stepped back bef6re they died away. So did Gylaron.
Rickel sheathed the blade he had held ready behind Gylaron.
”I am relieved you did not have to use that.” The swarthy lord took a long breath, then looked at Anna. ”It is better this way.”
”I'd hoped so,” Anna answered. ”It's better than a battle, isn't it?”
Rickel nodded solemnly.
”That it is.”
”What else have you concealed?” asked Reylan.
”Not nearly as much as you think,” Anna responded politely. ”I don't work that way.”
Gylaron glared at Reylan and extended an arm. ”Might we offer you the hospitality of Lerona?”
Anna glanced toward Hanfor.
”And you, also, Arms Commander.”
”There is much to do, yet,” demurred Hanfor. ”I would that I could join you, but you will do well indeed with Lady Anna and Lord Jecks. I am but a poor armsman.”
”Scarcely.” Anna ginned. ”He has made it possible for Defalk to survive, yet he would take no credit.”
”Nor will I,” answered Hanfor. ”Not until all Defalk is strong and united. Then, I will praise you for changing the world, and I will take my leave for a quiet hill retreat.” A wry smile followed. ”By then, I will be old enough to enjoy it.”
”If you finish your duties, Arms Commander, please join us.”
”Thank you.” Hanfor nodded, then turned.
”My players will need refreshment,” Anna said.
”Your arms commander had said such,” Gylaron answered. ”They will eat in the hall next to us, if that is agreeable.”
”That's fine.” Anna nodded and stepped back to Liende. ”If you follow us, they've set up a meal for all of you in the hall next to us.” Her voice lowered slightly. ”The atmosphere might be more cordial there.”
”You risk much,” Liende said.
”I hope not.” Anna shrugged. ”I'm doing the best I can.”
The regent followed Gylaron and his consort to the stairs, her own guards seemingly everywhere. Jecks, hand on the hilt of his blade, walked beside her. The small dining hall was down a single flight of brick stairs and fifty yards along a vaulted corridor, lit by intermittently s.p.a.ced candles set in wall sconces and protected by smudged gla.s.s mantels.
The players, led by a page or fosterling of some sort in faded maroon, followed, Kaseth almost beside Liende.
Rickel stationed himself and two others at the door to the small dining hall. Fhurgen followed Anna inside. The rectangular table was set for five, one place at the head, and two on each side. The linens were maroon, and the goblets crystal.
Gylaron gestured toward the head of the table. ”Regent Anna.”
”Thank you. We appreciate the effort and the hospitality.”
”Would I be too blunt if I said that we appreciate your forbearance and our lives?” Gylaron's tone was light, but the dark eyes were somber.
”Honest, I'd say,” Anna said as she sat. Fhurgen slipped behind her and stood before the arras at the wall to her back.
”Our lady the regent is very direct,” Jecks added. ”Sometimes, distressingly so. She is not from Liedwahr, and views matters with a different eye, almost always for the best.” He laughed. ”It has not always seemed that way at first.”
”Ah... yes...” murmured Gylaron, with a sideways glance at Reylan.
After a moment of silence that seemed endless, Anna glanced at the pitcher before her. ”Is that wine?”
”It is. It is our best, but poor compared to those from the hills of Sudwei and Stromwer.” Gylaron smiled apologetically.
”I suspect it is far better than what comes from my lands.”
”I thought... Gylaron's eyebrows rose. Then he closed his mouth.
Anna shook her head. ”With the death of Lord Brill, I inherited the lands of Mencha, dry and to the east near the Sand Pa.s.s. I am also, 1 have discovered, the Lady of Loiseau, and like you, Lord Gylaron, I find 1 must pay liedgeld to the Regency.” She smiled wryly. ”The domains of Falcor and Cheor belong to Lord Jimbob. I was referring to the vinegar from Mencha, not anything from anywhere else.” Anna smiled inside. At least, she'd gotten that part right.
”Lord Brill had no heirs?” asked Reylan.
”No. And no consort.” Anna poured some of the wine and pa.s.sed the pitcher to Reylan.
”And you?” The dark-haired woman poured wine for herself and for Jecks.
”My children remain on earth-the mist world.” Anna had to struggle not to squint against the continuing double vision, although the headache had subsided to a dull and muted throbbing.
Gylaron and Reylan exchanged glances.
”Haven't you heard?” Anna asked. ”I thought everyone knew. I have children nearly as old as you, Lady Reylan...” She quickly ran through the story of how she had come to Erde and ended up as regent. ”So... I have no heirs, and Loiseau will probably go to the next good sorcerer who supports Defalk.” She laughed softly. ”It almost seems fated that way.”
”The harmonies,” mused Gylaron.
”So it has seemed,” added Jecks.
A serving girl brought in a large maroon platter, setting it before Anna. Another brought two baskets of still-steaming bread. Anna glanced at the meat and the sauce; Poison? Everyone was eating the same thing. All she had to do was wait for the others. Besides, the gla.s.s hadn't shown treachery, and it had been far more accurate than anything else. Is this what it will always be like? Wondering? Becoming more and more paranoid? She forced a smile and took a healthy serving of the meat and the white sauce, then pa.s.sed the platter to Reylan. The dark bread looked and smelled good, and she broke off a chunk.
Everyone looked at her. Hoping she wasn't too paranoid, she took a bite of the bread, then a sniff, and a sip of the wine-easily the best she had tasted in Liedwahr. ''This is the best I've tasted in Defalk.”
Gylaron smiled at the enthusiasm in her voice, Even Reylan did, momentarily.
”Nuural will be pleased.”