Part 85 (2/2)
”That is bad news!”
King Audry chuckled. ”The acts of kings.h.i.+p are not all equally pleasurable.”
”I suspect this already, Your Highness, from observing my father.”
”Jaswyn has surely arrived at the same conclusion,” said King Audry. ”Am I right, Jaswyn?”
”Absolutely, sir.”
King Audry gave a placid nod and returned to Dhrun. ”I keep you from your breakfast. Fortify yourself well!”
Madouc called out: ”King Audry recommends the ortolans and the woodc.o.c.k. He also insisted that I eat c.o.c.kles and winkles by the dozen.”
”I will heed your advice, as always,” said Dhrun. He and his comrades went off to the buffet. A moment later Prince Ca.s.sander entered the refectory, with his friend Sir Camrols. Ca.s.sander halted and surveyed the room, then, approaching King Audry, paid his respects. ”King Casmir and Queen Sollace are taking breakfast in their chambers; they will appear at the Hall of Heroes at the appointed time.”
”The time is not far off,” said King Audry. ”The morning has gone apace!”
Ca.s.sander turned to Madouc. ”Queen Sollace wishes you to present yourself before her at once. I will warn you that she is not pleased with your flighty conduct, which verges upon rank insubordination.”
”The queen must postpone her censure, or-even better-put it aside altogether,” said Madouc. ”I am now taking breakfast with King Audry and Prince Jaswyn; it would be an act of unutterable rudeness if I were to jump up and depart. Further, Ca.s.sander, your own manners leave much to be desired. In the first place-”
Ca.s.sander, noting King Audry's amus.e.m.e.nt, became angry. ”Enough; in fact, more than enough! In regard to manners, it is you, not I, who will be sent packing back to Haidion before the hour is out.”
”Impossible!” said Madouc. ”King Audry has insisted that I be present at the colloquy, for my better education! I dare not disobey him!”
”Naturally not,” said King Audry in a genial voice. ”Come now, Prince Ca.s.sander, be gentle and easy, I beg of you! The world is not coming to an end because of Madouc's merry na ture! Let her enjoy herself without reproach.”
Ca.s.sander bowed, coldly urbane. ”It shall be as Your Majesty wishes.” Ca.s.sander and Sir Camrols turned away and served themselves from the buffet.
Half an hour pa.s.sed. Sir Tramador, High Chamberlain at Falu Ffail, appeared and spoke quietly to King Audry, who sighed and rose to his feet. ”In truth, I far prefer the Morning Saloon to the Hall of Heroes and, by the same token, the buffet to the Cairbra an Meadhan!”
Madouc suggested: ”Why not hold the colloquy here instead of there? Whoever became bored with the speeches could devour an ortolan for diversion.”
”The concept is not inherently bad,” said King Audry. ”However, the schedule is firmly cast, and cannot be altered without extreme confusion. Prince Dhrun, are you coming?”
”I am ready, Your Majesty.”
In the corridor Dhrun waited for Madouc. ”I have become a person of importance-at least until my father arrives. I may be called upon to address the company. No one will listen, of course, which is just as well, since I have nothing to say.”
”It is simple. You must wish everyone a long reign and hope that the Goths invade elsewhere.”
”That should suffice. Also, it is possible my father will arrive before I am required to speak, whereupon I shall gratefully relinquish my place at the table.”
Madouc stopped short. Dhrun looked at her in wonder. ”What disturbs you now?”
”Last night, so you told me, you sat at the Round Table.”
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