Part 33 (1/2)

While Marr and Raihna heaved the guards onto the bench, Aybas knocked on the door As Wylla sat down on the bench with her aruards, Aybas heard a noise from within the hut

”Who is there?”

”By Mitra's beard, it is Lord Aybas I bear dire news”

A squeak like a trapped mouse was all that Aybas had of reply He cursed softly

”Must I tell it for all the Pougoi, and perhaps the Star Brothers, to hear? Or may I enter and speak privily?”

After a lacier, Aybas heard the bar lift He thrust the door open and strode in, past the waiting woman She let out another squeak, then was silent as Raihna put a hand over her er in the other

The princess was still awake The babe was sleeping, until the e folk burst into his mother's chamber, at which he aith a wail fit to rouse sleepers all over the valley

The piper'swith no words, but soft and soothing nevertheless The wails diminished, and at last ceased As the princess picked up the babe, his eyes drifted shut and he slept again

”He has taken no har him to one arm The other was clenched at her waist, and she seehness,” Aybas said He drew his second dagger from his boot and handed it to the princess She stared at it, then at Raihna, and nearly dropped the sleeping baby

”He will co dropped than from my music,” Marr said ”He only sleeps, and will sleep until it is safe for him to wake”

”Safe ?” Princess Chienna appeared to be ritted his teeth Why did women of sense seem to lose that sense at precisely the worst tihness, I we are co is alive and well, although in hiding With you and your son by his side, the realm will rally to his banner”

The princess shook her head,black hair dance about her shoulders, white and gleaesture seemed to end her confusion

”Allow ood people,” she said with regal dignity ”It will be neither seeht shi+ft”

With an i woman Raihna released the servant, and the to the baby As if by instinct, she began gently rocking hi prince told Aybas a whole tale of matters that would never reach the Bossonian's lips

The princess and her waiting woman were out of the bedcha a joint of good beef It only seemed like sufficient time for the moon to set and dawn to break across the oi warrior's attire, with an arranges and fleeces across her back for the babe

Aybas had not known that she possessed either, and his opinion of her and her house rose further

Very surely, he had wagered on the wrong horse whilst serving Syzae of allegiance, he would at least die with a better opinion of his own judgment

Aybas stepped to the door Wylla now had one of the guards' heads lolling on her breasts The other had fallen off the bench She had undone his trousers to give hi appearance of revelry

”Is all well?”

Wylla shrugged, which lifted her breastsoff the bench to join his co for ”yes” and motioned the others to come out The princess held back The Aquilonian started to address her in ter at her waiting woan to play

The music could not have reached even into the bedcha soft and ware, within hirip a post of the porch to uphold himself-