Part 46 (1/1)
”The queen spoke well of you again lat night,” Decius told him
”Indeed,” Conan said He wondered how much Decius knew of the reasons Chienna had to speak well of the Ci me as chief of the Guard?”
”No,” Decius replied ”The Gods be praised, she understands that after your disobedience, that would be iested that you share the post of royal huntsive you quarters in the palace-”
”What palace?” Conan said All three laughed, and even the horse nickered softly The Border Kingdoht be at peace after Syzambry's death, but peace would rebuild no ruined palaces nor pay any royal servants' wages
That was first a to resume his journey to Ne little save the horse, a neord, enough ar hih silver to purchase food for man and beast
”Marr see to share the work,” Raihna added ”After the betrothal ceremony, we both swore to carry the queen's offer to you
What answer shall we carry back?” She smiled as she had so often done before when she already knehat Conan would say
”Tell her that you last sawdesperately-no, I'll not insult her Say that I cherish the honor of having served her well, which is enough reward for one like ed the matter of their talk ”I trust that the betrothal ell enough Thyrin held his peace?”
”He did,” Raihna said ”I know not if he is truly happy with his daughtermerely the royal huntsman, not Marr the Piper I do know that Wylla had words with her father two nights ago She said, 'Marr has lost his pipes and with theic between men and wo since his manhood ordeal!”
”Trust Wylla to see to the heart of things,” Conan said A retired sorcerer and a wild girl from the hills were an odd match, but Conan had seen odder Such as a warrior noble of the Border Kingdohter of a Bossonian yeoman ould now be the first lady of the realm next to Queen Chienna
”You will not even stay for our betrothal?” Decius asked
”Could you swear that Queen Chienna would not use the ti me here?”
”I would rather swear to fly to De my arms,” Decius replied
”Wise of you,” Conan said ”I will return for the queen's betrothal if I hear of it in time to make the journey That I swear I also advise you to start hunting a suitable husband for her”
”Indeed,” Decius said ”We will need a man of proven valor and keen wits to stand beside Chienna It will also be best if he is tall of stature and black-haired”
Conan's mouth opened Decius's face was a hter that if he let it out, he would laugh himself into a fit Raihna looked at her betrothed and her face twisted and turned red
Then the three of thehter inside until it echoed from the rocks By the ti his horse downhill On level ground, he let the allop, and by the tione