He signaled, and a page brought forth a purple cushion upon which rested a sword of stunning beauty. It had a silver-filigreed basket-hilt, and the blade was of the finest steel Tal had ever encountered. “This is from our foundry at Rodez,” said the King. “It is agreed that the finest blades in the world are made there, and this is a suitable blade for a champion, we think.”
Tal took the blade and the ornate scabbard that was handed to him by another page, and said, “Majesty, you overwhelm me.”
“We understand that you have taken service with our friend Duke Kaspar.”
“Yes, Majesty, I have.”
The King sat back, and his smile faded. “Serve him well, but should time and fate bring you back to your homeland, Squire, know there will be a place for you here.” Glancing sidewise at Kaspar, the King said, “We can always use another swordsman in our service, especially one so talented.”
Tal nodded and, with a wave, was dismissed by the King. He followed the page back to his place at the table, but the King’s last words had again dampened the mood in the room.
As he sat down, Tal considered Prohaska’s words and was forced to agree: this was no festive gala. This was a council of war.
Six
Rillanon
Tal watched.
He stood upon a balcony near the royal apartments. He had been requested to wait there for Duke Kaspar, who was closeted with the King. Below, the city stretched out, and Tal was struck again by its beauty. He wished time permitted him to explore: for had he not taken service with Kaspar, that is what he would have been doing that very moment. However, as Kaspar’s retainer, he awaited his master’s pleasure.
“Quite a sight, isn’t it?” came a familiar voice at his shoulder.
He turned to find Lady Natalia approaching, so he bowed. “That it is, m’lady.”
“My brother will be out shortly and will have something for you to do, I have no doubt.”
Tal rarely felt disquiet in the presence of any woman, but since the night after the hunt, he had wondered what he should expect from Natalia, or more to the point, what she might expect from him.
As if reading his thoughts, she smiled and came close. Touching him lightly on the cheek, she said, “Don’t worry, Tal, our time together was fun, nothing more. I am an instrument of the state, my brother’s tool, much as you are. He has plans for me, so you’re safe from the need to make any declarations to me.”
Tal grinned. “It wasn’t a declaration that worried me, m’lady. Only if I was to be cast aside or…if my attentions were required again.”
She paused, then regarded him. “Why do I suspect that either choice is of little importance to you?”
Tal took her hand. “That’s not true, m’lady. You are without peer among women.” He came close to the truth with that statement, for few women in his experience were as ardent as Natalia had been.
“Liar. You use women as I use men. We are too alike, Tal. Have you ever loved?”
Tal hesitated, then he said, “I thought so once. I was mistaken.”
“Ah,” said Natalia. “So, you’re armored against love because of a broken heart?”
Tal made light. “If it pleases you to think so, then so be it.”
“I think sometimes having no heart is a better condition. My brother’s Lady Rowena is like that. She lacks something.”
Tal could only silently agree. He knew her well, for she had been the woman who had broken his heart, the harshest lesson taught him by the Conclave. Alysandra, as she was named there, indeed lacked something. She had no heart, and had wounded Tal deeply.
“I will marry for reasons of state. So I take my pleasures where I might.” She paused, then asked, “What think you of this young king?”
“Ah,” said Tal. “Your brother seeks to make you Queen of the Isles?”
“Perhaps,” said Natalia with a grin. “There is no suitable match from Roldem, with the eldest princess being merely eleven years old. I suppose Ryan could wait until she was of age, but I think Lord Vallen and the others are anxious for him to wed and start breeding heirs. I am the most advantageous match among the ladies of the eastern courts, and Isles needs allies to the east.”
Feigning ignorance of regional politics, Tal said, “I thought Isles had treaties with Farinda, Opast, and Far Lorin.”
“They do, but those states are…inconsequential. Ryan needs Olasko as an ally.”
Tal’s mind raced. All signs pointed to a coming conflict between the Isles and Olasko; otherwise, Kaspar’s campaigns in the region made even less sense than they did now. Trying to fish for information, Tal asked, “But they provide a buffer. It seems to me Olasko and the Isles have little cause for contention.”
“Indeed,” said a voice from behind.
Both Tal and Natalia turned to see Duke Kaspar there. Tal bowed, and said, “Your Grace,” while Natalia approached and kissed her brother on the cheek.
Kaspar came to stand next to Tal. “The city is quite breathtaking, isn’t it, Squire?”