“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s only I’d never given much thought to marriage, and certainly not for reasons of state.” The wry grin reappeared. “That is usually the province of eldest sons. We second-born as a rule are left to get by as best we can, an old widowed countess, or a rich merchant’s daughter.” He tried to make light of it. “A rich merchant’s beautiful daughter, if we’re lucky, which we usually are not.” He couldn’t manage a light tone and sat back Finally he said, “Anita, you will stay at Crydee as long as need be. It may prove dangerous because of the Tsurani for a time, but we’ll see that through, somehow, send you down to Carse, perhaps. When this war is over, you’ll go home in safety; I promise you. And never, never shall anyone force you to do anything against your will.”
The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door, and a seaman entered with a steaming bowl of chowder, hard bread, and salted pork on a platter. As the seaman placed the food on the table and poured a cup of wine, Arutha watched Anita. When the sailor was gone, Anita began to eat.
Arutha spoke of little things with Anita, finding himself once more captivated by the girl’s open, appealing manner. When he finally bade her good night and closed the door, he was abruptly aware the idea of a state marriage was causing him only a little discomfort. He went up on deck; the fog had lifted, and once more they were running before a light breeze. He watched the stars above and, for the first time in years, whistled a happy air.
Near the helm Martin and Amos shared a wineskin and spoke low. “The Prince seems unusually cheerful tonight,” said Amos.
Martin blew a puff of smoke from a pipe, which was quickly carried away on the wind. “And it’s a good bet he’s not even aware why he feels so cheerful. Anita’s young, but not so young he’ll be able to ignore her attentions for very long. If she’s made up her mind, and I think she has, she’ll have him snared within the year. And he’ll be glad to be caught.”
Amos laughed “Though it will be some time before he owns up to it. I’m willing to wager young Roland is hauled up before the altar sooner than Anita.”
Martin shook his head. “That’s no wager. Roland’s been caught for years. Anita has some work to do yet.”
“You’ve never been in love, then, Martin?”
Martin said, “No, Amos. Foresters, like sailors, make poor husbands. Never at home long and spending days, even weeks, alone. Tends to make them a brooding, solitary lot. You?”
“Not so you’d notice.” Amos sighed “The older I get, the more I wonder what I’ve missed.”
“But would you change anything?”
With a chuckle Amos said, “Probably not, Martin, probably not.”
As the ship put in at the quayside, Fannon and Gardan dismounted. Arutha led Anita down the gangway and introduced her to the Swordmaster of Crydee.
“We’ve no carriages in Crydee, Highness,” Fantion said to her, “but I’ll have a cart sent for at once. It’s a long walk to the castle.”
Anita smiled “I can ride, Master Fannon. Any horse that’s not too spirited will do.”
Fannon ordered two of his men to ride to the stable and bring one of Carline’s palfreys with a proper sidesaddle. Arutha asked, “What news?”
Fannon led the Prince off a short distance and said, “A late thaw in the mountains, Highness, so there has been no major Tsurani movement as yet. A few of the smaller garrisons have been raided, but there is nothing to indicate a spring offensive here Perhaps they’ll move against your father.”
“I hope you’re right, for Father’s received most of the Krondonan garrison.” He quickly outlined what had occurred in Krondor, and Fannon listened closely.
“You did well not sailing for your father’s camp. I think you judged things correctly. Nothing could prove more disastrous than a major Tsurani offensive against Duke Borric’s position as he was marshaling to march against Guy. Let us keep this to ourselves for a time. Your father will learn what has occurred soon enough, but the more time it takes for him to discover Guy’s treachery, the more chance we have of keeping the Tsurani at bay another year.”
Arutha looked troubled. “This cannot continue much longer, Fannon. We must soon see an end to this war.” He turned for a moment and saw townspeople begin to gawk at the Princess. “Still, we at least have a little time to come up with something to counter the Tsurani, if we can but think of it.”
Fannon thought a moment, started to speak, then stopped His expression became grim, almost painful. Arutha said, “What is it, Swordmaster?”
“I have grave and sorry news to greet you with, Highness. Squire Roland is dead.”
Arutha was rocked by the news. For a brief moment he wondered if Fannon made some tasteless joke, for his mind would not accept what he had heard Finally he said, “What . . . how?”
“News came three days ago from Baron Tolburt, who is most sorely grieved. The Squire was killed in a Tsurani raid.”
Arutha looked at the castle upon the hill. “Carline?”
“As you would expect. She weeps, but she also bears up well.”