Katala laughed, and Pug smiled at Kasumi’s embarrassment Pug said, “He was always a quick student.”
Kasumi lowered his head, cheeks flushed, but grinning broadly. “Still, it is a hard thing learning that your countrywomen have such freedom. Now I see why you two were always so strong-willed. You must have learned from your mothers.”
Laurie’s attention was diverted by someone approaching. Pug noticed a look of open admiration upon the singer’s face. The magician turned and was greeted by the sight of a beautiful young woman approaching with a guard escort. Pug’s eyes widened as he recognized Carline. She was as lovely a woman as her girlhood had promised. She came up to them and with a wave of her hand dismissed the guard. She looked regal in a fine green gown, with a pearl-studded tiara crowning her dark hair.
“Master magician,” she said, “have you no greeting for an old friend?”
Pug bowed before the Princess, and Kasumi and Laurie did also. Katala curtseyed as she had been shown by one of the maids. Pug said, “Princess, you flatter me by remembering a simple keep boy.”
Carline smiled, with a gleam in her blue eyes “Oh, Pug . . . you were never a simple anything.” She looked past him to Katala. “Is this your wife?” When he nodded and introduced them, the Princess kissed Katala’s cheek and said, “My dear, I had heard you were lovely, but the reports my brother gave did you little justice.”
Katala said, “Your Highness is gracious.”
Kasumi had returned to his nervous posture, but Laurie stood unable to take his eyes from the young woman in green Katala had to grip his arm firmly to recapture his attention. “Laurie, will you show Kasumi and me about the palace a little, before the ceremonies begin?”
Laurie smiled broadly, bowed to the Princess, and accompanied Kasumi and Katala down the hallway Pug and the Princess watched their retreating backs.
Carline said, “Your wife is a most perceptive woman.”
Pug smiled. “She is indeed remarkable.”
Carline looked genuinely glad to see him. “I understand you also have a son.”
“William. He is a little devil, and a treasure.”
There was a trace of envy in Carline’s expression “I would like to meet him.” She paused, then added, “You’ve been most fortunate.”
“Most fortunate, Highness.”
She took his arm and they slowly started to walk “So formal, Pug? Or should I call you Milamber, as I have heard you were known?”
He saw her smile and returned it. “I sometimes don’t know, though here Pug seems more proper.” He grinned. “You seem to have learned a great deal about me.”
She feigned a small pout “You were always my favorite magician.”
They shared a laugh. Then, lowering his voice, Pug said, “I am so very sorry about your father’s death, Carline.”
She clouded a little. “Lyam told me you were there at the last. I am glad he saw you safely back before he died. Did you know how much he cared for you?”
Pug felt himself flush with emotion. “He gave me a name; there is little more he could have done to show me. Did you know that?”
She brightened. “Yes, Lyam also told me that. We’re cousins of sorts,” she said with a laugh. As they walked, she spoke softly. “You were my first love, Pug, but even more, you were always my friend. And I am pleased to see my friend once more home.”
He stopped and kissed her lightly upon the cheek. “And your friend is most pleased to be home.”
Blushing slightly, she led him to a small garden on a terrace. They walked out into bright sunlight and sat upon a stone bench. Carline let out a long sigh. “I only wish Father and Roland, could be here.”
Pug said, “I was also grieved to hear of Roland’s death.”
She shook her head. “That jester lived as much in his few years as most men do in their entire lives. He hid much behind his raffish ways, but do you know, I think he may have been one of the wisest men I’ll ever know. He took every passing minute and squeezed all the life from it he could.” Pug studied her face and saw her eyes were bright with memory. “Had he lived, I would have married him. I suspect we would have fought every day, Pug; oh, how he could make me angry. But he could make me laugh as well. He taught me so very much about living I shall always treasure his memory.”
“I am pleased you are at peace with your losses, Carline. So many years a slave, then a magician, in another land have changed me much. It seems you have greatly changed as well.”
She tilted her head to look at him. “I don’t think you’ve changed all that much, Pug. There’s still some of the boy in you, the one who was so rattled by my attentions.”