“Perfect,” said Nakor.
Aleta stood still, but she said, “I feel silly.”
“You look wonderful,” said Nakor.
The young woman stood on a box, a linen sheet around her head and shoulders, otherwise garbed in her normal dress. A sculptor worked furiously in clay, trying to capture her likeness. He had been at it for three days, and stepped back and said, “It’s finished.”
Nakor walked around it while Aleta got off the box and came to look at it. “Do I look like that?” she asked.
“Yes,” said Nakor. He continued to walk around it, and finally said, “Yes, that will do.” Looking at the sculptor he asked, “How long will this take?”
“How big do you want it?”
“I want it life-sized.” Pointing at Aleta, he said, “The same size as her.”
“Then it will take a month for each one.”
“Good. A month should be fine.”
“Do you want me to bring them here?”
“I want one delivered here, to be put up in the wagon yard. The other one bring to Krondor.”
“Krondor? Mr. Avery didn’t say anything about trucking a statue all the way to Krondor.”
“Do you want to let wagoners put up your statue?”
The sculptor shrugged. “Makes no difference to me, but it will cost extra.”
Nakor frowned. “That’s between you and Roo.”
The sculptor nodded and carefully wrapped up the clay reference piece in oilcloth and moved it to his wagon, outside.
Aleta said, “Am I done now?”
Nakor said, “Probably not, but you don’t need to pose anymore.”
“What is this all about?” she asked, folding up the sheet she had worn. “I’ve felt very silly posing for that thing.”
“It’s a statue of the Goddess.”
“You used me for a statue of the Goddess!” She seemed appalled. “That’s . . .”
Nakor looked puzzled. “Something I don’t understand. But it was the right choice.”
Brother Dominic had been in the corner, observing the entire interaction, and he said, “Child, trust me, this strange man knows things, things he doesn’t understand. But if he knows them, they are true.”
The young woman looked as if that explanation caused her even more confusion. Dominic said, “If Nakor said it’s proper for you to pose for the representation of the Goddess, then it is. Trust me on this. It’s no blasphemy.”
The girl seemed more reassured by that, and said, “Well, I have washing to do.”
She left, and Dominic came over to Nakor and asked, “What is it you see in that girl?”
Nakor shrugged. “Something wonderful.”
“Care to be more specific?”
“No,” said Nakor. “Are you coming to Krondor with me?”
Dominic said, “My instructions from the home temple are to accommodate your plans to the best of my ability. If that means accompanying you to Krondor, then I will go.”
Nakor said, “That’s good. Things here will continue to operate without me. Sho Pi can oversee the feeding of the hungry and teaching the children. He’s already begun training disciples in the basics of being a monk; the order of Dala is a good place to start, and that will weed out those looking for a free meal and warm bed from those who really want to contribute.”
“When do we leave?” asked Dominic.
Nakor shrugged. “In a day or two. The last detachments of the army will be leaving to journey to Krondor, to join the Prince, and we can tag along as escort.”
Dominic said, “Very well. I will be ready.”
As Dominic left, Nakor turned and regarded Aleta, who was hanging washing on a line across the courtyard. The sunlight struck her from behind, putting a golden nimbus of light around her head for a moment as she stood on her tiptoes to clip the clothing to the line. Nakor grinned. “Something very wonderful,” he said to himself.
Dinner was quiet. Conversation had been subdued throughout the evening. Mostly it had been sporadic, on this or that issue before the throne, or a small remembrance of Lord Arutha, but long periods passed in silence.
As the last course was removed, waiters appeared with trays upon which rested crystal goblets and decanters of brandy. Patrick said, “As the sons of Lord Arutha are not permitted the relief of returning with their father to the capital for his funeral, I thought it appropriate to honor him with an informal wake. If you would be so kind, gentlemen, a word or two in remembrance would be appropriate.
“Lord Brian?”
The Duke of Silden said, “Since boyhood, Arutha and I were friends. If I was to name the one quality of his many that I found most remarkable, it was his unrivaled clarity of thought. Whatever opinion he gave, on whatever subject, it was the distillation of a remarkable mind. He may have been the most gifted man I have known.”