“Good day to you, Master.” Tal bowed like a lifetime courtier.
He removed the padded jacket with Pasko’s assistance, and Pasko handed him a towel. Tal dried his neck and his damp hair, which was clinging to his head. Then he donned a fine brocade jacket, suitable for afternoon wear, and stood patiently while Pasko fastened the frogs and loops. “Dinner invitations?” he asked.
“Four, m’lord. The Lady Sabrina wishes you to dine with her and her father. The Ladies Jessica and Mathilda each wish for you to dine with their entire families, and the Lady Melinda wishes for you to dine with her, and mentioned that her father is away on business.”
“Melinda it is, then,” said Tal with a grin.
“You seem unusually happy today,” Pasko observed. Robert’s former servant had appeared during the first month Tal and Caleb had taken up residence in Salador. He played the part of manservant with such conviction and ease that Tal could easily believe he had held such a post for a nobleman at some point in his obscure past. He had certainly inculcated Talon of the Silver Hawk with all the necessary nuances of noble manner and bearing to become Talwin Hawkins.
Tal nodded and smiled. “Rumors, idle gossip, and sources of impeccable unreliability lead me to believe that before the contest I shall be invited to the palace for an audience with the King, or at the very least, be listed as a guest for the next gala.’’
“That’s unsurprising, Master,” said Pasko. Dropping his voice so that he could be heard only by Tal as he put a cape around the young man’s shoulders, he said, “What’s surprising is that it’s taken so long.’’
Tal smiled. “Indeed.”
They departed from the practice hall, past the gallery, and as they entered the grand hall that led to the outer courtyard, more than one servant pressed a note into Pasko’s hand. Portraits of past champions lined the walls of the grand hall, and in the center of the entrance, a heroically large bronze statue of Versi Dango welcomed visitors and students to the Masters’ Court. They hurried down the steps to a waiting carriage, and the driver held the door open for them.
Once inside, Tal said, “I am only the second swordsman in the history of the Masters’ Court never to have lost a bout.’’
“Hmmm,” said Pasko. “I seem to remember you taking a drubbing from Master Dubkov one afternoon, m’lord.’’
“That wasn’t a bout,” said Tal. “And it was instructional. And, mainly, it was because I let him.’’
“You let him?’’
“Yes, for two reasons,” said Tal as the carriage pulled out of the courtyard and entered the streets of Roldem. “First, he is a Master of the Court and I need friends there, and second, I learned more in losing that match than I would have if I had pressed and won.’’
“So that’s why you’ve settled for draws in some bouts?’’
“Yes,” said Tal. “But only in practice, you’ll note. I’ve never lost in competition and I don’t intend to start doing so any time soon.’’
“Swordsmen from all over the world are coming for this competition, I’d remind you, m’lord.’’
“Yes, and I may lose, but that is not my intent.’’
“Good,” said Pasko.
The carriage wended its way along the cobbles, and Tal sat back and enjoyed the passing view while Pasko quickly read and discarded the notes pressed into his hand. They were all the same, young women asking Tal why he had not called upon them recently.
Tal sat back and let the fresh ocean air that blew constantly from the west refresh him while he drank in the sights. He had seen three great cities, Krondor, Salador, and now Roldem, and by far he preferred his present location. Krondor seemed rough-hewn and almost primitive compared to the other two, perhaps as a result of having been largely rebuilt from rubble over the last thirty years. Caleb had told him the story of the Emerald Queen and the destruction of the city by her forces, and about the gallant stand by the Kingdom Army at Nightmare Ridge.
Salador, by contrast, was an ancient city, sprawling and metropolitan. The outer districts were dominated by small local markets and streets of businesses, and the inner city bore little resemblance to the ancient walled fortress it must once have been in the dim past. Tal remembered passing through an open gate from one precinct of the city to another, but otherwise there was little to indicate the great wall which must once have been the city’s main defense.