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Darthacan border lord for Iselle, he thought as he made his way down the stairs. At least a lord of one of its warmer northern provinces. Either power or distance would do to protect Iselle from the . . . difficulties, of the court of Chalion. And the sooner, the better. For her, or for you? For both of us. FOR ALL THATNAN DYVRIT PUT HER HAND OVERher eyes and winced, Cazaril thought Iselle looked very bright and warm in her carmine robes, with her amber curls cascading down her back nearly to her waist. Given the hint, he wore a red brocade tunic that had been the old provincar s and his white wool vest-cloak. Betriz, too, wore her favorite red; Nan, claiming eyestrain, had chosen a sober black and white. The reds clashed a trifle, but they certainly defied the rain. They all scurried across the wet cobbles to Ias s great tower block. The crows from Fonsa s Tower were all gone to roost no, not quite. Cazaril ducked as a certain foolish bird missing two feathers from its tail swooped down out of the drizzling mist past him, cawing, Caz, Caz! With an eye to defending his white cloak from birdish deposits, he fended it off. It circled back up to the ruined slates, screeching sadly. Orico s red brocade throne room was brilliantly lit with wall sconces against Page 97 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html the autumn gray; two or three dozen courtiers and ladies warmed it thoroughly. Orico wore his formal robes, and his crown, but Royina Sara was not at his side today. Teidez was given a seat in a lower chair at Orico s right hand. The royesse s party kissed his hands and took their places, Iselle in a smaller chair to the left of Sara s empty one, the rest standing. Orico, smiling, began the day s largesse by awarding Teidez the revenues of four more royal towns for the support of his household, for which his younger half brother thanked him with proper hand-kisses and a brief set-speech. Dondo had not kept the royse up last night, so he was looking much less green and seedy than usual. Orico then motioned his chancellor to his royal knee. As had been announced, the roya awarded the letters and sword, and received the oath, that made the senior dy Jironal into the provincar of Ildar. Several of Ildar s minor lords knelt and took oath in turn to dy Jironal. It was less expected when the two turned round at once and transferred the marchship of Jironal, together with its towns and tax revenues, immediately to Lord now March Dondo. Iselle was surprised, but obviously pleased, when her brother next awarded her the revenues of six towns for the support of her household. Not before time, to be sure her allowance till now had been notably scant for a royesse. She thanked him prettily, while Cazaril s brain lurched into calculation. Might Iselle afford her own guard company, instead of the loan of men from Baocia she d shared till now with Teidez? And might Cazaril choose them himself? Could she take a house of her own in town, protected by her own people? Iselle returned to her chair on the dais and arranged her skirts, a certain tension easing from her face that had not been apparent till its absence. Orico cleared his throat. I m pleased to come to the happiest of this day s rewards, well merited, and, er, much-desired. Iselle, up Orico stood, and held out his hand to his half sister; puzzled but smiling, she rose and stood with him before the dais. March dy Jironal, come forth, Orico continued. Lord Dondo, in the full robes of the Daughter s holy generalship and with a page in dy Jironal livery at his heels, came and stood at Orico s other hand. The skin on the back of Cazaril s neck began to creep, as he watched from the side of the room. What is Orico about . . . ? My much-beloved and loyal Chancellor and Provincar dy Jironal has begged a boon of blood from my house, and upon meditation, I have concluded it gives my heart joy to comply. He didn t look joyful. He looked nervous. He has asked for the hand of my sister Iselle for his brother, the new march. Freely do I betroth and bestow it. He turned Dondo s thick hand palm up, Iselle s slim one palm down, pressed them together at the height of his chest, and stepped back. Iselle s face drained of color and all expression. She stood utterly still, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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