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And his anger hardened into a hatred deeper than anything he had ever felt
before. Dain had long ago ceased to be merely a nuisance. Now, with this
betrayal, he had put Gavril in grave jeopardy. No doubt it had been Dain who d
learned of Gavril s secret lessons, Dain who d whispered word of them to the
king, Dain who d led the king to the churchyard and that awful moment of
discovery. Gavril could not forget the painful disillusionment that had
flashed across his father s face. Until then, he had always felt secure in his
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father s unquestioning love for him. But Dain had tainted that as well. He had
exposed
Gavril, had made Verence see the truth about his son, and Gavril could not
forgive him for that.
For a few days Gavril bided his time, until the opportunity came to speak in
private with Arvt, the
Gantese agent.
Your highness sent for me. I come, Arvt said, bowing low from the shadows,
while Gavril stood on the palace ramparts and pretended to gaze out across the
landscape toward the sea. How may I
serve?
Gavril never looked at the man. His emotions were icy cold inside him.
There s little time to arrange this. I will bring suspicion to myself if I
elude my protector for more than a moment. You know the chevard, Lord Dain?
Ah, the king s favorite, Arvt said.
It was like having a shard of ice driven into his heart. Gavril shuddered.
Him. I want him removed.
Use whatever methods you prefer, but make it quick.
Removed, Arvt said, his strange accent rolling over the word. You mean
killed?
Yes, killed! Gavril snapped. He slammed a clenched fist down atop the stone
crenellation. I want him dead!
It can be easily done, Arvt said with another bow. But the price will be
Name it. Anything. Gavril spun on his heel so fast his cloak flared out
behind him. He could hear his protector calling his name. Gritting his teeth,
Gavril started down the steps. I m here! he called out, then shot Arvt a
glare. Get it done quickly, and I ll pay the price.
Will the king s ball be soon enough, highness? Arvt whispered after him.
Gavril kept going down the steps without replying, but inside he smiled with
cold satisfaction.
The night of the ball, the palace blazed with lights, music, and excitement.
For days, servants had been working feverishly to prepare for the festivities.
Now, the state galleries had been transformed, with swags of fruit entwined
with gold, russet, and dark green ribbons hanging over every doorway. Animal
hides lay on the polished floors. Long brown-and-blue-speckled feathers
plucked from the tails of goursen, the plump and stupid birds of the southern
meadows, stood fanned decoratively in baskets and drinking horns. Shallow
copper pans held ploven eggs, considered a rare delicacy and available only in
the autumn. Their pale hues of green and soft blue were enhanced by the
polished copper gleam of the vessels. Crocks of mead, smelling richly of
fermented honey, stood open on tables next to long-handled dippers. Baskets of
fresh-picked apples, pears, and quince stood about in bounty. There were even
rushes strewn across the floor of one gallery, imitating the cruder life of
upland holds.
Walking into this rustic setting that contrasted so completely with the
magnificent tapestries and paintings on the walls, plus the gilded woodwork
and plaster boiseries, Dain felt as though he had slipped sideways through
time and space into a far different world. Beside him, Thum was staring with a
grin of appreciation.
Tonight they both wore doublets of dark Thirst green. Dain s crest was
embroidered on his, and a new pin of worked gold held his cloak folded back
fashionably over his right shoulder. He was nervous and excited as he walked
about through the decorated rooms, marveling at all he saw. The crowd was
slowly gathering as more courtiers appeared for the evening s festivities.
Some wore outlandish hunting costumes, complete with embroidered quivers of
gold-fletched arrows, and carried tiny bows carved from ebony strung with gold
cords.
Outside in the gathering darkness of eventide, a storm was brewing. Clouds had
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brought nightfall early, and now and then Dain heard a muted rumble of
thunder. The very air seemed charged with expectancy, and it made him more
restless than ever.
That afternoon, he had gone out to the gardens and picked an enormous armful
of the blue and yellow flowers. Recalling Thia s deft way with arrangements,
Dain had tried to imitate what his sister would have done with such fragrant
beauty. From an arbor in the shrubbery, he pulled down a vine covered with
white, sweet-smelling blooms and used this to tie the flowers into an enormous
bouquet, wrapping their long stems with the ends of the vine, then tucking in
a few delicate racemes of something pink for contrast.
Carrying his bouquet into the palace and ignoring the stares of those he
encountered, Dain handed the flowers to a diminutive page who then, staggering
beneath the fragrant burden, went off to give the tribute to Lady Pheresa.
Now, he waited nervously for her appearance, hoping his gift had pleased her.
The Due du Clune was announced, with his two daughters. Thum eyed the ladies
appreciatively. The younger one is fair, don t you think? he asked Dain.
Her name is Rox-ina.
Dain glanced unwillingly in that direction. He remembered Elnine and Roxina
from the night when they d sought refuge in his camp. Their faces were pretty
enough, and Roxina was the more buxom of the two sisters, but Dain considered
them both foolish and spoiled, with affected manners and too much conceit.
Still, if Thum sought an evening s flirtation, Dain had no intention of
discouraging him.
Roxina, he said with a nod as the lady simpered at an acquaintance and
fluttered her silk scarves.
Very pretty.
Thum grinned and rocked back and forth on his toes. Aye, he said in
satisfaction. And nicer than her shrew of a sister.
You ve spoken to her? Dain asked in startlement.
Thum nodded, acting extremely casual. You re not the only one with romance on
your mind, he said.
May I have your leave?
Dain nodded, and Thum sauntered off in Lady Roxina s direction. A little
surprised, Dain glanced over his shoulder at Sir Terent. Knew you about
this?
Sir Terent seemed amused. Aye, m lord. I heard that young Thum cut quite a
swath among the ladies while we were gone with the king.
Did he now. Admiration for his friend made Dain smile. And is he serious
about this lady?
Sir Terent shrugged. No more serious than a young man can be while he courts
three different ladies in three different weeks.
Oh. Dain opened his mouth to ask another question, but at that moment the
Countess Lalieux arrived with her entourage, to much fanfare and applause from
the courtiers. The lady looked magnificent in a gown of quilted silk edged
with fur. Her tilted eyes swept the assembly, and she seemed a little put out
to have arrived before the king. The young women in her entourage came
chattering in behind her, and Pheresa walked gracefully among their number.
Seeing her, Dain s heart stopped. He forgot everything else as he watched her
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