I found Bran in the courtyard below. Two fresh, mettlesome horses awaited us, and Bran had a bag at his belt. Shevraeth himself was there to bid us farewell--a courtesy I could have done without. Impatient to be gone, I stayed silent as he and my brother exchanged some last words.
Then, at last, Shevraeth stepped back. "Do you remember the route?"
Bran nodded. "Well enough. My thanks again--" He looked over at me, then sighed. "Another time, I trust." I realized then that he actually the Marquis--that in some wise {as much as a Court decoration and an honest man ill trained in the niceties of high society could} they had become friends.
Shevraeth turned to me, bowed. There was no irony visible in face or manner as he wished me a safe journey. I felt my face go hot as I gritted out a stilted "Thank you." Then I turned in my saddle and my horse spun about. Branaric was with me in a moment, and side-by-side we rode out.
And in silence we began our journey. The horses seemed to want speed, which gladdened my heart. I turned my back on the terraced city with its thundering fall; faced west and home.
Then, at last, Shevraeth stepped back. "Do you remember the route?"
Bran nodded. "Well enough. My thanks again--" He looked over at me, then sighed. "Another time, I trust." I realized then that he actually the Marquis--that in some wise {as much as a Court decoration and an honest man ill trained in the niceties of high society could} they had become friends.
Shevraeth turned to me, bowed. There was no irony visible in face or manner as he wished me a safe journey. I felt my face go hot as I gritted out a stilted "Thank you." Then I turned in my saddle and my horse spun about. Branaric was with me in a moment, and side-by-side we rode out.
And in silence we began our journey. The horses seemed to want speed, which gladdened my heart. I turned my back on the terraced city with its thundering fall; faced west and home.
( Sherwood Smith )
[ Crown Duel ]
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