Your brother is a dear, and I do love him for the way he never fears to tell the truth. But he really doesn't understand some things, does he?"
"No," I squeaked. My voice seemed to come from someone else.
Nimiar ran her fingers along the harp strings and cocked her head, listening to the sounds they produced. "No one," she said, "--well, no ordinary person-sits down to a harp and plays perfectly. It takes time and training."
I nodded stupidly.
She dropped her hands. "When Branaric came to Athanarel, he knew nothing of etiquette or Court custom. Arrived wearing cast-off war gear belonging to Lord Vidanric, his arm in a dirty sling, his nose red from a juicy cold. There are those at Court who would have chewed him like jackals with a bone, except he freely admitted to being a rustic. Thought it a very good joke. Then he'd been brought by the Marquis, who is a leader of fashion, and Savona took to him instantly. The Duke of Savona is another leader. And…" She hesitated. "And certain women who also lead fashion liked him. Added was the fact that you Astiars have become something of heroes, and it became a fad to teach him. His blunt speech was a refreshing change, and he doesn't care at all what people think of him. But you do, don't you?" She peered into my face. "You care--terribly."
I bit my lip.
She touched my wrist. "Let us make a pact. If you will come to Athanarel and dance at my wedding, I will undertake to teach you everything you need to know about Court life. And I'll help you select a wardrobe--and no one need ever know."
I swallowed, then took a deep, unsteady breath.
"What is it?" She looked unhappy. "Do you mistrust me?"
I shook my head so hard my coronet came loose, and a loop settled over one eye. " would know," I whispered, waving a hand.
"They? Your servants? Oh. You mean Branaric and Lord Vidanric?"
I nodded. "They'll surely want to know my reasons. Since I didn't come to Court before." I thought of that letter hidden in my room and wondered if its arrival and Shevraeth's on the same day had some sinister political meaning.
She smiled. "Don't worry about Bran. All he wants, you must see, is to show you off at Athanarel. He knew you were refurbishing this castle, and I rather think he assumed you were--somehow--learning everything he was learning and obtaining a fashionable wardrobe as well. And every time he talks of you it's always to say how much more clever you are than he is. I really think he expected to bring us here and find you waiting as gowned and jeweled as my cousin Tamara."
I winced. "That sounds, in truth, like Branaric."
"And as for Vidanric, well, you're safe there. I've never met anyone as closemouthed, when he wants to be. He won't ask your reasons. What?"
"I said, 'Hah.
"No," I squeaked. My voice seemed to come from someone else.
Nimiar ran her fingers along the harp strings and cocked her head, listening to the sounds they produced. "No one," she said, "--well, no ordinary person-sits down to a harp and plays perfectly. It takes time and training."
I nodded stupidly.
She dropped her hands. "When Branaric came to Athanarel, he knew nothing of etiquette or Court custom. Arrived wearing cast-off war gear belonging to Lord Vidanric, his arm in a dirty sling, his nose red from a juicy cold. There are those at Court who would have chewed him like jackals with a bone, except he freely admitted to being a rustic. Thought it a very good joke. Then he'd been brought by the Marquis, who is a leader of fashion, and Savona took to him instantly. The Duke of Savona is another leader. And…" She hesitated. "And certain women who also lead fashion liked him. Added was the fact that you Astiars have become something of heroes, and it became a fad to teach him. His blunt speech was a refreshing change, and he doesn't care at all what people think of him. But you do, don't you?" She peered into my face. "You care--terribly."
I bit my lip.
She touched my wrist. "Let us make a pact. If you will come to Athanarel and dance at my wedding, I will undertake to teach you everything you need to know about Court life. And I'll help you select a wardrobe--and no one need ever know."
I swallowed, then took a deep, unsteady breath.
"What is it?" She looked unhappy. "Do you mistrust me?"
I shook my head so hard my coronet came loose, and a loop settled over one eye. " would know," I whispered, waving a hand.
"They? Your servants? Oh. You mean Branaric and Lord Vidanric?"
I nodded. "They'll surely want to know my reasons. Since I didn't come to Court before." I thought of that letter hidden in my room and wondered if its arrival and Shevraeth's on the same day had some sinister political meaning.
She smiled. "Don't worry about Bran. All he wants, you must see, is to show you off at Athanarel. He knew you were refurbishing this castle, and I rather think he assumed you were--somehow--learning everything he was learning and obtaining a fashionable wardrobe as well. And every time he talks of you it's always to say how much more clever you are than he is. I really think he expected to bring us here and find you waiting as gowned and jeweled as my cousin Tamara."
I winced. "That sounds, in truth, like Branaric."
"And as for Vidanric, well, you're safe there. I've never met anyone as closemouthed, when he wants to be. He won't ask your reasons. What?"
"I said, 'Hah.
( Sherwood Smith )
[ Court Duel ]
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