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Authors: Michael G. Manning
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considerin’ the two pissed off dragons waitin’ outside of the
city. You might mention that to His ‘Majesty’ if the negotiations get rough.”
A few minutes later, a carriage pulled up in front of
the Dusty Doxy and Moira stepped out. The Baron’s footman held the door for
her as she climbed in. She didn’t have to turn her head, her magesight
confirmed Gram and Chad’s stares on her back.
Gerold offered her a choice of seats before glancing
out the window, “Your companions don’t seem too pleased with your decision.”
“They’ll be fine,” she assured him, “so long as I
return by nightfall.”
“You won’t stay at the palace?” asked the Baron. “The
King is almost certain to offer hospitality.”
She smiled, “Best not to tempt fate. My friends are
very protective. You don’t want to see what those two are like when they get
cranky. I’ll be polite in my refusal—I’m sure King Darogen will understand.”
Gerold nodded, “You’re right, of course, about the
King I mean.” He put a finger across his lips, while a thoughtful look crossed
his features. “Still, I cannot help but wonder. I have heard many stories
about Sir Dorian, but philosophers generally advise that sons of great men
rarely match their father’s renown. Is the young lad really such a great
warrior?”
“Let us pray that Dunbar never has to learn the truth
of it,” she answered mysteriously. Ooh, that was a good line, she
thought, pleased with herself. Father would be proud.
The Baron let the topic pass, but after a minute he
spoke again, “Before we arrive, there is some news I need to share with you.”
Moira kept her features smooth, doing her best to seem
as poised and polished as she hoped that he perceived her to be. “Do tell.”
“The Earl of Berlagen is currently at the palace
attending the King,” began Gerold. “I had not known that the King summoned
him, but he arrived yester eve, when I met you. This may be a highly
propitious time to uncover the information you seek.”
That surprised her, “Is he staying at the palace?”
“He has a house in the city, and he left his retainers
there, but he stayed at the palace last night,” the Baron informed her.
“Do you think I’ll get a chance to talk to him?”
“It is quite likely, if you wish it, though I would
advise you to discuss your situation with King Darogen first,” said Gerold.
“You will need his foreknowledge and support if Berlagen reacts badly to your
inquiry.”
“And you think he would give it?”
The Baron of Ingerhold shrugged, “That is only for the
King to decide, but I hope so.”
She thought for a moment, what would mother say?
No, what would Rose say? Eventually she replied, “Then I will be guided by
your experience and wisdom.” And if I find that the Earl is hiding something
from me I will take him apart piece by piece until he tells me where my father
is.
***
Since leaving home Moira had been fascinated by the
constant variety she discovered in the aythar of the people around her. In
Castle Cameron and even in Lancaster, almost everyone was shielded by one of
her father’s amulets. She had occasionally encountered unshielded people,
usually children or busy folk who had simply forgotten to put on their pendant,
but since coming to Dunbar she had been surrounded by them.
It was distracting.
She had told her escort the truth, she couldn’t read
their thoughts, but she hardly needed to. As they rode they passed a multitude
of vibrant worlds; a woman carrying water, her back aching and her mind
consumed with worry, probably for her children; a man angry and frustrated,
with what she couldn’t be sure, but it most likely involved his employer; a
child fascinated by a bird flying overhead, even while his stomach complained
of its hunger. A thousand different worlds shouting at her, some bright and
some dour, but all of them
city. You might mention that to His ‘Majesty’ if the negotiations get rough.”
A few minutes later, a carriage pulled up in front of
the Dusty Doxy and Moira stepped out. The Baron’s footman held the door for
her as she climbed in. She didn’t have to turn her head, her magesight
confirmed Gram and Chad’s stares on her back.
Gerold offered her a choice of seats before glancing
out the window, “Your companions don’t seem too pleased with your decision.”
“They’ll be fine,” she assured him, “so long as I
return by nightfall.”
“You won’t stay at the palace?” asked the Baron. “The
King is almost certain to offer hospitality.”
She smiled, “Best not to tempt fate. My friends are
very protective. You don’t want to see what those two are like when they get
cranky. I’ll be polite in my refusal—I’m sure King Darogen will understand.”
Gerold nodded, “You’re right, of course, about the
King I mean.” He put a finger across his lips, while a thoughtful look crossed
his features. “Still, I cannot help but wonder. I have heard many stories
about Sir Dorian, but philosophers generally advise that sons of great men
rarely match their father’s renown. Is the young lad really such a great
warrior?”
“Let us pray that Dunbar never has to learn the truth
of it,” she answered mysteriously. Ooh, that was a good line, she
thought, pleased with herself. Father would be proud.
The Baron let the topic pass, but after a minute he
spoke again, “Before we arrive, there is some news I need to share with you.”
Moira kept her features smooth, doing her best to seem
as poised and polished as she hoped that he perceived her to be. “Do tell.”
“The Earl of Berlagen is currently at the palace
attending the King,” began Gerold. “I had not known that the King summoned
him, but he arrived yester eve, when I met you. This may be a highly
propitious time to uncover the information you seek.”
That surprised her, “Is he staying at the palace?”
“He has a house in the city, and he left his retainers
there, but he stayed at the palace last night,” the Baron informed her.
“Do you think I’ll get a chance to talk to him?”
“It is quite likely, if you wish it, though I would
advise you to discuss your situation with King Darogen first,” said Gerold.
“You will need his foreknowledge and support if Berlagen reacts badly to your
inquiry.”
“And you think he would give it?”
The Baron of Ingerhold shrugged, “That is only for the
King to decide, but I hope so.”
She thought for a moment, what would mother say?
No, what would Rose say? Eventually she replied, “Then I will be guided by
your experience and wisdom.” And if I find that the Earl is hiding something
from me I will take him apart piece by piece until he tells me where my father
is.
***
Since leaving home Moira had been fascinated by the
constant variety she discovered in the aythar of the people around her. In
Castle Cameron and even in Lancaster, almost everyone was shielded by one of
her father’s amulets. She had occasionally encountered unshielded people,
usually children or busy folk who had simply forgotten to put on their pendant,
but since coming to Dunbar she had been surrounded by them.
It was distracting.
She had told her escort the truth, she couldn’t read
their thoughts, but she hardly needed to. As they rode they passed a multitude
of vibrant worlds; a woman carrying water, her back aching and her mind
consumed with worry, probably for her children; a man angry and frustrated,
with what she couldn’t be sure, but it most likely involved his employer; a
child fascinated by a bird flying overhead, even while his stomach complained
of its hunger. A thousand different worlds shouting at her, some bright and
some dour, but all of them
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