Read Online The Secular Wizard - Wis in Rhyme - 4 by Christopher Stasheff - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Christopher Stasheff
Tags: Fiction, General, Science-Fiction, Fantasy fiction, Fiction - Fantasy, Fantasy, Epic, Fantasy - General, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy - Series, Wizards
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I believe you are more skilled with the blade than any of them."
"That may be true," Boncorro said frankly, "but I shall have no chance to put it to the test-for kings do not duel with swords."
"Noblemen do not challenge kings," Rebozo returned.
"Is this not reason enough for you to do as you please?"
"No, Rebozo, for though noblemen may not challenge kings, they may rise up against them," Boncorro said.
"Surely no lord would dare!"
"No one lord, perhaps," the king agreed, "but they might very well band together in twos or threes or tens, if all felt they had grievances against me that could not be answered in open court-grievances such as the seduction of a wife or daughter, or even of a sister or true love. Then would I have a civil war on my hands and watch my plans come to naught as battles ravaged the countryside and destroyed the prosperity that I labor so hard to achieve. That is why I must not seek the la-vors of this luscious young countess, or of any other woman of station." "Surely a knight's leman would be fair game for you, Majesty, for no knight could stand against the might of a king!"
"No, but his lord might ... What? " A servant had come up behind his chair and murmured in his ear.
The king nodded, satisfied, and the man bowed and went away.
"When and where?" asked the chancellor.
"Tomorrow at dawn," said Boncorro, "in the Summer Park, by the Royal Pavilion."
"More entertainment for your court," Rebozo mused. "How considerate of these two young men!"
"Yes, and if I have learned of their duel, it will not be long before word has spread to every man in this room, and not much longer be-fore it has been heard by every woman. There are trees and hedges in plenty about the pavilion, and I doubt not each one will be hiding its dozen of secret witnesses tomorrow morning."
"Every man of your court," the chancellor agreed.
"Well, two out of three, at least-the third will be still dead drunk, or too lazy to rise. There will be quite a few of the ladies, too, I doubt not-the Contessa of Corvo first among them, though she will pre-tend she is incognito in her cloak and mask.
Entertainment indeed, Rebozo-and those who do not watch in person will listen avidly to the reports. It will keep my court busy for another tedious day, and preserve them from mischief for three more as they review the details of the duel and the merits of the argument."
"Sound policy, your Majesty," Rebozo agreed.
"It is," the king mused, "so long as I do not become embroiled in such disputes myself. No, Rebozo-I must forbear the tour, and con-tent myself with the view."
"Yes, I see." Rebozo shook his head sadly. "If a dalliance with a highborn lady did not lead to a battle with her father, it would be sure to bring a confrontation with her husband-or even with an alliance of noblemen who considered their honor impugned.
Yes, Majesty, you are wise, though it must cost you dearly." Boncorro nodded. "No matter the number of aristocratic beauties who parade their charms before me, wearing their d6colletages as low as convention and natural philosophy permit-I must not touch them."
"Poor lad," Rebozo sighed. "Still, though you may not touch, you may look."
Boncorro did his eye gleaming as his gaze caressed the beauties of his court. "There is no harm in that, and no cause for offense, if I do not let my enjoyment show too keenly."
But the desire it raises, Majesty," Rebozo murmured, "surely that must be released."
"That is the task of my luscious serving girls, Rebozo. If my foster brothers taught me nothing else, they taught me that." They had taught him quite a bit more, Rebozo knew-but as far as he was concerned, not enough, or not deeply enough. He felt a moment's burning anger at the country lord and his boys. Because of them, Bon-corro would waste his youth on good governance!
Boncorro did not notice, but went On explaining. "Later, my doxies
will satisfy the lust my ladies raise now. For the moment, though, the illusion
"That may be true," Boncorro said frankly, "but I shall have no chance to put it to the test-for kings do not duel with swords."
"Noblemen do not challenge kings," Rebozo returned.
"Is this not reason enough for you to do as you please?"
"No, Rebozo, for though noblemen may not challenge kings, they may rise up against them," Boncorro said.
"Surely no lord would dare!"
"No one lord, perhaps," the king agreed, "but they might very well band together in twos or threes or tens, if all felt they had grievances against me that could not be answered in open court-grievances such as the seduction of a wife or daughter, or even of a sister or true love. Then would I have a civil war on my hands and watch my plans come to naught as battles ravaged the countryside and destroyed the prosperity that I labor so hard to achieve. That is why I must not seek the la-vors of this luscious young countess, or of any other woman of station." "Surely a knight's leman would be fair game for you, Majesty, for no knight could stand against the might of a king!"
"No, but his lord might ... What? " A servant had come up behind his chair and murmured in his ear.
The king nodded, satisfied, and the man bowed and went away.
"When and where?" asked the chancellor.
"Tomorrow at dawn," said Boncorro, "in the Summer Park, by the Royal Pavilion."
"More entertainment for your court," Rebozo mused. "How considerate of these two young men!"
"Yes, and if I have learned of their duel, it will not be long before word has spread to every man in this room, and not much longer be-fore it has been heard by every woman. There are trees and hedges in plenty about the pavilion, and I doubt not each one will be hiding its dozen of secret witnesses tomorrow morning."
"Every man of your court," the chancellor agreed.
"Well, two out of three, at least-the third will be still dead drunk, or too lazy to rise. There will be quite a few of the ladies, too, I doubt not-the Contessa of Corvo first among them, though she will pre-tend she is incognito in her cloak and mask.
Entertainment indeed, Rebozo-and those who do not watch in person will listen avidly to the reports. It will keep my court busy for another tedious day, and preserve them from mischief for three more as they review the details of the duel and the merits of the argument."
"Sound policy, your Majesty," Rebozo agreed.
"It is," the king mused, "so long as I do not become embroiled in such disputes myself. No, Rebozo-I must forbear the tour, and con-tent myself with the view."
"Yes, I see." Rebozo shook his head sadly. "If a dalliance with a highborn lady did not lead to a battle with her father, it would be sure to bring a confrontation with her husband-or even with an alliance of noblemen who considered their honor impugned.
Yes, Majesty, you are wise, though it must cost you dearly." Boncorro nodded. "No matter the number of aristocratic beauties who parade their charms before me, wearing their d6colletages as low as convention and natural philosophy permit-I must not touch them."
"Poor lad," Rebozo sighed. "Still, though you may not touch, you may look."
Boncorro did his eye gleaming as his gaze caressed the beauties of his court. "There is no harm in that, and no cause for offense, if I do not let my enjoyment show too keenly."
But the desire it raises, Majesty," Rebozo murmured, "surely that must be released."
"That is the task of my luscious serving girls, Rebozo. If my foster brothers taught me nothing else, they taught me that." They had taught him quite a bit more, Rebozo knew-but as far as he was concerned, not enough, or not deeply enough. He felt a moment's burning anger at the country lord and his boys. Because of them, Bon-corro would waste his youth on good governance!
Boncorro did not notice, but went On explaining. "Later, my doxies
will satisfy the lust my ladies raise now. For the moment, though, the illusion
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