(Untitled)
The column stretches on for several miles, undulating across the rounded hills on the east coast of Laka Sama. There are Church Knights, Atans, Kring's Peloi, and a few ornately garbed regiments of the Tamul army present, along with a few more attaches from Ehlana's court. It is, not surprisingly, a beautiful day in autumn, with a stiff wind ( Read more... )
Comments 93
"We want to be certain that Zalasta's spies see us, your Majesty," Vanion tells her. "That's a very important part of our plan."
"Elene battles are very large," she observes.
"We'd prefer smaller ones, Atana, but Zalasta's schemes stretch across the whole continent, so we have to respond."
"Zalasta's been flexing his muscles," Martel drawls, "Lord Vanion requires that we flex ours back."
Sephrenia, with Flute riding in front of her, rides forward with Xanetia. They've all been watching the tentative friendship growing between the two women - both still very cautious now, and there'd been no great leaps ahead. The tenuousness comes more from an excess of concern about inadvertently offending one another, rather than defensiveness - a profound change for the better.
"We grew tired of all the stories," Sephrenia informs Vanion. "I can't be sure which is the bigger liar, Tynian or Ulath."
Reply
"Oh?" Vanion asks.
Maryani murmurs: "I'd bet on Ulath."
"They're trying to outdo each other," Sephrenia explains, "Ulath's exaggerating outrageously, and I'm sure Tynian is doing the same. Each of them is doing his level best to persuade the other that he missed the adventure of the century."
"It's a demonstration of a form of affection, little mother," Sparhawk tells her, "They'd be too embarrassed to admit that they're genuinely fond of one another, so they tell each other wild stories instead."
"Did you understand that, Xanetia?" Sephrenia smiles.
"What reasonable person can ever understand how and why men express their love, sister."
"Men aren't really comfortable with the word love," Sparhawk says, "Particularly when it's applied to other men."
"You know," Maryani says, brightly, "I've noticed that, myself."
Reply
"It is love, though, isn't it, Sparhawk?" Sephrenia asks, mildly, with an amused look for Maryani.
"Well, I suppose it is, but we're not comfortable with it all the same."
"Oh, I see - what do you think, Martel?"
Martel gives them all a flat look and refrains from commenting.
"I have meant to speak with thee, Anarae," Betuana interrupts smoothly, lapsing perhaps without intent into archaic Tamul.
"Gladly will I hear thy words, Queen of Atan."
"It hath been the wont of youthful Atans to seek Delphaeus, having it in their minds to destroy thy home and to put thy people to the sword. I am heartily sorry that I have permitted this."
Reply
Xanetia smiles. "It is of no moment, Queen of Atan. This is but an excess of adolescent enthusiasm. I must freely confess that our fledglings do entertain themselves by deceiving and distracting thine, leading them away from their intended goal by rudimentary enchantments and clumsy deceptions. It cometh to me all unhidden that we are both relieved of the obligation to entertain our children, who, by virtue of their youth, inexperience, and profound inability to divert themselves, do continually complain that there is nothing for them to do--at least nothing worthy of what they perceive to be their enormous gifts."
Betuana laughs. "Do thy children have that selfsame plaint, Anarae?"
"All children complain," Sephrenia assures them, "It's one of the things that makes parents age so fast."
"Well said," Sparhawk agrees.
"I don't know," Maryani says, thoughtfully, "My eldest has always been awfully well-behaved."
To make up for her mother, no doubt.
Reply
Leave a comment