rh.royalassassin-第82章

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p　of　tea　on　a　storm…lashed　tower　top。　I　could　not　fathom　what　she　thought　she　was　about。　The　smile　she　returned　my　anxious　look　was　as　open　and　serene　as　any　I　had　seen。　Taking　Duke　Brawndy's　arm；　she　steered　him　out　of　the　Great　Hall；　while　the　daughters　trailed　behind　with　the　Queen's　ladies。　I　turned　to　Rosemary　and　changed　her　orders。
　　　　　　　〃Go　find　warm　wraps　for　them；　and　catch　up　with　them。　I'll　take　care　of　the　food。〃
　　　　　　　The　child　scampered　merrily　off　while　I　hastened　to　the　kitchen。　I　tersely　informed　Sara　of　our　sudden　need；　and　she　quickly　created　a　platter　of　warmed　pastries　and　hot　mulled　wine　for　me。　〃Take　these　yourself；　and　I'll　send　more　with　a　boy　in　a　bit。〃　I　smiled　to　myself　as　I　took　the　tray　and　hurried　off　toward　the　Queen's　Gardens。　The　Queen　herself　might　refer　to　me　as　Lord　FitzChivalry；　but　Sara　the　cook　would　never　think　twice　of　ordering　me　off　with　a　tray　of　food。　It　was　oddly　forting。
　　　　　　　I　took　the　stairs　as　quickly　as　I　could；　then　paused　to　breathe　at　the　top　landing。　I　braced　myself　for　the　rain　and　wind；　and　pushed　the　door　open。　The　tower　top　was　as　miserable　as　I　had　expected　it　to　be。　The　Queen's　ladies　and　Brawndy's　daughters　and　Shells　were　huddled　in　a　bit　of　shelter　offered　by　two　adjoining　walls　and　a　stretch　of　canvas　that　had　been　set　up　as　a　shady　spot　last　summer。　It　broke　most　of　the　wind；　and　diverted　a　great　deal　of　the　freezing　rain　as　well。　There　was　a　small　table　within　its　pathetic　shelter　and　here　I　set　the　tray　of　warm　food。　Rosemary；　snugly　bundled；　smiled　smugly　as　she　snitched　a　pastry　from　the　edge　of　the　tray。　Lady　Modesty　presided　over　serving　the　food。
　　　　　　　As　quickly　as　I　could；　I　secured　mugs　of　warmed　wine　for　the　Queen　and　Duke　Brawndy　and；　on　pretext　of　serving　them；　joined　them。　They　were　at　the　very　edge　of　the　parapet；　looking　out　over　the　crenated　wall　at　the　open　sea　below。　The　wind　had　lashed　it　to　white　froth；　and　was　flinging　seagulls　about　with　a　fine　disregard　for　the　birds'　attempts　to　fly。　As　I　approached　I　could　see　they　were　speaking　softly；　but　the　roar　of　the　wind　frustrated　my　attempt　to　eavesdrop。　I　wished　I　had　thought　to　get　a　cloak　for　myself。　I　was　soaked　through　almost　instantly　and　the　wind　blew　off　what　heat　my　body　generated　by　shivering。　I　tried　to　smile　past　my　chattering　teeth　as　I　presented　them　with　the　wine。
　　　　　　　〃Lord　FitzChivalry　is　known　to　you？〃　she　asked　Brawndy　as　they　took　the　wine　from　me。
　　　　　　　〃Indeed；　I　have　had　the　pleasure　of　having　him　at　my　own　table；〃　Brawndy　assured　her。　Rain　dripped　off　his　bushy　eyebrows　while　the　wind　had　set　his　warrior's　tail　to　flapping。
　　　　　　　〃You　would　not　mind；　then；　if　I　asked　him　to　join　us　in　our　conversation？〃　Despite　the　rain　that　soaked　her；　the　Queen　spoke　calmly；　as　if　we　basked　in　spring　sunshine。
　　　　　　　I　wondered　if　Kettricken　knew　that　Brawndy　would　see　her　request　as　a　veiled　mand。
　　　　　　　〃I　would　wele　his　counsels；　if　you　consider　he　has　wisdom　to　offer；　my　queen；〃　Brawndy　acquiesced。
　　　　　　　〃I　had　hoped　you　would。　FitzChivalry。　Fetch　yourself　some　wine；　and　rejoin　us　here；　please。〃
　　　　　　　〃As　my　queen　wishes。〃　I　bowed　low　and　hurried　off　to　obey。　My　contact　with　Verity　had　grown　more　tenuous　with　each　passing　day　that　he　journeyed　farther　away；　but　at　that　moment　I　could　sense　his　nudging；　eager　curiosity。　I　hastened　back　to　my　queen's　side。
　　　　　　　〃There　is　no　undoing　what　has　been　done；〃　the　Queen　was　saying　as　I　returned　to　them。　〃I　grieve　that　we　were　not　able　to　protect　our　folk。　Yet　if　I　cannot　undo　what　the　Raiders　from　the　sea　have　done　already；　at　least；　perhaps；　I　can　help　to　shelter　them　from　the　storms　to　e。　This；　I　bid　you　take　them；　from　their　queen's　hand　and　heart。〃
　　　　　　　I　noticed　in　passing　that　she　made　no　mention　of　King　Shrewd's　evident　refusal　to　act。　I　watched　her。　She　moved　leisurely　and　purposefully　at　once。　The　loose　white　sleeve　that　she　drew　back　from　her　arm　was　already　dripping　with　cold　rain。　She　ignored　it　as　she　bared　her　pale　arm；　to　reveal　a　snaking　of　gold　wire　up　her　arm；　with　the　dark　opals　of　her　Mountains　caught　here　and　there　in　its　web。　I　had　seen　the　dark　flash　of　Mountain　opals　before；　but　never　ones　of　this　size。　Yet　she　held　out　her　arm　for　me　to　unfasten　the　catch；　and　with　no　hesitation　at　all；　she　unwound　the　treasure　from　her　arm。　From　her　other　sleeve；　she　drew　a　small　velvet　bag。　I　held　its　mouth　open　as　she　slid　the　bracelets　into　it。　She　smiled　warmly　at　Duke　Brawndy　as　she　pressed　it　into　his　hand。　〃From　your　king…in…waiting　Verity　and　me；〃　she　said　quietly。　I　barely　resisted　Verity's　impulse　in　me　to　fling　himself　on　his　knees　at　the　feet　of　this　woman　and　declare　her　far　too　royal　for　his　insignificant　love。　Brawndy　was　left　stuttering　his　amazed　thanks　and　vowing　to　her　that　not　a　penny　of　its　worth　would　go　to　waste。　Stout　houses　would　rise　once　more　in　Ferry；　and　the　folk　there　would　bless　the　Queen　for　the　warmth　of　them。
　　　　　　　I　suddenly　saw　the　reason　for　the　Queen's　Garden　as　a　site。　This　was　a　Queen's　gift；　not　contingent　on　anything　Shrewd　or　Regal　might　have　to　say。　Kettricken's　choice　of　place；　and　her　manner　of　presenting　it　to　Brawndy；　made　that　clear　to　him。　She　did　not　tell　him　to　keep　it　secret；　she　did　not　need　to。
　　　　　　　I　thought　of　the　emeralds　hidden　in　a　corner　of　my　clothes　chest；　but　within　me　Verity　was　quiet。　I　made　no　move　to　get　them。　I　hoped　to　see　Verity　himself　fasten　them　about　his　queen's　neck　one　day。　Nor　did　I　wish　to　lessen　the　significance　of　her　gift　to　Brawndy　by　adding　another　from　a　bastard。　For　that　was　how　I　would　have　had　to　present　it。　No；　I　decided。　Let　the　Queen's　gift　and　her　presentation　of　it　stand　alone　in　his　memory。
　　　　　　　Brawndy　turned　from　his　queen　to　consider　me。　〃My　queen；　you　seem　to　hold　this　young　man　in　considerable　esteem；　to　make　him　privy　to　your　counsels。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　do；〃　Kettricken　replied　gravely。　〃He　has　never　betrayed　my　trust　in　him。〃
　　　　　　　Brawndy　nodded；　as　if　confirming　something　to　himself。　He　permitted　himself　a　small　smile。　〃My　youngest　daughter；　Celerity；　was　somewhat　troubled　by　a　missive　from　Lord　FitzChivalry。　Especially　as　her　older　sisters　had　opened　it　for　her；　and　found　much　there　to　tease　her　with。　But　when　she　brought　her　misgivings　to　me；　I　told　her　that　it　is　a　rare　man　who　so　candidly　admits　to　what　might　be　seen　as　shortings。　Only　a　braggart　would　claim　to　go　fearless　into　battle。　Nor　would　I　wish　to　give　my　trust　to　a　man　who　could　kill　and　not　feel　heart…lost　afterward。　As　to　your　physical　health〃…he　clapped　me　suddenly　on　the　shoulder…〃I　would　say　a　summer　of　pulling　oars　and　wielding　an　ax　had　done　you　good。〃　His　hawk's　eyes　pierced　mine。　〃I　have　not　changed　my　assessment　of　you；　FitzChivalry。　Nor　has　Celerity。　I　wish　you　to　be　sure　of　that。〃
　　　　　　　I　said　the　words　I　knew　I　must。　〃Thank　you；　sir。〃
　　　　　　　He　turned　to　look　over　his　shoulder。　I　followed　his　gaze　through　the　blowing　rain　to　where　Celerity　gazed　at　us。　Her　father　gave　her　a　tiny　nod；　and　her　smile　broke　like　the　sun　from　behind　a　cloud。　Faith；　watching　her；　said　something；　and　Celerity　turned　blushing　to　give　her　sister　a　push。　My　guts　turned　to　ice　when　Brawndy　told　me；　〃You　may　bid　my　daughter　farewell；　if　you　wish。〃
　　　　　　　There　were　few　things　I　wished　less　to　do。　But　I　would　not　undo　what　Kettricken　had　so　laboriously　wrought。　I　could　not。　So　I　bowed　and　excused　myself；　and　forced　myself　to　cross　the　rain…pelted　garden　to　present　myself　to　Celerity。　Faith　and　Shells　immediately　withdrew　to　a　not…quite…discreet　distance　to　watch　us。
　　　　　　　I　bowed　to　her　with　absolute　correctness。　〃Lady　Celerity；　I　must　thank　you　again　for　the　scroll　you　sent　me；〃　I　said　awkwardly。　My　heart　was　pounding。　As　was　hers；　I　am　sure；　for　a　pletely　different　reason。
　　　　　　　She　smiled　at　me　through　the　falling　rain。　〃I　was　glad　to　send　it；　and　gladder　of　your　reply。　My　father　explained　it　to　me。　I　hope　you　do　not　take　it　amiss　that　I　showed　it　to　him。　I　did　not　understand　why　you　would　belittle　yourself　so。　He　said；　‘The　man　who　must　brag　for　himself　knows　that　no　one　else　will。'　Then　he　told　me　there　is　no　better　way　to　learn　the　sea　than　at　the　oar　of　a　boat。　And　that；　in　his　younger　years；　the　ax　was　always　his　weapon；　too。　He　has　promised　my　sisters　and　me　a　dory　of　our　own；　next　summer；　that　we　can　take　out　on　the　sea　on　fine　days　。。。。〃　She　faltered　suddenly。　〃I　chatter；　do　I　not？〃
　　　　　　　〃Not　at　all；　my　lady；〃　I　assured　her　quietly。　I　much　preferred　that　she　do　the　talking。
　　　　　　　〃My　lady；〃　she　repeated　softly；　and　then　blushed　as　furiously　as　if　I　had　kissed　her　right　there。
　　　　　　　I　looked　aside　from　her；　only　to　find　Faith's　wide　eyes　on　us；　her　mouth　an　O　of　scandalized　delight。　Imagining　what　she　imagined　I　had　said　to　her　sister　brought　the　color　and　heat　to　my　face　as　well。　As　I　went　scarlet　she　and　Shells　burst　out　giggling。
　　　　　　　It　seemed　an　eternity　before　we　left　the　storm…battered　Queen's　Garden。　Our　guests　sought　their　rooms；　both　to　change　from　sodden　clothing　and　to　prepare　for　their　journey。　I　did　likewise；　dressing　hastily　lest　I　miss　anything　of　their　departure。　I　was　at　the　outer　courtyard　to　see　Brawndy　and　his　guard　mount。　So　was　Queen　Kettricken；　in　her　now　familiar　purple　and　white；　and　her　honor　guard　had　been　turned　out　as　well。　She　stood　beside　Brawndy's　horse　to　bid　him　farewell；　and　before　he　mounted；　he　went　down　on　one　knee　and　kissed　her　hand。　Some　brief　words　were　spoken；　I　know　not　what；　but　the　Queen　smiled　as　the　winds　lashed　her　hair　about　her　face。　Brawndy　and　his　troops　set　off　into　the　teeth　of　the　storm。　There　was　anger　yet　in　the　set　of　Brawndy's　shoulders；　but　his　obeisance　to　the　Queen　showed　me　that　as　of　yet　not　all　was　lost。
　　　　　　　Celerity　and　Faith　both　looked　back　to　me　as　they　rode　off；　and　Celerity　dared　to　lift　a　hand　in　farewell。　I　returned　the　gesture。　I　stood　watching　them　go；　chilled　by　more　than　the　rain。　I　had　supported　Verity　and　Kettricken　this　day；　but　at　what　cost　to　myself？　What　was　I　doing　to　Celerity？　Was　Molly；　perhaps；　right　about　all　this？
　　　　　　　Later　that　evening；　I　went　to　pay　my　respects　to　my　king。　He　had　not　summoned　me。　I　did　not　intend　to　discuss　Celerity　with　him。　I　went；　wondering　if　Verity　willed　it　in　me　or　if　it　was　my　own　heart　cautioning　me　not　to　abandon　him。　Wallace　grudgingly　admitted　me；　with　a　stern　warning　that　the　King　was　still　not　feeling　pletely　himself；　and　I　must　not　weary　him。
　　　　　　　King　Shrewd　was　sitting　up　before　his　fireplace。　The　air　of　the　room　was　cloying　with　Smoke。　The　Fool；　his　face　still　an　interesting　landscape　of　purples　and　blues；　sat　at　the　King's　feet。　He　had　the　good　fortune　to　be　below　the　most　pungent　level　of　the　haze。　I　had　no　such　luck　as　I　took　the　low　backless　stool　that　Wallace　so　thoughtfully　provided　for　me。
　　　　　　　A　few　moments　after　I　had　presented　myself　and　sat　down；　the　King　turned　to　me。　He　regarded　me　blearily　for　a　few　moments　as　his　head　swayed　on　his　neck。　〃Ah；　Fitz；〃　the　King　greeted　me　belatedly。　〃How　have　your　lessons　been？　Is　Master　Fedwren　pleased　with　your　progress？〃
　　　　　　　I　glanced　at　the　Fool；　who　did　not　meet　my　eyes；　but　poked　morosely　at　the　fire。
　　　　　　　〃Yes；〃　I　said　quietly。　〃He　has　said　my　lettering　is　good。〃
　　　　　　　〃That's　fine。　A　clear　hand　is　a　thing　any　man　may　be　proud　of。　And　what　of　ou