(eng) Patricia C. Wrede - Lyra 03 by Harp of Imach Thyssel

Author:Harp of Imach Thyssel [Thyssel, Harp of Imach]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

IN SPITE OF THE Duke’s absence, Emereck’s restlessness continued. He was up at dawn the following morning. He joined a startled guard on the sentry-walk atop the castle wall and paced the perimeter of the grounds twice, then wandered through the stables, chatting with the grooms.

As he left the stables, he saw Flindaran and Liana standing near the center of the courtyard, deep in conversation. He was about to pass by, when Flindaran looked up and saw him. “Emereck!” Flindaran called, waving him over. “Come here a minute.”

Emereck walked over. “Good morning, minstrel,” Liana said as he joined them, and she smiled warmly. It occurred to him that she seemed always welcoming, always at peace, and that this was one of the things he liked about her.

“Good morning, lady,” Emereck replied. “And to you, Flindaran. But what are you doing up so early?”

Flindaran raised an eyebrow. “I don’t always sleep until noon.”

“Of course not,” Liana said before Emereck could reply. “I’ve seen you up before the sun cleared the walls at least three or four times in my life.”

“Are you quite sure you aren’t exaggerating?” Emereck asked her.

Liana’s eyes danced. “Well, perhaps it was only once or twice, now that I think of it.”

“Demons take it, don’t encourage her, Emereck!” Flindaran said. “I have enough trouble with her as it is!”

“You take yourself much too seriously,” Liana told him.

“And you don’t take me seriously enough. How am I supposed to explain to Gendron? And what do you expect me to tell Father when he gets back?”

“I don’t expect you to explain anything. There’s no need for it.”

“Lee, have you ever tried not answering one of Father’s questions? I’ll have to tell him something!”

“No, you won’t,” Liana said with unruffled calm. “If he asks, which he won’t, I’ll be the one who tells him what happened.”

“Far be it from me to interrupt such a promising argument,” Emereck put in, “but I think it would be easier to appreciate if one of you would explain.”

Liana turned toward him. “I have some errands to run in the village, that’s all.”

“It sounds like a pleasant way to spend a morning,” Emereck said cautiously.

“It’s Hesta’s job,” Flindaran said, frowning.

“Things have changed while you were in Ciaron,” Liana said gently. “Hesta is getting old, and it’s a long walk. I’ve been doing it for months now.”

“This early in the morning?”

“It won’t be early by the time I get there. The market opens at dawn, and the shopkeepers don’t wait much past it.”

“Well, you can’t go alone. I don’t believe Father would allow it.”

“Father isn’t here. And Minathlan is not Ciaron; the village is quite safe.”

“I don’t care,” Flindaran said stubbornly. “You can’t go unescorted. It isn’t—it isn’t proper.”

Liana looked at him mischievously. “Neither am I. Besides, Hesta never took anyone with her.”

“Hesta isn’t my sister.”

“Half-sister, Flindaran. There’s a difference.”

“You’re still my sister, and you’re still the Duke’s daughter. And I know how Talerith—”

“Talerith enjoys having guards and waiting-women around. I just feel silly.”

“That has nothing to do with it!” Flindaran ran a hand through his hair in exasperation and looked at Emereck.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.