King Kelson's Bride by Katherine Kurtz

Author:Katherine Kurtz
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Sagas, Epic, Fiction
ISBN: 9780441008278
Published: 2001-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced.

- Ecclesiasticus 11:6

With no general rehearsal set for the following day, the guests of Torenth were at leisure through the morning. Though Count László was not in evidence, no word had yet come of any change in his fortunes. At the invitation of Liam himself, Kelson and Dhugal and Morgan sampled the delights of the royal baths, deep in the bowels of the palace, seeking refuge from the heat.

In the afternoon, duty required their appearance at yet another state reception for prominent guests arriving daily for the coming killijálay. This one was to receive Prince Centule of Vezaire and the Crown Prince of Jáca, Prince Rotrou, representing two of the Forcinn States. Rotrou had brought his daughter, the Princess Ekaterina, a dark-eyed beauty who caused Dhugal to take sharp notice.

“I wonder why no one sent you her portrait,” he murmured aside to Kelson.

“Just keep your mind on business.”

“I am,” Dhugal replied. “But I can look, can't I?”

As they now knew was customary in the summer heat, the reception was held in the shady tranquillity of one of the tiered gardens, where guests could stroll beside the fountains and ponds and catch the cooling breezes, sampling dainties from the royal kitchens and quaffing chilled wines, all to the accompaniment of harp and lute filtering from a ladies' bower. Kelson had already paid his respects to the new arrivals and to the sovereign Princess of Andelon, a handsome, serene woman whom he believed to be a distant relation of Rothana, though he was reluctant to ask. Before introducing them, Rasoul had told him that the Princess Sofiana was reckoned to be one of the most powerful Deryni in the Forcinn, and had married her children into most of the royal houses of the East.

Indeed, she seemed to be on cordial terms with nearly everyone present. In addition to her husband, a mild-mannered gentleman dressed in the Jacan fashion, with absolutely impenetrable shields, she was accompanied by their younger son and his wife, the latter clearly with child.

“Andelon is a prosperous state,” Count Berrhones told them later, as he brought wine for Kelson and Dhugal, “and Sofiana is both subtle and adroit—her father's daughter, in every respect. He was a very great prince. It is said that she married the Lord Reyhan for love, since he has no wealth to speak of. An elder son will inherit—the Prince Kamil—but Prince Taher is believed to be her favorite. A daughter is consort to the Crown Prince of Nur Hallaj—whose sister, I believe, is known to you.”

Which was the link Kelson had been trying to remember. The Crown Prince of Nur Hallaj was Rothana's brother.

A little later, as the gathering began to disperse, because of the heat of the afternoon, Rasoul came with an offer to escort a leisurely ride-out beyond the city walls, into the cooler refuge of the nearby hills—also an opportunity to escape the press of so much protocol, at least for a few hours. Though the prospect was tempting, Kelson tried to stall.

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