Love and War (DragonLance Tales Volume 3) by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (editors)

Author:Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (editors) [Weis, Margaret & Hickman, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780140106961
Amazon: 0140106960
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 1988-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

Sturm, Lady Ilys, and Carin were taken to an airy suite

of rooms on the east side of the palace. There, amid

billowing sheets of gauze, the smell of incense, and the

ever-present tinkling of wind chimes, bowls of scented

water were brought for their bathing. Vested servants stood

by with towels, even presuming to pat dry the Solamnians'

faces and hands for them. "What odd people they are," said

Carin. "That Mukhari Ras is the oddest of them all. Who

could imagine a quacksalving alchemist as the ruler of an

island? It's - it's contrary to nature, that's what it is," said

Lady Ilys.

"Mother, what will become of us?" Sturm said once the

towel was taken away from his face.

"I cannot guess," she confessed. "A man who throws

gold in the street cannot desire ransom money. In truth,

were it not for the violence of our being brought here, I

would believe we were honored guests."

Sturm was uneasy. Why had no one else noticed that

Mukhari's gold was only sand? He opened his mouth to

mention it to his mother, but before he could say a word,

Artavash appeared at their door.

"The table of my master is laden. Let us eat," she said.

Dinner in the palace was a major event, presented in an

elaborate style. Sturm enjoyed sitting on the floor at the low

table, though Lady Ilys provoked a minor crisis by insisting

that a proper chair be provided for her. It was not decent,

she said, for a well-born lady to squat on her haunches like

the family wolfhound.

As the diners - including Sir Radiz, Artavash, and Soren

- were busy hacking open their first course of melon, Lady

Ilys said, "Lord Mukhari, may I ask how you came to rule

this country? Your servant," she gestured to Artavash,

"admits not being native to Kernaf."

The alchemist, who sat by a plate heaped with fruit,

replied, "I was marooned on the south coast of Kernaf by

men of my own land."

"What land is that?" asked Sturm.

"Moranoco, or as you call it, the Plains of Dust."

"You were exiled then?" said Lady Ilys. Without

looking, she handed a napkin to Sturm. The boy blotted

melon juice from his chin.

"Indeed, lady; as you are now, so was I once a hard-

pressed refugee. By my skill in the Art, I won the loyalty

and affection of the people of Kernaf. I know the straits you

are in, which is why I make you welcome."

"Your servants have not always been so kind," Soren

said, giving Artavash a caustic glance. The warrior woman

plunged a blunt table knife into her melon and split the fruit

in two.

"Ah, well! It has been explained to me that your ship

refused the SEA RAVEN'S summons and resisted with blood

when boarded. Is it surprising that my good Artavash

resorted to stern measures to bring you here? If murder and

plunder were our aims, you would not be dining with us

now," Mukhari said.

Carin looked confused. Lady Ilys said, "Why do your

ships stop free traders on the open sea?"

"Tribute is necessary for the maintenance of Kernaf's

position," said Artavash. She popped a sliver of melon in

her mouth. Sturm watched her every move with fascination.

There was silence around the table for a moment.

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