THE by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Author:Marion Zimmer Bradley [Bradley, Marion Zimmer]
Language: por
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

"There were always wandering entertainers, Marguerida, but it wasn't until about

fifteen or twenty years ago that there were very many of them. I heard that Master

Everard's son Erald spends some time with them, and that is the real reason he won't

become Guildmaster when Everard dies. They say he writes songs that mock the

Comyn."

"I knew from Master Everard that he had written something that was banned, but not

the reason." She looked at the wagons again, her scholarly curiosity aroused, and

regretted that she would never again have the liberty to pursue her interests.

The other Guardsman, Helgar, a dour man of few words, added, "These players have

no respect for anyone—they make fun of one and all. Even-handed of them, to be sure."

Remy grinned at his companions. "And one of their favorite targets is the

Renunciates, which is why Mestra Rafaella does not really want to talk about them."

"Do they ever cause trouble—get people angry or anything?" Margaret had read

about riots on a few planets which had been provoked by things as seemingly harmless

as a song.

Rafaella shook her head, puzzled. "No. But their songs and japes do make the

marketplaces buzz a bit."

As they rode down a narrow street. Margaret could see the roof of the castle rising

above the rest of the city, and her heart felt lighter. Soon she would see her father and

Mikhail, and she would be glad of that. And Ida Davidson, too. What would Ida make of

Darkover?

When they entered the stableyard half an hour later, they found a large carriage

blocking the way. It had six horses pulling it, and was heaped with boxes and cases on

the top, so that it looked very unbalanced. Swarms of grooms and servants surrounded

the carriage, shouting and getting in each other's way. It was organized chaos, but no

one appeared to mind. In fact, Margaret decided, they seemed to be actively enjoying it.

Margaret was too happy to be within reach of her goal to be annoyed by this delay.

She leaned back in her saddle, stretched her spine against it, and lifted her arms above

her head. She felt the bones shift and move back into place all along her spine, with a

165

few satisfying little pops.

As she lowered her arms, something struck her on the shoulder, nearly unseating her.

As she regained her balance, Margaret was aware of something clutching her left

shoulder, and she turned abruptly.

Red eyes and a fearsome beak confronted her, so close she could see the fine black

feathers that began at the bill and ascended along a handsome head. It cawed softly, as

if trying to tell her not to be afraid, while Dorilys snorted and stamped.

Margaret drew a sharp breath in the chilly air, and smel ed an oily, fishy scent which

brought a flood of images, of warm seas on Thetis, and a wind that was never cold.

"Good day, my pretty," she said quietly. She had seen such birds on Thetis, and she

found she was not afraid, just cautious.

So this was Mik's crow. Handsome fellow. It shifted from claw to claw, fluttering a little.

At last she extended her left arm, and it scooted down until it perched on her wrist.

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