The Stolen Bride by Tony Hays

Author:Tony Hays
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Sulien leaped to his feet, placing his nose only inches from David’s.

Lord David stumbled back two steps, grasping the hilt of his sword. “You dare attack a lord of the consilium?”

Sulien smiled. “No, my lord. My beaker is empty, and I am simply going for another. My apologies for frightening you.” With that, he moved past, nodding and winking at me, and headed to the wine merchant.

David released his sword and straightened his tunic. “You should put that one on a leash, Malgwyn,” he advised, sitting down.

“Why? Because he is thirsty?”

“Such thirst may get him killed someday.”

“Are you here to threaten or talk?”

David chuckled. “We have no secrets between us, Malgwyn. Who is she?” He nodded toward Daron.

“My servus.”

“I have never known you to hold servi.”

“Time and people change.”

He shrugged. “As you like. But she is a pretty one.”

“Your business?”

“I no more desire to cross swords with Arthur than he does with me. It profits no one but the ravens.”

“Good, Arthur will be pleased to hear that you plan to withdraw your challenge.”

David shook his head. “Malgwyn, Malgwyn. You never cease to amaze me. You know that is not what I intend. These lands need a firm hand. Doged was a good man, but in his last years he ruled by virtue of his kind nature. People see that as a weakness. It was only a matter of time before Druce toppled him.”

“Or Cilydd.”

“Bah,” David spat. “Cilydd lacks certainty. He is too cautious and would talk instead of act.” He paused. “I will speak plainly.”

“Please.”

“If Arthur will agree to support Druce’s claim, then no one will ever know of this dispute. The consilium will appear as one. Druce will become a lord of the consilium, and we will continue to profit from these lands.”

No one would know until David sent his agents abroad to whisper it on the wind. He did not fool me. David would use any opportunity to undercut Arthur. But the neutral side of my nature, the one that looked at things from a distance, saw that his proposal had merits.

“You know that Druce killed one of Arthur’s men?”

David flicked his wool-wrapped hand as if he were swatting away a fly. “Youthful enthusiasm. Besides, you repaid him by killing his nephew. Arthur should consider that debt closed.”

“I will take your proposal to the Rigotamos, but I can nearly guarantee that he will reject it. He sees the law and justice on Ysbail’s side.”

“Or,” David taunted me, “does he just fear Ysbadden that much?”

“Have it as you will. But I will explain your offer to Arthur.”

David stood then. He stared down at me for a long, long second. “You and I have unfinished business, Malgwyn.”

“We do,” I agreed pleasantly.

“Do not try to resolve it in the days ahead.”

“Nor should you.”

With a quick nod, he was gone.

“Do you always talk so openly?” Daron asked, her blue eyes studying me.

“You are a servus. People always talk openly in front of servi. Though I agree with you that it is a bad habit.

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