Christopher Stasheff - Rogue Wizard 03 by A Wizard In War

Author:A Wizard In War [War, A Wizard In]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Really, most excellently done!” Androv stepped up, shooing the girls away, and clapped Gar on the shoulder. “It was a stroke of genius to have Axel lead the peasants! Did you hear how that audience cheered them? How did you know they would?”

“Why, I didn’t know, of course,” Gar replied, “but I’ve learned that no one likes to see anything so much as himself-if that self is disguised a bit.”

Androv nodded slowly, interest kindling in his eye. “Are you sure you’ve never acted before?”

“Not on a stage, no.” Gar was still grinning. “And I beg you, don’t make me do it again-at least not in any part that has lines.”

“Give the man a stoup of ale!” Androv cried, and steered him toward his clothing. “Come, pull on your garments, and let us tell you of the next work we have in mind for you. No, not on the stage, don’t worry; the Imaginary Invalid has no part for a giant.”

“I should think not!” Gar laughed, and the two of them were off to chat as Gar pulled his clothes back on. Disappointed, Dicea stepped over to Dirk, batting her eyelashes. “Shall you be a player, too, sir?”

Coll wondered when his sister was going to make up her mind-and whether or not it would do her any good. “Only in the right game,” Dirk said, grinning, “and for the right stakes.”

“Oh? And what stakes are those, sir?” she said with a saucy smile, stepping a little closer.

Dirk abruptly sobered. “Peace, and the end of all these wars the noblemen wage. Freedom would be a nice added fillip, but I’ll settle for one thing at a time.”

Dicea stared, taken aback by the enormity of it. Then she recovered, gave him a look of mock exasperation, and said, “You can become so stuffy so easily, Sir Dirk!”

“Indeed,” Ciare said, stepping up to Coll’s side. “Can you be playful, sir, even though your master is not?”

Dicea flashed her a look of annoyance, but Coll favored her with a long look and an intent smile. Her eyes met his directly, and he felt as though some force was speeding from her into himself, making his whole body thrum like a fiddle string. “What game did you have in mind?”

“Ducks and drakes,” Ciare answered, just as Dicea said, “Roundelays,” and they were off into a three-way contest that featured hidden meanings and not-so-subtle innuendos. Coll found himself wondering whether he was really a player-or only a referee.

The next day, Elspeth and Duse vied for the honor of showing Gar his duties when he wasn’t acting; diplomatically, he stated that he needed both points of view and strolled about the innyard with one on each arm. Ciare stayed out of that competition, only guiding Coll to show him his duties. Of course, Gar really didn’t need a halfhour’s tour and explanation of how to hold the horses of the gentry while they watched the play, and Coll certainly didn’t need anywhere near an hour’s coaching on how to roll a rock across a sheet of iron to mimic the sound of thunder.

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