(eng) Patricia C. Wrede by The Seven Towers

Author:The Seven Towers [Towers, The Seven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Eltiron stared at Marreth in utter disbelief. Being excluded from the sword games would be far worse than making a poor showing, particularly when the games were supposed to be in his honor. Marreth did not have to take Eltiron’s place if he wanted to participate; the marshals always left one or two cards empty to hold places for last-minute entries. “You’re taking my place?”

“Are you missing ears as well as brains? I just said so, didn’t I?” Marreth studied him for a moment, then gave a disgusted snort. “Just as well you won’t be fighting, too; this way I won’t have to worry about you making a spectacle of yourself in front of the whole court. Not that you’d care for a good fight anyway.”

Vandaris slammed a hand down on the table, making Eltiron and all the dishes jump. “That’s one of the stupidest ideas I’ve ever heard. Don’t you realize what kind of an impression you’ll be giving by replacing Eltiron? I’d be surprised if Barinash didn’t take insult, and—”

“Nonsense,” Eltiron interrupted firmly. The other two looked at him in surprise, and he went on. “Barinash can only be honored that my father chooses to compete in these sword games, and I will be glad to give him my place if he wants it.”

“Good!” Marreth settled back in his chair. “That’s settled, then.”

“I shall, of course, speak to the marshals immediately about taking one of the blank cards myself,” Eltiron continued with more confidence than he felt. “It would not be right for me to miss the games entirely, since they are in honor of my wedding.”

Vandaris grinned openly at Eltiron. Marreth stared for a moment, then burst into an unexpected roar of laughter. “So you want to be in the games after all! First time you’ve done anything sensible in years. Be sure you get Kaliarth to give you some decent armor; wouldn’t want you at the wedding tomorrow with a hole in your arm.”

Eltiron breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Marreth’s sudden shift to high good humor was disconcerting, but at least Eltiron had succeeded in staying in the sword games.

The remainder of the meal passed quickly, and when it was finished Eltiron went to make arrangements with the marshals of the games. They seemed a little surprised by Eltiron’s request, but none of them commented aloud. Eltiron stayed long enough to be certain that the blank card was inscribed with his name and returned to its place on the table, then he went back to his official activities for the day.

Eltiron spent most of the morning watching parades in honor of himself and his bride. He sat on a platform in the square outside the castle, waving at the marchers occasionally, worrying about Terrel, and sneaking glances at Crystalorn out of the corner of his eye. He thought she looked even more beautiful that usual in the festival gown she wore, and she seemed very different from the companion Eltiron had come to know over the last few days.

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