I wouldnt even try, Sephrenia. Im not going to cripple him for life just because Aphrael might miss him.
Is his arm really that bad?
Its bad enough. That crossbow bolt went right through his shoulder joint. If he starts moving it around, it wont set right, and thats his sword arm.
Aphrael could fix it, you know.
Not without exposing her identity she couldnt, and I wont let her do that.
Wont let?
Ask her if she wants to endanger her mothers sanity just for the sake of symmetry. Substitute someone else. If Aphraels willing to accept Khalad in place of Kurik, she should be able to pick someone else to fill in for Tynian. Why is it so important to her in the first place?
You wouldnt understand.
Why dont you try to explain it anyway? I might surprise you.
Youre in an odd humor tonight.
Ive just been scolded. That always makes me odd. Why does Aphrael think its so important to always have the same group of people around her?
It has to do with the feeling of it, Sparhawk. The presence of any given person is more than just the way he looks or the sound of his voice. It also involves the way he thinksand probably more important, the way he feels about Aphrael. She surrounds herself with that. When you bring in different people, you change the way it feels, and that throws her off balance. She looked at him. You didnt understand a word of that, did you?
Yes, as a matter of fact I did. How about Vanion? He loves her as much as Tynian does, and she loves him too. Hes been more or less with us in spirit since all this started anyway, and he is a knight, after all.
It has to do with the feeling of it, Sparhawk. The presence of any given person is more than just the way he looks or the sound of his voice. It also involves the way he thinksand probably more important, the way he feels about Aphrael. She surrounds herself with that. When you bring in different people, you change the way it feels, and that throws her off balance. She looked at him. You didnt understand a word of that, did you?
Yes, as a matter of fact I did. How about Vanion? He loves her as much as Tynian does, and she loves him too. Hes been more or less with us in spirit since all this started anyway, and he is a knight, after all.
Vanion? Dont be absurd, Sparhawk.
Hes not an invalid, you know. He was running foot-races back in Sarsos, and he was still as good as ever with his lance when we fought the Trolls.
Its out of the question. I wont even discuss it.
He crossed the room, took her wrists in his hands and kissed her palms.
I love you dearly, little mother, he told her, but Im going to override you this time. You cant wrap Vanion in lambs-wool for the rest of his life just because youre afraid he might scratch his finger. If you dont suggest him to Aphrael, I will.
She swore at him in Styric. Dont you understand, Sparhawk? I almost lost him. Her heart was in her luminous blue eyes. Ill die if anything happens to him.
Nothings going to happen to him. Are you going to ask Aphrael about it, or would you rather have me do it? She swore at him again. Where did you ever learn that kind of language? he asked mildly. If that takes care of our problem, Im a little overdue at the bedroom door.
I didnt quite follow that.
Its time for the kissing and making up. Theres supposed to be a certain rhythm to these things, and if I wait too long to soften Ehlanas displeasure, shell begin to think I dont love her any more.
Do you mean her performance here tonight was nothing more than an invitation to the bedroom?
That might be putting it a little bluntly, but there was some of that involved, yes. Sometimes I get busy and forget to pay as much attention to her as I should. Shell only let that go on for just so long before she makes a speech. The speech reminds me that Ive been neglecting her. We kiss and make up, and everythings all right again.
Wouldnt it be simpler if she just came right out and told you in the first place without these elaborate games?
Probably, but it wouldnt be nearly as much fun for her. Youll excuse me?
Why do you always avoid me, Berit-Knight? Empress Elysoun asked with a disconsolate little pout.
Your Highness misunderstands me, Berit replied, flushing slightly and keeping his eyes averted.
Am I ugly, Berit-Knight?
Of course not, your Highness.
Then why dont you ever look at me?
Its not considered polite among Elenes for a man to look at an undressed woman, your Highness.
Im not an Elene, Sir Knight. Im a Valesian, and Im not naked. I have plenty of clothes on. If youll come to my chambers, Ill show you the difference.
Sparhawk had been looking for Sir Berit to advise him of their upcoming journey, and he had just rounded a corner in the hallway leading to the chapel to find his young friend trapped once more by the Empress Elysoun. Since Emperor Sarabians entire family was inside the castle as a security measure, Berits escape routes had been seriously curtailed, and Elysoun had been taking advantage of the situation outrageously. The Emperors Valesian wife was a brown-skinned, sunny girl whose native costume left her unashamedly bare-breasted. No matter how many times Sarabian had explained to Berit that customary moral strictures did not apply to Valesians, the young Knight remained steadfastly respectfuland chaste. Elysoun had taken that as a challenge, and she had been pursuing the poor young man relentlessly. Sparhawk was just on the verge of speaking to his friend, but he smiled instead and stepped back round the corner to listen. He was the interim preceptor of the Pandion Order, after all, and it was his duty to look after the souls of his men.