«That was what I’d always planned, Uncle. But will you help me arm? I assume that I do have your leave to wear the new hauberk and vambraces, since I’ve been party to their fitting?»
«If you wish», Richard agreed. «Just remember that they are somewhat heavier than what you’ve been wearing. In this heat, you’ll feel every bit of the extra weight».
«I hadn’t thought of that», Brion replied, obviously taking his uncle’s caution to heart. «All the leather straps will be stiffer, too; not as agile. Maybe I’ll just wear them for the opening parade, and switch back to my familiar harness when it’s time to compete».
«A wise decision», Richard said with a nod. «In time, you’ll wear the new armor as easily as you wear your skin — and you’ll have several more sets before you’re fully grown. But it’s important to choose your equipment for the conditions. Today, I think you want agility».
«You’re right, of course», Brion replied. «Nigel, would you like to squire for me this afternoon?» he asked, with a glance at his younger brother. «The first thing I’ll need is some help getting these things back to my apartment».
The eager Prince Nigel beamed at being asked, and proudly scooped up the vambraces and several other items to lead the way from the room.
The afternoon’s tournament was something short, as tournaments went, and quite warm, but all were able to compete who wished to do so, especially the younger men. Prince Brion himself opened the tourney, riding onto the field in his new hauberk and vambraces and mounted on the bloodred mare. Later he and his father presided at the tourney, where Brion was permitted to award most of the prizes. Several prizes he himself competed for and won, much to his delight and the proud witnessing of his parents and uncle.
Alaric and the other younger children at court were also allowed to attend, though they spent more time running and playing with one other than actually watching. Sir Llion and Sir Xander had offered to supervise them, but several of the senior squires took over that duty late in the afternoon so that Llion and Xander themselves could compete. For these contests, the children formed an impromptu cheering section for Llion, who was a favorite of all the children, and were well rewarded for their loyalty when Llion took a prize while riding at the quintain.
But the younger children were banished to the nursery when it came time for the banquet that followed. Alaric was happy enough with that arrangement, being hot and tired and dusty, and was quite content to be bathed and tucked up in bed by Melissa after eating with the other young children.
For the adults, that evening saw a lavish feast of many removes, at which Prince Brion sat in a place of honor between his parents and was served by Prince Nigel and then by the king’s counselors of state. More impromptu gifts followed during the course of the meal, which was also interspersed with divers entertainments. In the intervals suitable for dancing, the prince also acquitted himself well, soon losing his self-consciousness and partnering several of the younger ladies of the court with ease and grace.
«He is becoming a fine man», Kenneth murmured to Alyce as they watched the prince dancing with a daughter of the Earl of Marley.
Alyce nodded, smiling slightly. «Aye, and he will turn many a head before he weds — and not a few, even afterward».
«Pray God, he’ll prove to have his father’s discretion», Kenneth replied. «It must be a fearful thing, to be a king».
Later, when Kenneth and Alyce retired to their room, Alyce broached a delicate subject with her husband.
«Darling, I need to ask you about something», she said by way of preamble, as she brushed out her hair. «You may have noticed that I spent much of the afternoon chatting with Vera. We were lamenting the heat, and she pointed out that summer in Culdi is far milder than here in the capital or even at Morganhall. She has invited me to accompany her and Jared when they head back in a few days, to stay through the summer — maybe even until the baby arrives. It would be a change for Alaric as well; you know how he adores the company of his McLain cousins».
From the bed, Kenneth leaned back on his elbows and gazed fondly at his wife, somewhat taken aback by the prospect. With the summer shaping up to be a warm one, he had already decided that his wife and son should retreat to cooler climes to await the birth of the child Alyce was carrying, but he had thought to send her to his own keep at Morganhall, with his sisters, hardly a day’s ride north of the city.
«We had already discussed sending you and Alaric to Morganhall», he said. «’Tis far closer to court».
«True enough», Alyce agreed, «but even if I stayed with you in Rhemuth, I doubt I should see much of you, given that summer is the season when the king most needs you at his side. And so far as my health is concerned, surely the distance matters little enough in these early months. Granted, I should miss what moments we might, in fact, be able to squeeze from the king’s demands, but at least it would be cooler in Culdi». She lifted the mass of her golden hair up off her neck and tossed it over one shoulder, letting out a sigh of relief.
Kenneth pulled a sour face, but it was also one of resignation, for he knew she was right.
«Carrying a child must be difficult enough, without doing it in the heat», he said. «I shall speak to Jared in the morning».
Chapter 16
«There were two women, the daughters of one mother».[17]
In the end, Lord Kenneth Morgan decided to accompany his wife and son northward to see them safely settled for the summer. Traveling in the combined entourage of the Duke of Cassan, the Earl of Kierney, and their respective households, the journey was pleasant enough, though a sultry stillness had settled along the river, only easing as they started their ascent into the foothills above Culdi.
There Kenneth saw them ensconced at Earl Jared’s country house above the town, and left Sir Llion as governor for his young son, along with two men at arms. Entrusting wife and son and their modest household to the protection of Earl Jared, he then headed back to the capital and a busy summer of service to the king.
For young Alaric, the lazy summer days flew by in the company of his McLain cousins: Duncan, who was his own age, and the somewhat older Kevin, who was the heir. For Alyce, the ensuing weeks were to be among the most idyllic she had spent since her time at Arc-en-Ciel, made all the sweeter for the company of the sister whom she had not known until adulthood. In addition, the seclusion away from court enabled the two women to share some of their Deryni training, for the pair had been exposed to very different teachers.
The latter part of that summer also marked the beginning of Prince Brion’s official life, as he embarked with his uncle, Duke Richard, and a small entourage on an extended progress into some of the outlying areas of the kingdom he would one day inherit. He rode the bloodred mare, whom he had named Sevalla, reveling in the harmony of horse and rider that was building between them — and marveled at her easy gaits and intelligence and amiable disposition.
Riding northward first, along the River Eirian, the royal party stopped briefly at Culdi, to call on the Earl and Countess of Kierney and the Countess of Lendour, then ventured westward into restless Meara, where they were the guests of Lord Lucien Talbot, the royal governor at Ratharkin. There, attended by Duke Richard, Prince Brion sat in court for several days beside the governor and heard cases brought before the local assize. Over dinner on the evening before they were to depart, the governor offered his assessment of the prince’s performance.
«Frankly, Your Highness, I was more than pleased», Lord Lucien allowed. «You obviously have paid attention to your tutors, and have learned from the fine examples set by your father and your uncle». His gaze flicked to Richard in honest admiration. «I do not say this merely to flatter, sir. Your royal nephew bears the Haldane sense of justice in full measure».