"Hmmm," Robinton admitted, shooting a glance at F'lon, who blinked and then rolled his eyes over his friend's prevarication.
"And what's this?" Juvana asked, touching the wrapped bowl Robinton still held."An espousal gift already?"
Eager for something to discuss, Robinton showed the bowl and explained how pleased he was that Saday had taken him at his word.
"Oh, the wall people," Brashia said, and Robinton groaned, wishing he could make a better impression on Kasia's family."Kasia told us how clever you were then."
Bourdon chuckled."Got a quick head on your shoulders.No harm in that, lad."
A kitchener arrived with a tray of refreshments, klah and wine with little cakes and biscuits.Robinton leaped to his feet to help her settle the tray.Then, as Juvana asked what her parents wished to drink at this hour, he busied himself passing cups and glasses and the plates of food, regaining some poise in that simple act.
"You're busy at this season in Mardela he asked Bourdon politely.
"Packfish are running.D'you know them?"
"We've the northern variety, the bordos," Robinton said, as if he discussed fish varieties every day.
Bourdon nodded with approval."Good eating, the bordos."
Will your mother be singing today?" Brashia asked shyly."We all know about MasterSinger Merelan in Mardela, but few of us have had a chance to hear her sing, living where we do."
"She plans to," Robinton replied, once again grateful to have such a mother, if only she were there with him now, to smooth his way.
"Special music?" Brashia asked, tilting her head in the same charming way Kasia had.
"Some of Robinton's own songs," said Juvana, ignoring Robinton's dire look."He's far too modest.Melongel's of the opinion that our Robinton is as good a composer as his mother is a singer."
"Now, that's taking it a bit far, Juvana," Robinton protested.
"I don't think so," Juvana replied, unmoved."Nor does Kasia." "She's partisan," F'lon said, leaning against the door frame and idly twirling his wineglass, his eyes dancing with mischief."But I'll allow that Rob has spawned some fine tunes."
"So we'll hear some?" Brashia twisted round on the couch to look in Robinton's direction.
"You probably won't hear anything but Rob's songs," F'lon went on."Most of today's best songs are his."
"Really?"
"Every new one and half the revised Teaching Ballads our Robinton composed."
If F'lon and Juvana thought they were helping him in this initial meeting with Kasia's parents, they were wide of their mark.
"I thought it was your father who composed so much music," Bourdon said, slightly confused.
"They both do," Juvana said, just as F'lon remarked, "You can sing Rob's stuff."
"Haven't you other Gather guests to collect?" Robinton asked as mildly as he could.
"Oh, no, I reserved the day entirely to help you," F'lon said with a flourish.
"You might like to see the Gather, then?" Robinton suggested, an edge to his voice.
Juvana laughed."We'll stop, Rob.It's not fair to tease you, today of all days."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Lady Holder."
"Oh, now come, Rob," she said, touching his arm."I'm nearly your sister, you know."
Robinton's mind froze for a moment.
"Don't tell me that fact has escaped your clever mind?" F'lon asked, delighted by his friend's confusion."Which makes Lord Melongel your brother.Doesn't it?Well done, Harper."
He felt Juvana's hand press gently around his forearm and, feeling extremely stupid, he turned to look at her.
"It does, you know," she said gently.Then she grinned at the others."I never thought I should be able to render a harper speechless."
"But that's not why I want Kasia…"
"Of course it isn't," Juvana said.
"Such a dear boy," said Brashia, beaming at him.
"Like the cut of his sail," Bourdon put in.
"Close your mouth, Rob," F'lon suggested from the doorway.
"F'lon, stop propping up the door and go and fetch the harp Robinton made for Kasia," Juvana said, flicking her fingers at the dragonrider."You know where it is.And tell Kasia that it's gone very well indeed." As soon as F'lon left, she smiled placidly at Robinton."He can be dreadful, can't he?I do believe that dragonriders are far worse than harpers for teasing, aren't they?"
Robinton was still floundering over the idea of being related to the Lord Holder of Tillek."Honestly, I had no idea."
"Of course you didn't," Juvana said easily."Now, Clostan would be instantly suspect of such connivery, but not you."
"Kasia said you've been loaned a sloop for your espousal days,"
Bourdon said."Sail much?"
"Only from Fort Harbour to Ista, and then the seven-day fishing run with Captain Gostol.He's loaning us the ship."
"Is he?"
"Yes, had us out tacking up and down the harbour the other day." Robinton grinned."To see if Kasia knew what she was about, for he was very sure I don't."
The admission did him no harm with Bourdon, who leaned forward and began to explain the foibles of small ships.That kept the conversation going amiably until F'lon carried in Kasia's harp, handling it with the reverence he would ordinarily give only to his Simanith.As he passed it to Robinton, he murmured, "Beautiful piece." Then both Bourdon and Brashia came over to examine the carving, the inlay and the strings; then, of course, they asked him to play so that they could hear its tone.
Playing brought Robinton to complete balance.And seeing that, Juvana made her excuses and left for other duties.
Never had there been such a brilliant Gather day as this one, when Robinton took Kasia's hand in his in front of the Court Hall, where the Lord and Lady Holders stood with Master Minnarden and the other CraftMasters available for this happy duty.That they were the first of seven couples didn't impinge on his consciousness then.He had eyes only for his Kasia.Behind them were their witnesses: his mother, radiant in blue, standing between F'lon and Groghe, who had said he was here in his official capacity as a Fort Holder.
Kasia's parents stood on her side: her mother flushed and excited, and her father doing very well at looking proud and dignified.
Never had Robinton had to speak his own words in front of such a huge crowd.Singing was another matter entirely, but speaking his whole heart in words was something else again.He had to clear his throat, but then, taking a deep breath, he announced his intentions to be a loving, kind, considerate spouse, caring for Kasia all his life, nurturing their children and providing for the family.
Holding hands, he looked into Kasia's eyes, which were no longer shadowed with an old grief but radiant with joy, as she, who also had to clear her throat before she spoke, declared her intentions in a loud voice.She grinned more broadly when she got to the part about children and winked at him.
"We have heard your promises, Robinton and Kasia," Melongel said, stern in his capacity as Lord Holder.
"And have witnessed them," said Master Minnarden while the other CraftMasters murmured their traditional response.The observers cried congratulations and shouted, "Good luck!"
Melongel's face relaxed in a smile as he shook their hands before moving to the next expectant couple."Brother," he murmured slyly to Robinton.
"So kiss her!" F'lon cried.When neither Robinton nor Kasia moved, he took them by the shoulders and pushed them together.
The lightning that passed from lip to lip seemed to encompass Robinton's entire body, and hers as well, leaning so trustingly against him.He was almost annoyed when F'lon's hands pulled them apart.
"I'm so happy, my dear daughter," Merelan was saying as she embraced a bemused Kasia.There were tears in Merelan's eyes, but she had always been able to cry and remain beautiful.She changed places with Brashia, who hugged her daughter tightly, weeping so profusely that she couldn't speak at all.Bourdon was shaking Robinton's hand fit to render it useless for any playing.