Swiftly the news spread 'cross Koniginstadt: an Elven bard was singing at the Crown, and aren't Elves the best bards of all? And a yellow warrior-woman danced with swords, the steel and she but a blur, so quick was this golden maid.
Soon in the evenings there were no places left to sit in the common room of the Queen's Crown. And many who had thought to come early arrived only to discover the inn already filled. And so they stood 'round the walls and waited for the show and complained to any who would listen o'er the lack of seats, but when they left for home in the wee marks of the morn, they went away filled near to bursting with what they had seen and heard.
Too, the spectators were generous with their coin, yielding copper and silver and gold to the performers. Egil shared it out among them, holding back a goodly reserve which he stashed aboard the ship. Even so, there was enough surplus to purchase whatever anyone willed, all except Alos, for Aiko forbade him to buy drink. And so the old man hoarded his coins against the day he would at last be free.
There came a night when with deference and dread a richly dressed man was escorted to the center table at edge of the stage. And when he had seen what he had come to see, Egil was called to attend. When the man left Egil came to the others, an engraved blue card in hand. "We are," he announced, holding up the token, a broad smile on his face, "summoned to the castle by Queen Gudrun's lord chamberlain, who commands we perform for her."
CHAPTER 38
Just after dawn the next morn, Aiko was awakened by a tapping on the door. Sword in hand, she opened it to find two iron-collared footmen standing there, liveried in black and orange and gold. Their eyes widened at the sight of the yellow warrior, yet the elder of the two said, "Lady Aiko?" At her nod, he continued, his common tongue speech impeccable, "We have been sent by the lord chamberlain to fetch you and your companions to the queen's castle. At your convenience, milady, a carriage awaits below. We will stand by in the hall."
Aiko roused the others, and with Alos grumbling they performed their toilet and dressed and packed their goods. Aiko called in the footmen to bear their meager luggage as well as their costume trunk, and all proceeded downstairs. While the others stepped to the carriage, Egil went to settle with the innkeeper, who shook his head and refused to accept payment, declaring, "Nothing you owe me. The singing and sword dancing paid for all. Here to the Crown soon you will return, ja? Free room and board I will give, and handsomely will I pay, the profits even share."
Egil shrugged. "I know not when we may return, for the queen summons."
The innkeeper glanced at the carriage out front. "Ja, that I can see"-he drew in a sharp breath-"and answer you must if your necks you value. Hear me, now: your rooms for you I will save; in fact, the best will I hold that I have if come back you will do when done you are."
Egil smiled and nodded. "We'll think on it."
A landau had been sent by the chamberlain, and riding in style in the early morn, they were conveyed up the hill.
The way under the wall twisted and turned, and the coachman slowed the horses to a walk and maneuvered the carriage through, but as soon as they were clear of the barrier, he chrked the team to a lively step, and along the white pave they fared, hooves aclatter on stone. The way curved through ornate gardens, where topiary beasts stood tall and green and silent, flanking the pale granite road. And as they wended upward, from somewhere on the manicured grounds they heard a harsh call of some sort of creature-Karawah, karawah, karawah!-but whether beast or fowl or something altogether different, they knew it not.
At last the carriage drew up before the entrance, and one of the footmen sprang down and lowered the steps and opened the door while the other gathered up their goods. Egil stepped to the flagstone court and then handed Arin and Aiko down, and aided Alos to descend as well. They were met by a handful of servants, who were surprised at the lack of baggage. A steward bade them to follow, and led them through a grand foyer and into the hallways beyond, six thralls trailing after, bearing the small satchels and the costume trunk of the guests. They came to a chamber where sat a young man, peering at papers of state. He was but one of the chamberlain's many assistants, and he informed them they would be performing tomorrow night and directed the steward to show them to their quarters in the outer tower of the east wing.
They wended through passageways, bearing ever easterly, passing other servants and guests and members of the queen's staff. But as to which was which, they could not readily tell, though the steward bowed to several, and was bowed to by others as well.
One of these to whom the steward bowed was tall and black haired. Dressed in finery, he stood and watched as Arin and her comrades came toward him. His dark blue eyes widened at the sight of an Elf, and he sketched a bow. Then his eyes widened again as Aiko strode by, and once again he bowed. He merely nodded at Alos, but as Egil passed, the man's gaze narrowed upon seeing the Fjordlander's face and scar.
"Do I know you, sir?" he asked, holding out a hand to delay Egil.
"I think not," replied Egil, pausing. "I have not before come to these parts."
The man canted his head. "I am Baron Steiger of Duchy Rache. And you are…?"
Egil tilted his head in a like manner and said, "I am Egil… of here and there. If we had met, I would have remembered."
"Yet your face looks familiar," said the baron, "though it seems to me that perhaps I saw it in different circumstances altogether, just when or where I cannot recall. Yet give me time. I will recollect."
Egil smiled and said, "If you do, sir, then let me know. They say that each man has a double; perhaps you will lead me to mine." He glanced up the hall, where the others waited. "And now, sir, good morn to you." And he bowed and turned on his heel.
As Egil strode away and rejoined the others, Steiger stood stroking his chin. Just as the retinue began to move off, the baron's eyes widened, and he whirled and hurried away.
"What was that all about?" asked Alos.
"Someone who thought he knew me," replied Egil.
"Perhaps he does," said Aiko.
Egil shook his head. "If he does, then it was from elsewhere, for I've not been here before."
"Not to Jute?"
"No, no. Not to Koniginstadt. I've been to Jute with Orri, but it was a goodly distance up the coast."
"Mayhap," said Arin, "it has something to do with the memories thou canst not recall."
Egil's eye flew wide. "You mean the memories Ordrune stole from me?"
"Mayhap."
Egil turned and looked back at the way they had come, but Baron Steiger was no longer there.
They were ensconced high up in the east tower, in a modest room with a windowed doorway leading to a balcony looking west. The room itself was furnished with a large, canopied four-poster with heavy drapes hanging down, a long leather couch, a small table and two chairs, a tall, wide cabinet which proved to be a wardrobe, and a chest of drawers. A small chamber, with a curtain for a door, adjoined the room, and it held a privy pot as well as a low chest of drawers containing towels and linens and on which sat a large pitcher of water and a wash basin and soap.
"There is a common bathing room 'round the hall," said the steward, stepping to the door. "The chamberboy will show you the way." He turned and called, "Dolph!"
A slight, black-haired lad popped into the chamber. He was perhaps eleven, and an iron collar graced his neck. He bowed to the four, his pale blue eyes widening at the sight of the Dylvana and the yellow Ryodoan. The steward arched a brow at the youth, then turned to Egil and said, "Dolph will see to your needs." He then bowed and withdrew.