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quickly as possible. So, in the end, after having considered all options, he left us alone. You
could even say Arranulf had won the face off. Without shedding one drop of blood.
 Those are the best battles, aren't they? The ones that are never fought.
Threnn laid his hand upon her shoulders.
 So, smile my love. This Tanahkos is just another one we'll have to hoodwink. We'll pull
the wool over his eyes and send him on his merry way, laden with a lot of empty promises
and a few glassy stones he will take for diamonds. We'll have gained another few years of
peace for the current Arranulf to grow up and learn the ropes.
 I don't know, Threnn, it is as if I can feel Bordomach's cold shadow looming over the
duchy.
 Nonsense, my dear, you'll find him in his mausoleum in Ormidon, under a stone, spread-
ing lies even in death, saying that there lies Portonas the Third when only the bones of Bor-
domach the Robber are to be found there.
Athildis smiled at him. Once more he had managed to assuage her fears and give her re-
newed courage. She looked at his old face, wrinkled and bald, but when she stared in his
eyes she saw for a moment the young man with the brown wavy hair she had fallen in love
with. Out of the corner of her eyes she thought she could see Arranulf, with his generous,
mocking yet indulging smile, who she had loved equally.
 Where you ever jealous of Arranulf?
She suddenly had to know.
Threnn looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes.
 Of course I was jealous of your husband, but jealous of my friend? Never. He shrugged,
but smiled at the same time.  In the end I think we both decided that you had enough love for
both of us... But, come, leave the past to the past. The present needs us and we have to be
ready to give all, like the Landemere battle cry says.
Athildis straightened her back and nodded in agreement.
 All for Landemere, she said with fresh energy.
 You're putting quite a lot of food in there, Renda, the chief cook grumbled disapprovingly.
Renda kept filling her basket and then put a clean cloth over it.
 Well, it's the young man's eighteenth birthday and his brother has asked me to prepare
him something special.
 Renda, Renda, you're far too weak hearted. You're a pushover.
 He is all alone there in that tower with his little brother gone, the poor sod, and it is his
birthday. Nobody should be alone on his birthday.
 That arrogant git, the chief cook snorted.  I bet he's not so conceited anymore.
 He's actually quite a nice young man. I think that was all an act, that so called preten-
tiousness, you know. What with everybody pulling at him. Did you ever stop to think that it
couldn't have been easy for him? So young and all those responsibilities.
 Not easy? We, we don't have it easy, he muttered.
He remained silent for a few minutes, thinking she was too good for this world.
 By the way, I'll have you know that I've got responsibilities too, you know. He turned his
back to her and started cutting some vegetables.  Like for instance those fresh meat pies,
there in the corner, I still have to count them. As it is I wouldn't even notice if one or two went
missing. We can't have that, can we? See, my responsibility.
 Yes, Renda replied while she hastily stuffed two meat pies in the basket.
 And those wine flasks, there in the crate near the wall. For the life of me I couldn't tell how
many there are and which are full or empty. I must check them. Again, my responsibility.
 I see, Renda said while two flasks of wine disappeared under the cloth.
She went over to him and kissed him on the cheek.
 Don't do that, woman, he said gruffly.
 Oh, you soft, cuddly bear, you, she said snickering.  I'll be back in about an hour. He de-
serves some company.
 Oh no, you won't woman. You made me so mad with all your silly talk that I can't bear to
set eyes on you anymore today. Off with you. I'll see you tomorrow and not a moment sooner.
And not another word out of you.
Renda hurried out of the kitchen.
 Renda, you needn't knock, you know. Just come in, Ehandar said when he opened the
door.
 Oh hon, it's the little courtesies that make life bearable, I find, wouldn't you agree? Any-
way, are you hungry? I've brought some delicious stuff today.
Ehandar went over to a cabinet to get a plate, a knife and a two pronged fork. The last
item was a novelty, used at the royal court. The last thing in sophistication.
 Renda, there's a lot of food there, he said hesitatingly.
It wasn't fitting. He was a prince after all, renunciation or no, but she couldn't help herself.
She took him in her arms and gave him a kiss on both cheeks.
 Happy birthday, hon, she said.
 How... how did you know? Ehandar asked stunned.
 Your little brother told me and asked me to make you something extra special today.
 He did? Ehandar choked.
 Yes, and he said to tell you that he is sorry he can't be here, but that he wishes you a
happy birthday. Oh, before I forget, he told me to give you this. A present.
She delved into her basket and handed Ehandar a package wrapped in cloth. He recog-
nized it immediately. It was the same kind of cloth in which the dagger had been wrapped.
 Open it, open it already, Renda edged him on.
 You didn't take a peek? Ehandar smiled.
 No, of course not, hon. I wanted to, but I didn't.
When Ehandar had opened the package he held a slender, silver flute and two little books
in his hands.
 Oh, isn't it beautiful? Renda exclaimed.  What are those books?
 One seems to contain instructions and examples of how to play it, Ehandar said while
rifling though them.  The other contains various melodies and songs.
 It will help you pass the time. How nice of your little brother, don't you think so, hon?
 Yes, it really is, Ehandar said almost on the verge of tears, holding the flute.
 I had about the same idea, but I'm not that rich, she said while she produced a small
wooden box from the pocket on her apron.  And a happy birthday from me too, she said as
she handed the box over.
 Oh, Renda, you shouldn't have, he mumbled embarrassed while opening it.  They're
playing cards. Renda, I can't accept this. That's much too expensive. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]