The Star Scroll Part 3

"Me?" Pol was unable to believe his luck.

"Who else?" Chay squeezed his shoulder. "It's Radzyn's duty to keep its princes decently mounted, you know. All six are yours."

The boy stared in awe at the foals, imagining them full-grown. He could see old Pashta's siring in their depth of chest and the cant of their ears-his father's beloved Pashta, ridden in a Rialla Rialla race to win his mother's wedding emeralds. "Thank you, my lord," Pol breathed. "Are they really to be mine?" race to win his mother's wedding emeralds. "Thank you, my lord," Pol breathed. "Are they really to be mine?"

"Of course."

"But I don't need six horses just for myself. Would it-would you be angry if I gave the others as presents?"

"Who'd you have in mind?" Chay asked curiously.

"My father would like one of Pashta's colts, wouldn't he? And Mother would look wonderful riding one of the golden ones-she and Father could have those two, like a matched set." He paused. "Would it be all right, my lord?"

"Perfectly all right. And no more of this 'my lord' business, unless you want me to start calling you 'your grace!' Well, now that that's settled, would you like to see the mare you'll be riding to Waes for me? I need steady hands and an understanding rider for her. And if you'll do me the favor, you can exercise her out in the Desert this summer. Will you?"

Pol's eyes shone. "Will I!" I!"

They spent the rest of the morning looking over various mares and geldings that would be taken to Waes for sale, including the horse that would be Pol's for the summer. A pretty bay mare, she inspected Pol with large dark eyes for several moments before nudging him with her dainty nose in token of friendship. He was enchanted, as the horse had obviously intended him to be, and only his growing weariness kept him from trying her paces there and then.

After a casual midday meal in private at the keep, Tobin sent Pol off for a rest. Not even healthy young boys could weather a water crossing with aplomb when they were faradhi faradhi-born. Maarken disappeared soon after on his own pursuits, but Meath lingered behind.

"My lord, I have a favor to ask for reasons I cannot reveal to you. It has to do with Lady Andrade."

Chay shrugged. "Reason enough-and favor granted."

"Thank you, my lord. Will you lend me two guards for the journey to G.o.ddess Keep?"

Tobin c.o.c.ked her head to one side. "Maarken mentioned something about that. You need more than the protection of your rings? What are you carrying, Meath-information in your head or on your person?"

He shifted uncomfortably and apologized, "I'm sorry, my lady, but I can't tell you."

"Sunrunners!" Chay complained in a teasing voice. "And Sunrunner secrets! Certainly you may have your guards, Meath. I'll order it this evening."

"Many thanks, my lord. And now I have something I must tell you that is also a secret, and must be discussed in private."

The princess' eyebrows shot up, but she rose smoothly and suggested, "Perhaps a turn in the back gardens, by the cliff path?"

Meath said nothing until they were strolling the gravel pathway between plantings of herbs, the surf pounding far below. No one else was in this section of the gardens, and they would be able to see any intruders long before they were within earshot. He told them about the incident in the tavern, Pol's conclusions about it, and especially Lleyn's conversation with him, Chadric, and Audrite afterward. Chay's fists clenched and Tobin's black eyes narrowed dangerously, but neither said a word until Meath had finished.

"Does Sioned know?" Tobin asked.

"I told her yesterday on the sunlight, my lady. She wasn't pleased," he added with gentle understatement.

"I can imagine," Chay muttered. "Well, Pol will be watched by even more eyes than usual, though none of us will breathe easy until he's safe back at Graypearl. But the Rialla Rialla worries me. Do you think Rohan might be persuaded to change his mind and not take the boy?" worries me. Do you think Rohan might be persuaded to change his mind and not take the boy?"

"Sioned didn't tell me otherwise, so they must feel they can protect him," Meath answered.

"And Rohan's had this progress planned since last year. d.a.m.n!" Tobin kicked at a rock, her fists jammed into the pockets of her trousers. "I thought we'd rid ourselves of those d.a.m.ned Merida years ago!"

"I don't like to leave Pol," Meath said slowly. "Not even to the care of his own parents. He's that important to me, and not just as the future High Prince and the son of my old friend. I love that boy more than if he was my own son. But I must go to G.o.ddess Keep at once."

"What you carry is that important?" Chay asked, then held up a hand. "Forgive me-I won't question you any further about it, whatever it is. My best horses and two of my best people will be waiting for you tomorrow at dawn. They know the fastest and safest route." He smiled slightly. "And they'll look after you when you cross the rivers."

Meath winced. "Please, my lord-don't remind me!"

The faradhi faradhi left them. Chay and Tobin continued walking along the cliff path, mulling over the news. At last they sat down on a stone bench, their backs to the sea. Their castle rose before them: coveted, never breached, holding a young boy safe as he slept. left them. Chay and Tobin continued walking along the cliff path, mulling over the news. At last they sat down on a stone bench, their backs to the sea. Their castle rose before them: coveted, never breached, holding a young boy safe as he slept.

"There's not a hint of her in him," Chay said suddenly. "His hair's a little darker than Rohan's, and his jaw's going to be longer, but otherwise it's as if he had no mother at all."

"More to the point, it's as if Sioned very well could could be his mother." be his mother."

"When are they going to tell him?"

"I don't know. It's not something anybody ever talks about. He must be told one day, I suppose-but when he's older and can understand."

"You mean when circ.u.mstances force it. You know as well as I that left to herself, Sioned would never let him know she's not his real mother."

"She is is his real mother! In all but birthing him, Pol is Sioned's son, not Ianthe's!" his real mother! In all but birthing him, Pol is Sioned's son, not Ianthe's!"

Chay pressed her hand in his own. "I don't need convincing. But what would it do to him if he found out from somebody other than her or Rohan? Every year the chance grows."

"Diminishes," Tobin replied stubbornly. "There's never been the slightest whisper. If anyone knew, they would have spoken up before now."

"There's knowledge and then there's proof," Chay reminded her. "It's the latter I worry about."

"Find me proof," she scoffed. "The few who were at Skybowl and Stronghold love us and him and will say what Sioned and I tell them to say. As for those at Feruche-bah!" She dismissed them with an arrogant shrug. "The word of a few servants against that of two princesses!"

Chay knew that the surge of royal arrogance meant she felt threatened. "Let's make a case," he suggested despite the flash of warning in her eyes. "Let's say there are women still alive who helped Ianthe that night, washed the baby, rocked the cradle-"

"They'd never be believed."

"Then count how many hundreds knew Rohan was held at Feruche. And how many of them them can count the appropriate number of days without using their fingers." can count the appropriate number of days without using their fingers."

Tobin was unperturbed. "She delivered early. They'll think she was pregnant before she captured Rohan."

"So who was the father?"

"Who knows? And who cares? They believe the baby died in the fire with her, so it doesn't matter whose child he was."

Chay shook his head. "There are three elder half brothers still alive who were brought in to see their mother's latest son. They're They're not servants, Tobin. They're the sons of a princess and three highborn lords. And what if Sioned were asked to prove that she'd borne a child? There can't be a mark on her that would indicate it." not servants, Tobin. They're the sons of a princess and three highborn lords. And what if Sioned were asked to prove that she'd borne a child? There can't be a mark on her that would indicate it."

She gave him a triumphant smile. "Yes, there is! Myrdal knows of herbs that bring a woman's milk, even when she hasn't given birth. Nursing changes a woman's b.r.e.a.s.t.s."

"I hadn't thought of that," he conceded. "But it still doesn't negate the fact that there must be someone who recognized you and Sioned and Ostvel at Feruche the night the castle burned."

"You're shadow-fearing like a one-ring Sunrunner, Chay."

He eyed her beneath frowning brows. "You don't think Pol should should be told, do you? You'd keep it a secret. Don't you understand that he be told, do you? You'd keep it a secret. Don't you understand that he must must be told? And not find out through rumors that would hurt him and make him doubt who he is! And what might be worse, rumors like that could unsettle everything Rohan's built so far! Look at this nonsense about Roelstra's supposed son!" be told? And not find out through rumors that would hurt him and make him doubt who he is! And what might be worse, rumors like that could unsettle everything Rohan's built so far! Look at this nonsense about Roelstra's supposed son!"

"Chay, it's just that: nonsense. If he dares show up at the Rialla, Rialla, he'll be laughed out of Waes. And the same thing will happen if there are ever rumors about Pol," she finished. he'll be laughed out of Waes. And the same thing will happen if there are ever rumors about Pol," she finished.

"You're as stubborn and blind as Sioned!"

"Stubborn, certainly. But not blind. I understand what you're saying. But I don't see why Pol should ever be told. The whole foundation of his life is the royal heritage from his father and the faradhi faradhi gifts he believes he gets from Sioned. How do you tell a child that he's the grandson of someone like Roelstra-or that his father killed his grandfather?" gifts he believes he gets from Sioned. How do you tell a child that he's the grandson of someone like Roelstra-or that his father killed his grandfather?"

"You don't tell a child such things, no. But once he's grown, and has his knighthood and a few Sunrunner's rings to his credit-"

"No. There's no need for it."

Chay knew his wife's mind well enough to know there was no further arguing with her. He rose, drew her up beside him, and they started back to the keep.

"At least you'll agree," he said, "there's a need for his physical protection right now. I'm going to set a special watch over him. Maarken's perfect for it. He's good with sword and knife, he's a man grown, and a faradhi faradhi as well. Pol won't be suspicious or resentful if it's his cousin guarding him." as well. Pol won't be suspicious or resentful if it's his cousin guarding him."

Tobin smiled up at him. "The way you've guarded Rohan."

"It's another duty that Radzyn never cedes to any other Desert lord."

The future Lord of Radzyn was at that moment some distance physically from his inheritance and even farther removed from it in his thoughts. Maarken had left the stables mounted on Isulkian, which in the old language meant "swift wind."

Chay had named him for the nomadic Desert tribes that appeared and vanished as they pleased-usually to steal one of his studs. The Isulk'im never kept the stallions they spirited away, sometimes in broad daylight, and returned them in excellent condition after their mares had been serviced. He would have gladly given them a prize stallion, just to save the wear on his nerves from wondering when his horses would disappear, but the Isulk'im scorned all such offers. Borrowing a stud from under Chay's nose was much more fun.

The stallion lived up to his name as Maarken guided him along the road leading south from the castle. At length the young man drew rein and smiled as the horse tossed his head, still eager to be racing the spring breeze.

"Just hold that thought, my friend. We'll be racing in earnest at Waes, and for more than the fun of it. I have need of a few sapphires to grace a certain blue-eyed lady's neck."

Continuing at an easy walk, Maarken was not too surprised to find he'd instinctively chosen the way to Whitecliff. Some measures down the coast from Radzyn, it was where the lord's heir lived after he took a bride. Chay had never inhabited it, for he had been Radzyn's lord by the time he married Tobin, and for years Whitecliff had been run by stewards. But if Maarken had his way, it would be in use by autumn, and for the purpose for which it had been built.

He knew he should have said something to his parents long ere this. But somehow he did not feel equal to telling them that picking through the various maidens at Waes this year was not his intention, for he had already found the woman he wished to wed. Or perhaps she had found him. He was not entirely sure which, and did not much care. He was only glad it had happened. Just thinking about Hollis brought a smile to his lips-and that this att.i.tude was slightly adolescent bothered him not at all. He had had plenty of examples of foolish lovers all around him since childhood, his parents being the prime culprits in unwittingly nurturing his ideas of romance in marriage. His father had pa.s.sed his fifty-first winter and his mother was only a few years younger, yet the looks they exchanged when they thought no one was looking were unmistakable. Rohan and Sioned were just the same, as were the Lord and Lady of Remagev, Walvis and Feylin. Even serious Prince Chadric and Princess Audrite had provided an example. Maarken had always wanted the same things for himself: the smiles, the secret glances, even the flashfire of temper. He wanted a woman he could work beside as well as sleep beside, someone he trusted with his thoughts as well as his heart. Without that kind of partnership, wedded life would be little more than waking up each morning to a stranger.

His cheeks flushed as he recalled the many times he'd done just that-and the first morning he'd awakened to Hollis. He should not have, and Andrade had been livid when she found out. But he cared nothing for his great-aunt's displeasure.

He had been nineteen, and by no means inexperienced. Indeed, his father had once shown him a letter from Prince Lleyn in which the old man wryly complained about Maarken's propensity for attracting women of all ages at Graypearl. Practically everything in my palace that wears a skirt has chased him quite devotedly since he turned fourteen, and of late I do not believe he has been running as fast as he might. In fact, I believe he enjoys being caught. Practically everything in my palace that wears a skirt has chased him quite devotedly since he turned fourteen, and of late I do not believe he has been running as fast as he might. In fact, I believe he enjoys being caught. Chay had waited to show him that letter until Maarken had been knighted and was on his way to G.o.ddess Keep for Chay had waited to show him that letter until Maarken had been knighted and was on his way to G.o.ddess Keep for faradhi faradhi training. They had laughed over it, Maarken with crimson cheeks, Chay with smug pride. training. They had laughed over it, Maarken with crimson cheeks, Chay with smug pride.

But those encounters had been experiments only, quick desire and curiosity easily satisfied. Hollis had ignited in him a fire that had burned steadily for six winters now.

He had been at G.o.ddess Keep only a little while when Andrade had decided that his unorthodox first ring was indeed valid. Rohan had given him the circle of silver set with a garnet during the campaign against Roelstra, when Maarken had called down Fire. He had proved to Andrade that he deserved the ring, and she had given him a plain silver band to wear with the garnet on his right middle finger. Looking into her pale blue eyes, he had heard her tell him that the next day he would go alone into the forest and consult the G.o.ddess regarding his future as a man-but that before then, at midnight, a faradhi faradhi woman would come to him and make him a man. woman would come to him and make him a man.

In theory, one never knew who that first s.e.xual encounter was with. It was considered very bad form to try to find out, and it never really mattered anyway. The G.o.ddess herself shrouded the Sunrunner in mystery, concealing ident.i.ty from the girl or boy who by morning would no longer be virgin. It was only faradhi faradhi men and women of seven or more rings who possessed this skill, only they who had the responsibility of making girls into women and boys into men. men and women of seven or more rings who possessed this skill, only they who had the responsibility of making girls into women and boys into men.

Hollis had worn but four rings that winter night. He wondered sometimes if he would have guessed anyway. Even in total darkness, her hair had felt felt golden in his fingers. Maarken drew in a long breath as if to scent again the tender fragrance of her body. golden in his fingers. Maarken drew in a long breath as if to scent again the tender fragrance of her body.

It was forbidden to speak. They both knew that. Lips were only for kisses and caresses, voices for calling out in delight. Yet when it was over and he rested by her side, his heart still thudding in his chest, he whispered her name.

She gasped and went rigid. Maarken tightened his arms around her, holding fast when she would have escaped him. "No," she whispered, "don't, please-"

"You want to be here as much as I want you here." But then, because he was only nineteen, he added hesitantly, "Don't you?"

She trembled for a moment, then nodded against his chest. "Andrade's going to murder me."

Maarken felt slightly delirious. "She'll have to get past me to do it," he answered lightly, "and she won't risk a hair on my head. Kinsman, future Sunrunner Lord of Radzyn-I'm much too important! She may rant and rave a little, but we've both heard her do that before!"

The tension went out of her. "There's still a problem, though. This was supposed to be your man-making night. I have only four rings, so I can't have instructed you properly. I'm afraid I haven't done my duty by you, my lord."

Maarken gasped in astonishment before he recognized the teasing note in her voice. In his silkiest tones he said, "You'll have to lesson me again, my lady. I'm a very slow learner. In fact, it's quite possible you'll have to go on teaching me all night."

They forgot that at midnight another woman would come to Maarken's chamber. They forgot everything but the sweet joy of each other's flesh. Her hair was a river of gold that seemed to glow with a light of its own in the darkness; almost blind, he brushed the delicate strands from her face, tracing the contours of nose and cheeks and brow with his fingers, learning her face with touch as he had long since learned it with his eyes. His hands learned everything about her, all the colors of her body as clear as the colors of her mind. He lost himself in the sapphire and pearl and garnet of her, deep shining colors that were flung around him like velvet, a perfect pattern of a luminous and beautiful soul.

They were lying together, trading idle kisses, when the door squeaked softly open, Maarken sat straight up in bed and Hollis gave a little cry of fright. A voice Maarken did not recognize came from a woman wrapped in silk shadows.

"Well, well, well." Suddenly the woman laughed indulgently. "You might as well finish your night so well-begun. Peace, children."

The door closed, and she was gone.

Maarken gulped. "Who-who do you think it was?"

"I don't know. I don't want to know. But whatever she said just now, we're in trouble, Maarken."

"I love you, Hollis. This was right."

"For you and me, yes-but not so far as Andrade is concerned."

"The h.e.l.l with Andrade," he said impatiently. "I told you, she won't punish us. You heard what whoever that was just told us. The rest of the night is ours. I'm not going to give it up. And I'm certainly not going to waste it!"

"But-"

"Hush." He silenced her with a kiss. Desire glided through his veins, turning his blood to slow molten sunlight. She resisted for a moment, then sighed and clasped him in her arms.

The next morning he went alone to the tree-circle where farad-h'im farad-h'im sought their futures. Kneeling naked before the motionless pool below a rock cairn, he faced not the Child-tree nor the Youth-tree but the Man-tree. One day he would turn toward the huge pines symbolizing his fatherhood and old age, but not yet. Today, in Sunrunner ritual, he was a man. He conjured Fire across the still Water, plucked a hair from his head to represent the Earth from which he was made, and blew the Air of his own breath to fan the flames. In them he saw a face: his own, matured and proud, with his father's strong bones and his mother's long-lidded eyes. The Fire flared then, and another face appeared beside his own. It was an older version of Hollis that he saw, her tawny hair sleekly braided around her head and bound with a thin silver circlet set with a single ruby, marking her as Lady of Radzyn Keep. sought their futures. Kneeling naked before the motionless pool below a rock cairn, he faced not the Child-tree nor the Youth-tree but the Man-tree. One day he would turn toward the huge pines symbolizing his fatherhood and old age, but not yet. Today, in Sunrunner ritual, he was a man. He conjured Fire across the still Water, plucked a hair from his head to represent the Earth from which he was made, and blew the Air of his own breath to fan the flames. In them he saw a face: his own, matured and proud, with his father's strong bones and his mother's long-lidded eyes. The Fire flared then, and another face appeared beside his own. It was an older version of Hollis that he saw, her tawny hair sleekly braided around her head and bound with a thin silver circlet set with a single ruby, marking her as Lady of Radzyn Keep.

On his return, after more or less recovering from stunned happiness, he found a summons from Lady Andrade waiting. He was impervious to her wrath as she raged at him for disregarding the traditions of G.o.ddess Keep. When she finally snapped out an angry question about his penitence, he smiled at her with perfect serenity.

"I saw Hollis in the Fire and Water."

Andrade sucked in a breath and gave a terrible frown. But nothing more was said and neither Maarken nor Hollis had been punished. Still, he was heir to an important holding, a grandson of Prince Zehava, and cousin to the next High Prince. He could neither marry nor make a formal Choice without the consent of his parents and his prince. But he was only nineteen, Hollis was two years older, and there was time.

On receipt of her fifth ring that next summer, Hollis had been sent to Kadar Water in Ossetia. The holding was close enough to allow occasional visits and easy communication on sunlight between a trained faradhi faradhi and a mere apprentice, and the facilitation of such contact motivated Maarken to excel at his studies. The days were endurable, with the touch of her colors available to him on the sunlight; the nights were very long. and a mere apprentice, and the facilitation of such contact motivated Maarken to excel at his studies. The days were endurable, with the touch of her colors available to him on the sunlight; the nights were very long.

Hollis herself had been the one to plead patience. She was adamant that he not approach his parents or the High Prince until they each had a sixth ring, signifying they were capable of using moonlight as well as sunlight. "They have to know I can be of use to you and to them," she told him quite frankly. "And you have to prove you've gained all the skills your gifts demand. I'm learning what I need to know about courts and manners, and how to run a holding-things I can only learn here at Kadar Water. I have to be able to function as your lady as well as a Sunrunner. Besides, if I'm to be at Radzyn one day, I'll have to learn about horses-and where better to do that than at Kadar Water, the compet.i.tion?" And though they had both laughed at this, she had quickly become serious again. "It's important to me, Maarken-as important as your knighthood was to you."

He had reluctantly agreed. Now, looking down at the six rings glinting on his fingers as he held Isulkian's reins, he wondered why he still hesitated. He could tell his parents, or wait for the Rialla Rialla until they met her and saw her worth for themselves. Andrade had recalled Hollis to the keep with the understanding that the young woman would be part of her suite at Waes. Maarken was grateful but suspicious; he knew his aunt, and she never did anything without a specific goal in mind. If she wished him to marry Hollis, it was not for reasons of their love, although she would have no objections to their being happy. No, Andrade must have something else in mind, and it worried him. until they met her and saw her worth for themselves. Andrade had recalled Hollis to the keep with the understanding that the young woman would be part of her suite at Waes. Maarken was grateful but suspicious; he knew his aunt, and she never did anything without a specific goal in mind. If she wished him to marry Hollis, it was not for reasons of their love, although she would have no objections to their being happy. No, Andrade must have something else in mind, and it worried him.

He could not count on his parents as allies yet, no matter how often they said they wanted his happiness above all else. He was, after all, their eldest son and heir, a powerful position even without his blood bond with Pol. He would rule the only safe port on the Desert coast, through which all important trade pa.s.sed: horses, gold, salt, and gla.s.s ingots going out; foodstuffs, manufactured goods, and especially precious silk coming in. Radzyn bred horses of a quality that brought higher prices every Rialla, Rialla, but its real wealth was in the trade it administered. Maarken's grandsire had been rich, his father was richer still, and he did not yet adequately appreciate just how rich but its real wealth was in the trade it administered. Maarken's grandsire had been rich, his father was richer still, and he did not yet adequately appreciate just how rich he he was going to be. By all the rules, he ought to marry a woman of birth if not fortune to match his own. was going to be. By all the rules, he ought to marry a woman of birth if not fortune to match his own.

Hollis was an uncommon woman, but she was common-born of two faradh'im faradh'im at G.o.ddess Keep, who had themselves been of no recognized family connections. Her children with Maarken would certainly inherit the gifts, reinforced through both parents. Maarken had already had experience with the suspicion and envy attached to being both Sunrunner and son of a powerful family. at G.o.ddess Keep, who had themselves been of no recognized family connections. Her children with Maarken would certainly inherit the gifts, reinforced through both parents. Maarken had already had experience with the suspicion and envy attached to being both Sunrunner and son of a powerful family.