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would dine with us tonight. Appleton used formal phrases appropriate to the nobility, but it obviously
wasn t natural to him. Judging from the casual way the people here ambled through the camp, Muller
doubted they worried much about protocol.
 Thank you for your invitation, Muller said.  It would be my pleasure to join your family tonight.
Appleton s shoulders came down from a tensed position Muller hadn t realized they had taken until the
big man relaxed. The man s face warmed in a more natural smile.  We look forward to making your
acquaintance and hearing news of Chime.
Muller beamed.  There is much news. Tonight, he would tell them about the child.
His father-in-law paused.  Please forgive my lack of experience, Your Highness, but I have never invited
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a member of the royal family to supper before. Will you bring a retinue?
Muller rarely went anywhere without one, especially now that Brant insisted he have protection at all
times. He had no intention of hanging back if he had to go to war, but he had otherwise given Brant his
word to accept a bodyguard. And of course he traveled with his aides and other attendants. If he
showed up at Chime s home with a royal company, though, her family would feel obligated to feed them
all. He had no wish to cause hardship.
 I have two in my retinue, he said.  My aide and my bodyguard. He would take Arkandy and Archer.
Appleton looked taken aback.  Does Chime have bodyguards, too? Muller inwardly winced. He had
stumbled into a quagmire. He didn t want to start out with his wife s family by telling them someone had
twice tried to abduct their daughter. Better to ease that gently to them, if at all.  All members of the royal
family have them, Muller said. It was true, though only since the kidnap attempts. But he needn t add
that last.  Ah. I see. Appleton relaxed.  I won t detain you any longer. His weathered face creased in a
smile.  I did want to make sure you were welcomed. We look forward to your company tonight.
 Thank you, kind sir.
After his father-in-law left, Muller turned back to his work. As he set up his tent, Arkandy came over to
him.
 Do you know him? Arkandy asked.
 Not yet. Muller grinned.  I know his daughter.
 Hai! That was Chime s father?
Muller chuckled.  Do not look so alarmed.
 You laugh, Arkandy said darkly.  Many a man has been brought down by overconfidence.
 I m not facing Harsdown. Just my wife s family.
 I should think the former would be less fearsome.
Muller gave a rueful laugh.  Perhaps. Her father seems amiable.
 I hope so.
Muller slapped him on the back.  Tonight we will see.
Twilight settled over Jacob s Vale with the humid warmth of the southern provinces. Muller and
Arkandy strolled along the streets together, but Archer insisted on ranging farther out, keeping
surveillance. Muller was too nervous to complain. He kept reminding himself he had dined with royalty
and nobles. It didn t help. The prospect of meeting Chime s family thoroughly intimidated him. Courage,
he thought. He wished Chime were here.
Even if she hadn t told him where to find her home, he would have known he had reached the right
house by the two boys standing on the porch outside. They were younger, male versions of Chime, one
fourteen and the other ten, both with tousled yellow curls spilling down their necks, large blue eyes, and
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angelic faces. Given what he knew of his wife, he suspected those innocent faces disguised a world of
mischief.
 Ho! the younger boy shouted, spotting Muller. The other boy shushed him.
As Muller came up to the door, the older boy bowed.  Good Eve, You Hi-highness.
 And to you, Muller said amiably.
 You don t look like a king, the younger boy said.  More like a minstrel.  Drummer! The older boy
turned red. He spoke quickly to Muller, his words spilling out.  I m really sorry, Your Lordship -ness.
He didn t mean that. Really.
Muller couldn t help but smile at this new title. Nor had anyone ever mistaken him for a singer. He rather
liked the daydream of wandering across the country singing love ballads. He would compose them all for
this boy s sister.  I m actually not a king, he told them.  But I am the cousin of one. You can call me
Muller.
 Oh. Drummer s eyes widened.
The door behind the boys swung open and a girl with yellow hair and blue eyes looked out. She looked
too much like Chime to be anyone except her sister, though Muller didn t remember Chime mentioning
one. Perhaps a cousin.  Hunter, Drummer, why oh! She stared at Muller. Then she shook herself and
bowed. Warm light poured around her, silhouetting her body, though he could tell she had on a yellow
dress, country style, with a flared skirt and fitted bodice. The lovely effect made him think of Chime.
 Please, come in, Your Highness, she said.
Muller bowed.  You honor me, Mistress Headwind. Are your parents in? The woman dimpled just like
Chime.  Such flattery. She moved aside to let him enter.  My husband went to the cellar for some
wine. Her husband? Mortified, Muller realized his mistake.  My apologies, ma am. I mistook you for
Chime s sister.
Her laugh was as melodic as sparkling water.  Hardly an insult, I assure you. I am Bell Headwind.
 My honor at your acquaintance. He gave her a formal nod and entered the house with Arkandy and
Archer. The two boys came close on their heels, making no secret of their fascination with Muller and his
warriors. Drummer looked up at him, wide-eyed.  Do you know how to use a sword?
Muller smiled.  Yes, I do.
His eyes became very round.  Will you teach me?  Hush, Drummer, Bell murmured. She ushered [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]