rh.royalassassin-第12章

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　　　　　　　But　as　I　set　my　foot　to　the　first　step；　Lacey　came　bounding　down。　A　plump　woman　more　than　a　score　of　years　older　than　myself；　she　still　moved　down　the　steps　with　a　child's　skipping　gait。　As　she　reached　the　bottom　she　seized　me　with　a　cry　of　〃There　you　are！〃　as　if　I　were　a　pair　of　shears　she'd　misplaced　from　her　sewing　basket。　She　clutched　my　arm　firmly　and　turned　me　toward　the　hall。　〃I've　been　up　and　down　those　stairs　a　dozen　times　today　if　I've　been　once。　My；　you've　gotten　taller。　Lady　Patience　has　not　been　at　all　herself　and　it's　your　fault。　At　first　she　expected　you　to　tap　on　the　door　any　moment。　She　was　so　pleased　you　were　finally　home。〃　She　paused　to　look　up　at　me　with　her　bright　bird　eyes。　〃That　was　this　morning；〃　she　confided。　Then：　〃You　have　been　ill！　Such　circles　under　your　eyes。〃
　　　　　　　Without　giving　me　a　chance　to　reply；　she　went　on；　〃By　early　afternoon；　when　you　hadn't　arrived；　she　began　to　be　insulted　and　a　bit　cross。　By　dinner　she　was　in　such　a　temper　over　your　rudeness　she　could　scarcely　eat。　Since　then；　she's　decided　to　believe　the　rumors　about　how　sick　you've　been。　She's　sure　that　you've　either　collapsed　somewhere；　or　that　Burrich　has　kept　you　down　in　the　stables　cleaning　up　after　horses　and　dogs　despite　your　health。　Now；　here　we　are；　in　you　go；　I　have　him；　my　lady。〃　And　she　whisked　me　into　Patience's　chambers。
　　　　　　　Lacey's　chatter　had　an　odd　undertone　to　it；　as　if　she　avoided　something。　I　entered　hesitantly；　wondering　if　Patience　herself　had　been　ill　or　if　some　misfortune　had　befallen　her。　If　either　were　so；　then　it　hadn't　affected　her　living　habits　at　all。　Her　chambers　were　much　as　they　always　were。　All　her　greenery　had　grown　and　twined　and　dropped　leaves。　A　new　layer　of　sudden　interests　overlay　all　the　discarded　ones　in　the　room。　Two　doves　had　been　added　to　her　menagerie。　A　dozen　or　so　horseshoes　were　scattered　about　the　room。　A　fat　bayberry　candle　burned　on　the　table；　giving　off　a　pleasant　scent；　but　dripping　wax　onto　some　dried　flowers　and　herbs　on　a　tray　beside　it。　Some　oddly　carved　little　sticks　in　a　bundle　were　also　threatened。　They　appeared　to　be　fortune…telling　sticks　such　as　the　Chyurda　used。　As　I　entered；　her　tough　little　terrier　bitch　came　up　to　greet　me。　I　stooped　to　pat　her；　then　wondered　if　I　could　stand　again。　To　cover　my　delay；　I　carefully　picked　up　a　tablet　from　the　floor。　It　was　a　rather　old　one；　and　probably　rare；　on　the　use　of　the　fortune…telling　sticks。　Patience　turned　away　from　her　loom　to　greet　me。
　　　　　　　〃Oh；　get　up　and　stop　being　ridiculous；〃　she　exclaimed　at　seeing　me　crouch。　〃Going　down　on　one　knee　is　idiocy。　Or　did　you　think　it　would　make　me　forget　how　rude　you've　been　in　not　ing　to　see　me　right　away。　What's　that　you've　brought　me？　Oh；　how　thoughtful！　How　did　you　know　I'd　been　studying　them？　You　know；　I've　searched　all　the　castle's　libraries　and　not　found　much　on　the　predicting　sticks　at　all！〃
　　　　　　　She　took　the　tablet　from　my　hand　and　smiled　up　at　me　at　the　supposed　gift。　Over　her　shoulder；　Lacey　winked　at　me。　I　gave　a　minuscule　shrug　in　return。　I　glanced　back　at　Lady　Patience；　who　set　the　tablet　atop　a　teetering　stack　of　tablets。　She　turned　back　to　me。　For　a　moment　she　regarded　me　warmly；　then　she　called　up　a　frown　to　her　face。　Her　brows　gathered　over　her　hazel　eyes；　while　her　small　straight　mouth　held　a　firm　line。　The　effect　of　her　reproving　look　was　rather　spoiled　by　the　fact　that　she　came　just　to　my　shoulder　now；　and　that　she　had　two　ivy　leaves　stuck　in　her　hair。　〃Excuse　me；〃　I　said；　and　boldly　plucked　them　from　the　unruly　dark　curls。　She　took　them　from　my　hand　seriously；　as　if　they　were　important；　and　set　them　atop　the　tablet。
　　　　　　　〃Where　have　you　been；　all　these　months；　when　you　were　needed　here？〃　she　demanded。　〃Your　uncle's　bride　arrived　months　ago。　You've　missed　the　formal　wedding；　you've　missed　the　feasting　and　the　dancing　and　the　gathering　of　the　nobles。　Here　I　am；　expending　all　my　energies　to　see　that　you　are　treated　as　the　son　of　a　Prince；　and　there　you　are；　avoiding　all　your　social　obligations。　And　when　you　do　get　home；　you　don't　e　to　see　me；　but　go　all　about　the　Keep　where　anyone　else　might　talk　to　you；　dressed　like　a　ragged　tinker。　Whatever　possessed　you　to　cut　your　hair　like　that？〃　My　father's　wife；　once　horrified　to　discover　that　he　had　sired　a　bastard　before　they　were　wed；　had　gone　from　abhorring　me　to　aggressively　bettering　me。　Sometimes　that　was　more　difficult　to　deal　with　than　if　she　had　ostracized　me。　Now　she　demanded；　〃Had　you　no　thought　that　you　might　have　social　duties　here　that　were　more　important　than　gallivanting　about　with　Burrich　looking　at　horses？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　am　sorry；　my　lady。〃　Experience　had　taught　me　never　to　argue　with　Patience。　Her　eccentricity　had　delighted　Prince　Chivalry。　It　drove　me　to　distraction　on　a　good　day。　Tonight　I　felt　overwhelmed　by　it。　〃For　a　time　I　was　ill。　I　did　not　feel　well　enough　to　travel。　By　the　time　I　recovered；　the　weather　delayed　us。　I　am　sorry　to　have　missed　the　wedding。〃
　　　　　　　〃And　that　was　all？　That　was　the　sole　reason　for　your　delay？〃　She　spoke　sharply；　as　if　suspecting　some　heinous　deception。
　　　　　　　〃It　was；〃　I　answered　gravely。　〃But　I　did　think　of　you。　I　have　something　for　you；　out　in　my　packs。　I　haven't　brought　them　up　from　the　stable　yet；　but　I　will　tomorrow。〃
　　　　　　　〃What　is　it？〃　she　demanded；　curious　as　a　child。
　　　　　　　I　took　a　deep　breath。　I　desperately　wished　for　my　bed。　〃It's　a　sort　of　an　herbal。　A　simple　one；　for　they　are　delicate；　and　the　more　ornate　ones　would　not　have　stood　up　to　the　trip。　The　Chyurda　don't　use　tablets　or　scrolls　for　teaching　herbs；　as　we　do。　Instead；　this　is　a　wooden　case。　When　you　open　it；　you　will　discover　tiny　wax　models　of　the　herbs；　tinted　to　the　correct　colors　and　scented　with　each　herb　to　make　it　easier　to　learn　them。　The　lettering　is　in　Chyurda；　of　course；　but　I　still　thought　you　would　enjoy　it。〃
　　　　　　　〃It　sounds　quite　interesting；〃　she　said；　and　her　eyes　shone。　〃I　look　forward　to　seeing　it。〃
　　　　　　　〃Shall　I　bring　him　a　chair；　my　lady？　He　does　look　as　if　he　has　been　ill；〃　Lacey　interjected。
　　　　　　　〃Oh；　of　course；　Lacey。　Sit　down；　boy。　Tell　me；　what　was　your　illness？〃　。
　　　　　　　〃I　ate　something；　one　of　the　foreign　herbs；　and　had　a　strong　reaction　to　it。〃　There。　That　was　truthful。　Lacey　brought　me　a　small　stool　and　I　sat　gratefully。　A　wave　of　weariness　passed　through　me。
　　　　　　　〃Oh。　I　see。〃　She　dismissed　my　illness。　She　took　a　breath；　glanced　about；　then　suddenly　demanded；　〃Tell　me。　Have　you　ever　considered　marriage？〃
　　　　　　　The　abrupt　change　in　subject　was　so　like　Patience　that　I　had　to　smile。　I　tried　to　put　my　mind　to　the　question。　For　a　moment　I　saw　Molly；　her　cheeks　reddened　with　the　wind　that　teased　her　dark　hair　loose。　Molly。　Tomorrow；　I　promised　myself。　Siltbay。
　　　　　　　〃Fitz！　Stop　that！　I　won't　have　you　staring　through　me　as　if　I　were　not　here。　Do　you　hear　me？　Are　you　well？〃
　　　　　　　With　an　effort　I　called　myself　back。　〃Not　really；〃　I　answered　honestly。　〃It's　been　a　tiring　day　for　me　。。。。〃
　　　　　　　〃Lacey；　fetch　the　boy　a　cup　of　elderberry　wine。　He　does　look　worn。　Maybe　this　isn't　the　best　time　for　talk；〃　Lady　Patience　decided　falteringly。　For　the　first　time　she　really　looked　at　me。　Genuine　concern　grew　in　her　eyes。　〃Perhaps；〃　she　suggested　softly；　after　a　moment；　〃I　do　not　know　the　full　tale　of　your　adventures。〃
　　　　　　　I　looked　down　at　my　padded　mountain　buskins。　The　truth　hovered　inside　me；　then　fell　and　was　drowned　in　the　danger　of　her　knowing　all　that　truth。　〃A　long　journey。　Bad　food。　Dirty　inns　with　sour　beds　and　sticky　tables。　That　sums　it　up。　I　don't　think　you　really　want　to　hear　all　the　details。〃
　　　　　　　An　odd　thing　happened。　Our　eyes　met；　and　I　knew　she　saw　my　lie。　She　nodded　slowly；　accepting　the　lie　as　necessary；　and　looked　aside。　I　wondered　how　many　times　my　father　had　told　her　similar　lies。　What　did　it　cost　her　to　nod？
　　　　　　　Lacey　put　the　cup　of　wine　into　my　hand　firmly。　I　lifted　it；　and　the　sweet　sting　of　the　first　sip　revived　me。　I　held　it　in　both　hands　and　managed　to　smile　at　Patience　over　it。　〃Tell　me；〃　I　began；　and　despite　myself；　my　voice　quavered　like　an　old　man's。　I　cleared　my　throat　to　steady　it。　〃How　have　you　been？　I　imagine　that　having　a　Queen　here　at　Buckkeep　has　made　your　life　much　busier。　Tell　me　of　all　I　have　missed。〃
　　　　　　　〃Oh；〃　she　said；　as　if　pricked　with　a　pin。　Now　it　was　Patience's　turn　to　look　aside。　〃You　know　what　a　solitary　creature　I　am。　My　health　is　not　always　strong。　To　stay　up　late；　dancing　and　talking；　leaves　me　abed　for　two　days　afterward。　No。　I　have　presented　myself　to　the　Queen　and　sat　at　table　with　her　a　time　or　two。　But　she　is　young　and　busy　and　caught　up　in　her　new　life。　And　I　am　old　and　odd；　and　my　life　is　full　of　my　own　interests　。。。。〃
　　　　　　　〃Kettricken　shares　your　love　of　growing　things；〃　I　ventured。　〃She　would　probably　be　most　interested…〃　A　sudden　tremor　rattled　my　bones　and　my　teeth　chattered　to　stillness。　‘。‘I　am　just　。。。　a　bit　cold。〃　I　excused　myself　and　lifted　my　wine　cup　again。　I　took　a　gulp　instead　of　the　sip　I　had　intended。　My　hands　shook　and　wine　sloshed　over　my　chin　and　down　my　shirtfront。　I　jumped　up　in　dismay　and　my　traitorous　hands　let　go　the　cup。　It　struck　the　carpet　and　rolled　away；　leaving　a　trail　of　dark　wine　like　blood。　I　sat　down　again　abruptly　and　clasped　my　arms　around　myself　to　try　to　still　my　shaking。　〃I　am　very　tired；〃　I　attempted。
　　　　　　　Lacey　came　at　me　with　a　cloth　and　dabbed　at　me　until　I　took　it　from　her。　I　wiped　my　chin　and　blotted　most　of　the　wine　from　my　shirt。　But　when　I　crouched　down　to　mop　up　what　had　spilled；　I　almost　pitched　forward　onto　my　face。
　　　　　　　〃No；　Fitz；　forget　the　wine。　We　can　tidy　up。　You　are　tired；　and　half…sick。　Just　take　yourself　up　to　bed。　e　and　see　me　when　you've　rested。　I've　something　serious　to　discuss　with　you；　but　it　will　keep　another　night。　Now　off　you　go；　boy。　Off　to　bed。〃
　　　　　　　I　stood；　grateful　for　the　reprieve；　and　made　my　cautious　courtesies。　Lacey　saw　me　as　far　as　the　door；　and　then　stood　watching　after　me　anxiously　as　far　as　the　landing。　I　tried　to　walk　as　if　the　walls　and　floors　weren't　wavering。　I　paused　at　the　stairs　to　give　her　a　small　wave；　and　then　started　up　them。　Three　steps　up　and　out　of　her　sight；　I　stopped　to　lean　on　the　wall　and　catch　my　breath。　I　lifted　my　hands　to　shield　my　eyes　from　the　brilliant　candlelight。　Dizziness　was　washing　over　me　in　waves。　When　I　opened　my　eyes；　my　vision　was　wreathed　in　rainbow　fogs。　I　closed　them　tight　and　pressed　my　hands　to　them。
　　　　　　　I　heard　a　light　step　ing　down　the　stairs　toward　me。　It　paused　two　steps　above　me。　〃Are　you　all　right；　sir？〃　someone　asked　uncertainly。
　　　　　　　〃A　bit　too　much　to　drink；〃　I　lied。　Certainly　the　wine　I　had　dumped　over　myself　made　me　smell　like　a　drunk。　〃I'll　be　fine　in　a　moment。〃
　　　　　　　〃Let　me　help　you　up　the　stairs。　A　stumble　here　might　be　dangerous。〃　There　was　starched　disapproval　in　the　voice　now。　I　opened　my　eyes　and　peered　through　my　fingers。　Blue　skirts。　Of　the　sensible　fabric　that　all　the　servants　wore。　No　doubt　she'd　had　to　deal　with　drunks　before。
　　　　　　　I　shook　my　head；　but　she　ignored　that；　just　as　I　would　have　in　her　position。　I　felt　a　strong　hand　grip　my　upper　arm　firmly；　while　her　other　arm　encircled　my　waist。　〃Let's　just　get　you　up　the　stairs；〃　she　encouraged　me。　I　leaned　on　her；　not　wanting　to；　and　stumbled　up　to　the　next　landing。
　　　　　　　〃Thank