ggk.asongforarbonne-第50章

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sgiving　before　riding　off。　Valery；　seeing　that　look　and　catching　Blaise's　eye；　had　shrugged　then；　too。　They'd　yawned　together　and　had　gone　back　to　their　beds　for　what　little　remained　of　the　night。
　　When　they　descended　the　stairs　again　Bertran　had　not　yet　returned。　He　came　back　later　in　the　morning　in　a　silent　mood　and　had　remained　that　way　all　day；　venturing　out　alone　twice　for　brief　periods。　He　didn't　enlighten　them　as　to　why。　He　went　out　again　that　night；　smiling　and　scented；　to　a　different　house　in　the　city。　Blaise　didn't　bother　asking　Valery　who　lived　there；　he　didn't　want　to　know。
　　Towards　the　end　of　the　next　afternoon；　the　three　of　them　had　taken　their　horses　and　ridden　out　of　Lussan　and　then　along　a　winding　country　lane　to　The　Silver　Tree；　where　the　larger　part　of　the　duke's　men　were　staying。　Bertran　had　again　been　silent　during　that　ride。　〃We're　meeting　someone；〃　was　all　he'd　said　when　they　set　out。　〃After　dark。〃　Valery　had　only　shrugged　when　Blaise　looked　at　him。　Blaise　had　decided　that　he　was　growing　tired　of　Valery's　shrugs；　too。
　　He　was　gazing　into　the　fire；　trying　with　only　marginal　success　to　do　some　reflecting　upon　the　larger；　grimmer　issues　that　awaited　them；　when　Serlo　appeared　suddenly　in　the　doorway　leading　to　the　larger　room；　making　him　start。　〃Someone　has　e；　my　lord。　He　is　alone；　cloaked　and　hooded；　with　his　face　concealed。　He　will　not　reveal　himself。〃
　　Bertran　shuffled　his　papers　together　before　standing　up。　〃That's　all　right。　Show　him　in　as　he　is　and　then　guard　the　door　for　us。　We　should　not　be　disturbed；　Serlo；　unless　I　call　for　you。〃
　　The　young　coran　nodded　and　went　out。　Valery　rose　to　his　feet　and　Blaise　did　the　same。　There　was　a　look　of　anticipation　and　of　something　else　now…a　kind　of　youthful；　infectious　delight…in　the　blue　eyes　of　the　duke。　Blaise；　against　his　will；　began　to　feel　a　quickening　excitement。
　　Serlo　returned　moments　later　escorting　a　man　who　was　indeed　wrapped　in　a　long　black　mantle　with　a　cloth　wrapped　about　his　face；　concealing　all　but　his　eyes。　The　man　wore　a　sword；　but　had；　as　Serlo　noted；　e　alone。　He　waited　until　the　young　coran　had　withdrawn　and　closed　the　door　behind　himself。　Then；　with　a　neat　sequence　of　movements；　he　let　fall　his　cloak　and　hood　and　removed　the　scarf。
　　Blaise　looked　sharply　over　at　Bertran；　saw　the　genuine　astonishment　in　the　duke's　expression　and　the　swift　beginning　of　anger；　and　then　he　began；　helplessly；　to　laugh。
　　〃Well；　good　evening　to　you　all；　at　any　rate；〃　said　Rudel　Correze　brightly　as　no　one　spoke。　〃I　hope　I'm　not　late；　or　early；　or　anything。〃
　　Bertran's　colour　had　risen；　the　scar　showed　white　on　his　face。　〃You　had　best　tell　me；　very　quickly；　who　you　are　and　what　you　think　you　are　doing；〃　he　said　icily。　Valery　had　now　moved　forward；　a　hand　to　his　sword　hilt；　his　glance　moving　uncertainly　towards　Blaise　and　then　to　the　man　in　the　doorway　again。
　　Still　laughing　at　the　sheer　audacity　of　it　all；　Blaise　said；　〃Actually；　you　did　say　on　the　road　to　Lussan　that　you　wanted　to　meet　this　man。　Shall　I　perform　the　introductions？〃
　　Bertran　looked　from　Blaise　back　to　the　new　arrival。　〃Ah；〃　he　said；　his　tone　changing。　He　lifted　one　eyebrow。　〃The　Correze　son？　With　the　poisoned　arrows？〃
　　Rudel　bowed　deeply。　His　hair　was　bright　in　the　blazing　light　of　the　fire　and　the　candles。　He　grimaced　wryly　when　he　straightened。　〃I　do　apologize　for　that。　It　was　a　long　shot　at　night。　I　am　glad　to　see　you　well；　my　lord。〃　He　turned　to　Valery。　〃And　you。　I　trust　you　are　recovered？〃
　　〃Entirely　recovered；　thank　you；〃　said　Valery　politely；　letting　go　of　his　sword。　〃I　am　a　walking　tribute　to　the　arts　of　the　priestesses　of　Rian。〃　There　was　a　flicker　of　amusement　in　his　eyes；　Blaise　saw。
　　His　old　friend　turned　to　him　last　of　all。　〃You　must　have　greatly　enjoyed　that　last　conversation　of　ours；〃　Rudel　Correze　said　quietly。　〃Knowing　what　you　knew；　and　chose　to　keep　from　me。〃
　　〃Not　really；〃　Blaise　said。　〃Not　at　the　time；　at　any　rate。　I　thought　Valery　was　dead；　and　you　caught　me　unawares　with　almost　everything　you　told　me。　I　had　a　difficult　time；　actually。　I　wouldn't　have　told　you　about　your　mistake；　though；　even　if　I　had　been　inclined　to。　If　you　had　learned　the　duke　was　alive　you　might　have　felt　obliged　to　try　again；　and　I　would　have　had　to　have　you　taken　then；　with　problems　for　everyone　in　Arbonne。〃
　　〃Not　to　mention　for　myself；〃　Rudel　said　lightly。　He　was　listening　carefully　though。
　　〃You　would　have　deserved　it；〃　Blaise　said。　〃I'll　concede　that　afterwards　I　did　enjoy　the　thought　of　you　showing　up　in　Gotzland　to　claim　the　money。〃
　　Rudel　made　a　sour　face。　〃I'm　sure　you　did。　You　ensured　I　would　arrive　triumphantly　in　Aulensburg；　report　a　successful　mission；　confirm　the　deposit　of　my　ridiculous　fee…and　then　deal　with　the　discovery；　a　fortnight　later；　that　the　esteemed　duke　of　Talair…〃　he　smiled　briefly　at　Bertran　〃…was　engaged　in　ongoing　diplomatic　exchanges　with　King　Jorg　at　Aulensburg　and　not；　evidently；　from　beyond　the　grave。〃
　　〃So　you　gave　the　money　back？〃　Blaise　feigned　ignorance。　He　was　now　enjoying　this。
　　〃I　gave　back　what　was　left　of　it；　under　some　impolite　pressure　from　Gorhaut's　ambassador　to　the　court　in　Aulensburg。　Not　a　pleasant　man；　I　can　tell　you。　I　had　to　approach　my　father's　branch　bank　for　certain　sums　that　were　not　。。。　readily　available　to　me　privately。〃
　　〃After　only　a　fortnight？〃　Blaise　raised　his　eyebrows　in　feigned　surprise。　〃What　did　you　buy？　All　the　gems　of　the　east？　How　much　could　you　have　spent　in　two　weeks？〃
　　〃Enough；〃　said　Rudel　tersely；　his　handsome　face　colouring。　〃Enough　that　you　may　consider　our　personal　slate　from　that　night　in　Tavernel　to　be　balanced；　at　the　very　least。　My　father　currently　has　a　view　of　me　that　may　well　match　the　one　yours　has　of　you。　Paying　out　money　does　that　to　him；　I'm　afraid。〃
　　〃Sad　tidings；〃　said　Bertran　de　Talair；　his　equanimity　regained。　Blaise　recognized　the　tone　and　the　glint　in　his　eyes。　〃But　leaving；　as　I　suppose　we　must；　past　trials　for　present　affairs；　I　do　think　it　reasonable　to　ask　what　you　are　doing　here。〃
　　〃It　is　entirely　reasonable。〃　Rudel　paused；　looked　over　at　the　long　table　by　the　far　wall。　〃I　did　hear　you　were　known　for　serving　a　good　wine；〃　he　said　politely。
　　Shaking　his　head；　Valery　walked　over　to　the　table　and　poured　him　a　glass。　He　came　back；　handed　it　to　the　Portezzan；　then　stood　near　him；　waiting。　Bertran　did　not　speak　again；　and　neither；　now；　did　Blaise。　Rudel　sipped；　smiled　his　approval；　and　went　on。
　　〃I　am　sadly　between　contracts　at　the　moment；〃　he　said　calmly；　and　Blaise　saw　Bertran　and　Valery　both　take　the　point。　〃Given　last　summer's　events；　and　the　unexpected　involvement　of　my　old　friend　Blaise；　I　still　had　something　of　an　interest　in　you；　En　Bertran。　With　nothing　better　to　do　before　the　tournament；　I　made　a　point　of　tracking　your　movements　the　past　two　days　since　we　all　arrived　in　Lussan　and　settled　in　for　the　fair…lamentably　lacking　the　pany　of　the　choleric　lord　of　Andoria。〃　He　drank　again；　with　obvious　pleasure。　〃When　you　took　these　quarters　outside　the　walls　in　addition　to　your　usual　town　residence；　and　then　rode　out　here　at　day's　end　with　only　our　cousin　and　my　friend　Blaise；　it　seemed　appropriate　to　conclude　that　some　meeting　of　a　private　nature　was　about　to　take　place。〃
　　However　posed　Rudel　might　be；　the　duke　of　Talair　was　a　match　for　him。　Coolly；　not　smiling　now；　Bertran　said；　〃Such　a　conclusion　might　indeed　seem　appropriate。　The　question　is；　why；　having　made　that　deduction；　would　you　take　it　upon　yourself　to　intrude　upon　that　meeting？〃　There　was　something　unreal；　an　almost　hallucinatory　quality　to　the　dialogue　taking　place；　Blaise　thought。　One　of　the　men　talking　so　pleasantly　here　had　attempted　to　kill　the　other　just　three　months　ago　for　a　quarter　of　a　million　in　gold。　He　couldn't　think　of　any　other　men　he　knew　who　could　have　had　this　conversation。
　　Rudel　sipped　his　wine　again。　He　favoured　them　all　with　his　most　brilliant　smile。　〃To　be　honest；〃　he　murmured；　〃I　thought　it　might　be　amusing。〃
　　Looking　at　his　friend；　at　the　clever；　handsome　face；　Blaise　knew　with　certainty　that　this　was　at　least　part　of　the　truth；　possibly　even　the　largest　part。　He　saw　that　Bertran　realized　it；　too。　The　duke's　own　amusement　was　obvious。　He　shook　his　head　and　looked　over　at　Valery。　His　cousin's　expression　was　wry。
　　〃Does　this　fellow　remind　you　of　anyone？〃　Bertran　asked。
　　〃Someone　I　grew　up　with；　yes；〃　Valery　said。　〃A　cousin　I　never　expected　to　see　reach　the　age　you　seem　to　have　attained。〃　Blaise　turned　his　head　towards　the　door；　he　had　heard　voices；　and　now　there　were　footsteps　outside。　〃What；〃　Valery　went　on　calmly；　〃do　you　want　us　to　do　with　him？〃
　　〃I　should　mention；〃　Rudel　said　quickly；　before　Bertran　could　reply；　〃that　I　had　one　more　piece　of　information　in　solving　this　riddle。　While　I　was　watching　by　the　walls　this　evening；　at　the　gate　from　which　you　left；　I　did　see　a　small　party　of　men；　one　of　them　masked；　the　others　hooded；　ride　out　at　darkfall。　They　were　not　in　a　hurry。　It　gave　me　the　opportunity　to　have　this　most　enjoyable　encounter　in　private　with　you。〃
　　There　came　a　diffident　knocking　at　the　door。　〃Yes；　Serlo；　what　is　it？〃
　　The　young　coran's　voice　on　the　other　side　was　angry　and　confused。　〃I　am　sorry；　my　lord；　but　another　party　is　here。　A　man　in　a　mask　who　says　he　has　a　meeting　with　you　here　tonight。　He　has　an　escort　with　him。〃　
　　〃Four　men；〃　Rudel　said　helpfully。　
　　〃Four　corans　with　weapons；〃　Serlo　went　on。　〃I　don't　recognize　the　livery。〃
　　〃I　don't　think　you　are　meant　to；〃　Bertran　said；　opening　the　door。　〃I　think　that　is　our　proper　guest。　Escort　him　here；　Serlo；　and　then　entertain　his　escort。　These　may　not；　in　the　end；　turn　out　to　be　friends；　but　they　are　guests　tonight。　Treat　them　accordingly。〃
　　Serlo；　looking　unhappy；　went　away。　
　　〃I　grow　more　and　more　curious；〃　said　Rudel　Correze　cheerfully。　〃I'm　so　glad　you　invited　me　in。〃
　　Bertran　swung　the　heavy　door　closed。　His　expression　was　quite　sober。　〃We　have　only　a　moment；〃　he　said。　〃I　can　have　my　corans　render　you　unconscious；　or　bind　and　gag　you　in　a　back　room　somewhere。　I　may　have　to。　One　last　time：　is　it　only　idle　mischief　that　brings　you　here？〃
　　Rudel's　expression；　not　surprisingly；　had　also　changed；　but　less　than　one　might　have　expected…unless　one　knew　the　man。　Eyes　bright　in　the　firelight；　he　said；　〃I　am　not　accustomed　at　this　point　in　my　career　to　having　to　solicit　missions；　but　I　did　tell　you　I　was　between　engagements。　You　might　spare　my　pride　and　regard　that　as　a　hint。〃
　　There　was　another　brief　silence；　and　then　Bertran　de　Talair　began；　helplessly；　to　laugh。　Blaise；　staring　at　his　friend；　followed　suit　a　moment　later。　Rudel　grinned　back　at　them　both；　pleased。　Whatever　one　might　ever　say　about　Rudel　Correze；　Blaise　thought　ruefully；　things　were　seldom　dull　when　he　was　around。
　　The　same；　for　that　matter；　might　be　said　of　En　Bertran　de　Talair。　The　duke　said；　〃You　are　seeking　employment　with　me；　is　that　correct？〃
　　〃I　am。〃
　　〃Might　I　ask　why？〃
　　And　now　Rudel's　expression　finally　became　serious；　and　one　was　inescapably　reminded　that　this　was　the　scion　of　one　of　the　wealthiest；　most　aristocratic　banking　houses　in　Portezza；　with　family　connections　to　most　of　the　nobility　in　that　country。　He　laid　down　his　glass　on