At midday everyone gathered in the pavilion for the luncheon picnic. There were cold aureoles and pheasant, bits of beef in a fiery red sauce, cardamom bread, strawberries and clotted cream, and plentiful wine and cider. Afterward the servants spread blankets on the ground and most of the courtiers sought out a shady spot for a nap through the hot part of the day. Seregil was about to do the same when Alaya came to him. “The princess has heard about your bakshi playing, Lord Seregil, and would like a game with you.”

“Of course,” Seregil said. “Are there stones? I didn’t bring mine.”

Stones were found and he joined the princess at one of several lichen-crusted marble tables under an ancient spreading oak.

“I’ve heard a great deal from Reltheus about your skill at gaming,” Elani said, pouring her stones into the tray.

“Alec can shoot. I can gamble, Highness,” Seregil said with a smile.

“Perhaps you can teach me a thing or two, then. I don’t have much luck, but everyone except Alaya and Reltheus always tries to let me win.”

“Just as they do at shooting?”

“Alec told you that, did he?”

“Yes. And I assure you, I play to win.”

She grinned. “Then you’re both honest men. I like that.”

“If I may, Highness, you seem like a very direct young woman, yourself.”

“Do I?” She seemed pleased. “Mother says I’m too blunt.”

“Just another word for being honest. The queen herself is very—honest.”

Elani laughed as she placed her first stone. “Yes, she is, but I think that’s part of what makes her such a splendid warrior and queen, don’t you?”

“I do indeed, Highness.”

They began to play in earnest, with Seregil giving advice now and then. In spite of his help, however, he won three games in a row.

“I see your reputation is well deserved,” Elani laughed. “You have the Lightbearer’s luck, as they say. But you would, wouldn’t you, being ’faie?”

“We’re not all lucky, Highness, and my luck only runs in certain ways, none of them very useful.”

“But I hear that you back privateer ships. That’s very useful. May I ask you something?”

“Of course, Highness. Anything.”

“We’re said to be distant kin. Why aren’t you at court?”

Grinning, Seregil flipped a bakshi stone in the air and caught it. “Because I’m not very respectable, Highness.”

“But you were at court for a time?”

“When I was very young.”

“I’ve heard that you were friends with Aunt Phoria and Uncle Korathan.”

“I was. I think I can say that I’m still on good terms with your uncle.”

“And Aunt Klia. That’s why I wondered—But you’ve already said. So why aren’t you on good terms with the queen?”

How to answer that? “Well, as I said, I’ve become a bit of a wastrel over the years.”