Camwyn glanced at Duke Verrakai, then looked at her squires. The girl must be Aris’s sister Gwennothlin, her face browned by sun; she grinned past him at Aris. The other was Daryan Serrostin. Camwyn looked at his hand, hoping to see the twig-thumb of rumor, but Daryan wore gloves.

After the greeting, they rode on toward the house, set on a low rise beyond the stream that trickled through stones of the ford. Camwyn saw rows of children holding flowers and repressed a grin with an effort. He, prince of Tsaia, was going to ride through another rain of flower petals. A perfect day!

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Dorrin Verrakai waited with her escort at the forest edge. She heard the king’s party already—the thud of hooves, the jingle of tack and harness, the voices.

The king’s party appeared shortly: his standard-bearers in front, great banners drooping in the still air, then the king and the prince, flanked by Royal Guard troops, including two trumpeters. Behind them High Marshal Seklis in Girdish blue and white, Duke Marrakai in red and green, Count Konhalt in yellow with blue trim, and Baron Nunaver, one of Konhalt’s vassals. At a little distance, Dorrin heard the noise of the royal baggage train. They stopped; the trumpeters blew a fanfare, and the standard-bearers hailed Dorrin.

“Behold the king of Tsaia, Mikeli of the house of Mahieran.”

Dorrin bowed in the saddle, as did her squires and escort.

“Be welcome, lord king, to Verrakai lands and Verrakai House.”

“Thank you, Duke Verrakai,” the king said. “Ride with me if you will.”

Dorrin edged her horse nearer the king’s as the standard-bearers once more led the way and her squires spread to either side.

“Lord king, if I may—my kirgan—”

“Is he here?” the king asked.

“Lord king, he awaits at the house, but I have an urgent errand for him elsewhere if it please you—”

“I’m glad he’s here; I will greet him, and then he must leave. I must meet all heirs, and … I want to see and judge him for myself. I will explain later.”

“As you will, lord king. He is ready to leave on my signal.”

“I will tell you.”

“Your command, lord king.” She bowed again, then faced forward. Verrakai House looked well—the broad meadows spangled with wildflowers in all colors, the cattle at a distance, the house itself with the royal colors draping the entrance and windows, the children, backed by servants in Verrakai livery, flanking the way up to the steps, flowers in hand. She glanced at the king.

He looked as handsome as ever, erect in the saddle, his skin touched more by the sun than she’d seen before. Perhaps the days of riding in the fresh summer air, away from the city and the confines of court, had relaxed him. He smiled as he caught sight of the children. “You have outdone yourself, my lord Duke.”