Vars smiled to himself. Manage this right, and he could take a tour of all the best places to drink before he headed back. Lenore would be fine; after all, she had that fool Rodry coming to protect her.

***

A little to the left, Hershel, Rodry called out to one of his companions. Youll never hit what youre aiming for at this rate!

He pretended joviality, although right then, he could only think of Nerra, and what he could be doing that was more useful.

I bet thats what the last woman you were with said, the young nobleman called back, and nocked another arrow, firing it off in the direction of the pheasant that had just eluded him.

Are all your hunts like this? Finnal said, sitting atop his horse so primly and so calmly that he might have been riding in a courtyard and not across open fields.

Like what? Rodry demanded.

So raucous? he asked, and not for the first time that day, Rodry had to remind himself that this was the man his sister planned to marry, and that they would need to get along. He had promised Lenore.

Its not that raucous, Rodry said. To be fair, it was quite raucous. Of the Knights of the Spur who had been co-opted into this, Halfin and Ursus seemed to be arguing about whether strength or speed was better on a hunt, Sir Twell was disagreeing vehemently and saying that they should set traps, while the younger noblemen seemed to be riding and shooting, or practicing sword blows with one another while looking on and hoping that the older knights would notice them.

Okay, Rodry admitted. Its a little raucous.

Just a little, Finnal said. He held out a hand to an attendant, who passed him a loaded crossbow, since it was clearly too much work for him to draw it himself. Rodry saw him track a bird as it rose, then pull the trigger. There was a squawk as the quarrel struck home.

A fine shot! Rodry said. He would give his future brother-in-law that much.

I suppose so, Finnal said, apparently uninterested. He looked out over the knights and the noblemen. So, is this what your companions do with their days? They ride and they hunt?

What would you have them do? Rodry asked.

Finnal shrugged. I dont know. I just thought there would be… more. Lenore has spoken of your heroism.

Rodry smiled at that. Let me guess, she was trying to get you to be better friends with me?

Finnal paused for a moment, and then nodded. Though I have no wish to be your enemy, and there is no need. After all, your sister is to be my wife. She is the love of my life.

Rodry wished he could believe it; that he hadnt heard the rumors that had been brought from the House of Sighs.