And you, Greave? the king asked, but cut his son off before he could reply. No, dont tell me, you were lost in some foolish book of poetry, or you felt the world too bleak to rise from your bed, or… what is that youre carrying?

A refutation of Sereks arguments regarding the autonomy of the spirit, Greave said in that too serious voice of his.

So nothing useful? King Godwin said. If hed spoken that way to one of his daughters, Aethe would probably have intervened, but she didnt interfere when it came to Illias sons.

If you wish me to help with the wedding, then perhaps I could assist the players with composing

No, King Godwin said. Youll do work that befits a kings son, and a nobleman.

Such as what? Greave demanded, with that edge to his voice that always made Godwin angry with him. Maybe I could beat some peasants like one of my brothers, or stab some animals like the other?

The king opened his mouth to reprimand his son, knowing full well that it would only go downhill from there. It was almost a relief when a trumpet blared and Finnals family walked in. Almost.

The young man himself was a handsome thing, who matched his daughter well, but Godwin could have lived without the whole parade of others who came with him: cousins and uncles, with his father, Duke Viris, at their fore. The duke had gray running through his formerly dark hair, and was dressed as severely as always, in clothes as suited to war or hunting as to the court.

Your majesty, may I congratulate you on your success in the hunt?

Youre kind, the king said. At the same time, I understand that not everything is to your liking here?

Oh, it is just a few small matters, Duke Viris said. The order of arrival at the wedding, for example.

That is decided by rules of precedence, Aethe said, as I have already explained to you.

And I have pointed out that the order you have chosen is not the one that is universal. Typically, dukes process before princes.

Maybe we can discuss it further, King Godwin said. Ill not have it said that I was a stickler for rules when they got in the way. What else?

There is the small matter of when and how your daughters dowry will be paid, the duke said.

King Godwin sighed and settled back in his throne. Whoever had said that kings were able to just do what they wished had clearly not spent any time as one. This was going to be a long day; there were a thousand details to discuss now, and if he messed up any one of them, he suspected that his daughter might not be getting married after all.

CHAPTER TEN