Bones of the Dragon - Margaret Weis [125]
“The smith is a friend of mine. He owed me a favor,” Raegar said lightly, passing it off. “There is no finer sword in all Oran. Except my own,” he added with a laugh.
Skylan had never held such a weapon. The wine made him a little unsteady on his feet, but he had to test the blade. The weight, the balance, was perfect.
“I thank you, Cousin,” Skylan said.
He removed his old sword from its sheath and replaced it with the new. He would honor the old sword, which had been his father’s, keep it with him always. But Blood Dancer would never leave his side.
Raegar lifted the leather skin containing the wine.
“Let us drink to your wedding,” he said, starting to pour.
Skylan placed his hand over the cup. Wine sloshed onto his fingers before Raegar could stop.
“I would rather drink to something else,” Skylan said.
Raegar hesitated, uncertain how to react. “Well, then, we will drink to the memory of your mother, my aunt.”
Skylan conceded that they could drink to this, and he allowed Raegar to pour a generous portion into the olive-wood cup. They drank to Skylan’s mother and spoke of her spirit being safe with Freilis.
“I fear you are unhappy, Cousin,” said Raegar quietly. “Would you like to talk about it?”
Skylan was silent, did not answer.
“Do you mind if I talk about it, then?” Raegar said. “I have heard rumors—”
Skylan cast him a sharp glance. “What? What have you heard?”
“Your wife is the Kai Priestess,” Raegar said. “Her name is Draya.”
Skylan gave a brooding nod.
Raegar looked grave. He sighed deeply and leaned forward to poke at the fire with a stick, sending a shower of sparks into the night.
Skylan eyed his cousin intently. “What is it? What is wrong?”
“I know Draya, Cousin,” Raegar said. “I knew Horg, as well. Horg was a brave man before he married her. He was a bold warrior. No man better.”
Skylan snorted in disgust. “Horg was a coward. You heard what he did? He bartered away the sacred Vektan Torque to the ogres to save his own skin! He admitted to it before the people. I myself killed the ogre godlord who wore the torque around his neck.”
“I heard all that,” Raegar said. He cast Skylan a troubled glance. “You must be careful of her, Cousin. The Horg I knew would never have done such a thing. When he married her, he changed. But I am not surprised. As I said, I knew Draya. I almost married her.” Raegar seemed vexed with himself. “What am I doing? It is the wine making me talk like this. Forgive me, Cousin. Draya is your wife. I should say nothing against her.”
“Except that I should be careful!” Skylan exclaimed. “You have already said too much, Cousin. You cannot put the spilled ale back in the pitcher. Why didn’t you marry her?”
Raegar shook his head. “I wish you wouldn’t ask me.”
“And I wish you would speak plainly,” said Skylan.
Raegar was silent for a long moment. When he finally spoke, it was in a low tone. “I caught Draya trying to bewitch me.”
Skylan regarded him skeptically. “Bewitch you? How can that be? She is Kai Priestess! Dedicated to Vindrash.”
“So she claims. I see I must tell you the whole story. This happened back before she was made Kai Priestess. Our families had arranged our marriage when we were little. The Heudjun and the Torgun were at war, and they thought it would establish peace between the clans. But when we came of age, her parents were dead and so were mine. The clans were no longer at war. We could choose for ourselves whether or not we wanted to wed. She was eager, but I was beginning to have doubts. I had heard strange whispers about her. How she consorted with that crone known as Owl Mother—”
“Owl Mother!” Skylan repeated, astonished. “I know her.”
“The old woman’s still alive?” Raegar asked in wonder.
“She is,” said Skylan. “She healed my wounds when I was attacked by a boar.”
“And you let her touch you?” Raegar was horrified.
“I didn’t have much choice,” Skylan said. “The ogres had invaded our village, demanding hostages and cattle and silver. I was War Chief. I had to lead the men in battle. And I could barely stand, let