DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [34]
Bardon nodded. “I had a friend who saw colors around people, and he said they reflected character and inner conflict.”
“He saw them all the time?”
“Yes, but he said he had to focus especially on the colors to read them correctly.”
“I don’t see them with my eyes even when I paint. But some part of me does, because they always end up on the canvas.” Granny Kye still stood relaxed in the same position. “Where is your friend now?”
“In Bedderman’s Bog, at the home of Wizard Fenworth. He’s training to be a wizard. You said ‘mostly,’ Granny Kye. What else do you paint?”
“Landscapes, houses…They rarely turn out very well.” Her face brightened. “Once I painted a neighbor’s house, and in the painting, we saw an odd object under a bush. We went to look, and there was the bracelet she’d lost months before.”
“So you saw something while you painted that couldn’t be seen just by looking?”
“Yes!”
“I agree with you, Granny Kye, that’s definitely a type of wisdom.”
The old emerlindian’s expression clouded. “Not one that’s very useful in the normal way of things. I understand N’Rae much better than most people would, though. She, too, does not fit the typical image of an emerlindian.”
“Mistress Seeno would prefer that she did.”
“Jue Seeno is devoted to N’Rae, but her mannerisms are somewhat abrupt. And you make her a bit nervous.”
“I make her nervous?”
“Decidedly so. Now, are you finished with that tea?” She held out her hand. “Give me the mug. I’ll leave you to your sleep.”
Taking the mug with her, she swept out of the room, saying over her shoulder, “Don’t fret. Trust!”
Amazingly, he put his head down on the pillow and fell into a deep sleep. In the middle of the night, he rolled over and opened his eyes. For a moment he thought he saw a mouse sitting on the windowsill in the moonlight. But he blinked, and it was gone.
Jue Seeno? No, she wouldn’t be out and about disguised as a mouse. He grinned at the very idea and went back to sleep.
When golden sunlight, instead of the pale glow of the moon, poured through the curtains, Bardon got out of bed stiffly, stretching his muscles with slow, deliberate movements. By the time he shaved and dressed, he could walk without wincing. He joined the ladies for breakfast in the private parlor, and a cup of Granny Kye’s tea finished the job of alleviating the discomfort in his body.
“May I go with you to find passage to Ianna?” asked N’Rae. “We’ll go on the river, won’t we?”
“No, you may not come. Yes, we shall go by the Gilpen River, but the docks are no place for you.” Bardon saw her look of disappointment. “If I find a ship quickly, I’ll return and take you to the market streets.” He turned to include Granny Kye and Mistress Seeno. “Wouldn’t you ladies like to look for some new clothing? You should have something new for everyday wear and perhaps garments suitable for rough traveling.”
He was rewarded for his suggestion. N’Rae’s face took on a flush of pleasure. “Grandmother, can we? Does this mean I’ll get to wear britches?”
“Yes.” Granny Kye watched Bardon stand and push his chair back under the table. “Do you have sisters, young man?”
“Not that I know of. Why?”
“Because you seem to know a lot about what makes young women happy.”
Jue Seeno squeaked, and Bardon bent closer to the table.
“It could,” the minneken said, “also mean he spent a lot of time pleasing the ladies at the Castle Pelacce.”
Bardon straightened abruptly, his face burning. He heard N’Rae giggle as he left the room.
What a pleasure it will be to visit the docks where none of the men have manners, none of the men have bathed recently, and none of the men giggle! He hurried through the hall and out onto the cobblestone street.
As he approached the riverway, the houses became less well groomed, as did the people. He stopped in a tavern to have a drink and listen to the news. He heard of a small vessel departing the next day and headed out to find the captain. He soon had made arrangements for them