Elminster in Myth Drannor - Ed Greenwood [95]
"Of course," Duilya said, looking almost scared for a moment. She glanced at the servants, took a deep breath, lifted her chin-almost as though she was following silent instructions-and said crisply, "Night after night you go to revels, leaving your household neglected. Not once have you taken me with you-or any of your servants, if you'd rather not have me witness what you do there. Jhalass, there, and Rubrae- they're much younger and prettier than I am; why don't you show them off and let them enjoy the same fun you do?"
The servants were staring at her as wide-eyed as Lord Evendusk, now. Duilya lay back in the chair and crossed her legs just as he customarily did, and said, gesturing down at herself, "This is all I see of you in the mornings, lord. This and a lot of roaring and groaning. So I decided to try this roistering of yours, to see what attractions it might have."
She wrinkled her nose. "Aside from giving me a powerful urge to relieve myself, I can't see that triplesh-room sherry tastes so wonderful that you need go off all night to plow through a bottle of it. Perhaps another bottle would convince me otherwise? So I've summoned that second one to my bedside-where we're going now, Lord."
Lord Evendusk was purple again, and shaking, but his voice was soft as he asked, "We are? Why?"
"Drinking every night's no excuse for spending every morning stumbling about like an idiot, making a mockery of the honor of the House, and leaving me neglected, night after night, and day after day. We are partners, my lord, and it's high time you treated me as one."
Ihimbraskar Evendusk raised his head as a stag does, to draw breath before drinking at a forest pool. When he brought it down again, he looked almost calm. "Could you be more specific about what you want me to do in this regard, Lady?" he asked in silken tones.
"Sit down and talk," she snapped. "Here. Now. About the Coronal, and the deaths, and the tumult over the human."
"And just what do you know of that?" her lord asked, still standing. He slapped the palm of his hand gently with the goad.
Duilya pointed at a vacant chair. Lord Evendusk looked at it, and then slowly back to her. She kept her arm motionless, indicating the chair.
Slowly he went to it, planted one boot in it, and stood leaning on it. "Speak," he said softly. There was something in his eyes, as he looked at her, that hadn't been there before.
"I know, Lord, that you-and other lords like you- are the very backbone of Cormanthor," Duilya said, staring right into his eyes. Her lips quivered for a moment, as if she might cry, but she drew in a deep breath and went on carefully, "On your shoulders the greatness and splendor of us all rests, and is carried. Never think for a moment that I do not revere you for the work you do, and the honor that you have won."
One of the servants stirred, but the room had grown very still.
Lady Evendusk went on. "Ihimbraskar, I do not want to lose that honor. I don't want to lose you. Lords and their houses are drawing swords, hurling spells, and defying their Coronal openly over one human. I'm afraid someone will stick their blade through My Lord Evendusk."
Lord and lady were both silent for a moment, their eyes locked, and then Duilya continued, her words ringing in the silent room.
"Nothing is worth that. No human is worth feuds and blood spilled and Cormanthor torn apart. Here I sit, day after day, talking with other ladies and seeing the life of the realm unfold. Never do you ask me what I've seen and heard, or talk anything over with me. You waste me, Lord. You treat me like a chair-or like a clown, to be laughed at for my fripperies, as you boast to your friends how many coins I've thrown away on my latest jewels and gowns!"
Duilya rose, took off her gown, and held it out to him. "I'm more than this, Ihimbraskar.