Paladin of Souls - Lois McMaster Bujold [211]
ISTA SENT HER RESTORED RAIMENT FROM VALENDA ON AHEAD; EVEN minus all the staid selections in widow’s green that she left in her brother’s tents, she would be spared living in borrowed clothing henceforth. A little later, dy Baocia escorted her from his camp. Foix attended, guardsman handily making a smooth transition to courtier.
Dy Baocia’s transition was a little less smooth, but on the whole he seemed to be managing the leap to the new Ista reasonably well, she thought. He avoided discussing the disturbing part about eating demons, seldom mentioned the god, but he’d entered into the material practicalities of her new vocation with gratifying attention to detail.
“We must determine the size of your personal guard,” he remarked as they passed under Porifors’s gates. “Too many will be a drain on your purse, but too few could prove a false economy.”
“Very true. My needs will, I expect, vary with my locale. Add it to your list to discuss with my seneschal; he’ll be the best judge of what this region requires.”
“Will your seneschal also serve as your master of horse, as he did for his late brother? Or shall I recommend you a man?”
“Ser dy Arbanos’s duties will be too demanding. I have another man in mind, though I’m not sure yet if he will accept. I may return for your recommendation, if not.”
“What, not dy Gura, here?” dy Baocia inquired. Foix gave a little agreeable bow. “Or his good brother?”
“Ferda is claimed for the coming campaign by his cousin, Marshal dy Palliar, and must be off to join him shortly. Even as an officer of my household, Foix will likely do considerable traveling back and forth on Temple business; but a horse-master’s tasks are daily. I am not sure what title I shall offer Foix. Royal Sorcerer? Master of Demons?”
“I should be perfectly content to retain officer-dedicat, Royina,” Foix put in hastily, sounding slightly alarmed, then narrowing his eyes in suspicion at her primly pursed lips.
“I shall find you the work first, and the title later, then,” she said. “You’ll need something to swagger with, when we visit other courts, to keep up the expected royal hauteur on my behalf.”
A grin flitted over his mouth. “As you command, Royina.”
They turned into the stone court and mounted to the gallery; Ista controlled a shiver, passing up the steps on which she’d once faced a god. From the open door of her double chamber, a familiar but unexpected voice floated.
“She doesn’t want you,” Lady dy Hueltar said severely. “She doesn’t need you. I am here now, and I assure you, I am far better acquainted with all her requirements than you will ever be. So just you run along back to the stables, or wherever you came from. Out, out!”
“Madam, it cannot be so,” said Liss in a puzzled tone.
Foix’s brows climbed, then drew back down, darkly. Ista motioned him to patience and shouldered within, the men following.
“What is this argument?” Ista inquired.
Colored spots flared on Lady dy Hueltar’s cheeks; she hesitated, then drew in her breath. “I was just explaining to this rude girl here that now you are done with that rash pilgrimage, dear Ista, you will be requiring a more befitting lady-in-waiting again. Not a girl groom.”
“On the contrary, I need Liss very much.”
“She isn’t suited to be lady-in-waiting to a royina. She’s not even a lady!”
Liss scratched her head. “Well, that’s true enough. I’m not much good at waiting, either. I’m better at riding very fast.”
Ista smiled. “Indeed.” Her smile tightened a little, as she considered the scene she’d interrupted. Had Lady dy Hueltar actually imagined she might trick or drive Liss off, send her away believing herself dismissed?
Lady dy Hueltar made a little nervous gesture, under Ista’s cool gaze. “Now that you are calmer, Lady Ista, surely it is time we began to think of returning safely to Valenda. Your good brother here will lend us a more adequate escort for the return journey, I’m sure.”
“I’m not going back to Valenda. I’m going to follow the army into Jokona