The Black Raven - Katharine Kerr [152]
“No doubt, since you’re a man like any other. Here—they always say bards can speak freely, even to a prince. When you’ve got a moment, perhaps you might speak and mention that if his wife keeps on conceiving this way, it could kill her.”
“I’ll do better than that. I’ll have a word with old Nevyn and let him do the speaking. Maryn won’t be listening to the likes of me.”
“You have my thanks. It’s just a blessing that the prince has his little mistress. I hope to the gods he doesn’t get her with child, too, and have no one to—” She paused, her mouth twisted tight, considering Maddyn. “Oh never mind. Our princess has us—her women I mean—to see her through this, but Nevyn’s aid would be a boon.”
“I’ll get it for you.”
“Good. And I’ll tell our lady about your concern.”
“If I can be of any further service, call upon me.” He bowed to her. “My thanks, my lady, for this plain speaking.”
“You’re welcome, I’m sure, but don’t tell another soul but Nevyn. Our lady will be most distressed if you do.”
“Then tell her to fear not. There won’t be one wrong word from me.”
Maddyn glanced around the great hall and saw a cluster of pages over by the honor hearth. He made his way through the welter of tables and joined them, asking them impartially if they knew where Councillor Nevyn might be.
“I do,” a lad piped up. “Up in his tower room. He asked us to find his apprentice for him and send her there.”
“But we couldn’t,” a second lad said. “Find the lady Lillorigga, I mean. If you see her, bard, could you tell her that her master needs her?”
“I will, at that. My thanks.”
The inside of the side broch felt no warmer than the ice-kissed air outside. As he panted up the stairs Maddyn was shivering inside his winter cloak. Heat, however, filled Nevyn’s chamber like a memory of summer. Maddyn dumped his cloak on the floor and stood holding his hands out to the glowing brazier.
“It’s splendidly warm in here, my lord,” Maddyn said. “I’m surprised that the charcoal does so well.”
Nevyn raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“More fool me!” Maddyn said. “I should have known it was dweomer.”
“After all these years, I should think so. What brings you to me, Maddo?”
“A message from Princess Bellyra’s women. They need your help.”
“Indeed?” Nevyn’s smile vanished. “What’s wrong?”
“The princess is with child again.”
Nevyn swore like a silver dagger.
“It was inevitable, of course,” the old man said at last. “But it aches my heart that it comes so soon.”
“The princess doesn’t want anyone else to know this but you.”
“Very well, then. I suppose she’s had to tell the prince. Oh—by the gods! That’s why Lilli been so hard to find, then. I’ve been wondering, this past few days, but she can be cursed sly when she wants to!”
For a moment Maddyn found it hard to speak. His rage broke over him and made him tremble.
“What’s so wrong, Maddo?”
“I don’t know, my lord. I—ye gods! It just gripes my soul, thinking of the prince with his mistress while—I mean, I know that’s stupid of me. Why shouldn’t he have as many women as he wants? He’s the prince.”
“That’s the usual way of thinking about these things,” Nevyn said drily. “And there’s naught we can do about it. I’ll attend to the princess straightaway, though. Just let me fetch my cloak.”
“It’s not the birth itself I’m afraid of,” Bellyra said. “It’s the after.”
“I know that, Your Highness,” Nevyn said. “Maybe things will be different this time.”
“That’s what I thought last time. They weren’t.”
“This time I’ll be here.”
“You were there when Casy1 was born. It didn’t help. Oh, I’m sorry!” Bellyra looked on the edge of tears. “I don’t mean to be rude.”
“The last thing you need to worry about now is my feelings.”
Bellyra wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her dress. In the women’s hall they were sitting in front of the fire, which provided the only light as well as heat. The maidservants had covered the windows with several layers of hides, that morning, and the leather would remain up until the first signs of spring.
“I’m such a coward,” Bellyra said at last.