The Charnel Prince - J. Gregory Keyes [184]
It was a bell later before the next arrived, and Leoff felt a ferocious smile widen his face when he saw who it was.
“Edwyn!”
Edwyn Mylton was a tall man, gangly as a scarecrow, with a face that seemed at first glance long and sorrowful until you got to the eyes, which positively gleamed with mischief and goodwill. Edwyn grabbed him in a bear hug, slapping him on the back.
“Court composer, eh?” he said. “I always knew you would make well in the world, Leoff.” He lowered his voice. “Though it’s a bit shaky around here, isn’t it? Was there really a coup?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so—but my performance goes on, er—in a sense. How have things been with you? I never dreamed to find you turning up at my doorstop. I thought you were still playing for the dreadful Duke of Ranness, a hundred leagues from here.”
“Ah, no,” Edwyn said. “We had a bit of a falling out, me and the duke. Or perhaps I should say a throwing out—of me. I’ve been in Loiyes, at the court of the duchess there, a delightful if taxing creature. I heard about this performance from Rothlinghaim, who received your invitation but could not come. I hoped to present myself as a suitable replacement.”
“A very suitable replacement,” Leoff agreed.
“Well, don’t keep me waiting, man, show me the piece.”
“A moment, Edwyn,” Leoff said. “I need to make plain a few things first—about the performance.”
He explained to Edwyn the same things he’d told Areana, but with a bit more detail about the particular objections.
“But he can’t actually do anything, this praifec, can he?” Edwyn objected. “He has no temporal power.”
“No, but then again, he has the ear of the prince, whom I don’t know at all. I cannot say what will happen when he finds out that I’ve deceived him.”
“But won’t he attend rehearsals?”
“I’m sure he will. But I think with careful planning, we can rehearse the piece the way he wants it and perform it as it should be done.”
Edwyn nodded. “How serious do you think it will get?”
“At the very least I will lose my position. At the very worst I shall be burned as a shinecrafter. I expect something in the middle. I honestly believe the risk is much smaller, if not negligible, for my musicians, but I can in no way promise it.”
“Hmmph. Well, let me see that. I’d like to know what all the fuss is about.”
When Edwyn saw the first page, his face and body went still, and he said nothing until he’d read every last word and note. He looked up at Leoff then.
“Saints damn you, Leoff,” he sighed. “You knew I would risk death to perform this.”
“I’d rather hoped,” Leoff replied. “Now, let’s only hope we can find twenty-nine more such like-minded souls.”
“You will find them,” Edwyn said. “I shall help you.”
By the end of the day he had recruited eight more players and had sent as many away. The next day went better, because word was starting to get around, and only those with stronger resolve showed up. He didn’t worry that anything would get back to the praifec at this point—he trusted everyone he had invited, and the musician’s guild was tight-lipped about its members and their business, as a matter of principle.
He was nearly ready to end his day when he heard another tap at the door. He opened it and found Areana there, this time without her governess.
“Hello,” Leoff said uncertainly.
She held her head high. “If you haven’t filled the part of Lihta,” she said, “I would very much like to sing it.”
“But your governess—your parents—”
“I have some money of my own,” she said. “I have taken a room in town. I know my parents, and they will come around.”
Leoff nodded. “That’s wonderful news,” he said. “I just want to be certain you really understand the danger you might be in if you join me in this.”
“I understand, cavaor,” she said. “I am prepared to face whatever punishment should be pronounced upon me.”
“I hope that will be none at all,” Leoff said, “but I thank you for your courage.” He gestured toward the hammarharp. “Shall we begin rehearsal?”
“It would be my pleasure,” she returned.
And all Leoff’s doubts vanished—but for one.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
RODERICK