The Towers of the Sunset - L. E. Modesitt [208]
“Is it . . . suitable?”
“I don’t know, and I’m hardly the one to ask.”
“Oh, stop playing poor little blind, Creslin,” she says, smiling faintly.
“That wasn’t what I meant. I never thought about that room when I could see, and now I don’t remember it too clearly.”
“Oh . . .”
“It’s amazing what you take for granted.” Creslin’s voice is unintentionally wry.
“I’ll have the duty guards bring in several chairs and some refreshments, such as we have,” Megaera offers.
“We’ve just fought a trade war. I’m sure that we won’t be faulted if our table is scarcely up to your sister’s standards. Besides, the burhka wasn’t that good.”
“Best-beloved . . .” Megaera sighs. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
Creslin listens as her steps carry her across the hard stone floor.
“Why do I know that you two will always bicker?” Lydya asks.
“Because neither of us wants to admit how dependent we are on the other.”
There is silence. Then, “I’m sorry. I nodded, but you looked so attentive that I forgot you can’t see.”
“Thank you. It takes some getting used to. I doubt that I ever will. So often I feel awkward, and it’s hard to forget that I could even see when there was no light at all.” He licks his lips as the misty image of Megaera, beside him not so many nights earlier, flashes through his thoughts. “You never realize what you have.”
“You still have much more than most.” There is little sympathy in Lydya’s soft voice.
“I suppose we should head up the stairs.” Creslin’s fingers brush the stone wall before he moves, and he can hear Megaera’s voice when he is halfway up the stairs.
“Not those . . . the other set of chairs, from the other room. They are envoys, after all . . .”
Creslin grins as he makes his way toward the conference room.
Before long, the Sarronnese have arrived. “Might I present Frewya L’Arminz, honored advisor to the Tyrant of Sarronnyn and envoy to Recluce, and Lexxa Valhelba, also envoy to Recluce?” The youth’s voice is clear.
The six from Recluce stand, and Creslin rises only fractionally after the others. Into the momentary silence, he speaks. “We are honored by your presence and wish you welcome, although—” he gestures around the room, “—our hospitality is by necessity far less impressive than that of Sarronnyn. Still, we welcome you in peace and friendship.” He forces a grin. “And since that exhausts my poor supply of formality, for darkness’ sake, let’s sit down.” He follows his own suggestion.
“We have some documents, your graces.”
Creslin responds. “The sub-Tyrant is far more familiar with such than I.”
“Perhaps before we continue,” interjects Megaera, “we could offer some small refreshment.” Even as she speaks, two guards enter, one bearing a tray with goblets and a decanter, and the other a larger tray with assorted cheeses and fruit.
The goblets are set out before those present and filled with a liquid that Creslin knows to be translucent green and to carry the taste of fire. His body does not rebel at handling trees or brandy—so those are the projects he has worked upon.
“A toast to our guests.” Creslin raises his goblet, holds it high, casting his senses to Megaera and waiting until her goblet is lifted with his.
“To our guests,” Megaera repeats.
The toast passes.
“This is . . . rather unique . . .” gasps Frewya after her first sip.
Creslin is glad that he is not sitting beside the woman. “Perhaps it would go better with burhka, but I regret that we cannot make that accommodation, although we would be more than happy to supply you with some of the green brandy to take back to Ryessa.”
“My sister the Tyrant might well appreciate the uniqueness.”
“If you could spare some . . .”
“We would be more than happy to.”
“About the documents?” Megaera’s voice is polite.
“Ah, yes, your grace. Her grace the Tyrant has entrusted us with a proposed agreement affirming the friendship of Saronnynn and Recluce, including other trade guarantees . . .”
Creslin sips the brandy as the deep voice of Frewya drones on.
“. . . and, lastly, the cargoes of both the Aldron and the Miratror as a celebration to the union