The Wyvern's Spur - Kate Novak [64]
11
Selune's Stair
Samtavan Sudacar finished studying the last document in the cord of parchments Culspiir had piled before him. "Depleting resources necessitate troop inactivity," he read aloud, though he was alone. He ran his fingers through the graying hair at his temples. Reading reports such as this one was turning his dark hair gray, he decided.
He read the phrase over again as if it were a riddle, which indeed it was to him. Suddenly he pounded his meaty fist on his desktop and chuckled with understanding.
"That boy has a way with words," he sighed, shaking his head. While he admired his herald's bureaucratic skills, there were times the local lord felt it would be better if Culspiir weren't so clever that he made himself misunderstood.
In the document's margin, beside the passage he'd just read, Sudacar scrawled: Azoun, I can't send these boys out patrolling in freezing rain with nothing but watery porridge in their stomachs. I need those food rations!!!
Sudacar initialed the notation, scrawled his full signature at the bottom, and rolled up the scroll. He finished by slopping liquefied wax on the seam and pressing his signet ring into the resulting mess.
Stretching out his arms to ease the muscles in his broad shoulders, he muttered, "I've had enough of this stuffy little closet."
The main reception hall of Redstone had been set aside for use by the king's man. Pillars and arches two stories high rose all about him. Archery contests had been held along the length of the room, and the entire town had gathered within its walls in times of crisis and celebration. Sudacar's desk was tucked at one end of the hall, with a view of the entire enormous chamber.
Sudacar, former giant-slayer, was a tall, burly man, though, and anywhere the wind could not blow felt stuffy to him.
Time to indulge in one of the prerogatives of office, he thought as he pulled on his coat. "Culspiir," he bellowed in his booming voice.
Culspiir slid into the room, closing the door softly behind him. The herald's face appeared so careworn it would have alarmed a stranger. Sudacar was aware, though that Culspiir wore that same expression for all occasions, from weddings to barbarian invasions.
"I've gone over all the reports you gave me, Cul," Sudacar said. "Good work. I thought I'd break for the day," he added, his brown eyes glittered with all the eagerness of a schoolboy asking for permission to play outside.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I've granted someone an interview with you for this hour."
"Now? Culspiir, how could you schedule someone now? Can t you see it's raining? Don't you realize that the fish are out there searching for my lure?"
"I thought, considering the person and the nature of his problem, that you had best see him today, sir. I've kept him waiting more than an hour so you could finish your other duties."
"Show him in," Sudacar sighed. He sat back down, but he did not bother to remove his cloak.
Culspiir slipped out, and a moment later Giogioni Wyvernspur stepped in.
Sudacar's face brightened. "Giogi!" he said with surprise. He rose and extended his hand to the nobleman.
Giogi strode up to Sudacar's desk, accepted the handshake, and returned the smile. Sudacar's welcome was a relief after being made to wait so long by the local lord's herald.
"Culspiir was a dog to make you wait like that," Sudacar said as if reading his thoughts. "Sorry."
"Oh, no. I understand. You've got lots of work," Giogi replied, though he suspected Culspiir had kept him waiting as a snub to the Wyvernspurs. The nobleman didn't resent it too much. After all, the Wyvernspurs had snubbed Culspiir and his master often enough.
"Culspiir just wants to be sure I don't have any excuses to put his boring papers aside," Sudacar confided in a whisper. "He doesn't like me to have any fun." Sudacar's expression became serious. "I'm sorry about your uncle, Giogi. He was a fine man A good wizard, too."
"Thank you," Giogi replied softly. "It's hard to believe. I don't