Midwinter

Standing silhouetted in the doorway, Purane might have been a statue of himself. Still wearing his dress uniform from a troop review earlier in the day, he cut a perfectly clean line, his epaulets glistening gold from the hall lights. Seen in profile, his wide-set eyes and straight edge of a nose might have been a sculptor's gift to a lesser man. The only thing that belied that stony impression was the thick fluid coil of the Century Braid that spilled over his shoulder. The braid was a sign that he'd taken enough lives throughout his career that he no longer bothered to count them.

"Good evening, father," Purane-Es said, pulling off his gloves. "It's good to be back."

Once the proper filial courtesies had been disposed of, Purane ordered supper to be brought and they fell to a sumptuous meal of venison steaks in rose broth, seared stuffed hens, and poppy flowers. They ate in silence.

Finally, Purane pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair, eyeing his son with a thoughtful frown.

"I trust your mission was a success," he said.

Purane-Es smiled. "As much as it could have been. I delivered my message."

"Don't put on that air of hurt, boy," said Purane. "I still believe this is part of something greater."

"As does Kallmer," Purane-Es said. "He's convinced that he'll get promoted to lieutenant captain once he figures out what that something is."

Purane waved the thought away. "Kallmer is nothing," he said. "You are far more secure than he." He wiped his chin with a silk napkin. "And what of poor Mauritane? How did he appear?"

"With sword in hand, is how he appeared," said Purane-Es. "He disarmed a guard and rushed me when he saw who I was."

Purane laughed out loud. "Incorrigible bastard, that Mauritane. I see you survived. What happened?"

"He's not the swordsman they claim he is. I disarmed him without much of a fight."

The Elder Purane raised an eyebrow. "Really? Prison must not have treated him well."

Purane-Es sat up straight. "Oh, and I suppose it's not possible that I could have bested him unless he were beaten down?"

Purane rolled his eyes. "Relax, son. It wasn't a criticism of you. Mauritane is one of the best fighters I've ever encountered. If he went down easily then he may not be in the best fighting condition. That may bode ill for this… whatever it is that the Queen has entrusted to him."

"He appeared to be none the weaker for his imprisonment, father. Perhaps I simply got lucky."

"Enough," said Purane, his voice rising slightly. "What did you learn of his mission? Did he appear to have any prior knowledge of it?"

Purane-Es shook his head. "No, if anything he seemed baffled that the Queen would call upon him."

Purane nodded. "Yes, I expected as much." He ordered wine from a servant and then pointed a finger at Purane-Es. "Whatever you do, don't underestimate Mauritane," he said. "He's a dangerous man. He's brilliant, he's ruthless, and he'll stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He's also utterly devoted to Her Majesty, or at least he was before that business in Beleriand. Make no mistake, child. Mauritane rose to his captaincy through skill alone, and if you take him too lightly, you won't live long to regret it."

Purane-Es allowed the slightest snarl to touch his upper lip. "I'll try to remember that."

"See that you do."

The servant reappeared with a dust-covered bottle and uncorked it before them, pouring two glasses from a crystal serving set on the dining room's mantel.

Purane-Es inhaled the bouquet, swirling the dark purple wine in his glass. "Eb Elen?" he asked, as though guessing.

"Yes," said Purane, grinning at his son's talent. "How old?"

Purane-Es took a sip, swishing it in his mouth. "A guess. Twenty years?"

"There's one thing I will give you credit for, boy, and that's your knowledge of spirits." Purane's mood lightened.

"Speaking of Mauritane," he said, deliberately changing the subject, "I've got a question about the guest list at your latest extravagance."

Purane-Es sighed. "I assume you're referring to one guest in particular?"

"I am," said Purane. "Tell me, son. Why have you invited the Lady Anne? Is she not still married to the man?"

"She is indeed. But she is also noble-born, and he is not. If she wishes to divorce him, she has merely to say it, and it is done."

Purane's eye's widened. "Are you telling me that you intend to court her?"

"I am. And I intend to win her."

"To what end?"

"She was the ideal wife for a Captain of the Guard, father. And someday I hope to inherit that position."

Purane chuckled. "Son, sometimes I don't know whether to praise you or to damn you. You're nothing like your brother was."

Purane-Es's mood drained at the mention of Purane-La. "No, father. I'm nothing like him. Someday, though, I think you'll see that it's a good thing."