Royal Assassin

"And that was all? That was the sole reason for your delay?" She spoke sharply, as if suspecting some heinous deception.

"It was," I answered gravely. "But I did think of you. I have something for you, out in my packs. I haven't brought them up from the stable yet, but I will tomorrow."

"What is it?" she demanded, curious as a child.

I took a deep breath. I desperately wished for my bed. "It's a sort of an herbal. A simple one, for they are delicate, and the more ornate ones would not have stood up to the trip. The Chyurda don't use tablets or scrolls for teaching herbs, as we do. Instead, this is a wooden case. When you open it, you will discover tiny wax models of the herbs, tinted to the correct colors and scented with each herb to make it easier to learn them. The lettering is in Chyurda, of course, but I still thought you would enjoy it."

"It sounds quite interesting," she said, and her eyes shone. "I look forward to seeing it."

"Shall I bring him a chair, my lady? He does look as if he has been ill," Lacey interjected.

"Oh, of course, Lacey. Sit down, boy. Tell me, what was your illness?" .

"I ate something, one of the foreign herbs, and had a strong reaction to it." There. That was truthful. Lacey brought me a small stool and I sat gratefully. A wave of weariness passed through me.

"Oh. I see." She dismissed my illness. She took a breath, glanced about, then suddenly demanded, "Tell me. Have you ever considered marriage?"

The abrupt change in subject was so like Patience that I had to smile. I tried to put my mind to the question. For a moment I saw Molly, her cheeks reddened with the wind that teased her dark hair loose. Molly. Tomorrow, I promised myself. Siltbay.

"Fitz! Stop that! I won't have you staring through me as if I were not here. Do you hear me? Are you well?"

With an effort I called myself back. "Not really," I answered honestly. "It's been a tiring day for me ...."

"Lacey, fetch the boy a cup of elderberry wine. He does look worn. Maybe this isn't the best time for talk," Lady Patience decided falteringly. For the first time she really looked at me. Genuine concern grew in her eyes. "Perhaps," she suggested softly, after a moment, "I do not know the full tale of your adventures."

I looked down at my padded mountain buskins. The truth hovered inside me, then fell and was drowned in the danger of her knowing all that truth. "A long journey. Bad food. Dirty inns with sour beds and sticky tables. That sums it up. I don't think you really want to hear all the details."

An odd thing happened. Our eyes met, and I knew she saw my lie. She nodded slowly, accepting the lie as necessary, and looked aside. I wondered how many times my father had told her similar lies. What did it cost her to nod?

Lacey put the cup of wine into my hand firmly. I lifted it, and the sweet sting of the first sip revived me. I held it in both hands and managed to smile at Patience over it. "Tell me," I began, and despite myself, my voice quavered like an old man's. I cleared my throat to steady it. "How have you been? I imagine that having a Queen here at Buckkeep has made your life much busier. Tell me of all I have missed."

"Oh," she said, as if pricked with a pin. Now it was Patience's turn to look aside. "You know what a solitary creature I am. My health is not always strong. To stay up late, dancing and talking, leaves me abed for two days afterward. No. I have presented myself to the Queen and sat at table with her a time or two. But she is young and busy and caught up in her new life. And I am old and odd, and my life is full of my own interests ...."

"Kettricken shares your love of growing things," I ventured. "She would probably be most interested-" A sudden tremor rattled my bones and my teeth chattered to stillness. `.`I am just ... a bit cold." I excused myself and lifted my wine cup again. I took a gulp instead of the sip I had intended. My hands shook and wine sloshed over my chin and down my shirtfront. I jumped up in dismay and my traitorous hands let go the cup. It struck the carpet and rolled away, leaving a trail of dark wine like blood. I sat down again abruptly and clasped my arms around myself to try to still my shaking. "I am very tired," I attempted.

Lacey came at me with a cloth and dabbed at me until I took it from her. I wiped my chin and blotted most of the wine from my shirt. But when I crouched down to mop up what had spilled, I almost pitched forward onto my face.

"No, Fitz, forget the wine. We can tidy up. You are tired, and half-sick. Just take yourself up to bed. Come and see me when you've rested. I've something serious to discuss with you, but it will keep another night. Now off you go, boy. Off to bed."