even trust your own people, that's what.' Not to mention what a pair of hulking brutes at my back is going to do to MY love-life, she thought unhappily. there wasn't a lot there to begin with, but I can't even imagine trying to have a romantic encounter with half the Guard breathing down my neck.
You could always try confining your pursuits to your bodyguards,' Gwena suggested teasingly.
'oh, thanks. That's a wonderful idea. I'll take it under advisement,' she replied, trying to keep her level of sarcasm down to something acceptable.
To suddenly start trailing bodyguards around isn't going to do much for my accessibility, Mother,' she continued, thinking quickly. 'People come to the Heir when they are afraid, for one reason or another, to come to the Monarch-and you know that's been true for hundreds of years. If there's something you want done, but don't want the open authority of the Crown behind it, you give it to me. Talia is your double in authority-she can't do that. I'm your unfettered hand, and now you want to shackle me. It just won't work, anyone could tell you that. It not only cuts down my effectiveness, it cuts down on yours. ' 'Good girl; that's the way to win your argument. I agree with you, by the way. Bodyguards are not a solution. Not unless those bodyguards were also Heralds, and we have no Heralds to spare.' Elspeth felt a little more relaxed and confident with Gwena's support.
'thanks. At least I'm not just being boneheaded and stubborn about this.'
'oh, you are being boneheaded and stubborn, her Companion replied cheerfully. 'But it's for the right reasons, and there's nothing wrong with a little stubbornness for the correct cause.' Elspeth could hear the gentle good humor in Gwena's mind-voice and couldn't take offense,'though for a moment she was sorely tempted.
Selenay did not look convinced by the argument, however.
'I can't see that it's worth the risk-' she began. Talia interrupted her.
'Elspeth's right, I'm afraid,' she said, in her quiet, clear voice. 'It is worth the risk. When Elspeth goes out, off the Palace grounds, you could assign her a discreet guard, but other than that I think that extra care on everyone's part will serve the same purpose. If Kero is right, simply having the guards question anyone they see who doesn't seem to be acting normally will prevent another incident like the last one.' Selenay's jaw tightened in a way Elspeth knew only too well. 'You think I'm overreacting, don't you?' Yes, Elspeth replied-mentally. And kept a very tight shield over the thought.
'No,' Talia said, and smiled. 'You're just acting the way any mother would. I know if it were jemmie-let's just say I'd have him hidden away with some family-say, a retired Guardsman-turned-farmer-so far out in the country that no one could counterfeit a native and any stranger would cause a stir.'
'Maybe-' Selenay's expression turned speculative, and Elspeth started to interrupt the thought she knew was going through her mother's mind.
Talia did it for her. 'That won't work for Elspeth, I'm afraid. She's too old to hide that way, even if she would put up with being sent off like an exile. However-her uncle's court is very well protected... ' Not too bad an idea, Elspeth had to admit, even if it doesn't feel right.
'That's a thought,' Selenay acknowledged. 'I don't know; I'll have to think about it.'
'So long as you aren't planning on putting me under armed guard, like the Crown jewels,' Elspeth said, in a little better humor.
'Not at the moment,' her mother admitted.
'All right, then.' She ran a hand over her hair and smiled a little.
'I can put up with one guard in the city; we probably should have had one anyway. If I'm not safe on the Palace grounds, after Kero gives the Guards one of her famous lectures, I won't be safe anywhere. I should know, I got one myself today. Two, in fact. As soon as she figured I was all right, she gave me a point-by-point critique on my performance.' Talia chuckled, and Selenay relaxed a little. 'I can just see Kero doing that, too,' Talia said. 'She doesn't ever let up. She's like Alberich.
The more tired you are, the more she seems to push you.'
'I know, believe me. Uh-on that subject, sort of-would there be any problem if I had a tray in my room?' she asked, drooping just a little-not enough to resurrect Selenay's hysteria, but enough to look convincingly tired. 'I don't think I can handle Uncle's delegation right now...'After this afternoon, I doubt anyone would expect you to,' the Queen replied, sympathetically. 'I'll make your apologies, and hopefully, after this afternoon, the current batch of rumors will be put to rest for a while.'
'And I'll see that someone sends a tray up,' Talia offered. 'With honeycakes,' she added, giving Elspeth a quick wink.
Elspeth managed to keep from giving herself away, and stayed in character.' Thanks,' she sighed, throwing both of them grateful looks. 'If anyone wants me, I'll be in the bathing room, under hot water. And frankly, right now all you need to worry about is whether or not I drown in the bathtub. All I want is a hot bath and a book, dinner, and bed.' She made a hasty exit before she betrayed herself. After all, it was partially the truth. She really was tired; her afternoon's double-workout had seen to that even before the attack. She really did want a hot bath and a tray in her room.
