her. Starlight illuminated her face, making her dark, tilted eyes mysterious.
'Eh, Piro, there's something you can do for me, but only if you've a mind to,' he began, reaching into his jerkin pocket to withdraw the poem.
'Does it concern Elina?'
'How did you know?'
She laughed. 'Last autumn cusp Elina told me she felt something special for you.'
'Then why'd she go off for a roll in the hay with Lence?' he demanded, surprised by the force of his anger, when he didn't really believe Elina had lain with his twin.
'She did not go off with Lence, not once!'
Byren said nothing, mouth grim.
'Oh, I'm sure Lence was swiving some girl in the hay — '
'Piro,' Byren protested.
She snorted in exasperation. 'I know what Lence gets up to. Mother's afraid she'll end up with half a dozen bastard grandchildren.'
'Piro!'
'Her words, not mine.'
'I'm sure she never told you that.'
Piro had the grace to look guilty. 'I happened to overhear her telling Seela,' she said primly. 'But that's neither here nor there. Do you want me to give Elina a message?'
Byren nodded. 'See if she'll meet me. Give her this.' He held out the poem which he'd folded over and sealed with a drop of wax, impressed with his foenix emblem.
Piro accepted it. Showing tact for once, she did not ask what it was.
'Remember the water-wheel, where the stream feeds into the lake?' Byren asked. 'I'll be there every day around midday, waiting for her.'
'What if one of Lord Dovecote's men finds you?'
'I can take care of myself, Piro.'
'I'm sure you can, but you can't kill his servants.'
He laughed. 'That's not what I meant. I can avoid being seen if I must. I'm trained in woodcraft. I just want to explain things to Elina.'
Piro nodded.
'Do you think she'll forgive me?' He couldn't help asking.
'I don't know… what girl would like to hear that the man she loves prefers her brother to her?'
Elina loved him? Byren's spirits soared, then plummeted. Somehow, knowing she loved him only made it worse.
'Oh, Byren, don't worry.' Piro hugged him. 'Elina's got a good heart.'
'True. But she's proud and I've hurt her.'
Piro winced as Lord Dovecote greeted his youngest son grimly and led him away. Even the horses, which were being led off by the stable lads, looked happier to be home than Garzik. At least they were headed for a warm stall, a feed and a rub down.
'I fear Garza's in trouble,' Piro whispered to Elina.
She nodded. 'He'll have to sit through an hour's lecture and promise to mend his ways before father will let the matter rest. Da's proud. When Garza ran away, it hurt him.'
Byren's words returned to Piro. She could tell her friend was hurting, too.
'Oh, but I'm so glad to see you!' Elina hugged her.
'Me too.' Piro returned the hug. She needed to get Elina alone where they could talk. 'I heard Regal had her pups. Father was saying he'd like one. They're sure to be great trackers.'
Elina nodded. 'Come see. They're adorable.'
They skirted New Dovecote and entered the stable yard which had been swept clean of snow.
'They're in here.' Elina led her into the stable, into a tack room near the entrance. 'Come and look. Aren't they darlings?' She scooped up a puppy, thrusting it into Piro's arms. 'Hold him.'
They knelt on the straw, shoulder to shoulder to admire the pups. The stable was warm and cosy, redolent with the familiar smells of horse and hay, friendly with the soft singing of the lads at work on the horses. Piro felt seven years old and wished life was this simple once more.
'I'm glad Garza's come back,' Elina confessed. 'Father's been impossible to live with.'
'I'm sure everything's going to be all right now,' Piro said and tipped the puppy over to tickle his tummy. Byren's message felt incredibly important in her jerkin pocket. She needed to choose the right moment or Elina might reject it. 'You haven't asked after Byren.'
Elina became very interested in her puppy. 'Do you know why?' she asked carefully.
'I know Byren loves you,' Piro insisted. 'And you once told me you loved him, so…'
Elina said nothing, staring at the puppy unseeing.
Piro stole a look. She was in time to see a large tear slide down Elina's cheek. 'Oh, Lina!'
Piro reached out to console her, but Elina pulled away. 'You don't understand, Piro. This isn't the sort of thing that can be mended by saying I'm sorry.'
'Maybe it can be mended by listening to what he has to say. Here.' Piro thrust the message into Elina's hands. 'It's from him. He'll be waiting for you by the water-wheel tomorrow at midday. Promise me you'll read it and hear him out?'
'Oh, Piro…' Elina glance down at the message then fixed tearful eyes on her.
The horses stirred, whickering. Piro and Elina both turned their heads to listen. The jingle of harness and the stamp of hooves told her they had company.
'Who could that be?' Elina muttered. Wiping her cheeks, she tucked the message in her apron pocket and went to look through the stable door, staying in its shadow.
Piro had to stand on tip toe to peer over her shoulder.
'Why, it's Lence!' Elina whispered fondly. She pulled the apron off over her head and folded it across her arm. 'Lence and friends. Two of them are mere boys.'
'Don't let them hear you say that!' Piro warned. 'They're Lords Brookfield and Dellton now, having come into their titles since you last saw them. And they've joined Lence's honour guard. They think themselves men.' She frowned. Trust Cobalt to travel with a servant. 'The fancy one is the new Lord Cobalt.'
'Spurnan's son, Illien? The one who's been in Ostron Isle these last thirteen years?'
Piro nodded. 'Father's acknowledged him as our blood kin.'
'Really? My father will be pleased to see the breach mended. He'll be sorry to hear that Spurnan's dead.' Elina hurriedly smoothed down her hair, then threw the door open. 'Lence Kingsheir, always welcome at Dovecote.'
Piro watched her brother's face lighten with delight, then tighten hungrily. She could not imagine a man ever looking at her like that.
Lence swung his leg over the horse's back and dropped to the swept stable yard. 'Elina, lovely as always. Don't you have stable lads to take our horses?'
'I was playing with the puppies.' Her words were prim but her voice held laughter. 'We have more of King Rolen's kin visiting. Come, Piro.'
She stepped from behind the door. 'Hello, Lence.'
'Piro!' Lence looked surprised, then forced a smile. 'What are you doing here?'
Elina laughed and rolled her eyes. 'Brothers!'
Piro noticed both Brookfield and Dellton could not take their eyes off her friend and even Cobalt straightened unconsciously in the saddle. Why did Elina have this effect on men?
Lence seemed to recollect his manners. Keeping a firm hold on Elina's hand, he turned towards the youths. 'Elina, you know Arturo and Moran, now Lords Brookfield and Dellton. And this is Lord Cobalt. Illien, this is Elina Dovecotesdaughter, the prettiest girl in Rolencia.'
Both youths dismounted and bowed formally as if they were in court, insisting that Elina use their personal names, as they made free with hers. Piro had to look away and bite her bottom lip.
Cobalt swung down from the saddle, handed the reins to his servant and made the Ostronite bow, which should have looked ostentatious but he carried off with great style. He kissed Elina's hand as was the Ostronite
