After eating their fill of fruit, eggs and cheese, Soth sent Seril to prepare the horses for the journey while he went to the healer's chambers to check on the condition of the elf-maid.
When he reached the healer's chambers he stepped quietly up to the door and was about to knock when the door suddenly opened up before him.
Istvan was standing there, his right index finger pressed against his lips suggesting that Soth should keep quiet.
'She's asleep,' he said in a whisper.
Soth nodded. 'How is she?'
'She suffered bruises to her body, mainly to the extremities, but I suspect there were also injuries on the inside, ones which I could not see but nevertheless require an extended period of healing.'
Soth smiled. His knights suffered such injuries all of the time and were required to get along with their daily routines as best they could while they healed. Obviously, Istvan was making a big deal about the elf-maid's condition, certainly more than was required for her to make a complete recovery.
'You've done well, Istvan,' said Soth. 'I look forward to seeing her completely healed upon my return.'
Istvan looked at Soth for several seconds, running his bony fingers over the coarse white stubble of his beard.
And then his face brightened, as if the gist of what Soth was saying had just dawned upon him.
'I understand completely, milord.'
'Good,' said Soth. 'Is there anything you are lacking that I may be able to pick up for you in Palanthas?'
Istvan smiled, then stroked his chin once again. 'Let me think,' he said. 'I've heard they have ground blue hyssop for sale in some of the finer shops in Palanthas.' 'Is this a rare herb?' asked Soth.
Istvan nodded. 'One of the few I have done without.'
'Then you shall have some.'
Soth quickly left Istvan and joined Meyer Seril just inside the keep's gate.
'All ready?'
'Yes milord, except for…' Seril gestured behind Soth with a nod.
Soth turned. Lady Korinne was standing there, a deep rose-red robe wrapped around her nightdress. Soth went to her.
'You've come to see me off,' he said.
'Yes.'
'You didn't have to, but the gesture is greatly appreciated.'
Korinne smiled.
Soth kissed her goodbye.
As she watched her husband ride out through the keep's gate and over the drawbridge, Lady Korinne pulled her robe more tightly around her body.
Although it was the middle of Holmswelt, the mornings inside Dargaard Keep were still quite chilly.
She contemplated the good-bye kiss her husband had given her. Like the morning, it had been cold and passionless, a kiss one might expect from a brother, cousin, or uncle.
Was her husband's love for her waning? The thought made her shiver.
As she watched him descend onto the plain heading for Palanthas, she realized that for the first time since their marriage, Soth had left without once asking her if she was with child.
Apparently he'd meant what he'd said about not speaking of children until she was sure.
With that thought, the morning air seemed even colder.
Once Soth and Meyer Seril were out of sight of the keep, Lady Korinne postponed returning to her chambers and made a trip to the healer's chambers instead.
When she arrived she knocked lightly on the wooden door, making sure to be careful not to disturb anyone who was not yet awake. After a short wait she knocked again.
When there was still no answer, she tried the door. Much to her surprise, it opened.
Korinne looked down the hall in both directions before entering the chambers. Inside the sunlight that was usually shining brightly through the windows at this time of day was blocked by fabrics that had been draped over the openings. The deep reds and greens of the fabrics gave the room a soft and comfortable glow.
Korinne waited just inside the door for several moments, waiting for Istvan to appear from the shadows as he was sometimes known to do. But as time passed, it became obvious that Istvan was not here. Perhaps he had gone for breakfast, or was preparing some mixture.
Whatever the reason, he'd left the elf-maid alone.
It was too good an opportunity to miss. Korinne moved deeper into Istvan's chamber and searched for the elfmaid.
She was sleeping on a bed at the far end of the room, covered to the neck by a light-colored blanket. Korinne moved closer in order to get a better look at the maid.
When she was standing next to the bed, Korinne felt her heart sinking like a stone in a river. The elf-maid was beautiful, a stunning example of the sort of elven beauty that had made the race famous throughout
Krynn for their grace, comeliness and elegance.
How could a human woman compare to a creature possessing such fair skin and hair, such a lithe and supple form? How could a human woman compare herself to an elf-maid?
Korinne thought of that for a moment.
And let out a little laugh.
How foolish could she be? How could she compare herself to an elf-maid?
There was no comparison. Surely her husband was aware of that fact.
Korinne was still young and it would be many years before her own beauty began to fade. And even if Lord Soth found the elf-maid attractive, she was still his wife and according to the Oath and the Measure that was a bond that was as highly honored and respected as the one linking him to the knighthood.
What's more, Korinne was in the prime of her life, ready and more than willing to produce an heir to the muchheralded Soth family name. It would make their union complete, draw her even closer to him.
Ready and willing, she thought.
But unable.
The worry that had fled her heart and mind just seconds earlier, came back with a vengeance.
She turned to leave the healer's chambers, her hand groping the wall in order to keep herself steady as she walked.
Chapter 12
The city of Istar seemed barren.
Lifeless.
The elderly mage moved through the streets, his thoughts wandering aimlessly, much in the same way as did his feet.
When the Kingpriest first introduced The Edict of Thought Control it had sounded like such a good idea.
Indeed, how better to prevent evil deeds than to put an end to evil thoughts?
How better to stop a rose from blooming than to nip it in the bud?
What had sounded good in theory had turned into a nightmare in practice.
Since the introduction of the edict, children had lost their parents, wives had lost their husbands, and husbands had lost their wives.
And for what?
For evil thoughts that might or might not have manifested themselves into evil deeds. The edict lacked any consideration for the faculties of human reason and self control. It was based on the belief that human beings were little more than animals who acted upon every impulse and instinct without consideration for any of the consequences of their actions.
