I think you must have been a wizard in your own land. There were other guards. But I selected one that I judged weak, the weakest of all, and cozened him with certain promises. He was a handsome rogue, and he knew it, and so believed me when I said that I desired him. He arranged for us to be alone, for I swore that I would not do anything but in private. When were alone I suffered his embrace, but only to get close to his sword, and then I killed him and ran. And found you sleeping by the brook. As naked as you are now!'
She scowled again, her lips a red pout, and her luminescent brown eyes traced up and down his brawny nakedness. 'And I tell you this, Blade. Your bare hide now begins to offend me. There is just too much of you!'
Her eyes fell and lingered on his genital area. She made a face and averted her eyes in what he knew was a feigned disgust. 'Get you some cover, Blade. I command it. I am sick of looking at you.'
He raised the sword in mock salute. 'Gladly, princess. Just where do I get it. You will perhaps weave me a breechclout here and now, on the spot?'
The problem solved itself a moment later in a manner neither could have foreseen. They rounded a narrow bend in the path and came upon an open field. It was a cultivated field, bordered by a crude fence of piled stones, and just beyond the fence a man rushed at them with upraised sword.
Blade leaped before the girl, his own sword raised. 'Keep back!'
She was first to laugh. Followed by Blade, who put his sword down and joined her, doubling over in merriment. So ridiculous!
Yet, in the first shock of surprise, the scarecrow had looked human enough. The sword, of wood, threatening enough.
Taleen was helpless now, holding her flat belly, her breasts shaking, as she pointed from Blade to the scarecrow and then back again, powerless in the throes of peal after peal of manic laughter.
'You— you,' she grasped, 'tried to protect me from a scarecrow— '
Blade leaped the fence and tugged a pair of tattered linen breeches from the scarecrow. They fitted well enough, though a bit tight around his powerful thighs. He went back to Taleen, pondering the odd security that a man can derive from a simple pair of pants.
The sky was beginning to gray now, with a first hint of false dawn in the east. When the girl had laughed herself out they resumed their way. Blade was thankful for the incident, and did not mind seeming a buffoon. Her good humor was restored and she chattered like a magpie. Blade kept mostly silent, and noted the changing nature of the countryside. They left the woods, crossed a vast expanse of wold, and entered a region where cultivated fields were intersticed with fenland and marsh. As the true dawn came on and the stars paled, Blade made out the blurred shapes of thatched cottages, all of them on stilts, standing well back from the path. A drift of wood smoke, accompanied by the odor of cooking meat, made his belly churn. Cattle and horses, evanescent against linear pearl light from the east, moved and sounded as they made their way past. A goat trotted to a fence to give them a baleful inspection, then bleated in derision.
After the sights of that night Blade had felt he would never eat again. Now his stomach rumbled indelicately and he was ravenous. He said as much to Taleen, who had stopped chattering for a moment, and she bade him be patient. The town of Sarum Vil, and her cousin Lycanto, was not far now. They would be well fed.
After another small silence, during which Blade caught a whiff of salt air and knew they were near the sea, Taleen said: 'Blade!'
'Princess?'
'I think it best that we do not speak of the things we have seen this night. The Albs are a suspicious lot as it is, and I am going to have enough trouble explaining you. I do not think we should mention the Drus, or what we did or saw. If you agree I think we must make an oath on it.'
It was agreeable enough to Blade, in fact suited his purpose, yet it was in his nature to probe a matter that interested him. Without looking at her he said, 'You knew that girl who was killed tonight?'
After a moment: 'I did not say that. Or did not mean it so. A princess does not know a serving wench. But I recognized her— she was of my cousin Lycanto's household. So what of this?'
He prodded her gently, unsmiling. 'You mentioned gossip, and matters you did not understand. What of this indeed? I must know. You do not walk in peril now, but I do. How will these things affect me? And how came that poor girl into the hands of the Drus?'
He heard her sharp indrawn breath. 'I spoke true when I said you were a wizard in your own land! Your wit is sharper than a sword— you go straight to the heart of matters. But you are right. It is another reason why we must not tell of what we have seen tonight.'
'I am flattered,' he said. 'And yet a little confused. So tell me, straight out, wherein do I go to the heart of matters?'
'It must have been Alwyth,' said the Princess. 'She is wife to Lycanto. She is a shrew and a bitch, and I do not like her, yet she is a good wife and mother. And my cousin, Lycanto, is a fool like most men. He is like a rooster that thinks all hens are his personal property. The gossip of which I spoke is true— Lycanto has been bedding with that serving girl for months. Now Alwyth has found it out and has given the girl to the Drus for sacrifice. That much is simple. What is not so simple is what Lycanto will do if he finds this out. My cousin is a great warrior, very brave, and also very stupid. He is easygoing and hates trouble. He will suffer much to avoid it, especially with Alwyth. Yet if he finds out that his whore has been slain and eaten by the Drus, and with the aid and consent of Alwyth, then Frigga only knows what will happen. Lycanto will not attack the Drus because he is afraid of their magic, but his rage is terrible when it comes and who can tell who will feel his hand. Perhaps even you. Or me.'
Blade gave her a cool stare. 'You mean me, of course. You are kin of this Lycanto and he will not harm you. But me, a stranger— '
She nodded, and for a moment seemed to gloat. 'Yes. I am glad you understand, Blade. The Albs are a cruel people. But if we keep our mouths shut tight, and Lycanto is in a good mood, I can have my will of him. I will ask for an escort of armed men, and insist that you accompany me north to my father. I am very grateful to you for saving me from Queen Beata, and my father, King Voth, will also wish to thank you in person. So that you understand, Blade.'
He nodded. 'I do understand.' Taleen smiled at him. 'And besides, Blade, I have no wish to lose you yet. You frighten me a little. You puzzle me. Most of all you intrigue me. I have a feeling, Blade, that Frigga has cast a future for us. Love? Or perhaps death. Who can know?'
