Such were the matters of importance decided at our table.
Toward the end of the meal, King Leofric, Ronan, and several of his advisors strode into the room. A mage I didn’t recognize followed the group. Everyone stood and bowed, staying that way until King Leofric took his place on the dais and bade us sit. He looked as though he hadn’t slept all night. Ronan appeared equally tired. He took the seat on the dais reserved for the king’s senior wizard. The other mage sat next to him. The other three chairs for the wizard council sat woefully empty.
Ronan’s gaze went to the back of the room and found me. I smiled. He returned the gesture but his expression was far too solemn to be encouraging.
King Leofric started a speech, reporting what had transpired the night before. I wondered if he thought anyone in the room still ignorant of the facts. He announced that Mage Apricus had joined the wizard council. Other appointments would follow. He reassured everyone that even though troubling events had plagued the castle this week, the security and prosperity of the country were assured. He went on to classify the country’s many strengths and assets.
I stopped paying attention during that part. Nothing is so dull as a list of the country’s virtues. My attention, however, sprang back when the king began speaking about the servants.
“I’m sure you’re all aware of the other problem we have with Marseden. Many in our servant class are migrating unlawfully to Marseden as that country has a more lenient price for their indentureship. Some have suggested the answer to our labor shortage is to increase the servants’ price by another year, but we’ve seen the results of this ill-thought-out policy. They’ll leave all the faster. And should Marseden ever go to war with us, they’ll have three times the foot soldiers we can muster.
“The custom of indentured servitude, therefore, puts our country in danger. We’ve seen this week that we’re not as safe as we suppose, that outside powers dare to strike at the very heart of our country. I’m afraid I can no longer support the policy of indentureship. I’m passing a law that will take effect three months hence which abolishes the practice.”
I wasn’t sure what I expected the king to say about his new law. I’d known he wouldn’t admit to making a bargain with an invisible mage to save his life, but still, I was impressed how he made the policy sound like he’d deliberated about it for some time and had come to the conclusion on his own.
I wished Gwenyth and Alaric could’ve been in the room to hear it. The nobles didn’t, as Gwenyth predicted, burst into tears. Shocked expressions, yes. Exclamations of disapproval, yes. Outright glares of hostility, absolutely. But no tears. I sat smiling, glad my faith in King Leofric hadn’t been in vain.
The king held out a hand to stop the ever-loudening grumbling. “I’m assuming you’d rather have paid servants than none at all because they’ve fled to Marseden.”
Someone yelled, “Post more soldiers at the borders to keep them from leaving!”
The king glowered at the man. “You’re insisting you can’t do without your servants, but you expect me to do without my armies so that more can be posted at the border? Think of what you ask. Marseden would see large armies at their borders as an act of aggression. And if my armies were stretched across the border they’d be easily breached during an invasion.” He shook his head. “I’ll continue to meet with my advisers and hear your concerns on the issue, but I’m convinced this is the right path. I’ll leave you to finish your meal.”
The marshal stood and led the call, “The king has spoken! Long live the king!”
The nobles repeated the chant less enthusiastically.
I spoke loudly. On the dais, Ronan’s eyes met mine and his smile seemed more genuine this time.
After the king left, people finished their meals quickly. Some nearly stormed out. Other noblemen withdrew in groups, talking in lowered voices.
I made my way toward the front of the room, weaving around clusters of people. Ronan might be too busy to talk to me now, but at least we could arrange a time to meet later.
Floris and another young noblewoman stepped into my path, a brunette who for some reason had entirely done away with hereyebrows. Their absence caused me to stare, despite knowing it was ill-mannered.
“Lady Marcella,” Floris said, all forced smiles. “A rumor is floating about, though I can’t see how it could be true.” She took a moment to regard my dress in a way that made it obvious she found it lacking. “A rumor that you’re to be one of the queen’s attendants. I keep telling people that the queen hasn’t yet chosen those appointments. Have you any idea how such gossip started?”
“I try to avoid gossip,” I said, “so I’ve no idea how any of it starts.”
The brunette would’ve raised her eyebrows smugly if she’d had any. Floris drew herself up in satisfaction. “I knew it wasn’t true.”
I tried for patience. “I didn’t say it wasn’t true. I just said I’d no idea how the news spread.”
Both women gaped at me. “The queen chose you?” the brunette sputtered. “Before she even finished interviewing all the ladies at court? She hasn’t even met the most qualified women. I’ve yet to meet her.”
I wanted to say, “Alas, eyebrows were a requirement,” but for the second time that day, I remembered King Leofric’s injunction to be polite. “I’m sure your time with her will come.”
I didn’t notice Ronan making his way toward us until Floris turned to greet him. “Mage Warison, all the castle sings your praises today.” She looped her arm through his. “I’ve heard a dozen versions of how you bested the rogue wizard and insist on hearing the tale from your own mouth.” Her gaze went to his lips and she licked her own. The tale was not all she wanted from his mouth.
I’d no idea how to react. What was the appropriate genteel response when a woman had her arm entwined with the man who—if he would admit it—was supposedly courting me?
Restraint was probably called for, discretion of some sort. I crossed my arms and glared at Floris.
The brunette noticed my reaction and shook her head pityingly.
“I must defer until another time,” Ronan told Floris with all decorum. “I’ve matters to discuss with Lady Marcella.”
“Surely, any matters with her can wait.” Floris pouted, pink lips pursed. “My curiosity is most urgent.”