[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Whit? No fish? cried King Audry aghast. It is our fame and our pride!
Steward! Bring the princess some salmon in wine sauce with new peas, and also
a good taste of the lobster in saffron cream; also-why not?-a dozen each of
the cockles and winkles, and do not spare the garlic butter.
Madouc looked dubiously at the plates set in front of her. I fear that I
would grow very fat indeed were I to dine with you regularly!
It is a delightful risk to take, said King Audry. He turned at the approach
of an official.
Well then, Evian: what is your news?
The Flor Velas has been sighted in the Cambermouth, Your Majesty. King Aillas
will be on hand shortly, unless he is set aback by an offshore wind.
How blows the wind at this time?
It veers, Your Majesty, from north to northwesterly, with a gust now and then
from the west. The weathercocks are faithless.
That is not a favoring wind, said King Audry. Still we must start our
colloquy by the schedule;
timely starts make for happy voyages. Am I not right, Princess?
That is my own opinion, Your Majesty. The ortolans are delicious.
Clever girl! Ah well, I had hoped that King Aillas would be present at the
opening ceremonies, but we shall not delay, and he will miss nothing of
substance, since we must proceed through a round or two of encomiums, salutes,
noble breast-beating, laudatory allusions and the like. Until
King Aillas arrives, Prince Dhrun shall listen with the ears of Troicinet, and
speak the official
Troice eulogies. He is over-young for such service, but it will be good
training for him.
Dhrun, with his three companions, came into the Morning Saloon. They
Page 230
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
approached King Audry s table. Good morning, Your Highness, said Dhrun.
Good morning to you, Prince Jaswyn, and to you as well, Princess.
No less to you, said King Audry. Your father s ship has been sighted in the
Cambermouth and he will be on hand shortly-certainly before the day is out.
That is good news.
Meanwhile, the colloquy begins on schedule! Until King Aillas arrives, you
must act in his stead.
Make ready, therefore, to deliver a resonant and inspirational oration!
That is bad news!
King Audry chuckled. The acts of kingship are not all equally pleasurable.
I suspect this already, Your Highness, from observing my father.
Jaswyn has surely arrived at the same conclusion, said King Audry. Am I
right, Jaswyn?
Absolutely, sir.
King Audry gave a placid nod and returned to Dhrun. I keep you from your
breakfast. Fortify yourself well!
file:///F|/rah/Jack%20Vance/Vance,%20Jack%20-%20Elder%20Isles%203%20-%20Madouc
.txt (222 of 256) [1/17/03 8:02:30 PM]
file:///F|/rah/Jack%20Vance/Vance,%20Jack%20-%20Elder%20Isles%203%20-%20Madouc
.txt
Madouc called out: King Audry recommends the ortolans and the woodcock. He
also insisted that I
eat cockles and winkles by the dozen.
I will heed your advice, as always, said Dhrun. He and his comrades went off
to the buffet. A
moment later Prince Cassander entered the refectory, with his friend Sir
Camrols. Cassander halted and surveyed the room, then, approaching King Audry,
paid his respects. King Casmir and Queen
Sollace are taking breakfast in their chambers; they will appear at the Hall
of Heroes at the appointed time.
The time is not far off, said King Audry. The morning has gone apace!
Cassander turned to Madouc. Queen Sollace wishes you to present yourself
before her at once. I
will warn you that she is not pleased with your flighty conduct, which verges
upon rank insubordination.
The queen must postpone her censure, or-even better-put it aside altogether,
said Madouc. I am now taking breakfast with King Audry and Prince Jaswyn; it
would be an act of unutterable rudeness if I were to jump up and depart.
Further, Cassander, your own manners leave much to be desired. In the first
place-
Cassander, noting King Audry s amusement, became angry. Enough; in fact, more
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]