The Mirror of Her Dreams (79 page)

A muscle in Nyle's cheek twitched; however, he kept the rest of his face still. Turning from Geraden, he bowed again to Terisa and Elega. 'My ladies, I hope you enjoy your outing. We're lucky to have this weather.'

With his shoulders squared and his back rigid, he strode away between the shops.

Terisa shot a look at Geraden. His face was knotted: for an instant, he seemed on the verge of chasing after his brother, shouting something. Then he swung towards Elega. 'My lady'- he bit down to keep his voice steady-'is this your doing?'

She wasn't taken aback by this accusation. Watching Nyle's departing figure vividly, she murmured, 'It may have something to do with me. I should speak to him. Excuse me.'

Pulling up her skirts, she hurried after him.

Geraden moved to follow. Instinctively, Terisa put a hand on his arm. Hadn't she heard Elega mention Nyle once? When was that? Oh, yes. When Elega first took her to meet Myste.
Nyle is more to my taste.
Geraden looked at her to see why she had restrained him; she asked, 'How could it be her doing?'

Elega caught up with Nyle and stopped him. Their faces couldn't be seen clearly: too many people intervened, moving in both directions. And of course what they said was inaudible.

Distantly, Geraden replied, 'He's been nursing a passion for her for years, but he thinks it's hopeless. He thinks-' He frowned in vexation. 'I don't understand it. He thinks he isn't grand or special enough for her. He hasn't done anything dramatic in the world. He knows she's ambitious, and he's sure she won't have him. I think it galls him that
I
was the one who was betrothed to her-and I let her get away.

'He told us he was going to stay in Houseldon all winter to talk himself out of asking for her hand.'

'So you think he came to Orison to see if she'll have him?'

Geraden nodded. His face was tight with empathy. 'But I guess he hasn't asked her yet. If he did-and she turned him down- he wouldn't stick around. So she must have done something to hurt him before he got his courage nailed down tightly enough to actually propose. He can't leave because he hasn't done what he came for. But he's in too much pain to do it.

'Blast her.'He glanced at Terisa. 'I'm guessing, of course. But look at them. Whatever it is, she knows what's eating at him.'

The glimpses Terisa caught through the crowd seemed to confirm Geraden's opinion. Elega was talking to Nyle-pleading with him?-as though she knew what to say. And his answers- brusque as they were-suggested understanding, even approval.

Because she didn't know how to comfort Geraden, Terisa changed the subject. 'What did you think of that mountebank? The man in the ribbons and tatters.'

At first, Nyle and Elega held Geraden's attention. With an effort, however, he dragged his gaze back to Terisa. 'What did you say? I didn't hear you.'

'The mountebank we passed a little while ago. What did you think of him?'

'Think of him'? Nothing special. Why?'

She could see the difference when he actually
looked
at her. Just curious,' she said casually. 'Something about him-'

Another characteristic of Geraden's that she liked was his willingness to accept her whims. He racked his memory, then said, 'I haven't seen him before. I wonder why. He doesn't look young enough to be new at this.'

'Well, he isn't exactly old,' she began. 'He-'

A moment later, the truth struck her.

'He looks familiar.' That was why she found him so interesting. 'I
have
seen him before.'

Geraden stared at her. 'You what?'

'I've
seen
him somewhere,' she insisted. 'I'm sure of it. But not like this. He's in disguise.'

'Where was that?' Geraden was instantly ready to believe her.
'
Was it the man who attacked you?'

Gart? 'No.' She closed her eyes and tried to calm her excitement. 'It's not him.' But the hints and pieces didn't come together. 'I don't know. Somewhere.' The more she pictured the mountebank, the less familiar he looked. 'I can't remember.'

'Don't try to force it. The quicker you forget about it, the quicker it'll come to you.' Then he added, 'And thanks.'

She shook her head. 'Thanks for what?'

He nodded towards Elega and Nyle. 'I needed the distraction,'

As Terisa looked in that direction, Nyle moved off into the throng and Elega returned to her companions.

Her determined smile and veiled gaze made it clear at once that she had no intention of revealing what had passed between her and Nyle. 'I am sorry I kept you waiting,' she said before either Terisa or Geraden could speak. The best of the cloth shops is just over there. Shall we go?'

Taking their acquiescence for granted, she started towards the shop.

Geraden met Terisa's eyes behind Elega's back and shrugged. The twist of his mouth suggested regret rather than anger. After all, this wasn't his first experience with the King's eldest daughter.

He seemed to know the trick of not being offended by what she did.

He and Terisa followed her together.

As they approached the fabric and tailor shops, the noise rose to a din. The merchants there fought over possible customers so aggressively that Terisa would never have considered approaching them if she had been alone. The lady Elega wasn't in the least disconcerted, however. Smiling good-naturedly, she walked into the midst of the shopkeepers and said without raising her voice, 'Good sirs, you do not need this raucous display. You know that I am not persuaded by it.' Her tone was rnild, but sure. 'Perhaps you will indulge me with a bit more moderation.' Almost immediately, quiet spread out around her as people saw who she was and nudged their neighbours.

In response, Elega inclined her head graciously-a gesture which made Geraden roll his eyes. Nevertheless Terisa saw that the deference of the shopkeepers was perfectly serious. The King's daughter's patronage must have been well worth what it cost.

Selecting a shop, Elega sailed towards it as if she were leading a fleet. Like many of the wooden structures, this one was built up a bit so that its flooring didn't rest in the mud. A few apparently reliable steps led to a narrow porch which inspired less confidence; then an open door gave admittance to the small room where the merchant showed his wares.

Most of the room's light came from unglassed windows with their shutters pushed aside; but a brazier in the centre of the floor provided some warmth. Scurrying ahead of Elega, the shopkeeper stationed himself behind a counter and began to murmur obsequious enthusiasm for her presence.

Aside from the brazier and the counter, the room was empty. Bare planking without shelves formed the walls. In fact, there was no cloth to be seen in the shop, apart from the swaths hanging out the windows and over the porch.

Elega greeted this fact with equanimity. 'I see that I have come to the right place.'

The shopkeeper was bold enough to say, 'You have, my lady. All my winter stock is sold. I have nothing left except my samples.'

'I take that as testimony to the quality of your goods.'

He bowed in humble pride. 'But I will have everything you wish as soon as the roads are open,' he added quickly.

'Very good. Let us see your samples.' Elega indicated her companions. The lady Terisa of Morgan needs to improve her wardrobe.'

'At once, my lady.'

From beneath the counter, the man started producing long, thin strips of cloth which he spread out for inspection.

Geraden cleared his throat, 'With your permission, my lady,' he said to Elega, 'I'll leave you for a while. My opinions aren't likely to be much help. And if anybody troubles you while you're choosing cloth or talking to tailors, every merchant in the area will leap to your defence.'

'Leave Nyle alone,' Elega replied by way of assent. 'I think he is in no mood to be pestered by his family today.' Then she chose two or three of the strips and showed them to Terisa. 'What do you think of these?'

Only Terisa noticed the Apt's bow as he left the shop.

Trying to sound casual, she took this opportunity to ask Elega, 'Did you know Nyle was in Orison? Geraden was surprised to hear it.'

'No. Why?' Elega's disinterest was nearly flawless. 'I should have been more surprised than he was. I did not know Nyle was here until we saw him. But I fear I am losing the ability to be surprised by anything the sons of the Domne do.'

Terisa shrugged. 'I just thought you might have seen him around. You mentioned him to me once. I got the impression you liked him.'

'I do.' Elega was better at nonchalance than Terisa was. 'I consider him a friend. And I respect him. He has a-a seriousness of mind?-no, a seriousness of
desire
-which his brothers apparently lack. It is inconceivable, for instance, that he would spend Geraden's years trying and failing to become an Imager. And it is also inconceivable that he would learn Artagel's skills and then refuse to use them-as Artagel has refused-to rise in command of the King's guards.

There was a time,' she admitted, 'when if he had expressed an interest in my hand I would have taken him as seriously as he took me.' She spoke without any noticeable concern for the shopkeeper's presence. 'Still, I did not know that he had come to Orison. His 'private affairs'-whatever they may be-have nothing to do with me.'

'I was just curious.' Lamely, Terisa turned her attention to the question of fabrics.

Elega proved to have a good eye. The materials she selected for consideration were excellent-some warm twills and light poplins for everyday wear, some fine silks and velvets for formal occasions-and the colours she advised were right for Terisa's hair and eyes and skin. Soon Terisa had the ten samples she liked best arranged in front of her. She was trying to pick one or two (or three?) when Elega said to the shopkeeper, These will be enough at present. As soon as the material arrives, deliver it to Mindlin the seamster. He will tell you how much he needs.'

'Certainly, my lady. With pleasure.' The prospect of supplying enough free cloth to make ten outfits didn't appear to distress him.

Terisa herself was too astonished to protest.
Ten
new outfits? What was she going to do with
ten
new outfits?

Elega seemed to enjoy the look on Terisa's face. 'Come,' she said with a smile. 'Mindlin has always made my clothes. I am sure he will be glad to do the same for you.'

'Without question, my lady,' the shopkeeper put in, 'without question. An outstanding choice, if I may say so. Mindlin's work is superb. Superb. I'll provide him with these fabrics the instant they arrive.'

Bestowing a nod, the lady drew Terisa out of the shop.

Mindlin's establishment was nearby. If anything, it was even less elaborate or pretentious than the fabric shop; but Mindlin himself was a tall man with sunken, grey cheeks and an austere manner, and he spoke in a haughty tone which seemed to come out of a different mouth than the subservient words he actually uttered. In fact, the content of his speech was so fawning that even Elega was embarrassed. 'Unfortunately,' she explained to Terisa, 'he has become wealthy on the strength of his reputation as my seamster.'

Terisa was unable to suppress a grin.

Embarrassment, however, didn't cost Elega her command of the situation. Briskly, she told Mindlin what materials would be supplied to him, and by whom. Then she asked Terisa, 'What would you like?'

For a moment, Terisa's imagination was paralysed. 'I've never had clothes made for me before.'

Then the experience will be good for you,' Elega replied with satisfaction. She thought briefly, then informed Mindlin that the lady Terisa needed two formal gowns, two warm winter gowns, two lighter ones for spring, and-she gave him the bundle of Terisa's old clothes-four outfits made on that unfamiliar pattern, again two for winter and two for spring. She also specified which fabric should be used in each case-a test of memory which would have defeated Terisa.