The Shadow Sorceress by L. E. Modesitt Jr. Page B

enough to convey respect for the position Robero held.
    Behind and to the left of Lord Robero’s chair was a smaller chair, occupied by a petite blonde woman, even more slender and shorter than Secca. Before her consort could speak, Alyssa rose and stepped forward with a warm smile. “Secca…it’s so good to see you.” She glanced at Clayre. “And you, too, if but since yesterday.”
    Rising belatedly, Robero offered the all-too-familiar boyish grin, then brushed back wisps of his thinning mahogany hair. “It is good to see you again.” He added quickly. “Both of you.”
    â€œIt is always good to see you and Alyssa, even when theoccasion is sad.” Secca was grateful to Alyssa, who served Robero as much as loved him, and who, somehow, quietly, managed to keep him from taking himself as seriously as he would have liked to do.
    â€œHow…?” asked Alyssa. “She seemed strong last summer.”
    â€œShe was working on something. She hadn’t even tried to cast a spell. I found her collapsed by the reflecting pool. Usually, when that happened, she would rest and recover. This time…she didn’t.”
    â€œWe will miss her.” Robero, surprisingly, sounded as though he would, as he reseated himself, leaving Secca and Clayre—and Alyssa—standing.
    Secca had to believe that the Lord of Defalk had actually considered all of what Anna had meant to him and Defalk.
    â€œDo you think…Hanfor’s death…? He was a good and a strong man,” Robero said slowly.
    â€œIt could be,” Secca said smoothly. “Clayre and I have just discovered that lancers clad in the uniforms of Mansuuran lancers attacked a town in Neserea.”
    â€œWhat town? Were they truly Mansuuran lancers?” Robero leaned forward in the gilded chair.
    â€œWorlan,” replied Clayre. “Apparently, the local lord slaughtered them all.”
    Robero shook his head. “That was most convenient for someone. Who was the local lord?”
    â€œA young holder named Belmar. He had sought the hand of Annayal.”
    â€œHe would prove he is worthy. Most convenient.” The balding lord snorted.
    â€œA costly way to prove such worth,” offered Alyssa quietly.
    Secca held in a faint smile as Robero turned in his chair and raised his eyebrows.
    â€œAs you yourself said last week, dearest,” Alyssa continued almost apologetically, “the cost of maintaining a single company of lancers is dear. This Belmar must have had even more force at his command to destroy an entire company of Mansuuran armsmen. To maintain such, especially in an out-of-the-way holding, that could not be without cost, could it?”
    â€œSorcery, more likely.” Robero looked to Clayre. “Could he have used spellsongs?”
    â€œHe has players, lord. Whether they are good and whether he can use them so…we have not seen.”
    â€œWhy not?” Robero waved away his own question. “I know. Unless you spend all your time following but a single lord or holder, one cannot be certain. But is it likely?”
    â€œMore likely than his being able to maintain enough armsmen to destroy an entire company to the last man,” conceded Clayre.
    Secca thought either was highly unlikely of itself, but merely nodded agreement.
    â€œWe will have to think upon this. We will talk more tomorrow of it…when you are rested, Secca. And perhaps when you will have been able to learn more, Clayre.” Robero smiled and nodded. “I thank you for your diligence in keeping us well-informed.”
    â€œWe look forward to seeing you at supper,” added Alyssa. “You can tell us more about how things are in Mencha and elsewhere in the east.”
    Secca bowed, not deeply.
    â€œUntil then, ladies.” Robero continued to smile as the two left the audience chamber.

21
Encora, Ranuak
    The golden light of late fall angling through the windowpanes