a month after my coronation. Arutha, by rough estimate,
has averaged better than two messages a week from her
the entire time. One might draw a conclusion or two
from that.'
"I'd be more than anxious to return if I had someone of
her mettle waiting for me,' agreed Martin.
Arutha was a private person, ill humoured when it
came to revealing deep feelings, and he was doubly
sensitive to any question involving Anita. He was imposseibly
in love with the slender young woman, intoxicated
with the way she moved, the way she sounded, the way
she looked at him. And while these were possibly the
only two men on all Midkemia to whom he felt close
enough to share his feelings, he had never, even as a boy,
shown good grace when he felt he was the butt of a jest.
As Arutha's expression darkened, Lyam said, "Put
away your black looks, little storm cloud. Not only am I
your King, I'm still your older brother and I can box your
ears if the need arises.'
The use of the pet name their mother had given him
and the improbable image of the King boxing the ears of
the Prince of Krondor made Arutha smile slightly. He
was silent a moment, then said, 'I worry I misread
this. Her letters, while warm, are formal and at times
distant. And there are many young courtiers in your
palace.'
Martin said, 'From the moment we escaped from
Krondor, Your fate was sealed, Arutha. She's had you in
her bow mark from the first, like a hunter drawing down
on a deer. Even before we reached Crydee, when we
were hiding out, she'd look at you in a certain way. No,
she's waiting for you, have no doubt.'
"Besides,' added Lyam, 'you've told her how you feel.'
"Well, not in so many words. But I have stated my
fondest affection.'
Lyam and Martin exchanged glances. 'Arutha,' said
Lyam, 'you write with all the passion of a scribe doing
year-end tax tallies.
All three laughed. The months of travel had allowed a
redefinition of their relationship. Martin had been both
tutor and friend to the other two as boys, teaching hunting
and woodcraft. But he had also been a commoner, though
as Huntmaster he stood as a highly 'placed member of
duke Borric's staff. With the revelation that he was their
father's bastard, an elder half brother, all three had
passed through a time of adjustment. Since then they had
endured the false camaraderie of those seeking advantage,
the hollow promises of friendship 'and loyalty from
those seeking gain, and during this time they had discovered
something more. In the others, each had found
