Pikhalas quickly excused himself, leaving the elf and human to fend for themselves. "I think we should go somewhere private," Sir Jehan said, glancing fur- tively around him. "This room is full of folk with acute hearing and loose tongues."
Naitachal nodded solemnly, following the noble to a smaller, adjoining library, leading off the antechamber.
It had a single window, also looking over the bay, but this side of the palace was colder than the sunny warmth of the balcony. On the opposite side, next to the window, was a large set of wooden doors, with golden handles. A dying fire threatened to sputter out in a stove, and as Sir Jehan stoked it, heat flooded the library.
Naitachal took this opportunity to study the man.
He was certainly no commoner, not if the ermine that trimmed his heavy winter cloak was real and not rabbit made up to resemble that royal fur. He dressed in shades of gray and black silk, with tall, soft, black leather boots, the toes tipped with silver. T Alaire had described a rascally sort of man, thi Jehan seemed the very opposite. The gray in his hair and beard gave him a distinguished air, which was en- tirely at odds with the description Alaire had given.
"There is a new chill in the air," Sir Jehan said ami- ably, turning to the elf. "I'm afraid the pleasant weather we've had during your stay is about to come to an abrupt halt."
"I was wondering if this was typical weather," Nai- tachal said cautiously. "It has been rather enjoyable."
Sir Jehan waved at one of two leather chairs.
"Please, have a seat We have much to discuss."
Naitachal did so, finding the padded leather chair unexpectedly comfortable. Sir Jehan took a similar seat, leaned forward and studied his hands. In spite of his fashionable dress, his dignified manner, there was something about him that put the Dark Elf on guard.
Whatever he's hiding, he's not going to share it with me, Naitachal thought At least, not now.
"I'm not certain how to phrase this precisely,"
Jehan began slowly, "so as not to offend you, sir."
"I believe we can resolve whatever differences exist between our two kingdoms," Naitachal readily sup- plied. "That is, of course, my mission."
A puzzled look passed briefly over Sir Jehan's face.
"No, you misunderstand. While I am happy to hear that, that's not the situation I'm referring to."
"I see," Naitachal replied, carefully. "Then what situation are you referring to?"
Jehan coughed. "Your assistant Alaire, I believe his name is."
Oh gods, Naitachal thought, keeping his expression neutral. Do they know he's the son of the King? Per- haps I should have spirited him away when I had the chance.
Jehan's smooth expression gave nothing away. "It is no secret that, since last night, when you two arr Alaire has become a companion of our dear Prince."
Does he suspect something shady about this? "Yes, I believe they met shortly after dinner last night P Kainemonen invited my secretary out for a night of... light entertainment." As if you didn't know that first- hand! Or did you think Alaire hadn't told me?
"Hmmm, I think I see what you're getting at. Such an acquaintance, between prince and a visiting diplomat, even the diplomat's secretary, would not seem terribly out of place in Althea. Have we perhaps violated some rule of social order in your fine land?"
"Oh, no," Sir Jehan said blandly. "On the contrary.
I'm grateful to see such informal mingling between people of our two lands. Your assistant has done no wrong by befriending the Prince, although I do under- stand they ran into a bit of trouble in town. I heard through the network of contacts in the tavern district that the Prince picked a sword fight with some unruly sailors. Regrettably, the brawl drew your assistant into it. I'm afraid such behavior is quite common with our young ruler-to-be, and I have to admit to some embar- rassment over the incident."
Naitachal nodded, still wondering what the man's point was. "Alaire may not seem to be very old, but he is capable of handling himself. Suinomen has nothing to apologize for, however. He went with the Prince willingly, without my knowledge or consent Not that he needed permission from me, you understand. . . .
He is not the envoy. I am. And as you know, young men will have their little excitements."
"I became aware of this last night." Now Sir Jehan produced a cool smile, and one that did not reach his eyes. "From what I've heard, your secretary is a rather remarkable swordsman." Sir Jehan's right eyebrow raised at this, but he made no further comment Alaire's training. He continued, in a lowered voice, "
I may, I would like to speak freely, but in confidence.
Just between the two of us, and with no diplomatic matters involved. My concern is for your secre Ambassador. Our young Prince is a bad influence.
Even though your secretary is an adult and can take care of himself, this doesn't make him immune to cer- tain unsavory influences in our land."
"I was under the impression that they were only out drinking," Naitachal said in defense of both young men. What influences?
"There may be more to it than that," Sir Jehan said, and there was a certain sly shading to his words.
"Though I cannot be more precise. There could be more to Kainemonen's nightly jaunts than we know.
He does this drunken tavern-hopping regularly, in the very worst parts of town. No lady of good blood will associate with him, even incognito."
This answered a question that had been gnawing at the Dark Elf since he spied on Kai, Alaire and their cluster of "maidens." Those women were of a much lower class -- no higher than servants, I should think.
I should have guessed as much.
"I still think Alaire is safe," Naitachal said. "He has enough good sense not to become involved with women who may ultimately seek to cause him trouble. Unless there are other factors you haven't mentioned yet"
If Sir Jehan took offense at this, he didn't show it. "I do hope that having a friend his own age will settle Kai down a bit, but I'm afraid that Alaire does not have a strong enough personality to resist Kai's depravity. If I may speak frankly, Alaire seems to be rather young for a diplomatic mission -- even as a mere assistant"
"He is here to polish his skills under my tutelage,"
Naitachal informed him simply. "But he is very close, very close, to the King's heart."
Sir Jehan gave him a knowing look, as if he under- stood all too well that yes, Alaire was indeed a favorite bastard. Good. His disguise seems to be holding.
Naitachal smiled faintly. "I agreed to take him as my assistant largely to please King Reynard. I admit he is a little raw, and I had hoped that some of your fine cul- ture would rub off on him during this visit. He's never been outside of Althea. Please forgive any uncouth behavior you may observe in him. But I do assure you, his personality is strong and fundamentally good, his morals secure."
Sir Jehan sighed, and shook his head woefully.
"Kai's debauchery is the root of the troubles between him and his father. The boy simply refuses to behave like a civilized adult, or even a civilized child; and he certainly refuses to behave like a prince."