#
Up in the room, Elise told me what had happened with Sharp and Wallen. They had come to the Warlocker’s house in the middle of the night with Lady Laurice, announced that they had to leave immediately, and that I would be joining them on the road. Once out, however, they told her nothing more about me.
By morning they had reached Goshawk river, a small town on the Goshawk River. There Wallen and Laurice were married by a local priest while Sharp hired a boat to carry them all downstream. The happy couple consummated their union on the riverbank that evening, with mud and grass for a bridal bower. Afterwards they feasted on Journeycakes and water.
"I thank ye for leaving Geldswan with me," Elise added. "That Bard thought I should be a lady to him, and only the length of steel kept him off. And when he tried to name him lady on the Bardhall steps, it was all I could do to merely run away."
"You did well," I signed, and kissed her.
"That’s quite a tale," Master Iving said. I had forgotten that the two Masters were still with us. "Gerard, you should write that up as a Ballad and sing it before the Masters when you sit for your string."
Grandmaster Meiltung glowered. "Sit for his string? Why? He has no more chance of earning it than Breck!"
Were Breck’s chances as poor as mine? Was he also lacking a voice?
"I rather think..." Master Iving was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in."
Treble entered, followed by an slightly younger man whose face was covered with freckles. They both carried trays laden with food and drink.
"What’s this?" asked the Grandmaster.
"They were chased out before they could get their supper," Treble explained. The other boy simply stared at the floor.
"How kind of you, Treble, Breck." Master Iving gestured for them to put the trays on the desk. They did so, and quickly left.
"It seems you have all you need, then," Grandmaster Meiltung stated. He straightened his back and crossed his arms. "And I have other business. Stay out of trouble."
He left, but Master Iving pulled out the chair and sat down. He watched us eat, laughed as Charles made a few lame jokes, and then asked me to put the dirty dishes out in the hallway. "One of the boys will collect it later."
I nodded.
Then he looked at me, quite seriously. "Gerard, we will sing in the Winter in just three days. You must work very hard to be ready by then."
I shrugged.
"No, Gerard, you must sit before the Masters. When you played at St William’s, you showed your path, and it is one you must walk. It would be a terrible thing if you did not."
I thought of the command of the Master of Paths. Earning my string might be impossible, but I was to at least try. I nodded.
"Then that is settled. You will sit along with Breck." He rose to his feet.
"One thing," I signed. Peter quickly spoke for me. "Elise and I have not been properly sung together, and I would not have her wait any longer. Will you do this for us tomorrow?"
My lady flung her arms around my shoulders, then looked up hopefully at the old Master.
"I would be delighted, Gerard. Meet me on the steps at sunrise." With that he left.
My lady kissed me happily, enthusiastically. I responded to her warmth and pulled her tighter. She felt so good, so warm, and I was hungry. My hand stroked up her thigh.
"Peter!" Charles said, a bit too loud. "It’s time for evening prayers!"
The door closed behind them.
No river flowed as swift or as strong, no spring ever tasted as sweet or as clear, no breeze ever touched as delicately, no flower was ever so fragrant... We lay on the grass in the spirit world, with moss beneath us and flowers all about, her, I ...and just the whisper of another, of a promise to come.
