Jack Vance - MADOUC

Madouc slowly returned to her own rooms. She found Kylas sitting stonily in the parlour.

Kylas spoke in clipped tones: "When I returned from your errand, you were gone. Where did you go?"

"That is beside the point," said Madouc. "You must not trouble yourself with details of this nature."

"It is my duty to attend you," said Kylas stubbornly.

"When I require your assistance, I will notify you. As for now, you may retire to your own quarters."

Kylas rose to her feet. "I will be back presently. A maid has been assigned to your service and will help you dress for the evening banquet; the queen has suggested that I help you select a suitable gown from your wardrobe."

"That is nonsense," said Madouc. "I need no advice. Do not return until I summon you."

Kylas stalked from the room.

Madouc dressed early, and after only a moment's indecision chose the gown of Black Rose velvet. She left early and alone for the Great Hall, where she hoped to find Dhrun before the start of the banquet. Dhrun was not on hand. Prince Jaswyn, Audry's third son, a dark-haired youth fifteen years old, came forward and escorted her to a place at the table beside his own, with Prince Raven of Pomperol to her other side.

Dhrun at last appeared, and was conducted to a seat across the table and six places to the side. He had changed from his travel garments to an indigo blue doublet and white shirt-a simple costume which nicely set off his clear complexion and neat cap of dark blond hair. He noticed Madouc and waved his hand, but thereafter was held close in conversation by the Princess Cloire; and in the intervals when she relaxed her attention, by Queen Linnet of Pomperol.

The banquet proceeded, course by course; Madouc presently stopped eating or even tasting from the dishes tendered by the stewards. The four goblets before her contained two sorts of red wine, a soft white wine and a tart green wine; they were filled and refilled every time Madouc sipped, and she soon desisted, lest her head start to spin. Prince Jaswyn was an entertaining dinner companion, as was Prince Raven, youngest son to King Kestrel and brother to the egregious Bittern, who had not come to Avallon by reason of a rheum and an asthma. On several occasions Madouc discovered Queen Sollace's frosty gaze fixed upon her, but pretended not to notice.

King Audry at last rose to his feet, signalling the end of the banquet. Soft music of lutes and rebecs at once began to issue from the adjacent ballroom. Madouc made hurried excuses to Prince Jaswyn and Prince Raven, slipped from her chair and ran to circle the table, so that she might approach Dhrun. She was first impeded by Prince Whemus, who wished to compliment her and to initiate a conversation. As quickly and politely as possible, Madouc detached herself, but now, when she looked, Dhrun was nowhere to be seen. Ah, there he was, on the other side of the table! Madouc retraced her steps, only to meet Kylas, who brought an urgent message, which she transmitted with poorly suppressed satisfaction. "Queen Sollace finds your gown unsatisfactory."

"She is mistaken! You may tell her that I am quite satisfied with it."

"It is the queen who is not satisfied. She thinks the gown unsuitable for a person of your years and lack of experience. She wishes that you and I repair to your chambers, where I am to help you select a gown more modest and youthful. Come; we must go at once."

Madouc spoke tersely: "I regret that the queen is displeased, but I am sure that you have misunderstood her instructions. She would hardly expect me to change clothes now. Excuse me, and do not approach me again." Madouc tried to sidle past, but Kylas stood in her way. "You have heard the queen's instruc tions! There has been no mistake!"

Madouc restrained her vexation with an effort. "Explain to the queen that it would be most inconvenient for me to change clothes now, especially as this gown is quite suitable."

"Not altogether."

"In any event, stand aside; there is someone with whom I wish to speak!"

"Who might it be?"

"Really, Kylas! Your question serves no purpose!" Madouc dodged past, only to discover that Dhrun again was lost in the slow circulation of grandees and courtiers.

Madouc went to the side of the chamber. She looked right and left, searching from individual to individual. Overhead a thousand candle flames in five candelabra enriched a thousand colors in the flux of fabric below: rose-madder and saffron; steel-blue and moss-green; lemon-white, maroon, umber and rose-pink; also the twinkle of silver and the glow of gold, and everywhere the glitter of jewels. Faces swam in the candlelight like wan jellyfish in a luminous tide: faces of all kinds, each a symbol for the soul it concealed! But none, either to right or to left, was the face of Dhrun!

A voice spoke close by her ear. "Why do you avoid me so? Am I now your hated enemy?"

Madouc whirled to find Dhrun standing beside her. "Dhrun!" She barely restrained herself from an over-impulsive act. "I have been looking everywhere for you! To no effect; wherever I went, you were gone; I was chasing a shadow!"

"You have found me at last, and I have found you, and I am amazed!"

Madouc looked up at him, smiling in sheer happiness. "Tell me why!"

"You know why! If I told you more, I would be embarrassed!"

"Tell me anyway."

"Very well. Long ago I knew that you would become beautiful - but I did not think it would happen so soon."

Madouc laughed quietly. "Are you embarrassed?" Dhrun also laughed. "You do not seem offended, or disturbed."

"Then I will say something and perhaps I will be embarrassed."

Dhrun took her two hands. "I will listen, and I promise you I will take no offense."

Madouc half-whispered: "I am happy to hear what you said, since I care for no opinion other than yours."

Dhrun spoke impulsively: "If I dared, I would kiss you!"

Shyness overtook Madouc. "Not now! Every one would see!"

"True! But what of that?"

Madouc squeezed his hands. "Listen now! I have something important to tell you, and you must heed me very carefully."

"You have all my attention!"

Someone stood close by Madouc's shoulder. Madouc looked around and into Kylas' inquisitive black eyes.

Kylas asked: "Are you coming to change your garments, as Her Highness wishes?"

"Not just now," said Madouc. "You may explain to Her Highness that Prince Dhrun and I are deep in consultation and he would think me eccentric if I suddenly ran off to change clothes." She led Dhrun away, leaving Kylas staring after her.

Madouc said: "Kylas is something of a trial. She watches my every move and reports to the queen, for what purpose I cannot imagine, since the queen has no notion of what I am about to tell you."

"Tell me, then! What is so important?"

"Your life! I could not bear that you should lose it!"

"I feel much the same. Say on."

"Do you know of Persilian the Magic Mirror?"

"I have heard the name from my father."

King Audry approached the two and halted. He looked Madouc up and down. "Who is this bright-haired little slyph? I noticed her at the table, deep in conversation with Prince Jaswyn."

"Your Highness, allow me to introduce Princess Madouc of Lyonesse."

King Audry raised his eyebrows and tugged at his fine mustache. "Can this be the creature of whom we have heard such remarkable tales? I am astonished!"

Madouc said politely: "The tales have surely been exaggerated, Your Highness."

"All of them?"

"At times, perhaps, my conduct has lacked full meekness and sweet reason; on this account my reputation has suffered."

King Audry shook his head and stroked his beard. "A sad situation, to be sure! But there is still time for redemption!"

Madouc said demurely: "Your Majesty has encouraged me to hope; I will not give way to despair!"