Jack Vance - MADOUC

Kylas knocked, and called out: "Open, if you please! It is I, Kylas!"

Instead of complying, Madouc was away: out the other door, to the end of the garden courtyard, into the east gallery and out of sight.

Kylas knocked again. "Open at once! I bring a message from Queen Sollace!"

The maid at last unlatched the door; Kylas stormed into the parlour. "Madouc? Princess Madouc!" She went into the bedchamber, looking right and left, then into the dressing room. Finding no trace of her quarry, she called toward the bathroom:

"Princess Madouc! Are you within? Her Majesty insists that you attend on her at once, that she may instruct you for the day! Princess Madouc?" Kylas looked into the bathroom, then turned angrily upon the maid. "Where is the princess?"

"She has already gone out, your ladyship."

"I can see that for myself. But where?"

"As to that, I cannot say."

Kylas gave a croak of annoyance and rushed away.

Madouc had taken herself to the Morning Saloon, as recommended the night before by Prince Jaswyn. This was a large room, pleasant and airy, with sunlight streaming through tall glass windows. A buffet, running the length of the room, supported a hundred dishes, platters, bowls and trenchers, offering foods of many sorts.

Madouc found King Audry and Prince Jaswyn already on hand, taking their breakfast together. Prince Jaswyn gallantly leapt to his feet and escorted Madouc to a place at his table.

"Breakfast is informal," said King Audry. "You may serve yourself or command the stewards, as you wish. I would not overlook either the ortolans or the woodcock; both are prime. I had an order out for hare and boar, but my huntsmen were unlucky, and today we must do without, nor will we eat venison, which, after all, is somewhat rich for breakfast, especially in a ragout. Please do not think the worse for me for my paltry board; I am sure you are fed more adequately at Haidion."

"I usually find enough to eat, one way or another," said Madouc. "I am not likely to make complaints, unless the porridge is burned."

"The last cook to burn the porridge was flogged," said King Audry. "Since then, we have had no more difficulties."

Madouc walked along the buffet, and served herself four plump ortolans, an omelet of morels and parsley, scones with butter and a bowl of strawberries and cream.

"Whit? No fish?" cried King Audry aghast. "It is our fame and our pride! Steward! Bring the princess some salmon in wine sauce with new peas, and also a good taste of the lobster in saffron cream; also-why not?-a dozen each of the cockles and winkles, and do not spare the garlic butter."

Madouc looked dubiously at the plates set in front of her. "I fear that I would grow very fat indeed were I to dine with you regularly!"

"It is a delightful risk to take," said King Audry. He turned at the approach of an official. "Well then, Evian: what is your news?"

"The Flor Velas has been sighted in the Cambermouth, Your Majesty. King Aillas will be on hand shortly, unless he is set aback by an offshore wind."

"How blows the wind at this time?"

"It veers, Your Majesty, from north to northwesterly, with a gust now and then from the west. The weathercocks are faithless."

"That is not a favoring wind," said King Audry. "Still we must start our colloquy by the schedule; timely starts make for happy voyages. Am I not right, Princess?"

"That is my own opinion, Your Majesty. The ortolans are delicious."

"Clever girl! Ah well, I had hoped that King Aillas would be present at the opening ceremonies, but we shall not delay, and he will miss nothing of substance, since we must proceed through a round or two of encomiums, salutes, noble breast-beating, laudatory allusions and the like. Until King Aillas arrives, Prince Dhrun shall listen with the ears of Troicinet, and speak the official Troice eulogies. He is over-young for such service, but it will be good training for him."

Dhrun, with his three companions, came into the Morning Saloon. They approached King Audry's table. "Good morning, Your Highness," said Dhrun. "Good morning to you, Prince Jaswyn, and to you as well, Princess."

"No less to you," said King Audry. "Your father's ship has been sighted in the Cambermouth and he will be on hand shortly-certainly before the day is out."

"That is good news."

"Meanwhile, the colloquy begins on schedule! Until King Aillas arrives, you must act in his stead. Make ready, therefore, to deliver a resonant and inspirational oration!"

"That is bad news!"

King Audry chuckled. "The acts of kingship are not all equally pleasurable."

"I suspect this already, Your Highness, from observing my father."

"Jaswyn has surely arrived at the same conclusion," said King Audry. "Am I right, Jaswyn?"

"Absolutely, sir."

King Audry gave a placid nod and returned to Dhrun. "I keep you from your breakfast. Fortify yourself well!"

Madouc called out: "King Audry recommends the ortolans and the woodcock. He also insisted that I eat cockles and winkles by the dozen."

"I will heed your advice, as always," said Dhrun. He and his comrades went off to the buffet. A moment later Prince Cassander entered the refectory, with his friend Sir Camrols. Cassander halted and surveyed the room, then, approaching King Audry, paid his respects. "King Casmir and Queen Sollace are taking breakfast in their chambers; they will appear at the Hall of Heroes at the appointed time."

"The time is not far off," said King Audry. "The morning has gone apace!"

Cassander turned to Madouc. "Queen Sollace wishes you to present yourself before her at once. I will warn you that she is not pleased with your flighty conduct, which verges upon rank insubordination."

"The queen must postpone her censure, or-even better-put it aside altogether," said Madouc. "I am now taking breakfast with King Audry and Prince Jaswyn; it would be an act of unutterable rudeness if I were to jump up and depart. Further, Cassander, your own manners leave much to be desired. In the first place-"

Cassander, noting King Audry's amusement, became angry. "Enough; in fact, more than enough! In regard to manners, it is you, not I, who will be sent packing back to Haidion before the hour is out."

"Impossible!" said Madouc. "King Audry has insisted that I be present at the colloquy, for my better education! I dare not disobey him!"

"Naturally not," said King Audry in a genial voice. "Come now, Prince Cassander, be gentle and easy, I beg of you! The world is not coming to an end because of Madouc's merry na ture! Let her enjoy herself without reproach."

Cassander bowed, coldly urbane. "It shall be as Your Majesty wishes." Cassander and Sir Camrols turned away and served themselves from the buffet.

Half an hour passed. Sir Tramador, High Chamberlain at Falu Ffail, appeared and spoke quietly to King Audry, who sighed and rose to his feet. "In truth, I far prefer the Morning Saloon to the Hall of Heroes and, by the same token, the buffet to the Cairbra an Meadhan!"

Madouc suggested: "Why not hold the colloquy here instead of there? Whoever became bored with the speeches could devour an ortolan for diversion."

"The concept is not inherently bad," said King Audry. "However, the schedule is firmly cast, and cannot be altered without extreme confusion. Prince Dhrun, are you coming?"

"I am ready, Your Majesty."

In the corridor Dhrun waited for Madouc. "I have become a person of importance-at least until my father arrives. I may be called upon to address the company. No one will listen, of course, which is just as well, since I have nothing to say."

"It is simple. You must wish everyone a long reign and hope that the Goths invade elsewhere."

"That should suffice. Also, it is possible my father will arrive before I am required to speak, whereupon I shall gratefully relinquish my place at the table."