In the Hand of the Goddess Read Online Free

him with unsheathed claws. “I think I’m being warned away,” the sorcerer remarked, stopping where he was. He looked Faithful over as Alanna tried to work a large lump out of her throat. “Unusual eyes,” he commented at last, and Faithful yowled. “I have just come from the kennels—perhaps he smells the dogs on me. Or perhaps he knows I have never been a fancier of—” He paused, and Alanna felt her skin turn to ice. “Of cats,” he finished.
    Alanna cradled her still-rumbling pet against her chest. Roger either knew or guessed where her pet came from, but he wasn’t saying. That was fine with her. “It’s probably the dogs, sir,” she agreed. “He likes people and horses, but dogs don’t suit him.” Theothers looked at her, knowing as well as she did that Faithful left dogs alone, while dogs avoided Faithful. It wasn’t quite a lie, and the Duke seemed to accept it. He nodded to Alex, and they left together.
    When they were gone, Alanna picked the kitten up and read him an impressive lecture on manners. By the time she finished, Faithful was purring, her friends were laughing, and the whole thing had been forgotten—she hoped.
    Nevertheless, that night she wrote her brother Thom in the City of the Gods, sending the letter secretly by way of George. Thom was the sorcerer—not she. He should know about Faithful—and about the cat’s reaction to Duke Roger.

2
DUKE ROGER OF CONTÉ
    T HAT HOT J ULY AN EMBASSY CAME TO COURT FROM Tortall’s eastern neighbor, Tusaine. Important matters were to be discussed. Spies had reported the King of Tusaine was considering retaking the Drell River Valley on the Tortallan border, and King Roald wanted to avoid war at all costs. Unlike his famous father, Roald was not known as “Empire Builder,” but as “The Peacemaker,” He was proud of that title, and he wanted to keep it. Everyone knew that Mikal of Danne, the Tusaine Ambassador, had actually come to see if “The Peacemaker” had the stomach for war.
    The delegation from Tusaine was carefully watched, but its people received the best hospitality Roald could command. As Jonathan’s squire, Alanna was very much in the thick of things, serving at secret meetings and accompanying her prince to what seemed to be an endless number of parties and dances.
    Tension was in the air. In the meetings, Ambassador Mikal became arrogant, thinking Roald was weak rather than quiet. Friendly discussions between Alanna’s friends and the Tusaine knights grew sharp as each group challenged the other to more and more difficult contests of craft and skill. Matters finally came to a head during what was supposed to be a small, quiet evening party.
    Alanna; Gary’s squire, Sacherell of Wellam; and Raoul’s squire, Douglass of Veldine, served the wine at this gathering, following Duke Gareth’s instructions to keep their guests’ glasses full and to report anything interesting they might overhear. Courtiers dressed in their finest chattered and flirted as the three obeyed with enthusiasm, trying to get as much from the Tusaine party as they could. Duke Roger entertained Mikal while the Ambassador’s wife, Lady Aenne, told Queen Lianne and King Roald stories of the Tusaine Court.
    Gary, Raoul, Alex, and Jonathan were talking with some of the younger Tusaine knights, when suddenly everyone was looking at the group. Dain of Melor, a Tusaine knight, was sneering loudly, “Fencing! I’ve seen what you call ‘fencing.’ Back home we call it dancing! Prince Jonathan, our Tusaine three -year-olds handle a sword better than some of your knights!”
    â€œYou are rude in the palace of your host,” Gary replied carefully, his broad shoulders tense. Alanna could tell he was fighting to keep his voice even. “I wish it were possible to teach you some manners.”
    For a moment no one spoke. Nearly