Too Many Princes Read Online Free Page A

tunic over close fitting trews. The tunic was of finely made cloth, embroidered about the cuffs and t-slot collar. Polished boots gleamed softly. This particular shade of blue was one of the few that went well with his rusty hair. Lottres carefully straightened his belt. “ Yes, he sent for both of us. No, I don't know why. I think there was an emissary of some kind. The men were telling me about it when you arrived. ”
    Brastigan snorted as he washed. “ I don't know why you waste your time with those fellows. ”
    Lottres shrugged. “ They like to gossip, and sometimes they know things. Rodrec said a falcon landed in the courtyard, calling Father's name. 'Uh-herh!' “ he said in a shrill, high voice, trying to imitate the bird's speaking. “ It sounded like that, Rodrec said. There was a message of some kind in its talons, but it wouldn't let anyone touch it. They took it in to Father and he read it. That's when he sent for us. ”
    Brastigan stopped and twisted around to stare at Lottres. “ That sounds like a winter tale, ” he remarked, but he didn't feel sure. Magic was a force in the world, as real as the tides on the Great Bay — and potentially as dangerous.
    “ I don't think they were joking. ” Lottres shook his head soberly.
    “ I don't like the sound of it. ” Brastigan scrubbed his back with a long-handled brush, holding his hair aside to keep it dry. “ Sounds like witch work. ”
    “ It could be. ” Lottres sounded interested. “ I've never met a witch. I wonder what they're like. ”
    “ Dangerous, if you listen to the tales. ” Brastigan reached for a towel. “ At least for normal folk like us. People who get involved with them come to bad ends. ”
    “ Or become heroes, ” Lottres argued.
    “ Heroes! ” Brastigan gave a bark of laughter. “ I've been on raids, Pup, and let me tell you, it isn't as much fun as you think. Trust me—you don't want to be a hero. ”
    “ That's easy for you to say, ” Lottres murmured resentfully.
    Startled, Brastigan twisted around to look at him. They traded stares for just a moment, Lottres's brown eyes betraying old hurt and resentment. Then the younger man looked away, shrugging uncomfortably. Brastigan shifted restlessly as the silence stretched between them. Despite their friendship, he knew Lottres must sometimes envy him, wishing he could be as handsome, as quick with a sword. Well, there was no way for either of them to change what they had been born with.
    Brastigan reached to clap him on the shoulder. “ Pup, ” he said gruffly, “ for every live hero, there's a dozen dead fools. I'd rather have you alive. ”
    Lottres managed a smile in response.
     
     
     
     
     

THE VOICE OF THE FALCON
     
    Lottres said nothing more as his brother changed into court clothes. When Brastigan was in this mood, you couldn't say anything that didn't set him off. Lottres was feeling nervous enough without being sniped at.
    Instead, he watched as Brastigan dressed. First were the trews, replacing dusty leather ones. He stamped his good boots on over them. Then a shirt of fine, soft cloth, tied at the wrists and throat. Lottres would have offered to help with that, but he knew Brastigan wouldn't accept it. Next, the tunic. It had long sleeves and came to mid-thigh. The fabric was dark green, embroidered in a pattern of yellow and red. Over this, Brastigan belted on Victory. The ends of his long hair were caught behind the sword belt. He pulled them free.
    “ Too bad I didn't know I would be in court today, ” Brastigan said, mostly to himself. “ I would have put on something more colorful. ”
    Lottres glanced at the beads in Brastigan's hair. They were simple, of dark wood.
    “ There's more to life than annoying the queen, ” Lottres pointed out. Brastigan snorted at that, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
     Brastigan was always saying how he detested the bright colors some of the courtiers wore. For all that, Lottres thought, he always made sure