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 embarra.s.sed!"
"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 embarra.s.sed?" Dhrun also laughed. "You do not seem offended, or disturbed."
"Then I will say something and perhaps I will be embarra.s.sed."
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!"
"It would be a pity if you did!" declared King Audry. "Let us move into the ballroom, where the dancing will soon begin. What, may I ask, are your favorite steps?"
"I have none, Your Highness! I have never troubled to learn and I do not know one from the other."
"Surely you can step the pavane?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"It is one of my own favorites, being at once grave, yet debonair, and susceptible to a thousand pretty intricacies, and that shall be the first of the dances."
Prince Jaswyn, standing by, bowed before Madouc. "May I have the honour of pacing the pavane with Your Highness?"
Madouc turned a quick sad glance toward Dhrun, then said: "I will be pleased, Prince Jaswyn."
The pavane came to an end. Prince Jaswyn conducted Madouc to the side of the room. She looked about for Dhrun; as before, he was not immediately visible, and Madouc clicked her tongue in exasperation. Why could he not remain in place? Did he not recognize the urgency of what she must tell him? Madouc looked in all directions, trying to see over the heads of the gallants and past the gowns of their ladies. At last she discovered Dhrun, in the company of Prince Ca.s.sander; the two were just entering the chamber. Madouc made hasty excuses to Prince Jaswyn. Marching across the room, she approached the two princes.
Ca.s.sander saw her come without pleasure. His greeting was lofty. "Well then, Madouc! I should think that you would be in your element! Now is your chance to mingle with the society of Avallon!"
"I have already done so."
"Then why are you not dancing, and gamboling about, and impressing the young folk with your wit?"
"I might ask the same of you."
Ca.s.sander responded curtly. "Tonight such entertainment fails to match my mood, nor that of Prince Dhrun. Such being the case-"
Madouc looked at Dhrun. "You too are satiated and world-weary?"
"Perhaps not to the level described by Prince Ca.s.sander," said Dhrun, grinning.
Ca.s.sander frowned. He told Madouc: "Yonder stands Prince Raven of Pomperol. Why do you not discuss your theories with him?"
"Not just now. I also feel somewhat blase. Where did you two go to avoid the demands of society?"