Sherwood Smith Quote

To resume--and we’d better hurry, or they’ll be down here clamoring for our company before their supper goes cold--Lord Vidanric has been working very hard ever since the end of the war. Too hard, some say. He came to Athanarel sick and has been ill off and on since then, for he seldom sleeps. He’s either in the saddle, or else his lamps are burning half the night in his wing of the Residence. He’s here on his mother’s orders, to rest. He and your brother have become fast friends, I think because Branaric, in his own way, is so very undemanding. He wants no favors or powers. He just likes to enjoy his days. This seems to be what Vidanric needs just now.Do you think he’ll make a good king? I asked.Again she seemed surprised. Yes, she said. But then I’ve known him all my life. I thought. Then I realized that to her it did. He was a good prospect for a king because he was her friend, and because they were both courtiers, raised the same way.And then I wondered just who--if anyone--at Court was willing to speak not for themselves, but for the people, to find out who really would be the best ruler?A discreet tap outside the door brought our attention round. Calden, the server from the inn, parted the tapestry and said, Count Branaric sent me to find out if you’re coming?In just a moment, thanks, I said.Will you agree to my pact, then? Nimiar asked.I opened my mouth to ask why they couldn’t just marry here, but I knew that was the coward’s way out. I did not wish to get involved in any more wars, but that didn’t mean I ought not do what I could to ensure that the next reign would be what Papa had wished for when he commenced planning his revolt.And the best way to find out, I realized as I looked into Nimiar’s face, would not be by asking questions of third parties, but by going to the capital and finding out on my own.So I squashed down my reluctance and said, If you can teach me not to make a fool of myself at that Court, I’ll gladly come to see you marry Bran.You will like Court life, I promise, she said, smiling sweetly as we went out of the parlor.I took care to walk behind her so she could not see my face.