" I thought for a few moments, then said, "Your hospitality has been more than excellent, as has your daughter." I thought for a few moments, then said, "Your hospitality has been more than excellent, as has your daughter. She is a child to be proud of." "Have you any children of your own, Vatare'?" "I have, your highness." I launched into a long description of Rainy and Richard, of their mother and their present successes. She listened patiently. It was, essentially, small talk. But as I was talking, I felt a cool pressure against my left thigh. I managed to get over the stutter that caused without much difficulty, and the touch went away just as quickly. When I had a chance, I slipped a hand down onto my left leg to find a small slip of paper. I surreptitiously slid it into the wide pockets that were sewn very low on the clothes I was wearing. I wondered if that was a standard fashion, or had Arraon anticipated this? After dinner, the event disintegrated into groups of courtiers, well, courting each other. |