The King's Bastard - By Rowena Cory Daniells Page 0,152
he said.
'A wolfhound named after you, now that's an honour!' Orrade said with only the merest suggestion of a twinkle in his black eyes.
Piro laughed and hugged Florin, then disentangled Leif from Byren to hug the boy.
Byren faced Florin. Standing on the beach which was higher than the ice, she was as tall as him. It was a funny feeling, looking her straight in the eye. The pink glow of the setting sun illuminated her skin and he realised what a striking young woman she was. He cleared his throat. 'We owe you our lives -'
'And we owe you ours,' she said, meeting his gaze.
He was used to girls who blushed and cast him shy glances, or ones who sent him bold looks that left nothing to the imagination. He didn't know how to take a girl who held his eyes like an equal, like a man.
It made no sense unless... Florin was like Orrade. Of course. It was whispered that the nuns of Sylion turned to each other for comfort. Not that he could see anything wrong with that. In fact, it seemed only natural. Women were so lovely, after all. Heat raced through his body. He felt himself harden and was grateful for the thigh-length coat.
'Why are you looking at me like that?' Florin asked. 'Do I have dirt on my face?'
Startled, Byren's gaze slid past her as his heart thumped uncomfortably. He took in the steep cliff behind her and said the first thing that came into his head. 'Reckon I'll have to come back this summer and see if I can climb that cliff without a rope.'
Florin snorted. 'If I can't, no man can.'
'Ah,' he grinned. 'But I'm no ordinary man.'
Orrade and Garzik laughed outright and, after a moment, Florin joined them.
Byren set off with laughter ringing in his ears. He strained against the sled's harness to get the load moving. The metal blades groaned on the ice and began to shift. Orrade and Garzik wore the other two harnesses. Only Piro skated free, gliding ahead of them and circling back, graceful as a bird on the wing.
By full dark they'd made good time and were already out of the bend of Sapphire Lake.
Even though the ache in his shoulders told him it would be hard to get the sled moving when they started up again, Byren called for a break.
'We'll eat and skate by starlight until we have to rest,' he announced.
No one complained. No one asked why they were in a rush. He wondered if Orrade had discussed things with his brother.
While they undid the harnesses, Piro unpacked the food Florin had given them. Fresh-baked bread, preserves and smoked ham. They perched on the sled frame to give their thigh muscles a rest.
'I've been thinking, Byren,' Piro announced, finishing her food and slipping off the frame to glide around to face him. Enough starlight reflected from the ice to illuminate her serious face in shades of silver.
Byren swallowed. 'And?'
'The only way Cobalt could've lured the manticore pride close enough to turn them loose on us, was if he had Affinity.'
Byren felt the smile slip from his face. Though he'd come to the same conclusion, he hadn't expected Piro to put all the pieces together. He'd underestimated her.
Orrade sent him a wry look. Byren acknowledged it and indicated Piro was to go on.
'As I see it, you have to get back to Rolenhold and discredit Cobalt before Lence can accuse you.' She paused, watching to see if he'd object.
'Keep talking.'
'The manticore chitin is to put Father in a good mood, right?'
'It's worth a small fortune and not even the warlord of Manticore Spar has a whole suit of armour. So, yes, it should impress Father.'
She nodded. 'You'll give it to him, then accuse Cobalt of -'
'Setting the manticores on us? There's no proof.'
'No, of having Affinity. Father will send for the warder and wardess. They'll test him and Father will have to banish him, or send him to the abbey. Either way, he won't be able to cause any more trouble.'
'And what of Lence's accusation?'
Piro tilted her head. Byren waited for her to go on.
'Lence doesn't have a shred of proof and all you've ever done is serve Rolencia loyally. If he arrives to find Cobalt discredited, he may not even accuse you.'
'He could have proof,' Orrade objected. 'Fabricated by Cobalt.'
Of course. Why hadn't he thought of that? No wonder Lence had believed the worst. Relief made Byren laugh.