as a beggar than dishonour you.'
'It would dishonour me if you left,' Byren said, and discovered he meant it.
Orrade met his eyes, face naked. What Byren read there made him look away. He was not worthy of such devotion.
Orrade cleared his throat, gave a small, jerky nod and walked off, leaving Byren alone in the courtyard.
He turned to face the steps to Eagle Tower. He had only a few moments to find Lence and give him the gift before the race for Halcyon's Fate started.
He took the tower's shallow steps two at a time, enjoying driving his powerful body.
'What's the rush?' Lence grinned. 'I could hear you thundering up the stairs like a wild boar.'
Byren laughed. The air was sharp and cold. It felt good on his face. He went to the battlement, leaned on the stone next to Lence and took a deep breath. It struck him that they hadn't been alone together for more than a moment or two since he came back with Orrade and Garzik. He put this aside and studied the snow-laden rich valley and Mount Halcyon itself, hub of the crescent.
Byren inhaled. He could smell beef seasoned with rosemary roasting for the feast tonight. Life was good. 'I have something for you.'
'Oh?' Lence turned to him.
Byren glanced down at his hand and hesitated. Once the kingsheir's betrothal was announced his twin would be swamped with exquisite and expensive gifts from the nobles, merchants and warlords, gifts that would make his token seem very meagre.
'It's just something I made.' Byren opened his hand to reveal the plaited leather thong, strung with the leogryf's teeth. As he looked down, he realised it was a boy's gift.
Lence stared at the trophy necklace.
'You keep it,' he said slowly. 'You earned it. After all, I can hardly give a string of leogryf teeth to the Merofynian kingsdaughter. It would confirm her worst fears. Illien says they already think us little better than spar warriors.'
Heat raced up Byren's cheeks.
'I see you wasted no time finding a reason to go to Dovecote,' Lence muttered.
'Orrie was injured.'
'He looks fine now. Was Elina pleased to see you?'
Byren's stomach clenched with pain. Elina... she had disturbed his sleep every night since he had been thrown out of Dovecote estate. In his dreams he would go to her and she would scorn him, telling him to go off with Orrade instead.
'Didn't waste any time, did you?' Lence asked.
'What?'
'My betrothal hasn't even been announced and you're already trying to charm your way into Elina's bed.'
'You fancy her!'
Lence nodded. 'And what's more, I've tasted her sweet fruit.'
'No, you never!'
'Autumn cusp, in the hay after the Harvest Feast.'
Byren blinked, shocked. Knowing Lence, it was no idle boast. Girls were always eager to lift their skirts for the kingsheir. But Elina? The most Byren had achieved was that kiss in the cold-cellar while she treated the bruise she'd given him, and he hadn't dared more because...
'Lord Dovecote would be furious if -'
'Fifteen's marriageable age and she'll be seventeen come spring cusp. Why hasn't he let her make an alliance? He's greedy, keeping her for himself to run his household. Besides, Elina's old enough to know her own mind.'
That was true, but... Byren remembered holding her as she wept in his arms. 'She deserves better than a fling in the hay, Lence.'
'Well, that's all I can offer, remember!' Lence snapped. 'I'm to be married to the Merofynian kingsdaughter. So, go ahead, woo her, marry her if she'll have you. But one day she will be my mistress. Most men are happy for their wives to swive the king!'
Byren took a step back, startled by his vehemence, startled that Lence would think like this. Of course he'd heard of the goings-on in the Merofynian court and the Elector of Ostron Isle was known to demand sexual favours for patronage. 'Cobalt's been putting ideas in your head.'
'Illien's seen the world,' Lence told him. 'All we've ever seen is Rolencia. Illien knows what's really going on in the Merofynian court.'
Did he? Byren didn't know who to ask. And if he had known who, it would have to be someone with Rolencia's best interests at heart. What if marriage to Isolt did not bring peace? What if it embroiled them in a civil war? As he went to speak the first horn sounded, calling the acolytes to the Proving.
Lence glanced out to the east where the town and lake were bustling with activity. 'The race will start soon. Are you coming?'
Byren caught Lence's arm.