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had to be, with Hagen diverting one of his ships to get Kharl. "Does it matter so much what Guillam has done as what he will do? Does his past matter as much as his loyalty?"
       Hagen fingered his chin, smiling broadly. "So you would have him questioned about both his past and his loyalty?"
       "If he lies about his past, but honestly believes that he is loyal," Kharl said slowly, "Lord Ghrant might overlook his lies."
    "That is possible, but what if Guillam lies about his loyalty?"
        "Then Ghrant is better off if he is dead or exiled, I would judge," Kharl replied carefully.
    'Dead. Traitorous exiles can return."
        Kharl wasn't so sure that he liked having Guillam's life put in his hands.
       
        "You see, Kharl," Hagen went on, "there is a price to wealth and position. There is always a price. Those who do not attain either seldom see that price, and at times, the price is deferred, often for generations, but when it is deferred the cost falls upon the descendants manyfold."
        Kharl couldn't help but wonder if Lord West of Nordla and his sons had ever paid such a price, or if it had been deferred in the manner Hagen suggested.
        Adelya hurried up as Kharl and Hagen stepped onto the front porch. "Ser Kharl... ser Kharl.. ." Abruptly, she stopped and bowed. "Lord-chancellor ... I'd not be meaning ..."
        "Whatever we have will be fine," Kharl said to Adelya. "I didn't know that Lord Hagen was coming, and he didn't know before yesterday. That didn't give him time to send a messenger."
    "Whatever you cook will be far better than we ate on board ship."
    Adelya did not look mollified, not completely.
        "I'll come back-with notice-for one of your finest meals," Hagen offered with a smile. "Then you will have time to offer your best."
    Adelya bowed again. "Your lordship is most kind."
    "Please don't blame Lord Kharl. He did not know I was coming."
        Kharl could hear the words under her breath as Adelya backed away, "But he's a mage...." He resisted replying.
        Hagen laughed softly. "You see. There is a price for being a mage, too. People come to expect the impossible."
    "She isn't happy that I like working with my hands."
        "People aren't ever happy when you don't meet their expectations." Hagen's voice was matter-of-fact, almost dismissive. "How do you find Cantyl?"
        Kharl gestured toward the bay. "It's more than I ever expected. I'm still learning about the lands, and I haven't been through all the timberlands and the southern hills yet."
        "If you do, you'll have seen more of them than any of the lords who've held Cantyl in generations," Hagen said dryly.
    "How can a man not know his lands?" asked Kharl.
        "That's a good question. It's also why at least some of them didn't keep them."
        "Let me show you the house and the nearer outbuildings," offered Kharl.
    "If you would..."
     
        Kharl began the informal tour by showing Hagen the first-floor study with the wide window overlooking the bay, directly below the master suite, which had an even grander view, and took him through the entire two-story stone structure. By the time they had walked through the house, toured the barns, viewed the vineyards, and returned to the house, the midday meal was waiting.
    Adelya hovered in the archway as the two seated themselves.
        "This looks to be a feast, not a midday meal!" Hagen exclaimed, taking in the platters that Adelya set between them, with cutlets, fowl breasts, cheese lace potatoes, honeyed pearapples, and rye and dark bread with the honey-butter that was Adelya's pride. There were two goblets, with a pitcher of Cantyl's full red wine set on one side of the table.
    "It's little enough, ser."
        "It's a great deal, Adelya," Kharl said firmly, "and we both appreciate it. Thank you."
        "I am hungry," Hagen admitted as he began to serve himself, "and we won't have anything near this good on the return voyage to Valmurl."
    "How