Three Hands for Scorpio Read Free Page A

basket, tied with a ribbon, was thus duly applied as Duty had ordered—a process that was repeated in each room we put into order.
    We had been given to understand that not only the Starkadder chief himself would be arriving, probably near sundown, but that his second son would also accompany him, plus three of his most important kinsmen, their squires, and a train of armsmen and other retainers. The lodging of troopers would remain the concern of the bailiff, and one late addition had been made: a member of the party who had ridden from the court to join the Starkadders and whom my father had marked as an observer of the king’s, not a warrior. He was to be given one of the rooms of state, but as yet we knew neither his name nor his rank.
    Most of our tasks were behind us when our father’s squire, Rogher of Helmn, arrived ahead of the party, and we were summoned to our mother’s solar to hear what news he brought.
    Rogher was an earnest young man who ever strove to give the best service he could, so seriously alert that he was ill at ease with any female. We believed that he was in awe of Father, yes, but something of true fear colored his dealings with our mother.
    â€œHe who joined us from the court,” Rogher began at her nod, “is no man of the king’s; Chosen Forfind sent him—”
    As the squire hesitated, our mother prodded him. “Our visitor is one of the new priests, then?”
    â€œJust so, my lady.”
    â€œNone of those religious have ventured southward before. What is he like?”

    â€œHe looks to be a sober man of middle years, my lady, and goes clad not unlike the least of court servants. In manner he does not play the courtier, nor does he speak much. He has ever to hand a missal bound with plates of metal and mumbles under his breath now and then as if reading from it. He held services at sunrise and sunset when we lodged at Hamleysted, but unbelievers were not made welcome by him to attend.”
    â€œOdd,” our mother commented. “If he would gather others to be of his following, should he not be the first to welcome those to his preachings who are as yet unpersuaded by his doctrines?”
    â€œMy lady, who can reckon how such a man might think? On our journey here”—the squire’s voice dropped—“he took a whip to a farm girl who did not move out of his way quickly enough, shouting that she was fain to bespell, with the evil of her comely person, an innocent man.”
    â€œWhat!” Our mother was on her feet.
    Rogher was quick to answer her rising anger, if only to deflect it from himself. “My lord rode at him, jerked the whip from his grasp, and broke it, shouting that no man struck a woman, and ordering him to mind himself and his manners. Then Lord Verset called Alin Longbow to ride beside him as we went on.”
    At that point Rogher paused, and we sensed hesitation in him, as if he was judging now whether he should voice some further news. Then he added hastily, as if he must speak before someone would deny him:
    â€œMy lady, odd doings have begun at the court of which we have heard whispers. Strange changes have come about there and are spreading among the greater clans. Ladies are openly denied the courtesy of their rank; they are set to eat at separate tables and are served the coarsest of food. Some heiresses have been denied their heritages, which are being delivered to men of the clan, and,” he swallowed visibly, “the clansmen take any maids who be of lower birth to their beds without denial.” His face was flushed, and he did not meet our eyes.
    However, Mother’s answer was mild. “Our thanks to you, Rogher, for this warning of what might be a source of trouble. Are these new beliefs held by the Starkadder clan?”
    â€œThat I cannot tell, my lady. But my lord said to me, quietly and apart, that I must speak of them to you.”
    It was her turn to nod and dismiss him