Free The Heirs of Hammerfell by Marion Zimmer Bradley Page A

can, and recapture it from our family's foes."
    Her eyes widened, but she only looked at him demurely over her wineglass as she
    sipped.
    "Father," she said softly, "Will you not―?" She looked at Lord Elhalyn pleadingly and as she had expected, he caught her thought and smiled.
    "We are holding a dance for many of our young friends at the beginning of the next full moon," he said. "We should be very pleased if you would join the young people. The occasion is Floria's birthday, and it will be a simple and informal affair," he added. "You do not need to think of court costume or etiquette; an ordinary outfit and ordinary manners, no more."
    "Just promise you won't chase me around the ballroom with a frog or a snake," Floria laughed.
    "I wouldn't think of it," said Alastair, congratulating himself that Floria had asked her father to invite him. Not only was he enormously impressed by Floria's great beauty, but her high position and noble relatives made her a most valuable contact for his ambitions about Hammerfell. They were cousins, but she was of enormously more high kindred
    than his branch of the family. "I shall do my best to erase from your memory this unfortunate association of myself and snakes."
    As Alastair and Floria renewed their acquaintanceship, Lord Edric said to Erminie, "I am pleased that our young people seem to enjoy one another's company. Now I remember; did Alastair not sing with a male quartet in Neskaya last year?"
    "He did," Erminie said, "he is gifted in music."
    "Gifted, indeed; you must be very proud of him," said Edric. "I'm afraid Valentine seems to think him a young good-for-nothing, one of these young fops who think of little save his appearance. Perhaps Valentine is too harsh on him."
    "7 think so," said Erminie, swallowing hard. "His father and brother died in the fall of Hammerfell. I have had to raise him alone―it hasn't been easy for him."
    "I am troubled about the young people today," said Edric. "My four sons seem to care only for racing and gambling."
    "Yes, I'm concerned for Alastair," Erminie said. "And I have a favor to ask of you, kinsman."
    "Ask, and you know that if it is anything I can possibly grant, it is yours," Edric said. He smiled at her so intensely that for a moment the woman wished she had not asked.
    But she had made the request, and after all it was a lawful thing which she meant to ask.
    "Can you arrange an audience for my son with your kinsman King Aidan?"
    "Nothing could be simpler; I once heard Aidan express an interest in the affairs of Hammerfell," Edric said. "Perhaps at this birthday gathering for Floria― it might be better if they could meet informally."
    "I am grateful to you," Erminie said, declining a second glass of wine and nibbling delicately at a piece of fruit.
    Meanwhile, aware of naught save each other's company, Floria asked Alastair, "Lord Hammerfell, do you know my brothers?"
    "I believe I was once presented to your brother Gwynn."
    "Oh, Gwynn is twelve years older than I, and I think he believes me so young I should still be in short frocks," she said with annoyance. "My favorite brother is Deric; he and I are but a year apart. He knows you," she said. "Do you ride a chestnut mare with a white blaze on her forehead?"
    "I do," said Alastair. "She was a gift on my fifteenth birthday from my mother."
    "My brother said you must have a good eye for horseflesh; that he has never seen a finer mare."
    "It is my mother who should be complimented," Alastair said. "She chose the mare; but for her sake I thank your brother."
    "You may thank him in person," Floria said, "for my brothers promised to join us here at intermission; none of them care much for music. I'm sure they have been visiting a tavern or perhaps a gambling-house. Do you not care for cards or gaming?"
    "Not much," Alastair said, though the truth of the matter was that he could not afford much gambling except for the smallest stakes, which made it hardly worth the trouble.
    His income was