Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Welcome

The trumpets sounded. A thousand soldiers braced themselves and showed their weapons.A hundred drummers on horseback sounded a dense drumbeat."It's unbelievable," Eland said, turning to James, who was riding to his left. Before their eyes was the imperial city of Kesh.They had entered a "lower city" an hour earlier, and met the reception group and their servants sent by the governor.Every stop on their journey from Nar Ayab to the capital had to endure the same welcome ritual.When they encountered the governor in the outskirts of Nar Ayab, Eland found that such a welcome brought great solace to his gloomy mood.In the past week, he had gradually become numb to Borric's death, vented his anger at the injustice of fate again and again, and finally forgot the bouts of depression.The festive welcome brought by the governor took his mind away from the ambush for the first time, and this novelty brought him into a good mood for more than three hours.

But now, the parade wore out his patience.He had already experienced the same extravagant welcome at Kmart and Frefa.There were similarly less official welcomes in half a dozen other cities the journey passed, equally bureaucratic.From the governor down to the old man in a town, Eland was forced to endure official welcome speeches from these people. Ailander looked behind him, and Locklear and the reception officer assigned by Cash walked behind him.He gave a signal, and the two people behind him rode their horses to the prince's side immediately.The host was Kafi abu harez, a nobleman from beniwazir and a desert resident of Zapur.In the last several hundred years, many deserters with significant expertise and ability in diplomacy and negotiation have joined the officialdom of the empire.Cash's old ambassador to the kingdom, Abdul Richman Manmo Hazara Khan, who had been dead for ten years, once told Eland and his brother, "We are a nation of horses, and the same Our tempers are as harsh as horses." Eland had heard his father complain to him so often that he could believe what the old ambassador said.He knew that whoever the host was, he was no fool, and he had to be watched.The desert folk of Zapp are formidable foes.

Kai Fei asked, "His Royal Highness, do you need me?" "It's a bit of a change from what we've seen, what kind of soldiers are these?" Eland said. Kefei opened his official uniform.He was dressed in the same manner as the Keshmen Erlander had seen in Krondor, turban, coat, trousers, long waistcoat, knee-high boots, and belt.But Eland saw intricate knitting patterns in the man's fabric that he hadn't seen before.Kesh's court officials seem to have a penchant for displaying gold thread and pearls. "These are the royal troops of the Empire, Your Highness."

Eland said casually, "There are so many?" "Yes, Your Highness." "It looks like almost an entire city garrison," Locklear put in. The Cashman replied, "That depends on which city, my lord. For a Kingdom city, it is. But for a Cash city, not quite. For a Cash city, it's only a small force." "Then if it can't be regarded as a military secret, can you tell me how many soldiers guard the queen?" Elland asked sarcastically. "Ten thousand soldiers," replied the Keshman. Eland and Locklear exchanged glances, "Ten thousand!" the prince read.

"The palace guards, which are part of the royal army, are also part of the city garrison - this is the army of the capital of Keshi. In the ramparts of the lower and upper cities, ten thousand guards protect the safety of the mother of Keshi." They turned their horses and rode in front of the soldiers lined up, and some curious citizens also quietly watched the passing islanders.Eland saw the road rise up a slope, and a very wide avenue led to the top of the plateau.Halfway up the slope, the gold and white flag fluttered, and Erland noticed that there were different soldiers from here. "So, that's a different formation?" he asked.

Kefi said, "In ancient times, the original Keshi people were just one of many peoples around Owen Tipu. When the enemy attacked, they fled to the high ground where the palace is now. This became an empire. Tradition, not real Kesh people live in the city below the palace." He pointed to the flag fluttering on the slope. "Here, all the soldiers you see are royal soldiers, but the soldiers above are all Keshi people with real blood. Only they are allowed to serve and live in the palace." Then he added almost helplessly Said, "Cash people who are not true blood are not allowed to live in the palace." Eland observed closely, and could not see any feelings about it from the face of the reception envoy.He smiles like this is the reality of a Cashman's life.

When they approached the foot of the slope, Eland saw that there were also many people guarding both sides of the road, just like any other Kesh city he had been to before: here, any race, any face, their skin color and hair color are better than those of the Kingdom people. Go dark, that's obvious, but there are some redheads and brown-haired townspeople here too.But those above the flag have almost the same appearance: dark skin, but not black and sepia, nor white.The hair was all black and dark brown, with an occasional dash of red, but no one in sight had real red, blond, or light brown hair.It is clear that the blood of the soldiers there was mixed only a little from other peoples of Kesh.

Eland stared at the city wall at the top of the hill, where many spiers and watchtowers could be seen.Considering the size of the mountaintop, he said, "Then those who live in the cities on the mountain, I don't mean the people who live in the palace, do they also have real blood?" Kaifei smiled heartily, "There is no city on the top of the mountain, Your Highness. All you can see on the top of the mountain is the royal palace. There used to be other buildings on the mountain, but they all disappeared with the expansion of the country's territory and the expansion of the palace. Even the holy temples have been relocated down the mountain so that non-True Blood Keshis have the opportunity to visit there."

This moved Elland.Under Mad King Rorick's rule, Liranon was staked to be the most magnificent city on Midakemia, or maybe that was just Rorick's true ambition.But Eland was forced to accept Rorick's plan to carry it out, gardens built on both sides of the road, all over the city, and its waterways around the palace, but even so, Lilanon was as low as the city of Kesh.It's not a pretty city; Rilanon isn't either.They walked through many narrow streets crowded with dirty and low buildings in the city, where there is the charm of life - the smell of food, the smell of casting in the blacksmith's shop, the smell of leather from the leather master, and even the smell of the body that has not bathed for a long time. The stench and the smell of garbage that people throw away.

The city of Cash does not give one a shred of such goodwill.But there may have been in ancient times.The city preserves the history of the country, the history of a mighty people becoming a great empire.When Elland's ancestors were fishermen who kept defending Lilanon from the neighboring islets, it was cultured by artists and musicians.His history teacher had mentioned this point when he was a child, but now he really understood what the teacher meant.Before Lilanong belonged to Kang Dongyin, the stone road under the horseshoe had been worn out by passing riders, captured chiefs and victorious commanders.Liranon had just begun its first trade war with Bas-Tyra over what is now the Kingdom Sea, when invincible armies led by legendary generals passed through to conquer other peoples. .Cash is ancient.very old.

Kefei said, "Of course, Your Highness, the guests of the guest empire will be placed in a side room in the palace, where they can overlook Owen Tip. It is unreasonable for you to ride this road every day." Erlander stopped his thoughts and said, "But you're going to ride this road every day, or not?" The reception envoy's mouth tightened slightly, "Of course we have to go every day, but we Keshi people who are not true blood know our own position. We love our work very much, and we will not think about these small things." Ailander remembered this and did not bring up the topic again.Next came various officials, each of whom was more colorfully dressed than the previous one.The thundering drums ceased, and a band of musicians began to play tunes suspected to be Kingdom melodies, but as if they had never heard those tunes. "What a stylish welcome," he said to James. James nodded absently.Once in the city, he made his habit of constant vigilance a priority.His eyes scanned the crowd, looking for any signs that might be against Elland.The message had been brought to Krondor, and they had a reply, a task which was accomplished with astonishing efficiency by Cash's orderlies.He brought back many letters.The cavalry of the kingdom could not get him to hand over the letters with all their might, and he was ordered to deliver them to three men, Earl James, Lord Locklear, or Prince Eland.The post stations along the way sent him cavalry escorts and replaced them with new horses.This man rode continuously for more than three weeks, only stopping to rest when he was too tired, and even eating on horseback.The task James had given him, the order to send a message to Crondor and bring back the Prince, seemed to have promised him a great reward for his hard riding. Arusha's reply to Borric's death was the same as James had thought: suppress the news, do not take any private actions.Even in the face of such a difficult choice, the prince of Carondo did not let anything shake the rules of the western kingdom.He cautiously instructed James to inspect Borric's restored body, and under such circumstances, their behavior should not change drastically.The mission's first task is to bring the kingdom's respect to Queen Cash on her 75th birthday ceremony and not to create any friction between the two countries.James sniffed out the problem.Borric's murder plunges the Empire into war with the Kingdom, but Arusha refuses to take the bait.That would only mean an escalation.And the more provocative thing James can imagine than a dead prince is two dead princes.He felt remiss in Borric's death, but put his grief aside as he protected Arland.Glancing to his side, his wife was watching him.He asked Jamina with his thoughts, "Are you all right, love?" "I'm glad to be off the horse at last, love." Jamina replied without a hint of discomfort.She was tanned from the long journey, but she didn't complain, and as she lay next to James every day, she knew full well that the dreadful day had taken away all the joy between them.No matter how good James made Elland live, it couldn't eradicate the grief in his heart.While nodding to the team ahead, he said inwardly, "There will be a more formal welcome, my dear." At least a hundred officials stood in front of the golden and white banner, welcoming the prince and his party to this superior city.Elland opened his eyes wide at the scene in front of him.His first impression was confusion, as if someone had prepared a big joke for him.Before him stood a multitude of men and women wearing scant clothing but a great deal of jewellery.Most of the women's clothing is simple skirts or skirts, fashionable thin silk texture to set off the curve of the hips, the length is from the waist to the middle of the thigh.An ornate belt fastened the skirt, and belt hooks of various intricate styles in gold were strewn throughout the crowd.But here men and women love open breasts, and the shoes are plain cross-strap loafers.All the men are bald, while the women have shoulder-length or ear-length hair, braided with rows of jewels or braided with gold thread. Kai Fei slightly turned his head to Elland and said, "Maybe His Highness doesn't know that nudity is a taboo for ordinary people in the kingdom and empire, but it does exist among the true blood Keshi people. I also have to get used to this scene—" —In our desert, seeing the face of someone else's wife is a good reason for your death." He said in an ironic tone, "These people come from a hot land, Your Highness, but there is no such thing as the desert of my hometown. It's hot, and to dress like this is to invite death. When you have some experience of the long, hot and windy nights on top of the mountain, you'll understand why clothing is such a fad. The Kesh of True Blood never considered their rule The feelings of other peoples. 'In Cash, you do what the real Cash people do' is an old adage." Elland nodded, trying not to look at the exposed skin.A man stepped out of the queue, not a few years older than Eland, with a strong build, carrying a shepherd's crutch with a hook and a bow, all flashy decorations.He was bald like the others, but his hair was kept back in a lace studded with precious stones and gold.Immediately, another muscular man stepped up to the front row, clearly uncomfortable with the hot sun.Notwithstanding the sweat dripping from his reddened skin, he said, "Welcome, our guest." Facing this important person, Kaifei said, "Lord Nilom, I am honored to introduce this Highness, Prince Eland, the heir to the throne of Aer, and the commander of the knights of the western army, to meet Keshi Messenger of the Mother." "Your Highness," Nilom said, "it is an honor for the empire to come, and a member of the royal blood is greeting you. I am honored to introduce you to Prince Avori, the son of Mother Kesh." The young man stepped forward again, and said directly to Eland, "We welcome our brother. You will be happy every day here, Prince Eland. Mother Kesh was overjoyed and sent her humble son Come to greet you. I want to say to you that the hearts of all Kesh people are very happy at this time for your arrival. Every minute of your presence here will be considered as our treasure. Your wisdom and courage are invaluable. Unrivaled, the Mother of Cash is looking forward to your arrival and welcomes you to the palace." As he said, Prince Everey turned and started walking up the hill.The welcoming men and women stepped aside to allow Eland and Lord Nerom to pass, and Caffi directed the Prince and Locklear to follow them, he and James trailing behind. As they walked up the slope, James said to Kefi, "Honestly, we don't know much about the empire, only the northern frontier. If you would stay with us and tell us more about this miraculous empire We'll be happy about that." The man was smiling, and James could read something in the man's eyes. "Your wishes have been thought of. I shall wait outside your house at the first dawn of the day, and shall not leave until I have your permission. Her Majesty, blessed of the gods, has ordered Order." James tilted his head with a smile, "Then, he is our watchdog." Jiamina beside her also smiled, "It's just one of them, I'm sure, love." James turned his attention back to the reception group that Eland was following.His wits and abilities will be tested in the next two months or a month and a half, and he knows that.And he has two most basic tasks: the safety of Elland and keeping the kingdom out of war. Erlander could barely speak.His six-room "suite" is located in the "side room" of Cash's palace, which is almost the same size as his father's palace.The imperial palace is actually a city.There are more guest suites than you can imagine.The outer layer of the stone wall is all polished marble, and the light of the torch shines on it like thousands of bright gems.There are more and more stylish small rooms than the kingdom, all of which are much larger than a suite, but each can be separated by opaque window curtains.Now, the two window curtains on the left and right of Elland are all transparent, allowing him to see the neat benches and seats, which are the places to discuss things.On the left, a large platform provided him with a broad view of Owen Tip, the huge freshwater lake that was the heart of the empire.The bedroom was just behind a door at the front of the house, where he could have direct access to his advisors if need be. Erlander signaled to his two soldiers, who were about to open the gate as the servants did.Before they could move, a young girl suddenly appeared beside them. "My lord," she said, clapping her hands. The door opened to both sides, and Erlander stepped into his bedroom while nodding absently.What he saw stopped him.Everywhere he saw was gold.Tables, chairs, benches, and everything needed for food and clothing are made of gold.The cracks in the high places of the marble walls were filled with sandstone, and murals were painted on them to cover the loess.In Kesh's fashion they showed warriors, emperors, and gods, many with animal heads depicted, and in Kesh the appearance of the gods was quite different from that of the kingdom. Eland walked into this gorgeous room quietly.A large bed occupied the main area of ​​the room, surrounded on three sides by bed nets made of sheer thin silk, and hung from the ceiling twenty feet above his head.The bed was twice the size of the bed he had at home, the same bed that had seemed impossibly large when he and Borric returned from the barracks at Highhold. Thinking of his brother made Eland eager to share his wonder about this place with him.Many times after that attack, Erlander denied his brother's death.Only because he didn't feel Borric's death.Elland was sure he was somewhere other than here.The young woman who had entered the room with them clapped again, and suddenly the room was filled with servants in action. The prince's soldiers stood there speechless, fascinated by the revolving servants, first because they opened the prince's luggage so neatly, took out his clothes and put them in the closet next to them. But the main thing is that most of them are women, attractive and dressed in similar clothes to greet the embassy.The only difference is the lack of jewelry.A linen belt at the waist fastened the modest skirt.Apart from these, there is nothing else on the girls. Inserting himself between the two guards, Eland said, "Go find a place to eat, and if I need you, I'll send word." The two turned around after saluting, obviously not knowing where to go, but as if reading the prince's mind, a girl said, "Come this way," and led them away. A girl with auburn eyes walked up to Aland, "If you're happy, your bathroom is ready." Aland noticed that her belt was red and had a gold belt hook, distinguishing it from the others. Most of the maids in white belts, she is the head of the girls here. Suddenly feeling the hot air in the room and the filth on his body after two days of horseback riding at the same time, Eland nodded and followed her into the next bedroom.There is a bath here that is at least 30 feet long.At the far end there is a golden statue of a water sprite, water spouting from a vase in her hand and falling into a pool.Elland looked around, there were at least five girls waiting for him in the pool, all naked. Two other maids came to his side and began to remove his coat. "Ah..." Eland stepped back reflexively. "Is there a question, Your Highness?" asked the red-brown-eyed girl.Erlander suddenly became aware of the different shades of her dark skin: a warm sun-tanned red against her naturally dark olive complexion.Her dark hair was tied back with a headband, and Erlander noticed her long neck. Erlander wanted to speak, but didn't, obviously not knowing what to say.If Borric was with him, he was sure they would both be stepping into this bath, testing their minimum privileges with these lovely maids.But when he's alone... he gets tricky. "What's your name?" "Miya, my lord." "Hey, Mia..." He looked at all the girls waiting for his request "...In my country, I'm not used to having so many servants serving, and I don't need so many people." The young girl searched Ellander with her eyes.She replied softly, "If your lord specifies someone who is happy to be served, I will let the others leave." She paused and added, "Or you just want to appoint one person, I will be honored to serve you." ...your needs are served, my lord." The meaning of the last sentence is obvious. Elland shook his head, "No, I mean..." He sighed, "Like this." Delicate hands undressed him, and when he was naked, he walked quickly into the bath, feeling awkward and shy.Walking into the shallow pool, he was surprised to find that the water was hot.Feeling his foolishness, he sat down, the pool just reached his chest.Then Mia undid her belt, letting the skirt slide to the floor.She walked into the pool without any scruples and sat on a step behind Eland.She clapped her hands again, and another girl signaled to the other maids outside the pool, who brought oils, soaps, and ointments. Mia gently pulled his shoulders until his head rested on her soft chest.Then he felt her fingers begin to work on his scalp, rubbing oil into his hair.Two girls scrubbed his chest with soap that smelled lightly of flowers, two others washed and trimmed his nails, and two others were busy massaging the muscles in his legs. After the tense period of being skin-to-skin with seven different girls, Erlande took a deep breath and let himself relax.He told himself it was no different than having a footman rub his back at home.Then he glanced at the 12 beauties standing by the pool, and the 7 girls who were accompanying him in the water, and laughed out loud, of course it was the same as going home. "What's the matter, my lord?" Miya asked. Elland took another deep breath, "I'm slowly getting used to it." The girl stopped washing his hair, rinsed it with water from a golden bowl, and then began to massage the muscles of his neck and shoulders.No matter how shy he was with these naked girls, he found his eyelids getting heavier and heavier from the massage.Breathing in the aroma from Mia, he closed his eyes feeling the worry and fatigue slowly drifting away from him. He took a long breath, and Miya asked softly, "Is there anything else your lord needs?" Eland gave his first smile since the bandit attack, "No, I think I'll get used to this." "So relax, my handsome red-haired master," she whispered in his ear, "rest well, Mother Cash will receive you tonight." Erlander leaned against the soft body of the maid behind him, letting the warm pool water and the nimble fingers of the girls explore his tight and tired body.Soon he dozed off, feeling his body respond to the care of the girls.Through the drooping eyelashes he saw their expected smiling faces, and the two girls chatted in low tones.Yes, he thought, I'll get used to this. A maid shook his foot and whispered, "My lord!" Elland stood up and blinked his sleepy eyes to see what was going on.Pulling himself together, he asked, "What's the matter?" "Master James sent word that he will be here in half an hour, my lord. He suggested that you prepare for the Queen's audience. You must dress." Elland looked around and found two lovely bodies around him; on the right hand side was Mia who was sleeping softly, and on his left side - another girl with green eyes, he remembered it was , but he couldn't remember her name - was looking at him with half-open eyes.Jokingly patted Mia's butt, he said, "It's time to get ready, honey." Mia woke up completely, and walked off the big bed briskly.She clapped her hands and called, and immediately six servants brought all of Elland's clothes, which had been washed.Elland jumped out of bed, instructed them to wait there, and hurried into the room with the bath.Instructing the servants not to hinder him, he descended the three steps, dipped himself in the water, and began to wash.To Miya who followed behind, he said, "My body is so hot and drenched, I need this." The girl smiled, "You...were active then, my lord." Elland smiled back, "Is it always so hot here?" The girl replied, "It's summer, so it's so hot. Those who want to cool off need a fan. In winter, it's very cold at night, and furs are needed to keep the temperature between the beds and drawers." Eland found it hard to imagine.He left the bath, three girls quickly dried him, and then he walked back to the bedroom with the bed. Getting him dressed was more difficult than he had imagined.He did his best to do it himself, and stopped the girls from trying to tie belts or buckles on his body.But he was still dressed when James came to see him.He nodded to allow the count to enter. James said, "Ah, you look better. Got a good night's sleep?" Elland glanced at the many women showing their bodies, "It's really wonderful." James smiled and said, "Gamina was not happy to see so many beautiful maids in our room, so they sent some handsome boys. When they came to help her bath, she became very distressed." He Laughing happily at this, "I'd call them a dissolute nation, but these are their habits. To them we have to show... I don't know what we have to show." Letting Eland follow him, the count led the young man to a wide corridor where Locklear and Jamina were talking.As soon as they walked into the hallway, Jamina said to Eland in her heart language, "Eland, James has found two bugging devices in our room. Be careful what you say." "I can admit that one of my 'servants' is a very scheming Cash official." He answered her thoughtfully. There was silence in the hallway when Cash's officers came in, walking toward them in the attire they saw everywhere—a white skirt and sandals.But he also wears a gorgeous gold and turquoise necklace and carries a scepter. "This way, Your Highness, Your Excellencies and Madam." He led them down a long hall, which was the entrance to some of the bedrooms and suites.Walking into the long corridor connecting the long hall, the torches above their heads illuminate the fountain and garden beside the corridor.As they walked through many of these gardens, James said, "You'll be familiar with such breaks, Your Highness. It's the custom here. The morning is the court business of the Queen and her personal court, followed by lunch, and then from after lunch. It's a nap time until the evening, and the evening court proceedings will end at nine o'clock, followed by the main meal." Ailander looked at the passing maids, who were also only wearing short skirts. "I'll be entertaining," he said. A thought from Carmina entered his mind, a very disapproving opinion. After walking through this corridor, they walked into the next corridor.The exterior of the stone columns is all made of marble, which is three stories above the head.The walls on both sides of the corridor are painted with unique murals, depicting great events and mythological battles between gods and demons.In the middle of this corridor is a rug of amazing design and weaving, unimaginably long and without a single misstep. About every twenty paces, there was a Keshi soldier standing at attention and saluting.Erland noticed that these soldiers were very different from the famous dog soldiers stationed on the border between the empire and the kingdom.These soldiers seem to care more about appearance than combat experience, he thought.Everyone wore only short skirts, but in different patterns, with the skirts cut off a little in the front to allow the legs to swing freely.Each of the men also wore a pair of shorts of the same white linen, and a stylish multicolored belt with a silver buckle.Soldiers' shoes were sandals with cross straps.On their heads were various primitive, brutal helmets that fascinated Elland.One wears the skull of a panther, and the corresponding hide hangs from his shoulders.Others wore either elk or bear heads.Many have long eagle or eagle feathers on their helmets, or, more fashionable, beautiful parrot feathers. Some have cone-shaped helmets made of reeds dyed bright hues, which are easy to recognize from a distance on the battlefield. . James said loudly, "Great display, isn't it?" Eland nodded.Nothing he'd seen since arriving in Cash's superior city was extravagant.Compared with the lower cities they have been to, the luxury here is overwhelmingly better than there.In the smallest detail, rich and poor become an order.What could be ordinary becomes almost gorgeous: gold becomes as common as iron, gemstones replace glass, and silk is regarded as cotton.After passing countless halls, he understood that the same applies to the appointment of servants.If it is a manservant, he must not only perform his duties well, but also must be handsome.If it's a maid, someone who has a chance to be seen by outsiders in the hall, then she must be cute and young.In a few days, Erlander thought, I'd welcome an ordinary face. When they came to a large gate inlaid with gold leaf, the leading official rested the metal head of his staff on the ground, and announced, "Prince Erlander, Lord James and Lady Carmina My lady, Baron Locklear, welcome." Eland blurted out, "You didn't tell me this was a formal meeting." "Not this time," James said. "It was just a casual, intimate dinner." "I can't wait for the official court proceedings." Taking a deep breath, Elland said, "Okay, then, let's stay with the queen for a while." Stepping forward, Prince Elland walked away with his advisors into the halls of the Cash Empire. Eland consciously walked directly to the center of the hall.The tramp of leather boots seemed out of place, loud and more like an unreasonable intrusion in a hall dominated by moccasins or slippers.No one spoke in the hall, and all eyes were on the islanders, absorbing the noise calmly. In front of the golden throne above the canopy, there is a pile of cushions.Lying on it was an old woman.Erlander tried to look at her directly, not stare, but found it difficult.Here, lying before the most prominent throne in the known world, is the most powerful ruler in the entire known world.She is a tiny, aging woman with no notable appearance.Her attire was the same white skirt, but hers was longer and covered her knees.Her girdle, too, was filled with rich jewels, and the light of the torches shone on the walls and roofs.She wore a white cloth bodice with a pigeon bloodstone brooch.The golden crown on his head was set with sapphires and rubies that Erland had never seen before.The value of a nation lies in this aged body. Her slightly dark complexion can't hide her white spots.She looked ten years older than her actual age of 75, but Eland admired her eyes, which were still full of passion. The black eyes, like the jewels in the crown on her head, were shining brightly, greeting the prince who was going to have dinner with her tonight.Twelve low tables were placed in a semicircle under the canopy, and sitting on cushions around these tables were those who were considered worthy of the honour. Arland came before the Queen, bowed his head, and he did not do more courtesy than meeting his uncle, King Al.James, Carmina, and Locklear knelt and waited, as diplomatic officers, for permission to rise. "How was our young Prince Ail's journey?" The queen's voice was like a thunderbolt in the sky on a lazy midsummer afternoon, and Erlander nearly jumped.The nuance and implications of the question were beyond Erlander's ability to articulate.Overcoming this unexpected panic, Elland replied as calmly as possible, "Very well, Your Majesty, my uncle, King Al, I wish you well." The Queen giggled and said, "He should, Prince. No question, I'm his best friend in this palace." The prosperity of the kingdom brings back Kesh's truest blessings. We are largely in common. Now, tell me, who is with you?" Eland introduced her one by one.The queen sat up slightly in surprise at them. "Countess, can you come closer?" Gamina cast a quick glance at James, then took ten steps forward to the queen. "You northerners are very fair, but I've never seen anything like you," said the old woman. "You're not originally from Starport, are you?" "No, Your Majesty," Gamina replied, "I was born in the mountains north of Romney." The Queen nodded, as if that explained everything. “回到你丈夫的身边，好孩子，在他们这种异国情调下你显得很可爱。” 当嘉米娜走下华盖，女王说道，“王子殿下，我们已为你摆好了一张桌子，我很高兴你会与我们共进晚餐。” 他们坐到了指定的桌子，离女王的桌子只隔了一张桌。另一名值殿官出现宣布道，“王子艾沃瑞，凯许之子！”那位艾兰德下午时遇到的王子从另一边的门走入大厅，那是通向宫殿的另一偏厅。 “如果我可以为殿下提建议的话，”一个声音从艾兰德的右边传来，艾兰德转身发现凯非阿布 哈瑞兹悄悄的迁入了他和詹姆斯中间，“女王陛下，祝福她，考虑到您会在这么多新事务下感到不便，让我坐在您的身边，回答您提出的任何提问。” “并且发现我们都对什么感到好奇。”嘉米娜用心语接道。 艾兰德微微点头，让凯非感觉好像是在允许他的出现，但嘉米娜知道他其实是同意了她的说法。然后值殿官喊道，“公主沙拉娜！”艾沃瑞的身后出现了位年貌的女士，外表上看起来和艾兰德年纪相近。艾兰德屏住呼吸，注视着女王的孙女。在这座宫殿里的佳丽中，她是出众的。她的服饰是艾兰德见到过的时尚，但像女王似的，她也穿着一件亚麻胸衣——给人以最大的诱惑于她遮住的部位。她面部和手臂的肤色是淡杏色，被凯许的日晒转为了金色。她的前额是齐眉的短发脑后秀发及肩，普通而没有什么发式。但她在后面戴了个装有珠宝和黄金的发带。接着值殿官说道，“公主苏嘉娜（Sojiana）！” 洛克莱尔几乎从他的座位上跳起来。如果说公主沙拉娜是美在她的青春年少，那她的母亲——苏嘉娜，是美在她的身高。这位高挑的熬人身材的女士走起路来如同一名舞姬，每一步都最大程度的展示了她身体的优势。非凡的躯体，修长的身肢、平坦的小腹和丰满的双胸。她看起来没有一丝多余的赘肉和脂肪。她只穿了条白色的短裙，系着条更像是金色紧身褡的白腰带。每只手臂缠着个金色的蛇环，颈上是一个镶着五颗猫眼石的金项圈，每一颗都衬托着她深褐色的肤色。她的头发就像是被浸在了葡萄酒中，红色胜于棕色。她的面容如她的躯体一样摄人，那对迷人的绿眼睛是原自她的母亲。 “神啊，”洛克莱尔说，“她真是美极了。” 沙漠人插嘴道，“公主是公认的真血中最漂亮的女人，我的男爵大人。”他的话语中含有明显的警告。 詹姆斯一脸惊奇的瞅着凯非，但沙漠人并不想说什么。忍住詹姆斯的盯视，他注意到洛克莱尔全神贯注的看着公主站到了她母亲的身前，终于说道“洛克莱尔先生，我觉得要补充上一条小心。”他回头看到苏嘉娜走上了华盖，低声说，“她是宫廷中仅次于女王危险的女人，所以她也是世界上排名第二危险的女人。” 洛克莱尔确定的咧嘴一笑，“我相信这点，她美得让我窒息。但我认为我能迎接这个挑战。” 对他的这个低劣的笑话，嘉米娜显得很悲观，而凯非则勉强挤出了几分笑容。“她也许会给你这个机会。听说她的品味是……具冒险性的。” 詹姆斯没有落下凯非真正的信息，洛克莱尔则太倾心而没有去听凯非的讲话。詹姆斯对凯非微微点头为他的警告表示感谢。 不像艾沃瑞和沙拉娜两人对女王鞠躬后坐到皇室的餐桌旁，苏嘉娜鞠躬后说道，“我的母亲身体好吗？”她用很官面的口气问道。 “我很好，女儿。我们会继续统治凯许。” 公主再次鞠躬说，“那我们的祷告得到了回应。”然后她坐到了她哥哥和女儿的身边，仆人开始走入大厅。 种种佳肴一个接着一个的被摆上餐桌，艾兰德不得不考虑自己到底要在哪一个菜上吃上几口。葡萄酒也顺序的呈上，干的甜的，红的白的，最后是用守护者山脉顶峰的冰冰制的冰葡萄酒。 艾兰德问凯非，“告诉我，为什么皇室的成员最后才出场？” 凯非说，“在凯许中的事情总是很奇怪，那些最不重要的最先入场，奴隶、仆人还有次要的值殿官要为那些豪贵的出场做准备。然后，凯许之母，进入大厅坐在华盖上，跟着皇亲和权贵入场，同样也是按照等级的先后顺序，您是头衔上仅次于皇室家族的贵族，所以您只在王子艾沃瑞前一个入场。” 艾兰德点头，但发现有一点疑问让他吃惊，“那就是说她的孙女，沙拉娜……” “在宫殿中的地位高于王子。”凯非替他说完，打量了一眼房间中的人，“这是家庭争端，王子殿下。” 有些事情他不希望在这里讲，嘉米娜补充上一句。艾兰德瞥了她一眼，她说道，我没有对他读心，王子殿下。没得到允许前我不会去读任何人的思想，但他……思想太强烈了。我无法更好的解释这个，但他很紧张不愿去讲很多事情。 艾兰德丢开这个，开始询问关于凯许皇室的问题。凯非的回答如同艾兰德的历史教师所讲，只是有些问题会让他感到高兴、有些让他感到不快或者有些是谣传的轶事。他对那些流言蜚语很有研究。 詹姆斯决定自己不多发言，他在盘算着凯非作出的回答，边进餐边收集着线索把它们适当的加入到自己已知的情报中去。凯许是复杂的，如同一座蚁丘，那位蚁后——女王，只有她是唯一的律法。事实上，帝国中民族间的对抗是凯许宫廷中的老生常谈，女王只是让她的国家表面上保持着统一。 詹姆斯呷了口上好的干红酒，考虑着他们到底在这场戏中扮演着哪个角色，因为他确定他们的出现会在将来结束掉某些人的政治生涯，就像他知道他的鞋子正在挤他的脚一样肯定。问题是谁会是他们的威胁和他的动机是什么。 对他自己，他加上一点，不要提到有人试图阻止艾兰德的到访。显然至少宫中有一个派系想要艾兰德死和两国之间开战。詹姆斯扫了一眼大厅，又尝了口干红酒。他品味着美酒，考虑到自己这个陌生人应尽快在这片陌生的土地上认清周围的道路。他盲目的四处瞅，观察周围的人，发现至少有半打的人也在注意着他。 He sighed.这只是一时的，他怀疑会有麻烦接踵而来。因为如果他是要谋杀艾兰德的人，在这么多客人的情况下能很容易摆脱嫌疑而且也会一举毁掉女王的大典。除非，当然，他订正自己，是女王想除掉艾兰德。 他拿过一块调味过的瓜果放在盘中，吃掉，决定过一两个小时候再考虑这些事情。但还不到一分钟，他发现自己又开始扫视房间，找寻那些预示着下一次袭击的线索和提示。