Natural Ordermage by L. E. Modesitt Jr. Page B

hungry.
Don’t your parents feed you?”
    “Before I leave, but it’s a long walk.”
    “If you’re like Semmelt, you need to eat
all the time. Let me get you some bread and cheese.”
    “I can come in…”
    “You’ve had a long walk. I’ll be right
back.”
    Rahl didn’t protest but sat back in the
bench and waited for Shahyla to return. Even if all they did was talk, he was
enjoying the afternoon.

XII
    Because he was thinking all too much about
what oneday might bring, Rahl didn’t sleep very well. It wasn’t because his
parents had lectured him, either. When he’d finally walked into the house late
on eightday afternoon, his parents had been at the table. Once they’d confirmed
that he’d done nothing untoward in dealing with Shahyla, the conversation had
quickly turned to innocuous subjects. That had concerned him more than if they
had lectured him, but he wasn’t about to bring up anything that would only
bring more criticism. He’d had enough of that already, especially when so much
of what they found fault with hadn’t been his doing.
    Pleasant as his afternoon with Shahyla
had been, once he .was lying in the darkness of his own small sleeping chamber,
the pleasure of the afternoon was. not enough to stave off his worries—from the
veiled warnings from Puvort, Rahl’s own concerns about Fahla, the more direct
threats from Jaired, and the possibility that he might actually be forced to
consort Jienela just because he’d gone along with her desire to sleep with him.
    He woke early, without prompting from
either parent, ate, and finished his chores.
    Before he was finally ready to set out
for the Black Holding, his father called him aside.
    “The less you say to Magister Puvort,”
cautioned Kian, “the better. Just tell him that you’ve thought over his words
and that you’ve realized the wisdom of his suggestion.”
    “Yes, ser.”
    “After you return,” Kian said, “then
we’ll visit Jienela’s parents.”
    “Her parents?”
    “Her brother has demanded you consort
her, has he not? That’s not properly his position. Her parents may not wish a
consorting with a penniless scrivener. Or we may be able to make other
arrangements. Much of that will depend on what Magister Puvort determines. You
might ask him, as well, if his training has any restrictions. If he asks why, you
could certainly tell him that your parents wanted to know.”
    Rahl wasn’t sure he wanted to meet
Jienela’s parents, but with the way his father was talking, it was clear he had
little choice. “I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
    “I’ve not seen any of the magisters
chewing the wind long.”
    Neither had Rahl. “I’ll be back when I
can.” Kian gave Rahl a firm thump on the back. “Off with you.”
    Rahl had thought to take the woods path,
but if he did, he’d have to explain more to his-father than he wished. So, with
his truncheon in his belt, he started off. The sky was hazy, and clouds were
building to the northwest, but they were still well out over the ocean. Any
rain that might come would not arrive until afternoon.
    There was no one on the lane—not until he
was almost past the orchard wall. Then two figures sauntered out from the
gate—Jaired and his older brother Jeason, who was far taller and broader than
Jaired.
    “We thought you might be sneaking off
somewhere.” Jaired’s voice held a sneer.
    “I’m supposed to meet with one of the
magisters.”
    “A likely story,” replied Jeason.
    “So… when are you coming to ask for her
hand?”
    “My father and I will come to talk to
your parents after I return from seeing Magister Puvort.” There was no point in
not admitting that, not the way Kian had been talking.
    “What about right now?” Jaired’s inquiry
was anything but a question.
    “Because I’m going to see Magister
Puvort,” Rahl said calmly. He could sense the rage in Jaired. Was that because
Jaired didn’t want Rahl to escape being consorted? Because he’d been