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The Magehound :: Каннингем Элейн
Страница: 115 из 216I'm hungry enough to finish them both," she assured him. "What about you? Let's stroll about and find something that pleases you."
He shifted the bag from his shoulder. "There's no need and little time. I'm due back at my patron's villa by sunset, and before then I must see that Procopio's message is properly delivered."
Tzigone grinned and gave him a playful shove. "Aha! Then you're not so out of favor with him as you implied."
Matteo sighed and slumped against the broad, silvery trunk of one of the massive trees that shaded the lane. "I will be, once Lord Procopio hears of Frando's challenge."
"Why should he care? That Frando is an idiot, even by the standards of the jordaini. I've met donkeys who could best him in debate."
"That may be so, but he is counselor to the mage Xavierlyn. A challenge between counselors reflects upon their patrons. At this point, Procopio has no desire to best Xavierlyn, but neither would he care to lose to her."
Tzigone nodded sagely. "Ah. He has a standing bet, with large sums placed on either gamecock. He'll suffer no great loss that way, but such things can be inconvenient if he hasn't the ready coin to float."
The notion scandalized him, as did the comparison between a jordaini debate and the vulgar practice of gambling upon cock fights. "This has nothing to do with money! It is a matter of politics. Xavierlyn is the Chief Elder of Halarahh. For Procopio to challenge her would be tantamount to announcing his aspirations to her position. He cannot afford to appear too ambitious at this time."
She shrugged again, not seeing the sense in it. "What did Cassia have to say?"
"I think she intends to recommend me to Queen Beatrix," Matteo grumbled.
Tzigone brightened. "That's a good thing, isn't it? Becoming the queen's counselor?"
"Not if it means going to the palace in disgrace, as a means of saving my current patron trouble."
"After you've arrived at a destination, does it truly matter if you traveled by horse or mule?" she pointed out "Once you're there, the journey is quickly forgotten."
Matteo had to admit that there was a certain practicality to this. "I am beginning to follow the paths your arguments take," he told her, and then sighed. "This worries me."
She laughed merrily and linked her arm through his, pulling him back into a slow walk. "Didn't I tell you that you'd get used to me in time?"
"That is something we must discuss," he said slowly. "I cannot deny that I enjoy your company, and I have thought of you often since last we met.
He shifted the bag from his shoulder. "There's no need and little time. I'm due back at my patron's villa by sunset, and before then I must see that Procopio's message is properly delivered."
Tzigone grinned and gave him a playful shove. "Aha! Then you're not so out of favor with him as you implied."
Matteo sighed and slumped against the broad, silvery trunk of one of the massive trees that shaded the lane. "I will be, once Lord Procopio hears of Frando's challenge."
"Why should he care? That Frando is an idiot, even by the standards of the jordaini. I've met donkeys who could best him in debate."
"That may be so, but he is counselor to the mage Xavierlyn. A challenge between counselors reflects upon their patrons. At this point, Procopio has no desire to best Xavierlyn, but neither would he care to lose to her."
Tzigone nodded sagely. "Ah. He has a standing bet, with large sums placed on either gamecock. He'll suffer no great loss that way, but such things can be inconvenient if he hasn't the ready coin to float."
The notion scandalized him, as did the comparison between a jordaini debate and the vulgar practice of gambling upon cock fights. "This has nothing to do with money! It is a matter of politics. Xavierlyn is the Chief Elder of Halarahh. For Procopio to challenge her would be tantamount to announcing his aspirations to her position. He cannot afford to appear too ambitious at this time."
She shrugged again, not seeing the sense in it. "What did Cassia have to say?"
"I think she intends to recommend me to Queen Beatrix," Matteo grumbled.
Tzigone brightened. "That's a good thing, isn't it? Becoming the queen's counselor?"
"Not if it means going to the palace in disgrace, as a means of saving my current patron trouble."
"After you've arrived at a destination, does it truly matter if you traveled by horse or mule?" she pointed out "Once you're there, the journey is quickly forgotten."
Matteo had to admit that there was a certain practicality to this. "I am beginning to follow the paths your arguments take," he told her, and then sighed. "This worries me."
She laughed merrily and linked her arm through his, pulling him back into a slow walk. "Didn't I tell you that you'd get used to me in time?"
"That is something we must discuss," he said slowly. "I cannot deny that I enjoy your company, and I have thought of you often since last we met.