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don't rough you up."
When Robinton started to cross the hall to the stairs, F'lon neatly hauled him
in another direction.
"This way," he said, and then pushed Robinton towards the side room which
served as a private interview chamber. "And here he is," F'lon announced
triumphantly, pausing at the threshold to let
Robinton enter on his own.
"Ah, Robinton," Juvana said, rising to greet him and bring him towards her
mother and father who were seated on the high-backed couch.
Swallowing fiercely, Robinton managed a nervous smile at
Holder Bourdon, a grizzled man with deeply tanned skin. His green eyes,
slightly darker than Kasia's, were tilted just like hers. His spouse, a
sweet-faced woman with fading brown hair, gave
Robinton a lovely smile and jumped up eagerly.
"Oh, Journeyman, you cannot know how pleased we are!" she exclaimed, coming
forward and seizing Robinton's free hand.
Bourdon had been about to speak, but now he closed his mouth, made a gesture
of helplessness and let her go on. "We've been so worried that she would
mourn Merdine for ever ..." Her face clouded briefly, then her marvellous
smile came out again. "And when she wrote to tell us' - she turned to her
spouse for confirmation and Bourdon gave a patient nod - "we were overjoyed,
but never did we expect to be able to attend her espousal so far away from
Mardela. And at a very busy season." Bourdon nodded again.
"My pleasure, I assure you, to assist my good friend in every
way," F'lon said, bowing.
Holder Bourdon cleared his throat. "Kasia says you're comfortable at sea,
too?"
"Well, I don't get sea-sick," Robinton admitted.
"And not too proud to help gut and salt either, she says."
"Come, sit, Robinton," Juvana said, gesturing for him to take the other double
couch. "I can't imagine that you'd mind leaving Court
Hall today ..." She gave him a sly sideways glance. "Your mother has already
met my parents and is upstairs, keeping Kasia from a case of nerves."
"Kasia's nervous?" Robinton only just managed to keep his voice from betraying
his own nervousness.
Juvana chuckled. "It's her privilege. My, but you look every bit as gorgeous
as she does. Clostan?"
"Hmmm," Robinton admitted, shooting a glance at F'lon, who blinked and then
rolled his eyes over his friend's prevarication.
"And what's this?" Juvana asked, touching the wrapped bowl
Robinton still held. "An espousal gift already?"
Eager for something to discuss, Robinton showed the bowl and explained how
pleased he was that Saday had taken him at his word.
"Oh, the wall people," Brashia said, and Robinton groaned, wishing he could
make a better impression on Kasia's family. "Kasia told us how clever you
were then."
Bourdon chuckled. "Got a quick head on your shoulders. No harm in that,
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lad."
A kitchener arived with a tray of refreshments, klah and wine with little
cakes and biscuits. Robinton leaped to his feet to help her settle the tray.
Then, as Juvana asked what her parents wished to drink at this hour, he busied
himself passing cups and glasses and the plates of food, regaining some poise
in that simple act.
"You're busy at this season in MardelaT he asked Bourdon politely.
"Packfish are running. D'you know them?"
"We've the northern variety, the bordos," Robinton said, as if he discussed
fish varieties every day.
Bourdon nodded with approval. "Good eating, the bordos."
Will your mother be singing today?" Brashia asked shyly. "We all know about
MasterSinger Merelan in Mardela, but few of us have had a chance to hear her
sing, living where we do."
"She plans to," Robinton replied, once again grateful to have such a mother -
if only she were there with him now, to smooth his way.
"Special music?" Brashia asked, tilting her head in the same charming way
Kasia had.
"Some of Robinton's own songs," said Juvana, ignoring
Robinton's dire look. "He's far too modest. Melongel's of the opinion that
our Robinton is as good a composer as his mother is a singer."
"Now, that's taking it a bit far, Juvana," Robinton protested.
"I don't think so," Juvana replied, unmoved. "Nor does Kasia."
"She's partisan," F'lon said, leaning against the door frame and idly twirling
his wineglass, his eyes dancing with mischief. "But
I'll allow that Rob has spawned some fine tunes."
"So we'll hear some?" Brashia twisted round on the couch to look in Robinton's
direction.
"You probably won't hear anything but Rob's songs," F'lon went on. "Most of
today's best songs are his."
"Really?"
"Every new one and half the revised Teaching Ballads our
Robinton composed."
If F'lon and Juvana thought they were helping him in this initial meeting with
Kasia's parents, they were wide of their mark.
"I thought it was your father who composed so much music,"
Bourdon said, slightly confused.
"They both do," Juvana said, just as F'lon remarked, "You can sing Rob's
stuff."
"Haven't you other Gather guests to collect?" Robinton asked as mildly as he
could.
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