He sat down, looking over the company. A glint of gold caught his eye, and he looked curiously at two men who sat a little way down the table.
These two were elegantly turned out, their long cloaks thrown back to expose richly embroidered cloth. The Duke examined them closely. Obviously, here was one of the great western nobles, with an almost equally noble companion. The golden circlet proclaimed the identity of one, and the proud bearing and rich dress of both confirmed their station. Somehow, the Duke thought, these two presented a far more imposing appearance than his vassal, the Baron Bel Menstal, despite that Baron's overwhelming personality.
He thought of his hard fighting border protector. Of course, he had far to come, and the way through the mountains could be difficult. But it was a little strange he was not yet here.
The Duke remembered some of the resentful gazes he had noted during his passage through the fair. He must have words, he decided, with Bel Menstal. Possibly the man was a little too eager to collect his road and river taxes. Possibly this hard man of his was too hard, too grasping. Of course, he held a valuable bastion against the tribes of the Ajerical, but——
He shrugged away his thoughts and devoted his attention to the dishes before him.
As the Duke took up his food, the waiting company commenced reaching for dishes. Konar turned toward Meinora with a slight smile.
"Got 'em well trained, hasn't he?"
"That he has. Another note for our cultural information."
"When do you want me to talk to him?"