Roberson, Jennifer - Cheysuli 05 by A Pride of Princes (v1.0) Page B

his youngest son."I see—I am to base the future of Homanan
economy solely on the personalities of Caledon 's rulers. At least, so you say."
                "Jehan—"
                "Corin, I think you have very
much to learn about dealing with other kingdoms," the Mujhar said gently.
"And I suggest you begin now, because in two or three years you will be
going to Atvia to take your rightful place as heir to Alaric's throne."
                "Atvia," Corin said in
disgust. "And if I would prefer to remain here?"
                "Well, there is a choice,"
Niall said. "You may remain here as a dispossessed, disinherited son, or
accept your tahlmarra and go to Atvia."
                Corin's eyes narrowed. "I might
also stay here with the clans, jehan. You cannot dispossess me of my heritage,
nor disinherit me from my lir."
                "I would not need to dispossess
you of your Cheysuli heritage," Niall told him quietly, "A warrior
turning his back on his tahlmorra is solely to blame for his disinheritance,
which also includes loss of the afterworld." He paused a moment.
"Corin, this serves nothing and is not necessary. What is necessary,
however, is for all of you to acknowledge that you have been immature and irresponsible,
and to accept your punishment."
                "That depends on what it
is," Corin muttered beneath his breath, as Hart glared at him openly.
                "It is that I forbid you to
attend the banquet this evening."
                "That is all?" Hart
blurted, and winced as Brennan kicked him covertly.
                "In not attending the banquet,
you will keep yourselves to your respective chambers," Niall explained,
"and you will remain in them until I give you leave to go out of them. No
banquets, no taverns, no Clankeep." He fixed his eye on each of his sons
individually. "No horses," he said to Brennan, "No
wagering," he ordered Hart. And lastly, to Corin, "No visits from any
of Deirdre's ladies."
                "For how long?" Brennan
demanded indignantly, forgoing all the diplomacy he had so carefully
cultivated. "If I leave Bane for even a day, all my progress will be
undone and I will have to begin again."
                Hart frowned. "And how am I
expected to pass the time, jehan, while I wait for your leave to go?”
                But Corin laughed. "Enforced
celibacy, jehan! Well, it will only leave the ladies all the more eager for me
when I can share their company again."
                Deirdre smiled serenely. " Tis
hard for my ladies to be eager when their positions are in jeopardy."
                Corin stared at her in astonishment.
"You would do that?"
                "To support the Mujhar, I will
do anything," she said calmly. "Just as all of his children should,
sons and daughters alike."
                That enforced silence among them as
nothing else had.
                Niall nodded. "You may
go," he said quietly. "Meals will be sent up from the kitchens."
                In silence, his three still proud
but decidedly chastened sons filed slowly out of the chamber.
               

Four
     
                Corin shut the door to his chambers
with a resounding thud, knowing it childish, but satisfied with the action
nonetheless. And then he regretted it almost instantly, because he had employed
his right wrist in the motion and the wrist was less than pleased.
                He cursed, examined it briefly,
decided it was very sore and bruised, but not broken. Still, it would keep him
from arms-practice for a week or more, and that he did not appreciate.
                Have I only myself to blame?
                Why? came the familiar liquid tone
of his lir within the pattern of their link. What have you done now?
                He looked for Kiri and found