When Parnard had sufficiently recovered from the shock so suddenly induced by the scholar’s gross and glaring indiscretion, he repaired to his office and feverishly set to work.
Talkale had called Estarfin a drunkard. A drunkard! - one who goes out and gets drunk! – a fellow that swills away till he cannot see! A sot that loses all reason and sense! I could do him a mischief, I could! he thought, clenching his fists fiercely.
Sorontar, who had been waiting in silence for an answer, now cleared his throat politely, and spoke.
“Is something troubling you, my lord?” he said.
Master Talkale has caused me some little trouble in one thing and unless he improves, I shall be forced to break every bone in his skin, the Lord Ambassador wished to say, but he checked his tongue, and smiled brightly at his favorite clerk.
“No, no, no. I am very happy to hear that Danel and Estarfin are returned to us, and still alive. This news you bring me gladdens my heart. But what of their condition?”
“Well, Lord Estarfin was the most sickly person I ever saw,” Sorontar answered gravely. “And the Lady Danel has a bandage wrapped around her head.”
“Does she? Hmm!”
“I think when you see them, you will be surprised. Will you not go to them, sir?”
“I would not disturb the poor sufferers,” replied Parnard. A slight derisive smile passed over his sharp features. “Besides, I would not be surprised if I was ordered away from the immediate vicinity,” he added, thinking of Laurelindo’s quick temper in the sickroom. “No doubt the healers are very busily employed now. Did you know Laurelindo saved my life? Once, I was shot full of poisoned arrows, but in less than a week, I was well again. Almost. More or less. I think I should not have lived at all, but he told me I should one day take up my pen again. I did so, and have found plenty of work here.” He motioned at the neat piles of paperwork stacked around the desk.
“Yes, my lord,” agreed the always agreeable Sorontar, “and you will find plenty more – plenty more.”
“Yes – I am sure of it. Do you know, just the other day in looking over the bills I found one dozen bottles of wine sent to Estarfin’s lodging?”
“Indeed?”
“Since then I have had it removed and I shall take it all if he buys more! – I shall take it without paying him a single coin, and I may ask Sogadan not to sell any wine to him.”
“Really?” said Sorontar, blinking in surprise and wondering at the change in his master.
“Oh, yes. I fear a good deal of this latest trouble has been brought on by imprudence. Well! I am certain Laurelindo shall try to do all in his power. It is not as if Estarfin went out in the rain without his cloak and shoes, is it?”
“No, no it is not, my lord,” said the clerk.
“The Lord Estarfin was not thinking of what he was doing. All this after that bit of trouble in the south, he went off without leaving word to any of his officers! Still he has some good qualities – ah...” Parnard looked to his clerk for help.
Sorontar really had nothing to say, and said nothing.
“Oh, yes!” Parnard smiled even wider. “Many, many good qualities! He is very, ah, commanding in deportment, and his dress is remarkably orderly...and, ahh...confound it! He has been guilty of an act of folly! I must say an act of monstrous folly, but it seems he has been quite sufficiently punished for it, and ah, well: we had better say no more about it.” Parnard bent over his paperwork again and looked extremely busy. What confidence could he have in a fellow like that!
