“I am sorry, my lady.” Experience had taught me never to argue with Patience. Her eccentricity had delighted Prince Chivalry. It drove me to distraction on a good day. Tonight I felt overwhelmed by it. “For a time I was ill. I did not feel well enough to travel. By the time I recovered, the weather delayed us. I am sorry to have missed the wedding.”
“And that was all? That was the sole reason for your delay?” She spoke sharply, as if suspecting some heinous deception.
“It was,” I answered gravely. “But I did think of you. I have something for you, out in my packs. I haven’t brought them up from the stable yet, but I will tomorrow.”
“What is it?” she demanded, curious as a child.
I took a deep breath. I desperately wished for my bed. “It’s a sort of an herbal. A simple one, for they are delicate, and the more ornate ones would not have stood up to the trip. The Chyurda don’t use tablets or scrolls for teaching herbs, as we do. Instead, this is a wooden case. When you open it, you will discover tiny wax models of the herbs, tinted to the correct colors and scented with each herb to make it easier to learn them. The lettering is in Chyurda, of course, but I still thought you would enjoy it.”
“It sounds quite interesting,” she said, and her eyes shone. “I look forward to seeing it.”
“Shall I bring him a chair, my lady? He does look as if he has been ill,” Lacey interjected.
“Oh, of course, Lacey. Sit down, boy. Tell me, what was your illness?” .
“I ate something, one of the foreign herbs, and had a strong reaction to it.” There. That was truthful. Lacey brought me a small stool and I sat gratefully. A wave of weariness passed through me.