Regis blinked. He had seen Kadarin only once, but he would have sworn the man was no more than thirty.
“We’re watching the ports, and if he tries to leave Darkover well take him. Personally I’d say good riddance. More likely he’ll hide out in the Hellers for the rest of his natural life. If there’s anything natural about it, that is.”
The recess was over and they began to return to the Crystal Chamber. Regis found himself face to face with Dyan Ardais. Dyan was dressed, not in his Domain colors, but in the drab black of ritual mourning.
“Lord Dyan—no, Lord Ardais, may I express my condolences.”
“They are wasted,” Dyan said briefly. “My father has not been in his right senses for years before you were born, Regis. What mourning I made for him was so long ago I have even forgotten what grief I felt. He has been dead more than half of my life; the burial was unduly delayed, that was all.” Briefly, grimly, he smiled.
“But formality for formality, Lord Regis. My congratulations.” His eyes held a hint of bleak amusement. “I suspect those are wasted too. I know you well enough to know you have no particular delight in taking a seat in Council. But of course we are both too well trained in Comyn formalities to say so.” He bowed to Regis and went into the Crystal Chamber.
Perhaps these formalities were a good thing, Regis thought. How could Dyan and he ever exchange a civil word without them? He felt a great sadness, as if he had lost a friend without ever knowing him at all.
The honor guard, commanded today by Gabriel Lanart-Hastur, was directing the reseating of the Comyn; as the doors were closed, the Regent called them all to order.
“The next business of this assembly,” he said, “is to settle certain heirships within the Comyn. Lord Dyan Ardais, please come forward.”
Dyan, in his somber mourning, came and stood at the center of the rainbow lights.
“On the death of your father, Kyril-Valentine Ardais of Ardais, I call upon you, Dyan-Gabriel Ardais, to relinquish the state of Regent-heir to the Ardais Domain and assume that of Lord Ardais, with wardship and sovereignty over the Domain of Ardais and all those who owe them loyalty and allegiance. Are you prepared to assume wardship over your people?”
“I am prepared.”
“Do you solemnly declare that to your knowledge you are fit to assume this responsibility? Is there any man who will challenge your right to this solemn wardship of the people of your Domain, the people of all the Domains, the people of all Darkover?”
How many of them could truly declare themselves fit for that? Regis wondered. Dyan gave the proper answer.
“I will abide the challenge.”
Gabriel, as commander of the Honor Guard, strode to his side and drew Dyan’s sword. He called in a loud voice, “Is there any to challenge the worth and rightful wardship of Dyan-Gabriel, Lord of Ardais?”
There was a long silence. Hypocrisy, Regis thought Meaningless formality. That challenge was not answered twice in a score of years, and even then it had nothing to do with fitness but with disputed inheritance! How long had it been since anyone seriously answered that challenge?
“I challenge the wardship of Ardais,” said a harsh and strident old voice from the ranks of the lesser peers. Dom Felix Syrtis rose and slowly made his way toward the center of the room. He took the sword from Gabriel’s hand.
Dyan’s calm pallor did not alter, but Regis saw that his breathing had quickened. Gabriel said steadily, “Upon what grounds, Dom Felix?”
Regis looked around quickly. As his sworn paxman and bodyguard, Danilo was seated just beside him. Danilo did not meet Regis’ eyes, but Regis could see that his fists were clenched. This was what Danilo had feared, if it came to his father’s knowledge.
“I challenge him as unfit,” Dom Felix said, “on the grounds that he contrived unjustly the disgrace and dishonor of my son, while my son was a cadet in the Castle Guard. I declare blood-feud and call formal challenge upon him.”
Everyone sat silent and stunned. Regis picked up Gabriel Lanart-Hastur’s scornful thought, unguarded, that if Dyan had to fight a duel over every episode of that sort he’d be here fighting until the sun came up tomorrow, lucky for him he was the best swordsman in the Domains. But aloud Gabriel only said, “You have heard the challenge, Dyan Ardais, and you must accept it or refuse. Do you wish to consult with anyone before making your decision?”