Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
“In the second village where we stayed, I spoke to a member of the gentry,” he informed her as they made the top landing and he guided them down the hall.
“That is it?” she inquired.
“Yes.” He was still confused. “Does this surprise you?”
“I, well…I…” She said no more as he stopped them outside the door to their room and produced the key from his trousers.
But he didn’t open it.
“It does surprise you,” he noted.
She looked up at him. “Mars deals with barons and chieftains.”
“Yes,” he said when she spoke no more.
“Baldrick was a leader,” she remarked.
“He was. But I’m still not understanding your surprise,” he said.
“Does your father mingle with his subjects as you do?” she asked.
He nearly roared with laughter, thus, his one-word answer was shaking with it.
“No.”
“And he does not dance with them.”
“Bloody hell, no,” he replied, putting the key to the lock and letting them in.
He was closing and locking the door behind them when she spoke again.
“Mars is removed. We have many celebrations and he’s seen reveling with his people, but not amongst them. He is on the royal podium at the coliseum. If marquees are erected, his will be easily seen, but apart. There are instances, such as dancing, feasts and other revelries, where there will be those of the populace invited to be close to the king, but it is a special honor, usually for a feat accomplished or a service provided to the realm. And there are times that Mars, as had his father, travels the realm to speak directly to the people. Not to give speeches, to sit with local teachers or healers or priests to hear what they have to say about what is happening in the land. And in those times, he will be with his people at feasts they make for him or celebrations to honor him. But he is always held in a position of distinction, for instance, at a high table, or separated and sitting with the leaders of the clan.”
True had thrown the key down on a table and was walking to the fire when Farah finished talking, after which he murmured, “My father doesn’t do even that.”
He’d bent to feed some logs on the banked fire and stir it when she said, “I know of no realm where a prince can ride the countryside with five guards and be safe.”
He straightened and looked to her. “I know this will also surprise you, my sweet, but the Dellish are a peaceable people. Many here do not leave their villages their whole lives, and that is not because they want to do so and cannot. It is because they have no desire to. This is a land of home and hearth. Farm and forest. We have one large city inland, and four port cities that do not come close to rivaling the size or populace of Notting Thicket. And as you have seen, many villages and hamlets much like the one we’re in. Thus, we are not cosmopolitan or sophisticated. Intrigues might not be reviled, but they are not often sought and are considered mostly a curiosity.”
He placed the screen carefully back in front of the fire before he moved to the bed and sat at its end in order to pull off his boots.
And he did this as he continued speaking.
“This does not mean that the Dellish are unambitious. That they do not wish better or more for themselves and their loved ones. Thick thatch for their roofs to keep them dry and warm in the winter. More fashionable clothing. Fine pewter or china to use to serve when they have guests. Everyone wishes comfort and a higher standard of living. To give the best they can to their children and leave them with better lives than the ones they’d had. The Dellish work hard and not all are unassuming.”
Done with his boots and socks, he stood to unbutton his waistcoat and carried on sharing.
“Many speak of the university in Go’Doan. The high academics of Airen that produce such extraordinary architects and engineers. The exemplary military training in Firenze that is practiced by all the clans and tribes. But the law is studied in Wodell, this being the laws of all the lands, and the advocates who earn their credentials here can practice in any realm. And Dellish counsellors are the most sought after on the continent. And the Go’Doan aren’t the only ones who produce fine educators. Our teachers who are trained in our universities then go on to teach in our schools are exceptional. I would pit any school in Wodell against any other in any realm. The one thing the Dellish won’t abide the king not funding through their taxes is education for their children and it is no boast to say it’s the best in all of Triton. And it is obvious our training and constant advancements in agriculture and forestry are outstanding.”