Comet Fall (Wine of the Gods) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the rest of the family."
    And they were all there.
    Gene ral Rufi's brother, Crown Prince Leano, and his wife Nez, with their two sons and four daughters. Aged nineteen through a baby in a nurse's arms, they looked to be expecting another child. There were cousins and nieces and nephews whose names Rustle immediately forgot, and another familiar face.
    Her mother beamed at one of the uniformed men. "Well, well. Captain Fitzroy! How are you Fossi?"
    Rustle recognized him from his rare visits to Ash. One of Harry's orphans, Crown Prince Leano's bastard son.
    "Never! Long time and all that." H is eyes took in her trail of young women. "Old Gods! Now that makes me feel old! You with a grown child!"
    Never laughed. "And how are you doing? Last I heard you were still following in the General's footsteps, a confirmed bachelor?"
    "Only sensible thing to do, when in the Army," he smiled. "Although, I'm finally at a rank where I can start thinking about such things. At the moment I'm teaching in the Winter college. C'mon, I'll introduce you and your girls to some of the younger set."
    They were apparently a good enough excuse to let Fossi escape the family tableau. Being illegitimate, their quick appearance had been all that was required of them.
    Fossi led them to a defensive looking group of men in uniform. "They get flack for not being nobles, some of them. The few nobles get flack for being useful."
    One man stood out amongst the group. Taller t han the rest, with hair so bright a gold she nearly expected to feel the heat when she shook hands with him. "Lieutenant Cuffeson, a pleasure." So amusing that someone with such hair would be named Gre.
    "Thank you Miss, er, Lady Rustle." A soft high childish voice that reminded her of her half brother. The young man's nervous gaze swept over the witches, and he hastily dropped her hand. Leppie was nearly breathless over him.
     
    Then the music started, and Aunt Fussy appeared to take Leppie home.
    At some point the younger set had demonstrated sufficient respect for the elder, that they were then allowed to join the dancing.
    Fossi led Never off and Rustle was mobbed with apparent admirers and quickly filled her dance card.
    She ignored the snide remarks of the city girls. Like mother had said, she didn't actually want any of these fellows. They were flat, to her mental senses. And rude. Although only one to the point that she kneed him. The last few fellows begged off, and she retreated, relieved.

Chapter Five
    1369 Winter
    Karista
     
    Rustle tried to talk to the local girls her age. They were less than welcoming. She was quickly reduced to rather tame rides in the parks scattered around the city as the only entertainment. The only excitement was afforded by the young men acting like idiots. "Chasing" and "capturing" the girls, who apparently wanted to be captured. Which was even more irritating than the girls' gossip.
    It was almost a relief to get snowed in for a couple of days, playing cards and reading by a toasty fire.
    Then King Leano's Birthday bash. A lot of the country Lords came in for it, as well as all the Dukes and Governors. Well, one Governor. Their own Foothills Province had never taken to the idea of nobility. "Lord" Harry Traveler and Lady Gisele Health attended, and assured the concerned King and General that the Auld Wulf was recuperating. Governor Newry attached himself to them, fended off the few Lords who had trouble believing a woman could be the Land Grant Holder of a section all by herself, without a husband. Rustle looked on, hoping for a toad transformation or two, but Lady Gisele just looked amused. And managed to stay firmly in her Matron aspect.
    Rustle managed to affront an entirely new group of "gentlemen" and left early with considerable relief.
    T hey were back to riding in the frozen park between the Palace and the Council Hall as soon as the snow was cleared from the paths.
    The Young Bloods must have missed their game s, they came tearing down the