Darksong Rising Read Online Free PDF

from your sister
    lately?"
     
    “Herene has written often. She is well, but she finds herself... less sure than she will admit.”
     
    Anna smiled at the wry tone. “She asks for advice?”
     
    The white-and-blonde-haired Lady of Pamr laughed, openly and without rancor. "Truly, it is
    amazing how matters Change?"
     
    “I thought she would be a good warder for Sargol’s heirs?”
     
    “You were most gracious to allow them to retain their sire’s lands, after his treason,” pointed out
    the Lady of Pamr.
     
    “He didn’t see it as treason,” Anna pointed out. “I am a woman, and from another world. Women
    with power are not easily accepted in Defalk.”
     
    ‘That is true, but you are the Regent for the heir to Defalk, and you were confirmed by the
    Thirty-three. Attacking such a regent is treason.” Gatrune’s voice was firm as she added. “You
    were gracious.”
     
    “Not quite so gracious,” Anna admitted. “I have indicated that Dinfan will be the heir. She’s the
    oldest.”
     
    Gatrune’s laugh was almost raucous. “And Herene is her warder, and the armsmaster is beholden
    to you. Even my own brother found that morsel hard to swallow. Yet, he finds his sisters with as
    much power as he—thanks to you, Regent”
     
    “I’m not trying to replace men with women.” Anna took a sip of the amber wine, a very small
    sip. “I’m just trying to have the best people do the job. If a woman is better...” She shrugged.
     
    “Some of the older lords find that thought disturbing."
     
    “I know. Some have made it very clear?”
     
    As the serving girl took Anna’s empty plate, the Regent wanted to shake her head. Once, if she’d
    eaten four huge slabs of gravied beef, an enormous potato, and half a loaf of bread, she would
    have gained who knew how many pounds. Now she worried that she might not have eaten
    enough for the sorcery she had performed and might be called on to perform daily.
     
    “We have but white cheese and melon,” Gatrune apologized. "That’s fine,” Anna said. “We
    didn’t give you much warning, and you’ve been very gracious.”
     
    The serving girls set melon—a half melon—before each guest at the table, accompanied by a
    thick wedge of the white cheese.
     
    “Most gracious.” affirmed Liende.
     
    “How do you find your quarters?” asked Gatrune.
     
    “Comfortable…and dry.” answered the chief player. “All the players appreciate that, and the
    food.”
     
    “You and the Regent deserve far more than that, but we provide what we can.” The Lady of
    Pamr smiled.
     
    “We are grateful,” replied Liende.
     
    “So am I,” Anna said.
     
    When all had finished the cheese and melon, Firis inclined his head toward Anna, then toward
    Gatrune. “If we might be excused, ladies? There are a few matters we must consider for the
    Regent’s armsmen.”
     
    “And I also?” asked Liende. “I should see to my players."
     
    Anna accepted the excuse and smiled. “Of course. I had not realized we had kept you."
     
    “Would that we were kept so more often,” answered Firis.
     
    Liende offered the slightest of wry headshakes, and even stolid Himar cracked a smile at the
    younger overcaptain’s brazen gallantry.
     
    Once the doors closed behind the officers. Anna inclined her head toward the older-looking
    woman.
     
    “Let us repair to my study,” suggested Gatrune, rising.
     
    The study was similar to many Anna had come to visit in Defalk—wood-paneled, with a wall of
    shelves only partly filled with books, and with a working tablelike desk, several chairs, and two
    side tables between the three chairs facing the desk. The two candles in the wall sconces barely
    flickered,, but also provided but dim illumination. The Lady of Pamr took one of the armed
    wooden chairs before the desk. This time, Lejun stood outside the doors, presumably to let
    Rickel get something to eat.
     
    Anna took the one farthest from Gatrune’s, leaving a chair vacant