I hadnt thought of that. It was a thing I didnt understand, why the men of the kings army laid the blame for the brides curse in the lap of Queenmother Caelumwhich meant they blamed her for all manner of hardships, from rain and snow to mildew on harnesses. They said the queenmother had demanded the massacre of the clan of Torrent in Lanx from sheer bloodlust. All her lusts were ungovernable, but most especially her desire to rule. The king will like it. Hes fond of a good song, said Sire Galan. And it makes the She-wolf look the bitch she is, doesnt it? Its unnatural for a woman to be so ambitious, Sire Edecon said, and quoted the old saying: If you let a woman wear the spurs, shell ride you to ruin. Sire Galan said, Have you met my mother? Yes, I had that honor, on the occasion of Sire Destellos wedding to Dame Molletemy cousin, you know, on my mothers side. Why do you ask? I wondered if youd noticed the spurs. There was an uproar in the camp and Spiller went to find out why, and came back excited.
