“And if troubled times don’t come?” Merrin said, voice still full of disbelief.
“Then you’ll help them prosper.” He laughed. “Actually, the fact that you aren’t going to be breeding famous horses anymore should keep things quiet for you.”
“You’re keeping the horses?” Merrin replied. “Well—damn! That’s low of you, Valdemar!”
“They’re my horses, not the Duchy’s,” Kordas reminded him. “Find something else to do with all those meadows. Try sheep. Or cows. Become famous for cheese.”
“Huh. Actually, that’s not a bad notion,” Merrin mused. “I do have a capital strain of cattle on my land . . .”
“Star, make sure we give Merrin’s cows back to him,” said Kordas.
“You cad! You stole my cattle?” Merrin tried to sound indignant, but the laughter in his voice gave him away.
“Which makes me a Robber Baron, I suppose,” Kordas retorted, also laughing. It felt strange, as if he had not laughed for decades. But good. Very good. “I think I’ll keep that. Robber Baron Kordas of Valdemar.”
“It suits you,” said Ponu, from the end of the barge. “Now shut up and pass the wine.”
“Hey!” called Jonaton, from behind them. “Has anyone seen Sydney?”
Author’s Note
Special thanks to Arath Darastrix and Joshua Murcray for their research, to Ben Dobyns, Hudson Stryker, Scotter, Connor, and Mike Grodeman for their support, and in memoriam, Marc Curlee.
About the Author
Mercedes Lackey is a full-time writer and has published numerous novels and works of short fiction, including the bestselling Heralds of Valdemar series. She is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator.
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