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intention of replying anyway. 'But maybe instead of standing there talking, someone could
help me with this armour and call a doctor. That madman Rainfarn stabbed me under the ribs.'
What do we need a doctor for?' said Mousesack, taking out his wand.
'Enough.' Calanthe straightened and raised her head proudly. 'Enough of this. When all this is
over, I want to see you in my chamber. All of you, as you stand. Eist, Pavetta, Mousesack,
Geralt and you . . . Duny. Mousesack?'
'Yes, your Majesty.'
'That wand of yours . . . I've bruised my backbone. And thereabouts.'
'At your command, your Majesty.'
III
'. . . a curse,' continued Duny, rubbing his temple. 'Since birth. I never found a reason for it, or
who did it to me. From midnight to dawn, an ordinary man, from dawn . . . you saw what.
Akerspaark, my father, wanted to hide it. People are superstitious in Maecht; spells and curses
in the royal family could prove fatal for the dynasty. One of my father's knights took me away
from court and brought me up. The two of us wandered around the world - the knight errant
and his squire, and later, when he died, I journeyed alone. I can't remember who told me that a
child-surprise could free me from the curse. Not long after that I met Roegner. The rest you
know.'
'The rest we know, or can guess,' nodded Calanthe. 'Especially that you didn't wait the fifteen
years agreed upon with Roegner but turned my daughter's head before that. Pavetta! Since
when?'
The princess lowered her head and raised a finger.
'There. You little sorceress. Right under my nose! Let me just find out who let him into the
castle at night! Let me at the ladies-in-waiting you went gathering primroses with. Primroses,
dammit! Well, what am I to do with you now?'
'Calanthe ' began Eist.
'Hold on, Tuirseach. I haven't finished yet. Duny, the matter's become very complicated.
You've been with Pavetta for a year now, and what? And nothing. So you negotiated the oath
from the
wrong father. Destiny has made a fool of you. What irony, as Geralt of Rivia, present here, is
wont to say.'
'To hell with destiny, oaths and irony,' grimaced Duny. 'I love Pavetta and she loves me, that's
all that counts. You can't stand in the way of our happiness.'
'I can, Duny, I can, and how.' Calanthe smiled one of her unfailing smiles. 'You're lucky I
don't want to. I have a certain debt towards you, Duny. I'd made up my mind... I ought to ask
your forgiveness, but I hate doing that. So I'm giving you Pavetta and we'll be quits. Pavetta?
You haven't changed your mind, have you?'
The princess shook her head eagerly.
'Thank you, your Majesty. Thank you,' smiled Duny. 'You're a wise and generous queen.'
'Of course I am. And beautiful.'
'And beautiful.'
'You can both stay in Cintra if you wish. The people here are less superstitious than the
inhabitants of Maecht and adjust to things quicker. Besides, even as Urcheon you were quite
pleasant. But you can't count on having the throne just yet. I intend to reign a little longer
beside the new king of Cintra. The noble Eist Tuirseach of Skellige has made me a very
interesting proposition.'
'Calanthe '
'Yes, Eist, I accept. I've never before listened to a confession of love while lying on the floor
amidst fragments of my own throne but . . . How did you put it, Duny? This is all that counts
and I don't advise anyone to stand in the way of my happiness. And you, what are you staring
at? I'm not as old as you think.'
'Today's youth,' muttered Mousesack. 'The apple doesn't fall far '
'What are you muttering, sorcerer?'
'Nothing, ma'am.'
'Good. While we're at it, I've got a proposition for you, Mouse-sack. Pavetta's going to need a
teacher. She ought to learn how to use her gift. I like this castle, and I'd prefer it to remain
standing.
It might fall apart at my talented daughter's next attack of hysteria. How about it, Druid?'
'I'm honoured.'
'I think,' the queen turned her head towards the window. 'It's dawn. Time to V
She suddenly turned to where Pavetta and Duny were whispering to each other, holding
hands, their foreheads all but touching.
'Duny!'
'Yes, your Majesty?'
'Do you hear? It's dawn! It's already light. And you . . .'
Geralt glanced at Mousesack and both started laughing.
'And why are you so happy, sorcerers? Can't you see ?'
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