Tanalasta let the sentence hang, as reluctant to reveal her condition for giving her hand to Dauneth as she was to commit herself to giving it.
The Warden was too good a military man not to press for an advantage when he saw the opportunity. “If what, milady?”
Tanalasta stopped climbing and turned to face Dauneth, bringing the whole procession of guards and merchants to a clamorous halt. Only Merula and Owden continued to climb, the wizard more eager than ever to eavesdrop, and the priest just as determined to fill his ear with valuable nature lore.
Trying to ignore the fact that she was being watched by a thousand eyes, Tanalasta took Dauneth’s hand and answered his question. “If we are to do what my father and Vangerdahast want us to, but first we must trust each other enough to speak honestly and openly.”
Dauneth’s face grew serious. “I am sure the princess will find me a very honest fellow.”
“Of course. No one can doubt that after the Abraxus Affair, but that’s really not what I meant.”
Noticing that Merula’s huffing was growing audible again, Tanalasta turned up the road and started to climb. They were almost at the summit now. At any moment, she expected to crest Worg Pass and see the bulky towers of High Horn in the distance.
Dauneth clambered to keep up. “So what did you mean, Princess?”
“Tanalasta, please. If you can’t even call me by name “
“I didn’t want to take liberties.” Dauneth’s voice had grown defensive. “You haven’t invited me to.”
“I am inviting you to now.”
“Very well. Then what did you mean, Tanalasta?”
Tanalasta rolled her eyes, wondering how she could say what she meant without making it seem a command, and without sounding like the same ninny who had nearly let Aunadar Bleth steal a kingdom from beneath her nose. The princess had little doubt that Dauneth, raised in the fine tradition of noble families everywhere, would find her wish to marry for love as laughable as Vangerdahast found it. On the other hand, it was she who wanted to speak honestly and openly, and she could hardly demand such a thing of Dauneth if she was unwilling herself. Tanalasta took a deep breath and began.