The Baron of Latiz (26)

 26

Samh 10.21.1339 

The next morning, when Valanthus ate breakfast, he discovered that Amoranda and the other ladies had eaten early and his charge had taken them into the garden. 

This did nothing to calm his nerves. He had felt uneasy all night as if Amoranda had stumbled across some new trouble. He glanced out the window into the garden and saw them laughing and enjoying the two suns shining down on them. He then walked a few turns around the table. He had overheard the question about him but tried not to let it color his opinion of Amoranda’s long-time friend. With Biranta, he felt as if he had seen her somewhere before, but again, he had to brush this off because he could not place her. His agitation continued no matter how hard he tried to disperse it with logic. 

He finally concluded there was nothing he could do but watch his charming charge closely, especially while Tinsarentia and Biranta stayed. He wandered out to the garden and overheard Amoranda entertaining them with the story of Froch and Galeid's evil plot. There, he saw Biranta standing close to Amoranda, leaning into her with one hand locked around her waist and the other holding her hand. Amoranda looked slightly discomforted by this closeness to a stranger she had met less than a day earlier, which raised Valanthus’ indignation. 

At dinner, he watched Biranta’s looks and found her eyes almost continually upon Amoranda as if Biranta wanted to eat his charge instead of the meal before them. Valanthus flung dissatisfied looks at her, and she darted hostile glances back at him. 

Each day, he hoped for the two newcomers to leave, but each day they refused to take his hints, and each day his suspicions about Biranta grew stronger. Still, he had no proof. He knew he would need something to convince Amoranda that her friend had taken advantage of her generosity and that the stranger was not who she appeared to be. 

Finally, one morning, when the two had been there almost a week, Amoranda came down before anyone else was awake and met Valanthus walking in the hall. 

“Silvergor,” she said, “what’s the matter with you? What new troubles have taken possession of your mind? I’ve seen the cloud gathering upon your brow, and I can’t rest until I know the reason for it.”

“As always, Kidege, the source of my uneasiness stems from the real concern I have for your wellbeing. I have you so much at heart that the least appearance of danger gives my mind fresh alarm. However, even though I’m extremely uneasy, I fear you will think me to be a very imaginative old fellow, if I tell you the reason.”

“Come now, Silvergor, we have grown close enough to share even the most whimsical troubles.”

Valanthus sighed. 

“I suspect Biranta is not a woman.”

Valanthus could have sworn Amoranda was struggling not to laugh.

“I will always acknowledge myself obliged to you for your great care and caution,” she began carefully, “but please do not carry this line of thinking too far. What could have put such a thought into your head?”

“Observation puts a great many things in our heads. First, there is the evil-looking glances she gives me every time I come around.”

“I have already told you that she dislikes old men. I tried to convince her you were harmless, but I cannot begrudge her for it.”

“That isn’t the only thing that stirs my suspicions. Have you noticed how she looks at you? What of all her kind glances? And please do not forget all the rapturous embraces or loving squeezes. What about her eager desire to please you? How she gushes over every word you speak? Neither Tinsarentia nor Katamitoria behave in such a way toward you.” 

“Silvergor, I know everything you say comes from an honest heart, but in this, I think you are too fearful. Some women are more touchy-feely than others. Your passion for my safety is simply seeing these things in the wrong light. I can’t share your opinion in this for several reasons of my own. First, what object would a man have pretending to be a woman just so he could get close to me? Once he revealed his true self, he could expect nothing but disgust on my end for his fabrication. Next, I would never believe Tinsarentia, who would have to be aware of it, would be so base as to betray me like that. No!” she shook her head and turned from him. “Silvergor, there can be nothing in these opinions. Please, set your fears aside.” 

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