Whatever he's hiding, he's not going to share it with me, Naitachal thought At least, not now.
"I'm not certain how to phrase this precisely,"
Jehan began slowly, "so as not to offend you, sir."
"I believe we can resolve whatever differences exist between our two kingdoms," Naitachal readily sup- plied. "That is, of course, my mission."
A puzzled look passed briefly over Sir Jehan's face.
"No, you misunderstand. While I am happy to hear that, that's not the situation I'm referring to."
"I see," Naitachal replied, carefully. "Then what situation are you referring to?"
Jehan coughed. "Your assistant Alaire, I believe his name is."
Oh gods, Naitachal thought, keeping his expression neutral. Do they know he's the son of the King? Per- haps I should have spirited him away when I had the chance.
Jehan's smooth expression gave nothing away. "It is no secret that, since last night, when you two arr Alaire has become a companion of our dear Prince."
Does he suspect something shady about this? "Yes, I believe they met shortly after dinner last night P Kainemonen invited my secretary out for a night of... light entertainment." As if you didn't know that first- hand! Or did you think Alaire hadn't told me?
"Hmmm, I think I see what you're getting at. Such an acquaintance, between prince and a visiting diplomat, even the diplomat's secretary, would not seem terribly out of place in Althea. Have we perhaps violated some rule of social order in your fine land?"
"Oh, no," Sir Jehan said blandly. "On the contrary.
I'm grateful to see such informal mingling between people of our two lands. Your assistant has done no wrong by befriending the Prince, although I do under- stand they ran into a bit of trouble in town. I heard through the network of contacts in the tavern district that the Prince picked a sword fight with some unruly sailors. Regrettably, the brawl drew your assistant into it. I'm afraid such behavior is quite common with our young ruler-to-be, and I have to admit to some embar- rassment over the incident."
Naitachal nodded, still wondering what the man's point was. "Alaire may not seem to be very old, but he is capable of handling himself. Suinomen has nothing to apologize for, however. He went with the Prince willingly, without my knowledge or consent Not that he needed permission from me, you understand. . . .
He is not the envoy. I am. And as you know, young men will have their little excitements."
"I became aware of this last night." Now Sir Jehan produced a cool smile, and one that did not reach his eyes. "From what I've heard, your secretary is a rather remarkable swordsman." Sir Jehan's right eyebrow raised at this, but he made no further comment Alaire's training. He continued, in a lowered voice, "
I may, I would like to speak freely, but in confidence.
Just between the two of us, and with no diplomatic matters involved. My concern is for your secre Ambassador. Our young Prince is a bad influence.
Even though your secretary is an adult and can take care of himself, this doesn't make him immune to cer- tain unsavory influences in our land."
"I was under the impression that they were only out drinking," Naitachal said in defense of both young men. What influences?
"There may be more to it than that," Sir Jehan said, and there was a certain sly shading to his words.
"Though I cannot be more precise. There could be more to Kainemonen's nightly jaunts than we know.
He does this drunken tavern-hopping regularly, in the very worst parts of town. No lady of good blood will associate with him, even incognito."
This answered a question that had been gnawing at the Dark Elf since he spied on Kai, Alaire and their cluster of "maidens." Those women were of a much lower class -- no higher than servants, I should think.